Digital Commons Network^™

Chronic Granulomatous Disease-Like Presentation Of A Child With Autosomal Recessive Pkcδ Deficiency, Anna-Lena Neehus, Karen Tuano, Tom Le Voyer, Sarada L Nandiwada, Kruthi Murthy, Anne Puel, Jean-Laurent Casanova, Javier Chinen, Jacinta Bustamante

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

BACKGROUND: Autosomal recessive (AR) PKCδ deficiency is a rare inborn error of immunity (IEI) characterized by autoimmunity and susceptibility to bacterial, fungal, and viral infections. PKCδ is involved in the intracellular production of reactive oxidative species (ROS).

MATERIAL AND METHODS: We studied a 5-year old girl presenting with a history of Burkholderia cepacia infection. She had no history of autoimmunity, lymphocyte counts were normal, and no auto-antibodies were detected in her plasma. We performed a targeted panel analysis of 407 immunity-related genes and immunological investigations of the underlying genetic condition in this patient.

RESULTS: Consistent with a history suggestive of …

Proteomes Of Extracellular Vesicles From Pancreatic Cancer Cells And Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts, Sharon Pan, Lisa A Lai, Diane M Simeone, David W Dawson, Yuanqing Yan, Tatjana Crnogorac-Jurcevic, Ru Chen, Teresa A Brentnall

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

OBJECTIVES: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are lipid bound vesicles secreted by cells into the extracellular environment. Studies have implicated EVs in cell proliferation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, metastasis, angiogenesis, and mediating the interaction of tumor cells and microenvironment. A systematic characterization of EVs from pancreatic cancer cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) would be valuable for studying the roles of EV proteins in pancreatic tumorigenesis.

METHODS: Proteomic and functional analyses were applied to characterize the proteomes of EVs released from 5 pancreatic cancer lines, 2 CAF cell lines, and a normal pancreatic epithelial cell line (HPDE).

RESULTS: More than 1400 nonredundant proteins were identified …

Pathological Implication Of Protein Post-Translational Modifications In Cancer, Sheng Pan, Ru Chen

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Protein post-translational modifications (PTMs) profoundly influence protein functions and play crucial roles in essentially all cell biological processes. The diverse realm of PTMs and their crosstalk is linked to many critical signaling events involved in neoplastic transformation, carcinogenesis and metastasis. The pathological roles of various PTMs are implicated in all aspects of cancer hallmark functions, cancer metabolism and regulation of tumor microenvironment. Study of PTMs has become an important area in cancer research to understand cancer biology and discover novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets. With a limited scope, this review attempts to discuss some PTMs of high frequency with recognized …

A Telemedicine Alternative To The 6-Minute Walk Test Using Personal Activity Trackers In Liver Transplant Candidates, Andres Duarte-Rojo, Rebecca A Brown, Pamela M Bloomer, Marie Nunez Duarte, Rachel K Grubbs, Ruben Hernaez

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

The COVID-19 pandemic has limited liver transplant (LT) candidates access to clinics. Telehealth methods to assess frailty are needed. We developed a method to estimate the step length of LT candidates, which would permit remotely obtaining the 6-min walk test (6MWT) distance with a personal activity tracker (PAT).

METHODS: 6MWT was performed while candidates wore a PAT. On first 21 subjects (stride cohort), the step length was measured and compared with calculated one (6MWT-distance/6MWT steps). On a second cohort (PAT-6MWT; n = 116), we collected the 6MWT step count and used multivariable models to generate formulas estimating step length. We …

Cell Plasticity In Regeneration In The Stomach And Beyond, Mahliyah Adkins-Threats, Jason C Mills

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Recent studies using cell lineage-tracing techniques, organoids, and single-cell RNA sequencing analyses have revealed: 1) adult organs use cell plasticity programs to recruit progenitor cells to regenerate tissues after injury, and 2) plasticity is far more common than previously thought, even in homeostasis. Here, we focus on the complex interplay of normal stem cell differentiation and plasticity in homeostasis and after injury, using the gastric epithelium as a touchstone. We also examine common features of regenerative programs and discuss the evolutionarily conserved, stepwise process of paligenosis which reprograms mature cells into progenitors that can repair damaged tissue. Finally, we discuss …

Immune Phenotype Of The Cd4+ T Cells In The Aged Lymphoid Organs And Lacrimal Glands, Claudia M Trujillo-Vargas, Kelsey E Mauk, Humberto Hernandez, Rodrigo G De Souza, Zhiyuan Yu, Jeremias G Galletti, Jana Dietrich, Friedrich Paulsen, Cintia S De Paiva

