Medical Specialties Commons^™

Dementia Incidence In Patients With Prurigo Nodularis: An Observational Retrospective Cohort Study, Madison P. Olexson, Ana Ormaza Vera, Chunghwan Ro, Clinton W. Enos

Department Dermatology Faculty Publications

[Introduction] Prurigo nodularis (PN) is a chronic neuroinflammatory dermatosis of unknown etiology characterized by severely pruritic, symmetrically-distributed nodules with a negative impact on quality of life [1]. While some consider PN a primary idiopathic disorder, it often arises as a secondary manifestation of underlying conditions, including atopic dermatitis (AD), chronic kidney disease (CKD), human-immunodeficiency-virus (HIV), and thyroid disorders [2]. Although patients with PN are at higher risk for psychiatric comorbidities including depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation [3] research which investigates associations between PN and neurodegenerative disorders is limited [4]. Moreover, emerging evidence implicating sustained systemic inflammation, characteristic of psoriasis and …

Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia In Pediatric Patients: A Retrospective Analysis, Radhika Gupta, Nikhita Perry, Noelle Desir, Iain Encarnacion, Jonathan Miles, Susan Taylor, Michelle Oboite, Temitaya Ogunleye

Department Dermatology Faculty Publications

[Introduction] Central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia (CCCA) is a scarring alopecia that predominantly affects middle-aged women of African descent.¹ It begins at the vertex scalp and expands centrifugally, and given that symptoms may be absent, many patients have scarring at presentation. CCCA is primarily described in adult populations, with limited reports of CCCA in children.²^-⁴ We aimed to characterize demographics, clinical findings, and histological features among pediatric patients with CCCA to facilitate earlier diagnoses, prior to irreversible alopecia.

Understanding The Impact Of Psychosocial Barriers On Colorectal Cancer Knowledge In Emerging Black Men, Chelsey Mcgill, Maria D. Thomson, Caroline Kuno, Emmanuel Taylor, Kimberly Lawrence, Alison J. Patev, Arnethea L. Sutton, Ruth Nyagaka, Oxana Palesh, Larry D. Keen Ii

Research and Infrastructure Service Enterprise (RISE) Faculty Publications

In the United States, Colorectal Cancer (CRC) is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers and the third leading cause of death among non-Hispanic African American/Black (henceforth Black) men. Inadequate CRC knowledge leads to missing early warning signs, delaying prevention and increasing risk. Emerging adulthood (18-25) is a key period for building healthy behaviors and addressing barriers to CRC knowledge in addition to understanding attitudes and practices to CRC screening. Psychosocial barriers - including social support, medical mistrust, and perceived racial discrimination - contribute to the lack of CRC knowledge among older Black men, yet emerging adult Black men remain …

Effect Of Antipsychotic Medication Use And Type On Mortality And Cardiovascular Risks In Nursing Home Patients With Dementia, Hamid R. Okhravi, Fang Fang, Melissa P. Hunter, Brynn E. Sheehan

Glennan Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology Faculty Publications

Introduction

Antipsychotic medication (APM) use in nursing home (NH) patients with dementia is common but carries risks. This study assessed the association between APM use and mortality, stroke, and myocardial infarction (MI) compared to non-use, as well as differences between first- and second-generation APMs.

Methods

A serial cross-sectional study using Medicare data examined outcomes from 2012 to 2015 in a national sample of 328,138 US NH residents aged 50 and older with dementia. Multivariate logistic regressions were used to analyze risk.

Results

APM use was associated with increased mortality in all years (odds ratio [OR] range: 2.39 to 1.23, all …

