Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Epitope Mapping Of Japanese Encephalitis Virus Neutralizing Antibodies By Native Mass Spectrometry And Hydrogen/Deuterium Exchange, Jagat Adhikari, James Heffernan, Melissa Edeling, Estefania Fernandez, Prashant N Jethva, Michael S Diamond, Daved H Fremont, Michael L Gross

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) remains a global public health concern due to its epidemiological distribution and the existence of multiple strains. Neutralizing antibodies against this infection have shown efficacy in in vivo studies. Thus, elucidation of the epitopes of neutralizing antibodies can aid in the design and development of effective vaccines against different strains of JEV. Here, we describe a combination of native mass spectrometry (native-MS) and hydrogen/deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (HDX-MS) to complete screening of eight mouse monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against JEV E-DIII to identify epitope regions. Native-MS was used as a first pass to identify the antibodies that …

Combined Kras-Mapk Pathway Inhibitors And Her2-Directed Drug Conjugate Is Efficacious In Pancreatic Cancer, Ashenafi Bulle, Peng Liu, Kuljeet Seehra, Sapana Bansod, Yali Chen, Kiran Zahra, Vikas Somani, Iftikhar Ali Khawar, Hung-Po Chen, Paarth B Dodhiawala, Lin Li, Yutong Geng, Chia-Kuei Mo, Jay Mahsl, Li Ding, Ramaswamy Govindan, Sherri Davies, Jacqueline Mudd, William G Hawkins, Ryan C Fields, David G Denardo, Jason M Held, Patrick M Grierson, Andrea Wang-Gillam, Marianna B Ruzinova, Kian-Huat Lim, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Targeting the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains clinically unsuccessful. We aim to develop a MAPK inhibitor-based therapeutic combination with strong preclinical efficacy. Utilizing a reverse-phase protein array, we observe rapid phospho-activation of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) in PDAC cells upon pharmacological MAPK inhibition. Mechanistically, MAPK inhibitors lead to swift proteasomal degradation of dual-specificity phosphatase 6 (DUSP6). The carboxy terminus of HER2, containing a TEY motif also present in extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), facilitates binding with DUSP6, enhancing its phosphatase activity to dephosphorylate HER2. In the presence of MAPK inhibitors, DUSP6 …

Mapping Human Tissues With Highly Multiplexed Rna In Situ Hybridization, Kian Kalhor, Amanda Knoten, Joseph P Gaut, Sanjay Jain, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

In situ transcriptomic techniques promise a holistic view of tissue organization and cell-cell interactions. There has been a surge of multiplexed RNA in situ mapping techniques but their application to human tissues has been limited due to their large size, general lower tissue quality and high autofluorescence. Here we report DART-FISH, a padlock probe-based technology capable of profiling hundreds to thousands of genes in centimeter-sized human tissue sections. We introduce an omni-cell type cytoplasmic stain that substantially improves the segmentation of cell bodies. Our enzyme-free isothermal decoding procedure allows us to image 121 genes in large sections from the human …

Pathogenic Variants In Crx Have Distinct Cis-Regulatory Effects On Enhancers And Silencers In Photoreceptors, James L Shepherdson, Ryan Z Friedman, Yiqiao Zheng, Chi Sun, Inez Y Oh, David M Granas, Barak A Cohen, Shiming Chen, Michael A White

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Dozens of variants in the gene for the homeodomain transcription factor (TF) cone-rod homeobox (

Exploring Neuroplasticity Changes In Neurotoxin-Induced Parkinson’S Disease: A Preliminary Analysis Using Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, Tomas Gomez Jr., Daniel Salinas, Kelsey Potter-Baker, Nawaz Hack, Ramu Vadukapuram

Research Symposium

Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative condition that affects movement, cognition, gait, and significantly impacts one's quality of life. Studies have suggested that neurotoxin pre-exposure is related to PD pathology and progressive motor/non-motor deficits, though it remains unclear how neurotoxin exposure affects neuroplasticity. The present study aimed to examine neurotoxin–induced PD-associated neuroplasticity changes in relationship to mental acuity and PD motor functionalities.

