Digital Commons Network^™

Dietary Inflammatory Index Score And Its Association With Body Mass Index, Body Fat Percentage, Body Fat Mass, And Lipid Profile In Patients With Multiple Sclerosis, Seda Kaya, Zeynep Uzdi̇l, Ni̇ti̇n Shi̇vappa, James R. Hebert, Pinar Sökülmez Kaya, Murat Terzi̇

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Multiple sclerosis (MS) may cause modifications in body composition, particularly for body fat associated with obesity and some biochemical parameters such as lipid profiles. We investigated whether there is a link between the inflammatory contents of diets and body composition and lipid profiles in patients with MS. Materials and methods: This was a cross-sectional study that included 85 MS patients. The study data of the patients were collected in the Neurology Clinic of Ondokuz Mayıs University?s Health Practice and Research Center. The data included demographic characteristics; anthropometric measurements such as body weight, height, body mass index, waist circumference, hip …

Effects Of Vitrification Solution Supplemented With Platelet-Rich Plasma In Rat Ovarian Tissue Cryopreservation, Ayli̇n Gökhan, Türker Çavuşoğlu, Kubi̇lay Doğan Kiliç, Cansin Şi̇ri̇n, Canberk Tomruk, Gürkan Yi̇ği̇ttürk, Oytun Erbaş, Eser Sözmen, Meral Baka

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: The subject of this study was to investigate the utility of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in the cryopreservation process to reduce cryodamage and increase tissue viability. Materials and methods: Twenty-one female Wistar rats were randomly allocated to three groups. In Group 1 (G1), rats were not subjected to vitrification (n = 7). Group 2 (G2) was the vitrification group in which PRP was added to the basic vitrification solution (n = 7). Group 3 (G3) was the vitrification group in which fetal bovine serum was added to the basic vitrification solution (n = 7). Warmed tissues were evaluated with histochemical …

Evaluation Of Vitamin D Levels And Biochemical Markers In Infants Diagnosed With Laryngomalacia, Nagi̇han Bi̇lal, Ömer Faruk Çinar, Sevcan İpek, Muhammed Seyi̇thanoğlu, Adem Doğaner, Muhammed Gazi̇ Yildiz

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: The pathology of laryngomalacia is still not clear. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between vitamin D levels and laryngomalacia, and to evaluate vitamin D levels according to the classification of laryngomalacia. Materials and methods: This retrospective study was conducted in the Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University Medicine Faculty?s Otorhinolaryngology Clinic between June 2014 and January 2021. Laryngomalacia was classified. Laboratory tests for all patients included calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), parathormone (PTH), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (Cre), alanine transaminase (ALT), and 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25-OH-D). Results: Evaluations were performed for 64 infants with laryngomalacia, including …

Propofol Mitigates Brain Injury And Oxidative Stress, And Enhances Gabaa Receptor ?1 Subunit Expression In A Rat Model Of Lithium Chloride-Pilocarpine Induced Status Epilepticus, Lei Li, Xiu Liu, Juan Du, Wangyan Yang, Runqiao Fu, Yunfeng Li, Wei Zhao, Henglin Wang

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Propofol is a positive allosteric modulator of GABAA receptor (GABAAR) and has potent antioxidant activity. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of propofol on damage to the cerebral cortex and hippocampus in a lithium chloride (LiCl)- pilocarpine animal model of status epilepticus (SE). Materials and methods: Adult male Sprague Dawley rats were injected with LiCl-pilocarpine to induce SE. They were then randomized and injected 30 min later with vehicle saline (SE+saline), propofol (SE+PPF, 50 mg/kg), Diazepam (SE+DZP, 10 mg/kg), Scopolamine (SE+SCOP, 10 mg/kg), or MK-801 (SE+MK-801, 2 mg/kg). Another group of rats received saline only …

The Effect Of Natural Surfactants On The Development Of Postoperative Intraabdominal Adhesion, Ahmet Gökhan Güler, Ali̇ Erdal Karakaya, Ahmet Burak Doğan, Abdulkadi̇r Yasi̇r Bahar, Sadik Yurttutan

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: The development of postoperative adhesion after abdominal surgery is sometimes a severe problem. Our study investigates the effectiveness of exogenous surfactant application in preventing adhesion development in the experimental adhesion model. Materials and methods: This randomized-controlled interventional study was carried out in the animal laboratory of Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University between March 1 and March 31, 2020. An experimental intra-abdominal adhesion model was established in 24 adult female rats by cecal abrasion. Rats were randomly divided into four groups. Groups I, II, and III were taken intraperitoneally as beractant, poractant, and calfactant applied groups, respectively. Group IV was the …

