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Lineage-Specific Differences Between Human And Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Regulation Of Gp120 Trimer Association And Cd4 Binding, Andrés Finzi, Beatriz Pacheco, Shi-Hua Xiang, Marie Pancera, Alon Herschhorn, Liping Wang, Xing Zeng, Anik Desormeaux, Peter D. Kwong, Joseph Sodroski

Nebraska Center for Virology: Faculty Publications

Metastable conformations of the gp120 and gp41 envelope glycoproteins of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) must be maintained in the unliganded state of the envelope glycoprotein trimer. Binding of gp120 to the primary receptor, CD4, triggers the transition to an open conformation of the trimer, promoting interaction with the CCR5 chemokine receptor and ultimately leading to gp41-mediated virus-cell membrane fusion and entry. Topological layers in the gp120 inner domain contribute to gp120-trimer association in the unliganded state and to CD4 binding. Here we describe similarities and differences between HIV-1 and SIVmac gp120. In both …

Subunit Organization Of The Membrane-Bound Hiv-1 Envelope Glycoprotein Trimer, Youdong Mao, Liping Wang, Christopher Gu, Alon Herschhorn, Shi-Hua Xiang, Hillel Haim, Xinzhen Yang, Joseph Sodroski

Nebraska Center for Virology: Faculty Publications

The trimeric human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) envelope glycoprotein (Env) spike is a molecular machine that mediates virus entry into host cells and is the sole target for virus-neutralizing antibodies. The mature Env spike results from cleavage of a trimeric gp160 precursor into three gp120 and three gp41 subunits. Here we describe an ~11-Å cryo-EM structure of the trimeric HIV-1 Env precursor in its unliganded state. The three gp120 and three gp41 subunits form a cage-like structure with an interior void surrounding the trimer axis. Interprotomer contacts are limited to the gp41 transmembrane region, the torus-like gp41 ectodomain, and …

Comparative Analysis Of The Fusion Efficiency Elicited By The Envelope Glycoprotein V1–V5 Regions Derived From Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Transmitted Perinatally, Hongyan Guo, Levon Abrahamyan, Chang Liu, Mackenzie Waltke, Yunqi Geng, Qimin Chen, Charles Wood, Xiaohong Kong

Nebraska Center for Virology: Faculty Publications

Understanding the properties of viruses preferentially establishing infection during perinatal transmission of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is critical for the development of effective measures to prevent transmission. A previous study demonstrated that the newly transmitted viruses (in infants) of chronically infected mother–infant pairs (MIPs) were fitter in terms of growth, which was imparted by their envelope (Env) glycoprotein V1–V5 regions, than those in the corresponding chronically infected mothers. In order to investigate whether the higher fitness of transmitted viruses was conferred by their higher entry efficiency directed by the V1–V5 regions during perinatal transmission, the fusogenicity of Env …

Antibody Responses To Lytic And Latent Human Herpesvirus 8 Antigens Among Hiv-Infected Patients In Central China, Tiejun Zhang, Na He, Yingying Ding, Qingwu Jiang, Charles Wood

Nebraska Center for Virology: Faculty Publications

Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8) is an important opportunistic infection of HIV/AIDS. However, very little is known about antibody seropositivities to HHV8 lytic and latent antigens among HIVinfected patients in China. Therefore, a cross-sectional study was conducted to explore HHV8 serostatus among 316 HIV-infected patients in a rural area of central China. The antibody seropositivity to HHV8 ORF65 (lytic) and LANA (latent) antigens was 12.7% and 10.4%, respectively. Patients who were naïve to antiretroviral therapy (ART) were more likely to be seropositive for antibodies to ORF65 (OR: 3.79; 95% CI: 1.71–8.42) and LANA (OR: 3.77; 95% CI: 1.55–9.14) than patients receiving …

Heme Oxygenase-1 Regulates The Immune Response To Influenza Virus Infection And Vaccination In Aged Mice, Nathan W. Cummins, Eric A. Weaver, Shannon M. May, Anthony J. Croatt, Oded Foreman, Richard B. Kennedy, Gregory A. Polan, Michael A. Barry, Karl A. Nath, Andrew D. Badley

