Digital Commons Network^™

Deletion Of Mipep In Adipocytes Protects Against Obesity And Insulin Resistance By Boosting Muscle Metabolism, Alexis Diaz-Vegas, Kristen C Cooke, Harry B Cutler, Belinda Yau, Stewart W C Masson, Dylan Harney, Oliver K Fuller, Meg Potter, Søren Madsen, Niamh R Craw, Yiju Zhang, Cesar L Moreno, Melkam A Kebede, G Gregory Neely, Jacqueline Stöckli, James G Burchfield, David E James

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Mitochondria facilitate thousands of biochemical reactions, covering a broad spectrum of anabolic and catabolic processes. Here we demonstrate that the adipocyte mitochondrial proteome is markedly altered across multiple models of insulin resistance and reveal a consistent decrease in the level of the mitochondrial processing peptidase miPEP.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the role of miPEP in insulin resistance.

METHODS: To experimentally test this observation, we generated adipocyte-specific miPEP knockout mice to interrogate its role in the aetiology of insulin resistance.

RESULTS: We observed a strong phenotype characterised by enhanced insulin sensitivity and reduced adiposity, despite normal food intake and physical activity. Strikingly, …

Individual Variation In The Distribution Of Apolipoprotein B Levels Across The Spectrum Of Ldl-C Or Non-Hdl-C Levels, Ahmed Sayed, Eric D Peterson, Salim S Virani, Allan D Sniderman, Ann Marie Navar

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Importance: Although apolipoprotein B (apoB) is a superior marker of lipid-related risk compared with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), few data exist to translate the goals and thresholds from LDL-C to their apoB equivalent. In addition, although current American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines provide a relative indication for apoB measurement among individuals with hypertriglyceridemia, whether discordance is limited to those subgroups is unknown.

Objectives: To assess the variability in apoB level across the spectrum of LDL-C or non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) levels and evaluate whether discordance between apoB and LDL-C or non-HDL-C is limited to specifiable subgroups.

Design, setting, …

Fetal Malrotation With Midgut Volvulus: Prenatal Diagnosis And Planning, Jai Sidpra, Sniya Sudhakar, Asthik Biswas, Flavia Massey, Valentina Turchetti, Tracy Lau, Edward Cook, Javeria Raza Alvi, Hasnaa M Elbendary, Jerry L Jewell, Antonella Riva, Alessandro Orsini, Aglaia Vignoli, Zara Federico, Jessica Rosenblum, An-Sofie Schoonjans, Matthias De Wachter, Ignacio Delgado Alvarez, Ana Felipe-Rucián, Nourelhoda A Haridy, Shahzad Haider, Mashaya Zaman, Selina Banu, Najwa Anwaar, Fatima Rahman, Shazia Maqbool, Rashmi Yadav, Vincenzo Salpietro, Reza Maroofian, Rajan Patel, Rupa Radhakrishnan, Sanjay P Prabhu, Klaske Lichtenbelt, Helen Stewart, Yoshiko Murakami, Ulrike Löbel, Felice D'Arco, Emma Wakeling, Wendy Jones, Eleanor Hay, Sanjay Bhate, Thomas S Jacques, David M Mirsky, Matthew T Whitehead, Maha S Zaki, Tipu Sultan, Pasquale Striano, Anna C Jansen, Maarten Lequin, Linda S De Vries, Mariasavina Severino, Andrew C Edmondson, Lara Menzies, Philippe M Campeau, Henry Houlden, Amy Mctague, Stephanie Efthymiou, Kshitij Mankad

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Inherited glycosylphosphatidylinositol deficiency disorders (IGDs) are a group of rare multisystem disorders arising from pathogenic variants in glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor pathway (GPI-AP) genes. Despite associating 24 of at least 31 GPI-AP genes with human neurogenetic disease, prior reports are limited to single genes without consideration of the GPI-AP as a whole and with limited natural history data. In this multinational retrospective observational study, we systematically analyse the molecular spectrum, phenotypic characteristics and natural history of 83 individuals from 75 unique families with IGDs, including 70 newly reported individuals; the largest single cohort to date. Core clinical features were developmental delay or …

