Life Sciences Commons^™

Born High, Born Fast: Does Highland Birth Confer A Pulmonary Advantage For Sea Level Endurance?, Hunter L. Paris, Marissa N. Baranauskas, Keren Constantini, Ren Jay Shei, Peyton E. Allen, John R. Jadovitz, Chad C. Wiggins, Cooker Perkins Storm

All Faculty Open Access Publications

Less than 7% of the world's population live at an altitude above 1500 m. Yet, as many as 67% of medalists in the 2020 men's and women's Olympic marathon, and 100% of medalists in the 2020 men's and women's Olympic 5000 m track race may have been born or raised above this otherwise rare threshold. As a possible explanation, research spanning nearly a quarter of a century demonstrates that indigenous highlanders exhibit pulmonary adaptations distinct from their lowland counterparts. These adaptations may then promote endurance performance. Indeed, healthy indigenous highlanders often exhibit a larger aerobic exercise capacity compared to sea-level …

Understanding The Welfare Of Aquarium Fish, Paul Rose

Animal Sentience

Bony fishes (Osteichthyes) are prevalent in public and domestic aquaria, yet evidence-based welfare practices exist for only a limited number of species. Oldfield & Bonano’s (O&B’s) target article highlights critical questions about the wellbeing and sociality of Osteichthyes. Advancing research on their biology, physiology, psychology, and behavior is essential to develop and validate welfare measures, ensuring guidelines for welfare-focused housing and husbandry.

Diversity And Evenness Of Birds During Seasonal Paddy Farming Practice In Southwestern Sarawak, Ivana Berlinda Bilang, Mohamad Fizl Sidq Ramji, Siti Nurlydia Sazali, Andrew Alek Tuen, Wan Nurainie Wan Ismail

Turkish Journal of Zoology

The influence of seasonal paddy farming activities on the paddy field environment and its composition of birds could be visually observed but has yet to be systematically studied and is still relatively understudied in Malaysian Borneo. Earlier research relied solely on point counts and not using line transects or mist nets for data collection could have resulted in missing and biased findings. Thus, this study aims to evaluate and compare species diversity and evenness of birds in different paddy stages in southwestern Sarawak with previous studies conducted in the region. We reported a higher species richness than previous reports from …

Global Review Of Species Biodiversity On Seaweed Farms, Carrie J. Byron

Marine Sciences Faculty Publications

Report on species biodiversity on seaweed farms prepared by Carrie J. Byron, UNE School of Marine and Environmental Programs, for World Wildlife Fund (WWF) in November of 2024.

Targeting Tumor Microenvironmental Factors In Bladder Cancer To Enhance Responses With Immunotherapy, Sarah Bazargan

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Bladder cancer is the tenth most common cancer in the world and has one of the highest recurrence rates. Despite the local delivery options and mutational status of bladder tumors, responses with immunotherapies have been limited with low durability. The bladder tumor microenvironment is enriched with highly immunosuppressive populations and harsh conditions that restrict anti-tumor immunity and subsequently attenuate immunotherapy response. We predict that targeting two of these immunosuppressive components, namely acidity and myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), will bolster T cell responses and enhance outcomes with immunotherapy. In Chapter 2, we characterized the effects of acidity on T cell …

An Important Species For Black Sea Biodiversity: Some Population Characteristics Ofinvasive Sea Vase (Ciona Intestinalis Linnaeus, 1767) Distributed On The Sinop Shores, Zeki̇ye Bi̇ri̇nci̇ Özdemir, Eylem Aydemi̇r Çi̇l, Süleyman Özdemi̇r, Hünkar Avni̇ Duyar

Turkish Journal of Zoology

This study aims to provide a comprehensive summary of the fundamental biological and certain population characteristics of Ciona intestinalis found along the Black Sea coasts of Turkey. The research was conducted between September 2022 and April 15, 2023, off the Sinop coast of the Black Sea, utilizing samples collected by commercial fishing vessels in the region. A total of 103 specimens of Ciona intestinalis were examined during the study. The average total length, width, and weight of Ciona intestinalis were determined to be 3.614 ± 0.089 cm, 1.967 ± 0.054 cm, and 2.004 ± 0.067 g, respectively. The length-weight relationship …

A New Pycnogonid Species From Türkiye: Anoplodactylus Gullukensis N. Sp. (Pycnogonida, Phoxichilidiidae), With An Identification Key To The Turkish Species Of The Genus, Cengi̇z Koçak

Turkish Journal of Zoology

A new species of pycnogonid collected from the shallow waters in Güllük Bay (Aegean Sea), Anoplodactylus gullukensis n. sp., is described and illustrated. Description of taxonomic characters of this species are given and differences from related species are indicated. An identification key for Anoplodactylus species known from Türkiye is provided.

