A5046861294- Alzheimer's disease research and treatments
- Pregnancy and preeclampsia studies
- Ectopic Pregnancy Diagnosis and Management
- Maternal and fetal healthcare
- Cancer, Hypoxia, and Metabolism
- Click Chemistry and Applications
- Aortic Disease and Treatment Approaches
- Aortic aneurysm repair treatments
- Nanoplatforms for cancer theranostics
- Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration Mechanisms
- Synthesis and biological activity
- Lanthanide and Transition Metal Complexes
- Medical Imaging Techniques and Applications
- Advanced biosensing and bioanalysis techniques
- Advanced X-ray and CT Imaging
- MRI in cancer diagnosis
- Crystallization and Solubility Studies
- Advanced Neuroimaging Techniques and Applications
- Nanocluster Synthesis and Applications
- X-ray Diffraction in Crystallography
- Advanced MRI Techniques and Applications
- Radiomics and Machine Learning in Medical Imaging
- Extracellular vesicles in disease
- Cancer Immunotherapy and Biomarkers
- Phytochemicals and Medicinal Plants
Baylor College of Medicine
2018-2025
Texas Children's Hospital
2019-2025
Baylor University
2013-2020
Abstract Despite advances in the treatment of head and neck cancer, squamous cell carcinoma oral cavity remains primarily a surgical disease with few effective systemic therapies. Oral tumors harbor both innate acquired resistance mechanisms to cytotoxic chemotherapy. Additionally, tumor microenvironment (TME) has limited immune infiltration, resulting low response rates checkpoint inhibitors. Given need for novel therapies carcinoma, we investigated role liposomal doxorubicin (Doxil®) as...
Background: Aortopathies, such as aortic aneurysm and dissection (AAD), are associated with enhanced wall permeability endothelial dysfunction. We previously demonstrated that nanoparticle contrast-enhanced computed tomography (nCECT), which detects permeability, could enable non-invasive detection of early AAD before its progresses to fatal rupture. This study investigated the effect contrast agent (NPCA) size dose on aortopathy by nCECT. Methods:In vivo studies were performed in a mouse...
Immunotherapies, including cell-based therapies, targeting the tumor microenvironment (TME) result in variable and delayed responses. Thus, it has been difficult to gauge efficacy of TME-directed therapies early after administration. We investigated a nano-radiomics approach (quantitative analysis nanoparticle contrast-enhanced three-dimensional images) for detection response cellular immunotherapy directed against myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), key component TME. Animals bearing...
Abstract Non-invasive methods for estimating placental fractional blood volume (FBV) are of great interest characterization vascular perfusion in placentae during pregnancy to identify insufficiency that may be indicative local ischemia or fetal growth restriction (FGR). Nanoparticle contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (CE-MRI) enable direct FBV estimation and provide a reliable, 3D alternative assess maternal-side perfusion. In this pre-clinical study, we investigated if at 14, 16,...
The natural products combretastatin A-1 (CA1) and A-4 (CA4) function as potent inhibitors of tubulin polymerization selective vascular disrupting agents (VDAs) in tumors. Bioreductively activatable prodrug conjugates (BAPCs) can enhance selectivity by serving substrates for reductase enzymes specifically hypoxic regions A series CA1-BAPCs incorporating nor-methyl, mono-methyl, gem-dimethyl nitrothiophene triggers were synthesized together with corresponding CA4-BAPCs, previously reported...
Abstract In these preclinical studies, we describe ADx-001 , an Aβ-targeted liposomal macrocyclic gadolinium (Gd) imaging agent, for MRI of amyloid plaques. The targeting moiety is a novel lipid-PEG conjugated styryl-pyrimidine. An MRI-based contrast agent such as attractive because the lack radioactivity, ease distribution, long shelf life, and prevalence scanners. Dose-ranging efficacy studies were performed on 1 T scanner using transgenic APP/PSEN1 mouse model Alzheimer’s disease. was...
