CURE-KY Podcast and Publication Spotlights

This page features a curated collection of podcast episodes and research publications relevant to infectious disease, public health, and translational science, with a particular emphasis on work connected to the CURE-KY community.

Each month, we highlight  publications selected by CURE-KY leadership for its relevance, insight, or impact. In addition to these monthly spotlights, we regularly share other notable content—including external podcast episodes and recent peer-reviewed publications authored by CURE-KY members. All featured publications are accompanied by an AI-generated audio summary to help make the research more accessible to broader audiences.

Whether you're catching up on timely studies or tuning into expert conversations, we invite you to explore the content below—and if you know of a podcast or paper that aligns with our mission or includes a member of the CURE-KY network, please share it with us.


CURE-KY May Spotlight

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PMID: 42213848

JournalSci Adv

Title: Excess nitric oxide alters cellular pH to restrict salicylic acid movement and systemic immunity.

Authors: Kalema AG, González-Seguel F, Summers LA, Dupont-Versteegden EE, Montgomery-Yates AA, Mayer KP

Funding: NSF (MCB-2435880, IOS-051909); USDA (13323564, 14138983, Hatch-1014539)

Impact on KY: Data highlight the spatial distribution of nitric oxide gradients and their effects on fine-tuning the immune system in plants with correlates likely spanning organisms including mammals.

Published: 29 May 2026

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PMID: 42081946

JournalJ Subst Use Addict Treat

Title: Assessing impact of buprenorphine for opioid use disorder on infectious disease management.

Authors: Lo J, Thanataveerat A, Manfredo A, Falk J, Zeng N, Wall S, Ryan T, Pratt W, El-Dalati S, Gaiazov S

Funding: None listed

Impact on KY: Evidence of improved chronic ID management among patients with opioid use disorder correlated with extended-release buprenorphine as compared to transmucosal bupenorphine.

Published: 5 May 2026


CURE-KY April Spotlight

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PMID: 41973986

Journal: Ann Am Thorac Soc

Title: Building Resilience When Disaster Strikes: Adapting Clinical Trials in Critical Illness Recovery.

Authors: Kalema AG, González-Seguel F, Summers LA, Dupont-Versteegden EE, Montgomery-Yates AA, Mayer KP

Funding: None reported 

Impact on KY: The authors provide evidence that natural disasters and personal crises are fundamental factors that can bias clinical trial outcomes in ICU recovery research by disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable participants and increasing attrition. The results highlight the need for a new research paradigm that builds flexibility, decentralization, and systematic measurement of crisis-related factors into trial design.

Published: 13 April 2026

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PMID: 41978942

Journal: Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol

Title: Implementation and assessment of a postreprocessing endoscope surveillance program at the University of Kentucky, 2019-2024.

Authors: Desmond C, Fursman F, Forster D, Ribes JA, Mills SL, Blanton K, Hatton K, Howard R, Olafsson D, McTigue S, Van Sickels N, Hinton S, Flomenhoft DR, Kobayashi T

Funding: None reported

Impact on KY: The study demonstrates that even after standard reprocessing, gastrointestinal endoscopes can retain clinically relevant contamination, highlighting persistent infection risks. The results suggest that targeted surveillance culturing can detect these hidden risks and may be a practical strategy to improve patient safety, though universal surveillance may not be necessary in all settings.

Published: 14 April 2026