Digital Commons Network^™

Multiple Event Segmentation Mechanisms In The Human Brain, Tan T Nguyen, Joset A Etzel, Matthew A Bezdek, Jeffrey M Zacks

2020-Current year OA Pubs

The human brain segments continuous experience into discrete events, with theoretical accounts proposing two distinct mechanisms: creating boundaries at points of high

Tau Pathology In Epilepsy: Emerging Mechanisms And Translational Opportunities, Arjune Sen, Xin You Tai, Aristea Galanopoulou, Maria Thom, Eleonora Aronica, Lucy Vivash, Martin Hardmeier, Action Amos, Stephan Rueegg, Matthias Koepp, Yaroslav Winter, Christoph Helmstaedter, Jeffrey L Noebels, Hilal A Lashuel, Terence J O'Brien

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

The onset of epilepsy in adulthood occurs most commonly after 55 years of age. Given the ageing global population, this disorder represents an increasing burden on healthcare and society. The bidirectional link between epilepsy and dementia is a focus of intense research with underlying tau pathology highlighted as a potential mechanistic link. In this review, we examine the evidence for tau-related neurodegenerative processes in epilepsy beginning with how changes in biochemical and structural properties of the tau protein can lead to abnormal phosphorylation and pathological aggregation. We consider the role of tau in seizure occurrence and cognitive difficulties in experimental …

Dietary Fat Intake And Its Influence On The Association Between Liver Fat And Brain Choline Metabolism In Young Saudi Women, Halima S. Hawesa, Mansour E. Shanawani, Haya A. Alshegri, Mahasin G. Hassan, Amal I. Alorainy, Nouf A. Alroqaiba, Shanoo G. A. Sheikh

Saudi Medical Journal

Objective: Fat-rich nutrition may influence the neurochemical consequences of hepatic lipid accumulation. This study examined whether percent energy from fat modifies the association between liver fat and the brain (Cho/Cr) ratio in healthy young women. Methods: A total of 109 healthy Saudi women aged 18–25 years underwent brain magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H-MRS) to quantify Cho/Cr ratios. Liver fat was estimated using MRI-based proton density fat fraction (PDFF), and lipid intake was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Multivariable regression models tested the interaction between liver fat and fat-derived energy intake, followed by simple slopes analysis, regression …

Effects Of Maternal Vitamin D Supplementation During Pregnancy And Lactation On Immune Development In Offspring: A Systematic Review, Kurnia Maidarmi Handayani, Ghaniyyatul Khudri, Laura Zeffira, Widia Sari

Chulalongkorn Medical Journal

Background: Vitamin D, a fat-soluble prohormone, is essential for skeletal health and plays a key role in immune regulation. Deficiency is common among pregnant and lactating women, raising concerns as fetal and neonatal vitamin D status relies entirely on maternal stores. Insufficiency during these periods is linked to preterm birth, low birth weight, and immune-mediated disorders. This review examines the effects of maternal vitamin D supplementation on the immune development of offspring.

Methods: A systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines and registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251117397). Experimental rodent studies published between 2019 and 2022 that investigated maternal vitamin …

Skip Segment Hirschsprung's Disease: Report Of A Rare Case And Literature Review, Nimmita Srisan, Paisarn Vejchapipat, Natcha Wanpiyarat

Chulalongkorn Medical Journal

We present an unusual case of skip segment Hirschsprung’s disease which was initially diagnosed with total colonic aganglionosis. A term male newborn presented with distal intestinal obstruction underwent exploratory laparotomy at three days old after ultrasound-guided contrast enema. Intra-operative frozen section of the full-thickness biopsies of each part of the colon and terminal ileum reported no ganglion cells, so we performed double-end ileostomy. Although all the final pathology reports confirmed no ganglion cells similar to the frozen sections, we were curious about the problematic bowel because of preoperative imaging (at the age of 30 months) which showed dilated transverse colon. …

Recent Advances In Sustainable Production Of Enriched Chicken Eggs: A Mini Review, Karim El-Sabrout, Ayman Abd El-Aziz

