Virus Diseases Commons^™

The Kinetics Of Type 1 Interferons During Influenza Virus Infection, Margaret A. Myers

Annual Symposium on Biomathematics and Ecology: Education and Research

No abstract provided.

Airway Secretory Micrornaome Changes During Rhinovirus Infection In Early Childhood., M. Gutierrez, J. Gomez, Geovanny Perez, Krishna Pancham, Dinesh K. Pillai, M. Giri, S. Ferrante, Robert J. Freishtat, Mary C. Rose, Diego A. Preciado, Gustavo Nino

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND:

Innate immune responses are fine-tuned by small noncoding RNA molecules termed microRNAs (miRs) that modify gene expression in response to the environment. During acute infections, miRs can be secreted in extracellular vesicles (EV) to facilitate cell-to-cell genetic communication. The purpose of this study was to characterize the baseline population of miRs secreted in EVs in the airways of young children (airway secretory microRNAome) and examine the changes during rhinovirus (RV) infection, the most common cause of asthma exacerbations and the most important early risk factor for the development of asthma beyond childhood.

METHODS:

Nasal airway secretions were obtained from ...

Anticancer Effect Of Moringa Oleifera Leaf Extract In Human Cancer Cell Lines, María Del Mar Zayas-Viera, Pablo Vivas-Mejia, Ph.D, Jeyshka Reyes, Phd

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Many medicinal plants are used as chemo preventives and antitumor agents in numerous experimental models of carcinogenesis. Moringa oleifera is a plant that contains several phytochemicals, which have been used for medical purposes including anti-inflammatory, analgesic, metabolism activator, anti-asthmatic, anti-anemia, hormone-producing, liver protector, and detoxifier, among others. Moringa oleifera extracts have also been proposed as potential anticancer agents. Cancer is one of the main causes of deaths worldwide. Although many drugs exist against several types of cancer, more specific agents with lower side effects are necessary. Few reports exist regarding the antitumor activity of Moringa oleifera leaf extract in cancer ...

The Role Of Sumo And Coilin In The Cajal Body, Shanya Whitehorse, Mario Izaguirre-Sierra, Phd

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Our lab is solely based on learning about the molecular biology of the cell nucleus using basic model organism such as plants and flies. We focus on the study of the Cajal Body (CB) and specifically, we are interested to know how nuclear bodies can be formed without a membrane. The CB and the nucleolus are conserved nuclear bodies in all eukaryotic cells. CBs contain multiple proteins and RNA species involved in many pathways such as splicing, ribosome biogenesis and telomere maintenance.

Coilin is one of the main proteins in the nucleus and it is known to be required for ...

Addressing Diabetes Prevention At The American Indian Summer Medical Wellness Camp, Mahpiya Vanderbilt, Francine Gachupin, Phd, Mph

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

American Indian youth ages 10-19 are nine times more likely of being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes compared to non-Hispanic whites. A family history of diabetes, being overweight, and being inactive are the main risk factors for type 2 diabetes. The American Indian Summer Medical Wellness Camp is a six day camp for American Indian youth where they are taught about nutrition and fitness in an effort to prevent diabetes. What I looked at is if students who have attended the camp in previous years make different choices than the youth who have never attended camp. I hypothesize that if ...

Hiv-1 Vpr Causes Synaptodendritic Damage In Neurons, María A. Torres Rivera, Richard Noel, Jr., Phd, Bethzaly Velázquez-Pérez, Neysha Martínez-Orengo, Ms

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

HIV weakens the immune system by infecting and destroying T-cells, leaving the body vulnerable to infection and the development of AIDS. Conventional treatments for HIV, such as combined anti-rectroviral therapy (cART), fail to prevent the development of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND). Neurological dysfunction has been directly related to the invasion of HIV in the central nervous system (CNS). HIV produces neurotoxic proteins, such as the Viral Protein R (Vpr), which contribute to HAND. Astrocytes are the most abundant cells in the brain and an important HIV target. We hypothesize that astrocytes expressing Vpr will cause neuronal damage in our co-culture ...

Protein Expression Of Steroid Receptors In Macaca Mulatta Endometriotic Lesions, Héctor Torres, Lynette Ruiz, Phd, Olga Gonzalez, Dvm, Luisa Morales, Drph

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Endometriosis is pathologically defined as the presence of endometrial tissue in ectopic locations. Currently, there are no specific, non-invasive biomarkers and no cure for endometriosis. Non-human primates (NHP), including Macaca mulatta (rhesus macaques), have been highlighted as appropriate models to study endometriosis due to genetic, physiological, and anatomical similarities to humans. Research shows endometriosis might be associated with molecular deviations in human peritoneal endometriosis, such as increased levels of estrogen receptors and decreased levels of progesterone receptors.

The aim of this study is to determine protein expression of steroid receptors in five endometriotic lesions of rhesus macaques. We propose that ...

