Pre-synaptic Cholinergic and Cannabinergic Signaling in the Expression of Organophosphate Toxicity

Organophosphorus toxicants (OPs) inhibit acetylcholinesterase (AChE) leading to acetylcholine (ACh) accumulation and cholinergic toxicity. The current approach for treating OP intoxication has several shortcomings, thus there continues to be a need for alternative treatment strategies. One approach could be to decrease ACh release from the pre-synaptic cholinergic terminal, potentially leading to less ACh accumulation and decreased signs of cholinergic toxicity. Activation of pre-synaptic muscarinic M2 and cannabinergic CB1 receptors can decrease ACh release. Pharmacological activation of these receptors could prove beneficial in OP poisoning. We hypothesized that genetic deletion of M2 and CB1 receptors would lead to loss of inhibitory control over ACh release and in turn increase cholinergic toxicity. We therefore systematically evaluated the sensitivity of M2 and CB1 receptor knockout mice to selected OP compounds in vivo. We also studied the effects of different OP compounds on ex vivo and in vitro ACh reVeterinary Pathobiolog

Reactions of Transition Metal (Pi)-Complexed Cations with Selected Nucleophiles

Chemistr

A simple and efficient one-pot synthesis of novel benzimidazo[1,2-a]- chromeno[4,3-d] pyrimidinones catalyzed by [Et3NH][HSO4]

A simple and efficient one-pot synthesis of novel polyheterocyclic benzimidazo[1,2-a]- chromeno[4,3-d]pyrimidinones 4 via a three-component condensation of 2-aminobenzimidazole 1, aromatic aldehydes 2 and 4-hydroxy coumarin 3 catalyzed by Bronsted acid ionic liquid triethyl ammonium hydrogen sulphate [Et3NH][HSO4] under solvent-free conditions is reported. The main advantages of this protocol are short reaction time, easy work-up, operational simplicity, and excellent yields with high purity, without intervention of chromatography

Medical Students\u27 Experiences and Outcomes Using a Virtual Human Simulation to Improve Communication Skills: Mixed Methods Study

Background: Attending to the wide range of communication behaviors that convey empathy is an important but often underemphasized concept to reduce errors in care, improve patient satisfaction, and improve cancer patient outcomes. A virtual human (VH)–based simulation, MPathic-VR, was developed to train health care providers in empathic communication with patients and in interprofessional settings and evaluated through a randomized controlled trial. Objective: This mixed methods study aimed to investigate the differential effects of a VH-based simulation developed to train health care providers in empathic patient-provider and interprofessional communication. Methods: We employed a mixed methods intervention design, involving a comparison of 2 quantitative measures—MPathic-VR–calculated scores and the objective structured clinical exam (OSCE) scores—with qualitative reflections by medical students about their experiences. This paper is a secondary, focused analysis of intervention arm data from the larger trial. Students at 3 medical schools in the United States (n=206) received simulation to improve empathic communication skills. We conducted analysis of variance, thematic text analysis, and merging mixed methods analysis. Results: OSCE scores were significantly improved for learners in the intervention group (mean 0.806, SD 0.201) compared with the control group (mean 0.752, SD 0.198; F1,414=6.09; P=.01). Qualitative analysis revealed 3 major positive themes for the MPathic-VR group learners: gaining useful communication skills, learning awareness of nonverbal skills in addition to verbal skills, and feeling motivated to learn more about communication. Finally, the results of the mixed methods analysis indicated that most of the variation between high, middle, and lower performers was noted about nonverbal behaviors. Medium and high OSCE scorers most often commented on the importance of nonverbal communication. Themes of motivation to learn about communication were only present in middle and high scorers. Conclusions: VHs are a promising strategy for improving empathic communication in health care. Higher performers seemed most engaged to learn, particularly nonverbal skills