About

Aaron Worth is an Associate Professor of Rhetoric at Boston University College of General Studies. He holds a BA in English and Theatre from Bates College, an MA in English Literature from Brandeis University, and a PhD in English Literature from Brandeis University. His teaching interests include Rhetoric and Technology, the History of the Essay, and Writing and Media History. His research focuses on Victorian Literature and Culture, the History of Science, Cognitive Literary Studies, and Media Studies. Professor Worth has contributed extensively to the field through editing numerous volumes of stories and tales, including works published by British Library and Oxford University Press, and has authored articles on topics such as Victorian literature, media, and technology. His scholarly work explores themes like colonial networks and information technologies in the British literary imagination, as well as the cultural history of communication and media in the Victorian era. He has also been involved in professional activities such as organizing academic conferences and serving on editorial boards.

Research topics

• Medicine
• Surgery
• Internal medicine
• Biology
• Orthodontics
• Physical therapy
• Pharmacology
• Biomedical engineering
• Biochemistry
• Bioinformatics

Selected publications

• Surgical management of a traumatic calcaneal fracture in a kitten using three-dimensional CT imaging

  Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery Open Reports · 2026-01-01

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Case summary: A 4-month-old castrated male Birman kitten (2.2 kg) presented with a recent history of non-weightbearing lameness in the right hindlimb after blunt trauma. Significant orthopaedic examination findings included instability at the right proximal intertarsal joint level. Radiographic abnormalities included a medial slab fracture of the right calcaneus. Further evaluation with a three-dimensional CT scan revealed a comminuted, intra-articular calcaneal fracture. Images from three-dimensional CT fracture reconstruction were used for surgical planning. Partial tarsal arthrodesis was performed using two 1.1 mm Kirschner wires and a 22 G tension band wire. Additional 24 G cerclage was applied around the distal calcaneus to augment stability. Radiographs at 6 weeks confirmed bone union, and the implants were removed. Nine months after the accident, the cat was fully active with no residual lameness as assessed by the owner. Relevance and novel information: Calcaneal fractures in cats are rare and surgically challenging, particularly in skeletally immature animals. This report documents successful surgical stabilisation of a traumatic, comminuted calcaneal fracture using CT-guided planning. It highlights the utility of three-dimensional imaging for accurate fracture classification and surgical planning, particularly in an unusual feline orthopaedic case.

  PublisherDOI

• Variants in glycine decarboxylase activate catabolic mechanisms of mitochondrial energy metabolism in the brain

  Journal of Biological Chemistry · 2026-04-01

  articleOpen access

  Brain energy metabolism is produced from glucose by mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. Variants in the mitochondrial enzyme glycine decarboxylase (GLDC) cause a rare neurological disease, non-ketotic hyperglycinemia (NKH), with expected hallmarks of brain glycine elevation and responsiveness to folate deficiency but the consequences for energy mechanisms remain unknown. We find that brains of young-attenuated mutant mice show a 1.5-fold increase in glycine and no change in folate responsiveness. They are, however, reduced > 5-fold in GLDC, indicate decrease in the mitochondrial lipoyl-transfer protein GCSH and lipoylation of the pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) complex as well as rise in signatures of astrocyte mitochondrial β-oxidation of fatty acids proportionate to mutation severity and activation of PDH. Together these data reveal a novel GLDC mechanism that regulates catabolic mitochondrial energy processes in both attenuated and severe brain disease and suggest new targets in energy metabolism to treat NKH.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Variants in glycine decarboxylase activate mechanisms of mitochondrial energy metabolism in the brain

  bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) · 2025-07-17

  preprintOpen access

  Abstract Brain energy metabolism is produced from glucose by mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. Variants in the mitochondrial enzyme glycine decarboxylase (GLDC) cause a rare neurological disease, non-ketotic hyperglycinemia (NKH), with expected hallmarks of brain glycine elevation and responsiveness to folate deficiency that are equivalent to the severity of Gldc mutations. We remarkably find that brains of young- attenuated mutant mice with a 1.5-fold increase in glycine are reduced > 5-fold in GLDC, show a decline in both the mitochondrial lipoyl-transfer protein GCSH and lipoylation of the pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) complex, as well as concomitant rise in signatures of astrocyte mitochondrial β-oxidation of fatty acids and activation of neuronal PDH. Our findings suggest a novel GLDC mechanism of remodeling mitochondrial energy systems throughout the brain, established early in and sustained throughout post-natal NKH disease.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Retrospective evaluation of postoperative joint immobilization using a temporary calcaneotibial screw for medial or lateral tarsocrural joint instability in dogs