Use Of Pancreatic Endotherapy In Patients With Chronic Pancreatitis: Results From A Multicenter Cohort Study In The United States, Samuel Han, Darwin L Conwell, Jeffrey J Easler, Yunlong Yang, Dana K Andersen, William E Fisher, Evan L Fogel, Chris Forsmark, Phil A Hart, Steven J Hughes, Liang Li, Stephen J Pandol, Walter G Park, Jose Serrano, Stephen K Van Den Eeden, Santhi Swaroop Vege, Dhiraj Yadav, Consortium For The Study Of Chronic Pancreatitis, Diabetes, And Pancreatic Cancer

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Although pancreatic endotherapy (PET) is commonly used for treating adverse events of chronic pancreatitis, data on the frequency and factors associated with the use of PET are limited. Our aim was to define the use of and factors predictive for receiving PET in a well-characterized chronic pancreatitis cohort.

METHODS: This is a cross-sectional analysis of data from PROCEED, a multicenter U.S. cohort study of chronic pancreatitis. PET modalities primarily consisted of ERCP. A treatment course was defined as the number of sessions performed for a specific indication. A repeat course was defined as PET >1 year after …

Comparative Toxicological Assessment Of 2 Bisphenols Using A Systems Approach: Evaluation Of The Behavioral And Transcriptomic Responses Of Danio Rerio To Bisphenol A And Tetrabromobisphenol A, Michael G Morash, Morgan W Kirzinger, John C Achenbach, Ananda B Venkatachalam, Jessica Nixon, Susanne Penny, Joëlle Pinsonnault Cooper, Deborah E Ratzlaff, Cindy L A Woodland, Lee D Ellis

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The zebrafish (Danio rerio) is becoming a critical component of new approach methods (NAMs) in chemical risk assessment. As a whole organism in vitro NAM, the zebrafish model offers significant advantages over individual cell-line testing, including toxicokinetic and toxicodynamic competencies. A transcriptomic approach not only allows for insight into mechanism of action for both apical endpoints and unobservable adverse outcomes, but also changes in gene expression induced by lower, environmentally relevant concentrations. In this study, we used a larval zebrafish model to assess the behavioral and transcriptomic alterations caused by subphenotypic concentrations of 2 chemicals with the same structural backbone, …

Why Do Patients With Cancer Die?, Adrienne Boire, Katy Burke, Thomas R Cox, Theresa Guise, Mariam Jamal-Hanjani, Tobias Janowitz, Rosandra Kaplan, Rebecca Lee, Charles Swanton, Matthew G Vander Heiden, Erik Sahai

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Cancer is a major cause of global mortality, both in affluent countries and increasingly in developing nations. Many patients with cancer experience reduced life expectancy and have metastatic disease at the time of death. However, the more precise causes of mortality and patient deterioration before death remain poorly understood. This scarcity of information, particularly the lack of mechanistic insights, presents a challenge for the development of novel treatment strategies to improve the quality of, and potentially extend, life for patients with late-stage cancer. In addition, earlier deployment of existing strategies to prolong quality of life is highly desirable. In this …

Intermittent Mechanical Loading On Mouse Tibia Accelerates Longitudinal Bone Growth By Inducing Pthrp Expression In The Female Tibial Growth Plate., Sarah Mcgarry, Karen Kover, Daniel P. Heruth, Mark Dallas, Xinxin Jin, Shufang Wu, Francesco De Luca

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

It is not clear as to whether weight bearing and ambulation may affect bone growth. Our goal was to study the role of mechanical loading (one of the components of ambulation) on endochondral ossification and longitudinal bone growth. Thus, we applied cyclical, biologically relevant strains for a prolonged time period (4 weeks) to one tibia of juvenile mice, while using the contralateral one as an internal control. By the end of the 4-week loading period, the mean tibial growth of the loaded tibiae was significantly greater than that of the unloaded tibiae. The mean height and the mean area of …

