Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Commons^™

Cracking The Code Of Hbv Persistence: Cutting-Edge Approaches To Targeting Cccdna In Chronic Hepatitis B With Or Without Pyogenic Liver Abscesses, Umar Saeed, Zahra Zahid Piracha, Mahmood Khan, Muhammad Nouman Tariq, Syed Shahan Gilani, Muhammad Raza, Rakshana Munuswamy, Naveen Bose, Dilber Uzun Ozsahin, Ilker Özşahin, Surya M. Nauli

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Chronic Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection remains a formidable global health challenge, driving severe liver complications such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and pyogenic liver abscesses (PLA). At the core of HBV persistence lies covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), a viral reservoir that fuels ongoing infection despite antiviral treatments. This review highlights molecular mechanisms governing cccDNA formation, maintenance, and clearance, spotlighting innovative therapeutic strategies to disrupt this key viral element. We explore cutting-edge approaches, including epigenetic modulation to silence cccDNA, RNA interference (RNAi) for viral RNA degradation, and CRISPR/Cas genome editing to excise cccDNA directly. Additionally, emerging antiviral therapies and immunotherapies, …

Dimethylthiourea As A Quencher In Hydroxyl Radical Protein Footprinting Experiments, Anter A. Shami, Sandeep K. Misra, Lisa M. Jones, Joshua S. Sharp

Annual Poster Session 2024-2025

Hydroxyl radical protein footprinting (HRPF) is a mass spectrometry-based technique for measuring the surface of a protein or protein complex. This method relies on the use of hydroxyl radicals to irreversibly label exposed amino acid side chains in proteins. Although catalase is commonly employed to quench secondary oxidation by catalytic conversion of hydrogen peroxide to oxygen and water, it possesses certain drawbacks. The inclusion of a relatively high concentration of catalase produces interfering peptides after proteolytic digestion, thereby limiting the method's sensitivity due to dynamic range issues and signal suppression. These drawbacks are most noticeable when dealing with more complex …

The Association Of Opioid Prescribing Continuity And The Risk Of Opioid Use Disorder Among Older Adults, Prachi Prajapati, Shadi Bazzazzadehgan, Yi Yang, Kaustuv Bhattacharya, Shishir Maharjan, John P. Bentley, Sujith Ramachandran

Annual Poster Session 2024-2025

Study objective: To evaluate the association between opioid prescribing continuity and risk of opioid use disorder (OUD) among older Medicare beneficiaries on long term opioid therapy (LTOT).

Development Of A Multi-Epitope Peptide Vaccine Against Monkeypox Virus: Immunoinformatics Analysis For South East Asian Hla Alleles, Nelson Chandra, Mochammad Aqilah Herdiansyah, Viol Dhea Kharisma, Arif Nur Muhammad Ansori, Arli Aditya Parikesit

Makara Journal of Science

The monkeypox virus (MPXV), a DNA virus causing zoonotic disease, poses major global public health challenges, with mortality rates between 3%–6%. Although smallpox vaccines provide partial cross-protection, there is a critical need for a dedicated, effective monkeypox (mpox) vaccine. This study aimed to design a multi-epitope peptide-based vaccine specifically adapted to the HLA allele profiles common in Southeast Asian populations, where MPXV cases are rising. Using immunoinformatics, we screened for and detected B and T cell epitopes from the MPXV cell surface antigen and IFN-alpha/beta receptor proteins. The vaccine design was validated through a rigorous evaluation of its antigenicity, immunogenicity, …

Biomolecular Science, University Of Mississippi. Biomolecular Sciences

Annual Poster Session 2024-2025

Our mission is to drive innovation through combined excellence in the disciplines of Pharmacognosy, Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmacology, and Environmental Toxicology in order to understand and improve human and environmental health. We provide positive impacts to our school, the state of Mississippi, and the world, via education and mentored research at the undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral levels, and through our leadership in interdisciplinary chemical and biological sciences.

From Lab To Public Policy: Pioneering Excellence At Ncccre, University Of Mississippi. School Of Pharmacy

Annual Poster Session 2024-2025

The National Center for Cannabis Research and Education (NCCRE) focuses the School of Pharmacy’s strengths, history, and capabilities to offer educational opportunities, conduct medical cannabis research, and provide outreach that will benefit Mississippi and the nation.

Editorial: Machine Learning Advancements In Pharmacology: Transforming Drug Discovery And Healthcare, Moom Rahman Roosan, Ramgopal Mettu

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

"In recent years, the integration of machine learning (ML) into pharmacology has revolutionized how we approach drug discovery, disease modeling, and therapeutic development. By leveraging vast datasets and computational power, ML has enabled researchers to uncover patterns, predict outcomes, and accelerate drug development processes that were previously unimaginable. This Research Topic on 'Machine Learning Advancements in Pharmacology' features five impactful studies that highlight the diverse applications and potential of ML in this field. These contributions, encompassing original research and a systematic review, exemplify the transformative role of ML in addressing some of the most pressing challenges in pharmacology."

