Saint Francis University

About: Saint Francis University is a education organization based out in Loretto, Pennsylvania, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Osteoblast. The organization has 1694 authors who have published 2038 publications receiving 87149 citations.

The COPD Pipeline XXXV.

Abstract: Dealmakers in biopharma ended April with much disappointment and grumbling. This was the year that Mergers and Acquisitions were supposed to take off, with a new president bullishly asserting plans to reform taxes in a way that would free up billions in “big pharma” cash held overseas. As one trade journal states: “Didn’t happen. Donald Trump is so far bogged down on Obamacare reform and not able to deliver a much-ballyhooed tax reform pledge — for now.”1 Most people are disappointed with the pace of mergers and acquisitions. In the first quarter, pharmaceutical dealmakers were down 13% compared to the same period a year ago.1

Visual explanations behind important equations in astronomy

Abstract: When connections between related observations and facts are not being made, introductory science classes can be perceived as an accumulation of disjointed equations with the risk of losing both students' interest as well as their grasp of the materials. In astronomy we have to walk a tightrope between being complete in our presentation of modern-day findings and skirting the surface of quantum mechanics. We introduce Wien's displacement law, Stefan–Boltzmann's law, Hubble's law, and we talk about the age of the Universe and when it first became transparent. The derivation of all these laws and their applications to get numbers out of observations requires knowledge of modern physics, knowledge that students have not acquired (yet), so we tend to choose to not make connections between them. In here, we offer an alternative approach to overcome these drawbacks: we make connections between the main tenets of the laws, such as the temperature dependence that enters Stefan–Boltzmann's law, and processes that students are familiar with, such as the acceleration of electrons. In doing so we reduce the number of disjointed facts presented to students, and we are able to relate equations to imagery that does not rely on faulty representations.

The COPD Pipeline XXXVI.

Abstract: Contract Pharma is a publication that reviews, among other things, the pharmaceutical industry annually. Those of us who work in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) take an interest in the source of the drugs we use and Contract Pharma brings that information to us. Each year they report the status of the top 25 pharmaceutical companies.1 For each pharma, a report lists the newly approved drugs, those pending approval, drugs in phase 2, those in early research, drugs coming off patent, and some other less interesting data. There is usually a tussle between Pfizer and Novartis for the top. For the 2017 report (which is based on 2016 sales) Pfizer, Inc., is number 1. As I sift through the top 25 pharma companies, I look for drugs that might be the ones we will one day be prescribing for our patients with COPD. Pfizer has no new COPD drugs anywhere in the process of development unless one includes Prevnar 13 which was just approved. Next is Novartis which has Fevipiprant, an interesting CRTh2 antagonist in phase 1. But it is for an asthma indication. Merck, at number 3, has MK-1029, also a CRTh2 antagonist, but also in trials as a potential asthma therapy. Merck has no agents in development for COPD. Nor, going down the list, has Roche. GlaxoSmithKline has Relvar Elipta (recently approved), a triple for COPD that is pending the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) review, and mepolizumab for COPD. Next on the list are Sanofi, Johnson & Johnson, Gilead, and ABBVie with no COPD drugs. Then AstraZeneca with Bevespi/Aerosphere and benralizumab both in phase 2 for a COPD indication. Teva has several drugs for asthma but none for COPD. Next on the list are Lilly, Bristol-Myers Squibb, and Bayer. Finally, Boehringer Ingelheim has worked with Hamni Pharmaceuticals on HCP1202 for COPD. It is in a Phase 2 trial. Then, moving down the list, comes a desert with no potential COPD drugs, Novo Nordisk, Merck KGAA, Takeda, Allergan, Biogen, Shire, and Celgene. Mylan brings the list to a close with its revefenacin, a nebulized long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA) in phase 3. The point here is that the third largest cause of death in most of the world needs more novel therapies. Other than the me-too’s, we have just 2 ‘-lizumabs’ in the works for COPD. Cancer, heart, and diseases of ageing are all well represented in late stage development, which is appropriate. But COPD should be up there with them. Autologous bronchial basal cells transplantation is The COPD Pipeline XXXVI Nicholas Gross, MD, PhD1

Aortic Valve Endocarditis

Abstract: Infective endocarditis occurs globally and is the infection of the endocardial surface of the native valve, prosthetic heart valve, or an implanted cardiac device such as a permanent pacemaker or a cardioverter-defibrillator. Over the past few decades, there has been a change in both the host and the pathogen. Staphylococcus aureus has surpassed Streptococcus as the most common etiologic pathogen worldwide and especially in the developed world given its common association with health-care contact and invasive procedures. Changes in the host include older and sicker patients who carry a high burden of comorbidities. Resistance to antibiotics is another challenge threatening healthcare worldwide and seems to be growing.Despite technological advances in diagnostic and therapeutic modalities, the overall mortality has not improved. Aortic valve infective endocarditis is a life-threatening disease associated with high mortality and morbidity. In this chapter, we will provide an overview of the infective endocarditis with a particular emphasis on the aortic valve endocarditis. The term native valve endocarditis denotes a cardiac infection that involves the leaflets of the valves, the endocardial surface, chordae tendinae, congenital defects, and anastomosis sites. Prosthetic valve endocarditis is defined by an infection involving the artificial valves, conduits, catheters, assist devices, pacemakers, defibrillators, or other artificial intracardiac structures.