Digital Commons Network^™

Modeling Reemergence Of Vaccine-Eliminated Infectious Diseases Under Declining Vaccination In The United States, Mathew V Kiang, Kate M Bubar, Yvonne Maldonado, Peter J Hotez, Nathan C Lo

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

(Abstracted from JAMA 2025;333(24):2176-2187) The development of childhood vaccine protocols has led to the elimination of many infectious diseases from the United States, including measles, rubella, diphtheria, and polio, by maintaining herd immunity. In recent years, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccination rates have declined due to policy changes, misinformation, distrust, and broader societal shifts.

Where, How, And How Much? A Multicenter Cohort Study Of The Relationship Across Lupus Decision-Aid Modality, Place Of Administration, Interruption And Viewing Completeness, And Patient-Reported Outcomes, Jasvinder A Singh, Mark Beasley, Larry R Hearld

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Objective: We assessed whether shared decision-making (SDM) and patient acceptability, feasibility, and overall satisfaction with a computerized patient decision aid (PtDA) for patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) differs by PtDA setting, modality, and the viewing experience.

Methods: Patients with SLE were invited to view a self-administered computerized SLE PtDA during regular clinic visits at 15 rheumatology clinics in an implementation trial. Patients completed a survey that included SDM measures including the decision conflict scale (DCS), Preparation for Decision Making (PDM) scale, and CollaboRATE scale, and we measured perceived patient acceptability, feasibility, and satisfaction. Patients viewed the SLE PtDA in …

A Deep Generative Model For Deciphering Cellular Dynamics And In Silico Drug Discovery In Complex Diseases, Yumin Zheng, Jonas C Schupp, Taylor Adams, Geremy Clair, Aurelien Justet, Farida Ahangari, Xiting Yan, Paul Hansen, Marianne Carlon, Emanuela Cortesi, Marie Vermant, Robin Vos, Laurens J De Sadeleer, Ivan O Rosas, Ricardo Pineda, John Sembrat, Melanie Königshoff, John E Mcdonough, Bart M Vanaudenaerde, Wim A Wuyts, Naftali Kaminski, Jun Ding

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Human diseases are characterized by intricate cellular dynamics. Single-cell transcriptomics provides critical insights, yet a persistent gap remains in computational tools for detailed disease progression analysis and targeted in silico drug interventions. Here we introduce UNAGI, a deep generative neural network tailored to analyse time-series single-cell transcriptomic data. This tool captures the complex cellular dynamics underlying disease progression, enhancing drug perturbation modelling and screening. When applied to a dataset from patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, UNAGI learns disease-informed cell embeddings that sharpen our understanding of disease progression, leading to the identification of potential therapeutic drug candidates. Validation using proteomics reveals …

Plasma Metabolomic And Proteomic Signatures Of Blood Pressure Management After Bariatric Surgery Among Adolescents, Shudi Pan, Zhenjiang Li, Juan Pablo Lewinger, Jesse A Goodrich, Hongxu Wang, Sarah Rock, Carmen Chen, Todd M Jenkins, Stephanie Sisley, Stephen R Daniels, Douglas I Walker, Max T Aung, Erika Garcia, Rob Mcconnell, Sandrah P Eckel, Michele A La Merrill, Tanya L Alderete, Zhuanghua Chen, Frank D Gilliland, Thomas H Inge, David V Conti, Justin R Ryder, Lida Chatzi

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Emerging omics approaches, including metabolomics and proteomics, can be integrated into obesity treatment for better blood pressure management. We tested whether preoperative metabolomic and proteomic profiles predict long-term elevated blood pressure (EBP) changes better than known risk factors in adolescents undergoing bariatric surgery.

