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One Tracer, Dual Platforms: Unlocking Versatility Of Fluorescent Probes In Tr-Fret And Nanobret Target Engagement Assays, Erika Y Monroy, Xin Yu, Dong Lu, Xiaoli Qi, Jin Wang Aug 2025

One Tracer, Dual Platforms: Unlocking Versatility Of Fluorescent Probes In Tr-Fret And Nanobret Target Engagement Assays, Erika Y Monroy, Xin Yu, Dong Lu, Xiaoli Qi, Jin Wang

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Target engagement assays are essential for drug discovery, utilizing Time-Resolved Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (TR-FRET) and Nano Bioluminescence Resonance Energy Transfer (NanoBRET) as complementary methods for biochemical and cellular evaluation. Traditional platforms require distinct fluorescent tracers, increasing costs and complexity. This study systematically evaluates the cross-platform performance of T2-BODIPY-FL and T2-BODIPY-589, tracers developed for receptor-interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1) target engagement in TR-FRET and NanoBRET applications, respectively. Our results demonstrate both tracers effectively bridge biochemical and cellular assays, providing reliable measurements. T2-BODIPY-589 demonstrates superior performance in NanoBRET (Z’ up to 0.80) and acceptable functionality in TR-FRET (Z’=0.53). Conversely, T2-BODIPY-FL performs …


Ribosome Deficiency Induces Salmonella Filamentation Within Host Cells, Zhihui Lyu, Cierra Wilson, Kalyn Weiss, Spencer Lewis, Kurt Fredrick, William Margolin, Jiqiang Ling Aug 2025

Ribosome Deficiency Induces Salmonella Filamentation Within Host Cells, Zhihui Lyu, Cierra Wilson, Kalyn Weiss, Spencer Lewis, Kurt Fredrick, William Margolin, Jiqiang Ling

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The ribosome is the central hub for protein synthesis and is heavily targeted by antibiotics. Ribosomal mutations, antibiotic treatment, and nutrient starvation can alter translational efficiency and lead to stressed cells. Ribosome deficiency plays a critical role in stress responses and disease progression; yet, how it affects bacteria-host interactions remains poorly understood. In this study, we show that a ribosome-deficient strain exhibits a surprising morphological change from rod shape to filamentous in Salmonella cells growing inside host macrophages. Such filamentation depends on an acidic condition within macrophages and in a defined medium mimicking macrophage conditions. Further genetic analyses revealed that …


Macrophage Phagocytosis Of Human Norovirus-Infected Cells In An Ex Vivo Human Enteroid-Macrophage Coculture Model, Ngan Fung Li, Sue E Crawford, Sydney R Mittiga, Cristian Coarfa, Hoa Nguyen-Phuc, Budi Utama, Sarah E Blutt, Sasirekha Ramani, Mary K Estes Aug 2025

Macrophage Phagocytosis Of Human Norovirus-Infected Cells In An Ex Vivo Human Enteroid-Macrophage Coculture Model, Ngan Fung Li, Sue E Crawford, Sydney R Mittiga, Cristian Coarfa, Hoa Nguyen-Phuc, Budi Utama, Sarah E Blutt, Sasirekha Ramani, Mary K Estes

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Human norovirus (HuNoV) causes acute gastroenteritis in immunocompetent hosts and chronic infection in immunocompromised individuals. Many recent studies of replication and innate immune responses following HuNoV infection have utilized epithelium-only human intestinal enteroids (HIEs), which lack immune cells. Here, we utilized an ex vivo enteroid-macrophage coculture model consisting of HIEs and different subtypes of human peripheral blood mononuclear cell-derived macrophages to better recapitulate in vivo gut biology and explore the role of macrophages in HuNoV replication and pathogenesis. We show that HuNoV infection in HIEs polarized on Transwells leads to bilateral release of the viral genome, with predominant apical virus …


Molecular Inflammatory Expression Profiles Associated With The Frequency Of Pain In Individuals With Sickle Cell Disease, Lana Mucalo Katunaric, Shuang Jia, Ashima Singh, Mark F. Roethle, Julie A. Panepinto, David C. Brousseau, Martin J. Hessner, Amanda M. Brandow Aug 2025

