Digital Commons Network^™

Fungi And Fungi-Like Entities, Claudia Pogoreutz, Miriam Reverter, Nathalia Delgadillo-Ordonez, Anna Roik

School of Biological and Marine Sciences

Coral microbiology research has long focused on the composition and functional roles of prokaryotic organisms, but microeukaryotic communities, including the enigmatic fungi remain a poorly understood “black box” within coral and other holobionts. Here, we summarise what is known and hypothesised about the diversity, functional traits and potential, and chemodiversity of coral- and reef-associated fungi and fungi-like organisms (FLOs). Finally, we briefly outline the challenges associated with the characterization of marine fungi and provide a perspective for future studies to elucidate the biology, chemical ecology, and organismal interactions of marine fungi and FLOs within coral reef holobionts and their potentially …

The Effects Of Imidacloprid And Polyester Microfibers On The Larval Development Of The Endangered Sunflower Star, Alexandra G. Tissot, Elise F. Granek, Fiona Curliss, Augustin Kalytiak-Davis, Jason Hodin, Michelle L. Hladik

Environmental Science and Management Faculty Publications and Presentations

Sea star wasting syndrome has affected numerous species of sea star, with populations of Pycnopodia helianthoides (Brandt, 1835) left most at risk. As their populations are struggling to recover, it is important to gain a better understanding of the impacts that the multiple stressors in their habitats can have on their populations. Contaminant stressors in particular are of increasing importance, because aquatic organisms can be exposed to a dynamic range of contaminants from nearby anthropogenic activity that may affect their future recovery efforts. This study is the first to quantify the effects of contaminant stressors on the larvae of P. …

Exploration Of Differential Equation Models For Phage-Bacteria Population Dynamics, John Lawrence Palacios, Rebecca A. Segal

Spora: A Journal of Biomathematics

Bacteriophages are viruses that infect and replicate within bacteria. Lytic phages cause the bacterial cell to burst, killing the bacteria. These types of phages can be used to treat patients with antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections. As a step in developing successful treatment protocols, we aim to understand the population dynamics of phages and bacteria using an in vitro model. We model the dynamics using the Campbell model, which consist of a delay differential equation (DDE), as a base model. We extended the model by including the emergence of phage resistance. We then compared the DDE model with a parallel ordinary differential …

Ultrasound-Triggered Release Of Vancomycin From A Novel Spinal Device: Antibiotic Release And Efficacy In Vivo, Lauren J. Delaney, Priscilla Machado, Ji-Bin Liu, Rachel Evans, Asia Winslow, Neil Zhao, Christopher K. Kepler, Rajkishen Narayanan, Teeto Ezeonu, Viren Soni, Gagan Kaushal, Rachel Hilliard, Thomas P. Schaer, Noreen J. Hickok, Flemming Forsberg

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Faculty Papers

Post-surgical spinal infection occurs in up to 20 % of patients, despite aggressive peri-operative antibiotic treatments. To improve prophylaxis, we have designed and evaluated an ultrasound-activated prophylactic antibiotic release system to combat post-surgical bacterial survival. Polylactic acid (PLA) clips (1 cm³) were 3D-printed with an interior reservoir (0.8 cm³) for carrying drug payload, specifically vancomycin (VAN). Under IACUC approval, clips were surgically implanted into the spines of sheep (n = 9) and swine (n = 2) by removing the spinous process at several levels of the lumbar spine. In the sheep, clips were insonated and the …

Prevalence Of Social Determinants Of Health Risk Factors Among And Their Impact On Viral Suppression, Consistent Visits, And No-Show Rates Among Persons With Hiv Who Identify As Hispanic, Mary Cowden, Ana Clavijo, Pragnya Iyengar, Ann Avery

Faculty Scholarship

The current study examines the association between language preference, social determinants of health (SDOH) risk factors, viral load, and HIV care outcomes among individuals of Hispanic ethnicity in the United States. More than half (54%) of all participants reported having two or more unmet needs. Hispanic individuals were more likely to be at risk in 2 or more domains than their non-Hispanic counterparts. Food insecurity was the most common risk factor reported and when present, 51% of patients also reported financial resource strain. Surprisingly, when language preference was analyzed, English-preferring Hispanic patients were at higher risk of financial resource strain, …