Methods: We included 108 participants from the Teen-LABS (Teen-Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery). Plasma untargeted metabolomics (via liquid chromatography with high-resolution mass spectrometry) and Olink proteomics were assessed pre surgery. An elastic net model with stability selection was used to identify features predictive of EBP reductions 5 years post surgery. Models including identified metabolites, proteins, and …

Sleep-Disordered Breathing Subtypes And Future Diet Quality In The Multi-Ethnic Study Of Atherosclerosis, Kaitlin S Potts, Cecilia Castro-Diehl, Tianyi Huang, Alexis C Wood, Jerome I Rotter, Stephen S Rich, Tamar Sofer, Susan Redline, Heming Wang

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Objectives: Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) and diet quality impact cardiometabolic disease, but few studies have examined if SDB influences diet quality. This study estimated the association between SDB subtypes (with and without sleepiness) and future diet quality in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.

Methods: Probable SDB was characterized by self-reported physician-diagnosed sleep apnea (PDSA) or habitual snoring and subtyped by presence or absence of sleepiness. A food frequency questionnaire measured diet 1.6 years before, and 7.8 years after SDB assessment. Diet quality was measured with the Alternate Healthy Eating Index-2010 (AHEI). Mean differences in AHEI at follow-up by SDB subtypes were …

Association Of Area Deprivation Index With Perinatal And Covid-19 Outcomes During The Early Pandemic: A Secondary Analysis Of A Prospective Cohort Study, Abigail Bell, Megan Foeller, Candice Woolfolk, Emily Diveley, Fan Zhang, Amy Scheffer, Ruizhi Huang, Daniel Jackson, Nandini Raghuraman, Ebony Carter, Indira U Mysorekar, Jeannie C Kelly

Center on Aging Staff Publications

Objective: We sought to evaluate the relationship between neighborhood-level deprivation and perinatal outcomes, particularly preterm birth, as well as COVID-19 outcomes among pregnant patients during the early pandemic.

Methods: We performed a secondary analysis of a prospective longitudinal cohort study that investigated the impact of prenatal COVID-19 exposure on perinatal outcomes. Pregnant patients were recruited 12/23/20-7/18/22 and serially assessed for COVID-19 exposure during pregnancy, with serum antibody testing, electronic medical record review, and patient report. For this secondary analysis, address at the time of delivery was used to categorize patients into low ADI (≤50th percentile Area Deprivation Index, indicating low …

Public Views Towards Lifespan, Healthspan, And Healthy Longevity Medicine In Singapore: A Qualitative Study From The Healthy Longevity (Helo) Initiatives, Belinda Wang, Anna Szucs, Elena Sandalova, Zhi Meng Lim, E. J. Horberg, Paul A. O’Keefe, Louis Island, Sonny Rosenthal, Andrea B. Maier

Research Collection College of Integrative Studies

Introduction: Healthy Longevity Medicine (HLM) offers a strategy to reduce the healthspan-lifespan gap, yet public perspectives remain unclear. This study refines the Healthy Longevity (HELO) framework through a qualitative exploration of public views towards lifespan, healthspan, and HLM.Methods: Individuals living in Singapore participated in semi-structured group or individual discussions to explore (a) their understanding of lifespan and healthspan, (b) motivational factors for health behaviours, and (c) their awareness of HLM. Sampling maximised variation across age, sex, and ethnicity. Data obtained through 13 discussions were analysed with a mixed, inductive-deductive approach employing the HELO framework.Results: Thirty-six participants (mean age = 49.4 …

Studies On Curcumin-Glucoside In The Prevention Of Alpha-Synuclein Aggregation, Lakshmi Sowmya Emani, Jayanth K. Rao, Jagadeesha Kumar Dasappa, Marisín Pecchio, Johant Lakey-Beitia, Hansapani Rodrigo, Jessica Cruz-Mora, Priya Narayan, Nikhilesh Anand, Bharathi Gadad

School of Medicine Publications

Background: α-synuclein (α-syn) deposition in the mid-brain region is one of the hallmark pathologies of Parkinson's disease (PD). The key steps involve the transformation of α-synuclein into a toxic oligomer and insoluble fibrillar aggregates.