Molecular Inflammatory Expression Profiles Associated With The Frequency Of Pain In Individuals With Sickle Cell Disease, Lana Mucalo Katunaric, Shuang Jia, Ashima Singh, Mark F. Roethle, Julie A. Panepinto, David C. Brousseau, Martin J. Hessner, Amanda M. Brandow

Department of Pediatrics Faculty Papers

Pain is the most common complication of sickle cell disease (SCD). The underlying biology of SCD pain is not well understood, which is a barrier to novel, effective analgesic and preventive therapies. A wide variability in the phenotypic expression of pain exists among individuals with SCD, despite the inheritance of a similar defective hemoglobin gene. This interindividual pain variability further complicates the ability to understand the biology and effectively treat pain. We sought to discover a biological signature comprising differentially expressed genes unique to SCD that could differentiate between individuals with varied pain frequency. We conducted plasma-induced transcription analysis from …


Polo-Like Kinase 1 Inactivation Enhances Pi3k Inhibition-Mediated Apoptosis Of Notch1-Mutant Head And Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Pooja A Shah, Tuhina Mazumdar, Soma Ghosh, Lacin Yapindi, Reid T Powell, Yong S Park, Li Shen, Anne M Fernandez, Clifford C Stephan, Jing Wang, Andrew G Sikora, Jawad Kazi, Mitchell J Frederick, Faye M Johnson Aug 2025

Polo-Like Kinase 1 Inactivation Enhances Pi3k Inhibition-Mediated Apoptosis Of Notch1-Mutant Head And Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Pooja A Shah, Tuhina Mazumdar, Soma Ghosh, Lacin Yapindi, Reid T Powell, Yong S Park, Li Shen, Anne M Fernandez, Clifford C Stephan, Jing Wang, Andrew G Sikora, Jawad Kazi, Mitchell J Frederick, Faye M Johnson

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

PI3K inhibition causes apoptosis selectively in NOTCH1-mutant head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), but modest single-agent responses and acquired resistance (AR) limit the clinical efficacy of targeted agents. To address these limitations, we investigated novel combination therapies. We tested the efficacy of 5768 compounds as single agents and 139 in combination with PI3K inhibitors in sensitive and AR NOTCH1-mutant HNSCC cell lines. We generated synergy/efficacy classifications for the combinations using multiple metrics of statistical drug synergy and growth rate indices. The PLK1/PI3K combination's efficacy was validated using orthogonal in vitro methods and in two HNSCC xenograft models. Compound efficacy …


Improving Intraoperative Antibiotic Stewardship To Reduce Surgical Site Infections: A Quality Improvement, Allyson Nichelle Heard Aug 2025

Improving Intraoperative Antibiotic Stewardship To Reduce Surgical Site Infections: A Quality Improvement, Allyson Nichelle Heard

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Manuscripts

Purpose: Surgical site infections (SSIs) have been associated with poor pre-surgical incision antibiotic and intraoperative redosing practices and are the leading cause of postoperative readmissions and healthcare-acquired infections. A Quality Improvement (QI) project was developed to evaluate SSIs rates and pre-surgical incision antibiotic dosing and intraoperative redosing practices of anesthesia providers at a Level 1 trauma center in the Midwest. Methods: A pre- and post-intervention knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) survey addressing intraoperative antibiotic stewardship was administered to 138 anesthesia providers. Interventions included education, a reference sheet, and a clinical pathway. Data analysis for surgical procedures involving anesthesia services, …


The Implementation Of A Pilot Program On Puberty And Menstruation Education For Adolescent Females And Youth Development Specialists For A Gender-Specific Community Organization: A Quality Improvement Project, Cassandra Tavares Aug 2025

The Implementation Of A Pilot Program On Puberty And Menstruation Education For Adolescent Females And Youth Development Specialists For A Gender-Specific Community Organization: A Quality Improvement Project, Cassandra Tavares

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Manuscripts

Background & Significance: Adolescent girls in the United States (U.S.) often lack adequate education and support regarding puberty and menstruation, despite the importance of this knowledge for healthy development (Schmitt et al., 2022). Only 21% of school systems serving ages 8–12 provide puberty education, and many educators feel unprepared to teach it (Schmitt et al., 2022). Purpose: This quality improvement project aimed to equip youth development specialists (YDS) at a community organization with a structured curriculum and educational tools to confidently educate adolescent females (ages 8–13) on the physical, emotional, and social aspects of puberty and menstruation. Intervention: A four-day …


Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease In People With Type 1 Diabetes., Brynlee Vermillion, Yuanjie Mao Aug 2025

Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease In People With Type 1 Diabetes., Brynlee Vermillion, Yuanjie Mao

Ambulatory and Primary Care Articles

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is increasingly recognized as a significant comorbidity in individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D), despite its historical association with type 2 diabetes. This review focuses on summarizing current findings regarding the role of insulin resistance in the development of MASLD in T1D, as well as examining the relationship between MASLD and diabetes-related complications. We will also briefly discuss the prevalence, diagnostic challenges, associated complications, and potential mechanisms underlying MASLD in T1D. Although insulin resistance is well established in MASLD among those with type 2 diabetes, its role in T1D requires further clarification. Emerging markers, …


Rare Variants In Bmal1 Are Associated With A Neurodevelopmental Syndrome, Vishnu Anand Cuddapah, Dechun Chen, Bumsik Cho, Rebecca Moore, Mohnish Suri, Hana Safraou, Frederic Tran-Mau-Them, Ashley Wilson, Jacqueline Odgis, Atteeq U Rehman, Carol Saunders, Shiva Ganesan, Vaidehi Jobanputra, Stephen W Scherer, Ingo Helbig, Amita Sehgal Aug 2025

Rare Variants In Bmal1 Are Associated With A Neurodevelopmental Syndrome, Vishnu Anand Cuddapah, Dechun Chen, Bumsik Cho, Rebecca Moore, Mohnish Suri, Hana Safraou, Frederic Tran-Mau-Them, Ashley Wilson, Jacqueline Odgis, Atteeq U Rehman, Carol Saunders, Shiva Ganesan, Vaidehi Jobanputra, Stephen W Scherer, Ingo Helbig, Amita Sehgal

Duncan NRI Faculty and Staff Publications

Children with neurodevelopmental disorders exhibit highly penetrant sleep and circadian dysfunction, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. We asked whether a subset of individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders might have genetic variants in genes known to drive circadian rhythms. Through international collaboration, we identified ten individuals with very rare genetic variants in BMAL1, a core component of the molecular clock. These individuals exhibited overlapping signs and symptoms including developmental delay, autism spectrum disorder, and variably penetrant marfanoid features. We functionally tested the identified BMAL1 variants in cell culture and in vivo and found disrupted BMAL1 function. These findings demonstrate that …


Increased Fungal Burden In The Gastrointestinal Tract Of Brain-Dead Organ Donors, Erika J Nachman, Colleen K Ardis, A Kyle B Ardis, Javier Nieto, Madeline M Bresson, Clare M Robertson, Maggie N Seale, Nora M Villafuerte, Zhe Lyu, Eva C Preisner, Heather A Danhof, Sara C Di Rienzi, Yolanda T Becker, Robert A Britton Aug 2025

Increased Fungal Burden In The Gastrointestinal Tract Of Brain-Dead Organ Donors, Erika J Nachman, Colleen K Ardis, A Kyle B Ardis, Javier Nieto, Madeline M Bresson, Clare M Robertson, Maggie N Seale, Nora M Villafuerte, Zhe Lyu, Eva C Preisner, Heather A Danhof, Sara C Di Rienzi, Yolanda T Becker, Robert A Britton

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Approximately 3% of organ transplant recipients will be diagnosed with an invasive fungal infection (IFI), with 10%-47% being fatal. The source of IFI is typically not known, but Candida spp. cause the majority of IFI cases. We obtained intestines from two types of organ donors, brain-dead (BD) (n = 7) and donation after circulatory death (DCD) (n = 5), to sample microbes from the mucosal surface and the lumen. BD donors were parenterally fed and treated with corticosteroids in the days before procurement, whereas DCD donors were enterally fed and not given corticosteroids. We found fungi present in …


