Digital Commons Network^™

The Role Of Anti-Inflammatory Cytokine Interleukin-10 (Il-10) In Tauopathies, Lea L. Weston

Biomedical Sciences ETDs

Tauopathies are neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, that are associated with pathological accumulation of the microtubule associated protein tau (MAPT, or tau) (Lee et al., 2001). Abnormal hyperphosphorylated tau (pTau) strongly correlate with cognitive impairment (Nelson et al., 2012). Neuroinflammation is also associated with tauopathies (Gerhard et al., 2006b; Edison et al., 2008) and is implicated in driving tau pathology (Yoshiyama et al., 2007, Maphis et al., 2015b). Therefore, it is compelling to understand the role of anti-inflammatory cytokines in limiting neuroinflammation and tau pathology. Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is a well-established anti-inflammatory cytokine with roles in limiting inflammation in the central …

Role Of Β-Glucan Structure In Dectin-1 Homo- And Hetero-Oligomerization In Innate Anti-Fungal Immunity, Eduardo U. Anaya

Biomedical Sciences ETDs

Dectin-1A is a C-type Lectin innate immunoreceptor that recognizes β-(1,3)-glucan, a structural component of Candida species cell walls. Dectin-1 has eight alternative splice isoforms including, A and B. Innate immunocytes can express one or both isoforms, but neither their relative responsiveness to β-glucan nor the potential for inter-isoform signaling cross-talk is well understood. In this study, we determine how the different structures of soluble β-glucans affect both isoforms and unravel how differences in glucan structure impact the earliest events in Dectin-1 signaling. Using quantitative microscopy techniques, we explored the role of glucan structure on Dectin-1A oligomerization, which is thought to …

A Bayesian Network Analysis Of The Human Exposure To Escherichia Coli Bacteria In The Environment, Brandon G. De Flon

Mathematics & Statistics ETDs

Diarrhea is a leading cause of death worldwide because a lack thereof in household sanitization exposes humans to high concentrations of pathogenic Escherichia coli. In 2016, the University of New Mexico’s Nepal Study Center collected cross-sectional survey data using proportional random sampling on three communities in Western Nepal. Structural and parameter learning estimation and approximate inference of Bayesian networks studied diarrheagenic E. coli exposure while incorporating participation in sanitary behaviors, access to sanitary built-in environments, and other human characteristics. Of the reported sickness, hand washing resulted in a 20 percent decrease, water treatment 8 percent, and both 28 percent. Of …

Vaccine Delivery To Remote Regions Of The World Using A Novel Delivery Platform, Amelia Bierle

Shared Knowledge Conference

Vaccination has been the most impactful medical intervention ever devised to prevent the global spread of infectious disease. In the past 200 years, vaccination has been credited to have saved more lives from a human intervention only after clean water and improved sanitary conditions. Society has seen this through the eradication of Polio and Smallpox. The current pandemic underscores the need for an effective vaccine ever so. In the last ten months, life has changed drastically around the world. With the pandemic raging on and no cure in sight, it is clear that vaccines are a critical component of public …

Mucosal Immune System Of African Lungfish, Ryan D. Heimroth

Biology ETDs

Conquering land was an apex moment in the evolution of vertebrates. Physiologically, the first vertebrates to transition to life on land had to adapt in order to survive in an oxygen-rich environment where gravitational forces and limited water prevailed. Several extant vertebrates including anurans and lungfish, survive droughts by undergoing aestivation. Unfavorable environmental conditions trigger lungfish to aestivate. Aestivation is a process of metabolic torpor wherein the fish will encase itself in a mucus cocoon and not move until favorable environmental conditions (food and water) are reintroduced. Aestivation can be reproduced in laboratory settings and, thus, lungfish can be used …

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Neutralizing Antibody Titers In Convalescent Plasma And Recipients In New Mexico: An Open Treatment Study In Patients With Coronavirus Disease 2019, Steven B. Bradfute, Ivy Hurwitz, Alexandra V. Yingling, Chunyan Ye, Qiuying Cheng, Timothy P Noonan, Jay S. Raval, Nestor R. Sosa, Gregory J. Mertz, Douglas J. Perkins, Michelle S. Harkins

Pathology Research and Scholarship

BACKGROUND: Convalescent plasma (CP) is a potentially important therapy for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, knowledge regarding neutralizing antibody (NAb) titers in donor plasma and their impact in patients with acute COVID-19 remains largely undetermined. We measured NAb titers in CP and in patients with acute COVID-19 before and after transfusion through the traditional Food and Drug Administration investigational new drug pathway.