Objective: To understand the role of curcumin-glucoside in the prevention of α-syn aggregation, a mechanistic approach.

Methods: In the present study, we synthesized a novel molecule, curcumin-glucoside (Curc-gluc), to improve the water solubility and partition coefficient, making the molecule with high bioavailability. The present study is focused on understanding the α-syn aggregation kinetics in the presence and absence of Curc-gluc, curcumin (Cur), copper (Cu), and iron …

A Molecular Renaissance In Alzheimer's Disease Research: The Rise Of Systems Biology And Spatial Omics, Lucia M. Perez-Navarro, Juan Lopez-Alvarenga

School of Medicine Publications

Recent advances in multi-omics and spatial proteomics are reshaping our understanding of Alzheimer's disease. Guo et al.1 applied integrative multi-omics to stratify mild cognitive impairment into biologically distinct subtypes with divergent progression trajectories: one metabolically impaired and slow-progressing, the other immune-activated and rapidly declining. Current techniques such as STC-DESI, LCM-MS, and machine learning enhance regional proteomic resolution, supporting biomarker discovery and spatially targeted interventions. This work exemplifies a broader shift toward precision medicine and a systems-level molecular framework in neurodegenerative disease research.

Adenovirus Types In Us Children Hospitalized Or Seen In The Emergency Department With Acute Respiratory Illness, 2016-2019., Tess Stopczynski, Varvara Probst, Adam Gailani, Justin Z. Amarin, Olla Hamdan, Haya Hayek, Laura S. Stewart, Herdi K. Rahman, Rangaraj Selvarangan, Jennifer E. Schuster, Christopher J. Harrison, Mary E. Moffatt, Marian G. Michaels, John V. Williams, Julie A. Boom, Leila C. Sahni, Vasanthi Avadhanula, Mary Allen Staat, Elizabeth P. Schlaudecker, Christina Quigley, Geoffrey A. Weinberg, Peter G. Szilagyi, Janet A. Englund, Eileen J. Klein, Aaron T. Curns, Heidi L. Moline, Ariana P. Toepfer, James D. Chappell, Andrew J. Spieker, Natasha B. Halasa

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: Human adenovirus (HAdV) is a common cause of pediatric acute respiratory illness (ARI), contributing to 5-13% of cases worldwide. Clinical manifestations vary by HAdV species and type; therefore, delineating type-specific disease presentations and understanding severity of specific HAdV types' disease may help develop targeted interventions.

METHODS: We conducted a multicenter, prospective study within the New Vaccine Surveillance Network to characterize HAdV types. Children < 18 years old with ARI were enrolled in the emergency department or inpatient setting at 7 US children's hospitals from 1 December 2016 to 30 November 2019. Respiratory specimens were collected and tested for HAdV and other viruses. Subsequently, typing was conducted on HAdV specimens using single-plex real-time PCR assays targeting sequences in the hexon gene. Comparisons between HAdV types were performed to determine differences in characteristics and outcomes. Generalized linear mixed effects models were used to evaluate severity.

RESULTS: Among the 1843 HAdV-positive cases, 1402 specimens (76%) were typed. The most common types detected were HAdV-C1 (n = 439), HAdV-C2 (n = 393), and HAdV-B3 (n = 221). Children with HAdV-B7 (n = 78) …

