Economic Indicators, Economic Development Tools, And Recent Successes

Presentation Overview • Economic Indicators • Intro to the EDC • Recent Successes and Impact • Initiative

The Necessity of Using Heparin in an UltraTag™ RBC Kit when Tagging Blood for a Nuclear Medicine Study

The purpose of this research was to evaluate the need to use heparin when preparing an UltraTag red blood cell (RBC) kit for a nuclear medicine study. Methods: Nonheparinized blood samples (n = 15) and heparinized blood samples (n = 15) were added to UltraTag RBC kits. The samples were examined for macroscopic blood clotting and microscopic platelet clumping. As a control, samples with heparin (n = 15) and without heparin (n = 15) were used to help evaluate the effectiveness of the anticoagulant properties within the UltraTag RBC kit (sodium citrate) and whether those properties played a role in preventing clots or clumps. To detect clotting, the wooden applicator stick method was used. To detect clumping, blood smears were evaluated using a light microscope. The two samples were compared for presence of clots and clumps. Fisher exact testing was used to evaluate the significance of the data. Results: For the UltraTag RBC group, 2 of the 15 nonheparinized samples clotted and none of the 15 heparinized samples clotted; for the control group, 2 of the 15 nonheparinized samples clotted and none of the 15 heparinized samples clotted. For the Ultra-Tag RBC group, 3 of the 15 nonheparinized samples clumped and 3 of the 15 heparinized samples clumped; for the control group, 15 of the 15 nonheparinized samples clumped and 10 of the 15 heparinized samples clumped. Conclusion: When heparin is not used, the Ultra-Tag RBC kit is more likely to form clots. Heparin should always be used when preparing an Ultra-Tag RBC kit for a nuclear medicine study

Implementing Pharmacy Informatics in College Curricula: The AACP Technology in Pharmacy Education and Learning Special Interest Group

Many professional organizations have initiatives to increase the awareness and use of informatics in the practice of pharmacy. Within education we must respond to these initiatives and make technology integral to all aspects of the curriculum, inculcating in students the importance of technology in practice. This document proposes 5 central domains for organizing planning related to informatics and technology within pharmacy education. The document is intended to encourage discussion of informatics within pharmacy education and the implications of informatics in future pharmacy practice, and to guide colleges of pharmacy in identifying and analyzing informatics topics to be taught and methods of instruction to be used within the doctor of pharmacy curriculum

Pharmacological Characterization of 4-hydroxy- N -desmethyl Tamoxifen, a Novel Active Metabolite of Tamoxifen

The antiestrogen tamoxifen is extensively metabolized in patients to form a series of compounds with altered affinity for estrogen receptors (ERs), the primary target of this drug. Furthermore, these metabolites exhibit a range of partial agonist and antagonist activities for ER mediated effects that do not depend directly on their absolute affinity for ERs. Thus, clinical response to tamoxifen therapy is likely to depend on the aggregate effect of these different metabolites resulting from their abundance in the patient, their affinity for the receptors, and their agonist/antagonist profile. A recent study has shown that plasma concentrations of the tamoxifen metabolite 4-hydroxy- N -desmethyl tamoxifen (endoxifen), in patents undergoing tamoxifen therapy, are dependent on the cytochrome P450 (CYP) 206 genotype of the patient and that medications commonly prescribed to patients on tamoxifen therapy can also inhibit endoxifen production. In this study we characterized the properties of this metabolite with respect to binding to ERs, ability to inhibit estrogen stimulated breast cancer cell proliferation and the regulation of estrogen responsive genes. We demonstrate that endoxifen has essentially equivalent activity to the potent metabolite 4-hydroxy tamoxifen (4-OH-tam) often described as the active metabolite of this drug. Since plasma levels of endoxifen in patients with functional CYP2D6 frequently exceed the levels of 4-OH-tam, it seems likely that endoxifen is at least as important as 4-OH-tam to the overall activity of this drug and suggests that CYP2D6 status and concomitant administration of drugs that inhibit CYP2D6 activity have the potential to affect response to tamoxifen therapy.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/44223/1/10549_2004_Article_5265616.pd

The Structural Basis of Gas-Responsive Transcription by the Human Nuclear Hormone Receptor REV-ERBβ

Heme is a ligand for the human nuclear receptors (NR) REV-ERBα and REV-ERBβ, which are transcriptional repressors that play important roles in circadian rhythm, lipid and glucose metabolism, and diseases such as diabetes, atherosclerosis, inflammation, and cancer. Here we show that transcription repression mediated by heme-bound REV-ERBs is reversed by the addition of nitric oxide (NO), and that the heme and NO effects are mediated by the C-terminal ligand-binding domain (LBD). A 1.9 Å crystal structure of the REV-ERBβ LBD, in complex with the oxidized Fe(III) form of heme, shows that heme binds in a prototypical NR ligand-binding pocket, where the heme iron is coordinately bound by histidine 568 and cysteine 384. Under reducing conditions, spectroscopic studies of the heme-REV-ERBβ complex reveal that the Fe(II) form of the LBD transitions between penta-coordinated and hexa-coordinated structural states, neither of which possess the Cys384 bond observed in the oxidized state. In addition, the Fe(II) LBD is also able to bind either NO or CO, revealing a total of at least six structural states of the protein. The binding of known co-repressors is shown to be highly dependent upon these various liganded states. REV-ERBs are thus highly dynamic receptors that are responsive not only to heme, but also to redox and gas. Taken together, these findings suggest new mechanisms for the systemic coordination of molecular clocks and metabolism. They also raise the possibility for gas-based therapies for the many disorders associated with REV-ERB biological functions

The oral selective oestrogen receptor degrader (SERD) AZD9496 is comparable to fulvestrant in antagonising ER and circumventing endocrine resistance.

