Community College Leadership Commons^™

In Vitro Effect Of Ascorbic Acid In Hiv-1 Infected Cd4+ T-Cells, José Santiago Echevarria, Martin Hill, Phd, Lenin Godoy, Bs, Elinette Albino, Phd

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) attacks the immune system by infecting and depleting CD4+ T-cells. HIV infection induces cellular oxidative stress potentially leading to DNA damage. Although no cure has been found for HIV-1, antiretroviral treatment (ART) can control its viral load. Since impoverished countries have limited access to ART, complementary, inexpensive treatments need to be further studied. Studies have shown that micronutrients have a positive effect in limiting HIV-1 pathogenesis. Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is a known antioxidant micronutrient found in fruits, vegetables and as a dietary supplement. This study aims to assess the effect of ascorbic acid in HIV-1 …

Role Of Endomucin In Hypoxia-Induced Retinopathy Of Prematurity, James Salvador Niffenegger, Cindy Park-Windhol, Phd, Patricia A. D'Amore, Phd, Mba

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a major cause of blindness among premature, low birth weight infants as a result of pathological angiogenesis. Angiogenesis, the growth of new blood vessels from preexisting vessels, occurs in the veins and capillaries of the body. The process is highly regulated during early development and maturation. However, under abnormal conditions such as a decrease in oxygen levels or hypoxia, angiogenesis can become dysregulated and pathogenic. Currently, the best treatment for ROP is laser therapy, which does not significantly improve vision. Alternatively, glycoproteins are believed to play an important role in angiogenesis. Endomucin (EMCN), a glycoprotein, …

A Cholecystokinin B Receptor-Specific Aptamer Does Not Activate Receptor Signaling, Wells Powell, Samuel S. Linton, Christopher O. Mcgovern, Gail L. Matters, Phd

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Targeted nanoparticles which deliver effective doses of chemotherapeutic drugs directly to pancreatic tumors could improve treatment efficacy without the toxicities associated with systemic drug administration. One protein on tumor cells that can be targeted by nanoparticles is a G-protein coupled cell surface receptor, the cholecystokinin B receptor (CCKBR). Previously, we had shown that attaching the CCKBR ligand gastrin to the surface of nanoparticles can enhance their up-take by tumors. The drawback of using gastrin is that it can also activate the receptor, causing tumor cell growth. This study shows that a DNA aptamer that binds to the CCKBR and enhances …

Thy-1 Cell Surface Protein And Human Cytomegalovirus Infection, Carson Peters, Dr. Qingxue Li, Dr. Jeffery Cohen

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

This research project is to investigate the role of a cell surface protein, THY-1, as an entry mediator for Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection. Previous research suggested that HCMV attaches to THY-1 on the host cell surface through virus encoded glycoprotein gB. The glycoproteins are located on the surface of virus particles thus initiating entry and infection. The specific question is to determine if the presence of a soluble form of THY-1 protein (sTHY-1) during the onset of infection would impair HCMV infectivity, based on the hypothesis that sTHY-1 would interrupt the interaction between the infectious virion and the target cells …

Effects Of Light Attenuation On Local And Bulk Mechanical Properties Of Photopolymerized Peg Hydrogels, Serfine Okeyo, Omar Bland, Bs, John Slater, Phd

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Cell experiments investigating cell behavior as a function of material stiffness are often carried out on the surface of hydrogels. An assumption that the bulk hydrogel mechanical properties represent the surface properties is often employed but in many cases is not valid. In photo-initiated radical polymerization, photons are absorbed by initiator chromophores generating high energy electrons. As photons progress through the prepolymer solution, the intensity of light that reaches the distal end of the solution is decreased through this attenuation. This work aims to determine whether light attenuation plays a significant role in local stiffness within a poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate …

The Effect Of Endogenous Expression Of Hiv-1 Gp120 On Glutamate Metabolism In Human Astrocytes, Richard J. Noel Torres, Vanessa Rivera-Amill, Phd, Fabian Vázquez-Santiago, Yashira García-Flores, Eileen Pabón-Cruz

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is a global epidemic that targets the immune system. HIV infects white blood cells and spreads throughout the entire body via blood stream and makes its way to the brain. HIV infection in the brain may lead to HIV associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). To be able to address this problem, we have to better understand how HIV infection damages neurons. We hypothesize that gp120 causes neurotoxicity in the cells by inhibiting the conversion of glutamate to glutamine by glutaminase. As a result, glutamate concentrations will build up both inside and outside the cell causing excitatory …

Lipid Metabolism, Paige Moore, Lawrence Chan, Dsc, Mbbs, Elaine Chen

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Perilipin 2, also known as Adipose differentiation-relation protein or PLIN2, is a lipid droplet-binding protein present in almost every tissue. The absence of PLIN2 upregulates hepatic very low-density lipoprotein secretion, relieves hepatosteatosis, and improves whole body insulin resistance in mice. Despite of the importance in mediating lipid metabolism, the regulation of PLIN2 itself remains largely unknown. Previous reports have shown that X-box binding protein 1 (XBP1) is an important regulator of lipogenesis. XBP1 is a transcription factor that recognizes and binds to a consensus sequence, 5’-TGACGTGG-3’. Interestingly, when we looked through the promoter region of mouse Plin2 gene, we found …

