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Human Transferrin Receptor Bispecific Trem2 Antibody Creation And Its Insightful Use In Alzheimer's Disease, Amelia Mclaren, June Javens-Wolfe

Annual Student Research Poster Session

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia, affecting an estimated 7.2 million seniors in the United States. AD can develop in the brain for twenty years or more before symptoms appear, such as memory loss, which could enable a diagnostic window for intervention. AD causes neurons to be damaged or destroyed due to the accumulation of amyloid-beta protein fragments and an abnormal form of tau protein. The protein Transmembrane Receptor Expressed by Myeloid Cells, TREM2, is essential in regulating the microglial response to amyloid-beta and tau accumulation in the AD brain. Microglia, the brain’s resident immune cell, has …

Adipose Tissue Estrogen Receptor-Alpha Overexpression Ameliorates High-Fat Diet–Induced Adipose Tissue Inflammation, Marion C. Hope, Christian A. Unger, M. Chase Kettering, Cassidy E. Socia, Ahmed K. Aladhami, Barton C. Rice, Darya S. Niamira, Ben P. Wiznitzer, Diego Altomare Ph.D., William E. Cotham, Reilly T. Enos

Faculty Publications

Context

We created an innovative mouse model that enables inducible overexpression of estrogen receptor-alpha (ERα), specifically in adipose tissue (Adipo-ERα↑). Objective

We aimed to investigate how elevated Adipo-ERα↑ influences the development of high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity in both male and female mice. Methods

Male and female Adipo-ERα↑ mice and littermate controls were fed a low-fat diet (LFD) or HFD for 13 weeks. Adipo-ERα↑ was induced at the initiation of dietary treatment. Body morphology and composition, hepatic lipid accumulation, glucose tolerance, fasting insulin concentrations, and adipose tissue mRNA profiling were assessed. Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry was used to determine circulating and adipose …

Cervical Hpv 18 Detection Is Associated With High-Grade Cervical Dysplasia In Kenyan And Ugandan Women Living With Hiv, Miriam Nakalembe, Collins Mpamani, Jane Namugga, Carolyn Nakisige, Grace Banturaki, Phillip Tonui, Peter Itsura, Omenge Orango, Kapten Muthoka, Anthony Ngeresa

Obstetrics and Gynaecology, East Africa

Objectives Cervical cancer, caused by “high-risk” (HR) HPV, is the most common malignancy and the leading cause of cancer deaths among women living in Kenya and Uganda. Women living with HIV (WLWH) are at a high risk for HR-HPV infection. This longitudinal, observational cohort analysis was conducted to identify factors that are important among WLWH in prediction of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grades 2 or 3 (CIN2/3).

Methods Data of this analysis was based on a study of HPV natural history and cervical cancer among Kenyan and Ugandan WLWH. Demographic, behavioral and biological data were collected; HR-HPV DNA testing of cervical …

Cervical Hpv 18 Detection Is Associated With High-Grade Cervical Dysplasia In Kenyan And Ugandan Women Living With Hiv, Miriam Nakalembe, Collins Mpamani, Jane Namugga, Carolyn Nakisige, Grace Banturaki, Phillip Tonui, Peter Itsura, Elkanah Orang'o, Kapten Muthoka, Anthony Ngeresa

Obstetrics and Gynaecology, East Africa

Objectives Cervical cancer, caused by “high-risk” (HR) HPV, is the most common malignancy and the leading cause of cancer deaths among women living in Kenya and Uganda. Women living with HIV (WLWH) are at a high risk for HR-HPV infection. This longitudinal, observational cohort analysis was conducted to identify factors that are important among WLWH in prediction of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grades 2 or 3 (CIN2/3).

