Catecholamine physiology and its implications in patients with COVID-19 The Lancet
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Category Archives: Physiology
Live webinar will answer burning questions from horse owners – Horsetalk
A panel of experts will answer questions on equine health, pasture management, exercise physiology, manure management, and other topics during a free webinar on Thursday.
It is the first Ask the Experts webinar from Rutgers University Equine Science Center, and takes place on November 5 at 7pm (EDT). Panelists are Michael Fugaro, Karyn Malinowski, Kenneth McKeever, Michael Westendorf, and Carey Williams.
Register for the webinar
Michael Fugaro, VMD, dACVS is an equine veterinarian and surgeon in New Jwesey. He is an alumni of the University of Pennsylvanias School of Veterinary Medicine. He completed his large animal internship at the University of Guelph, in Ontario, Canada and a large animal surgical residency at Purdue University. Fugaro is the current President of the NJ Association of Equine Practitioners, an advisory board member for the Rutgers University Board for Equine Advancement (RUBEA), and an alumni representative for the admissions committee for University of Pennsylvanias School of Veterinary Medicine.
Karyn Malinowski, Ph.D. is an alumna of the College of Agriculture and Environmental Science, receiving her undergraduate degree in Animal Sciences in 1975; Graduate School of New Brunswick, receiving her masters degree in Animal Sciences in 1983; and the Graduate School of New Brunswick and the University of Medicine and Dentistry NJ, receiving her Ph.D. in Zoology 1986. She is a Founding Director of the Rutgers University Equine Science Center.
Kenneth McKeever, Ph.D., FACSM, FAPS earned his Ph.D. in Animal Physiology at the University of Arizona where he also managed the University Horse Center and Quarter Horse breeding program. Upon completing his Ph.D. McKeever served for two years as a National Academies of Sciences-National Research Council Resident Research Associate in the Cardiovascular Research Lab at the NASA Ames Research Center in California. From 1987 to 1994 McKeever developed and coordinated research at the Equine Exercise Physiology Laboratory at the Ohio State University. In 1995 he joined the Faculty in the Department of Animal Sciences at Rutgers University as an Associate Professor and proceeded to build, develop, and coordinate one of the most active Equine Exercise Physiology laboratories in the USA.
Michael Westendorf, Ph.D. is an Extension Specialist in Animal Sciences at Rutgers University where he has been employed since 1993. Westendorf is originally from Idaho where he received his Bachelors degree in Animal Science from the University of Idaho in 1980. He received his Masters degree in 1988 and his Ph.D. in 1992, both degrees were in Animal Science from the University of Kentucky. Westendorf conducts research and extension programs in the uses of food byproducts as animal feeds and the environmental sustainability of livestock farms.
Carey Williams, Ph.D. earned her doctorate degree with an emphasis on equine nutrition and exercise physiology in June 2003 from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. She holds a masters degree in equine nutrition, also from Virginia Tech, and a bachelors degree in Equine Science from Colorado State University. She joined Rutgers University in July 2003 as its Equine Extension Specialist, and Associate Director of Outreach for the Equine Science Center taking an active role in teaching, conducting research and working with the equine and academic communities to ensure the viability of the horse industry in New Jersey.
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Live webinar will answer burning questions from horse owners - Horsetalk
Patient Information Sessions Focus on Breast Cancer in October – On Cancer – Memorial Sloan Kettering
In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) held two Information Sessions for breast cancer patients, caregivers, and those at increased risk for the disease. These sessions were an opportunity for the cancer-concerned community to hear directly from MSK experts and get their most pressing questions answered.
The first information session focused on Breast Cancer, Exercise and Nutrition. The panel was moderated by Neil Iyengar, MD, a medical oncologist at MSK with a specific research focus on the links between metabolic health and cancer. It featured specialists in Medical Oncology, Surgery, Exercise Physiology and Nursing. Topics ranged from specific dietary guidance, to post-treatment exercise regimens, and the role genetics plays in breast cancer prevention and treatment.
There are numerous observation studies or population studies, showing that women who participate in regular exercise before their cancer diagnosis and women who participate in exercise after treatment were less likely to have their cancer come back or have a recurrence. There are also studies that have shown women who participate in exercise either before treatment or after treatment were less likely to die from breast cancer, said Jessica Scott, PhD, exercise physiology researcher in MSKs Exercise Oncology Service. If we look at all these studies together, they really highlight the importance of not only diet but also exercise in preventing breast cancer, preventing recurrence and improving survival years following a breast cancer diagnosis.