Elevated Serum Bile Acids Predict Poor Liver Outcomes In Children With Alagille Syndrome: Results From The Gala Study Group., Carla Fiorella Murillo Perez, Shannon M. Vandriel, Emmanuel M. Gonzales, Jian-She Wang, Li-Ting Li, Huiyu She, Irena Jankowska, Piotr Czubkowski, Dorota Gliwicz-Miedzińska, Emmanuel Jacquemin, Jérôme Bouligand, Lorenzo D'Antiga, Emanuele Nicastro, Björn Fischler, Henrik Arnell, Susan M. Siew, Michael Stormon, Kathleen M. Loomes, David A. Piccoli, Elizabeth B. Rand, James E. Squires, Saul J. Karpen, Rene Romero, Mureo Kasahara, Zerrin Önal, Étienne Sokal, Tanguy Demaret, Sabina Wiecek, Florence Lacaille, Dominique Debray, Winita Hardikar, Sahana Shankar, Pamela L. Valentino, Shikha S. Sundaram, Noelle H. Ebel, Jeffrey A. Feinstein, Orith Waisbourd-Zinman, Henry C. Lin, Nathalie Rock, Henkjan J. Verkade, M Kyle Jensen, Catalina Jaramillo, Kyung Mo Kim, Seak Hee Oh, Jernej Brecemiclj, Seema Alam, Giuseppe Indolfi, Niviann Blondet, Rima Fawaz, Silvia Nastasio, Pier Luigi Calvo, Gabriella Nebbia, Cigdem Arikan, Catherine Larson-Nath, Andréanne N. Zizzo, Thomas Damgaard Sandahl, Christos Tzivinikos, Nehal M. El-Koofy, Mohamed A. Elmonem, Amal A. Aqul, Wikrom Karnsakul, Pinar Bulut, Nanda Kerkar, Victorien M. Wolters, Amin J. Roberts, Helen M. Evans, Maria Camila Sanchez, Maria Lorena Cavalieri, Deirdre A. Kelly, Jane Hartley, Way Seah Lee, Christina Hajinicolaou, Chatmanee Lertudomphonwanit, Ryan T. Fischer, Jesus Quintero Bernabeu, Ruben E. Quiros-Tejeira, Cristina Targa Ferreira, Elisa Carvalho, John Eshun, Aglaia Zellos, Antal Dezsőfi, Raquel Borges Pinto, Kathleen Schwarz, Maria Rogalidou, Jennifer Garcia, María Legarda Tamara, Marisa Beretta, Quais Mujawar, Ermelinda Santos-Silva, Cristina Molera Busoms, Eberhard Lurz, Cristina Gonçalves, Carolina Jimenez-Rivera, Jesus M. Banales, Richard J. Thompson, Bettina E. Hansen, Binita M. Kamath, Global Alagille Alliance (Gala) Study Group

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Alagille syndrome (ALGS) is a rare disorder characterised by cholestasis and extrahepatic manifestations. Given the current era of ileal bile acid transporter (IBAT) inhibitor therapies that reduce serum bile acid (SBA) levels, we evaluated whether SBA predicts liver disease outcomes in ALGS.

METHODS: Patients were ascertained from the Global ALagille Alliance (GALA) cohort. A prognostic threshold of SBA 102 μmol/L was assessed as a time-dependent covariate in Cox regression analyses for native liver survival (NLS) and event-free survival (EFS), while adjusting for total bilirubin (TB) levels.

RESULTS: 570 GALA patients were included (348 [61%] male). There was …

Overview Of Huntington's Disease And Emerging Treatment Strategies: A Narrative Review, Alexis J. Vega, Gabriel V. Hernandez, Pearse A. O'Malley, Connor J. Robin, Amanda N. Parra, Giustino Varrassi, Sahar Shekoohi, Alan D. Kaye

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Huntington's disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant, progressive neurodegenerative disorder caused by a cytosine-adenine-guanine trinucleotide repeat expansion in the huntingtin (HTT) gene. The symptoms of HD include severe motor dysfunction, cognitive issues, and emotional dysregulation. These combined issues are not only debilitating but also lead to depression/anxiety, increased suicide rates, and caregiver burnout. Our narrative review summarizes several recent studies examining the efficacy and differences among emerging treatment strategies for HD. A systematic search of peer-reviewed literature was conducted, focusing on recent studies that describe molecular genetic manipulation of the HTT gene/huntingtin protein. The results of our narrative review reveal …

