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Physician Assistants And The Medical Science Liaison Role: Expanding Career Pathways Beyond Clinical Practice, Michael Filsinger

Lynchburg Journal of Medical Science

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this article is to examine how physician assistants can transition into Medical Science Liaison roles within the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. Growing interest in nonclinical career pathways has prompted more physician assistants to explore opportunities in medical affairs, yet many remain uncertain about the qualifications, expectations, and academic preparation associated with these positions. A focused literature review was conducted to evaluate the competencies required for Medical Science Liaison roles, the barriers clinician applicants often encounter, and the strategies that may support successful transition into industry-based careers. Findings show that physician assistants possess relevant strengths such as …

Flipi24: A Modern Prognostic Model And Clinical Trial Enrichment Tool For Newly Diagnosed Follicular Lymphoma, Matthew J Maurer, Vit K Prochazka, Tarec Christoffer El-Galaly, Christopher R Flowers, Diego Villa, Emmanuel Bachy, Elliot J Cahn, Marguerite Fournier, Melissa C Larson, Caroline E Dietrich, Lasse Hjort Jakobsen, Hervé Ghesquières, Robert Kridel, Maher K Gandhi, Chan Y Cheah, Eliza A Hawkes, John F Seymour, Ciara L Freeman, Michael R Clausen, Björn E Wahlin, Jonathan W Friedberg, Carla Casulo, Thomas M Habermann, Yucai Wang, Loretta J Nastoupil, Peter De Nully Brown, David Belada, Andrea Janíková, Heidi Mocikova, Tomáš Fürst, Pierre Feugier, Hervé Tilly, Corinne Haioun, Andrew J Davies, Guillaume Cartron, Richard Burack, Dai Chihara, Peter Martin, Jonathon B Cohen, Izidore S Lossos, Brad S Kahl, Laurie H Sehn, Karin E Smedby, Gilles Salles, Marek Trneny, Brian K Link, Franck Morschhauser, James R Cerhan

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Purpose: Although most patients with follicular lymphoma (FL) can expect an indolent course, progressive lymphoma remains the primary cause of death during the first decade after diagnosis. Progression of disease within 24 months (POD24) of starting first-line (1L) immunochemotherapy defines a high-risk population with poor survival, but better risk stratification at diagnosis is needed.

Methods: The FLIPI24 model was developed and internally validated to predict 24-month event rates using individual data from 4,485 patients treated with 1L immunochemotherapy from 10 observational cohorts of FL. Overall and cause-specific survival was further evaluated in FLIPI24 risk groups. External validation in the 1L …

Identification Of Cadm1 As An Immunotherapeutic Target And Evaluation Of A Novel Cadm1-Targeting Antibody-Drug Conjugate In Preclinical Osteosarcoma Models, Yifei Wang, Zhongting Zhang, Caterina Longo, Wendong Zhang, Qi Wang, Amer Najjar, Xiangjun Tian, Rossana N Lazcano Segura, Michael E Roth, Jonathan Gill, Douglas J Harrison, Zhaohui Xu, Yanhua Yi, Xin Zhou, Sylvester Jusu, Timothy M Stearns, Steven B Neuhauser, Carol J Bult, Jing Wang, Alexander J Lazar, Richard Gorlick

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Due to the paucity of validated cell surface osteosarcoma-specific targets, patients with this condition have long been excluded from the benefits of antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) therapy observed in patients with several solid and hematologic malignancies. Our comprehensive surfaceome profiling approach previously identified osteosarcoma-specific cell-surface antigens that are highly expressed in osteosarcomas but minimally expressed in normal tissues. As a result, one such antigen, CADM1, was selected for the generation of an ADC. We tested a CADM1-targeting ADC with a tesirine payload (SG3249) in vitro in osteosarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, and neuroblastoma patient-derived xenograft cell lines. In vivo, we tested six CADM1-expressing osteosarcoma …

