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Editors’ Message, Diana Cuy Castellanos, M Elizabeth (Beth) Miller

Journal of Dietetic Education

This edition of the Journal of Dietetic Education highlights specialized skill training and attainment and interprofessional collaboration in dietetic students. Our featured original research explores how we prepare students for the complexities of current practice—ranging from the digital documentation of the Nutrition Care Process (NCP) to the integration of culinary medicine.

Cover, Table Of Contents, About The Journal

Journal of Dietetic Education

No abstract provided.

Phase 1b/2 Study Of Bms-813160, A Ccr2/5 Dual Antagonist, In Combination With Chemotherapy Or Nivolumab In Patients With Advanced Pancreatic Or Colorectal Cancer, Dung T. Le, Gunnar Folprecht, Anna M. Varghese, Martin Gutierrez, Marcus Noel, Nikolaos A. Trikalinos, Eric Chen, Farshid Dayyani, S. Lindsey Davis, Wen Wee Ma, Atrayee Basu Mallick, Ignacio Garrido-Laguna, Mayu Osawa, Shaun O'Brien, Ruslan D. Novosiadly, Ke Xu, Danielle M. Greenawalt, Santanu Dutta, Christina Twyman Saint Victor, Heinz-Josef Lenz

Department of Medical Oncology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Cysteine-cysteine chemokine receptors 2 (CCR2) and 5 (CCR5) contribute to immune suppression in tumor microenvironments. CCR2 and CCR5 antagonists have demonstrated antitumor activity in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and colorectal cancer (CRC), respectively. This phase 1b/2, open-label study evaluated BMS-813160, a CCR2/5 dual antagonist, in combination with chemotherapy±nivolumab in advanced PDAC or metastatic CRC.

METHODS: Part 1 included patients with metastatic untreated (first-line (1L)) PDAC, 1L CRC, or previously treated (second or third line (2/3L)) microsatellite stable (MSS) CRC. Patients received 2 weeks of BMS-813160 monotherapy (300 mg two times a day, 600 mg once daily, 300 mg once …

Reverse Micelles Produce Hydroxyapatite Nanoparticles As More Efficient Gene Delivery Carriers Than Regular Micelles, Vuk Uskoković

Administration and Staff Articles and Research

Hydroxyapatite (HAp) is an effective inorganic gene delivery carrier due to its ability to transport genetic cargo across cell membranes, protect it from proteolysis, and enable escape from late endosomes via pH-controlled dissolution. However, its transfection efficiency remains lower than that of viral agents, prompting studies of hybrids with cationic molecules or phases to enhance the gene delivery performance. This study reports on the synthesis of HAp in regular and reverse micellar regions of a ternary microemulsion system composed of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), 1-hexanol and water. Spectroscopic characterization revealed that CTAB headgroups adopted more ordered supramolecular conformations in reverse micelles …

Association Between The 2022 Aha/Acc/Hfsa Heart Failure Staging And Cardiovascular And Kidney Outcomes In Patients With Diabetes And Kidney Disease: A Post Hoc Analysis Of The Scored Randomized Controlled Trial, Ayodele Odutayo, Deepak L Bhatt, Vikas S Sridhar, Michael Szarek, Christopher P Cannon, Lawrence A Leiter, Darren K Mcguire, Julia B Lewis, Renato D Lopes, Benjamin M Scirica, Kausik K Ray, Michael J Davies, Phillip Banks, Manon Girard, Subodh Verma, Jacob A Udell, Bertram Pitt, Ph Gabriel Steg, David Z I Cherney

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: The 2022 American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology/Heart Failure Society of America heart failure (HF) classification incorporates cardiac biomarkers to identify early risk of HF. The HF stages may also guide the prognosis and management of cardiovascular and kidney-related events.

Methods: SCORED (Effect of Sotagliflozin on Cardiovascular and Renal Events in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes and Moderate Renal Impairment Who Are at Cardiovascular Risk) was a randomized trial in diabetes with kidney disease comparing sotagliflozin versus placebo on cardiovascular death, HF hospitalizations, and urgent HF visits. SCORED participants were grouped by HF stage post hoc. Stage A: no …

Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography Functional Liver Imaging To Facilitate Reirradiation For Liver Malignancies: A Phase I Trial, Enoch Chang, Emma B Holliday, Janio Szklaruk, William D Erwin, Ethan B Ludmir, Sonal S Noticewala, Prajnan Das, Albert C Koong, Bruce D Minsky, Grace L Smith, Gabriel O Sawakuchi, Rachael M Martin-Paulpeter, Joshua S Niedzielski, Luis A Perles, Sam Beddar, Veronica S Valino, Joshua L Nguyen, Kanwal P S Raghav, Milind Javle, Ahmed O Kaseb, Arvind N Dasari, Michael J Overman, Christine M Parseghian, Bruno C Odisio, Armeen Mahvash, Joshua D Kuban, Shu-En Shen, Xin S Wang, Aashish C Gupta, Mais M Al Taie, Kristy K Brock, Ching-Wei D Tzeng, Jean-Nicolas Vauthey, Franklin C L Wong, Eugene J Koay

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background & aims: This phase I trial evaluated the safety of hypofractionated liver reirradiation (reRT) with preferential sparing of functional liver identified by technetium-99m sulfur colloid single-photon emission computed tomography (Tc-99m SC SPECT; hereafter SPECT) for patients previously treated with external beam radiotherapy or transarterial radioembolization.

Methods: A 3+3 design evaluated the safety of two escalating SPECT-based functional liver volumetric dose constraints. Dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs), liver segment volumes, and MRI functional liver imaging score, relative liver enhancement, and elastography were assessed.

Results: Thirteen patients were enrolled from 2018 to 2021. Median reRT gross tumor volume was 61 cm3 (range 1-677 …

The Gene Encoding Ornithine Decarboxylase For Putrescine Biosynthesis Is Essential For The Viability Of Fusobacterium Nucleatum, Shiqi Xu, Bibek G C, Alex Phan, Chenggang Wu

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Fusobacterium nucleatum is a Gram-negative anaerobe associated with periodontitis and colorectal cancer. It secretes putrescine, a polyamine that promotes biofilm formation by oral co-colonizers and enhances the proliferation of cancer cells. However, the physiological importance of putrescine for F. nucleatum itself remains unexplored. Here, we show that putrescine biosynthesis, mediated by the ornithine decarboxylase gene oda, is essential for F. nucleatum viability. Deletion of oda was only possible when a functional copy was provided in trans, and CRISPR interference of oda expression resulted in complete growth defects. The essentiality of oda was conserved across multiple subspecies. Supplementation with …

Disease-Specific And Overall Survival For Patients With Lacrimal Gland Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma In Recent Decades, Bita Esmaeli, Zhouxuan Li, Tracy J Lu, Hila Goldberg, Jing Ning, James Matthew Debnam, Steven Jay Frank, Renata Ferrarotto

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Purpose: To evaluate the presenting symptoms, and the overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) in patients with lacrimal gland adenoid cystic carcinoma (LGACC).

Methods: This retrospective single-centre cohort study included all consecutive patients with LGACC treated by the primary author from November 1998 through August 2024. Demographic data, presenting symptoms, the histological subtype of LGACC, type of surgical treatment, adjuvant radiotherapy or chemotherapy, T category at presentation and survival data were reviewed. Correlations between histological subtypes, T-category, type of surgery (eye sparing vs orbital exenteration), and DSS and OS were analysed.

Results: 52 patients had a median age of …

Cdk2 Inhibitor Blu-222 Synergizes With Cdk4/6 Inhibitors In Drug Resistant Breast Cancers Through P21/P27 Induction, Linjie Luo, Yan Wang, Tuyen Bui, Xiaoting Jiang, Mei-Kuang Chen, Xiayu Rao, Sepideh Mohammadhosseinpour, Mi Li, Serena Kim, Rachel Y Kim, Saba Kamaliasl, Carmen W Ulizio, Spyros Tsavachidis, Juliana Navarro-Yepes, Nicole M Kettner, Hannah Wingate, Funda Meric-Bernstam, Kelly K Hunt, Jing Wang, Kerrie Faia, Khandan Keyomarsi

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitors (CDK4/6i) combined with endocrine therapy are the standard first-line treatment for hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative (HR+/HER2-) metastatic breast cancer, but resistance inevitably develops. In triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), the efficacy of CDK4/6i remains uncertain. Our study shows that the selective CDK2 inhibitor BLU-222, while effective alone, enhances synergistic activity when combined with CDK4/6i in resistant HR+/HER2- and TNBC models, leading to increased apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. In vivo, combining BLU-222 with palbociclib or ribociclib produced significant antitumor activity across eight resistant models, driving durable tumor regression and prolonged survival. Mechanistically, BLU-222, alone or with palbociclib, upregulated …

