Digital Commons Network^™

Perceived Partner Substance Use, Genetic Predispositions, And Their Associations With Problematic Alcohol Use, Emotional Well-Being, And Relationship Quality, Megan E Cooke, Kathleen K Bucholz, Vivia V. Mccutcheon, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Romantic relationships are important contexts for substance use and emotional well-being. We tested the hypotheses that (i) genetic predispositions for alcohol consumption would be positively associated with partner substance use, (ii) partner substance use would moderate genetic influences on one's own alcohol outcomes, and (iii) partner discordance in substance use would be associated with lower emotional well-being and relationship quality.

METHODS: Analyses included 2,357 participants (M

RESULTS: Participant PGS

CONCLUSIONS: The results highlight the importance of partner substance use in etiological models of alcohol use, emotional health outcomes, and relationship quality.

Tulane Virus Protease As A Structural Surrogate For Inhibitor Screening Of Human Norovirus Proteases, Son Pham, Nikhil Sharma, Banumathi Sankaran, Jalen Nguyen, Mary K Estes, Joseph M Hyser, B V Venkataram Prasad

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Human norovirus (HuNoV) is a significant cause of gastroenteritis worldwide, affecting people of all age groups. There are currently no vaccines or drugs available, leaving susceptible populations vulnerable to severe or protracted illness. A HuNoV cultivation system is pivotal for screening norovirus antivirals. While the human intestinal enteroid cultivation system allows robust replication of multiple HuNoV strains, it presents technical and cost barriers. Tulane virus (TV), a surrogate for HuNoV, replicates well in monkey kidney cell lines and is closely related to norovirus in cellular biology. Here, we determined the structures of TV protease (TV-Pro) alone and in complex with …

Conserved Neutrophil Degranulation Transcripts In Hiv-Tb Coinfected Children Across East And Southern Africa, Eric Katagirya, Busisiwe Mlotshwa, Samuel Kyobe, Savannah Mwesigwa, Gaone Retshabile, Lesedi Williams, Marion Amujal, John Mukisa, Gerald Mboowa, David P Kateete, Misaki Wayengera, Sununguko Wata Mpoloka, Angella N Mirembe, Ishmael Kasvosve, Koketso Morapedi, Makhosazana Dlamini, Betty Nsangi, Grace P Kisitu, Adeodata R Kekitiinwa, Gabriel Anabwani, Moses L Joloba, Eddie Mujjwiga Wampande, Dithan Kiragga, Florence Anabwani-Richter, Chester W Brown, Graeme Mardon, Neil A Hanchard, Mogomotsi Matshaba, And For The Collaborative African Genomics Network (Cafgen)

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: HIV-tuberculosis (HIV-TB) coinfection poses a significant public health challenge among children in high-burden African regions. Most previous transcriptomic studies have concentrated on adults and non-African populations, primarily analyzing gene-level differential expression. This approach overlooks multi-isoform complexity and may obscure both inherent and pathogen-induced intragenic heterogeneity. This multi-center case-control study aimed to identify and characterize the transcript-level landscape of HIV-TB coinfection in children from different African regions.

Methods: We analyzed whole-blood RNA sequencing data from 97 children with and without tuberculosis from Uganda (East Africa) and from Botswana and Eswatini (Southern Africa). Reads were quality-controlled, and low-abundance transcripts filtered out. …

Efficacy And Safety Of Stem Cell-Based Interventions For Burn Wound Healing: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis Of Pre-Clinical And Early Clinical Evidence, Prayuth Poowaruttanawiwit, Patsanan Kulla, Naveeya Pakpoomkamonlert

The Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Background: Burn injuries remain a major therapeutic challenge, with conventional treatments often failing to achieve complete functional skin regeneration. Stem cell-based interventions, including mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and exosome derivatives, have demonstrated regenerative and immunomodulatory potential, yet their translation to clinical practice remains limited.
Objectives: To systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of stem cell-based therapies for burn wound healing across pre-clinical and clinical studies.
Materials and Methods: Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 guidelines, four databases (PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane) were searched through April 2025. Eligible studies included randomized controlled trials and controlled pre-clinical …

Optimization Of Solvent Extraction For Polyphenols And Antioxidant Activity From Zanthoxylum Acanthopodium Leaves Using Simplex Centroid Design, Waras Nurcholis, Indah Z. Septiawati, Roni Kartiman, Surya Diantina

The Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Background: Zanthoxylum acanthopodium DC., locally known as andaliman, is an indigenous spice from North Sumatra, Indonesia, recognized for its high antioxidant potential. Despite its bioactive richness, optimization of solvent extraction for phenolic and flavonoid compounds from its leaves remains underexplored, even though these compounds are valuable for food and pharmaceutical applications. The use of solvents such as acetone in analytical extraction contexts is acceptable; however, further purification steps would be required for applications in food and pharmaceutical products.
Objectives: The main objective of this study was to optimize solvent combinations – comprising water, ethanol, and acetone – to maximize the …

Design Of Experiments Based Reversed-Phase High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Method For Estimation Of Metformin And Glimepiride In Combined Dosage Forms, Neela Manish Bhatia, Rachana Patil, Harinath More, Rutuja Dattatray Chougale

The Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Background: The present study aimed to systematically develop and validate a robust, rapid, and stability-indicating reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) method for the simultaneous estimation of metformin and glimepiride in fixeddose combination tablets. Method development was guided by a design of experiments (DoE) approach using the Box-Behnken design (BBD) to ensure optimal analytical performance.
Materials and Methods: Chromatographic separation was achieved on a Cosmosil C18 column using an optimized mobile phase of acetonitrile and water (80:20, v/v) adjusted to pH 3.5. The flow rate was 1 mL/min, and detection was performed at 221 nm. The BBD approach systematically evaluated the …

Development Of Aqueous Dispersions Of Zein–Inulin Nanoparticles: Influence Of Formulation Variables On Physical Properties, Wanarat Sayamol, Supakarn Chamni, Jittima Chatchawalsaisin

The Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Background: Zein-based nanoparticles exhibit considerable potential for pharmaceutical and food applications. Incorporating inulin, a prebiotic polysaccharide, can improve their functional performance. Owing to the distinct solubilities of zein and inulin in aqueous ethanol, zein– inulin nanoparticles can be prepared through precipitation using their respective anti-solvents.
Objectives: This study aimed to systematically develop zein–inulin nanoparticles using the antisolvent precipitation method, with a focus on investigating the effects of formulation variables on particle characteristics and dispersion properties.
Materials and Methods: Zein–inulin nanoparticles were prepared using an anti-solvent precipitation method. Zein and inulin were separately dissolved in aqueous ethanol and water, respectively. The …

Medicines Security And Bioprospecting: A Future Agenda For Pharmaceutical Research, Geoffrey A. Cordell

The Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Humanity is at an extraordinary moment in history, where our interwoven future in Gaia depends on showing reverence for the modulation of our resource limits after significant losses of biodiversity and encroaching environmental change, including disappearing glaciers, rising sea levels, and changing climates. Engaging with the interconnectedness of all life on Earth and integrating sustainability and optimization of the valuable, renewable resources for future generations are essential beginning actions. Fostering economic and resource sustainability deepens the focus for contemporary research priorities toward assuring access to biological agents needed by the consumer/patient. Based on the outcomes of the COP28/29/30 and COP15/16 …

Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation As An Adjuvant For Nonfluent Aphasia: A Proof-Of-Concept Study, Lynsey M. Keator, Lisa Johnson, Roger Newman-Norlund, Kyler Spell, Samaneh Nemati, Leigh Ann Spell, Dirk B. Den Ouden, Christopher Rorden, Julius Fridriksson

Department of Speech-Language Pathology Faculty Papers

Effective rehabilitation tools are essential for improving language outcomes in chronic aphasia. Speech entrainment is a behavioral treatment that has shown promise in enhancing speech output in nonfluent aphasia, potentially by acting as an external mechanism to synchronize anterior and posterior language regions in the left hemisphere. Transcranial alternating current stimulation has been hypothesized to enhance functional connectivity between brain regions by amplifying endogenous oscillations. This proof-of-concept study explored whether high-definition tACS (HD-tACS) could improve speech fluency in nonfluent aphasia when paired with speech entrainment. In a double-blind, pseudorandomized study, 1 mA of HD-tACS at 7 Hz was applied to …

Bacteriophage Therapy For Antibiotic-Resistant Infections, Shiva Pariyar

Best Integrated Writing

Pariyar examines bacteriophage therapy as a promising alternative to antibiotics for treating multidrug-resistant infections, highlighting its targeted mechanism, ability to disrupt biofilms, and synergy with antibiotics. While challenges such as regulation, immune response, and limited clinical trials remain, the study argues that advances in biotechnology and global collaboration position phage therapy as a future cornerstone in combating antimicrobial resistance.

