Publications by authors named "Ross K"

We previously developed human CAR macrophages (CAR-M) and demonstrated redirection of macrophage anti-tumor function leading to tumor control in immunodeficient xenograft models. Here, we develop clinically relevant fully immunocompetent syngeneic models to evaluate the potential for CAR-M to remodel the tumor microenvironment (TME), induce T cell anti-tumor immunity, and sensitize solid tumors to PD1/PDL1 checkpoint inhibition. In vivo, anti-HER2 CAR-M significantly reduce tumor burden, prolong survival, remodel the TME, increase intratumoral T cell and natural killer (NK) cell infiltration, and induce antigen spreading.

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This study investigates the effects of three brown seaweed species (, , and ), their pre-processing treatments, and incorporation percentages on the physical and sensory properties of crackers. Significant ( ≤ 0.001) two-way and three-way interactions were observed for moisture content, with seaweed addition generally resulting in drier crackers.

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The objective of this study was to describe an outbreak of equine herpesvirus-1 myeloencephalopathy (EHM) in a population of aged equids. The outbreak was linked to the introduction of five healthy non-resident horses 15 days prior to the first case of acute recumbency. This fulminant EHM outbreak was predisposed by the grouping of the 33 unvaccinated animals in two large pens with shared water and feed troughs.

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Introduction: Mild sleep-disordered breathing (mSDB) in children is associated with both neurobehavioral morbidity and reduced quality of life (QOL). However, the association between symptom burden and QOL with executive function is not well understood, and it is not known whether QOL and symptom burden may help identify children with neurocognitive dysfunction.

Objective: To assess associations among executive function, QOL, and symptom burden in children with mSDB.

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Characterizing molecular underpinnings of plastic traits and balanced polymorphisms represent two important goals of evolutionary biology. Fire ant gynes (pre-reproductive queens) provide an ideal system to study potential links between these phenomena because they exhibit both supergene-mediated polymorphism and nutritional plasticity in weight and colony-founding behavior. Gynes with the inversion supergene haplotype are lightweight and depend on existing workers to initiate reproduction.

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Selfish genetic elements subvert the normal rules of inheritance to unfairly propagate themselves, often at the expense of other genomic elements and the fitness of individuals carrying them. Social life provides diverse avenues for the propagation of such elements. In the fire ant Solenopsis invicta, polymorphic social organization is controlled by a social chromosome, one variant of which (Sb) enhances its own transmission in polygyne colonies through effects on caste development and queen acceptance by workers.

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A home-built apparatus to perform solid phase peptide synthesis (SPPS), assisted by microwave irradiation and heating, is presented. In contrast to conventional SPPS reaction vessels, which drain solvent and byproducts via a frit located at the bottom of the vessel, the presented apparatus employs a gas dispersion tube under vacuum to remove solvent, byproducts, and excess reagents. The same gas dispersion tube supplies nitrogen gas agitation of the SPPS beads during the reaction steps of coupling and deprotection.

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Low testosterone levels in men contribute to altered sexual health, including low libido, erectile dysfunction, impaired sleep, and changes in mood and energy. Nearly half of all infertility cases are implicated by male factors, such as low testosterone levels and altered semen and sperm health. The purpose of this case series is to share the experience of two men taking a concentrated, highly bioavailable gelatinized form of specific phenotypes (sometimes referred to as colors) of (Maca-OG™) to improve reproductive health.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study investigates the link between asthma and sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) in children aged 3-12.9 years, focusing on identifying risk factors and assessing sleep-related outcomes.
  • Results show that 19.1% of the children had asthma, with moderate-to-severe asthma linked to worse SDB symptoms and lower quality of life.
  • Key risk factors for asthma included exposure to environmental tobacco smoke and signs of atopy, highlighting the complex relationship between asthma severity and sleep disturbances in children.
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Objective: Pregnancy is often typified with a decrease in sleep quality, which for many women, progressively worsens across gestation and into the postpartum. A mechanism linking poor sleep with certain adverse pregnancy outcomes is dysregulation of the HPA axis resulting in atypically elevated cortisol production. While total cortisol output normally increases across pregnancy, the cortisol awakening response (CAR), a response to waking up, is influenced by factors such as stress and mood.

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Population-level efforts are needed to increase levels of physical activity and healthy eating to reduce and manage chronic diseases such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes. Interventions to increase public transit use may be one promising strategy, particularly for low-income communities or populations of color who are disproportionately burdened by health disparities and transportation barriers. This study employs a natural experiment design to evaluate the impacts of a citywide zero-fare transit policy in Kansas City, Missouri, on ridership and health indicators.

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Little is known about how discrimination contributes to health behaviors in childhood. We examined the association between children's exposure to discrimination and their snacking behavior in a sample of youth of color (N = 164, M = 11.5 years, 49% female, 60% Black, 40% Hispanic/Latinx).

