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LSU HEALTH SHREVEPORT RESEARCHERS LEAD IDENTIFICATION OF NEW BIOMARKER FOR ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE AND RELATED DEMENTIAS (ADRD)
A team of scientists and clinicians at LSU Health Shreveport, collaborating across the Centers for Brain Health and Cardiovascular Diseases and Sciences, had their groundbreaking findings on a new blood biomarker for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia published in the prestigious “Alzheimer’s & Dementia, The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association”. LSUHS faculty Drs. Elizabeth Disbrow, Chris Kevil, Steve Alexander, and Karen Stokes were joined by colleagues from the Vascular Medicine Institute at the University of Pittsburg Medical Center and the Department of Computer Science at Louisiana State University in Shreveport.
There is growing appreciation for the important role cerebrovascular disease plays in the development of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD). The newly identified plasma biomarker for ADRD, hydrogen sulfide, is already a known biomarker for cardiovascular disease. The team used cutting edge analytical biochemical methods developed at LSU Health Shreveport in the laboratory of Dr. Chris Kevil to measure plasma hydrogen sulfide metabolites, MRI to evaluate indicators of microvascular disease as well as cognitive testing to determine biomarker performance. Hydrogen sulfide and its metabolites were clearly linked to ADRD, which had not been previously reported or shown. Furthermore, cognitive and microvascular disease indicators were also correlated with hydrogen sulfide levels. Overall hydrogen sulfide levels were the strongest indicator of ADRD and mediated the relationship between cognitive dysfunction and the amount of brain lesion. These findings clearly indicate that hydrogen sulfide is dysregulated in dementia, providing a potential biomarker for early diagnosis, disease progression and intervention in ARDS.
Because the rise in the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is becoming a national health crisis, identifying and treating its underlying causes is a critical health challenge. While amyloid “plaques” and Tau “tangles” play mechanistic roles in AD, cardiovascular complications are also significant risk factors for dementia. The current thinking is that cerebrovascular dysfunction occurs early in ADRD, and therefore may be an important early diagnostic marker and a fruitful therapeutic target, making this newly identified biomarker highly clinically significant. This work was supported by an Institutional Development Award from the National Institutes of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health. the Alzheimer’s Association”. LSUHS faculty Drs. Elizabeth Disbrow, Chris Kevil, Steve Alexander, and Karen cine Institute at the University of Pittsburg Medical Cenlaboratory of Dr. Chris Kevil to measure plasma hydro
Because the rise in the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is becoming a national health crisis, identifying and treating its underlying causes is a critical health challenge. While amyloid “plaques” and Tau “tangles” play mechanistic roles in AD, cardiovascular complications are also significant risk factors for dementia. The current thinking is that cerebrovascular dysfunction occurs early in ADRD, and therefore may be an important early diagnostic marker and a fruitful therapeutic target, making this newly identified biomarker highly clinically significant. This work was supported by an Institutional Development Award from the National Institutes of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health.
JOHNSON CONGRATULATES 2021 U.S. SERVICE JOHNSON CONGRATULATES 2021 U.S. SERVICE ACADEMY APPOINTEES ACADEMY APPOINTEES
United States Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04) United States Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04) congratulates Georgia Hilburn of Shreveport, and Jack-congratulates Georgia Hilburn of Shreveport, and Jackson David Tinkis of Bossier City, for their appointments son David Tinkis of Bossier City, for their appointments to United States Service Academies. The students were to United States Service Academies. The students were selected on their merits by a volunteer panel of retired mil-selected on their merits by a volunteer panel of retired military officers. Hilburn will attend the U.S. Naval Academy itary officers. Hilburn will attend the U.S. Naval Academy and Tinkis will attend the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. and Tinkis will attend the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.
“Congratulations to Georgia and Jackson for receiv-“Congratulations to Georgia and Jackson for receiving and accepting their appointments to the U.S. Naval ing and accepting their appointments to the U.S. Naval Academy and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. They Academy and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. They have bright futures ahead, and we wish them well this fall. have bright futures ahead, and we wish them well this fall. This is an exceptional honor, particularly because of the This is an exceptional honor, particularly because of the many outstanding applications we received from so many many outstanding applications we received from so many students who desire to serve our nation. We are so proud students who desire to serve our nation. We are so proud of them all.” of them all.”
