Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Bridging Bone Health: Osteoporosis Disparities In The Rio Grande Valley, Ryan P. Bialaszewski, John M. Gaddis, Blake Martin, Philippe J. Dentino, John Ronnau

School of Medicine Publications and Presentations

Introduction: Osteoporosis is characterized by decreased bone mass and decreased bone quality, leading to increased bone fragility and risk of fractures. The number of fractures due to osteoporosis is projected to increase to over three million by the year 2025 and cost $25.3 billion annually. It ranks highly among diseases that cause patients to become bedridden with serious complications and reduced quality of life. Additionally, osteoporosis disproportionately affects Hispanics, which comprise most of the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) population. Therefore, our primary objective was to determine the prevalence of osteoporosis within the RGV. Additionally, we had secondary objectives to determine …

Preliminary Neurocognitive Finding From A Multi-Site Study Investing Long-Term Neurological Impact Of Covid-19 Using Ultra-High Field 7 Tesla Mri-Based Neuroimaging, Jonika D. Tannous, Farhaan S. Vahidy, Riddhi Patira, Alison M. Luckey, Mitzi M. Gonzales, Akram A. Hosseini, Timothy D. Girard, Tamer Ibrahim, Heidi I.L. Jacobs, Valentina R. Garbarino

School of Medicine Publications and Presentations

Background: Globally, over six hundred million cases of SARS-CoV-2 have been confirmed. As the number of individuals in recovery rises, examining long-term neurological effects, including cognitive impairment and cerebral microstructural and microvascular changes, has become paramount., We present preliminary cognitive findings from an ongoing multi-site study investigating the long-term neurological impacts of COVID-19 using 7 Tesla MRI-based neuroimaging.

Methods: Across 3 US and 1 UK sites, we identified adult (>=18) COVID-19 survivors (CS) and healthy controls (HC) without significant pre-existing medical, neurological, or psychiatric illness. Using the National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center (NACC) Uniform Data Set (UDS-3) battery …

Hippocampal Subfield Volumes In Covid-19: A Preliminary Multicenter Study Using 7t Mri, Salem Alkateeb, Jinghang Li, Gabriel A. De Erausquin, Monica Goss, Jayandra J. Himali, Karl Li, Rejani R. Nair, Beth E. Snitz, Gowland Penny, Valentina R. Garbarino

School of Medicine Publications and Presentations

Background: Hippocampal formation atrophy is a well-established imaging biomarker of several neurological diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, temporal lobe epilepsy, and schizophrenia. The hippocampus is divided into subfields that have different functions and vary in sensitivity to different diseases. This study investigates the potential interaction between COVID-19 and the various hippocampus subfields, which may shed light on the long-term neurological consequences of the virus.

Method: We obtained high-resolution T1-weighted (T1w) and T2-weighted (T2w) MRI images using 7T scanners located at three sites in two countries: Pittsburgh (n=14) and Texas (San Antonio and Houston) (n=40) in the USA, and Nottingham, …

Cognitive Decline Associated With Longitudinal Changes In 24-H Ambulatory Blood Pressure Variability, Jesus D. Melgarejo, Kristina P. Vatcheva, Luis J. Mena, Carlos A. Chavez, Egle Silva, Gustavo E. Calmon, Rosa P. Mavarez, Joseph H. Lee, Joseph D. Terwilliger, Gladys E. Maestre

School of Medicine Publications and Presentations

Background: Cognitive decline has been associated with variability in blood pressure (BP). However, whether the increment of the BP variability during follow-up precedes cognitive decline remains undocumented. We aimed this study to investigate cognitive decline in relation to longitudinal changes in 24-h reading-to-reading BP variability.

