As the world seeks to reduce its reliance on petrochemicals, the search for renewable polymers with equal or enhanced performance compared to conventional fossil fuel-based materials is crucial. In this study we utilized the readily accessible platform molecule levoglucosenone (LGO) as a renewable feedstock for the synthesis of bio-derived acrylic polymers. LGO, was used in the preparation of the bio-based monomer LGO-acrylate (LGOA), possessing an internal unsaturated carbon-carbon bond within the LGO ring. The as-synthesized monomer was subject to PET-RAFT polymerization with 95% conversion of the acrylate group in 6 hours, with only a small fraction of the internal unsaturated bond in the LGO bicyclic ring pendant group consumed during the course of the polymerization. The homopolymer possessed a high glass transition temperature (up to 118 degrees C) and excellent thermal stability, and was successfully copolymerized with n-butyl acrylate (BA) both in the bulk and in emulsion, to form polymers with glass transitions below room temperature. Thiol-ene 'click' chemistry as a post-polymerization modification approach was performed using the double bonds within LGO pendant groups, enabling convenient polymer functionalization and the formation of crosslinked networks and films via a post-polymerization approach. The formation of thiol functionalized and crosslinked polymers demonstrates the ability to produce tailorable bio-derived polymer networks, identifying LGO as an attractive scaffold for the synthesis of polymers from renewable starting materials.

Thiol–ene thermosets are prepared from seven different dienes using levoglucosenol as a functional scaffold, affording polymers with a high fraction of bio-based carbon. Tuneable thermal, mechanical and degradation properties are shown.

The loss of upper and lower motor neurons, and their axons is central to the loss of motor function and death in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Due to the diverse range of genetic and environmental factors that contribute to the pathogenesis of ALS, there have been difficulties in developing effective therapies for ALS. One emerging dichotomy is that protection of the neuronal cell soma does not prevent axonal vulnerability and degeneration, suggesting the need for targeted therapeutics to prevent axon degeneration. Post-translational modifications of protein acetylation can alter the function, stability and half-life of individual proteins, and can be enzymatically modified by histone acetyltransferases (HATs) and histone deacetyltransferases (HDACs), which add, or remove acetyl groups, respectively. Maintenance of post-translational microtubule acetylation has been suggested as a mechanism to stabilize axons, prevent axonal loss and neurodegeneration in ALS. This study used an orally dosed potent HDAC6 inhibitor, ACY-738, prevent deacetylation and stabilize microtubules in the mSOD1G93A mouse model of ALS. Co-treatment with riluzole was performed to determine any effects or drug interactions and potentially enhance preclinical research translation. This study shows ACY-738 treatment increased acetylation of microtubules in the spinal cord of mSOD1G93A mice, reduced lower motor neuron degeneration in female mice, ameliorated reduction in peripheral nerve axon puncta size, but did not prevent overt motor function decline. The current study also shows peripheral nerve axon puncta size to be partially restored after treatment with riluzole and highlights the importance of co-treatment to measure the potential effects of therapeutics in ALS.

The thiol-ene emulsion polymerization of three dienes synthesized from bioderived compounds, and subsequent preparation of core-shell polymer latexes, is reported. Levoglucosan (LGA), levogucosenone (LGO) and isosorbide were first modified with 4-pentenoic acid to install polymerizable groups. These monomers were used along with a dithiol to prepare poly(thioether) particles via ab initio emulsion polymerization using potassium persulfate as initiator and sodium dodecyl sulfate as surfactant. The structure of the diene significantly influenced the size of the resulting polymer latex particles. Given their low glass transition temperature, the LGA-derived poly(thioether) particles were used as a seed for the seeded emulsion polymerization of either styrene or methyl methacrylate. Core-shell latex particles with a high Tg core and a low Tg bioderived shell were formed, as verified by electron microscopy and in agreement with theoretical predictions of the equilibrium particle morphology based on the interfacial tensions of each particle phase.

