Digital Commons Network^™

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

The Science Of Sound: Studying The Cognitive, Emotional, And Physiological Effects Of Frequency, Genre, And Music, Jett Yarborough

Senior Honors Theses

Music influences emotion, physiology, and cognition, yet little is known about how the frequency it is tuned to affects these influences. Prior research has shown that music tuned to 432 Hz can reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and improve sleep. My colleagues and I conducted two studies to investigate this. Our research found that music tuned to 432 Hz promotes a significant increase in memory retention and induces a state of focus and relaxation. These results suggest that shifting from the standard tuning frequency of 440 Hz to 432 Hz could have a profoundly positive impact on our daily lives. …

The Effect Of Chronic Azithromycin Use In Winter On Health Care Utilization For Children With Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia: A Double Blind Randomized Controlled Study (Rct), Ricardo A Mosquera, Aravind Yadav, Maria Del Mar Romero-Lopez, Ivan G Magana-Ceballos, S Shahrukh Hashmi, Wilfredo De Jesus Rojas, Maria E Tellez, Kaleigh Riggs-Harpur, Fatima M Boricha, Tina S Reddy, Janice L John, Tomika S Harris, Carlos E Rodriguez-Martinez, Jefferson Buendia, Katrina E Mcbeth, Cindy K Jon, James M Stark, Giuseppe N Colasurdo

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), a chronic lung disease in preterm infants, often leads to acute respiratory exacerbations triggered by infections. Our previous mouse study suggested that azithromycin's anti-inflammatory properties may benefit virus-induced respiratory illnesses prophylactically.

Methods: In this single-center, double-blind RCT, 60 children (6 months to 6 years) with BPD received azithromycin (5 mg/kg three times weekly; n = 30) or placebo (n = 30) for one winter season (October to March). Primary outcome was the total number of days of unscheduled healthcare clinic visits, ER visits, and hospital days. Secondary outcomes comprised clinic visits, ER visits, hospital admissions, hospital …

The Distribution Of The Number Of Mutations In The Genealogy Of A Sample From A Single Population, Yun-Xin Fu

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The number K of mutations in the genealogy of a sample of n sequences from a single population is one essential summary statistic in molecular population genetics and is equal to the number of segregating sites in the sample under the infinite-sites model. Although its expectation and variance are the most widely utilized properties, its sampling formula (i.e., probability distribution) is the foundation for all explorations related to K. Despite existence of an analytic sampling formula, its numerical application is limited due to susceptibility to error propagation. This paper presents a new sampling formula for K in a random sample …

Sleep Eeg And Respiratory Biomarkers Of Sudden Unexpected Death In Epilepsy (Sudep): A Case-Control Study, Oman Magana-Tellez, Rama Maganti, Norma J Hupp, Xi Luo, Sandhya Rani, Johnson P Hampson, Manuela Ochoa-Urrea, Sudha S Tallavajhula, Rup K Sainju, Daniel Friedman, Maromi Nei, Brian K Gehlbach, Stephan Schuele, Ronald M Harper, Beate Diehl, Lisa M Bateman, Orrin Devinsky, George B Richerson, Samden D Lhatoo, Nuria Lacuey

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is the most common category of epilepsy-related mortality. Centrally mediated respiratory dysfunction has been observed to lead to death in the majority of cases of SUDEP. SUDEP also mainly occurs during nighttime sleep. This study seeks to identify sleep EEG and sleep-related respiratory biomarkers of SUDEP risk.

Methods: In this case-control study, we compared demographic, clinical, EEG, and respiratory data from people with epilepsy who later died of SUDEP (the SUDEP group) with data from age and sex-matched living people with epilepsy, classified as high risk of SUDEP (with ≥1 generalised tonic-clonic seizure …

Mitochondrial Haplogroups, But Not Heteroplasmy, Are Associated With Midlife Cognitive Function, Nien Yeh Daphne Yu, Shea J Andrews, Lifang Hou, Myriam Fornage, Kristine Yaffe

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Introduction: Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variation may influence cognitive performance, but prior findings are inconsistent.

Methods: We analyzed data from 2308 participants in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study, assessing heteroplasmy (mtHz) burden and haplogroups (mtHg) from blood-derived mtDNA at three timepoints and cognitive function across multiple domains. Multivariate linear regression models and multivariate linear mixed models adjusted for age, sex, education, and race.

