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Structural Modeling And Functional Analysis Of The Essential Ribosomal Processing Protease Prp From Staphylococcus Aureus, Erin A. Wall, Adam L. Johnson, Darrell L. Peterson, Gail E. Christie

Microbiology and Immunology Publications

In Firmicutes and related bacteria, ribosomal large subunit protein L27 is encoded with a conserved N-terminal extension that is removed to expose residues critical for ribosome function. Bacteria encoding L27 with this N-terminal extension also encode a sequence-specific cysteine protease, Prp, which carries out this cleavage. In this work, we demonstrate that L27 variants with an un-cleavable N-terminal extension, or lacking the extension (pre-cleaved), are unable to complement an L27 deletion in Staphylococcus aureus. This indicates that N-terminal processing of L27 is not only essential but possibly has a regulatory role. Prp represents a new clade of previously uncharacterized cysteine …

Tetr Family Regulator Brpt Modulates Biofilm Formation In Streptococcus Sanguinis, Jinlin Liu, Victoria N. Stone, Xiuchun Ge, Madison Tang, Fadi Elrami, Ping Xu

Microbiology and Immunology Publications

Biofilms are a key component in bacterial communities providing protection and contributing to infectious diseases. However, mechanisms involved in S. sanguinis biofilm formation have not been clearly elucidated. Here, we report the identification of a novel S. sanguinis TetR repressor, brpT (Biofilm Regulatory Protein TetR), involved in biofilm formation. Deletion of brpT resulted in a significant increase in biofilm formation. Interestingly, the mutant accumulated more water soluble and water insoluble glucans in its biofilm compared to the wild-type and the complemented mutant. The brpT mutation led to an altered biofilm morphology and structure exhibiting a rougher appearance, uneven …

Identification Of Naegleria Fowleri Proteins Linked To Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis, Melissa Jamerson, Jacqueline A. Schmoyer, Jay Park, Francine Marciano-Cabral, Guy A. Cabral

Microbiology and Immunology Publications

Naegleria fowleri (N. fowleri) causes primary amoebic meningoencephalitis, a rapidly fatal disease of the central nervous system. N. fowleri can exist in cyst, flagellate or amoebic forms, depending on environmental conditions. The amoebic form can invade the brain following introduction into the nasal passages. When applied intranasally to a mouse model, cultured N. fowleri amoebae exhibit low virulence. However, upon serial passage in mouse brain, the amoebae acquire a highly virulent state. In the present study, a proteomics approach was applied to the identification of N. fowleri amoeba proteins whose expression was associated with the highly virulent state …

Saikosaponins Induced Hepatotoxicity In Mice Via Lipid Metabolism Dysregulation And Oxidative Stress: A Proteomic Study, Xiaoyu Li, Xiaojiaoyang Li, Junxian Lu, Youyi Huang, Lili Lv, Yongfu Luan, Runping Liu, Rong Sun

Microbiology and Immunology Publications

Background

Radix Bupleuri (RB) has been popularly used for treating many liver diseases such as chronic hepatic inflammation and viral Hepatitis in China. Increasing clinical and experimental evidence indicates the potential hepatotoxicity of RB or prescriptions containing RB. Recently, Saikosaponins (SS) have been identified as major bioactive compounds isolated from RB, which may be also responsible for RB-induced liver injury.

Methods

Serum AST, ALT and LDH levels were determined to evaluate SS-induced liver injury in mice. Serum and liver total triglyceride and cholesterol were used to indicate lipid metabolism homeostasis. Liver ROS, GSH, MDA and iNOS were used to examine …

Effect Of Variations In Atelectasis On Tumor Displacement During Radiation Therapy For Locally Advanced Lung Cancer, Nathan Tennyson, Elisabeth Weiss, William Sleeman, Mihaela Rosu, Nuzhat Jan, Geoffrey D. Hugo

Radiation Oncology Publications

Purpose

Atelectasis (AT), or collapsed lung, is frequently associated with central lung tumors. We investigated the variation of atelectasis volumes during radiation therapy and analyzed the effect of AT volume changes on the reproducibility of the primary tumor (PT) position.

Methods and materials

Twelve patients with lung cancer who had AT and 10 patients without AT underwent repeated 4-dimensional fan beam computed tomography (CT) scans during radiation therapy per protocols that were approved by the institutional review board. Interfraction volume changes of AT and PT were correlated with PT displacements relative to bony anatomy using both a bounding box (BB) …

Virginia Commonwealth University Commencement Program [2017], Virginia Commonwealth University

VCU Commencement Programs

No abstract provided.

