A New Strategy for the Old Challenge of Thalidomide: Systems Biology Prioritization of Potential Immunomodulatory Drug (IMiD)-Targeted Transcription Factors.

Several molecular mechanisms of thalidomide embryopathy (TE) have been investigated, from anti-angiogenesis to oxidative stress to cereblon binding. Recently, it was discovered that thalidomide and its analogs, named immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs), induced the degradation of C2H2 transcription factors (TFs). This mechanism might impact the strict transcriptional regulation of the developing embryo.

Meta-analysis of Transcriptomic Data from Lung Autopsy and Cellular Models of SARS-CoV-2 Infection.

Severe COVID-19 is a systemic disorder involving excessive inflammatory response, metabolic dysfunction, multi-organ damage, and several clinical features. Here, we performed a transcriptome meta-analysis investigating genes and molecular mechanisms related to COVID-19 severity and outcomes. First, transcriptomic data of cellular models of SARS-CoV-2 infection were compiled to understand the first response to the infection.

"Intersections of Social Systems, Race, and Health in America: A Historical Perspective": A Novel Elective for Medical Students to Increase Antiracism Advocacy.

Problem: There are growing calls for medical education to effectively teach about and explicitly name racism as a driver of inequities in social determinants of health and inspire student action to address health inequities.

Approach: Using a novel application of the generative co-design approach, in 2020 Perelman School of Medicine students and faculty implemented a student-led, interdisciplinary elective course for preclerkship medical students. The co-design process allowed for an iterative and conversation-based experience emphasizing how social systems and racist policies shape health care access and outcomes.

Rhesus monkeys manipulate mental images.

Humans form mental images and manipulate them in ways that mirror physical transformations of objects. Studies of nonhuman animals will inform our understanding of the evolution and distribution among species of mental imagery. Across three experiments, we found mostly converging evidence that rhesus monkeys formed and rotated mental images.

Transcriptome meta-analysis of valproic acid exposure in human embryonic stem cells.

Valproic acid (VPA) is a widely used antiepileptic drug not recommended in pregnancy because it is teratogenic. Many assays have assessed the impact of the VPA exposure on the transcriptome of human embryonic stem-cells (hESC), but the molecular perturbations that VPA exerts in neurodevelopment are not completely understood. This study aimed to perform a transcriptome meta-analysis of VPA-exposed hESC to elucidate the main biological mechanisms altered by VPA effects on the gene expression.

May-Thurner Syndrome: An Anatomic Predisposition to Deep Vein Thrombosis.

May-Thurner syndrome (MTS) is a rare clinical condition caused by extrinsic compression of the left common iliac vein by the right common iliac artery, leading to venous stasis and predisposing to thrombus formation. Here, we present the case of a 39-year-old female with no obviously known other risk factors predisposing to thrombosis who presented with severe left leg pain and swelling for a week. The international normalized ratio was elevated and the venous Doppler study showed extensive thrombosis extending from the left common iliac vein to the common femoral vein and the popliteal vein.

Experiences of recovery in binge-eating disorder: a qualitative approach using online message boards.

Purpose: In this study, qualitative methods were employed to analyze secondary data from the anonymous postings of a pro-recovery website in an effort to investigate the changes in thinking of binge-eating disorder (BED) sufferers who were able to recover from the disorder, understand more fully how guilt and self-blame affect recovery, and explore the perceived motivators and challenges to recovery.

Method: 681 messages from 65 participants pertaining to BED were analyzed from January 1, 2014-January 1, 2015 through thematic analysis. Coding strategies were employed to reveal patterns within the experiences of the participants.

An evaluation of factors associated with completion and benefit from pulmonary rehabilitation in COPD.

Background: Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR) is an important treatment for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) but it is not established whether any baseline parameter can predict response or compliance.

Aim: To identify whether baseline measures can predict who will complete the programme and who will achieve a clinically significant benefit from a Minimum Clinical Important Difference (MCID) in terms of exercise capacity and health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

Methods: Data were collected prospectively from patients with COPD at their baseline assessment for an outpatient PR programme in one of eight centres across London.

Singing classes for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: There is some evidence that singing lessons may be of benefit to patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is not clear how much of this benefit is specific to singing and how much relates to the classes being a group activity that addresses social isolation.

Methods: Patients were randomised to either singing classes or a film club for eight weeks.

Health status assessment in routine clinical practice: the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease assessment test score in outpatients.

Background: The chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) assessment test (CAT) is a simple, self-completion questionnaire developed to measure health status in patients with COPD, which is potentially suitable for routine clinical use.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to establish the determinants of the CAT score in routine clinical practice.

Methods: Patients attending the clinic completed the CAT score before being seen.

The COPD assessment test (CAT): response to pulmonary rehabilitation. A multicentre, prospective study.

Background: The COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) assessment test (CAT) is a recently introduced, simple to use patient-completed quality of life instrument that contains eight questions covering the impact of symptoms in COPD. It is not known how the CAT score performs in the context of clinical pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) programmes or what the minimum clinically important difference is.