Plasma Proteomics And Incident Coronary Heart Disease, Matthew P Huber, Jennifer A Brody, Colleen M Sitlani, Thomas R Austin, Usman A Tahir, Shuliang Deng, Devendra Meena, Jingsha Chen, Kunihiro Matsushita, Christie M Ballantyne, Josef Coresh, Robert E Gerszten, Russell P Tracy, Ting Ye, Bruce M Psaty, Joshua C Bis, James S Floyd

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Systematic profiling of plasma proteins in population studies offers a complementary approach to discovery of novel risk factors and may provide new insights into the causes of coronary heart disease.

Methods: To explore relationships between the circulating proteome and coronary heart disease (CHD), we evaluated associations of 4780 plasma proteins with incident CHD in the Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS, N=2856, 575 CHD events) and replicated significant associations in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study (ARIC, N = 10456; 1375 events).

Results: We find that 11 proteins significantly associate with incident CHD after adjusting for risk factors; and eight significantly …

Il-18 Metabolically Reprograms Car-Expressing Natural Killer T Cells And Enhances Their Antitumor Activity, Gabriel A Barragán Bravo, David A De La Cerda, Elisa Landoni, Kshiti Dholakia, Piotr Humeniuk, Leidy D Caraballo Galva, Ying Wang, Gengwen Tian, Boning Yang, Linjie Guo, Michael S Wood, Xavier Rios, Xin Xu, Amy N Courtney, Erica J Di Pierro, Joan Jacob, Yi-Han Li, Akshaya Adaikkalavan, Norihiro Watanabe, Sufeng Mao, George Miles, Gianpietro Dotti, Leonid S Metelitsa

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Invariant natural killer T cells (NKTs) have intrinsic anti-tumor properties that make them promising candidates for chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) immunotherapies. Transgenic cytokine expression can enhance cellular therapy potency, and we hypothesized that co-expressing IL-18 alone or with IL-15 would boost CAR-NKT therapeutic potential. To test this, we generated retroviral constructs expressing IL-15 and/or IL-18 with an inducible caspase 9 safety switch and co-transduced them with a GD2-specific CAR into human NKTs. Co-expression of IL-18 or IL-15/IL-18 increased CAR-NKT cytotoxicity, proliferation, and cytokine secretion in vitro compared to IL-15 alone. IL-18 also enhanced GPC3.CAR and CD19.CAR NKT activity against hepatocellular …

Proton Versus Photon Radiotherapy For Patients With Oropharyngeal Cancer In The Usa: A Multicentre, Randomised, Open-Label, Non-Inferiority Phase 3 Trial, Steven J Frank, Paul M Busse, J Jack Lee, David I Rosenthal, Mike Hernandez, David M Swanson, Adam S Garden, G Brandon Gunn, Samir H Patel, James W Snider, Daniel J Ma, Jason K Molitoris, Nancy Y Lee, Upendra Parvathaneni, Mark W Mcdonald, Noah S Kalman, Alexander Lin, Nasiruddin Mohammed, Christina Henson, Christian Hyde, Gopal K Bajaj, Sanford R Katz, Roi Dagan, William H Morrison, Jay P Reddy, C David Fuller, Shalin J Shah, Jack Phan, Gregory M Chronowski, Lauren Mayo, Erich M Sturgis, Renata Ferrarotto, Xiaorong R Zhu, Xiaodong Zhang, Li Wang, Katherine A Hutcheson, Adel K El-Naggar, Amy C Moreno, Anna Lee, Michael T Spiotto, Neil D Gross, Stephen Y Lai, Jay J Liao, Jonathan Paly, Zhongxing Liao, Robert L Foote

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Radiotherapy is an integral component of treatment for oropharyngeal cancer. Toxicity from the current state-of-the-art photon radiotherapy, intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), has prompted the search for alternative, less toxic therapies. One such alternative that might de-intensify treatment is proton therapy. In this trial, we aimed to directly compare IMRT with intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT), both concurrent with systemic therapy, hypothesising comparable disease control and survival and lower toxicity.

