Digital Commons Network^™

Processed Amaranth And Finger Millet Enriched With Cricket Flour Influence The Functionality, Microbial Quality, Shelf Life, And Consumer Preference Of The Porridge Products, Nelly Maiyo, Michael Okoth, George Abong, Brian O. Ochieng, Fathiya Khamis, Margaret Kababu, Chrysantus M. Tanga

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Exploration of nutritious, cheap, and easy-to-prepare locally available complementary foods using different processing techniques is gaining traction globally. This study evaluated the impact of three processing techniques (roasting, germination, and fermentation) on finger millet and amaranth quality. The implications of blending processed products with 10% cricket flour on the functional properties, microbial safety, and shelf life of the porridge products were tested. Thereafter, consumer preference and acceptability of the cooked porridge products were assessed with randomly enrolled panelist of mothers (20–66 years), as primary caregivers. Our results showed that powder from germinated cereal products had higher swelling power, water absorption …

Mapping Global Research On Mycotoxins In Aquafeed From Scientometric And Critical Perspectives, Menaga Meenakshisundaram, Sudarshan Shanmugam, Jimmy B. Mboya, Felix Sugantham, Kevin Obiero, Jonathan Munguti, Sunday Ekesi, Sevgan Subramanian, Shaphan Y. Chia, Dennis Beesigamukama, Rodrigue Yossa, Chrysantus M. Tanga

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

The global significance of mycotoxins in aquaculture is evident. However, regional vulnerabilities, effects, and inconsistent regulations on mycotoxin contamination remain underexplored. This study integrates a scientometric analysis of research on mycotoxins in aquafeed, published from 1992 to 2023 in Web of Science, with a conventional review of their occurrence in aquafeed and feed ingredients. Bibliometric tools, VOSviewer, and biblioshiny, were used to analyze global research trends, collaborations, and themes. We found a total of 181 publications, authored by 938 researchers from 49 countries, with Brazil leading (25 publications). The Toxins journal accounted for the most publications (23). Aflatoxins, particularly aflatoxin …

Annual Diversity Of Honey Bee Pollen Sources In Two Pumpkin Growing Landscapes, Machakos County, Kenya, Marystella W. Nang’Oni, Muo Kasina, Rebecca Karanja, Mary M. Guantai, Rahab N. Kinyanjui, Evanson R. Omuse, Michael H.G. Lattorff, Elfatih M. Abdel-Rahman, Marian Adan, Samira A. Mohamed, Thomas Dubois

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Multi-floral foraging sources for honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) have been threatened by landscape changes and unsustainable farming practices. In East Africa, the biodiversity of forage resources that could support honey bees, especially in agricultural lands, remains least explored. This study investigated pollen diversity for honey bees in Yatta and Masinga Sub-counties in Machakos County, Kenya. Honey bee hives were installed on eight pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima Duchesne ex Lam) farms (one hive per farm) in two varying landscape vegetation classes (low and medium) based on normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). Pollen traps were installed at the hive entrance and pollen …

Fire And Mammal Herbivory On Arthropods In The Protected Savannas: A Systematic Review, Ludzula Mukwevho, Mduduzi Ndlovu, Frank Chidawanyika

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Protected areas in the savannas are key global reserves for biological diversity, including arthropods. Fire and mammal herbivory disrupts the diversity of biological organisms that alternately affects the functioning of the ecosystem. The study presents a global synthesis review of arthropod responses to varying intensities of fires and mammal herbivory in the protected savannas. We hypothesise that the intensity of predetermined fires and mammal herbivory has cascading impacts on abundance, species richness and diversity of terrestrial arthropods in the protected savannas. A minimum selection criteria was used to collate relevant literature from electronic databases of previous studies performed in the …

How Community Members In Uganda Perceive Controlled Human Infection Studies, Winfred Nazziwa, Stella Neema, Alison Elliot, Samson B. Kaboko, Julius Ecuru, Erisa Mwaka

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Controlled Human Infection studies are a new and uncommon way of conducting clinical research in low resource settings. Regardless of the supposed importance of human infection studies in advancing clinical research, there is still limited literature on community perceptions of this field of research, particularly in low-resource settings. An exploratory qualitative study involving 107 community members organized into 16 focussed groups was conducted in Kampala city and Buikwe district in central Uganda between September 2023 and March 2024. The groups comprised market vendors, secondary school teachers, university students, media professionals/journalists, mosques/church attendants and Community Advisory Board members. Data were analysed …

