Digital Commons Network^™

A Phenomenological Study Exploring The Role Of Religious Coping In Childhood Interpersonal Trauma Recovery Among Latinx Adults, Christina Mancebo-Torres

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to understand the role religious coping plays in recovery from interpersonal adverse childhood experiences (ACES) among Latinx adults attending Pentecostal churches in New Bedford, Massachusetts. The theory guiding this study was Pargament’s Theory of Religious Coping (1997), which posits that religious coping strategies are ways in which individuals attempt to understand and deal with sacred- related negative life events, including traumatic experiences (Xu, 2015). This study utilized a hermeneutic phenomenology research design. The purposive sample consisted of 12 individuals who self-identified as Latinx, 18 years of age or older, and having a …

Relative Impact Of Multidomain Lifestyle Interventions On Deficit Accumulation Frailty Over 24 Months In The U.S. Pointer Trial, Mark A Espeland, Kayloni Olson, Christy C Tangney, Darren R Gitelman, Maryjo Cleveland, Amber A Thro, Yitbarek N Demesie, Heather M Snyder, Rachel A Whitmer, Pankaja Desai, Rifat Alam, Lucia Crivelli, Thomas M Holland, Olivia Preissle, Rema Raman, Michele K York, Laura D Baker

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Multidomain lifestyle interventions hold promise as approaches to slow aging. Deficit accumulation frailty indices (FIs) are increasingly used to capture aging processes. Frailty is highly associated with increased mortality and chronic disease risk, but the degree to which multidomain lifestyle changes impact frailty is not clear.

Methods: The U.S. Study to Protect Brain Health through Lifestyle Intervention to Reduce Risk (U.S. POINTER) was a 2-year randomized clinical trial to compare two multidomain lifestyle interventions designed to increase exercise, improve diet, and promote social and cognitive stimulating activities and health monitoring. The Structured intervention incorporated greater structure, intensity, and accountability …

Multi-Organ Physiologic Deficits During Exercise Identify Clinical And Molecular Predisposition To Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction, Isabela Landsteiner, Lindsey K Stolze, Tess E Peterson, Andrew Perry, Phillip Lin, Quanhu Sheng, Shilin Zhao, Kaushik Amancherla, Michael Y Mi, Takenori Ikoma, Laura P Cohen, Ilya Giverts, Joseph Campain, Joao A C Lima, Wendy S Post, Kent D Taylor, Robert Gerszten, Stephen S Rich, Russell Tracy, Peter Durda, Alexis C Wood, Rajeev Malhotra, Jerome I Rotter, Clary Clish, Matthew Nayor, Eric R Gamazon, Ravi V Shah, Gregory D Lewis

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Exercise unmasks limitations in multi-organ system reserve capacity characteristic of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). However, the metabolic and genetic underpinnings of exercise deficits, and their cumulative contribution to HFpEF severity and prognosis, remain incompletely understood.

Methods: We used invasive cardiopulmonary exercise testing (iCPET), metabolite profiling, and genomics to simultaneously characterize seven exercise physiologic deficits in HFpEF patients: reduced exercise stroke volume and heart rate, steep pulmonary capillary wedge pressure/cardiac output (PCWP/CO) slope, elevated pulmonary vascular resistance, pulmonary mechanical limitation to exercise, impaired peripheral oxygen extraction, and obesity-related exaggerated metabolic cost of initiating exercise. We first mapped …

Structure-Preserving Multivariate Hypothesis Testing For Mass Spectrometry Imaging And Single-Cell Data, Keziah E Liebenberg, Erin Craig, Robert Tibshirani, Livia S Eberlin

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Motivation: Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) offer high-resolution views into tissue and cellular heterogeneity. However, conventional statistical analyses often treat sub-measurements (pixels or cells) as independent, ignoring their nested origin from individual samples. This assumption inflates the effective sample size, increases false discoveries, and undermines biological interpretation. Pixel- or cell-level averaging avoids this but sacrifices spatial or cellular resolution.

Results: We evaluated block-SAM on both simulated and real-world datasets. In DESI-MSI data from kidney, lung, and ovarian tumors, block-SAM consistently identified fewer-but more reliable-differential features compared to traditional-SAM. For example, in the kidney dataset, traditional-SAM identified …

Correction: The Formation Of Tau Pore-Like Structures Is Prevalent And Cell Specific: Possible Implications For The Disease Phenotypes, Cristian A Lasagna-Reeves, Urmi Sengupta, Diana Castillo-Carranza, Julia E Gerson, Marcos Guerrero-Munoz, Juan C Troncoso, George R Jackson, Rakez Kayed

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

This corrects the article "The formation of tau pore-like structures is prevalent and cell specific: possible implications for the disease phenotypes" in volume 2, 56.