CORY CRAIG NAMED GRAMMY CORY CRAIG NAMED GRAMMY MUSIC EDUCATOR AWARD MUSIC EDUCATOR AWARD QUARTERFINALIST QUARTERFINALIST
Benton Intermediate School band Benton Intermediate School band director Cory Craig recently received director Cory Craig recently received news that is music to her ears. She is news that is music to her ears. She is among the quarterfinalists chosen for among the quarterfinalists chosen for
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the 2022 Music Educator Award presented by the Recording Academy and GRAMMY Museum.
The Music Educator Award recognizes current educators who have made a significant and lasting contribution tors who have made a significant and lasting contribution to the field of music education and who demonstrate a to the field of music education and who demonstrate a commitment to the broader cause of maintaining music education in schools.
Craig’s love for music began in middle school while Craig’s love for music began in middle school while she was in foster care. The experience was life-changing. “This became my new escape as I went through foster care and counseling for the trauma we endured,” Craig said. “I tasted success for the first time and it overflowed into my other subjects, going from a failing student to an ‘A’ student. I also knew that year, my seventh-grade year, ‘A’ student. I also knew that year, my seventh-grade year, I must become a band director one day to help give oth-I must become a band director one day to help give others this wonderful escape and experience.” Craig fulfilled that dream, becoming a music educator in 2014, and now leads the Benton Intermediate School band program.
Semifinalists and finalists for the Music Educator Award Semifinalists and finalists for the Music Educator Award will be announced in September, all of whom will receive honorariums and matching school grants. The winner will honorariums and matching school grants. The winner will attend the 64th Annual GRAMMY Awards in Los Angeles. Award for Field Representative of the country. A native Shreveporter, Mar
The museum is open Saturdays and Sundays from 1:00 - 7:00 pm. No reservations or tickets are required Chimp Haven welcomes new vet est chimpanzee sanctuary. Coleman obtained a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 2009 from Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine.
Dr. Coleman brings with her a knowledge base in traumatic wound care and emergency stabilization, and the work mantra of taking a deep breath and steadying the pace,” Dr. Raven Jackson-Jewett, Director of Veterinary Care, said. Wound care is valuable experience for any veterinarian caring for chimpanzees as their dynamic social behavior can include tussles and challenges for social rank that require veterinary intervention.
Chimp Haven is a private, nonprofit refuge on 200 acres of forested land in Northwest Louisiana, home to more than 300 chimps already retired from biomedical research.
SHREVEPORT FRANCHISE OWNER RECOGNIZED WITH NATIONAL AWARD
Justin Marshall was nationally recognized with the Geico President’s Award for Field Representative of the Year out of all the franchises in the country. A native Shreveporter, Marshall has been in the insurance industry for over 12 years and started the local Geico office in 2018. The award represents leadership in surpassing production and volume goals in sales and service and acknowledges the agency’s dedication and commitment to the northwest Louisiana area through community outreach.
R.W. NORTON ART GALLERY ANNOUNCES PHASE 2 RE-OPENING
The museum is open Saturdays and Sundays from 1:00 - 7:00 pm. No reservations or tickets are required and admission is free.
CHIMP HAVEN WELCOMES NEW VETERINARIAN
Chimp Haven welcomes new veterinarian Dr. DeShaunte’ M. Coleman, a native of Atlanta, Ga., to its team of leading vets to provide care for more than 300 chimpanzees retired from medical research at the world’s largest chimpanzee sanctuary. Coleman obtained a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 2009 from Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine.
Dr. Coleman brings with her a knowledge base in traumatic wound care and emergency stabilization, and the work mantra of taking a deep breath and steadying the pace,” Dr. Raven Jackson-Jewett, Director of Veterinary Care, said. Wound care is valuable experience for any veterinarian caring for chimpanzees as their dynamic social behavior can include tussles and challenges for social rank that require veterinary intervention.
Chimp Haven is a private, nonprofit refuge on 200 acres of forested land in Northwest Louisiana, home to more than 300 chimps already retired from biomedical research.
OPTIMIST CLUB GIFTS $40,000 TO BOSSIER TEACHERS OPTIMIST CLUB GIFTS $40,000 TO BOSSIER TEACHERS
The Optimist Club of Bossier City has once again lived The Optimist Club of Bossier City has once again lived up to its organizational motto “A Friend of Youth” by gift-up to its organizational motto “A Friend of Youth” by gifting Bossier Parish teachers with $40,000 for classroom ing Bossier Parish teachers with $40,000 for classroom projects to increase student engagement and learning.
