Medical Specialties Commons^™

Do You Know The Pathophysiology Of Cytokine Storm During Covid-19?, Shameera Shaik Masthan, Deekshitha Turaka, Ahmed Abdelhaleem, Mounica Vorla, Steven B. Lippmann

The University of Louisville Journal of Respiratory Infections

No abstract provided.

Global Current Practice Patterns For The Management Of Hyphema, Sarah C Miller, Prajna Meeralakshmi, Michael J Fliotsos, Grant A Justin, Yoshihiro Yonekawa, Ariel Chen, Annette K Hoskin, Richard J Blanch, Kara M Cavuoto, Rebecca Low, Ximin Li, Matthew Gardiner, T Y Alvin Liu, Ankoor S Shah, James D Auran, Rupesh Agrawal, Fasika A Woreta, International Globe And Adnexal Trauma Epidemiology Study (Igates)

Wills Eye Hospital Papers

Purpose: Hyphema is a sequela of ocular trauma and can be associated with significant morbidity. Management of this condition is variable and can depend on individual institutional guidelines. We aimed to summarize current practices in hyphema management across ophthalmological institutions worldwide.

Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted across North America, Asia, South America, Africa, Europe, and Australia from August 2020 to January 2021. The survey assessed the existing practices in the management of hyphema at each institution.

Results: For layered hyphema, topical steroids were routinely administered by 34 (of 36 respondents, 94.4%) institutions, of which prednisolone was the preferred …

Diagnostic Accuracy Of Ultrasound In Predicting Extrathyroidal Extension And Its Relation To Body Mass Index In A North American Population, Mahmoud Omar, Abdallah S. Attia, Peter P. Issa, Bryce R. Christensen, Kavin Sugumar, Ahmed Alnahla, Deena Hadedeya, Hosam Shalaby, Neel Gupta, Mohamed Shama, Eman Toraih, Emad Kandil

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Detection of extrathyroidal extension (ETE) in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) influences treatment plan and surgical aggressiveness. Ultrasound (US) is the long-standing preoperative imaging method of choice. Recent literature from Asia suggests US accuracy to be influenced by patient characteristics, such as body mass index (BMI). Here, we examine the effect of BMI on the accuracy of US at a North American tertiary referral center. A total of 204 PTC-confirmed patients were retrospectively read by a radiologist blinded to surgical pathology findings. The radiologist recorded multiple sonographic features, including ETE, loss of echogenic capsule, nodule vascularity, capsular abutment, and …

Tigit Is The Central Player In T-Cell Suppression Associated With Car T-Cell Relapse In Mantle Cell Lymphoma, Vivian Changying Jiang, Dapeng Hao, Preetesh Jain, Yijing Li, Qingsong Cai, Yixin Yao, Lei Nie, Yang Liu, Jingling Jin, Wei Wang, Heng-Huan Lee, Yuxuan Che, Enyu Dai, Guangchun Han, Ruiping Wang, Kunal Rai, Andrew Futreal, Christopher Flowers, Linghua Wang, Michael Wang

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy using brexucabtagene autoleucel (BA) induces remission in many patients with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), and BA is the only CAR T-cell therapy approved by the FDA for MCL. However, development of relapses to BA is recognized with poor patient outcomes. Multiple CAR T-cell therapies have been approved for other lymphomas and the resistance mechanisms have been investigated. However, the mechanisms underlying BA relapse in MCL have not been investigated and whether any previously reported resistance mechanisms apply to BA-relapsed patients with MCL is unknown.

METHODS: To interrogate BA resistance mechanisms in MCL, we …

Il-6 And Tnf-Α Responses To Acute And Regular Exercise In Adult Individuals With Multiple Sclerosis (Ms): A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Parnian Shobeiri, Homa Seyedmirzaei, Nastaran Karimi, Fatemeh Rashidi, Antônio L Teixeira, Serge Brand, Dena Sadeghi-Bahmani, Nima Rezaei

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: In both the general population and people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS), physical exercise is associated with improved mental well-being. Moreover, there is evidence of the possible protection of physical activity against disease progression in multiple sclerosis (MS). However, the question arises if acute or regular exercise has any impact on the immune system in PwMS. To answer this question, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis on both plasma and serum cytokine levels (IL-6 and TNF-α) before and after acute and regular exercise among PwMS and compared to healthy controls.

