Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Military Launching! To Adulthood: A Cultural Adaptation Of A Group Therapy Program For Military-Dependent Young Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder Transitioning To Adulthood, Antonio F Pagán, Jordan Kenemore, Linda Hernandez, Stephen Armstrong, Katherine A Loveland, Mark Ahlenius, Ron Acierno

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objectives: The transition to adulthood poses distinct challenges for young adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) (ages 18-25), particularly in establishing and achieving long-term goals. This is further complicated for those within the military and veteran communities. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and cultural fit of "Launching! to Adulthood," a 12-week telehealth intervention, adapted for military-dependent young adults with ASD and their military/veteran parents.

Methods: Building on previous research and incorporating stakeholder feedback, the intervention addressed key transition challenges such as executive functioning, mental health, vocational skills, and social engagement, while also aligning with military cultural values. …

Lsu-Crescentcare Sexual Health Center: An Inter-Organizational Partnership Initiative To Improve Access To Sexual Health Services In New Orleans, Louisiana, United States, Stephanie N. Taylor, Rebecca A. Lillis, Ronald D. Wilcox, Laura Damioli, David H. Martin, Alice Riener, Julio E. Figueroa, M. Jacques Nsuami

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Objectives: To describe a partnership between CrescentCare and Louisiana State University (LSU) School of Medicine that created a new Sexual Health Clinic in New Orleans, and to assess the health services that patients sought and received at the new clinic in the opening months of its creation. Methods: When the new clinic opened, signs were posted on New Orleans streets, flyers were placed in selected emergency rooms and healthcare facilities, radio and bus stop advertisements were purchased, and the CrescentCare website was updated with the addition of a page for the new clinic. The new clinic opened on 15 June …

Advanced Specificity And Sensitivity Studies Relative To A Research Use Only Transcription-Mediated Amplification-Based Assay For Treponema Pallidum Rna Detection, Trinity Krueger, Grace Kadonsky, Elizabeth Thelen, Amanda Zapp, Josephine Moore, Ahmet Muslu, Allan Pillay, Irene A Stafford, Erik Munson

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Preliminary experimentation has suggested that a research-use-only real-time transcription-mediated amplification assay for Treponema pallidum (RUO T. pallidum TMA) yields instances of T. pallidum nucleic acid detection that coincide with non-treponemal serology in men who have sex with men (MSM) at increased risk for sexually transmitted infection. To further characterize the specificity of RUO T. pallidum TMA testing, 3,586 rectal swab specimens reported as “not detected” by the assay generated a mean endpoint FAM fluorescence of 637.5 units. Introduction of Treponema denticola, Treponema phagedenis, and Treponema refringens nucleic acid into matrices generated mean endpoint FAM fluorescence ranging from 620.7 …

Addressing And Recognizing Secondary Traumatic Stress In Hospice And Palliative Care Clinicians, Laquisha La Chelle Jackson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In the emotionally demanding field of hospice and palliative care, the well-being of clinicians is critical. This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project focused on implementing a staffing education initiative to address secondary traumatic stress (STS). I designed this staffing education project to enhance clinician awareness, resilience, and coping strategies while informing organizational leadership on how improved staffing models and support systems can mitigate STS. Hospice and palliative care clinicians are uniquely vulnerable to STS due to constant exposure to trauma, death, and grieving families. The guiding question for this project was: In hospice and palliative care clinicians, how does …

Vitamin D Deficiency And Its Role In Pathologies Of Oxidative Stress: A Literature Review, Philippe Dentino, Johanna Mora, Li Zuo

School of Medicine Publications

Vitamin D (VD) is a key mineral providing critical modulation of reduction-oxidation homeostasis within biological systems. VD and the VD receptor coordinate essential cellular activities, including mitochondrial electron transport, respiration, antioxidation, gene regulation, and calcium transportation. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), a natural by-product of cellular metabolism, play a prominent role in the mechanisms of biological antioxidant systems and form the basis of antioxidant therapies. However, ROS may also perpetuate pathological processes when produced in excess secondary to inflammatory pathways. Aging processes within cells rely on this reduction-oxidation homeostasis. Thus, the interaction with VD, its receptor, mitochondria, and oxidative stress forms …

