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Medical Marijuana And Opioids (Memo) Study: Protocol Of A Longitudinal Cohort Study To Examine If Medical Cannabis Reduces Opioid Use Among Adults With Chronic Pain, Chinazo O. Cunningham, Joanna L. Starrels, Chenshu Zhang, Marcus A. Bachhuber, Nancy L. Sohler, Frances R. Levin, Haruka Minami, Deepika E. Slawek, Julia H. Arnsten Dec 2020

Medical Marijuana And Opioids (Memo) Study: Protocol Of A Longitudinal Cohort Study To Examine If Medical Cannabis Reduces Opioid Use Among Adults With Chronic Pain, Chinazo O. Cunningham, Joanna L. Starrels, Chenshu Zhang, Marcus A. Bachhuber, Nancy L. Sohler, Frances R. Levin, Haruka Minami, Deepika E. Slawek, Julia H. Arnsten

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Introduction In the USA, opioid analgesic use and overdoses have increased dramatically. One rapidly expanding strategy to manage chronic pain in the context of this epidemic is medical cannabis. Cannabis has analgesic effects, but it also has potential adverse effects. Further, its impact on opioid analgesic use is not well studied. Managing pain in people living with HIV is particularly challenging, given the high prevalence of opioid analgesic and cannabis use. This study's overarching goal is to understand how medical cannabis use affects opioid analgesic use, with attention to Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol content, HIV outcomes and adverse events. Methods and …


A Comparison Of Match Outcomes Between Traditional Medical Degree And Dual-Degree Applicants, Bryce R. Christensen, Chad M. Becnel, Leland P. Chan, Paul D. Minetos, John F. Clarke, Marc J. Kahn Dec 2020

A Comparison Of Match Outcomes Between Traditional Medical Degree And Dual-Degree Applicants, Bryce R. Christensen, Chad M. Becnel, Leland P. Chan, Paul D. Minetos, John F. Clarke, Marc J. Kahn

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Background: Dual degrees combining and MD with another professional degree (MPH, MBA, or PhD) are becoming more common in an attempt to increase an applicant’s competitivity for a residency. Objective: This study was designed to assess differences in MD-only and dual degree MD applicants with respect to applicant characteristics and match outcomes. Methods: Utilizing the voluntarily-reported publicly available 2017–2019 Texas STAR database, we assessed applicants from 115 medical schools. Texas STAR indicates that over this time period, there were 18,224 responses for a response rate of 43.8%. Comparisons were made between groups using student’s t-test and chi-squared analysis. Results: Compared …


A Conformation Variant Of P53 Combined With Machine Learning Identifies Alzheimer Disease In Preclinical And Prodromal Stages, Giulia Abate, Marika Vezzoli, Letizia Polito, Antonio Guaita, Diego Albani, Moira Marizzoni, Emirena Garrafa, Alessandra Marengoni, Gianluigi Forloni, Giovanni B. Frisoni, Jeffrey L. Cummings, Maurizio Memo, Daniela Uberti Dec 2020

A Conformation Variant Of P53 Combined With Machine Learning Identifies Alzheimer Disease In Preclinical And Prodromal Stages, Giulia Abate, Marika Vezzoli, Letizia Polito, Antonio Guaita, Diego Albani, Moira Marizzoni, Emirena Garrafa, Alessandra Marengoni, Gianluigi Forloni, Giovanni B. Frisoni, Jeffrey L. Cummings, Maurizio Memo, Daniela Uberti

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

© 2020 by the authors. Li-censee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. Early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a crucial starting point in disease man-agement. Blood-based biomarkers could represent a considerable advantage in providing AD-risk information in primary care settings. Here, we report new data for a relatively unknown blood-based biomarker that holds promise for AD diagnosis. We evaluate a p53-misfolding conformation rec-ognized by the antibody 2D3A8, also named Unfolded p53 (U-p532D3A8+), in 375 plasma samples derived from InveCe.Ab and PharmaCog/E-ADNI longitudinal studies. A machine learning approach is used to combine U-p532D3A8+ plasma levels with Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and apolipoprotein E …


Plasma Flow Distal To Tourniquet Placement Provides A Physiological Mechanism For Tissue Salvage, Emily Busse, Cheryl Hickey, Nicole Vasilakos, Kennon Stewart, Fred O’Brien, Jessica Rivera, Luis Marrero, Michelle Lacey, Rebecca Schroll, Keith Van Meter, Mimi C. Sammarco Dec 2020