On The Occurrence Of Two Lessepsian Fishes In The Southern Tyrrhenian Sea: Filefish Stephanolepis Diaspros And Goatfish Upeneus Pori, Carlo Pipitone, Fabio Badalamenti, Giovanni D'Anna, Giuseppe Di Stefano, Arturo Zenone

Turkish Journal of Zoology

The reticulated leatherjacket Stephanolepis diaspros and the Por’s goatfish Upeneus pori occur as lessepsian migrants in the eastern and central Mediterranean Sea. This article reports about the findings of one reticulated leatherjacket and two Por’s goatfishes in the Gulf of Castellammare, southern Tyrrhenian Sea, which suggest a possible westbound expansion of the Mediterranean distribution for the latter species. The specimens were three adults collected by professional fishermen on inshore sandy bottoms with a trammel net. The main meristic characters of both species, the identification issues in S. diaspros and the potential impact of U. pori on the native biota and …

Determination Of Spermatogenesis Activity Using Lectin Histochemistry In Water Monitorlizards (Varanus Salvator) Harvested From The Wild, Andhika Yudha Prawira, Ni Luh Putu Rischa Phadmacanty, Gono Semiadi, Hellen Kurniati, Wahyu Trilaksono, Nurhidayat Nurhidayat, Savitri Novelina

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Lectin is often used to investigate the differentiation and maturation of spermatogenic cells in the testes of several wild animals, facilitating the screening of mature individuals. Therefore, this study aimed to determine spermatogenesis activity using lectin histochemistry in water monitor lizards harvested from the wild. Testes of 43 comprehensively examined water monitor lizards (Varanus salvator) were collected from slaughterhouses in Palembang (Sumatra) and Banten (West Java), Indonesia, with Snout-Vent Length (SVL) ranging from 39 to 96 cm. Additionally, histologic, histomorphometric, Periodic Acid-Schiff (PAS) staining, and lectin histochemistry (Con A, RCA, WGA, PNA, VVA, DBA, UAE-I) observations were performed. The results …

Length-Weight Relationships And Condition Factor Of 30 Species From The Upper Syr Darya Drainage, Uzbekistan, Obboskhon Azamov, Sharofiddin Khalimov, Sultonbek Gulomov, Dildorakhon Komilova, Yorkinoy Kayumova, Murodjon Rakhmonov, Shahnoza Abdulatipova, Ominakhon Gafurova, Kholidakhon Komilova, Mushtariy Asrolova, Dilafruz Urmonova, Bakhtiyor Sheraliev

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Length-weight relationships (LWR) were estimated for 30 fish species i.e. Abbottina rivularis, Alburnus chalcoides, A. oblongus, A. taeniatus, Carassius gibelio, Channa argus, Cottus spinulosus, Cyprinus carpio, Gambusia holbrooki, Glyptosternon oschanini, Gobio lepidolaemus, Hemiculter leucisculus, Hypophthalmichthys nobilis, Iskandaria kuschakewitschi, Luciobarbus conocephalus, Micropercops cinctus, Opsariichthys bidens, Pelecus cultratus, Petroleuciscus squaliusculus, Pseudorasbora parva, Rhinogobius cf. lindbergi, Rhodeus ocellatus, Sabanejewia aralensis, Salmo oxianus, Schizothorax eurystomus, Triplophysa daryoae, T. elegans, T. ferganaensis, T. labiata, and T. strauchii from the Upper Syr Darya drainage, Uzbekistan. The LWR parameters were determined using a linear logarithmic regression model of weight against length in which values for the slope …

Not Just Any Tree: The Influence Of Leaf Characteristics On The Nest Site Selection Ofasian Weaver Ants, Amira Aqilah Muhammad, Noorhidayah Mamat, Kien-Thai Yong, Nurul Ashikin Abdullah

