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Works (1066)
91. Do Different Home-Based Resistance Training Programs Affect Running Economy and Plantarflexor Function in Middle-Aged Runners? An Exploratory Study
- Title Tesim:
- Do Different Home-Based Resistance Training Programs Affect Running Economy and Plantarflexor Function in Middle-Aged Runners? An Exploratory Study
- Creator:
- Powell, Douglas W., Kearns, Zoey C., Paquette, Max R., Franz, Jason R., and Krupenevich, Rebecca L.
- Date of publication:
- February 4, 2026
- Abstract Tesim:
- <p>Endurance running exposure alone may not be sufficient to slow the age-related decline in plantarflexor function, which is also thought to contribute to the decline in running economy. Strength training has been shown to improve running performance, but specific programs have not been evaluated for their assistance in maintaining plantarflexor function and “youthful” metabolic costs in aging runners. The purpose of this study was to assess the relative influence of three types of resistance training interventions on running economy (RE), plantarflexor function, and Achilles tendon (AT) stiffness in middle-aged runners. Methods: Twenty-six middle-aged runners (51 ± 5 yrs) participated in one of three 10-week resistance training interventions: (1) heavy resistance training, (2) heavy resistance training + plyometrics, and (3) endurance resistance training + plyometrics. Laboratory testing for RE, biomechanical variables, peak plantarflexor torque, and AT stiffness during isometric contractions occurred before and after the interventions. A mixed-design repeated measures ANOVA was used to address our research question, while paired and independent t-tests were used to compare time and group effects, respectively. Results: Relative (to V˙O2max) RE (−2.4%, p = 0.016), AT stiffness (+26.1%, p = 0.002), and peak isometric plantarflexor torque (+26.4%, p = 0.001) improved with resistance training, with no interaction or group effects. No significant interaction, time, or group effects were observed for V˙O2max and peak plantarflexor torque, peak positive ankle power, or positive and negative ankle work while running. Conclusions: We present novel but exploratory findings that resistance training, regardless of modality, may moderately improve RE and Achilles tendon stiffness in middle-aged recreational runners. However, sagittal plane lower joint kinematics, extensor torques, powers, and work were unaffected by resistance training in middle-aged runners.</p>
- Resource type:
- Article
- Affiliation Label Tesim:
- School of Medicine and UNC/NCSU Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering
- Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text
- DOI:
- https://doi.org/10.17615/yj3d-9b23
- Edition:
- Publisher
- Identifier:
- DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/biomechanics6010018 and Dimensions ID: pub.1197971131
- ISSN:
- 2673-7078
- Journal Issue:
- 1
- Journal Title:
- Biomechanics
- Journal Volume:
- 6
- Keyword:
- time, aged runners, endurance resistance training, running performance, endurance, kinematics, running economy, isometric contraction, group effect, resistance, questions, lower joint kinematics, positive ankle power, research questions, plantarflexors, laboratory tests, Achilles tendon stiffness, contraction, biomechanical variables, age-related decline, ANOVA, recreational runners, test, training intervention, plyometric, torque, differences, exploratory findings, exposure, plantarflexor torque, ankle work, study, strength training, plantarflexor function, decline, modalities, heavy resistance training, research, Achilles tendon, program, No significant interaction, group, independent t-test, joint kinematics, middle-aged runners, performance, laboratory, findings, age, significant interaction, intervention, running, t-test, extensor torque, influence, training, cost, power, tendon stiffness, function, tendon, interaction, AT stiffness, work, runners, variables, assistance, resistance training, resistance training intervention, stiffness, metabolic cost, economy, Achilles, effect, extensor, and ankle power
- License Label:
- Attribution 4.0 International
- ORCID:
- Other Affiliation:
- College of Health Sciences, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN, USA and
- Page Start:
- 18
- Person:
- Powell, Douglas W., Kearns, Zoey C., Paquette, Max R., Franz, Jason R., and Krupenevich, Rebecca L.
- Publisher:
- MDPI
- Rights Statement Label:
- In Copyright
92. Design and Validation of a Multi-Modal Bioreactor System: Assessing the Effects of Perfusion and Cyclic Tensile Stimulation on Mechanical and Biological Properties of 3D-Printed Missing-Rib Auxetic Scaffolds
- Title Tesim:
- Design and Validation of a Multi-Modal Bioreactor System: Assessing the Effects of Perfusion and Cyclic Tensile Stimulation on Mechanical and Biological Properties of 3D-Printed Missing-Rib Auxetic Scaffolds
- Creator:
- Hossan, Sakhawat, Sharmin, Tavila, and Shirwaiker, Rohan A.