Methods: We conducted an observational longitudinal study that included 717 dementia-free participants from the Maracaibo Aging Study who underwent follow-up assessment in both 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring and cognitive tests between 1998 and 2015. Cognitive domains consisted of selective reminding tests (total, long-term, short-term, and recognition memory) and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). …

Cognitive Sequealae Of Covid-19 Is Not Predicted By Sars-Cov-2 Variants, Gabriel A. De Erausquin, Jorge Igor Zwir, Heather Snyder, Gabriela Gonzalez-Aleman, Hernan P. Zamponi, Mariana Figueredo-Aguiar, Emiliano Fumagalli, John Blangero, Agustín Yécora,, Fabiana Vaca, Gabriela Kukoc

School of Medicine Publications and Presentations

Background: The long term sequelae of COVID-19 in older adults are only beginning to be clarified, and its predictors and underlying molecular mechanisms may shed light on the relationship between viral infections and Alzheimer's disease and related dementia.

Method: A prospective cohort of 874 older adult Amerindians from Argentina with COVID-19 illness confirmed by PCR of nasal swabs as well as controls, was established during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. We obtained data on the severity of the acute illness, as well as extensive neuropsychiatric and cognitive assessments, neurological exams (including quantitative hyposmia/anosmia), plasma for biomarkers and preliminary …

An Innovative Model Using Promotores Or Community Health Workers For Home Based Dementia Care, Neela K. Patel, Cynthia De La Garza- Parker, Angelica Davila, Noe Garza, Monica Goss, Claudia L. Satizabal, Gabriel A. De Erausquin, Gladys E. Maestre, Sudha Seshadri

School of Medicine Publications and Presentations

Background: Health disparities and issues with trust building and relationship building are prominent in Hispanic and underserved populations in south Texas. Community health workers can play a bridging role with underserved communities and may be essential in improving the quality and value of health care. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission certifies the training Community Health Workers under the label of “promotores”.

Method: Community health workers were integrated into the primary health care team to serve as a bridge between patient/caregiver dyads and the health care team.

Result: Community health workers (CHWs) connected patients to social determinants …

Dementia And Stroke Risk Associated With Brain Artery Luminal Diameters, Jesus D. Melgarejo, Kursat Gurel, Minghua Liu, Bonnie Levin, Mitchell S.V. Elkind, M. Kamran Ikram, M. Arfan Ikram, Fabrice Crivello, Christophe Tzourio, Zhen-Yu Zhang

School of Medicine Publications and Presentations

Background: It is unclear whether brain artery diameters measured on conventional T2-weighted brain MRI images relate to dementia and stroke outcomes across distinct populations. We aimed this study to evaluate the association of T2-weighted brain artery luminal diameters with dementia and stroke in three distinct population‑based studies.

Methods: Three longitudinal population-based studies with 8420 adults >40 years old (Northern Manhattan Study [NOMAS] from the United States, and the Rotterdam Study [RS], from the Netherlands, and Three-City, from France) with brain MRI scans obtained between 1999 and 2015. The median follow-up time for clinical events ranged between 7 and …

Poor Cognition Is Associated With Increased Abundance Of Alistipes And Decreased Abundance Of Clostridium Genera In The Gut, Jazmyn A. Muhammad, Yannick Joel Wadop Ngouongo, Sophia Ramirez, Tiffany F. Kautz, Claudia L. L. Satizabal, Jayandra Jung Himali, Sudha Seshadri, Bernard Fongang

School of Medicine Publications and Presentations

Background: Brain and gut health are intricately connected via the gut-microbiota-brain axis. Studies have shown that gut dysbiosis is associated with neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease. However, how cognitive changes affects the gut microbiome structure is currently understudied. We aimed to assess the association between the gut microbiome and global cognitive scores in the Framingham Heart Study (FHS).

Method: Our sample included 1,014 participants (mean age 52, 55% female) of the third generation FHS cohort with available stool samples, cognitive assessments, and no history of dementia or stroke (Table 1).We quantified the gut microbiome composition using 16S rRNA …

Exploration Of The Tumorigenic, Metabolic, And Cognitive Consequences Of Tau Protein Removal, Jennifer M. Erichsen, Valentina R. Garbarino, Anna Rodriguez, Jillian K. Lee, Justin C. Shayne, Timothy C. Orr, Miranda E. Orr

