Chemicals and Drugs Commons^™

Correction: Magnetized Chitosan Hydrogel And Silk Fibroin, Reinforced With Pva: A Novel Nanobiocomposite For Biomedical And Hyperthermia Applications, Reza Eivazzadeh-Keihan, Zeinab Pajoum, Hooman Aghamirza Moghim Aliabadi, Adibeh Mohammadi, Amir Kashtiaray, Milad Salimi Bani, Banafshe Pishva, Ali Maleki, Majid M. Heravi, Mohammad Mahdavi, Elaheh Ziaei Ziabari

Rothman Institute Papers

The authors regret that they omitted a citation to ref. 1 in their original article. This citation should be included in Section 3 (Result and discussion) before Section 3.1 (FT-IR spectroscopy and XRD analysis). The authors wish to add the following paragraphs to the discussion section of the original article, to be read in Section 3 (Result and discussion) before Section 3.1 (FT-IR spectroscopy and XRD analysis), after the sentence “.Finally, hyperthermia application was appraised and all results were evaluated.” in order to clarify the novelty of this work over ref. 1. In the previous work, we developed a multifunctional …

Effectiveness Of Vitamin D3 In Facilitating The Therapeutic Progression Of Healing Diabetic Foot Ulcers, Fatemeh Nouri, Sara Aghaei, Gülüzar Özbolat, Yusuf Döğüş, Mahdi Mirhamidi, Reza Rahimi Barghani, Amin Daemi

Chulalongkorn Medical Journal

Background: Today’s, diabetes and its complications have afflicted a large population all over the world, so that it is estimated that its prevalence in all age groups will reach from 2.8% in 2000 to 4.4% in 2030. It is well known that vitamin D may cause rapid wound healing and anti-inflammatory.

Objective: Regarding the importance of the quality of life of diabetic patients and the improvement of chronic diabetic foot ulcers, this paper aims to investigate the efficacy of vitamin D3 on the healing of diabetic foot ulcers. The present research is conducted as a randomized controlled trial.

Methods: …

Advancing Peptide-Based Vaccines Against Candida: A Comparative Perspective On Liposomal And Synthetic Formulations, Hong Xin

School of Graduate Studies Faculty Publications

The growing threat of multidrug-resistant fungal pathogens, especially Candida auris, has underscored the need for effective antifungal vaccines. This commentary highlights recent advances in peptide-based vaccination using the SNAP (Spontaneous Nanoliposome Antigen Presentation) platform, focusing on the FM-SNAP vaccine, a bivalent liposomal formulation targeting the surface-expressed peptides fructose bisphosphate aldolase (Fba) and methionine synthase (Met6). Compared to earlier constructs such as MP12, FM-SNAP achieves superior immunogenicity and long-lasting protection at lower antigen doses. It elicits balanced Th1/Th2 cytokine responses and demonstrates durable efficacy in both immunocompetent and complement-deficient mouse models. The platform's compatibility with clinically approved adjuvants (MPLA and QS-21), …

Neuronal Activity-Dependent Gene Dysregulation In C9orf72 I3neuronal Models Of Als/Ftd Pathogenesis, Layla T. Ghaffari, Emily A. Welebob, Sarah E. Bond Newton, Ashley V. Boehringer, Kelly L. Cyliax, Piera Pasinelli, Davide Trotti, Aaron R. Haeusler

Farber Institute for Neuroscience Faculty Papers

The GGGGCC nucleotide repeat expansion (NRE) mutation in the C9ORF72 (C9) gene is the most common cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Neuronal activity plays an essential role in shaping biological processes within both healthy and neurodegenerative disease scenarios. Here, we show that at baseline conditions, C9-NRE-induced pluripotent stem cell-cortical neurons display aberrations in several pathways, including synaptic signaling and transcriptional machinery, potentially priming diseased neurons for an altered response to neuronal stimulation. Indeed, exposure to two pathophysiologically relevant stimulation modes, prolonged membrane depolarization or a blockade of K⁺ channels, followed by RNA sequencing, induces …