3-Dimensional Scanning To Determine Body Volume And Composition With And Without A Wetsuit, Diego Mendoza, John A. Mercer, Phd, Leland Barker, Ms

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Wetsuits are designed to improve swimming performance by providing increased buoyant forces, reduced drag forces, and compressive forces on the body. Recently, 3-D scanning technology (2015 Structure Scanner, Occipital) has been used to measure body volume, and may provide an alternative method to obtaining body composition.

Purpose: Therefore, the purpose of this study is to use 3-D scanning to measure and compare body volume with and without a wet suit. Combined with mass, volume from 3-D scanning will provide density calculations for body composition analysis.

A secondary purpose of this study is to measure the difference in body composition …

Dynamic Modeling Of Fluid Flow Within Three-Dimensional Perfusion Bioreactor, Zulikayida Maimaiti, Max J. Lerman, Bs, John P. Fisher, Phd, Jesse K. Placone, Phd

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Three-dimensional perfusion bioreactors have been shown to enhance cell viability and function through improved nutrient exchange. However, the ideal bioreactor scaffold geometry is still unknown. The focus of this study is to use computational fluid flow studies to inform bioreactor design. Specifically, we will model the effect of bioreactor design on fluid shear stress and then correlate these values with stem cell viability in the bioreactor. Previous studies have shown that the maximum shear stress level for the viability of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) is 0.3 dynes/cm². Two distinct Computer Aided Design models were created consisting of …

Overground Vs. Treadmill Running: Do Runners Use The Same Strategy To Adjust Stride Length And Frequency While Running At Different Velocities?, Tiffany Mata, John A. Mercer, Phd, Joshua P. Bailey, Ms

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Running speed is determined by stride frequency and stride length. As running speed is adjusted, runners make greater adjustments in stride length at slower speeds with a shift to stride frequency adjustments at the faster speeds. The relationship between stride frequency and stride length is largely based on overground research which leads to the purpose of this study to analyze whether the connection of stride frequency and stride length will adjust similar due to changes in running velocity during overground and treadmill running. The protocol was recently approved by The Institutional Review Board and data collection is currently in progress; …

Pyruvate Kinase Type M2 (Pkm2) Promotes Cancer Cell Metastasis Through Interacting With Twist-1, Odunayo Durojaye, Hailun Wang, Phd

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Tumor growth and metastasis are key processes in understanding tumor progression and cancer fatality. Pyruvate Kinase type M2 (PKM2) is a key enzyme that regulates glucose metabolism in cells in a biochemical pathway known as glycolysis. Glycolysis provides cells with energy (ATP) and building blocks (nucleic acids, amino acids and lipids) that are critical for cell survival and proliferation. Therefore, cancer cells rely heavily on this metabolic process to survive and thrive. PKM2 is overexpressed in most cancers, and is highly involved with cancer cell growth. Several recent studies have further revealed a potential role of PKM2 in regulating epithelial-mesenchymal …

Understanding The Effect Of Body Weight On Muscle Activity During Unilateral Hopping, Christian Lopez, Michael Soucy, Bs, John Mercer, Phd, Taylor Lau

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Running can be described as a series of bilateral single-legged jumps and landings. Interestingly, single-legged jumps and landings are qualitatively more difficult unilaterally than bilaterally known as bilateral deficit syndrome (BDS). For example, one leg will produce less mechanical energy while jump squatting unilaterally than it would produce if both legs worked synchronously. The analysis of dynamic conditions under different levels of body weight support of the hopping movement may prove useful to understanding the bilateral deficit. Purpose: To compare muscle activity of the lower extremity during single-legged hopping at different levels of body weight support.

Methods: The research study …

Immunohistochemistry In Irradiated Skin Tissue, Breeann J. Lansiquot, Regina Day, Phd, Elizabeth A. Mccart

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Currently there is no effective treatment for radiation dermatitis that results from clinical or accidental radiation exposures. Radiation exposure can cause severe burns and sloughing of the skin and damage muscle and bone layers underneath the skin. Radiation exposure in cells results in several types of cell death, such as necrosis, apoptosis, or autophagy, or accelerated senescence. Preliminary experiments demonstrated that accelerated senescence is a primary response to radiation in normal skin cells in culture and skin tissue in vivo in mice. We wanted to use immunohistochemistry to identify the skin cells that undergo senescence in tissues obtained from 4 …

Socioeconomic Factors That Affect Self-Management And Transition Into Adult Care In Adolescents With Type I Diabetes, Naun Kim (Kelly), Megumi J. Okumura, Md, Mas, Marcela A. Reyes, Ms Pmp

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Effective transition from pediatric to adult health care during adolescence is crucial for patients with type 1 diabetes to insure adequate disease self-management in adulthood. To improve program delivery, it is important to understand if other socioeconomic barriers impede in successful transition preparation.