School of Medicine Publications and Presentations

Background: Tau accumulation causes tauopathies and drives cellular senescence, which can lead to inflammation, neurodegeneration, and cognitive impairment. The association between intracellular tau deposition and pathogenesis has prompted therapeutic strategies that reduce tau expression. However, tau is also critical in microtubule stabilization, synaptic plasticity, and maintaining DNA integrity. We investigated the impact of tau removal on brain cell senescence and associated neurocognitive behaviors in aged tau knockout (Mapt^0/0) and wild type control (Mapt^+/+) mice. We also assessed physical, metabolic, histological, and biochemical outcomes in Mapt^0/0 and Mapt^+/+ mice and in response to …

Lower Locus Coeruleus Integrity In Older Covid-19 Survivors: Initial Findings From An International 7t Mri Consortium, Heidi I.L. Jacobs, Tamer Ibrahim, Farhaan S. Vahidy, Timothy D. Girard, Akram A. Hosseini, Salem Alkateeb, Richard Bowtell, Gowland Penny, Mohamad Habes, Valentina R. Garbarino

School of Medicine Publications and Presentations

Background: The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus has been associated with structural brain changes, consistent with its neurological manifestations. Recent studies showed a specific predilection for brainstem glial activation and hypometabolism, possibly indicating involvement of the locus coeruleus. The locus coeruleus (LC) modulates many cognitive functions and behaviors and its norepinephrine projections regulate both immune responses and vascular reactivity. We aimed to examine differences in LC integrity between COVID-19 survivors and controls.

Method: Participants are enrolled across 3 US and 1 UK sites using harmonized cognitive and 7T MR-imaging protocols. Here, we analyzed data from 18 participants enrolled at Houston Methodist (12 COVID-19 …

Covid-19 May Have A Detrimental Impact On Sensorimotor Function, Monica Goss, Rebecca Bernal, Vibhuti N. Patel, Karl Li, Valentina R. Garbarino, Rejani R. Nair, Heather Snyder, Gabriel A. De Erausquin, Mary Ganguli, Beth E. Snitz, Timothy D. Girard

School of Medicine Publications and Presentations

Background: The long-term impact of COVID-19 on global health is still unknown. Sensorimotor biomarkers may be promising indicators of lasting effects of COVID-19. Although normal aging may cause changes in sensorimotor function, more severe changes may indicate the subsequent impacts of COVID-19 on brain health. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between COVID-19 and sensorimotor markers (grip strength, gait, and smell) in the 7T neuroCOVID consortium, which is comprised of 5 sites: The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Houston Methodist Research Institute, The University of Pittsburgh, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Nottingham University …

Elevated Amyloid-Β And Tau Levels In The Brain Are Associated With A Reduced Abundance Of Neuroprotective Gut Bacteria, Yannick Joel Wadop Ngouongo, Jazmyn A. S. Muhammad, Tiffany F. Kautz, Claudia Satizabal, Jayandra Jung Himali, Sudha Seshadri, Bernard Fongang

School of Medicine Publications and Presentations

Background: Recent research suggests that differences in the gut microbiome composition may contribute to the pathogenesis of neurological disorders, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Animal studies have shown that fecal microbiota transplantation reduces amyloid plaques in mouse AD models. However, whether the buildup of Aβ and tau deposits in the brain are associated with shifts in the human gut microbiota composition is understudied.

Method: We used stool specimens and neuropathological measures from 140 middle-aged individuals (Table 1: mean age 56, 54% Female) from the Framingham Heart Study (FHS) to assess the link between the gut microbiome composition and Aβ Positron …

Point-Of-Care Ultrasound For The Diagnosis Of Frequent Cardiovascular Diseases: A Review, Ernesto Calderon Martinez, Edna Diarte, Diana Othon, Leonardo Rodriguez Reyes, Daniel A. Aguirre Cano, Carolina Cantu Navarro, Maria G. Ycaza, David Arriaga Escamilla, Jinal Choudhari, George Michel

