Digital Commons Network^™

Comparative Study Of Gamma- Ray Shielding Parameters For Different Epoxy Composites, Amal A. El- Sawy, Eman Sarwat

Baghdad Science Journal

In the current work various types of epoxy composites were added to concrete to enhance its effectiveness as a gamma- ray shield. Four epoxy samples of (E/clay/B4C) S1, (E/Mag/B4C) S2, (EPIL) S3 and (Ep) S4 were used in a comparative study of gamma radiation attenuation properties of these shields that calculating using Mont Carlo code (MCNP-5). Adopting Win X-com software and Artificial Neural Network (ANN), µ/ρ revealed great compliance with MCNP-5. By applying (µ/ρ) output for gamma at different energies, HVL, TVL and MFP have been also estimated. ANN technique was simulated to estimate (µ/ρ) and dose rates. According to …

Molecular Study Of The Relationship Of Gene Expression Of Some Genes With The Temperature Variation Of Bacterial Growth, Ahmed Attalla Hasan Al-Fhdawi, Adel Meshaan Rabee

Baghdad Science Journal

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen responsible for serious infections. At least three different exopolysaccharides, alginate, polysaccharide synthesis locus (Psl), and pellicle exopolysaccharide (Pel) make up the biofilm matrix in P. aeruginosa . The effect of temperature on the biofilm formation and gene expression was examined by microtiter plate and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). To be able to determine the effect of temperature on biofilm formation and gene expression of P. aeruginosa, 303 clinical and environmental samples were collected. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was isolated from 61 (20.1%) and 48 (15.8%) of the clinical and environmental samples, respectively. The ability …

Traditional And Molecular Methods For Diagnosing Bacterial Meningitis In Erbil City, Iraq, Niga Othman Hamaameen, Adel Kamal Khider

Baghdad Science Journal

Bacterial meningitis is a leading cause of illness and death worldwide. It is crucial for clinical and public health care, as well as disease control, to identify the meningitis-causing agent promptly. Between June 2021-February 2022, a total of 100 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood samples were collected from suspected cases of meningitis admitted to Raparin Paediatric Teaching Hospital, Erbil city-Iraq. Cytochemical, cultural, and biochemical tests were conducted, and confirmed by molecular techniques. Bacterial culture findings were positive in 7% of CSF samples and just one positive among blood samples. The most common pathogens found by cultural characteristics and VITEK 2 …

Association Of Pvc Genes Expression With Biofilm Formation In Clinical Isolates Of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa, Noor Ali, Shatha Thanoon Ahmed, Asmaa M. Salih Almohaidi

Baghdad Science Journal

PvcABCD are cluster of genes found in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The research was designed to examine the relationship between the pvc genes expression and cupB gene, which plays a crucial role in the development of biofilm, and rhlR, which regulates the expression of biofilm-related genes, and to investigate whether the pvc genes form one or two operons. The aims were achieved by employing qRT-PCR technique to measure the gene expression of genes of interest. It was found that out of 25 clinical isolates, 21 isolates were qualified as P.aeruginosa. Amongst, 18(85.7%) were evaluated as biofilm producers, 10 (47.6%), 5 (23.8%), and …

A New Green Approach Of Cfia Technique For Direct Assay With A High Throughput Of Sulfamethoxazole Drugs Using Condensation Reaction With Nqs Agent, Wasan A. Hanooan, Bushra B. Qassim

Baghdad Science Journal

A new design of manifold flow injection (FI) coupling with a merging zone technique was studied for sulfamethoxazole determination spectrophotometrically. The semiautomated FI method has many advantages such as being fast, simple, highly accurate, economical with high throughput . The suggested method based on the production of the orange- colored compound of SMZ with (NQS)1,2-Naphthoquinone-4-Sulphonic acid Sodium salt in alkaline media NaOH at λmax 496nm.The linearity range of sulfamethoxazole was 3-100 μg. mL-1, with (LOD) was 0.593 μg. mL-1 and the RSD% is about 1.25 and the recovery is 100.73%. All various physical and chemical parameters that have an effect …

Studying The Effect Of Curcumin (Standard & Supplements) And Zinc On The Concentrations Of Glucose, Insulin, Homa-Ir, And Anti-Mullerian Hormone In Pcos-Model Rats, Suaad Muhammed Abd-Alqader, Sameerah Ahmed Zearah, Iqbal J. Al-Assadi

