Digital Commons Network^™

Multiomics Characterization Of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (Mrsa) Isolates With Heterogeneous Intermediate Resistance To Vancomycin (Hvisa) In Latin America, Betsy E Castro, Rafael Rios, Lina P Carvajal, Mónica L Vargas, Mónica P Cala, Lizeth León, Blake Hanson, An Q Dinh, Oscar Ortega-Recalde, Carlos Seas, Jose M Munita, Cesar A Arias, Sandra Rincon, Jinnethe Reyes, Lorena Diaz

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: Heterogeneous vancomycin-intermediate Staphylococcus aureus (hVISA) compromise the clinical efficacy of vancomycin. The hVISA isolates spontaneously produce vancomycin-intermediate Staphylococcus aureus (VISA) cells generated by diverse and intriguing mechanisms.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the biomolecular profile of clinical hVISA applying genomic, transcriptomic and metabolomic approaches.

METHODS: 39 hVISA and 305 VSSA and their genomes were included. Core genome-based Bayesian phylogenetic reconstructions were built and alterations in predicted proteins in VISA/hVISA were interrogated. Linear discriminant analysis and a Genome-Wide Association Study were performed. Differentially expressed genes were identified in hVISA-VSSA by RNA-sequencing. The undirected profiles of metabolites were determined by liquid chromatography and …

Unsupervised Machine Learning Using K-Means Identifies Radiomic Subgroups Of Pediatric Low-Grade Gliomas That Correlate With Key Molecular Markers, Debanjan Haldar, Anahita Fathi Kazerooni, Sherjeel Arif, Ariana Familiar, Rachel Madhogarhia, Nastaran Khalili, Sina Bagheri, Hannah Anderson, Ibraheem Salman Shaikh, Aria Mahtabfar, Meen Chul Kim, Wenxin Tu, Jefferey Ware, Arastoo Vossough, Christos Davatzikos, Phillip B Storm, Adam Resnick, Ali Nabavizadeh

Department of Neurosurgery Faculty Papers

Introduction: Despite advancements in molecular and histopathologic characterization of pediatric low-grade gliomas (pLGGs), there remains significant phenotypic heterogeneity among tumors with similar categorizations. We hypothesized that an unsupervised machine learning approach based on radiomic features may reveal distinct pLGG imaging subtypes.

Methods: Multi-parametric MR images (T1 pre- and post-contrast, T2, and T2 FLAIR) from 157 patients with pLGGs were collected and 881 quantitative radiomic features were extracted from tumorous region. Clustering was performed using K-means after applying principal component analysis (PCA) for feature dimensionality reduction. Molecular and demographic data was obtained from the PedCBioportal and compared between imaging subtypes.

Results: …

Successful Treatment Of Myofascial Pain Syndrome (Mps) With Surgical Cauterization Of Temporalis Muscle Trigger Points: A Case Report, Craig Pearl, Brendan Moxley, Andrew Perry, Nagi Demian

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

For patients suffering from myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) affecting muscles of mastication, traditional trigger point therapy treatment regimens can prove inconvenient, due to the short duration of pain relief after each injection and expense of repeated visits which are often not covered by insurance. We present a case of a patient treated using an alternative technique that could develop into an additional modality for treating MPS patients who are refractory to conservative treatment. This technique involves identifying and marking the patient's trigger points and surgically cauterizing each location using a Bovie electrosurgical unit. While traditional trigger point injection therapy for …

Emulating Future Neurotechnology Using Magic, Jay A. Olson, Mariève Cyr, Despina Z. Artenie, Thomas Strandberg, Lars Hall, Matthew L. Tompkins, Amir Raz, Petter Johansson

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

Recent developments in neuroscience and artificial intelligence have allowed machines to decode mental processes with growing accuracy. Neuroethicists have speculated that perfecting these technologies may result in reactions ranging from an invasion of privacy to an increase in self-understanding. Yet, evaluating these predictions is difficult given that people are poor at forecasting their reactions. To address this, we developed a paradigm using elements of performance magic to emulate future neurotechnologies. We led 59 participants to believe that a (sham) neurotechnological machine could infer their preferences, detect their errors, and reveal their deep-seated attitudes. The machine gave participants randomly assigned positive …

