Digital Commons Network^™

Intravenous Vitamin C Administered As Adjunctive Therapy For Recurrent Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Amit Bharara, Catherine Grossman, Daniel Grinnan, Aamer Syed, Bernard Fisher, Christine Dewilde, Ramesh Natarajan, Alpha A. (Berry) Fowler

Internal Medicine Publications

This case report summarizes the first use of intravenous vitamin C employed as an adjunctive interventional agent in the therapy of recurrent acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The two episodes of ARDS occurred in a young female patient with Cronkhite-Canada syndrome, a rare, sporadically occurring, noninherited disorder that is characterized by extensive gastrointestinal polyposis and malabsorption. Prior to the episodes of sepsis, the patient was receiving nutrition via chronic hyperalimentation administered through a long-standing central venous catheter. The patient became recurrently septic with Gram positive cocci which led to two instances of ARDS. This report describes the broad-based general critical …

Regulation Of Reactive Oxygen Species And The Antioxidant Protein Dj-1 In Mastocytosis, Do-Kyun Kim, Michael A. Beaven, Joseph M. Kulinski, Avanti Desai, Geethani Bandara, Yun Bai, Calman Prussin, Lawrence B. Schwartz, Hirsh Komarow, Dean D. Metcalfe, Ana Olivera

Internal Medicine Publications

Neoplastic accumulation of mast cells in systemic mastocytosis (SM) associates with activating mutations in the receptor tyrosine kinase KIT. Constitutive activation of tyrosine kinase oncogenes has been linked to imbalances in oxidant/antioxidant mechanisms in other myeloproliferative disorders. However, the impact of KIT mutations on the redox status in SM and the potential therapeutic implications are not well understood. Here, we examined the regulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and of the antioxidant protein DJ-1 (PARK-7), which increases with cancer progression and acts to lessen oxidative damage to malignant cells, in relationship with SM severity. ROS levels were increased in both …

Day 3 - Nsf Overview And Funding Opportunities, William B. Eggleston

Ready, Set, Grant! Presentations

The National Science Foundation supports a broad range of science, social science, engineering and education research. But like with all sponsors, you must be able to critically assess whether your research is a good fit with the agency's priorities, and understand how to compete for NSF funding. Dr. William Eggleston, VCU Associate Professor of Biology who is currently a Program Director at the National Science Foundation's Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, will lead this workshop designed to provide overview on proposal writing, NSF's merit review process, and programs that fall within our seven scientific and engineering directorates, as well …

Day 1 - How To Have A Painless* Budget Meeting With Your Grant Administrator, Heather Lennon, Jaime L. Petrasek, Sara Twombly, Tricia Zeh

Ready, Set, Grant! Presentations

Are you a researcher who feels overwhelmed by the prospect of developing or managing a sponsored project budget? Are you a grant administrator who spends far too much time cleaning up after budgeting disasters? Then this is the session for you! Grant administrators are experts in pre and post award grant administration, effort reporting, federal grant regulations and cost accounting standards. This workshop will discuss ways in which PIs and fiscal administrators can work together proactively to develop sponsored project budgets that maximize competitiveness while minimizing aggravation. Topics to be discussed include: ● Being realistic: important rules to consider and …

Day 1 - Navigating Nih: From Nascent Concept To Award, Brett Miller

Ready, Set, Grant! Presentations

Over the course of the Ready, Set, Grant event, program staff from funding agencies representing major areas of research interest at VCU will be on hand to provide an overview of the sponsors’ mission and structure, current priorities and outlook, and major funding programs. A significant proportion of VCU investigators, across disciplines, target the National Institutes of Health throughout their careers. It is important for faculty, staff, and students to educate themselves continually on agency's current trends and focus, as well as the policies and processes that impact decision-making about their grant applications. Our presenter for the workshop on Competitive …

Day 2. Don't Let Your Data Management Plan Kill Your Grant, Margaret E. Henderson

Ready, Set, Grant! Presentations

The National Science Foundation has rejected grants with bad Data Management Plans (DMPs). And now, most Federal agencies, and some private funders, will require these plans with your grant application. You will also need to provide public aces to you digital data. Learn how to write a competitive plan and share your data so you don’t miss out on an award. This session will focus on writing DMPs for NSF, Department of Defense, Department of Energy, NASA, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and USDA grant applications.