Shaping The Future Of Respiratory Care: A Look Into The Next Decade And Strategic Recommendations By The European Forum For Research And Education In Allergy And Airways Diseases, Xander Bertels, Glenis K. Scadding, Vibeke Backer, Susanne Lou, Wytske J. Fokkens, Peter J. Barnes, Manuel Bernal Sprekelsen, Leif Bjermer, Michael Blaiss, Elena Borzova, Marie-Charlotte Brüggen, Guy G. Brusselle, Lars Olaf Cardell, Diego M. Conti, Marjolein Cornet, Eugenio De Corso, Bernard De Groeve, Ratko Djukanovic, Adam T. Fox, Mina Gaga, Philippe Gevaert, Peter Gibson, Claudia L. Gray, Joseph Han, Liam Heaney, Enrico Heffler, Hans Jürgen Hoffmann, Claire Hopkins, Daniel Jackson, Outi Jauhola, Milos Jesenak, Pål Johansen, Ekaterina Khaleva, Basile Landis, Stella Lee, Valerie Lund, Mika Mäkelä, Marinda Mcdonald, Erik Melén, Joaquim Mullol, Antonio Nieto-García, Ian Pavord, Anju Peters, David Price, Santiago Quirce, Dermot Ryan, Pernilla Sahlstrand-Johnson, Sophie Scheire, Peter Schmid-Grendelmeier, Sven Schneider, Brent A. Senior, Catherine M.E. Shire, Peter K. Smith, Zsolt Szépfalusi, M. Thijs A. Teeling, Michael E. Wechsler, Philippe Houssiau, Klaus F. Rabe, Peter W. Hellings, José Luis Castro

Department of Otolaryngology (ENT) Faculty Publications

Chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) remain 1 of the leading causes of preventable morbidity and disability worldwide, affecting up to one-third of the total Western population in 2025. Recognizing the substantial burden of inflammatory airway diseases such as asthma, COPD, chronic rhinosinusitis, and respiratory allergy, the European Forum for Research and Education in Allergy and Airway Diseases (EUFOREA) organized the symposium “Shaping the Future of Respiratory Care” in April 2025 in Brussels, Belgium, at the occasion of the 10-year jubilee. Featuring keynote speakers from the World Health Organization and EUFOREA, this initiative had the following aims: (1) promoting dialogue on translating …

Tezepelumab's Effects On Patient-Reported Symptoms In Severe Asthma, Overall And With History Of Comorbid Chronic Rhinosinusitis With Nasal Polyps (Crswnp), Njira L. Lugogo, Joseph K. Han, Anju T. Peters, Stella E. Lee, Monica Kraft, Mary Kay Margolis, Sonia F. Shenoy, Nicole Martin, Shradha Chandarana, Christopher S. Ambrose

Department of Otolaryngology (ENT) Faculty Publications

Background

Tezepelumab (an anti-thymic stromal lymphopoietin monoclonal antibody) treatment resulted in reduced exacerbations and improved sino-nasal symptoms and health-related quality of life in patients with severe uncontrolled asthma (SUA) and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) in the NAVIGATOR study.

Objective

To evaluate the effect of tezepelumab versus placebo on sleep disturbances, activity levels, and physical exertion tolerance in NAVIGATOR patients with SUA overall and in those with past medical history of comorbid CRSwNP.

Methods

Patients (12-80 years old) with SUA were randomized to receive tezepelumab 210 mg or placebo subcutaneously every 4 weeks for 52 weeks. Patient responses to …

Proof-Of-Concept Development And Preclinical Evaluation Of A Microarray Patch Platform For Codelivery Of Multiple Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies For Hiv Prevention, M. Melissa Peet, Vivek Agrahari, Parbeen Singh, Lam Luong Hoai Nguyen, Louise A. Ouattara, Eun Sung Yang, Carolina Herrera, Amarendra Pegu, Theodore C. Pierson, Thanh D. Nguyen, Gustavo F. Doncel

CONRAD Publications

Broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) are advancing as a preventative or treatment option for HIV infection, but currently must be administered parenterally, typically as a large injection or infusion, an invasive method of delivery, especially for the pediatric population. Here, we present proof-of-concept data on a minimally invasive microneedle (MN) patch platform codelivering three bnAbs, PGT121, VRC07-523LS, and PGDM1400LS, from separate MN patch units or pixels. Each 1 cm² patch pixel, fabricated via solvent casting, contained ∼2 mg of one bnAb. In ex vivo porcine skin tests, the MNs effectively penetrated the skin. When tested in vitro in PBS buffer, MNs …

Enhancing Graduate Surgical Education: Recommendations For Development Of Common Surgery Education And Training Accreditation Standards, Edwin Christopher Ellison, David B. Hoyt, L. D. Britt, Gerald B. Healy, John R. Potts Iii, Michael M. Awad, Eric A. Gantwerker, Apostolos Gaitanidis, Carol R. Bradford, Robert Phillip Burns, Mary T. Hawn, John G. Hunter, Cheryl T. Lee, Keith D. Lillemoe, Najjia N. Mahmoud, Jeffrey B. Matthews, Michael W. Neumeister, Kathleen C. Y. Sie, The Independent Committee For Graduate Surgical Education