Ex Vivo Effect Of Apixaban On Hemostatic Biomarkers In Children With Heart Disease: A Saxophone Trial Substudy, Ghada A Aborkhees, Amy J Barr, Kevin Dietrich, Christoph Male, Zhaoqing Wang, Chen Yao, R Mark Payne, Andrew C Glatz, Paul Monagle, Kristin M Burns, Alison M Reedy, Joshua L Dyme, Peter H Schafer, Antoinette Ajavon-Hartmann, Lesley G Mitchell

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: The SAXOPHONE (Safety of Apixaban on Pediatric Heart Disease on the Prevention of Embolism) trial demonstrated the safety of apixaban for thromboprophylaxis in children with heart disease. Included a priori in the trial design was an exploratory biomarker substudy to evaluate the effects of apixaban on surrogate biomarkers of efficacy, thrombin generation capacity, and hemostatic proteins. The study assessed changes in d-dimer, thrombin generation assay parameters, factor VIII, fibrinogen, protein C, and protein S in children receiving apixaban compared with standard-of-care vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) or low-molecular-weight heparin.

METHODS: SAXOPHONE participants aged >1 year (n=182) had blood samples for …

Versatile Smad2 And Smad3 Epitope-Tagged Mouse Models For Genomic Profiling Of Tgfβ Signaling: Uncovering Gdf9-Smad2/3 Targets, Zian Liao, Qian Zhang, Keisuke Shimada, Kaori Nozawa, Suni Tang, Masahito Ikawa, Diana Monsivais, Martin M Matzuk

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) signaling pathways are integral for a plethora of biological processes. SMAD2 and SMAD3 are the principal transcriptional effectors of TGFβ superfamily ligands, yet quantitative, genome-wide mapping of their DNA-associated complexes under physiological contexts has remained limited due to the lack of specific, robust models. Here, we generated two versatile epitope-tagged mouse models in which endogenous SMAD2 and SMAD3 proteins are globally tagged with hemagglutinin (HA) and podoplanin (PA) sequences, respectively, enabling high-fidelity profiling of SMAD2 and SMAD3 binding across tissues. To demonstrate the broad application of our models, we exemplified the usage of our lines …

Reference Proteins To Improve Core 1 And Core 2 Alzheimer's Disease Csf And Plasma Biomarkers, Linda Karlsson, Nicolas R Barthélemy, Kanta Horie, Suzanne E Schindler, Brian A Gordon, Cyrus A Raji, Tammie L S Benzinger, John C Morris, Randall J Bateman, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Concentration-based fluid biomarkers represent an informative and cost-effective way to detect and monitor Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology. However, non-AD-related interindividual variation in biofluids can also affect biomarker concentrations. Here, we investigated whether normalization of CSF and plasma biomarkers to reference proteins, such as amyloid-β40 (Aβ40) and non-phosphorylated mid-region tau (np-tau), improves their robustness and reliability of representing AD pathology load. Using the Swedish BioFINDER-2 cohort [n = 1702, 50.7% male, mean (standard deviation) age 68.4 (12.2) years], we compared the associations between tau/Aβ-PET load and fluid biomarkers alone versus biomarkers in a ratio with a reference protein (Aβ40 or np-tau) …

Reproductive Performance Of Friesian Holstein Crossbred Dairy Cattle After A Foot-And-Mouth Disease Outbreak In Lembang, Indonesia, Hanunghanindito Pamungkas, Septiyani Septiyani, Nurcholidah Solihati

Jurnal Ilmu Ternak Universitas Padjadjaran

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral disease that may impair reproductive efficiency in dairy cattle. This study aimed to evaluate changes in the reproductive performance of Friesian Holstein crossbred dairy cows following an FMD outbreak at UPTD BPTSP and HPT Cikole, Lembang, West Java, Indonesia. A retrospective study was conducted using reproductive records collected from 2019 to 2023. The reproductive parameters analyzed were calving interval, service per conception, conception rate, service period, and first mating postpartum. Differences between the pre- and post-FMD periods were assessed using paired sample t-tests. The results showed significant differences in calving interval, service …

Polymorphism Of The Mx Gene In Riau Kampung Chickens, Elfawati Elfawati, Restu Misrianti, Sadarman Sadarman

