Computational Design of Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase Inhibitors

One of the most sought-after therapeutic targets for treating human cancers is the phosphoinositide 3-kinase; PI3k is an integral part of the PI3K/protein kinase B signaling arcade. This pathway is frequently activated in malignancies. Drug resistance and dose-limiting adverse effects are currently associated challenges with the existing anticancer chemotherapy. Therefore, in this research, a series of pyrimidine derivatives were designed and evaluated against human PI3K by using molecular docking analysis. The docking results were further verified by molecular dynamic simulation, which analyzed the strength of the macromolecular complex with respect to time. Compounds IV and XIV were found to be the most potent inhibitors of the human PI3K receptor with a high degree of stability within the active site of the target receptor for a timeframe of 50 ns. Thus, both of these compounds could be important drug candidates for the development of PI3K inhibitors as a prospective anticancer agent.

Impact of Digital Assistant Attributes on Millennials' Purchasing Intentions: A Multi-Group Analysis using PLS-SEM, Artificial Neural Network and fsQCA

The rising population of millennials, coupled with Digital Assistants (DA) and online purchasing trends among consumers have gained increasing attention by global marketers. The study evaluates the influence of DA attributes on the purchasing intention (PUI) of millennials. A combined approach of PLS-SEM, Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and Fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) is used to predict the PUI of 345 millennials. Also, multi-group analysis is employed to uncover the influence of gender on the relationship between PUI and DA attributes. The findings suggest that DA attributes may amplify purchasing intention among millennials, especially through perceived interactivity and anthropomorphism. Further, the moderating role of gender was found significant on the inter-relationship of perceived interactivity and PUI. This research is a pioneer study in the area of artificial intelligence, conversational commerce, DA and AI-powered chatbots. This study will help marketers and practitioners to predict millennial purchasing intentions. An evaluation of this paper may help them to foster immersive and effective engagement through DA.

Recent updates on folate targeted drug delivery systems in cancer: A minireview

Abstract:

Targeted drug delivery systems that selectively deliver anticancer drugs to tumour cells have always been a field of interest to reduce side effects associated with chemotherapy in cancer patients. Cancer cells require nutrients for their multiplication; folic acid is one such nutrient. Expression of folate receptors is negligible in normal cells, whereas they are overexpressed in a variety of cancer cells. A number of studies have shown that selective targeting of folate receptors in cancer is a beneficial approach, as folate targeted anticancer conjugates are selective towards cancer cells, thereby sparing non-cancerous cells. In this review, we have discussed folate receptor, folic acid as a cancer targeting moiety, different folate targeted anticancer drug conjugates, and different folate conjugated nanodelivery systems. This summarized information may turn out to be valuable for researchers to design novel folate targeted anticancer drug delivery systems having the potential to reduce the drawbacks associated with conventional cancer therapeutics.

The Interaction between HLA-DRB1 and Smoking in Parkinson's Disease Revisited

BACKGROUND

Two studies that examined the interaction between HLA-DRB1 and smoking in Parkinson's disease (PD) yielded findings in opposite directions.

OBJECTIVE

To perform a large-scale independent replication of the HLA-DRB1 × smoking interaction.

METHODS

We genotyped 182 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) associated with smoking initiation in 12 424 cases and 9480 controls to perform a Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis in strata defined by HLA-DRB1.

RESULTS

At the amino acid level, a valine at position 11 (V11) in HLA-DRB1 displayed the strongest association with PD. MR showed an inverse association between genetically predicted smoking initiation and PD only in absence of V11 (odds ratio, 0.74, 95% confidence interval, 0.59-0.93, PInteraction  = 0.028). In silico predictions of the influence of V11 and smoking-induced modifications of α-synuclein on binding affinity showed findings consistent with this interaction pattern.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite being one of the most robust findings in PD research, the mechanisms underlying the inverse association between smoking and PD remain unknown. Our findings may help better understand this association. © 2022 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

Co-occurrence of mycotoxins: A review on bioanalytical methods for simultaneous analysis in human biological samples, mixture toxicity and risk assessment strategies

Mycotoxins are the toxic chemical substances that are produced by various fungal species and some of these are harmful to humans. Mycotoxins are ubiquitous in nature and humans could be exposed to multiple mycotoxins simultaneously. Unfortunately, exposure to mixed mycotoxins is not very well studied. Various studies have demonstrated the capacity of mycotoxins to show synergistic effect in the presence of other mycotoxins, thus, increasing the risk of toxicity. Hence, it is important to monitor mixed mycotoxins in human biological samples which would serve as a crucial information for risk assessment. Through this review paper, we aim to summarize the mixture toxicity of mycotoxins and the various bio-analytical techniques that are being used for the simultaneous analysis of mixed mycotoxins in human biological samples. Different sample preparation and clean-up techniques employed till date for eliminating the interferences from human biological samples without affecting the analyses of the mycotoxins are also discussed. Further, a brief introduction of risk assessment strategies that have been or could be adopted for multiple mycotoxin risk assessments is also mentioned. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first review that focuses solely on the occurrence of multiple mycotoxins in human biological samples as well as their risk assessment strategies.

