Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Commons^™

Targeting Strategies To Optimize The Therapeutic Potential Of Gold Compounds Against Her2-Positive Breast Cancers, Afruja Ahad

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

The overexpression of HER2 accounts for 20-30% of breast cancer tumors and not only serves as a marker for poor predictive clinical outcomes but also as a target for treatment. Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) combine the selectivity of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) with the efficacy of chemotherapeutic drugs to provide targeted treatment without toxicity to normal tissue. Most of the ADCs currently in the clinic for cancer chemotherapy are based on complex organic molecules. In contrast, the conjugation of metallodrugs to mAbs has been overlooked when there is enormous potential in this area with the resurgence of metal-based drugs as prospective cancer …

Nanoparticles For Applications In Specific Diagnostics And Precision Medicine, Naxhije Berisha

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Heterogeneity is common in the expression of cancer and treatment response. Precision medicine enables healthcare providers to tailor medical care to an individual's distinct genetic and environmental makeup. This customization has the potential to result in more efficient treatments while minimizing side effects. We believe that by studying the interface of nanotechnology and cancer medicine we can elucidate innovative solutions that address the challenges of disease heterogeneity. This includes advancements in drug delivery, formulations development, and diagnostic sensing. We highlight three studies that use nanotechnology for applications in precision medicine. In Chapter 2, we highlight design optimization of drug formulations …

Effectiveness Of Antibiotic Stewardship For Healthcare Providers At Urgent Care Clinics, Helen T. Adewole

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Antibiotics have revolutionized modern medicine; however, the overuse in urgent care and primary care significantly contributes to the global burden of infections resistant to available antimicrobial medicines. Approximately 30% of the antimicrobials prescribed in acute care settings are unnecessary. Patient demand for antibiotics has seemingly skyrocketed following the recent COVID-19 pandemic. Practitioners must be knowledgeable about antibiotic stewardship initiatives, such as the wait-and-see approach, to reduce antibiotic overuse and improve the trajectory of antibiotic resistance and patient health outcomes. The gap in practice was the limited awareness of scientific evidence-based tools to partner with patients and improve antibiotic prescription patterns. …

Genome-Wide Mutagenesis To Investigate The N-Terminal Methylome: The Protective Effects Of Hsp31 And Other Methylated Proteins In Yeast, James Rooney, Jacob Lindsey

The Journal of Purdue Undergraduate Research

The purpose of this study was to understand the role of methylation in regulating the cellular stress response of Hsp31 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast cells. Hsp31 is known to be methylated by the N-terminal methyltransferase Tae1. Changing the methylation site can affect the methylation status of Hsp31, which may play a role in the protective activity of Hsp31 against cellular stress. GLO1 is a gene in yeast involved in catalyzing the detoxification of methylglyoxal (MGO), which is a by-product of glycolysis. We established that S. cerevisiae in the glo1Δ and background is sensitive to cellular stress by MGO. Mutant strains …

Oxidative Stress And Ion Channels In Neurodegenerative Diseases, Razan Orfali, Adnan Z. Alwatban, Rawan S. Orfali, Liz Lau, Noble Chea, Abdullah M. Alotaibi, Young-Woo Nam, Miao Zhang

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Numerous neurodegenerative diseases result from altered ion channel function and mutations. The intracellular redox status can significantly alter the gating characteristics of ion channels. Abundant neurodegenerative diseases associated with oxidative stress have been documented, including Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, spinocerebellar ataxia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Huntington’s disease. Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species compounds trigger posttranslational alterations that target specific sites within the subunits responsible for channel assembly. These alterations include the adjustment of cysteine residues through redox reactions induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitration, and S-nitrosylation assisted by nitric oxide of tyrosine residues through peroxynitrite. Several ion channels have been directly …

De Novo Drug Design Using Transformer-Based Machine Translation And Reinforcement Learning Of An Adaptive Monte Carlo Tree Search, Dony Ang, Cyril Rakovski, Hagop S. Atamian