Methods: This randomised, multicentre, open-label, non-inferiority, phase 3 trial was conducted in 21 sites (cancer centres or universities) in the USA. Patients (aged ≥18 years) with stage III or stage IV …

Transcriptomic Signature-Guided Depletion Of Intermediate Alveolar Epithelial Cells Ameliorates Pulmonary Fibrosis In Mice, Fei Peng, Chun-Sun Jiang, Zhen Zheng, Shahram Aliyari, Dan Shan, Aaryan Sabharwal, Qinyan Yin, Shigeki Saito, Chao He, Ivan O Rosas, Joseph A Lasky, Victor J Thannickal, Yong Zhou

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) has identified intermediate epithelial states in pulmonary fibrosis, including KRT5-/KRT17+ aberrant basaloid cells in humans and Krt8+ alveolar differentiation intermediates (ADIs) in mice. Their functional contributions to fibrogenesis, however, remain unclear. Here, we introduce an RNA-sensing-dependent protein translation technology that enables selective targeting of Krt8+ ADI cells in vitro and in vivo. Transcriptomic analysis revealed Small Proline-Rich Protein 1 A (SPRR1A) mRNA as a shared marker of murine Krt8+ ADIs and human KRT5-/KRT17+ basaloid cells, distinguishing them from other lung cell populations. Using programmable RNA sensors, we demonstrated selective EGFP-labeling of Krt8+ ADI cells in vivo, …

The Role Of Brain Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy In Assessment Of Patients With Minimal Hepatic Encephalopathy, Zeinab Moustafa Moustafa Metwalli, Mohammed Emadeldeen, Waseem Mohamad Mahmoud El Gendy, Rania Mostafa Mahmoud, Heba Abdelaziz

Journal of Medicine in Scientific Research

Background: It appears that mild and hidden Hepatic Encephalopathy (HE) is present in up to 50% of patients with chronic liver disease. Tools that can predict when HE episodes would occur may enable early detection and clinically relevant preventative treatment. The brain's magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) is considered a useful technique for providing a range of structural and functional assessments. Objective: To evaluate the role of brain magnetic resonance spectroscopy in assessment of metabolic changes in patients with chronic liver disease and minimal hepatic encephalopathy for better diagnosis and thus prevention of decline in cognitive functions and health related quality …

Effect Of Therapeutic Ultrasound Versus Anti-Inflammatory Drugs In The Treatment Of Trigger Finger. A Placebo Randomized-Controlled Trial., Eslam Elsayed Ali Shohda

Journal of Medicine in Scientific Research

Background: Trigger finger (TF) is a painful disorder that hinders the use of the entire hand. One of the most widely used modalities in the field of physiotherapy is therapeutic ultrasound (US); however, no randomized control trial has investigated the use of US in the treatment of TF. The objective of this trail is to determine the effect of therapeutic US on pain intensity and the frequency of daily finger clicking in patients with TF. Materials and Methods: A single-blind, randomized (1:1), placebo-controlled, clinical trial was conducted at a physiotherapy outpatient clinic at Alahrar Teaching Hospital in Zagazig, Egypt. Twenty …

Predictors Of Mortality Among Under-Five Children Hospitalized With Severe Community-Acquired Pneumonia. A Retrospective Observational Study, Marwa Taha

Journal of Medicine in Scientific Research

Background Severe community-acquired pneumonia (SCAP) remains a critical public health issue and a leading cause of childhood mortality and morbidity, especially in developing countries. Identifying predictors of death in children with SCAP and early recognition of high-risk patients could significantly improve survival rates. Objective This study aims to identify possible predictors of mortality in pediatric SCAP, facilitating the early recognition of high-risk children. Patients and Methods This retrospective observational study included 120 children under the age of five who were admitted with SCAP, based on World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Demographic data, clinical characteristics, laboratory findings, and hospital outcomes were …