A lot of us have heard of the BRCA one and two mutations, which are the most common that we see. But there are now a number of identified genes that if a woman is born with this abnormal gene, can increase the likelihood of developing a breast cancer or other types of cancer, said Melissa Pilewskie, MD, a breast surgeon and director of MSKs RISE Program for individuals at increased risk of developing breast cancer. Knowing this information becomes really powerful. Because if we can identify this prior to a cancer diagnosis, it really impacts what we do for screening or in terms of what our options for risk reduction are.
The second information session MSK hosted was on the topic of Breast Reconstruction. The panel consisted of surgeons, mental health experts, and advanced practice providers. It was moderated by Carrie Stern, MD, plastic and reconstructive surgeon at MSK. The panelists answered questions around breast reconstruction options, latest techniques, how to navigate emotionally through that part of the treatment journey, and complications to be aware of.
Breast reconstruction is absolutely a personal choice. We say that reconstructive surgery is elective by nature which means that women can elect or choose to go through with the process. And will do so, of course, based on their different values, preferences, tolerance for risk and ultimately their individual goals. And really here there is no wrong answer. In fact, for some women the right answer may be no reconstruction at all, said Colleen McCarthy, MD, reconstructive surgeon at MSK. But for women who do choose to proceed with breast reconstruction or having their breasts rebuilt after mastectomy, they do have several options for how it can be done.
The opportunity for women to see such caring, intelligent, informed, experienced people who are there to help them go through their rehabilitation after breast surgery is such a rewarding experience for patients and helps relieve an enormous amount of anxiety, added Mary Jane Massie, a psychiatrist at MSK who specifically works with breast cancer patients.
MSK plans to continue these Patient Information Sessions on a regular basis to help address concerns from our larger community on a variety of cancer-related issues. Information on upcoming sessions and a recording of previous sessions can be heard on our website here.
Dan Turner interview: Everton’s rapid rise, playing at Wembley and her Masters in physiology – The Telegraph
Such is the depth, the clubs More Than 11 strapline is fitting. Its not just the 11 on the pitch at that moment in time, its every single one of us and weve bought into it, said Turner.
Turner has not been to Wembley to watch football but has been there as a rugby league fan to watch her team, Warrington Wolves win the Challenge Cup final in 2009. At the time Everton were competing for the titles during her years in the clubs youth ranks.
After a brief loan spell with Stjarnan in Iceland she returned to England to start playing regular first-team football and feeling the pain of relegation and the joy of returning to the top flight in 2017/18 when the club turned professional, at which time she as appointed captain.
Turner was at Manchester United initially before playing for Everton and she credits her father, who was once on the books at Nottingham Forest, for helping her pursue football after her mother passed away.
Losing your Mum at such a young age, you have to grow up quickly and it made me so driven to achieve what I wanted, she said. It wasnt long after Id just joined my first club at nine years old, it was only two or three months later that she passed.
So she didnt get to see me play much when I was younger. I owe everything to my Dad, trekking me up and down the country and he does the same now. I just want to make both of them proud every single day. Im gutted my Dad wont be there at Wembley. Hopefully my Mum will be looking down and I make sure Ill take my locket with my Mum there so shes there with me as well.
Prior to promotion, Turner was studying sport science as an undergraduate at Liverpool John Moores University, then got her Masters in physiology, which will allow her to stay in the game when she eventually hangs up her boots.
"Sometimes as a player you question why you are doing something but I understand from my degree why we do certain things in terms of gym or fitness," said Turner. "Im always talking to the sport scientist, Im a self-confessed geek in that way.
Im always looking at GPS data after training on the iPad, seeing what were doing numbers wise and whether we are hitting distances and speeds in training. Im really interested in that and its something I could possibly transition into when I finish playing. Id love to stay in the game."
The immediate focus is glory at Wembley and continuing Evertons stunning start to the season.
Maybe youd still class us as underdogs because of what theyve achieved and how theyre established as a top-three team and were working towards that, she said. But based on the form weve started with, people are starting to take notice and think maybe it will be closer than they originally thought.
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Dan Turner interview: Everton's rapid rise, playing at Wembley and her Masters in physiology - The Telegraph
Werewolf Physiology, According to the Twilight Movies | CBR – CBR – Comic Book Resources
The Twilight Saga took liberties in the books and films with its depictions of supernatural creatures, including werewolves.