Methods Data of this analysis was based on a study of HPV natural history and cervical cancer among Kenyan and Ugandan WLWH. Demographic, behavioral and biological data were collected; HR-HPV DNA testing of cervical …

Smarter Disease Detection From Electronic Health Record Data: An End-To-End Ai-Augmented Pipeline For Computable Phenotyping, Dylan Owens

Statistical Science Theses and Dissertations

Electronic Health Records (EHR) contain a wealth of structured and unstructured patient data that can be leveraged for computable phenotyping, the process of algorithmically identifying patient cohorts with specific diseases or conditions. Traditional rule-based phenotyping approaches, while interpretable, often struggle with scalability, portability across institutions, and effective use of unstructured clinical narratives. Recent advances in large language models (LLMs) present new opportunities for synthesizing complex free-text information into concise, clinically meaningful representations. However, integrating LLMs into phenotyping workflows requires careful design to maintain transparency, interpretability, and measurable uncertainty—features essential for clinical adoption and downstream applications such as decision support.

We …

Pacific Rxtracts - October 2025, Pacific Rxtracts

Pacific RxTracts

Articles:

• The Resurgence of Cardiac Glycosides in Heart Failure
• Wayrilz: New Breakthrough for Persistent or Chronic Immune Thrombocytopenia
• Atrasentan: An Emerging Therapy in IgA Nephropathy
• The Second FDA-Approved MASH Treatment
• New Pharmacist-Driven Calcitonin Protocol Delivers Cost Savings in Hypercalcemia of Malignancy Care
• Baxdrostat Offers Hope for Patients with Resistant Hypertension
• Challenging the Norm: Anticoagulant Discontinuation is Safe Postablation
• Olezarsen: Redefining Triglyceride Control Through APOC3 Inhibition
• Semaglutide and Tirzepatide Linked to Increased Risk of Vision Disorders
• At Last, a Step Forward in Gastric and GEJ
• Tarlatamab: A Breakthrough in Relapsed Small Cell Lung
• Expanded FDA Approval for Darolutamide
• Linvoseltamab: Redefining Multiple …

The Impacts Of Sports Specialization On Youth Development, Madison M. Allen

Honors Thesis

To this date, there has been a rise in the professionalism of youth sports, which has increased the competitiveness and likelihood of early specialization in young athletes. While this allows youth athletes to have recognition at a young age, many athletes experience negative effects that inhibit their ability to make it to the elite level at a later age. Sports specialization can be defined as the participation and/or training of one sport year-round, typically excluding participation in all other sports. Current research suggests that sports specialization can contribute to injury and musculoskeletal disorders, impact motor skills and coordination, and cause …

Pacap Signalling Network In The Nucleus Accumbens Core Regulates Reinstatement Behaviour In Rat, Samrat Bose, Gregory Simandl, Evan M. Hess, Linghai Kong, Nicholas Raddatz, Brian Maunze, Sujean Choi, David A. Baker

Biomedical Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

Cocaine use disorder (CUD) lacks FDA-approved treatments, partly due to the difficulty of creating therapeutics that target behaviour-related neural circuits without disrupting signalling throughout the brain. One promising candidate for circuit-selective neuromodulation is pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP), a neuropeptide with pleiotropic behavioural actions whose signalling network spans the gut–brain axis. Here, we investigated the potential existence and function of an endogenous PACAP signalling network within the nucleus accumbens core (NAcc), which is a structure that integrates emotional, cognitive and reward processes underlying behaviour. We found that PACAP and its cognate receptor, PAC1R, are endogenously expressed in the rat NAcc …

Lung Cancer In Patients Of African Descent: A Transcontinental Review Of Epidemiology, Disparities, Outcomes, And Opportunities For Equity In Africa, North America, South America, And The Caribbean, Elvis Obomanu, Colton Jones, Verna Vanderpuye, Nazik Hammad

Division of Internal Medicine Faculty Papers & Presentations

Lung cancer in people of African descent is characterized by transcontinental disparities driven by epidemiologic heterogeneity, systemic inequities, and unequal access to health care. Globally, lung cancer incidence and mortality rates vary; however, underdiagnosis and late-stage presentation in low- and middle-income countries obscure the true prevalence of lung cancer because of limited cancer registries and diagnostic infrastructure. In Africa, most patients with lung cancer present at an advanced stage, primarily because of health illiteracy, misdiagnosis, delayed referrals, and inadequate treatment infrastructure. Although tobacco smoking remains a dominant risk factor worldwide, African populations are disproportionately exposed to environmental and occupational hazards, …

