Digital Commons Network^™

A Sumo-Interacting Motif In The Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factor Epac1 Is Required For Subcellular Targeting And Function, Wenli Yang, Fang Mei, Wei Lin, Jason E Lee, Si Nie, Christopher J Bley, André Hoelz, Xiaodong Cheng

The Brown Foundation: Institute of Molecular Medicine

Exchange protein directly activated by cAMP (EPAC1), a multifunctional intracellular cAMP receptor, dynamically localizes to various cellular loci, engaging with diverse molecular partners to maintain cellular homeostasis. The study investigates the role of the SUMO-interacting motif (SIM) in the subcellular targeting and cellular functions of EPAC1. It reveals that the SIM is a critical structural element for EPAC1's association with RanBP2/nucleoporin 358, a nucleoporin of the cytoplasmic filament component of the nuclear pore complex. Mutational disruption of EPAC1 SIM interferes with EPAC1's ability to activate its canonical effectors, small GTPases, Rap1 and Rap2, and noncanonical functions, such as the formation …

Allergic Fungal Rhinosinusitis Diagnosis, Management, Associated Conditions, Pathophysiology, And Future Directions: Summary Of A Multidisciplinary Workshop, Lauren T Roland, Cecelia Damask, Amber U Luong, Antoine Azar, Charles S Ebert, Thomas Edwards, Katherine N Cahill, Do-Yeon Cho, David Corry, Tara L Croston, Alexandra F Freeman, Amin Javer, Paneez Khoury, Jean Kim, Michael Koval, Edward D Mccoul, James W Mims, Anju Peters, Jay F Piccirillo, Richard P Ramonell, Amali Samarasinghe, Robert P Schleimer, Prestina Smith-Davidson, Andrej Spec, Michael E Wechsler, Sarah K Wise, Joshua M Levy

The Brown Foundation: Institute of Molecular Medicine

Allergic fungal rhinosinusitis (AFRS) is a unique endotype of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). Despite high recurrence rates and often more severe presenting signs compared with other subtypes of CRSwNP, research dedicated to AFRS has been lacking. Diagnostic criteria are outdated, the mechanistic relationship of AFRS to other associated diseases is unclear, and the pathophysiology of disease and risk factors for recurrence have not been well studied. In December 2023, a multidisciplinary group of rhinologists, otolaryngologists, pulmonologists, allergists, immunologists, scientists, and infectious disease experts met at the National Institute of Health to discuss unmet needs for future AFRS research …

Identification And Functional Assessment Of Candidate Causal Cis-Regulatory Variants Underlying Electrocardiographic Qt Interval Gwas Loci, Supraja Kadagandla, Lavanya Gunamalai, Dongwon Lee, Ashish Kapoor

The Brown Foundation: Institute of Molecular Medicine

Background: Identifying causal variants among tens or hundreds of associated variants at each locus in genome-wide association studies is challenging. As the vast majority of genome-wide association studies variants are noncoding, sequence variation at cis-regulatory elements (CREs) affecting transcriptional expression of specific genes is a widely accepted molecular hypothesis. Following this hypothesis, combined with the observation that open chromatin is a universal hallmark of all types of CREs, we aimed to identify candidate causal cis-regulatory variants underlying QT interval genome-wide association studies loci.

Methods: Common variants in high linkage disequilibrium with genome-wide significant variants were identified using variant …

Monte Carlo Study Of Gold Nanoparticle-Mediated Radiosensitization Effects Using Nanoscale Cell Model Combined With Fractal-Based Dna Model, Amrit Kaphle, Sandun Jayarathna, Sunil Krishnan, Sang Hyun Cho

The Brown Foundation: Institute of Molecular Medicine

Background: Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) are promising radiosensitizers in radiation therapy, yet the exact mechanisms behind their effectiveness remain not fully understood. Monte Carlo (MC) simulations have been used to study extra energy deposition and increased DNA damage by the secondary electrons from intracellularly present GNPs, which are believed to be the key physical mechanisms responsible for the radiosensitization effects observed in many radiobiological studies. However, discrepancies between experimental results and computational predictions persist. While often attributed to purely biological effects, such discrepancies, from a physical modeling point of view, can also be due to the use of MC models constructed …

