Singampalli, K. L. | Search bioRxiv

bioRxiv2023

Genomic and Proteomic Analysis of Patients with Reoccurring Discrete Subaortic Stenosis

Discrete subaortic stenosis (DSS) is a pediatric condition in which a fibrotic membrane forms within the left ventricular outflow track. The fibrotic membrane is removed surgically; however, there is a high rate of reoccurrence which requires a second surgery. There are currently no tools available to predict the risk of reoccurrence in DSS patients, a limitation addressed by this study. In this study, we analyzed resected fibrotic membranes for DSS patients at the time of first surgery for non-recurrent and recurrent patients, and at the time of second surgery for recurrent patients. RNA-sequencing was conducted to obtain a global screen of changes in RNA expression while mass spectrometry was used to obtain a global screen of changes in protein expression. The results from the RNA-sequencing and mass spectrometry provide valuable insight into genes and the proteins that are differentially regulated in recurrent vs non-recurrent DSS patients.

molecular biology↗

bioRxiv2022

Defining Predictors of Successful Early Career to Independent Funding Conversion Among Surgeon-Scientists

IntroductionThe National Institutes of Health (NIH) provides research funding to scientists at different stages of their career through a range of grant awards. Early-stage researchers are eligible for mentored Career Development (K) awards, to aid in the transition to independent NIH funding. Factors such as education, subspecialty, and time to funding have been studied as predictors of obtaining independent awards in nonsurgical specialties. However, in surgery, the importance of these factors has yet to be clearly elucidated. We aim to identify predictors of K to independent award conversion among surgeon-scientists to understand how to better support early-stage researchers transitioning to independent careers. Materials and MethodsIn July 2020, the NIH Research Portfolio Online Reporting Tools database was queried for individuals affiliated with surgery departments who received NIH Career Development Awards (between 2000 and 2020). The following factors were analyzed: publications, institution, degrees, year of completion of training, and gender. ResultsBetween 2000 and 2020, 228 surgeons received K Awards, of which 44% transitioned to independent funding. On average, surgeons received a K award 4.0 years after completing fellowship training and an independent award 5.4 years after receiving a K grant. The time to receiving a K award was predictive of successfully achieving independent funding, and those with independent funding had a significantly greater number of publications per year of their K-award. ConclusionSurgeons successful in transitioning to independent NIH awards do so approximately 9 years after finishing fellowship. Publication track record is the main factor associated with successful conversion from a K award. Surgery departments should emphasize manuscript productivity and develop strategies to minimize time to independent funding to help K-awardees begin independent research careers.

scientific communication and education↗