Digital Commons Network^™

Relationship Between Hashimoto Thyroiditis And Some Immunogenic Markers, Amani Mahmood Tuama, Aliyaa Taresh Obaid

Al-Esraa University College Journal for Medical Sciences

Hashimoto thyroiditis (HT) is a common autoimmune disorder, affecting women 7–10 times more often than men, that develops because of genetic susceptibility, X chromosome inactivation patterns modulated by environmental factors as well as micro biome composition, and leads to an imbalance in self-tolerance mechanisms. The consequential thyroid infiltration by lymphocytes, potentiated by antibody-mediated autoimmune response through the antibodies against thyroid peroxidase (TPO Abs), leads to a destruction of thyrocytes. The presence of TPO Abs is associated with a 2 to 4-fold increase in the risk of recurrent miscarriages and preterm birth in pregnant women. Aim: The aim of the study …

Wettability Assessment Of Room-Temperature Soft Liners Incorporated With Strontium Titanate Nanoparticles, Zakaria Azzam Alabed, Aseel Mohammed Al-Khafaji

Al-Esraa University College Journal for Medical Sciences

Background: Soft denture liners are widely used in prosthodontics for their ability to cushion masticatory forces and enhance comfort in patients with compromised oral mucosa. However, conventional liners often exhibit limitations such as poor adhesion to the denture base, microbial colonization, and inadequate mechanical stability. Materials and Methods: Strontium titanate (SrTiO₃) nanoparticles were incorporated into a self-cured soft denture liner. Three equal groups of fifteen specimens were created, each of which contained 0%, 1%, and 1.5% SrTiO₃ by weight. All procedures were conducted under simulated intraoral temperature, following manufacturer guidelines. Results: The analysis revealed statistically significant differences …

Gpbb And Tg/Hdl Ratio As Emerging Indicators In Iraqi Patients Diagnosed With Acute Coronary Syndrome, Alzahraa Ahmed Ammash, Walaa Ismael Jassim, Mohammed Mezher Hussien

Al-Esraa University College Journal for Medical Sciences

Background: ACS is one of the most critical health challenge worldwide. It consists of several conditions resulting from a sudden reduction in blood flow to the heart muscle. The early diagnosis is essential to improve the diagnostic accuracy and risk stratification. This relies on finding early, sensitive and specific biomarkers. Among these biomarkers are GPBB (glycogen phosphorylase isoenzyme BB), also referred to as the brain-type isoform (PYGB), which is primarily expressed in the brain and heart tissues and the triglyceride-to-HDL cholesterol ratio (TG/HDL). GPBB has recently gained interest as a potential early marker for myocardial ischemia with high novelty, whereas …

The Effect Of VItex Agnus-Castus L. Medium On In Vitro Oocyte Maturation Rate, Nabaa Al-Nawab

Al-Esraa University College Journal for Medical Sciences

In vitro maturation (IVM) of oocytes offers a possible alternative to traditional in vitro fertilization (IVF) for individuals susceptible to ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). The use of plant-derived bioactive composites as supplements in culture media has attracted attention for their potential to enhance oocyte developmental competence in the absence of synthetic hormones. This investigation aims to examine the effect of Vitex agnus-castus L. (VAC) aqueous extract on the in vitro maturation rate of murine oocytes. A total of 16 mature female mice were divided into two groups, 8 animals in each group. Immature oocytes were collected and cultivated for …

Detection Of Uropathogenic Bacteria In The Samples Of Iraqi Male Patients, Marwa M. Al-Attar

Al-Esraa University College Journal for Medical Sciences

Prostate disease is found in elderly persons, the prostate is a male reproduction organ. It is approximately the size of a plum that may be found near the bladder’s base. It is the primary cause of the three commonest diseases: prostatitis, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and prostate cancer (PC). This study designed to identify the uropathogenic bacteria that caused prostate disorders in Iraqi male samples. A current study included 180 subjects from the Iraqi population, 135 patients were divided into three groups (prostate cancer, benign prostate hyperplasia and prostatitis), according to signs, symptoms and diagnosis by the physician each group …

Prevalence Of Aminoglycoside Resistance Genes Among Esβl Producer P. Aeruginosa In Burn Cases, Yasser Rabee Ibraheem, Majida Malik Alshammari