Method: We performed an online search via PubMed, EMBASE, …

Nasal Nitric Oxide Levels: Improving The Diagnosis Of Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia In Puerto Rico, Wilfredo De Jesús-Rojas, Francisco Alvarado-Huerta, Jesús M Meléndez-Montañez, José Muñiz-Hernández, Arnaldo Santos-López, Ricardo A Mosquera

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD) is a rare genetic disease characterized by motile cilia dysfunction with a prevalence of 1 in 16,309 individuals in Hispanic populations. In Puerto Rico, the prevalence of PCD is unknown. Diagnosis of PCD in Puerto Rico is challenging due to the lack of diagnostic technology. Algorithms for PCD diagnosis include clinical history, genetic testing, ciliary biopsy, and nasal Nitric Oxide (nNO) levels. For the first time, this study successfully implemented and measured the nNO levels in subjects with the RSPH4A (c.921+3_921+6del (intronic)) as a diagnostic tool to complement the current algorithm for PCD diagnosis on the …

Effect Of Al2o3 On Nanostructure And Ion Transport Properties Of Pva/Peg/Ssa Polymer Electrolyte Membrane, Hamdy F M Mohamed, Esam E Abdel-Hady, Mostafa M Y Abdel-Moneim, Mohamed A M Bakr, Mohamed A M Soliman, Mahmoud G H Shehata, Mahmoud A T Ismail

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells have the potential to reduce our energy consumption, pollutant emissions, and dependence on fossil fuels. To achieve a wide range of commercial PEMs, many efforts have been made to create novel polymer-based materials that can transport protons under anhydrous conditions. In this study, cross-linked poly(vinyl) alcohol (PVA)/poly(ethylene) glycol (PEG) membranes with varying alumina (Al2O3) content were synthesized using the solvent solution method. Wide-angle X-ray diffraction (XRD), water uptake, ion exchange capacity (IEC), and proton conductivity were then used to characterize the membranes. XRD results showed that the concentration of Al2O3 affected the degree of …

Association Of Hypomagnesemia And Liver Injury, Role Of Gut-Barrier Dysfunction And Inflammation: Efficacy Of Abstinence, And 2-Week Medical Management In Alcohol Use Disorder Patients., Evan J. Winrich, Khushboo S. Gala, Abhas Rajhans, Christian D. Rios-Perez, Amor J. Royer, Zarlakhta Zamani, Ranganathan Parthasarathy, Luis S. Marsano-Obando, Ashutosh J. Barve, Melanie L. Schwandt, Vatsalya Vatsalya

Faculty and Staff Scholarship

(1) We investigated the involvement of serum magnesium level in early alcoholic liver disease (ALD), gut barrier dysfunction, and inflammation in alcohol use disorder (AUD) patients; and lastly, the efficacy of 2-week abstinence and medical management to alleviate hypomagnesemia. (2) Forty-eight heavy drinking AUD patients (34 males (M)/14 females (F)) participated in this study. Patients were grouped by serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level (a marker of liver injury) as group 1 (Group 1 (Gr.1); ALT ≤ 40 U/L, 7M/8F, without any indication of early-stage ALD) and group 2 (Group 2 (Gr.2); ALT > 40 U/L, 27M/6F or early-stage ALD). These patients …

Analysis Of The Efficacy Of Autologous Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation In High-Risk Neuroblastoma, Jin Yan, Li Jie, Yang Jiaxing, Cao Yanna, Li Zhanglin, Li Zhongyuan, Wang Daowei, Zhao Guangzong, Zhong Benfu, Yan Jie, Zhao Qiang

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objective: This study aimed to analyze the efficacy of autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation for high-risk neuroblastoma in China.

Methods: The data of 90 high-risk neuroblastoma patients treated with the CCCG-NB 2015 regimen were reviewed. The baseline clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis were analyzed and compared. In addition, the prognoses of tandem autologous stem cell transplantation and single autologous stem cell transplantation groups were compared.

