The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of OCA compared to placebo on histological improvement in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) by assessing the following primary endpoints using NASH Clinical Research Network (CRN) scoring criteria: Improvement in fibrosis by at least 1 stage with no worsening of NASH, or Resolution of NASH with no worsening fibrosis

A2-oxindole forming heme enzyme. MarE. had been proposed as a fifth member pending structural validation.45 MarE is a functionally characterized monooxygenase that generates the oxindole moiety found in the biosynthetic pathways for maremycins (A - G). spirotryprostatin (A - B). and others. We will determine the crystal structure of MarE and revisit its catalytic function.

The prevalence of neuropsychiatric disorders is increasing. constituting 28% of the global burden of non-communicable disease. A major cause of these disorders is that of aberrant fetal brain development. and there is growing evidence implicating prenatal exposures as a driving factor. A common exposure that has undergone an exponential increase in incidence during recent years is that of viral infections. due in part to the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Up to 80% of hospitalized COVID-19 patients have manifested neurological complications.

In deployment, the military personnel often encounter infectious disease agents that range from the common (e.g., rhinoviruses) to highly virulent emerging pathogens (e.g., SARS virus, MERS Coronavirus), and potentially even the proven biological warfare agents (e.g., anthrax, plague). Naturally occurring genetic variations and experimentally induced mutations in mammalian genes that confer varying degrees of resistance to infectious diseases are known. However, the military lacks any usable database on such variations.

This CCRC U19 proposal is composed of 1 administrative core. 3 scientific projects and 2 scientific cores.We have assembled a team of experts to develop novel therapeutic drugs and vaccines against coccidioidomycosis.The Co-PI/PDs are Dr. Chiung-Yu Hung and Jose Lopez-Ribot
 
 The 3 projects are:
 1. Project#1
 Title: Screening repurposing libraries for the identification of drugs with novel anti-coccidioidal activity
 Co-Leads: Dr. Jose Lopez-Ribot and Dr. Jieh-Juen Yu at Biology Department. UTSA
 2.

Primary objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness using ritonavirin in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection.

The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of repurposed medications in reducing symptoms of non-hospitalized participants with mild to moderate COVID-19.

The goals of this project are to conduct vector and human surveillance of Chagas disease, and to propose policies for improved surveillance of this emerging infectious threat to our Service member population who reside and conduct training in potentially high risk areas.

In the diabetic retina disruption of fractalkine (FKN) signaling induces fibrin(ogen) deposition. increased production of IL-1??? by microglia. vascular and neuronal damage.But. how FKN and its receptor. CX3CR1. regulate microglia activation and retinal pathology is unknown.In humans. two single nucleotide polymorphisms in the CX3CR1 locus (hCX3CR1-I249/M280) that show defective binding to FKN. play a key role in inflammation during diabetes.Induction of diabetes in a mouse model expressing the human CX3CR1-I249/M280 revealed accelerated neuronal loss in the retina.

Funds are being requested to provide partial support for the 18th Annual South Central Medical Mycology (SCMM) meeting to be held in the Hotel Menger at San Antonio. TX on November 21-21. 2020. SCMM prides itself on bringing a critical mass of medical mycology researchers together from the south central region of the United States to share the latest research being conducted in the various labs. provide opportunities for collaboration. and promote the development of junior trainees in participating laboratories.