Al-Esraa University College Journal for Medical Sciences

Pseudomonas aeruginosa recurrently develops resistant towards aminoglycosides by gaining of aminoglycoside modifying enzyme (AME) genes. The study aimed to assess the antibiotic susceptibility profile of P. aeruginosa isolated from burn infections in hospitals in Baquba, AL Najaf and Karbala. Detection of genes that mediate the production of AMEs. 175 Burn swab (110 males and 65 females) were collected then cultured on MacConkey‘s and Blood agar for primary culture, and Cetrimide agar was used to isolate and purify the bacteria and incubated aerobically at 37°C for 24 hours. Then, Vitek 2 system to validate the results. Results revealed that 70 (40%) …

Antimicrobial Resistance Trends And Sccmec Typing Among Mrsa-Infected Diabetic Foot Cases In The Al-Najaf Community, Zahraa Hashim Abd Zaid Al-Sharoofi, Majida Malik Alshammari, Mohammed Abdzaid Akool

Al-Esraa University College Journal for Medical Sciences

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major cause of healthcare-associated infections worldwide, often linked to multidrug resistance and limited treatment options. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the molecular characteristics and antimicrobial resistance profiles of MRSA isolates recovered from diabetic foot ulcers in Al-Najaf Governorate, Iraq. A total of 76 S. aureus isolates were collected from patients attending three major hospitals. Identification was conducted using conventional microbiological methods, and methicillin resistance was confirmed phenotypically via cefoxitin disc diffusion and genotypically through PCR amplification of the mecA gene. SCCmec typing was performed using multiplex PCR. The findings revealed that 92.1% of …

Mixed Linear Equation–Inequality Systems Over The Pura Vida Neutrosophic Algebra, Muhammad Rayyanu Abdullahi, Abdulhadi Aminu

Neutrosophic Systems with Applications

This paper proposes a neutrosophic extension of max-plus algebra for solving mixed systems of linear equations and inequalities.Classical max-plus algebra is a powerful tool for modeling synchronization in discrete-event systems LastNatpreClose LastNatClose, but it assumes fully deterministic data.To incorporate uncertainty and indeterminacy, we reformulate the framework so that coefficients and variables are expressed as neutrosophic numbers

γ+λI,γ,λ∈ℝ,I∈[0,1],

where I quantifies the degree of indeterminacy.

We redefine the max-plus semiring in this neutrosophic setting, extend solvability and uniqueness results, and adapt the ONEMLP-EI algorithm LastNatpreClose LastNatClose to handle neutrosophic …

Mapping Sustainability To Cybernetic-Generative Artificial Intelligence-Based Education: An Innovative Neutrosophic Orbifold-Lattice Methodology, Mona Mohamed, Ahmed A. Metwaly

Neutrosophic Systems with Applications

The lightning-fast development of artificial intelligence (AI), notably generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) technologies, has intrigued multiple disciplines, particularly education. In this context, Large Language Models (LLMs) serve as beneficial cognitive resources that address knowledge deficits and provide tailored educational support for learners and staff. For learners, LLMs are regarded as knowledgeable educators who offer prompt, focused responses and rationales to tricky queries. Whereby LLMs for staff, Strength enhancer, automating tedious tasks, and creating intelligent resources.Gen AI’s rapid growth offers enormous obstacles for educational systems, compelling them to discover solutions for these obstacles.

Conceptually, cybernetics is leveraged for bridging the …

Current Controversies On Adequate Circulating Vitamin D Levels In Ckd, Adriana S Dusso, Daniela J Porta, Carlos Bernal-Mizrachi

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Management of secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) in chronic kidney disease (CKD) has evolved dramatically over the past five decades, driven by discoveries that have fundamentally reshaped our understanding of the vitamin D endocrine system and its role in disease progression. This review synthesizes the key pathophysiological insights and clinical evidence underlying three critical paradigm shifts. The first shift moved beyond simple calcitriol replacement with the development of selective vitamin D receptor activators (VDRAs) designed to minimize hypercalcemia while maximizing PTH suppression. Crucially, these analogs revealed unexpected survival benefits, suggesting protective VDR actions extending beyond mineral metabolism. The second shift recognized the …

Acl Injuries In Major League Soccer: A 10-Year Analysis Of Injury Rate And Return To Play, And Performance Metrics By Player Position, Brian Forsythe, Catherine Hand, Camden Bohn, Francis Hand, Vahram Gamsarian, Daanish Khazi-Syed, Joshua Chang, Vikranth Mirle, Eric Giza, Robert Brophy, Danyal Nawabi, Bert Mandelbaum

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are among the most debilitating injuries in professional soccer, often leading to extended recovery times and performance impacts. While much is known about ACL injury outcomes in European leagues, data specific to the Major League Soccer (MLS) remains limited.