The Twilight franchisewon overmany young peoplewith its vampires and werewolves, but it also came under fire for taking creative liberties with the detailsabout these classicmonsters. The werewolves are less controversial than the vampires in a lot of ways, but their physiology is still pretty unique compared to other werewolves in cinema and fiction.
The first thing to know about Twilight's main wolves is that they aren'treal werewolves. A group called the Children of the Moon were werewolves, but due to their ability to easily kill vampires, the Volturikilled the vast majority ofthem,so they're rare to this day. The wolves in Forks, Washington are actually shapeshifters; although, they're mistaken for werewolves and often regarded as such by the fandom. They are descendants from warriors of the Quileute Tribe, and they could originally roam the world incorporeally, talk to animals and communicate with each other telepathically; however, after Chief Taha Aki's leadership, these warriors became wolf shapeshifters.
RELATED: Vampire Knight Is More Than Anime's Twilight - It's Way WEIRDER
For many years, the wolfpack was made up of the male descendants of Taha Aki, the original wolf shifter. He passed thisgene onto the Black, Uleys and Ateras families, who would continue his legacy by passing on the shifting ability to the following generations. The shift is triggered by the scent of vampires, which signals the need to protectthe tribe, so the number of wolves who shift is directly proportional to the number of vampires they'll need to fight in the area. The transformation is most common among young adults and sets off a growth spurt as well.
Leah Clearwater unexpectedly shifts into a wolf after experiencing mood swings and intense rages. In the book, her first shift is so shocking that it causes her father to have a fatal heart attack. Leah shifts in order to make their pack big enough and strong enough to fight the approaching vampires, but it has a profound psychological effect on her. She's especially upsetbecause she believes her physiological changeswill prevent her from having a child since her menstrual cycle has stopped. Furthermore, as the first known female shifter, it's unclear how"imprinting" works for her.
Quileute shapeshifters have soulmates, and imprinting is how they realize this. A shifter first sees awoman - the process is exclusively described foropposite sex partners - and from that moment on, she's the shifter's first priority. The woman can be anyone, and shifters cannot choose who they imprint on.
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Werewolf Physiology, According to the Twilight Movies | CBR - CBR - Comic Book Resources
Emulate Signs Collaborative Agreement with the FDA to Apply Lung-Chip to Evaluate Safety of COVID-19 Vaccines and Protective Immunity Against…
Oct. 29, 2020 11:00 UTC
Agency-wide CRADA agreement also includes studies with Brain-Chip in Alzheimers disease, Intestine-Chip in microbiome health, and Liver-Chip in individualized toxicity responses
BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Emulate, Inc.. announced today that it has entered into a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to enable multiple studies across FDA offices in priority research areas, including programs to evaluate COVID-19 vaccines and understand human immune response against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
Under the CRADA, the FDA will use a range of Organ-Chips from Emulate to study the safety, efficacy, and mechanisms of drugs regulated by the FDA. The initial studies use Organ-Chipswhich are able to recreate the natural physiology of specific human tissues and organsin areas where conventional cell culture and animal-based testing methods have limitations in reflecting human biology and disease mechanisms that are not yet understood, such as Alzheimers disease and COVID-19. This new CRADA agreement follows the successful completion of the first Emulate CRADA with the FDA initiated in 2017 that focused on toxicity studies using the Liver-Chip.
We are excited to continue our relationship and collaborative work with the FDA, combining Emulates expertise with leading researchers at the FDA to explore how our Organ-Chips can lead to new ways to improve standards, understand disease and drug mechanisms, and better evaluate the safety and efficacy of products for human use, said Jim Corbett, Chief Executive Officer of Emulate. The FDA is a valued stakeholder and strategic collaborator as our Human Emulation System continues to be adopted for the evaluation of pharmaceuticals and other products that are reviewed and approved by regulatory authorities to protect and improve human health.
The FDA has a long history of supporting efforts to develop new regulatory tools that have the potential to refine, reduce, or replace animal testing, said FDA Chief Scientist, Rear Admiral Denise Hinton. Our deep engagement in research collaborations like this one is crucial to advancing technologies like Organ-Chips that may help identify toxicity, efficacy, and disease susceptibility earlier in product development. A robust commitment to science is at the core of our public health mission and helping to facilitate advancements in regulatory science reflects our dedication to fostering the development of critical medical products to address public health threats like COVID-19.