Genome-wide Association and Meta-analysis of Age at Onset in Parkinson Disease: Evidence From the COURAGE-PD Consortium

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Considerable heterogeneity exists in the literature concerning genetic determinants of the age at onset (AAO) of Parkinson disease (PD), which could be attributed to a lack of well-powered replication cohorts. The previous largest genome-wide association studies (GWAS) identified SNCA and TMEM175 loci on chromosome (Chr) 4 with a significant influence on the AAO of PD; these have not been independently replicated. This study aims to conduct a meta-analysis of GWAS of PD AAO and validate previously observed findings in worldwide populations.

METHODS

A meta-analysis was performed on PD AAO GWAS of 30 populations of predominantly European ancestry from the Comprehensive Unbiased Risk Factor Assessment for Genetics and Environment in Parkinson's Disease (COURAGE-PD) Consortium. This was followed by combining our study with the largest publicly available European ancestry dataset compiled by the International Parkinson Disease Genomics Consortium (IPDGC).

RESULTS

The COURAGE-PD Consortium included a cohort of 8,535 patients with PD (91.9%: Europeans and 9.1%: East Asians). The average AAO in the COURAGE-PD dataset was 58.9 years (SD = 11.6), with an underrepresentation of females (40.2%). The heritability estimate for AAO in COURAGE-PD was 0.083 (SE = 0.057). None of the loci reached genome-wide significance (p < 5 × 10-8). Nevertheless, the COURAGE-PD dataset confirmed the role of the previously published TMEM175 variant as a genetic determinant of the AAO of PD with Bonferroni-corrected nominal levels of significance (p < 0.025): (rs34311866: β(SE)COURAGE = 0.477(0.203), p COURAGE = 0.0185). The subsequent meta-analysis of COURAGE-PD and IPDGC datasets (Ntotal = 25,950) led to the identification of 2 genome-wide significant association signals on Chr 4, including the previously reported SNCA locus (rs983361: β(SE)COURAGE+IPDGC = 0.720(0.122), p COURAGE+IPDGC = 3.13 × 10-9) and a novel BST1 locus (rs4698412: β(SE)COURAGE+IPDGC = -0.526(0.096), p COURAGE+IPDGC = 4.41 × 10-8).

DISCUSSION

Our study further refines the genetic architecture of Chr 4 underlying the AAO of the PD phenotype through the identification of BST1 as a novel AAO PD locus. These findings open a new direction for the development of treatments to delay the onset of PD.

Clinical characteristics with inflammation profiling of long COVID and association with 1-year recovery following hospitalisation in the UK: a prospective observational study

BACKGROUND

No effective pharmacological or non-pharmacological interventions exist for patients with long COVID. We aimed to describe recovery 1 year after hospital discharge for COVID-19, identify factors associated with patient-perceived recovery, and identify potential therapeutic targets by describing the underlying inflammatory profiles of the previously described recovery clusters at 5 months after hospital discharge.

METHODS

The Post-hospitalisation COVID-19 study (PHOSP-COVID) is a prospective, longitudinal cohort study recruiting adults (aged ≥18 years) discharged from hospital with COVID-19 across the UK. Recovery was assessed using patient-reported outcome measures, physical performance, and organ function at 5 months and 1 year after hospital discharge, and stratified by both patient-perceived recovery and recovery cluster. Hierarchical logistic regression modelling was performed for patient-perceived recovery at 1 year. Cluster analysis was done using the clustering large applications k-medoids approach using clinical outcomes at 5 months. Inflammatory protein profiling was analysed from plasma at the 5-month visit. This study is registered on the ISRCTN Registry, ISRCTN10980107, and recruitment is ongoing.