Pb-05204, A Supercritical Co2 Extract Of Nerium Oleander, Suppresses Glioblastoma Stem Cells By Inhibiting Grp78 And Inducing Programmed Necroptotic Cell Death, Sharmistha Chakraborty, Daoyan Wei, Megan Tran, Frederick F Lang, Robert A Newman, Peiying Yang

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Successful treatment of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), an aggressive form of primary brain neoplasm, mandates the need to develop new therapeutic strategies. In this study, we investigated the potential of PBI-05204 in targeting GBM stem cells (GSCs) and the underlying mechanisms. Treatment with PBI-05204 significantly reduced both the number and size of tumor spheres derived from patient-derived GSCs (GBM9, GSC28 and TS543), and suppressed the tumorigenesis of GBM9 xenografts. Moreover, PBI-05204 treatment led to a significant decrease in the expression of CD44 and NANOG, crucial markers of progenitor stem cells, in GBM9 and GSC28 GSCs. This treatment also down-regulated GRP78 expression …

Electrical Stimulation Of The Dorsal Motor Nucleus Of The Vagus In Male Mice Can Regulate Inflammation Without Affecting The Heart Rate, Aidan Falvey, Santhoshi P Palandira, Sangeeta S Chavan, Michael Brines, Robert Dantzer, Kevin J Tracey, Valentin A Pavlov

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: The vagus nerve plays an important role in neuroimmune interactions and in the regulation of inflammation. A major source of efferent vagus nerve fibers that contribute to the regulation of inflammation is the brainstem dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMN), as recently shown using optogenetics. In contrast to optogenetics, electrical neuromodulation has broad therapeutic implications. However, the anti-inflammatory effectiveness of electrical stimulation of the DMN (eDMNS) and the possible heart rate (HR) alterations associated with this approach have not been investigated. Here, we examined the effects of eDMNS on HR and cytokine levels in mice administered with lipopolysaccharide …

Markov Models For Clinical Decision-Making In Radiation Oncology: A Systematic Review, Lucas B Mccullum, Aysenur Karagoz, Cem Dede, Raul Garcia, Fatemeh Nosrat, Mehdi Hemmati, Seyedmohammadhossein Hosseinian, Andrew J Schaefer, Clifton D Fuller

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The intrinsic stochasticity of patients' response to treatment is a major consideration for clinical decision-making in radiation therapy. Markov models are powerful tools to capture this stochasticity and render effective treatment decisions. This paper provides an overview of the Markov models for clinical decision analysis in radiation oncology. A comprehensive literature search was conducted within MEDLINE using PubMed, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Only studies published from 2000 to 2023 were considered. Selected publications were summarized in two categories: (i) studies that compare two (or more) fixed treatment policies using Monte Carlo simulation …

Why Do Patients With Cancer Die?, Adrienne Boire, Katy Burke, Thomas R Cox, Theresa Guise, Mariam Jamal-Hanjani, Tobias Janowitz, Rosandra Kaplan, Rebecca Lee, Charles Swanton, Matthew G Vander Heiden, Erik Sahai

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Cancer is a major cause of global mortality, both in affluent countries and increasingly in developing nations. Many patients with cancer experience reduced life expectancy and have metastatic disease at the time of death. However, the more precise causes of mortality and patient deterioration before death remain poorly understood. This scarcity of information, particularly the lack of mechanistic insights, presents a challenge for the development of novel treatment strategies to improve the quality of, and potentially extend, life for patients with late-stage cancer. In addition, earlier deployment of existing strategies to prolong quality of life is highly desirable. In this …

Encompassing ‘Himdag’ (Indigenous Way Of Life) To Address Cardiometabolic Disease In American Indian And Alaska Native Communities Through Research, Policy And Action, Heather Medicine Bear

