A5022816954- Viral Infections and Outbreaks Research
- Genetic and Clinical Aspects of Sex Determination and Chromosomal Abnormalities
- Viral Infections and Vectors
- Sexual Differentiation and Disorders
- Cassava research and cyanide
- Disaster Response and Management
- Smoking Behavior and Cessation
- Hepatitis B Virus Studies
- Evolutionary Psychology and Human Behavior
- Hormonal and reproductive studies
- Estrogen and related hormone effects
- Genetics and Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Prenatal Screening and Diagnostics
- Zoonotic diseases and public health
- Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health
- Diet and metabolism studies
- Birth, Development, and Health
- Genomics and Rare Diseases
- Metabolomics and Mass Spectrometry Studies
- Genomics and Chromatin Dynamics
- Gut microbiota and health
- Potato Plant Research
- Global Public Health Policies and Epidemiology
- Epigenetics and DNA Methylation
- Iron Metabolism and Disorders
George Washington University
2022-2024
Children's National
2017-2024
Texas A&M University
2020
University of California, Los Angeles
2016-2018
Massively parallel DNA sequencing, such as exome has become a routine clinical procedure to identify pathogenic variants responsible for patient's phenotype. Exome sequencing the capability of reliably identifying inherited and de novo single-nucleotide variants, small insertions, deletions. However, due use 100-300-bp fragment reads, this platform is not well powered sensitively moderate large structural (SV), deletions, inversions, translocations.To overcome these limitations, we used...
Ebolaviruses cause severe disease in humans, and identification of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that are effective against multiple ebolaviruses important for therapeutics development. Here we describe a distinct class broadly neutralizing human mAbs with protective capacity three infectious humans: Ebola (EBOV), Sudan (SUDV), Bundibugyo (BDBV) viruses. We isolated from survivors ebolavirus identified potent mAb, EBOV-520, which bound to an epitope the glycoprotein (GP) base region. EBOV-520...
Can whole exome sequencing (WES) and in vitro validation studies be used to find the causative genetic etiology a patient with primary ovarian failure infertility? A novel follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) mutation was found by WES shown, via flow cytometry studies, affect membrane trafficking. may diagnose up 25–35% of patients suspected disorders sex development (DSD). FSHR mutations are an extremely rare cause 46, XX gonadal dysgenesis amenorrhea due hypergonadotropic failure....
The first reported outbreak of Ebola virus disease occurred in 1976 Yambuku, Democratic Republic Congo. Antibody responses survivors 11 years after infection have been documented. However, this report is the characterization anti-Ebola antibody persistence and neutralization capacity 40 infection. Using ELISAs we measured survivor's immunological response to Zaire (EBOV) glycoprotein nucleoprotein, assessed VP40 reactivity. Neutralization EBOV was using a pseudovirus approach plaque...
Abstract The mechanisms by which sex differences in the mammalian brain arise are poorly understood, but influenced a combination of underlying genetic and gonadal hormone exposure. Using mouse embryonic neural stem cell (eNSC) model to understand early events contributing sexually dimorphic development, we identified novel interactions between chromosomal hormonal exposure that instrumental differences. RNA-sequencing 103 transcripts were differentially expressed XX XY eNSCs at baseline...
Clinical sequelae of Ebola virus disease (EVD) have not been described more than 3 years postoutbreak. We examined survivors and close contacts from the 1995 outbreak in Kikwit, Democratic Republic Congo (DRC), determined prevalence abnormal neurological, cognitive, psychological findings their association with EVD survivorship. From August to September 2017, we conducted a cross-sectional study DRC. Over 2 decades after outbreak, recruited undergo physical examination culturally adapted...
Disorders of sex development (DSD) have an estimated frequency 0.5% live births encompassing a variety urogenital anomalies ranging from mild hypospadias to discrepancy between chromosomes and external genitalia. In order identify the underlying genetic etiology, we had performed exome sequencing in subset DSD cases with 46,XY karyotype were able causative variant 35% cases. While etiology was not ascertained more than half cases, large number variants unknown clinical significance (VUS)...