Immunological Biomarkers Of Response And Resistance To Treatment With Cabozantinib And Nivolumab In Recurrent Endometrial Cancer, Vladimir Roudko, Diane Marie Del Valle, Emir Radkevich, Geoffrey Kelly, Xie Hui, Manishkumar Patel, Edgar Gonzalez-Kozlova, Kevin Tuballes, Howard Streicher, Swati Atale, Lisa Wang, Benito Czinczin, Seunghee Kim-Schulze, Ignacio I Wistuba, Cara L Haymaker, Gheath Al-Atrash, Ganiraju Manyam, Jianjun Zhang, Ryan Thompson, Mayte Suarez-Farinas, Stephanie Lheureux, Sacha Gnjatic

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Antiangiogenics combined with immune checkpoint blockade have become standard of care for recurrent endometrial cancer after standard platinum-based chemotherapy. To dissect mechanisms and define biomarkers associated with clinical outcomes to these combinations, we applied multidimensional immune monitoring to peripheral blood specimens collected from a randomized phase 2 trial of nivolumab with or without cabozantinib in 75 evaluable patients with recurrent endometrial cancer (NCI ETCTN 10104, NCT03367741). This trial demonstrated superiority of the combination to nivolumab alone.

Methods and results: Using Olink proteomics, mass cytometry, tumor antigen-specific ELISA, and whole exome tumor sequencing, we identified longitudinal immune signatures specific …

Loss Of Mucin 2 And Mhc Ii Molecules Causes Rare Resistance To Murine Rv Infection, Carolyn Bomidi, Faith M Sawyer, Noah Shroyer, Margaret Conner, Mary K Estes, Sarah E Blutt

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Enteric pathogen rotavirus (RV) primarily infects mature enterocytes at the tips of the intestinal villi; however, the role of secretory Paneth and goblet cells in RV pathogenesis remains unappreciated. Atoh1 knockout mice (Atoh1cKO) were used to conditionally delete Paneth, goblet, and enteroendocrine cells in the epithelium to investigate the role of secretory cells in RV infection. Unexpectedly, the number of infected enterocytes and the amount of RV shedding in the stool were greatly decreased following secretory cell deletion. Resistance to RV infection persisted for 7 days after virus inoculation, and Atoh1 knockout mice co-housed with infected wild-type mice were uninfected, …

Clostridioides Difficile Colonization Is Not Mediated By Bile Salts And Utilizes Stickland Fermentation Of Proline In An In Vitro Model, Xiaoyun Huang, April E Johnson, Joshua N Brehm, Thi Van Thanh Do, Thomas A Auchtung, Hugh C Mccullough, Armando I Lerma, Sigmund J Haidacher, Kathleen M Hoch, Thomas D Horvath, Joseph A Sorg, Anthony M Haag, Jennifer M Auchtung

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Treatment with antibiotics is a major risk factor for Clostridioides difficile infection, likely due to depletion of the gastrointestinal microbiota. Two microbiota-mediated mechanisms thought to limit C. difficile colonization include the conversion of conjugated primary bile salts into secondary bile salts toxic to C. difficile growth and competition between the microbiota and C. difficile for limiting nutrients. Using a continuous flow model that simulates the nutrient conditions of the distal colon, we investigated how treatment with 6 clinically used antibiotics influenced susceptibility to C. difficile infection in 12 different microbial communities cultivated from healthy individuals. Antibiotic treatment reduced microbial richness; …

Conformational Flexibility Is A Critical Factor In Designing Broad-Spectrum Human Norovirus Protease Inhibitors, Son Pham, Boyang Zhao, Neetu Neetu, Banumathi Sankaran, Ketki Patil, Sasirekha Ramani, Yongcheng Song, Mary K Estes, Timothy Palzkill, B V Venkataram Prasad

