Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Natural Products As Therapeutic Agents In Cancer Treatment, Eric Huseman, Lauren P. Williams, Brittany Santee, Trevor Stump, Chelsae Ward, Rachel Kunze, Denise S. Simpson, Samson Amos

Pharmacy and Nursing Student Research and Evidence-Based Medicine Poster Session

Cancer accounts for 25% of deaths in the United States, and brain tumors greatly contribute to this percentage. However, relative to other types of cancers, brain tumors prove difficult to treat because they are heterogeneous, highly proliferative, highly invasive, and resistant to the traditional cancer treatments of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Past studies have shown that flavonoids and curcuminoids, two classes of compounds derived from natural sources, are effective in inhibiting the development and metastasis of breast and lung cancer cells. Research has also indicated that these compounds have potential for treating brain tumors.

The purpose of this research is to …

Microrna Function In Human Diseases, Sathish Kumar Natarajan, Mary A. Smith, Cody J. Wehrkamp, Ashley M. Mohr, Justin L. Mott

Journal Articles: Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

MicroRNAs are emerging as a hot topic in research, and rightfully so. They show great promise as targets of treatment and as markers for common human diseases, such as cancer and metabolic diseases. In this review, we address some of the basic questions regarding micro- RNA function in human disease and the clinical significance of microRNAs. Specifically, micro- RNAs in epigenetics, cancer, and metabolic diseases are discussed, with examples taken from cholangiocarcinoma and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

The Spatial Distribution Of Cancer Incidence In Fars Province: A Gis-Based Analysis Of Cancer Registry Data, Ali Goli, Mahbobeh Oroei, Mehdi Jalalpour, Hossein Faramarzi, Mehrdad Askarian

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Background: Cancer is a major health problem in the developing countries. Variations of its incidence rate among geographical areas are due to various contributing factors. This study was performed to assess the spatial patterns of cancer incidence in the Fars Province, based on cancer registry data and to determine geographical clusters.

Methods: In this cross sectional study, the new cases of cancer were recorded from 2001 to 2009. Crude incidence rate was estimated based on age groups and sex in the counties of the Fars Province. Age standardized incidence rates (ASR) per 100,000 was calculated in each year. …

Integration Of Comprehensive Women’S Health Programmes Into Health Systems: Cervical Cancer Prevention, Care And Control In Rwanda, Agnes Binagwaho, Fidele Ngabo, Claire M. Wagner, Cathy Mugeni, Maurice Gatera, Cameron T. Nutt, Sabin Nsanzimana

Dartmouth Scholarship

PROBLEM: Although it is highly preventable and treatable, cervical cancer is the most common and most deadly cancer among women in Rwanda.

APPROACH: By mobilizing a diverse coalition of partnerships, Rwanda became the first country in Africa to develop and implement a national strategic plan for cervical cancer prevention, screening and treatment.

LOCAL SETTING: Rwanda - a small, landlocked nation in East Africa with a population of 10.4 million - is well positioned to tackle a number of "high-burden" noncommunicable diseases. The country's integrated response to infectious diseases has resulted in steep declines in premature mortality over the past decade. …

Concept Analysis Of Empowerment From Survivor And Nurse Perspectives Within The Context Of Cancer Survivorship, Teresa Jerofke-Owen

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

The liberal usage of the concept of empowerment has led to the development of a broad and ambiguous term. In health care, empowerment is a core principle of patient-centered care that promotes patient engagement in health management. This is an analysis of the concept of empowerment within the context of cancer survivorship using both Rodgers' evolutionary concept analysis and Caron and Bower's dimensional analysis. The dimensional analysis followed the evolutionary concept analysis as the perspectives of patients and nurse providers emerged in the analysis. Data sources included a sample of 249 papers from multiple disciplines covering the period 2000–2013. Empowerment …

Development Of Tools To Assess The Effects Of Lunasin On Normal Development And Tumor Progression In Drosophila Melanogaster, Gillian E. Jones

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Soy contains many bioactive molecules known to elicit anti-cancer effects. One such peptide, Lunasin, has been shown to selectively act on newly transformed cells while having no cytotoxic effect on non-tumorigenic or established cancer cell lines. In this study we attempt to understand the developmental effects of Lunasin overexpression in vivo and create reagents that will help us understand Lunasin’s anti tumorigenic effects in an intact organism. cDNA encoding lunasin and EGFP-lunasin were cloned into pUAST and microinjected into Drosophila embryos. Tissue-specific overexpression of EGFP-Lun in the resulting transgenic lines was accomplished by crossing transgenics to various GAL4 driver lines. …