Nomad: Metagenomic Characterisation Of The Viral Pathogen Composition In Outbreaks Of Non-Malaria Acute Febrile Illness Cases, Benard W. Kulohoma, Ibrahim Ng'eno

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

The clinical importance of non-malaria febrile acute illness (NM-AFI) in patients with a negative parasitological test has become apparent, with the progressive reduction in malaria transmission in endemic regions. Bacterial pathogens, for example Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae, which contribute disproportionally to febrile illness, are now preventable by vaccines. However, there are no vaccines, and little is known about viral NM-AFI prevalence, proliferation, virulence, and transmission chains between hosts. Although the predominant viral causes of NM-AFI are established, it is unclear if there are other NM-AFI associated emerging infectious viral pathogens that previously remained undetectable by conventional diagnostic strategies, for …

Do Rates Matter? Validation Of Insect Frass Fertilizer Rates In A Vegetable Intensified Push-Pull Technology For Optimal Sustainable Production, Priscilla Mwikali Kimuli, Dennis Beesigamukama, Judy Wambua, Bonoukpoe Mawuko Sokame, Chrysantus Mbi Tanga, Frank Chidawanyika, Sevgan Subramanian, Daniel Munyao Mutyambai

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Push–pull system intensification with vegetables (VIPPT) has contributed significantly in maintaining good control of lepidopteran pests and parasitic weeds with additional food and nutritional security benefits. However, the impact of integration of different rates of black soldier fly frass fertilizer (BSFFF) in the VIPPT to enhance productivity, has not been explored. This study investigated the effects of different BSFFF application rates on growth performance, pest infestation severity, diversity of natural enemies and yield of kale (Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala) grown under VIPPT in two agroecological zones. Plants were grown in soils amended with five different levels of BSFFF (0, …

The Physicochemical Properties, Biochemical Makeup, And Health Benefits Of Honey Produced From Stingless Bees (Apidae: Meliponini), Belay Gezahegn Gebreyes, Tilahun A. Teka, Yetenayet Bekele Tola, Metekia Tamiru, Nkoba Kiatoko

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

This review provides a comprehensive overview of stingless bee honey (SBH), focusing on its physicochemical properties, biochemical composition, and health benefits. SBH exhibits unique characteristics, including color, flavor, texture, and lower thermal stability, influenced by various botanical sources, stingless bee species, and diverse geographic and climatic conditions. These environmental factors, particularly floral diversity and climate, significantly affect SBH’s composition and functional properties, resulting in regional variations that impact its market value and health potential. The review details the composition ranges of SBH, which include moisture content (13.26%–41%), total acidity (12.59–270 meq/kg), reducing sugar (22.44%–78.95%), electrical conductivity (0.11–101.88 mS/cm), hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) …

Biology-Informed Inverse Problems For Insect Pests Detection Using Pheromone Sensors, Thibault Malou, Nicolas Parisey, Katarzyna Adamczyk-Chauvat, Elisabeta Vergu, Béatrice Laroche, Paul André Calatayud, Philippe Lucas, Simon Labarthe

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Most insects have the ability to modify the odor landscape in order to communicate with their conspecies during key phases of their life cycle such as reproduction. They release pheromones in their nearby environment, volatile compounds that are detected by insects of the same species with exceptional specificity and sensitivity. Efficient pheromone detection is then an interesting lever for insect pest management in a precision agroecological culture context. A precise and early detection of pests using pheromone sensors offers a strategy for pest management before infestation. In this paper, we develop a biology-informed inverse problem framework that leverages temporal signals …

Unraveling The Potential Of Black Soldier Fly Larvae As A Sustainable Protein Source For Nile Tilapia Production In Diverse Aquaculture Systems, Jonathan Munguti, Mavindu Muthoka, Jimmy B. Mboya, Domitila Kyule, Menaga Meenakshisundaram, Chrysantus M. Tanga

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Aquaculture plays a critical role in global food security, with Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) recognized for its adaptability and robust growth. However, traditional feeds, heavily reliant on fishmeal (FM) and soybean meal, face economic and environmental challenges. In response, black soldier fly larvae meal (BSFLM) has emerged as a promising, nutrient-dense alternative. This review synthesizes existing literature on BSFLM’s nutritional profile and its suitability for Nile tilapia diets, while acknowledging that the data come from diverse independent studies conducted under varying environmental conditions and husbandry practices. BSFLM consistently provides high-quality protein (29.9%–48.2%), aligning with tilapia’s requirements, and is rich in …

