SARS-CoV-2 infection dysregulates NAD metabolism.

Introduction: Severe COVID-19 results initially in pulmonary infection and inflammation. Symptoms can persist beyond the period of acute infection, and patients with Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID (PASC) often exhibit a variety of symptoms weeks or months following acute phase resolution including continued pulmonary dysfunction, fatigue, and neurocognitive abnormalities. We hypothesized that dysregulated NAD metabolism contributes to these abnormalities.

Incidence of acute myocardial infarction and hurricane Katrina: Fourteen years after the storm.

Introduction: Historically, natural disasters have been known to have an effect on humankind including physical and mental health. Studies dating from the early nineteen hundreds have shown repeated associations between different catastrophic natural disasters and its effects on cardiovascular (CV)health, including increased morbidity and mortality. Knowing that these effects on CV health last sometimes up to a decade, we sought to study the effects of hurricane Katrina on incidence of acute myocardial infarctions (AMI) to see if the effects perpetuated and continued or mitigated after the first decade.

Divergent Cytokine and Chemokine Responses at Early Acute Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Infection Correlated with Virus Replication and CD4 T Cell Loss in a Rhesus Macaque Model.

Cytokine and chemokine levels remain one of the significant predictive factors of HIV pathogenesis and disease outcome. Understanding the impact of cytokines and chemokines during early acute infection will help to recognize critical changes during HIV pathogenesis and might assist in establishing improved HIV treatment and prevention methods. Sixty-one cytokines and chemokines were evaluated in the plasma of an SIV-infected rhesus macaque model.

Riluzole regulates pancreatic cancer cell metabolism by suppressing the Wnt-β-catenin pathway.

Most cancer cells rely on aerobic glycolysis to support uncontrolled proliferation and evade apoptosis. However, pancreatic cancer cells switch to glutamine metabolism to survive under hypoxic conditions. Activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway induces aerobic glycolysis by activating enzymes required for glucose metabolism and regulating the expression of glutamate transporter and glutamine synthetase.

Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Infection Mediated Changes in Jejunum and Peripheral SARS-CoV-2 Receptor ACE2 and Associated Proteins or Genes in Rhesus Macaques.

Angiotensin converting enzyme-2 (ACE2) and associated proteins play a pivotal role in various physiological and pathological events, such as immune activation, inflammation, gut barrier maintenance, intestinal stem cell proliferation, and apoptosis. Although many of these clinical events are quite significant in SIV/HIV infection, expression profiling of these proteins has not been well reported. Considering the different pathological consequences in the gut after HIV infection, we hypothesized that the expression of ACE2 and associated proteins of the Renin-angiotensin system (RAS) could be compromised after SIV/HIV infection.

Identification, Characterization, and Transcriptional Reprogramming of Epithelial Stem Cells and Intestinal Enteroids in Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Infected Rhesus Macaques.

Epithelial cell injury and impaired epithelial regeneration are considered key features in HIV pathogenesis and contribute to HIV-induced generalized immune activation. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying the disrupted epithelial regeneration might provide an alternative approach for the treatment of HIV-mediated enteropathy and immune activation. We have observed a significant increased presence of α defensin5+ (HD5) Paneth cells and proliferating Ki67+ epithelial cells as well as decreased expression of E-cadherin expression in epithelial cells during SIV infection.

COVID 19 in-hospital mortality, body mass index and obesity related conditions.

Objective: Obese patients with respiratory failure need more intensive care and invasive mechanical ventilation than their non-obese counterparts. We aimed to evaluate the impact of body mass index and obesity related conditions on fatal outcome during a hospitalization for COVID-19.

Methods: From March 1 to April 30, 2020, 425 consecutive patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 were hospitalized at University Medical Center, in New Orleans.

Enhanced Intestinal TGF-β/SMAD-Dependent Signaling in Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Infected Rhesus Macaques.