Jurnal Ilmu Ternak Universitas Padjadjaran

Enriched or “designer” chicken eggs have emerged as an important category of functional foods aimed at improving human nutrition through dietary manipulation of laying hens. This mini-review summarizes recent advances in egg enrichment strategies, focusing on omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidant compounds. Omega-3 enrichment remains the most widely adopted approach, achieved through supplementation with flaxseed, fish oil, or microalgae, resulting in significant increases in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in egg yolk. Multi-nutrient enrichment, including selenium, vitamin E, and carotenoids, has also gained attention due to its potential in enhancing antioxidant capacity and health of hens …

Effect Of Dietary Onion Peel Powder (Allium Cepa L.) As A Feed Additive On Production Performance In Broiler, Della Ariesba Putri Dulia, Edhy Sudjarwo, Osfar Sjofjan

Jurnal Ilmu Ternak Universitas Padjadjaran

This study aims to evaluate the use of onion peel powder (Allium cepa L) as a feed additive on feed intake, weight gain, Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR), Production Index, and Income Over Feed Cost (IOFC) in broilers. A total of 144 Lohmann strain broiler (unsexed) were treated from 1 to 35 days of age. There were 6 treatments with 4 replicates, consisting of 24 experimental cages, each filled 6 broilers. The experimental design used completely randomized design (CRD). The treatment groups were as follows: basal feed without antibiotics (P0-), basal feed + 0.1% antibiotics (zinc bacitracin) (P0+), basal feed + …

Effect Of Gowok (Syzygium Polycephalum) Fortification On The Physical Properties And Color Of Goat Milk Yogurt, Siti Rahmawati Zulaikhah, Triana Setyawardani, Juni Sumarmono

Jurnal Ilmu Ternak Universitas Padjadjaran

This study aimed to determine the effect of adding parts of gowok fruit (Syzygium polycephalum) on the physical properties of goat’s milk yogurt. A completely randomized design was applied with treatments consisting of fruit parts (rind, flesh of fruit, and whole seedless fruit) and addition levels (1, 2, and 3%) with three replications. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance followed by Duncan’s multiple range test (DMRT). The results showed that gowok addition had a significant effect (P<0.05) on viscosity, syneresis, and color parameters, but no significant effect (P>0.05) on firmness and work of penetration. Yogurt viscosity ranged from 349.33 to 825 mPa·s and decreased with increasing gowok levels, while …

Feasibility Evaluation Of Tumor Treating Fields For Brainstem Gliomas, Anthony Chen, Ryan Shah, William Shi, Noa Urman, Nadav Shapira, Nicholas Avgeropoulos, Patrick Conlon, Neil Mookerjee, Wenyin Shi

Department of Radiation Oncology Faculty Papers

PURPOSE: Tumor treating fields (TTFields) are FDA-approved for supratentorial glioblastoma, but feasibility in infratentorial tumors remains poorly defined. This simulation study evaluated TTFields dose in brainstem gliomas using patient-specific modeling with scalp-only transducer arrays.

METHODS: MRI and CT imaging from seven patients with brainstem gliomas were used for TTFields planning with MAXPOINT® (Novocure, Switzerland). Clinical target volume (CTV) was defined as enhancing tumor on T1 post-contrast MRI (Gross tumor volume, GTV) plus a 3 mm peritumoral expansion. The platform optimized scalp-only array layouts, and finite element calculations generated maps of local minimum field intensity (LMiFI, V/cm) and local minimum power …

Greater Weekly Exercise Volume Is Associated With Lower Prevalence Of Metabolic Comorbidities, Psychiatric Conditions, And Exertional Symptoms In Youth Athletes Undergoing Pre-Participation Screening: An Observational Study, Grace Qiu, Seong Kyu Kim, Douglas Corsi, Alexander G. Hajduczok, Imran Masood, Daniel Underberg, Brian Osler, Drew Johnson, David Shipon

Division of Cardiology Faculty Papers

INTRODUCTION: Physical activity has been associated with improved cardiovascular health outcomes in adults. However, the specific associations between physical activity volume and cardiovascular outcomes in youth athletes are less defined.