Fifteen grants were funded at 11 schools and to the Fifteen grants were funded at 11 schools and to the Talented Arts Program to purchase books, technology, musical instruments and other materials. Since the Optimist Club of Bossier City began presenting its teacher timist Club of Bossier City began presenting its teacher grant program 29 years ago, Bossier Parish educators have been awarded more than $522,000 to bring class-have been awarded more than $522,000 to bring classroom enhancements and learning opportunities to life
for students.
Elementary school teacher recipients of this year’s Optimist Club Teacher Grants are: Jessica Armstrong, Legacy; Britney Hutchison and Shelley Moore, Planta-Legacy; Britney Hutchison and Shelley Moore, Plantation Park; Marissa Marrero, Sun City; Holli McHan, W.T. Lewis; and Linda Morgan, Benton Intermediate.
Middle school teachers receiving grants are: Laura Rabey and Ashley Holliday, Benton Middle; Marie Boudreaux and Tiffany Bruton, Cope; Rhonda Samuels, Cope; Rebekah Gibbs, Elm Grove; and Noel Spring, Rusheon.
High school winners are: Jennifer Duman and Mi-High school winners are: Jennifer Duman and Michaela Meredith, Haughton; David Brown, Haughton; chaela Meredith, Haughton; David Brown, Haughton; Martha Claire Lepore, Parkway; and Mark Burt and Katie Phillips in the Talented Arts Program.
“We are elated to receive this critical funding from No partment staff can continue to provide our summer pro-
Gabehart’s coaching career began at Campbellsville University of Kentucky, Keith Madison. It was there he met From there he spent three years as head baseball coach at district runners-up two years in a row.
Gabehart then spent five years at the Dunham School as head baseball coach, where he oversaw facility improvements to both indoor and outdoor facilities, won District Coach of the Year in both 2018 and 2019 and led the team to the 2018 State Semifinals. In his time at Dunham, the 2019 team led the state in runs scored and grew the program to 57 players which ranked number one in his fourth and fifth years there.
CADDO PARISH PARKS AND RECREATION RECEIVES $50,000 FROM NO KID HUNGRY
Caddo Parish Parks and Recreation Department has received $50,000.00 in grant funding to feed summer youth program participants healthy snacks and lunch during the summer months of June to August. With many families having lost jobs or wages in recent months due to the pandemic, more kids than ever will rely on the meals they receive outside of their respective homes.
“We are elated to receive this critical funding from No Kid Hungry. This grant award will help ensure that our department staff can continue to provide our summer program youth participants with the nutrition they need to reach their full potential during the summer season,” said Caddo Parish Parks and Recreation director Patrick Wesley.
PARKWAY PICKS GABEHART TO LEAD PANTHER BASEBALL
Parkway High School has hit a home run with the addition of Jay “Sham” Shamblyn Gabehart who will be stepping up to home plate as Head Coach of Panther Baseball. He is currently the varsity pitching coach at Zachary High School where he has led the team to compete against the state’s best programs.
Gabehart’s coaching career began at Campbellsville High School in Kentucky. Three years later, he ventured to the Dominican Republic with the former head coach of the University of Kentucky, Keith Madison. It was there he met legendary Parkview Baptist coach M.L. Woodruff, and while coaching together in the Dominican Republic a relationship was formed that led Gabehart to move to Louisiana.
His next six years were spent as assistant baseball coach and offensive coordinator at Parkview Baptist High School, where Gabehart helped lead the team to win two Class 3A state championships and as a 3A state runner-up. From there he spent three years as head baseball coach at South Terrebonne High School, where the Gators were district runners-up two years in a row.
Gabehart then spent five years at the Dunham School as head baseball coach, where he oversaw facility improvements to both indoor and outdoor facilities, won District Coach of the Year in both 2018 and 2019 and led the team to the 2018 State Semifinals. In his time at Dunham, the 2019 team led the state in runs scored and grew the program to 57 players which ranked number one in his fourth and fifth years there.
BOSSIER HIGH NAMES NEW BOSSIER HIGH NAMES NEW HEAD FOOTBALL COACH HEAD FOOTBALL COACH
Bossier High School has scored a Bossier High School has scored a touchdown, naming Calvary Baptist touchdown, naming Calvary Baptist Academy cornerback coach De’Au-Academy cornerback coach De’Aumante Johnson as the Bearkats’ new mante Johnson as the Bearkats’ new head football coach. Coach Johnson head football coach. Coach Johnson holds a Bachelor of Science in Kine-holds a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology with a Sports Management Concentration and a siology with a Sports Management Concentration and a Masters of Science in Sports Administration from Gram-Masters of Science in Sports Administration from Grambling State University. bling State University.
