Digital Commons Network^™

Disruption Of The Lrrk2 Substrate Rab12 Facilitates Neurotransmission And Causes Hyperactivity In Mice, Xingjian Li, Yuanxin Chen, Huaixing Wang, Xue Zhang, Noah Guy Lewis Guiberson, Xianting Li, Jacqueline Burré, Junmin Peng, Hui Zhang, Zhenyu Yue

Department of Neuroscience Faculty Papers

RAB12 is a small GTPase and a validated substrate of LRRK2, a kinase genetically linked to Parkinson's disease (PD). While RAB12-LRRK2 signaling has been implicated in ciliogenesis and immune regulation, the neuronal function of RAB12 remains largely unexplored. Here, we investigated the role of RAB12 in synaptic physiology using Rab12 knockout (KO) mice. Rab12 KO mice developed normally but exhibited increased locomotor activity in adulthood. Electrophysiological recordings from striatal slices revealed enhanced presynaptic release probability and increased excitatory drive onto medium spiny neurons. Consistently, live-cell imaging of cultured cortical neurons revealed that Rab12 deletion facilitated, while Rab12 overexpression inhibited, synaptic …

Multifocal Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma With Ret P.V804m, Eml4-Alk Fusion, And Braf V600e Positivity, Jacob Beiriger, Leonard Estephan, Lubna Zuberi, Stacey Gargano, Elizabeth Cottrill

Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Faculty Papers

Multifocal papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) can arise from independent primaries with discordant drivers in parallel clonal evolution rather than a single-clone pattern. We present a 31-year-old female with multifocal PTC harboring 3 distinct oncogenic alterations: a germline RET p.V804M mutation, low-frequency EML4-ALK fusion, and BRAF V600E mutation. The RET and ALK alterations were identified in a midpole nodule, whereas BRAF positivity was seen in a separate lower pole tumor. Ultrasound revealed multiple right-lobe thyroid nodules; the dominant 2.1-cm lesion was hypoechoic with calcifications. Fine needle aspiration revealed Bethesda III cytology, prompting thyroid lobectomy and an ipsilateral central neck dissection was …

Inhibition Of Cyclophilin D Rescues Cardiac Function And Bioenergetic Defects Caused By Neonatal Hypoxia, Jonathan R. Burris, Gisela Beutner, Min Yee, Bartholomew V. Simon, Michael F. Swartz, Kathryn B. Boudreau, Ethan D. Cohen, Chaitanya A. Kulkarni, Prottoy Hasan, Hongyue Wang, Karen L. De Mesy Bentley, György Hajnóczky, George M. Alfieris, Eric M. Small, Paul S. Brookes, Michael A. O'Reilly, George A. Porter

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Faculty Papers

Increased oxygen levels at birth regulate myocyte bioenergetic and structural maturation controlled by mitochondrial cyclophilin D (CypD). We evaluated mechanisms of neonatal hypoxic cardiac dysfunction by exposing neonatal mice to 12% oxygen and studied cardiac bioenergetics, myocyte maturation, and function. Hypoxia decreased the activity/assembly of electron transport chain complex I, uncoupled oxidative phosphorylation, increased proliferation, decreased differentiation, increased ventricular mass, and decreased cardiac function. CypD inhibition rescued most hypoxia-mediated effects and increased cardiac function. In conclusion, neonatal hypoxia alters cardiac bioenergetics, myocyte maturation, and cardiac function through CypD-dependent pathways, providing potential therapeutic targets for neonatal cardiac dysfunction.