Day 3 - Creative Collaborations Ii: Workshop On Trust, Communication, And Negotiation, Monika S. Markowitz, Mark E. Rubin

Ready, Set, Grant! Presentations

Let’s face it: teamwork can be a real challenge sometimes. Conflicts that arise within a research team can negatively impact the careers of team members and the outcomes of the research itself, so learning to avoid and solve conflicts through trust, communication, and negotiation is key to research team success. In this session, Dr. Monika Markowitz, Director of the Office of Research Integrity and Ethics, and Mark Rubin, Executive Director of the Virginia Center for Consensus Building, will help attendees understand some of the most common research, professional, and interpersonal conflicts that occur in research teams, as well as how …

Day 1 - Proposal Review 101: What You Need To Know To Be A Pre-Award Research Administrator, Brigette Pfister

Ready, Set, Grant! Presentations

This workshop is a pre-award-focused step-by-step guide for newcomers to the profession, both in central offices and at the department level, illustrating an efficient and effective way to handle comprehensive pre-award proposal reviews, communicate with faculty, and make sure the proposal is ready for submission. Specific points in the process are highlighted to show where the various rules and regulations are involved, and what criteria we should be looking for during pre-award proposal review. We will touch on compliance with sponsor guidelines and applicable regulations, budget preparation, and much more. Handouts will include: A written step-by-step guide for initial (pre-award) …

Role Of The Calcium Plateau In The Neuronal Injury And Behavioral Morbidities Following Organophosphate Intoxication, Laxmikant S. Deshpande, Robert E. Blair, Kristin F. Phillips, Robert J. Delorenzo

Neurology Publications

Organophosphate (OP) chemicals include nerve agents and pesticides, and there is a growing concern of OP based chemical attacks against civilians. Current antidotes are essential in limiting immediate mortality associated with OP exposure. However, further research is needed to identify molecular mechanisms underlying long-term neurological deficits following survival of OP toxicity in order to develop effective therapeutics. We have developed rat survival models of OP induced status epilepticus (SE) that mimic chronic mortality and morbidity following OP intoxication. We have observed significant elevations in hippocampal calcium levels after OP SE that persisted for weeks following initial survival. Drugs inhibiting intracellular …

Cannabinoid Receptor Interacting Protein Suppresses Agonist-Driven Cb1 Receptor Internalization And Regulates Receptor Replenishment In An Agonist-Biased Manner, Lawrence C. Blumes, Sandra Leone-Kabler, Deborah J. Luessen, Glenn S. Marrs, Erica Lyons, Caroline E. Bass, Rong Chen, Dana E. Selley, Allyn C. Howlett

Neurology Publications

Cannabinoid receptor interacting protein 1a (CRIP1a) is a CB1 receptor (CB1R) distal C-terminus-associated protein that modulates CB1R signaling via G proteins, and CB1R down-regulation but not desensitization (Blume et al. [2015] Cell Signal., 27, 716-726; Smith et al. [2015] Mol. Pharmacol., 87, 747-765). In this study, we determined the involvement of CRIP1a in CB1R plasma membrane trafficking. To follow the effects of agonists and antagonists on cell surface CB(1)Rs, we utilized the genetically homogeneous cloned neuronal cell line N18TG2, which endogenously expresses both CB1R and CRIP1a, and exhibits a well-characterized endocannabinoid signaling system. We developed stable CRIP1a-over-expressing and CRIP1a-siRNA-silenced knockdown …