Cdk2 Inhibitor Blu-222 Synergizes With Cdk4/6 Inhibitors In Drug Resistant Breast Cancers Through P21/P27 Induction, Linjie Luo, Yan Wang, Tuyen Bui, Xiaoting Jiang, Mei-Kuang Chen, Xiayu Rao, Sepideh Mohammadhosseinpour, Mi Li, Serena Kim, Rachel Y Kim, Saba Kamaliasl, Carmen W Ulizio, Spyros Tsavachidis, Juliana Navarro-Yepes, Nicole M Kettner, Hannah Wingate, Funda Meric-Bernstam, Kelly K Hunt, Jing Wang, Kerrie Faia, Khandan Keyomarsi

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitors (CDK4/6i) combined with endocrine therapy are the standard first-line treatment for hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative (HR+/HER2-) metastatic breast cancer, but resistance inevitably develops. In triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), the efficacy of CDK4/6i remains uncertain. Our study shows that the selective CDK2 inhibitor BLU-222, while effective alone, enhances synergistic activity when combined with CDK4/6i in resistant HR+/HER2- and TNBC models, leading to increased apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. In vivo, combining BLU-222 with palbociclib or ribociclib produced significant antitumor activity across eight resistant models, driving durable tumor regression and prolonged survival. Mechanistically, BLU-222, alone or with palbociclib, upregulated …

Long-Term Changes In Relative Humidity And Soil Wetness: Implications On Agriculture And Environmental Sustainability In Western Himalaya, Ashwani Ashwani, Pankaj Kumar

Journal of Environmental Science and Sustainable Development

Long-term climate changes in humidity and soil wetness in the cold deserts of the Western Himalaya are still not well researched. Understanding the long-term trends of relative humidity (RH) and soil moisture is crucial in high-altitude, cold desert regions for effective agricultural management and environmental sustainability. The study was conducted in a part of the western Himalaya, which is an ecologically fragile zone with a highly sensitive agricultural region that is vulnerable to climatic variations. A comprehensive study was conducted to evaluate the spatiotemporal variability of RH and soil wetness by means four techniques: Mann-Kendall, Modified Mann-Kendall, Sen’s slope estimator, …

Oral Streptococcus And Vitamin B12 Deficiency In E-Cigarette Users: A Microbial–Nutrient–Neurotransmitter Axis Linking To Mood Disturbances, Maryam Sabah Naser, Ali Jabbar Abd Al-Hussain Alkawaz, Ali Abbas Hashim Almusawi, Ali Jalil Obaid, Hasanain Ayed Mohammed Al-Khafaji, Reihaneh Sabbaghzadeh

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

Background: With the rising popularity of e-cigarettes, questions have emerged regarding their broader influence on oral ecology, nutrient absorption, and psychological health. Disruptions in the oral microbiome may alter vitamin B12 dynamics. This, in turn, may indirectly influence serotonin biosynthesis and mood regulation.

Methods: An observational cross-sectional study involved 150 young adults segregated into groups of 50 each as vapers, smokers, or non-users. Streptococcus sanguinis and vitamin B12 metabolism-related variable statuses methylmalonic acid and holotranscobalamin were quantified in samples, along with inflammatory markers interleukin-6, kynurenine/tryptophan ratio, and serotonin. Statistical techniques, including ANOVA and the Kruskal-Walli’s test, correlation, and serial mediation …

Mulching And Time Of Planting Impact On Southern Blight Disease And Industrial Hemp Production, Sai Suvidh Maddela, Emmanuel C. Omondi, Margaret T. Mmbaga, Anand Kumar, Mitchell Dale Richmond, Philip O. Hinson, Bharat Pokharel

Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Faculty Research

Southern blight, a disease caused by the soil-borne fungus Sclerotium rolfsii (S. rolfsii), is favored by the hot and humid conditions of the southeastern United States, posing a significant challenge to hemp production in Tennessee. Black plastic mulch (BPM), commonly used for weed control, can exacerbate the disease. There is limited information on the effects of straw mulch (SM), known to moderate soil temperatures and moisture, or planting time in disease management. Field studies were conducted in 2022 and 2023 at Tennessee State University to evaluate the effects of planting time, mulch type, and biofungicide application on disease severity, weed …

Temporal Variation Of Benthic Aquatic Macroinvertebrate Communities In Two Upland Intermittent Streams In The Boston Mountains, R. J. Mccollough, K. B. Hecke