METHODS: We performed a single-arm interventional trial measuring NAb and total antibody titers before and after CP transfusion over a 14-day period in hospitalized patients with laboratory-confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection.

RESULTS: NAb titers in …

New Mexico Health Care Workforce Committee 2020 Annual Report, University Of New Mexico - Health Sciences Center

New Mexico Health Care Workforce Committee (2013-ongoing)

Each year the New Mexico Health Care Workforce Committee studies the supply and distribution of health care providers in order to provide a report to the Legislature by October 1. The committee also makes recommendations for improving recruitment and retention of providers in New Mexico's rural and underserved areas.

Antibodies To Variable Domain 4 Linear Epitopes Of The Chlamydia Trachomatis Major Outer Membrane Protein Are Not Associated With Chlamydia Resolution Or Reinfection In Women, Amanda L. Collar, Alexandria C. Linville, Susan B. Core, Cosette M. Wheeler, William M. Geisler, David S. Peabody, Bryce Chackerian, Kathryn M. Frietze

Pathology Research and Scholarship

Chlamydia trachomatis is an obligate intracellular bacterium. C. trachomatis infection is the most prevalent bacterial sexually transmitted infection and can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility in women. There is no licensed vaccine for C. trachomatis prevention, in part due to gaps in our knowledge of C. trachomatis-specific immune responses elicited during human infections. Previous investigations of the antibody response to C. trachomatis have identified immunodominant antigens and antibodies that can neutralize infection in cell culture. However, epitope-specific responses to C. trachomatis are not well characterized, and the impact of these antibodies on infection outcome is unknown. We …

Cinematic Portrayal Of Infectious Disease Outbreaks, Walter Dehority

2020 Pediatric Research Forum Session

Background:

Movies are a shared cultural experience. Films likely reflect societal fears, and may provide insight into how the public perceives infectious disease outbreaks.

Methods:

A search of IMDb.com was conducted in February/March 2020 (updating a 2017 search) using 163 infection-related search terms to identify films with an emphasis on infectious diseases (as assessed by review of plot synopses on IMDb, the American Film Institute database, or Wikipedia) through December 31, 2019. Films featuring an outbreak or pandemic (as defined by the CDC, with the outbreak/pandemic required to be an important component of the story) were then selected. Cultural relevance …

How Do I Manage Long-Term Blood Component Shortages In A Hospital Transfusion Service, Claudia S. Cohn, Monica B. Pagano, Elizabeth S. Allen, Kathrine P. Frey, Thomas Gniadek, Parvez M. Lokhandwala, Colin H. Murphy, Jay S. Raval, Nancy M. Dunbar

Pathology Research and Scholarship

INTRODUCTION Temporary blood component shortages are common in some areas of the United States (US) and can usually be managed with short-term solutions.1However, a widespread, long-term shortage that leaves the blood industry with insufficient blood components to serve urgent medical needs requires additional mitigation strategies. The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that caused the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic represents the greatest threat to the blood supply in recent memory. If the COVID-19 pandemic continues unchecked, the downward trend in blood collections will likely con-tinue.2Hospital transfusion services may be faced with unprecedented long-term shortages in blood products. A …

Covid-19: Postmortem Diagnostic And Biosafety Considerations, J Matthew Lacy, Erin G. Brooks, Joshua Akers, Danielle Armstrong, Lauren Decker, Adam Gonzalez, William Humphrey, Romana Mayer, Matthew Miller, Catherine Perez, Jose Antonio Ruiz Arango, Lakshmanan Sathyavagiswaran, Wendy Stroh, Suzanne Utley