PURPOSE/HYPOTHESIS: This study aimed to assess the return to play (RTP) times, RTP rates, and performance outcomes after ACL reconstruction in MLS athletes. It was hypothesized that RTP times would improve over the study period and that player performance would stabilize by the third post-injury season, consistent with findings from other professional soccer leagues.

STUDY …

Enteric Nervous System Degeneration In Human And Murine Cln3 Disease, Is Ameliorated By Gene Therapy In Mice, Ewa A Ziółkowska, Letitia L Williams, Matthew J Jansen, Sophie H Wang, Elizabeth M Eultgen, Jaiprakash Sharma, Marco Sardiello, Rebecca P Bradley, Ineka T Whiteman, Mark S Sands, Robert O Heuckeroth, Jonathan D Cooper

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Severe gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms occur in people with CLN3 disease, a neurodegenerative disorder. If left untreated these GI symptoms compromise life quality and may contribute to death. We hypothesized GI symptoms in CLN3 disease are at least partially due to neurodegeneration in the enteric nervous system (ENS), the master regulator of bowel function. We examined the integrity of the ENS in human CLN3 autopsy small bowel and colon, and in CLN3 deficient (Cln3Δex7/8) mice. We performed detailed immunohistological analyses of enteric neurons and glia and assessed bowel transit times at multiple disease stages. We then tested the therapeutic potential of …

Creating A Collaborative And Impactful Research Environment: Community Partner Reflections On The Destress-Ii Study, Jane Horrell, Alison Mcloughlin, Felicity Thomas, Kathryn Berzins, Susanne Hughes, Keith Guppy, Phillip Perkins, Ralph Corkhill, Debbie Sherlock, Saiqa Ahmed, Saima Gul, Keith Holt, Karen Coombes, Farheen Yameen, Oliver Hamer, Katrina Wyatt

Peninsula Medical School

Background: Patient and public involvement and engagement can improve the relevance and impact of research yet ‘impact’ is often framed narrowly around study findings rather than the experiences of those involved. Understanding how involvement affects individuals is important, particularly in areas such as mental health where there is significant potential for power differentials within the research process. The DeStress-II project co-developed a training resource to help primary care practitioners support people experiencing poverty-related mental distress. Community Partners with lived experience were integral to the project, contributing to training delivery, online resource co-production, and implementation analysis. This paper explores what supported …

Biotechnologies And The Treaty Gap: Why Biological Weapons Governance Is Falling Behind; And Some Thoughts On How To Fix It, James Giordano

Strategic Insights

This commentary examines how rapid advances in biotechnology are outpacing the ability of existing international agreements, especially the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), to effectively govern emerging risks. Dr. Giordano explains that technologies such as synthetic biology, gene editing, and AI-assisted biological design are creating capabilities that blur the line between legitimate research and potential misuse, leaving enforcement and oversight systems outdated. These developments expose a “treaty gap” in which governance does not match technological reality, undermining global norms against biological weaponization. Strengthening international governance frameworks, improving transparency and verification mechanisms, and incorporating emerging science into treaty language will be essential …

Rural Solar Rights, Troy A. Rule

BYU Law Review

Utility-scale solar projects on private land—the fastest growing form of energy development in the United States today—generate low-cost, carbon-free electricity and can invigorate rural economies. However, they are also attracting unprecedented local opposition as local governments across the country adopt ordinances prohibiting or severely restricting solar farm development within their jurisdictions. Fortunately, state legislatures have multiple means of preventing municipal governments from unreasonably restricting solar energy. Among other things, states can legislatively preempt excessive local solar siting restrictions, manage more solar project permitting at the state government level, or statutorily require municipalities to classify solar farms as a “permitted use” …

The Inconvenience Doctrine, Alexi Pfeffer-Gillett

BYU Law Review

In a nation of stark inequalities, the Roberts Court is often portrayed as siding with the wealthy and powerful. Many scholars argue that the Court has abandoned legal principles altogether and instead simply chooses winners and losers based on the conservative majority’s political agenda. Meanwhile, scholarly examinations of the legal reasoning underlying the Court’s most impactful decisions are largely confined to specific subject areas. Such compartmentalized analyses, though, overlook broader patterns in the Court’s rulings that transcend substantive legal boundaries.