Control Of Sars-Cov-2 Infection By Mt1-Mmp-Mediated Shedding Of Ace2, Xuanming Guo, Jianli Cao, Jian-Piao Cai, Jiayan Wu, Jiangang Huang, Pallavi Asthana, Sheung Kin Ken Wong, Zi-Wei Ye, Susma Gurung, Yijing Zhang, Sheng Wang, Zening Wang, Xin Ge, Hiu Yee Kwan, Aiping Lyu, Kui Ming Chan, Nathalie Wong, Jiandong Huang, Zhongjun Zhou, Zhao-Xiang Bian, Shuofeng Yuan, Hoi Leong Xavier Wong

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused a global pandemic. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is an entry receptor for SARS-CoV-2. The full-length membrane form of ACE2 (memACE2) undergoes ectodomain shedding to generate a shed soluble form (solACE2) that mediates SARS-CoV-2 entry via receptor-mediated endocytosis. Currently, it is not known how the physiological regulation of ACE2 shedding contributes to the etiology of COVID-19 in vivo. The present study identifies Membrane-type 1 Matrix Metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) as a critical host protease for solACE2-mediated SARS-CoV-2 infection. SARS-CoV-2 infection leads to increased activation of MT1-MMP that is colocalized with ACE2 in human lung …

Trends And Issues Involving Disabilities In Higher Education, Jm Kauffman, D Anastasiou, M Felder, J Lopes, Ba Hallenbeck, G Hornby, B Ahrbeck

More Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business Research

People with disabilities have often been discriminated against in higher education; however, many institutions of higher education find ways of providing access to higher education for those with most forms of disabilities. Progress has been made in providing such access but undoubtedly there is still a need for more disability awareness, anti-stigma, and anti-discrimination training. At the same time higher education requirements, by default, involve higher cognitive capabilities. Some disabilities, those involving severe limitations of cognitive functioning, face insurmountable difficulties in meeting these higher intellectual demands, even with the most reasonable accommodations. Teacher education, for example, requires special attention to …

Behavioral Strategies Of Prehistoric And Historic Children From Dental Microwear Texture Analysis, Almudena Estalrrich, Kristin L. Krueger

Anthropology: Faculty Publications and Other Works

Reconstructing the dietary and behavioral strategies of our hominin ancestors is crucial to understanding their evolution, adaptation, and overall way of life. Teeth in general, and dental microwear specifically, provide a means to examine these strategies, with posterior teeth well positioned to tell us about diet, and anterior teeth helping us examine non-dietary tooth-use behaviors. Past research predominantly focused on strategies of adult individuals, leaving us to wonder the role children may have played in the community at large. Here we begin to address this by analyzing prehistoric and historic children through dental microwear texture analysis of deciduous anterior teeth.

Fixing The Taxation System - Part I, Ishrat Husain Dr.

Faculty Research - Newspaper and Magazine Articles

Very few people outside the economics profession realize that fiscal (government revenue and expenditure) and current accounts (inflows and outflows of foreign exchange) are closely interlinked. A current account is an accounting identity which shows the difference between a country’s national savings and domestic investments. China is a current account surplus country because its national savings are higher than its investment needs and is therefore a capital exporting nation that is financing the current account deficit of the US. Pakistan, except for three years – 2003, 2004 and 2005 – has been a current account deficit country. Since significant foreign …

Information Seeking Behaviour Of Newspaper Journalists Of Karnataka State: A Study, Rajashekhar Mahadevagouda, Pavithrabai M S

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Journalists search, access, and make use of a variety of information sources, both in print and electronic media. Journalists have been increasingly reliant on internet tools in recent years. An attempt has been made through the study to identify the information-seeking behaviour of journalist working in 39 newspapers at the national, state, as well as regional levels. A total of 610 respondents have responded to the questionnaire. The data shows that data indicates that approximately 60% of the respondents are below 35 years. The study witnessed that more than 30% of respondents opined that the information required about all areas …

End Crime With Harm? Castration For Sexual Offenders In Hong Kong, Max Hua Chen

San Diego International Law Journal

The issue of post-conviction treatment of sex offenders has been the subject of debate and changes to State legislation, particularly in respect of paedophile offences. One such treatment method is through chemical or physical castration on either a mandatory or a voluntary basis. In this regard, some States have implemented these measures for certain paedophile offences. Hong Kong (HK) has no such laws in place. Researchers such as William Winslade and his colleagues highlighted that whilst paedophilia may not be a stringently defined condition, it is one which involves a “reinforcing [pattern] of sexual behaviors,” with the result that sexual …

‘I Will Control Your Mind’: The International Regulation Of Brain-Hacking, Thibault Moulin