School of Medicine Publications and Presentations

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has emerged as an indispensable diagnostic tool in cardiology, particularly within the emergency department. This narrative synthesis provides a comprehensive exploration of POCUS applications in cardiovascular diseases, elucidating its multifaceted roles and addressing challenges. The review delves into the technical attributes of POCUS, emphasizing its noninvasive nature, radiation-free qualities, and suitability for non-radiologists. It navigates through educational strategies, stressing the importance of structured programs for the seamless integration of POCUS into clinical practice. Highlighting its efficacy, the synthesis discusses POCUS applications in various scenarios such as dyspnea, chest pain, cardiac arrest, aortic dissection, pericardial effusion, and pulmonary …

Metagenomic Analysis Unveils The Microbial Landscape Of Pancreatic Tumors, Sheema Khan, Goutam Banerjee, Saini Setua, Daleniece Jones, Bhavin Chauhan, Anupam Dhasmana, Pratik Banerjee, Murali M. Yallapu, Stephen Behrman, Subhash C. Chuahan

School of Medicine Publications and Presentations

The composition of resident microbes in the human body is linked to various diseases and their treatment outcomes. Although studies have identified pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC)-associated bacterial communities in the oral and gut samples, herein, we hypothesize that the prevalence of microbiota in pancreatic tumor tissues is different as compared with their matched adjacent, histologically normal appearing tissues, and these microbial molecular signatures can be highly useful for PDAC diagnosis/prognosis. In this study, we performed comparative profiling of bacterial populations in pancreatic tumors and their respective adjacent normal tissues using 16S rRNA-based metagenomics analysis. This study revealed a higher abundance …

Safety And Immunogenicity Of An In Vivo Muscle Electroporation Delivery System For Dna-Hsp65 Tuberculosis Vaccine In Cynomolgus Monkeys, Monique Ribeiro De Lima, Ana C. Leandro, Andreia Lamoglia De Souza, Marcio Mantuano Barradas, Eric Henrique Roma, Ana Teresa Gomes Fernandes, Gabrielle Galdino-Silva, Joyce Katiuccia M. Ramos Carvalho, Renato Sergio Marchevsky, John L. Vandeberg

School of Medicine Publications and Presentations

A Bacille Calmette–Guérin (BCG) is still the only licensed vaccine for the prevention of tuberculosis, providing limited protection against Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in adulthood. New advances in the delivery of DNA vaccines by electroporation have been made in the past decade. We evaluated the safety and immunogenicity of the DNA-hsp65 vaccine administered by intramuscular electroporation (EP) in cynomolgus macaques. Animals received three doses of DNA-hsp65 at 30-day intervals. We demonstrated that intramuscular electroporated DNA-hsp65 vaccine immunization of cynomolgus macaques was safe, and there were no vaccine-related effects on hematological, renal, or hepatic profiles, compared to the pre-vaccination parameters. No tuberculin …

Rare Presentation Of Postpericardiotomy Syndrome After Left Atrial Myxoma Removal, Jessy Feng, Shyama Appareddy, Yaman Gibran, Aryana Garza, Jacqueline Luevano, Gustavo Garcia

School of Medicine Publications and Presentations

Postpericardiotomy syndrome (PPS) is a known complication of cardiac valve surgery, but it has not been commonly reported as a postoperative complication of cardiac myxoma removal. A 78-year-old female with hypertension and atrial fibrillation presenting with angina was found to have a large left atrial myxoma (7.5 cm × 4.4 cm). The myxoma was resected; however, 1-week postoperation hemoglobin and blood pressure decreased with elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP). Limited transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) showed moderate pericardial effusion, confirming the diagnosis of PPS. This case highlights the importance of monitoring patients postremoval of myxoma for symptoms of …

Metformin Alleviates Hepatic Iron Overload And Ferroptosis Through Ampk-Ferroportin Pathway In Hfd-Induced Nafld, Fangzhi Yue, Ying Shi, Shanyu Wu, Lin Xing, Dan He, Lin Wei, Anqi Qiu, Ryan D. Russell, Dongmei Zhang

