Digital Commons Network^™

Amygdala-Frontal Connectivity Predicts Internalizing Symptom Recovery Among Inpatient Adolescents, Amanda Venta, Carla Sharp, Michelle Patriquin, Ramiro Salas, Elizabeth Newlin, Kaylah Curtis, Philip Baldwin, Christopher Fowler, B Christopher Frueh

Staff and Researcher Publications

Background: The possibility of using biological measures to predict the trajectory of symptoms among adolescent psychiatric inpatients has important implications. This study aimed to examine emotion regulation ability (measured via self-report) and a hypothesized proxy in resting-state functional connectivity [RSFC] between the amygdala and frontal brain regions as baseline predictors of internalizing symptom recovery during inpatient care.

Methods: 196 adolescents (61% female; Mage = 15.20; SD = 1.48) completed the Achenbach Brief Problem Monitor (BPM) each week during their inpatient care. RSFC (n = 45) and self-report data of emotion regulation (n = 196) were collected at baseline.

Results: The …

What Is The Effect Of Being Bullied?: Comparing Direct Harms Of Bullying Experienced By Lgb And Non-Lgb Students, Lynn A. Addington

Journal of Family Strengths

In the United States, bullying against lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans*, and queer (LGBTQ) students is garnering greater attention from scholars, policymakers and school officials. This interest has prompted research that is providing a better understanding of these experiences, especially the frequency with which LGBTQ students are bullied. Less is known about the direct consequences of being bullied and how these harms might vary between LGBTQ and non-LGBTQ students. The present study begins to address this issue with a focus on students bullied due to their sexual orientation. Specifically, this study uses a nationally representative sample of 12- to 18-year-old students …

Links Between Social Support, Thwarted Belongingness, And Suicide Ideation Among Lesbian, Gay, And Bisexual College Students, Ryan M. Hill, Evan E. Rooney, Megan A. Mooney, Julie B. Kaplow

Journal of Family Strengths

Emerging adults with a lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB) identity are at greater risk for engaging in suicide-related behaviors. This disparity highlights a need to elucidate specific risk and protective factors associated with suicide-related behaviors among LGB youth, which could be utilized as targets for suicide prevention efforts in this population. Informed by the interpersonal-psychological theory of suicide, the present study hypothesized that social support would be indirectly associated with decreased suicide ideation via lower thwarted belongingness. A sample of 50 emerging adults (62.0% male, 70.0% Hispanic) who identified as gay, lesbian, bisexual, questioning, or “other” orientation, with a mean …

The Intersection Of Cisgenderism And Hate Crime: Learning From Trans People's Narratives, Michaela M. Rogers

Journal of Family Strengths

Whilst trans people are gaining recognition and positive attention in some respects, many continue to experience discrimination and social exclusion in everyday life. This paper will illuminate violence outside the home – in the form of hate crime – and the interplay with transphobia (the irrational dislike of trans people) and cisgenderism (a prejudicial ideology based on notions of gender normativity). To-date, there is a rather limited body of work detailing trans people’s experiences of hate crime, with the tendency to subsume trans people’s narratives under the lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) umbrella. This invisibility results in problems with …

Separated Same-Sex Parents’ Experiences And Views Of Services And Service Providers, Luke Gahan

Journal of Family Strengths

Same-sex parents are compelled to be more reflective, to plan, and to negotiate their contact with mainstream service providers and professionals in an effort to find those whom they feel comfortable with disclosing their sexuality and/or to find a service provider who would adequately understand their unique needs. This paper presents findings from an Australian qualitative study of separated same-sex parents and explores their experiences with professionals and service providers during and after their separation. As a consequence of their separation, same-sex parents encountered new service providers with whom they had to navigate relationships with; this paper will focus on …

Spirituality, Healing And The Whole Person: Reconciling Faith In The Transgender Community, S. Vance Goodman

Journal of Family Strengths

Abstract

Transgender issues have become a topic of common conversation due to recent events in government, the news and social media. This has caused much attention to be drawn to the people who identify with the transgender community. Some of the attention has been positive and empowering. Some of the attention has been negative and hurtful. Within religious circles, there are clergy and faith leaders who support the transgender community and there are those who ardently oppose it to the point of judgment and name-calling. This opposition of transgender identifying people by faith-based organizations (churches, synagogues, mosques, temples, etc.) can …

Book Review: The Remedy: Queer And Trans Voices On Health And Health Care, Krista S. Gehring

Journal of Family Strengths

The remedy: Queer and trans voices on health and health care, by Z. Sharman. Vancouver, BC: Arsenal Pulp Press 2016. 256 pp. $18.95.