Increasing Implementation Of The Comfortable Cafeteria Program To Promote School-Age Children’S Mental Health And Well-Being, Reinecka Mondesir, Angela Labrie Blackwell Phd, Otr

Summer 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

Every Moment Counts (EMC) is a positive mental health promotion initiative that offers several initiatives to create inclusive environments that support student participation and emotional well-being throughout the school day. Comfortable Cafeteria, part of EMC, fosters positive mealtime experiences supporting peer interaction, emotional regulation, and inclusion. Many SBOT practitioners lack the resources to implement Comfortable Cafeteria, despite its benefits. This capstone project addresses the need for practical tools to help school-based occupational therapy (SBOT) practitioners integrate the Comfortable Cafeteria program into daily practice. Using the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework, the project developed and disseminated an interactive, evidence-based video …

Operative Trends In Endovascular And Open Procedures Among Vascular Fellows, Jin Park, Nicola Habash, Dawn Salvatore, Michael Nooromid, Paul J. Dimuzio, Babak Abai

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

Objective: Over the past decade, there has been a growing adoption of endovascular approaches for treating vascular pathologies. This shift toward minimally invasive techniques has raised concerns about declining open surgical case volumes for vascular surgery fellows, particularly in procedures such as aortic aneurysm repair. This study aimed to analyze trends in both open and endovascular case volumes across major vascular procedure categories, including aortic aneurysm, lower extremity arterial disease, abdominal occlusive disease, and cerebrovascular disease, among graduating vascular surgery fellows. Methods: National case log data from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education were collected for 5 + 2 …

Autosomal Recessive Spastic Ataxia Of Charlevoix-Saguenay With Early-Onset Epilepsy And Novel Clinical Features: A Rare Entity From Morocco In The Middle East And North Africa Region, Azzeddine Laaraje, Basma Alaoui, Abdelilah Radi, Amal Hasani, Aomar Agadr, Rachid Abilkassem

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

We report a novel presentation of autosomal recessive spastic ataxia of Charlevoix-Saguenay (ARSACS) in a 9-year-old Moroccan male patient born to consanguineous parents, expanding the known clinical spectrum of the disease. The patient presented to a tertiary care hospital in Rabat, Morocco, in 2023. This case presents an unusual phenotype with early-onset epilepsy beginning at age 5, significantly broadening the known phenotypic spectrum of ARSACS. While initial neuroimaging was unremarkable, the patient exhibited classical retinal involvement with bilateral nerve fibre layer thickening. Genetic analysis revealed a previously unreported homozygous frameshift mutation in the SACS gene (c.12429delT), representing the first documented …

Implementing A Delirium Risk Assessment Protocol For Older Adults To Reduce Post-Operative Delirium, Toni-Ann Thompson

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract

PURPOSE

This quality improvement project aimed to reduce post-operative delirium (POD) in patients aged 65 years and older in a post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) through the implementation of the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) tool.

BACKGROUND

POD is a significant issue in the PACU, especially among older adults. POD can increase the length of stay in the PACU and hospital, and also increase rates of morbidity and mortality. Prior to this QI project, there was no standardized test being used to screen patients.

METHOLOGY

The Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycle was used throughout the implementation of the confusion assessment tool to guide quality …

Gastrointestinal Fistulas-What Gastroenterologists Need To Know In 2025, Monjur Ahmed

Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Faculty Papers

Gastrointestinal fistulas are increasingly being encountered in our clinical practice because of the increased burden of Crohn's disease, bariatric surgeries, interventional endoscopic procedures, nonsurgical trauma, and war and disaster zones worldwide. Presentation depends on the location and specific type of the fistula. Symptomatic ones can have a tremendous impact on social life and can cause dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, malnutrition, increased morbidity, and mortality. Different imaging studies and endoscopic procedures are done to establish the diagnosis. Treatment modalities to close the fistula depend on the underlying disease and the type of fistula. They include conservative treatment, medical therapy, endoscopic interventions, and …

Adherence To Inhaled Corticosteroid Medications After An Asthma Exacerbation And The Risk Of Subsequent Exacerbations, Mina Khezrian, Marjan Kerkhof, Tham T Le, Tim Harrison, Tianshi David Wu, Bill Cook, Jonatan Hedberg, Kirsty Rhodes, Nicole Zubizarreta, Joshua Enxing, Trung N Tran

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Data on the duration of improved adherence to controller medications after an exacerbation and its impact on asthma outcomes are inconsistent.