- Date of publication:
- 2026
- Abstract Tesim:
- <p>Bioreactors used for the maturation of cell-seeded tissue-engineered scaffolds should essentially mimic the dynamic in vivo environments experienced by the native tissues they intend to substitute. In addition to perfusion of growth medium to facilitate continuous mass transfer, application of appropriate mechanical stimulation is important to enhance cellular responses in scaffolds for tissues such as tendons, skin, and cardiac muscle that experience dynamic loading. This study focuses on the development of a multi-modal custom bioreactor capable of applying cyclic tensile stimulation and perfusion within physiologically relevant ranges while minimizing shear stress detrimental to cells seeded on scaffolds. To validate the bioreactor design and operation, we assessed the effects of tensile stimulation (0.1 Hz, 2000 cycles/day) and perfusion (media flow rate = 0.15 mL/min) over 21 days on the biofunctional performance of 3D-bioplotted polycaprolactone (PCL) auxetic scaffolds with a representative design (missing-rib pattern) characterized by negative Poisson’s ratio similar to the aforementioned soft tissues. The scaffold had a tensile yield strain of 9.14%, yield strength of 0.25 MPa, elastic modulus of 2.85 MPa, and ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of 1.32 MPa. The application of perfusion and tensile stimulation (0–5% cyclic strain) for 21 days did not adversely affect the yield strength and elastic modulus of the scaffold but affected its UTS (22.5% decrease) compared to the control cultured without perfusion or stimulation. Notably, it resulted in significantly improved fibroblast cellular responses (DNA = 29 µg/g sample and collagen = 371.78 µg/g sample) compared to the control (7.52 µg/g sample and 163.51 µg/g sample, respectively). These results validate the bioreactor system operation and the ability of multi-modal stimulation to control biofunctional responses of auxetic scaffolds, which will serve as the basis for future studies that will optimize auxetic scaffold design and dynamic culture parameters for NPR tissue-specific applications.</p>
- Resource type:
- Article
- Affiliation Label Tesim:
- College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Computer Science, School of Medicine, and UNC/NCSU Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering
- DOI:
- https://doi.org/10.17615/qjad-7m39
- Edition:
- Publisher
- Identifier:
- https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering13020140
- ISSN:
- 2306-5354
- Journal Issue:
- 2
- Journal Title:
- Bioengineering
- Journal Volume:
- 13
- Keyword:
- perfusion, biofabrication, bioreactor, auxetic scaffold, and mechanical stimulation
- Language Label:
- English
- License Label:
- Attribution 4.0 International
- ORCID:
- Other Affiliation:
- and Edward P. Fitts Department of Industrial & Systems Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
- Page Start:
- 140
- Person:
- Hossan, Sakhawat, Sharmin, Tavila, and Shirwaiker, Rohan A.
- Publisher:
- MDPI
- Source:
- fb63c88e-63a4-4265-91ff-dde64b735157
93. Biofunctionalized Vascular Access Graft Improves Patency and Endothelialization in a Porcine Arteriovenous Model
- Title Tesim:
- Biofunctionalized Vascular Access Graft Improves Patency and Endothelialization in a Porcine Arteriovenous Model
- Creator:
- Wai, Christine, Battistella, Aurora, Linger, Morgan, Overton, Meredith, Xi, Gang, Roy-Chaudhury, Prabir, and Tan, Wei
- Date of publication:
- 2026
- Abstract Tesim:
- Reliable vascular access remains a major clinical challenge for hemodialysis patients, as expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) grafts exhibit poor patency and frequent complications driven by thrombosis and neointimal hyperplasia. Tissue-engineered vascular grafts offer a regenerative alternative but often lack the mechanical resilience required for high-flow arteriovenous (AV) environments. Here, we developed a reinforced, biofunctionalized coaxial electrospun graft comprising a poly(ε-caprolactone) mechanical core and a norbornene-functionalized poly(ethylene glycol) sheath incorporating pro-endothelialization cues. Circumferential PTFE rings were added to improve kink resistance. Grafts were implanted in a porcine AV configuration that recapitulates clinical hemodynamic conditions. Mechanical characterization included compliance, burst pressure, and kink resistance; host remodeling was assessed using histology, immunofluorescence, and multiphoton imaging at 4 weeks. Ring-reinforced electrospun grafts demonstrated a kink radius of 0.187 cm, compliance of 1.04 ± 0.29%/100 mmHg, and burst pressure of 1505 ± 565 mmHg, values all comparable to Gore-Tex PTFE and within industrial performance standards. In vivo, the electrospun grafts showed extensive host cell infiltration, collagen deposition, and formation of smooth muscle-like tissue, whereas PTFE controls remained largely acellular. Immunofluorescence confirmed intramural α-SMA+ and CD31+ cell populations, and multiphoton microscopy revealed significantly greater collagen and elastin content compared with PTFE (p < 0.05). Collectively, these findings demonstrate that the reinforced electrospun graft maintains mechanical integrity under physiological AV loading while supporting in situ endothelialization and extracellular matrix remodeling in a clinically relevant, large animal model. This work provides one of the first demonstrations of functional tissue regeneration within a fully synthetic, acellular scaffold in a porcine hemodialysis model and advances the translational development of durable, regenerative vascular access grafts that couple mechanical resilience with bioactive healing capacity.