Optimization Of Pediatric Multidetector Ct Imaging Parameters Using A Machine Learning–Based Monte Carlo Simulation Model, Ali O. Masoud, Adithya Rajnaryanan, Khamis O. Amour, Ahmed M. Jusabani, Justin E Ngaile, Manoj Kumar, Mwingereza John Kumwenda Dr

Tanzania Journal of Science

This study utilized Monte Carlo (MC) simulations to optimize radiation doses in pediatric multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) head scans by analyzing key parameters like tube current (mA), tube voltage (kV), pitch, and slice thickness. The findings indicate that reducing tube current significantly lowers the Computed Tomography Dose Index (CTDIvol) and Dose Length Product (DLP), effectively minimizing patient radiation exposure. Higher pitch values (0.7–0.9) further reduced radiation by decreasing beam overlap, while using a thinner slice thickness (0.6 mm) improved dose efficiency. A comparison highlighted the effectiveness of optimization: simulated parameters kVp 100, mAs 81, pitch 0.98 yielded a CTDIvol of …

Muc13-Associated Molecular Interactome In Pancreatic Cancer, Anupam Dhasmana, Swati Dhasmana, Rajasekhar Baru, Abigail Gomez, Shafiul Haque, Sheema Khan, Murali Yallapu, Subhash Chauhan

School of Medicine Publications

Mucin-13 (MUC13) has emerged as a critical molecular player involved in tumorigenesis, cancer progression, metastasis, and evasion of immune surveillance, including in pancreatic cancer. In this report, we identified MUC13 molecular interactome using an integrated immunoprecipitation and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (accession no. of protein data JPST004189) approach combined with systems network biology to determine its plausible functional protein–protein interaction network and associated oncogenic mechanisms. This study reveals a total of 54 key MUC13 interactor proteins (including cyclin-dependent kinase 1, catenin delta 1, Caludin-1, ErbB3-binding protein 1, basic transcription factor 3, tight junction protein 1, etc.). Interestingly, the majority of these …

Biomechanical Effects Of Bilateral Torsion And Skeletal Fusion: A Case Study, Linnéa Forbes

Honors Projects

As part of both a personal endeavor and an academic project, I have investigated the aetiology and treatment of seemingly idiopathic and debilitating leg pain in a patient over the past 10 years. Via collaboration with medical professionals at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Cincinnati Premier Physical Therapy, and Cincinnati Women’s TriHealth, I have identified sources of pain at the anatomical level. The combination of internal femoral torsion, external tibial torsion, pes planus, and bony fusions appear to be major perpetuators of the pain. An effective treatment continues to be evasive. To date, I have attempted to find answers through genetic approaches, …

Deep Learning And Experimental Validation Of Brca1-Associated Protein-1 Missense Variant Pathogenicity In Uveal Melanoma, Nikhil Davé, David J. Taylor Gonzalez, Mak B. Djulbegovic, Linda A. Cernichiaro-Espinosa, Benjamin A. King, Carol L. Shields, Matthew W. Wilson

Wills Eye Hospital Papers

OBJECTIVE: To benchmark the pathogenicity predictions of AlphaMissense, a deep learning model, against high-throughput functional scores from saturation genome editing (SGE) for all experimentally tested BRCA1-associated protein-1 (BAP1) missense variants in uveal melanoma (UM).

DESIGN: Cross-sectional analytical study comparing computational predictions with experimentally derived functional classifications and clinical annotations.

SUBJECTS PARTICIPANTS AND/OR CONTROLS:  ClusteredAll 4619 BAP1 single amino acid substitutions profiled in a published Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats-Cas9 SGE viability assay. No separate control cohort was required. Clinical Variant Database (ClinVar)-annotated variants within this set served as an independent reference.

METHODS: Saturation genome editing log₂-fitness …

Quantifying Sleep Wake Rhythms In The Hospital Environment With Digital Technologies, Carsten Skarke, Nadim El Jamal, Michael V. Genuardi, Thomas G. Brooks, Antonijo Mrčela, Nicholas F. Lahens, Makayla Cordoza, Sean Sarles, Amarachi Mbadugha, Dineth R. Karunamuni, Shikhar Gupta, Charles J. Bae, Amita Sehgal, Thomas P. Cappola, Jacob T. Gutsche, Pavan Atluri, Nimesh D. Desai, Michael A. Acker, Gregory R. Grant, Richard J. Schwab, Ilene M. Rosen, Garret A. Fitzgerald