Schema, Stigma, And The “We-Them” Divide: Perspectives On Ageism From Everyday Life To Healthcare, Temple D. West

English Theses & Dissertations

Ageism remains a pervasive and often underexamined form of discrimination, affecting older adults across both everyday and clinical contexts. This paper explores how cognitive schemas—mental frameworks that shape perception and experience—and stigma interact to reinforce a “we–them” divide between and older patients and healthcare providers, as well as between older and younger individuals in broader society. Through focus groups and listening to the voices of older patients, this study examines how assumptions of age-based decline are embedded in society and inform schemas of ageism. It considers how those schemas shape the spoiled identity of older people as a stigmatized group, …

Bridging The Gut And The Heart-Exploring Pathophysiology, Risk Factors, And Therapeutic Implications Of Cardiovascular Disease In Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Diana Othon-Martinez, Sylvia Valeria Peña-Muñoz, Margarita Riojas-Barrett, Genesis Vidales-López, Josué Moisés Sánchez Guzmán, Lukasz Kwapisz

School of Medicine Publications

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, is a chronic systemic immune dysregulated disorder affecting the gastrointestinal tract that often has extraintestinal manifestations. Limited data exist on the cardiovascular (CV) implications of IBD, but a higher prevalence of CV disease (CVD) has been observed compared to the general population, resulting in increased mortality risk. This review examines the pathophysiology and risk factors linking IBD to CVD, highlighting several key mechanisms: The “lipid paradox” in active IBD, arterial stiffness and endothelial dysfunction, proinflammatory cytokine activity, gut microbiota dysbiosis, and drug-induced myocardiopathy. The main findings include information about IBD …

Exploring Bone Oncology In A Medically Underserved Area: A Retrospective Cohort Of Bone Metastases And Malignant Bone Neoplasia In The Rio Grande Valley, Blake C. Martin, Juan Carlos Lopez Alvarenga, Michael Sander

School of Medicine Publications

Objectives: The Rio Grande Valley (RGV) is a developing clinical research region characterized by its distinctive demographic profile that offers an opportunity to investigate diverse health issues. This pilot investigation sought to evaluate the demographic and clinical characteristics linked to bone metastases and primary malignant bone neoplasms (PMBNs) in patients from the RGV and to compare the frequency of these conditions with the US general population.

Methods: This was a retrospective chart review in which data were gathered from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley UTHealth electronic database from January 1, 2018 to September 4, 2024. Various statistical analyses …

Advancing Trypanosoma Cruzi N-Myristoyltransferase As A Drug Target For Chagas Disease Through In Silico Discovery And Biochemical Evaluation, Diana Citlali González García

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Chagas disease remains one of the most persistent and neglected parasitic infections in the Americas, advancing silently through the intracellular replication of Trypanosoma cruzi amastigotes and the invasive spread of trypomastigotes. The survival of the parasite is critically reliant on protein N-myristoylation, a lipid modification catalyzed by N-myristoyltransferase (NMT). This dissertation aims to advance beyond prior studies by systematically investigating NMT inhibition across multiple biological levels, spanning from the characterization of the purified enzyme, through cellular infection models, to the global proteomic remodeling induced within the parasite, thereby evaluating TcNMT as a potential therapeutic vulnerability in T.cruzi.Recombinant TcNMT was expressed, …

Exploring Intersectional Risks Of Substance Use Disorder, Mental Health, Hiv/Aids, And Hepatitis C Among Hispanic Adults On The Tx-Mx Border: A Mixed-Methods Study, Md Mohsin

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore intersectional risks of substance use disorders, mental health, HIV/AIDS, and HCV among Mexican-origin Hispanic adults on the Texas-Mexico border. Methods: The study employed an exploratory sequential mixed-methods approach, which involved collecting and analyzing qualitative data first, followed by quantitative data collection. Selected purposively, 15 in-depth interviews were conducted among the target population. Using convenient sampling, 106 cross-sectional surveys were conducted. Qualitative interview data were analyzed manually using thematic analysis. Quantitative data analyses included univariate descriptive analysis, bivariate, and multivariable penalized logistic regression, negative binomial, and zero-inflated negative binomial regression. Results: The …