Three Things We Can Do Now To Reduce The Risk Of Avian Influenza Spillovers, Kenneth B Yeh, William P Bahnfleth, Elaine Bradford, Carol Cardona, Kristen K Coleman, Peter J Hudson, Bernadeta Dadonaite, Rebecca J Hutchins, Anthony Maresso, C Raina Macintyre, Matthew Scotch Aug 2025

Three Things We Can Do Now To Reduce The Risk Of Avian Influenza Spillovers, Kenneth B Yeh, William P Bahnfleth, Elaine Bradford, Carol Cardona, Kristen K Coleman, Peter J Hudson, Bernadeta Dadonaite, Rebecca J Hutchins, Anthony Maresso, C Raina Macintyre, Matthew Scotch

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

No abstract provided.


Evaluating Parotid Gland Dose Between Electronic Tissue Compensation And Field In Field Treatment Techniques For Parotid Sparing In Whole-Brain Radiotherapy, Joesph E. Bodgonas Aug 2025

Evaluating Parotid Gland Dose Between Electronic Tissue Compensation And Field In Field Treatment Techniques For Parotid Sparing In Whole-Brain Radiotherapy, Joesph E. Bodgonas

Masters Projects

Purpose:

The parotid glands are essential to salivary function and patient quality of life, yet they are not routinely prioritized as organs at risk (OARs) during whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT). With growing recognition of long-term side effects like xerostomia in patients with prolonged survival after WBRT, parotid-sparing techniques warrant investigation. This study compares radiation dose to the parotid glands using three different 3D conformal WBRT planning approaches: field-in-field (FiF) with blocking, electronic tissue compensation (eCOMP) without blocking, and eCOMP with blocking.

Methods and Materials:

A retrospective study was conducted on 20 patients previously treated with 3D conformal WBRT. Original eCOMP plans …


Maladjustment In Minority Youth From Community Network Disparities In The Covid-19 Lockdown Environment, Michael Okoronkwo, Aaron Mack, Keyana Varnado, Michael Alfred, Kevin Hardy, Amarachi Osuji, Percy Takyi, Gabriel I. Onor, Oluwatomi Akingbola, Rahn Bailey Aug 2025

Maladjustment In Minority Youth From Community Network Disparities In The Covid-19 Lockdown Environment, Michael Okoronkwo, Aaron Mack, Keyana Varnado, Michael Alfred, Kevin Hardy, Amarachi Osuji, Percy Takyi, Gabriel I. Onor, Oluwatomi Akingbola, Rahn Bailey

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

Pandemic lockdown orders resulted in closures to critical community networks. One such infrastructure was community recreation centers/parks. This infrastructure serves a critical role in building psychosocial wellness for youth. Socioeconomic minority youth face baseline disparity in center/park distribution and services. Youth recreation activity declined 50% as result of lockdown orders with corresponding decline in youth mental health status. Despite overall youth activity decline, White and high socioeconomic demographic categories were associated with greatest recreation access during the pandemic. Thus, the pandemic exacerbated preexisting disparities in recreation access for minority youth and its benefit towards adaptive development. Minority youth experienced greater …


Impact Of Aspiration Thrombectomy On Microvascular Obstruction In Patients With St-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction, Mahmoud Ismaiel, Mohamed Shehata, Tamer Elwasify, Mohamed Hosny, Amir Anwar, Tarek A.N. Ahmed, Abdalla Elagha Aug 2025

Impact Of Aspiration Thrombectomy On Microvascular Obstruction In Patients With St-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction, Mahmoud Ismaiel, Mohamed Shehata, Tamer Elwasify, Mohamed Hosny, Amir Anwar, Tarek A.N. Ahmed, Abdalla Elagha

Journal of the Saudi Heart Association

Background and objective:

Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) is the gold standard for myocardial reperfusion in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Numerous studies have shown that thrombus aspiration can prevent distal embolization and reducing the risk of microvascular obstruction (MVO). Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is considered the gold standard for the evaluation of MVO. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of thrombus aspiration in STEMI patients as an adjunctive technique to primary PCI in reducing the incidence and extent of MVO evaluated by CMR.