Seasonal Variability Of Surface Ocean Carbon Uptake And Chlorophyll-A Concentration In The West Antarctic Peninsula Over Two Decades, Jessica S. Turner, David R. Munro, Amanda Fay, Sharon Stammerjohn, Heather Kim, Oscar Schofield, Heidi Dierssen

OES Faculty Publications

The Southern Ocean plays a vital role in global CO₂ uptake, but the magnitude and even the sign of the flux remain uncertain, and the influence of phytoplankton phenology is underexplored. This study focuses on the West Antarctic Peninsula, a region experiencing rapid climate change, to examine shifts in seasonal carbon uptake. Using 20 years of in situ air-sea CO₂ flux and satellite-derived Chlorophyll-a, we observe that the seasonal cycles of both air-sea CO₂ flux and Chlorophyll-a intensify poleward. The amplitude of the seasonal cycle of the non-thermal component of surface ocean pCO₂ increases with increasing latitude, while the amplitude …

Micrornas As Key Regulators Of Cancer Drug Resistance: Insights And Future Directions In Chemotherapy, Targeted-Therapy, Radiotherapy, And Immunotherapy, Michael Attathikhun, Ancuta Jurj, George A Calin

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Cancer therapy remains an active field of investigation, particularly in understanding and overcoming therapy resistance. Small non-coding RNAs, such as microRNAs (miRNAs), are emerging as key regulators of cancer survival, progression, proliferation, invasion, migration, and metastasis. Although many studies have linked miRNAs to cancer therapy outcomes, significant questions remain regarding their precise molecular and cellular roles in therapy resistance. Increasing evidence shows that miRNAs influence critical pathways such as apoptosis, immune evasion, and other signaling cascades. However, there have been many setbacks because of the limitations in knowledge of each specific miRNA's function. A deeper understanding of miRNA expression and …

Burden Of Seasonal Human Coronavirus Infections In Hematopoietic Cell Transplant Recipients, Fareed Khawaja, Terri Lynn Shigle, Layale Yaghi, May Daher, Jeremy L Ramdial, Ella Ariza-Heredia, Ying Jiang, Roy F Chemaly

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Community respiratory viruses, such as seasonal human coronavirus (HCoV), commonly infect hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) recipients. Recognizing the risk factors and outcomes of HCoV infections in HCT recipients is essential for the future development of potentially lifesaving therapeutics.

Methods: We performed a retrospective review of all HCoV-infected HCT recipients from September 1, 2015 to August 31, 2017, at our institution. Patients were classified with upper respiratory tract infection (URI) or lower respiratory infection (LRI) based on predefined definitions for respiratory viral infections in HCT recipients. Patient data were collected to identify risk factors for HCoV LRI, and to calculate …

Partial Agonism In Heteromeric Gluk2/Gluk5 Kainate Receptor, Nabina Paudyal, Anindita Das, Elisa Carrillo, Vladimir Berka, Vasanthi Jayaraman

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Kainate receptors are a subtype of ionotropic glutamate receptors that form transmembrane channels upon binding glutamate. Here, we have investigated the mechanism of partial agonism in heteromeric GluK2/K5 receptors, where the GluK2 and GluK5 subunits have distinct agonist binding profiles. Using single-molecule Förster resonance energy transfer, we found that at the bi-lobed agonist-binding domain, the partial agonist AMPA-bound receptor occupied intermediate cleft closure conformational states at the GluK2 cleft, compared to the more open cleft conformations in apo form and more closed cleft conformations in the full agonist glutamate-bound form. In contrast, there is no significant difference in cleft closure …

Tnik-Driven Regulation Of Erk5 Transcriptional Activity In Endothelial Cells, Venkata Subrahmanya Kumar Samanthapudi, Sivareddy Kotla, Nhat-Tu Le

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Extracellular signal-regulated kinase 5 (ERK5) is essential for cardiovascular development and endothelial cell (EC) function. Activation of ERK5 through MEK5-mediated phosphorylation at threonine 218 and tyrosine 220 (T218/Y220) drives the transcriptional activation of myocyte enhancer factor-2 (MEF2), promoting the expression of KLF2 and KLF4—key transcription factors that maintain vascular homeostasis. We previously demonstrated that ponatinib suppresses ERK5 transcriptional activity without affecting laminar-flow (l-flow)-induced T218/Y220 phosphorylation, suggesting a non-canonical regulatory mechanism. Since ponatinib inhibits Traf2- and Nck-interacting kinase (TNIK), we hypothesized that TNIK modulates ERK5 transcriptional activity. Using a mammalian one-hybrid assay and quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR), we show that TNIK …