Pathology Research and Scholarship

As a result of the 2019 novel human coronavirus (COVID-19) global spread, medical examiner/coroner offices will inevitably encounter increased numbers of COVID-19-infected decedents at autopsy. While in some cases a history of fever and/or respiratory distress (eg, cough or shortness of breath) may suggest the diagnosis, epidemiologic studies indicate that the majority of individuals infected with COVID-19 develop mild to no symptoms. Those dying with-but not of-COVID-19 may still be infectious, however. While multiple guidelines have been issued regarding autopsy protocol in cases of suspected COVID-19 deaths, there is some variability in the recommendations. Additionally, limited recommendations to date have …

Dectin-1 Mediated Mechanical Force Generation In Candida Albicans Fungal Pathogen Recognition, Rohan Choraghe

Biomedical Engineering ETDs

Candida spp. pathogens continue to be a major health care burden with high mortality and exceeding a billion dollars in terms of healthcare cost. Candidainfection ranges from superficial dermatological infection to more serious blood stream infection in debilitated patients. One of the major lines of innate immune defense against Candidais phagocytosis. Dectin-1 is the antifungal receptor in myeloid cells responsible for most immune responses against fungi including phagocytosis. We looked into the signaling pathway coordinating this mechanical process downstream of Dectin-1. We found that Dectin-1 activation gives rise to a significant mechanical force generation mediated through RHOA-ROCK-MyosinII pathway. …

The San Luis Valley And Migrant Health, Julianne Armijo

Theoretical Foundation in Advanced Practice Nursing

No abstract provided.

Social Support For Pregnant Women And New Mothers During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Kalissa A. Morgan

Theoretical Foundation in Advanced Practice Nursing

No abstract provided.

The Investigation Of Surface Structures On Various Pathogens And Their Interactions With The Human Immune System, Carmen M. Villalobos

Biomedical Engineering ETDs

The cell surface is the first interface the host immune system encounters and

its investigation has led to a better understanding of cellular biology and types of

pathways that pathogens target in a host cell. The cell surface has evolved to include

many functions such as manipulation of the cytoskeleton, cell signaling, membrane

trafficking, adhesion, and integration into host tissue. The pathogens of interest are

the pathogenic fungus, Candida albicans, and the parasite, Giardia lamblia and we

investigate the consequences of drug treatments on the cell surface, leading to

promising new targets.

Climate Change: Water Shortfalls In New Mexico, Eloise Alton Duncan

Climate Change and Public Health Preparedness

No abstract provided.

Community And Health Impacts Of Diminishing Water Supplies Due To Climate Change In Southern New Mexico, Lilian Igondou

Climate Change and Public Health Preparedness

No abstract provided.

Assessing The Environmental Impacts Of Urbanization In Siddharthanagar, Nepal, Bishal Raj Khanal

Economics ETDs

Rapid and haphazard infrastructural expansion often contributes to large negative externalities in cities. Environmental problems like air pollution and degradation of quality-of-life elements in an urban settlement are attributed to urban sprawl. Evidence based planning tools need to be developed which can help manage the rapid urbanization that is taking place in the developing world. In this context, we examine the relationship between health outcomes and the different spatial- temporal aspects of an urban-built environment in Siddharthanagar Metropolitan City which is a major settlement in southwestern Nepal. We attempt to identify the aspects of built environment which are closely associated …

Developing A Virus-Like Particle (Vlp)-Based Vaccine For Neisseria Gonorrhoeae, Ashvini Vaidya

Biomedical Sciences ETDs

Neisseria gonorrhoeae (Ng) is a sexually transmitted bacterium that infects human reproductive mucosal surfaces. Due to the risk of complications in untreated cases and evolving antibiotic resistance, a prophylactic vaccine is critical for preventing infection. There are four Ng outer-membrane proteins that contribute to Ng survival and resistance: PorB, BamA, TbpA, and MtrE. Each protein contains surface-exposed loops that are targets of bactericidal antibodies. Vaccines were developed by displaying Ng epitopes on the surface of bacteriophage virus-like particles (VLP). VLPs are immunogenic, multivalent, self-assembling complexes composed of viral structural proteins. Antigenic peptide sequences can be displayed on the surface …