Concurrent Local Therapy Extends Clinical Benefit Of Tebentafusp In Metastatic Uveal Melanoma Patients, Tristan L. Lim, Kamaneh Montazeri, Eric Wehrenberg-Klee, Antoine Desilets, Rino S. Seedor, Marlana Orloff, Takami Sato, Michael Caplan, Mariam El-Ashmawy, Benjamin Izar, Shaheer Khan, Inderjit Mehmi, Aleigha Lawless, Theodore S. Hong, Omid Hamid, Richard D. Carvajal, Alexander Shoushtari, Ryan J. Sullivan

Kimmel Cancer Center Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Tebentafusp has significantly improved overall survival in HLA-A*02:01+ metastatic uveal melanoma (mUM) patients even in those with a best objective response of progressive disease. Thus, strategies to maintain tebentafusp therapy are critical. Here, we examine the efficacy and safety of adding concurrent local therapy (CLT) to tebentafusp upon radiological progression with tebentafusp alone.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: This multicenter retrospective study included mUM patients treated with tebentafusp and CLT, consisting of extrahepatic soft tissue irradiation and liver-directed therapies (LDTs). Efficacy of target and nontarget sites were assessed per RECIST version 1.1. PFS with tebentafusp alone (PFS1) was compared to that …

October 2025, Swosu Rural Health Center

RURAL ROCKS

• SWOSU Doctor in Community Health (DCH)

• Hospitals with highest price markups for elective surgeries have worse outcomes, researchers find

• HHS Final Rule Expands Real-Time Prescription Access, Eases Prior Authorization Burdens

• Pharmacologic and Nonpharmacologic Treatments for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: An Update of the PTSD Repository Evidence Base

• Retail pharmacy is adapting to meet local needs

• IZ Express Sept 24, 2025

Predictive Gene Expression Signatures For Alzheimer's Disease Using Post-Mortem Brain Tissue, Ashley Duche, Oliver Tan, Andrius Baskys, Rachita K. Sumbria, Moom R. Roosan

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Background: Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by amyloid-beta (Aβ) plaques and tau protein aggregates in the brain. These pathological features manifest in specific regions, but mechanisms rendering some areas more susceptible to early AD-related changes remain poorly understood. To address this, we developed predictive gene expression signatures to explore molecular mechanisms underlying regional vulnerability to AD pathology.

Methods: Post-mortem brain tissues from participants of the Religious Orders Study and Memory and Aging Project (ROSMAP), Mayo Clinic, and Mount Sinai Brain Bank (MSBB) were used to derive gene expression signatures from six brain regions affected at varying …

Dynamic Rewiring Of Microrna Networks In The Brainstem Autonomic Control Circuits During Hypertension Development In The Female Spontaneously Hypertensive Rat, Alison Moss, Ankita Srivastava, Lakshmi Kuttippurathu, James S. Schwaber, Rajanikanth Vadigepalli

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Faculty Papers

We describe global microRNA (miRNA) changes in the central autonomic control circuits during the development of neurogenic hypertension. Using the female spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) and the normotensive Wistar Kyoto (WKY), we analyzed the dynamic miRNA expression changes in three brainstem regions-the nucleus of the solitary tract, caudal ventrolateral medulla, and rostral ventrolateral medulla-as a time series beginning at 8 wk of age before hypertension onset through to extended chronic hypertension. Our analysis yielded nine miRNAs that were significantly differentially regulated in all three regions between SHR and WKY over time. We collated computationally predicted gene targets of these nine …

Ketorolac Use Following Operative Clavicle Fracture Fixation Is Not Associated With Increased Nonunion Or Surgical Complications: A Propensity-Matched Analysis, Tuckerman Jones, Tej Joshi, Akhil Katakam, Daniella Ogilvie, Sefy Paulose, Balazs Galdi

Wills Eye Hospital Papers

OBJECTIVES: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including ketorolac, are commonly used for postoperative pain management. Concerns about their potential impact on bone healing have been raised. This study investigated the relationship between ketorolac use and postoperative complications following clavicle surgery, including nonunion rates.

