Browsing by Author "Gupta, Kamna"

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    Ferrochelatase is a therapeutic target for ocular neovascularization
    (Wiley, 2017) Basavarajappa, Halesha D.; Sulaiman, Rania S.; Qi, Xiaoping; Shetty, Trupti; Babu, Sardar Sheik Pran; Sishtla, Kamakshi L.; Lee, Bit; Quigley, Judith; Alkhairy, Sameerah; Briggs, Christian M.; Gupta, Kamna; Tang, Buyun; Shadmand, Mehdi; Grant, Maria B.; Boulton, Michael E.; Seo, Seung-Yong; Corson, Timothy W.; Department of Ophthalmology, IU School of Medicine
    Ocular neovascularization underlies major blinding eye diseases such as “wet” age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Despite the successes of treatments targeting the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway, resistant and refractory patient populations necessitate discovery of new therapeutic targets. Using a forward chemical genetic approach, we identified the heme synthesis enzyme ferrochelatase (FECH) as necessary for angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo. FECH is overexpressed in wet AMD eyes and murine choroidal neovascularization; siRNA knockdown of Fech or partial loss of enzymatic function in the Fechm1Pas mouse model reduces choroidal neovascularization. FECH depletion modulates endothelial nitric oxide synthase function and VEGF receptor 2 levels. FECH is inhibited by the oral antifungal drug griseofulvin, and this compound ameliorates choroidal neovascularization in mice when delivered intravitreally or orally. Thus, FECH inhibition could be used therapeutically to block ocular neovascularization.
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    Web-Based Educational Seminars Compare Favorably with In-House Seminars for Bariatric Surgery Patients
    (Springer, 2019-03) Monfared, Sara; Martin, Anna; Gupta, Kamna; Stefanidis, Dimitrios; Selzer, Don; Choi, Jennifer; Butler, Annabelle; Banerjee, Ambar; Surgery, School of Medicine
    Background Comprehensive preparative patient education is a key element in bariatric patient success. The primary objective of this study was to compare attrition rates, demographics, and surgery outcomes between patients who participated in the online vs in-house preparative seminars. Methods A retrospective chart review was performed involving patients who chose to participate in online vs in-house educational seminar between July of 2014 and December of 2016. The patients were divided into two groups based on their choice of educational seminar and tracked to see how many made it to an initial visit and to surgery. In those who had bariatric surgery, data was collected on age, type of insurance, length of stay (LOS), longest follow-up, and change in body mass index. Results Total of 1230 patients were included in this study. There was no difference in attrition rate to initial consultation visit (29.1% vs 29.9%), but there was a statistically higher attrition to surgery in the in-house seminar attendees (72.9%) compared to online participants (66.6%, p < 0.05). Between January 2015 and December 2016, 291 patients underwent primary bariatric surgery. The online group was on average 3 years younger which was statistically significant. There were no differences in LOS, longest follow-up, and weight loss at 12 months between the groups. Conclusion When comparing attrition rates and bariatric surgery outcomes, no overall difference was noted between patients who received web- or hospital-based preparative education. Bariatric programs should provide access to online seminars to attract younger population and save resources and cost.