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Spartan Daily, March 4, 2025, San Jose State University, School Of Journalism And Mass Communications

Spartan Daily, 2025

Volume 164, Issue 17

The Hepatocellular Model Of Fatty Liver Disease: From Current Imaging Diagnostics To Innovative Proteomics Technologies, Renee Hernandez, Natasha Garcia-Rodriguez, Marco A. Arriaga, Ricardo Perez, Auwal A. Bala, Ana C. Leandro, Vincent P. Diego, Marcio A. Almeida, Jason Parsons, Eron G. Manusov, Jacob Galan

School of Medicine Publications

Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) is a prevalent chronic liver condition characterized by lipid accumulation and inflammation, often progressing to severe liver damage. We aim to review the pathophysiology, diagnostics, and clinical care of MASLD, and review highlights of advances in proteomic technologies. Recent advances in proteomics technologies have improved the identification of novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets, offering insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying MASLD progression. We focus on the application of mass spectrometry-based proteomics including single cell proteomics, proteogenomics, extracellular vesicle (EV-omics), and exposomics for biomarker discovery, emphasizing the potential of blood-based panels for noninvasive diagnosis and …

Historical Perspective And Contribution Of Aquaculture To The Amr Global Pandemic, Miriam Reverter, Sarahi Vega-Heredía, Philip Warburton

School of Biological and Marine Sciences

The global rise in the emergence and spread of pathogens (bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites) that have developed or acquired new resistance mechanisms to drugs, commonly referred as antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is alarming. The emergence and spread of AMR, which is mostly attributed to the use (often overuse and misuse) of antimicrobial substances such as antibiotics, is not a new phenomenon. In fact, AMR was discovered several decades ago. However, exponential increases in global antimicrobial use have led to a rise in the emergence and spread of AMR, which is nowadays considered as one of the top ten global public …

N-Terminal Protein Binding And Disorder-To-Order Transition By A Synthetic Receptor, Niamh M. Mockler, Kiefer O. Ramberg, Ronan J. Flood, Peter B. Crowley

Research Outputs: 2025-Present

We describe the capture and structuring of disordered N-terminal regions by the macrocycle sulfonato-calix[4]arene (sclx₄). Using the trimeric β-propeller Ralstonia solanacearum lectin (RSL) as a scaffold, we generated a series of mutants with extended and dynamic N-termini. Three of the mutants feature an N-terminal methionine-lysine motif. The fourth mutant contains the disordered 8-residue N-terminus of Histone 3, a component of the nucleosome. X-ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy provide evidence for sclx₄ binding to the flexible N-terminal regions. Three crystal structures reveal that the calixarene recognizes the N-terminal Met-Lys motif, capturing either residue. We provide crystallographic proof for …

Addressing Health Disparities In Hematologic Malignancies: From Genes To Outreach, Christopher R Flowers, Rachel W Anantha, Veronica Leautaud, Pinkal Desai, Chancellor E Donald, Michelle A T Hildebrandt, Jean L Koff, Rulla M Tamimi, Wendy Cozen, Chijioke Nze, Ari M Melnick

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

This review underscores our shared responsibility to champion multidimensional strategies rooted in basic and translational science, community involvement, and societal responsiveness for a meaningful impact. Unifying themes include the need to enhance collaborative infrastructure to engage laboratory researchers, epidemiologists, data scientists, clinicians, patients, community leaders, and policymakers; patient-level support services; outreach, education, and navigation for patients at the community level; recruitment and retention of underrepresented groups in the healthcare and research workforce; and funding for these efforts.

Learning Directed Acyclic Graphs For Ligands And Receptors Based On Spatially Resolved Transcriptomic Data Of Ovarian Cancer, Shrabanti Chowdhury, Sammy Ferri-Borgogno, Peng Yang, Wenyi Wang, Jie Peng, Samuel C Mok, Pei Wang

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

To unravel the mechanism of immune activation and suppression within tumors, a critical step is to identify transcriptional signals governing cell-cell communication between tumor and immune/stromal cells in the tumor microenvironment. Central to this communication are interactions between secreted ligands and cell-surface receptors, creating a highly connected signaling network among cells. Recent advancements in in situ-omics profiling, particularly spatial transcriptomic (ST) technology, provide unique opportunities to directly characterize ligand-receptor signaling networks that power cell-cell communication. In this paper, we propose a novel statistical method, LRnetST, to characterize the ligand-receptor interaction networks between adjacent tumor and immune/stroma cells based on ST …

Community Pharmacy: The Foundation Of Public Health, Jessica Joi Gordon

Honors Capstone Projects and Theses

No abstract provided.