Theses and Dissertations

Cardiometabolic diseases (CMD), encompassing conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, kidney disease and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, present a significant health burden within American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities. This dissertation, through the culmination of three products, including a scoping review, policy brief and strategic planning toolkit, seeks to understand and address CMD in tribal communities through an Indigenous lens. Product #1, Interventions for Cardiometabolic Health in American Indian and Alaska Native Communities: A Scoping Review, entails a thorough review of implemented CMD interventions targeting AI/AN communities to understand programmatic, clinical, and community-based prevention strategies. By synthesizing available evidence, …

Evaluating Pressure Distribution Of Surgical Support Surfaces For Pressure Injury Prevention: Small-Cell Alternating Pressure Mattress, Standard Foam Mattress, And Gel Overlay, Victor Moreno Lozano

Theses and Dissertations

Pressure injuries are a significant problem in the health care system for patients undergoing long surgeries due to the prolonged time they spend on the surface without moving under the anesthesia effect [6]. This can lead to the occurrence of pressure injuries and can negatively affect patient outcomes and the healthcare system [3]. Current methods for preventing pressure injuries in the operating room include repositioning the patient, using sponges or small gel pads at pressure points, and the use of support surfaces [2]. There is not enough conclusive evidence that states that the use of support surfaces is effective in …

A Randomised, Parallel-Group, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Phase 3 Study To Determine The Effectiveness Of The Type I Interferon Receptor Antibody, Anifrolumab, In Systemic Sclerosis: Daisy Study Design And Rationale, Dinesh Khanna, Christopher P Denton, Shervin Assassi, Masataka Kuwana, Yannick Allanore, Robyn T Domsic, Christi Kleoudis, John Xu, Eszter Csomor, Caroline Seo, Marius Albulescu, Raj Tummala, Hussein Al-Mossawi, Rubana N Kalyani, Francesco Del Galdo

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objectives: The type I interferon pathway is a promising target for treatment of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). Here, we describe the design of a multinational, randomised phase 3 study to Determine the effectiveness of the type I interferon receptor antibody, Anifrolumab, In SYstemic sclerosis (DAISY).

Methods: DAISY includes a 52-week double-blind, placebo-controlled treatment period, a 52-week open-label active treatment period, and a 12-week safety follow-up period. The patient population includes a planned 306 adults with limited or diffuse cutaneous active SSc who satisfied American College of Rheumatology/European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology 2013 SSc criteria. Use of standard immunosuppressants, …

A Qualitative Exploration To Inform An Oral Health Training For Disability Care Workers In Burkina Faso, Ave Põld, Dan Filwendé Kientega, Jocelyne Valérie Garé, Michael Lorenz

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

AIM: To explore enablers and barriers to the creation of an oral health training for care workers at specialized centres for children with disabilities in Ouagadougou.

DESIGN: This was a formative study informed by the Theoretical Domains Framework using qualitative methods.

METHODS: Qualitative observations and 14 semi-structured interviews were conducted with care workers from six specialized centres for disability.

RESULTS: Carer workers emphasized that a successful oral health training must account for available resources and competencies in each specific centre. Part of the training must be dedicated to oral hygiene targeted for people with disabilities and provide knowledge about risk …

Spirituality And Self-Management Of Diabetes Among African American Women, Tiaa Reshawn Padgette

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Spirituality plays an important role of support for many people; however, little is known about the role spirituality plays in helping manage chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes (T2D). African American women (AAW) have the highest incidence of T2D compared to other racial and ethnic groups, which demonstrates the need to learn more about improving health and reducing diabetes in AAW. The purpose of this qualitative narrative inquiry, using Roy’s adaptation model as the theoretical framework, was to assess the role of spirituality in how AAW with T2D manage their illness and whether that role changes according to disease …

Pbi-05204, A Supercritical Co2 Extract Of Nerium Oleander, Suppresses Glioblastoma Stem Cells By Inhibiting Grp78 And Inducing Programmed Necroptotic Cell, Sharmistha Chakraborty, Daoyan Wei, Megan Tran, Frederick F Lang, Robert A Newman, Peiying Yang