Baghdad Science Journal

The goal of the current study was to investigate the effects of curcumin in both formulas (supplement and standard), zinc, and then use them together to show their effect on the levels of glucose, insulin, insulin resistance (IR), and anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) in the model of female rats with induced polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) using 1mg/kg/day of letrozole for 21 days followed by a treatment period of 14 days including different treatments of zinc 30 mg/kg, curcumin standard 200 mg/kg, curcumin supplement 200 mg/kg, (curcumin standard plus zinc), (curcumin Supplement plus zinc) and metformin as a standard treatment. After the …

The Role Of Chlorella Vulgaris In Reducing Some Pharmaceutical Wastes Toxicity In Clam Pseudodontopsis Euphraticus, Zahraa H. Obaid, Nuha F. Kadhim, Jasim Mohammed Salman

Baghdad Science Journal

Applications of microalgae in environmental studies have recently increased. Current uses of immobilized microalga Chlorella vulgaris include reducing pharmaceutical substances such as amoxicillin AMX and potassium dichromate K2Cr2O7 on freshwater clam Pseudodontopsis euphraticus as a biotic model. Recent research pointed out a change in biomarkers of oxidative stress in an evaluation of induced toxicity. Where clams were exposed to different concentrations100, 200, and 400 mg/L for 7 days and 20, 30, and 50 mg/L for 5 days of amoxicillin and potassium dichromate, respectively. The results showed that exposure to AMX and K2Cr2O7 led to a significant change in the activity …

A Kinetic Study On Microwave- Assisted Extraction Of Bioactive Compounds From Rosmarinus Officinalis L, Eman Al-Mnsour

Baghdad Science Journal

Due to the importance of the extraction process in many engineering and medical industries, in addition to great interest in medicinal plants, in this research, microwave-assisted extraction has been applied to extract some active compounds from Rosmarinus officinalis leaves. The optimal extraction conditions were then determined by calculating the ratio and extraction efficiency. The process has also been described through kinetic study by applying five kinetic models, the Hyperbolic diffusion model, Power low model, the First order reaction model, Elovich's model, and Fick's second law diffusion model and determining their compatibility with the studies operation, and determining the kinetic constants …

Forgotten Index And Forgotten Coindex Of Graphs, J. Senbaga Malar, A. Meenakshi

Baghdad Science Journal

F index is a connected graph, sum of the cubes of the vertex degrees. The forgotten topological index has been designed to be employed in the examination of drug molecular structures, which is extremely useful for pharmaceutical and medical experts in understanding the biological activities. Among all the topological indices, the forgotten index is based on degree connectivity on bonds. This paper characterized the forgotten index of union of graphs, join graphs, limits on trees and its complements, and accuracy is measured. Co-index values are analyzed for the various molecular structure of chemical compounds

Abortion Politics And The Rise Of Movement Jurists, Robert L. Tsai, Mary Ziegler

Faculty Scholarship

This Article employs the Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization and litigation in its wake as the jumping off point to reconsider the connections between judges, the Constitution, and social movements. That movements influence constitutional law, and that judicial pronouncements in turn are reshaped by politics, is well-established. But, while these accounts of legal change depend upon judges to embrace movement ideas, less has been written about the conditions under which judicial entrenchment can be expected to take place. There may, in fact, be different types of judicial dispositions towards external political phenomena.

In this Article, …

Iscev And Ips Guideline For The Full-Field Stimulus Test (Fst), J. K. Jolly, J. R. Grigg, A. M. Mckendrick, K. Fujinami, A. V. Cideciyan, D. A. Thompson, C. Matsumoto, R. Asaoka, C. Johnson, M. W. Dul, P. H. Artes, A. G. Robson

School of Health Professions

The full-field stimulus test (FST) is a psychophysical technique designed for the measurement of visual function in low vision. The method involves the use of a ganzfeld stimulator, as used in routine full-field electroretinography, to deliver full-field flashes of light. This guideline was developed jointly by the International Society for Clinical Electrophysiology of Vision (ISCEV) and Imaging and Perimetry Society (IPS) in order to provide technical information, promote consistency of testing and reporting, and encourage convergence of methods for FST. It is intended to aid practitioners and guide the formulation of FST protocols, with a view to future standardisation.