Dissolved Organic Carbon In Coastal Waters: Global Patterns, Stocks And Environmental Physical Controls, Christian Lønborg, Isabel Fuentes-Santos, Cátia Carreira, Valentina Amaral, Javier Arístegui, Punyasloke Bhadury, Mariana Bernardi Bif, Maria Ll. Calleja, Qi Chen, Luiz C. Cotovicz, Stefano Cozzi, Bradley D. Eyre, E. Elena García-Martín, Michele Giani, Rafael Gonçalves-Araujo, Renee Gruber, Dennis A. Hansell, Johnna M. Holding, William Hunter, J. Severino Ibánhez, Valeria Ibello, Piotr Kowalczuk, Federica Maggioni, Paolo Magni, Patrick Martin, S. Leigh Mccallister, Xosé Anxelu Morán, Joanne M. Oakes, Helena Osterholz, Hyekyung Park, Digna Rueda-Roa, Jiang Shan, Eva Teira, Nicholas Ward, Youhei Yamashita, Liyang Yang, Qiang Zheng, Xosé Antón Álvarez-Salgado

Marine Science Faculty Publications

Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in coastal waters is integral to biogeochemical cycling, but global and regional drivers of DOC are still uncertain. In this study we explored spatial and temporal differences in DOC concentrations and stocks across the global coastal ocean, and how these relate to temperature and salinity. We estimated a global median coastal DOC stock of 3.15 Pg C (interquartile range (IQR) = 0.85 Pg C), with median DOC concentrations being 2.2 times higher than in open ocean surface waters. Globally and seasonally, salinity was the main driver of DOC with concentrations correlated negatively with salinity, without a …

How Can Tailored Entrepreneurship Training Effectively Support The Emancipation Of People With Disabilities In Ireland?, Ahsan Habib

Doctoral

This thesis investigates the impact of tailored entrepreneurship training on the perceived emancipation of aspiring entrepreneurs with disabilities in Ireland. This community is significantly underrepresented in the labour market, yet it is hindered in accessing self-employment opportunities due to a lack of specific training and limited access to necessary resources. Furthermore, there is a dearth of knowledge in academic literature addressing the influence of tailored entrepreneurship programmes targeted at people with disabilities. To address this knowledge gap, this study gathered data from in-depth interviews with 21 key informants (including nine participants from TU Dublin’s entrepreneurship training programme, five representatives from …

Anti-Cd137 Agonist Antibody-Independent And Clinically Feasible Preparation Of Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes From Soft Tissue Sarcoma And Osteosarcoma, Yining Jin, Zhiliang Jia, Xueqing Xia, Nancy B Gordon, Joseph A Ludwig, Neeta Somaiah, Shulin Li

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) therapy has been proved for treatment of metastatic melanoma and is under investigation for other types of solid tumors. However, these successes are threatened by discontinued supply of GMP-grade anti-CD137 agonist, a key TIL preparation reagent. Therefore, exploring a GMP-adherent method for expanding endogenous TILs without anti-CD137 agonist is urgent. Toward this end, we aimed to establish an anti-CD137-independent and clinically feasible TIL expansion protocol to prepare TILs from under investigated sarcoma tumors.

Methods: We collected resected tumors from patients and cut tissues into fragments. We used IL-2 and T-cell activator CD3/CD28 without anti-CD137 agonist …

Intrapartum Glycemic Control And Clinical Outcomes, Ghamar Bitar, Michal Fishel Bartal

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Current recommendations encourage strict intrapartum glycemic control for individuals with diabetes in pregnancy to optimize maternal and neonatal outcomes. However, established evidence is limited in providing a strong association between strict maternal blood glucose control and neonatal outcomes.

Using Content Validity Index Methodology For Cross-Cultural Translation Of A Patient-Reported Outcome Measure For Head And Neck Cancer, Janet H Van Cleave, Alizendie Guerra, Eva Liang, Carolina Gutiérrez, Ron J Karni, Marcely Tsikis, Geanise Pearl C Nguyen, Allison P Squires

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Introduction: Translations of patient-reported measures may not account for structural and cultural differences in shared languages spoken in multiple countries, such as English, Spanish, Arabic, or Russian. The objective of this research was to create a cross-cultural Spanish translation of the New York University (NYU) Electronic Patient Visit Assessment (ePVA)© for head and neck cancer (HNC), a patient-reported symptom measure available only in English.

