Digital Commons Network^™

Event-Free Survival Of Maralixibat-Treated Patients With Alagille Syndrome Compared To A Real-World Cohort From Gala., Bettina E. Hansen, Shannon M. Vandriel, Pamela Vig, Will Garner, Douglas B. Mogul, Kathleen M. Loomes, David A. Piccoli, Elizabeth B. Rand, Irena Jankowska, Piotr Czubkowski, Dorota Gliwicz-Miedzińska, Emmanuel M. Gonzales, Emmanuel Jacquemin, Jérôme Bouligand, Lorenzo D'Antiga, Emanuele Nicastro, Henrik Arnell, Björn Fischler, Étienne Sokal, Tanguy Demaret, Susan Siew, Michael Stormon, Saul J. Karpen, Rene Romero, Noelle H. Ebel, Jeffrey A. Feinstein, Amin J. Roberts, Helen M. Evans, Shikha S. Sundaram, Alexander Chaidez, Winita Hardikar, Sahana Shankar, Ryan T. Fischer, Florence Lacaille, Dominique Debray, Henry C. Lin, M Kyle Jensen, Catalina Jaramillo, Palaniswamy Karthikeyan, Giuseppe Indolfi, Henkjan J. Verkade, Catherine Larson-Nath, Ruben E. Quiros-Tejeira, Pamela L. Valentino, Maria Rogalidou, Antal Dezsőfi, James E. Squires, Kathleen Schwarz, Pier Luigi Calvo, Jesus Quintero Bernabeu, Andréanne N Zizzo, Gabriella Nebbia, Pinar Bulut, Ermelinda Santos-Silva, Rima Fawaz, Silvia Nastasio, Wikrom Karnsakul, María Legarda Tamara, Cristina Molera Busoms, Deirdre A. Kelly, Thomas Damgaard Sandahl, Carolina Jimenez-Rivera, Jesus M. Banales, Quais Mujawar, Li-Ting Li, Huiyu She, Jian-She Wang, Kyung Mo Kim, Seak Hee Oh, Maria Camila Sanchez, Maria Lorena Cavalieri, Way Seah Lee, Christina Hajinicolaou, Chatmanee Lertudomphonwanit, Orith Waisbourd-Zinman, Cigdem Arikan, Seema Alam, Elisa Carvalho, Melina Melere, John Eshun, Zerrin Önal, Dev M. Desai, Sabina Wiecek, Raquel Borges Pinto, Victorien M. Wolters, Jennifer Garcia, Marisa Beretta, Nanda Kerkar, Jernej Brecelj, Nathalie Rock, Eberhard Lurz, Niviann Blondet, Uzma Shah, Richard J. Thompson, Binita M. Kamath, Global Alagille Alliance (Gala) Study Group

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Alagille syndrome (ALGS) is characterized by chronic cholestasis with associated pruritus and extrahepatic anomalies. Maralixibat, an ileal bile acid transporter inhibitor, is an approved pharmacologic therapy for cholestatic pruritus in ALGS. Since long-term placebo-controlled studies are not feasible or ethical in children with rare diseases, a novel approach was taken comparing 6-year outcomes from maralixibat trials with an aligned and harmonized natural history cohort from the G lobal AL agille A lliance (GALA) study.

APPROACH AND RESULTS: Maralixibat trials comprise 84 patients with ALGS with up to 6 years of treatment. GALA contains retrospective data from 1438 …

Impact Of Insomnia On Ovarian Cancer Risk And Survival: A Mendelian Randomization Study., Heming Wang, Brett M. Reid, Rebecca C. Richmond, Jacqueline M. Lane, Richa Saxena, Brian D. Gonzalez, Brooke L. Fridley, Susan Redline, Shelley S. Tworoger, Xuefeng Wang

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: Insomnia is the most common sleep disorder in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). We investigated the causal association between genetically predicted insomnia and EOC risk and survival through a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study.

METHODS: Insomnia was proxied using genetic variants identified in a genome-wide association study (GWAS) meta-analysis of UK Biobank and 23andMe. Using genetic associations with EOC risk and overall survival from the Ovarian Cancer Association Consortium (OCAC) GWAS in 66,450 women (over 11,000 cases with clinical follow-up), we performed Iterative Mendelian Randomization and Pleiotropy (IMRP) analysis followed by a set of sensitivity analyses. Genetic associations …

Insights From Targeted Fecal Metabolomic Analysis Reveal Altered Metabolic Pathways In Treatment-Naive Pediatric Subjects With Crohn's Disease, Nadia Ashrafi, Ali Yilmaz, Nicolette Monacelli, Rose E. Callahan, Ilyas Ustun, Nathan M. Novotny, J W. Rattray, Kypros Nicolaides, Stewart Graham

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Crohn’s disease (CD) is a heterogeneous and multifactorial inflammatory bowel disease with a significant global health impact. Genetic and lifestyle factors contribute to its etiology, emphasizing dysregulation of intestinal and dietary habits. Our study aimed to identify fecal metabolites from treatment-naïve, pediatric sufferers of CD, which allowed us to investigate the underlying biochemical perturbations associated with the disease, highlighting potential, translational targets. Using a Waters Acquity UPLC coupled with a Xevo-TQ-S mass spectrometer, we quantified >500 metabolites in fecal samples (n=72) of pediatric CD sufferers. We developed diagnostic tests capable of accurately discriminating between children with CD and healthy individuals …

Postural Control In Adults With Age-Related Hearing Loss, Elizabeth Tobener

Alternative Theses and Dissertations (AETDs)