Methods: 7 voluntary participants experiencing early-stage PD symptoms with self-reported neurotoxin pre-exposure were enrolled in the longitudinal, repeated-measures clinical study; 2 sex-matched, age-matched, and occupation-matched healthy subjects were recruited for controlled comparative analysis (n=9). UTRGV’s Institute …

Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (Gaba) Neurons And Perineuronal Nets (Pnn) In The Monodelphis Domestica And Relevance To Psychiatric Disorders, Jatziry Z. Luna Escobedo, Mariela Garcia, John L. Vandeberg, Mario Gil

Research Symposium

Background/ Purpose: Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is an amino acid that serves as the central nervous system’s (CNS) main inhibitory neurotransmitter. By inhibiting nerve transmission, it works to lower neuronal excitability. Altered GABA levels have been associated with a variety of psychiatric disorders, for example Epilepsies, Parkinson’s Disease, and Schizophrenia. Perineuronal nets (PNN) are extracellular molecules that are released by neurons and glial cells that modulate many neuronal and glial functions by encapsulating the inhibitory cells and neurites. Altered PNN levels serve as a potential trigger to synaptic imbalance. The purpose of this study is to quantify and analyze the presence, …

Exploring The Long-Term Consequences Of Neglected Hypothyroidism Patient At South Texas: A Case Report, Elimar Gonzalez Morales, Jose Gomez Casanovas, Eunbee Cho, Yareli Durazo Gonzalez, Khairiya Haj-Yahya, Andres Suarez Parraga

Research Symposium

Introduction: Hypothyroidism is a condition caused by the thyroid gland's insufficient production of thyroid hormones. This affects 13.95% of the population according to data from this year. Long-term untreated hypothyroidism, which is not frequently seen, can lead to serious health concerns as well as apparent physical signs like fatigue, cognitive difficulties, dry skin, hair loss, and constipation. While most of the people in the US may be able to receive treatment for this debilitating disease, there are specific vulnerable populations that due to socioeconomic difficulties, may not have access to medications.

Case Presentation: A 52-year-old Hispanic woman with a known …

Examining The Matrix: A Case Of Anti-Nuclear Matrix Protein 2 (Nxp-2) Positive Dermatomyositis, Victoria Cuello, Ramiro Oquita, Emilia Dulgheru

Research Symposium

Background: Dermatomyositis is a disease characterized by proximal muscle weakness, elevated muscle enzymes and cutaneous skin findings including heliotrope rash, periungual erythema, Gottron’s papules/sign and shawl-sign. Myositis-specific autoantibodies (MSA) can be used to predict disease manifestations, response to therapy and prognosis. Specifically, patients with dermatomyositis with positive anti-nuclear matrix protein (NXP-2) typically present with classical skin findings, subcutaneous edema, profound muscle weakness, severe dysphagia and hypophonia.

Case Presentation: A 21-year-old Hispanic lady presented to the hospital for severe muscle weakness. She reported soreness in her thighs for three months prior to presentation followed by arm soreness. She also developed a …

Examining Cetp Gene Associated With Ad-Related Diseases Of The Hispanic Population In The Rio Grande Valley., Erika Guajardo, Luis Aguillon, Daniela Ollervides-Charles, Kesheng Wang, Gladys E. Maestre, J. Garza, Chun Xu

Research Symposium

Background: There are currently about 6 million people in the United States that suffer from Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and Alzheimer’s Disease related dementia (ADRD). It is a progressive disease beginning with mild memory loss and possibly leading to loss of the ability to carry on a conversation and respond to the environment. Over time, these conditions can cause many different health issues that decrease the quality of life. In addition, Hispanic people are twice as likely to develop AD or AD related dementia than non-Hispanic White people. In our study, we are investigating a known gene, CETP, that directly corresponds …

Evaluation Of Multi-Session Temporary Anesthesia To Improve Upper Limb Recovery: A Preliminary Analysis In Healthy Subjects, Abdallah Galal, Ashley Tijerina, Kelsey Potter-Baker, Daniel Salinas