Allergic Fungal Rhinosinusitis Diagnosis, Management, Associated Conditions, Pathophysiology, And Future Directions: Summary Of A Multidisciplinary Workshop, Lauren T Roland, Cecelia Damask, Amber U Luong, Antoine Azar, Charles S Ebert, Thomas Edwards, Katherine N Cahill, Do-Yeon Cho, David Corry, Tara L Croston, Alexandra F Freeman, Amin Javer, Paneez Khoury, Jean Kim, Michael Koval, Edward D Mccoul, James W Mims, Anju Peters, Jay F Piccirillo, Richard P Ramonell, Amali Samarasinghe, Robert P Schleimer, Prestina Smith-Davidson, Andrej Spec, Michael E Wechsler, Sarah K Wise, Joshua M Levy

The Brown Foundation: Institute of Molecular Medicine

Allergic fungal rhinosinusitis (AFRS) is a unique endotype of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). Despite high recurrence rates and often more severe presenting signs compared with other subtypes of CRSwNP, research dedicated to AFRS has been lacking. Diagnostic criteria are outdated, the mechanistic relationship of AFRS to other associated diseases is unclear, and the pathophysiology of disease and risk factors for recurrence have not been well studied. In December 2023, a multidisciplinary group of rhinologists, otolaryngologists, pulmonologists, allergists, immunologists, scientists, and infectious disease experts met at the National Institute of Health to discuss unmet needs for future AFRS research …

Alice’S Patent Puzzle: Unlocking Patent Eligibility For Diagnostic Methods Within Wonderland’S Faulty Two-Step Framework, Anjali Dhamsania J.D. Candidate

Vanderbilt Journal of Entertainment & Technology Law

As it stands today, diagnostic tests and their methods are largely unpatentable. In 2012, the Supreme Court, in Mayo Collaborative Services v. Prometheus Laboratories, Inc., redefined the scope of patent subject matter, leaving a profound impact in the context of medical diagnostics. The subsequent decision by the Court in Alice Corporation v. CLS Bank International two years later significantly expanded the range of judicially created exceptions to statutory patent eligibility criteria to encompass “abstract ideas,” solidifying this “Alice-Mayo” framework as the definitive test to determine patent-eligible subject matter.

But this shift has made it exceedingly difficult to secure diagnostic …

Early Life Exposure To Fine Particulate Matter And Fine Motor Function, Attentional Function, And Working Memory Among Spanish School-Aged Children, Kristina W Whitworth, Aitana Lertxundi, Mingze Yuan, Alison Rector-Houze, Wei-Jen Chen, Mònica Guxens, Jordi Julvez, Michael Swartz, Elaine Symanski, Antonia Valentin, Carmen Iniguez, Llúcia L González-Safont, Jesús Ibarluzea

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Evidence of the association between fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure and child neuropsychological function is equivocal. We examined early life PM2.5 exposure in relation to fine motor function, attention, and working memory in early childhood.

Methods: We used data from the Spanish INfancia y Medio Ambiente Project, 2003-2008. Exposure to PM2.5 (μg/m3) was assessed using spatiotemporal land-use random forest models and assigned based on residential address histories. Around age six, children completed the finger tapping test, attentional network test (ANT), and n-back task to evaluate fine motor speed, attention, and working memory, respectively. A total of 1,310 children had …

The Association Of Vision And Hearing Impairment On Cognitive Function And Loneliness: Evidence From The Mexican Health And Aging Study, Kimberly Hreha, Rafael Samper-Ternent, Heather E Whitson, L P Downer, Jessica S West, Brian Downer

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objectives: We investigated whether self-reported vision and hearing were associated with cognitive function and loneliness among Mexican adults aged 50 and older.

Methods: Mexican Health and Aging Study data. Vision/hearing status was self-reported (excellent-very good, good, fair-poor). Cognition was measured using nine tasks. Loneliness was measured using the UCLA Loneliness Scale. Analyses controlled for demographic and health characteristics.

