Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Translocator Protein In Brain Tissue And Neurodegeneration, Kayla Bland, Rochelle Hines, Phd, Dustin Hines, Phd

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's Disease, effect over 50 million Americans a year, and despite the high prevalence, the pathogenesis of these diseases remains unclear. However, researchers have noticed a dramatic up-regulation of a protein called translocator protein (TSPO) under neurodegenerative and neuro-inflammatory conditions. While TSPO expression is prevalent in the brain, it is still unclear as to what exact types of cells TSPO is expressed in, and what mechanisms result in increased expression. Regulating the expression or function of TSPO is believed to have an impact on neurodegenerative processes, but definitive evidence of this is also limited. To advance …

Patterned Electro-Spun Fibers Capture Exosomes Produced From Single Cells, Sage Bingaman, Jeffery Chalmers, Ph.D

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Cancer and its curiosities have been researched throughout the scientific community with little results. Several studies have been unable to use a single treatment to cure the cells as each cancerous cell is unique in its molecular coding, and are often immune to different kinds of treatments.

The purpose of the experiment is to determine whether exosomes in cancer cells can communicate with other cells and create an immunity to treatment. There were multiple steps in the process of attaching cells to an electro-spun fiber sheet and analyzing the exosomes captured. The first step was to take increments of 0.4 …

A Novel Ultrasound-Based Measure Of The Liver Among Diabetes Mellitus Type Ii Patients, Carlos I. Ayala Santos, Juan Carlos Jorge, Phd, Bárbara L. Riestra-Candelaria, Phdc

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Diabetes mellitus type II (DM II) or adult onset diabetes is due to the inefficient use of insulin, which affects various organs and tissues. Patients with DM II are at risk of suffering non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) that can later develop into more life threating forms such as hepatomegaly, cirrhosis or liver cancer. Following the logic of the non-inferiority trial test, we aim to establish a more accurate anatomical measure of the right liver lobe (RLL) to facilitate close monitoring of liver size with ultrasound (US). We hypothesize that US is not unacceptably worse than computed tomography (CT) or …

Seasonal And Diurnal Patterns Of Pollens And Their Relations With Asthma And Allergies, Jeremy Rivera Sánchez, Benjamin Bolaños Rosero, Phd

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

According to the CDC, 22.4% of the population in Puerto Rico suffers from asthma, increasing in children to a 25.3%. Allergic asthma is a respiratory condition caused by allergens such as mite- dust, fungal spores, and pollen. Asthma symptoms can include lack of air and chronic cough. Biological airborne particles may produce proteins with allergenic potential that at high levels may trigger asthma in susceptible individuals.

To determine the role of tree pollen in asthma, we analyzed the daily data collected from 2015 to 2017 with a Burkard volumetric air sampler located 73 meters above sea level at the San …

Depression In Those With Diabetes, Jaidyn Probst, Darin Prescott, Dnp, Mba, Rn, Stacy Hammer, Rdn, Ld

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

In the United States, depression and diabetes collide with greater frequencies in American Indian/Alaskan Native communities, with 15% of those with diabetes suffering from depression. Often, providers cannot describe the emotional effects of being diagnosed with a chronic illness, such as diabetes, to the patient. Diabetes bingo is a place of information and support for those with diabetes in the Lower Sioux Indian Community (LSIC). The group was given surveys during their once-monthly bingo session held by the Lower Sioux Health Care Center Dietitian. We hypothesize that the social and emotional support from peers is what drives members of the …

Computational Oxalate-Curcumin Based Probe Molecules For Functionality In Alzheimer's Disease, Elizabeth Phillips, Yin Shao, Phd

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Alzheimer's Disease (AD), is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that is fatal. Amyloid β (Aβ) aggregates are produced in the relation between AD and its later stages. While AD is not necessarily present because of the Aβ aggregates, they are however a cohesive sublimate of each other within the later stages of the disease. Currently there are no drug preventative measures that have been successful in bringing treatment to the Aβ aggregates. It has been shown that AD had been most closely associated with the production of Aβ aggregates in relation to the progression of the disease. However, in regards to …