Policy Essay: Fostering The Acceptance And Inclusion Of Lgbtq Youth In The Child Welfare System: Considerations For Advancing Trauma Informed Responses For Lgbtq Youth In Care, Adam Mccormick, Karey Scheyd, Samuel Terrazas

Journal of Family Strengths

LGBTQ youth are vulnerable to nearly all forms of childhood maltreatment and trauma and are disproportionately overrepresented in the child welfare system. Many LGBTQ youth in the child welfare system encounter a number of obstacles related to discrimination, rejection, placement instability, and further maltreatment. Despite recent insights and advances in the field of trauma informed care the trauma experiences of LGBTQ youth have largely gone unaddressed in major works and frameworks related to trauma informed care. The following article explores the unique trauma and maltreatment experiences of LGBTQ youth and provides considerations for enhancing and improving practice with LGBTQ youth …

From Tolerance And Diversity To Inclusion And Celebration; New Horizons For Infusing Queer Theory Into Communities, Laura Jean Mcguire

Journal of Family Strengths

Tolerance and diversity are at times lauded as the essential terms for modern social justice movements. From school to community settings teachers, public figures, and political leaders throw these terms around to great applaud and acclaim. And yet who are we trying to serve by using these terms, and whose humanity is preserved through tolerance and diversity? In the following article I address the difference between the simplicity and shortcomings posed by tolerating and diversifying spaces to the more radical movements of inclusion and celebration. I unpack these frameworks through personal narratives concerning my field work and experiences as well …

Authentic Youth And Young Adult Partnerships: Broadening The Narrative Of Lgbtq Youth Homelessness, Jama Shelton, Christa Price, Phoebe Vancleefe

Journal of Family Strengths

Lived experience generates knowledge not available through formal education and training. If lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth and young adults (YYA) experiencing homelessness are to be effectively engaged, their needs met, and their successful transition out of homelessness facilitated, they must be partners in the creation of solutions meant to help them. That means that everyone working to address LGBTQ YYA homelessness – including policymakers, government officials, advocates, researchers, and service providers – need to understand how to partner authentically with YYA experiencing homelessness. This article will introduce a framework for authentic YYA partnerships, describe the philosophy …

A Moral Debate At The Invisible Rainbow: Thoughts About Best Practices In Servicing Lgbtq Students In Special Education, Bernardo E. Pohl Jr, Matthew Fugate, John Kelly

Journal of Family Strengths

Instead of occupying a marginal space within teacher preparation programs, special education courses and training should promote diversity in servicing marginalized groups such as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) students. Within these programs, issues related to LGBTQ students should occupy a meaningful and formative space in the training of future teachers in special education. Often, special education teachers are at a loss about how to educate LGBTQ students with disabilities. Rethinking the role of special education and LGBTQ students with special needs within teacher education programs enables pre-service teachers to cultivate new values and attitudes that can enrich …

Genetic Epidemiology Of Neural Tube Defects, Philip J Lupo, A J Agopian, Heidi Castillo, Jonathan Castillo, Gerald H Clayton, Nienke P Dosa, Betsy Hopson, David B Joseph, Brandon G Rocque, William O Walker, John S Wiener, Laura E Mitchell

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

It has been estimated that 60-70% of neural tube defects (NTDs) have a genetic component, but few causative genes have been identified. The lack of information on genes associated with non-syndromic NTDs in humans is especially notable as the "genomic revolution" has led to new tools (e.g., genome-wide genotyping arrays, next-generation sequencing) that are helping to elucidate the full spectrum of genetic variation (from common to rare) contributing to complex traits, including structural birth defects. However, the application of modern genomic approaches to the study of NTDs has lagged behind that of some other common structural birth defects. This may …

Using Formative Research And Audience-Centric Intelligence To Develop The #Justbe Digital Magazine: An Mhealth Strategy To Improve Adolescent Sexual Health, Kimberly Johnson-Baker, Honora I. Swain-Ogbonna, Maribel Cruz, Jorge Cruz, Sharon Edwards, Susan R. Tortolero

Journal of Applied Research on Children: Informing Policy for Children at Risk

Digital strategies may help to overcome challenges in providing contraception education to overlooked and key sub-populations (older teens, ethnic minority youth, LGBTQ youth, high school dropouts and males). However, many current digital strategies are not culturally specific and often have limited information on the most effective contraceptive methods. In this article, we describe the preliminary steps used to develop #JustBe, a user-centered digital strategy for ethnic minority older youth and young adults with a specific focus contraception, sexual health, consent, and healthy relationships. Technology-based strategies such as #JustBe offer advantages over traditional face-to-face methods by utilizing a confidential way …

Special Issue Introduction: We Can Do More: Challenges And Opportunities For Teen Pregnancy Prevention, Susan R. Tortolero, Kimberly Johnson-Baker

Journal of Applied Research on Children: Informing Policy for Children at Risk

Guest editors Susan Tortolero Emery and Kimberly Johnson Baker introduce Volume 8, Issue 1 of the Journal of Applied Research on Children.