Plasma Flow Distal To Tourniquet Placement Provides A Physiological Mechanism For Tissue Salvage, Emily Busse, Cheryl Hickey, Nicole Vasilakos, Kennon Stewart, Fred O’Brien, Jessica Rivera, Luis Marrero, Michelle Lacey, Rebecca Schroll, Keith Van Meter, Mimi C. Sammarco

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Military literature has demonstrated the utility and safety of tourniquets in preventing mortality for some time, paving the way for increased use of tourniquets in civilian settings, including perioperatively to provide a bloodless surgical field. However, tourniquet use is not without risk and the subsequent effects of tissue ischemia can impede downstream rehabilitative efforts to regenerate and salvage nerve, muscle, tissue and bone in the limb. Limb ischemia studies in both the mouse and pig models have indicated not only that there is residual flow past the tourniquet by means of microcirculation, but also that recovery from tissue ischemia is …


A Case Of A Nonpetrous Cholesterol Granuloma Presenting As A Temporal Mass, Nathaniel Reeve, Jacob Kahane, Matthew Ng Dec 2020

A Case Of A Nonpetrous Cholesterol Granuloma Presenting As A Temporal Mass, Nathaniel Reeve, Jacob Kahane, Matthew Ng

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Objective. A case of a skull base cholesterol granuloma (CG) of the squamosal temporal bone. This is the first ever reported case of CG in a well-pneumatized squamous temporal bone. Design. Case report and review of the literature. Discussion. CG is a cystic mass typically found in the petrous apex and occasionally in the paranasal sinuses and orbit. Experience with the treatment of these expansile and inflammatory processes has largely been garnered from those occurring in the petrous apex, where they are surgically drained, via a transtympanic, transmastoid, or middle fossa approach. We report a case of cholesterol granuloma situated …


A Comparison Of 4-Year Total Medical Care Costs, Adverse Outcomes, And Opioid/Prescription Analgesic Use For 3 Knee Osteoarthritis Pain Treatments: Intra-Articular Hyaluronic Acid, Intra-Articular Corticosteroids, And Knee Arthroplasty., John Mackowiak, John T Jones, Vinod Dasa Dec 2020

A Comparison Of 4-Year Total Medical Care Costs, Adverse Outcomes, And Opioid/Prescription Analgesic Use For 3 Knee Osteoarthritis Pain Treatments: Intra-Articular Hyaluronic Acid, Intra-Articular Corticosteroids, And Knee Arthroplasty., John Mackowiak, John T Jones, Vinod Dasa

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

To compare the medical costs associated with treatments for knee osteoarthritis (OA): intra-articular corticosteroids (ICS) and intra-articular hyaluronic acid (IHA) primarily, and ICS/IHA vs knee arthroplasty (TKA) secondarily. This was a retrospective analysis of an insurance claims database. Eligible members had diagnosed OA and no claims for ICS, IHA, or TKA during the 6–18-month look-back period. Cohorts of interest over the 4-year observation period were: patients who received ICS only, those who received IHA only, and those who received TKA only. Outcomes assessed included: (1) total allowed medical costs, (2) claims for pre-specified, treatment-related adverse outcomes and costs, and (3) …


Effect Of 24/7 Attending Coverage In The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit On Fellow Education, Mitali Sahni, Anja Mowes Dec 2020

Effect Of 24/7 Attending Coverage In The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit On Fellow Education, Mitali Sahni, Anja Mowes

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

© 2020, The Author(s). Background: There is a current change in type of attending coverage in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) from home calls to 24/7 in house coverage. Effects of this increased attending physician presence on education of NICU fellows has not been studied. The objective of this study is to evaluate the fellows’ perception of in house attending coverage on their education and evaluate its effect on their perceived autonomy. Methods: A secure, anonymous, web-based survey was designed using RedCap. The web-based survey was sent via the section of Neonatal Perinatal Medicine of the American Academy of …


Retraction Note: Identification Of De Novo Mutations In Prenatal Neurodevelopment-Associated Genes In Schizophrenia In Two Han Chinese Patient-Sibling Family-Based Cohorts (Translational Psychiatry, (2020), 10, 1, (307), 10.1038/S41398-020-00987-Z), Shan Jiang, Daizhan Zhou, Yin Ying Wang, Peilin Jia, Chunling Wan, Xingwang Li, Guang He, Dongmei Cao, Xiaoqian Jiang, Kenneth S. Kendler, Ming Tsuang, Travis Mize, Jain Shing Wu, Yimei Lu, Lin He, Jingchun Chen, Zhongming Zhao, Xiangning Chen Dec 2020