Effects Of Progressive Functional Ankle Exercises In Spastic Cerebral Palsy, Plantarflexors Versus Dorsiflexors: A Randomized Trial, Melek Volkan Yazici, Gamze Çobanoğlu, Gökhan Yazici, Bülent Elbasan

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Children with cerebral palsy (CP), even those who have very mild impairment, have lower muscle strength than their typically developing peers. The ankle dorsiflexors (DFs) and plantarflexors (PFs) of children with CP are especially weak. Weakness in the ankle muscles causes problems in functional skills, mobility, and balance in spastic CP (SCP). The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of progressive functional exercises (PFEs) on the DF, PF, or dorsi-plantar flexor (DPF) muscles in children with SCP, specifically, the functional mobility, balance, and maximum voluntary contraction (MVC), and compare the effects of strengthening these muscles individually …

Clinical And Laboratory Features In Health Care Volunteers With Inactivated Sars-Cov-2 Vaccination, Zhijie Li, Yafang Wan, Lanlan Xu, Wenjia Zhang, Yu Zhang, Pu Liao

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: To better optimize the inactivated vaccine-induced immune response and improve vaccine protection efficiency, a preliminary study was conducted on the influencing factors of producing neutralizing antibody (NAb) titers against the inactivated coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine. Materials and methods: A total of 91 health care volunteers were enrolled from the Immunology Division of the Laboratory Department of Chongqing General Hospital from February to March 2021. The study had a cross-sectional design. All of the volunteers were scheduled to receive a complete dose regimen of the inactivated severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccine and the vaccination interval between …

Current Developments In Surface Electromyography, Veysel Alcan, Murat Zi̇nnuroğlu

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Surface electromyography (surface EMG) is a primary technique to detect the electrical activities of muscles through surface electrodes. In recent years, surface EMG applications have grown from conventional fields into new fields. However, there is a gap between the progress in the research of surface EMG and its clinical acceptance, characterized by the translational knowledge and skills in the widespread use of surface EMG among the clinician community. To reduce this gap, it is necessary to translate the updated surface EMG applications and technological advances into clinical research. Therefore, we aimed to present a perspective on recent developments in …

Cd39 Expression On Immune Cells Predicts Methotrexate Response In Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients, Bariş Boral, İbrahi̇m Tuncer, Fi̇li̇z Ki̇bar, Sali̇h Çeti̇ner, Suade Özlem Badak, Emrah Salman, Emrah Koç, Eren Erken, Akgün Yaman

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting mostly small joints, such as hand and foot joints symmetrically with irreversible joint destruction. In this study, the relationship between CD39 expression and the treatment response of RA patients was examined to investigate its potential as a biomarker that demonstrates treatment response. Materials and methods: This study included 77 RA patients and 40 healthy controls (HC). The RA patients were divided into 2 groups based on their response to RA treatment, those with a good response to methotrexate (MTX) monotherapy and those with an inadequate response based on the American …

The Diagnostic Profile And Clinical Course Of Patients With Rheumatic Diseases In The Medical Intensive Care Unit, Kani̇ye Aydin, İpek Türk

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Immunosuppressive and immunomodulatory treatments developed in recent years as a result of a better understanding of the pathophysiology of systemic rheumatic diseases (SRDs) improve the prognosis. Despite medical advances, individuals with SRDs at any stage may require intensive care and have a high mortality rate. The aim of this study was to investigate the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with rheumatic diseases admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU), and the factors associated with the risk of mortality. Materials and methods: This was a retrospective, cross-sectional study that included patients with rheumatic diseases in the medical ICU. Factors …

Effect Of Thoracic Mobilization Exercises On Hamstring Flexibility: A Randomized Controlled Trial, Aybüke Ersi̇n, Meltem Kaya

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background and aim: The aim was to investigate the effect of thoracic mobilization exercises on hamstring flexibility. Materials and methods: One hundred twenty individuals with hamstring tightness were included in the study. The participants were randomized into two groups: the experimental group (EG) (n = 60) or the control group (CG) (n = 60). The EG performed a homebased thoracic mobilization exercise program comprising 2 sets with 10 repetitions, once a day, 3 days a week, for 4 weeks. The CG performed active-assisted stretching of the hamstring comprising 3 sets with 10 repetitions for 15 seconds. The active knee extension …