Transforming growth factor-β signaling (TGF-β) maintains a balanced physiological function including cell growth, differentiation, and proliferation and regulation of immune system by modulating either SMAD2/3 and SMAD7 (SMAD-dependent) or SMAD-independent signaling pathways under normal conditions. Increased production of TGF-β promotes immunosuppression in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/Simian Immunodeficiency Virus (SIV) infection. However, the cellular source and downstream events of increased TGF-β production that attributes to its pathological manifestations remain unknown.

Comparison of Ketamine and Propofol-Based Regimens for Deep Sedation in Children Undergoing Esophagogastroduodenoscopy.

We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 180 children sedated for esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) with ketamine or propofol-based regimens at our institution. Pre-EGD diagnoses and American Society of Anesthesiology physical status were similar in all subjects. Onset of action and recovery time for both regimens were not statistically significant (  > 0.

Effects of Social Housing Changes on Immunity and Vaccine-Specific Immune Responses in Adolescent Male Rhesus Macaques.

Nonhuman primates (NHPs) in research institutions may be housed in a variety of social settings, such as group housing, pair housing or single housing based on the needs of studies. Furthermore, housing may change over the course of studies. The effects of housing and changes in housing on cell activation and vaccine mediated immune responses are not well documented.

SATB2 is a novel biomarker and therapeutic target for cancer.

Several studies have confirmed the involvement of cancer stem cells (CSC) in tumour progression, metastasis, drug resistance and cancer relapse. SATB2 (special AT-rich binding protein-2) acts as a transcriptional co-factor and modulates chromatin architecture to regulate gene expression. The purpose of this review was to discuss the pathophysiological roles of SATB2 and assess whether it could be used as a therapeutic target for cancer.

α-Mangostin-encapsulated PLGA nanoparticles inhibit colorectal cancer growth by inhibiting Notch pathway.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related mortality. Recent studies have stated that Notch signalling is highly activated in cancer stem cells (CSCs) and plays an important role in the development and progression of CRC. Like normal colorectal epithelium, CRCs are organized hierarchically and include populations of CSCs.

Targeting TRAF3IP2, Compared to Rab27, is More Effective in Suppressing the Development and Metastasis of Breast Cancer.

Here we investigated the roles of Rab27a, a player in exosome release, and TRAF3IP2, an inflammatory mediator, in development and metastasis of breast cancer (BC) in vivo. Knockdown (KD) of Rab27a (MDA) or TRAF3IP2 (MDA) in triple negative MDA-MB231 cells reduced tumor growth by 70-97% compared to wild-type tumors (MDA). While metastasis was detected in MDA-injected animals, none was detected in MDA- or MDA-injected animals.

Quantification of Viral RNA and DNA Positive Cells in Tissues From Simian Immunodeficiency Virus/Simian Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infected Controller and Progressor Rhesus Macaques.

Eradication of human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) from an infected individual cannot be achieved using current antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimens. Viral reservoirs established in early infection remain unaffected by ART and are able to replenish systemic infection upon treatment interruption. Simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infected macaque models are useful for studying HIV pathogenesis, treatments, and persistent viral reservoirs.

Expanding Research Capacity in Sub-Saharan Africa Through Informatics, Bioinformatics, and Data Science Training Programs in Mali.

Bioinformatics and data science research have boundless potential across Africa due to its high levels of genetic diversity and disproportionate burden of infectious diseases, including malaria, tuberculosis, HIV and AIDS, Ebola virus disease, and Lassa fever. This work lays out an incremental approach for reaching underserved countries in bioinformatics and data science research through a progression of capacity building, training, and research efforts. Two global health informatics training programs sponsored by the Fogarty International Center (FIC) were carried out at the University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies of Bamako, Mali (USTTB) between 1999 and 2011.

Regional Differences in the Treatment of Localized Prostate Cancer: An Analysis of Surgery and Radiation Utilization in the United States.