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Successful treatment of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), an aggressive form of primary brain neoplasm, mandates the need to develop new therapeutic strategies. In this study, we investigated the potential of PBI-05204 in targeting GBM stem cells (GSCs) and the underlying mechanisms. Treatment with PBI-05204 significantly reduced both the number and size of tumor spheres derived from patient-derived GSCs (GBM9, GSC28 and TS543), and suppressed the tumorigenesis of GBM9 xenografts. Moreover, PBI-05204 treatment led to a significant decrease in the expression of CD44 and NANOG, crucial markers of progenitor stem cells, in GBM9 and GSC28 GSCs. This treatment also down-regulated GRP78 expression …

Autophagic Signaling Promotes Systems-Wide Remodeling In Skeletal Muscle Upon Oncometabolic Stress By D2-Hg, Yaqi Gao, Kyoungmin Kim, Heidi Vitrac, Rebecca L Salazar, Benjamin D Gould, Daniel Soedkamp, Weston Spivia, Koen Raedschelders, An Q Dinh, Anna G Guzman, Lin Tan, Stavros Azinas, David J R Taylor, Walter Schiffer, Daniel Mcnavish, Helen B Burks, Roberta A Gottlieb, Philip L Lorenzi, Blake M Hanson, Jennifer E Van Eyk, Heinrich Taegtmeyer, Anja Karlstaedt

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

OBJECTIVES: Cachexia is a metabolic disorder and comorbidity with cancer and heart failure. The syndrome impacts more than thirty million people worldwide, accounting for 20% of all cancer deaths. In acute myeloid leukemia, somatic mutations of the metabolic enzyme isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 and 2 cause the production of the oncometabolite D2-hydroxyglutarate (D2-HG). Increased production of D2-HG is associated with heart and skeletal muscle atrophy, but the mechanistic links between metabolic and proteomic remodeling remain poorly understood. Therefore, we assessed how oncometabolic stress by D2-HG activates autophagy and drives skeletal muscle loss.

METHODS: We quantified genomic, metabolomic, and proteomic changes in …

Factors Influencing Adventitious Root Formation Of Floral Hemp In Propagation, Alexandra Carver

All Theses

Commercial propagators have reported relatively poor propagation success, e.g., <75% rooting, for many hemp (Cannabis sativa) cultivars. These rooting percentages have a significant economic impact due to the wasted labor, space and supplies. Also, the market demands 100% of the propagation cells in a tray to be fully rooted, thus repairing and replacing poorly rooted or unrooted cuttings requires significant labor cost. The goal of this thesis was to evaluate several factors that influence adventitious root formation of hemp stem cuttings.

Chapter 2 describes an experiment conducted to identify rooting hormone treatments that could improve propagation success. Sixteen combinations of indole-3-butyric acid (IBA; 0, …

Influence Of Row Pattern And Prohexadione Calcium On Peanut (Arachis Hypogaea L.) Maturity And Profitability, Samantha N. Mehl

All Theses

Many newer peanut cultivars offer yield benefits but have larger canopies and are taking 10 or more days longer to reach desired maturity levels. Prohexadione calcium (PC) and twin row planting pattern have been reported to increase the amount of orange, brown or black pods compared to their respective alternatives. Four cultivars were selected and studied based on frequency of use in South Carolina then paired into an earlier maturing group that reached optimal maturity at 135 to 140 days after planting, and a later maturing group that reached optimal maturity at 150 or more days after planting.

Twin row …

Interactions Between High-Pressure Processing And Natural Antimicrobials In Ground White-Meat Chicken: An Analysis Of Microbial, Textural Charactheristics And Physicochemical Changes, Amalia M. Diaz Alejandro

All Theses

High Pressure processing is an innovative technique for preserving a wide variety of foods, including meat, and this method is increasingly used to satisfy consumer demand for quality food products. High-pressure treatment can impact, negatively or positively, various aspects of meat quality, including color, texture, protein denaturation, and microbial stability, particularly when food products are processed at ambient or low temperatures. By minimizing thermal exposure, appropriate high-pressure ranges help to prevent quality and nutrition degradation, reduce microbial contamination, and enhance tenderness.