Exploring The Impact Of Education On Cardiovascular Health In Women: Sex Disparities, Symptom Recognition And Attribution, And Preventive Measures, Sydney Totten

Best Integrated Writing

Totten examines sex disparities in cardiovascular disease among women, emphasizing gaps in symptom recognition, treatment, and health education. Through a literature review and educational intervention, it demonstrates that targeted, nurse-led education can significantly improve women’s understanding of risk factors, symptoms, and disease management, ultimately supporting better health outcomes.

Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation As An Adjuvant For Nonfluent Aphasia: A Proof-Of-Concept Study, Lynsey M. Keator, Lisa Johnson, Roger Newman-Norlund Ph.D., Kyler Spell, Samaneh Nemati, Leigh Ann Spell, Dirk B. Den Ouden, Chris Rorden, Julius Fridriksson Ph.D.

Faculty Publications

Effective rehabilitation tools are essential for improving language outcomes in chronic aphasia. Speech entrainment is a behavioral treatment that has shown promise in enhancing speech output in nonfluent aphasia, potentially by acting as an external mechanism to synchronize anterior and posterior language regions in the left hemisphere. Transcranial alternating current stimulation has been hypothesized to enhance functional connectivity between brain regions by amplifying endogenous oscillations. This proof-of-concept study explored whether high-definition tACS (HD-tACS) could improve speech fluency in nonfluent aphasia when paired with speech entrainment. In a double-blind, pseudorandomized study, 1 mA of HD-tACS at 7 Hz was applied to …

Γδ T Cells At The Interface Of Innate And Adaptive Immunity In Cancer, Arnau Solé Casaramona, Martin F Bachmann, Eva Sevick-Muraca, Mona O Mohsen

The Brown Foundation: Institute of Molecular Medicine

γδ T cells are unconventional lymphocytes that bridge innate and adaptive immunity by combining recognition of stress-induced ligands independently of classical major histocompatibility complex molecules with the capacity to undergo clonal expansion and long-term adaptation. Their unusual ability to detect malignant transformation using semi-invariant T-cell receptors, butyrophilin recognition and natural killer-like receptors positions them as powerful effector cells in tumors that evade classical immune escape mechanisms. Furthermore, distinct γδ subsets have distinct phenotyping and specific tissue-residencies, which could be leveraged to modulate immunological responses. We evaluate engineered therapies and different experimental platforms for studying γδ T cell biology. We conclude …

Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation As An Adjuvant For Nonfluent Aphasia: A Proof-Of-Concept Study, Lynsey M. Keator, Lisa Johnson, Roger Newman-Norlund, Kyler Spell, Samaneh Nemati, Leigh Ann Spell, Dirk B. Den Ouden, Christopher Rorden, Julius Fridriksson

Communication Sciences and Disorders Faculty Articles and Research

Effective rehabilitation tools are essential for improving language outcomes in chronic aphasia. Speech entrainment is a behavioral treatment that has shown promise in enhancing speech output in nonfluent aphasia, potentially by acting as an external mechanism to synchronize anterior and posterior language regions in the left hemisphere. Transcranial alternating current stimulation has been hypothesized to enhance functional connectivity between brain regions by amplifying endogenous oscillations. This proof-of-concept study explored whether high-definition tACS (HD-tACS) could improve speech fluency in nonfluent aphasia when paired with speech entrainment. In a double-blind, pseudorandomized study, 1 mA of HD-tACS at 7 Hz was applied to …

Circulating Levels Of Insulin-Like Growth Factor I (Igf-I) And Risk Of Multiple Myeloma: An Observational And Mendelian Randomisation Study, Yolanda Benavente, Sara Hermosa, Nikos Papadimitriou, Alyssa I. Clay-Gilmour Ph.D., Elizabeth E. Brown, Jonathan N. Hofmann, Nathaniel Rothman, Qin Lan, Sonja I. Berndt, Demetrius Albanes, Mark Purdue, Mitchell J. Machiela, Stephen J. Chanock, Parveen Bhatti, Wendy Cozen, Aaron Norman, Susan L. Slager, James R. Cerhan, Vincent Rajkumar, Et. Al.