Integration Of Attributes From Non-Linear Characterization Of Cardiovascular Time-Series For Prediction Of Defibrillation Outcomes, Sharad Shandilya, Michael C. Kurz, Kevin R. Ward, Kayvan Najarian

Computer Science Publications

Objective

The timing of defibrillation is mostly at arbitrary intervals during cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR), rather than during intervals when the out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OOH-CA) patient is physiologically primed for successful countershock. Interruptions to CPR may negatively impact defibrillation success. Multiple defibrillations can be associated with decreased post-resuscitation myocardial function. We hypothesize that a more complete picture of the cardiovascular system can be gained through non-linear dynamics and integration of multiple physiologic measures from biomedical signals.

Materials and Methods

Retrospective analysis of 153 anonymized OOH-CA patients who received at least one defibrillation for ventricular fibrillation (VF) was undertaken. A machine learning …

Visualizing A Wired World’S Past, Bernard Means

Great VCU Bike Race Book Faculty Reflections

Faculty reflection on VCU Great Bike Race Book course.

Course Description: This track will draw on archaeology, art and history to reveal the shared humanity of the UCI Road World Championships’ participants and the VCU community.

Animal Cruelty And Elder Abuse, Edward F. Ansello

Director's Editorials from Age in Action

Continuing and expanding the American Psychological Association's guidance that those in counseling roles be alert to and ask questions about care of animals could provide some early warnings, perhaps in time to avoid harm to both animals and people. Encouraging our children to interact with kindness towards animals can’t help but pay dividends over the life course. We need to pay attention to the link of indifference or neglect of pets leading to the same with humans, with those in later life.

Microstructured Thin Film Nitinol For A Neurovascular Flow-Diverter, Yanfei Chen, Connor Howe, Yongkuk Lee, Seongsik Cheon, Woon-Hong Yeo, Youngjae Chun

Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering Publications

A cerebral aneurysm occurs as a result of a weakened blood vessel, which allows blood to flow into a sac or a ballooned section. Recent advancement shows that a new device, ‘flow-diverter’, can divert blood flow away from the aneurysm sac. People found that a flow-diverter based on thin film nitinol (TFN), works very effectively, however there are no studies proving the mechanical safety in irregular, curved blood vessels. Here, we study the mechanical behaviors and structural safety of a novel microstructured TFN membrane through the computational and experimental studies, which establish the fundamental aspects of stretching and bending mechanics …

Cleveland Street Connection: A Transit Oriented Development Plan, Ursp 761 (Studio I), Aidan Quirke, Crystal Castleberry, Elizabeth Greenfield, Haley Angel, Joseph Costello, Jonah Lampkin, Lauren Cross, Lois Milone, Michal Voscek, Michaela Martin, Mina Monavarian, Tyler Walter

Urban and Regional Studies and Planning Reports

The City of Richmond requested a plan that will inform the creation of a vibrant walkable community within a quarter mile of the Cleveland Street Pulse Station. The plan will focus on creating a cohesive, yet unique, station design that will draw together two neighborhoods: the Museum District and Scotts Addition, with Broad Street acting as the binding element. The Cleveland Street Connection will provide a vision for future development and infill in the area. The goals of the plan are to develop a walkable environment, create a distinctive Broad Street corridor, and provide a clear set of standards to …

New Platinum Agents, Triplatin And Triplatin Nc, Suppress Advanced Breast And Pancreatic Cancer, Stephanie C. Demasi, Kazuaki Takabe Md, Ph.D., Facs

MD Student Summer Research Fellowship Program Posters

• Triplatin and Triplatin NC suppressed cell growth of both Breast Cancer and Pancreatic Cancer in a dose dependent manner in vitro.

• Both Triplatin and TriplatinNC demonstrated growth suppression of the primary breast tumor. A single animal (in the TriplatinNCgroup) was sacrificed due to weight loss.

