Culturing primary hepatocytes within a three-dimensional (3D) structure that mimics the natural liver environment is a promising strategy for extending the function and viability of hepatocytes in vitro. In the present study we generate porous PLGA nanofibers, that are chemically modified with extracellular matrix proteins, to serve as 3D scaffolds for the in vitro culture of primary human hepatocytes. Our findings demonstrate that the use of ECM proteins, especially type I collagen, in a porous 3D environment helps to improve the synthetic function of primary hepatocytes over time. We believe the work presented within will provide insights to readers for drug toxicity and tissue engineering applications.

University students have been particularly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. We present results from the first wave of the Global COVID-19 Student Survey, which was administered at 28 universities in the United States,

The respiratory effects of R 39209, a new short-acting analgesic, were studied and compared with those of fentanyl, in the rabbit. Minute volume, respiratory frequency and pH, PCO2 and standard bicarbonate of arterialized venous blood were measured. R 39209 had an earlier peak effect and shorter duration of action then fentanyl, but otherwise the respiratory effects of the two-drugs were similar. Fentanyl was between 2 and 3.5 times more potent than R 39209. Repeated doses of R 39209 produced reproducible peak effects even when only 10 min was allowed between administrations.

Context. Limited access to opioids for patients with cancer has been reported as a potential unintended consequence of recent regulations restricting opioid use and prescribing practices. To our knowledge, there are a limited number of peerreviewed studies that evaluate the perceived difficulties of the patients with cancer when filling their opioid prescription. To understand these difficulties, we surveyed patients receiving opioids in our outpatient supportive care center (SCC).Objectives. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate cancer patients' perceptions of overall difficulties when filling their opioid prescription. Secondary objectives included determining associations between patient characteristics and difficulty and comparing difficulty between filling opioid and nonopioid prescriptions.Methods. Patients with cancer receiving opioids that had been seen two times or more at our SCC were asked to complete a survey. The information collected included patient demographics, clinical characteristics, and patients' experiences filling their opioid prescription.Results. The patients' median age was 60 years; 54% were female and 69% were white. Forty-four patients (32%) reported that they have experienced difficulty filling their opioid prescription. More than 25% of those 44 patients perceived difficulty from interactions with the pharmacy and/or pharmacist. Forty-six patients (33%) reported more difficulty filling their opioid prescriptions than filling their nonopioid prescriptions.Conclusion. This study provides evidence that patients with cancer visiting our SCC perceived difficulties obtaining their opioid prescriptions. The results suggest that negative interactions with the pharmacy and/or pharmacist contribute to their perceived difficulty. Additional research is needed to further characterize the contributors of the difficulties patients with cancer face in filling their opioid prescriptions. J Pain Symptom Manage 2020;60:915e922.

A double-blind comparison of glycopyrrolate with atropine as the anticholinergic component of premedication was made in 200 patients undergoing minor or intermediate surgical procedures. Glycopyrrolate was associated with a smaller increase in heart rate, but there was no difference between the drugs in respect of cardiac arrhythmia, change in arterial pressure, control of secretions in the upper respiratory tract, frequency of nausea and vomiting after operation or subjective well-being of the patients.