Spatiotemporal Variations In Reef Manta Ray (Mobula Alfredi) Residency At A Remote Meso-Scale Habitat And Its Importance In Future Spatial Planning, Joanna L. Harris, Benjamin J. Williamson, Guy M.W. Stevens, Phil Hosegood, E Robinson, Clare B. Embling

School of Biological and Marine Sciences

The Chagos Archipelago's vast no-take marine protected area (MPA, 640,000 km2) provides refuge for elasmobranchs facing unsustainable depletion by fisheries. Nonetheless, illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing poses a substantial threat, and potential future changes to the use of the MPA could render elasmobranchs increasingly vulnerable to exploitation, putting geographically isolated populations, such as reef manta rays (Mobula alfredi) at risk of local extinction. Therefore, the species' long-term movements and habitat use must be identified to help prioritize current enforcement activity and inform future spatial planning. Passive acoustic telemetry and modelled environmental data were used to investigate variations in 42 …

A Comprehensive Analysis Of Antibiotic Resistance Genes In The Giant Panda Gut, Feilong Deng, Yanhua Han, Yushan Huang, Desheng Li, Jianmin Chai, Linhua Deng, Ming Wei, Kai Wu, Huabin Zhao, Guan Yang, Jiangchao Zhao, Ying Li, Chengdong Wang

Animal Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

In this study, we have successfully constructed a comprehensive database of metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) pertaining to the gut microbiota of the giant panda. Through our analysis, we have identified significant reservoirs of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), namely Escherichia coli, Citrobacter portucalensis, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Furthermore, we have elucidated the primary contributors to ARGs, including Streptococcus alactolyticus and Clostridium SGBP116, in both captive and wild pandas. Additionally, our findings have demonstrated a higher prevalence of ARGs in the metagenome, with notable expression of the RPOB2 gene in S. alactolyticus. Crucially, 1217 ARGs shared homology with human gut …

2024 4-H Volunteer Leader Conference Workshop Descriptions, Nh 4h Unh Cooperative Extension

UNH Cooperative Extension

No abstract provided.

Exploring A Gene Panel For Parkinson’S Disease In An Egyptian Cohort, Asmaa Saeed Gabr

Theses and Dissertations

Parkinson’s disease is a highly heterogeneous disorder characterized by diverse neuropathological features, clinical presentations and progression patterns. In Egypt, Parkinson’s disease incidence rates lie outside the range reported elsewhere. The genetic background to the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease has been postulated for a long time. However, Parkinson’s disease has never been systematically investigated in Egypt. This study aimed to explore genetic variants and interactions that are associated with the familial and sporadic forms of Parkinson's disease in an Egyptian cohort. This includes examining variants in PD-related genes, exploring the role of specific genes like MAPT and adjacent genomic regions, and …

Public Offices In Processes Of Constitutional Development, J.G. Allen

Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law

What factors drive constitutional change and sustain positive transformation? How are democratic values recognised, restored, and preserved through constitutional change? How can these questions be answered in a manner that is relevant to most of the world? This collection brings together leading and emerging scholars and practitioners to explore the relationship between democratic consolidation and constitutional endurance through consideration of recent experiences in seven African and Asian states that have undergone an understudied democratising event in the past decade: Ethiopia, The Gambia, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. Building on the empirical surveys, seven thematic chapters offer analytical insights …

The Relationship Between Cognitive Impairment In Psychiatric Patients And Readmission Rate To An Inpatient Facility, Cherilyn Isis Schuff

Theses and Dissertations

The primary intention of this study was to further understand the impact of assessing cognitive impairment in psychiatric patients, as a mediating factor on readmission rates. Mild cognitive dysfunction impacts a patient’s functional outcomes (Bowie & Harvey, 2006; Davis et al., 2012; Marcantonio, et al., 2001). Little information exists to guide best practices in the treatment of adults with cognitive impairment who are hospitalized for acute conditions (Davis et al., 2012). A cognitive impairment may impact patient prognosis and ability to function outside of a setting focused on stabilization. Neuropsychological testing is a valuable tool in predicting a patient’s cognitive …

An Evaluation Of Bacterial Wilt (Ralstonia Solanacearum) Resistance In A Set Of Tomato Germplasm From The United States Department Of Agriculture, Theresa M. Phiri, Gehendra Bhattarai, Kenani Edward Chiwina, Qiurong Fan, Haizheng Xiong, Ibtisam Alatawi, Ryan Dickson, Neelendra K. Joshi, Alejandro Rojas, Kai-Shu Ling, Ainong Shi

Horticulture Faculty Publications and Presentations

Bacterial wilt (BW), caused by Ralstonia solanacearum, is one of the devastating diseases in tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L.). The use of resistant cultivars and breeding for genetic resistance is the most effective, economical, and environmentally friendly management strategy for this disease. It is necessary to screen diverse germplasm and cultivated genotypes to identify resistant resources and to develop resistant cultivars in tomatoes to combat the changing pathogen isolates. This study evaluated 40 United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) tomato accessions for their BW resistance to the R. solanacearum isolate P822 under greenhouse conditions. The tomato plants were inoculated …

