Other Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Commons^™

Assessment Of In-Vitro And In-Vivo Pre-Clinical Pharmacokinetics Of Epz015666; A Novel Small Molecule For Medulloblastoma Treatment, Pratiksha U. Kshirsagar

Theses & Dissertations

Group 3 medulloblastoma (MB) has the worst prognosis of the MB subgroups associated with elevated MYC expression and a 5-year survival rate of

Quantitation of EPZ was performed on a Shimadzu LC-MS/MS system utilizing electrospray ionization operated in positive mode. The validated assay was linear from 0.2 to 500 ng/mL. Metabolic stability studies demonstrated slow intrinsic clearance of EPZ in mouse and human liver microsomes, suggesting no CYP-mediated metabolism. Additionally, EPZ exhibited low binding affinity to plasma and brain proteins and high apparent permeability across artificial membranes, indicating efficient membrane penetration. Drug transporter studies identified EPZ as a substrate of …

Artificial Intelligence Applications For Optimizing Population And Clinical Drug Decision-Making Processes, Khulud Bukhari

Pharmaceutical Sciences (PhD) Dissertations

Introduction: In our study, we evaluated the application of ChatGPT4, an artificial intelligence chatbot, in the pharmacy field, specifically the capability of ChatGPT4 to extract and analyze FDA drug information, conduct a cost-effectiveness analysis of two antibiotics, and identify and classify adverse drugs events (ADE). We compare the results of ChatGPT4 with those from manual searches and specialized software programs. Methods: The first study used ChatGPT4 to extract and assess the quality of regulatory information for antibiotics indicated for complicated urinary tract infections (cUTI) approved by the FDA in 2014-2023. The second study involved comparing the cost-effectiveness analysis of cefiderocol …

Investigation Of Avaren-Fc's Therapeutic Potential Against Ovarian Cancer., Katarina Lee Mayer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis describes the investigation of Avaren-Fc (AvFc), a novel lectin-based therapeutic fusion protein consisting of the recombinant Avaren lectin and the Fc region of human IgG1, against ovarian cancer. AvFc possesses selectivity toward tumor associated N-linked high-mannose-type glycans. The present study demonstrates AvFc’s in vitro activity against OVCA cell lines via antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity and its ability to extend the survival of mice challenged with murine ID8 OVCA cells after repeated systemic administration. Furthermore, AvFc treatment in this model was found to increase the presence of peritoneal leukocytes, suggesting a shift toward an improved antitumor immune response. Another key …

Antioxidant Activities And Protective Effects Of Shorea Macrophylla Leaf And Bark Extracts, Salfarina Ramli, Nik Nor Sabrina Sukri, Nur Adhwa’ Faqihah Zulkifli, Donna Maretta Ariestanti, Chee Yan Choo, Hasseri Halim, Nurhuda Manshoor, Richard Johari James

Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research

Shorea macrophylla, also known as the ‘Engkabang’ tree or Light Red Meranti, is renowned for its role in reforestation efforts. Despite lacking records of traditional use, the reported biological activities of other species within the Shorea genus spark curiosity about the potential biological activities of this plant. Therefore, this study aims to explore the antioxidant capabilities of S. macrophylla leaf and bark extracts, along with their protective effects against oxidative stress using a brine shrimp model. In the evaluation of antioxidant potential, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays were employed. Extracts were incubated in …

Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Role Of Pnpla3 And Its Association With Environmental Chemicals, Shakil A. Saghir, Ata Abbas, Saleh Alfuraih, Ajay Sharma, Jean Latimer, Yadollah Omidi, Rais Ansari

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Globally, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is on the rise with 30-32%, 27-33%, 35-48%, 36%, 9-20%, and 36-38% prevalence in Asia, Europe, North America, South America, Africa, and Australia, respectively. Approximately, 5-10% of NAFLD proceeds to hepatitis called non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). NASH often progresses to liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Precise mechanism(s) for the development of HCC is not fully understood in NAFLD and NASH patients. Higher insulin levels in type 2 diabetes (T2D) can result in lipolysis of adipose tissue activating lipid synthesizing enzymes such as fatty acid synthase and stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1, resulting in lipid accumulation in …