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

A Mitochondrial Plasma Proteomic Signature Identifies Metastatic Chromophobe Renal Cell Carcinoma, Clara Steiner, Tiegang Han, Steven Safi, Wafaa Bzeih, Hadi Mansour, Eddy Saad, Jessica F. Williams, Vinay K. Giri, Liliana Ascione, Yehonatan Elon, Adam P. Dicker, Yan Tang, Toni K. Choueiri, Elizabeth P. Henske, Wenxin Xu

Department of Radiation Oncology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (ChRCC) is characterized by the accumulation of abnormal mitochondria, a high rate of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations, and altered oxidative metabolism. There are no existing circulating biomarkers to distinguish metastatic ChRCC from clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC).

METHODS: High-throughput plasma proteomic profiling using the SomaScan platform was performed in 18 ChRCC (including 16 metastatic ChRCC) and 197 metastatic ccRCC patients. Data were harmonized to generate a unified 7K-protein matrix.

RESULTS: Differential expression analysis was performed using limma (version 3.62.2). Of 7272 quantified human plasma proteins, 209 were differentially expressed between ChRCC and ccRCC. Upregulated …

Antimicrobial Activity Of Sulbactam-Durlobactam Against Acinetobacter Baumannii-Calcoaceticus Complex Strains Causing Non-Respiratory And Non-Bloodstream Infections From The United States (2023–2025), Elizabeth Cyr, Jill Argotsinger, Eric T Beck, Robin R Chamberland, Andrew E Clark, Anne R Daniels, Rachael Liesman, Mark Fisher, Philip Gialanella, Jonathan Hand, Amanda T Harrington, Romney M Humphries, Holly Huse, Robert Hamilton-Seth, Julia D Hankins, Wesley D Kufel, Scott W Riddell, Meera Mehta, Ryan Demkowicz, A Brian Mochon, Hossein Salimnia, Ayesha Khan, Virginia M Pierce, Raghava Potula, Tsigereda Tekle, Patricia J Simner, Robert J Tibbetts, Christine Vu, Lilian M Abbo, Octavio Martinez, Rebekah E Dumm, Manohar B Mutnal, Timothy C Jenkins, Violeta Chávez, Paulette Pinargote, Jennifer Bowling, Erik Munson, Daniel V Zurawski, David P Nicolau, Tomefa E Asempa, On Behalf Of The Acinetobacter Baumannii Complex National Biorepository (Acnbio) Study Group

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Acinetobacter baumannii most often causes pneumonia in critically ill patients. However, A. baumannii is also an important cause of a broader range of infections, including skin/wound and urinary tract infections. This study aims to evaluate the in vitro activity of sulbactam-durlobactam and comparator antibiotics, including meropenem and cefiderocol against A. baumannii-calcoaceticus complex isolates from non-respiratory and non-bloodstream sources. Samples included 285 A. baumannii-calcoaceticus complex isolates enriched for carbapenem resistance collected across 17 states in the United States (January 2023–May 2025). Antimicrobial susceptibility tests were conducted by manual broth microdilution and interpreted according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) and …

A Retrospective Analysis Of Taxane-Based Chemotherapy In Small Bowel Adenocarcinoma, Mir Lim, Nikhil Grandhi, Preksha Shah, Kanwal Raghav, Victoria Serpas, Maria Pia Morelli, Katrina Pedersen, Aparna Kalyan, Mohamed Salem, Ryan Huey, John Paul Shen, Huamin Wang, Hua Wang, Anjali Vinocha, Jane Thomas, Robert Wolff, Michael J Overman

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Small bowel adenocarcinoma (SBA) is molecularly distinct from colorectal and gastric cancers, yet treatment typically parallels colorectal cancer. We evaluated the activity of taxane-based therapy in the largest SBA cohort to date.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed SBA patients treated with taxane-based chemotherapy at MD Anderson Cancer Center from 1994-2024. Eligible patients had pathologic confirmation, received >1 treatment cycle, and had tumor response evaluation. Survival analyses were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazard models.

Results: Seventy patients were identified. Median age was 57, and 59% were male. Primary sites were duodenum (44%), jejunum (34%), and Ileum (16%). Metastatic sites …

4-Aminoquinolines Block Heme Iron Reactivity And Interfere With Artemisinin Action, Melissa Rosenthal, Daniel E Goldberg

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) remain the mainstay of treatment for

Whole-Genome Crispr Screening Identifies Genetic Modifiers Of Stem Cell-Derived Islet Transplantation, Marlie M Maestas, Kameron Bradley, Mira Shunkarova, Noyonika Mukherjee, Matthew Ishahak, James Lu, Jeffrey R Millman

2020-Current year OA Pubs

INTRODUCTION: Genetically engineering human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived islets is a promising strategy for improving transplantation for diabetes cell therapy; however, genetic perturbations that modulate transplantation outcomes have yet to be systematically explored.