Results: MtDNA heteroplasmy burden and count were not associated with cognitive performance. However, mtHgs in macro-mtHg L were linked to poorer cognitive outcomes, particularly in processing speed and global cognition in cross-sectional and …

Food Insecurity And Social Connection Of Nicaraguan Refugees And Asylum Seekers In Costa Rica: A Qualitative Study, Keren Herran

Theses and Dissertations

Background

Given the physical and mental health consequences of food insecurity, solutions should be evidence-based and seek to prioritize vulnerable populations. This qualitative study adds to limited literature on how refugees and asylum seekers use their social connections to mitigate food insecurity by investigating how Nicaraguan refugees and asylum seekers in Costa Rica foster social connections and use these connections to acquire and manage food.

Methods

In fall 2024, 35 in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted in San José, Costa Rica. Participants were recruited through six migrant-serving nonprofit organizations. For study inclusion, participants had to: 1) be 18 or older; 2) …

Hungry Minds: Analyzing The Impact Of Food Insecurity And Food Assistance Programs On Neurocognitive Development And Childhood Mental Health, Kayla A. Davenport

Senior Theses

Introduction: Food insecurity affects millions of children in the United States and is increasingly recognized as a significant risk factor for poor nutritional intake and adverse health outcomes. However, less is known about how the experience of food insecurity disrupts healthy development and well-being, particularly among American youth. This thesis had two aims: (1) to examine the relationship between household food insecurity and children’s neurocognitive and mental health outcomes and (2) to evaluate how major food assistance programs address, or fail to address, these developmental risks.

Methods: This thesis uses a mixed-methods approach, integrating a narrative literature review, a cross-sectional …

High Prevalence Of Abnormal Baseline Lung Function In Pediatric And Young Adult Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Recipients: A Report From The Transpire Study, Jane Koo, Richard Cooper, Stephanie L Edwards, Adam Lane, Sara Katherine Loveless, Lauren Strecker, Kelly E Lake, Kasiani C Myers, Christopher Towe, Jessica Patti, Laura L Walkup, Kathryn A Wikenheiser-Brokamp, Margaret L Macmillan, Philip Lacher, Tamara Griffin, Merve Tekman, Gabriel Salinas Cisneros, Kevin Wu, Matthew S Zinter, Fernando A Urrego, K Scott Baker, Matthew F Abts, Sheri Ballard, Jason L Freedman, Alexander Caraballo, Lisa R Young, Maureen B Josephson, Julian L Allen, Devaney M Camburn, Erin E Doherty, Mashid Sababi Azamian, Martha Arredondo, Manuel Silva-Carmona, Leslie E Lehmann, Wai Wong, Jonathan M Gaffin, William Mcalpine, Mona Li, Samuel B Goldfarb, Jason C Woods, Stella M Davies

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Pulmonary complications are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in pediatric and young adult hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients. The impact of preexisting lung dysfunction on posttransplant outcomes remains understudied.

Methods: In a multi-institutional prospective cohort of 444 patients (≤24 years) undergoing allogeneic HSCT at eight centers, baseline lung function was categorized as normal or abnormal using clinical history, imaging, pulmonary function tests (PFTs), and pulmonologist review. Spirometry and diffusion capacity were assessed at baseline, Day 100, 1 year, and 2 years post-HSCT.

Results: Baseline pulmonary dysfunction was present in 224 patients (50.4%), including impaired spirometry (46.4%), …

Plasma Proteome Correlations With Liver Stiffness In Pediatric Cholestasis Implicate Epithelial To Mesenchymal Transition, Benjamin L Shneider, Rupa S Kanchi, Sandra L Grimm, Sridevi Devaraj, Juliet Emamaullee, Jeremy Schraw, Philip J Lupo, Jorge A Bezerra, Kathleen M Loomes, John C Magee, Ronald J Sokol, Kasper S Wang, Alyssa Kriegmeier, Evelyn Hsu, Jean P Molleston, Philip Rosenthal, Rohit Kohli, Saul J Karpen, Simon P Horslen, M Kyle Jensen, Arianna Barbetta, Cristian Coarfa

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Pediatric cholestatic liver diseases can be characterized by rapidly progressive fibrosis. A multicenter cross-sectional analysis of vibration-controlled elastography in biliary atresia (BA), alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (A1AT), and Alagille syndrome (ALGS) was leveraged to interrogate the plasma proteome relative to liver stiffness measurements (LSM).

Methods: Slow off-rate modified aptamer scanning profiling of >7000 proteins in plasma from 187 children with BA (n=93), A1AT (n=31), ALGS (n=46), and healthy pediatric controls (n=17) was performed, and correlations with LSM were undertaken.