Evaluation Of Syringin?S Neuroprotective Effect In A Model Of Neonatal Hypoxic-Ischemic Brain Injury, Ezgi̇ Yangin Ergon, Asli Çeli̇k, Ayşe Gülden Di̇ni̇z Ünlü, Rüya Çolak, Senem Alkan Özdemi̇r, Şebnem Çalkavur, Osman Yilmaz

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: A significant cause of mortality and morbidity in the neonatal era is hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). This study examined the histopathological analysis and neuroprotective impact of syringin (SYR) in an experimental HIE rat model. Material and methods: On the 7th postnatal day, 24 Wistar albino rats were evaluated in 3 groups using the HIE model under gas anesthesia. In the experiment, Group A received 10 mg/kg SYR plus dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), Group B received DMSO only, and Group C served as a sham group. Immunohistochemical techniques were used to assess apoptotic cell measurement and proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-? and IL-1ß primary …

Pathobiological Alterations Affecting The Distinct Clinical Courses Of Pediatric Versus Adult Covid-19 Syndrome, Emrah Şenel, Seyhan Türk, Ümi̇t Yavuz Malkan, Mustafa Çağri Peker, Can Türk, Hati̇ce Rahmet Güner, Gülberk Uçar, Seval İzdeş, Bi̇rcan Kayaaslan, Gülsüm İclal Bayhan, Serhat Emeksi̇z, İmran Hasanoğlu, Şeri̇fe Gökbulut Bektaş, Şeyma Bütün Türk, Serhan Özcan

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: The clinical presentation of pediatric coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with a milder disease course than the adult COVID-19 syndrome. The disease course of COVID-19 has three clinicobiological phases: initiation, propagation, and complication. This study aimed to assess the pathobiological alterations affecting the distinct clinical courses of COVID-19 in pediatric age groups versus the adult population. We hypothesized that critical biogenomic marker expressions drive the mild clinical presentations of pediatric COVID-19. Materials and methods: Blood samples were obtained from 72 patients with COVID-19 hospitalized at Ankara City Hospital between March and July 2021. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were …

Developmental Characteristics Of Williams-Beuren Syndrome And Evaluation Of Adaptive Behavioral Skills, Şenay Güven Baysal, Feyzullah Necati̇ Arslan, Mehmet Aki̇f Büyükavci, Fatma Hi̇lal Yağin, Cemal Eki̇ci̇, Zeynep Esener, Derya Doğan

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Williams-Beuren syndrome (WBS) is a rare genetic disorder with delays in language and cognitive development, but, with increased awareness of clinical features and a reliable diagnostic test, WBS is becoming more widely recognized in childhood. Adaptive behavior skills and/or maladaptive behavior are important for the prognosis of individuals with WBS. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical and developmental characteristics of patients with WBS and further increase awareness about it by evaluating the adaptive skills and maladaptive behaviors of the patients. Materials and methods: The data of WBS patients followed-up at the Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics Unit …

Dynamic Thiol-Disulfide Homeostasis As An Oxidative Stress Marker In Ankylosing Spondylitis And Undifferentiated Spondyloarthropathy, Cemaleddi̇n Öztürk, Şükran Erten, Murat Alişik, İsmai̇l Doğan, Güni̇z Yanik Üstüner, Sali̇m Neşeli̇oğlu, Özcan Erel

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Seronegative spondyloarthropathies (SpA) are a group of chronic diseases characterized by axial inflammation, oligoarthritis, and enthesitis. Oxidative stress may contribute to a wide range of rheumatologic diseases, including SpA. This prospective case-control study was designed to compare thiol-disulfide levels as a marker of oxidative stress between SpA patients and healthy controls. Materials and methods: A total of 144 patients diagnosed with undifferentiated spondyloarthropathy (USpA, n = 97) or ankylosing spondylitis (AS, n = 47) were included along with 80 healthy controls. Serum native thiol (NT), total thiol (TT), and disulfide (D) levels were measured using the fully automated Erel …

Investigating The Physiological Role Of S199a And S199d Mutants Of Phf6 Protein In T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, Gökçe Erdoğan, Osman Ni̇dai̇ Özeş, Osman Alphan Küpesi̇z, Şükran Burçak Yoldaş