Trifluoromethyl Carbohydrate Footprinting For Probing Protein Binding Components Of Oligosaccharides Mixture, Quadrat Yusuph, Sandeep K. Misra, Joshua S. Sharp

Annual Poster Session 2024-2025

Biomolecular footprinting is well-established for nucleic acids and proteins but lacks a method for carbohydrates. Glycan footprinting could enhance understanding of glycan interactions via mass spectrometry. We verified that CF3 labeled the model trisaccharide NAG3 across the oligosaccharide. We developed a quenching and reduction protocol for improved post-labeling analysis and the first radical covalent footprinting method for complex carbohydrates.

Impact Of Pausinystalia Johimbe On Cytochrome P450: A Potential Risk For Polypharmacy, Pankul Kotwal, Islam Husain, Olivia R. Dale, Suresh Chandra V. A. R. Annam, Amar G. Chittiboyina, Ikhlas A. Khan, Shabana I. Khan

Annual Poster Session 2024-2025

Pausinystalia johimbe, a tree native to West Africa, contains yohimbine as its primary active compound which was traditionally used as an aphrodisiac, has gained attention for its diverse pharmacological effects such as weight loss promotion, athletic performance enhancement, mood improvement, potential anxiety reduction and cognitive function enhancement. Recent studies have revealed that the primary mechanism of action of yohimbine is as an α2-adrenergic receptor antagonist, affecting fat metabolism, vasodilation, and sympathetic nervous system activity. PXR and AhR are xenobiotic receptors that regulate the expression of drugmetabolizing Cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYPs) and transporters like Pglycoprotien (P-gp). Concomitant consumption of phytochemicals …

The Association Between Socioeconomic Status And Appropriate Antibiotic Use Among Women With Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infection, Nga-Weng (Ivy) Leong, Shishir Maharjan, Yi Yang

Annual Poster Session 2024-2025

Women with low socioeconomic status (SES) were more likely to develop urinary tract infections. Inappropriate antibiotic use can lead to treatment failure and future multidrugresistant infections. However, the relationship between SES and inappropriate treatment has yet to be established.

The study aims to assess the relationship between SES and guidelines-concordance antibiotic use among women with uncomplicated urinary tract infection (uUTI).

Long-Term Safety And Comparative Efficacy Of Il-17 Inhibitors In Treating Ankylosing Spondylitis, Alyssa L. Sepulveda, Yolanda V. Gutierrez, Ronald A. Shaju

Research Symposium

Background:
Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the axial skeleton, characterized by spinal stiffness, sacroiliitis, and potential vertebral fusion. While nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors are first-line treatments, IL-17 inhibitors, such as secukinumab and ixekizumab, are used in patients with inadequate response or contraindications to TNF inhibitors. These targeted therapies address IL-17’s role in driving inflammation and structural damage in AS.

Methods:
A systematic review was conducted using PubMed, Science Direct, and Cochrane to identify studies published between 2000 and 2025. Keywords included “Ankylosing spondylitis” and “IL-17 inhibitors” and “efficacy.” Inclusion criteria …

Comparative Risk Of Venous Thromboembolism Of Advanced Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs Among Older Adults With Rheumatoid Arthritis, Shadi Bazzazzadehgan, Shishir Maharjan, John P. Bentley, Yi Yang, Yinan Huang

Annual Poster Session 2024-2025

Objective: To evaluate the association between different types of biological (b) and targeted synthetic (ts) diseasemodifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), or b/tsDMARDs, including tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi), non-TNFi bDMARDs, and tsDMARDs and the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) among older adults with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Glycore Phase 2, University Of Mississippi. Biomolecular Sciences

Annual Poster Session 2024-2025

Poster outlines the four cores of the Glycoscience Center of Research Excellence at the University of Mississippi: administrative, analytical and biophysical research, imaging researching, computational chemistry and bioinformatics research. Research award opportunities are also outlined.