Department Surgery Faculty Publications

Background:

Concerns persist within the surgical community that completion of an accredited surgical residency no longer consistently ensures that trainees are ready for independent practice. In response, the Independent Committee for Graduate Surgical Education (ICGSE) was established in January 2025 to address the unique requirements of surgical training. The committee’s mandate was to recommend program standards that would potentially optimize education and training for surgical residents, with the goal of improving patient care.

Methods:

The ICGSE, consisting of 71 surgeons across 16 specialties, reviewed the history of surgical accreditation and relevant literature. Workgroup-led discussions identified strategies for improving trainee readiness …

Eeg Signatures Of Motor Development In Early Childhood: A Systematic Review, Sonia Khurana, Ashwini Kulkarni, Thomas C. Bulea, Hunter J. Bennett

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Background

Early identification of motor developmental disorders is limited due to lack of objective neural markers that characterize typical neurodevelopmental patterns. This systematic review interprets and synthesizes existing evidence to propose a framework of EEG signatures associated with motor development in children aged 0-5 years, which may help inform future benchmarks for early assessment and intervention.

Methods

Following PRISMA guidelines, we searched published and gray literature across five databases between 2000 and 2025 (registered protocol). Included studies examined EEG during task-based, resting-state, or sleep studies linked to motor milestones, task performance, or standardized motor assessments. Study quality was assessed using …

Innovative Endovascular Stapling Technique Using The Aortoseal Device In Challenging Infrarenal Aortic Neck, Emidio Germano, Animesh Rathore, David J. Dexter

Department Surgery Faculty Publications

We report the use of the Aortoseal Endostapling system by Endoron in a 63-year-old man with infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm with high-risk neck features. Endovascular abdominal aneurysm repair was performed using a Medtronic Endurant IIs endograft with an adjunctive Aortoseal system as part of an international feasibility trial. The procedure was technically successful, with no endoleaks on completion angiography. Follow-up computed tomography angiography at 1 month confirmed a well-deployed AortoSeal system and complete aneurysm exclusion. This case highlights this innovative device and the technical considerations to enhance endograft proximal fixation with the potential to improve long-term outcomes in endovascular aneurysm …

Prognostic Factors For Patients Under 45 Undergoing Surgery For Colorectal Liver Metastases: A Seer Population-Based Study, Gabrielle Grob, Fang Fang, Matvey Karpov, Eric Feliberti, Marybeth Hughes, Rachel Burke, Winifred Lo

Department Surgery Faculty Publications

Background and Objectives: Colorectal cancer (CRC) has been on the rise in adults younger than 50. Surgical resection is a potentially curative treatment option for patients with colorectal liver metastases (CRLM). The aim of this study was to describe patient and tumor characteristics associated with disease-specific survival in young patients (<  45 years) versus older patients (≥ 45 years) with isolated CRLM.

Methods: The SEER database was queried for patients with CRLM who underwent colon and liver resection from 2010 to 2021. Patients under age 20, with metastases beyond the liver, or who had not had surgery for liver metastases were excluded. Cox regression was used to analyze demographic factors, tumor …

Expanded Scorpionate And Siderophore-Inspired Ligands: From Foundational Designs To Modern Applications, Austin Winfield Medley, Trandon Allen Bender

Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty Publications

Scorpionate ligands have been advanced significantly through systematic modifications of their apical atoms and heterocyclic arms, expanding their structural diversity and chemical reactivity. Recent biologically inspired variants now enable accurate modeling of complex bioinorganic motifs, such as the Fe₄S₄ clusters of nitrogenase, and support enzyme‐like reactivity under mild aqueous conditions. These developments have broadened the impact of scorpionate chemistry across bioinorganic modeling, homogeneous catalysis, and biorthogonal transformations. In particular, expanded tripodal scaffolds provide modular, tunable platforms for mimicking enzyme active sites and probing biological nitrogen fixation pathways. Beyond fundamental insight, these ligands present practical opportunities for sustainable catalysis by enabling …

From Screens To Stress: Public Health Implications Of Cancer Worry In A Digitally Connected World, Shreya Mathur, Ethan Burns, Michael Pokojovy, Tzu-Liang Bill Tseng, Sunil Mathur

Mathematics & Statistics Faculty Publications

Aims:

This study examines how digital information environments, genetic testing experiences, health behaviors, and psychological distress influence cancer-related worry among adults in the United States. It further considers the public health implications of elevated or reduced cancer worry for prevention and risk communication.