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

UNLABELLED: Human norovirus (HuNoV) is a leading cause of gastroenteritis worldwide and is associated with significant morbidity, mortality, and economic impact. There are currently no licensed antiviral drugs for the treatment of HuNoV-associated gastroenteritis. The HuNoV protease plays a critical role in the initiation of virus replication by cleaving the polyprotein. Thus, it is an ideal target for developing antiviral small-molecule inhibitors. While rupintrivir, a potent small-molecule inhibitor of several picornavirus proteases, effectively inhibits GI.1 protease, it is an order of magnitude less effective against GII protease. Other GI.1 protease inhibitors also tend to be less effective against GII proteases. …

Strategies, Personnel, And Diversity Of Pediatric Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs In The United States: Strategies And Composition Of Us Pediatric Asps, Christina S Manice, Alexander S Plattner, Edan Leshem, Jason G Newland, Mari M Nakamura

2020-Current year OA Pubs

OBJECTIVE: We sought to characterize US pediatric antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs), including their hospital demographics, staffing, funded full-time equivalents (FTEs) by hospital size, and relative emphasis on recommended stewardship strategies. We examined the self-reported characteristics of ASP personnel with regard to discipline, race, ethnicity, gender identity, and years of experience in antimicrobial stewardship.

DESIGN: Descriptive two-part survey.

SETTING: Pediatric ASPs at hospitals participating in Sharing Antimicrobial Reports for Pediatric Stewardship (SHARPS), a pediatric quality improvement collaborative of >70 children's hospitals.

PARTICIPANTS: Survey distributed to 82 US pediatric ASPs, excluding hospitals without pediatric ASPs. Part I completed by ASP leader (physician …

Sexual Abuse Of Street Children In Pakistan: Legal Protection Under International And National Law, Nazir Ullah, Saidatul Nadia Abd Aziz, Noor Aziah Mohd Awal

Padjadjaran Jurnal Ilmu Hukum (Journal of Law)

This study covers the social and legal dimensions of sexual abuse encountered by street children in Pakistan. It aims to elucidate the underlying reasons and contributory factors to child sexual abuse within the nation. This study employed qualitative methods, which involved analyzing data from primary sources such as acts of parliament and relevant journal articles. It highlights the exploitation of street children through prostitution, pornography, trafficking, and sex tourism. Therefore, it explored various manifestations of child sexual abuse both within street settings and beyond, alongside their foundational causes in Pakistani society. The study addresses the issue of sexual abuse among …

Covid-19 Induced Virtual Courts Sessions In Nigeria: Practicalities And Impracticalities, Ademola Sunday-Ayeerun, Eti Best Herbert, Ngozi Chinwa Ole

Padjadjaran Jurnal Ilmu Hukum (Journal of Law)

The Presidential Declaration of Corona Virus Disease 19 as a ‘dangerous contagious disease’ occasioned the emergence of several regulations imposing restrictions on movements and social distancing measures. The Chief Justice of Nigeria and other heads of court also approved the Guidelines and Practice Directions containing modalities for virtual court sessions. This paper aims to examine the legal implications of virtual court session. The traditional requirement that court sessions should be held in places open to the public signifies a constitutional disapproval of virtual court sessions. It is contended that Practice Directions and Guidelines are weak mechanisms for entrenching virtual court …

Port Denials And Restrictions Policies During Covid-19 Pandemic Based On International Law, Angela Jessica Desmonda

Padjadjaran Jurnal Ilmu Hukum (Journal of Law)

As a public facility, port has a significant potential to be cluster of the Covid-19 spread. Many states have implemented policies of denials and restriction of port access to protect people’s health. This study aims to analyze port denials and restrictions policies settings based on international law. In addition, this study is to analyze whether the status of state of emergency will affect state’s obligations based on international law. This study was conducted by analyzing associated international treaty law and customary law. The study concludes that no international treaty law and customary law prohibit port denials and restrictions because port …

Public Procurement Contract For Goods And Services Following The Presidential Decree Number 12 Of 2020 On The Stipulation Of The Coronavirus Disease (Covid-19) Pandemic As A National Disaster, Ninis Nugraheni, Hening Prabawa Arifanda, Alifihan Astaftiyan