Results: There was an abundance of LSM correlated proteins (BA n=2720, A1AT n=694, ALGS n=5968). Interestingly, a distinct plasma proteome was …

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 …

Exploring The Transformative Effects Of Calorie Restriction On The Lacrimal Gland In Adult Mice, Olivier Mauduit, Prashant Kumar, Kaitlin K Scholand, Emre Aksan, Laura Schaefer, Anmar Abu-Romman, Vanessa Delcroix, Zhiyuan Yu, Aude I Sindikubwabo, Ron Korstanje, Helen P Makarenkova, Cintia S De Paiva

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Advanced age is one of the most recognizable risk factors for dry eye. Dry eye disease affects millions worldwide and can result from age-related lacrimal gland dysfunction, which correlates with a decline in lacrimal gland secretory cell function and chronic inflammation. This study investigated the potential of calorie restriction to maintain lacrimal gland and ocular surface health. Adult female C57BL/6 J mice were subjected to a 40% calorie restriction for 4 months, starting at 6-7 months and continuing until 10-11 months. These mice were compared to controls fed ad libitum. Bulk RNA sequencing of lacrimal glands, conjunctiva, and cornea subjected …

Author Correction: Clonal Dynamics And Somatic Evolution Of Haematopoiesis In Mouse, Chiraag D Kapadia, Nicholas Williams, Kevin J Dawson, Caroline Watson, Matthew J Yousefzadeh, Duy Le, Kudzai Nyamondo, Sreeya Kodavali, Alex Cagan, Sarah Waldvogel, Xiaoyan Zhang, Josephine De La Fuente, Daniel Leongamornlert, Emily Mitchell, Marcus A Florez, Krzysztof Sosnowski, Rogelio Aguilar, Alejandra Martell, Anna Guzman, David Harrison, Laura J Niedernhofer, Katherine Y King, Peter J Campbell, Jamie Blundell, Margaret A Goodell, Jyoti Nangalia

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

No abstract provided.

Examining The Relationship Between Dysphagia, Eating-Related Symptoms, And Diet Quality Among Oropharyngeal Cancer Patients During Critical Stages Of Cancer Survivorship: The U-Dine Study, Beatrice Manduchi, Vlad C Sandulache, Ji Yun Tark, Shreela Sharma, Ruosha Li, Emily Roller, Andrew Bevelhimer, Katherine A Hutcheson, Marcia C De Oliveira Otto

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Diet quality is a modifiable factor impacting treatment outcomes in oropharyngeal cancer (OPC), yet the effect of dysphagia and self-reported eating-related symptoms remains unclear. This study examined their associations with diet quality in OPC patients.

Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted with two parallel cohorts from MD Anderson Cancer Center and Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center as part of the Uncovering the Long-Term Impact of OPC and Dysphagia on Dietary Quality and Nutrition Among Cancer Survivors (U-DINE) Study. Participants at varying survivorship stages (prediagnosis, 3-6 and 18+ months posttreatment) were assessed for dysphagia (DIGEST scale) and six …

Nrf2 Hyperactivation As A Driver Of Radiotherapy Resistance And Suppressed Antitumor Immunity In Head And Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Rutulkumar Patel, Kalil Saab, Lixia Luo, Yan Ma, Rashid Abdullah Osman, Nerissa T Williams, Jeffrey Everitt, Maciej J Zelazowski, Patricia Castro, William K Decker, William H Hudson, Jeffrey N Myers, Vlad C Sandulache, Mitchell J Frederick, Yvonne M Mowery, David G Kirsch

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Purpose: Alterations in the KEAP1/NFE2L2 (NRF2)/CUL3 pathway occur in ∼20% of human head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) and are associated with resistance to standard-of-care therapy. However, this pathway's role in radiotherapy resistance in HNSCC has not been well studied.

Experimental design: We generated genetically engineered mouse models and developed primary murine cancer cell lines harboring mutations commonly observed in human HNSCC, including inducible activation of PIK3CA and deletion of Trp53, with or without Keap1 loss. Primary tumors were initiated via 4-hydroxytamoxifen injection ± the tobacco carcinogen benzo[a]pyrene (BAP) into the oral buccal mucosa. Tumors were analyzed by Western …

Prevalence Of Diabetes Related To Acculturation, Dietary Quality, And Sedentary Lifestyle In Mexican Americans: National Health And Nutrition Examination Survey 2011 To 2018, Kivima Acevedo