Methods: The introduction of the CAT score as an outcome measure was prospectively studied by PR programmes across London.

Singing teaching as a therapy for chronic respiratory disease--a randomised controlled trial and qualitative evaluation.

Background: Despite optimal pharmacological therapy and pulmonary rehabilitation, patients with COPD continue to be breathless. There is a need to develop additional strategies to alleviate symptoms. Learning to sing requires control of breathing and posture and might have benefits that translate into daily life.

Emergency physician recognition of adverse drug-related events in elder patients presenting to an emergency department.

Objectives: The authors examined the ability of emergency physicians (EPs) to recognize adverse drug-related events (ADREs) in elder patients presenting to the emergency department (ED).

Methods: This was a prospective observational study of patients at least 65 years of age who presented to the ED. ADREs were identified using a validated, standardized scoring system.

The implementation of workplace violence policy in state government.

Workplace violence has received an increasing amount of attention in the last five years. While it is difficult to conclude that it is actually escalating, the numerous studies do provide numbers that lead one to believe that it is a serious problem. Although agencies and corporations are beginning to develop workplace violence policies, there is no published research that documents the results of the implementation of such policies.

Field study of vaccination of cattle with Brucella abortus strains RB51 and 19 under high and low disease prevalence.

Objective: To assess humoral and protective immunity in cattle vaccinated by 12 months with Brucella abortus vaccine strains RB51 and 19 under field conditions of high and low brucellosis prevalence.

Animals: 450 seronegative female cattle: 330 three to eight months old (calves), and 120 ten to twelve months old (heifers).

Procedures: Ranch A had high prevalence (39%) of brucellosis, and ranch B had low prevalence (2%), as determined by results of conventional serologic testing: agar gel immunodiffusion and the ring test.

Venezuelan field trials of vaccines against brucellosis in swine.

Objective: To evaluate live attenuated Brucella abortus RB51, killed B suis cells, O-polysaccharide (OPS) from B abortus 1119-3 and OPS from B suis 1330, for protection of swine against B suis challenge exposure under farm conditions.

Animals: 10 infected boars, 160 unvaccinated control sows and their 1,040 progeny, and 610 vaccinated sows and their 6,600 progeny.

Procedure: Gilts (45 to 65 days or 4 to 6 months old) were vaccinated or not vaccinated.

Serological and bacteriological study of swine brucellosis.

A serological and bacteriological study was performed with sera taken from 2,228 swine from six states in Venezuela. None of the animals were vaccinated against brucellosis, and the prevalence of the disease varied from 5 to 89% on farms located in these states. Our studies indicated that the animals could be categorized into four groups depending on the degree of reactivity in serological tests.

Distribution of Borrelia burgdorferi in host mice in Pennsylvania.

Host mice (Peromyscus leucopus and Peromyscus maniculatus) were sampled throughout the state of Pennsylvania to determine the geographical and ecological distribution of the Lyme disease spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi. All 67 counties of the state were sampled. A total of 1,619 mice were captured from a total of 157 sites during the period 1990 to 1993 for an overall capture rate of 29.

The RER-localized rotavirus intracellular receptor: a truncated purified soluble form is multivalent and binds virus particles.

A budding event transfers the immature, single-shelled rotavirus particle (SSP) across the RER membrane prior to assembly of mature virions in the ER lumen. Budding is triggered by the interaction of the SSP with a viral receptor glycoprotein (NS28) which is located in the RER membrane. We have expressed the cytoplasmic domain of the NS28 receptor as a glutathione S-transferase fusion protein to generate a soluble polypeptide that in turn can be cleaved to yield a carboxy-terminal receptor domain.

Enamel ultrastructure in pigmented hypomaturation amelogenesis imperfecta.

Hypomaturation amelogenesis imperfecta (AI) is a hereditary condition of enamel that is presumed to result from defects during the maturation stage of enamel development. This study characterized the enamel ultrastructure and enamel crystallite morphology, as well as the distribution of organic material in enamel affected with pigmented hypomaturation AI. Enamel exhibiting autosomal recessive pigmented hypomaturation AI was sectioned or fractured and examined using light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy.

Borrelia burgdorferi infection in white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus) in hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) habitat in western Pennsylvania.

White-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus) were captured and their tissues sampled from 27 sites in seven counties of western Pennsylvania in 1990 for isolation and identification of Borrelia burgdorferi. Two hundred sixty mice were captured from which there were 27 isolations. Significantly more mice were captured and significantly more isolations made from hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) habitat than from deciduous species forest.

Transient expression and mutational analysis of the rotavirus intracellular receptor: the C-terminal methionine residue is essential for ligand binding.

Maturation of rotavirus involves an intracellular membrane budding event in which the single-shelled icosahedral particle interacts with a virus-encoded receptor glycoprotein, NS28, that is located in the rough endoplasmic reticulum membrane. The receptor is a tetramer and is oriented with the C-terminal 131 amino acids on the cytoplasmic side of the membrane (A.R.