Sars-Cov-2 Reverse Genetics Reveals A Variable Infection Gradient In The Respiratory Tract, Yixuan J. Hou, Kenichi Okuda, Caitlin E. Edwards, David R. Martinez, Takanori Asakura, Kenneth H. Dinnon, Takafumi Kato, Rhianna E. Lee, Boyd L. Yount, Teresa M. Mascenik, Gang Chen, Kenneth N. Olivier, Andrew Ghio, Longping V. Tse, Sarah R. Leist, Lisa E. Gralinski, Alexandra Schäfer, Hong Dang, Rodney Gilmore, Satoko Nakano, Ling Sun, M Leslie Fulcher, Alessandra Livraghi-Butrico, Nathan I. Nicely, Mark Cameron, Cheryl Cameron, David J. Kelvin, Aravinda De Silva, David M. Margolis, Alena Markmann, Luther Bartelt, Ross Zumwalt, Fernando J. Martinez, Steven P. Salvatore, Alain Borczuk, Purushothama R. Tata, Vishwaraj Sontake, Adam Kimple, Ilona Jaspers, Wanda K. O'Neal, Scott H. Randell, Richard C. Boucher, Ralph S. Baric

Pathology Research and Scholarship

The mode of acquisition and causes for the variable clinical spectrum of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) remain unknown. We utilized a reverse genetics system to generate a GFP reporter virus to explore severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pathogenesis and a luciferase reporter virus to demonstrate sera collected from SARS and COVID-19 patients exhibited limited cross-CoV neutralization. High-sensitivity RNA in situ mapping revealed the highest angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) expression in the nose with decreasing expression throughout the lower respiratory tract, paralleled by a striking gradient of SARS-CoV-2 infection in proximal (high) versus distal (low) pulmonary epithelial cultures. COVID-19 …

Essays On Emotional Well-Being, Health Insurance Disparities And Health Insurance Markets, Disha Shende

Economics ETDs

This dissertation has three research papers. First paper looks at the effect of social networks on emotional well-being of cancer patients by studying the response of social networks on their depression symptoms. Using the data from a primary survey conducted in Nepal, the study finds that social networks significantly reduce depression symptoms among cancer patients. The results strongly advocate for the importance of the social networks in improving their emotional well-being. Second paper examines the health coverage disparities among Hispanic and non-Hispanic young adults in five southwestern states of the United States. Using the pooled data from American Community Survey …

Can A Sex Bias Be A Good Thing: Modeling Spontaneous Clearance And Sexual Susceptibility In Hcv, Tanner K. Shea

Biology ETDs

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a global epidemic that has been increasing for decades, afflicting millions of people who inject drugs (PWID) and is a major cause of liver disease. With novel direct-acting antivirals, treating the virus has become possible yet elimination remains out of reach. Prior research has shown significant differences in disease progression between men and women. These differences can lead to variation in incidence or what proportion of infections progress to chronic infections. We develop a mathematical model that accounts for potential differences between the sexes to evaluate the impacts on HCV transmission. We find that susceptibility …

Sexual Dimorphism In Host Innate Response To Staphylococcus Aureus: Mechanisms Driving Sex Differences In Immune Cell Function And Host-Directed Interventions, Srijana Pokhrel

Biomedical Sciences ETDs

With the emerging antibiotic resistance, Staphylococcus aureus, primary causative agent of skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) as well as other life-threatening conditions has become a global health concern. While factors contributing to host defense against S. aureus SSTIs has been well studied, impact of sex as a variable has not been reported. In Chapter 2, we uncover the sex-specific differences in host response to S. aureus SSTIs and the contribution of female sex hormone, estrogen (E2) in providing protection in females. In Chapter 3, we identify mechanisms of innate differences in neutrophils bactericidal efficacy between sexes and in …

Virus-Like Particle-Based Vaccines Induce Antibody-Mediated Neutralization Of Staphylococcus Aureus Virulence, Jason Alexander Joyner