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Aging is associated with a massive infiltration of T lymphocytes in the lacrimal gland. Here, we aimed to characterize the immune phenotype of aged CD4+ T cells in this tissue as compared with lymphoid organs. To perform this, we sorted regulatory T cells (Tregs, CD4+CD25+GITR+) and non-Tregs (CD4+CD25negGITRneg) in lymphoid organs from female C57BL/6J mice and subjected these cells to an immunology NanoString® panel. These results were confirmed by flow cytometry, live imaging, and tissue immunostaining in the lacrimal gland. Importantly, effector T helper 1 (Th1) genes were highly upregulated on aged Tregs, including the master regulator Tbx21. Among …

Context-Dependent Pro- And Anti-Resection Roles Of Zkscan3 In The Regulation Of Fork Processing During Replication Stress, Zheng Yang, Delphine Sangotokun Lemacon, Shan Li, Abigael Cheruiyot, Lingzhen Kong, Ke Tan, Chen Cheng, Ecenur Turkay, Dalin He, Zhongsheng You

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Uncontrolled resection of replication forks under stress can cause genomic instability and influence cancer formation. Extensive fork resection has also been implicated in the chemosensitivity of "BReast CAncer gene" BRCA-deficient cancers. However, how fork resection is controlled in different genetic contexts and how it affects chromosomal stability and cell survival remains incompletely understood. Here, we report a novel function of the transcription repressor ZKSCAN3 in fork protection and chromosomal stability maintenance under replication stress. We show disruption of ZKSCAN3 function causes excessive resection of replication forks by the exonuclease Exo1 and homologous DNA recombination/repair protein Mre11 following fork reversal. Interestingly, …

Exome Sequencing Identifies Genetic Variants In Anophthalmia And Microphthalmia, Jingjing Li, Wei Yang, Yuejun Jessie Wang, Chen Ma, Cynthia J Curry, Daniel Mcgoldrick, Deborah A Nickerson, Jessica X Chong, Elizabeth E Blue, James C Mullikin, Jennita Reefhuis, Wendy N Nembhard, Paul A Romitti, Martha M Werler, Marilyn L Browne, Andrew F Olshan, Richard H Finnell, Marcia L Feldkamp, Faith Pangilinan, Lynn M Almli, Mike J Bamshad, Lawrence C Brody, Mary M Jenkins, Gary M Shaw, University Of Washington Center For Mendelian Genomics, Nisc Comparative Sequencing Program, National Birth Defects Prevention Study

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Anophthalmia and microphthalmia (A/M) are rare birth defects affecting up to 2 per 10,000 live births. These conditions are manifested by the absence of an eye or reduced eye volumes within the orbit leading to vision loss. Although clinical case series suggest a strong genetic component in A/M, few systematic investigations have been conducted on potential genetic contributions owing to low population prevalence. To overcome this challenge, we utilized DNA samples and data collected as part of the National Birth Defects Prevention Study (NBDPS). The NBDPS employed multi-center ascertainment of infants affected by A/M. We performed exome sequencing on 67 …

Exposure To Substance And Current Substance Among School-Going Adolescents In Timor-Leste, Abigail Esinam Adade, Kenneth Owusu Ansah, Nutifafa Eugene Yaw Dey, Francis Arthur-Holmes, Henry Ofori Duah, Pascal Agbadi

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Few studies have examined how exposure to substance influences adolescent’s use of substance in Timor-Leste. We assessed this relationship using nationally representative data from Timor-Leste to address this gap. Data was pulled from the 2015 Timor-Leste Global school-based student health survey. Data of students aged 13-17years (N = 3700) from class 7–11 across schools in Timor-Leste were analyzed for this study. Second-hand smoking exposure (AOR = 1.57 [1.31, 1.89] and parental tobacco use, AOR = 1.94 [1.54, 2.44]) was significantly related to in-school adolescent’s current use of substance after adjusting for covariates. Current substance use was also positively associated with …

Salivary Biomarker Evaluation Of Chronic Pancreatitis Patients Reveals Alterations In Human Proteins, Cytokines, Prostaglandin E2 Levels, And Bacterial Diversity, Richard T Waldron, Elaina K Jones, Vincent I Anani, Jolaine M Hines, Jing Zhao, Aurelia Lugea, Marcio A Diniz, Sungjin Kim, Aida Habtezion, Kristi L Hoffman, Joseph F Petrosino, William E Fisher, Liang Li, Ryan J Lennon, Ravinder Jit Singh, Santhi Swaroop Vege, Stephen J Pandol, Mark D Topazian

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

OBJECTIVES: Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a chronic fibroinflammatory condition of the pancreas difficult to diagnose in early stages. Novel biomarkers useful to facilitate early diagnosis or treatment responses may be found in biofluids. Although saliva can be easily and noninvasively collected from patients, useful salivary biomarkers from CP patients have not yet been identified.