METHODS: This study analyzed data from the HeartBytes National Youth Database, compiled from Simon's Heart. Simon's Heart is a nonprofit organization that includes information from sports pre-participation examinations for adolescents. The dataset encompasses demographics, electrocardiogram (ECG) findings, and exercise-related symptoms. Youth athletes' self-reported weekly physical activity volume was classified into four levels: < 2 h, 2-5 h, 5-10 h, and >10 h, with less than 2 h taken as the reference group. Given the physical diMerences among athletes …

Subunit Composition Of The Katp Channels That Modulate Contractility Of Skeletal Muscle During Fatigue, Rosa Scala, Yuezhou Chen, Berk Mizrak, Gretchen A Meyer, Colin G Nichols

2020-Current year OA Pubs

ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels are among the most expressed ion channels in skeletal muscle sarcolemma. While all KATP subunits can be detected in skeletal muscles, transcripts are enriched for KCNJ11 and ABCC9, suggesting that noncanonical Kir6.2/SUR2A assembly may constitute the majority of sarcolemmal KATP channels, but there has been no systematic dissection of KATP makeup in skeletal muscles. Here, we used a unique collection of murine lines selectively lacking specific channel-forming subunits (knockout, KO), and combined a genetic and pharmacological approach to determine which subunits of KATP channels are functionally relevant for skeletal muscle contraction. Under fatiguing conditions, isometric tetanic …

Aberrant Ciliogenesis Induced By Enhanced Bmp Signaling Causes Heterotopic Ossification, Hiroyuki Yamaguchi, Jianbo Wang, Fangfang Yan, Jiarui Bi, Radbod Darabi, William R. Lagor, Zhongming Zhao, Aris N. Economides, Yuji Mishina, Yoshihiro Komatsu

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling is a principal driver of heterotopic ossification (HO), yet how aberrant BMP activity structurally reprograms cellular signaling machinery to develop HO remains unclear. Here, we identify BMP signaling as a direct upstream regulator of ciliogenesis that coordinates a multi-stage, pro-osteochondrogenic signaling relay during HO. Using a conditional gain-of-function BMP mouse model (Acvr1Q207D/+), we demonstrate that enhanced BMP signaling promotes primary cilium biogenesis and axonemal elongation through canonical Smad1/5/9-dependent transcriptional activation of intraflagellar transport (IFT) Ift20, a core component of the IFT machinery. Rather than operating via a singular downstream cascade, these elongated …

The Role Of Social Determinants Of Health In Hydroxyurea Adherence Among Persons With Sickle Cell Disease: A Systematic Review, Doreen O. Ugwu, Lori L. Vick, Terika Williams, Aurela Nikaj, Seyi Omeh, Benjamin Becerra Dr., Tilicia Mayo-Gamble

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Objective: Georgia has one of the highest prevalences of sickle cell disease (SCD). For Georgians living with SCD, inadequate medication adherence is associated with important clinical outcomes. One important area that is understudied in SCD is the impact of social determinants of health (SDoH) on medication adherence. A foundational understanding of SDoH is needed to introduce, inform and carry out programs and interventions designed to facilitate hydroxyurea adherence through the state of Georgia.

Method: We conducted a systematic literature review to synthesize the literature on SDoH addressed in studies to improve hydroxyurea adherence in persons with SCD. SDoH were based …