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

The discovery of novel therapeutic compounds through de novo drug design represents a critical challenge in the field of pharmaceutical research. Traditional drug discovery approaches are often resource intensive and time consuming, leading researchers to explore innovative methods that harness the power of deep learning and reinforcement learning techniques. Here, we introduce a novel drug design approach called drugAI that leverages the Encoder–Decoder Transformer architecture in tandem with Reinforcement Learning via a Monte Carlo Tree Search (RL-MCTS) to expedite the process of drug discovery while ensuring the production of valid small molecules with drug-like characteristics and strong binding affinities towards …

Behavioral Effects Of Novel Treatments For Pain Using Different Pathways, Danya M I Aldaghma

Theses and Dissertations

Pain is defined as an unpleasant sensation that is mostly caused by a stimulus from our surroundings. This sensation has the potential to become a significant concern, disrupting daily activities, and diminishing overall quality of life. However, it could also hold significant importance as it serves as a protective mechanism. Pain acts as an alarm system for the human body, alerting it to potentially harmful situations where tissues may be at risk of damage1. Despite the considerable advancements in pain treatment and the extensive knowledge scientists possess regarding the pathophysiology and pathways of pain, numerous medications aimed at alleviating pain …

Exploring Lgbtq+ Cultural Competency And Dei In Continuing Education: A Cross-Sectional Review Of U.S. Pharmacy Legislation, Jennifer Ko, Jeremy Carlos, Yvonne Nguyen

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Background

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex, asexual, or other sexual orientations or gender identities (LGBTQ+) cultural competency training is offered in pharmacy curricula to variable extents. State legislation directly dictates pharmacist training through continuing pharmacy education (CPE) requirements.

Objectives

This study aimed to identify the U.S. states and the District of Columbia (D.C.) that require CPE or training on topics related to LGBTQ+ cultural competency or topics related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in general. In addition, this study quantified and compared each state’s CPE hours required for each renewal period.

Methods

This cross-sectional study retrospectively …

2018 2nd Place: Identifying The Effectiveness Of Plant Extracts For Treating Biofilms Of Escherichia Coli And Myxococcus Xanthus, Micah Burton

Harrisburg University Research Symposium: Highlighting Research, Innovation, & Creativity

Antibiotic resistance is a topic that is of growing concern in the field of medicine. Antibiotics act as growth blockers or act as toxins, killing the organism they affect. These biological weapons generate selective pressure leading to the current antibiotic crisis. This selective pressure causes resistant organisms to begin to emerge and over generations antibiotic resistance can develop and be spread among a bacterial population.

One of the key factors contributing to antibiotic resistance in bacteria is the ability for some bacteria to form and shield themselves within biofilms. Biofilms are masses of bacteria protected by a polysaccharide/ extracellular DNA …

Modifying Peptide/Lipid-Associated Nucleic Acids (Planas) For Crispr/Cas9 Ribonucleoprotein Delivery, Abdulelah Alhazza, Parvin Mahdipoor, Ryley Hall, Arthur Manda, Sandeep Lohan, Keykavous Parang, Hamidreza Montazeri Aliabadi

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

With the first reports on the possibility of genome editing by Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) and CRISPR-associated protein (Cas)9 surfacing in 2005, the enthusiasm for protein silencing via nucleic acid delivery experienced a resurgence following a period of diminished enthusiasm due to challenges in delivering small interfering RNAs (siRNA), especially in vivo. However, delivering the components necessary for this approach into the nucleus is challenging, maybe even more than the cytoplasmic delivery of siRNA. We previously reported the birth of peptide/lipid-associated nucleic acids (PLANAs) for siRNA delivery. This project was designed to investigate the efficiency of …

Real-World Dispensing Of Buprenorphine In California During Prepandemic And Pandemic Periods, Yun Wang, Alexandre Chan, Richard Beuttler, Marc L. Fleming, Todd Schneberk, Michael Nichol, Haibing Lu

