Trends in pharmacological sciences
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Trends Pharmacol. Sci. · Jun 2016
Characteristics of Hijacked Journals and Predatory Publishers: Our Observations in the Academic World.
The academic world today includes hijacked journals and predatory publishers that operate based on a 'pay and publish' model and function for financial reasons only. Here we present lesser known aspects and practices of these journals to researchers, showing the core of the problem.
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Despite direct oral anticoagulants becoming a mainstay of anticoagulant therapy, the effective, timely, and safe reversal of their anticoagulant effect remains challenging. Emerging evidence attests that andexanet, a recombinant and inactive variant of native factor X (FXa), competitively inhibits and counteracts the anticoagulant effect of many inhibitors of native activated FXa.
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Trends Pharmacol. Sci. · Oct 2015
ReviewTherapeutic Targeting of Siglecs using Antibody- and Glycan-Based Approaches.
The sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectins (Siglecs) are a family of immunomodulatory receptors whose functions are regulated by their glycan ligands. Siglecs are attractive therapeutic targets because of their cell type-specific expression pattern, endocytic properties, high expression on certain lymphomas/leukemias, and ability to modulate receptor signaling. ⋯ Several antibody-based therapies are in clinical trials and continue to be developed for the treatment of lymphoma/leukemia and autoimmune disease, while the therapeutic potential of glycan-based strategies for cargo delivery and immunomodulation is a promising new approach. Here we review these strategies with special emphasis on emerging approaches and disease areas that may benefit from targeting the Siglec family.
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Trends Pharmacol. Sci. · Sep 2015
ReviewApelin, Elabela/Toddler, and biased agonists as novel therapeutic agents in the cardiovascular system.
Apelin and its G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) have emerged as a key signalling pathway in the cardiovascular system. The peptide is a potent inotropic agent and vasodilator. ⋯ To replace the missing endogenous peptide, 'biased' apelin agonists have been designed that preferentially activate G protein pathways, resulting in reduced β-arrestin recruitment and receptor internalisation, with the additional benefit of attenuating detrimental β-arrestin signalling. Proof-of-concept studies support the clinical potential for apelin receptor biased agonists.
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Recent data reveal that subtle selective publication affects critical aspects of trial reporting, in some cases altering the interpretation of results. Timely prospective registration could help deter selective reporting and clinical trial stakeholders from government authorities to journal editors should work together to foster prospective registration of trials.