Proteomic Identification Of Hemp (Cannabis Sativa) Seeds By Tandem Mass Spectrometry And Evaluation Of Cytotoxic Activity, Taran Harris

Pharmaceutical Sciences (MS) Theses

Hemp (Cannabis sativa) has a long history of use globally as a source of traditional medicine, spiritual enlightenment, and recreational enjoyment. While it was commonly consumed for both medical and recreational purposes in the United States, it was classified as a Schedule 1 drug in 1937, severely restricting its use and research opportunities. Although hemp itself lacks psychoactive properties, Cannabis sativa flowers contain THC, the compound responsible for its psychotropic effects. This restriction hindered quality research into cannabis and its constituents. The study employed techniques, including top-down proteomics, size exclusion chromatography, affinity chromatography, high-resolution ESI QTOF LC/MS/MS, and …

Mechanistic Study Of Antimicrobial Cyclic Peptide [R4w4] Antibacterial Effectiveness Against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (Mrsa), Ajayi Akinwale

Pharmaceutical Sciences (PhD) Dissertations

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are being explored as a potential solution to combat antibiotic resistance, as they have shown promise in reducing susceptibility to antibiotics. This study explores if [R₄W₄] peptide is bacteriostatic or bactericidal using modified two-fold serial dilution and evaluates synergism of gentamicin and [R₄W₄] against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) by checkered board assay. The MRSA resistant to [R₄W₄] and possibility with other antibiotics was evaluated with serial passage. Moreover, we investigated the mechanism of action of [R₄W_{4 …}

Perceptions Of Metabolic Syndrome Management Utilization In Relation With Patient Characteristics And Health-Related Quality Of Life, Olajide Adekunle

Pharmaceutical Sciences (PhD) Dissertations

Challenges in managing MetS include untreated risk factors and ineffective management, resulting in poor health-related quality of life (HRQoL). A significant factor contributing to these challenges is the underutilization of management services, possibly due to patients' perceptions of disease management resource utilization (PMU). Therefore, understanding patients' PMU is crucial for improving health outcomes. The study investigated PMU, explored PMU predictors, and investigated the impact of PMU and patients’ demographics on HRQoL. Using a cross-sectional design, data on perceptions of healthcare, medication, and pharmacy service utilization, prior experience with pharmacy services, demographics, and HRQoL were collected from adult individuals with obesity …

The Light Scattering Properties Of Amorphous Nanoparticles Formed By Poorly Soluble Drugs, Sarah Casella

Honors Scholar Theses

The research of amorphous drug formulations is an emerging field of study, which offers a promising strategy to improve the oral bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs. A critical aspect of amorphous solubility is the measurement of particle size and light diffraction, which is measured using dynamic light scattering (DLS). DLS is a technique used to characterize the size of colloidal dispersions, where a laser beam illuminates a suspension of particles or molecules undergoing Brownian motion. In this experiment, a procedure was developed utilizing DLS to investigate the similarities and differences in light diffraction properties of particles among three different poorly …

An Examination Of Products That University Of Mississippi Students Consume For Managing Their Stress, Kiersten Rickard

Honors Theses

Students are notoriously one of the most stressed groups in our society. Stress is a complex topic; causes, mitigation methods, and manifestations of stress all vary in an individual. Being that stress is an universal experience, this research capitalizes on the importance of stress and the methods used to mitigate stress. This study looks at, among other ideas, stress on the University of Mississippi campus in regards to demographics and the products (caffeine, sleep aids, over the counter medicines, stress supplements, and CBD) that students use. Results demonstrate that, overall, higher stress levels correlate to higher product usage rates. The …

Synthesis Of Thermoresponsive Poly(N-Isopropyl Acrylamide) Based Core-Shell And Hollow Shell Nanogel With Tunable Core And Shell Thickness, Mohamad Hijazi, Molla R. Islam