San Diego International Law Journal

In the near future, the use of neurotechnologies—like brain-computer interfaces and brain stimulation—could become widespread. It will not only be used to help persons with disabilities or illness, but also by members of the armed forces and in everyday life (e.g., for entertainment and gaming). However, recent studies suggested that it is possible to hack into neural devices to obtain information, inflict pain, induce mood change, or influence movements. This Article anticipates three scenarios which may be challenging in the future—i.e., brain hacking for the purpose of reading thoughts, remotely controlling someone, and inflicting pain or death—and assesses their compliance …

Deportations For Drug Convictions In The United States And The European Union: Creating A More Compassionate Approach Toward Drug Convictions In The Immigration Law, Megan Smith

San Diego International Law Journal

This Comment begins by examining and comparing the legal framework for deportation and other immigration consequences for convictions of drug offenses in the United States, the European Union, and the United Kingdom. This Comment then looks at the harsh effects of current immigration policy on individuals and marginalized communities. Finally, this Comment argues that immigration law should be reformed to adopt a more humanitarian approach toward non-citizens convicted of drug offenses. Deportation and other harsh immigration consequences for drug offenses levy disproportionately severe punishments toward vulnerable minority immigrant communities, exposing them to consequences much harsher than non-immigrants would face for …

Proximity-Dependent Biotin Labeling In Testicular Germ Cells Identified Tesmin-Associated Proteins, Seiya Oura, Akinori Ninomiya, Fuminori Sugihara, Martin M Matzuk, Masahito Ikawa

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Characterization of protein-protein interactions (PPI) is a key to understanding the functions of proteins of interest. Recently developed proximity-dependent biotin identification (BioID) has been actively investigated as an alternative PPI mapping method because of its usefulness in uncovering transient PPI. Here, as an example of proximity labeling proteomics application in the testis, we generated two transgenic mouse lines expressing two biotin ligases (BioID2 or TurboID) fused with TESMIN, which translocates from the cytosol to the nucleus during meiotic progression and is required for reproduction. The BioID2 transgene, albeit not the TurboID transgene, rescued fertility defects of the Tesmin KO male …

Trem2 Dependent And Independent Functions Of Microglia In Alzheimer's Disease, Jinchao Hou, Yun Chen, Gary Grajales-Reyes, Marco Colonna

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Microglia are central players in brain innate immunity and have been the subject of extensive research in Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this review, we aim to summarize the genetic and functional discoveries that have advanced our understanding of microglia reactivity to AD pathology. Given the heightened AD risk posed by rare variants of the microglial triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2), we will focus on the studies addressing the impact of this receptor on microglia responses to amyloid plaques, tauopathy and demyelination pathologies in mouse and human. Finally, we will discuss the implications of recent discoveries on microglia …

Roles Played By Nigerian Youtube Micro-Celebrities During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Aje-Ori Agbese

Communication Faculty Publications

In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Nigerian social media micro-celebrities were prominent players in the dissemination of information. This study examines the roles that one group of Nigerian micro-celebrities, YouTube video bloggers (vloggers)—also known as “YouTubers”—played during the pandemic. The research analysed the contents of COVID-19-themed videos that 15 popular Nigerian YouTubers posted on their channels between 29 February and 5 August 2020. The study was guided by the two-step flow of communication theory, in terms of which information first flows from mass media to opinion leaders, who then, in the second step, share the information with their audiences. The …

Reflection On Best Practices In Designing Online Middle Level Learning, Holly J. Thornton

Current Issues in Middle Level Education

An increase in online learning during the pandemic has led to new thinking about online instruction that will last far beyond the pandemic. The hurried nature of instructional design as the pandemic shifted teaching and learning from the classroom to the computer may have neglected the need to design lessons using best practices online instead of focusing on content delivery and grading. Practices that are part of successful middle level education including cultivating depth of student understanding, developmental responsiveness, social emotional learning and differentiation to meet young adolescent student needs may have been neglected in pandemic online lesson design. This …

Vol.50 N.22 December 22nd 2022, Voice Media Ventures

Black Voice News

No abstract provided.

