The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic resulted in physical isolation measures in many parts of the world. In Australia, nationwide restrictions included staying at home, unless seeking medical care, providing care, purchasing food, undertaking exercise, or attending work in an essential service. All undergraduate university classes transitioned to online, mostly home-based learning. We, therefore, examined the effect of isolation measures during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia (March/April) on diet (24-h recall) and physical activity (Active Australia Survey) patterns in third-year biomedical students. Findings were compared with students enrolled in the same course in the previous two years. In females, but not males, energy intake was ~20% greater during the pandemic, and snacking frequency and energy density of consumed snacks also increased compared with 2018 and 2019. Physical activity was impacted for both sexes during the pandemic with ~30% fewer students achieving “sufficient” levels of activity, defined by at least 150 min over at least five sessions, compared with the previous two years. In a follow-up study six to eight weeks later (14–18% response rate), during gradual easing of nationwide restrictions albeit continued gym closures and online learning, higher energy intake in females and reduced physical activity levels in both sexes persisted. These data demonstrate the health impacts of isolation measures, with the potential to affect long-term diet and activity behaviours.

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Purpose A Phase l trial of intravesical recombinant adenovirus-mediated interferon-α2b gene therapy (rAd-IFNα) formulated with the excipient SCH Syn3 was conducted in patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) who recurred after Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG). The primary objective was to determine the safety of rAd-IFNα/Syn3; secondary endpoints were to demonstrate effective rAd-IFNα gene expression and preliminary evidence of clinical activity at three months. Patients and Methods Seventeen patients with recurrent NMIBC after BCG were enrolled. A single treatment of rAd-IFNα (3×109 to 3×1011 particles/mL) formulated with the excipient Syn3 was administered. Patient safety was evaluated for ≥12 weeks. Efficacy of gene transfer was determined by urine IFNα protein concentrations. Preliminary drug efficacy was determined at 3 months. Results Intravesical rAd-IFNα/Syn3 was well tolerated as no dose limiting toxicity (DLT) was encountered. Urgency was the most common adverse event and all were grade 1 or 2. rAd-IFNα DNA was not detected in the blood, however, transient low serum IFNα and Syn3 levels were measured. High and prolonged dose-related urine IFNα levels were achieved with the initial treatment. Of the 14 patients treated at doses ≥ 1010 particles/mL with detectable urine IFNα, 6 (43%) experienced a complete response at 3 months and 2 remained disease free at 29.0 and 39.2 months respectively. Conclusion Intravesical rAd-IFNα/Syn3 was well tolerated with no DLT encountered. Dose dependent urinary IFNα concentrations confirmed efficient gene transfer and expression. Intravesical rAd-IFNα/Syn3 demonstrated promising clinical activity in NMIBC recurring after BCG.

A highly efficient, convergent approach to the synthesis of the angiotensin I1 receptor antagonist losartan (1) is described. Directed ortho-metalation of 2-trityl-5-phenyltetrazole provides the key boronic acid intermediate 10 for palladium-catalyzed biaryl coupling with bromide 5 obtained from the regioselective alkylation of the chloroimidazole 2. This methodology overcomes many of the drawbacks associated with previously reported syntheses.

There were no substantial differences in the safety, pharmacokinetics or pharmacodynamics of vorapaxar between Japanese and Caucasian subjects.