Relationships Between Social Determinants Of Health And Pain Outcome Changes After Exercise In Adults With Knee Osteoarthritis, Klarissa Siebert

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Background: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a common musculoskeletal disease with pain as the primary symptom. KOA pain is a major contributor to disability and reduced quality of life and has been associated with social determinants of health (SDOH) variables. As for treatments of KOA pain, exercise such as stationary cycling is a first-line and recommended treatment. However, limited research has examined how SDOH influence pain outcomes following such interventions. Objective: This study investigated whether income level, education level, employment status, acculturative stress, and perceived ethnic discrimination are associated with changes in pain following a standardized cycling ergometer exercise in adults …

Associations Between School Experiences And Mental Health Outcomes By Gender Identity In Sexual And Gender Minority Youth In Texas And California, 2022 - 2024, Andrea Susana Yanez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Background: Depression and anxiety affect populations differently, with diagnoses disproportionately higher among sexual and gender minority groups, including LGBTQ+ youth. School experiences shape mental health; negative environments, bullying, and lack of support worsen outcomes, while affirming policies, peer support, and inclusive curricula are protective. Methods: This secondary analysis of the Family, Housing, and Me (FHAM) Project followed 83 LGBTQ+ youth from South Texas and California's Inland Empire (2022-2024). Data on sociodemographic characteristics, school experiences, and mental health outcomes were collected at baseline and at Waves I and II over 25 months. Analyses included descriptive statistics, monthly comparisons, and bivariate and …

Evaluation And Identification Of Risk Factors For Stress Among Maquiladora Workers Based On The Mexican Official Standard 035 Survey Tool, Andrea Baca Melendez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Background and significance: Occupational psychosocial risk factors are workplace conditions that can trigger physiological, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral changes. They are strongly associated with mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, as well as non-mental health conditions like myocardial infarction, stroke, and occupational injuries. Analyzing these risks from a sociodemographic perspective provides valuable insights for improving work environments and workers’ well-being. Purpose: This study aimed to identify and determine the levels of occupational psychosocial risk factors among workers in a manufacturing company in Cd. Juárez, Chihuahua, and to examine their relationship with sociodemographic variables to inform future interventions in …

Prophylactic Effect Of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Monotherapy In Preventing Recurrent Major Depressive Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial, Ikbal Andrian Malau, Cheng-Ho Chang, Wei-Jen Chen, Wen-Chun Liu, Halliru Zailani, Hsien-Feng Liao, Jane Pei-Chen Chang, Wei-Che Chiu, Kuan-Pin Su

BioMedicine

Background: Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) have demonstrated efficacy as adjunctive treatment for MDD. In fact, fewer studies assessed the prophylactic properties of n-3 PUFAs as monotherapy on the recurrence of MDD.

Aims: This study aimed to assess the prophylactic effect of n-3 PUFAs monotherapy against recurrent MDD.

Methods: We conducted a 6-month randomized controlled trial to assess the prophylactic effect of n-3 in preventing recurrent MDD. We assigned 60 remitted MDD patients to the n-3 group (n = 30) and placebo (n = 30). Furthermore, we assessed the difference in depression severity and MDD recurrence based on the …

Tai Chi For Cardiovascular Wellness: Integrating An Ancient Practice Into Modern Therapeutic Approaches, Chun-Han Cheng, Wen-Rui Hao, Huan-Yuan Chen, Po-Yuan Chen, Ju-Chi Liu, Tzu-Hurng Cheng