Nebraska Center for Virology: Faculty Publications

Underlying mechanisms of individual variation in severity of influenza infection and response to vaccination are poorly understood. We investigated the effect of reduced heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression on vaccine response and outcome of influenza infection. HO-1-deficient and wild-type (WT) mice (kingdom, Animalia; phylum, Chordata; genus/species, Mus musculus) were infected with influenza virus A/PR/8/34 with or without prior vaccination with an adenoviral-based influenza vaccine. A genome-wide association study evaluated the expression of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the HO-1 gene and the response to influenza vaccination in healthy humans. HO-1-deficient mice had decreased survival after influenza infection compared to WT mice (median …

Effects Of Arterial Strain And Stress In The Prediction Of Restenosis Risk: Computer Modeling Of Stent Trials, Shijia Zhao, Linxia Gu, Stacey R. Froemming

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

Purpose — In-stenting restenosis is one of the major complications after stenting. Clinical trials of various stent designs have reported different restenosis rates. However, quantitative correlation between stent features and restenosis statistics is scant. In this work, it is hypothesized that stress concentrations on arterial wall caused artery injury, which initiates restenosis. The goal is to assess the correlation between stent-induced arterial stress and strain and the documented restenosis rates.

Methods — Six commercially available stents, including balloon-expandable stents and self-expanding stents, were virtually implanted into the arteries through finite element method. The resulted peak Von Mises stress, principal stress, …

Divergent Functions Of The Myotubularin (Mtm) Homologs Atmtm1 And Atmtm2 In Arabidopsis Thaliana: Evolution Of The Plant Mtm Family, Yong Ding, Ivan Ndamukong, Yang Zhao, Yuannan Xia, Jean-Jack Riethoven, David R. Jones, Nullin Divecha, Zoya Avramova

School of Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

Myotubularin and myotubularin-related proteins are evolutionarily conserved in eukaryotes. Defects in their function result in muscular dystrophy, neuronal diseases, and leukemia in humans. In contrast to the animal lineage, where genes encoding both active and inactive myotubularins (phosphoinositide 3-phosphatases) have appeared and proliferated in the basal metazoan group, myotubularin genes are not found in the unicellular relatives of green plants. However, they are present in land plants encoding proteins highly similar to the active metazoan enzymes. Despite their remarkable structural conservation, plant and animal myotubularins have significantly diverged in their functions. While loss of myotubularin function causes severe disease phenotypes …

Lymph Node Ratio Is An Important And Independent Prognostic Factor For Patients With Stage Iii Melanoma, Adam C. Berger, Michael Fierro, John C. Kairys, David Berd, Takami Sato, Jocelyn Andrel, Terry Hyslop, Michael J. Mastrangelo

Kimmel Cancer Center Faculty Papers

INTRODUCTION:

The incidence of melanoma is dramatically increasing worldwide. We hypothesized that the ratio of metastatic to examined lymph node ratio (LNR) would be the most important prognostic factor for stage III patients.

METHODS:

We retrospectively reviewed our institutional database of melanoma patients and identified 168 patients who underwent lymph node dissection (LND) for stage III disease between 1993 and 2007. Patients were divided into three groups based on LNR (≤10%, n = 93; 10-≤25%, n = 45; and >25%, n = 30). Univariate and multivariate analysis was performed using Cox proportional hazards model.

RESULTS:

The median survival time of …

Resistance Patterns Of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Isolates From Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients In Nairobi, Perpetual Wangui Ndung’U, Samuel Kariuki, Zipporah Ng’Ang’A, Gunturu Revathi

Pathology, East Africa

Introduction: In Kenya, which ranks thirteenth of 27 high tuberculosis burden countries, diagnosis is based on Ziehl-Neelsen staining alone and patients are treated without information on sensitivity patterns. This study aimed to determine resistance patterns of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolated from pulmonary samples.

Methodology: Pulmonary tuberculosis patients in Nairobi were randomly sampled after informed consent and recruited into the study using a structured questionnaire. Specimens were cultured in liquid and solid media, and drug susceptibility tests were performed for first-line drugs including (isoniazid, rifampin, streptomycin, ethambutol and pyrazinamide).

