The specificity characteristics of transporters can be exploited for the development of novel diagnostic therapeutic probes. The facilitated hexose transporter family (GLUTs) has a distinct set of preferences for monosaccharide substrates, and while some are expressed ubiquitously (e.g., GLUT1), others are quite tissue specific (e.g., GLUT5, which is overexpressed in some breast cancer tissues). While these differences have enabled the development of new molecular probes based upon hexose- and tissue-selective uptake, substrate design for compounds targeting these GLUT transporters has been encumbered by a limited understanding of the molecular interactions at play in hexose binding and transport. Four new fluorescently labeled hexose derivatives have been prepared, and their transport characteristics were examined in two breast cancer cell lines expressing mainly GLUTs 1, 2, and 5. Our results demonstrate, for the first time, a stringent stereochemical requirement for recognition and transport by GLUT5. 6-NBDF, in which all substituents are in the d-fructose configuration, is taken up rapidly into both cell lines via GLUT5. On the other hand, inversion of a single stereocenter at C-3 (6-NBDP), C-4 (6-NBDT), or C-5 (6-NDBS) results in selective transport via GLUT1. An in silico docking study employing the recently published GLUT5 crystal structure confirms this stereochemical dependence. This work provides insight into hexose-GLUT interactions at the molecular level and will facilitate structure-based design of novel substrates targeting individual members of the GLUT family and forms the basis of new cancer imaging or therapeutic agents.

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Actively addressing racism in our faculties of medicine is needed now, more than ever. One way to do this is through allyship, the practice of unlearning and re-evaluating, in which a person in a position of privilege and power seeks to operate in solidarity with a traditionally marginalized group. In this paper, we provide practical tips on how to practice allyship, giving educators and leaders background understanding and important tools on how to actively promote equity and diversity. We also share tips on how to promote inclusivity to more accurately reflect the communities we serve. Through six broad actions of being, knowing, feeling, doing, promoting, and acting, we can empower individuals to become allies and address racism in medical education and beyond. Creating psychologically safe spaces, educating ourselves on our complex histories and how they influence the present, recognizing racism, and advocating for change, augments awareness from which we can pivot conversations. Acknowledging potential feelings of shame, guilt, and embracing our loss of privilege, allow necessary, but challenging, personal growth to occur. Finally, dismantling the racist structures that exist within medicine, moving us beyond individual interventions, will address the systemic nature of racism in medicine. Everyone can find a starting place within this guide, as simple, consistent actions foster change in our spheres of influence; and the ripple effect of these changes will impact attitudes and behaviours broadly.

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted healthcare processes substantially including medical education, necessitating several changes along the spectrum of medical training. While this crisis presents major challenges to medical education, it is also an immense opportunity for innovation. In this commentary, Canadian medical students cast a spotlight on four domains of Canadian medical education which have seen substantial changes during the COVID-19 pandemic: medical school admissions, pre-clerkship content delivery, virtual care and telemedicine curricula, and the residency matching process. Using the 10 recommendations noted in the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada (AFMC) 2010 Future of Medical Education in Canada report as a guiding framework, we discuss why these changes represent key steps forward that should be preserved in medical education beyond the pandemic, and advocate for a continuous quality improvement approach to evaluate and implement these innovations.

Aim:We sought to explore whether fetal hypoxia exposure, an insult of placental insufficiency, is associated with left ventricular dysfunction and increased aortic stiffness at early postnatal ages. Methods: Pregnant Sprague Dawley rats were exposed to hypoxic conditions (11.5%FiO 2 ) from embryonic day E15-21 or normoxic conditions (controls). After delivery, How to cite this article: Kumar P, Morton JS, Shah A, et al. Intrauterine exposure to chronic hypoxia in the rat leads to progressive diastolic function and increased aortic stiffness from early postnatal developmental stages. Physiol Rep. 2020;8:e14327.