Knowledge And Practice Of Breast Self-Examination Among Young Women Comes To General Surgery Clinic In Shebin El Kom Teaching Hospital, Shimaa M W Kalama

Journal of Medicine in Scientific Research

Background Breast cancer, which makes up 30.4% of newly diagnosed tumors, is one of the most common cancers among young girls. Every woman who is 20 years of age or older is thought to be at risk of getting breast cancer. This research is crosssectional. The Shebin-Elkom Teaching Hospital served as the study's site. Randomized sampling was used to enroll five hundred women for this study. To collect information, a self-administration questionnaire was employed. Objective:. to evaluate the women who visited the surgery clinic at Shebin El Kom Teaching Hospital's knowledge of breast cancer, BSE, and its function in early …

Influence Of Frailty On The Outcome Of Surgical Patients Over 70 Years Old With Admission Criteria In The Icu At Shebin El-Kom Teaching Hospital, Talal Ibrahim Mostafa Hagag Dr, Shimaa Mohamed Kalama

Journal of Medicine in Scientific Research

Background: In older adults, frailty is a complex condition marked by diminished functional reserves and heightened susceptibility to stressors. It is a more accurate predictor of unfavorable postoperative outcomes in the context of surgical operations than a patient's age or preexisting medical problems. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effects of frailty, as assessed by the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) and the 5-item Modified Frailty Index (MFI-5), on important clinical outcomes, including length of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU), hospitalization mortality, and the chance of readmission within 30 days, in older adults undergoing major abdominal surgeries. Methods: …

Ct Chest Findings And Laboratory Investigations Of Covid 19 Patients And Their Relation To The Clinical Outcome, Zeinab Moustafa Moustafa Metwalli, Mohammed Emadeldeen, Heba Abdelaziz, Nagwa M. Salah

Journal of Medicine in Scientific Research

For both the initial evaluation and follow-up in suspected COVID-19 cases, chest CT is strongly recommended. Additionally, the disease and its severity might be suspected using basic laboratory investigations. Better clinical results and appropriate management may result from all of this. Aim to evaluate the relation between the clinical outcome of COVID-19 patients, laboratory data, and the severity of CT chest findings. Methods 90 individuals who were referred to the radiodiagnosis department from the National Hepatology and Tropical Medicine Research Institute's Internal Medicine Department after PCR confirmed that they had COVID-19 were included in this retrospective study. Each patient was …

Outcomes Of Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy (Etv) In Hydrocephalus Secondary To Aqueductal Stenosis After Age Of Anterior Fontanel Closure, Mohammad Abdulsalam Soliman, Eslam Abozeid Kandil, Mahmoud Moustafa Taha, Hassan Ahmed Abaza

Journal of Medicine in Scientific Research

Background: Non-communicated hydrocephalus secondary to aqueductal stenosis is common, for which endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) has emerged as an effective surgical management. Objective: To evaluate the clinical outcomes of ETV in patients with obstructive hydrocephalus due to aqueductal stenosis in patients over 2 years of age. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted at our institution and included 57 patients older than 2 years who underwent ETV between 2017 and 2024. Demographic data, clinical presentation, and follow-up outcomes were analysed. ETV was considered successful if the patient remained shunt-free during the follow-up period. Results: The mean age was 22.8 ± 10.5 …

Investigating The Prevalence Of Astigmatism In Patients With Intermittent Exotropia In Egyptian Children, Zeinab A Saad, Ghada Samir, Osama M. Abdelhay, Mohamed Gaber Abdallah