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is a form of leukemia characterized by the proliferation of immature T lymphocytes. NOTCH1 is one of the most frequently mutated genes in T-ALL. NOTCH1 expression in T-cell development depends on plant homeodomain finger protein 6 (PHF6), which plays a tumor suppressor role in T-ALL. Several studies have shown that PHF6 expression is essential for NOTCH1 expression. Therefore, whether posttranslational modification of PHF6 plays a role in the regulation of NOTCH1 expression and T-ALL cell line proliferation was investigated herein. Materials and methods: The amino acid sequence of PHF6 was analyzed and it was …

Mirror Neuron Activity Depending On The Content And Stage Of The Observed Action: A Tms Study, H. Evren Boran, Hasan Kilinç, Bülent Cengi̇z

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: The firing rate of the mirror neuron system in monkeys decreases systematically with more repetitions. The aim of this study is to investigate whether the activity of the mirror neuron system varies based on the observed movement and the contents of the action, as well as whether there is inhibition in the mirror neuron system when humans observe repeated actions. If inhibition is present, the second question of the study is whether it is related to the organization of the observed action. Materials and methods: Fourteen healthy volunteers participated in the study. Transcranial magnetic stimulation was applied to the …

Body Mass Index Does Not Affect Response Of Rituximab In Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis: Results From The Turkbi̇o Registry, Ahmet Karataş, Rabi̇a Pi̇şki̇n Sağir, Süleyman Serdar Koca, Hüseyi̇n Edi̇z Dalkiliç, Gerçek Can, Yavuz Pehli̇van, Ayten Yazici, Güzi̇de Nevsun İnanç, Ayşe Çefle, Zeynep Ertürk, Servet Akar, Soner Şenel, Ahmet Meri̇h Bi̇rli̇k, Nurullah Akkoç, Fatoş Önen

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Adipose tissue produces several inflammatory mediators. Thus, obesity affects the disease course and the responses to the antirheumatic agents in inflammatory diseases. The aim of the study was to determine whether the body mass index (BMI) is involved in the response to rituximab in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Materials and methods: This multicenter retrospective study included 206 RA patients who received rituximab from the Turkish Biologic (TURKBIO) registry between 2011 and the end of May 2017. Demographic and clinical data including age, sex, disease type, disease duration, and previous or current treatment with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and biological drug …

Serum Myosin-Binding Protein C Levels: A New Marker For Exclusion Of Preterm Birth?, Eli̇f Yildiz, Fatma Ketenci̇ Gencer, Burcu Ti̇mur, Hakan Ti̇mur

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: To evaluate whether there is a relationship between serum myosin-binding protein C (MyBP-C) levels measured in the first trimester and the timing of delivery, and, if a relationship is detected, the potential of this relationship in distinguishing between preterm and term labor. Materials and methods: This prospective case-control study was conducted with 701 pregnant women who applied to the Obstetrics Outpatient Clinic of Gaziosmanpaşa Training and Research Hospital in the first trimester, between 11 and 14 gestational weeks. MyBP-C serum samples from the first trimester were stored under appropriate conditions until the time of delivery. Of these pregnant women, …

Unraveling The Impact Of Primary Immunodeficiency Disorders On The Microbiota Of Dental Caries In Children Through 16s Rrna Gene-Based Metagenomic Analysis, Bushra Al-Kebsi̇, Gökhan Kars, Hazal Özer, Şükrü Nai̇l Güner

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Dental caries is a frequently occurring and multifactorial chronic disease in children resulting from the interaction of cariogenic bacteria and host susceptibility. The aim of this study was to elucidate the impacts of primary immunodeficiency disorders (PIDs) on microbiota of dental caries in children by 16S rRNA gene-based metagenomic analysis. Materials and methods: Enrolled in this study were 15 children with primary PID with caries (PID group) and 15 healthy children with caries as a control (CG). The DMFT index, saliva flow rate, and buffering capacity of each participant were assessed before the metagenomic analyses were conducted. For taxonomic …

Comparison Of The Effect Of Postweaning Social Isolation, Enriched Environment, And Exercise Training On Learning And Memory Functions In Rats, Hati̇ce Eki̇nalan Kayhan, Ni̇lsel Okudan, Muaz Belvi̇ranli