Purpose: Men with localized prostate cancer have various treatment options available in their management. The optimal approach is controversial and can be influenced by multiple factors. This study aimed to investigate the influence of geographic region on the selection of treatment for prostate cancer.

Investigation of Radiation Oncologists' Awareness of Online Reputation Management.

Background: Online reputation management (ORM) is an emerging practice strategy that emphasizes the systematic and proactive monitoring of online reviews relating to one's professional reputation.

Objective: We developed this survey project to assess whether radiation oncologists are aware of ORM and how it is utilized in their practices. We hypothesized that ORM is largely unknown by most practicing radiation oncologists and that little time is spent actively managing their reputations.

Breast Tumor Microenvironment Can Transform Naive Mesenchymal Stem Cells into Tumor-Forming Cells in Nude Mice.

How mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) interact with tumor cells and promote tumor growth is not well understood. In this study, we demonstrate that when naive MSCs and malignant breast cancer cells (MDA-MB231) were injected into opposing mammary glands of an immunodeficient nude mouse, both cell types formed tumor-like masses within 8 weeks at the injected site. Surprisingly, MDA-MB231 cells were detected in the opposing mammary gland injected with the naive MSCs, indicating migration and crosstalk between naive MSCs and MDA-MB231 cells.

Lack of T-cell-mediated IL-2 and TNFα production is linked to decreased CD58 expression in intestinal tissue during acute simian immunodeficiency virus infection.

For an effective T-cell activation and response, co-stimulation is required in addition to the antigen-specific signal from their antigen receptors. The CD2/CD58 interaction is considered as one of the most important T-cell co-stimulatory pathways for T-cell activation and proliferation, and its role in regulating intestinal T-cell function in acute and chronic SIV -infected macaques is poorly documented. Here, we demonstrated a significant reduction of CD58 expression in both T- and B-cell populations during acute SIV infection along with high plasma viral load and a loss of intestinal CD4 T cells compared to SIV-uninfected control macaques.

Physiologic assessment of moderate coronary lesions: a step towards complete revascularization in coronary artery bypass grafting.

Background: An accurate diagnostic assessment of coronary artery disease is crucial for patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Fractional flow reserve (FFR) and instantaneous wave-free ratio (iFR) to guide complete revascularization have not been adequately studied in patients prior to CABG. We compared an anatomic to a physiologic assessment of moderate coronary lesions (40-70% stenosis) in patients referred for CABG.

Pioglitazone's beneficial effects on erectile function preservation after cavernosal nerve injury in the rat are negated by inhibition of the insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor: a preclinical study.

To determine if the insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) pathway is involved in the improvement in erectile function recovery in rats after nerve crush injury treated with pioglitazone (Pio). Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups. The first group received sham operation (n = 5).

Disparities in the Presentation and Management of Cutaneous Melanoma That Required Admission.

Objective: In this study, we aimed to examine the association of demographic and socioeconomic factors with cutaneous melanoma that required admission.

Methods: A cross-sectional study utilizing the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database, 2003-2009, was merged with County Health Rankings Data.

Results: A total of 2,765 discharge -records were included.

The Incidence, Risk Factors, and Chronobiology of Acute Myocardial Infarction Ten Years After Hurricane Katrina.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the 10-year impact of Hurricane Katrina on the incidence of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) along with contributing risk factors and any alteration in chronobiology of AMI.

Methods: A single-center, retrospective, comparison study of AMI incidence was performed at Tulane University Health Sciences Center from 2 years before Hurricane Katrina to 10 years after Hurricane Katrina. A 6-year, pre-Katrina and 10-year, post-Katrina cohort were also compared according to pre-specified demographic, clinical, and chronobiological data.

Financial Implication of Radioactive Iodine Therapy for Early-Stage Papillary Thyroid Cancer.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate disease-specific survival and cost related to radioactive iodine therapy (RAI) utilization in patients with early-stage papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database, 2004-2012.

Results: A total of 38,374 patients with PTC were identified.