METHODS: To identify potential targets, we performed an unbiased whole-genome CRISPR-activation screen in transplanted stem cell-derived islets (SC-islets). Specifically, we created a stem cell line with CRISPR-activation components (HUES8-VPR) and then transduced these stem cells with a lentiviral guide RNA library targeting the whole human genome. Following transduction, the stem cells were differentiated into SC-islets, which were subsequently transplanted into NOD.Cg-PrkdcscidIl2rgtm1Wjl/SzJ (NSG) immunodeficient mice. After transplantation, SC-islets …

Protocol For Spatial Profiling Of Immune Cells In The Mouse Cornea And Conjunctiva Using Nanostring Geomx Dsp And Ncounterpro Platforms, Lois Kim, Karthikeyan Ramasamy, Ajay Sharma

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Quantification of immune cells and their activation status in a spatially specific manner in a healthy or diseased tissue is a valuable tool in immunology. Here, we present a protocol for the spatial profiling of immune cells in the mouse cornea and conjunctiva. We describe steps for immunostaining with photocleavable oligonucleotide-conjugated antibodies, selecting regions of interest (ROIs), and collecting UV-cleaved oligonucleotides using GeoMx DSP. We then detail procedures for hybridizing collected oligonucleotides, cartridge blotting using nCounter Pro Prep, data acquisition, and data analysis.

Influence Of Ceramic Thickness And Cad/Cam Ceramic Materials On The Fracture Resistance Of Indirect Restorations: An In Vitro Study, Lara El Hanach, Karim Corbani, Nabil Ghosn, Ryan Harouny, Cynthia Kassis

International Arab Journal of Dentistry

Objectives: This in-vitro study aimed to evaluate the impact of different CAD/CAM materials (IPS e.max® CAD and Cerasmart®) and thicknesses (0.7 mm, 1 mm, and 1.5 mm) on the fracture resistance of indirect overlay restorations.

Methods: Sixty-three human third molars were divided into 7 groups (n=9) based on material and thickness, including a control group of 9 sound teeth. Only 54 specimens were prepared using a thin-section cutting machine, scanned, and their scans were used to fabricate overlays from different materials and thicknesses. After adhesive cementation, the overlays underwent thermal cyclic loading (5,000 cycles between 5°C and 55°C). A universal …

Aquifer Characteristics And Groundwater Flow Modeling For Sustainable Water Resources Development And Planning Using Modflow Software In India, Ravi Sharma

AUIQ Complementary Biological System

MODFLOW is one of the most commonly used numerical models for simulating groundwater flow. Its structured data design and compatibility with GIS tools make it suitable for groundwater assessment and planning. Groundwater forms an important part of the hydrological cycle and occurs within the pore spaces of sedimentary rocks or within fractures in hard rock terrains. Although its distribution beneath the surface is not always uniform or predictable, it is still considered one of the cleanest, most accessible, and quickly available freshwater sources. Numerical groundwater models help convert complex subsurface processes into simplified relationships that describe flow behavior. Even though …

Contribution Of G4 Structure To Alzheimer’S Disease And Tau Pathology, Lena Michaela Kallweit

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The occurrence of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is rapidly increasing as our global population ages. With the majority of therapeutic drugs in the last couple of decades failing clinical trials, new molecular targets are needed to combat the expected influx of new AD cases. AD pathogenesis is associated with abnormal protein aggregation, characterized in part by intracellular accumulation of hyperphosphorylated tau (p-tau) in neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs). RNA has been identified as a major non-proteinaceous component of NFTs and has been implicated as an active cofactor in tau aggregation and spread. Recent work has shown that aggregates from AD brains contain almost …

Health Effects Of Cadmium And Manganese Exposure On Luteinizing Hormone Levels: A Pilot Study Of Female Infertility, Shatha F. Alhous, Anees A. Al-Hamzawi, Murtadha Sh. Aswood