Results: The results of survival analysis showed that autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation based on this pretreatment regimen significantly improved the prognosis of children in the high-risk group. The 3-year event-free survival (EFS) and …

Effect Of Yoga And Mindfulness Intervention On Symptoms Of Anxiety And Depression In Young Adolescents Attending Middle School: A Pragmatic Community-Based Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial In A Racially Diverse Urban Setting, Alessandra N. Bazzano, Yaoyao Sun, Vaughne Chavez-Gray, Temitope Akintimehin, Jeanette Gustat, Denise Barrera, Cody Roi

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Mental health conditions in childhood and adolescence are increasing in the U.S. population and require early intervention, as highlighted by a recent Surgeon General’s Advisory on Protecting Youth Mental Health. These health issues, which have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, impair functioning, and may lead to longer term reductions in quality of life. Young adolescents are likely to experience stressors including academic pressure, feelings of loneliness and isolation, and excessive exposure to social media, all of which have been made worse by the pandemic and associated disruptions. Universal preventive programs at school serve as an important strategy for equipping …

Study Protocol For An Adapted Personal Project Analysis To Measure Vertical Inter-Goal Relations On Physical Activity And Diet, Sara Kassas, Catherine Culot, Geert Crombez, Annique Smeding, Christophe Leys, Debbe Thompson, Ann Desmet

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Background: The promotion of multiple healthy lifestyles has been implemented as part of public health efforts to prevent and reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases. However, these interventions have shown a heterogeneity in their effectiveness. The pursuit of multiple daily goals may influence overall progress in achieving health goals. Horizontal inter-goal relations can be conflicting (due to time constraints) or facilitating (due to goal compatibility) and impact progress towards goal achievement. Personal values also play an important role in health promotion. Personal values direct attention towards accomplishing a higher-level goal through goal setting. Identifying the conflicting or facilitating relationships between …

Routine Use Of Closed Suction Drains Following Revision Arthroplasty May Not Be Necessary, Farideh Najafi, Jonah M. Stein, Nicholas V. Peterson, Michael Meghpara, Matthew B. Sherman, Camilo Restrepo, Javad Parvizi

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: There are numerous studies demonstrating that closed suction drainage (CSD) usage after primary total joint arthroplasty (TJA) has little to no benefit. There are little data on the role of CSDs after revision TJA. The purpose of our study was to evaluate whether there is any clinical advantage to CSD usage after revision TJA.

METHODS: This retrospective study evaluated the clinical records of 2,030 patients undergoing revision TJA between 2007 and 2021. CSD was used in 472 patients and not used in 1,558 patients. Primary outcome was blood transfusion rate and secondary outcomes included total blood loss (TBL), as …

Temporal Lobe White Matter Asymmetry And Language Laterality In Epilepsy Patients, Nikolaos Soldatos, Huy Pham, Walid D Fakhouri, Binh Ngo, Panagiotis Lampropoulos, Tiffany Tran, Robin Weltman

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

(1) Background: Several studies showed a sustained temperature of 47 °C or 50 °C for one minute resulted in vascular stasis and bone resorption with only limited bone regrowth over a 3–4-week healing period. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the temperature changes (ΔΤ) that occur during the preparation of dental implant osteotomies using MIS® straight drills versus Densah® burs in a clockwise (cutting) drilling protocol. (2) Methods: Two hundred forty (240) osteotomies of two different systems’ drills were prepared at 6 mm depth at 800, 1000, and 1200 revolutions per minute (RPM), in fresh, unembalmed tibiae, …

Hemodynamic Variations In Cardiogenic Shock Phenotypes, Jason Katz

Journal of Shock and Hemodynamics

Patients with cardiogenic shock are not all the same. They present with a variety of hemodynamic profiles and other features that may allow us to create specific phenotypes. It is possible that phenotyping these patients at presentation may then help us to identify the optimal and earliest therapies that will improve outcomes and, at the same time, help us to overcome some of the heterogeneity currently undermining clinical trials.

The Road To Championship: An Example Of An Individual With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Halil Sarol, Rıfat Kerem Gürkan, Bülent Gürbüz

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

The aim of this research is to investigate the road to championship of an individual with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) who began physical activity in childhood under parental influence and won medals in competition as an athlete. In this research, founded on the phenomenological pattern from qualitative research models, data were collected in a semi-structured interview. Face-to-face interviews were held with the family, coach and the research participant. The content analysis method was used. The individual with ASD began a physical activity program in a special education center in childhood under parental influence and psychiatric referral. The individual with ASD …

The Development And Growth Of Cardio-Oncology Or Onco-Cardiology, Bernard Man Yung Cheung, Chu Pak Lau

Journal of the Hong Kong College of Cardiology

No abstract provided.