Retraction Note: Identification Of De Novo Mutations In Prenatal Neurodevelopment-Associated Genes In Schizophrenia In Two Han Chinese Patient-Sibling Family-Based Cohorts (Translational Psychiatry, (2020), 10, 1, (307), 10.1038/S41398-020-00987-Z), Shan Jiang, Daizhan Zhou, Yin Ying Wang, Peilin Jia, Chunling Wan, Xingwang Li, Guang He, Dongmei Cao, Xiaoqian Jiang, Kenneth S. Kendler, Ming Tsuang, Travis Mize, Jain Shing Wu, Yimei Lu, Lin He, Jingchun Chen, Zhongming Zhao, Xiangning Chen

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

© 2020, The Author(s). This article1 has been retracted at the request of Authors Xingwang Li and Lin He. After publication, it was realized that approval to use data from the NSFC-NIH Sino-US cooperation project (Project No. 81361120389) was not obtained from the data owners. Authors Dongmei Cao, Xiangning Chen, Lin He, Kenneth Kendler, Xingwang Li, Travis Mize, Chunling Wan and Jain-Shing Wu agree to this retraction. Authors Shan Jiang, Jingchun Chen and Zongming Zhao do not agree to this retraction. Authors Guang He, Peilin Jia, Xiaoqian Jiang, Yimei Lu, Ming Tsuang, Yin-Ying Wang and Daizhan Zhou did not respond …


Locating Specific Acupoints Large Intestine 4 (Li4) And Large Intestine 6 (Li6) In Cadavers Using Anthropometric And Cun Measurement Systems, Gregory P. Casey Nov 2020

Locating Specific Acupoints Large Intestine 4 (Li4) And Large Intestine 6 (Li6) In Cadavers Using Anthropometric And Cun Measurement Systems, Gregory P. Casey

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Background: Anthropometric and anatomical Chinese inch measurement (CUN) systems are useful in understanding the location of acupoints; however, locating acupoints is challenging. Objectives: The study aimed to locate LI4 and LI6, to measure differences and similarities in body dimensions based on sex using anthropometric and CUN systems, and to observe the relationship between f-cun and b-cun. Methods: 25 forearms and hands from 16 embalmed cadavers had body dimensions measured using anthropometric and CUN systems. LI4 and LI6 were located using a combination of both systems. Data were compiled and calculated to observe any variation in means and ranges. Statistical analysis …


Effect Of High-Dose Vs Standard-Dose Vitamin D Supplementation On Body Composition Among Patients With Advanced Or Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: A Randomized Trial, Justin C. Brown, Michael H. Rosenthal, Chao Ma, Sui Zhang, Halla S. Nimeiri, Nadine J. Mccleary, Thomas A. Abrams, Matthew B. Yurgelun, James M. Cleary, Douglas A. Rubinson, Deborah Schrag, Andrea J. Bullock, Jill Allen, Dan Zuckerman, Emily Chan, Jennifer A. Chan, Brian Wolpin, Michael Constantine Nov 2020

Effect Of High-Dose Vs Standard-Dose Vitamin D Supplementation On Body Composition Among Patients With Advanced Or Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: A Randomized Trial, Justin C. Brown, Michael H. Rosenthal, Chao Ma, Sui Zhang, Halla S. Nimeiri, Nadine J. Mccleary, Thomas A. Abrams, Matthew B. Yurgelun, James M. Cleary, Douglas A. Rubinson, Deborah Schrag, Andrea J. Bullock, Jill Allen, Dan Zuckerman, Emily Chan, Jennifer A. Chan, Brian Wolpin, Michael Constantine

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Skeletal muscle and adipose tissue express the vitamin D receptor and may be a mechanism through which vitamin D supplementation slows cancer progression and reduces cancer death. In this exploratory analysis of a double-blind, multicenter, randomized phase II clinical trial, 105 patients with advanced or metastatic colorectal cancer who were receiving chemotherapy were randomized to either high-dose vitamin D3 (4000 IU) or standard-dose (400 IU) vitamin D3. Body composition was measured with abdominal computed tomography at enrollment (baseline) and after cycle 8 of chemotherapy (16 weeks). As compared with standard-dose vitamin D3, high-dose vitamin D3 did not significantly change body …


Corticotropin-Releasing Factor Infusion In The Bed Nucleus Of The Stria Terminalis Of Lactating Mice Alters Maternal Care And Induces Behavioural Phenotypes In Offspring, Kerstin Camile Creutzberg, Érika Kestering-Ferreira, Thiago Wendt Viola, Luis Eduardo Wearick-Silva, Rodrigo Orso, Bernardo Aguzzoli Heberle, Lucas Albrechet-Souza, Rosa Maria Martins De Almeida, Rodrigo Grassi-Oliveira Nov 2020

