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Exploring the Role of Lysine Acetylation During Biofilm Formation in Bacillus subtilis
Get PDFBiofilms are structured communities of bacterial cells encased in a self-produced extracellular matrix, composed of polysaccharides, extracellular DNA, and proteins. Bacteria in a biofilm pose significant challenges in healthcare due to their resistance to disinfectants and tolerance to antibiotics. In some species, histone-like proteins were found to be important structural components of the biofilm. Nε-Lysine acetylation is a widespread post-translational modification (PTM) in bacteria, which can alter a protein’s function. The histone-like protein HBsu in Bacillus subtilis is acetylated at seven sites in vivo. We hypothesized that the acetylation state of HBsu may alter biofilm structure or the genetic programming, which are not mutually exclusive possibilities. To test this, we are constructing acetyl mimic (glutamine substitutions) and deacetyl mimic (arginine substitutions) mutations at the native locus in the biofilm-producing background, NCIB 3610. We have constructed 6 of 14 mutants thus far. Once a mutant is constructed, we monitor biofilm formation in LBGM media for colony morphology and pellicle structure. Our results show that wildtype forms highly wrinkled pellicles and colonies. Mutants at sites K37Q and K3R displayed smoother pellicles and brown-red pigmentation. In contrast, the mutants at sites K18Q, K18R, K37R, and K75Q displayed increased wrinkling, but showed no brown-red pigmentation. Additional assays were performed to quantify the biofilm mass and metabolic activity of each mutant as well. Once all 7 sites are analyzed, our findings will demonstrate how HBsu acetylation affects biofilm structure, potentially leading to the development of new drugs for combating biofilm-associated infections
MIXED METHOD APPROACH TO LANGUAGE ALLOCATION POLICIES FOR HIGH SCHOOL ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS
Get PDFThis mixed-method sequential exploratory research study aims to describe how New York City High School principals use their language implementation policies to describe their approach to closing the achievement gap for English Learners through three theoretical lenses: transformative leadership, social constructivism, and ethics of care. The study used public data and documents along with principal interview
Broadening and Broadcasting the Impact of Cardiovascular Risk Factors Among Muslim Residents of Southern New Jersey with Special Emphasis on Opportunities of Future Interventions and Prevention Tactics
Get PDFAccording to AHA and NIH, CVD includes stroke, congenital heart disease, rhythm disorders, subclinical atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, heart failure, valvular disease, venous disease, and peripheral artery disease. Between 2017 and 2020, 127.9 million US adults (48.6%) had some form of CVD.
Among the target population, it was found that observing Ramadan fasting leads to an increase in total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides levels post-fasting. Yet, Islam emphasizes the importance of physical health as a privilege from God (Allah (swt)) and is seen as a religious duty.
The objective of the HCOP service project was to investigate the impact of CVD disease within Muslim residents in Southern NJ with a special emphasis on the role of the SDoH. Researchers developed and distributed a pamphlet regarding CVD risk factors to build awareness among Mosque residents and ultimately reduce the incidence of CVD.
With the continued rise and risk in CVD deaths among NJ residents, potential opportunities of interventions include:
-Connect with clergy leadership to bring awareness of the impact of CVD on the community.