Johnson comes to Bossier High’s storied athletic pro-Johnson comes to Bossier High’s storied athletic program with an impressive resumé of his own, carrying a gram with an impressive resumé of his own, carrying a 2020 LHSAA State Championship as well as previous ex-2020 LHSAA State Championship as well as previous experience as a collegiate athlete, recruiter and coach. Prior perience as a collegiate athlete, recruiter and coach. Prior to assuming the cornerback coaching position at Calvary to assuming the cornerback coaching position at Calvary in June 2020, Johnson worked at his college alma mater in June 2020, Johnson worked at his college alma mater Grambling State University in defensive quality control Grambling State University in defensive quality control and as Assistant Recruiting Coordinator. Preceding that and as Assistant Recruiting Coordinator. Preceding that career move, Johnson served as Freshman Wide Receiver career move, Johnson served as Freshman Wide Receiver Coach at Captain Shreve High School in Shreveport. Coach at Captain Shreve High School in Shreveport.
An accomplished football player and G-man at Gram-An accomplished football player and G-man at Grambling State University, Johnson’s list of accolades is long. bling State University, Johnson’s list of accolades is long. Among them: 2016 Black College National Champion, Among them: 2016 Black College National Champion, 2017 Defensive Back of the Year, 2017 GSU Football Cap-2017 Defensive Back of the Year, 2017 GSU Football Captain and ranked 8th in the nation for interceptions. tain and ranked 8th in the nation for interceptions.
LSUS COMPUTER SCIENCE PROGRAM RANKED LSUS COMPUTER SCIENCE PROGRAM RANKED FIRST IN STATE FOR AFFORDABILITY FIRST IN STATE FOR AFFORDABILITY
LSU Shreveport’s Bachelor of Science in Computer Science has been ranked the #1 Best Most Affordable Computer Science Degree in the state by University HQ, a leading independent organization that provides resources for prospective college students. The program ranked #30 nationally. tive college students. The program ranked #30 nationally.
University HQ collects data from the National Center for Education Statistics, the U.S. Department of Education Scorecard, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and PayScale to determine its rankings based on many factors. These factors include retention rate, graduation rate, admission rate, cost of tuition, graduating salary, number of mission rate, cost of tuition, graduating salary, number of programs offered, online programs offered, loan default programs offered, online programs offered, loan default rate, diplomas awarded, and percent of students receiving financial aid.
DR. ARRIGO DEBENEDETTI RECEIVES FEISTWEILLER CANCER CENTER BRIDGE AWARD
Dr. Arrigo DeBenedetti received the Spring 2021 Feist-Weiller Cancer Center (FWCC) Bridge Award in the amount of $100,000 on the grant titled: TLK1-MK5 Signaling Axis in Prostate Cancer Cell Motility and Invasion. The FWCC Bridge Award is sponsored by the Feist-Weiller Cancer Center to provide support for researchers seeking federal funding. This highly competitive grant, which is reviewed by well-known scientists outside the Institution, allows researchers to maintain and increase their competitiveness upon the resubmission of applications.
JOHNSON HELPS SECURE FUNDING FOR BARKSDALE GATE CONSTRUCTION
U.S. Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04) discussed a range of issues of major significance to Barksdale Air Force Base and Fort Polk with Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley at the House Armed Services Committee hearing on the FY22 Department of Defense budget request. “We recognize, of course, that you’re operating under certain constraints, but it’s alarming to many of us that the President is spending with reckless abandon in virtually every area except our national defense,” Johnson said. “Our current era of strategic competition makes it all the more important that the U.S. recommit to the longstanding principle of ‘Peace through Strength,’ especially as our key adversaries continue to take meaningful steps to close the gap between us and them.”
U.S. Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04) discussed Force Base and Fort Polk with Secretary of Defense Lloyd tually every area except our national defense,” Johnson said. “Our current era of strategic competition makes it all the more important that the U.S. recommit to the longstanding principle of ‘Peace through Strength,’ especially as our key adversaries continue to take meaningful steps to close the gap between us and them.”