Health & Human Performance Faculty Publications and Presentations

Highlights

• Metformin alleviates HIO and ferroptosis in HFD-induced NAFLD

• FPN is involved in the molecular mechanism of metformin on HIO in HFD-induced NAFLD

• Metformin upregulates FPN expression by reducing lysosomal ubiquitination degradation

Summary

Metformin prevents progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, the potential mechanism is not entirely understood. Ferroptosis, a recently recognized nonapoptotic form of regulated cell death, has been reported to be involved in the pathogenesis of NAFLD. Here, we investigated the effects of metformin on ferroptosis and its potential mechanism in NAFLD. We found that metformin prevented the progression of NAFLD, and alleviated hepatic iron …

Aged And Induced-Premature Ovarian Failure Mouse Models Affect Diestrus Profile And Ovarian Features, Ana Carolina Zucon Bacelar, Nataira Regina Momesso, Felipe Haddad Martim Pederro, Alaíde Gonçalves, Edilson Ervolino, Antonio Hernandes Chaves-Neto, Cláudia Cristina Biguetti, Mariza Akemi Matsumoto

School of Podiatric Medicine Publications and Presentations

Sex hormones exert a wide influence on several systems of the human body, especially in women, who undergo intense changes in the trans and postmenopausal periods. Different experimental models are used to mimic these conditions; however, the impact on hormonal profile may be different. This study aimed to analyze and compare vaginal cytology of different post-estropausal mice models, along with their microscopical ovarian features. Forty-six C57BL/6J female mice with the ages of 4, 6 and 18 months at the beginning of the experiment, weighing about 25–28 grams, constituted five groups: NC–(negative control) animals with no treatment, OVX-SHAM—sham ovariectomized, OVX–ovariectomized, VCD–medicated …

Chronic Jet Lag Alters Gut Microbiome And Mycobiome And Promotes The Progression Of Mafld In Hfhfd-Fed Mice, Ruoyi Zheng, Xingwei Xiang, Ying Shi, Anqi Qiu, Xin Luo, Junyan Xie, Ryan D. Russell, Dongmei Zhang

Health & Human Performance Faculty Publications and Presentations

Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease worldwide. Circadian disruptors, such as chronic jet lag (CJ), may be new risk factors for MAFLD development. However, the roles of CJ on MAFLD are insufficiently understood, with mechanisms remaining elusive. Studies suggest a link between gut microbiome dysbiosis and MAFLD, but most of the studies are mainly focused on gut bacteria, ignoring other components of gut microbes, such as gut fungi (mycobiome), and few studies have addressed the rhythm of the gut fungi. This study explored the effects of CJ on MAFLD and its related microbiotic …

Bionik Inmotion Arm/Hand Robot Standardization, Ramiro Oquita

MEDI 9331 Scholarly Activities Clinical Years

Introduction

Less than one percent of individuals with a spinal cord injury (SCI) experience complete functional recovery by hospital discharge. In the majority of subjects with SCI or any significant neurological injury, functional impairments remain exceptionally devastating and are the leading causes of disability in the United States. Most subjects have impairments that span from paralysis, sensory and motor dysfunction. In the majority of cases, physical rehabilitation remains the hallmark intervention for the regain of function and improvement in the performance of activities of daily living (ADLs). However, rehabilitation can be limiting in that this method takes a considerable amount …

A Model Of Immediate Implant Placement To Evaluate Early Osseointegration In 129/Sv Diabetic Mice, Cláudia Cristina Biguetti, Alexandra Arteaga, Bhuvana Lakkasetter Chandrashekar, Evelin Rios, Ryan Margolis, Danieli C. Rodrigues

School of Podiatric Medicine Publications and Presentations

Purpose: To analyze the process of early oral osseointegration of titanium (Ti) implants in diabetic 129/Sv mice through microCT and histologic and immunohistochemical analysis.