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

Nanogels have emerged as a notably safer and more effective means for drug delivery, primarily due to their adjustable drug-loading capabilities. Hollow-core nanoparticles offer some unique properties that are desirable for drug delivery applications. Initially, silica core nanoparticles were synthesized using the Stöber process at different temperatures where Tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) undergoes hydrolysis in the presence of ethanol and then a condensation reaction to form silica nanoparticles. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Optical Microscopy (OM) analysis revealed that the size of silica core particles varied with the synthesis temperature (300 nm at 30°C to 150 at 60°C). The core silica particles …

Antioxidant, Tyrosinase Inhibition Activity, And In Vitro Spf Evaluation Of Pepino Fruit Extract (Solanum Muricatum Aiton) In Different Solvent Types And Concentrations, Nining Sugihartini, Girly Risma Firsty, Wahyu Kumil Laila, Sri Mulyaningsih, Ichwan Ridwan Rais

Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research

Solvent is a key factor that affects the effectiveness of active compound extraction from plant materials (simplisia). This study aimed to determine the optimal type and concentration of solvent used in the extraction of pepino fruit based on the parameter of antioxidant and tyrosinase inhibition activity, as well as Sun Protection Factor (SPF) value. The extraction was carried out using the maceration method with ethanol or ethyl acetate as the solvent, each at concentrations of 50%, 70%, and 96%, respectively. The antioxidant activity of the extracts was evaluated using the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method. The inhibition of tyrosinase and …

Education Of The Effects Of Obesity Medications And A Stepwise Approach To Mitigate Prevalence And Encourage Lifestyle Medicine For Primary Care Physicians, Kiely M. Curran

Department of Nutrition Student Projects

My Capstone project is an Educational Manual that emphasizes a healthcare team approach to the treatment and management of obesity. The Educational Manual consists of a standardized protocol in management of obesity in patients and a document with summarized references for primary care providers; and a simplified document for patient education. There is a growing interest in the usage of obesity medications. The purpose of my Capstone project is to provide a simplified manual for the primary care provider to reference to make knowledgeable and patient-centered decisions in the prescription of obesity medications and decisions in weight-management. My methodology included …

Predicting Ffar4 Agonists Using Structure-Based Machine Learning Approach Based On Molecular Fingerprints, Zaid Anis Sherwani, Syeda Sumayya Tariq, Mamona Mushtaq, Ali Raza Siddiqui, Mohammad Nur-E-Alam, Aftab Ahmed, Zaheer Ul-Haq

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Free Fatty Acid Receptor 4 (FFAR4), a G-protein-coupled receptor, is responsible for triggering intracellular signaling pathways that regulate various physiological processes. FFAR4 agonists are associated with enhancing insulin release and mitigating the atherogenic, obesogenic, pro-carcinogenic, and pro-diabetogenic effects, normally associated with the free fatty acids bound to FFAR4. In this research, molecular structure-based machine-learning techniques were employed to evaluate compounds as potential agonists for FFAR4. Molecular structures were encoded into bit arrays, serving as molecular fingerprints, which were subsequently analyzed using the Bayesian network algorithm to identify patterns for screening the data. The shortlisted hits obtained via machine learning protocols …

Broad-Spectrum Activity Of Membranolytic Cationic Macrocyclic Peptides Against Multi-Drug Resistant Bacteria And Fungi, Sandeep Lohan, Anastasia G. Konshina, Rakesh K. Tiwari, Roman G. Efremov, Innokentiy Maslennikov, Keykavous Parang

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

The emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains causes severe problems in the treatment of microbial infections owing to limited treatment options. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are drawing considerable attention as promising antibiotic alternative candidates to combat MDR bacterial and fungal infections. Herein, we present a series of small amphiphilic membrane-active cyclic peptides composed, in part, of various nongenetically encoded hydrophilic and hydrophobic amino acids. Notably, lead cyclic peptides 3b and 4b showed broad-spectrum activity against drug-resistant Gram-positive (MIC = 1.5–6.2 µg/mL) and Gram-negative (MIC = 12.5–25 µg/mL) bacteria, and fungi (MIC = 3.1–12.5 µg/mL). Furthermore, lead peptides displayed substantial antibiofilm action comparable …