BioMedicine

Tai Chi, a traditional Chinese martial art characterized by gentle, fluid movements and deep breathing, has gained increasing recognition for its cardiovascular health benefits. This study investigated the integration of Tai Chi into contemporary cardiovascular health practices, focusing on its physiological and psychological effects. The slow, controlled movements characteristic of Tai Chi contribute to enhanced cardiovascular fitness, decreased blood pressure, and improved vascular function, while simultaneously alleviating stress and fostering emotional well-being. Through a review of clinical studies and trials, this study underscores the efficacy of Tai Chi in cardiovascular rehabilitation programs and its accessibility as a community-based intervention. Additionally, …

Circadian Rhythms And Neuroendocrine Dysregulation In Adhd: Therapeutic Insights From Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Ayesha Zafar Iqbal, Patricia Marest Suwindi, Sunny Yin-Shan Chen, Lindsay Liang-Tien Cho, Kuan-Pin Su, Jane Pei-Chen Chang

BioMedicine

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental condition often accompanied by circadian rhythm disturbances, particularly delayed sleep phase. These involve superchiasmatic nucleus (SCN) dysregulation, altered melatonin secretion, and hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis activity, which may be exacerbated by artificial light exposure. Genetic studies further implicate circadian mechanisms, linking ADHD with polymorphisms in clock genes such as PER and CLOCK.

Nutraceuticals, particularly omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs), have been proposed as modulators of circadian rhythms. N-3 PUFAs are essential for brain health and may influence melatonin synthesis and sleep–wake regulation. Preclinical and clinical findings suggest that supplementation can improve cognitive …

The Integrative Role Of Melatonin In Psychiatric Disorders: A Systematic Review Of Evidence From Circadian Biology, Lifestyle Medicine, And Psychoneuroimmunology, Ho Bao Chau Le, Kollawat Somsri, Thansita Bhunyakarnjanarat, Nattiya Hirankarn, Asada Leelahavanichkul

BioMedicine

Melatonin, a hormone produced by the pineal gland, is known for regulating circadian rhythms and has emerging therapeutic potential in psychiatric disorders. This systematic review examines evidence from clinical and preclinical studies to assess melatonin’s efficacy in the following conditions: depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. Beyond its role in circadian regulation, melatonin exhibits antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties, which intersect with nutrition, lifestyle medicine, and psychoneuroimmunology (PNI).

The review finds that melatonin improves sleep quality, restores circadian balance, and modulates stress-related neuroimmune pathways. It also supports neuroplasticity and reduces oxidative stress, contributing to resilience against psychosocial and environmental stressors. …

From Rhythm To Resilience: The Interplay Of Circadian Rhythm, Melatonin, Lifestyle, Nutrition In Psychoneuroimmunology (Pni), Jane Pei-Chen Chang, Kuan-Pin Su

BioMedicine

Emerging evidence reveals that circadian rhythm, melatonin signaling, nutrition, and inflammation are intricately intertwined in shaping both mental and physical health. Circadian disruptions and lifestyle imbalances contribute to neuroinflammation, mood dysregulation, and cardiometabolic dysfunction, as seen in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), major depressive disorder (MDD), metabolic syndrome,and cardiovascular diseases. This special issue highlights interdisciplinary research that integrates circadian biology, nutrition, and psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) toward personalized and preventive psychiatry. Featured studies explore circadian and melatonin mechanisms in ADHD and MDD, the therapeutic and prophylactic potential of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs), the neuroprotective potentical of paeoniflorin, and the role of extracellular …

Enhancing Patient Satisfaction Among Coronary Heart Disease Patients Through Islamic Spiritual Care With Murottal In Nursing Practice, Aris Citra Wisuda, Citra Suraya, Suzanna Suzanna, Muhamad Andika Sasmita Saputra, Manisha Manisha, Hesly Devitasari, Dian Emiliasari, Tukimin Bin Sansuwito