Methods

Ninety-three patients with heavy thrombus burden were enrolled in this study; …


Factors Informing Referral Of Adult Patients To Palliative Care Services In A Tertiary Facility In Kenya: Physicians' Perspective, Donnah A. Opiyo Aug 2025

Factors Informing Referral Of Adult Patients To Palliative Care Services In A Tertiary Facility In Kenya: Physicians' Perspective, Donnah A. Opiyo

Master of Medicine in Family Medicine

Background The growing burden of chronic diseases underscores the urgent need for palliative care integration into healthcare systems worldwide. Despite its benefits, palliative care remains underutilized due to various barriers, including health system limitations, institutional challenges, infrastructure gaps, and individual provider factors. However, limited research has explored the specific factors influencing physicians' decisions to refer patients to palliative care. This study sought to fill that gap by examining the key determinants shaping referral practices in a tertiary facility in Kenya.

Design and Methods This exploratory qualitative study examined 22 physician specialists from five departments at Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi. …


Advanced Interactions Of Directed Energy With Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells And Their Photochemical And Photothermal Responses, Jin B. Ha Aug 2025

Advanced Interactions Of Directed Energy With Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells And Their Photochemical And Photothermal Responses, Jin B. Ha

Theses & Dissertations

Excess optical radiation can injure the retina through either rapid heat deposition (photothermal damage) or cumulative photo‑oxidative stress (photochemical damage), yet current laser‑safety limits treat these mechanisms as independent. To test that assumption, this dissertation integrated systematic wavelength, duration and temperature‑controlled laser exposures with live/dead fluorescence imaging in a melanin‑loaded hTERT‑RPE1 monolayer model. First, concurrent 447 nm (blue) and 2 µm (infra‑red) beams delivered for 200 s demonstrated a strong thermal–photochemical synergy: each beam alone was sub‑threshold (≤25 % lethality) but together produced 100 % RPE death without exceeding 50 °C, proving that modest heating markedly lowers the photon dose …


Hormonal Modulation Of Sexual Approach And Avoidance Among Women With A History Of Sexual Trauma, Anneliis Susan Sartin-Tarm Aug 2025

Hormonal Modulation Of Sexual Approach And Avoidance Among Women With A History Of Sexual Trauma, Anneliis Susan Sartin-Tarm

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

A history of sexual trauma places women at a high risk for sexual dysfunction and other health sequelae, yet the influence of ovarian hormones in this population is poorly understood. This dissertation tested the theory that the effects of ovarian hormones are mediated by cognitive approach-avoidance systems to shape sexual well-being, and that this process is moderated by sexual trauma history. This was investigated across three studies examining the menstrual cycle, hormonal contraceptive use, and menopause. Across each chapter, I present complementary evidence demonstrating that hormones interact with the interpretation of ambiguous internal and external cues with respect to sexual …


Chronic Pain After Traumatic Brain Injury: Treatment Experiences And Effects On Cognition And Functioning, Rachael L. Snyder Aug 2025

Chronic Pain After Traumatic Brain Injury: Treatment Experiences And Effects On Cognition And Functioning, Rachael L. Snyder

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can contribute to changes in cognitive and emotional functioning, quality of life, and psychosocial reintegration. Chronic pain is a common consequence of TBI which can uniquely impact such outcomes. Still, the exact nature of the contribution of pain on post-TBI outcomes remains unclear, and there are few existing studies exploring the treatment journey for chronic pain and injury rehabilitation through qualitative methods, specifically individual interviews with TBI survivors. This study aimed to document these narratives and to identify precisely how the experiences of TBI survivors seeking treatments, rather than the treatments themselves, impact outcomes. It also …


Egg White Hydrolysate In Hypertension: A Mechanistic Investigation Of Gut Microbiota Dependent And Independent Pathways, Emerson David Nolasco Aug 2025

Egg White Hydrolysate In Hypertension: A Mechanistic Investigation Of Gut Microbiota Dependent And Independent Pathways, Emerson David Nolasco

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Cardiovascular diseases are one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide in which hypertension is a risk factor. Present pharmacological interventions require long-term adherence to the therapy and are often associated with undesirable side effects. Moreover, treatments have overlooked the role of the microbiome in the development of hypertension. Egg white hydrolysate (EWH) has exhibited antihypertensive properties with potential to be used as a natural alternative for the prevention and management of hypertension. However, EWH peptide’s effect on the gut microbiome remains yet to be elucidated. Studies have described that a portion of the ingested protein can remain undigested as …


