Publications by authors named "Alexandra Newman"

The field of cardio-oncology has traditionally focused on the impact of cancer and its therapies on cardiovascular health. Mounting clinical and preclinical evidence, however, indicates that the reverse may also be true: cardiovascular disease can itself influence tumor growth and metastasis. Numerous epidemiological studies have reported that individuals with prevalent cardiovascular disease have an increased incidence of cancer.

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The discovery of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) has provided a new perspective on the centrality of RNA in gene regulation and genome organization. Here, we screened for lncRNAs with putative functions in the host response to single-stranded RNA respiratory viruses. We identify as a conserved cis-acting lncRNA up-regulated in three respiratory diseases to control the expression of its antisense gene , a key transcriptional regulator of the antiviral response.

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Unlabelled: We sought to identify counties in the northeastern United States where the incidence of infant botulism (IB) is elevated compared to the nationwide incidence and to assess associations with soil type at the case residence. IB cases were identified through the distribution of the orphan drug Human Botulism Immune Globulin Intravenous for treatment of IB by state and national surveillance systems and were subsequently confirmed by laboratory testing. IB incidence by county was calculated as the number of IB cases divided by the number of live births in the county from 2000 to 2019.

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Atherosclerosis results from lipid-driven inflammation of the arterial wall that fails to resolve. Imbalances in macrophage accumulation and function, including diminished migratory capacity and defective efferocytosis, fuel maladaptive inflammation and plaque progression. The neuroimmune guidance cue netrin-1 has dichotomous roles in inflammation partly due to its multiple receptors; in atherosclerosis, netrin-1 promotes macrophage survival and retention via its receptor Unc5b.

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Atherosclerosis is fueled by a failure to resolve lipid-driven inflammation within the vasculature that drives plaque formation. Therapeutic approaches to reverse atherosclerotic inflammation are needed to address the rising global burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Recently, metabolites have gained attention for their immunomodulatory properties, including itaconate, which is generated from the tricarboxylic acid-intermediate cis-aconitate by the enzyme Immune Responsive Gene 1 (IRG1/ACOD1).

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Article Synopsis
  • The study investigates the safety of using taxane-based chemotherapy for breast cancer during pregnancy, focusing on the risks for both mothers and newborns.
  • It involved 103 patients, primarily treated with paclitaxel and anthracyclines, with a median taxane initiation at 28 weeks of gestation.
  • Results showed a low incidence of severe adverse events, with a high live birth rate and generally favorable obstetric outcomes, supporting the use of taxanes during pregnancy when necessary.
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Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is a rare but aggressive subtype of breast cancer that has a propensity for locoregional recurrence and distant metastasis and is associated with a disproportionately high percentage of breast cancer deaths. IBC is not resectable at initial diagnosis and trimodality therapy is considered the standard treatment for IBC. This includes systemic therapy upfront, followed by modified radical mastectomy and comprehensive chest wall and regional node radiation.

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Brucellosis is a highly infectious zoonotic disease of global significance due to its adverse impact on public health, economics, and trade. Despite being one of the most prevalent zoonoses worldwide, attention given to global brucellosis control and prevention has been inadequate. Brucella species of greatest one-health relevance in the US include those infecting dogs (Brucella canis), swine (Brucella suis), and cattle and domestic bison (Brucella abortus).

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Since 2016, the United States has experienced a resurgence in the number of hepatitis A virus (HAV) cases and outbreaks. These outbreaks have been sustained by person-to-person transmission with cases occurring predominantly in high-risk populations including intravenous drug users, individuals experiencing homelessness, and men who have sex with men. To investigate HAV transmission, a molecular-surveillance system consisting of real-time RT-PCR (rRT-PCR) for detection, and a conventional RT-PCR assay for genotyping of HAV, was established in New York State (NYS) in 2019.

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In August 2022, the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) was notified of a suspected case of monkeypox in an infant aged <2 months who was admitted to a Florida hospital with a rash and cellulitis. This case report highlights findings from the related epidemiologic investigation and describes the public health actions taken. This activity was reviewed by CDC and was conducted consistent with applicable federal law and CDC policy.

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Article Synopsis
  • - Monkeypox, which originates from an orthopoxvirus and is commonly found in Africa, has led to a public health emergency in the U.S. since its outbreak began in May 2022, with over 2,891 cases reported by late July 2022.
  • - The majority of cases (99%) are among men, with a high correlation to male-to-male sexual or intimate contact, and there are significant disparities among racial and ethnic groups, particularly among non-Hispanic White, Hispanic, and Black populations.
  • - The CDC and health agencies are focusing their response on enhancing testing, treatment, and vaccination, particularly for gay and bisexual men who are significantly impacted, while emphasizing the importance of equity and
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Objectives: Although many people who are incarcerated have risk factors for hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection, the proportion of hepatitis A cases among people with a recent incarceration is unknown. We examined the relationship between recent incarceration and HAV infection during community-based, person-to-person outbreaks to inform public health recommendations.

Methods: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention surveyed health departments in 33 jurisdictions reporting person-to-person HAV outbreaks during 2016-2020 on the number of outbreak-associated cases, HAV-infected people recently incarcerated, and HAV-associated hospitalizations and deaths.

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Psychological stress (PS) is associated with systemic inflammation and accelerates inflammatory disease progression (e.g., atherosclerosis).

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Rationale: Therapeutic efforts to decrease atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk have focused largely on reducing atherogenic lipoproteins, yet lipid-lowering therapies alone are insufficient to fully regress plaque burden. We postulate that arterial repair requires resolution of a maladaptive immune response and that targeting factors that hinder inflammation resolution will facilitate plaque regression. Objective: The guidance molecule Ntn1 (netrin-1) is secreted by macrophages in atherosclerotic plaques, where it sustains inflammation by enhancing macrophage survival and blocking macrophage emigration.

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Article Synopsis
  • Stable atherosclerotic plaques have a fibrous cap mainly made of smooth muscle cell (SMC)-derived myofibroblast-like cells, but 20% to 40% also come from non-SMC sources like endothelial cells and macrophages.* -
  • Knocking out the Pdgfrb gene in SMCs in mice showed that while the overall size and stability of lesions remained unchanged initially, prolonged Western diet exposure led to reduced stability as non-SMC-derived cells could not fully compensate for the loss of SMCs.* -
  • The study indicates that different signaling pathways and metabolic changes drive the transition of various cell types to a myofibroblast-like state, contributing to the composition of
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Disruption of systemic homeostasis by either chronic or acute stressors, such as obesity or surgery, alters cancer pathogenesis. Patients with cancer, particularly those with breast cancer, can be at increased risk of cardiovascular disease due to treatment toxicity and changes in lifestyle behaviors. While elevated risk and incidence of cardiovascular events in breast cancer is well established, whether such events impact cancer pathogenesis is not known.

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Atherosclerosis is the process underlying heart attack and stroke. Despite decades of research, its pathogenesis remains unclear. Dogma suggests that atherosclerotic plaques expand primarily via the accumulation of cholesterol and inflammatory cells.

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On April 22, CDC and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported cases of two domestic cats with confirmed infection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

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Melioidosis is caused by the gram-negative bacillus , endemic to northern Australia and Southeast Asia. We present a patient who traveled to Mexico, returned to the United States, and developed progressive manifestations of melioidosis, culminating as central nervous system disease. Standard therapy was contraindicated, and a prolonged intensive phase was employed.

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