• In the advanced ex vivo lung metastasis model our most striking results were observed, where the agents nearly prohibited lung metastasis from occurring.

• In the pancreatic cancer peritoneal carcinomatosis model, Triplatin reduced total tumor burden. Mouse survival was significantlyenhanced by the Triplatin treatment group and no mouse developed weight loss more …

Novel Osteogenic Ti-6al-4v Device For Restoration Of Dental Function In Patients With Large Bone Deficiencies: Design, Development And Implementation, David J. Cohen, A Cheng, A. Kahn, M. Aviram, Alexander J. Whitehead, Sharon Hyzy, Ryan M. Clohessy, Barbara D. Boyan, Zvi Schwartz

Biomedical Engineering Publications

Custom devices supporting bone regeneration and implant placement are needed for edentulous patients with large mandibular deficiencies where endosteal implantation is not possible. We developed a novel subperiosteal titanium-aluminum-vanadium bone onlay device produced by additive manufacturing (AM) and post-fabrication osteogenic micro-/nano-scale surface texture modification. Human osteoblasts produced osteogenic and angiogenic factors when grown on laser-sintered nano-/micro-textured surfaces compared to smooth surfaces. Surface-processed constructs caused higher bone-to-implant contact, vertical bone growth into disk pores (microCT and histomorphometry), and mechanical pull-out force at 5 and 10 w on rat calvaria compared to non surface-modified constructs, even when pre-treating the bone to stimulate …

24r,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 Protects Against Articular Cartilage Damage Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Transection In Male Rats, Barbara D. Boyan, Sharon L. Hyzy, Qingfen Pan, Kayla M. Scott, Richard D. Coutts, Robert Healey, Zvi Schwartz

Biomedical Engineering Publications

Osteoarthritis (OA) in humans is associated with low circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 [25 (OH)D3]. In vitamin D replete rats, radiolabeled 24R,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [24R,25 (OH)2D3] accumulates in articular cartilage following injection of [3 H]-25(OH)D3. Previously, we showed that 24R,25(OH)2D3 blocks chondrocyte apoptosis via phospholipase D and p53, suggesting a role for 24R,25(OH)2D3 in maintaining cartilage health. We examined the ability of 24R,25(OH)2D3 to prevent degenerative changes in articular cartilage in an OAlike environment and the potential mechanisms involved. In vitro, rat articular chondrocytes were treated with IL-1β with and without 24R,25(OH)2D3 or 1α,25(OH)2D3. 24R,25(OH)2D3 but not 1α,25(OH)2D3 blocked the effects of IL-1β …

Mechanical Loading Attenuates Radiation-Induced Bone Loss In Bone Marrow Transplanted Mice, Peter M. Govey, Yue Zhang, Henry J. Donahue

Biomedical Engineering Publications

Exposure of bone to ionizing radiation, as occurs during radiotherapy for some localized malignancies and blood or bone marrow cancers, as well as during space travel, incites dose-dependent bone morbidity and increased fracture risk. Rapid trabecular and endosteal bone loss reflects acutely increased osteoclastic resorption as well as decreased bone formation due to depletion of osteoprogenitors. Because of this dysregulation of bone turnover, bone’s capacity to respond to a mechanical loading stimulus in the aftermath of irradiation is unknown. We employed a mouse model of total body irradiation and bone marrow transplantation simulating treatment of hematologic cancers, hypothesizing that compression …

The Pathogen-Occupied Vacuoles Of Anaplasma Phagocytophilum And Anaplasma Marginale Interact With The Endoplasmic Reticulum, Hilary K. Truchan, Chelsea L. Cockburn, Kathryn S. Hebert, Forgivemore Magunda, Susan M. Noh, Jason A. Carlyon