Division of Cardiology Faculty Papers

Postoperative clinical care is prone to circadian desynchronization that may influence health outcomes. In an exploratory, feasibility-oriented and signal-exploration effort, we collected 1.8 million data points using 11 remote sensors during preoperative, in-hospital and post-discharge settings in 13 elective cardiac surgery patients (5.2% enrolled from 252 screened). We found that room traffic continued during nighttime with ≥1 visit/h. Sound levels exceeded the recommended 45 dBA threshold (51.9 ± 3.3 vs. 48.3 ± 4.2 dBA during nighttime). Brightness dropped at night (89.9 ± 87.7 to 3.7 ± 9.8 lux), but bright light exposures occurred. Ambient room temperature lacked sleep-inducing diurnal variability. …

Investigating Sertraline‑Mediated Modulation Of Succinate Dehydrogenase To Sensitize Tmz‑Resistant Glioblastoma Cells, Supraja Mallapuram

Create@State

Glioblastoma (GBM) is one of the deadliest and most common brain tumor which remains highly resistant to temozolomide (TMZ), contributing to poor patient outcomes. Literature suggests that sertraline, a widely used SSRI, disrupts mitochondrial metabolism in cancer cells. Because GBM depends heavily on succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) for oxidative phosphorylation, sertraline‑mediated SDH inhibition may increase metabolic stress and reduce functional TMZ resistance. This poster presents a literature‑based rationale and proposed experimental design to evaluate sertraline‑induced SDH modulation and its potential to sensitize TMZ‑resistant T98G glioblastoma cells. These findings will guide future experimental work.

Addition Of Prg4 To Optimize The Anti‑Adhesive Properties Of Tissue Barrier Sepraflm®, Ava J. Marks, Khaled A. Elsaid, Ling X. Zhang, Timmy Lin, Janette Baird, Tannin A. Schmidt, Gregory D. Jay

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Purpose

Postsurgical adhesion remains a significant clinical challenge. Seprafilm^® is widely used as a barrier to reduce adhesion formation, however its efficacy may be inconsistent. Recombinant human proteoglycan-4 (rhPRG4), a surface-active, anti-inflammatory glycoprotein found in synovial fluid inhibits cell and protein adhesion. This study investigated whether coating Seprafilm with rhPRG4 could enhance its anti-adhesive potential.

Methods

Macrophages (J774), human fibroblast-like synoviocytes (HFLS), and melanoma (A375) cells were cultured on tissue culture wells treated with rhPRG4 or bovine submaxillary mucin (BSM) to determine optimal seeding density. Seprafilm sheets were coated with rhPRG4 or BSM (0.78–200 µg/mL). Cell adhesion was quantified …

First, Do No Trend: Aligning Parenteral Lipid Therapy With Physiology And Evidence In Neonates, Parvesh Mohan Garg, Srinivas Bolisetty, Camilia R Martin, Muralidhar H Premkumar

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Lipid injectable emulsions (ILE) are essential components of parenteral nutrition in neonatal intensive care units. Over the past two decades, the expanded availability of ILE has led to rapid changes in clinical practice, largely driven by concerns about intestinal failure–associated liver disease. Despite these evolving trends, the evidence supporting one ILE over another remains limited and nuanced. Importantly, no currently available ILE replicates the intrauterine supply of critical long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, particularly arachidonic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, both of which decline postnatally regardless of emulsion type. Neonates requiring ILE represent a heterogeneous population of preterm and term infants, with …

Lotilaner Ophthalmic Solution 0.25% In The Treatment Of Demodex Blepharitis: A Case Report, Paul Karpecki, Brandon Ayres, Eric Donnenfeld, Marjan Farid, Ian Benjamin Gaddie, Preeya K Gupta, Cecelia Koetting, Richard Lindstrom, Selina Mcgee, Kelly K Nichols, Laura M Periman, Stephen Pflugfelder, Christopher Starr, Nandini Venkateswaran, Elizabeth Yeu

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Demodex blepharitis is a chronic inflammatory ocular condition caused by Demodex mite infestation of the eyelid that can negatively impact quality of life. Currently, lotilaner ophthalmic solution 0.25% is the only FDA-approved treatment for Demodex blepharitis. The Demodex Expert Panel on Treatment and Eyelid Health has established consensus that lotilaner ophthalmic solution 0.25% should be considered the preferred first-line treatment for Demodex blepharitis. We report a patient who presented with collarettes, the pathognomonic sign of Demodex blepharitis, meibomian gland dysfunction, and poor visual acuity. The patient also had a history of neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Consistent with the Demodex Expert …