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

Benthic aquatic macroinvertebrates are some of the most highly used organisms for biomonitoring and assessing stream health. However, biomonitoring is often done in one season, potentially missing important taxa and inaccurately reflecting the community as well as stream health. In addition, while road crossing effects have also been extensively researched the last few decades, these studies are also often conducted in one season, likely misrepresenting the community structure and the overall effects of the road crossing. The highly known River Continuum Concept (RCC) is often applied to these benthic aquatic macroinvertebrate communities. This study aimed to examine aquatic macroinvertebrate communities …

Advances In The Creation Of A Dna Barcoding Reference Library For Freshwater Fishes Of Western Ecuador With Emphasis On Metabarcoding Applications, Olivia Grace Schweikart

Theses and Dissertations from DePaul University

This research provides a DNA reference library for the freshwater fish species of Western Ecuador, emphasizing endemic species of the Guayas River Basin and southwestern, lowland areas. Western Ecuador is currently grappling with severe overexploitation of its endemic freshwater fishes across many drainage basins, compounded by habitat destruction, pollution from commercial and agricultural activities, and the looming threat of climate change, notably in the form of coastal incursion events. Methods for rapid-surveying biodiversity at community levels is urgently needed. This reference library is particularly designed for metabarcoding applications, providing a non-invasive method for surveying aquatic biodiversity in vulnerable areas using …

Low Intensity Vibration With Zoledronate Reduces Musculoskeletal Weakness And Adiposity In Estrogen Deprived Female Mice, Gabriel M Pagnotti, Trupti Trivedi, Laura E Wright, Sutha K John, Sreemala Murthy, Ryan R Pattyn, Monte S Willis, Yun She, Sukanya Suresh, Aji F Touray, William R Thompson, Clinton T Rubin, Khalid S Mohammad, Theresa A Guise

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Aromatase inhibitors are widely used in the treatment of hormone-sensitive breast cancer, but their suppression of estrogen production accelerates bone loss, increases fracture risk, and negatively impacts muscle and fat metabolism. Here, we demonstrate that daily low intensity vibration, serving as a non-drug mimetic for exercise, protects musculoskeletal health in skeletally immature, female mice under complete estrogen deprivation. Subsequent improvements in vertebral bone density are paralleled by greater and leaner skeletal muscle mass and function alongside reduced fat accretion and circulating metabolites. In mature, estrogen deprived mice, vibration enhances weekly bisphosphonate treatment, improving bone density, cortical thickness, and mechanical resistance …

Effect Of The Ahr Inhibitor Ch223191 As An Adjunct Treatment For Mammarenavirus Infections, Miguel Angel Pelaez, Jonna B. Westover, Dionna Scharton, Cybele Carina García, Brian B. Gowen

Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Science Faculty Publications

The family Arenaviridae encompasses zoonotic, rodent-borne pathogens (e.g., Lassa, Machupo, and Junín viruses) that cause severe viral hemorrhagic fevers with high case fatality rates. The current therapeutic landscape is severely limited, underscoring the urgent need for novel antiviral strategies. A promising approach involves combining directly acting antivirals with host-targeted antivirals. A compelling host-targeted antiviral target is the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR). This ubiquitous ligand-activated transcription factor is a recognized pro-viral host factor across multiple viral families. Building on prior work with Junín and Tacaribe viruses, we investigated whether the AHR inhibitor CH223191 could enhance the virus-directed antiviral activity of favipiravir …

Diet: Another Piece Of The Crime Puzzle?, Jerrod Brown, Jeremiah Schimp, Leanne Skehan, Amanda Fenrich, Janina Cich

Nutritional Neurocriminology Today

An expanding body of research suggests that diet and nutrition may play an influential yet underrecognized role in problematic and criminal behaviors. This article synthesizes research linking excessive consumption of sugar and ultra-processed foods to adverse neurobehavioral outcomes, impaired impulse control, aggression, mood dysregulation, and sleep problems. Integrating research suggests that metabolic disruption, neuroinflammation, and gut–brain axis dysfunction may influence cognitive and emotional regulation. While criminal behavior is complex and multifactorial, this article emphasizes nutrition as a modifiable factor to inform forensic mental health practice, correctional policy, and rehabilitative strategies.