Turkish Journal of Zoology

The connection between plant species and nest site preference for the Asian weaver ant Oecophylla smaragdina remainspoorly understood despite their common occurrence in the urban areas of tropical regions. We predicted that plant species with specificleaf characteristics influence the nesting preference of Asian weaver ants, given that plant foliage is the main component of their neststructure. We studied the leaf characteristics of the tree species in which their nests were detected, including leaf shape, leaf apex shape,and leaf arrangement. Of the 206 total trees among the 20 tree species sampled, 185 trees from 18 tree species had at least one …

Clock Hijackers: How Integration Of Glioblastoma Into Circadian Circuits Regulates Tumor Progression And Sensitivity To Current Therapies, Maria Felicita Gonzalez

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common primary brain tumor in adults with a poor prognosis despite aggressive therapy. A recent, retrospective clinical study found that administering chemotherapy with Temozolomide (TMZ) in the morning increased patient overall survival by 6 months compared to evening. Previous work has shown that murine and human models of GBM have cell-intrinsic circadian rhythms in expression of the core clock genes Bmal1 and Per2 in vitro. This suggests that GBM has circadian rhythms that entrain to the hosts’ central clock. Understanding the mechanisms underlying circadian entrainment and tumor growth in GBM is essential to determine whether …

Examining Wildfire Dynamics Using Ecostress Data With Machine Learning Approaches: The Case Of South-Eastern Australia's Black Summer, Yuanhui Zhu, Shakthi B. Murugesan, Ivone K. Masara, Soe W. Myint, Joshua B. Fisher

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

Wildfires are increasing in risk and prevalence. The most destructive wildfires in decades in Australia occurred in 2019–2020. However, there is still a challenge in developing effective models to understand the likelihood of wildfire spread (susceptibility) and pre-fire vegetation conditions. The recent launch of NASA's ECOSTRESS presents an opportunity to monitor fire dynamics with a high resolution of 70 m by measuring ecosystem stress and drought conditions preceding wildfires. We incorporated ECOSTRESS data, vegetation indices, rainfall, and topographic data as independent variables and fire events as dependent variables into machine learning algorithms applied to the historic Australian wildfires of 2019–2020. …

Mitral Annular Disjunction In Heritable Thoracic Aortic Disease: Insights From The Montalcino Aortic Consortium, Kishan L Asokan, Jennifer R Landes, Wannes Renders, Laura Muiño Mosquera, Julie De Backer, Anji T Yetman, Arturo Evangelista, Richmond Jeremy, Edward G Jones, Shaine Morris, Tam Doan, Maral Ouzonian, Alan Braverman, Guillaume Jondeau, Olivier Milleron, Dianna M Milewicz, Siddharth K Prakash

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Mitral annular disjunction (MAD), posterior displacement of the mitral valve leaflet hinge point, predisposes to arrhythmias or sudden cardiac death. We evaluated the burden of MAD, mitral valve prolapse (MVP), and mitral regurgitation (MR) by heritable thoracic aortic disease gene in a cross-sectional analysis of 2014-2023 data in the Montalcino Aortic Consortium registry.

Methods and results: MAD was determined by direct measurement of echocardiographic images. MR and MVP were defined according to current clinical guidelines. Associations were evaluated using χ2 or Fisher exact tests. MR and MVP were enriched in Montalcino Aortic Consortium participants (672) with pathogenic variants (PV) …

White Matter Hyperintensities And Mild Tbi In Post-9/11 Veterans And Service Members, David F Tate, Erin D Bigler, Gerald E York, Mary R Newsome, Brian A Taylor, Mary Jo Pugh, Zhining Ou, Elizabeth S Hovenden, Josephine Dimanche, Tracy J Abildskov, Rajan Agarwal, Heather G Belanger, Aaron M Betts, Timothy Duncan, Blessen C Eapen, Carlos A Jaramillo, Michael Lennon, Jennifer E Nathan, Randall S Scheibel, Matthew B Spruiell, William C Walker, Elisabeth A Wilde

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Introduction: The neurobehavioral significance of white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) seen on magnetic resonance imaging after traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains unclear, especially in Veterans and Service Members with a history of mild TBI (mTBI). In this study, we investigate the relation between WMH, mTBI, age, and cognitive performance in a large multisite cohort from the Long-term Impact of Military-relevant Brain Injury Consortium-Chronic Effects of Neurotrauma Consortium.