METHODS: This retrospective cohort study used the TriNetX Research Database to identify patients who underwent surgical fixation of clavicle fractures between 2002 and 2022. Two propensity-matched cohorts were created: patients who received postoperative ketorolac and those who did not. Primary outcomes included nonunion diagnosis and revision surgery; secondary outcomes included opioid use, wound disruption, surgical site infection, and …

Enhancing Methods For Research On Cannabis: A Workshop Report, Jonathan Samet, Jessica Barrington-Trimis, Lisa Bero, Ashley Brooks-Russell, Meghan Buran, Julia Dilley, Darin Erickson, Marilyn Huestis, Kent Hutchison, Thomas Jeanne, Michael Kosnett, David Kroll, Stephen Lankenau, Richard Miech, Rosalie Liccardo Pacula, Paula Riggs, Neeloofar Soleimanpour, Steven Teutsch, Gregory Tung, George Sam Wang

College of Health Professions Faculty Papers

AIMS: Progressive legalization of medical and recreational cannabis markets at the state-level has led to rapid growth of medical and recreational cannabis markets and to product diversification with emerging products having high concentrations of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol. Research on these products is still limited and the evidence available for policy formulation is diminished by methodological limitations.

METHODS: As a step towards addressing these limitations, the Colorado School of Public Health convened a multidisciplinary workshop that addressed four areas of cannabis research: epidemiological, clinical, surveillance, and policy. Workshop participants provided recommendations in each area to advance research on cannabis to make it more …

Bromelain-Based Enzymatic Debridement Of A Third-Degree Burn To Skin-Grafted Bowel, Shengqing Wang, Janie Faris, Kareem Abdelfattah, Samuel Mandell, M Victoria Miles

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Burn injuries over previously grafted tissue present a formidable challenge for excision and debridement, particularly when there are critical underlying structures such as bowel. Enzymatic debridement with the recently approved anacaulase-bcdb, a bromelain-based enzymatic debridement gel (Nexobrid), presents an additional method of burn excision that may be useful in such a situation. This brief report presents the management of a complex third-degree burn over a remotely skin-grafted bowel mass using anacaulase-bcdb gel. This report is written with documented patient consent and approval by the Human Research Protection Program office in compliance with institutional policy. A 52-year-old man presented to our …

Uncovering The Pml::Rara Fusion In Cytogenetically Cryptic And Fish-Negative Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia-A Case Report And Comprehensive Literature Review, Busra Delikkaya, Jaime Eberle-Singh, Arianna Morton, Jerald Gong, Jinglan Liu

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Faculty Papers

The PML::RARA fusion resulting from t(15;17) is the genetic hallmark of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), typically detected by cytogenetics and/or fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) studies. Rarely, APL patients present with normal cytogenetics and FISH findings, complicating diagnosis and delaying life-saving therapy. We report a 23-year-old male with clinical, morphologic and immunophenotypic features consistent with APL but negative for FISH studies. Despite prompt initiation of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) based on clinical suspicion, the patient succumbed to intracranial hemorrhage. Quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR (qRT-PCR) confirmed a long isoform PML::RARA fusion. A review of 34 published cytogenetics- and FISH-negative cases since …

Comparison Of Authentic Urine N-Ethylpentedrone Metabolites To Predicted In Silico And In Vitro Human Hepatocyte Metabolism, Gloria Daziani, Omayema Taoussi, Diletta Berardinelli, Giulia Bambagiotti, Marilyn A. Huestis, Francesco P. Busardò, Jeremy Carlier

Institute of Emerging Health Professions Faculty Papers

Synthetic cathinones are the second most common class of substances belonging to the category of new psychoactive substances (NPS). N-ethylpentedrone (NEPD) self-administration was reported, making it important to elucidate its metabolic pathway to improve its detection. NEPD is often taken together with other substances; confidently identifying its intake is important for accurate toxicological analysis and understanding its toxicity. NEPD metabolism was studied following incubation with human hepatocytes and analysis by liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry paired with Compound Discoverer software (Thermo Fisher Scientific). Prediction of possible metabolites was performed with the online software GLORYx. In vivo NEPD metabolism was evaluated by …