Parents’ Perception Of Overweight In Relation To Child Mood And Disordered Eating, Jillian Perry, Marian Tanofsky-Kraff, Ph.D., Mary K. Higgins Neyland, Ph.D., Natasha L. Burke, Ph.D., Abigail Pine, Mary Quattlebaum

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Parental perception of their child’s weight may impact child’s psychological functioning; however, there is a dearth of literature examining this relationship. Data suggest that parental concern with child’s overweight may be related to child distress and/or disordered eating. Yet, it is unknown if parents’ perception of teens’ overweight relates to child functioning. We examined 113 adolescent (12-17y; 14.4 ± 1.6) boys and girls (53% girls) with overweight or obesity (BMIz 2.0 ± .45) and their parents. Youth self-identified as 53% Caucasian or White, 27% Black or African American, 3.5% Asian, and 16.5% multiple races, unknown, or other. Parents reported …

Understanding The Impact Of Fluid Viscosity On The Growth And Conjugation Of Antimicrobial Resistant Donors And Recipients Pairs, Judah Pemble, Alex Chabrelie, Jade Mitchell, Phd

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

To combat the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), it is vital to link the behavior of donor and recipient bacteria in dynamic environments to horizontal gene transfer (HGT) potential- specifically, conjugation the primary means of spread of AMR genes. However, HGT is poorly understood under dynamic conditions, such as those in the gut of humans and animals. Most experiments are done under static conditions at viscosities similar to water, but these methods do not accurately represent the higher gut viscosities or movement. Hence, a next step to increase understanding of conjugation is with experiments using generic donor and recipient pairs …

Effects Of Maternal Separation And Adolescent Stress On Microglial Levels In The Adult Brain, Joseph Noel-Torres, James Porter, Phd, Kimberly Santos-Avilés, Anixa Hernández-López

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Early life stress, such as maternal separation, has been associated with depressive-like symptoms in adult rats. Previous studies have linked depression with reduced activation of microglia in different parts of the brain. Microglia are important for neuronal transmission and plasticity, both of which are affected by stress. However, whether developmental stress alters microglial function to cause depression in adulthood is not fully understood. We hypothesized that exposing rats to early life stress would lead to depressive-like symptoms in adults that would be associated with reduce microglial levels in the brain. To test this hypothesis, male and female rats were maternally …

Exploring Sexual Transmitted Infections Rates Within The High School Populations And Sexual Health Behaviors Within A Community College Population: The Need To Provide Effective Sexual Education Programs, Erika Mcphetridge, Sarah Baron, Ed.D, Mph

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) is an umbrella term for bacterial, viral and parasitic infections that are transmitted through sexual contact. California Department of Public Health data ranks Kern County second worst in the state for congenital syphilis and chlamydia, third worst in the state for primary and secondary syphilis, and seventh worst in the state for gonorrhea. The incidence rates continue to increase in Kern County and especially within teenage and young adult populations.

This study explored the patterns and characteristics of STI incidence rates in Kern High School District (KHSD) and sexual health behaviors in a local community college. …

Exploring Characteristics Of Condom Use Among A College Population, Erika Mcphetridge, Sarah Baron, Ed.D, Mph, David A. Baron, Ed.D, Mph

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

The increasing lack of condom use puts young people at risk for a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI), which can lead to long term health consequences. This study was administered within Kern County, California. Kern County ranked second worst in California for chlamydia, and fourth worst for primary and secondary syphilis (California Department of Public Health, 2018). The study used archival data from Bakersfield College, which administered the American College Health Care Administrations (ACHA) survey as a need assessments and to drive health education plans.