Reproductive And Whole-Body Toxicity Of Ag-Doped And -Undoped Zif-8 Nanoparticles And The Building Blocks: An Artemia-Based Comparative Bioassay, Joo H Salari, Seyed Ali Johari, Tayemeh M Behzadi, Richard D. Handy, Hesamoddin Abaei, Nathaniel Clark, Javad Seyedi, Megan Anne Jones

School of Biological and Marine Sciences

The present research assessed, for the first time, toxicity of ZIF-8 (1 mg/L) and the building blocks (0.1 mg/L Zn2+ and 0.4 mg/L 2-methylimidazole (2-MIm)), besides that of AgNPs@ZIF-8 (0.25, 0.5, and 1 mg/L) and AgNO3 (0.1 mg/L) to aquatic organisms. Two consecutive generations (F0 & F1) of Artemia salina were exposed to these chemicals. All of the chemical treatments considerably caused mortality in F0, especially AgNPs@ZIF-8 and AgNO3, whereas F1 displayed notable tolerance and survived comparable to the control group, except in the case of AgNO3 treatment. Similarly, growth indices (weight, mainly in ZIF-8, Zn2+, and 2-MIm; length, in …

The Silent Majority: Pico- And Nanoplankton As Ecosystem Health Indicators For Marine Policy, Abigail Mcquatters-Gollop, Rowena F. Stern, Angus Atkinson, Mike Best, Eileen Bresnan, Veronique Creach, Michelle Devlin, Matthew Holland, Clare Ostle, Katrin Schmidt, Lawrence Sheppard, Glen Tarran, E. Malcolm S. Woodward, Paul Tett

School of Biological and Marine Sciences

A healthy marine ecosystem is a fully functioning system, able to supply ecosystem services whilst still maintaining resilience to human-induced environmental change. Monitoring and managing the health of resilient marine ecosystems requires indicators that can assess their biodiversity state and food web functioning. Plankton are crucial components of pelagic habitats, occupying the base of the pelagic food web. Larger plankton have long been used to monitor ecosystem productivity and biodiversity due to their identification via traditional light microscopy. In contrast, the regular monitoring of pico- and nanoplankton (<20 µm; hereafter called “tiny plankton”) only started with the development of flow cytometry techniques, which has limited their inclusion as ecosystem health indicators. Four UK plankton surveys have sampled and identified these tiny plankton for up to 14 years, providing an opportunity to test their suitability as indicators of ecosystem state. We investigated six groups of tiny plankton, including heterotrophic nanoeukaryotes, photosynthetic nanoeukaryotes, photosynthetic picoeukaryotes, and Synechococcus cyanobacteria, and two groups of heterotrophic bacteria. Flow cytometry and light microscopy data from an inshore Western English Channel station revealed that 99.98 % of plankton abundance and 71 % of plankton biomass was derived from tiny plankton cells too small to be quantified accurately under a light microscope and thus not adequately considered in assessments of pelagic habitats. Different UK marine and coastal regions showed consistency in peak abundances of these tiny plankton. We used a novel wavelet coherence method to identify time-based relationships between tiny plankton and environmental variables linked to human pressures. Relationships were found between nitrogenous nutrients and all tiny plankton groups, most commonly at sub-annual to annual time scales. Photosynthetic picoeukaryotes, heterotrophic nanoeukaryotes, and HNA-bacteria were associated with high sea surface temperatures. Given the here established relationship between tiny plankton and environmental variables, and their importance in the full plankton assemblage, we recommend that, alongside existing microplankton lifeforms, tiny plankton groups can be used as plankton lifeforms, either individually or in combination, to inform biodiversity indicators that meet policy obligations under the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), (Oslo-Paris Convention) OSPAR strategies, and the UK Marine Strategy.