Virginia Commonwealth University Fall Commencement Program [2017], Virginia Commonwealth University

VCU Commencement Programs

No abstract provided.

Virginia Commonwealth University Undergraduate Bulletin [2017], Virginia Commonwealth University

VCU Bulletins

Undergraduate bulletin for Virginia Commonwealth University for the academic year 2017-2018. It includes information on academic regulations, degree requirements, course offerings, faculty, academic calendar, and tuition and expenses for undergraduate programs.

The Anti-Sepsis Activity Of The Components Of Huanglian Jiedu Decoction With High Lipid A-Binding Affinity, Guirong Chen, Yubin Xu, Jing Jing, Brianna Mackie, Xinchuan Zheng, Xu Zhang, Jing Wang, Xuetao Li

Medicinal Chemistry Publications

Huanglian Jiedu Decoction (HJD), one of the classic recipes for relieving toxicity and fever, is a common method for treating sepsis in China. However, the effective components of HJD have not yet been identified. This experiment was carried out to elucidate the effective components of HJD against sepsis. Thus, seven fractions from HJD were tested using a biosensor to test their affinity for lipid A. The components obtained that had high lipid A-binding fractions were further separated, and their affinities to lipid A were assessed with the aid of a biosensor. The levels of LPS in the blood were measured, …

Virginia Commonwealth University Graduate Bulletin [2017], Virginia Commonwealth University

VCU Bulletins

Graduate bulletin for Virginia Commonwealth University for the academic year 2017-2018. It includes information on academic regulations, degree requirements, course offerings, faculty, academic calendar, and tuition and expenses for graduate programs.

Introduction: Special Issue On Genetic Research Of Alcohol Use Disorder In Diverse Racial/Ethnic Populations, Karen G. Chartier, Michie N. Hesselbrock, Victor M. Hesselbrock

Social Work Publications

This special issue of The American Journal on Addictions is an extension of a workshop held at the Research Society on Alcoholism (2015) highlighting several important issues related to studies of the genetic bases of alcohol use disorder among racially/ethnically diverse populations. While not exhaustive in their coverage, the papers in this special issue focus on three important topics: (1) the importance of considering the social and environmental context in genetic analyses; (2) social and cultural considerations for engaging diverse communities in genetic research; and (3) methodologies related to phenotype development for use with racially/ethnically diverse populations. A brief overview …

A Template Analysis Of Intimate Partner Violence Survivors’ Experiences Of Animal Maltreatment: Implications For Safety Planning And Intervention, Elizabeth A. Collins, Anna M. Cody, Shelby Elaine Mcdonald, Nicole Nicotera, Frank R. Ascione, James Herbert Williams

Social Work Publications

This study explores the intersection of intimate partner violence (IPV) and animal cruelty in an ethnically diverse sample of 103 pet-owning IPV survivors recruited from community-based domestic violence programs. Template analysis revealed five themes: (a) Animal Maltreatment by Partner as a Tactic of Coercive Power and Control, (b) Animal Maltreatment by Partner as Discipline or Punishment of Pet, (c) Animal Maltreatment by Children, (d) Emotional and Psychological Impact of Animal Maltreatment Exposure, and (e) Pets as an Obstacle to Effective Safety Planning. Results demonstrate the potential impact of animal maltreatment exposure on women and child IPV survivors’ health and safety.

Sharing Extended Summary Data From Contemporary Genetics Studies Is Unlikely To Threaten Subject Privacy, Silviu-Alin Bacanu

Psychiatry Publications

Background

Starting from a forensic problem, Homer et al. showed that it was possible to detect if an individual contributes only 0.5% of the DNA in a pool. The finding was extended to prove the possibility of detecting whether a subject participated in a small homogeneous GWAS. We denote this as the detection of a subject belonging to a certain cohort (SBCC). Subsequently, Visscher and Hill showed that the power to detect SBCC signal for an ethnically homogeneous cohort depends roughly on the ratio of the number of independent markers and total sample size. However, it …

A Preliminary Longitudinal Study Of White Matter Alteration In Cocaine Use Disorder Subjects, Liangsuo Ma, Joel L. Steinberg, Qin Wang, Joy M. Schmitz, Edward L. Boone, Ponnada A. Narayana, F. Gerard Moeller

Radiology Publications

Background

Previous diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) studies have consistently shown that subjects with cocaine use disorder (CocUD) had altered white matter microstructure in the corpus callosum. It is believed that these alterations are due to preexisting factors, chronic cocaine use, or both. However, there is no published longitudinal DTI study on human cocaine users yet which could shed light on the relationship between cocaine use and DTI findings.