Bi-Allelic Loss-Of-Function Variants In Tmem63b Cause Syndromic Surfactant Dysfunction Disorder, Sock Hoai Chan, Audra N Iness, Jill A Rosenfeld, Mir Reza Bekheirnia, Lindsay C Burrage, Matthew Hoi Kin Chau, Chaerish Eint Myet Chae Htoo, Eric C Kao, Shamika Ketkar, Wan Wan Lim, Xi Luo, Rifhan Mazlan, Elizabeth Mizerik, Kein Seong Mun, Kalyani R Patel, Lorraine Potocki, Christina K Rapp, Xavier Roca, Ana Saianda, Ignacio Iglesias-Serrano, Everlyn C Siew, Donald Yuhui Sim, David R Spielberg, Sok-Kun Tae, Jing Xian Teo, Julian Warfsmann, Fan Xia, Child-Eu Registry, Saumya S Jamuar, Ee Shien Tan, Matthias Griese, Weng Khong Lim, Meow-Keong Thong, Keren Machol

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Transmembrane protein 63B gene (TMEM63B) encodes a mechanosensitive ion channel expressed in alveolar type II epithelial cells, where it mediates stretch-induced surfactant secretion. While heterozygous gain-of-function variants in TMEM63B have been associated with developmental and epileptic encephalopathy, no human disorder has previously been linked to bi-allelic loss-of-function variants. Here, we report five individuals from four unrelated families with childhood interstitial lung disease and bi-allelic predicted loss-of-function variants in TMEM63B. Affected individuals presented with early-onset respiratory distress, chronic hypoxemia, and diffuse parenchymal lung abnormalities on chest imaging. One individual died in infancy, two underwent bilateral lung transplantation, and two require oxygen …

Perspective On Lessons Not Learned: From Coley’S Toxins To Microbial Drug Delivery, Guidance For Institutional Review Boards (Irbs), Brian P. Hanley, Alejandro J. Betancourt, Gustavo Gross, Wilbur (Bo) Bowne

School of Medicine Publications

The bacterial and toxin methods of cancer treatment date back 130 years. This paradigm rests on nonspecific bacterial-toxin-generated immunotherapy. This high-risk oncology research is experiencing a renaissance of methods that are among the most effective yet. Glioblastomas and other resistant cancers are the modern touchpoint, because of remission history following sepsis. Spurred by recent research deaths, we discuss protocols IRBs should consider in live bacterial or synthetic immuno-stimulatory trials. Human systemic inflammatory response syndrome immunology is unique due to non-functioning SIGLEC-13 and 17, which control excessive Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4) signaling. This is not a technicality like human CD8+/CD4+ T …

Benefits Of Pet Friendly Work Environments On Physical, Mental, And Social Health Of Office Workers: A Systematic Review, Ahmed Radwan, Jenna Keeman, Tristan Hunzinger, Owen Wilson, Shayla Seymour

People and Animals: The International Journal of Research and Practice

Background: Pet-friendly workplace initiatives are increasingly common, yet the empirical evidence for benefits to office workers’ physical, mental, and social health is scattered and heterogeneous.

Objective: To synthesize evidence on health-related outcomes associated with pet-friendly work environments for office and desk-based workers, and to appraise the current level of evidence.

Methods: A PRISMA-guided systematic search (2014–2024) was conducted in PubMed, PsycINFO, MEDLINE, OVID, CINAHL, and Google Scholar. Two reviewers independently screened titles/abstracts and full texts, extracted data, and appraised study quality using the Critical Appraisal Skills Program (CASP) checklists. Outcomes were coded and synthesized narratively within three domains: physical, mental, …

First Photographic Record Of A Pale-Colored Wild Boar (Sus Scrofa) Consistent With Leucism In The Zagros Mountains, Iraqi Kurdistan, Bahez F. Ali, Hana A. Raza, Nabaz Horeni

AUIQ Complementary Biological System

Pigmentation anomalies in wild mammals are rare and poorly documented in wild boar (Sus scrofa) populations. Leucism, characterized by partial loss of melanin while retaining normal eye pigmentation, represents one of the least frequently reported coloration anomalies in the species. During a camera-trap survey in Bamo Mountain, Zagros Mountains of Iraqi Kurdistan, an unusually pale-colored wild boar consistent with leucism was recorded. The individual exhibited cream to light-blond pelage with retained darker pigmentation on the snout and distal limbs, while the eyes remained normally pigmented. Its morphology and behavior were otherwise consistent with those of a typical wild …