Results: Eighty-six (30%) of 286 isolates were resistant to at least one of …

Prescient Human Fetuses Thrive, Curt A. Sandman, Elyssia Poggi Davis, Laura M. Glynn

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

Fetal detection of adversity is a conserved trait that allows many species to adapt their early developmental trajectories to ensure survival. According to the fetal-programming model, exposure to stressful or hostile conditions in utero is associated with compromised development and a lifelong risk of adverse health outcomes. In a longitudinal study, we examined the consequences of prenatal and postnatal exposure to adversity for infant development. We found increased motor and mental development during the 1st year of life among infants whose mothers experienced congruent levels of depressive symptoms during and after pregnancy, even when the levels of symptoms were relatively …

The Role Of The Microenvironment And Th17 Cells In The Carcinogenesis Of Head And Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Danielle Woodford

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

Head and neck cancer is the sixth most common cancer worldwide. Despite advances in diagnosis and treatment, the survival rates for patients with head and neck cancer have remained relatively unchanged for the past 30 years. Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma is a highly aggressive malignancy with a 5-year survival rate of only 50%. Of the patients diagnosed every year, 5% of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients develop additional primary tumors, an effect that is thought to be associated with the high degree of immune suppression induced by the tumor. During the premalignant stage of HNSCC, …

She’S A Survivor: Post-Operative Counseling And Its Importance To The Recovery Of A Woman Victimized By Female Genital Mutilation, Jacent Wamala

McNair Poster Presentations

The prevalence of Female Genital Mutilation and the difficulty in preventing its practice call for a fresh way of resolving the problem. As the availability of medical professionals equipped with the ability to correct clitoral mutilation grows, there is also an increasing need for professionals that can help the victims after the reconstructive surgery. Post-operative therapy for victims that have opted to receive reconstructive surgery is necessary in order to fully recover. Furthermore, more research in this area is needed to support the findings of this review and will fill the physical and emotional gap exhibited in prior studies related …

The Genetics Of Neuroendocrine Prostate Cancers: A Review Of Current And Emerging Candidates, M Hammad Ather, Tahmeena Siddiqui

Department of Surgery Docs

Prostate cancer (PC) displays a strong familial link and genetic factors; genes regulating inflammation may have a pivotal role in the disease. Epigenetic changes control chromosomal integrity, gene functions, and, ultimately, carcinogenesis. The most widely studied epigenetic event in PC is aberrant DNA methylation (hypo- and hypermethylation); besides this, chromatin remodeling and micro RNA (miRNA) are other studied alterations in PC. These all lead to genomic instability and inappropriate gene expression. Causative dysfunction of histone modifying enzymes results in generic and locus-specific changes in chromatin remodeling. miRNA deregulation also contributes to prostate carcinogenesis, including interference with androgen-receptor signaling and apoptosis. …

Determining Efficacy Of Breast Cancer Therapy By Pet Imaging Of Her2 Mrna, Bishnuhari Paudyal, Kaijun Zhang, Changpo Chen, Neil Mehta, Eric Wickstrom, Brian Gray, Jeffrey Mattis, Koon Pak, Mathew L Thakur

Department of Radiology Faculty Papers

No abstract provided.

Region 11 Meld Na Exception Prospective Study, Robert A. Fisher, Douglas M. Heuman, Ann M. Harper, Martha K. Behnke, Alastair D. Smith, Mark W. Russo, Steven Zacks, John W. Mcgillicuddy, James Eason, Michael K. Porayko, Patrick Northup, Michael R. Marvin, Johnathan Hundley, Satheesh Nair

Surgery Faculty Publications

Introduction. Hyponatremia complicates cirrhosis and predicts short term mortality, including adverse outcomes before and after liver transplantation.

Material and methods. From April 1, 2008, through April 2, 2010, all adult candidates for primary liver transplantation with cirrhosis, listed in Region 11 with hyponatremia, were eligible for sodium (Na) exception.

Results. Patients with serum sodium (SNa) less than 130 mg/dL, measured two weeks apart and within 30 days of Model for End Stage Liver Disease (MELD) exception request, were given preapproved Na exception. MELD Na was calculated [MELD + 1.59 (135-SNa/30 days)]. MELD Na was capped at 22, and subject to …

Primary Closure Without Diversion In Management Of Operative Blunt Duodenal Trauma In Children, Katherine Smiley, Tiffany Wright, Sean Skinner, Joseph A. Iocono, John M. Draus