Jurnal Keperawatan Indonesia

Spiritual care is essential in nursing, especially for patients with chronic or palliative conditions such as coronary heart disease. Although medical intervention is crucial, Islamic spiritual therapy using murottal has a significant impact on patient satisfaction. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of murottal in enhancing patient satisfaction among individuals with coronary heart disease. A quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design was used with 52 participants at Siti Khadijah Islamic Hospital, Palembang, Indonesia. Total sampling was applied, and data were analyzed using the paired sample t-test. Patient satisfaction was measured using a Likert-scale questionnaire to assess the impact of murottal spiritual care. …

Peptide Vaccines For Pediatric High-Grade Glioma And Diffuse Midline Glioma: Current Progress And Future Perspectives, Aron K Mebrahtu, Vatsal Jain, Eliese M Moelker, Alexandra M Hoyt-Miggelbrink, Katayoun Ayasoufi, Eric M Thompson

2020-Current year OA Pubs

High-grade gliomas (HGGs) and diffuse midline gliomas (DMGs) in pediatric patients carry a poor prognosis, necessitating the rapid development of novel therapies. Peptide vaccines represent a safe, repeatable, and rational immunotherapeutic modality aimed at inducing potent, tumor-specific T-cell responses. In this review, we define the scope of current progress by arguing that immunogenicity in children with HGG/DMG hinges on three factors: appropriate antigen class (neoantigen vs. TAA), the use of potent immunoadjuvants, and successful navigation of immune suppression. To address the gap between biological promise and clinical reality, we analyze clinical trials targeting shared tumor-associated antigens (e.g., CMV pp65, Survivin) …

Biological Impact Of Chemical-Based Medications On Human Dna: Mechanisms, Clinical Consequences, And Research Gaps, Israa M. Ali Alameen, Sumayah Mahmood Rafid, Baqer Khaled Hothefa

Al-Esraa University College Journal for Medical Sciences

Background: Not long ago DNA has become the subject of interest for the pharmaceutical companies, that because its proven by medical and scientifical fields, that it’s the fundamental sources of proteins, which is the basic element in the cell, therefore, the interaction between the Drug and the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is very important to therapeutic regimens success but in other side it has a dangerous effect like toxicity, and long-term genomic instability. Objective: The aim of this review is to focus on the different studies which examines the effect of different drug like the chemotherapy, antivirals, antibiotics, and immune-suppressants on …

Sex Differences In Cardiovascular Disease And Associated Factors In People Living With Hiv: Evidence From All Of Us Program, Hao Zhang, Huiyi Xia, Fanghui Shi, Qingyang Li, Sharon Weissman, Xiaoming Li, Xueying Yang

Faculty Publications

Background

People living with HIV (PLWH) face a higher risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), with significant sex differences in outcomes. However, it is unclear whether these differences are driven by distinct risk factor profiles or by a differential impact of shared risk factors. This study aimed to identify factors associated with CVD among PLWH and to specifically assess for effect modification by sex using a large, diverse nationwide database.

Methods

We utilized data from the All of Us Research Program (AoU). The primary outcome was a composite of coronary artery disease or stroke. We used multivariable logistic regression to identify …

Psychological Distress And Quality Of Life Among Infertility Couples Undergoing Infertility Treatment In Malaysia, Farrahdilla Hamzah, Zamzaliza Abdul Mulud, Malini Mat Napes, Sarah Abdul Mubarak, Rosliza Shafie

Jurnal Keperawatan Indonesia

Infertility often leads to stress, anxiety, and depression, significantly affecting the quality of life of affected couples. This study explored the sociodemographic and psychological factors influencing the quality of life among infertile couples undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment in Malaysia, using a cross-sectional design. A total of 126 infertile couples were purposively sampled from three public hospitals offering IVF treatment. The Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) measured psychological distress levels, while the Fertility Quality of Life (Ferti-QoL) scale assessed fertility-related quality of life. Data collection adhered to strict ethical standards, with confidentiality ensured. Participants provided informed consent and …