This Article bridges the gap in these parallel conversations by connecting the Roberts Court’s reasoning across many legal fields with …

A Zealous Advocate, A Robust Cross: Cross-Examination Of Non-Adverse Witnesses By The Guardian Ad Litem, Scott Swain

BYU Law Review

“When the lives and fundamental rights of children are at stake, there must be no silent witnesses.”1 — Carol Bellamy

Systemic pressures in child welfare litigation regularly lead guardian ad litem attorneys to default to the positions and recommendations of state social services. In such cases, witnesses called by the state in trials and evidentiary hearings are non-adverse to the guardian ad litem. This dynamic undermines the purposes of cross-examination rules, threatening the procedural interests of the parties involved. This paper will use a procedural due process balancing test to guide its analysis as it proposes three potential solutions: a …

Titin-Related Familial Dilated Cardiomyopathy: Factors Associated With Disease Onset, Renee Johnson, Robert A Fletcher, Stacey Peters, Monique Ohanian, Magdalena Soka, Andrei Smolnikov, Katherine E Abihider, Michael J Ackerman, Flavie Ader, Mohammed M Akhtar, Ahmad S Amin, Euan A Ashley, John J Atherton, Rachel Austin, Annette F Baas, Richard D Bagnall, Samantha Barratt Ross, Jean-Louis Blouin, Emily E Brown, Henning Bundgaard, Douglas Cannie, Przemyslaw Chmielewski, Gemma Correnti, Maria Generosa Crespo-Leiro, Matteo Dal Ferro, Lisa M Dellefave-Castillo, Fernando Dominguez, Dennis Dooijes, Anne M Dybro, Youssef Ed Demri, Mohamed El Hachmi, Luis Escobar-Lopez, Sarah Jajesnica Foye, Maria Franaszczyk, Marta Gigli, Esther Gonzalez Lopez, Adeline Goudal, Sharon Graw, Michel Guipponi, Eric Haan, Jan Haas, Daniel J Hammersley, Frederikke G Hansen, Christopher S Hayward, Thomas Morris Hey, Stephane Heymans, Carolyn Y Ho, Arjan C Houweling, Jodie Ingles, Angela Ingrey, Andrew Jabbour, Paul A James, Joeri A Jansweijer, Jan D H Jongbloed, Anne M Keogh, Jose M Larrañaga-Moreira, Ronald H Lekanne Deprez, Ivan Macciocca, Peter S Macdonald, Nicolas Mansencal, Julia Mansour, Cristina Martinez-Veira, Barbara Mcdonough, Julie Mcgaughran, Kristen Medo, Marco Merlo, Ewa Michalak, Lorenzo Monserrat, Helen Mountain, Steven A Muller, Anne M Murphy, Brittney Murray, Emily C Oates, Elizabeth Ormondroyd, Nicholas Pachter, Alessia Paldino, Aurélien Palmyre, Naveen L Pereira, Kermshlise C Picard, Nicola Poplawski, Sanjay Prasad, Julie Proukhnitzky, Jean-Francois Pruny, Patricia Reant, Pascale Richard, Anne Ronan, Farbod Sedaghat-Hamedani, Christopher Semsarian, Garrett Storm, Sophie Stroeks, Petros Syrris, Matthew R G Taylor, Kate Thomson, Tina Thompson, J Peter Van Tintelen, Christoffer Rasmus Vissing, Kathryn E Waddell-Smith, Mathew Wallis, Dominica Zentner, Clare Arnott, Ali J Marian, Jaewon Oh, Siv Fokstuen, Cynthia A James, Roberto Barriales-Villa, Benjamin Meder, Karim Wahbi, John R Giudicessi, Victoria N Parikh, James S Ware, Nicolas Piriou, Caroline Rooryck, Neal K Lakdawala, Luisa Mestroni, Gianfranco Sinagra, Perry M Elliott, Hugh Watkins, Elizabeth M Mcnally, Philippe Charron, Karin Y Van Spaendonck-Zwarts, Pablo Garcia-Pavia, Maria Luisa Peña-Peña, Jens Mogensen, Alex Hoerby Christensen, Zofia T Bilińska, Torsten B Rasmussen, Jonathan G Seidman, Christine E Seidman, Anneline S J M Te Riele, Job A J Verdonschot, Yigal M Pinto, Imke Christiaans, Diane Fatkin

