Medical Pharmacology Commons^™

Characterization Of Androctonus Mauritanicus Venom And In Vitro Screening Of Sars-Cov-2 Entry Inhibitors Candidates, Reda Chahir, Jacob Galan, Hicham Hboub, Ahmed Salim Lahlou, Salma Chakir, Hinde Aassila, Reda Ben Mrid, Najat Bouchmaa, Reto Stöcklin, Rachid El Fatimy, Naoual Oukkache

Human Genetics Publications

Animal venom, known for its complex biochemical composition, presents a valuable source of therapeutic molecules, particularly for antiviral applications. Despite this potential, the industrial use of venom remains limited, with fewer than a dozen venom-derived compounds reaching commercial markets. This study underscores the significance of exploring venom’s natural diversity as a reservoir for novel bioactive compounds that could drive innovative drug development. We investigated the venom of the Moroccan black scorpion Androctonus mauritanicus (Am), applying solid-phase extraction (SPE) and high-performance reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) to fractionate the venom into 80 distinct samples. These fractions were subjected to detailed analysis …

Tc-Ptp Enhances Cordycepin-Induced Apoptosis In Human Pancreatic Cancer Cells, Olivia Samaie, Rodrigo Vidales, Lindsey Shim, Murali M. Yallapu, Subhash C. Chauhan, Mushfiq Hassan Shaikh, Dae Joon Kim

Research Colloquium

Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly aggressive malignancy marked by early metastasis, dense desmoplastic stroma, and profound resistance to conventional therapies. Despite the development of combination regimens such as gemcitabine and FOLFIRINOX, outcomes remain dismal, with median survival under one year for metastatic cases. This underscores the urgent need for novel therapeutic approaches that target multiple pathways simultaneously. T-cell protein tyrosine phosphatase (TC-PTP) is one of nonreceptor PTPs that negatively regulates oncogenic signaling pathways, particularly STAT3 and AKT, both of which are constitutively active in many solid tumors. Cordycepin, a nucleoside analogue derived from Cordyceps militaris, has …

Systemic Vascular Dysregulation And Retinal Microvascular Alterations In Glaucoma, Amin Ibrahim, Tori Sayers, Alexa Nichols, Igor Zwir, Andrew Tsin, Lorena Flores-Hernandez, Gladys E. Maestre, Jesus D. Melgarejo

Research Colloquium

Background: Glaucoma is a multifactorial, progressive optic neuropathy, for which both mechanical and vascular mechanisms of pathogenesis have been proposed. Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) enables noninvasive visualization of the choroidal and retinal vasculature and may be used to quantify vascular changes associated with glaucoma. Systemic risk factors, including variations in blood pressure (BP), whether low or elevated, have been associated with the vascular pathogenesis of glaucoma. This systematic review aims to synthesize the current evidence on the relationship between systemic vascular dysregulation and OCTA-derived retinal vascular markers in glaucomatous eyes.

Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a systematic search …

Current Paradigm And Futuristic Vision On New-Onset Diabetes And Pancreatic Cancer Research, Russell Moreland Iii, Abigail Arredondo, Anupam Dhasmana, Swati Dhasmana, Shabia Shabir, Asfia Siddiqua, Bonny Bannerjee, Murali Yallapu, Stephen Behrman, Subhash Chauhan, Sheema Khan

School of Medicine Publications

New-onset diabetes (NOD) has emerged as a potential early indicator of pancreatic cancer (PC), necessitating a refined clinical approach for risk assessment and early detection. This study discusses critical gaps in understanding the NOD-PC relationship and proposes a multifaceted approach to enhance early detection and risk assessment. We present a comprehensive clinical workflow for evaluating NOD patients, incorporating biomarker discovery, genetic screening, and AI-driven imaging to improve PC risk stratification. While existing models consider metabolic factors, they often overlook germline genetic predispositions that may influence disease development. We propose integrating germline genetic testing to identify individuals carrying pathogenic variants in …

Long-Term Neurocognitive And Behavioral Outcomes In Survivors Of Pediatric Brain Tumors: A Systematic Review, Tori Sayers, Megan W. Szobody, Nina Mourao, Blake C. Martin, Sriya Gullapalli, Kory Punch, Tirath Patel, Murali Yallapu, Bharathi Shrikanth Gadad

Research Symposium

Background: Pediatric populations have an increased susceptibility for brain tumors and suffer from neurocognitive impairment due to the neoplasm itself, and side effect of subsequent treatments. This causes many patients to experience a subpar quality of life (QoL), affecting academic endeavors, social interaction and mental well-being. Increasing our understanding of the long-term effects associated with brain tumors and the side effects from our current treatment methodology will help us formulate better treatment protocols and improve survivors’ QoL. This review aims to investigate different long-term neurocognitive and behavioral outcomes in pediatric brain tumor survivors, as well as evaluate how various treatment …

An Endocrine Enigma: The Implications Of Pembrolizumab Therapy, Miguel A. Lopez, Mario Trujillo Acosta, Jose Romero Villarreal Calderon, Laura Garcia

Research Symposium

Disorders of the endocrine system are a potential complication of cancer treatment despite newer immunotherapy agents holding promise to improve patient outcomes. Breast cancer in particular requires pharmacologic intervention based on the receptor positivity. For example, a triple negative workup often requires neoadjuvant therapy with the newer immunotherapy agent pembrolizumab. Clinicians should be aware of the potential adverse effects of this drug, most notably adrenal insufficiency. This case follows a 52 year old hispanic female patient with a history of triple negative left sided breast cancer on immunotherapy with pembrolizumab, who presented to the emergency department after a syncopal episode …

Dpyd Pathogenic Variants Associated With Fluoropyrimidines Toxicity, Diana Cristina Pérez-Ibave, Noé Israel Oliva-García, Irasema Ramos-Martínez, Francisco Javier Villarreal Alvarado, Valeria Jimena Gómez Ordaz, Jonatán Isaí Cortes Alfaro, Carlos Horacio Burciaga-Flores, Juan Francisco González-Guerrero, Oscar Vidal-Gutiérrez, Maria De Lourdes Garza-Rodriguez

Research Symposium

Background: Genetic variants in dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase gene (DPYD) coding for the key enzyme (DPD) of fluoropyrimidines (FPs) catabolism. DPYD contributes to the development of severe FPs-related toxicity, and pathogenic DPYD variants detection reduces side effects and complications associated with FP-toxicity. The allelic frequency of these variants in the Mexican population is currently unknown.

Methods: The study was carried out at the Centro Universitario Contra el Cáncer (CUCC) of the Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León (UANL) in Monterrey México. Genomic DNA was isolated from 154 subjects using the QIAamp DNA Blood Midi kit (QIAGEN) following the manufacturer's recommendations. We …

Potential Perioperative Complications Due To Difference In Timing Of Systemic Heparinization During Ruptured Aneurysm Coiling, Rouzbeh Kotaki, Ameer E. Hassan, Wondwossen G. Tekle

MEDI 9331 Scholarly Activities Clinical Years

Potential Perioperative Complications Due To Differences in Timing Of Systemic Heparin Distribution During Ruptured Aneurysm Coiling

Introduction:

In general, systematic heparin anticoagulation is standard in regards to neurovascular intervention. When coiling ruptured aneurysms, many neurointerventionalists have their own protocol as to timing of systemic heparinization. There is ample research and literature reviewing the frequency of perioperative events, predictors and outcomes, as well as the efficacy in the use of anticoagulants and/or antiplatelets before, during, and after neurovascular procedures to prevent adverse outcomes. However, there currently exists a dearth of research in regards to timing of distribution of heparin intraoperatively and …