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: To assess the effects of postweaning social isolation, an enriched environment, and exercise training on learning and memory functions in rats, as well as their relation with the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF) concentrations in the hippocampus. Materials and methods: Randomly assigned into 4 groups were 35 female postweaning rats (25 day old), as the control (C), social isolation (SI), enriched environment (EE), and exercise training (E) groups. The SI and the EE groups were housed under their specific conditions and the E and the C groups were housed under standard conditions for 6 weeks. …

Correlation Of Metal Ions With Specific Brain Region Volumes In Neurodegenerative Diseases, İsmet Murat Melek, Berna Kuş, Zülal Kaptan, Emi̇ne Petekkaya

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: There are reports stating that deteriorations in metal homeostasis in neurodegenerative diseases promote abnormal protein accumulation. In this study, the serum metal levels in Alzheimer?s disease (AD) and Parkinson?s disease (PD) and its relationship with the cortical regions of the brain were investigated. Materials and methods: The patients were divided into 3 groups consisting of the AD group, PD group, and healthy control group (n = 15 for each). The volumes of specific brain regions were measured over the participants? 3-dimensional magnetic resonance images, and they were compared across the groups. Copper, zinc, iron, and ferritin levels in the …

Acetone Extracts Of Berberis Vulgaris And Cornus Mas L. Induce Apoptosis In Mcf-7 Breast Cancer Cells, Burcu Uslu, Mustafa Yaman, Tuba Özdemi̇r Sanci, Mustafa Güngörmüş, Çağla Zübeyde Köprü, Fatma Esra Güneş

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: This study aimed to determine the proliferation and apoptotic effects of extracts from Cornus mas L. and Berberis vulgaris fruits on human breast cancer cells (MCF-7). Materials and methods: The Cornus mas L. and Berberis vulgaris fruits, which constitute the herbal material of the study, were turned into 80% acetone extract after washing. The total phenolic content in Berberis vulgaris fruit extracts was determined calorimetrically using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent. The spectrophotometric method was used to determine the total flavonoid amount of the extracts. In order to measure the antioxidant capacity of Cornus mas L. and Berberis vulgaris fruits and extracts, …

Rna-Based Translation Activators For Targeted Gene Upregulation, Yang Cao, Huachun Liu, Shannon S Lu, Krysten A Jones, Anitha P Govind, Okunola Jeyifous, Christine Q Simmons, Negar Tabatabaei, William N Green, Jimmy L Holder, Soroush Tahmasebi, Alfred L George, Bryan C Dickinson

Duncan NRI Faculty and Staff Publications

Technologies capable of programmable translation activation offer strategies to develop therapeutics for diseases caused by insufficient gene expression. Here, we present "translation-activating RNAs" (taRNAs), a bifunctional RNA-based molecular technology that binds to a specific mRNA of interest and directly upregulates its translation. taRNAs are constructed from a variety of viral or mammalian RNA internal ribosome entry sites (IRESs) and upregulate translation for a suite of target mRNAs. We minimize the taRNA scaffold to 94 nucleotides, identify two translation initiation factor proteins responsible for taRNA activity, and validate the technology by amplifying SYNGAP1 expression, a haploinsufficiency disease target, in patient-derived cells. …

Methyl-Branched Liposomes As A Depot For Sustained Drug Delivery, Yang Li, Rachelle Shao, Claire A Ostertag-Hill, Matthew Torre, Ran Yan, Daniel S Kohane

Duncan NRI Faculty and Staff Publications

Inadequate drug loading and control of payload leakage limit the duration of the effect of liposomal drug carriers and may cause toxicity. Here, we report a liposome system as a depot for sustained drug delivery whose design is inspired by the low permeability of Archaeal membranes to protons and solutes. Incorporating methyl-branched phospholipids into lipid bilayers decreased payload diffusion across liposomal membranes, thereby enhancing the drug load capacity by 10-16% and reducing the release of small molecules in the first 24 h by 40-48%. The in vivo impact of this approach was demonstrated by injection at the sciatic nerve. Methyl-branched …

Localized Cardiac Small Molecule Trajectories And Persistent Chemical Sequelae In Experimental Chagas Disease, Zongyuan Liu, Rebecca Ulrich Vonbargen, April L Kendricks, Kate Wheeler, Ana Carolina Leão, Krithivasan Sankaranarayanan, Danya A Dean, Shelley S Kane, Ekram Hossain, Jeroen Pollet, Maria Elena Bottazzi, Peter J Hotez, Kathryn M Jones, Laura-Isobel Mccall