Llu Dentistry 2026 Summer Edition, Loma Linda University School Of Dentistry

Articulator (Dentistry)

In this issue:

4 | Dean's Message
9 | LLUSD Homecoming 2026: A Celebration of Legacy & Future Growth
19 | Celebrating 48 Years A Tribute to Kathleen Moore Rychman
21 | A Natural Calling: Dr. Yawen Peng, Program Director
22 | A Legacy of Excellence R. David Rynearson, DDS'71, MS'87 honored with the O.B. Vaughan Special Recognition Award
25 | CDA Presents Anaheim
32 | Dental Hygiene Pinning Ceremony
36 | Called to Serve Baccalaureate and the Class of 2026
40 | Commencement
45 | President's Award
46 | Prince Award
54 | Dental Hygiene Student Awards
56 | …

Cross-Ancestry Polygenic Risk Scores Enhance Alzheimer's Disease Risk Prediction In Multiethnic Cohorts, Meri Okorie, Caroline Jonson, Alexis Oddi, Patricia Castruita, Brian Fulton-Howard, Kristine Yaffe, Jennifer Yokoyama, Chinedu Momoh, Shea Andrews

Brain and Mind Institute

INTRODUCTION Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified 80+ genetic loci associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD), enabling the development of polygenic risk scores (PRS). However, the predictive accuracy of PRS in diverse populations remains low. Here, we evaluated the predictive accuracy of single-, multi-, and cross-ancestry AD-PRS models across multi-ancestral populations.

METHODS We used AD GWAS summary statistics from European, African, Admixed American, and East Asian populations to construct AD-PRS for each target population. Model performance was assessed by estimating odds ratios, R2, and area under the curve.

RESULTS The cross-ancestry Bayesian PRS model demonstrated the highest predictive performance in non-European …

Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy Enhances Bidirectional Blood-Brain Barrier Permeability In Glioblastoma, Ryan T Cleary, Yiwei Fu, David Giles, Jinyun Yuan, Diogo P Moniz Garcia, Danny Palmer, Rowland H Han, Timothy Woodiwiss, Alicia B Yang, Dimitrios Mathios, Hong Chen, Albert H Kim

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) is a minimally invasive treatment for glioblastoma that increases blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability. However, the mechanisms and spatiotemporal features of this effect remain unclear. It is also unknown whether LITT promotes release of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA).

METHODS: Using our previously developed LITT mouse model, we employed single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) to investigate gene expression changes in endothelial cells following LITT in the naive mouse brain. Brains were also harvested at multiple time points to assess LITT effects on tight junction (TJ) integrity and transcytosis via immunofluorescence and transmission electron microscopy. Human glioblastoma tissues were …

Perceptions Of Research Participation Among Underrepresented Groups: Insights Using Freelisting Methodology, Tamar Klaiman, Jasmine Silvestri, Emma Britez Ferrante, Dorothy Sheu, Adina Lieberman, Erich Dress, Modele Ogunniyi, Neal Dickert, Meghan Lane-Fall, Rosemary Frasso, Rachel Kohn

College of Population Health Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Low enrollment and retention in clinical research disproportionately impact Black, Hispanic or Latinx, women, and rural populations, undermining generalizability and perpetuating health disparities. However, few studies have compared mechanisms driving underrepresentation across populations. Freelisting is a qualitative methodology that elicits lists of terms, explores perspectives about domains, and identifies common themes within groups with shared characteristics; however, it has not been systematically applied to understand research participation across underrepresented populations.

OBJECTIVE: To explore perspectives on clinical research participation across underrepresented populations using freelisting methodology to ultimately inform culturally-responsive recruitment strategies.