Towards Greater Standardisation In Benthic Trait Research To Support Application To Environmental Management, Irene Susini, Heidi M. Tillin, Louise Anderson, Craig M. Robertson, Sian Rees, Kerry L. Howell

School of Biological and Marine Sciences

Functional trait-based approaches have enriched our understanding of key ecological processes such as species assembly and biodiversity loss. This focus on traits, rather than taxonomy, promotes comparability across spatial and organisational scales, further enabling the application of trait-based methodologies to systems where species identity is difficult to recognise. Among other issues, however, the lack of standardisation is preventing trait-based approaches from unlocking their true potential. Here, 407 published articles (peer-reviewed and grey literature) are reviewed alongside the Biological Traits Information Catalogue (BIOTIC) to document inconsistencies in the understanding and use of trait terminology in the context of marine benthic ecosystems. …

Mistaken About Mistakes: Error Analysis As An Untapped Tool For Law School Success, Elissa Jacob

Pace Law Review

Mistakes: everyone makes them, perhaps the new law student more than most. But why do our students continue to make the same errors despite our concerted efforts to prevent them? This article explores this question and provides ideas on how to utilize mistakes to fuel the learning process. Science has proven that the human brain is hardwired to benefit from errors. However, the psychological effects of failing, cultural systems, and the American educational system are frequent barriers to this biological process.

To overcome these obstacles and most effectively employ error analysis, I propose a three-step model. First, professors must lay …

Hemp And Marijuana: The Necessity Of Lab Testing For Fair Prosecutions, Jessica Aycock

Pace Law Review

This Article examines the evidentiary and ethical challenges prosecutors nationwide face in distinguishing between hemp and marijuana under current federal and state laws. Following the legalization of hemp under the federal 2018 Farm Bill, the legal distinction between hemp and marijuana now hinges on the concentration of delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). This distinction requires quantitative lab testing to be established. Without quantitative lab testing, prosecutors cannot accurately determine THC levels, making it challenging, if not impossible, to meet the burden of proof required for marijuana possession convictions. This Article argues that the absence of testing raises evidentiary and ethical concerns that …

Investigating The Relationship Among Environmental Factors, Reproductive Status, And Stress In A Preclinical Model Of Endocrine Function In Women’S Translational Health, Bianca A. Camacho, Laura Emma Garcia, Raquel Villarreal, Mario Gil

Research Symposium

Background: The average menstrual cycle of a healthy adult woman is a duration of approximately 28 days, during which in the follicular phase (first 14 days) the progesterone hormone is at a stable level while estrogen increases to its peak level on day 14. Day 14 is known as ovulation, during which progesterone increases during its Luteinizing Hormone (LH) surge while estrogen decreases. Menses, known colloquially as a woman’s “period,” begins approximately at day 14 after ovulation and lasts an average of 7 days. The luteal phase, otherwise known as the secretory phase, lasts for the remaining 14 days until …

Using Network Pharmacology To Systematically Deduce The Molecular Mechanism Of The Selective Perinucleolar Compartment Inhibitor Ml246, Bhuvnesh P. Sharma, Himanshu N. Singh, Bhupesh Singh, Deepak Parashar, Kuldeep K. Roy, Murali M. Yallapu, Subhash C. Chauhan, Vivek K. Kashyap

Research Symposium

Metarrestin (ML246) is an orally bioavailable synthetic molecule that selectively disrupts the perinucleolar compartment (PNC) structure, and it has showed promise in preclinical studies for metastatic cancer therapy. However, the precise molecular mechanism of ML246 remains poorly understood. We investigated the topological and protein interaction network (PIN) analyses of ML246 to determine the molecular mechanism of ML246. To determine the regulatory effect of ML246 on the rewired PIN of ML246, an intercom was constructed using 25 oncogenic key proteins. These proteins were selected using the reverse pharmacophore matching approach (based on a fit score > 0.502) using the STRING database and …

Trpv1 And Its Co‑Expressed Genes Are Associated With The Progression Of Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Bhuvnesh P. Sharma, Himanshu N. Singh, Sanjay Kumar, Deepak Verma, Deepak Parashar, Murali M. Yallapu, Everardo Cobos, Subhash C. Chauhan, Vivek K. Kashyap

Research Symposium

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of liver cancer. Transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) is a nonselective Ca²⁺ channel protein widely expressed and plays a significant role in cancer initiation and progression. However, the biological significance of TRPV1 in HCC has not been systematically and comprehensively investigated. This study used deep data mining and transcriptomics analyses to describe the significance of TRPV1 expression and its association with HCC prognosis.