FINDINGS

2320 participants discharged from hospital between March 7, 2020, and April 18, 2021, were assessed at 5 months after discharge and 807 (32·7%) participants completed both the 5-month and 1-year visits. 279 (35·6%) of these 807 patients were women and 505 (64·4%) were men, with a mean age of 58·7 (SD 12·5) years, and 224 (27·8%) had received invasive mechanical ventilation (WHO class 7-9). The proportion of patients reporting full recovery was unchanged between 5 months (501 [25·5%] of 1965) and 1 year (232 [28·9%] of 804). Factors associated with being less likely to report full recovery at 1 year were female sex (odds ratio 0·68 [95% CI 0·46-0·99]), obesity (0·50 [0·34-0·74]) and invasive mechanical ventilation (0·42 [0·23-0·76]). Cluster analysis (n=1636) corroborated the previously reported four clusters: very severe, severe, moderate with cognitive impairment, and mild, relating to the severity of physical health, mental health, and cognitive impairment at 5 months. We found increased inflammatory mediators of tissue damage and repair in both the very severe and the moderate with cognitive impairment clusters compared with the mild cluster, including IL-6 concentration, which was increased in both comparisons (n=626 participants). We found a substantial deficit in median EQ-5D-5L utility index from before COVID-19 (retrospective assessment; 0·88 [IQR 0·74-1·00]), at 5 months (0·74 [0·64-0·88]) to 1 year (0·75 [0·62-0·88]), with minimal improvements across all outcome measures at 1 year after discharge in the whole cohort and within each of the four clusters.

INTERPRETATION

The sequelae of a hospital admission with COVID-19 were substantial 1 year after discharge across a range of health domains, with the minority in our cohort feeling fully recovered. Patient-perceived health-related quality of life was reduced at 1 year compared with before hospital admission. Systematic inflammation and obesity are potential treatable traits that warrant further investigation in clinical trials.

FUNDING

UK Research and Innovation and National Institute for Health Research.

Polygenic Resilience Modulates the Penetrance of Parkinson Disease Genetic Risk Factors

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the current study is to understand why some individuals avoid developing Parkinson disease (PD) despite being at relatively high genetic risk, using the largest datasets of individual-level genetic data available.

METHODS

We calculated polygenic risk score to identify controls and matched PD cases with the highest burden of genetic risk for PD in the discovery cohort (International Parkinson's Disease Genomics Consortium, 7,204 PD cases and 9,412 controls) and validation cohorts (Comprehensive Unbiased Risk Factor Assessment for Genetics and Environment in Parkinson's Disease, 8,968 cases and 7,598 controls; UK Biobank, 2,639 PD cases and 14,301 controls; Accelerating Medicines Partnership-Parkinson's Disease Initiative, 2,248 cases and 2,817 controls). A genome-wide association study meta-analysis was performed on these individuals to understand genetic variation associated with resistance to disease. We further constructed a polygenic resilience score, and performed multimarker analysis of genomic annotation (MAGMA) gene-based analyses and functional enrichment analyses.

RESULTS

A higher polygenic resilience score was associated with a lower risk for PD (β = -0.054, standard error [SE] = 0.022, p = 0.013). Although no single locus reached genome-wide significance, MAGMA gene-based analyses nominated TBCA as a putative gene. Furthermore, we estimated the narrow-sense heritability associated with resilience to PD (h2  = 0.081, SE = 0.035, p = 0.0003). Subsequent functional enrichment analysis highlighted histone methylation as a potential pathway harboring resilience alleles that could mitigate the effects of PD risk loci.

INTERPRETATION

The present study represents a novel and comprehensive assessment of heritable genetic variation contributing to PD resistance. We show that a genetic resilience score can modify the penetrance of PD genetic risk factors and therefore protect individuals carrying a high-risk genetic burden from developing PD. ANN NEUROL 2022;92:270-278.

Examining the macro-determinants of tourist arrivals in India

The present study analyzes the asymmetric association of exchange rate and world income with inbound tourism demand in India using a recently developed nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag model. For this purpose, the study uses monthly data from January 2003 to December 2020 for inbound tourism demand, real effective exchange rate, and world income as the variables of the model. The study used an asymmetric causality test on the lines of Hatemi-J. The findings confirm the existence of a nonlinear association between exchange rate and tourism demand in the long run. Furthermore, the increases in the world income have a positive and significant effect on tourist arrivals in India. In addition, the findings indicate that exchange rate shocks play a vital role in the long run. The cointegration test is supplemented with nonlinear causality analysis. The causal result depicted positive shocks in the exchange rate and world income sharing a unidirectional causal relationship with tourist arrivals. The result of this research can significantly facilitate the policymakers for devising short-run as well as long-run policies to consolidate the macroeconomic fundamentals such that tourism demand can be enhanced in India.