Usa V. Renee Tartaglione

2022 Decisions

USDC for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania

Realizing Molecular Machine Learning Through Communications For Biological Ai: Future Directions And Challenges, Sasitharan Balasubramaniam, Samitha Somathilaka, Sehee Sun, Adrian Ratwatte, Massimiliano Pierobon

School of Computing: Faculty Publications

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are weaving their way into the fabric of society, where they are playing a crucial role in numerous facets of our lives. As we witness the increased deployment of AI and ML in various types of devices, we benefit from their use into energy-efficient algorithms for low powered devices. In this paper, we investigate a scale and medium that is far smaller than conventional devices as we move towards molecular systems that can be utilized to perform machine learning functions, i.e., Molecular Machine Learning (MML). Fundamental to the operation of MML is the …

Prognostic Factors For Mortality Of Pediatric Burn Injury In A National Tertiary Referral Center, Heru Angkoso, Aria Kekalih

The New Ropanasuri Journal of Surgery

Introduction. In Indonesia, burn injuries cause about 195,000 deaths annually. Data from the Ministry of the Health Republic of Indonesia showed the incidence of burns predominated at 1-4 years old. The mortality of pediatric burn patients in a tertiary hospital was 37.26%. This study aimed to find an association between known and unknown prognostic factors of mortality in Indonesian-specific characteristics.

Method. A retrospective analytical study included all pediatric burns admitted to Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital (CMGH) from 1998 to 2010. Variables within a period of the first 72 hours of admission were the focus of interest and were extracted …

Quality Of Life And Its Associated Factors In Patients After Esophagectomy At A Single National Referral Center, Dogma H. Sirirui, Agi S. Putranto

The New Ropanasuri Journal of Surgery

Introduction. Esophagectomy is the standard surgical treatment for resectable esophageal cancer patients. However, the success rate for this procedure was about 25–35% and was associated with a severe risk of postoperative complications. In addition, patients after esophagectomy have decreased their quality of life (QOL), but no research has been done in Indonesia. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the quality of life after esophagectomy in Indonesia based on the patient population at Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital (CMGH).

Method. A retrospective study was conducted using quality–of–life instruments issued by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC). …

Surgical Intervention For Endobronchial Tuberculosis With Total Bronchial Occlusion: A Case Report, Muhammad A. Putra, Matthew Billy, Radhyaksa Ardaya, Rut Hp Ekasiwi, Sari Rahmawati, Karel Hs Sumarsudi

The New Ropanasuri Journal of Surgery

Introduction. Endobronchial Tuberculosis (EBTB) is a specific TB form affecting the tracheobronchial tree with microbial and histopathological evidence. Early diagnosis is essential to provide timely treatment and prevent complications but also proves difficult due to the low positive rate of acid–fast bacilli (AFB) staining of sputum smears and non–specific clinical and radiological findings.

Case Illustration. We reported a 19–year–old man with a productive cough suspected of pulmonary tuberculosis, with a positive GeneXpert test and negative AFB smear. He received anti–tuberculosis drugs for six months. Although the symptoms initially seemed to improve, the patient complained of dyspnea during moderate activities in …

Potential Of Tumor Cell Seeding And Clinical Impact On Percutaneous Breast Biopsy Tracks: A Literature Review, I G.N. Gunawan Wibisana, Muhammad Mirwan

The New Ropanasuri Journal of Surgery

Introduction. Based on its effectiveness, a percutaneous breast biopsy was chosen because it has minimum side effects and fewer complications, does not distort the breast tissue architecture, and can be performed on an outpatient basis. However, the biopsy can damage the integrity of tumor cells, creating seeding at the site of the track made. Therefore, core biopsy is the method of choice for breast lesion sampling using a 14G needle that provides greater sensitivity. This study aims to explain whether the percutaneous biopsy track has the potential for the formation of tumor cell seeding and its clinical impact.

Methods …

Transplantation In Pediatrics Liver Failure Associated With Acute Hepatitis Of Unknown Etiology, Afid B. Putra, Agi S. Putranto, Muftah Risyaldi, Luthfian A. Nurachman

The New Ropanasuri Journal of Surgery

Introduction. On 5^th April 2022, some cases of severe acute hepatitis of unknown etiology in children were reported in the United Kingdom. Since then, the number has increased rapidly, with 650 probable cases identified worldwide. This review focuses on available information about managing acute liver failure (ALF) in pediatrics with acute hepatitis of unknown etiology through the perspective of hepatobiliary surgery.

Method. A literature review proceeded on some databases, namely PubMed and Google Scholar. Epidemiological data and technical policy were obtained from World Health Organization and some government institutions.