Research Symposium

Background: Traditional therapy routines utilized in the recovery of patients with spinal cord injury suffer from several limitations, including the long duration needed to achieve benefits and the inability to overcome activation of spared muscles. As a result, motor and sensory function almost never reach their full potential for recovery using traditional methods. Temporary functional deafferentation (TFD) is a relatively new and noninvasive technique that can modulate mechanisms of cortical reorganization in patients with spinal cord injury to improve therapy approaches. TFD involves temporarily numbing adjacent ipsilateral muscles to improve motor and sensory outcomes in the target muscle. The purpose …

Evaluating Alternate Motor Pathway Changes Following A Stroke, Rama N. Shaath, Marylu Cabello, Daniel Salinas, Michael R. Dobbs, Kelsey Potter-Baker

Research Symposium

Background: Stroke is the fifth cause of death in the United States. Not only is stroke a leading cause of death but it is also a leading cause of long-term disability in the United States. Long-term impairments after stroke include gait instability, upper limb paralysis, sensory deficits, pain, depression, and cognitive impairments. The most common impairment is motor paresis of the upper and lower limb. Rehabilitation remains the gold standard in addressing motor paresis with the goal of enabling subjects to regain independence and daily living skills. Strokes often impact the crossed lateral corticospinal tract, by damaging the tract …

Establishing The First Student-Run Clinic To Provide Free Health Care To A South Texas Colonia, John Nicholas Cauba, Andrew B. Callan, Beatriz Tapia

Research Symposium

Purpose: The purpose of the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine Student Run Clinic is to bridge the healthcare gap in the local colonias by providing excellent, compassionate primary care to all who enter our doors, free of charge. We also work to connect our patients to low-cost, high-quality services in the area like women’s health visits, appointments with social workers, and dental services. Additionally, we offer medical students’ opportunities from their first year to serve an underserved population and get hands-on experience with patients.

Many patients in colonias face challenges like limited transportation options and a …

Emotion Recognition As A Novel Indicator For Assessing Brain Health: A Machine Learning Approach, Nayarah Shabir, Parveen Lehana

Research Symposium

Background: Emotion is being referred to as a person’s mental state, since it relates to their ideas, feelings, and actions. There is a lot of evidence that health affects the emotion. Therefore, the nature of emotions ought to reveal the health of a person. The emotions are represented by facial expressions controlled by muscular motor actions. Brain health may affect the working of the muscles leading to the emotional changes extracted from the facial images.

Methods: A dataset of facial images annotated with matching emotion labels is the first step in using convolutional neural networks (CNNs) for facial …

Emergency Total Proctocolectomy In An Uninsured Hispanic Man With Colorectal Adenocarcinoma Secondary To Familial Adenomatous Polyposis, Barbara Malaga-Espinoza, Diana Othon, Yilen K. Ng-Wong, Vamsikalyan Borra, Aramide Tijani, Fatimah Bello

Research Symposium

Background: FAP is a rare genetic disorder classically inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern, which affects about 1 in 8 300 individuals (1). The Hispanic population has limited data regarding the spectrum of FAP mutation and clinical manifestation, although there is significant anecdotal evidence that the prevalence might be higher, with one only known Hispanic familial cancer registry in Puerto Rico (2).

Case Presentation: We are reporting the case of a 25-year-old Hispanic gentleman with a strong family history of Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP) and Colorectal Cancer (CRC) who presented for evaluation of abdominal pain, recurrent bloody stools, and profound …

Effect Of Alcohol Consumption On Cognitive Decline Among Mexican Adults, Silvia Mejia-Arango, Ihsan Salloum, Gladys E. Maestre

Research Symposium

Background: Studies on the association between alcohol use and cognitive impairment have yielded controversial results suggesting a reduced risk of dementia in drinkers vs. nondrinkers. We aimed to examine the effect of alcohol use on cognitive trajectories among Mexican adults aged 50 and over.