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Firearm violence is a public health crisis in the United States that disproportionately impacts community members in low-income areas who witness and experience violence and violent victimization at elevated rates compared to other socioeconomic groups, often as result of community disinvestment and systemic racism (Smith et al., Soc Sci Med 246:112587, 2020). While quantitative reviews of firearm violence and related factors exist, a review of qualitative methods and findings regarding exposure to firearm violence has not yet been conducted.

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Current infant feeding recommendations promote responsive feeding, wherein caregivers respond to infants' cues to determine feeding pace and duration, to support infant self-regulation and healthy weight outcomes. A central tenet of responsive feeding is that infants will effectively signal hunger, receptiveness to feeding, needs to disengage from feeding, and satiation, yet there is a lack of research available to support this assumption. Rather, previous research illustrates substantial variability exists for the extent to which infants exhibit behavioral cues during feeding and that many mothers feel their infants do not clearly communicate satiation, suggesting certain caregivers need tailored support to understand their infants' needs during feeding interactions.

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Article Synopsis
  • Phosphorus pollution in freshwater poses a significant threat to water quality and aquatic life, primarily driven by agriculture and wastewater management.
  • A study in the River Stour catchment of Dorset, England, used Substance Flow Analysis to measure phosphorus input pressures from agricultural practices and human activities, showing that agricultural phosphorus inputs depend largely on livestock feed imports and human populations.
  • To improve water quality, the study suggests enhancing wastewater phosphorus removal and reducing excess agricultural phosphorus, indicating that addressing agricultural surplus could significantly lower river phosphorus concentrations, although it would still exceed ideal levels for controlling eutrophication.
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  • Many people regain weight after weight-loss programs, but extended-care programs could help maintain that weight loss over time, even if the effect isn’t huge.
  • This study aimed to compare two types of extended-care phone sessions: ADAPTIVE (when at high risk of regaining weight) versus STATIC (a regular monthly check-in) for better long-term results.
  • The findings from Project STAR will reveal if the ADAPTIVE schedule is more effective for maintaining weight loss and will also contribute to future strategies for preventing weight regain.
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Planarians are an excellent model for investigating molecular mechanisms necessary for regenerating a functional nervous system. Numerous studies have led to the generation of extensive genomic resources, especially whole-animal single-cell RNA-seq resources. These have facilitated predictions of neuronal subtypes, many of which have been anatomically mapped by hybridization.

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Article Synopsis
  • - Preeclampsia (PE) is a serious pregnancy complication marked by high blood pressure and protein in the urine, yet there's a lack of clinically validated biomarkers for early diagnosis and treatment.
  • - Current research focuses on microRNAs (miRNAs), which show promise as both therapeutic targets and actual treatments, although most studies have been conducted in laboratory models rather than clinical settings.
  • - Various miRNA-based therapeutic strategies, like mimics and inhibitors, are being explored for their effectiveness in treating PE, suggesting they could lead to new innovative treatment options.
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Introduction: Risk-based breast cancer screening aims to address persistent high morbidity and mortality. This study examined the experience of participants in the Women Informed to Screen Depending on Measures of Risk (WISDOM) trial who received a pathogenic variant in one of nine high or moderate penetrance breast cancer genes.

Methods: Participants completed a brief survey (n = 181) immediately following the results disclosure and 1 year later.

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Objective: This study sought to determine whether chiropractic faculty were extrinsically, introjectedly, or intrinsically motivated to pursue scholarship; if satisfaction of a faculty member's work-related needs of autonomy, competence, and relatedness correlated with intrinsic motivation to pursue scholarly activities; and to identify barriers to faculty participation in scholarship.

Methods: An anonymous online survey was administered to full-time faculty at 2 chiropractic institutions in the United States. Survey items assessed whether faculty perceived their work-related needs as met, which motivation type they displayed, and perceived barriers to performing scholarly work.

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Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Indigenous use communities in the Western Cape (South Africa) where Aspalathus linearis (Brum.f) R.Dahlgren - or rooibos - grows naturally, has a long history of using rooibos for medicinal purposes.

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Cefpodoxime proxetil is commonly used to treat cetacean patients with suspected or confirmed bacterial infections; however, pharmacokinetic data are needed to guide proper dosing in these species. Cefpodoxime proxetil is a time-dependent, semisynthetic, third-generation cephalosporin, appropriate for once-daily dosing and U.S.

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Purpose Of Review: We reviewed a wide body of emerging research highlighting the possibility for premenstrual exacerbations of mood symptoms in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Recent Findings: Neuroendocrine dysregulation, sensitivity to ovarian hormone fluctuations as well as higher levels and types of adverse childhood experiences and demographic factors are emerging factors explaining high rates of psychiatric disorders in PCOS. Ovulatory dysfunction, common in PCOS, significantly interferes with one's identity and quality of life.

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