Non-Invasive Detection Of Choroidal Melanoma Via Tear-Derived Protein Corona On Gold Nanoparticles: A Machine Learning Approach, Hakimeh Rakhshandeh, Ahmad Nasiraei, Hamid Riazi-Esfahani, Babak Masoomian, Fariba Ghassemi, Mojtaba Arjmand, Saeed Heidari Keshel, Fatemeh Atyabi, Rassoul Dinarvand

Wills Eye Hospital Papers

This study investigates the feasibility of using tear sample analysis, based on protein corona formation on gold nanoparticles combined with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and machine learning techniques, as a non-invasive approach for the detection of choroidal melanoma. The aim is to assess whether protein-nanoparticle interactions can support early and reliable identification of this ocular condition. Tear samples were collected using Schirmer strips from six healthy individuals and six patients diagnosed with choroidal melanoma, with subsequent augmentation to 18 samples per group. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs, ~ 20 nm) were synthesized via citrate reduction and incubated with tear samples to …

Inflammation And Detection: Rethinking The Biomarker Landscape In Gastric Cancer, Keykavous Parang, Koosha Paydary

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Gastric carcinoma is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, yet reliable noninvasive biomarkers for its early detection remain limited. As research continues to elucidate the inflammatory underpinnings of tumor initiation and progression, it has become increasingly clear that pro-inflammatory cytokines may hold promise as diagnostic adjuncts. Serum cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and interferon-gamma have been frequently reported as elevated in gastric cancer patients compared to healthy individuals. These molecules, known for their roles in modulating tumor-promoting inflammation, angiogenesis, and immune evasion, may serve as accessible indicators of disease presence or progression. Several studies have shown that …

Monitoring The Hematologic Markers In Patients Undergoing Single-Stage Exchange Arthroplasty For Periprosthetic Joint Infection, Wenbo Mu, Juan D. Lizcano, Boyong Xu, Wentao Guo, Abudousaimi Aimaiti, Xiaogang Zhang, Javad Parvizi, Li Cao

Rothman Institute Papers

BACKGROUND: Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a serious complication that necessitates a complex treatment strategy. Single-stage exchange arthroplasty, combined with intravenous and intra-articular antibiotic infusions, has shown high efficacy in treating complex PJIs. However, the impact of this approach on hematologic parameters remains underexplored. This study aims to evaluate the postoperative trends in blood platelet count, white blood cell (WBC) count, and neutrophil count in patients undergoing single-stage exchange arthroplasty.

METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 313 patients who underwent single-stage revision for PJI between June 2010 and October 2022. Hematologic parameters were monitored for the first seven postoperative …

Immunotherapy For Precision Medicine In Colorectal Cancer, Miao Cao, Michael Xu, Zinah Bairmani, Babar Bashir, Scott A. Waldman, Adam E. Snook

Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Cancer Biology Faculty Papers

INTRODUCTION: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the fourth most common cancer and second leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States. The implementation of CRC screening has decreased CRC incidence in adults older than 65 years. However, among young adults who experience more aggressive disease progression, CRC incidence has been increasing for decades. Immunotherapy represents a collection of innovative and promising approaches with greater efficacy and safety. In this review, we discuss modalities and selected targets of immunotherapies for CRCs that are guided by precision medicine.

AREAS COVERED: The following review focuses on immunological approaches for CRCs, including therapeutic monoclonal …

Ybx1-Mediated Activation Of Srebp2 Drives Sorafenib Resistance Via Cholesterol Biosynthesis In Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Veerababu Nagati, Dennis Kwabiah, Yamile Abuchard, Ana Ayala Pazzi, Shaibir Hussain, Salique H. Shaham, Manish Tripathi

Research Colloquium

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an aggressive, largely chemo-resistant cancer with a poor prognosis and is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Currently, there is no effective systemic chemotherapy for HCC. Sorafenib is a multikinase inhibitor commonly used as the first-line treatment for advanced HCC. However, acquired drug resistance significantly limits its clinical effectiveness. The Y-box binding protein (YBX1) is an oncogenic RNA-binding protein found to be upregulated in sorafenib-resistant HCC cells and tissues.