Journal of Medicine in Scientific Research

Uncorrected refraction is the major cause of visual morbidity among children and can result in the development of strabismus. Although several studies have investigated the risk factors for intermittent exotropia, uncorrected astigmatism, which is critical for prevention and treatment, has not been well estimated. Objectives: To evaluate the association between uncorrected astigmatism and intermittent exotropia in children. Methods: This retrospective, analytical, cross-sectional, population-based study included 90 children with intermittent exotropia X(T) who were followed up for two years; the children were aged from 6 to 12 years old. Patients were retrospectively reviewed to determine the prevalence of astigmatism and amblyopia …

Breast Cancer Therapy Induced Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy: A Single Institute Experience, Doaa M Elsayed, Safa Ahmed Balata, Mohamed Elsayed Saleh

Journal of Medicine in Scientific Research

Background It is well-known that chemotherapy medicines can cause cardiomyopathy and left ventricular dysfunction as adverse effects. There is scant evidence concerning the effects of chemotherapeutic drugs on the integrity & functionality of the right ventricle (RV). Aim To study the impact of cardiotoxic systemic therapy on right ventricular function in nonmetastatic breast cancer cases, particularly evaluating the efficacy of modern echocardiographic procedures for the early recognition of RV cardiomyopathy. Patient and Method A total of 104 women diagnosed with breast cancer participated in this prospective trial. Two therapy groups were established for the cases: 42 patients received anthracycline therapy, …

Exploring The Relationship Between Phonological Awareness And Adhd Symptoms In School-Aged Children, Nihal Hisham Abdelhamid, Mona Abdel-Fattah Hegazi, Dina Ahmed Elsayed Elrefaie

Journal of Medicine in Scientific Research

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is one of the neurodevelopmental disorders which characterized by: inattention and impulsivity as well as apparent deficits in executive functioning and impulse control. Auditory-linguistic areas and primary reading skills as early literacy skills were found to be lower than normal in ADHD. Other researches considered that the reading difficulties are in the areas of fluency, comprehension, and sustained attention during reading tasks. The aim of the study is to evaluate the phonological awareness abilities skills in children with attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD), being contributors for early reading acquisition. Phonological awareness (PA) is the precise recognition …

Perioperative Dexmedetomidine Improve Outcomes After Cabg Surgery., Reham Salah, Ismail Rafik Barada, Mazen Isam Eldein Ali

Journal of Medicine in Scientific Research

Background Dexmedetomidine, is used in cardiac surgeries for its sedation, anxiolysis, and analgesic properties, with minimal respiratory depression. It may improve clinical outcomes in CABG surgery by reducing inflammatory responses, providing neuroprotection, and enhancing hemodynamic stability. Aim To assess the efficacy and safety of perioperative dexmedetomidine in improving clinical outcomes in CABG surgery. Methods This prospective, randomized controlled trial involved 160 patients undergoing elective on-pump CABG surgery. Participants were divided into two groups: 80 received dexmedetomidine, and 80 received a placebo. Key outcomes measured included the incidence of postoperative complications, duration of mechanical ventilation, and ICU stay. Results The dexmedetomidine …

Pediatric Cardiac Surgery After Pulmonary Arterial Interventions: Short-Term Outcomes, Rania Abushokka, Hanan Mohammed Hassan, Rasha Hosni, Amal Younan, Ahmed Algebaly

Journal of Medicine in Scientific Research

Background: Congenital cardiac interventions are progressing at a rapid pace. In the last few years, techniques such as stent placement for pulmonary artery stenosis, right ventricle outflow tract and ductal stenting showed great advances. Surgery over stents are increasing in complexity. Left pulmonary artery and right ventricle outflow tract sites account for more than half of stent handling. Percutaneous devices are not an ‘‘enemy’’ for the surgeon, but a tool for continuing the development of our surgical strategies. In this study, we describe the short-term outcome of patients who underwent surgical repair after pulmonary interventions for congenital heart diseases at …

Frequency Of Autoimmune Primary Adrenal Insufficiency In Children And Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus, Randa Mohamed Darwish, Ayat Ibrahim Ghanem, Lamis Safwat Mubarak