METHODS: We conducted a web-based freelisting survey among adults …

Exploring Primary Care Providers’ Compassionate Care And Their Evidence-Based Practice With Death, Grief, And Loss: Patient Experience And Perspective, Kathryn Krzykala

Dissertations

Research on primary care providers’ (PCPs) education regarding Death, Grief, and Loss (DGL) remains limited. Specifically, data is lacking regarding patients' perceptions and opinions on what they need and expect from their PCPs regarding grief and loss. This exploratory mixed-method study comprised 146 participants who had experienced death and non-death loss. It examined participants' perceptions of 1) PCP compassion, 2) PCP utilization of evidence-based grief and loss practices, 3) their own level of comfort discussing DGL with their PCPs during medical visits, and 4) their personal grief and loss experiences. The findings revealed that PCPs' grief-informed evidence-based treatment, as reflected …

Dnp Final Report: Implementing The 5-2-1-0 Lifestyle Framework To Address Elevated Bmi In Pediatric Primary Care, Mary K. Williams

DNP Final Reports

Pediatric obesity remains a significant public health concern, particularly in rural areas where access to specialty care is limited. Primary care settings provide an important opportunity for early identification and intervention through family-based lifestyle modification. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary impact of implementing the 5-2-1-0 healthy habits framework, developed by researchers at Penn State, in a rural pediatric primary care clinic to promote improved lifestyle behaviors among children with elevated body mass index (BMI).

This project included pediatric patients ages 5–16 years presenting for well-child visits with a BMI at or …

Association Between Thumb Hypoplasia, Radial Longitudinal Deficiency, And Radial Polydactyly, Emma Payne, Charles A Goldfarb, M Claire Manske, Apurva Shah, Andrea Bauer, Lindley B Wall, Could Study Group

2020-Current year OA Pubs

PURPOSE: The expression of the sonic hedgehog protein has been associated with induction of both radial longitudinal deficiency (RLD) and radial polydactyly in animal studies. We sought to investigate the co-occurrence of thumb hypoplasia/RLD and radial polydactyly in a large registry patient cohort and to investigate the clinical presentations of such patients.

METHODS: The Congenital Upper Limb Differences (CoULD) registry was queried for all patients with contralateral diagnoses of thumb hypoplasia/RLD and radial polydactyly, as defined by the Oberg-Manske-Tonkin classification system, between June 2014 and January 2026. The demographic information, medical and musculoskeletal comorbidities, radiographs, and clinical images were collected. …

U2af1s34f And U2af1q157r Myeloid Neoplasm-Associated Hotspot Mutations Induce Distinct Hematopoietic Phenotypes In Mice, Michael O Alberti, Sridhar Nonavinkere Srivatsan, Jin Shao, Dennis L Fei, Mengou Zhu, Claudia Cabrera Pastrana, Monique Chavez, Stefan P Tarnawsky, Sarah Grieb, Timothy A Graubert, Omar Abdel-Wahab, Matthew J Walter

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Recurrent somatic mutations in the spliceosome genes SF3B1, SRSF2, and U2AF1 are frequently identified in patients with myeloid neoplasms, such as myelodysplastic syndromes. We characterized the in vivo consequences of expressing two hotspot mutations in U2AF1 that code for the S34F and Q157R substitutions. Our results indicate that the two mutations induce distinct hematopoietic phenotypes in mice, suggesting that the U2AF1

Digital Teaching In Midwifery Education Since 2021: A Literature Review Of Trends, Technological Advancements And Challenges, Michelle Gray, Kristina Vogel, Annette Bernloehr, Terri Downer, Melanie Welfare, Nicola H. Bauer

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Aim: To produce an updated synthesis of digital learning and teaching approaches in midwifery education since 2021. Background: Globally, there is an increasing trend towards using digital technologies in midwifery education with little examination of trends, terminology or impact by midwifery academics. Design: A comprehensive literature review. Methods: Ten databases were searched (2021–March 2025) guided by JBI methodology and PRISMA-ScR reporting, resulting in 36 empirical studies focusing on digital technologies used with midwifery students. The review mapped recent technological developments, associated benefits and emerging challenges. Results: Digital innovations were in 15 countries and ranged from immersive virtual reality, augmented and …