The Brown Foundation: Institute of Molecular Medicine

Background and aims: Truncating variants in the TTN gene (TTNtv) are the most common genetic cause of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) but also occur as incidental findings in the general population. This study investigated factors associated with the clinical manifestation of TTNtv.

Methods: An international multicentre retrospective observational study was performed in families with TTNtv-related DCM. Shared frailty models were used to estimate associations of variant characteristics with lifetime risk of DCM, and logistic regression to estimate odds ratios (ORs) for individual-level clinical risk factor profiles (cardiac conditions, cardiovascular comorbidities, lifestyle) and DCM.

Results: A total of 3158 subjects in 1043 …

Will Technology Help Us Understand Animals?, Frances I. Sacks

Capstones

New technologies allow scientists to study animal communication like never before. Advanced surveillance devices ornament forests and oceans, recording animals over great stretches of distance and time. Artificial intelligence can absorb these enormous datasets, sorting tangled abstractions into coherent patterns. With a sufficiently robust library of analyzed data, some researchers believe that large language models will soon learn to translate whale communication systems.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ky6mPFjc-lNJFVK8CHebUa5zCSFUoMgkCB560pqxwfo/edit?tab=t.0

Bread And Circuses, Rosie Thomas

Capstones

This project documents clowns and their props and performance and rehearsal spaces in New York in the fall of 2025. The photos explore the surreality of practicing performance and indulging in art. I am asking what it means to have and explore creativity - queerness, weirdness, community, and play - while acknowledging that a community that gathers to exhibit their own freedom of expression is making an active choice and a prioritisation at every moment.

Investigating Chronic Toxicity, Diet, Patient-Reported Outcomes And The Microbiome In Immunotherapy-Treated Metastatic Melanoma Survivors: A New Frontier, Margaux Robert, Satabdi Saha, Nazli Dizman, Michelle Rohlfs, Elizabeth Sirmans, Julie Simon, Rodabe N Amaria, Isabella C Glitza Oliva, Hussein A Tawbi, Michael A Davies, Alexandra Ikeguchi, Karen Basen-Engquist, Keri Schadler, Michael E Roth, Wenye Song, Xiaotao Zhang, Nadim J Ajami, Lorenzo Cohen, Jennifer A Wargo, Christine B Peterson, Jennifer L Mcquade, Carrie R Daniel

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background/Objectives: Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapies have significantly improved outcomes in metastatic melanoma. However, immune-related adverse events (irAEs) and persistent chronic toxicities (CTs) among this emerging survivor population likely influence different facets of quality of life. This study characterized CT, patient-reported outcomes (PROs), diet, physical activity and gut microbiome features in a cohort of long-term survivors with a history of ICB-treated metastatic melanoma.

Methods: Forty-eight patients with a history of metastatic melanoma who initiated ICB treatment at least 3 years earlier and were not currently on treatment were prospectively enrolled from a melanoma survivorship clinic. Participants completed screening …

Epcam Activates The Erk-Egr1 Signaling Axis And Promotes Tnf-Α-Induced The Progression Of Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer, Chi-Chiu Lee, Yi-Jen Su, Sushree Shankar Panda, Chiung-Yi Chiu, Chung-Hsuan Wu, Tsai-Ming Lu, Pi-Chun Li, Yen-Lin Huang, Ruey-Long Hong, Shao-Hsi Hung, Cassian Yee, Stephen Y Lai, Han-Chung Wu

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) is a pleotropic transmembrane glycoprotein comprising an extracellular domain (EpEX), a single transmembrane domain, and an intracellular domain (EpICD). For several types of cancer, high EpCAM expression is associated with tumor progression, metastasis, immune evasion, and overall poor prognosis. A rare but aggressive form of thyroid cancer, anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC), has a mean survival time of only 3–6 months after diagnosis.

