Proteins Implicated in the Reduced Virulence of and Mutants in Osteomyelitis.

Using a murine osteomyelitis model, we recently demonstrated that and mutants generated in the USA300 strain LAC are attenuated to a greater extent than an isogenic mutant and that this can be attributed to a significant extent to the increased production of extracellular proteases in both mutants. Based on this, we used a mass-based proteomics approach to compare the proteomes of LAC, its isogenic , , and mutants, and isogenic derivatives of all four of these strains unable to produce the extracellular proteases aureolysin, SspA, SspB, ScpA, or SplA-F. This allowed us to identify proteins that were present in reduced amounts in , and / mutants owing to the increased production of extracellular proteases.

Thiazole-fused androstenone and ethisterone derivatives: potent β- and γ-actin cytoskeleton inhibitors to treat melanoma tumors.

Melanoma, the most fatal form of skin cancer, often becomes resistant to the current therapeutic approaches in most patients. To explore new treatment options, fused thiazole derivatives were synthesized, and several of these compounds demonstrated potent anti-melanoma activity both and . These compounds exhibited significant cytotoxicity against melanoma cell lines at low concentrations.

Developing and applying potentially scalable recruitment strategies to accelerate ADRD research participation of Black adults.

More than 2 million older Americans from underrepresented racial and ethnic minority groups (URGs) have early-stage Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD). There are very few scalable recruitment strategies, particularly for Black older adults, to accelerate participation in ADRD research. The Indiana Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (IADRC) and its Community Advisory Board developed and implemented the innovative RAAISE-D Framework.

Appeal and Sensory Characteristics of Oral Nicotine Products in Young Adults Who Vape E-Cigarettes.

Introduction: This study applied a novel tobacco regulatory science paradigm to characterize inter-product variation in the appeal and sensory features of emerging commercial and therapeutic oral nicotine products (ONPs) among young adults that vape e-cigarettes.

Methods: Twenty-three young adults without ONP experience who use e-cigarettes completed a single-blind, single-visit remote lab study. Participants rated appeal and sensory characteristics during 5-minute standardized self-administrations of 8 ONPs (4 fruit, 4 mint) from various brands (Lucy, Rouge, Solace, Nicorette, On!, Velo).

Farm exposure is associated with human breast milk immune profile and microbiome.

Prenatal and early life farm exposure, and breastfeeding, are associated with protection from allergic diseases. We hypothesize that farm exposure influences the human breast milk microbiome and immune proteins. The immune protein profiles and microbial communities of 152 human breast milk samples were compared among three maternal farm exposure groups (traditional agrarian, farm, and non-farm) in rural Wisconsin to identify signatures associated with farm status and atopic disease.

Recall of Flavor at First E-cigarette Use and Its Association with E-cigarette Progression: The Mediating Effects of First Sensory Experience.

Objective: To test whether the association between flavor at first vape and continued use is mediated through subjective experience at first vape.

Study Design: In a 2020 cross-sectional survey, 955 young adult ever-vapers recalled their first flavor vaped, subjective experiences at first use, current vaping behavior, nicotine dependence, and quit attempts. A latent class model grouped first-use subjective experiences into classes.

Effects of exposure to snus marketing with versus without modified risk tobacco product claims on snus use intention and perceived harm among young adults.

Background: We tested whether snus marketing with modified risk tobacco product (MRTP) claims: (a) promotes accurate knowledge about snus's health effects in young adults and (b) encourages use intentions in only those who use combustible tobacco without attracting other young adult populations.

Methods: A randomised between-subjects experiment was embedded in a 2020 web survey of participants from Los Angeles (aged 19-23 years). Participants viewed mass-marketed snus advertising materials with (n=1212) vs without (n=1225) US Food and Drug Administration-authorised MRTP claims.

An adaptation and exploratory factor analysis of the smoking-related weight and eating episodes test (SWEET) for electronic cigarette users.

Introduction: Smoking for weight control is a well-documented behavior. There is emerging evidence to suggest electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) may be used for similar motivations yet measure development for the use of e-cigarettes for weight control has received less attention. The objective of the current study was to adapt and explore the psychometric properties of The Smoking-Related Weight and Eating Episodes Test (SWEET) for e-cigarette users.

An observational human laboratory assessment of nicotine delivery, vaping topography and subjective effects of usual brand electronic cigarette use among young adults.

Aims: To measure nicotine delivery, vaping topography and subjective effects of current generations of disposable, cartridge-based and other types of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) among young adults.

Design, Setting, Participants: Observational, human laboratory assessment of e-cigarette use in Columbus, Ohio, USA (July 2020 to June 2021). Participants (n = 96, 60.

The case of young people who use e-cigarettes infrequently: Who is this population? What becomes of them?

Background: Emerging data indicate that many adolescents and young adults ("youth") engage in infrequent, or occasional, e-cigarette use. However, little is known about this population as they are often subsumed into the broader "any past-30-day use" category used to define youth "current use." This study aimed to focus on infrequent e-cigarette use by youth, examining its correlates and transitional outcomes.