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Introduction: The opioid overdose crisis in the United States has become a significant national emergency. Buprenorphine, a primary medication for individuals coping with opioid use disorder (OUD), presents promising pharmacokinetic properties for use in primary care settings, and is often delivered as a take-home therapy. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the scarcity of access to buprenorphine, leading to dire consequences for those with OUD. Most existing studies, primarily focused on the immediate aftermath of the COVID-19 outbreak, highlight the challenges in accessing medications for opioid use disorder (MOUDs), particularly buprenorphine. However, these studies only cover a relatively short timeframe. Methods: To …

Avaren-Fc, A Novel Immunotherapeutic, Recruits Nk Cells In B16f10 Melanoma Tumor Tissue, Sreevatsa Vemuri, Katarina Mayer, Nobuyuki Matoba

Posters-at-the-Capitol

Melanoma is the fifth most common cancer in the US, with limited effective immunotherapeutic options available for patients. Avaren-Fc (AvFc) is a novel experimental immunotherapeutic agent with a unique “lectibody” property. It is capable of targeting cancer cells through the selective recognition of high mannose glycans, which are aberrantly overrepresented on the surface of malignant cells. AvFc can interact with circulating effector immune cells equipped with Fc receptors, such as natural killer (NK) cells to induce antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) and kill cancer cells. Previous work has shown that AvFc effectively induces ADCC activity against B16F10 cancer cells in vitro …

Development And Validation Of A Nomogram For Predicting Pulmonary Infection In Patients Receiving Immunosuppressive Drugs, Chuxuan Luo, Yue Zhang, Jiajie Zhang, Chen Jin, Xiaolan Ye, Yan Ren, Huajuan Shen, Maosheng Chen, Yiwen Li, Qiang He, Guangbiao Xu, Lina Shao

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objective: Pulmonary infection (PI), a severe complication of immunosuppressive therapy, affects patients' prognosis. As part of this study, we aimed to construct a pulmonary infection prediction (PIP) model and validate it in patients receiving immunosuppressive drugs (ISDs). Methods: Totally, 7,977 patients being treated with ISDs were randomised 7:3 to the developing (n = 5,583) versus validation datasets (n = 2,394). Our predictive nomogram was established using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and multivariate COX regression analyses. With the use of the concordance index (C-index) and calibration curve, the prediction performance of the final model was …

Qiditangshen Granules Alleviates Diabetic Nephropathy Podocyte Injury: A Network Pharmacology Study And Experimental Validation In Vivo And Vitro, Fei Gao, Ying Zhou, Borui Yu, Huidi Xie, Yang Shi, Xianhui Zhang, Hongfang Liu

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: QiDiTangShen granules (QDTS), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) compound prescription, have remarkable efficacy in diabetic nephropathy (DN) patients, and their pharmacological mechanism needs further exploration.

METHODS: According to the active ingredients and targets of the QDTS in the TCMSP database, the network pharmacology of QDTS was investigated. The potential active ingredients were chosen based on the oral bioavailability and the drug similarity index. At the same time, targets for DN-related disease were obtained from GeneCards, OMIM, PharmGKB, TTD, and DrugBank. The TCM-component-target network and the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network were constructed with the Cytoscape and STRING platforms, respectively, and …

The Association Of Dietary Antioxidants And The Inflammatory Potential Of The Diet With Poor Physical Function And Disability In Older Australian Men: The Concord Health And Ageing In Men Project, Daniela Wizgier, Ying Meng, Arpita Das, Vasi Naganathan, Fiona Blyth, David G. Le Couteur, David J. Handelsman, Louise M. Waite, Rosilene V. Ribeiro, Nitin Shivappa, James Hébert Scd, Vasant Hirani

Faculty Publications

Our objective was to evaluate the association of antioxidant intake and the inflammatory potential of the diet with functional decline in older men. A diet history questionnaire was used to collect dietary intake data from men aged ≥ 75 years (n 794) participating in the Concord Health and Aging in Men Project cohort study. Intake of vitamins A, C, E and Zn were compared with the Australian Nutrient Reference Values to determine adequacy. The Energy-adjusted Dietary Inflammatory Index (E-DIITM) was used to assess the inflammatory potential of the diet. Physical performance data were collected via handgrip strength and walking speed …