Methods: Download the RNA expression of TRPV1 from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), Genotype Tissue Expression Atlas (GTEx), Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER), and the UALCAN …

Machine Learning Quantification Of High-Resolution Tissue Microarray (Tma) Image On Muc13 Ihc Analysis, Beibei Huang, Aiko Yamaguchi, Jianbo Wang, Shilpa Sharma, Zhiwen Liu, Henry Charles Manning

Research Symposium

Background High-resolution tissue microarray (TMA) technology allows prompt molecular profiling of multiple tissue specimens, making it ideal for analyzing candidate biomarkers quickly and effectively [1, 2]. Integrating TMA with digital pathology and machine learning enhances high-throughput, cost-effective studies, offering advanced image analysis and improved diagnostic accuracy. MUC13 (Mucin 13) is a transmembrane glycoprotein frequently overexpressed in colorectal cancer (CRC) [3]. MUC13 contributes to colonic tumorigenesis, progression and metastasis [4, 5], making it an attractive target for antibody-guided radiotheranostics in CRC. This study investigates the expression pattern of MUC13 and its association with patients' clinical characteristics in primary and metastatic CRC …

Noda News March 2025

New Orleans Dental Association News

New Orleans Dental Association (NODA) News includes regular columns with regional news impacting the New Orleans membership including: columns from the President and Executive Director, feature articles relating to the field of dentistry, association events and upcoming activities, component news, continuing education opportunities, and classifieds.

Muc13-Driven Molecular Interactions In Pancreatic Cancer Cell Lines, Anupam Dhasmana, Swati Dhasmana, Rajasekhar Baru, Shweta Singh, Abigail Gomez, Sheema Khan, Murali M. Yallapu, Subhash Chauhan

Research Symposium

Background: MUC13, a recently identified oncoprotein, is aberrantly expressed in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) tumors and cells but absent in normal pancreatic tissues. Our laboratory has extensively documented its critical role in pancreatic cancer progression. Despite numerous studies, the molecular interactions mediated by MUC13 that contribute to cancer progression and metastasis remain poorly understood. A significant knowledge gap exists regarding the specific proteins that interact with MUC13. To address this, we conducted a comprehensive molecular interaction study using immunoprecipitation combined with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (IP-LCMS) to identify functional interactors of MUC13. Understanding these interactions is essential to elucidate the …

Exploring The Effects Of Serotonin And Ssris On The Neurological, Behavioral, And Cardiovascular Systems Under Induced Stress –Using The Animal Model Of The Syrian Hamster, Ariana V. Hinojosa, Esperanza I. Alaniz, Esmeralda Lopez-Garcia, Giselle Padilla, Fernando Dominquez, Mario Gil

Research Symposium

Background: Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that has been found to have a wide range of effects on not just the neuropsychological processes but has also been found to exert effects outside the central nervous system (CNS); regulating numerous biological processes, such as metabolism, gastrointestinal system, reproductive function, and even the cardiovascular system. However, there is still a limited understanding of how serotonin affects all these systems due to its complexity and ability to regulate homeostasis. This project aims to create a stronger foundation of knowledge about serotonin and its influence on the interaction between the CNS, behavior, and cardiac function …

Gene Co-Expression Networks And Descriptive Statistical Patterns In Cancer Subtypes, Arely Solis, Marzieh Ayati

Research Symposium

There are many cancers that are affecting the human population, with some being more common and studied than others. These cancers have mostly been studied individually until 2012 when scientists began studying through comparison analysis of different cancers to see possible connections on the genomic and molecular level and have resulted in the categorization of tumors into types. The result from molecular analysis has re-classified types of tumors into new clusters, which aid doctors in deciding the optimal way of treating tumors. In this study, we analyze a dataset comprising over 2,000 cancer samples, focusing on six cancer types: breast, …

Uncovering The Mechanisms Of Glioblastoma Relapse Prevention With Niclosamide And Camptothecin Treatment, Xiaoqian Fang, Araely Ruiz, Eunseo Yang, Brianna Morin, Kimberly Herrera-Toscano, Megan Szobody, Josue Fonseca, John-Beloved Osho, Raquel Lara

Research Symposium

Background: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and lethal malignant primary brain tumor for which the development of efficacious chemotherapeutic agents remains an urgent need. In our previous studies, we demonstrated that niclosamide and camptothecin (CPT) synergistically suppressed the proliferation in human glioblastoma U87 MG cells. Recently, we observed that U87 MG cells failed to resume growth after the combined treatment was removed, a phenomenon not seen with either agent alone. We aimed to explore the sustained anti-tumor effects of niclosamide and CPT in GBM.