To examine whether socioeconomic factors such as race, health insurance, and income affect diabetes self-management and transition readiness.

The Transition Readiness Assessment in Diabetes (TRAiD), a self-assessment tool that covers diabetes self-management, health insurance, and future plans, was administered to all patients aged 14 and over. We generated a scale to measure readiness (0-8, higher value = …

The Effects Of Pharmacogenetic Activation Or Inhibition Of The Infralimbic Cortex On Fear Conditioning, Héctor A. Haddock Martínez, James Porter, Phd, Anixa Hernández-López, Lizette Maldonado-Laboy

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can develop after experiencing a very traumatic event which produces a profound and lasting aversive memory in the affected person. Annually, about 8 million people suffer from PTSD. Current treatments are not optimal in achieving a full extinction of the traumatic fear the patients reexperience. Therefore, how the brain processes and modulates fear memories continue to be an active area of research. The excitability of the infralimbic cortex (IL), a sub-region of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), is important for fear extinction, but the effects of IL on fear conditioning have not been extensively studied. Pharmacogenetic …

Post-Translational Nuclear Protein Modification And High Vitamin-D Receptor Levels In Genetic Hypercalciuric Stone-Forming Rats, Armaan Goyal, Murray Favus, Md

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Studies conducted on Genetic Hypercalciuric-Stone Forming (GHS) rats have shown that their excess calcium urine excretion might be caused by significantly high vitamin D receptor (VDR) levels found in key calcium-transporting tissues, since high VDR raises physiological response to 1,25(OH)₂D₃, the hormonally active metabolite of vitamin D that regulates calcium levels in the body. We suggest that the high VDR levels in GHS tissue are a result of altered post-translational modification by ubiquitin and Small Ubiquitin-like Modifier (SUMO), which regulate the degradation of nuclear proteins substrates such as VDR.

Our inquiry begins by overexpressing ubiquitin, SUMO-1, …

Mapping The Learning Pathways Of Larval Zebrafish Through Positively Stimulating Their Reward Pathways Using Paramecium, Emily Bryant, Kristen Taylor, Ms, Francesca Oltrabella, Amber Simmons, Adam Abate, Phd, Su Guo, Phd

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Zebrafish rely on visual acuity to hunt for prey all of their lives, for this reason, their eyesight develops when they are embryos. The zebrafish in this experiment are between 5 and 20 days old. Once their egg yolks are completely reabsorbed the zebrafish have a need to eat, and only then will they have an interest in eating Paramecium. The zebrafishes’ eyes will be able to see clearly by 5 days post fertilization as well, so when food is introduced to them, a certain colored light will be simultaneously shined in the same direction as the one the …

Children’S Susceptibility To Direct Dna Damage As Compared To That Of Adults, Nicholas Bolanos, Marianne Berwick, Phd, Mph

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

DNA damage and genetic mutations have been strongly correlated with the risk of developing certain cancers such as melanoma. It is important to assess correlations in conjunction with findings that are related to DNA damage to order to have a greater understanding of how the disease operates. Direct DNA damage happens when UV photons directly penetrate a cell’s DNA, causing base pairs to bond next to each other changing the sequence. Recent studies have begun to explore the idea that there are critical stages in one’s life where DNA is more vulnerable to direct damage. Data collected from GEM, a …

Ehop 167 Innovator Molecule Against Cancer, Gabriela M. Asencio-Torres, Linette Castillo-Pichardo, Phd

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Cancer cells have a high activity of different proteins, among them Rac. Rac is from the Rho family of GTPases enzymes, which helps the cell invasion and migration. In order to study different strategies to decrease the high activity of this protein, we used EHop 167, a small molecule that helps to inhibit the activation of Rac. On this we can expose that EHop 167 can inhibits Rac activity and over expression with MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell line derived from metastasis. If we used EHop 167 to treat breast cancer cells, then the Rac activity will be less and decrease …

Decellularized Pancreatic Tissue, Andrea L. Alfonso, Alice E. Jung Lee, Phd, Pamela Hitscherich, Ms, Xiatong Ma, Ms

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Diabetes mellitus is a pancreatic condition caused by either an autoimmune destruction of insulin producing beta cells or failing pancreatic beta cells. Current treatments address symptoms but do not successfully replace these malfunctioning tissues. Pancreas and islet transplantation are very limited due to the shortage of donors. The decellularization of pancreatic tissue provides a native tissue matrix, applicable for various tissue engineering investigations. Through the process of decellularization, it is possible for the extracellular matrix (ECM) to maintain the chemical and structural integrity of the original tissue. It can then be used as a scaffold material through the additions of …