Nicotine information disclosed online by e-cigarette brands popular with young people.

Introduction: E-cigarette use is most prevalent among adolescents and young adults - and there are often misperceptions about product risk. The purpose of this study was to determine what nicotine information is provided on e-cigarette brand websites.

Methods: Based on national and local surveys, we identified 44 e-cigarette brands commonly used in the US by adolescents and young adults.

Eating Disorder Symptomatology Among Young Adult Cigarette and E-Cigarette Users.

Tobacco use is elevated among individuals with eating disorders (EDs). Yet, further research is needed to understand associations between cigarette and e-cigarette use patterns and ED symptomatology. To gain a more comprehensive understanding of tobacco use and EDs, this study characterized ED symptomatology and tobacco use patterns, including exclusive cigarette use, e-cigarette use, dual use, and nonuse.

Demographic and Behavioral Differences Between Adolescents and Young Adults Who Use E-Cigarettes at Low and High Frequency.

Background: Among adolescents and young adults (AYAs), "current use" of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) is commonly defined as any use in the past 30 days. However, few studies have examined differences among those within this broad category. This study examined characteristics of AYAs who used e-cigarettes at a low frequency (within the last 3 months but <6 days out of the past 30 days) and those who used e-cigarettes at a high frequency (6+ days out of the past 30 days).

Exposure to Secondhand Smoke Extract Increases Cisplatin Resistance in Head and Neck Cancer Cells.

Chemotherapy and radiotherapy resistance are major obstacles in the long-term efficacy of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) treatment. Secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure is common and has been proposed as an independent predictor of HNSCC recurrence and disease-free survival. However, the underlying mechanisms responsible for these negative patient outcomes are unknown.

Nicotine dependence among undergraduates who use nicotine salt-based e-cigarettes.

Objective: This study examined the relationship between use patterns of a popular e-cigarette brand using nicotine salts, JUUL, and symptoms of nicotine dependence in a college cohort.

Participants: Data for this study came from a prospective cohort of undergraduate students at a large Midwestern university from 2018 to 2019.

Methods: Among participants who had ever tried a JUUL ( = 411), univariate and multivariable logistic regression were used to test the associations between use frequency (past 30-day use) and quantity (time to finish a pod) and nicotine dependence at follow up.

Indirect Effects of Body Mass Index and Sweet Taste Responsiveness on E-Cigarette Dependence: The Role of E-Cigarette Motives.

: Recent research has shown obesity to be associated with e-cigarette use and appeal, but models have yet to examine how weight status may be related to e-cigarette dependence among e-cigarette users. : To increase our understanding of pathways from body mass index (BMI) to e-cigarette dependence, the present cross-sectional observational study investigated a model in which BMI, sweet taste responsiveness, and the interaction of BMI and sweet taste responsiveness are associated with e-cigarette dependence indirectly via seven conceptually-distinct motives for e-cigarette use. Data from several e-cigarette clinical laboratory research studies were pooled and analyzed; only current e-cigarette users were included in the analyses (N=330).

Effects of flavour and modified risk claims on nicotine pouch perceptions and use intentions among young adults who use inhalable nicotine and tobacco products: a randomised controlled trial.

Background: Availability of flavours and potential modified risk tobacco product (MRTP) claims may influence young adults' (YAs') perceptions of and intentions to use nicotine pouches ('pouches').

Methods: YAs aged 21-34 years (N=47, =24.5, =3.

Synthesis and Anti-Melanoma Activity of Acryloyl Pyridinone Analogues.

A major challenge for clinical management of melanoma is the prevention and treatment of metastatic disease. Drug discovery efforts over the last 10 years have resulted in several drugs that improve the prognosis of metastatic melanoma; however, most patients develop early resistance to these treatments. We designed and synthesized, through a concise synthetic strategy, a series of hybrid olefin-pyridinone compounds that consist of structural motifs from tamoxifen and ilicicolin H.

Longitudinal Transitions Between Use of Combustible, Noncombustible, and Multiple Cannabis Products From Adolescence to Young Adulthood and Intersections With Nicotine Use.

Understanding transitions across use of different types of cannabis products and multiple cannabis products and how they intersect with nicotine use in young people can inform etiology and prevention. In this study, we examined transitions across use of combustible and noncombustible forms of cannabis and multiple types of cannabis from adolescence to young adulthood and the role of nicotine use in transitions. In a Southern California longitudinal cohort study (n = 3,298; baseline mean age = 16.

What do young people know about the nicotine in their e-cigarettes?

Introduction: In recent years, the nicotine in e-cigarettes has been available in either a 'free-base' (unprotonated) or 'nicotine salt' (protonated) form. Additionally, e-cigarette nicotine can be either 'synthetic' or 'tobacco-derived'. These dimensions of nicotine have implications for nicotine absorption, bioavailability and sensory experiences.