Microbiology and Immunology Publications

The genus Anaplasma consists of tick-transmitted obligate intracellular bacteria that invade white or red blood cells to cause debilitating and potentially fatal infections. A. phagocytophilum, a human and veterinary pathogen, infects neutrophils to cause granulocytic anaplasmosis. A. marginale invades bovine erythrocytes. Evidence suggests that both species may also infect endothelial cells in vivo. In mammalian and arthropod host cells, A. phagocytophilum and A. marginale reside in host cell derived pathogen-occupied vacuoles (POVs). While it was recently demonstrated that the A. phagocytophilum-occupied vacuole (ApV) intercepts membrane traffic from the trans-Golgi network, it is unclear if it or …

Involvement Of Nadh Oxidase In Biofilm Formation In Streptococcus Sanguinis, Xiuchun Ge, Xiaoli Shi, Limei Shi, Jinlin Liu, Victoria Stone, Fanxiang Kong, Todd Kitten, Ping Xu

Microbiology and Immunology Publications

Biofilms play important roles in microbial communities and are related to infectious diseases. Here, we report direct evidence that a bacterial nox gene encoding NADH oxidase is involved in biofilm formation. A dramatic reduction in biofilm formation was observed in a Streptococcus sanguinis nox mutant under anaerobic conditions without any decrease in growth. The membrane fluidity of the mutant bacterial cells was found to be decreased and the fatty acid composition altered, with increased palmitic acid and decreased stearic acid and vaccenic acid. Extracellular DNA of the mutant was reduced in abundance and bacterial competence was suppressed. Gene expression analysis …

Interaction Between Cannabinoid System And Toll-Like Receptors Controls Inflammation, Kathleen L. Mccoy

Microbiology and Immunology Publications

Since the discovery of the endocannabinoid system consisting of cannabinoid receptors, endogenous ligands, and biosynthetic and metabolizing enzymes, interest has been renewed in investigating the promise of cannabinoids as therapeutic agents. Abundant evidence indicates that cannabinoids modulate immune responses. An inflammatory response is triggered when innate immune cells receive a danger signal provided by pathogen- or damage-associated molecular patterns engaging pattern-recognition receptors. Toll-like receptor family members are prominent pattern-recognition receptors expressed on innate immune cells. Cannabinoids suppress Toll-like receptor-mediated inflammatory responses. However, the relationship between the endocannabinoid system and innate immune system may not be one-sided. Innate immune cells express …

Interaction Between Cannabinoid System And Toll-Like Receptors Controls Inflammation, Kathleen L. Mccoy

Microbiology and Immunology Publications

Since the discovery of the endocannabinoid system consisting of cannabinoid receptors, endogenous ligands, and biosynthetic and metabolizing enzymes, interest has been renewed in investigating the promise of cannabinoids as therapeutic agents. Abundant evidence indicates that cannabinoids modulate immune responses. An inflammatory response is triggered when innate immune cells receive a danger signal provided by pathogen- or damage-associated molecular patterns engaging pattern-recognition receptors. Toll-like receptor family members are prominent pattern-recognition receptors expressed on innate immune cells. Cannabinoids suppress Toll-like receptor-mediated inflammatory responses. However, the relationship between the endocannabinoid system and innate immune system may not be one-sided. Innate immune cells express …

Virginia Commonwealth University Courses [2016], Virginia Commonwealth University

VCU Bulletins

Listing of courses for the 2016-2017 year.

Effects Of Inositol(S) In Women With Pcos: A Systematic Review Of Randomized Controlled Trials, Vittorio Unfer, John E. Nestler, Zdravko A. Kamenov, Nikos Prapas, Fabio Facchinetti

Obstetrics and Gynecology Publications

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder, with complex etiology and pathophysiology, which remains poorly understood. It affects about 5–10% of women of reproductive age who typically suffer from obesity, hyperandrogenism, ovarian dysfunction, and menstrual irregularity. Indeed, PCOS is the most common cause of anovulatory infertility in industrialized nations, and it is associated with insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and increased cardiovascular risk. Although insulin resistance is not included as a criterion for diagnosis, it is a critical pathological condition of PCOS. The purpose of this systematic review is the analysis of recent randomized clinical trials of …

Researcher Honored For ‘Outstanding Early Career’, Chris Rubis

The Scope

Dr. Matthew L. Banks, an assistant professor in VCU’s Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, recently received the university’s Outstanding Early Career Faculty Award. His research centers on two themes – developing behavioral and pharmacological strategies to treat drug addiction, and making existing medications more effective with fewer side effects.