Thematic Analysis Of Mainstream Rap Music - Considerations For Culturally Responsive Sexual Consent Education In High School, Kimberly Johnson, Christine Markham, Susan R. Tortolero

Journal of Applied Research on Children: Informing Policy for Children at Risk

Background: Much of the research literature on sexual consent and sexual consent education has been focused on college students, providing a significant gap in our understanding of high school students, especially ethnic minority youth, who are at greatest risk for unwanted sexual contact and sexual activity. Furthermore, recent research suggests that music with sexually suggestive and misogynistic themes influence sexual communication and consenting behaviors. An analysis of rap music produced after the year 2000 is necessary to identify themes that may influence sexual communication among youth. Methods: A thematic analysis was conducted to examine the lyrics of mainstream rap music …

Community Mobilization: A Community-Wide Approach To Promoting Adolescent Sexual Health, Sam E. Greenberg, Laura Davis, Cheryl Tutt Msw, Tonya Katcher Md, Mph

Journal of Applied Research on Children: Informing Policy for Children at Risk

Community mobilization is a strategy that organizes a community across sectors for long-term change, and is one way for communities to provide supports for young people to make healthy sexual choices. In the context of teen pregnancy, community mobilization can address the interconnected web of factors that influence teen sexual attitudes by bringing together parents, educators, health care practitioners, young people, and other key community stakeholders to address the issue jointly. From 2014 to 2016, Advocates for Youth, through a cooperative agreement with the US Office of Adolescent Health, provided financial support and capacity-building assistance to three communities to address …

Working With Faith-Based Communities To Develop An Education Tool Kit On Relationships, Sexuality, And Contraception, Jennifer Torres, Kimberly Johnson-Baker, Sheryl B. Bell, Jamie Freeny, Sharon Edwards, Susan R. Tortolero, Honora I. Swain-Ogbonna

Journal of Applied Research on Children: Informing Policy for Children at Risk

Communities disproportionately affected from higher rates of unplanned teen births are in need of sustainable approaches to prevention strategies. One approach is to build the capacity of faith-based communities (FBCs) to address the sexual health needs of the surrounding community. However there is a need for comprehensive, user-friendly resources designed for FBCs that provide critical decision-making information related to pregnancy prevention inclusive of contraception. Using community-based, theoretical and practice-informed strategies, we developed a user-friendly sexuality education tool kit in five phases: (1) building relationships with faith leaders; (2) piloting educational sessions within churches; (3) gaining insight from participating faith leaders; …

Sexual Health Education For Behavior Change: How Much Is Enough?, Ross Shegog, Elizabeth Baumler, Robert C. Addy, Melissa Peskin, Melanie Ann Thiel, Susan R. Tortolero, Christine Markham

Journal of Applied Research on Children: Informing Policy for Children at Risk

Purpose: Successful implementation of sexual health curricula in school settings is often compromised by competing academic priorities. This study explores the association between exposure to sexual health lessons (time-on-task in hours and lesson content topics) and delayed sexual initiation of middle school students at long term follow-up.

Methods: Post hoc data analysis was conducted from a RCT (n=15 middle schools) in the south-central U.S. in which grade 7 students demonstrated delayed sexual initiation (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 1.54, 95% CI: 1.20 to 1.99) by grade 9 follow-up after using It’s Your Game (IYG), a 24 lesson sexual health curriculum. Logistic …

Be Legendary – Using Intervention Mapping And Participatory Strategies To Develop A Multi-Component Teen Pregnancy Prevention Intervention For Older Teen Males Of Color, Kimberly Johnson, Christine Markham, Rianne Smith, Susan R. Tortolero

Journal of Applied Research on Children: Informing Policy for Children at Risk

Background- Due to the lack of interventions on sexual and reproductive health for older teen males of color engagement with the target population is critical for intervention development. Be Legendary (BL) was developed using intervention mapping, design thinking strategies and participatory methods alongside African-American male high school students. BL is a culturally responsive, school-based teen pregnancy prevention intervention for older teen males that combines sex education with youth development to improve sexual and reproductive health outcomes and build socio-emotional and leadership skills areas. Methods -To develop BL, we engaged 13 male high school students ages 16-19 in weekly workshop …