Role Of Protein Kinase A And A Kinase Anchoring Proteins In Buffering And Compartmentation Of Camp Signalling In Human Airway Smooth Muscle Cells, Rinzhin T. Sherpa, Karni S. Moshal, Shailesh R. Agarwal, Rennolds S. Ostrom, Robert D. Harvey

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Background and Purpose

In human airway smooth muscle (hASM) cells, not all receptors stimulating cAMP production elicit the same effects. This can only be explained if cAMP movement throughout the cell is restricted, yet the mechanisms involved are not fully understood. Phosphodiesterases (PDEs) contribute to compartmentation of many cAMP responses, but PDE activity alone is predicted to be insufficient if cAMP is otherwise freely diffusible. We tested the hypothesis that buffering of cAMP by protein kinase A (PKA) associated with A kinase anchoring proteins (AKAPs) slows cAMP diffusion and that this contributes to receptor-mediated, compartmentalized responses.

Experimental Approach

Raster image …

Apigenin Alleviates Autistic-Like Stereotyped Repetitive Behaviors And Mitigates Brain Oxidative Stress In Mice, Petrilla Jayaprakash, Dmytro Isaev, Keun-Hang Susan Yang, Rami Beiram, Murat Oz, Bassem Sadek

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

Studying the involvement of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), specifically α7-nAChRs, in neuropsychiatric brain disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has gained a growing interest. The flavonoid apigenin (APG) has been confirmed in its pharmacological action as a positive allosteric modulator of α7-nAChRs. However, there is no research describing the pharmacological potential of APG in ASD. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the subchronic systemic treatment of APG (10–30 mg/kg) on ASD-like repetitive and compulsive-like behaviors and oxidative stress status in the hippocampus and cerebellum in BTBR mice, utilizing the reference drug aripiprazole (ARP, 1 …

Harnessing Exosomes As A Platform For Drug Delivery In Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review For In Vivo And In Vitro Studies, Abdulwahab Teflischi Gharavi, Saeed Irian, Azadeh Niknejad, Keykavous Parang, Mona Salimi

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Breast cancer remains a significant global health concern, emphasizing the critical need for effective treatment strategies, especially targeted therapies. This systematic review summarizes the findings from in vitro and in vivo studies regarding the therapeutic potential of exosomes as drug delivery platforms in the field of breast cancer treatment. A comprehensive search was conducted across bibliographic datasets, including Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus, using relevant queries from several related published articles and the Medical Subject Headings Database. Then, all morphological, biomechanical, histopathological, and cellular-molecular outcomes were systematically collected. A total of 30 studies were identified based on the Preferred …

2nd Place Contest Entry: Physician Visits For Patients With Diabetes By Gender, Age And Race In The United States, Daniel Umoru, Olajide Adekunle, Adeola Bakare

Eric M. Scandrett Graduate Library Research Prize

This is Daniel Umoru, Olajide Adekunle, and Adeola Bakare's submission for the 2024 Eric M. Scandrett Graduate Research Prize, which won second place. It contains their essay on using library resources, their bibliography, and a summary of their research project (with Dr. Lawrence "LB" Brown) on the complex demographic landscape of diabetes prevalence in the United States.

Daniel, Adeola, and Olajide are doctoral students in the School of Pharmacy at Chapman University. Their faculty mentor is Dr. Enrique Seoane-Vazquez.

Methionyl-Trna Synthetase Synthetic And Proofreading Activities Are Determinants Of Antibiotic Persistence, Whitney N. Wood, Miguel Angel Rubio, Lorenzo Eugenio Leiva, Gregory J. Phillips, Michael Ibba

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

Bacterial antibiotic persistence is a phenomenon where bacteria are exposed to an antibiotic and the majority of the population dies while a small subset enters a low metabolic, persistent, state and are able to survive. Once the antibiotic is removed the persistent population can resuscitate and continue growing. Several different molecular mechanisms and pathways have been implicated in this phenomenon. A common mechanism that may underly bacterial antibiotic persistence is perturbations in protein synthesis. To investigate this mechanism, we characterized four distinct metG mutants for their ability to increase antibiotic persistence. Two metG mutants encode changes near the catalytic site …