Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of irreversible central vision loss in the elderly. Genetic factors contributing to AMD include single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in immune-related genes including CFH, C2, CFI, C9, and C3, thus implicating these pathways in AMD pathogen …

Additive manufacturing/3D printing of medical devices is becoming more commonplace, a 3D printed drug is now commercially available, and bioprinting is poised to transition from laboratory to market. Despite the variety of technologies enabling these products, the US Food and Drug Administration (FD …

We propose a new design of a stacked three-layer flat-panel x-ray detector for dual-energy (DE) imaging. Each layer consists of its own scintillator of individual thickness and an underlying thin-film-transistor-based flat-panel. Three images are obtained simultaneously in the detector during the sa …

Computational modeling of birdcage body coils is extensively used in the evaluation of radiofrequency-induced heating during MRI. Experimental validation of numerical models is needed to determine if a model is an accurate representation of a physical coil.

The purpose of this work is to present and evaluate methods based on U-statistics to compare intra- or inter-reader agreement across different imaging modalities. We apply these methods to multi-reader multi-case (MRMC) studies. We measure reader-averaged agreement and estimate its variance accounti …

Cellular telephones (cellphones) are currently categorized for hearing aid compatibility based on a calculated value (metric) obtained from the measurement of near-field, radio-frequency emissions according to a procedure described in ANSI Standard C63.19 "Measurement of Compatibility between Wirele …

Acetaminophen-related adverse events continue to be a public health burden. Future studies with additional time points are necessary to confirm trends and determine whether recent risk mitigation efforts had a beneficial impact on acetaminophen-related adverse events. Published 2015. This article is …

Drug-induced long QT syndrome has resulted in many drugs being withdrawn from the market. At the same time, the current regulatory paradigm for screening new drugs causing long QT syndrome is preventing drugs from reaching the market, sometimes inappropriately. In this study, we report the results o …

Most MG assessments did not reach the 80% knowledge threshold, but those associated with additional interventions were more likely to achieve it. Our study highlights the need to improve patient-directed information and the methods of assessing it.

Cellphones and hearing aids are presently tested for their near-field RF emissions and RF immunity, respectively, to predict their mutual compatibility when used together. In the concluding part of this two-part series, we examine the relationship between these independent device measurements and th …

Measurements of lung nodule volume with multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) have been shown to be more accurate and precise compared to conventional lower dimensional measurements. Quantifying the size of lesions is potentially more difficult when the object-to-background contrast is low as wi …

Cocaine Antagonists; Studies on Cocaine Self-Administration

Medications Discovery: Importance of Assessment of Drug Self Administration Dose-Effect Curves

Preclinical Efficacy of Novel Vesicular Monoamine Transporter 2 Inhibitors as Antagonists of d-Methamphetamine Self-Administration in Rats

A series of studies by Drs. Barak Caine, James Woods, Gregory Collins, Jonathan Katz and Takato Hiranita demonstrated a novel and unique reinforcing effect using dopamine (DA) D2-like receptor [D2-like R: D2, D3, and D4 receptor subtypes (respectively, D2R …

Trace Amine-Associated Receptor Type 1 as A Target for The Development of Treatments for Stimulant Abuse

In some therapeutic areas, treatment evaluation is frequently complicated by a possible placebo effect (i.e., the psychobiological effect of a patient's knowledge or belief of being treated). When a substantial placebo effect is likely to exist, it is important to distinguish the treatment and place …

Self-Administration of an Endogenous Cannabinoid 2-Arachidonoylglycerol in Experimentally Naïve Rats

There are few approved drugs available for the treatment of patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) and none have been approved in the twenty-first century. Four drugs; thiotepa in 1959, BCG Tice in 1989, BCG Connaught in 1990, and valrubicin in 1998, have been approved for the trea …

The sensitivity of the optimized CompCor, WCompCor, and LCompCor methods exceeded that of the original CompCor method. However, regressing noise signals showed a paradoxical consequence of reducing specificity for all noise reduction methods attempted.

Task-based assessments of image quality constitute a rigorous, principled approach to the evaluation of imaging system performance. To conduct such assessments, it has been recognized that mathematical model observers are very useful, particularly for purposes of imaging system development and optim …

The aims of the present study were to (i) examine the prevalence of perceived behavioural and genetic causal beliefs for four chronic conditions (i.e. obesity, heart disease, diabetes and cancer); (ii) to examine the association between these causal beliefs and attempts at behaviour change (i.e. phy …

In through-transmission interrogation of cancellous bone, two longitudinal pulses ("fast" and "slow" waves) may be generated. Fast and slow wave properties convey information about material and micro-architectural characteristics of bone. However, these properties can be difficult to assess when fas …

Although pharmaceutical companies cannot make comparative claims in direct-to-consumer (DTC) ads for prescription drugs without substantial evidence, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration permits some comparisons based on labeled attributes of the drug, such as dosing. Researchers have examined comp …

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is a major cause of drug failures in both the preclinical and clinical phase. Consequently, improving prediction of DILI at an early stage of drug discovery will reduce the potential failures in the subsequent drug development program. In this regard, high-content sc …

Liver injury resulting from exposure to drugs and chemicals is a major health problem. Autophagy is an important factor in a wide range of diseases, such as cancer, liver disease, muscular disorder, neurodegeneration, pathogen infection, and aging, and emerging evidence indicates that autophagy make …

HCPs should discuss OHC content with patients to help them avoid misinformation and make more informed decisions.

Role of the σ Rs for Development of Medications

Graphene, a single-atom-thick carbon nanosheet, has attracted great interest as a promising nanomaterial for a variety of bioapplications because of its extraordinary properties. However, the potential for widespread human exposure raises safety concerns about graphene and its derivatives, referred …

Adding placebo rates to DTC ads may be useful for consumers. The evidence does not support using a mixed frame.