Microspheres For Liver Radiomicrospheres Therapy And Planning, Alejandro Amor-Coarasa

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Liver cancer accounts for nearly 10% of all cancers in the US. Intrahepatic Arterial Radiomicrosphere Therapy (RMT), also known as Selective Internal Radiation Treatment (SIRT), is one of the evolving treatment modalities. Successful patient clinical outcomes require suitable treatment planning followed by delivery of the microspheres for therapy. The production and in vitro evaluation of various polymers (PGCD, CHS and CHSg) microspheres for a RMT and RMT planning are described. Microparticles with a 30±10 µm size distribution were prepared by emulsion method. The in vitro half-life of the particles was determined in PBS buffer and porcine plasma and their potential …

Biomarkers For Ovarian Cancer, Eric T. Fung, Frederick Ueland, J. R. Van Nagell, Paul D. Depriest, Andre T. Baron

Epidemiology and Environmental Health Faculty Patents

The present invention provides protein-based biomarkers and biomarker combinations that are useful in qualifying ovarian cancer status in a patient. In particular, the biomarkers of this invention are useful to classify a subject sample as ovarian cancer, ovarian cancer of low malignant potential, benign ovarian disease or other malignant condition. The biomarkers can be detected by SELDI mass spectrometry.

Β-Estradiol-Dependent Activation Of The Jak/Stat Pathway Requires P/Cip And Carm1, N. Coughlan, G. Thillainadesan, J. Andrews, M. Isovic, J. Torchia

Paediatrics Publications

The steroid receptor coactivator p/CIP, also known as SRC-3, is an oncogene commonly amplified in breast and ovarian cancers. p/CIP is known to associate with coactivator arginine methyltransferase 1 (CARM1) on select estrogen responsive genes. We have shown, using a ChIP-on-chip approach, that in response to stimulation with 17β-estradiol (E2), the p/CIP/CARM1 complex is recruited to 204 proximal promoters in MCF-7 cells. Many of the complex target genes have been previously implicated in signaling pathways related to oncogenesis. Jak2, a member of the Jak/Stat signaling cascade, is one of the direct E2-dependent targets of the p/CIP/CARM1 complex. Following E2-treatment, histone …

Uv Radiation And The Skin, John A. D'Orazio, Stuart G. Jarrett, Alexandra Amaro-Ortiz, Timothy Scott

Toxicology and Cancer Biology Faculty Publications

UV radiation (UV) is classified as a "complete carcinogen" because it is both a mutagen and a non-specific damaging agent and has properties of both a tumor initiator and a tumor promoter. In environmental abundance, UV is the most important modifiable risk factor for skin cancer and many other environmentally-influenced skin disorders. However, UV also benefits human health by mediating natural synthesis of vitamin D and endorphins in the skin, therefore UV has complex and mixed effects on human health. Nonetheless, excessive exposure to UV carries profound health risks, including atrophy, pigmentary changes, wrinkling and malignancy. UV is epidemiologically and …

Carter, Tim Lee, 1910-1987 (Mss 80), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

MSS Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Manuscripts Collection 80. Correspondence, photographs, audiotapes, film, clippings, general office files, and records of legislative proceedings relating to the political career of Tim Lee Carter, U.S. Representative (Republican) for Kentucky's Fifth Congressional District, 1965-1981.

Synthesis And Biological Evaluation Of Novel Folic Acid Receptor-Targeted, Β-Cyclodextrin-Based Drug Complexes For Cancer Treatment, Juan-Juan Yin, Sonali Sharma, Stepan P. Shumyak, Zhi-Xin Wang, Zhi-Wei Zhou, Yangde Zhang, Peixuan Guo, Chen-Zhong Li, Jagat R. Kanwar, Tianxin Yang, Shyam S. Mohapatra, Wanqing Liu, Wei Duan, Jian-Cheng Wang, Qi Li, Xueji Zhang, Jun Tan, Lee Jia, Jun Liang, Ming Q. Wei, Xioatian Lee, Shu-Feng Zhou