Jurnal Ilmu Ternak Universitas Padjadjaran

One of the genetic markers for avian influenza is the Mx gene. The purposed of this study was to determine the polymorphism of the Mx gene of kampung chicken in Riau Province. A total of 61 samples from three subpopulations have been genotyped using PCR-RFLP. Allele and genotype frequencies have been calculated using PopGene. The Mx gene was amplified, producing a DNA fragment measuring 299 base pairs. This fragment was digested with the Hpy81 enzyme, which yielded three genotypes: the AA genotype showed by a single 299 bp band; AG showed by 299, 200, and 99 bp bands; and GG …

The Potency Of Inulin Extraction Waste Fermentation From Local Tubers As A Feed Additive, Mohamad Septian, Danes Suhendra, Mikael Sihite, Dyah Saputri

Jurnal Ilmu Ternak Universitas Padjadjaran

This study aims to determine the potential of inulin extraction waste fermentation as a feed additive based on the content of lactic acid, dry matter, pH, and Fleigh points. This research was conducted from March to June 2022 at the Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Laboratory, Tidar University. The experimental design used in this study was a Completely Randomized Design with 4 treatments (fermentation of inulin extraction waste: T1 Dioscorea alata (uwi), T2: ganyong (Dioscorea alata discolor), T3: gadung(Dioscorea hispida), and T4: umbi ungu (Ipomoea batatas). Each treatment was replicated 5 times. The variables …

The Potential Of Bioactive Peptides From Goat Milk Kefir With Antibacterial Activity As An Antibiotic Substitute, Dhea Athillah, Jajang Gumilar, Eka Wulandari

Jurnal Ilmu Ternak Universitas Padjadjaran

This study aims to determine the optimal incubation time for goat milk kefir that produces the highest antibacterial peptides, and to determine the antibacterial activity of purified goat milk kefir. Protein levels were determined using the microassay method. Kefir, which is known to have the best incubation time for producing the highest antibacterial activity when ultrafiltered with a 10 kDa cut-off membrane, was analyzed for its molecular weight using SDS-PAGE. The antibacterial activity was tested against pathogenic bacteria E. coli and S. aureus. The highest soluble protein content was found in kefir incubated for 36 hours, with a soluble …

Intersecting Determinants Of Health: Correlating Food Insecurity And Sleep Deprivation Across Southern Adventist University Demographics*, Heaven Robles, Jesica Paralafox Ramirez, Kimberly Mongare, Joshua C. Jenkins, Melany Castillo, Philip Chen Dr, Aaron Corbit Dr

Campus Research Month

For university students, social determinants of health such as food security and sleep patterns heavily dictate both health outcomes and academic success. Using a cross-sectional study design, statistical analyses will be conducted using the Jamovi software platform to compare mean sleep durations and food access scores across multiple academic departments and ethnic demographic groups. The study evaluates four primary hypotheses: (1) Consistent food access positively correlates with sleep quality; (2) Food security and sleep metrics vary significantly across academic departments; (3) Systemic ethnic disparities exist in food accessibility; and (4) Underrepresented ethnic groups experience a compounded burden of food insecurity …

Plastics, Microplastics, And The Gut Microbiome: Restoring Scientific Communication To Fight For Public Health, Benjamin Sanders '26

Honor Scholar Theses

Over the course of eight years from 2016 to 2024, a study by Nature Medicine found that the concentration of plastics in the brain increased by 50%. Even samples from patients with a documented dementia diagnosis showed a greater accumulation of microplastics (Nihart, 2025). In one of the most protected regions of our body, microplastics have made themselves known. In one of the most exposed regions of the human body, the story is no different. With the emergence of gut microbiome science and understanding, researchers are just beginning to discover the unique interplay between the microbiota of our gastrointestinal tract …

Fast-Food Consumption And Metabolic Syndrome Risk In African Children And Adolescents, Norkinsha Willis

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Childhood obesity and excessive fast-food intake represent a significant public health concern among African American children. Grounded in the social-ecological model, this quantitative, cross-sectional study examined whether frequency of fast-food or pizza meal consumption and reliance on low-cost food was associated with total cholesterol (mg/dL) and waist circumference among African American children and adolescents aged 6–15 years while controlling for key sociodemographic factors (age, gender, parental education status, and annual household income). Secondary data from the 2017–2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were analyzed (N=184). Descriptive statistics, nonparametric analyses, and a multiple linear regression model were used to analyze …