- Resource type:
- Article
- Affiliation Label Tesim:
- School of Medicine and UNC Kidney Center
- DOI:
- https://doi.org/10.17615/0tzj-p738
- Edition:
- Publisher
- Identifier:
- https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb17020065
- ISSN:
- 2079-4983
- Journal Issue:
- 2
- Journal Title:
- Journal of Functional Biomaterials
- Journal Volume:
- 17
- Keyword:
- tissue-engineered vascular grafts (TEVGs), porcine model, biofunctionalized scaffold, arteriovenous (AV) access, and endothelialization
- Language Label:
- English
- License Label:
- Attribution 4.0 International
- Other Affiliation:
- , Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, CO, and Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, CO
- Page Start:
- 65
- Person:
- Wai, Christine, Battistella, Aurora, Linger, Morgan, Overton, Meredith, Xi, Gang, Roy-Chaudhury, Prabir, and Tan, Wei
- Publisher:
- MDPI
- Rights Statement Label:
- In Copyright
- Source:
- 05ba5499-b9f2-4a40-a84b-e4188201bda7
94. A Multi-Level EEG–EMG Neurofeedback Platform for Hand Rehabilitation After Stroke
- Title Tesim:
- A Multi-Level EEG–EMG Neurofeedback Platform for Hand Rehabilitation After Stroke
- Creator:
- Blaylock, Jared, Ailsworth, James, Kamper, Derek, and Roy, Rinku
- Date of publication:
- 2026
- Abstract Tesim:
- <p>Hand rehabilitation in neurologic conditions such as stroke and cerebral palsy traditionally emphasizes repetitive task practice with visually observable feedback, despite motor impairment arising largely from abnormal neuromuscular activation. We present a platform that leverages noninvasive measurements of brain and muscle activity for neurofeedback-guided movement training. Trainees first learn to control EEG during movement preparation, followed by reciprocal control of finger muscle EMG during exoskeleton-assisted movement. We describe the platform design and two feasibility studies. Five neurotypical individuals learned to use EEG and EMG to drive an exoskeleton to grasp and release a virtual ball in a single session. They achieved a mean success rate of 65%, demonstrating improved movement latency (9%) and task completion time (6%) across the session. One individual post-stroke trained with the platform across eight sessions and exhibited improvements on the Box and Blocks Test, the Action Research Arm Test, and the Wolf Motor Function Test. These results demonstrate the feasibility of multi-level, neurofeedback training that targets neural activation throughout movement, rather than movement outcome alone. By explicitly engaging both cortical and muscular control signals, this paradigm offers a promising new direction for hand rehabilitation following neurologic injury.</p>
- Resource type:
- Article
- Affiliation Label Tesim:
- School of Medicine and UNC/NCSU Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering
- DOI:
- https://doi.org/10.17615/2sg7-2e29
- Edition:
- Publisher
- Identifier:
- https://doi.org/10.3390/app16031336
- ISSN:
- 2076-3417
- Journal Issue:
- 3
- Journal Title:
- Applied Sciences
- Journal Volume:
- 16
- Keyword:
- exoskeleton, neurorehabilitation, and neurofeedback
- Language Label:
- English
- License Label:
- Attribution 4.0 International
- ORCID:
- Other Affiliation:
- Page Start:
- 1336
- Person:
- Blaylock, Jared, Ailsworth, James, Kamper, Derek, and Roy, Rinku
- Publisher:
- MDPI
- Source:
- bbe1d5c0-0b83-40f5-88ca-318ab0322f92
95. Nanobiosensors: A Potential Tool to Decipher the Nexus Between SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Gut Dysbiosis
- Title Tesim:
- Nanobiosensors: A Potential Tool to Decipher the Nexus Between SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Gut Dysbiosis
- Creator:
- Tiwari, Atul Kumar, Patolsky, Fernando, Meena, Ramovatar, Narayan, Roger J., Mishra, Siddhartha Kumar, and Gupta, Munesh Kumar
- Date of publication:
- January 16, 2026
- Abstract Tesim:
- <p>The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 posed a great global threat and emphasized the urgent need for diagnostic tools that are rapid, reliable, sensitive and capable of real-time monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 infections. Recent investigations have identified a potential connection between SARS-CoV-2 infection and gut dysbiosis, highlighting the sophisticated interplay between the virus and the host microbiome. This review article discusses the eminence of nanobiosensors, as state-of-the-art tools, to investigate and clarify the connection between SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis and gut microbiome imbalance. Nanobiosensors are uniquely advantageous owing to their sensitivity, selectivity, specificity, and reliable monitoring capabilities, making them well-suited for identifying both viral particles and microbial markers in biological samples. We explored a range of nanobiosensor platforms and their potential use for concurrently monitoring the gut dysbiosis induced by different pathological conditions. Additionally, we explore how advanced sensing technologies can shed light on the mechanisms driving virus-induced dysbiosis, and the implications for disease progression and patient outcomes. The integration of nanobiosensors with microfluidic devices and artificial intelligence algorithms has also been explored, highlighting the potential of developing point-of-care diagnostic tools that provide comprehensive insights into both viral infection and gut health. Utilizing nanotechnology, scientists and healthcare professionals may gain a more profound insight into the complex interaction dynamics between SARS-CoV-2 infection and the gut microenvironment. This could pave the way for enhanced diagnostic and prognostic approaches, treatment courses, and patient care for COVID-19.</p>
- Resource type:
- Article
- Affiliation Label Tesim:
- School of Medicine and UNC/NCSU Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering
- Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text
- DOI:
- https://doi.org/10.17615/z2v7-7f49
- Edition:
- Publisher
- Identifier:
- Dimensions ID: pub.1197308361 and DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/s26020616
- ISSN:
- 1424-8220
- Journal Issue:
- 2
- Journal Title:
- Sensors
- Journal Volume:
- 26
- Keyword:
- nanobiosensors, use, mechanism, viral infection, viral particles, specificity, monitoring, platform, infection, investigation, algorithm, monitoring capabilities, markers, SARS-CoV-2, disease, virus, connection, state-of-the-art, SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis, diagnostic tool, healthcare professionals, review article, approach, global threat, threat, nanobiosensor platform, outcomes, patient outcomes, dynamics, eminence, insights, microfluidic devices, microenvironment, selection, monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 infection, potential use, point-of-care diagnostic tool, real-time monitoring, particles, progression, microbiome imbalance, sensitivity, advanced sensing technologies, course, microbiome, gut microbiome imbalance, artificial intelligence algorithms, health, dysbiosis, emergency, technology, healthcare, pathological conditions, treatment course, imbalance, sensing technology, article, devices, prognostic approach, tools, scientists, treatment, patients, disease progression, gut health, complex interaction dynamics, gut, intelligence algorithms, professionals, pathogenesis, state-of-the-art tools, conditions, nanotechnology, potential, review, host microbiome, COVID-19, capability, gut microenvironment, gut dysbiosis, samples, comprehensive insight, interaction dynamics, biological samples, host, emergence of SARS-CoV-2, integration, microbial markers, and SARS-CoV-2 infection
- License Label:
- Attribution 4.0 International
- ORCID:
- https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3188-3566, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1382-5357, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3703-3274, , and https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2107-1727
- Other Affiliation:
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi, India, School of Chemistry, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel, School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India, , Department of Biochemistry, University of Lucknow, Lucknow, India, and Department of Microbiology, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
- Page Start:
- 616
- Person:
- Tiwari, Atul Kumar, Patolsky, Fernando, Meena, Ramovatar, Narayan, Roger J., Mishra, Siddhartha Kumar, and Gupta, Munesh Kumar
- Publisher:
- MDPI
- Rights Statement Label:
- In Copyright
96. Multidisciplinary Approach for Dental Management of Congenital Insensitivity to Pain with Anhidrosis: Clinical Case Report with 12-Month Follow-Up
- Title Tesim:
- Multidisciplinary Approach for Dental Management of Congenital Insensitivity to Pain with Anhidrosis: Clinical Case Report with 12-Month Follow-Up
- Creator:
- Abdel-bari, Almoataz B. A. T., Fawzy, Mohamed, Saad, Khaled A., and Alhadainy, Hatem A.
- Date of publication:
- January 20, 2026
- Abstract Tesim:
- <p>Background: Congenital Insensitivity to Pain and Anhidrosis (CIPA) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by congenital analgesia, anhidrosis, and multisystem involvement affecting the musculoskeletal, cutaneous, oral, and para-oral structures. This case report describes the oral phenotype and multidisciplinary clinical management of a child with CIPA. Case Description: A 9-year-old boy presented with poor oral hygiene, multiple severely damaged teeth, masticatory difficulty, limited mouth opening, impaired bolus control, and para-oral traumatic injuries. Medical and orthopedic history indicated recurrent painless fractures, self-inflicted injuries, cutaneous scarring, and recurrent hyperpyrexia. Oral self-injury associated with CIPA was suspected and supported by the Nociception Assessment Test and Minor’s Iodine–Starch Test. Although the clinical findings were suggestive of CIPA, the diagnosis remained presumptive due to the absence of confirmatory molecular or histopathological testing. Management: A wearable wireless continuous temperature-monitoring device was prescribed to assist in tracking hyperpyrexia associated with CIPA (RHA-CIPA). A conservative, staged, multidisciplinary treatment was planned rather than full-mouth extraction, emphasizing prevention of dental sepsis and mitigation of future self-injury. Dental procedures were performed under local anesthesia to manage discomfort related to tactile hyperesthesia. To reduce nocturnal biting and oral trauma, a hard acrylic occlusal protector was fabricated using an intraoral scanner and a 3D-printed cast. The patient was followed for 12 months. Outcomes: At the 12-month follow-up, clinical improvement was observed, with particularly notable gains in cheek elasticity and soft tissue resilience. Conclusions: This case highlights the considerable challenges involved in the interdisciplinary management of children with CIPA, including oral self-injury prevention, limited mouth opening, and the necessity of close coordination with medical specialties. These findings are descriptive observations of a single case and do not establish efficacy or generalizability of any intervention.</p>
- Resource type:
- Article
- Affiliation Label Tesim:
- School of Dentistry
- Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text
- DOI:
- https://doi.org/10.17615/gwse-v060
- Edition:
- Publisher
- Identifier:
- Dimensions ID: pub.1197414943 and DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/dj14010068
- ISSN:
- 2304-6767
- Journal Issue:
- 1
- Journal Title:
- Dentistry Journal
- Journal Volume:
- 14
- Keyword:
- congenital analgesia, tracking, trauma, interdisciplinary management, bolus control, case report, pain, children, diagnosis, tissue resilience, nocturnal biting, rare autosomal recessive disorder, management, structure, management of children, protector, para-oral structures, iodine-starch test, cast, involvement, hyperesthesia, observations, local anesthesia, clinical management, reports, multidisciplinary approach, difficulties, medical specialties, anhidrosis, months, multidisciplinary treatment, follow-up, bite, dental procedures, insensitivity to pain, self-inflicted injury, masticatory difficulty, injury, test, clinical case report, opening, fracture, teeth, extraction, cases, improvement, mouth opening, procedure, efficacy, scars, full-mouth extraction, histopathological tests, dental, painless fractures, hygiene, prevention, cutaneous scars, dental sepsis, traumatic injury, mitigation, boys, gain, limited mouth opening, oral phenotype, nociception, coordination, intraoral scanner, minority, oral hygiene, scanner, orthopedic history, resilience, phenotype, temperature-monitoring device, hyperpyrexia, recurrent hyperpyrexia, wearable, specialty, assessment test, sepsis, discomfort, elasticity, multisystem involvement, intervention, history, treatment, anesthesia, oral trauma, multidisciplinary clinical management, autosomal recessive disorder, multisystem, analgesia, self-injury, recessive disorder, congenital insensitivity to pain, devices, poor oral hygiene, control, absence, findings, Minor's iodine-starch test, approach, dental management, clinical findings, patients, generalizability, clinical improvement, CIPA, and disorders
- License Label:
- Attribution 4.0 International
- ORCID:
- Other Affiliation:
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt, Department of Endodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt, and
- Page Start:
- 68
- Person:
- Abdel-bari, Almoataz B. A. T., Fawzy, Mohamed, Saad, Khaled A., and Alhadainy, Hatem A.