COVID-19 Lung-Chip study to advance understanding of protective immunity and vaccine safety
The Lung-Chip study, which will be led by the FDAs Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER), aims to address one of the most important questions regarding protective immunity against SARSCoV-2: why individuals experience a wide spectrum of disease severity and what constitutes a real protection against future infection. The Emulate human Lung-Chip offers the unique functionality of mechanical strain and dynamic fluid flow to recreate the microenvironment found in the human lung. Highlights of the study objectives include:
We are enthusiastic to collaborate with essential regulatory partners like the FDA to apply our unique Organ-on-Chips platform to advance the understanding of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and to do our part in bringing safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines and treatments to the world, Lorna Ewart, PhD, Executive Vice President, Scientific Liaison of Emulate. There is a time-sensitive need to contribute our technology and expertise to support the FDA with their COVID-19 response, and over time, there will continue to be a need to understand longer-term protective immunity and vaccine safety.
Studies with multiple Organ-Chips support areas of emerging disease biology and drug mechanisms
The CRADA is led by the FDAs Office of the Chief Scientist, allowing for studies across FDA offices with Organ-Chips from Emulate. Through the CRADA, multiple installations of the Human Emulation System will be established in several FDA laboratories.
In addition to the COVID-19 study, other projects that will be initiated under the CRADA include:
More information about how Emulate is enabling COVID-19 research can be found in the companys latest blog post.
About Emulate, Inc.
Emulate Inc. is a privately held company that creates living products for understanding how diseases, medicines, chemicals, and foods affect human health. Our lab-ready Human Emulation System includes three components: Zo Culture Module, Organ-Chips, and analytical software applications. The platform provides a window into the inner workings of human biology and diseaseoffering researchers a new technology designed to predict human response with greater precision and detail than conventional cell culture or animal-based experimental testing. Each of Emulates proprietary Organ-Chipsincluding the liver, intestine, and kidneycontains tiny hollow channels lined with tens of thousands of living human cells and tissues and is approximately the size of an AA battery. An Organ-Chip is a living, microengineered environment that recreates the natural physiology and mechanical forces that cells experience within the human body. Our founding team pioneered the Organs-on-Chips technology at the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University. Emulate holds the worldwide exclusive license from Harvard University to a robust and broad intellectual property portfolio for the Organs-on-Chips technology and related systems. For more information, please visit http://www.emulatebio.com.
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Emulate Signs Collaborative Agreement with the FDA to Apply Lung-Chip to Evaluate Safety of COVID-19 Vaccines and Protective Immunity Against...
Ghost Physiology, According to The Haunting of Bly Manor | CBR – CBR – Comic Book Resources
Though the collection of spooky ghosts populating The Haunting of Bly Manor are different from other ghosts in most media, they still seem to follow specific patterns.
WARNING: The following contains spoilers for The Haunting of Bly Manor, streaming now on Netflix
The ghostsin The Haunting ofBly Manor are unique when compared to those of other movies or shows. While some ghosts in popular entertainment are concerned with amplifying terror and fear, the Bly Manor ghosts seem to function more as symbols of trauma and regret. At first glance, it might be hard to spot the connective tissue between the different ghosts, as their characteristics vary tremendously. For example, many of the ghosts show no interest in possessing the living, but a few, including Peter Quint and later Rebecca Jessel, experiment with the skill. Some ghosts interact with each other, while others act only as solo spirits; however, overall, the ghosts do seem to followcertain guidelines. Let's explore the abilities and characteristics specific to the ghosts introduced in the show.
It appears that, when ghosts wish to possess or inhabit a living humans body, they need some level of consent.They arent allowed to chaotically leap into whatever body they like. This is why Peter and Rebecca spend so much time essentially grooming the Wingrave children-- so they can exploit their trust and take over the childrens bodies for their own selfish ends. The children's permission is an essential part of the process. This is shown again in the final episode, when Dani whispers the words Its you, its me, its us, granting Violas ghost permission to enter her body. If any ghostcould have possessed someone without permission, it would have been Viola, but even she appears bound by the rules of consent.
RELATED: The Haunting of Bly Manor: What Hannah Whispers To Owen in Episode 3
This ability is explored in the tragic story of Hannah Grose, the housekeeper at Bly Manor. Hannah seems a little off initially, sleeping poorly, seeing mysterious cracks in the wall and eating little. Its later revealed that shes been dead all along, but because she wasnt aware of her own death, was able to cling to a facade of life.While in this state, she interacted with the physical world in a variety of ways, including lighting candles and changing her outfits. But her abilities diminish as she comes to realize that she is dead. Peter likens it to Wile E. Coyote, the Looney Tunes character, who is able to walk on air until the moment he looks down.