Journal of Medicine in Scientific Research

Background Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is a chronic endocrine disorder of autoimmune origin with a predisposition to the development of further autoimmune diseases, including autoimmune adrenal insufficiency (Addison’s disease). Although uncommon and frequently underdiagnosed, it can coexist with T1DM, causing life-threatening complications if undiagnosed. Aim To assess the frequency of autoimmune adrenal insufficiency in children with T1DM and its association with other autoimmune diseases. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on 110 children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and 100 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. All participants underwent a full clinical evaluation and laboratory testing, including serum cortisol, …

Evaluating The Efficacy Of Conventional Crystalloid Cardioplegia Versus Modified Del Nido Cardioplegia In Patients With Multivessel Coronary Artery Disease For Cabg Surgery, Reham Salah, Ismail Rafik Barada, Mazen Isam Eldein Ali

Journal of Medicine in Scientific Research

Background: Cardioplegia is crucial in cardiac surgery for myocardial protection. Modified del Nido cardioplegia, initially used in paediatric patients, is now employed in adult cardiac surgeries for its prolonged protection with a single dose. Aim: To compare the efficacy of conventional crystalloid cardioplegia and modified del Nido cardioplegia in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) for multivessel coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods: A randomized controlled trial included 94 adult patients undergoing elective CABG. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either conventional crystalloid cardioplegia or modified Del Nido cardioplegia. Data collected included CPB and cross-clamp times, cardioplegia volume, postoperative …

Effectiveness Of Myoinositol Versus Metformin As Adjuvant Treatment On Infertile Pcos Women Undergoing Ovulation Induction Cycles Prospective Cohort Study, Ahmed M. Salman, Fatma M. Sayed, Hesham Mohammed Hamad

Journal of Medicine in Scientific Research

Background In anovulatory infertility Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) plays a leading role, characterized by endocrine and metabolic disturbances. While metformin is usually used to decrease insulin resistance and restore ovulation, myoinositol has emerged as a promising alternative with fewer side effects. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of metformin and myoinositol as adjuvant treatments in infertile women with PCOS in ovulation induction cycles. Patient and methods This prospective cohort study included 192 women diagnosed with PCOS-related infertility, divided into two groups (n = 96 each) receiving either metformin or myoinositol for 3 months prior to ovulation induction. …

Glycolic Acid (Ga) Peel Versus Dermapen In Management Of Acne Scars Among Egyptian Patients: A Comparative Study, Rania Emam Elbanna

Journal of Medicine in Scientific Research

Aim of the work: To assess and contrast dermapen, glycolic acid (GA) peel, and a combination of the two therapys' safety and effectiveness in treating acne scars. Cases and methods: Thirty cases with acne scars participated in this trial. Ten cases each were divided into three cohorts at random; cohort I had dermapen therapy, whereas cohort II received glycolic peel therapy. Both procedures were administered to Cohort III. Six sessions were given to each case at intervals of two weeks. The quartile grading scale, the degree of case satisfaction, and the qualitative global scar grading system before and after therapy …

Clinical And Dosimetric Dataset Of Time-To-Event Normal Tissue Complication Probability For Osteoradionecrosis, Natalie A West, Serageldin Kamel, Andrew Wentzel, Zaphanlene Kaffey, Moamen Abdelaal, G Elisabeta Marai, Guadalupe Canahuate, Xinhua Zhang, Melissa M Chen, Kareem A Wahid, Jillian Rigert, Kristy K Brock, Mark Chambers, Adegbenga O Otun, Ruth Aponte-Wesson, Renjie He, Mohamed A Naser, Katherine A Hutcheson, Abdallah S R Mohamed, Lisanne V Van Dijk, Amy C Moreno, Stephen Y Lai, Clifton D Fuller, Laia Humbert-Vidan