Objective: To describe levels and changes in adherence to inhaled corticosteroid (ICS)-containing medication after a severe exacerbation and the association with future exacerbation risk.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study used data from Optum's deidentified Clinformatics Data Mart Database (October 2015-December 2023). Patients with asthma, 1 or more severe exacerbations, and adherence to ICS-containing therapy (proportion of days covered [PDC]) of less than 80% in the 3 months before an exacerbation were included. Primary and secondary end points were …

Established And Emerging Asthma Biomarkers With A Focus On Biologic Trials: A Narrative Review, Philip F Lavere, Kaitlin M Phillips, Nicola A Hanania, Muhammad Adrish

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Chronic airway inflammation with variable airflow obstruction is clinical asthma, and it arises from distinct molecular and pathological mechanisms called endotypes. Biomarkers allow for precise endotype characterization and have been used in clinical trials to design, monitor, and evaluate outcomes for asthma biologic therapies. This review will highlight the central and evolving role of biomarkers for past, present, and future asthma, with a focus on regulatory-approved biologic therapies and emerging biomarkers. Established biomarkers, including serum immunoglobulin E (IgE), blood eosinophils, the fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), and serum periostin, helped elucidate the complex pathophysiology of the eosinophilic type 2 …

Macrophage Phagocytosis Of Human Norovirus-Infected Cells In An Ex Vivo Human Enteroid-Macrophage Coculture Model, Ngan Fung Li, Sue E Crawford, Sydney R Mittiga, Cristian Coarfa, Hoa Nguyen-Phuc, Budi Utama, Sarah E Blutt, Sasirekha Ramani, Mary K Estes

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Human norovirus (HuNoV) causes acute gastroenteritis in immunocompetent hosts and chronic infection in immunocompromised individuals. Many recent studies of replication and innate immune responses following HuNoV infection have utilized epithelium-only human intestinal enteroids (HIEs), which lack immune cells. Here, we utilized an ex vivo enteroid-macrophage coculture model consisting of HIEs and different subtypes of human peripheral blood mononuclear cell-derived macrophages to better recapitulate in vivo gut biology and explore the role of macrophages in HuNoV replication and pathogenesis. We show that HuNoV infection in HIEs polarized on Transwells leads to bilateral release of the viral genome, with predominant apical virus …

Staff Education Program On Medication Reconciliation In Primary Care, Virginia Ann Bloomer

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Medication errors represent a persistent threat to patient safety, particularly during transitions of care in outpatient settings. Despite recognition of the problem, standardized medication reconciliation practices among primary care physicians and nurse practitioners (NPs) remain inconsistent, hindered by varied workflows, unclear responsibilities, and knowledge gaps. To address these issues, a staff education program focusing on medication reconciliation was introduced to seven NPs and three physicians in a primary care clinic. Pre- and post-intervention surveys measured participants’ knowledge and confidence in conducting medication reconciliation and documenting medications in electronic medical records. The average test score improved from 68% to 92%, demonstrating …

Clinical Outcomes Following Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Release With The Arthrex Nanoscopic Release System-A Single Surgeon Experience, Sina Ramtin, Asif M. Ilyas

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Faculty Papers

PURPOSE: Endoscopic carpal tunnel release (ECTR) is a minimally invasive alternative to open release, offering faster recovery and reduced postoperative discomfort. The Arthrex NanoScopic ECTR system, a novel single-use device using chip-on-tip digital imaging and designed for use under local anesthesia without arthroscopic equipment, may further streamline care and expand surgical access.

METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted of the first 50 consecutive ECTR procedures performed using the Arthrex NanoScopic system by a single hand fellowship-trained hand surgeon. All procedures were completed under wide-awake local anesthesia no tourniquet technique in an outpatient surgical center. Outcomes included operative times, adverse events, …

The Impact Of Family Violence On Bullying Behaviour Among Secondary School Students In Ilorin Metropolis, Oyedotun Dolapo Ilori, Patrick O. Akerele, Ifeoluwa Blessing Michael

Buletin Konseling Inovatif

Family violence remains a significant social issue with far-reaching consequences for adolescents, particularly in shaping their behavioural tendencies, including bullying. This study examines the impact of family violence on bullying behaviour among secondary school students in Ilorin Metropolis, which comprises three Local Government Areas (Ilorin South, Ilorin West, and Ilorin East). The study adopts a descriptive survey research design to assess the extent to which exposure to family violence influences students' bullying behaviours, while also considering the role of peer influence. A multi-stage sampling technique was employed to select 417 students from both public and private secondary schools in Ilorin …

The Effects Of Moderate-Intensity Physical Exercise And Yoga Interventions On Stress In Hispanic College Students: A Pilot Study, Hongxing Lu, Florentino Saenz, Preethi Raju, Ednia Gutierrez, Sue Anne Chew, Saraswathy Nair

Health & Biomedical Sciences Faculty Publications

Background: Hispanic college students face high stress, which may increase their risk for chronic stress-related health issues. Effective and accessible stress management strategies for this population remain limited. Objective: This pilot study filled a gap by studying the effects of psychological stress on diet and physical activity habits and evaluating the impact of moderate-intensity physical exercise (MIPE) and yoga interventions on chronic psychological stress and acute stress responses among Hispanic college students. Methods: A total of 18 Hispanic college students participated in a 6-week intervention consisting of either MIPE or yoga, conducted twice weekly. Anthropometric measurements and lifestyle data were …

The Association Between Sunlight Exposure Duration, Region Of Birth And Skin Conditions Linked To Skin Cancer Risk Among Migrant Hispanic Farmworkers, Uchechukwu Fidelia Nnoruka

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Prolonged exposure to sunlight increases the risk of developing skin conditions linked to skin cancer. Migrant Hispanic farmworkers are especially at risk due to extended outdoor labor, limited access to preventive care, and minimal occupational protections. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the association between sun exposure duration and region of birth with the presence of skin conditions associated with skin cancer among migrant Hispanic farmworkers in the United States. This study was grounded by the Social Ecological Model, which provided a comprehensive framework for examining multilevel factors influencing skin health outcomes. Using a cross-sectional design, secondary …

Role Of Perceived Social Support And Knowledge Of Postpartum Depression Among Women In Anambra State, Eastern Nigeria, Raphael Oluwasina Babatola Folorunsho

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Postpartum depression (PPD) is an increasingly pressing public health issue, particularly in low-resource settings like Nigeria, where maternal mental health tends to receive limited attention. This study explored the relationship between maternal awareness of PPD, perceived social support, and prevalence of depressive symptoms among postpartum women in the Nnewi North Local Government Area (LGA) of Anambra State. Grounded in the social support theory, health belief model, and socioecological model, the study used a descriptive cross-sectional research design. A total of 406 postpartum women attending primary healthcare centers were surveyed using validated instruments, including the PHQ-9 and MSPSS. Statistical analyses included …

Cardiometabolic Outcomes In The Obese African American Population With Rheumatoid Arthritis, Cecilia Jillo Walan

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disproportionately impacts African American adults, particularly those with obesity, due to overlapping cardiometabolic risks and health care disparities. The intersection of RA, obesity, and chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease (CVD) and hypertension underscores the need for targeted public health interventions. This study investigated the association between RA and cardiometabolic outcomes among African American adults with obesity, aiming to identify significant predictors within this high-risk population. This quantitative study employed a cross-sectional design to analyze data from the 1999–2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey undergirded by the social ecological change framework with N=23644 African American adults …

Prenatal Diagnosis Of An Uncommon Form Of A Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome Variant., Anmol Goyal, Abigail Phillips, Kelsey Brattrud, Rita France, Maria Kiaffas

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: Mitral valve dysplasia syndrome (MVDS) is a rare cardiac defect requiring accurate prenatal identification and appropriate counseling, delivery planning, and postnatal management.