A Rare Presentation Of Extra-Appendiceal Mucinous Neoplasm Of The Anus, Pincus Joshua, Marianne Estrada, Lance Horner University Of Nevada, Las Vegas

School of Medicine Research Poster Showcase

Introduction: Mucinous neoplasm of the anus is an uncommon malignancy, representing less than 3% of all anal cancers. Even more rare is extra-appendiceal mucinous neoplasm. As a result, limited literature exists to define diagnostic strategies and optimal management. Our case report details the presentation and management of a patient with recurrent mucinous neoplasm of the anus. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed which includes clinic documentation., operative notes, pathology reports. Results: The patient is a 76-year-old male with a history of T3N0M0 anal mucinous carcinoma diagnosed in 2015 and treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiation with complete pathological response. In 2024, …

Ms-Gator: Multi-Scale Graph Attention With Topological Reasoning For Segmentation And Classification Of Prostate Cancer Based On Gleason Scores Using Histopathology Images, Sujata Patil, Mahadeva Swamy, Kavitha Sooda, Rajanikanth Vadigepalli, Khalid Nazim Abdul Sattar, Md Rafeeq

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Faculty Papers

Prostate cancer is one of the prevalent and potentially fatal malignancies, affecting men globally. Accurate segmentation and classification of prostate cancer in histopathology images remain challenging due to complex tissue architecture, staining variability, and high inter-observer differences in manual diagnosis. To address these challenges, this research proposes a Multi-Scale Graph Attention with Topological Reasoning (MS-GATOR) for segmentation and classification of prostate cancer based on Gleason Scores (GS). The MS-GATOR incorporates topological reasoning with hierarchical biological structures by constructing a graph-based representation among three spatial scales such as nuclei, glands, and tissues using Delaunay triangulation to capture both geometric and photometric …

Patient's Age Impact On Stroke Risk And Intracranial Aneurysm Occlusion: Scent Flow Diverter Study-A Nonrandomized Clinical Trial On Large And Giant Aneurysms, Ajay K. Wakhloo, Paul Jenkins, Philip M. Meyers, Alexander L. Coon, Peter T. Kan, Ajit S. Puri, Joost De Vries, Giuseppe Lanzino, Mark D. Bain, Koji C. Ebersole, Babu G. Welch, Aclan Dogan, Pascal Jabbour, J. Mocco, Adnan H. Siddiqui, Aquilla S. Turk, Philipp Taussky, Ricardo A. Hanel

Department of Neurosurgery Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The prospective single-arm nonrandomized SCENT (Surpass Intracranial Aneurysm Embolization System Pivotal) trial on flow diverter treatment of large and giant intracranial aneurysms (IA) was analyzed for patients' age and IA characteristics affecting stroke and occlusion rates over 5 years (Trial registration NCT01716117).

METHODS: Impact on major ipsilateral stroke and IA occlusion was studied by stratifying age as 65 years and younger vs older than 65. Kaplan-Meier estimates of time to both endpoints, stratified by age, were created. Univariate predictors of time-to-stroke were analyzed using univariable proportional hazards regression models. Limited bivariable modeling was also attempted.

RESULTS: Of …

An Emerging Approach To Ibd Treatment: Personalized Nutrition Through Gut Microbiome Optimization., Kafayat Yusuf, Thomas M. Attard, Mazin Al-Kasspooles, Shahid Umar

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the gastrointestinal tract characterized by relapsing and remitting disease activity. Despite decades of research, a definitive cure for IBD remains elusive, as cycles of remission and flare-ups mark the disease course and often relies on long-term pharmacologic and supportive strategies. Increasing evidence indicates that diet and nutrition play an important role in modulating the outcomes of IBD. Although a wide range of dietary interventions has been explored, no universally effective approach has been established. Investigations have also proven that different dietary interventions can significantly affect clinical outcomes by altering gut …