Oral And Maxillofacial Pathology Case Of The Month, John E. Kacher Dds

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This case concerns a 39-year-old female patient presenting with an asymptomatic radiolucency and spiking root resorption in the right posterior mandible (tooth #30). The patient delayed treatment for three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic and fear of surgery. Upon return, the lesion had greatly expanded in size (approximately 22-by-17 mm), with increased root resorption. Surgery involved extraction of the tooth and thorough curettage of the lesion. Microscopic examination showed cellular tumor composed of plump spindle cells and interspersed psammoma body calcifications. The final diagnosis was aggressive ossifying fibroma, psammomatoid variant. Treatment typically involves complete local excision and curettage …

Dental Fluorosis As A Biomarker Of Environmental And Regulatory Failure In Tunisia’ S Gafsa Valley, Kenzy Aldaher

Tunisia and Italy: Politics and Religious Integration in the Mediterranean

No abstract provided.

Cannabis Improves Metabolic Dysfunction And Macrophage Signatures In Obese Mice, Brandon N. Vanderveen, Thomas D. Cardaci, Christian A. Unger, Mitchell M. Nesmith, Jeffrey C. Freeman, Arianna V. Bastian, Kasie Roark, Mansi Upadhyay, Andrew G. Levy, Brooke M. Bullard, Sierra J. Mcdonald, Kandy T. Velázquez, Reilly T. Enos, Jason L. Kubinak, Lorne J. Hofseth Ph.D., James Hébert Scd, Daping Fan, E. Angela Murphy

Faculty Publications

Obesity rates continue to rise, highlighting the need for new treatments that are effective, safe, and widely accessible. Aligned with the easing of restrictions on cannabis use, interest in its therapeutic potential is evolving. As such, we examined the effects of the cannabis plant with high cannabidiol (CBD) content or high Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content on metabolic and immune dysregulation in obese mice. Briefly, female C57BL/6 mice were randomized into four groups (n = 15/group): 1) lean, 2) obese placebo, 3) obese CBD, and 4) obese THC. Lean mice consumed a low-fat diet for the study …

Effect Of Sdf Application Versus Diode Laser Irradiation On Incipient Carious Lesion’S Progression In Primary Molars: A Randomize Clinical Trial, Islam Yehia, Noha Samir Kabil, Basma Gamal

Dentistry

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of two different preventive measures a) Silver diamine (SDF) application, b) Diode laser irradiation, on caries progression of incipient carious occlusal lesions in primary second molars. This clinical trial included two equal study groups of patients, for applying; Group I: SDF application, Group II: Diode laser irradiation, the included second primary molars for intervention were selected with incipient carious lesions graded by International Caries Detection & Assessment System (ICDAS)with scores (0,1,2). The involved molars were followed up for 3, 6, 12 months and ICDAS scores were graded to check for caries progression …

Use Of Modified Z-Domain Peptides To Specifically Label The Constant Region Of Immunoglobulin G And Vegf, Madeline Allen

Department of Chemistry: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Antibodies are increasingly being used in medicinal therapies due to their ability to specifically bind to a target antigen. This fundamental behavior of antibodies has been used as a key component in drug development to address common problems with traditional drug molecules such as off-targeting, fast drug clearance, and low efficacy. This thesis provides some background into how antibodies can be used as potential treatments for a few diseases. Chapter 1 begins with an overview of the human immune system, and the role antibodies play within it. Then, the variety of ways in which antibodies can be used as medicinal …

“Il N’Y A Plus De Monstres”: A Case Study On Trans And Gender-Diverse Health In Switzerland, Sophie Lin