Methods: The levels of EpEX and EpICD cleavage in clinical patient samples was evaluated by using tissue microarray. Capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was conducted to explore the of shedding EpEX and …

Implementation Of Single-Pill Combination Medication For Hypertension Treatment By Nonphysician Health Care Workers At Primary Healthcare Facilities In Nigeria: An Explanatory Mixed Methods Study, Emmanuel I Okpetu, Chisom Obiezu-Umeh, Boni M Ale, Abigail S Baldridge, Rosemary C B Okoli, Grace J Shedul, Gabriel L Shedul, Nanna R Ripiye, Ikechukwu A Orji, Lisa R Hirschhorn, Dike B Ojji, Mark D Huffman, Hypertension Treatment In Nigeria Program Investigators

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Single-pill combination (SPC) therapy improves hypertension control; however, its implementation in primary care settings remains limited. In Nigeria, there is insufficient evidence on factors influencing SPC uptake, particularly from the perspective of healthcare workers (HCWs). This study examined the implementation of SPC medications for hypertension treatment by nonphysician HCWs at primary healthcare facilities (PHCs) in Nigeria.

METHODS: An explanatory sequential mixed methods study was conducted, building on a cluster randomized controlled trial embedded within the Hypertension Treatment in Nigeria Program. The trial compared SPC medications with free-equivalent combination therapies across 60 PHCs (January-June 2021). A subsequent qualitative component (September-December …

Discovery Of Small Molecules And A Druggable Groove That Regulate Dna Binding And Release Of The Ap-1 Transcription Factor Δfosb, Sean Mcneme, Yun Young Yim, Ashwani Kumar, Yi Li, Brandon Hughes, Corey Peyton St Romain, Galina Aglyamova, Jianping Chen, Nghi D Nguyen, Shanghua Fan, Gabriel S Stephens, Wen-Ning Zhao, Samantha Kruzshak, Molly Estill, Corrine Brener, Solange Tofani, Anil Kumar, Earnest P Chen, Nadeen Takatka, Alfred J Robison, Haiying Chen, Reid T Powell, Stephen J Haggarty, Clifford Stephan, Eric J Nestler, Jeannie Chin, Mischa Machius, Jia Zhou, Gabby Rudenko

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

ΔFOSB, a member of the AP-1 family of transcription factors, mediates long-term neuroadaptations underlying drug addiction, seizure-related cognitive decline, dyskinesias, and several other chronic conditions. AP-1 transcription factors are notoriously difficult to modulate pharmacologically due to the absence of well-defined binding pockets. Here, we identify a novel site on ΔFOSB, located outside the DNA-binding cleft, that accommodates small molecules. We show that sulfonic acid-containing compounds bind to this site via an induced-fit mechanism, reorienting side chains critical for DNA binding, and that they may hinder the ΔFOSB bZIP α-helix from binding to the major groove of DNA. In vivo, direct …

Clair3-Rna: A Deep Learning-Based Small Variant Caller For Long-Read Rna Sequencing Data, Zhenxian Zheng, Xian Yu, Lei Chen, Yan-Lam Lee, Cheng Xin, Angel On Ki Wong, Miten Jain, Rupesh K Kesharwani, Fritz J Sedlazeck, Ruibang Luo

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Variant calling with long-read RNA sequencing (lrRNA-seq) helps to analyze full-length isoforms and gene expression but is complicated by high error rates, transcript diversity, RNA editing events, etc. Here, we propose Clair3-RNA, the first deep learning-based variant caller tailored for lrRNA-seq data. Building upon Clair series' pipelines, Clair3-RNA enhances lrRNA-seq variant calling using optimized techniques, such as uneven coverage normalization, refined training data, editing site discovery, and haplotype phasing to enhance performance. Clair3-RNA supports various platforms, including PacBio, ONT complementary DNA sequencing (cDNA), and ONT direct RNA sequencing (dRNA). Clair3-RNA achieved a ~ 91% SNP F1-score on the ONT platform …