Methods

This study used a longitudinal design and DTI to test if the white matter microstructure shows quicker alteration in CocUD subjects than controls. DTI data were acquired from eleven CocUD subjects …

A Randomized Prospective Long-Term (> 1 Year) Clinical Trial Comparing The Efficacy And Safety Of Radiofrequency Ablation To 980nm Laser Ablation Of The Great Saphenous Vein, Malcolm Sydnor, John Mavropoulos, Natalia Slobodnik, Luke Wolfe, Brian Strife, Daniel Komorowski

Radiology Publications

Purpose

To compare the short- and long-term (>1 year) efficacy and safety of radiofrequency ablation (ClosureFAST™) versus endovenous laser ablation (980 nm diode laser) for the treatment of superficial venous insufficiency of the great saphenous vein.

Materials and methods

Two hundred patients with superficial venous insufficiency of the great saphenous vein were randomized to receive either radiofrequency ablation or endovenous laser ablation (and simultaneous adjunctive therapies for surface varicosities when appropriate). Post-treatment sonographic and clinical assessment was conducted at one week, six weeks, and six months for closure, complications, and patient satisfaction. Clinical assessment of each patient was conducted …

Medical Literary Messenger (Vol. 5, No. 1, Fall/Winter 2017)

Medical Literary Messenger

Home Visit / Melissa Fournier -- Stiffness / Hannah Shea -- Exile / Lane Falcon -- Good Intentions / Laura Foley -- Resurrection / Les Cohen -- Visits / Craig W. Steele -- That Last Night / Laura Foley -- Taste / Dan Campion -- Bumblebees Don’t Always Sting / Diane M. Parker -- Mental Status Exam / Melissa Fournier -- Dystrophia I / Ashley Purdy -- Muck Out / Mitchell Krockmalnik Grabois -- Endoscope / Lane Falcon -- Leftovers / Erynn Porter -- Another Autumn / Deborah Fleming -- Autism / Laura Foley -- Nearly Sunset / Craig W. …

Automatic Dispensing Pill Caddy For The Elderly, Timothy H. Bruce, William Friend, Damien Nobles, Andrew Stasi, Courtney Bailey, Damoneke Harper

Capstone Design Expo Posters

The report, Aging in the United States, finds that baby boomers who are at retirement age are in worse health compared with previous generations. More of them are living with chronic conditions such as high cholesterol, hypertension, diabetes, arthritis, and heart disease; all which require medication. The report also anticipates the number of people with dementia could nearly triple in the coming decades, resulting in senior adults requiring more assistance with daily activities.

Our product intends to enhance the quality of life of the older adult population by providing a pill dispenser that creates convenience with alerts and notifications. This …

Palladium Nanoparticles Supported On Ce-Metal–Organic Framework For Efficient Co Oxidation And Low-Temperature Co2 Capture, Andrew Lin, Amr Awad Ibrahim, Pezhman Arab, Hanii M. El-Kaderi, M. Samy El-Shall

Chemistry Publications

In this article, we report the lowest-temperature CO oxidation catalyst supported on metal–organic frameworks (MOFs). We have developed a facile, general, and effective approach based on microwave irradiation for the incorporation of Pd nanoparticle catalyst within Ce-MOF. The resulting Pd/Ce-MOF material is a unique catalyst that is capable of CO oxidation at modest temperatures and also of efficient uptake of the product CO2 gas at low temperatures. The observed catalytic activity of this material toward CO oxidation is significantly higher than those of other reported metal nanoparticles supported on MOFs. The high activity of the Pd/Ce-MOF catalyst is due to …

In Defense Of Science—What Would John Do?, Mohamed Gad-El-Hak

Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering Publications

Recent onslaughts on the importance of pure research to our collective well-being are trending. In this essay, I discuss the issues involved and offer a rebuttal. The thoughts are inspired by my mentor, academic sibling, and idol John Leask Lumley.

The Role Of Kinase Fusion Dnajb1-Prkaca In Fibrolamellar Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Yi Guo

Hepatobiliary Cancers: Pathobiology and Translational Advances

No abstract provided.

