Modeling Celiac Disease

Those who suffer from Celiac Disease have an autoimmune response to the protein complex gluten. The goal of this work is to better understand the biological mechanisms in Celiac Disease through modeling with a system of ordinary differential equations. We first develop a model for the way in which gluten induces a response in zonulin in those with Celiac Disease and estimate parameters for such a model using limited data. We then extend this model to include the interactions between zonulin and the permeability of the intestine, and the effect of this interaction on the immune response. Finally, we perform stability analysis on our model. In doing so, we see that, in our model, a gluten-free diet is always effective in treating the disease. This result may point to the need for additional mechanisms in our model in the future

Planning for the 2017 Specialty Drug Spend: When Costs are Steep but Pockets are Not Deep

Specialty drug spend increased by 15 percent to $121 billion in 2015 and is projected to rise even more. Budget-conscious payers need to implement novel management strategies that anticipate the cost of specialty medications before they’re available. A summary of efficacy data for high-impact specialty pipeline drugs expected to reach the market, including their place in therapy and budgetary impact. Also featured are strategies to mitigate costs of these cutting-edge medications and compare them to current therapy options

Pipeline Trends - December 2017

Pipeline Trends is produced by UMass Medical School’s Clinical Pharmacy Services and is distributed annually. This edition provides a comprehensive overview of: Promising New Agents Projected Generic Entry Investigational Indications FDA Updates Industry Trend

Analysis of a Lightly Manned Autonomous Combat Capability (LMAAC) Concept

NPS NRP Project PosterAnalysis of a Lightly Manned Autonomous Combat Capability (LMAAC) ConceptN9 - Warfare SystemsThis research is supported by funding from the Naval Postgraduate School, Naval Research Program (PE 0605853N/2098). https://nps.edu/nrpChief of Naval Operations (CNO)Approved for public release. Distribution is unlimited.

Analysis of a Lightly Manned Autonomous Combat Capability (LMAAC) Concept

NPS NRP Executive SummaryAnalysis of a Lightly Manned Autonomous Combat Capability (LMAAC) ConceptN9 - Warfare SystemsThis research is supported by funding from the Naval Postgraduate School, Naval Research Program (PE 0605853N/2098). https://nps.edu/nrpChief of Naval Operations (CNO)Approved for public release. Distribution is unlimited.

Ultrasonic assembly of anisotropic short fibre reinforced composites

AbstractWe report the successful manufacture of short fibre reinforced polymer composites via the process of ultrasonic assembly. An ultrasonic device is developed allowing the manufacture of thin layers of anisotropic composite material. Strands of unidirectional reinforcement are, in response to the acoustic radiation force, shown to form inside various matrix media. The technique proves suitable for both photo-initiator and temperature controlled polymerisation mechanisms. A series of glass fibre reinforced composite samples constructed in this way are subjected to tensile loading and the stress–strain response is characterised. Structural anisotropy is clearly demonstrated, together with a 43% difference in failure stress between principal directions. The average stiffnesses of samples strained along the direction of fibre reinforcement and transversely across it were 17.66±0.63MPa and 16.36±0.48MPa, respectively

The molecular aspects of biological development

Conference on molecular aspects of biological developmen

A Budget Impact Model for Two Investigational Agents for the Treatment of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis

Statistics show approximately 15 million Americans suffer from NASH, a nonalcoholic fatty liver disease that is projected to become the most common reason for liver transplantation. There are no FDA approved therapies for NASH, so doctors are forced to treat patients with off-label medications while keeping an eye out for breakthroughs in medication development. Two novel therapies, obeticholic acid and elafibranor, are currently in Phase III trials. If they receive FDA approval, interest will be high as they will be the first treatments specifically labeled for NASH. We detail a budget impact model for a sample state Medicaid plan in this poster presentation. This activity is valuable for payers to anticipate the impact of cutting-edge therapies in their population and proactively plan management strategies that ensure member access while maintaining cost-effectiveness. This presentation was given at the American Drug Utilization Review Society (ADURS) conference February 22-24, 2018 in Scottsdale, Arizona

Primed for Discovery: Atomic-Resolution Cryo-EM Structure of a Reovirus Entry Intermediate

A recently solved structure of the aquareovirus virion (Zhang, X; Jin, L.; Fang, Q; Hui, W.H.; Zhou Z.H. 3.3 Å Cryo-EM Structure of a Nonenveloped Virus Reveals a Priming Mechanism for Cell Entry. Cell 2010, 141, 472-482 [1]) provides new insights into the order of entry events, as well as confirming and refining several aspects of the entry mechanism, for aquareovirus and the related orthoreovirus. In particular, the structure provides evidence of a defined order for the progressive proteolytic cleavages of myristoylated penetration protein VP5 that prime the virion for membrane penetration. These observations reinforce the concept that, much like enveloped viruses, nonenveloped virions often undergo priming events that lead to a meta-stable state, preparing the virus for membrane penetration under the appropriate circumstances. In addition, this and other recent studies highlight the increasing power of electron cryomicroscopy to analyze large, geometrically regular structures, such as icosahedral viruses, at atomic resolution