10 results on '"Ward, Ryan D."'
Search Results
2. A thematic analysis of MDMA-related harm and harm reduction experiences and knowledge in Aotearoa New Zealand
- Author
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Whelan, Jai, primary, Ward, Ryan D., additional, and Noller, Geoff, additional
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- 2024
- Full Text
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3. A Targeted Genome-scale Overexpression Platform for Proteobacteria
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Banta, Amy B., primary, Myers, Kevin S., additional, Ward, Ryan D., additional, Cuellar, Rodrigo A., additional, Place, Michael, additional, Freeh, Claire C., additional, Bacon, Emily E., additional, and Peters, Jason M., additional
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- 2024
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4. Harm reduction behaviours and harm experiences of people who use 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) in Aotearoa New Zealand.
- Author
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Whelan, Jai, Noller, Geoff, and Ward, Ryan D.
- Abstract
Background: 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is drug of high prevalence in Aotearoa New Zealand and is the primary drug analysed by legal drug checking services. We aimed to address the gap in literature pertaining to MDMA-related harm reduction behaviour and harm experiences within the country. Methods: An online survey was used to assess the harm reduction behaviours (e.g., limiting consumption, planning use, seeking information) of people who use MDMA, in addition to their use of reagent testing and the major national drug checking and harm reduction service, KnowYourStuffNZ. Results: In total, 915 people completed the survey (60.7% females, aged 18–65, median = 24, IQR = 20–28). Frequency of various MDMA-related harm reduction behaviours differed, although these were carried out relatively frequently by most participants. Those who reported experiencing harm (physical, psychological, spiritual, social) from MDMA, or another drug presumed to be MDMA, reported less frequent harm reduction behaviours than non-harmed consumers. Reagent testing of MDMA had been conducted by 42.3% of the sample. Approximately 27% of the sample had used KnowYourStuffNZ services. Of KnowYourStuffNZ clients, 95.9% reported learning about harm reduction, and 53.3% reported changing their behaviour because of the service. Reasons for not using the KnowYourStuffNZ service were primarily lack of availability in local area (32.8%) or at relevant events (51.8%), and lack of concern with substance quality (29.8%). MDMA harm was reported by 14.4% of the sample, whilst reported harm was more common from consumption of presumably non-MDMA substances, self-reported as being mistaken for MDMA. Harm was primarily physical or psychological. Potential MDMA dependence was apparent in 6.9% of the sample. Conclusions: The findings highlight potential targets for harm reduction education and interventions and emphasize the need for greater availability of readily accessible drug checking services in Aotearoa New Zealand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2024
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5. Rolling through TikTok: An analysis of 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine‐related content.
- Author
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Whelan, Jai, Noller, Geoffrey E., and Ward, Ryan D.
- Subjects
HARM reduction ,CONTENT analysis ,VIDEO coding ,ECSTASY (Drug) - Abstract
Introduction: TikTok has quickly gained popularity through its platforming of large amounts of short video content. Given its widespread popularity, unrestricted access and poor content monitoring may allow 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)‐related content to influence perception of MDMA use. We aimed to investigate how MDMA‐related videos are portrayed on TikTok and explore MDMA‐related harm reduction content. Methods: MDMA‐related hashtags and sounds were utilised to collect data from TikTok (n = 498). Video views, likes, comments and shares were recorded and quantified, and videos were coded for depiction/sentiment towards MDMA and thematic content. Results: The total sample view count was 82,413,781. Videos had a median view count of 28,900 (SD = ±561,645), median like count of 2269 (SD = ±102,904), median comment count of 52 (SD = ±755), and median share count of 34 (SD = ±3292). Most videos depicted MDMA neutrally (40.6%), while 34.9% were positive. MDMA intoxication was presumed in 40.2% of videos. The analysis produced seven themes, of which humour was the most common (80.5%). Harm reduction content was present in nine videos, viewed 999,700 times, and consisted of mixed subject matter. Discussion and Conclusions: Similar themes and issues surrounding drug‐related content on TikTok are relevant to MDMA, and intoxication was present in a significant portion of the sample. Better monitoring or regulation of content could potentially offset harm that may arise from consumption of such content. Promotion of harm reduction content could also be trialled to minimise harm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2024
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6. Posttreatment Lower Urinary Tract and Prostate Imaging
- Author
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Nisar, Muhammad Umer, Purysko, Andrei S., and Ward, Ryan D.
- Abstract
The treatment of benign and malignant diseases of the lower urinary tract and prostate gland can alter the anatomy and physiology of these regions. The radiologist should be familiar with the commonly performed procedures for conditions affecting the lower urinary tract as well as the expected and unexpected posttreatment appearance on imaging.
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- 2024
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7. CRISPRi functional genomics in bacteria and its application to medical and industrial research.
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Enright AL, Heelan WJ, Ward RD, and Peters JM
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- Genome, Bacterial, Gene Editing methods, Biomedical Research, Humans, Genomics, Bacteria genetics, Bacteria metabolism, CRISPR-Cas Systems genetics, Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats genetics
- Abstract
SUMMARYFunctional genomics is the use of systematic gene perturbation approaches to determine the contributions of genes under conditions of interest. Although functional genomic strategies have been used in bacteria for decades, recent studies have taken advantage of CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats) technologies, such as CRISPRi (CRISPR interference), that are capable of precisely modulating expression of all genes in the genome. Here, we discuss and review the use of CRISPRi and related technologies for bacterial functional genomics. We discuss the strengths and weaknesses of CRISPRi as well as design considerations for CRISPRi genetic screens. We also review examples of how CRISPRi screens have defined relevant genetic targets for medical and industrial applications. Finally, we outline a few of the many possible directions that could be pursued using CRISPR-based functional genomics in bacteria. Our view is that the most exciting screens and discoveries are yet to come., Competing Interests: Jason M. Peters has filed for patents related to Mobile-CRISPRi technology and bacterial promoters.