- Publisher:
- MDPI
- Rights Statement Label:
- In Copyright
97. Conversational AI-Enabled Precision Oncology Reveals Context-Dependent MAPK Pathway Alterations in Hispanic/Latino and Non-Hispanic White Colorectal Cancer Stratified by Age and FOLFOX Exposure
- Title Tesim:
- Conversational AI-Enabled Precision Oncology Reveals Context-Dependent MAPK Pathway Alterations in Hispanic/Latino and Non-Hispanic White Colorectal Cancer Stratified by Age and FOLFOX Exposure
- Creator:
- Diaz, Fernando C., Velazquez-Villarreal, Enrique, Manjarrez, Sophia, Carranza, Francisco G., and Waldrup, Brigette
- Date of publication:
- January 17, 2026
- Abstract Tesim:
- <p>Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) demonstrates substantial clinical and biological diversity across age groups, ancestral backgrounds, and treatment settings, alongside a rising incidence of early-onset disease (EOCRC). The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway is a major driver of CRC development and therapy response; however, the distribution and prognostic value of MAPK alterations across distinct patient subgroups remain unclear. Methods: We analyzed 2515 CRC tumors with harmonized demographic, clinical, genomic, and treatment metadata. Patients were stratified by ancestry (Hispanic/Latino [H/L] vs. non-Hispanic White [NHW]), age at diagnosis (early-onset [EO] vs. late-onset [LO]), and FOLFOX chemotherapy exposure. MAPK pathway alterations were identified using a curated gene set encompassing canonical EGFR-RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK signaling components and regulatory nodes. Conversational artificial intelligence (AI-HOPE and AI-HOPE-MAPK) enabled natural language-driven cohort construction and exploratory analytics; findings were validated using Fisher’s exact testing, chi-square analyses, and Kaplan–Meier survival estimates. Results: MAPK pathway disruption demonstrated marked heterogeneity across ancestry and treatment contexts. Among EO H/L patients, FGFR3, NF1, and RPS6KA6 mutations were significantly enriched in tumors not receiving FOLFOX, whereas PDGFRB alterations were more frequent in FOLFOX-treated EO H/L tumors relative to EO NHW counterparts. In late-onset H/L disease, NTRK2 and PDGFRB mutations were more common in non-FOLFOX tumors. Distinct MAPK-associated alterations were also observed among NHW patients, particularly in non-FOLFOX settings, including AKT3, FGF4, RRAS2, CRKL, DUSP4, JUN, MAPK1, RRAS, and SOS1. Survival analyses provided borderline evidence that MAPK alterations may be linked to improved overall survival in treated EO NHW patients. Conversational AI markedly accelerated analytic throughput and multi-parameter discovery. Conclusions: Although MAPK alterations are pervasive in CRC, their distribution varies meaningfully by ancestry, age, and treatment exposure. These findings highlight NF1, MAPK3, RPS6KA4, and PDGFRB as potential biomarkers in EOCRC and H/L patients, supporting the need for ancestry-aware precision oncology approaches.</p>
- Resource type:
- Article
- Affiliation Label Tesim:
- N.C. Cancer Hospital and UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center
- Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text
- DOI:
- https://doi.org/10.17615/qhs2-fp32
- Edition:
- Publisher
- Identifier:
- Dimensions ID: pub.1197372341 and DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/cancers18020293
- ISSN:
- 2072-6694
- Journal Issue:
- 2
- Journal Title:
- Cancers
- Journal Volume:
- 18
- Keyword:
- signaling components, chemotherapy exposure, colorectal cancer development, development, H/L patients, components, NHW counterparts, nodes, ancestry, MAPK pathway alterations, oncology, FOLFOX, Kaplan-Meier survival estimates, disease, MAPK3, patients, age, potential biomarkers, survival, survival estimates, treatment settings, exploratory analytics, discovery, FGF4, therapy, age groups, mutations, group, incidence of early-onset disease, response, intelligence, curated gene sets, incidence, prognostic value, context, test, biomarkers, regulatory nodes, PDGFRB, H/L, treatment metadata, disruption, precision oncology approaches, analysis, conversational artificial intelligence, biological diversity, early-onset disease, NF1, analytes, Hispanic/Latino, DUSP4, artificial intelligence, background, MAPK alterations, borderline, pathway, borderline evidence, NTRK2, colorectal cancer, cancer, signal, RRAS, CRKL, evidence, distribution, survival analysis, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, counterparts, treatment context, exact test, pathway disruption, ancestral background, RPS6KA4, construction, conversational AI, estimation, chi-square analysis, diagnosis, AKT3, analytical throughput, patient subgroups, MAPK, Fisher's exact test, MAPK1, treatment, treatment exposure, exposure, approach, diversity, oncology approaches, Fisher, throughput, metadata, therapy response, precision oncology, sets, EOCRC, FGFR3, NHW, gene sets, cohort construction, pathway alterations, NHW patients, heterogeneity, RRAS2, subgroups, RPS6KA6, SOS1, alterations, PDGFRB mutations, findings, tumor, colorectal cancer tumors, and overall survival