METHODS: Here, we analyzed the proteome by quantitative proteomics, cytokine/chemokine levels by Luminex analysis, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) levels by a mass spectrometry-based assay, and bacterial species diversity by 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid sequencing in saliva samples from confirmed CP patients and healthy controls.

RESULTS: Our results …

Management Of Garlic Mustard (Alliaria Petiolata), Sahara Mustard (Brassica Tournefortii), And Elongated Mustard (Brassica Elongata) In Utah, Natalie Layne Fronk

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The invasive mustard species Sahara mustard (Brassica tournefortii), garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) and elongated mustard (Brassica elongata) negatively impact a variety of ecological systems across the state of Utah. The distribution of these species in Utah is relatively limited at the current time. If prompt action is taken, it may be possible to contain and manage these species before irreparable ecological and agricultural damage occurs. For this reason, all three mustards are listed by the State of Utah as weeds of high priority for management.

This project tested multiple strategies to determine effective species-specific …

Urban Soil Chemical And Nutrient Management Issues Facing Emerging Small Grower Enterprises In Utah, Frank E. Oliver

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Knowledge of both soil quality and contamination has become increasingly important with the growth of urban agriculture in Utah and the United States as whole. Land is also a common limiting factor in urban agriculture, so it is important to maximize yield and net returns. In order to meet these demands, three studies were conducted across key urban agriculture sites along the Wasatch Front: 1) an urban soil survey to assess soil contamination, 2) an urban soil survey to evaluate macronutrient and salinity levels, and 3) a nitrogen fertilizer management trial for dahlia (Dahlia pinnata), a cut flower …

Soil Genesis Across A Climo-Lithosequence Of Western Haleakalā, Maui, Ryan C. Hodges

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The soils of western Haleakalā are incredibly diverse due to two primary reasons: 1) they receive varying levels of rainfall based on location relative to Haleakalā, and 2) volcanic vents upwind of the area indicate that volcanic ash has blanketed much of western Haleakalā in the past. Ash can weather to form short-range-order materials, which contribute to the classification of andic soil properties. Due to their structure, short-range-order materials impart soil behavior that creates benefits and challenges in land management. Therefore, an understanding of how these soils formed and differ, and where andic soils occur is crucial.

The objectives of …

Impacts Of The Changing Pacific On North American Drought, Atmospheric Rivers, And Explosive Cyclones, Jacob Stuivenvolt-Allen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The impacts of specific weather events can vary greatly from year to year. Much of these impacts depend heavily on the frequency of impactful weather which is constrained by the state of the climate system each year. This research focuses largely on the impacts that climate oscillations from year-to-year or even from decade-to-decade have on the frequency of impactful weather. There are numerous examples of impactful weather that impact North America, but this work focuses on drought in the western United States, atmospheric rivers in Northern California and rapidly developing winter storms along the east coast. While seemingly disparate events, …

“My Attitude On Telehealth Has Completely Changed.”: Facilitators And Barriers To Implementing Technology For Care Delivery In Community Mental Health Centers, Suzanne Meller, Justin Tauscher, Dror Ben-Zeev

Journal of Technology in Counselor Education and Supervision

The purpose of this study was to explore facilitators and barriers aiding community mental health centers in implementing technology-assisted care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Six key informants were interviewed and 28 clinicians were surveyed from three community mental health centers. Interviews focused on technology-assisted care implementation efforts and factors that facilitated adoption. Surveys focused on clinician beliefs and experience with technology-assisted care in addition to training needs. Barriers to technology-assisted care implementation included beliefs about the quality of virtual services and a lack of technology access. An increase in service utilization was reported. Technology-assisted care facilitators included reimbursement policy changes …

Neuroscience-Informed Technology: Implications For Professional Counselors And Counselor Education, Deborah L. Duenyas, Zach Budesa, Chad Luke, Lauren A. Fry

Journal of Technology in Counselor Education and Supervision

The ACA Code of Ethics (2014) state that counselors who use technology must also develop the knowledge and skills necessary to safely engage with clients. To date, no studies were found that identified prevalence or preferences among counselors' use of technology with clients. The purpose of this pilot study was to investigate licensed professional counselors’ self-assessment of competency to use Neuroscience-Informed Technology (NIT). A national sample of licensed professional counselors were surveyed (N = 69). Results indicate that licensed professional counselors feel competent to use NIT as an intervention in their clinical work (94%). Participants reported feeling most competent in …