Evaluation Of Occupational Health And Safety Knowledge, Attitudes, And Practices Of Workers At North Refineries Company, Wesam Awad Hassn, Zeena N. Abdulrahman

AUIQ Complementary Biological System

Safety is crucial in the oil and gas refinery industry for production and distribution. Companies must ensure a workplace free from common injuries and protected against serious incidents. This paper evaluates employees’ knowledge, attitudes, practices, and workplace environment at North Refineries Company (Baiji). A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from September 10, 2024, to September 20, 2025, involving 480 employees (378 workers and 102 managers). Data were collected through face-to-face interviews and analysed using SPSS version 24. North Refineries Company (Baiji). workers scored 72.49 % on general knowledge and 96.83% on attitudes, but only 53.97% on safe behaviour. Division managers …

Prevention Of Postoperative Nausea And Vomiting In Early Recovery: A Comparative Study Of Ondansetron And Metoclopramide In Adults Undergoing Elective Lower Abdominal Surgery, Majid Fakhir Al-Hamaidah, Ali Ihsan Abdul Mahdi, Maytham Alaa Shahid, Sajjad Salih Rasan, Lina M. Shaker, Shahab Abdulla, Ralela Makline

AUIQ Complementary Biological System

Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) remain common complications following surgery, despite the availability of various prophylactic antiemetic agents. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of ondansetron and metoclopramide in preventing PONV in patients undergoing elective lower abdominal surgery under general anesthesia. In this double-blind, randomized controlled trial, 80 adult patients were equally allocated into two groups: one receiving 0.1 mg/kg of intravenous ondansetron and the other 0.2 mg/kg of intravenous metoclopramide at the end of surgery. The incidence, frequency, and need for rescue antiemetics were evaluated over 24 hours postoperatively. The overall incidence of nausea was higher in the …

More Than A Prescription: The Need For Behavioral Theory To Guide Exercise Interventions For Osteoarthritis - A Narrative Review, Christine Pellegrini, Lisa C. Carlesso, Daniel K. White

Faculty Publications

Objective

Design

Results

Supervised Resistance Training In An Individual With Glioblastoma Undergoing Chemoradiation: A Case Report, Bruce Nakfoor, Ciaran Fairman Ph.D., Cscs, Cet

Faculty Publications

Introduction:

Exercise has demonstrated safety and efficacy in mitigating treatment-related symptoms across cancer populations; however, evidence in neuro-oncology remains limited, particularly during active chemoradiation.

Methods:

We report the case of a 63-year-old individual with newly diagnosed glioblastoma, experiencing symptoms of fatigue, balance issues, headaches, and memory loss, who initiated a 12-week supervised resistance training program during concurrent chemoradiation. Assessments at baseline and post-intervention included physical function and quality-of-life outcomes.

Results:

Adherence was 56% (20/36 sessions), and no adverse events occurred. The patient showed improvements in 6-minute walk distance and short physical performance battery score that exceeded established minimal clinically important …

Strength In Numbers: Exploring The Link Between Upper Body Muscular Strength And Academic Achievement In Youth, Julian A. Reed, Marsha Dowda Drph, Russell R. Pate Ph.D.

Faculty Publications

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between upper body strength and endurance (UMSE) and academic achievement in youth.

Design

Cross-sectional study included 5th (N = 25,025) and 8th grade (N = 14,988) students in South Carolina.

Methods

Academic achievement was measured using a statewide assessment and classified into two categories (meets/exceeds standards or does not meet/approaches standards). Achievement in mathematics and English Language Arts was assessed. UMSE was measured as part of the South Carolina FitnessGram project and expressed as Healthy Fitness Zone (HFZ) or Needs Improvement – Health Risk. Student demographic characteristics were derived …

Cv: Sterling Richards, Sterling Richards

Health Sciences Department Curricula Vitae

No abstract provided.

Biology Department Publications: 2025, Sam Lindgren

Biology Department Bibliographies

This document is a non-comprehensive list of publications made by graduate students, post-doctoral researchers, and faculty members in the Biology Department in 2024. It indexes those publications available through PubMed, and serves as an archival record of the Department's robust scholarly contributions.

Dapagliflozin Attenuates Cisplatin-Induced Nephrotoxicity In Rats Through Modulation Of Ros/Nf-Κb, Bcl2/Bax And Pink1/Parkin Signaling Pathways, Esraa K. Khallaf, Eman A. Ramadan, Mohey M. Elmazar, Marwa M. Safar