Bakersfield College students (N=1,483) completed the survey of which 36 questions pertained to sexual behavior and …

Effects Of A Histone Methyltransferase Inhibitor On Fertility On A Rat Model Of Endometriosis, Diego Garcia, Inevy Seguinot Tarafa, Idhaliz Flores, Phd

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent, inflammatory disease that affects 5-10% of women of reproductive age. It is defined as the growth of functioning endometrium outside the uterus that results in severe pelvic pain and often infertility. Currently, endometriosis has no cure, and available treatments have limited efficacy and side effects. Epigenetics play a key role in the etiology of this disease, and we have previously shown that treatment with histone methyltransferase inhibitors (HMTi) in an animal model of endometriosis significantly decreases vesicle development, suggesting the potential use of epigenetic drugs for endometriosis. The objective of this study was to investigate the …

Investigating The Aquatic Ecosystem Of The Kenektok River In Quinhagak, Alaska, Ashley Forbes, Noehealani Antolin, Carolee Dodge Francis

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Water quality is defined by several characteristics: chemical, physical, biological, and radiological. Water quality is important in Alaskan communities due to the reliance of subsistence hunting like fishing to meet cultural and spiritual needs. A healthy aquatic system is achieved when water quality is not altered or disturbed. The objective of this project is to determine the water quality of the Kenektok River in Quinhagak, Alaska. The La Motte Water monitoring kit was used in this project to determine any chemical, physical, biological, and radiological disturbances. Three water samples were taken from different locations, approximately 1 meter apart, along the …

Exploring Vanadium Chemical Transferrin Mimetic Compounds For Insulin Enhancement, Amanda Feliciano, Arthur D. Tinoco, Ph.D., Sergio A. Loza

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is caused by a lack of insulin production (Type 1) or the body’s cells’ inability to properly receive it, also known as insulin resistance (Type 2), resulting in greatly elevated levels of blood glucose. Vanadium(IV) and vanadium(V) ions are believed to enhance insulin activity by inhibition of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B). PTP1B is normally responsible for downregulating the insulin signaling, but in DM type 2, PTP1B activity is overexpressed leading to the insulin signaling blocking. The most promising V(IV) compounds are designed for oral delivery: they are absorbed into the gut and delivered into the bloodstream …

Effect Of Antioxidants In Cathepsin B Release By Hiv Infected Macrophages, Luz J. Cartagena Isern, Loyda M. Meléndez, Ph.D, Gabriel Borges, Lester Rosario

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

During HIV infection of macrophages, the lysosomal protein cathepsin B is released and induces neurotoxicity. Also, the levels of cathepsin B are increased in plasma and post-mortem brain tissue of patients with HIV-associated dementia. Oxidative damage is increased in HIV- infected patients, while antioxidants are decreased in HIV-associated dementia. Dimethyl fumarate (DMF), an antioxidant, has been reported to decrease HIV replication and neurotoxicity caused by HIV-infected macrophages. Since HIV also increases cathepsin B, we hypothesize that DMF will also reduce cathepsin B release from HIV-infected macrophages. Monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM) were isolated from healthy donors and inoculated with HIV-1_ADA. …

Step-Up: A Cultural Alaska Journey For Students And Staff, Carolee Dodge Francis, Ed.D., Noehealani Bareng-Antolin, Mph, Kira Tran, B.S.

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

This manuscript introduces the abstracts from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Coordinating Center

Coconut Production For Food Security, Economic Development, And Health: A Comparative Study Of Two Communities In Pohnpei, Federated States Of Micronesia, Macmillan Willyander, Nat Tuivavalagi, Ph.D.

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Coconuts (Cocos nucifera) have been beneficial on many Pacific islands for centuries, including the island of Pohnpei. There is a current effort in Pohnpei to more fully explore the potential of coconuts in raising living standards of the local people. This study explores the status of coconut production in two communities of Pohnpei - a community on the main island of Pohnpei and one on the outer atoll of Ngatik. It is hypothesized that coconut-related activities are less intensive on the outer islands due to a lack of marketing opportunities.

This study involves interviewing community members and 40 …

Protective Effects Of Insulin In Cardiomyocytes Against Iron-Mediated Cell Death, Carina Tanaka, Takashi Matsui, M.D., Ph.D., Faha

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

When an acute myocardial infarction (MI) occurs, the heart becomes ischemic. Medical treatments such as stents have improved the recovery process after a MI, but there is still a high risk for heart failure. Due to the resulting intramyocardial hemorrhage, residual hemoglobin with excess iron compromises cardiomyocyte (CM) survival. Previous studies suggest that the magnitude of CM cell death is directly proportional to the level of adverse left ventricular (LV) remodeling. Mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a key downstream signaling pathway that is sufficient for CM cell survival against iron and responds to insulin, a cardioprotective growth factor. However, …