Corticotropin-Releasing Factor Infusion In The Bed Nucleus Of The Stria Terminalis Of Lactating Mice Alters Maternal Care And Induces Behavioural Phenotypes In Offspring, Kerstin Camile Creutzberg, Érika Kestering-Ferreira, Thiago Wendt Viola, Luis Eduardo Wearick-Silva, Rodrigo Orso, Bernardo Aguzzoli Heberle, Lucas Albrechet-Souza, Rosa Maria Martins De Almeida, Rodrigo Grassi-Oliveira

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

The peripartum period is accompanied by numerous physiological and behavioural adaptations organised by the maternal brain. These changes are essential for adequate expression of maternal behaviour, thereby ensuring proper development of the offspring. The corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) plays a key role in a variety of behaviours accompanying stress, anxiety, and depression. There is also evidence that CRF contributes to maladaptations during the peripartum period. We investigated the effects of CRF in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) of lactating mice during maternal care and analysed locomotor activity and anxiety-like behaviour in the offspring. The BNST has been implicated …


Role Of Interleukin-1 Family Members And Signaling Pathways In Kshv Pathogenesis, Lindsey Barrett, Jungang Chen, Lu Dai, Karlie Plaisance-Bonstaff, Luis Del Valle, Zhiqiang Qin Oct 2020

Role Of Interleukin-1 Family Members And Signaling Pathways In Kshv Pathogenesis, Lindsey Barrett, Jungang Chen, Lu Dai, Karlie Plaisance-Bonstaff, Luis Del Valle, Zhiqiang Qin

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.


Bioavailability And Spatial Distribution Of Fatty Acids In The Rat Retina After Dietary Omega-3 Supplementation, Elisa Vidal, Bokkyoo Jun, William C. Gordon, Marie Annick Maire, Lucy Martine, Stéphane Grégoire, Spiro Khoury, Stephanie Cabaret, Olivier Berdeaux, Niyazi Acar, Lionel Bretillon, Nicolas G. Bazan Oct 2020

Bioavailability And Spatial Distribution Of Fatty Acids In The Rat Retina After Dietary Omega-3 Supplementation, Elisa Vidal, Bokkyoo Jun, William C. Gordon, Marie Annick Maire, Lucy Martine, Stéphane Grégoire, Spiro Khoury, Stephanie Cabaret, Olivier Berdeaux, Niyazi Acar, Lionel Bretillon, Nicolas G. Bazan

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Spatial changes of FAs in the retina in response to different dietary n-3 formulations have never been explored, although a diet rich in EPA and DHA is recommended to protect the retina against the effects of aging. In this study, Wistar rats were fed for 8 weeks with balanced diet including either EPA-containing phospholipids (PLs), EPA-containing TGs, DHA-containing PLs, or DHA-containing TGs. Qualitative changes in FA composition of plasma, erythrocytes, and retina were evaluated by gas chromatography-flame ionization detector. Following the different dietary intakes, changes to the quantity and spatial organization of PC and PE species in retina were determined …


Microrna-Based Biomarkers In Alzheimer’S Disease (Ad), Yuhai Zhao, Vivian Jaber, Peter N. Alexandrov, Andrea Vergallo, Simone Lista, Harald Hampel, Walter J. Lukiw Oct 2020

Microrna-Based Biomarkers In Alzheimer’S Disease (Ad), Yuhai Zhao, Vivian Jaber, Peter N. Alexandrov, Andrea Vergallo, Simone Lista, Harald Hampel, Walter J. Lukiw

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a multifactorial, age-related neurological disease characterized by complex pathophysiological dynamics taking place at multiple biological levels, including molecular, genetic, epigenetic, cellular and large-scale brain networks. These alterations account for multiple pathophysiological mechanisms such as brain protein accumulation, neuroinflammatory/neuro-immune processes, synaptic dysfunction, and neurodegeneration that eventually lead to cognitive and behavioral decline. Alterations in microRNA (miRNA) signaling have been implicated in the epigenetics and molecular genetics of all neurobiological processes associated with AD pathophysiology. These changes encompass altered miRNA abundance, speciation and complexity in anatomical regions of the CNS targeted by the disease, including modified miRNA expression …


Chain-Selective Isotopic Labeling Of The Heterodimeric Type Iii Secretion Chaperone, Scc4:Scc1, Reveals The Total Structural Rearrangement Of The Chlamydia Trachomatis Bi-Functional Protein, Scc4, Thilini O. Ukwaththage, Samantha M. Keane, Li Shen, Megan A. Macnaughtan Oct 2020