Microplastic Trapping Efficiency And Hydrodynamics In Model Coral Reefs: A Physical Experimental Investigation, F Mendrik, Rc Houseago, Cr Hackney, Dr Parsons

School of Biological and Marine Sciences

Coastal ecosystems, such as coral reefs, are vulnerable to microplastic pollution input from proximal riverine and shoreline sources. However, deposition, retention, and transport processes are largely unevaluated, especially in relation to hydrodynamics. For the first time, we experimentally investigate the retention of biofilmed microplastic by branching 3D printed corals (staghorn coral Acropora genus) under various unidirectional flows (U = {0.15, 0.20, 0.25, 0.30} ms ⁻¹) and canopy densities (15 and 48 corals m ⁻²). These variables are found to drive trapping efficiency, with 79–98% of microplastics retained in coral canopies across the experimental duration at high flow velocities …

Nitrogen Availability Regulates The Effects Of A Simulated Marine Heatwave On Carbon Sequestration And Phycosphere Bacteria Of A Marine Crop, Meijia Jiang, Jason M. Hall-Spencer, Lin Gao, Zengling Ma, Guang Gao

School of Biological and Marine Sciences

Great hope has been pinned on seaweed cultivation as being a potent way of removing CO₂ to reduce rates of sea surface warming and acidification. Marine heatwaves and nitrogen pollution in coastal ecosystems are serious current issues that need to be better understood to inform decision making and policy. Here, we investigated the effects of a simulated heatwave and nitrogen pollution on carbon sequestration by an important seaweed crop species and its phycosphere bacteria. Gracilaria lemaneiformis was grown in ambient and high nitrogen conditions (14 and 200 μM L⁻¹). Photosynthetic rate, seaweed biomass and particulate organic carbon …

Host Gastric Corpus Microenvironment Facilitates Ascaris Suum Larval Hatching And Infection In A Murine Model, Yifan Wu, Grace Adeniyi-Ipadeola, Mahliyah Adkins-Threats, Matthew Seasock, Charlie Suarez-Reyes, Ricardo Fujiwara, Maria Elena Bottazzi, Lizhen Song, Jason C Mills, Jill E Weatherhead

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Ascariasis (roundworm) is the most common parasitic helminth infection globally and can lead to significant morbidity in children including chronic lung disease. Children become infected with Ascaris spp. via oral ingestion of eggs. It has long been assumed that Ascaris egg hatching and larval translocation across the gastrointestinal mucosa to initiate infection occurs in the small intestine. Here, we show that A. suum larvae hatched in the host stomach in a murine model. Larvae utilize acidic mammalian chitinase (AMCase; acid chitinase; Chia) from chief cells and acid pumped by parietal cells to emerge from eggs on the surface of gastric …

Unanswered Questions Following Reports Of Secondary Malignancies After Car-T Cell Therapy, Bruce L Levine, Marcelo C Pasquini, John E Connolly, David L Porter, Michael P Gustafson, Jaap J Boelens, Edwin M Horwitz, Stephan A Grupp, Marcela V Maus, Frederick L Locke, Fabio Ciceri, Annalisa Ruggeri, John Snowden, Helen E Heslop, Crystal L Mackall, Carl H June, Anna M Sureda, Miguel-Angel Perales

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Reports of T cell malignancies after CAR-T cell therapy should be investigated, but existing data from follow-up studies suggest a low risk compared with other cancer treatments.

Cryptic Bacterial Pathogens Of Diatoms Peak During Senescence Of A Winter Diatom Bloom, Laura Branscombe, Ellen L. Harrison, Zhi Yi Daniel Choong, Courtney Swink, Matthew Keys, Claire Widdicombe, William H. Wilson, Michael Cunliffe, Katherine Helliwell

School of Biological and Marine Sciences

Summary.Diatoms are globally abundant microalgae that form extensive blooms in aquatic ecosystems. Certain bacteria behave antagonistically towards diatoms, killing or inhibiting their growth. Despite their crucial implications to diatom bloom and population health, knowledge of diatom antagonists in the environment is fundamentally lacking. We report systematic characterisation of the diversity and seasonal dynamics of bacterial antagonists of diatoms via plaque assay sampling in the Western English Channel, where diatoms frequently bloom. Unexpectedly, peaks in detection did not occur during characteristic spring diatom blooms, but coincided with a winter bloom of Coscinodiscus, suggesting that these bacteria likely influence distinct diatom host …

Vaccine Immunogenicity Versus Gastrointestinal Microbiome Status: Implications For Poultry Production, Chrysta N. Beck, Jiangchao Zhao, Gisela F. Erf

Poultry Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

At the turn of the 21st century, the importance of maintaining a balanced microbiome was brought to the forefront of the microbiology, immunology, and physiology research fields. Exploring the complex interactions between vaccine administration, mucosal microbiome, oral tolerance, and enteric inflammation in health and disease is challenging since environmental factors (such as diet and sanitation) have major influences on gut microbiota composition. High enteric pathogen load has been shown to contribute to dampened cell-mediated and humoral immune responses to vaccines in human case studies, either through elevated enteric inflammation or increased tolerance to environmental microbes. Although antibiotic and probiotic interventions …