CASE SUMMARY: A 39-year-old woman underwent fetal echocardiography at 34 weeks' gestation owing to cardiomegaly and hydrops. Biatrial enlargement, mild to moderate atrioventricular valve insufficiency, dysplastic mitral valve apparatus, biventricular dilation with systolic dysfunction, endocardial fibroelastosis, hypoplastic aortic outflow, and severely restrictive atrial septum were attributed to MVDS. The plan for critical (class IV) delivery was modified with premature onset of labor at 36 weeks' gestation, leading to urgent cesarean section. Emergent balloon atrial septostomy was performed …

Reduced Computed Tomography Scan Speed Improves Alignment Errors For Patients Undergoing Thoracic Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy, Ramaswamy Sadagopan, Rachael M Martin-Paulpeter, Christopher R Peeler, Xiaochun Wang, Paige Nitsch, Julianne M Pollard-Larkin

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objectives: We investigated the performance of a slow computed tomography (CT) protocol to reduce alignment errors arising from motion when using CT-on-rail (CTOR) for image guidance for patients receiving thoracic stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT).

Methods: A Quasar lung phantom with a moving tumor was programmed with three breathing rates and three motion amplitudes. MIP and average 4DCT images were used for contouring and alignment, respectively. Ten CTOR images were obtained for each of the breathing rates and amplitudes, under both CT protocols. We used in-house CAT software for image guidance, centering the tumor in the lung window …

Ribosome Deficiency Induces Salmonella Filamentation Within Host Cells, Zhihui Lyu, Cierra Wilson, Kalyn Weiss, Spencer Lewis, Kurt Fredrick, William Margolin, Jiqiang Ling

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The ribosome is the central hub for protein synthesis and is heavily targeted by antibiotics. Ribosomal mutations, antibiotic treatment, and nutrient starvation can alter translational efficiency and lead to stressed cells. Ribosome deficiency plays a critical role in stress responses and disease progression; yet, how it affects bacteria-host interactions remains poorly understood. In this study, we show that a ribosome-deficient strain exhibits a surprising morphological change from rod shape to filamentous in Salmonella cells growing inside host macrophages. Such filamentation depends on an acidic condition within macrophages and in a defined medium mimicking macrophage conditions. Further genetic analyses revealed that …

Csf-Exosomal Mirnas And Delayed Cerebral Ischemia: Insights Into Pathophysiology But No Definitive Biomarkers, Chathathayil M Shafeeque, Devin W Mcbride, Yuanqing Yan, Hussein A Zeineddine, John P Hagen, H Alex Choi, Jude P Savarraj, Ari Dienel, Spiros L Blackburn, Peeyush Kumar Thankamani

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is notoriously known for its high mortality and morbidity. Approximately one-third of the patients who survive aneurysm rupture are reported to develop delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI), which contributes to a poor clinical outcome. Currently, there are no biomarkers for identifying which aSAH patients are at risk of developing DCI. We aimed to determine the feasibility of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs) for predicting DCI post-aSAH.

Methods: aSAH patients were prospectively enrolled, and CSF samples were collected at two time points (< 24 h and 72 h post-aSAH) from individuals undergoing external ventricular drainage. Exosomal miRNAs were isolated from the CSF for analysis. In the initial group of patients (discovery cohort), an exploratory analysis was conducted using a CSF panel containing 84 miRNAs, assessed by quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR). Based on this analysis, 27 miRNAs were selected for further evaluation in a second group of patients (validation cohort). Among these, 10 miRNAs had previously been reported in SAH-related CSF studies, supporting their relevance for continued investigation.