Chain-Selective Isotopic Labeling Of The Heterodimeric Type Iii Secretion Chaperone, Scc4:Scc1, Reveals The Total Structural Rearrangement Of The Chlamydia Trachomatis Bi-Functional Protein, Scc4, Thilini O. Ukwaththage, Samantha M. Keane, Li Shen, Megan A. Macnaughtan

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Scc4 is an unusual bi-functional protein from Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) that functions as a type III secretion system (T3SS) chaperone and an RNA polymerase (RNAP)-binding protein. Both functions require interactions with protein partners during specific stages of the CT developmental cycle. As a T3SS chaperone, Scc4 binds Scc1 during the late stage of development to form a heterodimer complex, which chaperones the essential virulence effector, CopN. During the early-middle stage of development, Scc4 regulates T3SS gene expression by binding the σ66-containing RNAP holoenzyme. In order to study the structure and association mechanism of the Scc4:Scc1 T3SS chaperone complex using nuclear …


Actinic Granuloma Responding To Doxycycline, George M. Jeha, Kathryn Olivier Luckett, Lauren Kole Oct 2020

Actinic Granuloma Responding To Doxycycline, George M. Jeha, Kathryn Olivier Luckett, Lauren Kole

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.


Geographic And Intra-Racial Disparities In Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer In The Seer 18 Registries Of The United States, Wesal H. Abualkhair, Meijiao Zhou, Carolina O. Ochoa, Leonel Lacayo, Caitlin Murphy, Xiao Cheng Wu, Jordan J. Karlitz Oct 2020

Geographic And Intra-Racial Disparities In Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer In The Seer 18 Registries Of The United States, Wesal H. Abualkhair, Meijiao Zhou, Carolina O. Ochoa, Leonel Lacayo, Caitlin Murphy, Xiao Cheng Wu, Jordan J. Karlitz

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Background: Although early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC) incidence rates (IRs) are increasing, geographic and intra-racial IR disparities are not well defined. Methods: 2000-2015 Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program CRC IR Analysis (170,434 cases) was performed from ages 30 to 60 in four US regions, 18 individual registries, metropolitan and nonmetropolitan locations and stratified by race. Analyses were conducted in 1-year and 5-year age increments. Results: Wide US regional EOCRC IR variations exist: For example, age 45 IRs in the south are 26.8/100,000, 36.0% higher than the West, 19.7/100,000 (p < 0.0001). Disparities magnify between individual registries: EOCRC IRs in highest risk registries were 177-348% (Alaska Natives), 75-200% (Hawaii), 76-128% (Louisiana), and 61-125% (Kentucky) higher than lowest risk registries depending on age. EOCRC IRs are 18.2%-25.6% higher in nonmetropolitan versus metropolitan settings. Wide geographic intra-racial disparities exist. Within the White population, the greatest IR difference (78.8%) was between Kentucky (5.9/100,000) and Los Angeles (3.3/100,000) in 30- to 34-year-olds (p <.0001). Within the Black population, the greatest difference (136.2%) was between rural Georgia (30.7/100,000) and California excluding San Francisco-Oakland/San Jose-Monterey/Los Angeles (13/100,000) in 40- to 44-year-olds (p = 0003). Conclusion: Marked geographic EOCRC disparities exist with disproportionately high IRs in Alaska Natives, Hawaii, and southern registries. Geographic intra-racial disparities are present within White and Black populations. In Blacks, there are disproportionately high EOCRC IRs in rural Georgia. Although vigilance is required in all populations, attention must be paid to these higher risk populations. Potential interventions include assuring early investigation of symptoms, targeting modifiable risk factors and utilizing earlier age 45 screening options supported by some guidelines.


Acute Systemic Inflammatory Response Alters Transcription Profile Of Genes Related To Immune Response And Ca 2+ Homeostasis In Hippocampus; Relevance To Neurodegenerative Disorders, Grzegorz A. Czapski, Yuhai Zhao, Walter J. Lukiw, Joanna B. Strosznajder Oct 2020

Acute Systemic Inflammatory Response Alters Transcription Profile Of Genes Related To Immune Response And Ca 2+ Homeostasis In Hippocampus; Relevance To Neurodegenerative Disorders, Grzegorz A. Czapski, Yuhai Zhao, Walter J. Lukiw, Joanna B. Strosznajder

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Acute systemic inflammatory response (SIR) triggers an alteration in the transcription of brain genes related to neuroinflammation, oxidative stress and cells death. These changes are also characteristic for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) neuropathology. Our aim was to evaluate gene expression patterns in the mouse hippocampus (MH) by using microarray technology 12 and 96 h after SIR evoked by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The results were compared with microarray analysis of human postmortem hippocampal AD tissues. It was found that 12 h after LPS administration the expression of 231 genes in MH was significantly altered (FC > 2.0); however, after 96 h only the S100a8 …


