Search

This editorial titled "Targeting ion channels for drug discovery: emerging challenges for high throughput screening technologies" discusses the importance of ion channels as drug targets and the challenges associated with developing drugs that modulate ion channels. It highlights advancements in high throughput screening technologies for studying ion channels and showcases cutting-edge research in this field. The document also mentions specific studies that focus on optimizing automated patch clamp and optogenetic screening platforms for studying ion channel activity and modulation. The document summarizes a collection of articles on ion channels as drug targets, covering various topics such as the development of new technologies for optogenetic assays, the application of high-throughput electrophysiological profiling in personalized medicine, the direct effects of cannabinoids on ion channels, and the potential for blocking specific ion channels to treat migraines. It also discusses the use of CRISPR technology to modulate gene expression and the analysis of ion channel mutations linked to epileptic encephalopathies. The articles provide insights into novel approaches for drug screening and strategies to improve ion channel drug targeting. [Extracted from the article]

The authors performed a comprehensive review of current literature to create a model comparing commonly evaluated variables in male factor infertility, for example, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), testicular volume (TV), and testosterone (T), to better predict sperm retrieval rate (SRR). Twenty-nine studies were included, 9 with data on conventional testicular sperm extraction (cTESE) for a total of 1227 patients and 20 studies including data on microdissection testicular sperm extraction (mTESE) for a total of 4760 patients. A weighted-means value of SRR, FSH, T, and TV was created, and a weighted linear regression was then used to describe associations among SRR, type of procedure, FSH, T, and TV. In this study, weighted-means values demonstrated mTESE to be superior to cTESE with an SRR of 51.9% vs 40.1%. Multiple weighted linear regressions were created to describe associations among SRR, procedure type, FSH, T, and TV. The models showed that for every 1.19 mIU ml−1 increase in FSH, there would be a significant decrease in SRR by 1.0%. Seeking to create a more clinically relevant model, FSH values were then divided into normal, moderate elevation, and significant elevation categories (FSH <10 mIU ml−1, 10–19 mIU ml−1, and >20 mIU ml−1, respectively). For an index patient undergoing cTESE, the retrieval rates would be 57.1%, 44.3%, and 31.2% for values normal, moderately elevated, and significantly elevated, respectively. In conclusion, in a large meta-analysis, mTESE was shown to be more successful than cTESE for sperm retrievals. FSH has an inverse relationship to SRR in retrieval techniques and can alone be predictive of cTESE SRR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals (LGBs) in the United States are strikingly more likely to vote for Democratic presidential candidates than heterosexuals. LGBs are one of the Democratic Party's most loyal voting blocs, despite the absence of one of the most important mechanisms for creating party identification: intergenerational transmission. We use the 2000 Presidential election to examine whether LGB voters overwhelmingly chose Al Gore because they viewed him as superior to George W. Bush on LGB-related policy issues or because of their greater overall liberalism and Democratic Party identification. We also examine the impact of socialization within the LGB community for generating political liberalism, Democratic Party identification, and interest in LGB policies. Using logit analysis on a 2000 Harris Interactive poll of 13,000 Americans, including 1,000 LGBs, we find that concern for LGB rights, policy liberalism, and party identification all played a role in the LGB vote. Keywords: Voting Behavior, Public Opinion, Parties, Elections, LGBT, Political Issues, Political Ideology. Lesbianas, hombres gay y bisexuales (LGB) en los Estados Unidos son mucho mas propensos a por votar candidatos presidenciales Democraticos que personas heterosexuales. Los LGB son uno de los grupos electoral mas leal del Partido Democratico, a pesar de la ausencia de uno de los mecanismos mas importantes para crear identificacion partidista: la transmision intergeneracional. En este articulo usamos la eleccion presidencial del 2000 para examinar si los electores LGB eligieron a Al Gore porque lo consideraban superior a George W. Bush en politicas relacionadas con asuntos LGB o debido a su mayor liberalismo e identificacion con el Partido Democratico. Tambien examinamos el impacto de la socializacion dentro de la comunidad LGB para generar liberalismo politico, identificacion con el Partido Democratico, e interes en politicas relacionadas con asuntos LGB. Usando un analisis logit en una encuesta interactiva Harris 2000 de 13,000 estadounidenses, incluyendo 1,000 LGB, los resultados muestran que interes por derechos para los LGB, liberalismo politico, e identificacion partidaria juegan un papel importante en el voto LGB., Lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) (1) voters in the United States have given two-thirds or more of their votes to Democratic presidential candidates at least since 1988 (Bailey 2000; Egan [...]