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Ghost Physiology, According to The Haunting of Bly Manor | CBR - CBR - Comic Book Resources
Bates announces five 202021 faculty promotions, including tenure awards – Bates News
Bates has announced five faculty promotions, including tenure awards, effective for the 202021 academic year.
Promoted from assistant to associate professor with tenure are Brett Huggett of the Department of Biology and Genevive Robert of the Department of Earth and Climate Sciences.
Promoted from associate to full professor are Meredith Greer of the Department of Mathematics, Ther Pickens of the Department of English, and Sonja Pieck of the Program in Environmental Studies.
The promotions were recommended by the facultys Committee on Personnel and approved by the Bates College Board of Trustees.
The words shared by each of these five superb scholars tell a collectively compelling story of full and intense engagement with the world, with their students, and with the life of the mind, all underscored by great devotion to our college community, says Malcolm Hill, vice president for academic affairs and dean of the faculty. The cycle of their creativity teaching energized by scholarship, and scholarship energized by teaching is displayed in their myriad contributions to Bates College.
Meet the five newly promoted faculty members, and learn a bit about what being a Bates professor means to them.
Appointment year: 2014Doctoral institution: Harvard UniversityFields of research: Physiological and morphological adaptations and/or responses among tree species to stress, plant physiology, plant water relations, carbon allocation, xylem structure and function.
What it means to me to be a Bates professor:
From my early years as a jazz musician, to a naturalist for Massachusetts Audubon Society, and now as a Bates professor, I have always found immense joy in teaching and inspiring curiosity in others.
In the community of faculty, staff, and students at Bates, I have found an incredible place to incorporate my passion for plant biology into teaching and research. Working closely with the talented students at Bates in the classroom, lab, and field I am continually inspired to innovate my teaching and to pursue new questions in biology. The natural surroundings of Bates have allowed me to center many of my courses in field-based learning. When not in the classroom or lab, you will find me out and about in the beautiful woods of Maine.
Appointment year: 2014Doctoral institution: University of MissouriFields of research: Rheology, viscosity, silicate melts, experimental petrology, volcanology.
What it means to me be a Bates professor:
Its about empowering students to view themselves as scientists. Its about learning from my colleagues. And its about working towards a common goal.
I love that students come to class with an open mind, ready for a challenge. Working with Bates students in the classroom and the lab has made me a better teacher and mentor, and I am constantly challenged, surprised, and impressed by them. Bates students have helped me build my experimental petrology research program every step of the way. Together, weve assembled and calibrated specialized instruments. Weve synthesized lava at 3000 degrees Fahrenheit. Weve measured how fast lava can flow and have co-authored papers. I could not do what I do without Bates students, and I feel lucky to be a part of their journey.
Im lucky to work alongside and learn from brilliant colleagues in my own academic unit, through research collaborations, and in every single committee Ive been a member of. There is such a strong culture of support, of sharing resources and expertise, and of community at Bates. And what Ive learned from day one is that staff make this place possible for all of us. Im grateful everyday for their expertise, help, and support.
Appointment year: 2002Doctoral institution: Vanderbilt UniversityFields of research: Applied mathematics, mathematical biology, mathematical ecology, mathematical epidemiology.
What it means to me be a Bates professor:
It has always been about the people. I chose to work at Bates because of the people I met when interviewing here every single one was friendly, intellectually curious, helpful, and excited about what we could learn together. That has stayed true throughout.
Students regularly go above and beyond the call. On projects, they bring in experiences, coursework, and interests that form combinations only they could have developed. When challenged by new math topics, they inspire me by their engagement, time invested, willingness to try new study strategies, and overall devotion to learning. They build communities and support each other, in the classroom and beyond.
Faculty and staff here are also amazing. There are so many examples of dedication to excellence, solving complicated issues, and taking care of each other. Being surrounded by such enthusiasm and commitment helps my teaching every day. It really is all about the people.
Appointment year: 2011Doctoral institution: University of California, Los AngelesFields of research: 20th- and 21st-century African American / Arab American literature, African American literature and cultural studies, Arab American literature and cultural studies, Black feminism, cognitive impairment, disability, disability studies, gender studies, literary theory, mental health, physical impairment, spectacular fiction.