Methods:

Data were drawn from a nationally representative survey of 6,252 U.S. adults. Measures included reliance on social media for health decision-making, smoking status, history of genetic testing, and psychological distress. Multivariable analyses assessed associations between these factors and levels of cancer worry.

Results/Findings:

Reliance on social media for health decisions was associated with greater cancer worry, …

Revisiting Nasal Polyp Scoring In Clinical Trials: Interpretive Variability And The Need For Standardization, Leigh J. Sowerby, Babak Pourmomenarabi, Antonino Maniaci, Olivia Ginty, Joseph Khristian Han

Department of Otolaryngology (ENT) Faculty Publications

[Introduction] Borish et al. provided an excellent review highlighting methodological variability among the six pivotal Phase III trials [1]. One critical yet overlooked issue is the inconsistent application of the endoscopic nasal polyp score (NPS), a primary outcome measure in all trials.

Dupilumab In Chronic Rhinosinusitis Without Nasal Polyps: Randomized Phase 2 Trial (Orion), Stella E. Lee, Anju T. Peters, Philippe Gevaert, Joseph K. Han, Claus Bachert, Francisco Moreira Da Silva, Andrés Rosenblüt, Chih-Chi Hu, Jennifer Maloney, Paolo Caferra, Adrianna Michalak, Andrew P. Fontenot, Lacey B. Robinson, Neelam A. Phadke

Department of Otolaryngology (ENT) Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is often driven by type 2 inflammation and is characterized by nasal obstruction/ discharge, facial pain/pressure, and/or reduced smell, either with or without nasal polyps (CRSwNP or CRSsNP).

OBJECTIVE: To test whether dupilumab improves radiographic features in CRSsNP. Methods: ORION (NCT04678856), a phase 2, randomized, multicenter, double blind, placebo-controlled study, assessed dupilumab efficacy and safety in adults with uncontrolled CRSsNP. Patients were randomized 1:1 to dupilumab or placebo for 24 to 52 weeks. Endpoints included changes from baseline at week 24 in Lund–Mackay computed tomography (LMK-CT) score (dupilumab only [primary] and vs placebo [secondary]), sinus Total …

Indirect Treatment Comparison Of Tezepelumab Versus Other Biologics In Severe Chronic Rhinosinusitis With Nasal Polyps: A Systematic Literature Review And Network Meta-Analysis, Joseph K. Han, Joaquim Mullol, Claire Hopkins, Oliver Pfaar, Martin Desrosiers, Jason Steenkamp, Danny Gibson, Santiago Zuluaga Sanchez, Andrew Foster, Christopher S. Ambrose

Department of Otolaryngology (ENT) Faculty Publications

Introduction

This study compared the efficacy of tezepelumab with other approved biologics and endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) using indirect treatment comparisons (ITCs) in adults with severe, uncontrolled chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP).

Methods

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) identified via a systematic literature review (SLR) were synthesized in a network meta-analysis (NMA). Outcomes included change from baseline in nasal polyp score (NPS), nasal congestion/obstruction score (NCS/NOS), difficulty with sense of smell (DSS), Sino-Nasal Outcome Test-22 (SNOT-22) score, Lund Mackay score (LMS), time to nasal polyposis (NP) surgery decision, proportions requiring NP surgery or systemic corticosteroids (SCS), time to SCS use, …

The Moderating Role Of Social And Emotional Support In The Association Between Adverse Childhood Experiences And Adult Mental Health Across Racial Groups: The Need For Investing In Social Capital, Syeda S. Jesmin, Aditya Chakraborty

Epidemiology, Biostatistics, & Environmental Health Faculty Publications

Background

The sustained impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) on mental health outcomes in adulthood is well documented in the literature. ACE survivors may be especially vulnerable to poor mental health outcomes if they have limited or no social support. This study examined the moderating role of social support on the association of ACEs and mental health across different racial groups.

