Article describes study which used an 18S rRNA gene fragment metabarcoding approach to assess the eukaryotic assemblage of 62 individuals representing 16 nonhuman primate NHP species to better understand the factors that influence the assembly and diversity of gut-associated eukaryotes.

Paper describes study testing the effectiveness of tetracycline (TC) in mobile crystalline material 41 (MCM-41) for controlled drug release.

This article looks at respiratory illness in Appalachian Kentucky because it reports some of the highest rates of respiratory illness in the United States. As part of the Mountain Air Project, local youth were invited to share their perspectives on possible contributing factors to respiratory illness, and the authors undertook an exploratory study to determine the utility of photovoice to elicit such perspectives with this population. This study demonstrates the value of incorporating youth perspectives in environmental health research, and that photovoice was a valuable approach to elicit such perspectives.

This article is an overview the interplay between HIV-1 viral and cellular proteins for restrictions/competitions for proliferation of the virus in the infected cell, which could open a new avenue for the development of therapeutics against HIV-1 via targeting a specific step of the proteasome degradation pathway during the HIV-1 life cycle.

The article describes a study that tested and confirmed the hypothesis that TRPA1 expressed in the primary sensory afferents may modulate the function of second order NTS neurons. The expression of TRPA1 was detected in presynaptic locations, but not the somata of caudal NTS neurons that did not express TRPA1 mRNA or proteins. Moreover, caudal NTS neurons did not show somatodendritic responsiveness to TRPA1 agonists, while TRPA1 immunostaining was detected only in the afferent fibers.

This article gives an overview of the discovery of small-molecule bioprecursor prodrugs carrying the para-quinol scaffold on the steroidal A-ring that are preferentially metabolized in the CNS to the corresponding estrogens. Selected examples are shown to illustrate that, independently of the route of administrations and duration of treatments, these agents produce high concentration of estrogens only in the CNS without peripheral hormonal liability. 10β,17β-Dihydroxyestra-1,4-dien-3-one (DHED) has been the best-studied representative of this novel type of prodrugs for brain and retina health. Specific applications in preclinical animal models of centrally-regulated and estrogen-responsive human diseases, including neurodegeneration, menopausal symptoms, cognitive decline and depression, are discussed to demonstrate the translational potential of their prodrug approach for CNS-selective and gender-independent estrogen therapy with inherent therapeutic safety.

This article investigates if chronic inhibition of DLDH could also attenuate oxidative stress in type 2 diabetes. It is the authors' belief that DLDH inhibition could be a novel approach to fighting type 2 diabetes.

This article focuses on the development of an alternative drug for the treatment of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). Oral administration of anti-CD-WPI is a functional therapy of CDI in infected hamsters for both primary treatment and prevention of recurrence. Thus, anti-CD-WPI could address the urgent unmet medical need for treating and preventing recurrent CDI in humans.

Using thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) as a model, paper explores whether synergistic combination of lipoamino acid(s) and a linker cleaved by prolyl oligopeptidase (POP) can be used as a promoiety for prodrug design for the preferential brain delivery of the peptide.

Study describes the use of a non-cytotoxic dose of histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors to induce pulmonary carcinoid somatostatin receptor subtype 2 (SSTR2) expression to diagnose pulmonary carcinoids.

Review critically analyzes current literature to provide an integrated view of how rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) regulates various steps of the autophagy process.

The purpose of this review article is to discuss how PKCη regulates various cellular processes that may contribute to its contrasting roles in cancer. Protein kinase C-eta (PKCη) is a unique member of the PKC family since its regulation is distinct from other PKC isozymes. PKCη was shown to regulate cell proliferation, differentiation and cell death.

Paper describes the results of a study examining magnesium intake in Hispanic adults, using data from the NHANES from 1999-2014, stratified by gender, Hispanic origins, age, and poverty income ratio (PIR) level.

Study examines the interaction between a key pathogenic HIV-1 viral protein, Nef, and ubiquitin (Ub)-protein ligase E3A (UBE3A).

The article is part of a series of Editorials published biannually that highlights a number of recently published articles that describe crucial findings.

This article focuses on filling information gaps regarding adherence to physical activity and exercise in the health care spectrum of older adults (OA) and an overview of the benefits of physical activity for OA. Exercise adherence in OA is a multifactorial problem encompassing many biopsychosocial factors. Factors affecting adherence in the OA include socioeconomic status, education level, living arrangements, health status, pacemakers, physical fitness, and depression. Improving adherence could have a significant impact on longevity, quality of life, and health care costs.