What it means to me to be a Bates professor:
In the scholarly community, we often wrongly pit research and teaching against each other. I firmly believe that the two are synergistic. In my career, I find that being an engaged scholar allows me to be a better teacher.
In the years between receiving tenure, in 2016, and promotion to full professor, I wrote a book called Black Madness :: Mad Blackness (Duke University Press, 2019); edited a collection, Arab American Aesthetics (Routledge, 2018); edited a special issue of African American Review, Blackness & Disability (2017); wrote five articles; and gave dozens of presentations at academic conferences and at colleges and universities the world over. All of that work centering the theories, ideas, and creative endeavors of Black people, Arab Americans, disabled people pressed me and others to think more explicitly about how to make a just world.
In doing this work and listening to people in various settings, I became even more convinced that the study of literature, and the humanities writ large, is vitally necessary to our world. These are lessons that we need desperately as we seek to tell better stories about, and do better work in, our current global situation and for what lies ahead.
Appointment year: 2007Doctoral institution: Clark UniversityFields of research: Biodiversity conservation, ecological restoration, environmental history, environmental movements, environmental politics, human geography, international development, memory studies.
What it means to me to be a Bates professor:
The interdisciplinary spaces of the liberal arts are deeply appealing to me because I love drawing connections between different perspectives, theories, scales, places, interests, groups, and species. I believe environmental problems at their core derive from uneven power relations among humans but also between human and non-human communities and we need multifaceted and synergistic approaches to understand them and develop effective solutions.
And my students make some of the most interesting and creative connections of all. They bring curiosity and compassion to the classroom, along with a desire to do good in the world. It is an honor to partner with them in class and on thesis projects and help them become more informed, critically engaged people.
As an interdisciplinary scholar, Ive long been interested in international and transnational environmental politics. Ive worked in Latin America exploring environmental activism, especially in Peru and Ecuador, where I spent formative years of my life, and am now focusing my research on Germany, my country of origin. Throughout, Ive felt supported in my work by the college and by smart, kind, and generous colleagues.
Bates continues to be an energizing and inspiring community of students, staff, and faculty.
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Bates announces five 202021 faculty promotions, including tenure awards - Bates News
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign professor wins $4.5 million for breast cancer research and therapy – News-Medical.Net
Reviewed by Emily Henderson, B.Sc.Oct 30 2020
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Professor of Molecular and Integrative Physiology Erik Nelson has won a $4.5M Era of Hope Scholar Award from the United States Department of Defense (DoD) Breast Cancer Research Program (BCRP). This prestigious award supports individuals early in their careers who have demonstrated significant potential to effect meaningful change in breast cancer research. Recipients of the Era of Hope Scholar Award are leaders and visionaries in their respective field who go beyond conventional thinking to change the current landscape of breast cancer research and therapy.
Approximately 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in their lifetime as it continues to be the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women in the United States. The DoD, in collaboration with several experts, has identified several areas of current shortcomings in the areas of breast cancer management, diagnosis, and therapy. Nelson will spearhead a collaborative and interdisciplinary research team to address several of these key areas.
The American Institute for Cancer Research has previously funded our work on tumor dormancy and the funding from that source allowed us to develop the data necessary to move on to the next step and secure this award. What we plan on working on is multi-fold but one of the big things is determining why and how breast cancer cells can lay dormant for years and then suddenly re-emerge. The other aspect of that is we're trying to eliminate the mortality associated with metastatic breast cancer, which accounts for more than 90% of all breast cancer-associated deaths."
Erik Nelson, Professor of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Nelson's two-fold approach involves leveraging cholesterol homeostasis to design better treatments for metastatic disease and to prevent metastatic recurrence. Previous work by Nelson's group found that cholesterol was important for regulation of cancer and immune cells, providing the basis for why recurrence develops sooner in patients with high cholesterol levels. In subsequent work, they found that a metabolite of cholesterol, 27-hydroxycholesterol (27-HC), was in fact the causal link.
"With cancer cells, 27-HC seems to be able to activate the estrogen receptor, which for 60-70% of breast cancer patients, drives proliferation," said Nelson. "We also found that it acted on a type of immune cell called a myeloid immune cell. This led to a highly immune-suppressive environment that prevented immune cells from mounting an effective response against cancer."