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Post-infectious conditions present major health burdens but remain poorly understood. In Chagas disease (CD), caused by Trypanosoma cruzi parasites, antiparasitic agents that successfully clear T. cruzi do not always improve clinical outcomes. In this study, we reveal differential small molecule trajectories between cardiac regions during chronic T. cruzi infection, matching with characteristic CD apical aneurysm sites. Incomplete, region-specific, cardiac small molecule restoration is observed in animals treated with the antiparasitic benznidazole. In contrast, superior restoration of the cardiac small molecule profile is observed for a combination treatment of reduced-dose benznidazole plus an immunotherapy, even with less parasite burden reduction. Overall, …

Decoding Meningioma Heterogeneity And Neoplastic Cell-Macrophage Interaction Through Single-Cell Transcriptome Profiling Across Pathological Grades, Hailang Fan, Lairong Song, Jian Fan, Junpeng Ma, Xiaojie Li, Junting Zhang, Jian Hu, Zhen Wu, Dake Zhang, Liang Wang

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Analyzing meningioma of distinct pathological types at the single-cell level can provide new and valuable insights into the specific biological mechanisms of each cellular subpopulation, as well as their vital interplay within the tumor microenvironment.

Methods: We recruited patients diagnosed with four distinct types of meningioma and performed single-cell RNA sequencing on their tumor samples, concurrently analyzing a publicly available dataset for comparison. Next, we separated the cells into discrete clusters and identified their unique identities. Using pseudotime analysis, we demonstrated cellular differentiation and dynamics. To investigate biological function, we employed weighted gene co-expression network analysis, gene regulatory network, …

Phenotypic Maps For Precision Medicine: A Promising Systems Biology Tool For Assessing Therapy Response And Resistance At A Personalized Level, Sayantan Bhattacharyya, Shafqat F Ehsan, Loukia G Karacosta

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

In this perspective we discuss how tumor heterogeneity and therapy resistance necessitate a focus on more personalized approaches, prompting a shift toward precision medicine. At the heart of the shift towards personalized medicine, omics-driven systems biology becomes a driving force as it leverages high-throughput technologies and novel bioinformatics tools. These enable the creation of systems-based maps, providing a comprehensive view of individual tumor's functional plasticity. We highlight the innovative PHENOSTAMP program, which leverages high-dimensional data to construct a visually intuitive and user-friendly map. This map was created to encapsulate complex transitional states in cancer cells, such as Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) …

Catalase Produced By Candida Albicans Protects Streptococcus Mutans From H2o2 Stress-One More Piece In The Cross-Kingdom Synergism Puzzle, Callahan Katrak, Bruna A Garcia, Louise M Dornelas-Figueira, Mary Nguyen, Robert B Williams, Michael C Lorenz, Jacqueline Abranches

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Co-infection with Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans is associated with dental caries, and their co-cultivation results in enhanced biofilm matrix production that contributes to increased virulence and caries risk. Moreover, the catalase-negative S. mutans demonstrates increased oxidative stress tolerance when co-cultivated in biofilms with C. albicans, a catalase-producing yeast. Here, we sought to obtain mechanistic insights into the increased H2O2 tolerance of S. mutans when co-cultivated with clinical isolates of Candida glabrata, Candida tropicalis, and C. albicans. Additionally, the C. albicans SC5314 laboratory strain, its catalase mutant (SC5314Δcat1), and S. mutans UA159 and its glucosyltransferase B/C …

Uracil-Dna Glycosylase Of Murine Gammaherpesvirus 68 Binds Cognate Viral Replication Factors Independently Of Its Catalytic Residues, Kyle R Smith, Somnath Paul, Qiwen Dong, Orchi Anannya, Darby G Oldenburg, J Craig Forrest, Kevin M Mcbride, Laurie T Krug

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Herpesviruses are large double-stranded DNA viruses that encode core replication proteins and accessory factors involved in nucleotide metabolism and DNA repair. Mammalian uracil-DNA glycosylases (UNG) excise deleterious uracil residues from their genomic DNA. Each herpesvirus UNG studied to date has demonstrated conservation of the enzymatic function to excise uracil residues from DNA. We previously reported that a murine gammaherpesvirus (MHV68) with a stop codon in ORF46 (ORF46.stop) that encodes for vUNG was defective in lytic replication and latency in vivo. However, a mutant virus that expressed a catalytically inactive vUNG (ORF46.CM) had no replication defect unless coupled with additional …