Beyond Ethics: Considerations For Centering Equity-Minded Data Science, Nathan Alexander, Carrie Diaz Eaton, Anelise H. Shrout, Belin Tsinnajinnie, Krystal Tsosie

Journal of Humanistic Mathematics

In this paper, we utilize duoethnography - a research method in which practitioners discursively interrogate the relationships between culture, context, and the mechanisms which shape individual autobiographical experiences - to explore what may be beyond ethics in the context of data science. Although ethical frameworks have the ability to reflect cultural priorities, a singular view of ethics, as we explore, often fails to speak to the multiple and diverse priorities held both within and across institutional spaces. To that end, this paper explores multiple perspectives, epistemologies, and worldviews that can collectively push researchers towards considerations of a data science education …

Stewardship Of Mathematics: Essential Training For Contributors To, And Users Of, The Practice Of Mathematics, Rochelle E. Tractenberg

Journal of Humanistic Mathematics

A steward of the discipline was originally defined as an individual to whom “we can entrust the vigor, quality, and integrity of the field”, and more specifically, as “someone who will creatively generate new knowledge, critically conserve valuable and useful ideas, and responsibly transform those understandings through writing, teaching, and application” [8]. Originally articulated for doctoral education, in 2019 the construct of stewardship was expanded so that it can also be applied to non-academic practitioners in any field, and can be initiated earlier than doctoral education [18]. In this paper, we apply this construct to the context of mathematics, and …

Towards Pedagogy Supporting Ethics In Modelling, Marie Oldfield

Journal of Humanistic Mathematics

Education for concepts such as ethics and societal responsibility that are critical in building robust and applicable mathematical and statistical models do currently exist in isolation but have not been incorporated into the mainstream curricula at the school or university level. This is partially due to the split between fields (such as mathematics, statistics, and computer science) in an educational setting but also the speed with which education is able to keep up with industry and its requirements. I argue that principles and frameworks of socially responsible modelling should begin at school level and that this would mean that ethics …

Et Phone Camelot: Alien Life Forms In Arthurian Fiction, Michael Torregrossa

Mythcon

As a living tradition, the Matter of Britain displays a voracious appetite as it grows over the centuries, absorbing characters, legends, motifs, stories, and even genres to create new Arthurian narratives. Science fiction is one genre that has recently found a place within the Arthurian tradition. Inspired by Twain’s A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court, tales abound of time travelers journeying to Arthur’s realm, but a smaller, less well-known subset of Arthurianthemed science fiction brings various extraterrestrial creatures to Camelot. Sometimes, these beings are hostile, but, more often, they try to make the realm a better place. Most …

The Environmental Bioethics Of Space Travel: ‘Alien’ Bodies In C. S. Lewis’ Cosmic Trilogy, Journee Cotton

Mythcon

C. S. Lewis lived through numerous significant historic events. Notably, he was alive during the space race and spoke to the potential philosophical and ethical dilemmas that may arise through space travel, especially concerning contact with ‘alien’ life. While the idea may be found in other parts of his oeuvre, Lewis explicitly considers space travel and contact with aliens in The Cosmic Trilogy. His texts offer unique perspectives on space travel that is not centric to the earth-born ‘human,’ rather it notes man’s destructive attitudes towards progress and the potential harms man may enact on other sentient beings and environments …

Review Of Toward Freedom: The Case Against Race Reductionism, Charles Whitmer Wright

The Journal of Social Encounters

No abstract provided.

The Fierce Urgency Of The Slow: How Pope Francis Is Calling Us To Save The Planet, Gerald W. Schlabach

The Journal of Social Encounters

Addressing the urgent issues facing humanity today, in his recent encyclical on social friendship, Fratelli Tutti, Pope Francis reminds us that it is “all the more urgent that we rethink our styles of life, our relationships, the organization of our societies and, above all, the meaning of our existence” (no. 33). In this and in his previous encyclical on care for creation, Laudato Si’, Francis makes clear that we do not have a moment to waste. None of his diagnosis should “be read as a cool and detached description of today’s problems” (no. 56).