Native Iyg: Improving Psychosocial Protective Factors For Hiv/Sti And Teen Pregnancy Prevention Among Youth In American Indian/Alaska Native Communities, Ross Shegog Phd., Stephanie Craig Rushing Phd, Mph, Cornelia Jessen Ma, Travis L. Lane Ba, Gwenda Gorman Bs, Amanda Gaston Mat, Taija Koogei Revels Bs, Jennifer Torres Mph, Jennifer Williamson, Elizabeth Baumler Phd., Robert C. Addy Phd., Melissa F. Peskin Phd., Susan R. Tortolero, Christine M. Markham Phd.

Journal of Applied Research on Children: Informing Policy for Children at Risk

Background: Few HIV/STI and pregnancy prevention programs for youth in American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities have been rigorously evaluated despite sexual health disparities in this population. This study reports the evaluation of a culturally adapted Internet-based HIV/STI and pregnancy prevention program for AI/AN youth, Native It’s Your Game (Native IYG).

Methods: A randomized study was conducted with 523 youth (12 to 14 years old), recruited from 25 tribal sites in Alaska, Arizona, and the Pacific Northwest. Participants were surveyed at baseline and upon completion of treatment or comparison interventions. Multivariable linear regression models were used to assess impact …

Reducing Sexual Risk Among Racial/Ethnic-Minority Ninth Grade Students: Using Intervention Mapping To Modify An Evidenced-Based Curriculum, Christine M. Markham, Melissa Peskin, Ross Shegog, Paula Cuccaro, Efrat K. Gabay, Kimberly Johnson-Baker, Honora I. Swain-Ogbonna, Sharon Edwards, Susan R. Tortolero

Journal of Applied Research on Children: Informing Policy for Children at Risk

Background: Racial/ethnic-minority 9^th graders are at increased risk for teen pregnancy, HIV, and STIs compared to their White peers. Yet, few effective sexual health education programs exist for this population. Purpose: To apply IM Adapt—a systematic theory- and evidence-based approach to program adaptation—to modify an effective middle school sexual health education curriculum, It’s Your Game…Keep It Real! (IYG), for racial/ethnic-minority 9^th graders. Methods: Following the six steps of IM Adapt, we conducted a needs assessment to describe the health problems and risk behaviors of the new population; reviewed existing evidence-based programs; assessed the fit of …

Assessing The Need And Receptivity For An Integrated Healthy Sexual And Dating Relationships Intervention For Community College Students, Christine M. Markham, Melissa Peskin, Robert C. Addy, J. Michael Wilkerson, Kimberly Johnson Baker, Diane M. Santa Maria, Belinda Hernandez, Vanessa Schick, Ross Shegog, Susan R. Tortolero, Yok-Fong Paat, Jeff R. Temple

Journal of Applied Research on Children: Informing Policy for Children at Risk

Background: In emerging adulthood, youth often become involved in more serious romantic relationships. However, many lack the skills to avoid an unplanned pregnancy or sexually transmitted infection (STI), and to ensure a healthy dating relationship. Community college students serve nearly half of all undergraduate students in the United States; yet, community colleges typically lack resources for sexual health promotion. Purpose: To assess the need and receptivity for a web-based integrated healthy sexual and dating relationships intervention among community college students. Methods: In summer 2016, we partnered with three community colleges in South Central Texas to conduct an online survey of …

Impact Of Terminology Mapping On Population Health Cohorts Impact, Barbara A. Berkovich

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Background and Objectives: The population health care delivery model uses phenotype algorithms in the electronic health record (EHR) system to identify patient cohorts targeted for clinical interventions such as laboratory tests, and procedures. The standard terminology used to identify disease cohorts may contribute to significant variation in error rates for patient inclusion or exclusion. The United States requires EHR systems to support two diagnosis terminologies, the International Classification of Disease (ICD) and the Systematized Nomenclature of Medicine (SNOMED). Terminology mapping enables the retrieval of diagnosis data using either terminology. There are no standards of practice by which to evaluate and …

A License To Kill: Understanding Natural Killer Cell Licensing To Fight Cancer, Jolie Schafer

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Natural killer (NK) cell education is an essential developmental process for NK cell effector function, that renders some NK cells “licensed” and others “unlicensed” (with heightened or lowered effector function potential, respectively) against tumor and targets lacking self-molecules. However, the underlying mechanisms responsible for the heightened effector responses of licensed cells remain unknown. Using NK cells derived from humans and expanded ex vivo we performed high-throughput protein expression analysis, and identified multiple proteins that are differentially regulated in licensed and unlicensed human NK cells before and after inhibition by killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) and activation by the NKp46 natural cytotoxicity …