Materials and methods: A group of 30 male 129/Sv mice was equally subdivided into two groups: (1) nondiabetic (ND), in which mice did not undergo systemic alterations and received a standard diet, and (2) diabetic (D), in which mice were provided a high-fat diet from the age of 6 weeks until the conclusion of the study and received two intraperitoneal (IP) injections of streptozotocin (STZ) at a concentration of 100 mg/Kg each. Each mouse underwent extraction …

Muc13 Drives Cancer Aggressiveness And Metastasis Through The Yap1-Dependent Pathway, Kyle Doxtater, Manish Tripathi, Radhiki Sekhri, Bilal B. Hafeez, Sheema Khan, Nadeem Zafar, Stephen Behrman, Murali M. Yallapu, Meena Jaggi, Subhash C. Chauhan

School of Medicine Publications and Presentations

Anchorage-independent survival after intravasation of cancer cells from the primary tumor site represents a critical step in metastasis. Here, we reveal new insights into how MUC13-mediated anoikis resistance, coupled with survival of colorectal tumor cells, leads to distant metastasis. We found that MUC13 targets a potent transcriptional coactivator, YAP1, and drives its nuclear translocation via forming a novel survival complex, which in turn augments the levels of pro-survival and metastasis-associated genes. High expression of MUC13 is correlated well with extensive macrometastasis of colon cancer cells with elevated nuclear YAP1 in physiologically relevant whole animal model systems. Interestingly, a positive correlation …

From The Borders Edge To The Brink Of Death: A Case Of A Traumatic Pancreatic Injury And Whipple Procedure In The Rio Grande Valley, Valentine S. Alia, Ed W. Alvarado, Edward M. Diaz, Daniel Albo, Roger Galindo

School of Medicine Publications and Presentations

The traumatic pancreatoduodenectomy, also known as the traumatic Whipple, is a specialized surgical procedure often reserved for extreme cases in which an individual suffers traumatic injuries to the pancreas, duodenum, or periampullary structures. Traditionally, a Whipple procedure is a complex surgery involving the removal of the head of the pancreas, duodenum, and a portion of both the bile duct and stomach, for the management of pancreatic head cancer. In underserved communities where limited access to healthcare is coupled with a higher incidence of trauma, the lack of specialized and supportive care for patients suffering from pancreatic injuries may lead to …

When Two Worlds Collide: A Rare Case Of Multiple Myeloma With Extramedullary Plasmacytoma, Jorge Nadal Bosch, Mario Moya, Samuel Serna, Lee Drinkard, Javier Malcolm

School of Medicine Publications and Presentations

In this case report, we discuss the presentation, diagnosis, and management of a 67-year-old gentleman with stage II multiple myeloma with concurrent biopsy-proven bone plasmacytoma and why it is important to understand the molecular intricacies of these disorders. We emphasize the critical role of radiology in identifying, characterizing, and managing these lesions. Furthermore, we shed light on the critical differentiation between solitary extramedullary plasmacytoma and multiple myeloma and discuss treatment modalities for both conditions.

Investigating White Matter Hyperintensities In A Multicenter Covid-19 Study Using 7t Mri, Tales Santini, Oluwatobi F. Adeyemi, Valentina R. Garbarino, Mohamad Habes, Christof Karmonik, Joseph C. Masdeu, Vibhuti N. Patel, Howard J. Aizenstein, Richard Bowtell, Gustavo C. Roman

School of Medicine Publications and Presentations

Background: Emerging evidence indicates that COVID-19 can negatively impact patient’s brain health (Douaud et al., 2022) (Cecchetti et al., 2022). Common clinical symptoms include brain fog, headaches, difficulty concentrating, and loss of sense of smell or taste. Some studies suggest that SARS-CoV-2 infection can damage the blood brain barrier either directly or through immune-inflammatory mechanisms (Zhang, et al. 2021). White matter hyperintensities (WMH) are imaging biomarkers of brain vascular or inflammatory injury. We investigated the association between severity of COVID-19 infection and burden of white matter hyperintensity volumes within a diverse multi-nation, multi-racial cohort using 7 Tesla (7T) MRI …

Cognitive, Behavioral, And Circadian Rhythm Interventions For Insomnia Alter Emotional Brain Responses, Jeanne Leerssen, Moji Aghajani, Tom Bresser, Lara Rösler, Anderson M. Winkler, Jessica C. Foster-Dingley, Eus J.W. Van Someren

School of Medicine Publications and Presentations

Background

The highest risk of depression is conveyed by insomnia. This risk can be mitigated by sleep interventions. Understanding brain mechanisms underlying increased emotional stability following insomnia treatment could provide insight relevant to the prevention of depression. Here, we investigated how different sleep interventions alter emotion-related brain activity in people with insomnia at high risk of developing depression.