-Hosting educational opportunities within Muslim communities to pilot future interventional opportunities
Case Report: Recurrent Miller Fisher Syndrome
Get PDFWe report the case of a 47-year-old male who presented with numbness and difficulty speaking and was diagnosed with Miller Fisher Syndrome, a variant Guillain-Barré Syndrome. The differential diagnosis for numbness and speech difficulty is broad and includes brain stem stroke, Wernicke encephalopathy, botulism, myasthenia gravis, among others. Although Miller Fisher Syndrome is rare, certain factors such as the of tumor necrosis factor-alpha antagonists may predispose a patient to the disease and its recurrence. As discovery of new tumor necrosis factor-alpha antagonists continues it will likely result in more presentations of Guillain-Barré Syndrome and its variants to the emergency department
Case Report: Transverse Myelitis in the Setting of Generalized Weakness
Get PDFWe report a case of a 79-year-old female who presented to the Emergency Department for generalized weakness and was diagnosed with transverse myelitis. The differential for generalized weakness is vast but for a patient who is able to perform activities of daily living with no assistance to now being unable to ambulate puts cauda equina, stroke, and brain lesion at the forefront until MRI gave the definitive diagnosis of transverse myelitis. Transverse myelitis (TM) is a neurologic disorder caused by inflammation of the spinal cord, specifically the material called myelin sheath that covers the nerve cell fibers
Case Report: Pigtail Suprapubic Catheter Placement in a Patient with Acute Urinary Retention and Abdominal Mesh
Get PDFAcute urinary retention (AUR) is a urological emergency that requires immediate bladder decompression and management of the underlying condition to prevent further complications such as urinary tract infection and renal failure. When standard urethral catheterization is not feasible, a suprapubic catheter can be used to achieve adequate bladder drainage. However, in patients with structural or anatomical challenges, such as the presence of surgical mesh, suprapubic catheter placement can be difficult. This case report presents the successful placement of an 8.5 French pigtail catheter and urinary drainage in an 86-year-old male with abdominal mesh who presented with AUR
Literature Review: Prazosin Used for PTSD in Pregnancy
Get PDFPosttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) affects 3–4% of pregnant and postpartum individuals and is associated with complications such as preterm birth, low birth weight, and postpartum depression. Pharmacologic treatment options during pregnancy are limited by concerns about fetal safety.
Methods: A literature review was conducted focusing on studies reporting maternal or neonatal outcomes following prazosin exposure in pregnancy.
Results: One observational study of 11 pregnancies found 54.5% had uneventful outcomes, with rates of preterm birth, miscarriage, and preeclampsia similar to the general population. Hypotension and limited lactation data remain concerns.
Conclusion: Early evidence suggests prazosin may be a relatively safe and effective adjunct for PTSD in pregnancy. Further research is needed to confirm safety and assess alternatives like Doxazosin
Autoimmune Encephalitis Presenting as Pseudodementia (Case Report)
Get PDFPatients with autoimmune encephalitis frequently present with psychiatric symptoms including psychosis, behavioral changes, and affective disorders. Because of this, misdiagnosis of a primary psychiatric disorder in a case of autoimmune encephalitis is not uncommon. We present a case of autoimmune encephalitis in a 72 year old who was initially thought to have psuedodementia or catatonia due to variable collateral who later on LP was found to have markers and responded to steroid treatment. This case highlights the importance of maintaining a broad differential with patients who present with psychiatric alterations and to consider other causes of behavioral change
Traumatic Cavernous Carotid Fistula Following a Motor Vehicle Accident
Get PDFTraumatic cavernous carotid fistulas are a rare but serious complication following blunt trauma, such as motor vehicle accidents, where the internal carotid artery is damaged, creating an abnormal connection with the cavernous sinus. This case report describes a 32-year-old female who presented with pulsatile proptosis, conjunctival chemosis, and visual disturbances following a motor vehicle accident. Imaging confirmed the presence of a traumatic cavernous carotid fistula. The patient underwent successful endovascular embolization, resulting in resolution of her symptoms. This report highlights the importance of early diagnosis and timely intervention, particularly through endovascular techniques, as the treatment of choice is to prevent long-term complications like vision loss and to restore normal ocular function
The Impact of Environmental Deficiencies on Maternal Health Outcomes
Get PDFThis study examines the environmental factors contributing to adverse maternal health outcomes in New Jersey, with particular focus on their disproportionate impact on minority women. Analysis of data from PubMed, Policy Map, NIH, CDC, EPA, and the New Jersey Department of Health reveals that women living in low-income areas face significant environmental challenges, including food deserts, air pollution, unsafe living conditions, inadequate infrastructure, and limited transportation options. These environmental determinants exacerbate maternal stress and contribute to complications such as preterm birth and hypertension. Black women are nearly three times more vulnerable to these adverse outcomes compared to white women, highlighting systemic inequalities in community resources and healthcare access. While this research provides valuable insights into the relationship between environmental factors and maternal health disparities in New Jersey, limitations include insufficient data quality for Southern New Jersey and research gaps that fail to align with local stakeholders\u27 perspectives. Understanding these environmental determinants is crucial for addressing the consistently rising maternal mortality rates in the United States compared to other developed nations