Cardiovascular Adaptation To Whole-Body Vibration Exercise In Obese Young Adults: A Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis, And Exploratory Analysis Of Sex Differences, Rafiu Okuneye, Abdulkareem Taiwo, Fatai Akinola Apalara, Okechukwu Kingsley Oforka, Isaiah Whenayon Ajoseh, Ogar Emmanuel Ekawu

Indonesian Journal of Research in Physical Education, Sport, and Health

Background: Obesity is strongly associated with hypertension and autonomic dysfunction. Whole-body vibration exercise (WBVE) has been proposed as a low-impact intervention for improving cardiovascular function in obese adults, but sex-specific responses remain unclear. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of whole-body vibration exercise on blood pressure, autonomic function, and cardiac output in adults with obesity, and to explore potential sex differences in cardiovascular adaptations. Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies examining the effects of WBV on systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), heart rate variability (HRV), and …

Physical Fitness, Body Mass Index, And Physical Activity Among Senior Secondary Students: A Cross-Sectional Study In An Indonesian Islamic Secondary School, Ilona Pratiwi Hutabarat, Acep Rohmat Nurhidayat, Aprizal Fikri, Teguh Andi Prabowo, I Bagus Endrawan

Indonesian Journal of Research in Physical Education, Sport, and Health

Background: Physical fitness is a fundamental component of adolescent health and contributes to academic performance, mental well-being, and lifelong health outcomes. Following the COVID-19 pandemic and the rise in sedentary behavior, evidence on the fitness profiles of Indonesian senior secondary students—particularly in Islamic secondary schools (Madrasah Aliyah)—remains scarce. Objective: To assess the physical fitness level of Madrasah Aliyah students and to examine its association with body mass index (BMI) and self-reported physical activity. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 35 students (18 male, 17 female; aged 15–19 years) at MA Raudlatul Irfan, South Tangerang, using purposive sampling. Physical fitness …

Dietary Patterns And Nutritional Status In Soccer Athletes: A Cross-Sectional Study From An Ergonomic Perspective, Rina Mayangsari, Ravi Masitah

Indonesian Journal of Research in Physical Education, Sport, and Health

Background: Normal nutritional status has been established as one of the principal determinants in an athlete's performance. Dietary quality plays a critical role in optimizing athletes' physical fitness and performance outcomes. Objective: To examine the associations between dietary patterns on the MacPersona System and nutritional status of soccer players (energy, protein, et cetera, fat, and carbohydrates). Methods: A cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted involving 21 soccer players (total sampling). Dietary patterns were assessed using a validated Semi-Quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire (SQ-FFQ). Nutritional status was measured using Body Mass Index(BMI) based on anthropometric data. The chi-square test was used for statistical …

Cardiorespiratory Fitness In Indonesian Adolescents: Limited Role Of Bmi And Dominant Influence Of Age And Sex In A Large Cross-Sectional Study, Anies Setiowati, Sri Sumartiningsih, Nur Ilhaini Sucipto, Fatih Hazar, Philip X. Fuchs

Indonesian Journal of Research in Physical Education, Sport, and Health

Background: Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is a crucial indicator of long-term cardiovascular and metabolic health. Whether body mass index (BMI) independently predicts CRF beyond demographic factors in large, real-world adolescent cohorts remains inconsistently defined. Objective: To determine the independent contributions of body mass index (BMI), age, and sex to cardiorespiratory fitness among Indonesian adolescents using a large community-based dataset.. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using community-based fitness screening data from Central Java, Indonesia. A total of 2,730 adolescents aged 10-18 years (mean 13.3 +/- 2.2 years; 49.6% male) were included. The primary outcome was CRF measured by the 1,600-meter run …

Lgr5: From Stem Cell Marker To Therapeutic Target, Peyton C High, Maya G Cappellino, Tiffani A Blackburn, Kendra S Carmon

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Leucine-rich repeat-containing G protein-coupled receptor 5 (LGR5) is an established marker of normal and cancer stemlike cells. LGR5 has been implicated in promoting cancer cell plasticity that drives tumorigenesis, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance. LGR5 rapidly and constitutively internalizes and potentiates Wnt (Wingless/Int-1)/β-catenin and adhesion signaling pathways, though its precise mechanisms and interacting partners remain unresolved. An improved understanding of LGR5 signaling may provide invaluable insight into its intricate and important functions in cancer progression. Moreover, several LGR5-targeting therapies, including peptibody- and antibody-drug conjugates and bispecific antibodies, are showing promising efficacy and tolerability in colorectal cancer and other tumor types. This …