Preliminary Assessment Of Growing Oyster Mushroom, Pleurotus Sajor-Caju On Coconut Husk Substrate Supplemented With Different Amounts Of Copra Cake, Unaisi Grace Kuilamu, Vincent Enriquez, Ma

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Mushroom cultivation is a newly introduced technology in the Marshall Islands to promote food security and community health due to its soluble fiber content and nutritive values. Mushroom is also known to have naturally occurring beta-glucans that could prevent high cholesterol and some other non-communicable disease (NCDs). Majuro Atoll has an ample amount of coconut husk and copra cake, a by-product from Tobolar Copra Processing Plant. The study aimed to assess the possibility of using copra cake for mushroom cultivation.

The capability of oyster mushroom in utilizing coconut by-product was assessed in terms of mycelial growth, number of fruiting body, …

Exosomes: A Novel Zika Virus Vaccine Candidate, Carlos Furukawa, Pakieli Kaufusi, B.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

With the recent emergence of Zika virus (ZIKV) diseases, increasing global concern has driven the demand for a vaccine. One promising vaccine platform has presented itself in the form of exosomes: a subgroup of extracellular vesicles released by many human cell types that facilitate intercellular communication. The objective of this study is to engineer exosomes that incorporate ZIKV structural proteins into its phospholipid bilayer. Previous studies indicate that CD9 and CD63 proteins are highly enriched in exosomal membranes. From this, it was hypothesized that attaching ZIKV genes to CD9 or CD63 to produce a gene fusion may enable exosomes to …

Painting The Pacific: A Comparative Analysis Of The Lightfastness Of Watercolors Made From Indigenous Plants In The Pacific Region, Michael Angelo P. Fernandez, Mari Marutani, Phd

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Pacific Islanders have traditionally used plants and other natural resources to craft paints, dyes, and other colorants. However, much of society today has transitioned to more accessible, inexpensive colorants, which oftentimes contain toxic pigments and harmful solvents that can be detrimental to human health and the environment. This study will explore using phytochemicals of plants indigenous to the Pacific as safe, natural watercolor paints. The objective of this study is to test the lightfastness of watercolors made from roots of the langiti (Ochrosia mariannensis), roots of the ladda (Morinda citrifolia), cambium of the binalo (Thespesia …

Investigating The Effect Of Air Conditioning On Radon, Tina Choi, Captain Derek Chambers, P.E. Mph, Austin Flores, A.A.S. Criminal Justice

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Radon is an invisible and dangerous noble gas that seeps up from the ground. Breathing in too much radon may cause lung cancer. When a room is not ventilated properly and closed up for a long time, it can lead to dangerous amounts of radon filling up. Radon is everywhere around us, and any amount of radon may be dangerous. In order to lower the threats from radon, rooms must recirculate fresh air. The average radon level outside is 0.4 pCi/L (picocuries per liter). The recommended radon level in a room is under 4.0 pCi/L. As the use of air …

Are Purple Hermit Crabs (Coenobita Brevimanus) Seed Dispersers Or Predators?, Alyssa Cepeda, Haldre Rogers, Phd, Meg Kargul, Anthony Castro

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Vertebrate frugivores play an important role in forests by dispersing seeds and helping improve germination through gut passage. Some frugivores may also be seed predators, where the seed is destroyed through gut passage. On the island of Saipan, the native frugivores are birds, bats, and crabs. This experiment focused on purple hermit crabs, Coenobita brevimanus, which are known to consume fruits, but it is unknown whether purple hermit crabs disperse or predate the seeds they consume. A maximum of ten purple hermit crabs, ranging in size from medium to large individuals, were captured from the forest and kept in …

The Antimicrobial Effects Of Allium Sativum On Escherichia Coli, David Borja, Johnny Aldan, Bsn, Rn

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Allium sativum (Garlic) is an herb that is grown all over the world, and can be found in the homes of many people. This herb has many medicinal properties, but is mainly known for its antimicrobial properties. Fresh garlic contains enzymes called “alliinase” and “alliin”. When garlic is crushed or cut into the alliinase converts the alliin into allicin. Allicin is what gives the garlic its antimicrobial properties and odor.