Results: Among 12,353 participants (mean age = 67, 58% female), poor vision, but not hearing, was associated with lower global cognition (β = -0.03, p < .05). Poor vision (OR = 1.57, 95% CI = 1.30-1.91) and hearing (OR = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.14-1.61) were associated with higher odds of being lonely after adjusting for demographics and comorbidities, but not when adjusting for limitations in daily activities and depressive symptoms.

Discussion: Poor vision is a potentially modifiable risk factor for lower cognition and loneliness among Mexican adults. …

The Effects Of Sirulina And Nannochloropsis Supplementation On Broiler Performance, Intestinal Morphology, And Gut Microbiology, Emily Beckerman

Master's Theses

The poultry industry is constantly searching for new nutritional strategies and better feed conversion ratio to enhance broiler growth and productivity. Microalgae have been shown to improve broiler performance and health depending on species and supplementation levels. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of Spirulina supplementation (Experiment I) and Nannochloropsis supplementation (Experiment II) on broiler production performance, intestinal morphology, and gut microbiology. In Experiment I, a total of 270 broiler chicks (one-day-old Ross 708) were obtained from a local hatchery after vaccinating against Newcastle, Marek’s disease, and Infectious Bronchitis. They were weighed and sorted into 18 …

A Novel Fractional Order Model For Analyzing Counterterrorism Operations And Mitigating Extremism, Mutaz Mohammad, Isa Abdullahi Baba, Evren Hincal, Fathalla A. Rihan

All Works

This study examines the profound impact of terrorism on individuals and society by developing a fractional-order mathematical model to analyze and enhance counterterrorism efforts. The model accounts for the persistent and complex nature of extremist behavior, particularly emphasizing the importance of preventing violent extremism before it escalates into terrorism. Real-world data on terrorist activities in Nigeria – specifically from the Boko Haram insurgency – was used to calibrate and validate the model, ensuring its relevance and accuracy. The model reveals that the basic reproduction number (R0) plays a decisive role in determining the long-term success of counterterrorism strategies. Numerical simulations …

Validity And Reliability Of The Tampa Scale For Kinesiophobia For Adolescents With Heart Disease., David A. White, William R. Black, Emily Cramer, Lindsey Malloy-Walton, Mollie Walton, Laura Martis, Brandy Enneking, Kelli M. Teson, Jessica S. Watson, Jami Gross-Toalson

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

PURPOSE: To assess the validity and reliability of a newly adapted Tampa Scale for KP for adolescents with HD (TSK-Heart-A).

METHODS: The TSK-Heart-A survey consists of 17 Likert scale items, producing a summary score (SS) ranging from 17 (low KP) to 68 (high KP). Following content and face validity, adolescents (age 12-18 yr) with arrhythmia disorders or Fontan palliation were recruited. The PROMIS pediatric anxiety and depression short forms, Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) generic core and cardiac module, and a PA questionnaire for adolescents (PAQ-A) were used for criterion validity. The TSK-Heart-A was completed twice (20.4 ± 6.3 …

Glp-1 Agonists For Pediatric Psychopharmacology: Opportunities And Cautions., Michael Bartkoski, Ethan Poweleit, Stephani L. Stancil

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists (GLP-1A) are increasingly prescribed to treat obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus in children and adolescents. Emerging evidence suggesting neuropsychiatric effects presents an opportunity for pediatric psychopharmacology but requires careful consideration of potential adverse effects and risk of misuse. This perspective examines potential applications and cautions surrounding GLP-1As for pediatric mental health, particularly substance use, depression, and eating disorders, and advocates for research and clinical monitoring to ensure their safety and efficacy.

Cardiovascular And Thromboembolic Events In Children And Adults With Glomerular Disease: Findings From The Cure Glomerulonephropathy (Curegn) Network., Shikha Wadhwani, Sarah A. Mansfield, Abigail R. Smith, Bruce M. Robinson, Eman Abdelghani, Amira Al-Uzri, Isa F. Ashoor, Sharon M. Bartosh, Aftab S. Chishti, Salim S. Hayek, Michelle A. Hladunewich, Bryce A. Kerlin, Siddharth S. Madapoosi, Laura H. Mariani, Amy K. Mottl, Michelle N. Rheault, Michelle M. O'Shaughnessy, Christopher John Sperati, Tarak Srivastava, David T. Selewski, Chia-Shi Wang, Craig S. Wong, Donald J. Weaver, Myda Khalid, Glomerulonephropathy (Curegn) Study Consortium

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

RATIONALE & OBJECTIVE: Cardiovascular (CV) and thromboembolic (TE) events are known complications of glomerular disease (GD), but their incidence and risk factors are poorly characterized. This analysis describes CV and TE outcomes in the Cure GlomeruloNephropathy (CureGN) Network.