- License Label:
- Attribution 4.0 International
- ORCID:
- Other Affiliation:
- and Department of Integrative Translational Sciences, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA
- Page Start:
- 293
- Person:
- Diaz, Fernando C., Velazquez-Villarreal, Enrique, Manjarrez, Sophia, Carranza, Francisco G., and Waldrup, Brigette
- Publisher:
- MDPI
- Rights Statement Label:
- In Copyright
98. Comparing the Relationship Between Social Determinants of Health and Frailty Status of Medicare Beneficiaries in Rural and Urban Areas in the United States
- Title Tesim:
- Comparing the Relationship Between Social Determinants of Health and Frailty Status of Medicare Beneficiaries in Rural and Urban Areas in the United States
- Creator:
- Vásquez, Elizabeth, Lynch, David H., Daneshvar, Nina, Spangler, Hillary B., Xie, Wenyi, Chen, Haiyi, Batsis, John A., and Lin, Feng-Chang
- Date of publication:
- January 9, 2026
- Abstract Tesim:
- <p>Background: Frailty is a geriatric syndrome of increased physiological vulnerability, decreasing an older adult’s ability to successfully cope with health stressors. Social determinants of health (SDOH), including rural residence, can amplify healthcare disparities for older adults due to less accessibility to resources and lead to worse health outcomes. While the impact of rurality on older adult health is well-established, little is known about how the interaction of SDOH and geographical residence impact frailty status in older adults. Methods: Older adults (65+ years) in the National Health and Aging Trend Study (2011–2021) were categorized using Fried’s frailty phenotype (robust, pre-frail, frail). Rurality was defined using the 2013 Rural–Urban Continuum Codes. Generalized estimation equations with generalized logit link function determined the relationship between SDOHs (healthcare access, community support, income, education) and frailty status. Results: Of n = 6082 participants (56.4% female), the mean age was 75.12 years (SE 0.10), 1133 (18.6%) lived in rural residence, and 2652 (53.0%) had pre-frailty. Although there was no relationship between geographical residence and frailty status (p = 0.73), we did observe lower associated odds of worse frailty status for those with Medigap insurance coverage (0.81, SE 0.08; p = 0.04) and inconsistent frailty status trends for those of divorced (1.12, SE 0.05; p = 0.007) and never married (0.20, SE 0.03; p < 0.001) status in urban areas. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that geographic residence may modify the relationship between SDOH and frailty status in older adults, providing novel insight into the complexity of these interactions. This work is important for identifying modifiable areas where additional support interventions may be important for mitigating frailty development and progression for older adults with efforts at both the individual and system levels.</p>
- Resource type:
- Article
- Affiliation Label Tesim:
- School of Medicine, Division of Geriatric Medicine, Gillings School of Global Public Health, and Department of Biostatistics
- Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text
- DOI:
- https://doi.org/10.17615/ajjb-a295
- Edition:
- Publisher
- Identifier:
- Dimensions ID: pub.1197067645 and DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/jal6010006
- ISSN:
- 2673-9259
- Journal Issue:
- 1
- Journal Title:
- Journal of Ageing and Longevity
- Journal Volume:
- 6
- Keyword:
- logit link function, development, Fried frailty phenotype, pre-frailty, trends, geographic residence, system level, complex, United States, physiological vulnerability, disparities, equations, syndrome, rural residents, beneficiaries, phenotype, geriatric syndromes, National, Rural, frailty development, adults, modified areas, area, social determinants, frailty phenotype, progression, Social, older adults, coverage, Medigap, determinants of health, health stressors, access, state, study, age, impact, intervention, social determinants of health, Rural-Urban Continuum Codes, units, interaction, urban areas, less access, resources, Medicare beneficiaries, Se, Continuum Codes, participants, estimating equations, status, findings, years, generalized estimating equations, rural-urban, link function, residents, older adults' health, frailty status, system, fry, Trends Study, older adults' ability , stressors, insurance coverage, health outcomes, adult health, National Health and Aging Trends Study, code, vulnerability, impact of rurality, relationship, adults' ability, healthcare disparities, urbanization, function, ability, outcomes, health, healthcare, frailty, and levels
- License Label:
- Attribution 4.0 International
- ORCID:
- https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1402-9712, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2512-9367, , https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4027-4113, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0845-4416, and https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2638-1775
- Other Affiliation:
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Integrated Health Science, University at Albany, Albany, NY, USA and
- Page Start:
- 6
- Person:
- Vásquez, Elizabeth, Lynch, David H., Daneshvar, Nina, Spangler, Hillary B., Xie, Wenyi, Chen, Haiyi, Batsis, John A., and Lin, Feng-Chang
- Publisher:
- MDPI
- Rights Statement Label:
- In Copyright
99. Prognostic Impact of RTK–RAS Alterations in FOLFOX-Treated Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer Revealed by Artificial Intelligence-Driven Precision Oncology
- Title Tesim:
- Prognostic Impact of RTK–RAS Alterations in FOLFOX-Treated Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer Revealed by Artificial Intelligence-Driven Precision Oncology
- Creator:
- Manjarrez, Sophia, Diaz, Fernando C., Waldrup, Brigette, Carranza, Francisco G., and Velazquez-Villarreal, Enrique
- Date of publication:
- January 13, 2026
- Abstract Tesim:
- <p>Background/Objectives: Early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC; diagnosed before age 50) is rising at an accelerated rate, with a disproportionate impact on underserved populations. While alterations in the receptor tyrosine kinase–RAS (RTK–RAS) signaling pathway play a fundamental role in colorectal cancer (CRC) biology, their prognostic significance in the setting of FOLFOX chemotherapy—particularly across different age groups and ancestral backgrounds—remains insufficiently characterized. We sought to characterize age-, ancestry-, and treatment-specific associations between RTK–RAS alterations and clinical outcomes using an AI-enabled precision oncology framework. Methods: We analyzed 2515 CRC cases, including 266 Hispanic/Latino (H/L) and 2249 non-Hispanic White (NHW) patients, stratified by age at onset, ancestry, and FOLFOX treatment status. Mutation frequencies were assessed using Fisher’s exact and chi-square tests, while overall survival was analyzed with Kaplan–Meier methods. The AI-HOPE and AI-HOPE–RTK–RAS conversational artificial intelligence platforms were used to integrate clinical, genomic, and treatment data via multi-parameter, natural language–based queries. Results: In early-onset Hispanic/Latino patients, ERBB2 and NF1 mutations occurred at significantly lower frequencies in FOLFOX-treated cases compared with untreated cases (p = 0.01 for both). In late-onset H/L patients, NTRK2 mutations were depleted in FOLFOX-treated tumors (p = 0.04). In untreated early-onset H/L patients, MAPK3 and NF1 mutations were enriched relative to NHW counterparts. Among early-onset NHW patients, IGF1R and ERRFI1 mutations were less frequent with FOLFOX exposure, while multiple RTK–RAS genes were reduced in FOLFOX-treated late-onset NHW patients. Survival analyses revealed worse overall survival in FOLFOX-untreated early-onset NHW patients with RTK–RAS alterations (p = 0.029), but improved survival in FOLFOX-treated late-onset NHW patients (p = 0.048). Conclusions: RTK–RAS pathway alterations demonstrate strong age-, ancestry-, and treatment-specific prognostic effects and may serve as precision biomarkers of differential chemotherapy response. AI-enabled analytics substantially accelerated integrative biomarker discovery, supporting their utility for advancing precision oncology in EOCRC.</p>
- Resource type:
- Article
- Affiliation Label Tesim:
- N.C. Cancer Hospital and UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center
- Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text
- DOI:
- https://doi.org/10.17615/0d8e-w869
- Edition:
- Publisher
- Identifier:
- Dimensions ID: pub.1197182092 and DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/cancers18020239
- ISSN:
- 2072-6694
- Journal Issue:
- 2
- Journal Title:
- Cancers
- Journal Volume:
- 18
- Keyword:
- oncology, colorectal cancer, pathway alterations, NTRK2, query, RTK-RAS, Kaplan-Meier method, genes, mutation frequency, significance, Hispanic/Latino, NHW counterparts, prognostic effect, signaling pathway, prognostic impact, MAPK3, cancer, platform, group, method, FOLFOX, chemotherapy response, patients, underserved populations, H/L, NHW, test, frequency, impact, ERRFI1, response, prognostic significance, biology, receptors, overall survival, mutations, precision biomarkers, analysis, analytes, intelligent platform, counterparts, Fisher, H/L patients, colorectal cancer cases, NF1, population, multi-parameter, cases, effect, treatment data, clinical outcomes, association, untreated cases, exposure, artificial intelligence platform, survival, onset, Hispanic/Latino patients, ErbB2, biomarker discovery, alterations, age groups, precision oncology, treatment status, ancestry, precision, age, rate, outcomes, survival analysis, NHW patients, NF1 mutations, data, signal, tumor, treatment, pathway, discovery, non-Hispanic, framework, status, disproportionate impact, early-onset colorectal cancer, IGF1R, EOCRC, and chi-square test
- License Label:
- Attribution 4.0 International
- ORCID:
- Other Affiliation:
- Department of Integrative Translational Sciences, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA and
- Page Start:
- 239
- Person:
- Manjarrez, Sophia, Diaz, Fernando C., Waldrup, Brigette, Carranza, Francisco G., and Velazquez-Villarreal, Enrique
- Publisher:
- MDPI
- Rights Statement Label:
- In Copyright
100. Elucidating the Mechanism of the Liqi Yangyin Formula in Treating Depression–Constipation Comorbidity: An Integrative Approach Using Network Pharmacology and Experimental Validation
- Title Tesim:
- Elucidating the Mechanism of the Liqi Yangyin Formula in Treating Depression–Constipation Comorbidity: An Integrative Approach Using Network Pharmacology and Experimental Validation
- Creator:
- Xu, Tianshu, Ong, Shun Seng, Deng, Xiaoyue, Tang, Zhao, Li, Ming, Xu, Lianjie, and Qian, Yunzhi
- Date of publication:
- January 7, 2026
- Abstract Tesim:
- <p>Background: The traditional formula Liqi Yangyin (LQYY) has shown clinical and preclinical efficacy for depression with constipation, yet its molecular mechanisms remain incompletely defined. This study aimed to elucidate its mechanisms using an integrative approach. Methods: Constituents of LQYY were profiled by UPLC-MS/MS and integrated with network pharmacology and molecular docking to identify brain-accessible components and putative targets. A chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) model was used for experimental validation. Outcomes included behavioral tests (sucrose preference test, open field test, and forced swimming test), gastrointestinal indices, including fecal water content, time of first black stool, and intestinal propulsion rate, histopathology of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and colon, TUNEL staining, NeuN immunofluorescence, Western blotting, and qRT-PCR. Results: LQYY attenuated CUMS-induced weight loss and depressive-like behaviors and improved intestinal transit metrics. It reduced neuronal apoptosis in the PFC and ameliorated colonic injury. Mechanistically, docking and enrichment analyses highlighted hub targets (STAT3, AKT1, ESR1, IL-6, TNF, TP53) and the JAK/STAT pathway. In vivo, LQYY decreased IL-6, TNF-α, ESR1, TP53, and STAT3, and increased AKT1 in the PFC and colon; it also reduced the TUNEL-positive rate and restored NeuN labeling, upregulated Bcl-2, and downregulated p-JAK2/JAK2 and p-STAT3/STAT3 ratios, and the expression of Bax and cleaved-caspase-3 in the PFC, consistent with the suppression of pro-inflammatory and apoptotic signaling. Conclusions: LQYY exerts antidepressant and pro-motility effects in CUMS mice by modulating JAK2/STAT3-centered networks and inhibiting neuronal apoptosis, thus supporting a multi-component, multi-target strategy for treating depression with constipation, and providing a defined molecular hypothesis for future investigation.</p>
- Resource type:
- Article
- Affiliation Label Tesim:
- Gillings School of Global Public Health and Department of Nutrition
- Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text
- DOI:
- https://doi.org/10.17615/17s8-6f90
- Edition:
- Publisher
- Identifier:
- DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ph19010106 and Dimensions ID: pub.1197000532
- ISSN:
- 1424-8247
- Journal Issue:
- 1
- Journal Title:
- Pharmaceuticals
- Journal Volume:
- 19
- Keyword:
- stress, formula, approach, constituents, behavior, mild stress, ratio, components, strategies, loss, effect, test, NeuN, expression of Bax, expression, TUNEL, outcomes, integrated approach, ESR1, investigation, constipation, pathway, antidepressants, unpredictable mild stress, colon, chronic unpredictable mild stress, preclinical efficacy, neuronal apoptosis, gastrointestinal index, Bcl-2, docking, pharmacology, experimental validation, multi-component, Bax, black stool, Western, molecular mechanisms, apoptotic signaling, NeuN labeling, propulsion rate, study, intestinal propulsion rate, transition metrics, validity, TUNEL staining, model, immunofluorescence, cleaved-caspase-3, suppression, TP53, prefrontal cortex, JAK/STAT pathway, molecular hypotheses, colonic injury, stool, JAK/STAT, in vivo, Western blotting, TUNEL-positive rate, weight loss, multi-target strategy, pro-inflammatory, UPLC-MS/MS, p-JAK2/JAK2, content, TNF-a, blotting, depression, injury, signal, molecular docking, mice, p-STAT3/STAT3 ratio, hub targets, chronic unpredictable mild stress mice, apoptosis, AKT1, water content, hub, metrics, histopathology, fecal water content, network pharmacology, NeuN immunofluorescence, index, labeling, target, network, cortex, experimentation, behavioral tests, hypothesis, efficacy, qRT-PCR, rate, IL-6, time, staining, comorbidity, depressive-like behavior, STAT3, and mechanism
- License Label:
- Attribution 4.0 International
- ORCID:
- Other Affiliation:
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Drum Tower Clinical Medical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China, Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China, and
- Page Start:
- 106
- Person:
- Xu, Tianshu, Ong, Shun Seng, Deng, Xiaoyue, Tang, Zhao, Li, Ming, Xu, Lianjie, and Qian, Yunzhi
- Publisher:
- MDPI
- Rights Statement Label:
- In Copyright
Collection Details
- Total items
-
1066
- Size
-
unknown
- Date created
-
May 26, 2022