Methods: Human glioblastoma U87 MG cells were treated with 5 mM niclosamide, 5 mM …

Perioperative Pharmacogenomic Utility And Personalized Anesthesia, Anthony Tortomase

Group: Samford University Moffett & Sanders School of Nursing

Genetic factors play a significant role in influencing drug response by encoding for the cellular targets of drugs and the enzymes responsible for terminating their effects. Genetic anomalies can lead to unpredictable responses and adverse drug reactions (ADRs), which can be challenging to foresee. Medication dosages are traditionally determined using population-based data which is a poor predictor of individual response. Resulting ADRs can surprise anesthetists and negatively influence patient outcomes. Pharmacogenomics (PGx) is emerging as a promising field to address this variability by mapping the relationship between genes and drug response, supporting the development of personalized anesthesia. As the cost …

Utilidad De La Combinación De Los Biomarcadores: Procalcitonina, Proteína C Reactiva Y Volumen Plaquetario Medio En El Diagnóstico Temprano De Sepsis Neonatal [Usefulness Of The Combination Of Biomarkers: Procalcitonin, C-Reactive Protein And Mean Platelet Volume In The Early Diagnosis Of Neonatal Sepsis], Oscar Manuel Berlanga Bolado Jr, Patricia Rivera Vazquez, Arely Socorro Hernández García, Angelica Lizbeth Martinez Ortiz

Research Symposium

Introducción: La sepsis neonatal es una causa frecuente de morbilidad y mortalidad infantil. Se le ha definido como un síndrome clínico caracterizado por signos sistémicos de infección, acompañado de bacteriemia en el primer mes de vida. Por lo tanto, el diagnóstico temprano es fundamental.

Objetivo: Conocer la sensibilidad y especificidad de la combinación de biomarcadores séricos como procalcitonina, proteína C reactiva y volumen plaquetario medio en el diagnóstico temprano de sepsis neonatal.

Material y métodos: Estudio clínico, de tipo prospectivo, predictivo, observacional, analítico, longitudinal y conveniencia. Se analizaron los biomarcadores como PCT, PCR, VPM para diagnosticar sepsis neonatal. Se incluyeron …

First-In-Class Peptide Molecules Targeting The Mien1 Cancer Signaling Pathway, For Which No Inhibitors Have Been Identified To Date., Amit Tripathi, Jamboor K. Vishwanatha

Research Symposium

Background: Migration and Invasion Enhancer 1 (MIEN1) is a critical oncogene that drives cancer cell migration, invasion, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in various cancers. MIEN1 overexpression is linked to aggressive tumor progression and poor prognosis. Despite its established role in cancer biology, targeted therapeutic options remain unexplored. This study aimed to identify and characterize first-in-class therapeutic molecules targeting the MIEN1 signaling pathway to inhibit cancer progression.

Methods: To develop novel bio-active peptides, we leveraged conserved immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM) and prenylation motifs within the MIEN1 protein sequence. Using rational peptide design, we identified and synthesized bioactive peptides, namely LA3IK …

Long-Term Safety And Comparative Efficacy Of Il-17 Inhibitors In Treating Ankylosing Spondylitis, Alyssa L. Sepulveda, Yolanda V. Gutierrez, Ronald A. Shaju

Research Symposium

Background:
Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the axial skeleton, characterized by spinal stiffness, sacroiliitis, and potential vertebral fusion. While nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors are first-line treatments, IL-17 inhibitors, such as secukinumab and ixekizumab, are used in patients with inadequate response or contraindications to TNF inhibitors. These targeted therapies address IL-17’s role in driving inflammation and structural damage in AS.