Mitochondrial Presequences Harbor Variable Strengths To Maintain Organellar Function, Youmian Yan, Baigalmaa Erdenepurev, Thiago N Menezes, Ian Collinson, Natalie M Niemi

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Hundreds of mitochondrial proteins rely on N-terminal presequences for organellar targeting and import. While generally described as positively charged amphiphilic helices, presequences lack a consensus motif and thus likely promote protein import into mitochondria with variable efficiencies. Indeed, the concept of presequence strength underlies biological models such as stress sensing, yet a quantitative analysis of what dictates strong versus weak presequences is lacking. Furthermore, the extent to which presequence strength affects mitochondrial function and cellular fitness remains unclear. Here, we capitalize on the MitoLuc protein import assay to define multiple aspects of presequence strength. We find that select presequences, including …

Epidemiological Survey Of Abortion In Camels (Camelus Dromedarius) And Histopathological Investigation Of Toxoplasmosis And Neosporosis In Those Animals From Slaughterhouses In Southeastern Algeria, Amira Djeddou-Benabid, Hind Houssou, Omar Bennoune, Ferhat Nouicer, Amel Djaout

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum are heteroxenous apicomplexan parasites recognized as major causes of reproductive disorders in numerous mammalian species. The present study aimed to assess through an epidemiological survey, the prevalence of reproductive losses in 75 dromedary herds during the period 2022-2025, as well as the associated risk factors, and to detect these protozoa by histopathological analysis in 63 dromedaries slaughtered at the slaughterhouse of El Oued province (126 samples: 63 hearts and 63 diaphragms). The survey revealed that 80% of the herds had a history of abortions, of which 60% also reported cases of stillbirth. Risk factor analysis …

The Effect Of The Mind Diet On Cognitive Decline In Als Patients With Frontotemporal Dementia, Riya Thomas, Reba Thomas, Eliana Gitelman

Department of Nutrition Student Projects

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord, leading to a broad range of neurological issues. Individuals with ALS experience progressive muscle weakness, dysphagia, slurred speech, and impaired movement and cognition. In addition to physical symptoms, around 15-20% of individuals with ALS also develop frontotemporal dementia (FTD). There are limited interventions to slow cognitive decline in this specific population. The Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet has been associated with slower cognitive decline and reduced risk in neurodegenerative disease among older adults; however, its effects have not been …

Comparative Evaluation Of Irrigants On Sealer Penetration: An In Vitro Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy Study, Savani Purohit, Priyanka Zinge, Roshan Samuel, Aayush Bhatt, Rucha Pawar

International Arab Journal of Dentistry

Objectives: Effective smear layer removal enhances sealer penetration in endodontics. Chelating agents vary in their efficacy, influencing treatment outcomes. In this study, the depth of penetration of AH Plus and Bio-C root canal sealers into dentinal structures was analysed using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), following the application of four final irrigants: 17% EDTA, 20% citric acid, 0.2% chitosan, and 5% fulvic acid.

Methods: Ninety-six single-rooted human premolars were prepared and irrigated with sodium hypochlorite. Final irrigation used one of four agents: 17% EDTA, 20% citric acid, 0.2% chitosan, or 5% fulvic acid, followed by sonic activation. Canals were obturated …

Study Of The Changes In Vestibular Bone Plate Absorption Values After Implant Placement Under Immediate Loading For A Period Of 5 Months Using Cbct: An In Vivo Study, Hassen Merzouk, Samir Habibi, Ben Ali Boutabout

International Arab Journal of Dentistry

Introduction: The study focuses on the success and durability of dental implants, which depends heavily on the bone surrounding them. Changes in this bone affect how the implant looks and functions. The researchers aimed to use CBCT, a modern three-dimensional imaging tool, to accurately measure changes in the thickness of the bone plate on the cheek side (vestibular bone plate) around implants placed in the lower jaw (mandible). Specifically, they looked at bone changes five months after placing implants that were immediately loaded (meaning they were used for chewing right away) in 15 patients who had missing molars or premolars. …

Effect Of Root Canal Sealer Type On Obturation Density: An In Vitro Comparison Of Ah Plus, Bioactive Rcs, Novel Bioactive Glass-Based Bioceramic Sealer, And Zinc Oxide Eugenol, Poulomi Guha, Pradeep Solete, Nishitha Arun, Praveen Kumar Elango, Sanyukta Singh

International Arab Journal of Dentistry

Objectives: To compare the obturation density of four root canal sealers—AH Plus, Bioactive RCS, a novel bioactive glass-based bioceramic sealer, and zinc oxide eugenol (ZOE) using a standardized single-cone obturation technique.