Covid-19 And Burnout Among Community Pharmacists In The West Bank – Palestine, Amjad H. Bazzari, Firas H. Bazzari

Journal of the Arab American University مجلة الجامعة العربية الامريكية للبحوث

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic had a strong impact on the physical and mental well-being of healthcare workers. However, the focus has been directed towards nurses and physicians compared to pharmacists. Here, the researchers investigated the prevalence of burnout among community pharmacists in the West Bank – Palestine during the pandemic and the associated COVID-19 factors. The study was conducted using a written questionnaire and the sample included a total of 70 pharmacists. The results showed a burnout prevalence of 45.7% with work-related burnout having the highest impact on both males (50%) and females (54.8%). The level of burnout …

Pharmacovigilance Data As A Trigger To Identify Antimicrobial Adverse Effects: A Study Using Reports From Basra Pharmacovigilance Centre, Sarah T Omran

Maaen Journal for Medical Sciences

Background: pharmacovigilance is the science and activities that used to detect, evaluate, understand, and prevent drugs' adverse effects and to ensure that medicines are used safely and effectively. Antimicrobials considered as an important curable medicine for diseases; however, irrational medical prescribing may lead to differing types of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) Aim of Study: The study aims to summarize besides analyzing data from the pharmacovigilance center in Basrah concerning antibiotic use-related ADR. Method: This study is a retrospective cohort study of antibiotic used in 2022-2023. The study population consists of patients who received antibiotics during the study period. The outcome …

Stevens-Johnson Syndrome From Combined Allopurinol And Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors: A Narrative Review, Isabella M. Fabian, Kirsten Maddox, Cameron Robicheaux, Rahib K. Islam, Ahmed Anwar, Bradley Dorius, Christopher L. Robinson, Adam M. Kaye, Giustino Varrassi, Shahab Ahmadzadeh, Sahar Shekoohi, Alan D. Kaye

School of Pharmacy Faculty Articles

Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) is a severe and potentially debilitating skin reaction frequently related to medication use. Allopurinol and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are commonly prescribed medications for prevalent health conditions worldwide, and their interaction associated with SJS warrants further investigation. A comprehensive literature search was performed to investigate cases as studies related to SJS occurring in patients with concomitant use of allopurinol and ACE inhibitors. We identified case reports and studies detailing hypersensitivity reactions, including SJS, attributed to a combination of allopurinol and ACE inhibitors. Despite the drug-drug interactions or lack thereof seen in patient populations, there is no definitive …

A Baker’S Dozen Of Top Antimicrobial Stewardship Intervention Publications In 2022, Reagan K. Barfield, Matthew L. Brown, Benjamin Albrecht, Katie E. Barber, Jeannette Bouchard, Amy L. Carr, Elias B. Chahine, David Cluck, Elizabeth W. Covington, Connor R. Deri, Spencer H. Durham, Carmen Faulkner-Fennell, Lauren K. Freeman, Timothy P. Gauthier, Geneen M. Gibson, Sarah B. Green, Athena L.V. Hobbs, Bruce M. Jones, P. Brandon Bookstaver Pharm.D., Et. Al.

Faculty Publications

Keeping abreast of the antimicrobial stewardship–related articles published each year is challenging. The Southeastern Research Group Endeavor identified antimicrobial stewardship–related, peer-reviewed literature that detailed an actionable intervention during 2022. The top 13 publications were selected using a modified Delphi technique. These manuscripts were reviewed to highlight actionable interventions used by antimicrobial stewardship programs to capture potentially effective strategies for local implementation.

Neurocystecercosis, Sudha Kiran Das Dr, Vipul Malviya Dr, Sachin P. Shetty Dr, Shrisagar R A

Radiology Teaching Files

• 42 year male patient presented with complains of generalised weakness and 2 episodes of seizures. CT and MRI brain was performed and was diagnosed with neurocystecercosis. Symptomatic treatment with antiseizure medications, along with anthelmintic therapy using albendazole and praziquantel, the two antiparasitics, was planned, accompanied by corticosteroids.