Journal of the Symposium of University Research and Creative Expression

Project Mentor(s): David Gee, PhD; Kathaleen Briggs Early, PhD, RDN, CDCES; Katy Williams, MS, RDN

Objective: This study examined the prevalence of diabetes in Mexican American adults (MA-adults) and how risk factors like acculturation, dietary quality, and sedentary lifestyle contribute to the rising rates of diabetes, using the National Health and Nutrition Survey (NHANES) 2011 to 2018 data. Methods: We analyzed the NHANES data of MA-adults and Non-Hispanic White adults (NHW-adults) (n= 10670) for the association of diabetes and its risk factors (dietary habits and sedentary lifestyle) by acculturation levels. Diet quality was assessed using the Healthy Eating Index (HEI). …

Exploring Workplace Mental Health And Counseling Needs In Open University Staff: A Mixed-Methods Study, Pathanin Sangaroon, Oranuch Kanjanaprakorn, Araya Prasertchai, Worrawit Nakpan

Journal of Health Research

Background: Workplace mental health is a growing concern in higher education, especially in open and distance learning (ODL) settings, where staff face unique stressors. This study examines the mental health and counseling needs of academic and support staff at Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU), Thailand, using a biopsychosocial lens.

Methods: An explanatory sequential mixed-methods design was used. In the quantitative phase, 332 staff completed a questionnaire on mental health and biopsychosocial factors. Twelve participants then took part in interviews to explore their experiences and counseling preferences. Quantitative data were analyzed using stepwise regression, and qualitative data through thematic analysis. …

Htlv-1 And Atll: Epidemiology, Oncogenesis, And Opportunities For Community-Informed Research In The United States, Adrian D. Altieri, Sean P. Reilly, Abu Mansalay, Alan Khoo, Nettie Johnson, Zafar K. Khan, Amy Leader, Pooja Jain, Pierluigi Porcu

Kimmel Cancer Center Faculty Papers

Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1), the first oncogenic human retrovirus, causes adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL), an aggressive neoplasm of mature CD4+ T-cells that is incurable in most patients and is associated with a median survival of less than 1 year. HTLV-1 also causes inflammatory disorders, including HTLV-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) and uveitis. The estimated lifetime risks of ATLL and HAM/TSP in HTLV-1 carriers are 3-5% and 0.25-1.8%, respectively. Although there is uncertainty about other health effects of HTLV-1, a recent meta-analysis showed an association between HTLV-1 and cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and metabolic diseases and a 57% increased risk …

Observational Activation Of Anterior Cingulate Cortical Neurons Coordinates Hippocampal Replay In Social Learning, Xiang Mou, Daoyun Ji

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Social learning enables a subject to make decisions by observing the actions of another. How neural circuits acquire relevant information during observation to guide subsequent behavior is unknown. Utilizing an observational spatial working memory task, we show that neurons in the rat anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) associated with spatial trajectories during self-running in a maze are reactivated when observing another rat running the same maze. The observation-induced ACC activities are reduced in error trials and are correlated with activities of hippocampal place cells representing the same trajectories. The ACC activities during observation also predict subsequent hippocampal place cell activities during …

Cyp1b1 Mediates Cigarette Smoke-Induced Lipid Accumulation In Alveolar Type 2 Cells, Yin Zhu, Siddhika Gamare, Francesca Polverino, Caroline A Owen, Payaningal R Somanath, Xiaoyun Wang, Duo Zhang

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Alterations in lipid profiles have been shown in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of cytochrome P450 family-1 subfamily B member 1 (CYP1B1) in cigarette smoke (CS)-induced lipid accumulation in alveolar type II epithelial (AT2) cells. We observed a steady increase in CYP1B1 protein levels in AT2 cells from COPD patients. Additionally, CS exposure induced CYP1B1 expression in AT2 cells of murine lungs. In vitro, treatment with cigarette smoke extract (CSE) not only upregulated CYP1B1 expression but also triggered lipid accumulation in AT2-like …

Enhancing Methods For Research On Cannabis: A Workshop Report, Jonathan Samet, Jessica Barrington-Trimis, Lisa Bero, Ashley Brooks-Russell, Meghan Buran, Julia Dilley, Darin Erickson, Marilyn Huestis, Kent Hutchison, Thomas Jeanne, Michael Kosnett, David Kroll, Stephen Lankenau, Richard Miech, Rosalie Liccardo Pacula, Paula Riggs, Neeloofar Soleimanpour, Steven Teutsch, Gregory Tung, George Sam Wang

College of Health Professions Faculty Papers

AIMS: Progressive legalization of medical and recreational cannabis markets at the state-level has led to rapid growth of medical and recreational cannabis markets and to product diversification with emerging products having high concentrations of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol. Research on these products is still limited and the evidence available for policy formulation is diminished by methodological limitations.