The antimicrobial activity of the Allium sativum extract was tested on Escherichia coli, a gram-negative bacteria, using the agar-well diffusion method. A test tube containing only Escherichia coli was …

Promoting Local Talents To Fight Local Health Issues Step-Up In The Pacific, Aneesa Golshan, Mph, George Hui, Phd,

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

This manuscript introduces the abstracts for the University of Hawai'i at Manoa Coordinating Center.

The Interaction Between Nef Protein And Abca1 Mutants In Tangier Disease, Jaden White, Michael Bukrinsky, M.D., Phd, Beda Brichacek, Phd, Christina Darwish

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

The genetic disorder Tangier Disease is characterized by mutations at a chromosomal locus, 9q31, which affect proper function of the cholesterol transporter ATP-Binding Cassette A1 (ABCA1). Individuals with mutant ABCA1 have very low levels of high-density lipoprotein and are at high risk for development of neuropathy and atherosclerosis. Two of the ABCA1 mutations, Q597R and R587W, lead to retention of ABCA1 in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in a pattern that is reminiscent of a previously reported ABCA1 inactivation by HIV-1 protein Nef. The mechanism of that inactivation involves Nef binding to an ER chaperone calnexin, which disrupts the interaction between …

The Effect Of Saturated Fatty Acid On The Expression Of Apoptotic And Fibrotic Proteins In Renal Tubular Epithelial Cells, Joya Sims, Xeuying Zhao, Doctor Of Physiology In Cardiology, Alyssa Cobbs

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Diabetic Nephropathy, triggered by diabetes, is a kidney disease with severe health consequences and is a high economic burden. Literature suggests that the deterioration of kidney function correlates best with the degree of renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis. Proximal tubule epithelial cells can orchestrate renal fibrosis, as a result of fatty acid accumulation, also known as lipotoxicity. The objective of the study is to evaluate the effect of saturated fatty acid on renal tubular epithelial cells. Human kidney proximal tubule cells (HK-2) were cultured in 5% FBS/DMEM/streptomycin/Hepes and incubated at 37°C until cells are 90% confluent. Palmitic acid (PA) was prepared in …

Examining Race Differences In Blood Pressure Control Among People With Chronic Kidney Disease, Jayme Savoy, Roland J. Thorpe, Jr., Phd

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) patients, 20% of them also have hypertension (HTN). African Americans (AA) are known to be more at risk of CKD development and poor HTN control compared to Whites, largely due to their higher prevalence of diabetes and HTN. While those health conditions are a known risk factor to CKD, it is less clear if there is a race difference in HTN control among CKD patients.

Using a combined 1999-2014 data set from The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), we sought to determine if there is an association between race and HTN control among …

Spheroid Toxicity Assay Utilizing Magnetic 3d Bioprinting, Anore Pedalino, Ka Bian, Phd

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Analysis of cell cultures utilizing two-dimensional (2D) spheroid assays has been the standard to analyze toxicity screenings for decades, however the high cost and inefficiencies in producing in-vitro assays using this technique creates the need for more productive and cost-efficient methods. The newly introduced Magnetic 3D Bioprinting system addresses the shortcomings of the 2D systems. This method relies on magnetizing cells and rapidly printing them in a more organized formation, mimicking in-vitro environments and interaction. This study assesses the effectiveness of Magnetic 3D Bioprinting system in analyzing spheroid toxicity assays when compared to the 2D methods, we hypothesize that …

Assessing Indications Of Riskiness In Adolescents, Niral Patel, Roland Alexander Blackwood, Md, Phd

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Adolescents are often likely to engage in perilous behaviors during their transitional years from youth to adulthood. Nearly 75% of the primary causes of death in the adolescent population are of preventable causes. In order to address the harmful issues facing this young population today, researchers at the University of Michigan developed the Rapid Assessment for Adolescent Preventive Services (RAAPS), a 21-question risk screening examination that identifies the behaviors contributing the most to adolescent morbidity, mortality, and social problems.

Over the course of this study, beginning in 2015, researchers utilized the RAAPS to gather data from University of Michigan Health …