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort study.

SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: CureGN is a prospective cohort study of children and adults with biopsy-proven minimal change disease (MCD), focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), membranous nephropathy (MN), or IgA nephropathy (IgAN)/vasculitis (IgAV). Data from 2,545 children and adults (23% MCD, 23% MN, 25% FSGS, 29% IgAN/IgAV) was analyzed.

EXPOSURE: Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), proteinuria, serum albumin, tobacco …

Cardiac Autonomic Dysfunction In Patients With Cancer: Exploring The Role Of Physical Exercise, Anita Borsati, Linda Toniolo, Christian Ciurnelli, Francesco Bettariga, Silvia Teresa Riva, Paolo Frada, Lorenzo Belluomini, Ilaria Trestini, Daniela Tregnago, Jessica Insolda, Marco Sposito, Federico Schena, Michele Milella, Robert U. Newton, Sara Pilotto, Alice Avancini

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose: Cardiovascular diseases are a leading cause of non-cancer mortality among patients with cancer, with cardiac autonomic dysfunction identified as a significant predictor of future cardiovascular conditions. Despite the importance of autonomic dysfunction as a prognostic marker being well-established in healthy individuals and other chronic conditions, its role in patients with cancer remains underexplored. This narrative review aims to synthesize existing literature on the role of cardiac autonomic dysfunction in patients with cancer and explore the potential of physical exercise as a non-pharmacological intervention to modulate the autonomic nervous system positively. Methods: This review examines methods for assessing cardiac autonomic …

Insights Into Prey Handling And Feeding Strategies By Ghost Crabs On Sea Turtle Eggs And Hatchlings, Casper Avenant

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The feeding behaviour on sea turtle eggs and hatchlings by the golden ghost crab Ocypode convexa, a species endemic to the west coast of Australia, was observed in field and laboratory settings using infrared videography. On beaches where ghost crab densities are high, multiple crabs can feed on nests over several nights, often resulting in destruction of clutches. Crabs appear to anticipate the emergence of hatchlings, often congregating near nests in the moments prior to emergence. When feeding on eggs crabs rupture eggshells using the sharp tips of their claws, with tissue subsequently moved to the mouthparts for ingestion using …

Transmedial Econarratology: Environment And The Subject Of Science Fiction, Joseph R. Boisvere

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

This dissertation argues that narrators are constructed by their interactions with diegetic space and time in an ecological relationship. This argument draws upon Erin James’s work on econarratology, particularly her book The Storyworld Accord: Econarratology and Postcolonial Narratives, putting her theories of narrating time and place in dialogue with contemporary “unnatural” narratology as theorized by scholars such as Jan Alber and Brian Richardson. Science fiction (SF) offers a rich complement to these theoretical stances. I also focus much of my dissertation on how narratology works across and is influenced by specific media, featuring literary, audiovisual, and digital media, including novels, …

Problems And Paradigms In The Central Sahel Of Africa, Georgia Graham

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

In Africa’s Central Sahel region—comprising of the countries of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso—environmental hardship, historical trauma, and contemporary conflict intersect with profound challenges of nation-building, state construction, and economic development. Situated in the semi-arid transitional zone between the Sahara Desert and sub-Saharan Africa, these landlocked states suffer from extreme geographical vulnerability. From the colonial period through to the present, these nations have experienced recurring droughts, persistent food insecurity, and entrenched poverty. Population growth has dramatically outpaced economic development; youth unemployment, limited educational opportunities, and scarce resources fuel social tension and potential conflict. Islamist insurgencies and increasingly violent ethnic conflicts …

A Symbol For The Masses: Sergei Chakhotin And The Modern Crisis Of Propaganda, Benjamin J. Diehl