Padjadjaran Jurnal Ilmu Hukum (Journal of Law)

The Covid-19 Pandemic affects many sectors. Therefore, the Indonesian Government passed the Presidential Regulation Number 12 of 2020 to manage the Pandemic. Unfortunately, this regulation has evoked various interpretations on the disaster contingency as a foundation to apply force majeure condition. The Government’s policies of budget refocusing and reallocation to manage the Covid-19 Pandemic have brought significant effects on goods and services procurement contracts. This condition may lead the Government into default, and it is force majeure. Therefore, the Government is discharged from any liabilities. Consequently, it may injure contractors of procurement. This study aims to investigate the actuality …

Bloom: Behavioral Learning And Outcome Observation In Microbes, Sean Sarwar Haque, Luke Compton Wharton, Ming Lin, Razvan Voicu

Symposium of Student Scholars

Understanding how pathogens respond to physical changes in their environment is crucial for developing effective treatments and preventative measures. Current research often relies on static models or experimental data that either fail to capture the dynamic interactions within cellular environments or are not generalizable to other types of pathogens. This project aims to address this gap by creating a comprehensive cell simulation that models pathogens and their response to chemical, physical, and physiological changes. The proposed solution is a simulation that integrates biological data and computational modeling to replicate the behavior of pathogens in real time as they are affected …

Survey Of Mosquito Larval Habitats At The Ksu Field Station, Rose Sofia, Eli Lovvorn, Aspen Hartman, Andrew Haddow

Symposium of Student Scholars

The greater Atlanta metropolitan area hosts numerous mosquito species that are nuisance biters and can transmit arthropod-borne diseases to humans. We surveyed the Kennesaw State University (KSU) Field Station – an incredibly biodiverse location – where student, staff, and faculty-led groups engage in outdoor research and teaching activities. The KSU Field Station located in Cobb County, GA is a heavily trafficked 25-acre property that may attract various mosquito species capable of transmitting pathogens to humans and animals alike. On August 27th, 2024, our team investigated the KSU Field Station to quantify and record potential water-holding containers that serve as mosquito …

Metal Complexes Of Sulfamethazine/Benzoin-Based Schiff Base Ligand: Synthesis,Characterization, Dft Calculations, And Antimicrobial Activities, Kerem Buran

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: The global rise in bacterial resistance poses a significant challenge, exacerbated by the overuse of antibacterial agents. Schiff base-metal complexes have gained attention for their potential antimicrobial properties, attributed to their unique three-dimensional structures and modes of action, such as cell wall inhibition and membrane disruption. The aim of this study was to synthesize and characterize a novel Schiff base (L) derived from sulfamethazine and benzoin, and to develop metal complexes of it with Cu2+, Co2+, Ni2+, and Cd2+. This research sought to evaluate the antibacterial and antifungal activities of the synthesized Schiff base and its metal complexes to …

Phytochemical Analysis And Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, And Cytotoxic Activities Ofxanthium Strumarium L. (Asteraceae), Ahmet Beyatli

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: Medicinal plants are considered an important source of novel antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer agents. The main goal of this study was to define the beneficial properties of various extracts obtained from Xanthium strumarium. Materials and methods: Evaluations were conducted on the total phenolic and flavonoid contents of the extracts. High-performance liquid chromatography and diode-array detection (HPLC-DAD) was used to determine the phenolic profiles of the extracts. DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays were used to evaluate the free radical scavenging properties of the X. strumarium extracts. The broth dilution method was used for antimicrobial activity assessments, the MTT assay was …

A Classroom-Based Intervention For Reducing Sedentary Behavior And Improving Spinal Health: Pragmatic Stepped-Wedge Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial, Dominic Fisher, Rentia Maart, Lehana Thabane, Quinette Louw

School of Health Professions

Background: Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) resulting from sedentary behavior (SB) are adding a further strain on the South African health system, which is already struggling to manage infectious diseases. Some countries have enabled children to reduce SB at school by substituting traditional furniture with sit-stand classroom furniture, allowing learners to interrupt prolonged bouts of sitting with standing without interrupting their school work. Alternating between sitting and standing also benefits spinal health by interrupting prolonged periods of high spinal loading, but no such intervention has been trialed in South Africa. The potential to reduce strain on the health system by reducing the …