Switzerland: Global Health and Development Policy

Transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) populations experience significant health disparities, particularly in regards to mental health outcomes and quality of life. This case study employs a qualitative approach to elucidate barriers and enablers to TGD health and gender-affirming care in Switzerland. Evidence collected from semi-structured interviews with health professionals working with Swiss TGD communities provides a thorough understanding of contemporary resources and obstacles regarding gender-affirming treatment. This research seeks to contribute to scholarship by synthesizing health literature with critical queer theory. Drawing from Butler’s theory of gender performativity, a framework of gender self-determination is advanced as a core principle of health, …

Thou Shalt Not Castrate: The Conflict Between Louisiana’S Surgical Castration Law And The Principles Of Medical Ethics, Morgan Ambrosecchia

Dickinson Law Review (2017-Present)

In 2024, Louisiana became the first state to permit courtordered surgical castration for sex offenders who have been convicted of certain sex crimes against children. Under the law, an offender who refuses to submit to the procedure will face an additional three to five years in prison without the possibility of parole, probation, or suspension of sentence. The court’s order is contingent on confirmation by a court-appointed expert that the offender is an “appropriate candidate for surgery.” However, the statutory language is vague and does not clearly define who can serve as an expert nor does it define the scope …

Recapitulating The Immune Microenvironment In Pediatric Brain Cancer: Preclinical Modeling Strategies., Adip G. Bhargav, Joseph S. Domino, David Akhavan, Jo Ling Goh

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Primary brain and CNS tumors comprise the most common tumors in children and are the most common cause of cancer deaths in this population. Pediatric primary malignant brain tumors including high-grade glioma and medulloblastoma account for a significant proportion of these cancer deaths. Advances in the surgical management and adjuvant treatment paradigms have improved the prognosis of many patients with these tumors, but there remains a subset of treatment-resistant tumors or tumors with unique genetics aberrations and aggressive phenotypes that confer a poor prognosis. Immunotherapeutic strategies have demonstrated promise in pre-clinical studies and early clinical trials. However, high-fidelity evaluation of …

The Impact Of Long-Term Exposure To Lip Cosmetics On The Fertility Of Female Drosophila Melanogaster, Neeka Oghli

Holster Scholar Projects

Are products marketed as safe to use, truly safe to use? Inspired by an article exposing the dangers of Tampax tampons, this study examines potential reproductive risks from consumer lip products marketed as natural and safe18. Drosophila melanogaster, a model organism with genetic and reproductive similarities to humans, was utilized to test the impacts of Rhode and Avène lip cosmetics. Avène’s Cicalfate + Lips Repair Lip Balm is the closest alternative to Rhode’s unscented peptide lip treatment, which was mindfully chosen to test if affordability comes at the expense of safety. Various concentrations of these products will be exposed to …

Emergency Medicine Pharmacist Prescriptive Authority For Resolution Of Outpatient Prescription Issues, Kevin Burnham, Christina Tran, Leandra Garcia, Julian Mccreary, Christo Philip, Osama A. Shoair

Pharmacy Faculty Publications and Presentations

Objectives: To describe the implementation and impact of a collaborative practice agreement (CPA) for emergency medicine pharmacists (EMPs) that grants them broad prescriptive authority to resolve outpatient discharge prescription issues independently. Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of all prescriptions written by EMPs under a CPA to resolve discharge prescription issues at a 70-bed emergency department (ED) within a large health system in South Dallas, Texas. This review covered the period from November 1, 2021, to June 30, 2023. EMPs were authorized to independently address prescription problems without a provider’s direct involvement. We collected data on patient demographics, the …

Fit For Success: Exploring Physical Activity Promotion And Effects On Students At The University Of South Carolina Through A Podcast Series, Maia Schwarzmueller

Senior Theses

College students face unique challenges when trying to maintain physical activity levels, such as time constraints, stress, and lack of proper facilities. The Fit for Success podcast will explore how physical activity is a powerful tool towards enhancing self-perception, academic success, and stress management as well as delve into the specific barriers that University of South Carolina students face to physical activity. The podcast will also explore different aspects of physical activity promotion including group fitness, competition, and built environment. The goal of the podcast is to help students to see physical activity as an important component of many facets …