Outcome And Clinical Characteristics Of Diaphragm Dysfunction After Pediatric Cardiac Surgery: From Detection To Plication, Muhammad Shahzad, Muhammad Bokir, Haifa Almuhanna, Abdulaziz Alanazi, Zehra Alabbas, Reem Beheri, Yasser Abdulrhman Alheraish, Khaled Alarwan

Journal of the Saudi Heart Association

Background:

Diaphragm paralysis (DP) due to phrenic nerve injury is a rare but serious complication of pediatric cardiac surgery (0.3–5% of cases). It presents as an extubation failure or difficulty weaning from ventilation. Early recognition and management are essential.

Objectives:

This study aimed to evaluate the incidence, clinical characteristic and outcome of diaphragm paralysis after heart surgery in children.

Methods:

A retrospective single-center review (2019–2024) was conducted of ultrasound-confirmed DP case. Demographics, surgical details, ventilatory course, interventions, and outcomes were analyzed. Partial and complete DP were compared using multivariate logistic regression to identify predictors.

Results:

Out of 2,280 surgeries, 108 …

A Mild Case Of Pseudoachondroplasia In A Child: Lessons For Long-Term Primary Care, Alec J. Pupo D.O., Connor J. Stinson D.O., Autumn Dye D.O.

The Journal of Integrated Primary Care

Background: Pseudoachondroplasia (PSACH) is a rare autosomal dominant skeletal dysplasia caused by pathogenic variants in the cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) gene. It is classically characterized by early-onset growth failure, disproportionate short stature, progressive epiphyseal dysplasia, and premature degenerative joint disease. Although phenotypic variability has been reported, PSACH is often regarded as a uniformly severe condition with predictable orthopedic morbidity.

Case Presentation: We report an eleven-year-old female with genetically confirmed PSACH who demonstrates an unexpectedly mild clinical phenotype, despite a maternal history of severe disease requiring bilateral total hip replacement during adolescence. The patient exhibited mild hip dysplasia, evolving genu …

Targeting Oxidative Stress In Cadasil: Case Insights And Therapeutic Approaches, Maria Meshreky, Richard Weinberger, Giana Johnson, Andrew Abraham, Jacob Rosendale

The Journal of Integrated Primary Care

Cerebral Autosomal Dominant Arteriopathy with Subcortical Infarcts and Leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) is a rare hereditary small-vessel disease caused by NOTCH3 mutations, leading to recurrent ischemic strokes, cognitive decline, and early-onset dementia. Oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathophysiology of small-vessel cerebrovascular disease, but therapeutic strategies targeting oxidative injury remain limited. We present a 40-year-old female with recurrent ischemic strokes involving the right and left middle cerebral arteries, persistent hypercoagulability of unknown etiology, and no identifiable inherited or acquired thrombophilia. Despite well-controlled blood pressure and standard medical management, the patient remains at high risk for cerebrovascular injury. An extensive review of …

Lateral Minimally Invasive Si Joint Fusion Following Adult Spinal Deformity: A Case-Report And Literature Review, Basel Musmar, Hassan Saad, Joshua Pelta-Heller

Department of Neurosurgery Faculty Papers

This case report describes lateral minimally invasive sacroiliac (SI) joint fusion for SI joint–mediated pain in a patient with a history of adult spinal deformity surgery. A 48-year-old woman with multiple medical comorbidities previously underwent long thoracolumbar fusion. She subsequently had L4-S1 anterior lumbar interbody fusion and posterior L4-pelvis instrumentation in 2010. Following a ground-level fall in 05/2021, she developed new left-sided hip and sacroiliac pain with intermittent left lower-extremity numbness. Radiographs demonstrated mild hip osteoarthritis and sacroiliac joint sclerosis; spine imaging revealed discontinuity of the right iliac fixation rod without acute fracture. MRI of the hip showed bilateral sacroiliitis …

Fatal Ochrobactrum Anthropi Bacteremia Following Intravenous Stem Cell Therapy In Immunocompetent Patient, Daler Kudratov, Wendy Martinez, Jonathan Barnett

Central & West Texas and San Antonio GME Research Day 2026

No abstract provided.