  Veterinary Surgery · 2024-03-08 · 1 citations

  articleOpen access

  OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the use of a temporary calcaneotibial screw (CTS) to immobilize medial or lateral tarsocrural joint instability (TCI) in dogs. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: Twelve dogs (including five active working farm dogs) with TCI. METHODS: Medical records (January 2015-June 2023) were retrospectively reviewed for cases of TCI managed surgically including temporary joint immobilization using a CTS and external coaptation. Clinical data consisted of medical records and an online survey completed by the owner. RESULTS: Surgical techniques to address TCI included primary ligamentous repair, synthetic ligament reconstruction, or malleolar fracture repair. Immobilization with a CTS was employed for 6-8 weeks postoperatively. The online survey was completed for 10 dogs. All dogs exhibited good-to-excellent functional outcomes at the follow-up (median, 31 months; range, 4-66). All working farm dogs (5) were able to return to normal or substantial levels of their work. Four distinct complications were reported in three dogs including one CTS breakage and three bandage-related soft-tissue injuries. CONCLUSION: This retrospective study represents the first report of employing a temporary CTS for TCI in dogs. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: A temporary CTS was effective in immobilizing the tarsocrural joint for dogs with TCI and the postoperative complication rate in this study was relatively low. A CTS screw and external coaptation is a viable alternative to previously reported methods of tarsocrural joint stabilization.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Functional and multi-omics signatures of mitapivat efficacy upon activation of pyruvate kinase in red blood cells from patients with sickle cell disease

  Haematologica · 2024 · 10 citations

  • Pharmacology
  • Medicine
  • Biology

  Mitapivat, a pyruvate kinase activator, shows great potential as a sickle cell disease (SCD)-modifying therapy. The safety and efficacy of mitapivat as a long-term maintenance therapy are currently being evaluated in two open-label studies. Here we applied a comprehensive multi-omics approach to investigate the impact of activating pyruvate kinase on red blood cells (RBC) from 15 SCD patients. HbSS patients were enrolled in one of the open-label, extended studies (NCT04610866). Leukodepleted RBC obtained from fresh whole blood at baseline, prior to drug initiation, and at longitudinal timepoints over the course of the study were processed for multi-omics through a stepwise extraction of metabolites, lipids and proteins. Mitapivat therapy had significant effects on the metabolome, lipidome and proteome of SCD RBC. Mitapivat decreased 2,3-diphosphoglycerate levels, increased adenosine triphosphate levels, and improved hematologic and sickling parameters in patients with SCD. Agreement between omics measurements and clinical measurements confirmed the specificity of mitapivat on targeting late glycolysis, with glycolytic metabolites ranking as the top correlates to parameters of hemoglobin S oxygen affinity (p50) and sickling kinetics (t50) during treatment. Mitapivat markedly reduced levels of proteins of mitochondrial origin within 2 weeks of initiation of treatment, with minimal changes in reticulocyte counts. In the first 6 months of treatment there were also transient elevations of lysophosphatidylcholines and oxylipins with depletion of free fatty acids, suggestive of an effect on membrane lipid remodeling. Multi-omics analysis of RBC identified benefits for glycolysis, as well as activation of the Lands cycle.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Disseminated <i>Rasamsonia argillacea</i> infection in a dog

  New Zealand Veterinary Journal · 2023-05-13 · 4 citations

  article

  Case history: A 4-year-old, male neutered Borzoi presented for unlocalised pain and frequent episodes of vocalisation.Clinical findings: Pain was localised to the lumbar spine and radiographs revealed a L3–L4 lesion consistent with discospondylitis. The dog was treated for presumptive bacterial discospondylitis with surgical debridement, spinal stabilisation, and cephalexin. Samples collected from the affected intervertebral disc at the time of surgery revealed lymphoplasmacytic inflammation with no causative agent identified on histopathology or bacterial culture. After an initial period of improvement, signs recurred despite an 8-week antibiotic course with the development of inappetence, weight loss, polydipsia, and polyuria. Repeat radiographs revealed a new cervical intervertebral lesion and concurrent pyelonephritis was diagnosed based on blood and urine results. Fungal culture of urine resulted in growth of Rasamsonia argillacea species complex and disseminated fungal disease was clinically diagnosed. Antifungal treatment was commenced, however the dog deteriorated, and euthanasia was performed.Pathological findings: Multifocal white plaques were grossly visualised in the spleen, mesenteric lymph nodes, cervical vertebrae, and kidneys. Periodic acid-Schiff-positive, fine, parallel-walled, occasionally branching, septate hyphae 5–10 μm in diameter, and conidia 5–7 μm in diameter were found on sectioning all organs. Rasamsonia argillacea species complex was identified by fungal culture of urine and was considered the species of fungal organism seen histologically. The isolate was subsequently confirmed as R. argillacea by DNA sequencing.Diagnosis: Disseminated Rasamsonia argillacea infection.Clinical relevance: Rasamsonia argillacea species complex is a recognised invasive mycosis in veterinary medicine, with disseminated disease causing significant clinical complications and death. This is believed to be the first report of infection caused by R. argillacea in a dog in Australasia and highlights the importance of awareness of a potential fungal aetiology in dogs with discospondylitis.