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Fluorine-19 ( 19 F) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has the potential for a wide range of in vivo applications but is limited by lack flexibility exogenous probe formulation. Most F MRI probes are composed perfluorocarbons (PFCs) or perfluoropolyethers (PFPEs) with intrinsic properties which limit formulation options. Hydrophilic organofluorine molecules can provide more We report herein hyperfluorinated hydrophilic organoflourine, ET1084 , ∼24 wt. % content. It dissolves water and aqueous...
The abnormal phosphorylation of tau is a necessary precursor to the formation fibrils, marker Alzheimer's disease.We hypothesize that hyperphosphorylative conditions may result in unique cell surface markers.We identify and demonstrate utility such surrogate markers state.Methods: Cell SELEX was used novel thioaptamers specifically binding cells.Cell vimentin identified as potential target aptamer.Novel molecular magnetic resonance imaging (M-MRI) probes using these aptamers small molecule...
The objective of the present study is to develop chewable tablets containing different pharmaceutical compositions with simple manufacturing procedures using excipients. Mannitols, L-HPC 11, Aspartame, Crospovidone, Aerosil, and Magnesium Stearate are used as excipients for effective formulation anti-asthmatic drug Montelukast. Montelukast a selective, orally acting leukotriene receptor antagonist that treatment asthma seasonal allergic rhinitis. were prepared by Direct Compression methods...
Abstract Background Hyperphosphorylated tau (pTau) is a precursor to tangle formation in Alzheimer's disease (AD). We have identified aptamers that bind specific cell membrane receptors of human neuronal cells are hyperphosphorylating tau. In this work, we built novel targeted nanoparticle magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent, TauX, binds such neurons, and tested its efficacy vivo the P301S mouse model pathology. Method DNA preferentially binding on hyperphosphorylative SH‐SY5Y...
Abstract Introduction: The immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) in oral cancer inhibits response to conventional treatment (surgery +/- chemoradiotherapy) and check-point inhibitor (αPD1) immunotherapy. chemotherapeutic agent doxorubicin its PEGylated liposomal nanoparticle formulation (PLD) have been shown target myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) the TME. In this preclinical work, we investigated whether PLD improves radio-immunotherapy a highly aggressive immunologically...
Abstract Revascularization plays a critical role in the successful engraftment of transplanted pancreatic islets, which are inherently rich capillaries to meet their high metabolic demands. Innovative islet encapsulation strategies such as NICHE (neovascularized implantable cell homing and encapsulation), generate prevascularized transplantation site that allows for direct integration graft with systemic circulation. Timing is key maximizing survival, especially diabetic individuals, who...
Abstract ACTA2 pathogenic variants altering arginine 179 cause childhood-onset strokes due to moyamoya disease (MMD)-like occlusion of the distal internal carotid arteries. A smooth muscle cell (SMC)-specific knock-in mouse model ( Acta2 SMC-R179C/+ ) inserted mutation into 67% aortic SMCs, whereas explanted SMCs were uniformly heterozygous. R179C/+ fail fully differentiate and maintain stem cell-like features, including high glycolytic flux, increasing oxidative respiration (OXPHOS) with...
Abstract While a definitive Alzheimer’s disease (AD) diagnosis remains post-mortem exercise, the ATN Research Framework proposed by National Institute on Aging and Association utilizes score representing presence of amyloid deposits (A), tau (T) neuronal degeneration markers (N), with A+T+ necessary for positive diagnosis. Current detection pathology lags years time both are detected is fairly advanced. We describe development new generation molecular imaging probes in vivo cells undergoing...
Abstract Background Amyloid plaques are a pathological hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In recent pre‐clinical study, we showed an amyloid‐targeted liposomal macrocyclic gadolinium (Gd) contrast agent, ADx‐001, for in vivo MRI‐based detection amyloid mouse. Although ADx‐001 high sensitivity at dose (0.2 mmol Gd/kg), the performance was sub‐optimal (<70%) lower doses (0.1 and 0.15 Gd/kg). this work, investigated if nano‐radiomics (radiomic analysis nanoparticle contrast‐enhanced...