JOHNSON HIGHLIGHTS KEY BARKSDALE AND JOHNSON HIGHLIGHTS KEY BARKSDALE AND FORT POLK INITIATIVES FORT POLK INITIATIVES
U.S. Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04) discussed U.S. Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04) discussed a range of issues of major significance to Barksdale Air a range of issues of major significance to Barksdale Air Force Base and Fort Polk with Secretary of Defense Lloyd Force Base and Fort Polk with Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Austin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley at the House Armed Services Committee hearing Milley at the House Armed Services Committee hearing on the FY22 Department of Defense budget request. on the FY22 Department of Defense budget request.
“We recognize, of course, that you’re operating under certain constraints, but it’s alarming to many of us that certain constraints, but it’s alarming to many of us that the President is spending with reckless abandon in vir-the President is spending with reckless abandon in virtually every area except our national defense,” Johnson tually every area except our national defense,” Johnson said. “Our current era of strategic competition makes it said. “Our current era of strategic competition makes it all the more important that the U.S. recommit to the long all the more important that the U.S. recommit to the longstanding principle of ‘Peace through Strength,’ especially standing principle of ‘Peace through Strength,’ especially as our key adversaries continue to take meaningful steps as our key adversaries continue to take meaningful steps to close the gap between us and them.” to close the gap between us and them.”
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JOHN R. MERCKE, M.D. NAMED RECIPIENT OF LAFP RESIDENT AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
John R. Mercke, M.D., a third-year resident at the LSU Health Shreveport Family Medicine Residency Program in Alexandria, was named the 2021 Louisiana Academy of Family Physicians Foundation Resident Award of Excellence recipient. Selection criteria reflects superior scholastic achievement and leadership in family medicine activities. Dr. Mercke received his medical degree from American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine and his undergraduate training from University of Louisiana his undergraduate training from University of Louisiana at Lafayette with dual degrees in Biology and Finance. at Lafayette with dual degrees in Biology and Finance. During residency training he served as Resident Wellness Coordinator and Resident Representative for Rapides Coordinator and Resident Representative for Rapides Regional Medical Center’s Residency Advisory Council.
PREVOT DESIGN ANNOUNCES NEW PARTNERS
Geoff Perego and April Sharlow have both been promoted to Partner at Prevot Design in Shreveport. Prevot Design is pleased to announce the advancement of Geoff Perego to Partner
Prevot Design is pleased to announce the advancement of April Sharlow to Partner
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MISS LOUISIANA COMPETITOR MISS LOUISIANA COMPETITOR THANKS LSUS THANKS LSUS
Alysia Cannon, a two-time LSUS graduate, participated in the Miss Louisiana 2021 crown on June 19 IN Monroe. Competing as Miss Spirit of the Red, Cannon’s journey through pageantry began after winning the 2018 LSUS Miss Black and Gold crown. Looking for a new adventure on campus, Cannon took a leap of faith competing in thatm e Miss Black and Gold pageant sponsored by the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. She credits the crown as well as her being selected Homecoming Queen in 2020 for leading her to Miss Louisiana.
“LSUS helped get me to this point by providing opportunities to serve as a queen on campus,” Cannon said. “Media and PR staff such as the Director of Media and External Affairs, Wendell Riley, always requested my appearance at events, small or large. The exposure to speaking events and leadership I obtained at LSUS made my journey to Miss Louisiana possible.” Cannon earned a Bachelor of Science in Cellular and Molecular Biology in 2020 and a Master of Biological Sciences in Public Health in 2021. Alysia Cannon, a two-time LSUS graduate, participated in the Miss Louisiana 2021 crown on June 19 IN Monroe. Competing as Miss Spirit of the Red, Cannon’s journey through pageantry began after winning the 2018 LSUS Miss Black and Gold crown. Looking for a new adventure on campus, Cannon took a leap of faith competing in thatm e Miss Black and Gold pageant sponsored by the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. She credits the crown as well as her being selected Homecoming Queen in 2020 for leading her to Miss Louisiana.
“LSUS helped get me to this point by providing opportunities to serve as a queen on campus,” Cannon said. “Media and PR staff such as the Director of Media and External Affairs, Wendell Riley, always requested my appearance at events, small or large. The exposure to speaking events and leadership I obtained at LSUS made my journey to Miss Louisiana possible.” Cannon earned a Bachelor of Science in Cellular and Molecular Biology in 2020 and a Master of Biological Sciences in Public Health in 2021.