Surgery Faculty Publications

Background. Operative blunt duodenal trauma is rare in pediatric patients. Management is controversial with some recommending pyloric exclusion for complex cases. We hypothesized that primary closure without diversion may be safe even in complex (Grade II-III) injuries. Methods. A retrospective review of the American College of Surgeons' Trauma Center database for the years 2003-2011 was performed to identify operative blunt duodenal trauma at our Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center. Inclusion criteria included ages < 14 years and duodenal injury requiring operative intervention. Duodenal hematomas not requiring intervention and other small bowel injuries were excluded. Results. A total of 3,283 hospital records were reviewed. Forty patients with operative hollow viscous injuries and seven with operative duodenal injuries were identified. …

Nothing As Practical As A Good Theory? The Theoretical Basis Of Hiv Prevention Interventions For Young People In Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review, Kristien Michielsen, Matthew Chersich, Marleen Temmerman, Tessa Dooms, Ronan Van Rossem

Obstetrics and Gynaecology, East Africa

This paper assesses the extent to which HIV prevention interventions for young people in sub-Saharan Africa are grounded in theory and if theory-based interventions are more effective. Three databases were searched for evaluation studies of HIV prevention interventions for youth. Additional articles were identified on websites of international organisations and through searching references. 34 interventions were included; 25 mentioned the use of theory. Social Cognitive Theory was most prominent (n = 13), followed by Health Belief Model (n = 7), and Theory of Reasoned Action/Planned Behaviour (n = 6). These cognitive behavioural theories assume that cognitions drive sexual behaviour. Reporting …

Raising The Bar In Publishing: The Future Of Jogeca, Alfred Murage

Obstetrics and Gynaecology, East Africa

Excitement is in the air in Kenya, what with the looming elections and constitutional changes? JOGECA has not been left behind in these exciting times, we have a booming issue that readers will enjoy reading. And there are exciting developments in the pipeline to propel our journal into new heights.

Is There A Role For The Quantification Of Rrm1 And Ercc1 Expression In Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma?, Matias E Valsecchi, Thomas Holdbrook, Benjamin E Leiby, Edward Pequignot, Susan J Littman, Charles Yeo, Jonathan Brody, Angieszka Witkiewicz

Department of Medical Oncology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: RRM1 and ERCC1 overexpression has been extensively investigated as potential predictive markers of tumor sensitivity to conventional chemotherapy agents, most thoroughly in lung cancer. However, data in pancreatic cancer are scarce.

METHODS: We investigated the mRNA and protein expression of ERCC1 and RRM1 by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry (IHC) in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded pancreatic ductal carcinoma (PDA) tissues. The primary outcome investigated was the association between RRM1 and ERCC1 expression and overall survival (OS) or disease-free survival (DFS).

RESULTS: A total of 94 patients with resected PDA were included in this study. Most of them (87%) received gemcitabine based chemotherapy. Data …

Complementary And Integrative Oncology In The Cross-Cultural Region Of The Middle East And South Asia., Eran Ben-Arye, Barrie Cassileth, Peter Heusser, Fatma Afifi, Bashar Saad, Senthamil R Selvan

Department of Medical Oncology Faculty Papers

No abstract provided.

Needs Assessment Of Emergency Department Social Workers In Southwestern Minnesota In Relation To Emergency Department Expansion, Gina Marie Njugunah

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Expansion of a hospital emergency department will affect the role of the emergency department social worker. This research project was conducted to assess the needs, concerns, and strengths of the social workers working in the emergency department of a regional medical center. The study included 13 participants who completed an on-line survey. Results showed that participants were concerned with the increase in patient volume as well as the possible increase in wait time for patients. Participants also expressed how concerns could be addressed. The most common solution was to track information about the cases, including wait times for patients, in …

Survey Of Emergency Department Patients' Perceived Barriers To Accessing Services And Community Resource Utilization, Kelsey Ann Wilke

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The purpose of this project is to describe the patients being served by Avera McKennan’s emergency department (ED) and to explore perceived barriers to accessing services and current community resource utilization in order to prevent further non-emergent visits.

Research Questions: 1) What are the demographic characteristics of emergency department patients that are referred to the emergency department social worker? 2) What are the perceived barriers that emergency department patient’s encounter when trying to access services and community resources?