Nano-Bio Interfacial Effects Modulating Protein Adsorption In Dialdehyde Lentinan-Crosslinked Polysaccharide Sponges Reinforced With Zein Nanoflowers, Dorota Chelminiak-Dudkiewicz, Miloslav Machacek, Hana Janová, Klara Konecna, Ondrej Jandourek, Jana Kejmarová, Kinga Mylkie, Aleksander Smolarkiewicz-Wyczachowski, Marta Ziegler-Borowska

The Brown Foundation: Institute of Molecular Medicine

The interfacial organization of porous biomaterials critically influences protein adsorption and subsequent cell-material interactions at hydrated biointerfaces relevant to wound-contacting environments. Herein, hybrid sponges were developed by rationally assembling chitosan, lentinan, levan, and fucoidan into a covalently defined macromolecular network featuring nano-bio interfacial effects. The materials were designed to modulate interfacial biological performance via engineered pore-wall structures, with protein-layer formation at sponge interfaces associated with downstream cell-material responses. A dialdehyde lentinan was deliberately employed to establish a chemically defined pore-wall interface via dense Schiff-base junctions with chitosan. The incorporation of zein nanoflowers introduced additional nanoscale structure features, providing additional anchoring …

Functional Characterization Of Uhrf1 Variants In Facilitating Dna Methylation, Bigang Liu, Kaila Nayvelt, Swanand Hardikar, Kimie Kondo, Marcos R Estecio, Xiaodong Cheng, Taiping Chen

The Brown Foundation: Institute of Molecular Medicine

Ubiquitin-like with plant homeodomain (PHD) and really interesting new gene (RING) finger domains 1 (UHRF1) is essential for DNA methylation inheritance. However, the functional impacts of several natural and engineered UHRF1 variants are either insufficiently characterized or obscured by conflicting results, with some discrepancies likely stemming from cellular toxicity and adaptive responses induced by DNA methylation changes. In this study, we utilized mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs)-which uniquely tolerate the complete loss of DNA methylation-to evaluate the functional consequences of clinical mutations, isoform variation, and epitope tagging. Using rescue experiments in Uhrf1-deficient mESCs, we characterized two UHRF1 mutations identified in …

Da Mosang Tarsier Series: Developing Digital Bullying Prevention Materials For Filipino Parents Of Grade School Students, Rudy M. Danganan Jr., Ann Christine V. Braga, Maria Kristina S. Alfonso, Romelito Manuel D.S. Clorina, Ma. Regina Hechanova

Children and Families

Bullying remains a significant public health and educational concern worldwide and is particularly prevalent in Philippine public schools, with Grade 7 students identified as a vulnerable group. Although the Anti-Bullying Act of 2013 (Republic Act No. 10627) mandates school-based policies and procedures, persistent implementation gaps underscore the need to strengthen home–school partnerships and equip parents with practical, culturally grounded response strategies. This paper describes the development of the Da Mosang Tarsier Series, a set of digital psychoeducational comic strips designed for Filipino parents of Grade 7 students. Guided by a user-centered design (UCD) framework, the project began with a Generative …

Kras G12c And Kras G12d Respond To Lipid Metabolism In An Allele-Specific Manner, Neha Arora, Hong Liang, Walaa Kattan, Wantong Yao, Haoqiang Ying, Junchen Liu, Yong Zhou

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

KRAS mutated at hotspots G12, G13, and Q61 possess profound allele-specific oncogenesis. Signaling of KRAS mutants is mostly compartmentalized to the proteolipid nanoclusters on the plasma membrane (PM), illustrating critical roles of spatiotemporal organization in KRAS cancer signaling. The activated GTP-bound KRAS molecules, including the wild type and mutants, have been traditionally thought to favor similar lipids. We recently reported distinct lipid sensing capabilities of different KRAS mutants, especially with KRASG12D favoring unsaturated lipids and KRASG12C gaining additional enrichment of saturated lipids. As such, KRAS mutants may respond to lipid acyl chain remodeling in an allele-specific manner. Lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase 1 …