Evaluating The Therapeutic Efficacy Of Restoring Wild-Type P53 Activity In P53-Mutant Tumors, Connie A. Larsson

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

The p53 transcription factor is the most frequently altered in human cancers usually via missense mutations that undermine its transcriptional activity. Clinically, TP53 mutations have been shown to be remarkably predictive of refractoriness to treatment, resulting in poor outcome. Consequently, the development of p53 pathway activating agents is rapidly evolving and gaining more attention in cancer therapeutics research, with several small molecule compounds currently in preclinical and clinical trials. However, it remains largely unknown what types or proportions of p53-mutant tumors will respond to p53 restoration-based therapies.

Using a mouse model of Li Fraumeni syndrome, we genetically restored wild-type …

Mechanism Of Candida Albicans Biofilm And Virulence Inhibition By A Bacterial Secreted Factor, Carrie Graham

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

The human microbiome is a diverse polymicrobial population comprised of both fungi and bacteria. Perturbations of the normal microbiome can have a profound impact on health, including the development of infections. Exploitation of these polymicrobial interactions has the potential to provide novel treatment and prevention strategies for infectious diseases. Enterococcus faecalis, a Gram-positive bacterium, and Candida albicans, a polymorphic fungus, occupy overlapping niches as ubiquitous constituents of the gastrointestinal and oral microbiome. Both species are also amongst the most important and problematic, opportunistic nosocomial pathogens and are often co-isolated during infection. Surprisingly, these two species antagonize each other’s …

Mitochondrial Fission After Traumatic Brain Injury, Tara Fischer

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Mitochondrial dysfunction is a central feature in the pathophysiology of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Loss of mitochondrial function disrupts normal cellular processes in the brain, as well as impedes the ability for repair and recovery, creating a vicious cycle that perpetuates damage after injury. To maintain metabolic homeostasis and cellular health, mitochondria constantly undergo regulated processes of fusion and fission and functionally adapt to changes in the cellular environment. An imbalance of these processes can disrupt the ability for mitochondria to functionally meet the metabolic needs of the cell, therefore resulting in mitochondrial damage and eventual cell death. Excessive fission, …

Computational Identification Of Noncoding Driver Mutations Based On Impact On Rna Processing, Kevin Zhu

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Despite the prevalence of mutations in the noncoding regions of the DNA, their effects on cancer development remain largely uninvestigated. This is especially evident when compared to coding mutations, which have been relatively well-studied and, in certain cases, been identified as driver mutations for cancer. Recent studies, however, have identified noncoding mutations that frequently appear in certain types of cancer, which may be evidence that those mutations are important to cancer development. Nonetheless, the role of noncoding mutations in cancer remains unclear. A potential vector for understanding this mechanism is through observing the relation between noncoding mutations and functional RNA …

Integrative Cancer Immunogenomic Analysis Of Serial Melanoma Biopsies Reveals Correlates Of Response And Resistance To Sequential Ctla-4 And Pd-1 Blockade Treatment, Whijae Roh

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Melanoma is the most malignant form of skin cancer. The five-year survival rate for metastatic melanoma is 19.9%. Although targeted therapy of BRAF and MEK inhibitors were developed for melanoma, resistance to therapy is inevitable. Immune checkpoint blockade, which reverses the suppression of the immune system, on the other hand, has shown a durable response in 20-30% of patients with metastatic melanoma. However, more predictive and robust biomarkers of response to this therapy are still needed, and resistance mechanisms remain incompletely understood. To address this, we examined a cohort of metastatic melanoma patients treated with sequential checkpoint blockade against cytotoxic …

Memory Potential, Molecular Characterization, And Translational Applications Of The Novel Theo/Tceo T Cell Phenotype, Todd Bartkowiak, Todd Bartkowiak

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

T cells comprise a substantial arm of the immune system and are exquisitely adapted to combat pathogens and tumors. The inflammatory environment largely dictates the nature of T cell response. A hallmark of T cell-mediated immunity is formation of immunological memory; the ability to respond more potently to re-encounter with pathogens. The immune system is also capable of recognizing tumors as foreign, much like viral or bacterial pathogens. Tumors have evolved, though, to generate an immunosuppressive environment to avoid destruction. The field of immunotherapy seeks to overcome immune suppression, in part by targeting T cell co-receptors on the cell surface …