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

This dissertation is an intellectual biography of Sergei Chakhotin, a Russian biologist whose most famous work, The Rape of the Masses (1939), represented an insightful, pioneering analysis of modern propaganda as it arose during Europe’s “Age of Catastrophe” (1914-1945). In this work and others, Chakhotin used the psychological theories of Ivan Pavlov to develop a system of thought that emphasized the scientific possibilities and political inevitability of mass conditioning through propaganda. In addition to Pavlov’s theory, Chakhotin also used other intellectual frameworks, such as Taylorism and microbiology, to buttress his own firsthand experience during World War I, the Russian Revolution, …

Little Aussie Bugs: Piloting Health Literacy Educational Resources At Early Childhood Education And Care, Ruth Wallace, Amelia Ruscoe, Leesa Costello, Gillian Kirk, Ros Sambell, Amanda Devine

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Building health literacy in early childhood is essential for lifelong health and underpins children's learning and developmental trajectories. This study assessed the efficacy of the Little Aussie Bugs books, designed to enhance health literacy in Australian Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) centres. The books, featuring inclusive characters and key health literacy catchphrases, were distributed to >1200 early learning settings Australia-wide. Exploratory research design used online surveys (n = 110) and in-depth interviews with ECEC teacher participants (n = 8) to determine the compatibility of the books with ECEC contexts and practices to facilitate the delivery of health literacy education. …

Structural Studies Towards The Mechanism Of Scanning And Initiator Trna Recruitment During Eukaryotic Translation Initiation, Da Cui

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

The central dogma, proposed by Francis Crick in 1958, marks the direction of the flow of genetic information: from DNA to DNA (DNA replication), DNA to RNA (transcription), and RNA to protein (translation). Each of these is tightly regulated and important for cells and organisms to function correctly, grow, and reproduce.

In the eukaryotic system, the initiation stage of translation is the first, the rate-limiting, and the most regulated stage. It involves direct regulation of multiple eukaryotic initiation factors (eIFs), scanning factors such as DHX29, and other factors such as Poly-A binding protein (PABP). It starts with the small subunit …

Nf2 Loss-Of-Function And Hypoxia Drive Radiation Resistance In Grade 2 Meningiomas, Bhuvic Patel, Sangami Pugazenthi, Collin W English, Vijay Nitturi, Shree S Pari, Tatenda Mahlokozera, William A Leidig, Hsiang-Chih Lu, Alicia Yang, Kaleigh Roberts, Patrick Desouza, Kyle P Mcgeehan, Diane D Mao, Namita Sinha, Joseph E Ippolito, Sonika Dahiya, Allegra Petti, Hiroko Yano, Tiemo J Klisch, Akdes S Harmanci, Akash J Patel, Albert H Kim

Duncan NRI Faculty and Staff Publications

Background: World Health Organization Grade 2 meningiomas (G2Ms) often recur and resist therapies. Grade 2 meningiomas with histopathological necrosis have been associated with worse local control (LC) after radiation therapy, but the drivers and biomarkers of radiation resistance in G2Ms remain unknown.

Methods: We performed genetic sequencing and histopathological analysis of 113 G2Ms and investigated the role of genetic and microenvironmental factors on clonogenic survival after ionizing radiation. We performed transcriptional profiling of our in vitro model and 18 human G2M tumors by bulk RNA sequencing as well as 8 G2Ms by single nuclei RNA sequencing.

Results: NF2 loss-of-function (LOF) …

Impact Of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors On Thyroid Function In Chronic Myeloid Leukemia: A Systematic Review, Nana Sardarova, Tirath Patel, Tahani M. Abugoukh, Daniel Kim, Samad Yousuf, Mohammed Hammoude

Student Publications

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have significantly improved outcomes in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), shifting it from a fatal to a manageable chronic condition. Despite their clinical benefits, TKIs have been increasingly associated with endocrine-related adverse effects, most notably thyroid dysfunction. This systematic review explores the prevalence, clinical features, underlying mechanisms, and prognostic implications of TKI-induced thyroid abnormalities in CML patients. Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines, a comprehensive literature search was conducted across four databases, namely, PubMed, Excerpta Medica database (Embase), ClinicalKey, and Google Scholar, yielding 4,803 records. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria …

Analysis Study Of Antibacterial Efficacy And Cytotoxicity Of Prepared Metal-Based Nanoparticles Against Streptococcus Mutans: Focus On Gold Nanoparticles, Fattin Fadhil, Azhar Haleem, Abdulrahman Ali, Ahlam Mohammed

Journal of Applied Sciences and Nanotechnology

New approaches have been developed to combat bacterial infections because of the growing threat of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Gold colloidal nanoparticles and their applications as antibacterial agents have shown promising strategies due to these properties. The properties of nanoparticles, including size, shape, and surface charge, play an essential role in determining antibacterial activity. Pulsed laser ablation in a liquid medium was utilized to produce gold nanoparticles, an environmentally friendly method. Gold NPs were produced in ultrapure water. Experimental research was done to determine the impact of the number of laser pulses on the nanoparticles' size, shape, and concentration. Surface plasmon resonance …

Performance Comparison Of Plasmonic Sensors Via Ion Reduction And Koh Methods, Ruqaya Shlaga, Alwan Alwan, Mohammed Mohammed

Journal of Applied Sciences and Nanotechnology

In this work, several types of plasmonic sensors were prepared by different methods (ion reduction method and wet-chemical KOH route) to detect the ultralow anti-CIPRO concentration using AgNPs/PSi SERS-active substrate with AgNPs concentration. The process was optimized to be very effective in detecting CIPRO and to have a high amplification factor (EF). For the deposition of AgNPs with a concentration of 5×10-3 M and the maximum density of hotspot areas, a nanocrystalline silicon sample prepared by the KOH method and an ion reduction technique before etching was used. We tested an AgNPs/PSi SERS substrate, which showed better performance in detecting …

Antibacterial Performance Of Fe₂O₃ Nanoparticles Synthesized Via Biosynthesis From Chitosan, Faisal Kadhim, Mohamed Bedoui, Ali Aldalawi

Journal of Applied Sciences and Nanotechnology

In this study, Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles were synthesized by a hydrothermal method using chitosan extract and ferric chloride (FeCl₃) as precursor at 150 °C. The hydrothermal approach provides precise control over the size and morphology of the nanoparticles by promoting the decomposition and crystallization of the precursors near their evaporation temperatures. The aim of this study was to quantify the antibacterial activity of the nanoparticles to regulate the production of Fe₂O₃ NPs. The optical and structural properties of Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles (NPs) were investigated and tested using various techniques, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy …

Characteristic Profiling Of Cho-Cell Expressed Mers-Cov Rbd-Fc, Mashal M Almutairi, Yi-Lin Chen, Jungsoon Lee, Zhuyun Liu, Ulrich Strych, Peter J Hotez, Maria Elena Bottazzi, Wen-Hsiang Chen

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

The ongoing circulation of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in camels across Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, along with its occasional transmission to humans, demonstrates a need for a MERS vaccine. Previously, we have reported a receptor binding domain (RBD) of MERS-CoV fused with human Fc as a promising vaccine antigen (MERS-CoV RBD-Fc). We generated a stable recombinant CHO cell line expressing such a protein and developed a basic production process suitable for future technological transfer to pilot-scale manufacture. In this study, we employed various in-house analytical assays to examine the characteristics of purified RBD-Fc protein and …

Psychometric Properties Of The Spanish Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale - Second Edition, Eric A Storch, Jessica Sc Cheng, Miranda Higham, Josselyn S Muñoz, Vanessa Zavala Cruz, Dayan Berrones, Diana P Obando, Jacey L Anderberg, Renee M Frederick, Vissente Tapia-Cuevas, Macarena Churruca Muñoz, Constanza Uribe Villar, Pablo R Moya, Marcos E Ochoa-Panaifo, Mayra C Martinez Mallen, Andrew D Wiese, Caitlin M Pinciotti, Melisa N Sagarnaga, Joseph F Mcguire, Ogechi C Onyeka, María B Moyano, Latin American Trans-Ancestry Initiative For Ocd Genomics (Latino), Brazilian Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum Disorder Working Group (Gttoc), Wayne K Goodman, James J Crowley