Methods: Using the Content Validity Index (CVI) methodology, an expert panel of nurses (n = 6) proficient in Spanish and English independently reviewed and rated a forward translation of the ePVA, a measure consisting of …

Effect Of Family-Centered Care Interventions On Motor And Neurobehavior Development Of Very Preterm Infants: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Manasa Kolibylu Raghupathy, Shradha S. Parsekar, Shubha R. Nayak, Kalesh M. Karun, Sonia Khurana, Alicia J. Spittle, Leslie Edward S. Lewis, Bhamini Krishna Rao

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Aim

To assess the effectiveness of family-centered care (FCC) interventions on motor and neurobehavior development of very preterm infants.

Method

Randomized and quasi-randomized trials assessing the effect of FCC on motor and neurobehavioral outcomes in very preterm infants (28–32 wk gestation) were included. Five electronic databases and grey literature were searched from January 2010 to August 2022. Two reviewers independently screened the titles/abstracts and full texts, assessed the risk of bias, and extracted data. The Cochrane Risk of Bias 2.0 Tool and GRADE were used for risk and evidence certainty assessments. Meta-analysis or narrative synthesis was performed based on data …

Optimizing Ethephon Application Timing For ‘Meyer’ Zoysiagrass Seedhead Suppression, Brandon C. Mcnally

Horticulture Faculty Publications and Presentations

Zoysiagrass (Zoysia spp. Willd.) is a desirable, low-input turfgrass species used on golf courses. However, prolific zoysiagrass seedhead production in the spring can increase golf course maintenance costs and reduce aesthetics. Previous research demonstrates that a single autumn ethephon application can suppress zoysiagrass seedhead production the following spring, but the optimum application timing is not well-defined. The objective of this research was to determine the optimum window for an effective ethephon application for ‘Meyer’ zoysiagrass seedhead suppression. Small-plot field research was conducted in Indiana, Kansas, Arkansas, and Tennessee. Seedheads were suppressed up to 99% depending on application timing. In …

Correspondence To Editorial 2 On "Genomic Biomarkers To Predict Response To Atezolizumab Plus Bevacizumab Immunotherapy In Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Insights From The Imbrave150 Trial", Sun Young Yim, Sung Hwan Lee, Ji Hoon Kim, Sunyoung S Lee, Ahmed O Kaseb, Ju-Seog Lee

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

No abstract provided.

Characterization Of Adaptive Quorum Sensing In Pseudomonas Aeruginosa, Kayla Simanek

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen that is highly antibiotic resistant and causes tens of thousands of infections each year. It persists in hospitals by forming biofilms on medical equipment like ventilators and catheters, making it difficult to eradicate. Biofilm formation, among other virulence factors of P. aeruginosa, is regulated through quorum sensing, a mechanism of bacterial communication. Quorum sensing is primarily coordinated through LuxI-R type systems comprised of an autoinducer synthase and receptor, respectively. Canonically, the first system to be expressed is LasI-R, and LasR upregulates the second arm of the quorum sensing network, the RhlI-R system. Research …

A Phase Ib/Ii Trial Of Neoadjuvant Neratinib Added To Standard Therapy In Patients With Her2-Positive Or Hr-Positive/Her2-Negative Inflammatory Breast Cancer (Including Stage Iii And Iv Disease), Bora Lim, Angela Marx, Megumi Kai, Angela Alexander, Roland Bassett, Wencai Ma, Jie Willey, Huiming Sun, Azadeh Nasrazadani, Mohammad M Mohammad, Jianhua Zhang, Anthony Lucci, Susie X Sun, Michael C Stauder, Gary J Whitman, Huong Le-Petross, Vicente Valero, Wendy A Woodward, Rachel M Layman

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is rare but aggressive, characterized by the rapid onset of diffuse skin erythema, edema, tenderness, induration, and fast metastasis. Both hormone receptor positive (HR+) and human epidermal receptor 2 positive (HER2+) are associated with inferior response after neoadjuvant systemic therapy (NAST) compared to non-IBC. Despite multimodal treatment approaches, the 3-year overall survival rate for stage III IBC remains low at approximately 74%, around 10% lower than the 83% for non-IBC.