Before an onslaught of urgency backfires …

Martin Luther King, Jr., Archbishop Desmond Tutu, And The Quest For Justice And Reconciliation, Hak Joon Lee

The Journal of Social Encounters

This paper studies Marin Luther King, Jr.’s and Desmond Tutu’s strivings for justice and reconciliation as the leaders of movements against white racist systems in the US and South Africa. Despite their differences in terms of nationality, age, religious denomination, and geography, the paper demonstrates how King’s and Tutu’s quests were grounded in the distinctive communal ethics informed by their Christian faith and their shared spiritual heritage as African peoples, which emphasize community, the ubiquity of religion, the moral order of the universe, and hopefulness. Contrasting their communal approach to a secular rational ethical approach to justice and peace, the …

Psychological Effects Related To Delayed Pregnancy In Relation To Marital Compatibility Among Married Women In Al-Karak Governorate, Sahar Aldmour, Lamia Alhawari

An-Najah University Journal for Research - B (Humanities)

The current study aimed to identify the relationship between delayed pregnancy-related psychological effects and marriage compatibility among married women in Alkarak governorate. The sample of the study was consisted of (250) women who were selected using the intentional method for sample selection. To achieve the goals of the study, both the delayed pregnancy-related psychological effects and the Marital compatibility scales were developed and were checked for consistency and reliability. Results indicated that the level of delayed pregnancy-related psychological effects among married women in Alkarak governorate was high while the level of marriage compatibility was medium. Results also indicated a significant …

Application Of Deep Learning For Medical Sciences And Epidemiology Data Analysis And Diagnostic Modeling, Somenath Chakraborty

Dissertations

Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence have made significant progress concurrent with new advancements in hardware and software technologies. Deep learning methods heavily utilize parallel computing and Graphical Processing Units(GPU). It is already used in many applications ranging from image classification, object detection, segmentation, cyber security problems and others. Deep Learning is emerging as a viable choice in dealing with today’s real-time medical problems. We need new methods and technologies in the field of Medical Science and Epidemiology for detecting and diagnosing emerging threats from new viruses such as COVID-19. The use of Artificial Intelligence in these domains is becoming more …

The Effect Of Covid-19 Pandemic-Induced Stress On Reproductive-Age Women's Menstrual Cycle Regularity, Ruaa Abduljabbar Hamid, Zahra Noah Fathi, Raida Al-Wazzan

Kesmas

Intense stress resulting from major life events can affect women's menstrual cycle. The current Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, impacting various sectors, is considered a major form of stress. During May-November 2020, some women in Iraq have experienced menstrual disruptions, which can happen whether they get infected with the COVID-19 or simply deals with pandemic-induced stress. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic-induced stress on menstrual cycle regularity of reproductive-age women. This study used an observational cross-sectional design conducted in Iraq from May to November 2020. A sample of 500 reproductive-age women filled out an …

Strengthening Causal Inference From Randomised Controlled Trials Of Complex Interventions, Jef L. Leroy, Edward A. Frongillo Jr. Ph.D., Bezawit E. Kase, Silvia Alonso, Mario Chen, Ian Dohoo, Lieven Huybregts, Suneetha Kadiyala, Naomi M. Saville

Faculty Publications

Researchers conducting randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of complex interventions face design and analytical challenges that are not fully addressed in existing guidelines. Further guidance is needed to help ensure that these trials of complex interventions are conducted to the highest scientific standards while maximising the evidence that can be extracted from each trial. The key challenge is how to manage the multiplicity of outcomes required for the trial while minimising false positive and false negative findings. To address this challenge, we formulate three principles to conduct RCTs: (1) outcomes chosen should be driven by the intent and programme theory of …

Is It Hot In Here Or Is It Just Me? A Call For Menopause Equity In The Workplace, Leslie Mullins

University of the District of Columbia Law Review

In a society where many topics related to female reproduction are considered taboo, menopause is especially stigmatized because of its intersection with age and a perception that a woman’s value ends with her reproductive ability.1 As described by Gail Sheehy (“Sheehy”) in The Silent Passage, menopause is “one of the most misunderstood passages in a woman's life.”2 Menopause causes shame and stigma because of its association with middle age in a culture obsessed with youth.3 The failure of courts to extend available protections to claims related to menopause denies millions of working persons protections from unlawful discrimination under the Americans …

A More Grown-Up Response To Ordinary Adolescent Behaviors: Repealing Pins Laws To Protect And Empower D.C. Youth, Mae C. Quinn, Tierra Copeland, Tatyana Hopkins, Mary Brody

University of the District of Columbia Law Review

In February 2020, the District of Columbia (“District” or “D.C.”) Juvenile Justice Advisory Group (“JJAG”), issued an important report calling for decriminalization of “status offenses.” Status offenses are alleged youthful wrongdoings that are prosecuted in the District as “Persons in Need of Supervision” cases.1 This Position Paper provides additional support for JJAG’s recommendations. It offers guidance and suggestions to help the District successfully transition away from PINS prosecutions—while also ensuring community youth feel safe, supported, and empowered in their own lives as they transition to adulthood. The D.C. Metropolitan Police Department has historically been the enforcement arm to address youth …