Results: In this study, RT-qPCR analysis of 84 miRNAs in CSF samples from …

Defining Treatment-Resistant Bipolar Depression: Recommendations From The Isbd Task Force, Eduard Vieta, Roger S Mcintyre, Trisha Suppes, Tamsyn E Van Rheenen, Balwinder Singh, Kamilla Woznica Miskowiak, Allan H Young, Lakshmi N Yatham, Kyooseob Ha, Michael Berk, Holly A Swartz, Chantal Henry, Maja Pantovic Stefanovic, Gerard Anmella Diaz, Aysegul Ozerdem, Wiesław J Cubała, Diego Hidalgo-Mazzei, Mauricio Tohen, Isabella Pacchiarotti, Paula Villela Nunes, Carlos Lopez-Jaramillo, Ana Gonzalez-Pinto, Paolo Brambilla, Robert Post, Jair C Soares, Michael Bauer, Ana C Andreazza, Xavier Justes Fradera, Montserrat Cosials-Lopez, Giovanna Fico

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objective: Despite the availability of approved treatments, a substantial proportion of patients with bipolar disorder experience treatment-resistant bipolar depression (TRBD), characterized by persistent depressive symptoms unresponsive to standard therapies. However, a universally accepted definition of TRBD is lacking. This consensus document, developed by the International Society for Bipolar Disorders (ISBD) Task Force on TRBD, aims to provide a standardized definition of TRBD to facilitate clinical trials, research, and treatment strategies.

Methods: The Task Force employed a literature review, clinical trials analysis, and expert consensus meetings to define TRBD.

Results: TRBD was defined as the failure to achieve a significant and …

Defining Treatment-Resistant Bipolar Depression: Recommendations From The Isbd Task Force, Eduard Vieta, Roger S Mcintyre, Trisha Suppes, Tamsyn E Van Rheenen, Balwinder Singh, Kamilla Woznica Miskowiak, Allan H Young, Lakshmi N Yatham, Kyooseob Ha, Michael Berk, Holly A Swartz, Chantal Henry, Maja Pantovic Stefanovic, Gerard Anmella Diaz, Aysegul Ozerdem, Wiesław J Cubała, Diego Hidalgo-Mazzei, Mauricio Tohen, Isabella Pacchiarotti, Paula Villela Nunes, Carlos Lopez-Jaramillo, Ana Gonzalez-Pinto, Paolo Brambilla, Robert Post, Jair C Soares, Michael Bauer, Ana C Andreazza, Xavier Justes Fradera, Montserrat Cosials-Lopez, Giovanna Fico

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objective: Despite the availability of approved treatments, a substantial proportion of patients with bipolar disorder experience treatment-resistant bipolar depression (TRBD), characterized by persistent depressive symptoms unresponsive to standard therapies. However, a universally accepted definition of TRBD is lacking. This consensus document, developed by the International Society for Bipolar Disorders (ISBD) Task Force on TRBD, aims to provide a standardized definition of TRBD to facilitate clinical trials, research, and treatment strategies.

Methods: The Task Force employed a literature review, clinical trials analysis, and expert consensus meetings to define TRBD.

Results: TRBD was defined as the failure to achieve a significant and …

Identification Of Alkynyl Nicotinamide Hsn748 As A Ret Solvent-Front Mutant Inhibitor With Intracranial Efficacy, Ujjwol Khatri, Neetu Dayal, Kofi B Owusu, Mandeep Kaur Hunjan, Shriya Pandey, Haley Anne Harper, Carli Mcmahan, Bennett D Elzey, Tao Shen, Xueqing Hu, Kurt W Evans, Ahmed El-Sheikh, Seong Jun Jo, Frederick W Holtsberg, M Javad Aman, Funda Meric-Bernstam, Sukyung Woo, Herman O Sintim, Jie Wu

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

RET solvent-front G810C/R/S mutations confer resistance to the currently approved RET protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) selpercatinib and pralsetinib. Moreover, RET fusion-positive lung adenocarcinoma frequently metastasizes to the brain. To address these challenges, it is imperative to develop a RET TKI that is effective against solvent-front mutations and exhibits intracranial activity. We synthesized alkynyl nicotinamide-based RET TKIs and tested their efficacy in cell cultures in inhibiting selpercatinib/pralsetinib-resistant RET solvent-front mutants G810C/R/S found in cancer patients, and in BaF3/KIF5B-RET(G810C) cell-derived subcutaneous and intracranial tumors in vivo. We also evaluated alkynyl nicotinamide RET TKIs in KIF5B-RET-induced lung tumors in immune competent …