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

The Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale, Second Edition (Y-BOCS-II) is an evidence-based clinician-rated measure for assessing the presence and severity of obsessive-compulsive symptoms. The Spanish version of the Y-BOCS-II has not yet been validated. The present study examines the psychometric properties of the Spanish Y-BOCS-II (Spanish-Y-BOCS-II) in adults with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) who are of Hispanic/Latino ancestry. The Spanish-Y-BOCS-II was administered to 1805 adults with OCD. Participants also completed a battery of measures assessing OCD, depression, and anxiety symptoms. The internal consistency for the Symptom Checklist (Kuder-Richardson-20=0.92), Obsession Severity (α=0.87), Compulsion Severity (α=0.86), and Total Severity (α=0.92) were high. The inter-rater reliability …

The Macrophage Sterol Transport Protein Orp2 Promotes Cholesterol Efflux And Prevents Foam Cell Formation And Atherosclerosis, Xiaowei Wang, Kenan Peng, Yudi Zhao, Liwen Qiu, Chenxi Liang, Yaqian Dou, Qianqian Dong, Xiaoting Ma, Jinye Tang, Yidan Ma, Lin Liu, Mingqi Zheng, Hongyuan Yang, Mingming Gao

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Cholesterol-loaded macrophage foam cells are a key feature of atherosclerotic plaques. Oxysterol-binding protein-related protein 2 (ORP2) facilitates the transport of cholesterol from lysosomes to the plasma membrane in cultured cell lines. However, the role of ORP2 in macrophages and its involvement in atherosclerosis remain unclear. In this study, we found ORP2 expression was reduced in atherosclerotic vessels and in macrophages exposed to oxidized LDL (ox-LDL). Myeloid-specific human ORP2 overexpression (hORP2MOE) mice were generated and crossed with atherosclerotic-prone ApoE−/− mice and then fed a high-fat diet (HFD) to induce atherosclerosis. Our results showed that myeloid-specific hORP2 overexpression significantly reduced the atherosclerotic …

Three-Dimensional Printed Models To Accelerate Resident Surgical Learning Curve For Standard Endoscopic Sinus Surgery Techniques, Jumah G Ahmad, Alexander J Citardi, Amber U Luong, William C Yao

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Endoscopic sinus surgery presents significant visuospatial challenges to surgical trainees. We tested the utility of novel 3D printed models to simulate sinus surgery tasks to improve endoscopic skillsets in resident trainees.

Methods: This was a prospective quality improvement study of 10 ENT residents (PGY1-5). Participants rotated through 4 stations with different 3D simulation training modules designed to enhance endoscopic skillsets in the axial, sagittal and coronal planes (e.g., straight forceps to grasp a bead from a ledge, angled instruments to cannulate openings). Participants completed a self-assessment survey on the subjective sinus surgical skills using a visual analog …

The Alpl Gene Variant Project: Results Of The First 100 Reclassified Variants., Mariam R. Farman, Theodora Malli, Catherine Rehder, Gerald Webersinke, Cheryl Rockman-Greenberg, Kathryn Dahir, Gabriel Á. Martos-Moreno, Agnès Linglart, Keiichi Ozono, Lothar Seefried, Guillermo Del Angel, Francesca Barbazza, Sara Shojaei, Jessica Ebner-Jahn, Florian Högler, Erica B. Nading, Erin Huggins, Eric T. Rush, Ahmed El-Gazzar, Josephine T. Tauer, Priya S. Kishnani, Wolfgang Högler

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Hypophosphatasia (HPP) is an inherited disorder that affects bone and tooth mineralization, among other body systems. HPP is caused by pathogenic variants in the alkaline phosphatase-liver (ALPL) gene, which encodes tissue nonspecific alkaline phosphatase. One major challenge in diagnosing HPP is interpreting variant of uncertain significance (VUS), which can create uncertainty for patients and healthcare professionals, leading to delays in diagnosis and treatment or incorrect diagnoses. Since February 2021, the ALPLgene variant consortium has reclassified 100 VUS using adjusted American College of Medical Genetics/Association for Molecular Pathology criteria. Of these, 11 were reclassified as pathogenic, 62 as …