Methods

Data were obtained from the 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (n = 14,327). The nine ACE questions about traumatic events in childhood were used to create ACE scores. Chi-square tests were used for bivariate comparisons. Both stratified …

Gender Differences In The Association Between Adverse Childhood Experiences And Drug Use: Findings From A Community-Based Survey In China, Hongyun Fu, Elizabeth Monk-Turner, Xiushi Yang

Department of Pediatrics Faculty Publications

Background

While adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are widely recognized risk factors for behavioral health problems, including drug use, prior research has largely been conducted in Western countries, focused primarily on males, and relied on convenience samples without comparison groups of nonusers. Limited work has examined the impact of ACEs on drug use in non-Western contexts. This study examines gender differences in the relationship between ACEs and drug use in China, using data from a population-based probability sample survey.

Methods:

Cross-sectional data were collected in 2019 from one city in Yunnan Province in Southwest China and one city in Guangdong Province …

Ocular Surface Disease Following Lasik And Cataract Surgery: A Review Of Their Interrelated Complications, Matthew D. Spangler, Nila Kirupaharan, John D. Sheppard

Department of Ophthalmology Faculty Publications

Background: Ocular surface disease is a multifactorial condition that is very commonly caused by dry eye disease (DED). Ophthalmic procedures intended to improve visual outcomes, laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and cataract surgery, can paradoxically cause or exacerbate underlying ocular surface disease. This results in worsening vision and quality of life.

Areas covered: This review examines the pathophysiological mechanisms contributing to ocular surface disease development following LASIK and cataract surgery. Both procedures are associated with the transection of corneal nerves, leading to decreased tear production, surface instability, altered neurotrophin production, and impairment of the blink reflex. Furthermore, these incisional procedures …

Development Of A Semi-Mechanistic Population Pharmacokinetic Model For Predicting Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate And Tenofovir Alafenamide Exposure In Plasma And Cellular Matrices During Pregnancy And Postpartum, Yifan Yu, Kristina M. Brooks, Gustavo F. Doncel, Brookie M. Best, Mark A. Marzinke, Mark Mirochnick, Peter Anderson, Landon Myer, Connie Celum, Renee Heffron, Jenell Coleman, Dvora Joseph Davey, Craig W. Hendrix, Jeremiah D. Momper, Robert Bies, Rachel K. Scott

CONRAD Publications

Background and Objective

Tenofovir (TFV)-based regimens are backbones of both HIV treatment and pre-exposure prophylaxis during pregnancy. Multiple studies have shown up to one-third decreases in dried blood spot tenofovir-diphosphate concentrations during pregnancy among participants taking tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF). Currently, there are no mechanism-based models describing the pharmacokinetics of tenofovir diphosphate (the active anabolite) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of pregnant individuals receiving TDF or tenofovir alafenamide (TAF), and the mechanisms behind observed differences between dried blood spots and PBMCs remain unclear.

Methods

To address this gap, we developed a semi-mechanistic model to simultaneously describe the pharmacokinetics of …

Outcomes Of Allogeneic Ocular Surface Stem Cell Transplantation, Albert Y. Cheung, Natalia Quiroz-Casian, Enrica Sarnicola, Gautam C. Ramanathan, Siddharth Nath, Edward J. Holland

Department of Ophthalmology Faculty Publications

Allogeneic ocular surface stem cell transplantation (OSST) is an established therapeutic approach for limbal stem cell deficiency, utilizing techniques such as keratolimbal allograft (KLAL), living-related conjunctival limbal allograft (lr-CLAL), allogeneic cultivated limbal epithelial transplantation (allo-CLET), and allogeneic simple limbal epithelial transplantation (allo-SLET). This review synthesizes evidence from 35 studies encompassing 1, 268 eyes with at least 24 months of follow-up to evaluate intermediate- and long-term outcomes. Overall, OSST is associated with improvement in visual acuity and restoration of ocular surface stability, although success rates vary widely by technique, ranging from 13% to 87%. Outcomes appear to be influenced by the …

The 2025 American Society Of Pediatric Otolaryngology Workforce And Compensation Survey: Current State And Future Directions, Lyndy J. Wilcox, Cristina M. Baldassari, Amy C. Brenski, Emily Boss, John Carter, David H. Chi, William O. Collins, Charles E. Elmaraghy, Andrew J. Tompkins, Craig S. Derkay, The Aspo 2025 Workforce And Compensation Committee

Department of Otolaryngology (ENT) Faculty Publications

Objective

To provide an updated comprehensive assessment of the Pediatric Otolaryngology workforce in the United States inclusive of compensation, productivity, practice patterns, and on-call burden.