The first objective of this research was to examine the influence of high-pressure processing and addition of natural antimicrobials …

Disease Ecology Of The Caribbean Spiny Lobster Panulirus Argus: The Effect Of A Nemertean Egg Predator, Carcinonemertes Conanobrieni, On The Host's Reproductive Performance And Active Parental Care, Natalie C. Stephens

All Theses

Anthropogenic stressors and climate change are contributing to the rapid deterioration of marine ecosystems and the important ecological services they provide to coastal communities; concomitantly, this allows infectious agents that cause disease to proliferate in marine environments. At the forefront of marine disease ecology are the impacts of pathogens and parasites on commercially and recreationally exploited decapod crustaceans, including the Caribbean spiny lobster Panulirus argus. While there are few pathogens and parasites known to infect P. argus, emerging threats such as the nemertean micro-egg predator Carcinonemertes conanobrieni pose new, unexposed problems across its Greater Caribbean distribution. Beyond its …

Survey Of Nematodes Associated With Strawberry In South Carolina And Evaluation Of Short-Term Heat Exposure On Nematode Reproduction Biology, Ivan A. Alarcon Mendoza

All Theses

Nematodes are a growing threat to the multi-billion-dollar strawberry industry in the US due to the lack of safe and effective management methods. Limited information on the distribution of nematodes in fumigated plasticulture strawberry fields further complicates their management. Additionally, climatic anomalies like rising soil temperatures and heat waves are occurring more often, and their impact on crop growth and nematode reproduction is not well understood. The current study was conducted with two main objectives: i) understand distribution and population densities of nematodes associated with plasticulture strawberry production in South Carolina, and ii) understand the impact of short-term high heat …

Sustainability Across The Food System In The Southeastern United States: Mitigating Restaurant Plate Waste And Exploring Peach Orchard Viability Amidst Armillaria Root Rot, Samuel Francis

All Theses

In 2023, 5.6% ($1.5 trillion dollars) of the United States’ Gross Domestic Product was derived from agriculture, food, and related industries. Despite the sector being efficient, challenges still exists. For example, food waste is a problem in the hospitality industry and farmers face challenges related to disease. To ensure the security and efficiency of the food supply, it is in our best interest to make adjustments in these sectors by taking actions such as reducing waste and mitigating food loss associated with disease. I explore two areas of the food supply that can benefit from changes, seeking to mitigate food …

Effects Of Interrupting The Scotophase Period On Bone Health And Performance Of Laying Hens, Alexis J. Clark

All Theses

This thesis aimed to evaluate the effects of interrupting the daily scotophase period on bone health and production in laying hens. Modern commercial laying hens are prone to high rates of bone demineralization due to the constant mobilization of calcium to withstand daily eggshell calcification mechanisms. The industry light standard for laying hens is 16 hours of continuous light (photophase) and 8 hours of continuous darkness (scotophase) daily. During scotophase, physical activity is reduced due to instinctive perching behaviors, and thus, feeding behaviors are halted. However, physiological processes, including digestion, excretion, and reproduction, remain active during scotophase.