Positive Depression Screen Among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic At Aga Khan University Hospital, Michael Maina Muriithi

Master of Medicine in Obstetrics and Gynecology

Introduction: One in seven women experience peripartum depression, a common disorder that can occur during pregnancy or in the postpartum phase. Women are particularly vulnerable to depressive symptoms during pregnancy and the immediate postpartum period due to physiological changes during pregnancy as well as other sociocultural stressors. Peripartum depression is associated with significant maternal and perinatal adverse outcomes, including self-neglect, substance use, preterm birth, low birth weight and poor neurocognitive development, in offspring. There is a need to understand the prevalence and factors associated with depressive symptoms during pregnancy to improve maternal and neonatal outcomes. To our knowledge, this …

Concurrent Local Therapy Extends Clinical Benefit Of Tebentafusp In Metastatic Uveal Melanoma Patients, Tristan L. Lim, Kamaneh Montazeri, Eric Wehrenberg-Klee, Antoine Desilets, Rino S. Seedor, Marlana Orloff, Takami Sato, Michael Caplan, Mariam El-Ashmawy, Benjamin Izar, Shaheer Khan, Inderjit Mehmi, Aleigha Lawless, Theodore S. Hong, Omid Hamid, Richard D. Carvajal, Alexander Shoushtari, Ryan J. Sullivan

Kimmel Cancer Center Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Tebentafusp has significantly improved overall survival in HLA-A*02:01+ metastatic uveal melanoma (mUM) patients even in those with a best objective response of progressive disease. Thus, strategies to maintain tebentafusp therapy are critical. Here, we examine the efficacy and safety of adding concurrent local therapy (CLT) to tebentafusp upon radiological progression with tebentafusp alone.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: This multicenter retrospective study included mUM patients treated with tebentafusp and CLT, consisting of extrahepatic soft tissue irradiation and liver-directed therapies (LDTs). Efficacy of target and nontarget sites were assessed per RECIST version 1.1. PFS with tebentafusp alone (PFS1) was compared to that …

Escape Of Kdm6a From X Chromosome Is Detrimental To Ischemic Brains Via Irf5 Signaling, Conelius Ngwa, Afzal Misrani, Kanaka Valli Manyam, Yan Xu, Shaohua Qi, Romana Sharmeen, Juneyoung Lee, Long-Jun Wu, Louise Mccullough, Fudong Liu

The Brown Foundation: Institute of Molecular Medicine

The role of chromatin biology and epigenetics in disease progression is gaining increasing recognition. Genes that escape X chromosome inactivation (XCI) can impact neuroinflammation through epigenetic mechanisms. Our previous study has suggested that the X escapee genes Kdm6a and Kdm5c are involved in microglial activation after stroke in aged mice. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We hypothesized that Kdm6a/5c demethylate H3K27Me3/H3K4Me3 in microglia, respectively, and mediate the transcription of interferon regulatory factor 5 (IRF5) and IRF4, leading to microglial pro-inflammatory responses and exacerbated stroke injury. Aged (17–20 months) Kdm6a/5c microglial conditional knockout (CKO) female mice (one allele of the …

Diabetes-Related Foot Complications And Socioeconomic Influences Among Hispanic Males In South Texas: A Scoping Review, Mariana J. Rodriguez, Demian Rodriguez, Amanda L. Killeen

School of Podiatric Medicine - Student Research

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is the 7^th leading cause of death in the United States and is 6^th in the state of Texas. Counties from South Texas are primarily affected with higher rates of diabetes than both the state and national average. Diabetes mellitus is a complex and progressive disease which can affect multiple systems of the body, leading to serious complications if untreated, especially in the lower extremities. Uncontrolled diabetes is often associated with diabetic foot ulcers (DFU), foot infections, and lower extremity amputations (LEA). South Texas is a region predominantly populated by Hispanic Americans who are disproportionally …

