Background Reduced ethambutol serum concentrations are commonly observed among TB patients co-infected with HIV and may lead to treatment failure. Objectives To perform a population pharmacokinetic study of ethambutol in HIV/TB patients, and to evaluate an intensified ethambutol weight-based dosing strategy to support pharmacokinetic target attainment. Methods We conducted a prospective study of ethambutol pharmacokinetics among HIV/TB patients administered first-line TB treatment in Botswana, with study visits before and after initiation of ART. Clinical and disease status markers, including HIV-associated systemic immune activation and gut dysfunction biomarkers, were evaluated as covariates of ethambutol pharmacokinetic parameters in non-linear mixed effects analysis. Monte Carlo simulations were performed to compare pharmacokinetic target attainment under standard and intensified weight-based ethambutol dosing strategies. Results We studied 40 HIV/TB patients prior to initiation of ART, of whom 24 returned for a second visit a median of 33 days following ART initiation. Ethambutol serum concentrations were best explained by a two-compartment model with first-order elimination, with a significant improvement in oral bioavailability following ART initiation. In Monte Carlo simulations, a supplementary ethambutol dose of 400 mg daily led to >2-fold improvements in pharmacokinetic target attainment probabilities in lung tissue, both before and after ART initiation. Conclusions Low serum ethambutol concentrations were commonly observed among HIV/TB patients in Botswana, and the oral bioavailability of ethambutol increased following ART initiation. Supplementary ethambutol dosing among HIV/TB patients may provide a strategy to optimize anti-TB treatment regimens in this high-risk population.

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Background Site-of-action concentrations for bedaquiline and pretomanid from tuberculosis patients are unavailable. The objective of this work was to predict bedaquiline and pretomanid site-of-action exposures using a translational minimal physiologically based pharmacokinetic (mPBPK) approach to understand the probability of target attainment (PTA). Methods A general translational mPBPK framework for the prediction of lung and lung lesion exposure was developed and validated using pyrazinamide site-of-action data from mice and humans. We then implemented the framework for bedaquiline and pretomanid. Simulations were conducted to predict site-of-action exposures following standard bedaquiline and pretomanid, and bedaquiline once-daily dosing. Probabilities of average concentrations within lesions and lungs greater than the minimum bactericidal concentration for non-replicating (MBC NR ) and replicating (MBC R ) bacteria were calculated. Effects of patient-specific differences on target attainment were evaluated. Results The translational modeling approach was successful in predicting pyrazinamide lung concentrations from mice to patients. We predicted that 94% and 53% of patients would attain bedaquiline average daily PK exposure within lesions (C avg -lesion) > MBC NR during the extensive phase of bedaquiline standard (2 weeks) and once-daily (8 weeks) dosing, respectively. Less than 5% of patients were predicted to achieve C avg -lesion > MBC NR during the continuation phase of bedaquiline or pretomanid treatment, and more than 80% of patients were predicted to achieve C avg -lung >MBC R for all simulated dosing regimens of bedaquiline and pretomanid. Conclusions The translational mPBPK model predicted that the standard bedaquiline continuation phase and standard pretomanid dosing may not achieve optimal exposures to eradicate non-replicating bacteria in most patients. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40262-023-01217-7.

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Although traditional approaches to biomarker discovery have elucidated key molecular markers that have improved drug selection (precision medicine), the discovery of biomarkers that inform optimal dose selection (precision dosing) continues to be a challenge in many therapeutic areas. Larger and more diverse study populations are necessary to discover additional biomarkers that provide the resolution needed for a more tailored dose. To generate and accommodate large datasets of drug response phenotypes, time‐ and cost‐efficient strategies are necessary. In particular, a multitude of technological advances that originated for purposes outside of biomedical research (electronic health records, direct‐to‐consumer genetic testing, social media, mobile devices, and machine learning) have made it easier to communicate, connect, and gather information from consumers. Although these technologies have been used with success in the health sciences for an array of purposes, these resources have not been fully capitalized on for precision dosing. This perspective will touch on how these innovations can be used as data sources, data collection tools, and data processing tools for drug‐response phenotypes with a unique focus on advancing biomarker‐driven precision dosing.

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Microbial exopolysaccharide (EPS) is composed of a mixture of macromolecules such as proteins, polysaccharides, humic-like compounds, and nucleic acids, which encase microbial cells in a three-dimensional matrix. The literature shows that the EPS possess significant properties such as renewable, biodegradable, eco-friendly, non-toxic, and economically valued product, representing it as a green alternative to the synthetic polymer. The cost-effective and green synthesis of the EPS must be encouraged by using agro-waste as a raw material. The main objective of the manuscript is to provide a comprehensive update on the various aspects pertaining to EPS, including the economic aspects of EPS production, provide an insight into the latest tools and techniques used for detailed structural EPS characterization along with updates in the integration of CRISPR/Cas9 technology for engineering the modification in EPS production, the role of newly discovered EPR3 as a signalling molecule in plant growth-promoting properties (PGP) or agricultural microbiology. Furthermore, the EPS achieved prospective interest prevailing potential environmental issues which can be subject to EPS treatment including, landfill leachate treatment, decolourization of dye from the effluent or waste generated by an industry, removal of radionuclides, heavy metals and toxic compounds from the various environments (aquatic and terrestrial), industry effluents, waste waters etc. are comprehensively discussed.