Constitutive Genetic Deletion Of Hcn1 Increases Alcohol Preference During Adolescence, Michael C. Salling, Neil L. Harrison Oct 2020

Constitutive Genetic Deletion Of Hcn1 Increases Alcohol Preference During Adolescence, Michael C. Salling, Neil L. Harrison

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

The hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated channel (HCN), which underlies the hyperpolarization-activated cation current (Ih), has diverse roles in regulating neuronal excitability across cell types and brain regions. Recently, HCN channels have been implicated in preclinical models of substance abuse including alcohol. In the prefrontal cortex of rodents, HCN expression and Ih magnitude are developmentally regulated during adolescence and may be vulnerable to alcohol’s effects. In mice, binge alcohol consumption during the adolescent period results in a sustained reduction in Ih that coincides with increased alcohol consumption in adulthood, yet the direct role HCN channels have on alcohol consumption are unknown. Here, …


Intergenerational Associations Of Adverse Birth Outcomes: A Surveillance Report, Dong Liu, Ge Lin, Dejun Su, James M. Alexender, Xiaoting Sun, Ming Qu Oct 2020

Intergenerational Associations Of Adverse Birth Outcomes: A Surveillance Report, Dong Liu, Ge Lin, Dejun Su, James M. Alexender, Xiaoting Sun, Ming Qu

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Nebraska births between 1995 and 2005 were followed until 2018 to look for intergenerational associations of low birth weight (LBW) and preterm birth (PTB). Results from generalized estimating equations revealed that mothers born LBW preterm were more likely to deliver LBW (adjusted OR 1.94, 95% CI 1.39–2.71) or preterm (adjusted OR 1.65, 95% CI 1.20–2.27) than mothers born with normal weight or at term. In addition, mothers who had an LBW sibling were 44% more likely to have an LBW infant (OR 1.44, 95% CI 1.04–2.00). A consistent finding was also observed for mothers who had a PTB sibling (OR …


Characterization Of The 5′-Flanking Region Of The Human And Mouse Chac1 Genes, Yuki Nomura, Charity F. Sylvester, Lisa O. Nguyen, Mahmoud Kandeel, Yoko Hirata, Imran N. Mungrue, Kentaro Oh-Hashi Oct 2020

Characterization Of The 5′-Flanking Region Of The Human And Mouse Chac1 Genes, Yuki Nomura, Charity F. Sylvester, Lisa O. Nguyen, Mahmoud Kandeel, Yoko Hirata, Imran N. Mungrue, Kentaro Oh-Hashi

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

The Unfolded Protein Response pathway is a conserved signaling mechanism having important roles in cellular physiology and is perturbed accompanying disease. We previously identified the novel UPR target gene CHAC1, a direct target of ATF4, downstream of PERK-EIF2A and activated by the UPR pathway. CHAC1 enzyme directs catalysis of γ-linked glutamate bonds within specific molecular targets. CHAC1 is the first enzyme characterized that can catalyze intracellular glutathione degradation in eukaryotes, having implications for regulation of oxidative stress. DDIT3 (CHOP) is a terminal UPR transcription factor, regulated by ATF4 and an output promoting cell death signaling. Herein we examine the relationship …


Ace2 Mouse Models: A Toolbox For Cardiovascular And Pulmonary Research, Hongpeng Jia, Xinping Yue, Eric Lazartigues Oct 2020

Ace2 Mouse Models: A Toolbox For Cardiovascular And Pulmonary Research, Hongpeng Jia, Xinping Yue, Eric Lazartigues

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) has been identified as the host entry receptor for the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. ACE2 is a regulatory enzyme of the renin-angiotensin system and has protective functions in many cardiovascular, pulmonary and metabolic diseases. This review summarizes available murine models with systemic or organ-specific deletion of ACE2, or with overexpression of murine or human ACE2. The purpose of this review is to provide researchers with the genetic tools available for further understanding of ACE2 biology and for the investigation of ACE2 in the pathogenesis and treatment of COVID-19.