Most eggshell formation …

Exploring The Motivations And Determinants Of Farmer’S Market Consumers And Organic Specialty Crop Producers, Jane Arnold

All Theses

This two-chapter thesis evaluates the motivations and determinants of the central figures in farmers’ markets and organic markets. The first chapter explores the rise of farmers’ markets popularity through an in-person survey that was designed and distributed to 274 farmers' market consumers. Logit and ordered logit regressions were used to identify the motivations and characteristics that affect the likelihood of being a frequent farmers’ market customer (visiting 5 times or more per season) and spending over $50. The second chapter investigates the organic markets for cucumber and kale, which are dominant specialty crops on today’s grocery shelves. To identify the …

Five-Year Recurrence/Survival After Pancreatoduodenectomy For Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma: Does Pre-Existing Diabetes Matter? Results From The Recurrence After Whipple's (Raw) Study, Ashray Rajagopalan, Somaiah Aroori, Shang-Ming Zhou

School of Nursing and Midwifery

BackgroundDiabetes mellitus (DM) has a complex relationship with pancreatic cancer. This study examines the impact of preoperative DM, both recent-onset and pre-existing, on long-term outcomes following pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).MethodsData were extracted from the Recurrence After Whipple's (RAW) study, a multi-centre cohort of PD for pancreatic head malignancy (2012–2015). Recurrence and five-year survival rates of patients with DM were compared to those without, and subgroup analysis performed to compare patients with recent-onset DM (less than one year) to patients with established DM.ResultsOut of 758 patients included, 187 (24.7%) had DM, of whom, 47 of the 187 (25.1%) …

Trf-Bwm-Neutrosophic-Topsis Strategy Under Svns Environment Approach And Its Application To Select The Most Effective Water Quality Parameter Of Aquaponic System, Pragnaleena Debroy, Priyanka Majumder, Surapati Pramanik, Lalu Seban

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

The rapid emergence of aquaponics presents a promising solution for food production in arid regions, heavily reliant on maintaining optimal water quality parameters for overall success. However, monitoring and controlling these parameters can be complex and costly, involving numerous sensors and actuators. Focusing on the most significant parameter for fish growth could alleviate some of this complexity and promote sustainability by ensuring a balanced system. This study introduces a novel fuzzy-based Multiple Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) methodology, combining Trapezoidal Fuzzy with the Best Worst Method (BWM) and Neutrosophic-TOPSIS strategy, to identify the primary water quality parameters impacting fish growth. Through …

Variability In Performance Of Genetic-Enhanced Dxa-Bmd Prediction Models Across Diverse Ethnic And Geographic Populations: A Risk Prediction Study, Yong Liu, Xiang-He Meng, Chong Wu, Kuan-Jui Su, Anqi Liu, Qing Tian, Lan-Juan Zhao, Chuan Qiu, Zhe Luo, Martha I Gonzalez-Ramirez, Hui Shen, Hong-Mei Xiao, Hong-Wen Deng

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: Osteoporosis is a major global health issue, weakening bones and increasing fracture risk. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is the standard for measuring bone mineral density (BMD) and diagnosing osteoporosis, but its costliness and complexity impede widespread screening adoption. Predictive modeling using genetic and clinical data offers a cost-effective alternative for assessing osteoporosis and fracture risk. This study aims to develop BMD prediction models using data from the UK Biobank (UKBB) and test their performance across different ethnic and geographical populations.

METHODS AND FINDINGS: We developed BMD prediction models for the femoral neck (FNK) and lumbar spine (SPN) using both …

Expanding A Behavioral View On Digital Health Access: Drivers And Strategies To Promote Equity, Maura M Kepper, Lauren A Fowler, Isabelle S Kusters, Jean W Davis, Manal Baqer, Sara Sagui-Henson, Yunyu Xiao, Adati Tarfa, Jean C Yi, Bryan Gibson, Kristin E Heron, Nicole M Alberts, Marissa Burgermaster, Veronica Ps Njie-Carr, Lisa M Klesges

2020-Current year OA Pubs

The potential and threat of digital tools to achieve health equity has been highlighted for over a decade, but the success of achieving equitable access to health technologies remains challenging. Our paper addresses renewed concerns regarding equity in digital health access that were deepened during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our viewpoint is that (1) digital health tools have the potential to improve health equity if equitable access is achieved, and (2) improving access and equity in digital health can be strengthened by considering behavioral science-based strategies embedded in all phases of tool development. Using behavioral, equity, and access frameworks allowed for …