Study Design

Cross-sectional electronic survey.

Methods

A structured electronic survey was developed by members of the American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology (ASPO) Workforce and Compensation Committee. The survey evaluated six domains: demographics, compensation, workforce dynamics, productivity, on-call burden, and future priorities, and was distributed to all 480 presumedly actively-practicing, domestic ASPO members.

Results

The survey response rate was 68% (327/480). Ninety-one percent of respondents held an academic appointment with relatively equal percentages of each rank …

Medical Image Feature Extraction And Selection Based On Inception V3 And Gini Index For Cervical Cancer Cells Identification, Rachida Assawab, Mounir Ouzir, Badreddine Benyacoub, Abderrahim Electrochemical Sensor For Tenofovir Allati, Ismail El Moudden

Research and Infrastructure Service Enterprise (RISE) Faculty Publications

Background: Cervical cancer remains the fourth most common cancer in women globally, with 604,000 new cases annually. Early detection through cytological screening is critical, but manual interpretation suffers from high false negative rates and requires expert pathologists often unavailable in resource-limited settings.

Methods: We developed a novel hybrid framework combining InceptionV3-based deep feature extraction with Gini Index feature selection for automated cervical cancer cell classification. Using the Herlev dataset (917 Pap smear images: 242 normal, 675 abnormal), we extracted 2048 deep features and applied systematic feature selection to identify optimal discriminative subsets. Comprehensive clustering analysis (K-means, K-medoid, Fuzzy clustering) validated …

Neurotensin Drives Theca Cell Migration During Ovulation In Primates, Jessica S. Miller, Megan A. G. Sage, Thomas E. Curry Jr., Diane M. Duffy

Department of Biomedical and Translational Sciences Faculty Publications

Theca cells are a critical steroidogenic cell type of the ovarian follicle and corpus luteum. The ovulatory luteinizing hormone (LH) surge (or human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)) stimulates theca cell relocation from the stroma surrounding the dominant follicle to full integration into the developing corpus luteum. Luteinizing hormone/human chorionic gonadotropin also stimulates granulosa cells to produce local mediators of ovulation, including the peptide neurotensin (NTS). To determine if hCG-stimulated NTS regulates theca cell relocation within the ovulatory follicle, vehicle or an NTS receptor antagonist was injected into a macaque dominant follicle, and ovaries were removed 48 h after hCG administration. Additional …

Skeletal Muscle Myofiber Development In Non-Human Primate Offspring Deprived Of Estrogen In Utero, Phillip J. Gauronskas, Terrie J. Lynch, Eugene D. Albrecht, Gerald J. Pepe

Department of Biomedical and Translational Sciences Faculty Publications

Introduction: We previously showed that baboon offspring born to mothers deprived of estrogen during the second half of gestation exhibited insulin resistance prior to and after the onset of puberty. Moreover, the size of skeletal muscle myofibers and the number of microvessels important for delivery of insulin/glucose to myofibers were lower in near-term fetuses deprived of estrogen during pregnancy, and myofiber capillarization remained reduced in post-pubertal offspring deprived of estrogen in utero. However, it remains to be determined whether skeletal muscle size is restored to normal in animals deprived of estrogen in utero after the onset of puberty/gonadal estrogen production. …

Brief Pulses Of High-Level Fluid Shear Stress Enhance Metastatic Potential And Rapidly Alter The Metabolism Of Cancer Cells, Amanda N. Pope, Devon L. Moose, Guy O. Hudson, Hank R. Weresh, Marion R. Dykstra, Aabha Y. Joshi, Patrick Breheny, Eric B. Taylor, Michael D. Henry