Foraging And Song Rate Of Prothonotary Warblers In High And Low Density Breeding Sites, Denney Turner, Amanda Mcghee, Lesley Bulluck

Rice Rivers Center Research Symposium

Foraging observations can be used as an indicator of habitat quality and food availability. Previous studies with song rate have had conflicting results. Song rate increases with abundance (male-­‐male interac=ons) (Warren et. al 2013) and with high quality habitats (Stehelin and Lein 2013). Unmated males sing twice as often as mated males (Robins et. al 2009), expected in poor quality habitats. Few studies have assessed foraging and song rate behaviors in high and low density systems. Prothonotary Warblers (PROW) are excellent study species because they nest in boxes and we can manipulate density. The objective of this study was to …

Mir-9 Acts As An Oncomir In Prostate Cancer Through Multiple Pathways That Drive Tumour Progression And Metastasis, S. J. Seashols-Williams, W. Budd, G. C. Clark, Q. Wu, R. Daniel, E. Dragoescu, Z. E. Zehner

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Publications

Identification of dysregulated microRNAs (miRNAs) in prostate cancer is critical not only for diagnosis, but also differentiation between the aggressive and indolent forms of the disease. miR-9 was identified as an oncomiR through both miRNA panel RT-qPCR as well as high-throughput sequencing analysis of the human P69 prostate cell line as compared to its highly tumorigenic and metastatic subline M12, and found to be consistently upregulated in other prostate cell lines including DU-145 and PC3. While miR-9 has been characterized as dysregulated either as an oncomiR or tumour suppressor in a variety of other cancers including breast, ovarian, and nasopharyngeal …

Metabolism And Metabolic Inhibition Of Xanthotoxol In Human Liver Microsomes, Zhongnv Ma, Xianbao Shi, Gang Zhang, Feng Guo, Lina Shan, Jiqun Cai

Medicinal Chemistry Publications

Cytochrome p450 (CYP450) enzymes are predominantly involved in Phase I metabolism of xenobiotics. In this study, the CYP450 isoforms involved in xanthotoxol metabolism were identified using recombinant CYP450s. In addition, the inhibitory effects of xanthotoxol on eight CYP450 isoforms and its pharmacokinetic parameters were determined using human liver microsomes. CYP1A2, one of CYP450s, played a key role in the metabolism of xanthotoxol compared to other CYP450s. Xanthotoxol showed stronger inhibition on CYP3A4 and CYP1A2 compared to other isoenzymes with the IC50 of 7.43 μM for CYP3A4 and 27.82 μM for CYP1A2. The values of inhibition kinetic parameters (Ki) were 21.15 …

Prothonotary Warbler Nestling Growth And Condition Inresponse To Variation In Aquatic And Terrestrial Preyavailability, Jenna C. Dodson, Nicholas J. Moy, Lesley P. Bulluck

Biology Publications

Aquatic prey subsidies entering terrestrial habitats are well documented, but little is known about the degree to which these resources provide fitness benefits to riparian consumers. Riparian species take advantage of seasonal pulses of both terrestrial and aquatic prey, although aquatic resources are often over-looked in studies of how diet influences the reproductive ecology of these organisms. Ideally, the timing of resource pulses should occur at the time of highest reproductive demand. This study investigates the availability of aquatic(mayfly) and terrestrial (caterpillar) prey resources as well as the nestling diet of the prothonotary warbler (Protonotaria citrea) at two sites along …