Regulation Of Biliary Progenitor Cell Proliferation By Hedgehog Signaling In In Vivo And Ex Vivo Organoid Models, Nataliya Razumilava M.D., Junya Shiota M.D., Ramon Ocadiz-Ruiz Ph.D., Nureen Hanisah Mohamad Zaki, Kais Zakharia M.D., Michael Mathew Hayes, Juanita Lynn Merchant M.D., Ph.D.

Hepatobiliary Cancers: Pathobiology and Translational Advances

No abstract provided.

Glypican-3 And Cd81 Promote Development Of Hepatocellular Carcinoma And Hepatoblastoma Through Negative Selection., Yuhua Xue, Wendy Mars, William Bowen, Aatur D. Singhi, Sarangarajan Ranganathan, George K. Michalopoulos

Hepatobiliary Cancers: Pathobiology and Translational Advances

No abstract provided.

The Molecular Mechanism Of Β-Catenin Mutations And Akt Synergize Induced Lipogenic Hcc In Mice, Junyan Tao 8598903, Sucha Singh, Emily Xu, Na Zhan, Xin Chen, Satdarshan P. S. Monga

Hepatobiliary Cancers: Pathobiology and Translational Advances

No abstract provided.

Innate Lymphoid Cells In Mouse Models Of Hcc And Nash, Bernd Heinrich, Tim F. Greten

Hepatobiliary Cancers: Pathobiology and Translational Advances

No abstract provided.

Hepatic Stellate Cell-Derived Cancer Associated Fibroblasts Sustain Tumor Growth In Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma, Silvia Affo, Le-Xing Yu, Xin Chen, Robert F. Schwabe

Hepatobiliary Cancers: Pathobiology and Translational Advances

No abstract provided.

Virginia Commonwealth University Professional Bulletin [2017], Virginia Commonwealth University

VCU Bulletins

Professional programs bulletin for Virginia Commonwealth University for the academic year 2017-2018. It includes information on academic regulations, degree requirements, course offerings, faculty, academic calendar, and tuition and expenses for graduate programs.

Virginia Commonwealth University Courses [2017], Virginia Commonwealth University

VCU Bulletins

Listing of courses for the 2017-2018 year.

Locomotor Adaptability In Persons With Unilateral Transtibial Amputation, Benjamin J. Darter, Amy J. Bastian, Erik J. Wolf, Elizabeth M. Husson, Bethany A. Labrecque, Brad D. Hendershot

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Publications

Background

Locomotor adaptation enables walkers to modify strategies when faced with challenging walking conditions. While a variety of neurological injuries can impair locomotor adaptability, the effect of a lower extremity amputation on adaptability is poorly understood.

Objective

Determine if locomotor adaptability is impaired in persons with unilateral transtibial amputation (TTA).

Methods

The locomotor adaptability of 10 persons with a TTA and 8 persons without an amputation was tested while walking on a split-belt treadmill with the parallel belts running at the same (tied) or different (split) speeds. In the split condition, participants walked for 15 minutes with the respective belts …

A Mathematical System For Human Implantable Wound Model Studies, Salomonsky Paul-Michael, Rebecca Segal

Mathematics and Applied Mathematics Publications

In this work, we present a mathematical model, which accounts for two fundamental processes involved in the repair of an acute dermal wound. These processes include the inflammatory response and fibroplasia. Our system describes each of these events through the time evolution of four primary species or variables. These include the density of initial damage, inflammatory cells, fibroblasts and deposition of new collagen matrix. Since it is difficult to populate the equations of our model with coefficients that have been empirically derived, we fit these constants by carrying out a large number of simulations until there is reasonable agreement between …

Genomic Analysis Of Chimeric Human Cytomegalovirus Vaccine Candidates Derived From Strains Towne And Toledo, Nicolás M. Suárez, Betty Lau, George M. Kemble, Ronzo Lee, Edward S. Mocarski, Gavin W. G. Wilkinson, Stuart P. Adler, Michael A. Mcvoy, Andrew J. Davison

Pediatrics Publications

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is an important opportunistic pathogen in immunocompromised patients and a major cause of congenital birth defects when acquired in utero. In the 1990s, four chimeric viruses were constructed by replacing genome segments of the high passage Towne strain with segments of the low passage Toledo strain, with the goal of obtaining live attenuated vaccine candidates that remained safe but were more immunogenic than the overly attenuated Towne vaccine. The chimeras were found to be safe when administered to HCMV-seronegative human volunteers, but to differ significantly in their ability to induce seroconversion. This suggests that chimera-specific genetic differences …