Diabetes-Related Foot Complications And Socioeconomic Influences Among Hispanic Males In South Texas: A Scoping Review, Mariana J. Rodriguez, Demian Rodriguez, Amanda Killeen

School of Podiatric Medicine Publications

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is the 7th leading cause of death in the U.S. and 6th in Texas. South Texas counties have higher diabetes rates than state and national averages. This complex, progressive disease affects multiple body systems and can lead to serious complications, especially in the lower extremities. Uncontrolled diabetes is often associated with diabetic foot ulcers (DFU), foot infections, and lower extremity amputations (LEA). South Texas, predominantly Hispanic American, is disproportionately affected. This demographic faces clinical barriers due to a lack of cultural understanding, highlighting the need for culturally sensitive healthcare workers such as promotoras. This study aimed to …

Une Com Research And Scholarship Fall Forum October 2025, Une Com Research & Scholarship

Osteopathic Student Research Symposia

Program including abstracts from the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine’s 2025 Research and Scholarship Fall Forum.

Supplemental content: List of award winners.

Combating Obesity: Creating A Comprehensive Wellness Plan For Uninsured & Low-Income Populations, Kayla C. Berrios

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

Aim: The aim of this project was to research the specific barriers encountered by obese patients that are low-income and uninsured. The goal of this data collection was to inform the stakeholders involved in creating a comprehensive wellness plan for obese patients.

Background: The staff at Good Neighbor Clinic have struggled to support their support their obese patients with weight reduction. Many of the ailments that patients seek care for correlate to their obesity. Health promotion in this community clinic needs a more comprehensive program to support patients during their weight loss experience, providing support and resources to allow for …

Prenatal Exposure To Domestic Violence And Its Impact On Infant Stress-Response Development, Erica Cooper

Expo Student Presentations

2025 Fall Expo Online Poster Presentation

• Health Sciences & Health Professions
• Social & Behavioral Sciences

Venezuelan Migrants In Prostitution: A Personal Decision?, Yazmin Maria Lucila Cadena Camargo, Izara Maite Mondragon Moreno, Isabela Osorio Jaramillo, Paula Angélica Suárez Álvarez, Andrés Duarte Osorio, Carlos Gómez-Restrepo

Dignity: A Journal of Analysis of Exploitation and Violence

This paper explores the multifaceted experiences of Venezuelan migrant women engaged in prostitution, framed through three critical moments: the “decision to enter in prostitution,” the unique abuses faced, and the resultant consequences on mental, physical, and social health. The study highlights how socioeconomic vulnerabilities—exacerbated by migration and poverty—significantly influence the likelihood of entering prostitution. It also shows how traumatic experiences, particularly in childhood and adolescence, coupled with a lack of support networks, contribute to a heightened risk of exploitation. Eleven life stories were collected through a phenomenological approach, revealing a common narrative of abuse, poverty, and the search for survival …

Therapeutic Silencing Of Integrin Α11 Attenuates Myofibroblast Activation In Vocal Fold Fibrosis, Linh P. Schiffer, Ryan M. Friedman, Yashna Gupta, Riccardo Gottardi

Annual Student Research Poster Session

Vocal fold scarring (VFS), a fibrotic condition of the lamina propria, commonly results from prolonged intubation or laryngeal trauma and leads to impaired vocal function and often irreversible dysphonia. Following injury, fibroblasts are activated by proinflammatory cytokines—particularly transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFβ1)—which induces their differentiation into contractile, ECM-producing myofibroblasts. A key marker of this activation is alpha-smooth muscle actin (αSMA). Among the drivers of this fibrotic response is integrin α11β1, a collagen-binding transmembrane protein encoded by the ITGA11 gene. ITGA11 has been implicated in multiple fibrotic diseases due to its role in enhancing TGFβ1 signaling and promoting myofibroblast activation. …