Polymer Antimicrobial Synergy Research, Samuel Smith, Charles V. Rice, Phd

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Recent studies have shown that certain polymers, such as branched polyethylenimine (BPEI), have the potential to be antimicrobial. We have been growing certain strains of Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) and adding in concentrations of ampicillin to find the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs). This allows us to add in different concentrations of BPEI to test for synergy between our antibiotic and our polymer.

To find the MIC of each antibiotic, we grew an overnight of the bacteria in Lysogeny Broth (LB) and let it inoculate for 20 hours. We then inoculated a 24 well culture cluster ...

Mt1a Mrna Expression In Human Lung Cells (Beas 2b) After Airborne Pm10 And Copper Exposure: A Possible Biomarker For Asthma, Mariela Rosa-Casillas, Noé Crespo-Hernández, Bs, Mario Ortiz-Martínez, Braulio Jiménez-Vélez

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Puerto Ricans have the highest prevalence, morbidity and mortality of asthma than any other ethnic group in the U.S. and can be triggered by different stimuli such as airborne Particle pollution (PM). PM transfers transition metals, including cooper, to the human airways generating reactive oxygen species (ROS). Metallothionein protein (MT1A) is a free radical scavenger expected to be induced in lung cells by PM exposure; however, this has never been proven nor demonstrated. The hypothesis involves the amounts of PM₁₀ in 2004, which would be significantly higher in the urban sites during months of March and June, thereby ...

Indirect Elisa For Detection Of Fascioliasis Igg Antibodies In Human Sera, Ernesto R. Ramos Maldonado, Ana M. Espino, Phd

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Currently, coprological examination based on egg detection in stool samples is used as the most ideal standard for the diagnosis of human fascioliasis. However, this method has been proven not to be adequate when being employed in the acute phase of the disease, and presents a poor sensitivity during the chronic phase. Serodiagnosis has become an excellent alternative to coprological examination in efforts to combat the effects of fascioliasis on human and animal health. Human fascioliasis is usually recognized as an infection of the bile ducts and liver caused by Fasciola hepatica, known to affect over 2 million humans.

In ...

Investigating The Role Of The Retinoblastoma Protein In The Expression Of Immunosuppressive Factors, Felipe Pérez Deliz, Pedro Santiago-Cardona, Phd, J. González, Phd, Jaileene Pérez-Morales, Meng

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Lung cancer remains one of the deadliest types of cancer, causing approximately 160,000 deaths per year in the US alone. Because of its poor detection techniques and highly invasive abilities, conventional treatments -such as radiation and chemotherapy- fail to improve long-term survival of patients. At the moment, the 5-year survival rate for all stages of lung cancer is only 16%. Recent breakthroughs in cancer research establish immunotherapy, which involves the stimulation of the immune system to target and attack cancer cells, as a highly promising alternative treatment against this deadly disease. However, the efficiency of this treatment varies on ...

Protein-To-Lipid Ratio Of Meibum As A Metric For Meibomian Gland Dysfunction, Isabel Ortiz, Eric Potma, Phd

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Dry eye disease is a condition caused by inadequate moisture levels in the eye that may result from one of two prevalent situations: reduced tear production, or imbalance in tear composition. The imbalance specific to deficiencies in the fatty, outer layer of the tear film is known as meibomian gland dysfunction. Meibomian glands secrete an oily substance, meibum, which slows the evaporation of the aqueous layer of the tear film. It is believed that the chemical composition of the meibum is directly related to its ability to keep the eye at healthy moisture. In analyzing the composition of meibum samples ...

The Use Of Internal Combustion Boat Motors On Lakes On The Menominee Reservation, Dante Kaquatosh, Joshua Pyatskowit, Phd

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Introduction: The use of boat motors on lakes is allowed on some but not all lakes. Does the use of motorized boats have an effect on the quality of water?

Objective or Hypotheses: We will investigate the water quality in lakes to determine if there is a difference in water quality due to boat motors. We hypothesize that lakes where boat motors are allowed will have lower water quality than lakes where boat motors are not allowed.

Methods: Four different water quality parameters were measured (pH, Alkalinity, Hardness and Conductivity), from six different lakes. Water samples were taken from each ...

Polychlorinated Biphenyls And Metabolic Diseases On St. Lawrence Island, Alaska, Jasmine Jemewouk, Pamela Miller, Ms, Phd

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are industrial chemicals that were used from 1929 until 1979 as a plasticizer in paints, plastics, and rubber products. However, PCBs continue to persist in the Arctic. They enter the Arctic environment through air and ocean currents. Sunlight and weathering help break down chemicals, so the Arctic’s lack of sunlight and precipitation during the winter allows PCBs to more readily accumulate. These chemicals settle either on organic films or water and are consequently absorbed by the Arctic food web. PCBs then bioaccumulatep in fatty tissues like omega-3 fatty acids. The higher the animal is in the ...