Unveiling A Hidden Peril: Unanticipated Emergence Of Diaphragmatic Hernia After Trauma, Deepak Benny Dr, Deepak K. S Dr, Vishal S. Dharpur Dr, Priyanshi Tapadia

Radiology Teaching Files

This case report presents a rare instance of a delayed diagnosis of obstructed diaphragmatic hernia in a 57-year-old male, a year after sustaining trauma. The patient initially presented with abdominal pain and obstipation, without any overt signs of diaphragmatic injury. Diagnostic challenges were compounded by the patient's non-specific symptomatology and the absence of immediate post-traumatic complications. The report discusses the clinical presentation, diagnostic imaging, and therapeutic management, underscoring the importance of considering diaphragmatic hernia in differential diagnoses of abdominal pain post-trauma. The case highlights the necessity for heightened clinical vigilance and the pivotal role of advanced imaging techniques in diagnosing …

Unveiling The Silent Specter: A Comprehensive Exploration Of Silent Sinus Syndrome, Deepak Benny Dr, Sudha Kiran Das Dr, Shwetha R. Poojary Dr, Priyanshi Tapadia

Radiology Teaching Files

A 42-year-old individual presented to the outpatient clinic with subtle facial asymmetry noted over the past year, primarily characterized by a progressive, painless sinking of the right eye (enophthalmos). The patient reported a history of mild, intermittent nasal obstruction but no acute sinus infections, significant nasal discharge, or facial pain. Despite these mild symptoms, the patient expressed concern over the noticeable change in facial appearance and occasional double vision, which prompted a visit to the clinic.The patient described a gradual onset of the right eye appearing "sunken" without any preceding trauma, infection, or significant weight loss. Initially dismissed as a …

Pericallosal Lipoma Unveiled: A Rare Case Of Incidental Discovery And Its Clinical Implications, Deepak Benny Dr, Sachin P. Shetty Dr, Kavitha B. C Dr, Sinchana N Dr

Radiology Teaching Files

This case report delves into the incidental finding of a pericallosal lipoma during routine neuroimaging conducted for non-specific neurological symptoms. It provides a detailed examination of the lipoma's radiological features, outlines the clinical significance of such findings, and discusses the management approach adopted, including considerations for surgical intervention versus conservative monitoring. The report further explores the implications of incidental pericallosal lipomas on patient outcomes, emphasizing the need for awareness among clinicians about this rare condition and the importance of individualized patient care strategies in the context of such incidental neuroimaging discoveries.

Emerging Mania In Young Adulthood: A Case Report Of Idiopathic Fahr's Syndrome Unveiling Neuropsychiatric Dimensions, Deepak Benny Dr, Shwetha R. Poojary Dr, Kavya B. T Dr, Sudha Kiran Das Dr.

Radiology Teaching Files

This case report outlines the diagnosis and management of an 18-year-old male presenting with first episode mania, attributed to idiopathic Fahr's Syndrome. Despite having no significant past medical or psychiatric history, the patient exhibited classic manic symptoms alongside grandiose delusions. Notably, CT imaging revealed brain calcifications characteristic of Fahr's Syndrome, absent metabolic disturbances commonly associated with the disorder. This case underscores the clinical complexity of Fahr's Syndrome, illustrating its potential to manifest primarily with psychiatric symptoms and the importance of integrating neuroimaging in the psychiatric evaluation to uncover underlying neurological disorders.

Pulmonary Infarction, Manu Chaudhary Dr, Sachin P. Shetty Dr, Sinchana N Dr

Radiology Teaching Files

68 years old female presented with breathlessness and chest pain to EMD, on clinical examination her saturation was low and D-Dimer levels were significantly elevated raising the possibility of pulmonary thromboembolism. Further the patient was referred for chest radiograph and CT thorax with contrast for better evaluation and was diagnosed with pulmonary thromboembolism with pulmonary infarct. The patient was treated for the same.