Methods: HCC model SK Hep1, YBX1 overexpression, and knockdown cells were prepared by transient transfection with puromycin selection, and stable cell lines were established through …

Development Of Metal-Organic Framework-Based Formulation For Cancer Therapeutics, Kaitlyn D. Ybanez, Rahul Tiwari, Joel De Los Santos, Tarun Minocha, Bianca Jimenez, Subhash Chauhan, Murali Yallapu

Research Colloquium

Background: Novel hydrogel-based drug delivery systems integrating 𝛾-cyclodextrin metal-organic frameworks (𝛾-CD-MOFs) have recently been developed to overcome the hydrophobicity and poor bioavailability of certain chemotherapeutic drugs. Thermosensitive Pluronic F-127 hydrogels can deliver 𝛾-CD-MOFs to target sites, promoting sustained and regulated drug release, especially for mucosal adhesion scenarios as warranted in cervical cancer. This study presents the development of a formulation that encapsulates curcumin, a model anticancer agent, into a Pluronic F-127 Hydrogel + 𝛾-CD-MOFs to enhance dispersion and enable sitespecific gelation at physiological temperatures (37°C).

Methods: Curcumin-loaded 𝛾-CD-MOFs were synthesized by dissolving 𝛾-CD (1.0 mmol, 1.30 g) and KOH …

Corticobasal Syndrome With Mixed Pathology In The Absence Of Grn Mutation: A Clinico-Pathological Case Of Ftld-Tdp With Coexisting Alzheimer’S And Lewy Body Pathology, Hugo Zamarron, David Irwin, Jeffery Phillips, Edward Lee, Matthew Tisdall, Corey Mcmillan

Research Colloquium

Background: Corticobasal syndrome (CBS) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by often asymmetric fronto-pariteal and extra-pyramidal features that is traditionally associated with tauopathy, but pathological findings are heterogenous, including other forms of frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) and mixed pathologies of aging. We present clinical, radiographic, and histopathologic features of asymmetry in a unique patient with CBS and underlying FTLD with TDP-43 pathology (FTLD-TDP), co-occurring with other age-related pathologies.

Case Presentation: A 76-year-old man presented with progressive cognitive and motor dysfunction including asymmetric parkinsonism, left-sided dystonia and rigidity, apraxia, visuospatial impairment, and a subtle social disorder including apathy and social withdrawal. The …

Total Synthesis Of The Marine Cytotoxic Mansouramycin And Derivatives, Aditya Dantu, Gabriella L. Madrigal, Neel Gondi, David Osazee, Ahmad Amro, Whard Alsabbagh, Shizue Mito

Research Colloquium

Purpose: Isoquinolinequinones are a group of organic compounds which are composed of an isoquinoline fused to a quinone ring. This class of molecules is known to exhibit a wide variety of biological activities, including cytotoxic and antitumor properties. Among the many families of isoquinolinequinones are the Caulibugulones and Mansouramycins, which exhibit anticancer properties and are thus desirable subjects for cancer-related research. They are obtained by isolation from marine bryozoan Caulibugula intermis and marine Streptomyces sp respectively, however these compounds are difficult to extract. Thus, organic synthesis is being explored as a method of obtaining them; this project focuses on the …

Investigating Cucurbitacin D'S Efficacy In Ameliorating Benzo[A]Pyrene-Induced Hepatic Injury, Mohammed Sikander, Shabnam Malik, Daniel Zubieta, Anyssa Rodriguez, Fathi T. Halaweish, Murali Yallapu, Meena Jaggi, Subhash Chauhan