Biomedical Sciences ETDs

Staphylococcus aureus is a pathogenic bacterium that inflicts a large amount of human suffering using an arsenal of virulence factors to cause minor to life-threatening infections. Both the accessory gene regulator (agr) operon, a virulence regulatory pathway that controls expression of over 200 virulence factors, and alpha-hemolysin (Hla), a key pore-forming toxin, play a significant role in infection severity. Given the clinical trial failures of S. aureus vaccine candidates and the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant strains, novel and effective treatment options are urgently needed. Chapter 2 describes a novel virus-like particle (VLP) -based vaccine inducing agr-I-inhibiting antibodies …

The Impact Of Social Interactions On Resettled Refugee Health, Shahjadi Zaman

Political Science ETDs

The purpose of this thesis is to investigate the effects of social interactions and other factors on the self-reported physical and mental health of former refugees in their host country. Social relationships and interactions consist of different layers extending from individual personal relations, to social networks, to collective activities. Using data from a public opinion survey of newly resettled Bhutanese and Rohingya refugees in Michigan, I find that along with their economic situations, like employment and income, social integration is an important determinant of physical and mental health among resettled refugees. In particular, resettled refugees tend to have better health …

The Role Of Regulatory Agencies In The Frequency And Occurrence Of Health-Based Violations At Public Water Systems In The United States, Rose Afandi

Water Resources Professional Project Reports

The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) was implemented in the United States (U.S.) in 1974 for the purpose of protecting consumers from water contaminants. The Federal government gave the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the authority to delegate the responsibility of ensuring that States, Sovereign Nations and U.S. territories meet specific requirements upon being granted primacy to regulate all public water systems (PWSs) in their jurisdiction. An examination of seven years (2013-2019) of SDWA compliance data from all PWSs in the U.S. revealed trends within various categories of regulating agencies that could create disparities in how water systems are regulated. Analyses …

2020-06-29/30 Daily Unm Global Health Covid-19 Briefing, Christophe G. Lambert, Shawn Stoicu, Ingrid Hendrix, Lori D. Sloane, Mari Anixter, Anastasiya Nestsiarovich, Praveen Kumar, Nicolas Lauve, Morgan Edwards-Fligner, Melissa Cossé, Alexendra Yingling, Cristian Bologa, Kristine Tollestrup, Douglas J. Perkins

HSC Covid 19 Briefings

Executive Summary:

NM Highlights: NM cases update. ABQ nursing home hit hard. UNM student family housing closure. White Sands National Park reopening. 52% of federal COVID-19 relief money for tribal communities. Bill signed to help NM taxpayers. US Highlights: Polarization of political elite response on Twitter. International Highlights: China’s military to use Ad5-nCoV vaccine in trials. Economics, Workforce, Supply Chain, PPE: Decontaminate N95 respirators using a microwave. Epidemiology Highlights: Mask-wearing prevents transmission. Face-masks associated with Italy’s declining epidemic. Healthcare Policy Recommendations: Social distancing reassessed? Lessons learned from previous pandemics. Digital tools against COVID-19. Investigating cultural and psychological factors to reduce …

Unm Global Health Covid-19 Therapeutic Evidence, Unm Global Health Covid-19 Briefing Team

HSC Covid 19 Briefings

No abstract provided.

Unm Global Health Covid-19 Practice Guidelines, Unm Global Health Covid-19 Briefing Team

HSC Covid 19 Briefings

No abstract provided.

Covid-19: The New Mexico Experience And Background, Matthew Wharton, Marisa Su, Meghan Brett, Jon Femling

Western Journal of Orthopaedics

Introduction: The novel Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19) identified in December 2019 and the associated pandemic has temporarily changed the way that we conduct medicine, allocate resources, and educate resident and fellows. The present investigation is a summary of The University of New Mexico clinical experience managing the sudden surge of critical patients, personal protective equipment management (PPE), and resident education. Methods: We evaluated and analyzed the data related to the COVID-19 pandemic patient load and management in New Mexico, the formation of teams to protect the providers from simultaneous exposure, the resident experience, the PPE management, and the change in …