Experiences Of Disclosure Among Transgender And Gender Diverse Sexual Assault Survivors, Merle E. Huff Ii Aug 2025

Experiences Of Disclosure Among Transgender And Gender Diverse Sexual Assault Survivors, Merle E. Huff Ii

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Around half of TGD people have experienced sexual assault victimization (Abern et al., 2023; Clements-Nolle et al., 2006; James et al., 2016; Martin et al., 2022; Risser et al., 2005; Stotzer, 2009), which leads to higher rates of depression and PTSD (Grant et al., 2011; Grocott et al., 2023; Fernández-Rouco et al., 2017; Hawkey et al., 2021; Matsuzaka & Koch, 2019; Parr, 2020; Ussher et al., 2020). Disclosure of victimization may be important among TGD survivors. The current study was guided by minority stress theory (Meyer, 2003) and the gender minority stress and resiliency model (Testa et al., 2015) to …


Intention To Take Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (Prep) As An Hiv Preventive Medication: An Application Of The Health Belief Model And Theory Planned Behavior, Besuthu Nakekelwa Nkambule Aug 2025

Intention To Take Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (Prep) As An Hiv Preventive Medication: An Application Of The Health Belief Model And Theory Planned Behavior, Besuthu Nakekelwa Nkambule

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

South Africa (SA) has 7.7 million citizens (12.6% of its 2023 population) living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) as an antiretroviral medication for HIV-negative individuals is a promising HIV prevention strategy in SA that can help the attainment of an HIV free generation. PrEP offers greater than 90% protection against HIV acquisition. Despite SA’s efforts in increasing PrEP coverage for its citizens, primarily to those at substantial risk, its adoption remains relatively low. Structural barriers related to access, costs, lack of awareness, and, more recently, US funding cuts exacerbate the challenges of PrEP’s potential …


Perception And Experiences With Telemedicine Among Caregivers Of Children Requiring Outpatient Chronic Care, Maureen Wambui Kigara Aug 2025

Perception And Experiences With Telemedicine Among Caregivers Of Children Requiring Outpatient Chronic Care, Maureen Wambui Kigara

Master of Medicine in Paediatrics and Child Health

Introduction Telemedicine is an expanding healthcare modality with potential to enhance access to paediatric specialist care, reduce healthcare costs, and minimize school and work disruptions. However, little is known about caregiver perceptions and experiences with telemedicine in low- and middle-income countries, especially in the context of chronic paediatric care.

Objectives This study explored how caregivers of children with chronic health conditions perceive and experience telemedicine, and what factors influence its adoption. The findings aim to inform the design of patient-centered paediatric telemedicine services.

Methodology A cross-sectional qualitative study was conducted at the Paediatric Specialist Clinics of Aga Khan University Hospital. …


Therapeutic Potential Of Sglt2 Inhibitors In A Repeated Love Dose Cisplatin Model., Dianet C. Sanchez Aug 2025

Therapeutic Potential Of Sglt2 Inhibitors In A Repeated Love Dose Cisplatin Model., Dianet C. Sanchez

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Cisplatin is a potent chemotherapeutic, thirty percent of patients develop Acute Kidney Injury (AKI). These patients are ten times more likely to develop chronic kidney disease (CKD). Sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2-inhibitors (SGLT2i), FDA approved for diabetes, has shown protection in multiple mouse models of AKI-CKD. We hypothesize SGLT2i can protect the kidney in a model of repeated low dose cisplatin with/without cancer. B6:129 mice with/without lung adenocarcinoma (Lung-adeno) were treated daily with SGLT2i dapagliflozin (10mg/kg)/vehicle control. After seven days, weekly cisplatin (7mg/kg)/vehicle control was initiated for 3-4 weeks. Following final cisplatin dose, kidney function, injury, fibrosis, inflammation was assessed. SGLT2i treatment attenuated alterations …