  PublisherDOI

• Supplementary methods from AMPK Activation and Metabolic Reprogramming by Tamoxifen through Estrogen Receptor–Independent Mechanisms Suggests New Uses for This Therapeutic Modality in Cancer Treatment

  2023-03-30

  preprintOpen access

  &lt;p&gt;Supplemental methods: This file contains methods for cell survival assays, immunoblotting, short and long chain acyl-CoA extractions, siRNA transfection, and protein analysis from tumors.&lt;/p&gt;

  PublisherDOI

• Supplementary Figures S1-S3 and Suppl. Tables S1-S2 from AMPK Activation and Metabolic Reprogramming by Tamoxifen through Estrogen Receptor–Independent Mechanisms Suggests New Uses for This Therapeutic Modality in Cancer Treatment

  2023-03-30

  preprintOpen access

  &lt;p&gt;Supplemental tables S1-S2: (S1) sequences of sgRNA for CRISPR-cas9 knock out cell lines. (S2) Fraction of oxygen consumption rate remaining after tamoxifen treatment at 30μM in cancer cell lines Supplemental Figures S1-S3: (S1) Oxygen consumption measurements of Tamoxifen, 4OH-Tamoxifen, and fulvestrant treatment, oxygen consumption of MCF7 cells treated with DMSO or fulvestrant plus tamoxifen and Immunoblot of ER expression with fulvestrant treatment, oxygen consumption measurements of mitochondria isolated from mouse liver treated with tamoxifen, clonogenic survival of MDA-231 cells treated with tamoxifen +/- Glucose and +/- methyl succinate, immunoblot of AMPK activation in the presence of glucose or 2DG and survival of BC cells treated with 2DG or 3BP. (S2) LC-MS/MS quantification of acyl-CoA species after tamoxifen treatment compared to control and BODPIY staining of MDA-231 cells treated with tamoxifen or DMSO control. (S3) Clonogenic survival and immunoblot of MCF7 shNT and shAMPK cells treated with 30μM tamoxifen, survival assays of MDA-231 cells with different AMPK status's following tamoxifen treatment, and autoradiograph film of 35S labeling in MDA-231 cells and MDA-231 crspAMPKα1.&lt;/p&gt;

  PublisherDOI

• Supplemental Figure Legends from AMPK Activation and Metabolic Reprogramming by Tamoxifen through Estrogen Receptor–Independent Mechanisms Suggests New Uses for This Therapeutic Modality in Cancer Treatment

  2023-03-30

  preprintOpen access

  &lt;p&gt;Supplemental Figure Legends for S1-S3 and tables S1-S2&lt;/p&gt;

  PublisherDOI

• Biomechanical comparison of titanium alloy additively manufactured and conventionally manufactured plate-screw constructs

  New Zealand Veterinary Journal · 2023-09-29 · 4 citations

  articleSenior authorCorresponding

  AIM: To biomechanically compare the bending stiffness, strength, and cyclic fatigue of titanium additively manufactured (AM) and conventionally manufactured (CM) limited contact plates (LCP) of equivalent dimensions using plate-screw constructs. METHODS: Twenty-four 1.5/2.0-mm plate constructs (CM: n = 12; AM: n = 12) were placed under 4-point bending conditions. Data were collected during quasi-static single cycle to failure and cyclic fatigue testing until implants plastically deformed or failed. Bending stiffness, bending structural stiffness, and bending strength were determined from load-displacement curves. Fatigue life was determined as number of cycles to failure. Median test variables for each method were compared using the Wilcoxon rank sum test within each group. Fatigue data was also analysed by the Kaplan-Meier estimator of survival function. RESULTS: There was no evidence for a difference in bending stiffness and bending structural stiffness between AM and CM constructs. However, AM constructs exhibited greater bending strength (median 3.07 (min 3.0, max 3.4) Nm) under quasi-static 4-point bending than the CM constructs (median 2.57 (min 2.5, max 2.6) Nm, p = 0.006). Number of cycles to failure under dynamic 4-point bending was higher for the CM constructs (median 164,272 (min 73,557, max 250,000) cycles) than the AM constructs (median 18,704 (min 14,427, max 33,228) cycles; p = 0.02). Survival analysis showed that 50% of AM plates failed by 18,842 cycles, while 50% CM plates failed by 78,543 cycles. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Additively manufactured titanium implants, printed to replicate a conventional titanium orthopaedic plate, were more prone to failure in a shorter fatigue period despite being stronger in single cycle to failure. Patient-specific implants made using this process may be brittle and therefore not comparable to CM orthopaedic implants. Careful selection of their use on a case/patient-specific basis is recommended.

  PublisherDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Ian A. Blair

  University of Pennsylvania

  77 shared

• Nathaniel W. Snyder

  64 shared

• David N. Kennedy

  University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School

  28 shared

• Julie M. Garlick

  University of Michigan–Ann Arbor

  26 shared

• Jordan L. Meier

  Center for Cancer Research

  26 shared

• D. A. Boyes

  BC Cancer Agency

  26 shared

• Jonathan H. Shrimp

  National Institutes of Health

  25 shared

• Thomas Zengeya

  National Cancer Institute

  24 shared

Awards & honors

• Conference organizer/host, Northeast Victorian Studies Assoc…
• Editorial Board, Impact: A Journal of Interdisciplinary Teac…