One aspect of the project includes a collaboration with Professor of Chemistry Paul Hergenrother to develop strategies in inhibiting the synthesis of 27-HC as well as developing drugs that target key biological regulators of cholesterol metabolism. Other collaborators include Professor of Biochemistry David Kranz, Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering Stephen Boppart, Professor of Computer Science Saurabh Sinha, Professor of Bioengineering Wawrzyniec Dobrucki, Professor of Food Science & Human Nutrition William Helferich, and Professor and Chief of Clinical Breast Radiotherapy Service Wendy Woodward (The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center).
"We are working with bioengineers because we found that various metabolites can induce the secretion of cancer cell extracellular vesicles, but we don't know how to regulate or drug them," said Nelson. "We are also working with William Helferich to determine if the cooking process of high-cholesterol foods contributes to the promotion of breast cancer metastasis. Cholesterol is amenable to lifestyle interventions and so we want to develop ways to change the diet by looking at cooking style."
Nelson's project also involves cancer research advocates, who are typically cancer survivors or caregivers of someone with cancer. Advocates provide unique perspectives to researchers and help inform patient-centered research. Here at Illinois, Nelson co-leads a Cancer Research Advocacy Group along with Professor of Food Science & Human Nutrition Zeynep Madak-Erdogan, working with advocates Sarah Adams, Lea Ann Carson, and Rena Strawbridge. Outside of Illinois, Nelson has also recruited Jamie Holloway from a cancer research advocacy group in Georgetown.
"Current therapies for metastatic disease are not very effective and our goal is to change that," said Nelson. "I look forward to asking some big questions and starting to translate our studies into meaningful change for breast cancer patients."
Nelson is a member of the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The views expressed in this article/news release are those of the author and may not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Army, Department of Defense, or the U.S. Government.
THE HAWK EYE’S PREP ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Danville-New London’s Addison Parrott – Burlington Hawk Eye
Matt Levins|The Hawk Eye
DANVILLE Addison Parrott has more than paid her dues for the Danville-New London high school girls cross country team.
Parrott is the latest in a long line of great distance runners for the Bears.
Parrott, a senior, is making her fourth trip to the state tournament. The Class 2A girls race is slated for 10:30 a.m. todayat Lakeside Municipal Golf Course in Fort Dodge.
Parrott, who finished 48th as a freshman, 10th as a sophomore and sixth last year, comes into the meet ranked second in 2A behind Mid-Prairie freshman Danielle Hostetler.
Parrott, who took the reigns from Lexi Brown last year as the leader of the pack, has one last chance to bring home the elusive state championship before she hands over the leadership of the program to the next in line.
Whatever happens, Parrott will do what she always does give it everything she has and leave it all on the course.
The Hawk Eye recently caught up with Parrott, The Hawk Eye's Prep Athlete of the Week, and asked her a series of questions.
What is your favorite sport besides cross country?
Soccer.
What is it that you like about cross country?
The people who have become my best friends and created memories that I'll cherish forever.
What are the three reasons you like being part of a team sport?
We can depend on each other, relate to any struggles experienced, and always know that were there to support and love each other no matter what.
What is the best part about competing?
Its a chance to push yourself to where youre uncomfortable. The adrenaline rush as the gun goes off is such an indescribable feeling, and every race is a new opportunity to improve.
How do you and your teammates make practice fun?
We are always creating new routes to run, doing moves from TikTok, or having spitting competitions.
Who is your biggest role model and why?
My mom because of her tender heart and compassionate love to others. She is always supporting, loving, and selfless in every situation.
What is your favorite subject in school and why?
Probably science (human anatomy and physiology) because you get to explore areas of the body and understand their functions.
What is your favorite meal?
Steak.
What is your favorite TV show?
"The Office."
What do you enjoy doing in your free time and why?
Spending time with friends and family, youth groups, riding bikes and other outdoor activities, and growing plants.
What is your favorite motivational slogan or quote?
Count it all joy when you meet various trials. James 1:2. This verse reminds me that amidst the struggles and failures I encounter, there is still always good that can be taken out of it that will help me prosper in the future.
What is your best memory in cross country?
When Ethan Julian carried a shelf for three miles.
What are your future plans for college and career?
Im undecided about a college and career choice at the moment, but am leaning towards a profession in the field of medicine.
Name something about yourself that would surprise people.
I won the hula hoop champion in fourth grade.
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THE HAWK EYE'S PREP ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Danville-New London's Addison Parrott - Burlington Hawk Eye