Research Colloquium

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is increasingly linked to various co-morbidity factors, notably smoking, which introduces benzo[a]pyrene—a potent carcinogen known for its role in liver damage. Cucurbitacin, a triterpene with diverse biological activities, exhibits antioxidant, antiinflammatory, and anti-cancer properties, yet its hepatoprotective effects remain inadequately explored. In this study, we investigated the hepatoprotective activity of cucurbitacin D, a novel analog, against benzo[a]pyrene-induced liver injury in human HepG2 cells. To evaluate its protective effects, we conducted proliferation, clonogenicity, migration, invasion assays, alongside Western blotting and qPCR analyses. The DCFDA assay was employed to measure intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in liver cells. …

Editorial: Molecular Mechanisms Of Ion Channel Activation And Modulation, Meng Cui, Miao Zhang

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

"Ion channels are integral membrane proteins that regulate the passage of ions across cell membranes, thereby shaping processes as diverse as neuronal signaling, muscle contraction, and hormone secretion. Channel activation is typically initiated by a stimulus such as voltage, ligand binding, or mechanical stress that induces conformational changes and opens the channel pore. Beyond activation, channels are subject to fine-tuned modulation by a wide range of endogenous and exogenous agents, from lipids and neurotransmitters to pharmacological drugs. Modulators can stabilize the open, closed, or inactivated states, shift ligand affinities, or alter gating kinetics. Dissecting the structural and dynamic basis of …

Miconazole Induces Cell Cycle Arrest And Apoptosis In Prostate Cancer Cells Via A P53-Mediated Pathway: A Drug Repurposing Strategy, Eswara Naga Hanuma Kumar Ghali, Lindsey Shim, Rahul Tiwari, Rajasekhar Baru, Anupam Dhasmana, Ryan Chang, Sung Yun Jung, Vivek K. Kashyap, Neeraj Chauhan, Subhash Chauhan, Murali Yallapu

Research Colloquium

Aim: Repurposing of FDA-approved antifungal drugs to combat prostate cancer.

Background: Prostate cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer death among men in the United States, second only to non-melanoma skin cancer. The American Cancer Society estimates about 313,780 new cases and 35,770 deaths from prostate cancer in 2025. Despite various treatments such as radiation therapy (both external beam and internal), chemotherapy, hormone therapy, cryotherapy, biological therapy, and high-intensity focused ultrasound, men are monitored for side effects over many years. Therefore, new drugs and treatment strategies are urgently needed to address this challenge.

Methods: In this study, we …

Bridging Genetics And Pharmacology: Diazoxide Choline Xr (Vykat) In The Treatment Of Hyperphagia In Prader–Willi Syndrome, Elena Dike, Nazia Siddiqui, Astrid-Ines Foamkom, Bharathi Gadad

Research Colloquium

Prader–Willi Syndrome (PWS) is a rare genetic disorder caused by loss of paternal expression in the 15q11–q13 region, with the SNORD116/SNHG14 cluster most strongly linked to hyperphagia. This hyperphagia is a major cause of morbidity in PWS. Vykat, a recently approved FDA drug to treat hyperphagia in PWS acts by opening KATP channels in pancreatic β-cells, thereby reducing insulin secretion and indirectly improving satiety. This presentation aims to highlight the central hypothalamic dysfunction from genetic imprinting defects and the peripheral action of Vykat. While Vykat represents a significant advance, especially for individuals with severe hyperphagia, it does not address the …

Synthesis Of Various Flavonoids For Effective Anti-Immune Thrombocytopenia Agents, Benjamin Valdivia, Alyssa Aguilar, Victoria Herrera, Shizue Mito

Research Colloquium

Background: Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is a hematological disorder characterized by abnormally low platelet counts, often resulting in increased bleeding risk and impaired immune function. Current therapies may be costly, ineffective, or carry significant side effects, highlighting the need for safer, affordable alternatives. Carica papaya leaf extract has shown promise in increasing platelet counts, with flavonoids such as quercetin suggested as key bioactive constituents. However, unmodified plant compounds often suffer from limited potency or specificity. This research aims to synthesize structurally modified flavonoids derived from C. papaya to enhance their therapeutic activity for ITP. Our central hypothesis is that rational chemical …