(+)-Cyanidan-3-ol inhibits epidermoid squamous cell carcinoma growth via inhibiting AKT/mTOR signaling through modulating CIP2A-PP2A axis

BACKGROUND

Despite recent advances in the treatment of squamous cell skin cancer (SCSC), the disease persists, and treatment resistance develops. Thus, identifying new targets and developing new therapeutic approaches showing low vulnerability to drug resistance is highly needed.

PURPOSE

This study aimed to reveal a novel targeted phytotherapeutic strategy for SCSC treatment alone or in combination with standard targeted anticancer molecules.

STUDY DESIGN

A library of natural products was utilized to identify molecules that inhibit the growth of skin cancer cells. The anticancer potential of the selected compound was evaluated in human skin squamous carcinoma models, in vitro and in vivo. A comprehensive ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA) strategy and molecular biology technology was adopted to investigate the therapeutic mechanisms in human SCSC.

METHODS

The Matrigel invasion chamber, foci formation and soft agar colony formation assays were employed to study the cells invasion and migration potential in vitro. In vivo antitumor effects were evaluated in DMBA/TPA-induced skin papilloma and A431 human skin squamous carcinoma xenograft tumor models. An integrative IPA was employed to identify mechanisms and protein targets in human SCSC.Compounds synergies were determined by the bliss model and evaluated using human SCSC cell lines and xenograft tumors. Histological staining, immunofluorescence imaging, real-time PCR, Western blots, and flow cytometric analyses were employed to analyze apoptosis and cell signaling mechanisms.

RESULTS

We identified (+)-cyanidan-3-ol (CD-3) as a selective compound for inhibiting the growth of SCSC cell lines. CD-3 inhibited tumor growth and burden without apparent toxicity and prolonged the survival of tumor-bearing mice. CD-3 inhibitory effects on SCSC growth are mediated via cell cycle arrest and caspase-dependent apoptosis induction. Mechanistic studies showed that CD-3 activates PP2A via inhibiting CIP2A and produces tumor growth inhibitory effects via promoting dephosphorylation of oncogenic AKT/mTOR signaling proteins in SCSC cells and xenograft tumors in a PP2A dependent manner. Furthermore, the combination of CD-3 and mTOR inhibitors (mTORi) synergistically reduced oncogenic phenotypes.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggests that PP2A activation is an effective strategy for SCSC treatment and the CD-3 and mTORi combination may serve as a promising treatment for SCSC.

Hypertriton Production in p-Pb Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02 TeV

The study of nuclei and antinuclei production has proven to be a powerful tool to investigate the formation mechanism of loosely bound states in high-energy hadronic collisions. The first measurement of the production of _{Λ}^{3}H in p-Pb collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02  TeV is presented in this Letter. Its production yield measured in the rapidity interval -1<y<0 for the 40% highest-multiplicity p-Pb collisions is dN/dy=[6.3±1.8(stat)±1.2(syst)]×10^{-7}. The measurement is compared with the expectations of statistical hadronization and coalescence models, which describe the nucleosynthesis in hadronic collisions. These two models predict very different yields of the hypertriton in charged particle multiplicity environments relevant to small collision systems such as p-Pb, and therefore the measurement of dN/dy is crucial to distinguish between them. The precision of this measurement leads to the exclusion with a significance larger than 6.9σ of some configurations of the statistical hadronization model, thus constraining the theory behind the production of loosely bound states at hadron colliders.

In vitro and in vivo implications of rationally designed bromelain laden core-shell hybrid solid lipid nanoparticles for oral administration in thrombosis management

Bromelain, a dietary supplement of cysteine protease family having promising results against thrombosis, is gaining attention. Yet poor mechanical stability, gastric instability, high oral dose and poor patient compliance restricted its clinical application. Therefore, acid stable bromelain loaded hybrid solid lipid nanoparticles (Br-HNPs) were fabricated and characterized for their contribution to in-vivo stability and therapeutic efficacy in thrombosis management. Comprehensive optimization of various process and formulation variables ensued the formation of nano-sized (120.56 ± 40.12 nm) Br-HNPs with entrapment efficiency of 86.32 ± 5.56%. Spherical core shell framework of Br-HNPs prolonged drug release and provided in-vivo and storage stability at room temperature. Br-HNPs significantly inhibited platelet aggregation without affecting bleeding time and dissolved thrombus at 1.91-fold higher efficacy compared to bromelain. Furthermore, Br-HNPs prevented hypercoagulation states and suppressed cytokines production significantly (P < .05) contributing to its antiplatelet activity. These findings indicated that Br-HNPs could serve as a promising alternative to commercial therapies for management of thrombotic disorders.

