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Science Advances Jun 2023The efficacy of pharmaceutical cognitive enhancers in everyday complex tasks remains to be established. Using the knapsack optimization problem as a stylized...
The efficacy of pharmaceutical cognitive enhancers in everyday complex tasks remains to be established. Using the knapsack optimization problem as a stylized representation of difficulty in tasks encountered in daily life, we discover that methylphenidate, dextroamphetamine, and modafinil cause knapsack value attained in the task to diminish significantly compared to placebo, even if the chance of finding the optimal solution (~50%) is not reduced significantly. Effort (decision time and number of steps taken to find a solution) increases significantly, but productivity (quality of effort) decreases significantly. At the same time, productivity differences across participants decrease, even reverse, to the extent that above-average performers end up below average and vice versa. The latter can be attributed to increased randomness of solution strategies. Our findings suggest that "smart drugs" increase motivation, but a reduction in quality of effort, crucial to solve complex problems, annuls this effect.
Topics: Humans; Cognition; Methylphenidate; Modafinil; Motivation; Central Nervous System Stimulants
PubMed: 37315143
DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.add4165 -
Medicina Sep 2023Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder of biological origin with a 70 to 80% genetic basis, which affects 5% of children and... (Review)
Review
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder of biological origin with a 70 to 80% genetic basis, which affects 5% of children and adolescents and 2.5% of adults, whose main symptoms are inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. For many years it was thought that it only affected children; currently in the DSM 5 it is accepted that it can be diagnosed in adolescents and adults. Treatment must be individualized, the main objectives are to improve the core symptoms of people with ADHD, and their quality of life. The therapeutic approach is psychological, behavioral, and pharmacological. Medications are classified as stimulants and nonstimulants, with stimulants such as methylphenidate, lisdexamfetamine, and dexamphetamine being the first line. Non-stimulants include guanfacine and atomoxetine. Treatment is essential because it improves the quality of life of the person at the family, educational, work, and social levels.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Child; Humans; Quality of Life; Atomoxetine Hydrochloride; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; Educational Status; Guanfacine
PubMed: 37714121
DOI: No ID Found -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Sep 2023Catechols have important applications in the pharmaceutical, food, cosmetic, and functional material industries. 4-hydroxyphenylacetate-3-hydroxylase (4HPA3H), a... (Review)
Review
Catechols have important applications in the pharmaceutical, food, cosmetic, and functional material industries. 4-hydroxyphenylacetate-3-hydroxylase (4HPA3H), a two-component enzyme system comprising HpaB (monooxygenase) and HpaC (FAD oxidoreductase), demonstrates significant potential for catechol production because it can be easily expressed, is highly active, and exhibits -hydroxylation activity toward a broad spectrum of phenol substrates. HpaB determines the -hydroxylation efficiency and substrate spectrum of the enzyme; therefore, studying its structure-activity relationship, improving its properties, and developing a robust HpaB-conducting system are of significance and value; indeed, considerable efforts have been made in these areas in recent decades. Here, we review the classification, molecular structure, catalytic mechanism, primary efforts in protein engineering, and industrial applications of HpaB in catechol synthesis. Current trends in the further investigation of HpaB are also discussed.
Topics: Mixed Function Oxygenases; Catechols; Phenylacetates
PubMed: 37764475
DOI: 10.3390/molecules28186699 -
Tijdschrift Voor Psychiatrie 2021
Topics: Central Nervous System Stimulants; Humans; Methylphenidate; Psychotic Disorders
PubMed: 33537981
DOI: No ID Found -
Advanced Science (Weinheim,... Feb 2023CD73, a cell surface-bound nucleotidase, facilitates extracellular adenosine formation by hydrolyzing 5'-AMP to adenosine. Several studies have shown that CD73 plays an...
CD73, a cell surface-bound nucleotidase, facilitates extracellular adenosine formation by hydrolyzing 5'-AMP to adenosine. Several studies have shown that CD73 plays an essential role in immune escape, cell proliferation and tumor angiogenesis, making it an attractive target for cancer therapies. However, there are limited clinical benefits associated with the mainstream enzymatic inhibitors of CD73, suggesting that the mechanism underlying the role of CD73 in tumor progression is more complex than anticipated, and further investigation is necessary. In this study, CD73 is found to overexpress in the cytoplasm of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells and promotes metastasis in a nucleotidase-independent manner, which cannot be restrained by the CD73 monoclonal antibodies or small-molecule enzymatic inhibitors. Furthermore, CD73 promotes the metastasis of PDAC by binding to the E3 ligase TRIM21, competing with the Snail for its binding site. Additionally, a CD73 transcriptional inhibitor, diclofenac, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, is more effective than the CD73 blocking antibody for the treatment of PDAC metastasis. Diclofenac also enhances the therapeutic efficacy of gemcitabine in the spontaneous KPC (LSL-Kras , LSL-Trp53 , and Pdx-1-Cre) pancreatic cancer model. Therefore, diclofenac may be an effective anti-CD73 therapy, when used alone or in combination with gemcitabine-based chemotherapy regimen, for metastatic PDAC.
Topics: Humans; Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal; Diclofenac; Gemcitabine; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Nucleotidases
PubMed: 36563135
DOI: 10.1002/advs.202206335 -
Ugeskrift For Laeger Jan 2024This is a case report of two men aged 39 and 43 years with dissection of the coeliac trunk involving the splenic arteries causing splenic infarction. One case was...