Predicting At-Risk Opioid Use Three Months After Ed Visit For Trauma: Results From The Aurora Study, Brittany E. Punches, Uwe Stolz, Caroline E. Freiermuth, Rachel M. Ancona, Samuel A. Mclean, Stacey L. House, Francesca L. Beaudoin, Xinming An, Jennifer S. Stevens, Donglin Zeng, Thomas C. Neylan, Gari D. Clifford, Tanja Jovanovic, Sarah D. Linnstaedt, Laura T. Germine, Kenneth A. Bollen, Scott L. Rauch, John P. Haran, Alan B. Storrow, Christopher Lewandowski, Paul I. Musey Jr., Phyllis L. Hendry, Sophia Sheikh, Christopher W. Jones, Michael C. Kurz, Nina T. Gentile, Meghan E. Mcgrath, Lauren A. Hudak, Jose L. Pascual, Mark J. Seamon, Erica Harris, Anna M. Chang, Claire Pearson, David A. Peak, Roland C. Merchant, Robert M. Domeier, Niels K. Rathlev, Brian J. O'Neil, Leon D. Sanchez, Steven E. Bruce, Robert H. Pietrzak, Jutta Joormann, Deanna M. Barch, Diego A. Pizzagalli, Jordan W. Smoller, Beatriz Luna, Steven E. Harte, James M. Elliott, Ronald C. Kessler, Kerry J. Ressler, Karestan C. Koenen, Michael S. Lyons

Department of Emergency Medicine Faculty Papers

OBJECTIVE: Whether short-term, low-potency opioid prescriptions for acute pain lead to future at-risk opioid use remains controversial and inadequately characterized. Our objective was to measure the association between emergency department (ED) opioid analgesic exposure after a physical, trauma-related event and subsequent opioid use. We hypothesized ED opioid analgesic exposure is associated with subsequent at-risk opioid use.

METHODS: Participants were enrolled in AURORA, a prospective cohort study of adult patients in 29 U.S., urban EDs receiving care for a traumatic event. Exclusion criteria were hospital admission, persons reporting any non-medical opioid use (e.g., opioids without prescription or taking more than prescribed …

Cancer As A Channelopathy—Appreciation Of Complimentary Pathways Provides A Different Perspective For Developing Treatments, Harry J. [email protected] Gould, Dennis Paul

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Life depends upon the ability of cells to evaluate and adapt to a constantly changing environment and to maintain internal stability to allow essential biochemical reactions to occur. Ions and ion channels play a crucial role in this process and are essential for survival. Alterations in the expression of the transmembrane proteins responsible for maintaining ion balance that occur as a result of mutations in the genetic code or in response to iatrogenically induced changes in the extracellular environment is a characteristic feature of oncogenesis and identifies cancer as one of a constellation of diseases known as channelopathies. The classification …

Irreversible Electroporation For Recurrent Pelvic Metastases: Case Series And Literature Review., Duncan A. Stevens, Jeffrey H. Savin, Brett J. Friedman, Michael A. Savin

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Purpose: Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is a nonthermal ablative technique that has potential safety advantages over thermal ablation in the treatment of tumors near critical structures. It creates an electrical field which forms permanent nanopores in the membranes of cells and triggers apoptosis. This case series reviews three patients with pelvic metastases from colorectal cancer treated with IRE.

Material and Methods: Two patients had rectal cancer and one sigmoid colon cancer. The mean age was 55 years and there were two males and one female. Thermal ablation was contraindicated due to proximity to ureter, bladder, bowel, and/or sciatic or lumbosacral nerves. …

Case Report: The Promising Application Of Dynamic Functional Connectivity Analysis On An Individual With Failed Back Surgery Syndrome, Jingya Miao, Isaiah Ailes, Laura Krisa, Kristen Fleming, Devon Middleton, Kiran Talekar, Peter Natale, Feroze B. Mohamed, Kevin Hines, Caio M. Matias, Mahdi Alizadeh