Extreme Heat Governance: A Critical Analysis of Heat Action Plans in California Michael T. Schmeltz DrPH, MS, Jason A. Smith JD, MTS, Isabella Olmos BS, and Erin Quintero BS Affiliation Michael T. Schmeltz is with the Department of Public Health, California State University, East Bay, Hayward. Jason A. Smith is with the College of Health and Human Development, California State University, Fullerton. Isabella Olmos and Erin Quintero are recent graduates from the Department of Public Health, California State University, East Bay. CopyRightCorrespondence should be sent to Michael T. Schmeltz, Assistant Professor, California State University, East Bay, SF502, 25800 Carlos Bee Blvd, Hayward, CA 94542 (e-mail: michael.schmeltz@csueastbay.edu). Reprints can be ordered at http://www.ajph.org by clicking the "Reprints" link. CONTRIBUTORS M. T. Schmeltz and J. A. Smith developed the study concept and design and drafted the article. M. T. Schmeltz, I. Olmos, and E. Quintero collected and analyzed the data. All authors interpreted the data and contributed to the final draft of the article. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2022.307117 Accepted: August 30, 2022 Published Online: December 14, 2022

Developing thermosets from renewable feedstocks for the production of sustainable polymer networks is of great significance as the world transitions from its heavy reliance on petroleum-derived polymeric materials. Levoglucosan is a renewable chemical, obtained from the pyrolysis of cellulosic biomass and was selected for this study due to its rich functionality. Allyl and pentenoyl levoglucosan monomers were synthesized with selective chemical functionality and were rapidly cured via ultraviolet (UV)-initiated thiol-ene click chemistry to obtain optically transparent, degradable networks. The mechanical properties (tensile strength and Young's modulus) and glass-transition temperature are tunable over the range of 1.08-3.40, 2.50-4.72 MPa, and 3.93-22.8 C-degrees based on the monomer compositions. The resulting thermosets are able to be tailored for desired properties and applications, as demonstrated by stereolithography (SLA) three-dimensional (3D) printing and postcuring modification.

Levoglucosan (LGA) and levoglucosenone (LGO); derived from pyrolysis of cellulose. Presented herein is; renewable pathways to prepare novel polymers. Examining reported modification and polymerisation, presenting pathways to sustainable polymers.

Analgesic tolerance is a major problem in the clinic for the maintenance of opioid-induced long-term pain relief. Opioids with mixed activity on multiple opioid receptors promise reduced antinociceptive tolerance in preclinical studies, but these compounds typically show poor bioavailability upon oral, subcutaneous, intraperitoneal, or intravenous administration. We designed UTA1003 as a novel opioid that acts as a mu (MOP) and kappa (KOP) opioid receptor agonist and a partial agonist for delta (DOP) opioid receptor. In the present study, its antinociceptive effects, as well as its effects on antinociceptive tolerance and motor behaviour, were investigated in male rats. Acute antinociception was measured before (basal) and at different time points after subcutaneous injection of UTA1003 or morphine using the tail flick and hot plate assays. Various motor behavioural activities, including horizontal locomotion, rearing, and turning, were automatically measured in an open-field arena. The antinociceptive and behavioural effects of repeated administration of UTA1003 and morphine were determined over eight days. UTA1003 induced mild antinociceptive effects after acute administration but induced no tolerance after repeated treatment. Importantly, UTA1003 co-treatment with morphine prevented antinociceptive tolerance compared to morphine alone. UTA1003 showed less motor suppression than morphine in both acute and sub-chronic treatment regimens, while it did not affect morphine-induced motor suppression or hyper-excitation. Based on these activities, we speculate that UTA1003 crosses the blood-brain barrier after subcutaneous administration and, therefore, could be developed as a lead molecule to avoid opioid-induced antinociceptive tolerance and motor suppression. Further structural modifications to improve its antinociceptive effects, toxicity profile, and ADME parameters are nevertheless required.