Rare Clinical Presentation Of Primary Cutaneous Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (Pcdlbcl), Germinal Center B-Cell Subtype (Gcb), Confined To The Scalp, Anabel Al Abdallah, Angelo Piazza Ortiz, Joshua Rodriguez, Juan Herrada

Central & West Texas and San Antonio GME Research Day 2026

No abstract provided.

A Unique Case Of Tumor Thrombus In The Superior Vena Cava (Svc), John Leece, Juan Rodriguez

Central & West Texas and San Antonio GME Research Day 2026

No abstract provided.

Clinical Applications Of Topical Platelet-Rich Plasma In Cardiac Surgery: A Scoping Review, Jaron M. Davis

Student Works

Background: Postoperative wound complications persist as a significant challenge within adult cardiac surgery. Deep and superficial sternal wound infections, along with complications at saphenous vein harvest sites, are linked to increased morbidity, extended hospital stays, and substantial healthcare expenses. Topical platelet-rich plasma (PRP), commonly known as platelet gel, has been suggested as a biologically active adjunct that may facilitate tissue repair and mitigate postoperative complications. While PRP has garnered attention in surgical practice, the overall scope and consistency of the supporting evidence in cardiac surgery remain ambiguous.

Objective: The purpose of this scoping review is to map and describe the …

Safety And Efficacy Of Ciltacabtagene Autoleucel For Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma: A Cibmtr Study., Doris K Hansen, Danai Dima, Hira Mian, Jakob Devos, Ruta Brazauskas, Temitope Oloyede, Aimaz Afrough, Nausheen Ahmed, Larry Anderson, Rahul Banerjee, Jesus G Berdeja, Aram Bidikian, Binod Dhakal, Ajoy Dias, Yvonne Efebera, Muhammad Salman Faisal, Lohith Gowda, Hamza Hashmi, Abu-Sayeef Mirza, Meera Mohan, Ravi Narra, Ashley E Rosko, Mark Schroeder, Taiga Nishihori, Heather Landau, Saad Usmani, Marcelo C Pasquini, Othman S Akhtar, Surbhi Sidana, Krina K Patel

Oncology Articles

Ciltacabtagene autoleucel (cilta-cel), an anti-B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy, was approved in 2022 for heavily pretreated relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). This study evaluates the safety and efficacy of cilta-cel in RRMM patients reported to the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research registry between March 2022 and December 2023 who met commercial release specifications. Among 595 patients, median age was 64 years, 57% were male, and 70% had ≥1 comorbidity. Extramedullary disease and marrow plasma cell burden ≥ 50% were present in 13% and 14% of patients, respectively. The median number of prior lines …

Dapk2 Regulates Pkm2 Phosphorylation At Threonine 45 To Facilitate Disturbed Flow-Induced Atherosclerosis, Shuai Guo, Long Xu, Yixin Chen, Yuan Zhao, Yuting Zhang, Runfa Yu, Kaixiang Cao, Litao Wang, Wenjia Ai, Jiang-Yun Luo, Lu Lu, Jun He, Yuan Zhou, Li Wang, Andrew H Baker, Yuqing Huo, Yiming Xu

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Oscillatory shear stress (OSS), resulting from disturbed blood flow, is implicated in atherosclerotic plaque formation by incompletely understood mechanisms. This study aims to elucidate the involvement of death-associated protein kinase (DAPK) 2 in OSS-induced endothelial cell (EC) activation and atherosclerosis.

Methods: Publicly available resources, including genome-wide microarray, RNA sequencing, and single-cell RNA sequencing, were utilized to identify key OSS-sensitive regulatory factors. Techniques such as mass spectrometry, immunoprecipitation, proximity ligation assay, and RNA sequencing were employed to identify pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) as the binding protein of DAPK2 and determine the specific site of PKM2 phosphorylation by DAPK2. To assess …

The Role Of The "Indulgent Mindset" As A Modulator For Neuropsychiatric Biomarkers And Self-Reported Mental Wellbeing, Riva Ranier, Anika Anika, Sarah Simon, Ethan Chau, Emma Monte, Madison Retzloff, Johann Luna, Susan Helm

Seaver College Research And Scholarly Achievement Symposium

The Role of the "Indulgent Mindset" as a Modulator for Neuropsychiatric Biomarkers and Self-Reported Mental Wellbeing

Objective: Limited understanding persists regarding how an "indulgent mindset" about food shapes neuropsychiatric outcomes. Building on the "milkshake study" demonstrating that mindset modulates ghrelin response independent of nutritional content, this pilot study examines whether an indulgent mindset intervention affects neuropsychiatric biomarkers and mental wellbeing.