Perceived Partner Support In Pregnancy Predicts Lower Maternal And Infant Distress, Lynlee R. Tanner Stapleton, Christine Dunkel Schetter, Erika Westling, Christine Rini, Laura M. Glynn, Calvin J. Hobel, Curt A. Sandman

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

Maternal postpartum emotional distress is quite common and can pose significant risk to mothers and infants. The current study investigated mothers' relationships with their partners during pregnancy and tested the hypotheses that perception of prenatal partner support is a significant predictor of changes in maternal emotional distress from midpregnancy to postpartum, and contributes to maternal ratings of infant distress to novelty. Using a prospective longitudinal design, 272 adult pregnant women were interviewed regarding their partner support, relationship satisfaction, and interpersonal security (attachment style and willingness to seek out support), and they completed standardized measures of prenatal symptoms of depression and …

Increasing Parity Is Associated With Cumulative Effects On Memory, Laura M. Glynn

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this investigation was to determine if reproductive experience is associated with cumulative effects on human memory performance during pregnancy and if these effects persist into the postpartum period.

METHODS: Verbal recall memory performance was assessed in 254 women four times during pregnancy and at 3 months postpartum. The relation between parity and memory function was evaluated with hierarchical linear modeling and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA).

RESULTS: The data indicate that the previously documented adverse effects of pregnancy on memory performance are compounded with successive pregnancies. During gestation and postpartum, multiparity was associated with poorer memory function, …

Giant Fornix Syndrome: A Case Series., Kiran Turaka, Robert B Penne, Christopher J. Rapuano, Azin Abazari, Ralph C Eagle, Kristin M. Hammersmith, Brandon Ayres

Wills Eye Hospital Papers

PURPOSE: To describe the demographics, characteristics, and treatment of giant fornix syndrome, a rare cause of chronic purulent conjunctivitis in the elderly.

METHODS: Retrospective chart review of five patients with giant fornix syndrome evaluated by the Cornea Service, Oculoplastics and Orbital Surgery Service and the Department of Pathology at the Wills Eye Institute.

RESULTS: The median age of the 5 female patients was 75 years (mean 80, range 70-95). The median duration of eye symptoms before presentation was 2 years (mean 2.4, range 1-4). Before referral, the chronic conjunctivitis was treated with topical antibiotics in all 5 cases and with …

Unaltered Myocilin Expression In The Blood Of Primary Open Angle Glaucoma Patients., Khaled K Abu-Amero, Taif Anwar Azad, George L Spaeth, Jonathan Myers, L Jay Katz, Marlene Moster, Thomas M Bosley

Wills Eye Hospital Papers

PURPOSE: To investigate the expression of the myocilin gene (MYOC) in the blood of primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) patients to determine if altered systemic expression is playing a role.

METHODS: Patients (n=47) were eligible for inclusion if they met standard clinical criteria for POAG. Control subjects (n=27) were recruited who were free from glaucoma by examination. RNA was extracted from leukocytes of patients and controls and converted to cDNA by reverse transcriptase enzyme, and quantitative PCR was used to assess expression levels of MYOC and the house keeping gene β-globulin (HBB). The ratio of MYOC expression to HBB expression …

Eae/Ase Recommendations For Image Acquisition And Display Using Three-Dimensional Echocardiography., Roberto M. Lang, Luigi P. Badano, Wendy Tsang, David H. Adams, Eustachio Agricola, Thomas Buck, Francesco F. Faletra, Andreas Franke, Judy Hung, Leopoldo Pérez De Isla, Otto Kamp, Jaroslaw D. Kasprzak, Patrizio Lancellotti, Thomas H. Marwick, Marti L. Mcculloch, Mark J. Monaghan, Petros Nihoyannopoulos, Natesa G. Pandian, Patricia A. Pellikka, Mauro Pepi, David A. Roberson, Stanton K. Shernan, Girish S. Shirali, Lissa Sugeng, Folkert J. Ten Cate, Mani A. Vannan, Jose Luis Zamorano, William A. Zoghbi, American Society Of Echocardiography, European Association Of Echocardiography

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

No abstract provided.

The Residency Cpc As A Means Of Faculty Development, Kathleen E. Kane Md, Kevin R. Weaver Do, Gavin C. Barr Jr. Md, Amy B. Smith Phd, Andrew C. Miller Do, Charles C. Worrilow Md, Terrence E. Goyke Do, Dawn M. Yenser, Bryan G. Kane Md

Department of Emergency Medicine

No abstract provided.

A Repeatedly Barking Baby, Catherine Fischer Do, Kathleen E. Kane Md

Department of Emergency Medicine

No abstract provided.

Jejunojejunal Intussusception Following Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass, John Ashurst Do, Bryan G. Kane Md

Department of Emergency Medicine

No abstract provided.