Department of Biomedical Engineering Faculty Publications

Drug targeting is an active area of research and nano-scaled drug delivery systems hold tremendous potential for the treatment of neoplasms. In this study, a novel cyclodextrin (CD)-based nanoparticle drug delivery system has been assembled and characterized for the therapy of folate receptor-positive [FR(+)] cancer. Water-soluble folic acid (FA)-conjugated CD carriers (FACDs) were successfully synthesized and their structures were confirmed by 1D/2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometer (MALDI-TOF-MS), high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and circular dichroism. Drug complexes of adamatane (Ada) and cytotoxic doxorubicin (Dox) with FACD were readily …

Pain Interventions In Pediatric Oncology Patients, Allison P. Mcconnell

Senior Honors Theses

Managing pain in the pediatric oncology population can be a daunting task. Often pain in these patients is severe and often not adequately treated or assessed. Studies have found that the reason for this disconnect is due to the impulse to follow unsubstantiated fears and myths held by healthcare professionals and even by the caregivers of the patients. For this reason, many pediatric oncology patients suffer from unnecessary pain when there are both pharmacological and non-pharmacological means available to intervene. The diagnosis and treatment of childhood cancer is multidimensional; however, it can be managed based on recent research and evidence-based …

The Effects Of Vitamin C On Cancer: A Cellular And Epidemiological Perspective, Amy C. Mclaughlin

Senior Honors Theses

While vitamin C has been proven to benefit the immune system during acute infections, there are now many studies to support the findings that vitamin C may also contribute to more effective chemotherapy and lessened damage on the body as a result of chemotherapy. This thesis investigates the impact of vitamin C on many components of cancer such as C-reactive protein, interleukins, reactive oxygen species, and many types of antioxidants and examines vitamin C's ability to inhibit or promote these agents' functions in the body. In addition, this thesis evaluates the ability of vitamin C to keep tumor cells from …

Curatedovariandata: Clinically Annotated Data For The Ovarian Cancer Transcriptome, Benjamin Frederick Ganzfried, Markus Riester, Benjamin Haibe-Kains, Thomas Risch, Svitlana Tyekucheva, Ina Jazic, Xin Victoria Wang, Mahnaz Ahmadifar, Michael J. Birrer, Giovanni Parmigiani, Curtis Huttenhower, Levi Waldron

Publications and Research

This article introduces a manually curated data collection for gene expression meta-analysis of patients with ovarian cancer and software for reproducible preparation of similar databases. This resource provides uniformly prepared microarray data for 2970 patients from 23 studies with curated and documented clinical metadata. It allows users to efficiently identify studies and patient subgroups of interest for analysis and to perform meta-analysis immediately without the challenges posed by harmonizing heterogeneous microarray technologies, study designs, expression data processing methods and clinical data formats. We confirm that the recently proposed biomarker CXCL12 is associated with patient survival, independently of stage and optimal …

Data Mining The Functional Characterizations Of Proteins To Predict Their Cancer-Relatedness, Peter Revesz, Christopher Assi

School of Computing: Faculty Publications

This paper considers two types of protein data. First, data about protein function described in a number of ways, such as, GO terms and PFAM families. Second, data about whether individual proteins are experimentally associated with cancer by an anomalous elevation or lowering of their expressions within cancerous cells. We combine these two types of protein data and test whether the first type of data, that is, the functional descriptors, can predict the second type of data, that is, cancer-relatedness. By using data mining and machine learning, we derive a classifier algorithm that using only GO term and PFAM family …

Environmental And Occupational Interventions For Primary Prevention Of Cancer: A Cross-Sectorial Policy Framework, Carolina Espina, Miquel Porta, Joachim Schüz, Ildefonso Hernández Aguado, Robert V. Percival, Carlos Dora, Terry Slevin, Julietta Rodriguez Guzman, Tim Meredith, Philip J. Landrigan, Maria Neira

Faculty Scholarship

Nearly 13 million new cancer cases and 7.6 million cancer deaths occur worldwide each year; 63% of cancer deaths occur in low and middle-income countries. A substantial portion of all cancers are attributable to carcinogenic exposures in the environment and the workplace.

The objective of this study was to develop an evidence-based global vision and strategy for the primary prevention of environmental and occupational cancer.

The study concluded that opportunities exist to revitalize comprehensive global cancer control policies by incorporating primary interventions against environmental and occupational carcinogens.