Metastatic Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Cautionary Tale, Colby Shreve, Chase Shropshire, David G. Cotter Oct 2020

Metastatic Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Cautionary Tale, Colby Shreve, Chase Shropshire, David G. Cotter

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) typically arises from a malignant proliferation of keratinocytes. It is the second most common cancer in the United States and typically affects older white men. Risk factors for cSCC include ultraviolet radiation exposure, light skin tone, and immunosuppression. Although metastasis in cSCC is rare, primary tumor characteristics such as location, size, and depth of invasion, among others, can help risk-stratify lesions for local recurrence, metastatic events, and death. We present a case of primary cutaneous metastatic squamous cell carcinoma masquerading as a cyst on the left temple of a 73-year-old Caucasian man following numerous treatments …


Age Based Evaluation Of Nut Aspiration Risk., Jill N D'Souza, Taher S Valika, Bharat Bhushan, Jonathan B Ida Oct 2020

Age Based Evaluation Of Nut Aspiration Risk., Jill N D'Souza, Taher S Valika, Bharat Bhushan, Jonathan B Ida

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Objective: To identify an age at which initiation of whole nut into the pediatric diet could be considered safe, by evaluating the age distribution of children undergoing bronchoscopy with removal of nut or seed material from the airway. Method: A retrospective chart review over a ten-year period identifying children age 0–18 that have undergone bronchoscopy with retrieval of airway foreign bodies. A statistical analysis of demographic data was carried out to identify age distribution of aspiration events. Results: Sixty-four cases of foreign body aspiration were identified, of which 43 (67%) were of organic origin, specifically nuts. A Fisher's exact test …


A Hyperpigmented Plaque In A Female Patient, Harel G. Schwartzberg, Alexandra Bourgeois, Amber Souers, Jeremy Atkinson, Pamela Martin Sep 2020

A Hyperpigmented Plaque In A Female Patient, Harel G. Schwartzberg, Alexandra Bourgeois, Amber Souers, Jeremy Atkinson, Pamela Martin

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.


Elevated Serum Il-21 Levels Are Associated With Stable Immune Status In Kidney Transplant Recipients And A Mouse Model Of Kidney Transplantation, Luying Guo, Junhao Lv, Jian Zhang, Hao Deng, Shi Feng, Shuaihui Liu, Pengpeng Yan, Jingyi Zhou, Hui Chen, Meifang Wang, Qin Zhou, Huiping Wang, Jianghua Chen, Yu Kuang, Jia Shen, Rendwing Wang Sep 2020

Elevated Serum Il-21 Levels Are Associated With Stable Immune Status In Kidney Transplant Recipients And A Mouse Model Of Kidney Transplantation, Luying Guo, Junhao Lv, Jian Zhang, Hao Deng, Shi Feng, Shuaihui Liu, Pengpeng Yan, Jingyi Zhou, Hui Chen, Meifang Wang, Qin Zhou, Huiping Wang, Jianghua Chen, Yu Kuang, Jia Shen, Rendwing Wang

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Allograft rejection after renal transplantation remains a challenge to overcome. Interleukin (IL)-21, a cytokine with pleiotropic effects, maintains immune homeostasis post-transplantation. Here, we report higher levels of IL-21 in kidney transplant recipients with non-rejection (NR) than in recipients with T cell-mediated rejection (TCMR, P < 0.001) and antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR, P = 0.005). We observed a negative correlation between IL-21 and creatinine (Cr) levels (P = 0.016). The receiving operating characteristic (ROC) curve showed a promising diagnostic value of IL-21 to identify acute rejection with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.822 (P < 0.001). In contrast, exogenous administration of IL-21 accelerated acute rejection in a comparative translational kidney transplant (KT) mouse model. Reduced IL-21 levels in the peripheral blood were observed in KT mice after IL-21 injection. Further analysis revealed that increased IL-21 levels in the spleen induced proliferation of CD4+ T cells and CD19+ B cells after IL-21 treatment. Our findings suggest a critical function of IL-21 in kidney transplantation and the potential involvement of the IL-21/IL-21R pathway in acute rejection management.


Intratumoral Translocation Positive Heterogeneity In Pediatric Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma Tumors Correlates To Patient Survival Prognosis, Katrina Gleditsch, Jorge Peñas, Danielle Mercer, Ayesha Umrigar, James Briscoe, Matthew Stark, Fern Tsien, Andrew D. Hollenbach Sep 2020

Intratumoral Translocation Positive Heterogeneity In Pediatric Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma Tumors Correlates To Patient Survival Prognosis, Katrina Gleditsch, Jorge Peñas, Danielle Mercer, Ayesha Umrigar, James Briscoe, Matthew Stark, Fern Tsien, Andrew D. Hollenbach

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (ARMS) is characterized by one of three translocation states: t(2;13) (q35;q14) producing PAX3-FOXO1, t(1;13) (p36;q14) producing PAX7-FOXO1, or translocation-negative. Tumors with t(2;13) are associated with greater disease severity and mortality than t(1;13) positive or translocation negative patients. Consistent with this fact, previous work concluded that a molecular analysis of RMS translocation status is essential for the accurate determination of prognosis and diagnosis. However, despite this knowledge, most diagnoses rely on histology and in some cases utilize fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) probes unable to differentiate between translocation products. Along these same lines, diagnostic RT-PCR analysis, which can differentiate …