This is a case report of two men aged 39 and 43 years with dissection of the coeliac trunk involving the splenic arteries causing splenic infarction. One case was associated with an increase in abdominal pressure during defaecation and the other occurred during treatment with methylphenidate. Based on the published 43 cases, risk factors include male sex, increased intraabdominal pressure or increased vascular pressure. Methylphenidate most likely increased the blood pressure, and dissections of other arteries have been described during treatment with this and the similar drug amphetamine.
Topics: Humans; Male; Amphetamine; Blood Pressure; Celiac Artery; Methylphenidate; Splenic Artery; Adult
PubMed: 38235724
DOI: 10.61409/V07230468 -
Molecular Medicine (Cambridge, Mass.) May 2023Renal interstitial fibrosis (RIF) is a common pathway to end-stage renal disease regardless of the initial etiology. Currently, the molecular mechanisms for RIF remains...
BACKGROUND
Renal interstitial fibrosis (RIF) is a common pathway to end-stage renal disease regardless of the initial etiology. Currently, the molecular mechanisms for RIF remains not fully elucidated. Nuclear receptor subfamily 4 group A member 1(Nr4a1), a member of the NR4A subfamily of nuclear receptors, is a ligand-activated transcription factor. The role of Nr4a1 in RIF remains largely unknown.
METHODS
In this study, we determined the role and action mechanism of Nr4a1 in RIF. We used unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) mice and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1-treated human renal proximal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2 cells) as in vivo and in vitro models of RIF. A specific Nr4a1 agonist Cytosporone B (Csn-B) was applied to activate Nr4a1 both in vivo and in vitro, and Nr4a1 small interfering RNA was applied in vitro. Renal pathological changes were evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin and Masson staining, and the expression of fibrotic proteins including fibronectin (Fn) and collagen-I (Col-I), and phosphorylated p38 MAPK was measure by immunohistochemical staining and western blot analysis.
RESULTS
The results showed that Nr4a1 was upregulated in UUO mouse kidneys, and was positively correlated with the degree of interstitial kidney injury and the levels of fibrotic proteins. Csn-B treatment aggravated UUO-induced renal interstitial fibrosis, and induced p38 MAPK phosphorylation. In vitro, TGF-β induced Nr4a1 expression, and Nr4a1 downregulation prevented TGF-β1-induced expression of Fn and Col-I and the activation of p38 MAPK. Csn-B induced fibrotic proteins expression and p38 MAPK phosphorylation, and moreover Csn-B induced fibrotic proteins expression was abrogated by treatment with p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580. We provided further evidence that Csn-B treatment promoted cytoplasmic accumulation of Nr4a1.
CONCLUSION
The findings in the present study indicate that Nr4a1 promotes renal fibrosis potentially through activating p38 MAPK kinase.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Mice; Phosphorylation; Kidney Diseases; Phenylacetates; Kidney; Collagen Type I; Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 4, Group A, Member 1
PubMed: 37161357
DOI: 10.1186/s10020-023-00657-y -
Clinical & Experimental Optometry Apr 2022The role of topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in routine cataract surgery has been established since decades. Topical NSAIDs have been shown to... (Review)
Review
The role of topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in routine cataract surgery has been established since decades. Topical NSAIDs have been shown to reduce postoperative ocular inflammation and pain, preserve intraoperative mydriasis, and reduce the risk of postoperative cystoid macular oedema, whilst carrying a very low side-effect profile. Nepafenac is one of the currently available topical NSAIDs. The studies have shown that is has a high ocular penetration, allowing for potentially better results than other NSAIDs. This review gathers the current literature on the role of nepafenac in cataract surgery aiming to help surgeons maximise the benefits of its use to achieve improved surgical outcomes.
Topics: Benzeneacetamides; Cataract; Cataract Extraction; Humans; Phenylacetates; Postoperative Complications
PubMed: 34210237
DOI: 10.1080/08164622.2021.1945412 -
Psychiatria Danubina 2021
Topics: Ecchymosis; Humans; Methylphenidate; Postoperative Complications
PubMed: 33857043
DOI: 10.24869/psyd.2021.65 -
Molecular Metabolism Sep 2023Our goal is to investigate if microbiota composition modulates reward signaling and assess the role of the vagus in mediating microbiota to brain communication.
OBJECTIVE
Our goal is to investigate if microbiota composition modulates reward signaling and assess the role of the vagus in mediating microbiota to brain communication.
METHODS
Male germ-free Fisher rats were colonized with gastrointestinal contents from chow (low fat (LF) ConvLF) or HF (ConvHF) fed rats.
RESULTS
Following colonization, ConvHF rats consumed significantly more food than ConvLF animals. ConvHF rats displayed lower feeding-induced extracellular DOPAC levels (a metabolite of dopamine) in the Nucleus Accumbens (NAc) as well as reduced motivation for HF foods compared to ConvLF rats. Dopamine receptor 2 (DDR2) expression levels in the NAc were also significantly lower in ConvHF animals. Similar deficits were observed in conventionally raised HF fed rats, showing that diet-driven alteration in reward can be initiated via microbiota. Selective gut to brain deafferentation restored DOPAC levels, DRD2 expression, and motivational drive in ConvHF rats.
CONCLUSIONS
We concluded from these data that a HF-type microbiota is sufficient to alter appetitive feeding behavior and that bacteria to reward communication is mediated by the vagus nerve.
Topics: Rats; Male; Animals; Brain-Gut Axis; 3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid; Feeding Behavior; Reward; Bacteria
PubMed: 37380023
DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2023.101764