Results. Severe acute hepatitis can progressively develop into acute liver …

Comparison Ultrasound-Guided Handheld Vacuum Assisted Breast Biopsy And Core Biopsy In Breast Cancer, Anak Agung Ngurah Bagus Satya Sueningrat, Mendy Mendy

The New Ropanasuri Journal of Surgery

Introduction. Needle biopsy, including core needle biopsy (CNB) and vacuum-assisted breast biopsy (VABB) with or without radiological support) is the initial investigative method of choice for the preoperative diagnosis of breast lesions. Ultrasound-guided VABB (US-VABB) has become widely accepted because of its high accuracy. In this review, the diagnostic performance indices of CNB were compared with US-VABBB techniques.

Method. A literature search proceeded in online databases compiling studies from the last 20 years in the PubMed, EBSCOhost, ScienceDirect, and ProQuest databases. Eighteen eligible studies compared US-VABB and CNB for diagnostic accuracy. All studies were cohort retrospective. This literature search proceeded …

Investigation Of Healthcare Providers Beliefs, Confidence, Knowledge, And Prevelance Within Practice Of Medicinal Cannabinoids And The Endocannabinoid System: Pre And Post Educational Intervention, Kelcey O'Daniel

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Project

The purpose of this scholarly project was to assess healthcare providers’ knowledge, and confidence of the endocannabinoid system, medicinal cannabinoids, and the action of Cannabidiol (CBD) prior to, and after an educational delivery. The surveys and educational intervention were distributed by social media platforms to healthcare providers and students of the qualifying professions to gain insight on current confidence, knowledge, and prevalence when it comes to medicinal cannabinoid discussion within healthcare practice. Results yielded statistically significant results in a multitude of aspects. When running paired samples correlations, each category within the investigation into provider confidence, proved to be statistically significant …

Occupational Depression In Italy: Associations With Health, Economic, And Work-Life Characteristics, Renzo Bianchi, Caterina Fiorilli, Giacomo Angelini, Nicoletta Dozio, Carlo Palazzi, Gloria Palazzi, Benedetto Vitiello, Irvin Sam Schonfeld

Publications and Research

Background: The Occupational Depression Inventory (ODI) reflects a new approach to job-related distress centered on work-attributed depressive symptoms. The instrument was developed with reference to the characterization of major depression found in the DSM-5. The ODI has been validated in English, French, and Spanish. This study (a) investigated the psychometric and structural properties of the ODI’s Italian version and (b) inquired into the nomological network of occupational depression. Methods: A convenience sample of 963 employed individuals was recruited in Italy (69.9% female; mean age = 40.433). We notably relied on exploratory structural equation modeling bifactor analysis, common-practice …

Former Captain Pledges $2m To Unh Ski Team, Erika Mantz

Media Relations

No abstract provided.

The Correlation Between Premenopausal Estrogen And Estrogen Receptors In Breast Cancer, Ahmad Kurnia, Dedy Pratama, Muhammad Mirwan

The New Ropanasuri Journal of Surgery

Introduction. The correlation between the premenopausal estrogen hormone and estrogen receptors is unknown. The hormone estrogen has a risk factor for causing breast cancer. Meanwhile, the estrogen receptor plays a role in determining further treatment plans in breast cancer patients. Patients with high estrogen receptors have a better prognosis. If the premenopausal estrogen hormone can affect the estrogen-receptor, then the estrogen hormone can be modified to have a better prognosis.

Method. A cross-sectional study enrolled 32 subjects with complete data and was statistically analyzed to find the correlation between premenopausal estrogen hormone and estrogen-receptors.

Results. The estradiol ranged from 15.3 …

Prognostic Factors Of Myasthenia Gravis Remission After Thymectomy At National Referral Hospital In Indonesia, Suprayitno Wardoyo, Winda J. Layardi

The New Ropanasuri Journal of Surgery

Introduction. Thymectomy is a recommended treatment for myasthenia gravis, enfacing the problem of a low remission rate. However, Indonesian-specific characteristics of myasthenia gravis are somehow different from those of well-developed countries. Thus, identifying prognostic factors influencing remission is required for patient selection to provide optimal preoperative issues.

Methods. A retrospective cohort proceeded in our tertiary hospital, enrolling those diagnosed with myasthenia gravis who underwent thymectomy for four years. Disease period modified Osserman classification, age, sex, preoperative plasmapheresis, preoperative steroid therapy, type of surgery, and thymic pathology were the variables of interest for three-year follow-up. In addition, these variables …