Virologic Effects Of Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies Vrc01ls And Vrc07-523ls On Chronic Hiv-1 Infection, Myra Happe, Rachel M. Presti, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUNDHIV-1-specific broadly neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (bNAbs) have emerged as promising interventions with the potential to effectively treat and prevent HIV-1 infections. We conducted a phase I clinical trial evaluating the potent CD4-binding site-specific (CD4bs-specific) bNAbs VRC01LS and VRC07-523LS in people with HIV-1 (PWH) not receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART).METHODSParticipants received a single intravenous 40 mg/kg dose of either VRC01LS (n = 7) or VRC07-523LS (n = 9) and did not initiate ART for a minimum of 14 days. The primary study objective was to evaluate safety and tolerability; the secondary study objectives were to evaluate pharmacokinetics (PK) and the impact of …

Pitavastatin Is Well-Tolerated With No Detrimental Effects On Physical Function, Kristine M Erlandson, Triin Umbleja, Heather J Ribaudo, Jennifer A Schrack, Edgar T Overton, Carl J Fichtenbaum, Kathleen V Fitch, Jhoanna C Roa, Marissa R Diggs, Kenneth Wood, Markella V Zanni, Gerald S Bloomfield, Carlos Malvestutto, Judith A Aberg, Maria C Rodriguez-Barradas, Rosalba Gomez Morones, Katherine Breaux, Pamela S Douglas, Steven K Grinspoon, Todd T Brown

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Little is known about the potential benefits or harms of statins on physical function among people with human immunodeficiency virus (PWH).

Methods: REPRIEVE was a double-blind randomized controlled trial evaluating pitavastatin for primary prevention of major adverse cardiovascular events in PWH. Time to complete 10 chair rises, 4-m gait speed, grip strength, and a modified short physical performance test were assessed annually for up to 5 years in the ancillary study PREPARE and analyzed using linear mixed models.

Findings: Of 602 PWH, 52% were randomized to pitavastatin and 48% to placebo. Median age was 51 years; 18% were female …

Former White House Covid-19 Coordinator To Speak At Ford Center, Marisa C. Atkinson

University of Mississippi News

OXFORD, Miss. – Dr. Deborah L. Birx, former White House coronavirus response coordinator, will speak March 7 at the University of Mississippi.

Harm Reduction In Corrections And Improved Treatment Programs, Aliceanne Pegg

Master of Arts in Criminal Justice Leadership

The prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C in the United States corrections system is discussed. The importance of implementing harm-reduction strategies to help reduce the spread of bloodborne viruses is described. Also examined are rural communities' barriers to behavioral health and substance use treatment programs. The need for these treatment programs will be defined, and a policy to correct the issue will be proposed. These programs are not without criticism, and the ethics of implementing these programs are often called into question. Ethical considerations of these programs are considered, and an action plan is described to …

2025 February 21 - Academic, Research, And Student Success Committee Agenda And Minutes, Board Of Trustees, East Tennessee State University

Board of Trustees Agendas and Minutes

No abstract provided.

February 21, 2025 Ereporter, University Of Alabama At Birmingham

eReporter (campus newsletter)

No abstract provided.

Association Between The Lack Of Health Insurance, Income, And The Severity Of Negative Perinatal Outcomes Among Native Spanish- And English-Speaking Women Living In Florida, Khadijeh Ashktorab

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Evidence indicates that non-English-speaking mothers, particularly Spanish-only speakers, experience worse maternal health outcomes compared to their mainstream counterparts. Language barriers often hinder communication and negatively affect perinatal care. This study used data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System from Florida (2019–2020) to examine associations between health insurance, income, and perinatal outcomes among Spanish and English-speaking women. Krieger’s eco-social theory guided this cross-sectional, quantitative analysis. Chi-square tests were used for bivariable analysis, and multivariable models were used to adjust for confounders. Results showed that native language alone significantly predicted specific outcomes such as large-for-gestational-age …