METHODS: As a step towards addressing these limitations, the Colorado School of Public Health convened a multidisciplinary workshop that addressed four areas of cannabis research: epidemiological, clinical, surveillance, and policy. Workshop participants provided recommendations in each area to advance research on cannabis to make it more …

Early-Life Exposure To Organic Chemical Pollutants As Assessed In Primary Teeth And Cardiometabolic Risk In Mexican American Children: A Pilot Study, Vidya S. Farook, Feroz Akhtar, Rector Arya, Alice Yau, Srinivas Mummidi, Juan Lopez Alvarenga, Alvaro Diaz-Badillo, Roy G. Resendez, John Blangero

Human Genetics Publications

Early-life exposure to organic chemicals (OCs) may influence childhood obesity and associated cardiometabolic risk. These conditions have been shown to disproportionately affect minority populations such as Mexican Americans (MAs). However, information on the impact of organic chemicals on cardiometabolic risk in MA children is limited. Therefore, we conducted a pilot study to assess the extent to which exposure to organic chemicals influences cardiometabolic traits (CMTs) in MA children. We recalled 25 children from a previous study and collected 25 primary teeth from them. Chemical analyses of the teeth were performed using established protocols. Target analytes included acetaminophen (APAP); 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol (TCPy), …

A Novel Self-Inhaled Nicotine Exposure System In Murine Models Reveals Age-Dependent Metabolic Effects Of Nicotine, Xu Xu, Hailan Liu, Meng Yu, Qingzhuo Liu, Yongxiang Li, Yue Deng, Yuxue Yang, Jingjing Cheng, Yutian Liu, Mengjie Wang, Xing Fang, Longlong Tu, Olivia Z Ginnard, Kristine M Mcdermott, Darah Threat, Fuhui Wang, Meixin Sun, Xinming Liu, Jiamin Qiu, Xi Wu, Jinjing Jian, Tong Zhou, Megan E Burt, Sanika V Jossy, Junying Han, Chunmei Wang, Yongjie Yang, Yong Xu, Yuhan Shi

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Nicotine is known to influence metabolism and body weight, yet existing murine models of nicotine exposure often fail to replicate human smoking behaviors accurately. To address this gap, we designed a cost-effective, self-administered nicotine inhalation system that allows mice to voluntarily inhale nicotine vapor generated from e-liquid.

Results: Using this system, we investigated the metabolic effects of nicotine exposure in adult and adolescent mice. Adult mice exposed to nicotine vapor for 10 days exhibited significant weight loss, which was rapidly regained upon cessation, paralleling human smoking patterns. In contrast, adolescent mice did not lose weight during nicotine exposure but …

Parental Expectations Of Pediatric Care For Children, Brenan T. Cash, Jacquelyn D. Wiersma-Mosley, Donia Timby, Laura Herold

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

Access to childhood pediatrics is a major factor for a full and healthy childhood for all children from adolescence to adulthood. However, the physical health aspect has been the main focus of most primary care clinics, and there is little focus on mental health. Mental health issues, which involve anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress, are more prominent than they have ever been, as up to 30% of children have experienced mental health issues that involve post-traumatic stress disorder, especially during the pandemic years. This study employed a non-experimental, quantitative analysis utilizing online closed-ended survey questions. Caretakers were offered an anonymous, …

Lung Nr3c1+ And Cxcr6high T Cells Distinguish Immunopathogenesis Of Human Emphysema, Yun Zhang, Maor Sauler, David B Corry, Scott A Ochsner, Sarah Perusich, Li-Zhen Song, Joshua Malo, Raul San Jose Estepar, Francesca Polverino, Farrah Kheradmand

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

There is a significant knowledge gap in how T cells promote emphysema in smokers with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA seq) analysis of human samples and relevant clinical data can provide new mechanistic insights into disease pathogenesis. We generated a human lung scRNA seq dataset with extensive disease characteristic annotation and analyzed a second independent scRNA seq dataset to examine the pathophysiological role of T cells in emphysema. Comparisons of pulmonary immune landscapes in emphysematous (E)-COPD, non-emphysematous (NE)-COPD, and control showed positive enrichment of T cells in E-COPD. Pathway analyses identified upregulated inflammatory states in CD4 …