Controlling the urge to eat requires adequate integration of hypothalamic neuropeptides regulating energy balance processes with dopaminergic circuits in the mesolimbic pathway. Disruption of this signalling alters the hedonic control of reward‐driven food intake contributing to obesity. Our study aimed to understand the mechanism of action of the novel anti‐obesity compound, asperuloside (ASP), and whether ASP treatment could be used as safe weight loss treatment.Mice were fed with a 45% high fat diet (HFD) and concurrently treated with ASP for 12 weeks. ASP reduced significantly (10.50%, p<0.05) final body weight of HFD mice compared to their control group. The effects of ASP reached significance after 5 weeks of treatment and were maintained throughout the experiment. Over the experimental period, the compound induced a significant daily energy intake reduction (12.8%, p<0.05) in mice consuming HFD compared to their control group. When standardised by body weight, visceral adipose mass was increased by the effect of HFD and significantly reduced by ASP treatment (35%, p<0.05). Orexigenic hypothalamic genes including NPY and ARGP, as well as important receptors involved in the control of food intake such as ghrelin, leptin and cannabinoid receptors, were significantly (p<0.05) downregulated by ASP treatment. These results suggest that ASP might induce weight loss plausibly via downregulation of hypothalamic signalling and support ASP candidacy as a potential and safe drug for the treatment of obesity.

Short-chain quinones (SCQs) have been identified as potential drug candidates against mitochondrial dysfunction, which is largely dependent on their reversible redox characteristics of the active quinone core. We recently synthesized a SCQ library of > 148 naphthoquinone derivatives and identified 16 compounds with enhanced cytoprotection compared to the clinically used benzoquinone idebenone. One of the major drawbacks of idebenone is its high metabolic conversion in the liver, which significantly restricts its therapeutic activity. Therefore, this study assessed the metabolic stability of the 16 identified naphthoquinone derivatives 1–16 using hepatocarcinoma cells in combination with an optimized reverse-phase liquid chromatography (RP-LC) method. Most of the derivatives showed significantly better stability than idebenone over 6 hours (p < 0.001). By extending the side-chain of SCQs, increased stability for some compounds was observed. Metabolic conversion from the derivative 3 to 5 and reduced idebenone metabolism in the presence of 5 were also observed. These results highlight the therapeutic potential of naphthoquinone-based SCQs and provide essential insights for future drug design, prodrug therapy and polytherapy, respectively.

Purpose: Palliative care is regarded as fundamental to human dignity and falls under the definition of basic human rights. One considerable community of color whose needs are poorly understood consists of Asian Americans, including distinct priorities, expectations, and decision-making processes by diverse subgroups. The purpose of this work was to understand whether and to what extent unique considerations are understood among Asian American subgroups. Method: A scoping review was conducted among major scientific and academic databases. Broad search terms surrounding end-of-life care were combined with individual racial and ethnic identifiers encompassing Asian American subgroups. Results: Twenty-two articles met inclusion criteria and reflected diverse arrays of worldviews surrounding access to, utilization of, and desired outcomes from palliative care. Most articles focused on social orientations prioritizing family in disease disclosure and avenues of interventions sought with distinct patterns among subgroups. Discussion/Conclusion: A human rights framework emphasizing palliative and other end-of-life approaches to care may be inadequate to address unique considerations among diverse Asian American subgroups. Theorists and practitioners should incorporate practices of collectivist orientations and family contexts commonly found among these diverse communities.

Contemporary art can be a powerful pedagogical tool in the health humanities. Students in an undergraduate course in the health humanities explore the subjective experience of illness and develop their empathy by studying three artists in the context of the AIDS epidemic: Keith Haring, Felix Gonzalez-Torres, and Wolfgang Tillmans. Using assignments based in narrative pedagogy, students expand their empathic response to pain and suffering. The role of visual art in health humanities pedagogy is discussed.