Impact Of Biocontainment On Small Animal Pet Performance Adapted For Bsl-2/3 Infectious Disease Imaging Research, Isabella Salerno, Nadia Benabdallah, Amanda Fears, Ryan Unnerstall, Lindsey Hauck, Sergey Komarov, Linda Cox, Hanwen Zhang, Kevin Poenicke, Joseph Aromando, Yuan-Chun Tai, Timothy Wencewicz, Deborah J Veis, Daniel L J Thorek

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Biocontainment protocols are critical for conducting infectious disease (ID) research, particularly when using small animal models in biosafety level (BSL) 2/3 environments. This study evaluates the impact of poly-methyl methacrylate (PMMA) containment vessels on the performance of preclinical positron emission tomography (PET) systems. We tested containment vessels designed with varying wall thicknesses (3, 6, and 9 mm) to simulate ID imaging facility equipment and protocols. Through the use of multicomponent phantoms and in vivo mouse models of Staphylococcus aureus infection, we assessed key performance metrics including count rate, image quality, activity recovery, and spatial resolution.

RESULTS: The results indicate …

Overview Of Chromatographic Methods Of Analysis Of Penicillins In Food Matrices Of Animal Origin, Tarekegn Tadesse Unade, Gudeta Duga Geresu, Pawar A. Krishnamanjari

International Journal of Health and Allied Sciences

Penicillins are β-lactam antibiotics indicated for preventing and treating diseases in veterinary medical practice. Improper use of these antibiotics in animals may result in residues in foodstuffs such as milk, egg, and meat, which can cause unwanted effects like allergy, and development of bacterial resistance. So, it is important to regulate the use of penicillins in foodstuffs of animal origin. Regulatory bodies in different countries established maximum residue levels to be allowed in food matrices. To address the regulatory requirements, food matrices need to be investigated with proper methods of analysis. Several analytical methods were developed and validated to determine …

Membrane Lipids Augment Cell Envelope Stress Signaling Via The Madrs System To Defend Against Antimicrobial Peptides And Antibiotics In Enterococcus Faecalis, William R Miller, April Nguyen, Kavindra V Singh, Samie Rizvi, Ayesha Khan, Sam G Erickson, Stephanie L Egge, Melissa Cruz, An Q Dinh, Lorena Diaz, Philip C Thornton, Rutan Zhang, Libin Xu, Danielle A Garsin, Yousif Shamoo, Cesar A Arias

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Enterococci have evolved resistance mechanisms to protect their cell envelopes against bacteriocins and host cationic antimicrobial peptides (CAMPs) produced in the gastrointestinal environment. Activation of the membrane stress response has also been tied to resistance to the lipopeptide antibiotic daptomycin. However, the actual effectors mediating resistance have not been elucidated. Here, we show that the MadRS (formerly YxdJK) membrane antimicrobial peptide defense system controls a network of genes, including a previously uncharacterized 3-gene operon (madEFG) that protects the Enterococcus faecalis cell envelope from antimicrobial peptides. Constitutive activation of the system confers protection against CAMPs and daptomycin in the absence of …

Enhancing Diagnostic Accuracy Of Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis On Chest X-Rays Using Data-Efficient Image Transformers, Joan Mnyambo, Amir Aly, Shang-Ming Zhou, Yinghui Wei, Stephen Mullin, Emmanuel Ifeachor

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics

Tuberculosis is an infectious disease with increasing fatalities around the world. The diagnosis of the diseaseis a major challenge to its control and management due to the lack of adequate diagnostic tools, contributingsignificantly to the prevalence of drug-resistant tuberculosis. Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) modelshave recently been developed to detect drug-resistant tuberculosis by analyzing chest radiograph images fromthe TB portal, but the classification results are low. This is because CNNs struggle to capture complex globaland overlapping features in medical imaging, such as chest radiographs of drug-resistant tuberculosis. Incontrast, transformers excel in these areas by utilizing self-attention mechanisms that detect inherent subtle …