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Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) has attracted lots of attention in preventing the clearance of plasma low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C). PCSK9 inhibitors are developed to primarily reduce the cardiovascular risk by lowering LDL‐C level. Recently, a number of pleiotropic extrahepatic functions of PCSK9 beyond the regulation of cholesterol metabolism, particularly its effects on central nervous system (CNS) diseases have been increasingly identified. Emerging clinical evidence have revealed that PCSK9 may play a significant role in neurocognition, depression, Alzheimer's disease, and stroke. The focus of this review is to elucidate the functions of PCSK9 and highlight the effects of PCSK9 in CNS diseases, with the aim of identifying the potential risks that may arise from low PCSK9 level (variant or inhibitor) in the clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: This study aims to establish a population pharmacokinetic (PK) model of teicoplanin in Chinese adult patients to evaluate the dosing regimen in the label sheet and optimize it. Methods: Nonlinear mixed‐effects modelling was used to estimate PK parameters. Monte Carlo simulations were used to evaluate the attainment of various dosing regimens in achieving the target trough concentrations in patients with normal or decreased renal function. Results: A total of 115 patients were enrolled in this retrospective study. Creatinine clearance (CrCL) and albumin (ALB) were identified as covariates on the clearance of teicoplanin. For the treatment of non‐complicated methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections in patients with normal renal function and serum ALB concentration, the recommended dosing regimen was 600 mg q12h with five administrations as the loading dose followed by 600 mg qd as the maintenance dose; for the treatment of serious and/or complicated MRSA infections, the recommended dosing regimen was 800 mg q12h with five administrations as the loading dose followed by 800 mg qd as the maintenance dose. It is worth noting that both the loading and maintenance doses ought to be modified based on the patient's renal function and serum ALB concentration. In addition, trough concentrations of teicoplanin were significantly increased every other week. Conclusions: Both loading dosing and maintenance dosing regimens were recommended to be adjusted according to patient's renal function and serum ALB concentration. In addition, it is necessary to perform follow‐up therapeutic drug monitoring of teicoplanin at least once every week. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Half of the world's population is Helicobacter pylori carrier. Updated guidelines and consensus have been issued across regions with the main aim of reducing social transmission and increasing H. pylori eradication rate. Although alternative therapies including traditional Chinese medicine and probiotics have also been used to improve H. pylori eradication rate in clinical practice, current mainstream treatment is still dependent on triple and quadruple therapies that includes antibacterial agents (e.g., amoxicillin and furazolidone) and proton pump inhibitor. Researches also assessed the eradication rate of optimized high‐dose dual therapy in treating H. pylori infection. With the increase of antibiotic resistance rate, the treatment strategies for H. pylori infection are constantly adjusted and improved. Besides, low medication compliance is another key influencing factor for H. pylori treatment failure. Emerging studies indicate that pharmacists' intervention and new pharmaceutical care methods can enhance patient medication compliance, reduce adverse drug reactions, and improve H. pylori eradication rate. The purpose of this review is to summarize the advances in treating H. pylori infection and highlight the necessity of developing novel strategies to cope with the increasing challenges and to achieve personalized medication. Also, this review attaches great importance to pharmacists in optimizing H. pylori treatment outcomes as a routine part of therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to assess the risk factors for insufficient vancomycin concentrations for its prophylactic use in adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and to modify the dosing regimen to achieve appropriate plasma concentrations. A total of 27 patients with vancomycin dosing of 1 to 1.5 g based on a weight cutoff of 67 kg were included, of which only 13 (48.15%) had vancomycin plasma concentration >15 mg/L at surgical closure. Risk factors of vancomycin concentration <15 mg/L at surgical‐site closure were confirmed by multivariate logistic regression analysis, which showed that CPB duration was an independent predictor. Patients with CPB duration >4 hours had significantly lower vancomycin concentrations and lower proportion in achieving target vancomycin concentration at the end of CPB and surgical closure. For patients with CPB >4 hours, the modified dosing regimen that a second dose of 0.5 to 0.75 g added at 4 hours since the onset of CPB improved the target achievement of vancomycin concentration at surgical closure. Taken together, CPB duration >4 hours was the risk factor for insufficient vancomycin concentration at surgical closure, while our modified dosing could improve the vancomycin concentrations for its prophylactic use in patients undergoing cardiac surgery with CPB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Limited therapeutic options exist for multidrug‐resistant/extensively drug‐resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (MDR/XDR‐Ab) meningitis/ventriculitis. A combination of intravenous and intraventricular (IVT)/intrathecal (IT) polymyxins achieves good therapeutic outcomes for cases of healthcare‐associated MDR/XDR‐Ab meningitis/ventriculitis. Colistin is commercially available as colistin sulphate and its sulphomethylated derivative. However, the effect and safety of colistin sulphate in the treatment of MDR/XDR‐Ab meningitis/ventriculitis has not been reported. We report on a 66‐year‐old male patient who developed post‐neurosurgical ventriculitis caused by MDR‐Ab. IVT concomitant intravenous colistin sulphate was used as a last‐resort antimicrobial therapy, the patient's ventriculitis was dramatically improved, and the concentrations of CSF colistin were higher than the MIC breakpoint throughout the treatment. Meanwhile, no nephrotoxicity or neurotoxicity was observed during the treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aimed to investigate whether human periodontal ligament (PDL) cells secrete pro-angiogenic factors that induce the vascularization of surrounding bone tissue under tensile stress.Methods: Quantitative real-time PCR and Western blotting were used to analyze the mRNA and protein expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), Angiopoietin-I (Ang-I), connective tissue growth factor （CTGF）, and macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) in PDL cells after tensile force treatments of different durations. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure the VEGF concentration in the supernatants of cell cultures. Cell viability assay, wound healing assay, and tube formation assay were performed to evaluate the angiogenic behaviors of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).Results: The mRNA expression and protein expression of VEGF, bFGF, Ang-I, and M-CSF was increased in the cells that received 6 to 48 hours of tensile force treatment. And, the VEGF level in the supernatant significantly increased in the human PDL cell cultures stressed for 6 to 48 hours. The abilities of HUVECs to proliferate, migrate, and form tubes were enhanced in media conditioned with tensile-stressed human PDL cells. Hence, tensile force induced human PDL cells to express and release pro-angiogenic factors enhancing the proliferation, migration, and angiogenic capacity of HUVECs.Conclusion: Tensile stress induced human PDL cells to express and release pro-angiogenic factors, including VEGF, bFGF, Ang-I, and M-CSF, thereby enhancing the proliferation, migration, and angiogenic capacity of HUVECs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An improved tunable coplanar waveguide (CPW) bandstop filter, which exhibits good performance, is proposed in this paper. A novel tunable open stub and a useful formula for frequency shift and impedances are also presented. Further, air bridges and a special method of step compensation in the angle bends are employed to overcome differences in the radiation effects as much as possible. From the measured results, a 33% narrower rejection bandwidth with sharper roll-off was achieved, particularly in comparison to that of the bent filter. An enormous size reduction of 53% was obtained, compared to the conventional open-stub structure. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 41: 198–200, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.20091 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we propose an improved doubly electromagnetic periodic structure (DEPS) and apply it in a power amplifier for harmonic tuning. The DEPS power amplifier shows an improvement of 0.5 dB and 8% in output power and power-added efficiency (PAE), respectively, compared with the conventional EPS power amplifier. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 39: 342–344, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.11209 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]