Department of Neurosurgery Faculty Papers

Failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS), a chronic neuropathic pain condition, is a common indication for spinal cord stimulation (SCS). However, the mechanisms of SCS, especially its effects on supraspinal/brain functional connectivity, are still not fully understood. Resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI) studies have shown characteristics in patients with chronic low back pain (cLBP). In this case study, we performed rsfMRI scanning (3.0 T) on an FBSS patient, who presented with chronic low back and leg pain following her previous lumbar microdiscectomy and had undergone permanent SCS. Appropriate MRI safety measures were undertaken to scan this subject. Seed-based functional …

Sterile Setup Table In The Operating Room Is Not So Sterile, Farideh Najafi, Diana Fernández-Rodríguez, Javad Parvizi

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: One of the important factors for surgical site infection prevention is the implementation of an ultraclean operating room. This study was designed to evaluate back-table sterility during total joint arthroplasty.

METHODS: This prospective study includes 52 patients undergoing primary total joint arthroplasty between November 2021 and January 2022. A total of 4 swabs (2 air swabs and 2 table swabs) were obtained for each case, at the conclusion of surgery and prior to the takedown of drapes. One swab from each set was sent for culture, and the other was sent for next-generation sequencing (NGS) analysis.

RESULTS: Among 104 …

To Bind Or Not To Bind: Cistromic Reprogramming In Prostate Cancer, Michelle Shen, Léa-Kristine Demers, Swneke D Bailey, David P Labbé

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The term "cistrome" refers to the genome-wide location of regulatory elements associated with transcription factor binding-sites. The cistrome of key regulatory factors in prostate cancer etiology are substantially reprogrammed and altered during prostatic transformation and disease progression. For instance, the cistrome of the androgen receptor (AR), a ligand-inducible transcription factor central in normal prostate epithelium biology, is directly impacted and substantially reprogrammed during malignant transformation. Accumulating evidence demonstrates that additional transcription factors that are frequently mutated, or aberrantly expressed in prostate cancer, such as the pioneer transcription factors Forkhead Box A1 (FOXA1), the homeobox protein HOXB13, and the GATA binding …

The Value Of 3d Vena Contracta Area In A Patient With Degenerative Mitral Regurgitation And Multiple Jets, Shing Ching, Chiu Sun Yue

Journal of the Hong Kong College of Cardiology

Quantification of degenerative mitral regurgitation with multiple jets in atrial fibrillation is challenging with two dimensional techniques and may underestimate the severity. We report the feasibility and advantages of vena contracta area in three dimensional transesophageal echocardiography in evaluation of such a patient.

From Bad To Worse: The Clinical Spectrum Of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Myocarditis And Associated 3m Syndrome With Concomitant Myositis And Myasthenia, Tsun-Ho Lam, Jeffrey Sum-Lung Wong, Chun-Ka Wong, Gerry Gin Wai Kwok, Miaochang Zhou, Benjamin Yu-Fai So, Ian Yu-Hin Leung, Hung-Fat Tse

Journal of the Hong Kong College of Cardiology

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), though revolutionizing cancer care, are well known to cause a diverse array of autoimmune side effects termed immune-related adverse events (IRAEs). ICI Myocarditis is a rare manifestation of IRAE associated with high mortality. We report two cases of fulminant ICI myocarditis refractory to potent immunosuppressants. Our first patient received pembrolizumab for lymphoma, small cell lung cancer and renal cell carcinoma. After 13 doses of ICIs, he developed fulminant myocarditis with concomitant lower-motor neuron type facial nerve palsy. Despite receiving triple immunosuppressive therapies with pulse steroid, mycophenolate mofetil and basiliximab, his cardiac condition progressively worsened and eventually …

Epidemiology And Characteristics Of Surgical Intervention For Infective Endocarditis: A Population-Based Study In The Past Two Decades (2000 – 2019) In Hong Kong, Hang-Long Li, Yi-Kei Tse, Cong Chen, Si-Dong Cai, Meng-Qi Su, Mei-Zhen Wu, Qing-Wen Ren, Jia-Yi Huang, Si-Yeung Yu, Yap-Hang Chan, Hung-Fat Tse, Kai-Hang Yiu

Journal of the Hong Kong College of Cardiology

Background

The ‘inflamm-ageing’ phenomenon may worsen the prognosis of heart diseases including infective endocarditis (IE), while surgery may reduce inflammatory burden by direct removal of bacterial vegetation. This study aims to characterize the epidemiological and clinical features of surgical intervention for IE in Hong Kong in the past two decades.