Department of Biomedical and Translational Sciences Faculty Publications

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) face challenges to their survival, including mechanical and oxidative stresses that are different from cancer cells in solid primary and metastatic tumors. The impact of adaptations to the fluid microenvironment of the circulation on the outcome of the metastatic cascade is not well understood. Here, we find that cancer cells exposed to brief pulses of high-level fluid shear stress (FSS) exhibit enhanced invasiveness and anchorage-independent proliferation in vitro and enhanced metastatic colonization/tumor formation in vivo. Cancer cells exposed to FSS rapidly alter their metabolism in a manner that promotes survival by providing energy for cytoskeletal remodeling …

Stat4-Dependent Regulation Of Neuroinflammation In Atherosclerosis, Natalie Stahr, Alina K. Moriarty, Shelby D. Ma, W. Coles Keeter, Woong-Ki Kim, Larry D. Sanford, Elena V. Galkina

Department of Biomedical and Translational Sciences Faculty Publications

Atherosclerosis is linked to an increased risk of cognitive decline, with chronic inflammation being a common feature of both pathologies. IL-12 activates STAT4 to regulate myeloid cell functions, and blockade of this pathway alleviates cognitive impairment in Alzheimer's models. However, the mechanisms connecting vascular pathology to neuroinflammation remain unclear. Here, we examine whether STAT4 functions as a common mediator of neuroinflammation in atherosclerosis. We demonstrate that LysM^Cre-specific STAT4 deficiency ameliorates deficits in long-term memory in low-density lipoprotein-deficient (Ldlr^-/-) mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD-C). STAT4 deficiency moderately reduces Ser199-phosphorylated Tau burden. Atherosclerosis alters brain immune …

Senescent Fibroblasts In Aging And Pulmonary Fibrosis, Sara B. Palega, Aiwei Y. Borengasser, Yan Y. Sanders

Department of Biomedical and Translational Sciences Faculty Publications

Aging is a major risk factor for many chronic lung diseases, including Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF), a fatal and incurable disease characterized by progressive fibrotic remodeling. Age-associated structural alterations, impaired regenerative capacity, and dysregulated cellular signaling collectively create a pro-fibrotic microenvironment. A central driver of this pathological shift is the accumulation of senescent cells, which undergo irreversible growth arrest and develop a robust pro-inflammatory senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). Emerging evidence identifies senescent lung fibroblasts as critical mediators of IPF pathogenesis. These cells promote excessive extracellular matrix deposition, myofibroblast differentiation, and tissue stiffening, while simultaneously impairing epithelial regeneration. Together, these effects …

Lipid And Foam Cell Accumulation As Novel Pathological Features Of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, Dita Julianingsih, Samara V. Silver, Thaissa Horne, Kasun Gunawardena, Savannah Ward, Alicia Malewska, Douglas Strand, Julius Nyalwidhe, Ilya Sobol, Petra Popovics

Department of Biomedical and Translational Sciences Faculty Publications

Background

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) encompasses a heterogeneous set of pathological processes that instigate lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Using a mouse model of steroid hormone imbalance-induced lower urinary tract dysfunction, we identified luminal lipid-laden foamy macrophages, although their presence and contribution to human pathology have not yet been established. The objective of this study was to determine whether luminal macrophages are associated with human BPH and to assess how lipid accumulation relates to underlying pathological features and clinical parameters.

Methods

Whole-mount tissue sections from simple prostatectomy specimens and prostates from healthy donors were used to evaluate the association of …

Prepregnancy Overweight And Obesity In Kuwait Birth Cohort Study, Abdullah Al-Taiar, Ali H. Ziyab, Eelaf A. Husain, Maryam M.Y. Mohammad, Maryem A. Shamsah, Noor Salah Alali, Reem Sharaf-Alddin, Majeda S. Hammoud

Epidemiology, Biostatistics, & Environmental Health Faculty Publications

Objectives: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of prepregnancy obesity and overweight, and to identify a set of sociodemographic factors that could guide weight management interventions for women prior to conception.

Design, Sample, and Measurements: Pregnant women (N = 989) were recruited in the Kuwait Birth Cohort Study during the period June 2017 to February 2020. Prepregnancy weight and height were self-reported, while current weight and height were measured in a standardized procedure. Data on sociodemographic factors were collected through face-to-face interviews conducted by a trained data collector. Multinomial logistic regression was used to investigate the association between sociodemographic …