Methods: Data are from 5,898 cognitively normal individuals (2,512 men and 3,386 women) from the Mexican Health and Aging Study (MHAS) with a mean age of 59 years (50-90 years) at baseline (2001) and followed-up after 11 years (2012). The Cross-Cultural Cognitive Examination was the cognitive battery measuring verbal memory, visual memory, attention, and …

Engaging The South Texas Latino Community: Utilizing Community Member Feedback To Inform Research On Community Engagement, Dolores Garcia, Rebecca Jones, Sonia Rincon-Sanchez, Paula Bravo

Research Symposium

Background: The UT Health San Antonio Mays Cancer Center Community Outreach and Engagement Core is identifying how South Texas Latino residents navigate cancer-related health needs. Our team explored these from a class and place perspective.

Methods: Listening sessions were conducted across South Texas. Sessions lasted 1.5 hours, were in English and Spanish, and recorded. Recordings were transcribed, and a thematic analysis was completed.

Results: Seventy-four South Texas residents participated in the sessions.

Insurance status and healthcare access were key factors impacting communities’ ability to navigate cancer-related health needs. Analyses were explored from an urban, rural, inland, and border perspective.

Urban …

Development Of Solitary Keratoacanthoma From A Cutaneous Wart, Joshua M. Ninan, Veronica Salazar

Research Symposium

Background: Common cutaneous warts, referred to in medicine as verrucae vulgaris, are proliferative lesions caused by human papillomavirus. These lesions are mostly benign and usually resolve without incident, except in the case of the patient mentioned in this report. Our patient developed a solitary keratoacanthoma, currently accepted as a clinical variant of squamous cell carcinoma, as a result of several risk factors and traumatic exposure. The current literature does not have an established association of HPV with solitary keratoacanthomas. This case report explores the presentation and pathogenesis of solitary keratoacanthomas within the setting of HPV.

Case Presentation: 48-year-old Caucasian female …

Development Of Liposomes Using Microfluids For Delivery Of Mir-205, Victoria Herrera, Rahul Tiwari, Meghana Kolli, Neeraj Chauhan, Eswara Naga Hanuma Kumar Ghali, Subhash C. Chauhan, Murali Yallapu

Research Symposium

Background: The therapeutic application of microRNA(s) in the field of cancer has generated significant attention in research. miR-205 is a tumor suppressor in various cancers. However, the delivery of miR-205 is an unmet clinical need. Thus, the development of liposomal formulation platform to deliver miR-205 is highly sought. The most common applications of liposome formulations are vaccines and anticancer formulations (e.g., mRNA, small molecule drugs). However, large-scale production with precise control of size and size distribution of the lipid-based drug delivery systems (DDSs) is one of the major challenges in the pharmaceutical industry. The objective of this study is to …

Development Of An Experiential Learning Lab Activity On Skeletal Muscle Physiology In Undergraduate Md Pre-Clerkship Curriculum, Meyer B. Maddox, Angela Martinez, Daniel Salinas, Kelsey Potter-Baker, Amin Shah

Research Symposium

Background: Experiential learning is an important part of the medical education curriculum. Due to the clinical relevance of skeletal muscle strength in evaluating patients’ complaints of muscle weakness or imbalance, skeletal muscle physiology is an important concept with extensive potential for experiential learning opportunities. Our goal was to establish an experiential learning skeletal muscle physiology lab activity that would improve undergraduate MD pre-clerkship students’ skill to collect muscle force measurements using a hand-held dynamometer (HHD) and understanding of core physiological concepts.

Methods: As part of the Musculoskeletal and Dermatology (MSKD) Module in the undergraduate MD pre-clerkship curriculum, we developed a …

Comparative Effectiveness Of Endovascular Vs Surgical Arteriovenous Fistulas: A Preliminary Analysis, Melissa M. Cruz, James J. Fitzgibbon, Patrick Heindel, Mohamad Hussain

Research Symposium

Purpose: The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of endovascular arteriovenous fistula (endoAVF) creation versus open surgical AVF (openAVF) for hemodialysis access across centers participating in the Dialysis Access Learning and Innovation Collaborative (DiAL-In Collaborative) in the United States. In this preliminary analysis, we report the baseline characteristics and clinical profile of patients enrolled at a single center.