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- 2024
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8. A Targeted Genome-scale Overexpression Platform for Proteobacteria.
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Banta AB, Myers KS, Ward RD, Cuellar RA, Place M, Freeh CC, Bacon EE, and Peters JM
- Abstract
Targeted, genome-scale gene perturbation screens using Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats interference (CRISPRi) and activation (CRISPRa) have revolutionized eukaryotic genetics, advancing medical, industrial, and basic research. Although CRISPRi knockdowns have been broadly applied in bacteria, options for genome-scale overexpression face key limitations. Here, we develop a facile approach for genome-scale gene overexpression in bacteria we call, "CRISPRtOE" (CRISPR transposition and OverExpression). We create a platform for comprehensive gene targeting using CRISPR-associated transposition (CAST) and show that transposition occurs at a higher frequency in non-transcribed DNA. We then demonstrate that CRISPRtOE can upregulate gene expression in Proteobacteria with medical and industrial relevance by integrating synthetic promoters of varying strength upstream of target genes. Finally, we employ CRISPRtOE screening at the genome-scale in Escherichia coli, recovering known antibiotic targets and genes with unexplored roles in antibiotic function. We envision that CRISPRtOE will be a valuable overexpression tool for antibiotic mode of action, industrial strain optimization, and gene function discovery in bacteria., Competing Interests: Competing interests The authors declare no competing interests.
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- 2024
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9. Essential gene knockdowns reveal genetic vulnerabilities and antibiotic sensitivities in Acinetobacter baumannii .
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Ward RD, Tran JS, Banta AB, Bacon EE, Rose WE, and Peters JM
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- Anti-Bacterial Agents pharmacology, Anti-Bacterial Agents metabolism, Genes, Essential, Polymyxins pharmacology, Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial genetics, Microbial Sensitivity Tests, Acinetobacter baumannii, Rifamycins metabolism, Rifamycins pharmacology
- Abstract
The emergence of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria underscores the need to define genetic vulnerabilities that can be therapeutically exploited. The Gram-negative pathogen, Acinetobacter baumannii , is considered an urgent threat due to its propensity to evade antibiotic treatments. Essential cellular processes are the target of existing antibiotics and a likely source of new vulnerabilities. Although A. baumannii essential genes have been identified by transposon sequencing, they have not been prioritized by sensitivity to knockdown or antibiotics. Here, we take a systems biology approach to comprehensively characterize A. baumannii essential genes using CRISPR interference (CRISPRi). We show that certain essential genes and pathways are acutely sensitive to knockdown, providing a set of vulnerable targets for future therapeutic investigation. Screening our CRISPRi library against last-resort antibiotics uncovered genes and pathways that modulate beta-lactam sensitivity, an unexpected link between NADH dehydrogenase activity and growth inhibition by polymyxins, and anticorrelated phenotypes that may explain synergy between polymyxins and rifamycins. Our study demonstrates the power of systematic genetic approaches to identify vulnerabilities in Gram-negative pathogens and uncovers antibiotic-essential gene interactions that better inform combination therapies.IMPORTANCE Acinetobacter baumannii is a hospital-acquired pathogen that is resistant to many common antibiotic treatments. To combat resistant A. baumannii infections, we need to identify promising therapeutic targets and effective antibiotic combinations. In this study, we comprehensively characterize the genes and pathways that are critical for A. baumannii viability. We show that genes involved in aerobic metabolism are central to A. baumannii physiology and may represent appealing drug targets. We also find antibiotic-gene interactions that may impact the efficacy of carbapenems, rifamycins, and polymyxins, providing a new window into how these antibiotics function in mono- and combination therapies. Our studies offer a useful approach for characterizing interactions between drugs and essential genes in pathogens to inform future therapies., Competing Interests: Jason M. Peters and Amy B. Banta have filed for patents related to Mobile-CRISPRi technology and bacterial promoters.
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- 2024
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10. Investigating Pseudomonas aeruginosa Gene Function During Pathogenesis Using Mobile-CRISPRi.
- Author
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Yu MA, Banta AB, Ward RD, Prasad NK, Kwon MS, Rosenberg OS, and Peters JM
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- Animals, Mice, Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats, Gene Silencing, Phenotype, Pseudomonas aeruginosa genetics, CRISPR-Cas Systems
- Abstract
CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) is a robust gene silencing technique that is ideal for targeting essential and conditionally essential (CE) genes. CRISPRi is especially valuable for investigating gene function in pathogens such as P. aeruginosa where essential and CE genes underlie clinically important phenotypes such as antibiotic susceptibility and virulence. To facilitate the use of CRISPRi in diverse bacteria-including P. aeruginosa-we developed a suite of modular, mobilizable, and integrating vectors we call, "Mobile-CRISPRi." We further optimized Mobile-CRISPRi for use in P. aeruginosa mouse models of acute lung infection by expressing the CRISPRi machinery at low levels constitutively, enabling partial knockdown of essential and CE genes without the need for an exogenous inducer. Here, we describe protocols for creating Mobile-CRISPRi knockdown strains and testing their phenotypes in a mouse pneumonia model of P. aeruginosa infection. In addition, we provide comprehensive guide RNA designs to target genes in common laboratory strains of P. aeruginosa and other Pseudomonas species., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
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