Methods

Functional magnetic resonance imaging was used to assess how the amygdala response to emotional stimuli (negative facial expression) in 122 people with insomnia disorder differed from 36 control subjects and how the amygdala response changed after 6 weeks of either no …

Identification Of Genetic Regions Associated With Alzheimer ‘S Disease Blood-Based Biomarkers In Mexican American Families, Marcio A. Almeida

School of Medicine Publications and Presentations

Background: Dementias are heterogeneous age-associated neurodegenerative disorders generally included in the broad term, Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and related dementias (ADRD). ADRD affects individuals of all ethnicities, but Hispanic individuals show a 1.5-fold higher risk when compared to non-Hispanic whites. Many AD risk biomarkers have been proposed but not much is known about how genetic elements control their expression. We used 2000 genome sequenced Mexican Americans from extended pedigrees to identify genetic regions associated with AD blood-based biomarkers.

Method: A total of 70 Mexican American subjects were diagnosed as ADRD cases (h²= 0.75, p = 2.6×10^-5). We …

A Latent Variable Approach To Assess Dementia In Mexico And The United States: Measurement Invariance And Validation, Joseph Saenz, Christopher Beam, Silvia Mejia-Arango

School of Medicine Publications and Presentations

Latent dementia indices (LDI) use cognitive and functional data to approximate dementia. Few evaluate the LDI’s utility in cross-national work. This study tests metric measurement invariance of an LDI in the United States and Mexico and evaluates its validity in Mexico. Data included the United States Harmonized Cognitive Assessment Protocol (HCAP, n=3,267), MexCog (n=2,042), and a Mexican clinical validation sample with diagnosed cognitive status (51 cognitively normal, 49 mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and 50 dementia) who received the MexCog battery. The LDI was measured using highly comparable items (13 cognitive and 10 functional). We tested metric measurement invariance of the …

Frailty Index In The Colonias Of The Rio Grande Valley: Health Related Quality Of Life And Resilience, Eron G. Manusov, Vincent P. Diego, Sarah Williams-Blangero

School of Medicine Publications and Presentations

Background: Frailty is characterized by an accumulation of deficits that lead to vulnerability to adverse health outcomes. The Frailty Index (FI) quantifies frailty by measuring deficits that increase susceptibility to stressors. This study focused on a population of Mexican Americans living in vulnerable communities in the Rio Grande Valley of south Texas. We used a Frailty Index developed based on common health-related data--the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and a Health-related Quality of Life survey (Duke Health Profile). Quality of life, resilience, and frailty are interrelated and influenced by chronic illness, mental illness, poverty, cognitive impairment, and community support.

Methods: We …

An Integrated Computational Biology Approach Defines The Crucial Role Of Trip13 In Pancreatic Cancer, Swati Dhasmana, Anupam Dhasmana, Stella Rios, Iris A. Enriquez-Perez, Sheema Khan, Farrukh Afaq, Shafiul Haque, Upender Manne, Murali M. Yallapu, Subhash C. Chauhan

School of Medicine Publications and Presentations

Highlights

• Integrative computational biology techniques are holistic approaches in cancer discovery by exploring multiple levels of convolution in biological systems.

• Pancreatic cancer is expected that by 2030, it will become the 2nd leading cause of cancer related deaths in the United States alone.•

• For the first time, the role and patholgenic events of TRIP13 in PanCa have been discussed.

• This study elucidates the role of TRIP13 on molecular level, as a specific signal for early events of pancreatic cancer, enhancing patient prognosis, and boosting targeted therapies in clinical settings.

• This study has potential to enrich the existing biomarker panel for …