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Osteoradionecrosis of the jaw (ORNJ) is a radiation-induced late toxicity that can dramatically decrease patients' quality of life. Recent increases in survival rates of head and neck cancers associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection have resulted in a higher frequency of radiation-induced toxicities, particularly ORNJ. Recent work with Normal Tissue Complication Probability (NTCP) models and a Weibull Accelerated Failure Time (WAFT) model have further developed our understanding of ORNJ clinical/dosimetric risk factors and longitudinal features, respectively. In this data descriptor, 1129 head and neck cancer (HNC) patients received curative intent radiotherapy (RT) at MD Anderson Cancer Center and were followed …

An Integrated Single-Cell And Spatial Transcriptomic Atlas Of Thyroid Cancer Progression Identifies Prognostic Fibroblast Subpopulations, Matthew A Loberg, George J Xu, Sheau-Chiann Chen, Hua-Chang Chen, Claudia C Wahoski, Kailey P Caroland, Megan L Tigue, Heather A Hartmann, Jean-Nicolas Gallant, Courtney J Phifer, Andres A Ocampo, Dayle K Wang, Reilly G Fankhauser, Kirti A Karunakaran, Chia-Chin Wu, Maxime Tarabichi, Sophia M Shaddy, James L Netterville, Sarah L Rohde, Carmen C Solórzano, Lindsay A Bischoff, Naira Baregamian, Barbara A Murphy, Jennifer H Choe, Jennifer R Wang, Eric C Huang, Quanhu Sheng, Luciane T Kagohara, Elizabeth M Jaffee, Ryan H Belcher, Ken S Lau, Fei Ye, Ethan Lee, Vivian L Weiss

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Although well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma (WDTC) is characterized by a robust treatment response, aggressive subtypes, such as anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC), remain highly lethal. To understand thyroid cancer evolution in both children and adults, we analyzed single-cell transcriptomes of 423,733 cells from 81 samples and spatially resolved key tumor and microenvironment populations across 28 tumors with spatial transcriptomics, including rare and unique composite WDTC/ATC tumors and pediatric diffuse sclerosing thyroid carcinomas. Additionally, we identified gene signatures of stromal cell populations in 5 large thyroid cancer bulk RNA-sequencing cohorts. Through this multi-institutional effort, we defined a population of POSTN+ myofibroblast cancer-associated fibroblasts …

Maternal Immunization With Vp8* Mrna Vaccine Yields Superior Passive Transfer Of Rotavirus-Neutralizing Antibodies To Foals, Karin E R Borba, Rebecca M Legere, Nathan M Canaday, Jill W Skrobarczyk, Zachary W T Arnold, Elena Cotton-Betteridge, Cristina Poveda, Michael F Criscitiello, Angela I Bordin, Luc R Berghman, Jeroen B K Pollet, Noah D Cohen

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Despite the availability of a killed whole-virus (KV) vaccine, diarrhea caused by equine rotavirus group A (ERVA) remains a significant health concern for foals in the United States. The vaccine is administered to pregnant mares, with foals protected by passive transfer of colostral antibodies. However, KV-induced immunity is only partially protective and maternal antibody levels in foals are often low and wane rapidly. To address these limitations, we developed a mRNA-based ERVA vaccine encoding the highly conserved VP8* protein to evaluate whether it can provide improved immune protection.

Methods: Pregnant mares (n = 12 per group) were …

Prognostic Value Of Baseline Qfr In Single-Vessel Intermediate Coronary Stenosis, Yanfeng Lu, Abdulrahman Alqazzaz, Jasmine Bao, Gary S. Mintz, Jiahao Feng, Yong Zhang, Shanshan Gao, Qiang Song, Feifei Ning, Xin Huang, Ning Guo

Student Papers, Posters & Projects

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The prognostic value of baseline Quantitative Flow Ratio (QFR) in real-world patients remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of baseline QFR and its three-tier model-low, grey-zone, and high QFR-in patients with single-vessel intermediate stenosis.