Rapid Mapping Of Spinal And Supraspinal Connectome Via Self-Targeting Glucose-Based Carbon Dots, Yasin B. Seven, Elif S. Seven, Emel Kirbas Cilingir, Komal Parikh, Mehmet Aydin, Edward K. Luca, Jayakrishnan Nair, Roger M. Leblanc

Department of Physical Therapy Faculty Papers

The spinal cord is a highly dynamic network, playing significant roles in the vital functions of the brain. Disorders of the spinal cord, such as spinal cord injury and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), are associated with neurodegeneration, often resulting in morbidity and mortality. The blood-brain barrier (BBB) poses a major challenge to imaging and therapeutic agents because less than 2% of small-molecule drugs and almost no large-molecule drugs can cross the BBB. Furthermore, spatial spectroscopy studies have shown highly heterogeneous BBB crossing with significant accumulation at the unintended brain regions. Thus, targeting systems that can cross the BBB at the …

Allosteric Control Overcomes Steric Limitations For Neutralizing Antibodies Targeting Conserved Binding Epitopes Of The Sars-Cov-2 Spike Protein: Exploring The Intersection Of Binding, Allostery, And Immune Escape With A Multimodal Computational Approach, Mohammed Alshahrani, Vedant Parikh, Brandon Foley, Gennady M. Verkhivker

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

Understanding the atomistic basis of multi-layer mechanisms employed by broadly reactive neutralizing antibodies of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein without directly blocking receptor engagement remains an important challenge in coronavirus immunology. Class 4 antibodies represent an intriguing case: they target a deeply conserved, cryptic epitope on the receptor-binding domain yet exhibit variable neutralization potency across subgroups F1 (CR3022, EY6A, COVA1-16), F2 (DH1047), and F3 (S2X259). The molecular basis for this variability is not fully understood. Here, we employed a multi-modal computational approach integrating atomistic and coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations, binding free energy calculations, mutational scanning, and dynamic network analysis to elucidate …

Integrated Mirna-Mrna Analyses Of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer In Black And White Patients With Or Without Obesity, Fokhrul Hossain, Martha I. Gonzalez-Ramirez, Jone Garai, Diana Polania-Villanueva, Li Li, Farzeen Nafees, Md Manirujjaman, Bolin Liu, Samarpan Majumder, Xiao Cheng Wu, Chindo Hicks, Luis Del Valle, Denise Danos, Augusto Ochoa, Lucio Miele, Jovanny Zabaleta

School of Graduate Studies Faculty Publications

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive, heterogeneous subtype of breast cancer. miRNAs play an essential role in TNBC pathogenesis and prognosis. Obesity is linked with an increased risk for several cancers, including breast cancer. Obesity is also related to the dysregulation of miRNA expression in adipose tissues. However, there is limited knowledge about race- and obesity-specific differential miRNA expression in TNBC. We performed miRNA sequencing of 48 samples (24 tumor and 24 adjacent non-tumor tissues) and RNA sequencing of 24 tumors samples from Black (AA) and White (EA) TNBC patients with or without obesity. We identified 55 miRNAs exclusively …

Efficacy And Safety Of Rigosertib In Patients With Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa-Associated Advanced/Metastatic Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Martin Laimer, Andrew P. South, Elisabeth Mayr, Sophie Kitzmueller, Lauren Banner, Michael Alexander, Linda Hosler, Henry Yang, Matthew Parris, Meena Arora, Georg Zimmermann, Gregor Schweighofer-Zwink, Johann Bauer, Neda Nikbakht

Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB) is an epithelial fragility disease primarily affecting the skin and is caused by variants in the COL7A1 gene. Individuals with RDEB are predisposed to develop highly aggressive cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) which are the most common cause of premature death. There is a lack of effective prevention or treatment options for patients with RDEB-SCC.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the antitumour activity and safety of the polo-like kinase-1 (PLK1) inhibitor, rigosertib, two investigator-initiated open-label, single-arm phase II studies were opened in Europe and the USA and enrolled five patients with RDEB diagnosed with locally advanced …