One year after a Zaire ebolavirus (EBOV) outbreak occurred in the Boende Health Zone of Democratic Republic Congo during 2014, we sought to determine breadth immune response against diverse filoviruses including EBOV, Bundibugyo (BDBV), Sudan (SUDV), and Marburg (MARV) viruses. After assessing 15 survivors, 5 individuals demonstrated some degree reactivity multiple species and, instances, virus. All these survivors had immunoreactivity EBOV glycoprotein (GP) VP40, 4 nucleoprotein (NP). Three...
Healthcare settings have played a major role in propagation of Ebola virus (EBOV) outbreaks. workers (HCWs) elevated risk contact with EBOV-infected patients, particularly if safety precautions are not rigorously practiced. We conducted serosurvey to determine seroprevalence against multiple EBOV antigens among HCWs Boende Health Zone, Democratic Republic the Congo, site 2014 outbreak. Interviews and specimens were collected from 565 consenting HCWs. Overall, 234 (41.4%) enrolled reactive at...
Abstract Background Health care workers (HCW) are more likely to be exposed Ebola virus (EBOV) during an outbreak compared people in the general population due close physical contact with patients and potential exposure infectious fluids. However, not all will fall ill. Despite evidence of subclinical paucisymptomatic disease (EVD), prevalence associated risk factors remain unknown. Methods We conducted a serosurvey among HCW Boende, Tshuapa Province, Democratic Republic Congo. Human...
Konzo, a distinct upper motor neuron disease associated with cyanogenic diet and chronic malnutrition, predominately affects children women of childbearing age in sub-Saharan Africa. While the exact biological mechanisms that cause this have largely remained elusive, host-genetics environmental components such as gut microbiome been implicated. Using large study population 180 individuals from Democratic Republic Congo, where konzo is most frequent, we investigate how structure varied across...
Down syndrome is one of the most common chromosomal anomalies affecting world's population, with an estimated frequency 1 in 700 live births. Despite its relatively high prevalence, diagnostic rates based on clinical features have remained under 70% for developed world and even lower countries limited resources. While genetic cytogenetic confirmation greatly increases rate, such resources are often non-existent many low- middle-income countries, particularly Sub-Saharan Africa. To address...
Background Ebola virus (EBOV) is a zoonotic filovirus spread through exposure to infected bodily fluids of human or animal. Though EBOV capable causing severe disease, referred as Virus Disease (EVD), individuals who have never been diagnosed with confirmed, probable suspected EVD can detectable antigen-specific antibodies in their blood. This study aims identify risk factors associated antibody levels the absence an diagnosis. Methodology Data was collected from September 2015 August 2017...
Abstract Konzo, a disease characterized by sudden, irreversible spastic paraparesis, affecting up to 10% of the population in some regions Sub-Saharan Africa during outbreaks, is strongly associated with dietary exposure cyanogenic bitter cassava. The molecular mechanisms underlying development konzo remain largely unknown. Here, through an analysis 16 individuals and matched healthy controls from same outbreak zones, we identified 117 differentially methylated loci involved numerous...
Abstract Background Worldwide, tobacco use has caused over 100 million deaths in the twentieth century and is projected to cause death up one billion people twenty-first century. It a leading of early disability countries accounts for 11% global deaths, disproportionately affecting low- middle-income countries. The purpose study was examine variety social determinants Democratic Republic Congo, including region, sex, ethnicity, education, literacy, wealth index place residence, gain insights...
Abstract Background The exponential growth of high-throughput sequencing technologies was an incredible opportunity for researchers to combine various -omics within computational frameworks. Among these, metagenomics and metabolomics data have gained increasing interest due their involvement in many complex diseases. However, currently, no standard seems emerge jointly integrating both microbiome metabolome datasets statistical models. Results Thus, this paper we comprehensively benchmarked...
Abstract Background Worldwide, tobacco use has caused over 100 million deaths in the twentieth century and is projected to cause death up one billion people twenty-first century. It a leading of early disability countries accounts for 11% global deaths, disproportionately affecting low- middle-income countries. The purpose study was examine variety social determinants Democratic Republic Congo, including region, sex, ethnicity, education, literacy, wealth index place residence, gain insights...
Abstract Background: Worldwide, tobacco use has caused over 100 million deaths in the twentieth century and is projected to cause death up one billion people twenty-first century. It a leading of early disability countries accounts for 11% global deaths, disproportionately affecting low- middle-income countries. The purpose study was examine variety social determinants Democratic Republic Congo, including region, sex, ethnicity, education, literacy, wealth index place residence, gain...