Al-Bahir

Female infertility occurs for many reasons, some unknown. Exposure to heavy metals is a risk factor that negatively impacts on female reproductive system. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of cadmium Cd and manganese Mn on luteinizing hormone LH levels for females’ infertility. This study included a healthy group (n = 20), primary infertile females (n = 40), and secondary infertile females (n = 20) collected from Al-Zahraa hospital in Najaf center, Iraq. The Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) was used to measure the cadmium and manganese concentrations and LH levels were measured by a Maglumi 800 from Snibe …

Stimulation Of The Medial Septum Diagonal Band Of Broca Rescues Learning And Memory Deficits In Fmr1 Ko Mice, Mohamed Ouardouz, Amanda E Hernan, J. Matthew Mahoney, Rodney C Scott

SKMC Student Presentations and Publications

Fragile X Syndrome (FXS), the most common inherited cause of intellectual disability and a leading monogenic cause of autism, arises from the loss of Fragile X Messenger Ribonucleoprotein (Fmr protein), leading to synaptic and cognitive dysfunction. Here, we demonstrate that the frequency-specific electrical stimulation of the medial septum/diagonal band of Broca (MSDB) can restore cognitive and synaptic impairments in Fmr1 knockout mice, a validated model of FXS. Thirty minutes of 35 Hz MSDB stimulation significantly improved subsequent recognition memory, sociability, spatial learning, and fear memory, with recognition memory enhancements persisting for up to 7 days after daily 30 min …

Receptor-Mediated Drug Delivery: Redefining Targeted Drug Conjugates In Oncology, Keon Niles Jafari, Charlene Chai, Shelby Kim, Kamaljit Kaur

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Targeted drug delivery (TDD), specifically through targeting ligand–drug conjugates, has reshaped oncology by enabling selective delivery of cytotoxic payloads to cancer cells while minimizing uptake by normal tissues. A key approach relies on exploiting overexpressed cell surface receptors (CSRs) to enable selective uptake of drug conjugates via receptor-mediated endocytosis. This review delineates four clinically validated CSRs (HER2, Trop-2, Nectin-4, and SSTR2) with several FDA-approved drug conjugates. Furthermore, emerging CSRs (EGFR, DLL3, and keratin 1) that may support next-generation TDD platforms for cancer treatment are also highlighted. We discuss how CSR type, density on cancer cells, and its mechanism of endocytosis, …

First Epidemiological Assessment: Syphilis Seroprevalence Among Asymptomatic Blood Donors In Merowe, Northern Sudan, 2022, Doaa Albagir Ahmed, Sabra Alfadil Ibrahim, Hiba Elsadig Salah, Hamad A. Albagir

Saudi Toxicology Journal

Syphilis remains a significant transfusion-transmissible infection, yet regional epidemiological data from Northern Sudan are lacking. This study aimed to establish preliminary baseline syphilis seroprevalence among asymptomatic blood donors in Merowe, Northern Sudan. A cross-sectional study was conducted in January 2022 at the Merowe blood donation center. Eighty-nine consecutive asymptomatic male blood donors were screened for anti-Treponema pallidum antibodies using a commercial Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) kit (Fortress Diagnostics, UK). Demographic data were collected via structured questionnaire. The overall seroprevalence was 2.25% (2/89; 95% CI: 0.6–7.9%). The donor population median age was 32 years (range: 18–64). Both reactive donors were referred …

Multidisciplinary Care In The Management Of Pleomorphic Dermal Sarcoma: A Single-Center Case Series And Review, Jaanvi Mehta, Leena Wardeh, Jayson Suriano, Rishob Dasgupta, Ramsay Hafer, Alexandra Elder, Safiyyah Bhatti, Jason B. Lee, Atrayee B. Mallick, Neda Nikbakht

Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology Faculty Papers

No abstract provided.

Plant-Based Dietary Patterns Are Associated With Slower Epigenetic Aging, Hyunju Kim, Christina A Castellani, Jiantao Ma, Alexis C Wood, Audrey Ting, Morgan E Grams, Bing Yu, Kelly Ruggles, James S Floyd, Dan E Arking, Casey M Rebholz

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Greater adherence to plant-based diets is associated with health benefits. Dietary intake can modify DNA methylation patterns, but it is unknown whether plant-based diets in a largely non-vegetarian population are associated with DNA methylation-based epigenetic aging measures. We examined the associations between 4 different types of plant-based diets indices (PDI) [overall PDI, provegetarian diet, healthy PDI, and unhealthy PDI] and epigenetic aging. We used data from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study (N=2,810) and National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES, N=2,056). PDIs negatively scored higher intake of animal products and positively scored higher intake of all or selected …