Serum Syndecan-1 Is Associated With Kidney And Cardiovascular Outcomes In Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome., Colin Bauer, Arshia Anand, Christine Sethna, Jonathan Troost, Tarak Srivastava, Imtiazul Islam, Audrey Fetsko, Julie A. Dougherty, William E. Smoyer, Richard J. Johnson, Gabriel Cara-Fuentes Aug 2025

Serum Syndecan-1 Is Associated With Kidney And Cardiovascular Outcomes In Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome., Colin Bauer, Arshia Anand, Christine Sethna, Jonathan Troost, Tarak Srivastava, Imtiazul Islam, Audrey Fetsko, Julie A. Dougherty, William E. Smoyer, Richard J. Johnson, Gabriel Cara-Fuentes

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

INTRODUCTION: Idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS) is associated with important kidney and cardiovascular morbidities. We tested the hypothesis that serum syndecan-1, a marker of endothelial glycocalyx injury, can help identify patients at risk for unfavorable kidney and cardiovascular outcomes.

METHODS: We included 348 children and adults with INS (n = 35 unbiopsied, n = 141 minimal change disease [MCD] and n = 172 focal segmental glomerulosclerosis [FSGS]) from the Nephrotic Syndrome Study Network (NEPTUNE) cohort and 34 healthy participants (n = 22 adults, n = 12 children). We measured baseline serum syndecan-1 levels using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and …


Microbial Metabolite Regulation Of Microglial Ahr Signaling In Alzheimer’S Disease, Ghalya E. Alrousan Aug 2025

Microbial Metabolite Regulation Of Microglial Ahr Signaling In Alzheimer’S Disease, Ghalya E. Alrousan

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Introduction: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by amyloid-β plaque accumulation, neuroinflammation, and cognitive decline. Recent evidence suggests that systemic factors, particularly the gut microbiota and its metabolites, play a significant role in shaping brain immune responses, including microglial activation. However, the mechanisms linking gut dysbiosis to microglial dysfunction in AD are poorly understood. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), a ligand-activated transcription factor responsive to tryptophan metabolites, has recently gained attention as a key regulator of neuroinflammation and microglial function. I hypothesize that the loss of beneficial microbial AHR ligands, specifically indole derivatives, during aging and AD …


Emotional Safety In Pediatrics: The Impact Of Child Life Services On Healthcare Professionals’ Perceptions Of Their Own, Patients’, And Families’ Outpatient Experiences, Jenni Davis Aug 2025

Emotional Safety In Pediatrics: The Impact Of Child Life Services On Healthcare Professionals’ Perceptions Of Their Own, Patients’, And Families’ Outpatient Experiences, Jenni Davis

All Dissertations

Medical visits, regardless of setting, are stressful for children and their families. Care that focuses on the emotional safety of children and families can help reduce this stress. However, not all staff feel prepared to provide emotionally safe care. Child life specialists (CLSs) are specifically trained to support emotional needs during healthcare encounters. Their presence may help staff stress as well, not just stress for children and families.

This study used three surveys to understand stress among healthcare staff working in pediatric outpatient clinics and surgery settings, and how support from a CLS affects staff, children, and families. All staff …


In A Safe-Space Of Her Own: Alice's Journey Through A Traumatized Wonderland To Find Attunement And Recovery, Cheston A. Axton Aug 2025

In A Safe-Space Of Her Own: Alice's Journey Through A Traumatized Wonderland To Find Attunement And Recovery, Cheston A. Axton

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Throughout Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland/Through the Looking-Glass’s 160-year existence, Lewis Carroll’s seven-year-old protagonist has experienced many changes and alterations. With an ever-growing pop culture interest, Alice’s original narrative has undergone numerous adaptations, with each new variation diving deeper into the impact of trauma on Wonderland.

This thesis continues this existing discourse by examining Wonderland’s capacity to facilitate recovery in the aftermath of severe trauma. Through this research, the traumatic experiences of Alice, from Christina Henry’s The Chronicles of Alice: Alice and American McGee’s Alice: Madness Returns, are examined concerning their effect(s) on her construction of Wonderland, as …


Radiation Induced Vaporization Of Exoskeletal Droplets As Potential X-Ray Acoustic Contrast Agents, Mohamed E. Eldib, William N. Frantz, Mark A. Borden, Ryan Lanning, Moyed Miften, David H. Thomas Aug 2025

Radiation Induced Vaporization Of Exoskeletal Droplets As Potential X-Ray Acoustic Contrast Agents, Mohamed E. Eldib, William N. Frantz, Mark A. Borden, Ryan Lanning, Moyed Miften, David H. Thomas

Department of Radiation Oncology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: In vivo dosimetry is a crucial component of ensuring accurate and safe radiation therapy (RT) delivery, but many existing techniques face challenges such as low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), which can limit their clinical applicability.