Health Policy & Management News, Georgia Southern University

Health Policy & Management Department News (2011-2018)

• Barriers to Cervical Cancer Screening

Epidemiology News, Georgia Southern University

Epidemiology News (2012-2018)

• Barriers to Cervical Cancer Screening

The Sesquiterpene Lactone Dehydroleucodine Triggers Senescence And Apoptosis In Association With Accumulation Of Dna Damage Markers, Valeria V. Constantino, Sabrina F. Mansilla, Juliana Speroni, Celina Amaya, Darío Cuello-Carrión, Daniel R. Ciocca, Manual A. Barbieri, Horacio A. Priestap, Vanessa Gottifredi, Luis A. Lopez

Department of Biological Sciences

Sesquiterpene lactones (SLs) are plant-derived compounds that display anti-cancer effects. Some SLs derivatives have a marked killing effect on cancer cells and have therefore reached clinical trials. Little is known regarding the mechanism of action of SLs. We studied the responses of human cancer cells exposed to various concentrations of dehydroleucodine (DhL), a SL of the guaianolide group isolated and purified from Artemisia douglasiana (Besser), a medicinal herb that is commonly used in Argentina. We demonstrate for the first time that treatment of cancer cells with DhL, promotes the accumulation of DNA damage markers such as phosphorylation of ATM and …

The "Specter" Of Cancer: Exploring Secondary Trauma For Health Professionals Providing Cancer Support And Counseling, Lauren Breen, Moira O'Connor, Lauren Y. Hewitt, Elizabeth Lobb

Health Sciences Papers and Journal Articles

Health professionals are vulnerable to occupational stress and tend to report high levels of secondary trauma and burnout; this is especially so for those working in “high-death” contexts such as cancer support and palliative care. In this study, 38 health professionals (psychologists, social workers, pastoral carers/chaplains, nurses, group facilitators, and a medical practitioner) who provide grief support and counseling in cancer and palliative care each participated in a semistructured interview. Qualitatively, a grounded theory analysis revealed four themes: (a) the role of health professionals in supporting people who are experiencing grief and loss issues in the context of cancer, (b) …

Identification Of Potential Synthetic Lethal Genes To P53 Using A Computational Biology Approach, Xiaosheng Wang, Richard Simon

Journal Articles: Genetics, Cell Biology & Anatomy

BACKGROUND:

Identification of genes that are synthetic lethal to p53 is an important strategy for anticancer therapy as p53 mutations have been reported to occur in more than half of all human cancer cases. Although genome-wide RNAi screening is an effective approach to finding synthetic lethal genes, it is costly and labor-intensive.

METHODS:

To illustrate this approach, we identified potentially druggable genes synthetically lethal for p53 using three microarray datasets for gene expression profiles of the NCI-60 cancer cell lines, one next-generation sequencing (RNA-Seq) dataset from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) project, and one gene expression data from the Cancer …

Synthesis, Structural Characterisation, And Preliminary Evaluation Of Non-Indolin-2-One-Based Angiogenesis Inhibitors Related To Sunitinib (Sutent®), Pichit Sudta, Nicholas Kirk, Anna Bezos, Anthony Gurlica, Rhys Mitchell, Thomas Weber, Anthony C. Willis, Samran Prabpai, Palangpon Kongsaeree, Christopher R. Parish, Sunit Suksamrarn, Michael J. Kelso

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: part A

The indolin-2-one fused-ring system and the 2,4-dimethylpyrrole unit represent key structural motifs in the anticancer drug sunitinib (Sutent®) and predecessor angiogenesis inhibitors that have undergone anticancer clinical trials (e.g. semaxanib, SU5416). In pursuit of novel anti-angiogenic scaffolds, we were interested in identifying whether the indolin-2-one group in these structures could be modified without losing activity. This paper describes novel condensation chemistry used to prepare a test series of (E)- and (Z)-alkenes related to SU5416 that retain the 2,4-dimethylpyrrole unit while incorporating ring-opened indolin-2-ones. Unique structural characteristics were identified in the compounds, such as intramolecular hydrogen bonds in the (Z)-alkenes, and …

Self-Reported Side Effects Of Breast Cancer Treatment: A Cross-Sectional Study Of Incidence, Associations, And The Influence Of Exercise, Sheridan A. Gho, Julie R. Steele, Sandra C. Jones, Bridget J. Munro

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: part A

Purpose Side effects as a result of breast cancer treatment may have a lasting detrimental impact on quality of life. Exercise has been shown to be an effective intervention in post-treatment care. This study aimed to gain a better understanding of breast cancer treatment-related side effects through identifying potential patient characteristic associations, including current levels of exercise.