Antimicrobial Tolerance In Salmonella: Contributions To Survival And Persistence In Processing Environments, Tomi Obe, Aaron S. Kiess, Ramakrishna Nannapaneni

Poultry Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

Salmonella remains a top bacterial pathogen implicated in several food-borne outbreaks, despite the use of antimicrobials and sanitizers during production and processing. While these chemicals have been effective, Salmonella has shown the ability to survive and persist in poultry processing environments. This can be credited to its microbial ability to adapt and develop/acquire tolerance and/or resistance to different antimicrobial agents including oxidizers, acids (organic and inorganic), phenols, and surfactants. Moreover, there are several factors in processing environments that can limit the efficacy of these antimicrobials, thus allowing survival and persistence. This mini-review examines the antimicrobial activity of common disinfectants/sanitizers used …

Pluripotency Of A Founding Field: Rebranding Developmental Biology, Crystal D Rogers, Chris Amemiya, Swathi Arur, Leslie Babonis, Michael Barresi, Madelaine Bartlett, Richard Behringer, Blair Benham-Pyle, Dominique Bergmann, Ben Blackman, C Titus Brown, Bill Browne, Jasmin Camacho, Chiswili Yves Chabu, Ida Chow, Ondine Cleaver, Jonah Cool, Megan Y Dennis, Alexandra Jazz Dickinson, Stefano Di Talia, Margaret Frank, Stewart Gillmor, Eric S Haag, Iswar Hariharan, Richard Harland, Aman Husbands, Loydie Jerome-Majewska, Kristen Koenig, Carole Labonne, Michael Layden, Chris Lowe, Madhav Mani, Megan Martik, Katelyn Mckown, Cecilia Moens, Christian Mosimann, Joyce Onyenedum, Robert Reed, Ajna Rivera, Dan Rokhsar, Loic Royer, Flora Rutaganira, Rachel Shahan, Neelima Sinha, Billie Swalla, Jaimie M Van Norman, Daniel E Wagner, Athula Wikramanayake, Sophia Zebell, Siobhán M Brady

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The field of developmental biology has declined in prominence in recent decades, with off-shoots from the field becoming more fashionable and highly funded. This has created inequity in discovery and opportunity, partly due to the perception that the field is antiquated or not cutting edge. A 'think tank' of scientists from multiple developmental biology-related disciplines came together to define specific challenges in the field that may have inhibited innovation, and to provide tangible solutions to some of the issues facing developmental biology. The community suggestions include a call to the community to help 'rebrand' the field, alongside proposals for additional …

Zika Virus Co-Opts Microrna Networks To Persist In Placental Niches Detected By Spatial Transcriptomics, Enrico R Barrozo, Maxim D Seferovic, Mark P Hamilton, David N Moorshead, Michael D Jochum, Trang Do, Derek S O'Neil, Melissa A Suter, Kjersti M Aagaard

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

BACKGROUND: Zika virus congenital infection evades double-stranded RNA detection and may persist in the placenta for the duration of pregnancy without accompanying overt histopathologic inflammation. Understanding how viruses can persist and replicate in the placenta without causing overt cellular or tissue damage is fundamental to deciphering mechanisms of maternal-fetal vertical transmission.

OBJECTIVE: Placenta-specific microRNAs are believed to be a tenet of viral resistance at the maternal-fetal interface. We aimed to test the hypothesis that the Zika virus functionally disrupts placental microRNAs, enabling viral persistence and fetal pathogenesis.

STUDY DESIGN: To test this hypothesis, we used orthogonal approaches in human and …

The Curious Case Of A Painful Leg Ulcer, Jay R Patel, Rubi Montejano, Christina Hopkins, Hanna Siatecka, Theodore Rosen

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Sickle cell disease is a condition that can involve numerous organ systems secondary to vascular occlusion. Herein, we present a case of a 21-year-old male with sickle cell disease requiring long-term hydroxyurea therapy. Upon migrating to the United States from Yemen, the patient developed a rapidly progressive, exquisitely painful ulcer on his right lower extremity. Given his country of origin, a broad differential, including select infectious diseases, was essential. Moreover, establishing the unequivocally correct diagnosis was crucial to determine proper and safe therapy. Ultimately, a lesional biopsy demonstrated numerous sickled red blood cells occluding blood vessels, leading to the diagnosis …