Agricultural Producer And Food Maker Food Processing Operation Needs Assessment Overview, Makaylie Langford, Kynda R. Curtis, Karin E. Allen, Ruby Ward

All Current Publications

In 2024, Utah State University conducted a study of Utah's farmers, ranchers, and food makers related to value-added food production and processing. This fact sheet provides an overview of the survey results related to respondents, their operations, products, and marketing outlets. It also discusses respondents’ familiarity with key regulatory and resource organizations, the types of products and business resources they find difficult to obtain or access, and the primary obstacles to their processing operations. These results can be used by Extension faculty, policymakers, agricultural organizations, and local economic development agencies to guide targeted support for Utah’s farmers, ranchers, and …

Multiple Sclerosis: An Ethnically Diverse Disease With Worldwide Equity Challenges Accessing Care, Victor M Rivera

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Multiple sclerosis (MS) affects approximately 2.9 million people in the world, exerting a significant economic and societal burden. The disease is increasingly identified among populations considered as uncommonly affected. MS is reported in all regions of the World Health Organization (WHO) member states in Africa, the Americas, South-East Asia, Europe, the Eastern Mediterranean and the Western Pacific, affecting all ethnicities while exhibiting substantially variable prevalences. Countries with high MS prevalence and some with moderate frequencies generally have economically better structured healthcare systems. Nevertheless, health disparities in these countries are accentuated by suboptimal accessibility of care for their minorities, immigrants and …

Structure-Based Repurposing Of Clinically Approved Compounds For Pde-5 Inhibition: Integrative Computational And Pharmacokinetic Evaluation, Albashir Tahir, Yasir Idris Saleh, Ibrahim Khaleel Muazu

Al-Mustaqbal Journal of Pharmaceutical and Medical Sciences

Background: Phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) regulates intracellular cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) levels, modulating vascular smooth muscle tone. Sildenafil, a well-established PDE-5 inhibitor, is effective for erectile dysfunction and pulmonary hypertension but causes dose-dependent adverse effects. Identifying alternative scaffolds with comparable efficacy and improved safety remains a pharmacological priority.

Methods: A ligand-based virtual screening of the DrugBank database was performed using sildenafil as a reference. Compounds exhibiting ≥60% structural and electrostatic similarity were docked into the PDE-5 catalytic domain (PDB ID: 2h42) using Glide XP in the Schrödinger Suite. Top-scoring ligands were assessed for physicochemical, pharmacokinetic (ADMET), and toxicity parameters using SwissADME and …

Design And Mechanistic Investigation Of Novel Metallodrugs: From Structure-Activity Relationships To Selective Cancer Cell Targeting, Samad Khaksar, Nosrat Behzadi, Hasan Zakeri Zakeri, Peyman Salahshour, Sara Abdolmaleki

Al-Mustaqbal Journal of Pharmaceutical and Medical Sciences

The relentless pursuit of alternatives to conventional platinum-based chemotherapeutics, hampered by severe side effects and drug resistance, defines a critical frontier in oncology drug discovery. This review consolidates and highlights the significance of our recent advances in designing novel metallodrugs based on pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylate derivatives coordinated with various metal ions (Ga(III), Ce(IV), Zn(II), Cu(II), Ni(II), Sr(II)). Through systematic synthesis and evaluation, we establish how strategic structural modifications dictate cytotoxicity, cellular uptake, and mechanistic pathways. Our comprehensive in vitro profiling across a panel of human cancer cell lines (including A431, SW480, BEL-7404) revealed potent anticancer activity, with IC50 values as low as …

Sphenocentrum Jollyanum: Pharmacological Insights Into A Neglected African Medicinal Plant, Albashir Tahir

Al-Mustaqbal Journal of Pharmaceutical and Medical Sciences

Sphenocentrum jollyanum Pierre (Menispermaceae) is a West African medicinal plant used traditionally for various ailments, including malaria, diabetes, and reproductive disorders. Despite its ethnobotanical significance, comprehensive scientific validation of its pharmacological properties remains limited. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the plant’s ethnobotany, phytochemistry, and pharmacological activities, integrating traditional knowledge with modern scientific insights to guide future research. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science, covering publications up to April 2025. Search terms included "Sphenocentrum jollyanum", "ethnobotanical use", "pharmacological effects", and related keywords. Relevant articles were screened, and …