PURPOSE: In this study, we investigate a novel contrast agent sensitive to megavoltage (MV) radiation in vitro, ultimately aiming for in vivo dosimetry.

METHODS: Vaporizable exoskeletal droplets were engineered to phase-change into ultrasound-responsive microbubbles upon exposure to MV photon radiation. These droplets comprised a hydrocarbon (HC) exoskeleton doped with gold nanoparticles (GNPs) surrounding a liquid fluorocarbon (FC) core. Radiation absorbed by the GNPs induced localized …


Development Of A Multi-Institutional Dataset To Validate A Novel Inflammatory Breast Cancer Diagnostic Score, Filipa Lynce, Samuel M Niman, Megumi Kai, Sean Ryan, Elizabeth Troll, Li Li, Kathy D Miller, Reshma Jagsi, Ginny Mason, Beth A Overmoyer, H T Carisa Le-Petross, Faina Nakhlis, Savitri Krishnamurthy, Beth T Harrison, Susie X Sun, Eren D Yeh, Jennifer R Bellon, Laura E Warren, Michael C Stauder, Meredith M Regan, Wendy A Woodward Aug 2025

Development Of A Multi-Institutional Dataset To Validate A Novel Inflammatory Breast Cancer Diagnostic Score, Filipa Lynce, Samuel M Niman, Megumi Kai, Sean Ryan, Elizabeth Troll, Li Li, Kathy D Miller, Reshma Jagsi, Ginny Mason, Beth A Overmoyer, H T Carisa Le-Petross, Faina Nakhlis, Savitri Krishnamurthy, Beth T Harrison, Susie X Sun, Eren D Yeh, Jennifer R Bellon, Laura E Warren, Michael C Stauder, Meredith M Regan, Wendy A Woodward

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Susan G. Komen, the Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC) Research Foundation, and the Milburn Foundation convened patient advocates, clinicians, and researchers to propose novel quantitative scoring rubrics for IBC diagnosis. In this study, we developed a multi-institutional clinical dataset to test and validate the proposed scoring system.

Methods: IBC (N = 988) and non-IBC (N = 332) cases were identified at 2 institutions with dedicated multidisciplinary IBC programs. The non-IBC cohort included consecutive cT4b and cT4c patients. Standard operating procedures (SOPs) were developed for all ambiguous findings and languages. Three different methods were used for the imputation of missing data, …


Congestion And Sinonasal Illness In Outer Space: A Study On The International Space Station, Faizaan Khan, Koyal Ansingkar, Roshan Dongre, Zain Mehdi, Aatin K Dhanda, Kayla Powell, Tariq Syed, Samuel E Razmi, Isuru Somawardana, Jeffrey T Vrabec, David Hilmers, Omar G Ahmed, Masayoshi Takashima Aug 2025

Congestion And Sinonasal Illness In Outer Space: A Study On The International Space Station, Faizaan Khan, Koyal Ansingkar, Roshan Dongre, Zain Mehdi, Aatin K Dhanda, Kayla Powell, Tariq Syed, Samuel E Razmi, Isuru Somawardana, Jeffrey T Vrabec, David Hilmers, Omar G Ahmed, Masayoshi Takashima

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Objectives: This study aims to characterize quantitative data pertaining to sinonasal symptoms and their related medication use aboard the International Space Station (ISS). A secondary focus involves correlating these findings with mission parameters such as extravehicular activity (EVA) participation and mission duration.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted utilizing data requested from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Lifetime Surveillance of Astronaut Health (LSAH) program.

Results: Of 71 de-identified ISS astronauts beginning with Expedition 1 in the year 2000 through 62 in 2019, there were 754 logged medical events; 60 astronauts reported any type of sinonasal medical event …