Methods:
A systematic review was conducted using PubMed, Science Direct, and Cochrane to identify studies published between 2000 and 2025. Keywords included “Ankylosing spondylitis” and “IL-17 inhibitors” and “efficacy.” Inclusion criteria …

The Heart Of Higher Education: Rediscovering Meditation From The Margins Of Learning To A Liberatory Pedagogy In The Post-Pandemic University, Jinting Wu, Yuejia Wang, Yu Wu, Qi Zhang

Journal of Contemplative and Holistic Education

On May 14^th, 2022, a racially motivated mass shooting occurred in a predominantly Black neighborhood in Western New York. The trauma brought fresh anguish to a fraught social landscape already shaken by COVID-19 and resurgent racism. This paper explores the formation of a campus meditation group that emerged in light of the shooting tragedy and prolonged pandemic suffering, and its members’ journeys of healing, self-discovery, and transformation. While scholars have critiqued the neoliberal higher education for producing self-enterprising individuals motivated by economic rationality, this paper offers our humble attempt to re-center meditation as a liberatory pedagogy in fostering …

A Time For Change- Issues Arising From The Xvii International Grassland Congress Developed World Viewpoint, Barney Foran

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

A number of major issues raised at the conference, if they are accepted by farmers and grassland scientists, will mean a major realignment of both the philosophy and practice of grassland science. The first of these is future world trade flows and a bleak prognosis for traded livestock products. Jf the developed world accepts that developing nations have to trade in order to develop, and trade in commodities where they have a cost advantage, this suggests that bulk production of livestock commodities will decline ln total. Thus grassland exports will have to concentrate on high value niche markets. This poses …

Congress Outlook From The Developing Countries' Perspective, Bede N. Okigbo

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

In this XVII International Grassland Congress, which is now successfully drawing to a close, we are all very grateful for the opportunity to participate and enjoy the hospitality of our New Zealand and Australian hosts. Above everything else, we have benefited much more from attending than we have individually contributed to its success in various ways.

Water Balance And Soil Fertility Characteristics Of Brigalow (Acacia Harpophylla) Lands Before And After Forest Clearing, Paul A. Lawrence, B A. Cowie, D Yule, P J. Thorburn

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

A multidisciplinary study was undertaken to investigate the changes in catchment runoff, groundwater recharge and soil fertility after the complete removal of brigalow (Acacia harpophylla) forest for buffet grass pasture. Clearing brlgalow for pasture increased runoff amount by 21 mm/year; however, runoff represented a·· small (11-14%) component of the annual water balance. An increase in groundwater recharge immediately after clearing was not sustained once the pasture was established. Clearing did not alter the annual water balance, evapotranspiration taking 90% of annual rainfall, Clearing and burning• caused a flush of plant available N, P and K but this was …

Successional Dynamics Of An Acacia Savanna In Southern Africa, C. Richard Hurt, Richard I. Yeaton

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Acacia-dominated savannas iii southern Africa are ·maintained by disturbance. Wheri ihese ecosystems are managed as pastoral systems, the disturbance regime is altered, • arid the· successional sequence proceeds to broad-leafed woodland. We examined changes in woody species composition over a soil catena, and used sliccessional stages within an acacia-dominated community to develop a Markov model of the dynamics of the system. We used this model to simulate 2 management scenarios and to make predictions · of associated community changes over time.

Deforestation In Pakistan, Inayat U. Chaudhry

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Pakistan's economy is agricultural and pastoral. From 1150 to 1991 its forest cover declined from an estimated 28 million ha to 4,6 million ha and population increased from 1.2 to 112 million. rn addition to. increasing population, government irrigation projects for colonisation, in road of agriculture into forestry and construction of barrages over rivers caused deforestation. This has increased soil erosion, siltation of dams and the gap in production and demand of wood: biodiversity has been adversely affected and mangrove forests have degraded. Forestation has been carried out over 220 000 ha since 1947. A network of easily accessible nurseries, …

Animal Production From Tropical Semi-Arid Savannah Woodland In Subcoastal Queensland, Australia, H G. Bishop, H J. Chamberlain, R M. Dodt, T B. Hilder, G A. Lambert, E R. Anderson

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Annual live-weight gain of steers grazing on virgin tropical semi­arid poplar box (Eucalyptus populnea) savannah woodland in subcoastal central Queensland fluctuated between 59 kg/head and 200 kg/head over a 7-year period. Average live-weight gain for the 7 years was 136 kg/head/year, which is above expected levels for this vegetation type. Reasons suggested for this animal performance are the use of a stocking rate more lenient than the district average and above-average winter rainfall received during the 7 years of this demonstration project. Removing trees doubled the pasture dry matter yield, which subsequently allowed a doubling of stocking rate …