Materials and methods: The neuroimaging and neurobehavioral assessments for 1,011 combat-exposed, post-9/11 Veterans and Service Members (age range 22-69 years), including those with a history of at least 1 mTBI (n = 813; median …

Gpr56: Gpcr As A Guardian Against Ferroptosis, Yuelong Yan, Li Zhuang, Boyi Gan

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Transmembrane receptor proteins are proficient in sensing external signals and initiating downstream pathways to control cell survival. Lin et al. demonstrated that GPR56, a G-protein-coupled receptor, can be activated by its agonist to suppress ferroptosis-a form of cell death-and effectively mitigate ferroptosis-associated liver damage.

Classification Manner Utilizing Electroencephalography Signals To Investigate Waveforms, Wessam Al-Salman, Ali Basim Al-Khafaji, Mishall Al-Zubaidie

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

Waveform detection has been an area of continuous investigation for many years. One important waveform in sleep stage 2 is the k-complex. Numerous researchers have created various strategies for auto-k-complex detection; some of these strategies state that the automated detection techniques are adequate. Because of its analytically relevant resolution, the Electroencephalogram (EEG) is a commonly utilized technique to analyze the k-complexes in order to understand the nervous system activity of the brain. Several researchers have classified waveforms using EEGs in a variety of ways. It appears that the majority of the waveform detection had limitations. The …

Bacterial Cellulose Production From Fermented Fruits And Vegetables Byproducts: A Comprehensive Study On Chemical And Morphological Properties, Yati Maryati, Hakiki Melanie, Windri Handayani, Yasman Yasman

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

This study aimed to produce α-cellulose from Bacterial Cellulose SCOBY (BCS) using alternative substrates from fermented fruit and vegetable byproducts: katuk leaves (KT), kale leaves (KL), guava (JB), dragon fruit (NG), and banana (PS). BCS production involved juice extraction, SCOBY inoculation, and sucrose addition, followed by 21 days of fermentation. Initially, the NG medium had the highest concentration of Total Reducing Sugars (TRS), but all media showed a decline as sugars were consumed. Fermentation reduced pH and increased total polyphenols, with KL and JB showing the highest rise (0.13-0.15 mg GAE/mL). Flavonoid levels varied, decreasing in KL and PS but …

Metabolite Profiling Of Potential Fraction From Ethyl Acetate Extract Of Ziziphus Mauritiana Leaves By Lc-Ms/Ms Analysis, Nurhayati Bialangi, Weny Ja Musa, Boima Situmeang

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

In Indonesia, the treatment with leaves as a traditional medicine is still firmly integrated into the community to overcome various health problems experienced, one of which is the treatment with Bidara leaves (Ziziphus mauritiana). Ziziphus mauritiana belongs to family of Rhamnaceae, and it is generally considered a potential source of antioxidant and cholesterol lowering. This study aimed to examine phytochemical characterization, antioxidant potential, and cholesterol-lowering effects of ethyl acetate fraction derived from Ziziphus mauritiana. Extraction was accomplished using ethyl acetate, and the resultant extract was fractionated through chromatography with a blend of n-hexane and ethyl acetate as …

Assessing Soil Properties In Cultivated Areas Of Silt Loam In Western Kentucky, Disha Ande

Scholars Week

No-till (NT) farming is widely implemented to enhance soil conservation by reducing disturbance and improving soil health, particularly regarding key indicators such as soil pH, soil organic matter (SOM), bulk density (BD), total porosity (TP), macroporosity (MPor), soil water holding capacity (SWHC), soil water at field capacity (SWFC), and soil organic carbon (SOC). This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different land management systems- NT Corn (NTC), NT Soybean (NTS), Campus Vegetable Garden (CVG), Community Garden (CG), Woodland Area (WA), and Rain Garden (RG), on these soil quality parameters. This study was conducted at Murray State University’s Pullen Farm …

The Plasma Proteome Reveals Markers Of Recent And Repeated Stress In Free-Ranging Seals, Jessica G. Avalos, Cory D. Champagne, Dan E. Crocker, Jane I. Khudyakov

Pacific Faculty Work

Animals in nature potentially experience multiple stressors, and those of anthropogenic origin are likely to be repeated or chronic. However, stress hormone levels are highly context-dependent and are not consistent predictors of chronic stress in wildlife. Profiling the downstream consequences of repeated stress responses, such as changes in metabolism or gene expression, may be more informative for predicting their individual-level health consequences and population-level impacts, which are key objectives for wildlife conservation. We previously found that in free-ranging juvenile elephant seals, the blubber transcriptome and proteome, but not cortisol levels, could distinguish between responses to single versus repeated stress axis …

Butterfly Peacock Bass (Cichla Ocellaris) Neurocranium, Jasmyn Todaro, Emma Horton, David Kerstetter

All Scans: Kerstetter Fisheries and Avian Ecology 3D Scan Series

No abstract provided.

