Talia Lester

All Publications

• Visual Diagnosis: Term Newborn with Peeling Erythematous Rash. NeoReviews Lester, T. R., Pai, V. V., Bhutani, V. K. 2020; 21 (4): e282–e285

  View details for DOI 10.1542/neo.21-4-e282

  View details for PubMedID 32238492

• What are the Unique Mentorship Needs of Fourth Year Medical Students Applying to Pediatrics Residency? Academic pediatrics Lester, T. R., Rassbach, C. E., Blankenburg, R. 2020

  Abstract

  The qualities of good medical school mentors have been well-described. However, there is little written about the mentoring needs of medical students applying to pediatrics residency.In order to characterize pediatrics interns' perspectives on the mentorship needs of fourth year medical students applying to residency, the authors conducted an IRB-approved, qualitative modified grounded-theory study using a brief survey and semi-structured focus groups of pediatric interns in January and February 2018. Two investigators independently coded the focus group transcripts and reconciled codes to develop categories and themes using constant comparison, which were then reviewed by the third author for validation. To further ensure trustworthiness of analysis, participants were asked to comment on the themes' accuracy.Eighteen pediatrics interns participated, representing 15 medical schools. Four major themes emerged: 1) Effective mentors guide medical students to self-reflect and find their own answers about what is important to them in a residency program; 2) Multiple mentors are helpful during the residency application process; 3) Several key components of advising are often missing during the residency application process; 4) Students find it difficult to be honest with their mentors if there is a perceived conflict of interest.Medical students applying for pediatrics residency have specific mentorship needs and cite opportunities to improve this area of mentorship. Several key recommendations include utilizing multiple mentors and providing emotional support during the residency application process. In addition, near-peer mentorship is important for medical students applying to residency and should be facilitated by medical schools.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.acap.2020.05.002

  View details for PubMedID 32389758

• Evidence for Ubiquitin-Regulated Nuclear and Subnuclear Trafficking among Paramyxovirinae Matrix Proteins PLOS PATHOGENS Pentecost, M., Vashisht, A. A., Lester, T., Voros, T., Beaty, S. M., Park, A., Wang, Y. E., Yun, T. E., Freiberg, A. N., Wohlschlegel, J. A., Lee, B. 2015; 11 (3)

  Abstract

  The paramyxovirus matrix (M) protein is a molecular scaffold required for viral morphogenesis and budding at the plasma membrane. Transient nuclear residence of some M proteins hints at non-structural roles. However, little is known regarding the mechanisms that regulate the nuclear sojourn. Previously, we found that the nuclear-cytoplasmic trafficking of Nipah virus M (NiV-M) is a prerequisite for budding, and is regulated by a bipartite nuclear localization signal (NLSbp), a leucine-rich nuclear export signal (NES), and monoubiquitination of the K258 residue within the NLSbp itself (NLSbp-lysine). To define whether the sequence determinants of nuclear trafficking identified in NiV-M are common among other Paramyxovirinae M proteins, we generated the homologous NES and NLSbp-lysine mutations in M proteins from the five major Paramyxovirinae genera. Using quantitative 3D confocal microscopy, we determined that the NES and NLSbp-lysine are required for the efficient nuclear export of the M proteins of Nipah virus, Hendra virus, Sendai virus, and Mumps virus. Pharmacological depletion of free ubiquitin or mutation of the conserved NLSbp-lysine to an arginine, which inhibits M ubiquitination, also results in nuclear and nucleolar retention of these M proteins. Recombinant Sendai virus (rSeV-eGFP) bearing the NES or NLSbp-lysine M mutants rescued at similar efficiencies to wild type. However, foci of cells expressing the M mutants displayed marked fusogenicity in contrast to wild type, and infection did not spread. Recombinant Mumps virus (rMuV-eGFP) bearing the homologous mutations showed similar defects in viral morphogenesis. Finally, shotgun proteomics experiments indicated that the interactomes of Paramyxovirinae M proteins are significantly enriched for components of the nuclear pore complex, nuclear transport receptors, and nucleolar proteins. We then synthesize our functional and proteomics data to propose a working model for the ubiquitin-regulated nuclear-cytoplasmic trafficking of cognate paramyxovirus M proteins that show a consistent nuclear trafficking phenotype.

  View details for DOI 10.1371/journal.ppat.1004739

  View details for PubMedID 25782006