Developing A Pbpk Model For Intranasal Naloxone And Opioid Displacement From Brain Receptors, Jasmin Akther Hossain

Selected Full-Text Dissertations 2020-

The therapeutic and nontherapeutic use of potent opioid agonists has increased dramatically over the past 20 years, with overdose trends following suit. Currently, naloxone is the primary drug used for treating emergency rescue from an opioid overdose. Naloxone works by displacing opioid agonists that are bound to receptors such as the μ-opioid receptor (MOR) in the brain, which are thought to be the sites of action responsible for symptoms due to overdosing, such as respiratory depression.

Intranasal (IN) administration of naloxone is an excellent alternative to the invasiveness of injections and poorly bioavailable oral formulation. However, the exact mechanism of …

Naloxone And Dexmedetomidine Reversal Of The Effects Of Methamphetamine And Fentanyl Co-Administration, Wesley R. Tackett

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Agitation is common amongst individuals who have taken methamphetamine (METH) when they arrive at the emergency room (ER). Fentanyl (FENT) and other opioids can mask this agitation which could then unexpectedly present after the reversal of these drugs by naloxone (NLX). Commonly used medications for agitation caused by METH include benzodiazepine sedatives (like alprazolam and similar drugs), but these drugs can produce dangerous sedation and inhibition of breathing when combined with opioids such as FENT. Therefore, the purpose of this MS thesis project was to use a rat model of METH-FENT overdose to test the ability of opioid antagonist NLX …

An Uncommon Culprit In Sma Syndrome: Navigating Through Duodenal Adenocarcinoma-Induced Obstruction, Deepak Benny Dr, Vikram Patil, Shrisagar R A

Radiology Teaching Files

Superior Mesenteric Artery (SMA) Syndrome is an infrequent vascular compression disorder, characterized predominantly by the extrinsic obstruction of the third part of the duodenum by the SMA, leading to a spectrum of gastrointestinal symptoms. While most commonly associated with rapid weight loss and anatomical variations, its occurrence in the context of adjacent malignancies remains exceedingly rare and clinically significant.

Here I detail a compelling case of a 49-year-old male, initially presenting with nonspecific symptoms of intermittent abdominal pain and vomiting. The diagnostic journey, propelled by computed tomography (CT) and subsequent investigations, unveiled an underlying duodenal adenocarcinoma exerting extrinsic pressure, precipitating …

A Population-Based Study Of Children Suggests Blunted Morning Cortisol Rhythms Are Associated With Alterations Of The Systemic Inflammatory State, Runia Roy, Utkarsh J. Dang, Kim M. Huffman, Tchilabalo Alayi, Yetrib Hathout, Kanneboyina Nagaraju, Paul S. Visich, Eric P. Hoffman

Pharmacy Faculty Scholarship

Background: In children, digital media, lifestyle, and the COVID pandemic have impacted sunlight exposure, exercise, and diet patterns - cues that entrain the circadian clock. We hypothesized that low morning cortisol reflects a weak circadian clock, impacting the pro-inflammatory state. The primary objective was to test relationships between diurnal cortisol fluctuations and the inflammatory state in children as a means of providing indirect support for this hypothesis. Methods: The Cardiovascular Health Intervention Program (CHIP) was a population-based cross-sectional and longitudinal study of circadian health in public elementary school children in Southern Maine, USA (recruitment period 2012–2017). Participants were 689 students …

Modulation Of Diet-Induced Gut Inflammation In Slowing Initiation Of Hematologic Malignancies, Esther Nyarkoa Mensah

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The intestinal tract serves as a host to an extremely complex microbial system. Microbes in the gut regulate their metabolism in response to chemicals generated by other microorganisms as well as nutrition supply from dietary intake. Alterations in gut bacteria have been implicated in the development of metabolic disorders such as obesity and the progression of diseases such as Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Although the cause of obesity is multifactorial, the consumption of high-fat or sugar-rich diets (Western diets) has been proposed as a significant contributor to this global epidemic. Obesity is a major public health concern that has been extensively …