Localization Of Fulicin-Like Immunoreactivity In The Central Nervous System And Periphery Of Biomphalaria Glabrata, An Intermediate Host For Schistosomiasis, Anthony Hernandez-Vasquez, Mw Miller, Phd, S Rolon-Martinez, Bs, Lo Vaasjo, Bs, Mb Rodriguez

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

An estimate of about ten percent of the population worldwide live at risk of contracting the parasitic disease schistosomiasis, or “snail fever”. The digenetic trematode worm species Schistosoma mansoni that is responsible for causing the most common form of intestinal schistosomiasis requires the freshwater snail Biomphalaria glabrata to serve as its primary intermediate host, where it multiplies and develops into its cercarial form that is infectious to humans. Parasitic castration and parasitic gigantism are among some of the profound behavioral changes that the infection of B. glabrata by S. mansoni is known to cause. For this reason, a neural transcriptomics ...

The Contributions Of Skeletal Muscle Pkc Theta To Diet-Induced Obesity, Erika Harness, Joseph S. Marino, Phd, Yvette Huet, Phd

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Protein Kinase C- Theta (PKCθ) is a gene predominantly expressed in hematopoietic cells and skeletal muscle. In skeletal muscle, PKCθ regulates fat metabolism and insulin sensitivity. PKCθ activity increases in response to high levels of diacylglycerol in the cell, a common outcome of chronic high fat diet consumption and obesity. PKCθ is associated with skeletal muscle metabolic dysfunction, which may exacerbate weight gain and metabolic disease. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that the selective deletion of PKCθ from skeletal muscle protects against diet-induced obesity.

Mice lacking PKCθ in skeletal muscle were created using Cre-Lox recombination ...

Pilot Study: Placental Weight Ratio In Diabetic Women With Preeclampsia, Lindsey Hancock, Misti Leyva, Phd, Rd/Ld, Christopher Ashton, Phd

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Birth weight, a simple measure of birth outcome, has a key role in assessing infant health. A primary determinant of birth weight is a well grown, efficient placenta. Placental weight ratio (PWR) reflects the growth of the baby and placenta and is calculated by dividing the placental weight by fetal weight and is a proven useful health indicator. Preeclampsia (PE) is defined as new-onset hypertension and proteinuria during pregnancy and it is a major cause of maternal and fetal death worldwide. PE is associated with large placentae and small-for-gestational-age (SGA) infants; the PWR is expected to be increased in this ...

Polymorphisms In Alcohol Dehydrogenase (Adh): A Case Study On The Effects Of Adh And Aldh On Alcoholism Among Native American Population, Sage Bingaman, Jeevan Baretto, Phd

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Genetic variations in an individual affects the way alcohol is metabolized in the body. Alcohol Dehydrogenase (ADH) and Aldehyde Dehydrogenase (ALDH) are the two known enzymes that participate in alcohol metabolism. Polymorphisms of these enzymes are reported to make one more or less susceptible to alcoholism in some ethnic groups. The current study is a review of various articles highlighting the effects of ADH and ALDH on different populations.

A study of 26 Native American, 21 Inuit, and 17 caucasian ethnic groups revealed the influence of ADH and ALDH on alcohol dependence. In one of the studies, different ADH allele ...

An Intervention To Promote Navajo Gardening, Nutrition, And Community Wellness, Sonia Avitia, Mark C. Bauer, Phd, Linda Garcia

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

The rates of diabetes and obesity in Navajo communities are higher than national rates. A healthy diet of fresh fruits and vegetables will help to prevent and reduce such rates. So the project focuses on promoting gardening to make vegetables and fruits more accessible at the comfort of one’s own home. Previous research in this area shows that gardeners consume 2 more servings of fruits and vegetables than nongardeners. Thirty participants were recruited by flyer distribution at chapter houses, senior centers, and community centers, from four Navajo targeted areas: Shiprock, NM; Tsaile, AZ; Lukachukai, AZ, and Hogback, NM. With ...

The Role Of Ifn-Α/Β In Host Antiviral Response To T3d Mammalian Orthoreovirus, Kaitlyn Alvord, Kelli Boyd, Dvm, Phd, Dacvp, Allen Wu, Md, Terence Dermody, Md

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

The antiviral activity of Type 1 Interferon (IFN) has been extensively studied and recognized, especially in regards to Hepatitis and HIV; however the IFN antiviral activity has not been specifically analyzed in reoviral infection.

In this study, a mouse model of reoviral encephalitis was used to determine the role of Type 1 Interferon (IFN) in host antiviral activity. Six mice deficient in IFN-α/β receptor (IFNAR) function were inoculated with Type 3 Dearing (T3D) mammalian orthoreovirus intracranially at 15 days of age and showed signs of clinical illness, lethargy, hunched posture, and dull hair coat at day 7 post infection ...