Epstein-Barr Virus And Its Association With Multiple Sclerosis Via Autoreactive B-Cell And Defective Cytotoxic T-Cells

Zachary Payne Background: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a neurological disease affecting myelinated nerves of the central nervous system (CNS).1 The destruction of myelin of nerve axons in the disease leads to a variety of CNS symptoms.1-5 Important factors which increase risk for MS include being female, smoking, obesity, and Vitamin…
Featured Abstracts Immunology Inflammation Microbiology

The Significance of LINE-1 in Huntington Disease

Wahibah Hannan Huntington Disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive motor impairment, psychiatric disturbances, and cognitive decline1. HD is caused by an expansion of a CAG trinucleotide repeat in the huntingtin gene. The mutant huntingtin protein gains toxic function and results in neurodegeneration, specifically in the…
Engineering Medicine Featured Abstracts Neuroscience

Applications of Functional Connectivity in Assessing Brain Network Damage in Multiple Sclerosis Patients

Khue Tran and Ian Murray, PhD Introduction: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune, inflammatory disease of the central nervous system, characterized by acute demyelinating attacks and progressive neurodegeneration.1-4 MS can manifest into a wide range of symptoms, including physical disability, cognitive impairment, and decreased quality of life.3-5 Although the…
Engineering Medicine Featured Abstracts Neuroscience

The Role of Cardiomyocyte Mitochondrial AMPK and ATP Synthase in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)

Divek Toprani Introduction. Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a cardiovascular disease affecting 1 in 500 people where heart muscle becomes abnormally thick.1 HCM can manifest as a left ventricular outflow tract obstruction, left ventricular hypertrophy, or a non-obstructive form with wall thinning and dilation of the cavity.1 HCM is characterized by…
Cardiology Engineering Medicine Featured Abstracts

Downregulation of IL-1B Pathway in Tumor Microenvironment Demonstrates Therapeutic Potential in Slowing Proliferation and Development of Breast Cancer Bone Metastases

Pujita Munnangi Introduction. Breast cancer (BC) is the most prevalent form of cancer impacting women across the globe; 75% of patients with stage IV BC develop bone metastases.1 Skeletal metastases lead to increased risk of fractures, weakened bones, severe pain and disability, and decreased mobility due to the development of…
Cancer Engineering Medicine Featured Abstracts

Cellular Senescence Is Associated with Phenotypic Changes that Promote Inflammation and Aging

Emily Lo Introduction: Cellular senescence is a cell stage associated with DNA damage in which a cell can no longer replicate and gains resistance to apoptosis1. Senescent cells secrete an array of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, including TNF-alpha, IL-6, and IL-81. Accumulation of senescent cells and their associated inflammation is…
Aging Engineering Medicine Featured Abstracts Inflammation

Impact of B-adrenergic Receptors in the Development, Diagnosis and Treatment of Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy

Paulamy Ganguly Introduction: The etiology of takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM) is poorly understood, yet the increased concentration of catecholamines is most often implicated in disease pathophysiology(1). Under stressful conditions, influx of catecholamines stimulates B-adrenergic receptors which leads to cardiomyocyte necrosis and toxicity(1). Patients with TCM present with chest pain, dyspnea or…
Cardiology Engineering Medicine Featured Abstracts

Will Staphylococcus Be the Key to Our Next Skincare Craze? Harnessing the Power of Staphylococcus Epidermidis to Treat Plaque Psoriasis

Alexandra Farhangui Introduction. Staphylococcus epidermidis is a common skin bacterium that has been shown to both promote wound healing and increase ceramide levels on the skin.1, 2 Ceramides are lipids derived from sphingomyelin and have been shown to be protective against skin water loss.3 Additionally, the absence of ceramide has…
Engineering Medicine Featured Abstracts Microbiology