Acute Exacerbations Of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Primer For Emergency Physicians, Randy Sorge, Peter Deblieux Sep 2020

Acute Exacerbations Of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Primer For Emergency Physicians, Randy Sorge, Peter Deblieux

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Background: Acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) impose a significant burden on patients and the emergency health care system. Patients with COPD who present to the emergency department (ED) often have comorbidities that can complicate their management. Objective: To discuss strategies for the management of acute exacerbations in the ED, from initial assessment through disposition, to enable effective patient care and minimize the risk of treatment failure and prevent hospital readmissions. Discussion: Establishing a correct diagnosis early on is critical; therefore, initial evaluations should be aimed at differentiating COPD exacerbations from other life-threatening conditions. Disposition decisions are based …


Immune-Related Gene Expression And Cytokine Secretion Is Reduced Among African American Colon Cancer Patients, Jenny Paredes, Jovanny Zabaleta, Jone Garai, Ping Ji, Sayed Imtiaz, Marzia Spagnardi, Joussette Alvarado, Li Li, Mubarak Akadri, Kaylene Barrera, Maria Munoz-Sagastibelza, Raavi Gupta, Mohamed Alshal, Maksim Agaronov, Henry Talus, Xuefeng Wang, John M. Carethers, Jennie L. Williams, Laura A. Martello Sep 2020

Immune-Related Gene Expression And Cytokine Secretion Is Reduced Among African American Colon Cancer Patients, Jenny Paredes, Jovanny Zabaleta, Jone Garai, Ping Ji, Sayed Imtiaz, Marzia Spagnardi, Joussette Alvarado, Li Li, Mubarak Akadri, Kaylene Barrera, Maria Munoz-Sagastibelza, Raavi Gupta, Mohamed Alshal, Maksim Agaronov, Henry Talus, Xuefeng Wang, John M. Carethers, Jennie L. Williams, Laura A. Martello

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Background: Colorectal cancer is the third most deadly cancer among African Americans (AA). When compared to Caucasian Americans (CA), AA present with more advanced disease and lower survival rates. Here, we investigated if differences in tumor immunology could be contributive to disparities observed between these populations. Methods: We examined gene expression of tumor and non-tumor adjacent tissues from AA and CA by whole transcriptome sequencing, and generated scores for immune cell populations by NanoString. In addition, we utilized “The Cancer Genome Atlas” (TCGA) database from AA and CA as a validation cohort. Finally, we measured the secretion of cytokines characteristic …


Closing The Gap Between Mammalian And Invertebrate Peripheral Nerve Injury: Protocol For A Novel Nerve Repair, Maxwell Vest Md, Addison Guida Bsc, Cory Colombini Bsc, Kristina Cordes Bsc, Diana Pena Bsc, Marwa Maki Bsc, Michael Briones Bsc, Sabrina Antonio Bsc, Carmen Hollifield Bsc, Elli Tian Bsc, Lucas James Bsc, Christian Borashan Bsc, Johnnie Woodson Bsc, John Rovig Bsc, Hanaa Shihadeh Bsc, Alexander Karabachev Bsc, John Brosious Md, Ashley Pistorio Md Aug 2020

Closing The Gap Between Mammalian And Invertebrate Peripheral Nerve Injury: Protocol For A Novel Nerve Repair, Maxwell Vest Md, Addison Guida Bsc, Cory Colombini Bsc, Kristina Cordes Bsc, Diana Pena Bsc, Marwa Maki Bsc, Michael Briones Bsc, Sabrina Antonio Bsc, Carmen Hollifield Bsc, Elli Tian Bsc, Lucas James Bsc, Christian Borashan Bsc, Johnnie Woodson Bsc, John Rovig Bsc, Hanaa Shihadeh Bsc, Alexander Karabachev Bsc, John Brosious Md, Ashley Pistorio Md

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Background: Outcomes after peripheral nerve injuries are poor despite current nerve repair techniques. Currently, there is no conclusive evidence that mammalian axons are capable of spontaneous fusion after transection. Notably, certain invertebrate species are able to auto-fuse after transection. Although mammalian axonal auto-fusion has not been observed experimentally, no mammalian study to date has demonstrated regenerating axolemmal membranes contacting intact distal segment axolemmal membranes to determine whether mammalian peripheral nerve axons have the intrinsic mechanisms necessary to auto-fuse after transection.Objective: This study aims to assess fusion competence between regenerating axons and intact distal segment axons by enhancing axon regeneration, delaying …