Pacific Rxtracts - March 2025, Pacific Rxtracts

Pacific RxTracts

Articles

• Naloxone Extended-Release System Discovered at the University of the Pacific
• FDA Approval for Unresectable/ Metastatic Breast Cancer
• Journavx (Suzetrigine): A New Era in Pain Management
• New Treatment Approved for Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia
• Optimal DAPT Strategy? A Promising Approach for Post-PCI Care
• Benefit of SGLT2 Inhibitors in Preventing Contrast-Induced Kidney Injury
• Dark Chocolate and Type 2 Diabetes: A Sweet Connection?
• Confirming Palbociclib’s Safety in Liver Impaired Patients
• Aztreonam-avibactam, a Promising Therapeutic for Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections
• The Future is Now: LBP-EC01, a Genetically Enhanced Bacteriophage for UTIs
• The Safety and Efficacy Profiles of Short-Term Duration Oral Regimens for Rifampin-Resistant TB
• A …

Contraceptive Hormone Influences On The Role Of Primary Reinforcement And Reinforcer-Enhancement In Nicotine Self-Administration, Kathleen Robin Mcnealy

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Hormonal contraceptives contain a synthetic estrogen (e.g., ethinyl estradiol/EE) and/or a synthetic progestin (e.g., levonorgestrel/LEVO) and can exacerbate nicotine intake. However, whether altered intake reflects changes in nicotine reinforcement or enhancement by nicotine of co-occurring reinforcers is unknown. This reinforcer-enhancement effect is evidenced in rats when nicotine self-administration is increased by the presence of a visual stimulus (VS) reinforcer. This dissertation examined the effects of EE and LEVO on nicotine reinforcement and reinforcer-enhancement in ovary-intact female Sprague-Dawley rats. Rats were implanted with a jugular catheter and assigned to receive daily injections of EE (Vehicle, 0.125 [Low], or 0.18 [High] μg/day; …

Evaluation Of The Safety Of Dexmedetomidine Dosing Utilizing Adjusted Body Weight In Obese Critically Ill Patients: A Retrospective Study., Molly E Robertson, Aimee E Willett, Joshua J Mathias, Britney N Sleeckx, John O Elliott

OhioHealth Research Institute Articles

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety of dexmedetomidine dosing, utilizing adjusted body weight (AdjBW) in obese, critically ill patients. This was a retrospective cohort study of patients who received dexmedetomidine from March 2020 to April 2021. Participants received dexmedetomidine as the sole agent for sedation for ≥8 hours, were ≥18 years old, had a level of care listed as "critical care," and had an actual body weight (ABW) of at least 120% of their ideal body weight (IBW). A total of 225 participants were included. Results demonstrated that the incidence of hypotension and bradycardia was lower …

March 2025, Swosu Rural Health Center

RURAL ROCKS

This is the March 2025 issue of Rural Rocks from the SWOSU College of Pharmacy.

Building Foundations For Graduate Success: The Direct Program’S Summer Bridge Initiative For Graduate Students, Melissa King, Marie Barnard, Shawnboda Mead, Soumyajit Majumdar

Annual Poster Session 2024-2025

The DIRECT (Driving Interdisciplinary Research Expertise through Community Building and Training) Program's first cohort of graduate students successfully completed a three-week summer bridge program designed to enhance their academic preparedness, facilitate their transition into graduate-level study and demystify the “hidden curriculum” of academia. Held prior to the start of their first fall semester, the program aimed to enhance students’ preparedness for graduate studies, foster a sense of community, and equip students with critical skills and knowledge of campus resources necessary for academic success. An evaluation of the program's impact revealed gains in students' understanding of graduate school expectations, their awareness …

Overview Of Chromatographic Methods Of Analysis Of Penicillins In Food Matrices Of Animal Origin, Tarekegn Tadesse Unade, Gudeta Duga Geresu, Pawar A. Krishnamanjari

International Journal of Health and Allied Sciences

Penicillins are β-lactam antibiotics indicated for preventing and treating diseases in veterinary medical practice. Improper use of these antibiotics in animals may result in residues in foodstuffs such as milk, egg, and meat, which can cause unwanted effects like allergy, and development of bacterial resistance. So, it is important to regulate the use of penicillins in foodstuffs of animal origin. Regulatory bodies in different countries established maximum residue levels to be allowed in food matrices. To address the regulatory requirements, food matrices need to be investigated with proper methods of analysis. Several analytical methods were developed and validated to determine …

Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy: A Case Of The Broken Heart, Lilian Huynh, Kaylee Putney

Annual Research Symposium

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC), or "broken heart syndrome," is a rare cardiac condition causing temporary left ventricular dysfunction due to severe stress. Though the exact cause is unclear, it mimics myocardial infarction and can lead to cardiogenic shock. Current treatment lacks specific guidelines and relies on heart failure protocols. We report a case of a patient with TC-induced cardiogenic shock, likely triggered by emotional stress. She required vasopressors, a percutaneous intervention, an Impella device, and guideline-directed medication therapies. This case underscores the significance of establishing guideline optimizations for managing TC and cardiogenic shock.