Materials and Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted in chronic kidney disease patients who underwent creation of an upper arm autogenous vascular access for hemodialysis (2018-2022) at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, MA. Data …

Contribution Of 24-H Blood Pressure Variability To Dementia-Related Disorders In Hispanics, Nura Salhadar, Kristina Vatcheva, Silvia Mejia-Arango, Luis J. Mena, Ney Alliey-Rodriguez, Carlos A. Chavez, Ciro A. Goana, Egle Silva, Gustavo Calmon, Rosa P. Mavarez, Joseph H. Lee, Joseph D. Terwilliger, Jesus D. Melgarejo, Gladys E. Maestre

Research Symposium

Introduction: As the number of people living with dementia is increasing at alarming rates worldwide, there is an urgent need to understand the physiopathology of dementia syndromes. Among the most important preventable risk factors, treatment of vascular risk factors such as high blood pressure (BP) decreases the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD). Recent evidence suggests that examining BP variability provides additional physiopathological and predictive information above the mean BP level. However, studies examining the relationship between 24-h BP variability and ADRD are limited, and evidence of the association with dementia has not been documented yet. Therefore, we …

The Influence Of Concussions On Fracture Severity: A Retrospective Chart Review, Hunter M. Butler, Blake Martin, Jared Hensley, Russell Wiggins, Kevin Garcia Valdez, Chloe Harris, Kelsey Potter-Baker

Research Symposium

Background: Since 2005, there has been an 87% increase in concussions in high school sports. Concussions and concussion-like events are associated with a myriad of pathologies, but recently, clinical research has suggested that such events can lead to hypoparathyroidism and decreased bone mass. Specifically, research has suggested that following a concussion-like event, blood calcium may be reduced and influence bone mass and future healing from bone insults. However, a specific correlation between the loss of available blood calcium and severity of bone fractures in previously concussed individuals has yet to be identified. In this study, we will explore the clinical …

Neurological Comorbidities In Hispanic Skin Cancer Patients In South Texas: A Five-Year Retrospective Study, Jared Hensley, Russell Wiggins, Blake Martin, Hunter M. Butler, Kevin Garcia Valdez, Chloe Harris, Kelsey Potter-Baker

Research Symposium

Background: Skin cancer is highly prevalent in the South Texas region due to a combination of increased UVB exposure, occupational hazards, and lack of access to preventative screening. Unfortunately, several studies have suggested that skin cancer diagnosis may be linked with an increased risk of neurodegenerative conditions, such as Alzheimer’s Disease. For example, it was recently suggested that amyloid beta plaques may have a role in melanoma metastasis. Here, we seek to evaluate the role of skin cancer incidence and the degree and severity of neurological comorbidities, with a particular focus on the Hispanic patient population. We anticipate that a …

The Link Between Depression And Bone Fractures In The Rio Grande Valley, Blake Martin, Hunter M. Butler, Russell Wiggins, Jared Hensley, Kevin Garcia Valdez, Kelsey Potter-Baker, Chloe Harris

Research Symposium

Background: The prevalence of depression has increased throughout the twenty-first century, with depression experiencing a spike in recent years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Recent evidence has suggested that depression may be linked with changes in bone health such as fractures which may then worsen the existing depression. In this study, we sought to evaluate the relationship between depression and bone health directly in the patient population in the Rio Grande Valley, an area that is medically underserved. Specifically, we sought to determine how a history of depression was related to bone fracture frequency in our target population. We hypothesized …

Quantifying Incidence Of Early Onset Neurodegenerative Disease Post Traumatic Brain Injury In The Rio Grande Valley, A Retrospective Chart Review, Russell W. Wiggins, Jared Hensley, Hunter M. Butler, Blake Martin, Kevin Garcia Valdez, Chloe Harris, Kelsey Potter-Baker