Objectives: To evaluate whether the addition of neratinib, an irreversible pan-ErbB receptor small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor, improves the rate of pathological complete response in …

Combining Biology-Based And Mri Data-Driven Modeling To Predict Response To Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy In Patients With Triple-Negative Breast Cancer, Casey E Stowers, Chengyue Wu, Zhan Xu, Sidharth Kumar, Clinton Yam, Jong Bum Son, Jingfei Ma, Jonathan I Tamir, Gaiane M Rauch, Thomas E Yankeelov

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive breast cancer subtype associated with limited targeted treatment options, heterogeneous treatment response, and high risk of early recurrence. Artificial intelligence (AI) has rapidly emerged as a powerful tool to address key clinical challenges in TNBC across diagnosis, treatment response assessment, and prognosis. Diagnostic and staging challenges persist due to variable imaging features in TNBC and limitations in conventional modalities, increasing the risk of delayed detection. Predicting response to neoadjuvant systemic therapy remains difficult, as patient responses are heterogeneous, and existing clinical markers provide limited early predictive value. Prognostication in TNBC is similarly constrained …

How Do Young Adults With Drug Use Disorder (Dud) Utilize Treatment? Exploring And Examining Lived Experiences Towards Treatment Completion In Indonesia, Dewi Kartikawatiningsih

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

In Indonesia which has the highest rate of drug addiction in Southeast Asia, there is currently little knowledge about how young adults perceive the barriers faced when completing treatment or how treatment providers' perspectives influence their treatment completion. Understanding and identifying barriers to treatment completion is essential to making drug treatment more effective. The purpose of this study is to explore the perspectives and live experiences of young adults with DUD and their addiction counselors to develop a deeper understanding of treatment needs. This study interviewed 33 clients and 15 counselors from the rehabilitation center of the Badan Nasional Narkotika …

Scope And Mechanism Of The Ruthenium-Catalyzed Sp3 C–H Coupling Reaction Of 2-Alkylindoles With Enones For The Synthesis Of Carbazole Derivatives, Krishna Prasad Gnyawali, Mina Son, Donghun Hwang, Nuwan Asanka Pannilawithana, Mu-Hyun Baik, Chase S. Yi

Chemistry Faculty Research and Publications

The catalytic system consisting of a cationic Ru–H complex 1 and 3,4,5,6-tetrachloro-1,2-benzoquinone (L1) was found to be highly effective for the dehydrative sp³ C–H coupling reaction of 2-alkyl substituted indoles with enones to form 2,4-disubstituted carbazole products. The analogous coupling reaction of 2-alkylindoles with linear enones bearing the cyclic olefinic group afforded tetracyclic carbazole products. A normal deuterium kinetic isotope effect was measured from the coupling reaction of 1,2-dimethylindole versus 1-methyl-2-(methyl-d₃)indole with (E)-3-penten-2-one (k_H/k_D = 2.5). The Hammett plot was constructed from the reaction of para-substituted …

Isotonic Phase I Cancer Clinical Trial Design Utilizing Patient-Reported Outcomes, Nolan A Wages, Ruitao Lin

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

This article considers the concept of designing Phase I clinical trials using both clinician- and patient-reported outcomes to adaptively allocate study participants to tolerable doses and determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) at the study conclusion. We describe a new isotonic patient-reported outcome (PRO-ISO) Phase I design with the flexibility of allocating patients to lower, more tolerable regimens if a large number of PRO-DLT events are seen at higher doses. We conduct simulation studies of the operating characteristics of the design and compared them to the patient-reported outcomes continual reassessment method (PRO-CRM). We illustrate that the PRO-ISO makes appropriate dose …

Bismuth-Infused Perivascular Wrap Facilitates Delivery Of Mesenchymal Stem Cells And Attenuation Of Neointimal Hyperplasia In Rat Arteriovenous Fistulas, Allan John R Barcena, Joy Vanessa D Perez, Marvin R Bernardino, Jossana A Damasco, Erin Marie D San Valentin, Carleigh Klusman, Benjamin Martin, Gino Martin Canlas, Francisco M Heralde, Natalie Fowlkes, Richard R Bouchard, Jizhong Cheng, Steven Y Huang, Marites P Melancon

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have emerged as novel therapies for supporting arteriovenous fistula (AVF) maturation, and bioresorbable polymeric scaffolds have enabled sustained MSC delivery into maturing AVFs. However, the radiolucency of biopolymeric wraps prevents in vivo monitoring of their integrity and location, hindering long-term preclinical investigations.

METHODS: We infused bismuth nanoparticles (BiNPs) into polycaprolactone (PCL) to fabricate an electrospun perivascular wrap capable of MSC delivery and conducive to longitudinal monitoring using conventional imaging. We tested the wraps' effects on the attenuation of markers of neointimal hyperplasia (i.e., endothelial dysfunction, hypoxia, and inflammation), the leading cause of AVF failure, in …