Adjuvant testosterone therapy in chronic heart failure (ATTIC): a randomised open-label trial

INTRODUCTION

Heart failure is a major contributor to morbidity and mortality in the geriatric population, with no promising therapy currently available with considerable benefit. Testosterone therapy is an emerging viable treatment option given its beneficial effects, including improving cardiac functional capacity, alleviating symptoms and low cost, among others.

METHODS

We have planned an open-label, parallel design, 1:1 randomised controlled trial, which aims to recruit 986 adult males above the age of 60 diagnosed with chronic stable heart failure fulfilling the eligibility criteria. The participants will be randomised into 2 groups of 493 each. Both groups will receive standard recommended treatment regimen of chronic stable heart failure and intervention arm participants will receive additional testosterone gel. All participants will be assessed at baseline, 4 weeks, 6 weeks and 12 weeks. The primary endpoints will assess the differences in functional capacity, frailty and quality of life at 3 months compared with baseline. The secondary endpoints will include the mean change from baseline at 3 months in cardiac remodelling using echocardiography, serum brain natriuretic peptide levels, the incidence of adverse drug reaction.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

The data will be analysed with the help of SPSS 23 software. Primary objectives of change in 6-minute walk test, frailty index and quality of life will be analysed using the student's t-test. The statistical significance will be defined as p value<0.05 and taking confidence level as 95%.

ETHICAL CLEARANCE

Institutional Ethics Committee clearance taken via letter no AIIMS/IEC/20/847, dated 21 November 2020. This study involves human participants and was approved by institutional ethical committee, DHR Reg: EC/NEW/Inst/2020/1046CDSCO, Reg No: ECR/736/Inst/UK/2015/RR-18. Participants gave informed consent to participate in the study before taking part.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

(CTRI)-REF/2020/12/030292.

Toxicological Sequelae of Pesticide Combinations Exposure in Buffalo Mesenchymal Stem Cells under <i>In Vitro</i>

The presence of one or more pesticides in a variety of mediums is responsible for their indirect toxicological events leading to cell senescence. In the present investigation, the endeavor was made to see the effect of pesticides Car- Benda-Zim (CBZ) and IMIdacloprid (IMI) alone and in combination with bone marrow-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells (bMSCs) of buffalo origin. Isolated and cultured bMSCs were exposed to CBZ and IMI alone and in combinations at lower doses. Cells were observed for alterations in cell morphology, oxidative stress, mitochondrial damage and cellular senescence. bMSCs characterized for stem cell surface markers and found to be positive for AP, CD73 and OCT4. bMSCs exposed to IC25, IC12.5 and IC6.25 CBZ and IMI alone and combinations of IC12.5 and IC6.25 of CBZ and IMI. Results revealed significant reduction (p?0.05) in cell viability noticed on microscopic examination along with loss of normal cell morphology and increased in Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) positive cells, cells with loss of ??m and number of senescent cells in CBZ and IMI treated groups. Lower dose combination groups showed elevated effects when compared with higher dose alone treated groups and control groups. Present findings suggest that CBZ and IMI induced cytotoxicity in bMSCs mediated via ROS production, altered ??m leading to the cell damage and predisposing senescence process. Moreover, the co-existence of CBZ and IMI in a medium has a considerably more toxic effect than their individual effect.

What have we learned from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in Parkinson's disease?

After fifteen years of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in Parkinson's disease (PD), what have we learned? Addressing this question will help catalogue the progress made towards elucidating disease mechanisms, improving the clinical utility of the identified loci, and envisioning how we can harness the strides to develop translational GWAS strategies. Here we review the advances of PD GWAS made to date while critically addressing the challenges and opportunities for next-generation GWAS. Thus, deciphering the missing heritability in underrepresented populations is currently at the reach of hand for a truly comprehensive understanding of the genetics of PD across the different ethnicities. Moreover, state-of-the-art GWAS designs hold a true potential for enhancing the clinical applicability of genetic findings, for instance, by improving disease prediction (PD risk and progression). Lastly, advanced PD GWAS findings, alone or in combination with clinical and environmental parameters, are expected to have the capacity for defining patient enriched cohorts stratified by genetic risk profiles and readily available for neuroprotective clinical trials. Overall, envisioning future strategies for advanced GWAS is currently timely and can be instrumental in providing novel genetic readouts essential for a true clinical translatability of PD genetic findings.