Anthropogenic activity will bring immediate changes and disruptions to the global climate with accompanying health implications. Although policymakers and public health advocates are beginning to acknowledge the health implications of climate change, current policy approaches are lagging behind. We proposed that 4 key policy principles are critical to successful policymaking in this arena: mainstreaming, linking mitigation and adaptation policy, applying population perspectives, and coordination. We explored California’s progress in addressing the public health challenges of climate change in the San Joaquin Valley as an example. We discussed issues of mental health and climate change, and used the San Joaquin Valley of California as an example to explore policy approaches to health issues and climate change. The California experience is instructive for other jurisdictions.

Anthropogenic activity will bring immediate changes and disruptions to the global climate with accompanying health implications. Although policymakers and public health advocates are beginning to acknowledge the health implications of climate change, current policy approaches are lagging behind. We proposed that 4 key policy principles are critical to successful policymaking in this arena: mainstreaming, linking mitigation and adaptation policy, applying population perspectives, and coordination. We explored California's progress in addressing the public health challenges of climate change in the San Joaquin Valley as an example. We discussed issues of mental health and climate change, and used the San Joaquin Valley of California as an example to explore policy approaches to health issues and climate change. The California experience is instructive forother jurisdictions.

Climate change will pose a serious and intractable threat to the health of populations. The ability of the public health system to address this problem and to preserve and protect the health of the public depends on a robust surveillance system. While public health has a long history of surveillance, the current system is not prepared to respond to the health effects of climate change. In order to develop a robust surveillance system, the public health infrastructure must address several issues, including coordination problems, conflicting legal authorities, jurisdictional issues, an overemphasis on preparedness, and complex issues of management and long-term planning.

Interview with Prof. Wendy Parmet on the Supreme Court decision on the constitutionality of a California law about information provided by crisis pregnancy centers. (06:11)Download The decision in National Institute of Family and Life Advocates v. Becerra has created new uncertainty, and invited new litigation, regarding numerous health laws that were once assumed to be constitutional.

Public health advocates have puzzled in recent years over an apparent paradox. Commercial speech with a significant potential to harm health, such as tobacco marketing, appears to receive more robust protection under the First Amendment than speech of health care professionals that aims to protect patient health. This Article explores this paradox and makes two related arguments: first, the paradox may be resolving as courts are moving, with some exceptions, towards an approach that treats both commercial and professional speech related to health in a similar manner; and second, speech's impact on health should be a crucial aspect of the inquiry into when the regulation of speech affecting health violates the First Amendment. The paper begins by reviewing the evolution of the commercial speech and professional speech doctrines, as they are applied to cases relating to health. The paper then examines First Amendment theory, especially regarding commercial and professional speech, and concludes that the scope of First Amendment protection for such speech is bounded by the goals that underlie the speech clause, including the preservation of autonomy and self-governance. The article then argues that the protection of health is an additional constitutional norm that is closely related to and supportive of both autonomy and self-governance. This leads us to argue that the regulation of health-related speech, be it commercial or professional, should be subjected to a nuanced form of intermediate scrutiny in which the health-impact of the speech matters. The paper concludes by exploring what that means and considering some of the limitations and objections to our approach.

Problem-based learning can be an effective educational approach for students entering the health care field. While broadly used in graduate and professional education in the health sciences, it is less widely used in undergraduate programs. We discuss the use of problem-based learning as part of an approach to address failure rates in select Health Sciences courses, poor critical thinking skills and bottlenecks in enrollment. While our results were mixed, we saw an overall improvement in student outcomes. Problem-based learning experiences prepare students successfully for demands of the real world.

Problem-based learning can be an effective educational approach for students entering the health care field. While broadly used in graduate and professional education in the health sciences, it is less widely used in undergraduate programs. We discuss the use of problem-based learning as part of an approach to address failure rates in select Health Sciences courses and poor critical thinking skills. While our results were mixed, we saw an overall improvement in student outcomes. Problem-based learning experiences prepare students better for demands of the real world.