Methods: Forty extracted premolars were endodontically prepared to a 15 mm working length and divided into four groups (n=10). Each group was obturated with the same F2-sized guttapercha cones and one of the sealers being evaluated. Weight variations pre-obturation and postobturation, and after complete sealer setting were used to calculate obturation density. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc test (p < 0.05) to test for group differences.

Results: The bioactive glass-based sealer …

Biologically Oriented Preparation Technique In Implant-Supported Fixed Prostheses: A Systematic Review, Ghida Lawand, Roudy Khayat, Yara Ismail, Maryse Nassif, Mahmood Dashti, Jimmy Londono, Rami Al Bahri, Hani Tohme

International Arab Journal of Dentistry

This systematic review was conducted to assess the clinical and esthetic outcomes associated with convergent collar implants and compare them to divergent collar implant. The review was registered on the PROSPERO register (registration number: CRD42022326338). The systematic literature search was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines to identify studies on implant-supported prostheses related to the Biologically Oriented Preparation Technique (BOPT) until June 2023. Inclusion criteria involved experimental and clinical studies published in peer-reviewed journals, excluding expert opinions. Data extraction was performed, adhering to predefined parameters for BOPT, specifications of convergent collar implants, and the assessment of outcomes. The systematic review …

Survivin And Caspases Coordinate Proteolytic Cleavage Of The Saga Chromatin Modifying Complex, Elinor Harrison, Alejandro Damian, Cj Talton

Medical Student Research Symposium

Title: Survivin and Caspases Coordinate Proteolytic Cleavage of the SAGA Chromatin Modifying Complex

Elinor Harrison¹, Alejandro Damian¹, CJ Talton¹, Jelly H Soffers¹, Abudu I Bello¹, Kara M Costanzo¹, Joe Bean¹, Ryan D Mohan¹

¹Wayne State University School of Medicine

Background: The Spt Ada Gcn5 Acetyltransferase (SAGA) chromatin modifying complex is a critical regulator of gene expression. Mutation or stoichiometric imbalance of SAGA subunits leads to a spectrum of diseases in model organisms and in humans, including neurodegeneration. SAGA contributes to gene activation through coordinated …

Kelim Score Predicts Recurrence And Survival In Bevacizumab-Treated Advanced Ovarian Cancer: A Real-World Pilot Study, Mohammed Elshafey, Pontia Doroudian, Madeline Ruth Evans, Ira Winer

Medical Student Research Symposium

Background:
The KELIM score, derived from CA-125 kinetics, reflects intrinsic tumor chemosensitivity in ovarian cancer. This retrospective study evaluated whether KELIM predicts clinical outcomes in patients receiving bevacizumab in a real-world setting.

Methods:
Twenty-four patients with advanced ovarian cancer treated with platinum-based chemotherapy and bevacizumab at a tertiary center in Detroit, MI, were included. KELIM scores were calculated from CA-125 values during the first 100 treatment days (www.biomarker-kinetics.org) and classified as favorable (≥1.0) or unfavorable (< 1.0). Progression-free survival (PFS) was measured from diagnosis to recurrence, and overall survival (OS) from diagnosis to last contact or death. Surgical outcomes, debulking approach, PARP inhibitor use, and survival status were analyzed descriptively.

Results:
Nineteen patients (79%) had favorable KELIM, and five (21%) had unfavorable KELIM. Compared to the favorable group, the unfavorable group had …

Assessing Functional Visual Recovery After Retinal Regeneration In Zebrafish Using The Optokinetic Response (Okr), Yeganeh Tabatabaei Alavi, Yeganeh Tabatabaei Alavi

Medical Student Research Symposium

Zebrafish have a unique ability to regenerate retinal neurons through Müller glia-mediated reprogramming, a process not found in mammals. While structural regeneration has been extensively documented, the degree to which regenerated photoreceptors restore functional vision remains unclear. The optokinetic response (OKR), a reflexive eye-tracking behavior triggered by moving visual stimuli, provides a quantitative, non-invasive method to assess visual performance. This study aims to determine whether photoreceptor regeneration following acute and chronic light-induced injury results in functional restoration of vision. Adult zebrafish will be divided into three groups: uninjured control, acute injury (short-term high-intensity light), and chronic injury (long-term low-intensity light). …