Genome-Guided Isolation Of The Hyperthermophilic Aerobe Fervidibacter Sacchari Reveals Conserved Polysaccharide Metabolism In The Armatimonadota, Nancy O. Nou, Jonathan K. Covington, Dengxun Lai, Xavier Mayali, Cale O. Seymour, Juliet Johnston, Jian-Yu Jiao, Steffen Buessecker, Damon Mosier, Alise R. Muok, Nicole Torosian, Allison M. Cook, Ariane Briegel, Tanja Woyke, Emiley Eloe-Fadrosh, Nicole Shapiro, Scott G. Bryan, Savannah Sleezer, Joshua Dimapilis, Cristina Gonzalez, Lizett Gonzalez, Marlene Noriega, Matthias Hess, Ross P. Carlson, Lan Liu, Meng-Meng Li, Zheng-Han Lian, Siqii Zhu, Fan Liu, Xian Sun, Beile Gao, Ritesh Mewalal, Miranda Harmon-Smith, Ian K. Blaby, Jan-Fang Cheng, Peter K. Weber, Gabriela Grigorean, Wen-Jun Li, Anne E. Dekas, Jennifer E. Pett-Ridge, Jeremy A. Dodsworth, Marike Palmer, Brian P. Hedlund

Life Sciences Faculty Research

Few aerobic hyperthermophilic microorganisms degrade polysaccharides. Here, we describe the genome-enabled enrichment and optical tweezer-based isolation of an aerobic polysaccharide-degrading hyperthermophile, Fervidibacter sacchari, previously ascribed to candidate phylum Fervidibacteria. F. sacchari uses polysaccharides and monosaccharides for growth at 65–87.5 °C and expresses 191 carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) according to RNA-Seq and proteomics, including 31 with unusual glycoside hydrolase domains (GH109, GH177, GH179). Fluorescence in-situ hybridization and nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometry confirmed rapid assimilation of 13C-starch in spring sediments. Purified GHs were optimally active at 80–100 °C on ten different polysaccharides. Finally, we propose reassigning Fervidibacteria as a class …

11.04.2024 Orsp Connect, Liz Williamson

ORED Newsletter

Small Grant Program for Faculty

Mid-South REACH Product Dev Grant

NSF Virtual Grants Conference

New Taxa Of Butterflies Supported By Genomic Analysis, Jing Zhang, Qian Cong, Jinhui Shen, Leina Song, Nick V. Grishin

The Taxonomic Report of the International Lepidoptera Survey

Continuing with the genomic analysis of butterflies, we present a taxonomic update. As a result of this work, 3 genera, 6 subgenera, 16 species, and 2 subspecies are described as new. New genera and subgenera are (type species in parenthesis): Systasia Grishin, gen. n. (Hesperia zampa W. H. Edwards, 1876) and Asysta Grishin, gen. n. (Systasea microsticta Dyar, 1923) in Pyrgini Burmeister, 1878 and Alyco Grishin, gen. n. (Styriodes quota Evans, 1955) in Moncina A. Warren, 2008; Ocynthus Grishin, subgen. n. (Ocybadistes hypomeloma Lower, 1911) of Potanthus Scudder, 1872, Arrhona Grishin, subgen. n. (Padraona tranquilla …

Obesity And Outcomes In Adoptive Cellular Therapy In Solid Tumors, Derrick L Tao, Mirella Nardo, Cheuk Hong Leung, Heather Y Lin, Lei Kang, Ecaterina E Dumbrava

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

This cohort study investigates the association of obesity with adoptive cell therapy outcomes in patients with solid tumors.