Methods Four hundred and thirty-two breast cancer patients completed an online survey covering their treatment and demographic background, current exercise levels, and self-reported treatment side effects. Side effects were considered in a binary logistic regression against age, surgery, currently undergoing treatment, and exercise …

A Food Photograph Series For Identifying Portion Sizes Of Culturally Specific Dishes In Rural Areas With High Incidence Of Oesophageal Cancer, Martani Lombard, Nelia Steyn, Hester-Mari Burger, Karen Charlton, Marjanne Senekal

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: part A

Rural areas of the Eastern Cape (EC) Province, South Africa have a high incidence of squamous cell oesophageal cancer (OC) and exposure to mycotoxin fumonisin has been associated with increased OC risk. However, to assess exposure to fumonisin in Xhosas—having maize as a staple food—it is necessary to determine the amount of maize consumed per day. A maize-specific food frequency questionnaire (M-FFQ) has recently been developed. This study developed a food photograph (FP) series to improve portion size estimation of maize dishes. Two sets of photographs were developed to be used alongside the validated M-FFQ. The photographs were designed to …

Recent Advance In The Studies Of Beta-Glucans For Cancer Therapy, Jiezhong Chen

Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute

Mushroom has been used for thousand years in China and other Asian countries for health improvement and treatment of disease. A few decades ago, its main component beta-gluean was identified. Beta-glueans are now known to have beneficial effects for the prevention and treatment of many diseases including eanccr, infectious disease, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, atherosclerosis and obesity. The effects are mediated by the different properties of beta-glucans such as immune stimulation and bile acid trapping.

Ascertaining Invasive Breast Cancer Cases; The Validity Of Administrative And Self-Reported Data Sources In Australia, Anna Kemp, David B. Preen, Christobel Saunders, C D'Arcy J. Holman, Max Bulsara, Kris Rogers, Elizabeth E. Roughead

Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute

Background: Statutory State-based cancer registries are considered the ‘gold standard’ for researchers identifying cancer cases in Australia, but research using self-report or administrative health datasets (e.g. hospital records) may not have linkage to a Cancer Registry and need to identify cases. This study investigated the validity of administrative and self-reported data compared with records in a State-wide Cancer Registry in identifying invasive breast cancer cases. Methods: Cases of invasive breast cancer recorded on the New South Wales (NSW) Cancer Registry between July 2004 and December 2008 (the study period) were identified for women in the 45 and Up Study. Registry …

Health-Related Quality Of Life And Life Satisfaction In Colorectal Cancer Survivors: Trajectories Of Adjustment, Jeff Dunn, Shu Kay Ng, William Breitbart, Joanne Aitken, Pip Youl, Peter D. Baade, Suzanne K. Chambers

Research outputs 2013

Background: This longitudinal study describes the five year trajectories of health-related quality of life (HR-QOL) and life satisfaction in long term colorectal cancer survivors.Patients and methods: A population-based sample of 1966 colorectal cancer survivors were surveyed at six time points from five months to five years post-diagnosis. Predictor variables were: socio-demographic variables, optimism; cancer threat appraisal; perceived social support. Quality of life was assessed with the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Colorectal (HR-QOL); and the Satisfaction with Life Scale. Growth mixture models were applied to identify trajectory classes and their predictors.Results: Distinct adjustment trajectories were identified for HR-QOL and life satisfaction. …

Distribution And Cluster Analysis Of Predicted Intrinsically Disordered Protein Pfam Domains, Robert W. Williams, Bin Xue, Vladimir N. Uversky, A. Keith Dunker

Molecular Medicine Faculty Publications

The Pfam database groups regions of proteins by how well hidden Markov models (HMMs) can be trained to recognize similarities among them. Conservation pressure is probably in play here. The Pfam seed training set includes sequence and structure information, being drawn largely from the PDB. A long standing hypothesis among intrinsically disordered protein (IDP) investigators has held that conservation pressures are also at play in the evolution of different kinds of intrinsic disorder, but we find that predicted intrinsic disorder (PID) is not always conserved across Pfam domains. Here we analyze distributions and clusters of PID regions in 193024 members …