Methods

All patients with incident IE from 2000-2019 in a territory-wide database were identified. We studied the trends in age-specific incidence of IE and identified the most significant contributors to 1-year all-cause death using the population attributable fraction (PAF). A propensity score approach was used to evaluate the benefits of …

Indicators Of Cardiac Autonomic Dysfunction Associated With Chronic Hyperglycemia: Implications On Vascular Surrogates And Heart Failure, Yap-Hang Chan, Bernard Man-Yung Cheung, Hung-Fat Tse

Journal of the Hong Kong College of Cardiology

Background: Limited data exist on the role of chronic hyperglycemia-related cardiac autonomic dysfunction in incident heart failure (HF). We investigated the relations of resting heart rate (HR) and PR interval with chronic hyperglycemia, and effects on new-onset HF.

Methods: We prospectively studied 550 patients with prior coronary disease, ischemic stroke and/ or type 2 diabetes. Incident HF was ascertained. Heart rate-PR interval dissociation was defined as counter-physiological co-occurrence of increased PR interval (>mean; 173.3ms) and increased resting HR (>mean; 64.4 beats/min).

Results: Over 63 ±11 months, 6.7% patients developed new-onset HF. Resting HR³75bpm was independently predictive of new-onset …

Clinical Features And Prognosis Of Chinese Childhood Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension-Related Gene Mutation Carriers, Zhuoyuan Xu, Hongsheng Zhang, Chen Zhang, Qiangqiang Li, Hong Gu

Journal of the Hong Kong College of Cardiology

Background: The impact of PAH-related gene mutations on the clinical phenotype are not yet fully understood, especially in childhood.

Methods: Retrospective study of 114 pediatric Chinese Han population whose onset of PAH was between 3 months and 18 years of age with IPAH were performed. Whole exome sequencing results, clinical characteristics, treatments and outcomes were recorded in all patients.

Results: Thirty-one BMPR2, nine ACVRL1 and 33 other PAH-related gene mutation carriers were detected in this cohort. The median age at diagnosis of PAH was 5.9 (3.4,10.3) years. 54 (47.4%) patients were female. 80 patients including 59 mutation carriers underwent right …

Understanding The Genotypes And Phenotypes Relationship: Progress Toward A Precision Medicine Approach In Pediatric Pulmonary Hypertension, Kin Shing Lun

Journal of the Hong Kong College of Cardiology

No abstract provided.

Smoking And Other Determinants Of Covid Severity Among Cancer Patients, Sameh Gomaa, Lindsay Wilde, Md, Tara Rakiewicz, Kuang-Yi Wen

Department of Medical Oncology Posters

Introduction

• Cancer patients might be more susceptible to COVID-19 infection.
• With a higher incidence of acute complications, severe disease and higher mortality rates.
• Identifying factors contributing to severe disease remains essential to avoid the risk of severe and often fatal COVID-19 exposure.
• We report on the predisposing factors for severe COVID-19 and increased hospitalization burden in cancer patients at the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center (SKCC) in Philadelphia.

Intrinsic Disorder In Bap1 And Its Association With Uveal Melanoma., Mak B Djulbegovic, David J Taylor, Vladimir N Uversky, Anat Galor, Carol L Shields, Carol L Karp

Wills Eye Hospital Papers

BACKGROUND: Specific subvariants of uveal melanoma (UM) are associated with increased rates of metastasis compared to other subvariants. BRCA1 (BReast CAncer gene 1)-associated protein-1 (BAP1) is encoded by a gene that has been linked to aggressive behavior in UM.

METHODS: We evaluated BAP1 for the presence of intrinsically disordered protein regions (IDPRs) and its protein-protein interactions (PPI). We evaluated specific sequence-based features of the BAP1 protein using a set of bioinformatic databases, predictors, and algorithms.

RESULTS: We show that BAP1's structure contains extensive IDPRs as it is highly enriched in proline residues (the most disordered amino acid; p-value < 0.05), the average percent of predicted disordered residues (PPDR) was 57.34%, and contains 9 disorder-based binding sites (ie. molecular recognition features (MoRFs)). BAP1's intrinsic disorder allows it to engage in a complex PPI network with at least 49 partners (p …