An Exciting Future For Microbial Molecular Biology And Physiology, Andrew A Bridges, Leah Guthrie, Mckenzie Lehman, Elizabeth H Kellogg, Samantha Wellington Miranda, Andrew Pountain, Anthony L Shiver, Andrew Varble, Molecular Biology And Physiology Community Of The Council On Microbial Sciences, Heidi B Kaplan, Elizabeth A Shank, Gisela Storz

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Continuous advances in technologies ranging from deep sequencing and genetic manipulation to mass spectrometry, single cell imaging, and structural biology have led to previously unimaginable advances in our understanding of microbial physiology and the molecular mechanisms underlying microbial responses in a multitude of environments. Simultaneously, these advances are revealing how much more there is to learn. At the 2024 virtual retreat of the Molecular Biology and Physiology (MBP) Community of the Council on Microbial Sciences (COMS) of the American Society for Microbiology (ASM), eight early-career investigators, along with retreat attendees, discussed some of these astounding advances, as well as the …

Dalbavancin For Treatment Of Staphylococcus Aureus Bacteremia: The Dots Randomized Clinical Trial, Nicholas A Turner, Toshimitsu Hamasaki, Sarah B Doernberg, Thomas P Lodise, Heather A King, Varduhi Ghazaryan, Sara E Cosgrove, Timothy C Jenkins, Catherine Liu, Shrabani Sharma, Smitha Zaharoff, Lana Wahid, Valerie J Renard, Paul Cook, Issam Raad, Ray Hachem, Anne-Marie Chaftari, Matthew Sims, Carmen Demarco, Loren G Miller, Matthew W Mccarthy, Caryn G Morse, Chris Lucasti, Graeme N Forrest, Kartikeya Cherabuddi, Christopher Polk, Tasaduq Fazili, Mark E Rupp, George R Thompson, Kami Kim, Luke Strnad, Amanda E Schnee, James A Mckinnell, Mayur Ramesh, Fernanda P Silveira, Todd P Mccarty, Todd C Lee, Emily G Mcdonald, Kristopher Paolino, Katie Wiegand, Alison Wall, Todd Riccobene, Rinal Patel, Urania Rappo, Scott Evans, Henry F Chambers, Vance G Fowler, Thomas L Holland

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Importance: Dalbavancin is a long-acting intravenous lipoglycopeptide that may be effective for treatment of complicated Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia without requiring long-term intravenous access.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of dalbavancin vs standard therapy for completion of treatment of complicated S aureus bacteremia.

Design, setting, and participants: Open-label, assessor-masked, randomized clinical trial conducted from April 2021 to December 2023 at 23 medical centers in the US (n = 22) and Canada (n = 1). Participant follow-up lasted 70 days (180 days for participants with osteomyelitis); date of final follow-up was December 1, 2023. Hospitalized adults with complicated S aureus …

Structural Insights Into Ssna1 Self-Assembly And Its Microtubule Binding For Centriole Maintenance, Lorenzo Agostini, Jason A Pfister, Nirakar Basnet, Jienyu Ding, Rui Zhang, Christian Biertümpfel, Kevin F O'Connell, Naoko Mizuno

2020-Current year OA Pubs

SSNA1 is a fibrillar protein involved in dynamic microtubule remodeling, including nucleation, co-polymerization, and microtubule branching. The underlying molecular mechanism has remained unclear due to a lack of structural information. Here, we determine the cryo-EM structure of C.elegans SSNA-1 at 4.55-Å resolution and evaluate its role in embryonic development. We find that SSNA-1 forms an anti-parallel coiled-coil, with self-assembly facilitated by an overhang of 16 C-terminal residues that form a triple-stranded helical junction. The microtubule-binding region is within the triple-stranded junction, suggesting that self-assembly of SSNA-1 creates hubs for effective microtubule interaction. Genetical analysis elucidates that SSNA-1 deletion significantly reduces …