Research Symposium

Background: Researchers have previously established evidence of early onset neurodegenerative disease (NDD) in certain patient populations post traumatic brain injury (TBI). The Rio Grande Valley (RGV) is a region in South Texas which has some of the largest health disparities in the United States. This retrospective chart review aims to quantify the difference in onset of NDD in patients with and without history of TBI within the RGV from that of the broader American population in order to determine the extent at which early onset NDD may be mitigated with appropriate intervention.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted using …

Correlation Between Lecture Engagement And Academic Performance In The Utrgv School Of Medicine, Chloe Harris, Kelsey Potter-Baker, Blake Martin, Jared Hensley, Hunter Butler, Kevin Garcia Valdez, Russell Wiggins

Research Symposium

Introduction: The landscape of medical education has witnessed significant changes in recent years, marked by a decline in both in-person lecture attendance and online lecture viewership. This trend is particularly notable in the post-COVID-19 era and raises important questions about the relationship between lecture engagement and academic performance among medical students. Our study seeks to investigate the correlation between lecture viewership and course performance, with a specific focus on the unique context of the UTRGV School of Medicine. Our primary objectives were to (1) evaluate the correlation between lecture viewership and academic performance and (2) examine the relationship between lecture …

Impact Of Social Determinants Of Health On Healthcare Disparities In Florida, Kayla L. Haydon, Catarina Jim, Joel J. Mantilla, Noel C. Barengo

American Journal of Non-Communicable Diseases

Objective

Healthcare disparities disproportionately affect underserved and marginalized communities due to social determinants of health (SDoH), contributing to significant differences in health outcomes and life expectancy within different communities in Florida. This observational study aimed to understand the impact of SDoH, such as race/ethnicity, income level, and education attainment on healthcare access in Florida.

Methods

Self-reported data from the 2020 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System were pooled to evaluate disparities in healthcare access by race/ethnicity, income, and education level in Florida.

Results

Health status and healthcare access vary based on characteristics related to SDoH, including race/ethnicity, income level, and educational …

Effects Of Core Stabilization Exercises In Patients With Non-Specific Low Back Pain: Huber Motion Lab Versus Conventional, Ebru Koyuncu, Nur Tunali, Seda Saka, Ertuğrul Ural, Melek Güneş Yavuzer

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Introduction: This study aimed to determine the effects of core stabilization exercises with Huber® Motion Lab on pain, depression, and activity levels in patients with non-specific low back pain (LBP).

Materials and methods: In this study, 30 patients with non-specific LBP were allocated either to an experimental or to a control group. Both groups received a conventional physiotherapy program for 15 sessions. In addition, the control group performed 30 minutes of core stabilization exercises on the floor, whereas the experimental group used the Huber® Motion Lab device. The main outcome measures were pain severity (Visual Analogue Scale VAS), depression (Beck …

A Fork In The Road: Uncovering The Impact Of Industrial Animal Agriculture On The Physical Health Of Communities Of Color, Mariana Zepeda

Population Health Research Brief Series

Nearly all (99%) farmed animals in the U.S. come from Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs). CAFOs are industrial agriculture facilities defined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as operations where animals are raised in confinement and meet animal size and waste material thresholds. Communities located near CAFOs, which tend to have high shares of low-income and racial/ethnic minority residents, are at risk of exposure to CAFO-related air and water pollutants. This brief summarizes the health risks for communities located near CAFOs. Additionally, it calls for government regulations that improve transparency, management, and consumer empowerment.

Barriers To And Facilitators Of Using Cognitive Aids In Perioperative Emergencies: An Integrative Review, Simon Almoite, Paula Foran

Journal of Perioperative Nursing

Problem identification: Perioperative emergencies, although infrequent, may lead to significant morbidity and mortality associated with anaesthesia and/or surgery. Human factor errors account for between 43 to 65 per cent of sentinel events in the perioperative environment. Cognitive aids were introduced to reduce a user’s cognitive workload and assist in adherence to key interventions during emergencies. Despite the availability of these aids, implementation of their use remains low. This integrative literature review will identify the barriers to and facilitators of the implementation of cognitive aids during perioperative emergencies.

Literature search: An electronic database search of EBSCO databases (CINAHL Complete, Health Source: …