Pharmacy

Dapagliflozin (DPG), an anti-diabetic drug, has gained attention for its renal protective effects through multiple molecular pathways, yet its impact on mitophagy in cisplatin (CIS) nephrotoxicity remains unclear. This study aimed to examine the impact of DPG against CIS-induced nephrotoxicity in rats, targeting mainly PINK1/Parkin-mediated mitophagy and inflammatory/apoptotic pathways. Male Sprague Dawley rats received DPG (10 mg/kg; p.o) daily for 14 consecutive days and AKI was induced by a single injection of CIS (7 mg/kg; i.p) on day 10. Blood glucose, serum levels of creatinine and urea nitrogen, oxidative stress, inflammatory, apoptotic, mitophagy markers, and histological changes were assessed. DPG …

Dual-Task Effects On Spatiotemporal, Kinematic, And Kinetic Parameters And Their Variability During Running, Hsiang-Ling Teng, Jo Armour Smith, Will F.W. Wu

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

Background

Running in real-world environments often requires using cognitive resources simultaneously with the motor task (dual tasking, DT). Limited existing evidence suggests that DT reduces running speed. Movement variability is essential for a healthy, adaptable motor system. DT has been shown to affect movement variability during walking. Nonetheless, it remains unclear how DT affects spatiotemporal, kinematic, and kinetic parameters and their variability during running.

Research question

Does DT affect spatiotemporal, kinematic, and kinetic measures and their variability during running? Does running speed influence DT effects?

Methods

Thirty-one asymptomatic runners participated in this cross-sectional study. Three-dimensional running biomechanics were recorded while …

Simulated Complex Cells Contribute To Object Recognition Through Representational Untangling, Mitchell B Slapik, Harel Z Shouval

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The visual system performs a remarkable feat: it takes complex retinal activation patterns and decodes them for object recognition. This operation, termed "representational untangling," organizes neural representations by clustering similar objects together while separating different categories of objects. While representational untangling is usually associated with higher-order visual areas like the inferior temporal cortex, it remains unclear how the early visual system contributes to this process-whether through highly selective neurons or high-dimensional population codes. This article investigates how a computational model of early vision contributes to representational untangling. Using a computational visual hierarchy and two different data sets consisting of numerals …

Prediction Of Structure And Function Of A Novel Β-Lactamase Protein In Gram-Negative Bacteria Using Homology Modeling And Molecular Docking, Ariyani Kiranasari, Surya Dwira, Engla Merizka

Indonesian Journal of Medical Chemistry and Bioinformatics

The emergence of β-lactamase–producing Gram-negative bacteria represents a major global challenge due to increasing resistance to β-lactam antibiotics. In this study, we performed in silico structural and functional prediction of a newly identified β-lactamase protein sequence obtained from a Gram-negative bacterial isolate. Homology modeling was used to construct a reliable 3D model of the protein based on structurally resolved β-lactamases. The model was further evaluated using stereochemical validation parameters. Molecular docking was conducted to assess binding affinity and interaction patterns between the predicted β-lactamase and clinically relevant β-lactam antibiotics, including ampicillin, cefotaxime, and imipenem. The results revealed conserved catalytic residues …

Genomics Define Malignant Transformation In Myeloma Precursor Conditions, Francesco Maura, P Leif Bergsagel, Bachisio Ziccheddu, Shaji Kumar, Kylee Maclachlan, Andriy Derkach, Juan-Jose Garces, Ross Firestone, Esteban Braggio, Yan Asmann, Michael Durante, Benjamin T Diamond, Marios Papadimitriou, Malin Hultcrantz, Alessio Marella, Giancarlo Castellano, Akihiro Maeda, Marta Lionetti, Antonio Matera, Stefania Pioggia, Matteo Claudio Da Vià, Claudio De Magistris, Daniel Leongamornlert, Danny Deavila, Praneeth Reddy Sudalagunta, Rafael Renatino Canevarolo, Erin M Siegel, Phaedra Agius, Jamie Teer, Andrew Mcpherson, Yusuke Yamashita, Ariosto S Silva, Patrick Blaney, Rachid Baz, Krina K Patel, Peter Campbell, Gareth Morgan, Rafael Fonseca, Ola Landgren, Robert Z Orlowski, Kenneth H Shain, Niccolo Bolli, Saad Usmani, S Vincent Rajkumar

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Multiple myeloma (MM) is consistently preceded by monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM). While these precursor conditions are asymptomatic, they are not entirely benign and carry a lifelong risk of progression to MM. Unlike other cancers defined by pathology, malignant transformation from MGUS or SMM to MM has so far relied on demonstration of clinical end-organ damage as morphology and cytogenetics cannot reliably distinguish them. In this study, using genomic data from 374 patients with MGUS or SMM (277 training, 97 validation), to our knowledge, we demonstrate for the first time the ability to identify …