Methods: Women ages 19-65 (n=35; intervention n=17, control n=18) completed a 6-month randomized trial with baseline and post-intervention assessments including 3-day food diaries, mental wellbeing questionnaires, and comprehensive metabolomics (Iollo panel across mental health, metabolic health, gut microbiome, brain health, …

Car-T Cell Therapy – A Revolutionizing Cancer Treatment Through Precision Immunotherapy, Mackenzie R. Epperson

ATU Scholars Symposium

Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy has emerged as a great advancement in the field of oncology, offering a targeted and adaptable cancer treatment. Traditional therapies, including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation often have limitations, such as relapse and resistance, highlighting the need for more precise therapeutic options. CAR-T therapy addresses many of these challenges through engineering a patient’s own T-cells to recognize and destroy cancerous cells with specificity and long-lasting immune activity. Since being approved by the FDA in 2017, CAR-T therapy has shown success in treating hematologic malignancies, demonstrating high remission rates in patients with previously limited options. Despite …

Reirradiation Treatment Effects In The Clinic (Retec) Proposal - Proof Of Concept Based On Spinal Cord Dose Tolerance For Reirradiation With Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy, Jimm Grimm, Anand Mahadevan, Olusola Obayomi-Davies, Scott G. Soltys, Arjun Sahgal, Kristin J. Redmond, Michael T. Milano, Wolfgang A. Tomé, Kenneth Brooks, Scott Dodd, John Austin Vargo, Gopal Subedi, Jinyu Xue, Bisher Ebid, Felix Ehret, Byung-Han Andrew Rhieu, Christoph Fürweger, Rachel Grimm, Alexander Muacevic, Vitali Moiseenko, Shalom Kalnicki, Mark Mclaughlin, Lawrence R. Kleinberg, John R. Adler, Iris C. Gibbs

College of Health Professions Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Since the inception of spinal radiosurgery decades ago, the factors influencing spinal cord recovery have remained unclear. Elucidating these factors would aid in reirradiation planning and delivery. We describe modeling reirradiation normal tissue complication probabilities (NTCP) from compiled published data, akin to the collaborative Quantitative Analysis of Normal Tissue Effects in the Clinic (QUANTEC) and High Dose per Fraction, Hypofractionated Treatment Effects in the Clinic (HyTEC) projects.

PURPOSE: Simple dose-time recovery factors for the spinal cord serve as a basis to propose the Reirradiation Treatment Effects in the Clinic (ReTEC) project. ReTEC aims to define human organ recovery factors …

Evaluating The Utility Of Rnaseq In Prenatal Diagnostics: Expression Profiles Of Cultured Chorionic Villus And Amniotic Fluid Samples, Maria C Vladoiu, Sen Zhao, Roni Zemet, Christian M Parobek, Jefferson Cruz Sinson, Stacy Tankersley, Ignatia B Van Den Veyver, Pengfei Liu

Duncan NRI Faculty and Staff Publications

Objective: While RNAseq has enhanced variant interpretation in postnatal cases, its potential in the prenatal setting remains underexplored. This study investigates the utility of RNAseq in prenatal diagnostics by analyzing the expression profiles of cultured chorionic villus samples (cCVS) and amniotic fluid (cAF) samples.

Methods: We performed RNAseq on 25 prenatal samples (10 cCVS and 15 cAF) and compared their expression profiles with those of postnatal tissues-blood and skin fibroblasts.

Results: To evaluate the clinical relevance of gene expression in these samples, we curated a list of genes associated with fetal-onset genetic disorders (n = 375). Using this curated list …