Laparoscopic Cytoreduction After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy In High-Grade Epithelial Ovarian Cancer: A Lance Randomized Clinical Trial, J Alejandro Rauh-Hain, Alexander Melamed, René Pareja, Taymaa May, Abdulrahman Sinno, Neil S Horowitz, Chad M Michener, Luc Van Lonkhuijzen, Maria D Iniesta, Ying Yuan, Pedro T Ramirez, Anna Fagotti

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Importance: Despite the absence of high-quality evidence of its safety and effectiveness, minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is increasingly used to treat advanced epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC).

Objective: To assess the feasibility of conducting a full-scale randomized clinical trial (RCT) designed to compare the efficacy of MIS vs laparotomy in patients with advanced-stage EOC and a complete or partial response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT).

Design, setting, and participants: This lead-in pilot phase of LANCE (Laparoscopic Cytoreduction After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy), an international, open-label, noninferiority RCT, opened to enrollment in September 2020 and enrolled the 100th eligible patient in February 2023. It was …

Fc-Enhanced Anti-Ctla-4, Anti-Pd-1, Doxorubicin, And Ultrasound-Mediated Blood-Brain Barrier Opening: A Novel Combinatorial Immunotherapy Regimen For Gliomas, Kwang-Soo Kim, Karl Habashy, Andrew Gould, Junfei Zhao, Hinda Najem, Ruth Saganty, Crismita Dmello, Li Chen, Daniel Y Zhang, Brandyn Castro, Leah Billingham, Daniel Levey, Olivia Huber, Marilyn Marques, David A Savitsky, Benjamin M Morin, Miguel Muzzio, Michael Canney, Craig Horbinski, Peng Zhang, Jason Miska, Surya Padney, Bin Zhang, Raul Rabadan, Joanna J Phillips, Nicholas Butowski, Amy B Heimberger, Jian Hu, Roger Stupp, Dhan Chand, Catalina Lee-Chang, Adam M Sonabend

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Glioblastoma is a highly aggressive brain cancer that is resistant to conventional immunotherapy strategies. Botensilimab, an Fc-enhanced anti-CTLA-4 antibody (FcE-aCTLA-4), has shown durable activity in "cold" and immunotherapy-refractory cancers.

Methods: We evaluated the efficacy and immune microenvironment phenotype of a mouse analogue of FcE-aCTLA-4 in treatment-refractory preclinical models of glioblastoma, both as a monotherapy and in combination with doxorubicin delivered via low-intensity pulsed ultrasound and microbubbles (LIPU/MB). Additionally, we studied 4 glioblastoma patients treated with doxorubicin, anti-PD-1 with concomitant LIPU/MB to investigate the novel effect of doxorubicin modulating FcγR expressions in tumor-associated macrophages/microglia (TAMs).

Results: FcE-aCTLA-4 demonstrated high-affinity binding …

The Emerging Field Of Viroimmunotherapy For Pediatric Brain Tumors, Marc Garcia-Moure, Virginia Laspidea, Sumit Gupta, Andrew G Gillard, Soumen Khatua, Jiasen He, Juan Fueyo, Marta M Alonso, Candelaria Gomez-Manzano

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Pediatric brain tumors are the most common solid tumors in children. Even to date, with the advances in multimodality therapeutic management, survival outcomes remain dismal in some types of tumors, such as pediatric-type diffuse high-grade gliomas or central nervous system embryonal tumors. Failure to understand the complex molecular heterogeneity and the elusive tumor and microenvironment interplay continues to undermine therapeutic efficacy. Developing a strategy that would improve survival for these fatal tumors remains unmet in pediatric neuro-oncology. Oncolytic viruses (OVs) are emerging as a feasible, safe, and promising therapy for brain tumors. The new paradigm in virotherapy implies that the …

Patient-Reported Convenience And Effectiveness Of Telehealth For Breast Cancer Management, Akshara Singareeka Raghavendra, Kristofer Jennings, Gil Guerra, Debu Tripathy, Meghan S Karuturi

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Before the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, telehealth was rarely used for breast cancer management at tertiary care centers. We sought to examine patient satisfaction, experiences, preferences, and perceived effectiveness and technical quality of telehealth visits in follow-up patients receiving routine outpatient care in the breast medical oncology practice at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Methods: We administered a survey to 60 follow-up patients for a duration of 9 months (January 5, 2021 to October 27, 2021) who had at least one telehealth consultation during the COVID-19 pandemic, from April 10, 2020 to October 21, 2021. …