BACKGROUND: The oestrogen receptor (ER) is an important therapeutic target in ER-positive (ER+) breast cancer. The selective ER degrader (SERD), fulvestrant, is effective in patients with metastatic breast cancer, but its intramuscular route of administration and low bioavailability are major clinical limitations. METHODS: Here, we studied the pharmacology of a new oral SERD, AZD9496, in a panel of in vitro and in vivo endocrine-sensitive and -resistant breast cancer models. RESULTS: In endocrine-sensitive models, AZD9496 inhibited cell growth and blocked ER activity in the presence or absence of oestrogen. In vivo, in the presence of oestrogen, short-term AZD9496 treatment, like fulvestrant, resulted in tumour growth inhibition and reduced expression of ER-dependent genes. AZD9496 inhibited cell growth in oestrogen deprivation-resistant and tamoxifen-resistant cell lines and xenograft models that retain ER expression. AZD9496 effectively reduced ER levels and ER-induced transcription. Expression analysis of short-term treated tumours showed that AZD9496 potently inhibited classic oestrogen-induced gene transcription, while simultaneously increasing expression of genes negatively regulated by ER, including genes potentially involved in escape pathways of endocrine resistance. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that AZD9496 is a potent anti-oestrogen that antagonises and degrades ER with anti-tumour activity in both endocrine-sensitive and endocrine-resistant models

Lynda Weatherman

Lynda Weatherman President & CEO Space Coast EDC Lynda L. Weatherman is the president & CEO of the Economic Development Commission of Florida\u27s Space Coast. She administers all operations and provides strategic direction to an organization responsible for a 2 million budget within a 1,557 square mile area that is the Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville MSA. Ms. Weatherman, a Florida native, earned a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences/Education from the University of South Florida and a Masters in Economic Development from the University of Southern Mississippi. Her work in economic development resulted in winning a Rotarian Fellowship to the University of Hong Kong where, in 1990, she completed a second Masters degree in International and Urban Planning. While beginning her career as a teacher, Ms. Weatherman has held leadership posts with the Florida Department of Commerce\u27s Bureau of Economic Analysis, Gainesville Chamber of Commerce, and Marion County Economic Development Agency. In 2007, Ms. Weatherman was honored with the NASA Distinguished Public Service Medal, the highest honor NASA awards to both government and non-government employees. Ms. Weatherman has served since 2009 as a member of the Board of Directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta\u27s Jacksonville Branch, where she presided as Chair in 2011 and again in 2014. In 2010, Ms. Weatherman was appointed to then Governor-elect Rick Scott\u27s Economic Development Transition Team, tasked with identifying innovative ideas from the private sector, success stories from other states, cost-saving opportunities and legislative priorities to assist the then-Governor-elect. That same year, Ms. Weatherman was selected to be a member of the Air Force Chief of Staff Civic Leader Program, serving as an advisor, key communicator, and advocate for the Air Force and providing ideas and feedback to the Secretary of the Air Force and Air Force Chief of Staff. In 2011, the EDC was awarded the Florida Economic Development Council\u27s Deal of the Year award for its work in the AAR recruitment project. The Council also awarded Ms. Weatherman its 2011 Professional of the Year, recognizing excellence among economic development practitioners throughout Florida. Additionally in 2011 and 2012, the International Economic Development Council recognized the EDC with three Excellence in Economic Development awards. Ms. Weatherman has served several organizations in various capacities, including the Florida HighTech Corridor Council Board of Directors and Marketing Committee, Brevard Workforce, and Webster University Space Coast Advisory Board. She also gives her time to the United Way of Brevard County Board of Directors, Enterprise Florida Partner Council,Space Florida Business Development Committee,the National Space Club Florida Committee, and the Florida Tech Board of Overseers, and she is an active member of CivMil. Ms. Weatherman currently serves on many boards, including the Board of Directors for the Cocoa Beach Regional Chamber of Commerce, Greater Palm Bay Chamber of Commerce, and United Way of Brevard County. As President & CEO of the Economic Development Commission of Florida\u27s Space Coast since 1994,she is responsible for the attraction of new business and investment and retention of existing industry throughout the Space Coast. Ms. Weatherman 1s role also includes influencing change on government laws and regulations affecting economic development, promoting the Space Coast to encourage new investment, assisting industry in new market entry, supporting efforts of Space Coast military installations, and relaying new programs and procedures to assist manufacturing and high tech companies. Under Ms. Weatherman\u27s leadership, the EDC\u27s recent accomplishments include the successful attraction of Embraer\u27s first and only U.S. manufacturing assembly plant, a nearly 50 million economic impact that has now grown to more than $75 million with the announcement in late 2012 of the company\u27s plan to build an engineering and technology center; the retention of the Space Coast\u27s Naval Ordnance Test Unit through the reversal of a BRA( Commission decision; attainment of the assembly and checkout of NASA\u27s Crew Exploration Vehicle; and facilitation of the first-ever Space Act agreement between Kennedy Space Center and an economic development organization.https://commons.erau.edu/space-congress-bios-2016/1026/thumbnail.jp

The changing Hong Kong economy: economics, issues and findings

published_or_final_versionUrban StudiesMasterMaster of Social Science