METHODS: This retrospective study included 478 patients with QFR between 0.70 and 0.90 who underwent coronary angiography between May and June 2023. Patients were stratified into Low (0.70-0.74), Grey-Zone (0.75-0.85), and High (0.86-0.90) QFR groups. The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiac events (MACE); the key secondary endpoint was target vessel failure (TVF). Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards models …

Primary Cortical Neurons Precipitate And Extrude Large Mitochondria-Associated Calcium-Phosphate Sheets With A Bone-Precursor-Like Ultrastructure, Erik D Anderson, Christopher A Cronkite, Philip R Baldwin, Carlota P Abella, Joseph G Duman, Ashleigh N Simmonds, M Neal Waxham, Kimberley F Tolias, Steven J Ludtke

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Calcium-phosphate (CaP) is a ubiquitous inorganic compound that plays an important structural role in healthy bone and teeth formation, but its pathologic buildup can occur in dyshomeostatic calcium disorders like Alzheimer's disease and Leigh syndrome. The nexus of pathologic extracellular CaP in the nervous system is not well understood, but prior evidence suggests mitochondria could be a source. We have observed mitochondria-sized sheet-like CaP aggregates within functional wild type cortical neuron cultures at 1 and 20 days in vitro. Neurons were extracted from embryonic day 18 (E18) rat embryos following standard protocols to study neuronal structure and function. We have …

Novel Repurposing Of Empagliflozin-Loaded Buccal Composite (Chitosan/Silk Fibroin/Poly(Lactic Acid)) Nanofibers For Alzheimer’S Disease Management Via Modulation Of Aβ–Ager–P-Tau Pathway, Samar A. Salim

Nanotechnology Research Centre

Background/Objectives: Empagliflozin (EMPA) was repurposed for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) treatment via buccal delivery, exploiting novel nanofibers (NFs) integrating chitosan (Cs), silk fibroin (Fb), and poly(lactic acid) (PLA). Methods: EMPA-loaded Cs/Fb/PLA NFs were electrospun in different formulations to optimize the formulation parameters. The optimized formulation was then investigated for its enhanced in vivo effect. Results: Optimized nanofiber diameters ranged from 459 ± 173 to 668 ± 148 nm, possessing bead-free morphology confirmed by SEM and satisfactory mechanical properties. EMPA was successfully well-dispersed in the polymer matrix as evidenced by FTIR, XRD, and drug content. The optimized NFs displayed a hydrophilic surface …

Zoliflodacin Versus Ceftriaxone Plus Azithromycin For Treatment Of Uncomplicated Urogenital Gonorrhoea: An International, Randomised, Controlled, Open-Label, Phase 3, Non-Inferiority Clinical Trial, Alison Luckey, Manica Balasegaram, Lindley A. Barbee, Teresa A. Batteiger, Helen Broadhurst, Stephanie E. Cohen, Sinead Delany-Moretlwe, Henry J.C. De Vries, Jodie A. Dionne, Katherine Gill, Chris Kenyon, Rossaphorn Kittiyaowamarn, Drew Lewis, John P. Mueller, Vimla Naicker, Seamus O'Brien, John P. O'Donnell, Nittaya Phanuphak, Elizabeth Spooner, Subasree Srinivasan, Stephanie N. Taylor, Magnus Unemo, Zinhle Zwane, Edward W. Hook, Zoliflodacin Phase 3 Study Group

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Background Development of new treatments for gonorrhoea is a global public health priority. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of zoliflodacin versus ceftriaxone plus azithromycin in patients with uncomplicated urogenital gonorrhoea. Methods In this phase 3, multinational, randomised, controlled, open-label, non-inferiority clinical trial, participants aged 12 years and older with clinical suspicion of uncomplicated urogenital gonorrhoea were eligible for inclusion. The trial was done in 17 outpatient clinics in Belgium, the Netherlands, South Africa, Thailand, and the USA. Participating countries with high disease prevalence were identified for participation in the study. Sites selected for participation were led by …