The present study investigated postural control measures in adults with age-related hearing loss (ARHL). Individuals between the age of 50 and 70 were recruited (10 with normal hearing, 32 with ARHL) and evaluated using pure-tone audiometry, vestibular function assessments, and postural control measures. Results of this study revealed significant correlations between ARHL and cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMPs) and ocular VEMPs. As ARHL increased, amplitude of cervical VEMPs and ocular VEMPs decreased. There were no significant correlations for ARHL and video head impulse test (vHIT) gain. Single leg stance with head tilt was significantly associated with ARHL. As ARHL …

The Role Of Skeletal Muscle Ampk/Mtorc1 Signaling In Disrupted Metabolism During Chemotherapy Treatment And Recovery, Jessica L. Halle

Alternative Theses and Dissertations (AETDs)

Colorectal cancer patient survival rate has increased over the past decade due to improved screening and treatment options. The clinically relevant FOLFOX (5-fluorouracil [5-FU], oxaliplatin, leucovorin) chemotherapy regimen is a mainstay treatment option, despite the development of severe side-effects that can occur acutely or develop as a late effect after treatment cessation. Cancer and chemotherapy can promote systemic metabolic dysfunction; consequently, patients will likely experience debilitating weakness and fatigue, and these symptoms are often accompanied by excessive fat and muscle loss. Although studies have established chemotherapy effects on the tumor, few have investigated mechanisms underlying the metabolic complications associated with …

Unveiling The Impact Of Jkn: Easing Financial Burdens For Pregnant Women In Indonesia, Januar Sulaeman, Riatu Mariatul Qibthiyyah

Economics and Finance in Indonesia

Indonesia’s maternal mortality rate is the second highest in the ASEAN, partly due to financial barriers preventing adequate care during pregnancy and childbirth. The National Health Insurance (JKN) scheme, which is the embodiment of universal health coverage (UHC), was designed by the Indonesian government to reduce the financial risk of its participants. However, its impact on out-of-pocket health spending for pregnant women is under-researched. Using propensity score matching (PSM) and 2019 SUSENAS data, this study found that JKN membership significantly reduced out-of-pocket health spending for pregnant women—especially in eastern Indonesia, where poverty and healthcare access represent critical issues.

Pharmacogenomic Biomarkers Of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors (Aceis) Induced Cough Among Healthy Emiratis And Multi-Ethnic Hypertensive Patients, Sahar Mohammad Altoum

Theses

Pharmacogenomics (PGx) is an emerging field that merges genetics with pharmacology. It focuses on how an individual's genetic makeup influences their response to specific medications. This relatively new area of medicine seeks to understand the genetic factors that affect drug efficacy and safety. One practical application of PGx is in the context of treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs), which are widely used medications for managing hypertension. However, ACEIs are often associated with cough as a side effect, leading to drug discontinuation and the adoption of alternative medications like Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs). The prevalence of ACEIs-induced cough varies …

Using Self-Assessment Tools And Complementary Alternative Therapy For Chronic Migraines In Menopausal Women, Krystal Rachelle Bridwell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

Migraine headaches are ranked as one of the highest disabling conditions in the United States. Women who are in the perimenopausal transition phase have a higher prevalence of disabling migraines that can result in a decreased quality of life, loss of income, decreased productivity, and a higher risk for emotional difficulties. The gap in practice is the lack of education on complementary alternative medicine (CAM) and the use of a migraine diary to recognize individual symptoms as a substitute or cotherapy with pharmacologic treatments. The purpose of this scholarly project was to improve clinical practice and outcomes for perimenopausal …

Relationship Between Parents’ Feeding Styles, Nutrition Practices And Risk Of Obesity Among 3-5 Years Old Children In The United Arab Emirates, Reem Mohamed Alkarbi

Theses

Previous studies suggest that parental feeding practices shape preschool eating and physical activity habits, ultimately influencing children's weight status. Despite the high obesity rate in UAE youth, preschoolers’ nutrition habits and their links to parental feeding styles are explored. This study aims to describe parental feeding styles: Emotional (E), Instrumental (I), Prompting and Encouragement (PE), Control Over Eating (COE)), and their associations with nutrition practices, socio-demographic factors, and obesity in UAE preschoolers. Using an online questionnaire, a cross-sectional study surveyed Emirati families with 3-5-year-old children. Data was analyzed using SPSS v.29. 70 preschool Emirati children living in Abu Dhabi participated. …

Evaluation Of Body Mass Index (Bmi): A Risk Factor For Stroke Among Pakistani Youth, Shafaq Saleem, Safia Awan, Ibrar Rafique, Kashif Hafeez

Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS)

Background and objective: Body Mass Index (BMI) has been recognized as a significant risk factor for stroke, especially among younger populations in South Asia. Rising obesity rates contribute to non-communicable diseases, with increased stroke incidences being observed in younger adults. The objective of this study was to assess BMI distribution among Pakistani youth across various educational levels, providing insight into obesity trends and potential health risks.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted through an online platform, surveying 2,223 respondents across 38 cities in Pakistan. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered, covering 600 educational institutions. Participants were categorized by BMI using WHO …

Effectiveness Of Specialized Oral Care For Post-Acute Stroke Patients, Hui-Chuan Chen, Hsiao-Han Wei, Yi-Hsuan Yang, Hsial-Lun To, Hsiao-Fan Wang, Ying-Han Hong

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

(1) Background: Poor oral health is a common problem in stroke patients. In Taiwan, there are professional oral care processes for patients with special needs such as stroke patients, which are guided by dental hygienists. This study sought to investigate the effectiveness of specialized oral care for hospitalized stroke patients; (2) Methods: This prospective study was conducted in the Rehabilitation ward at the Taipei City Hospital. Sixty-six patients were randomly divided into two groups. The specialized oral care group (n=34) was guided by dental hygienists. The control group (n=32) received only routine oral care. The oral health outcome measure was …

Identifying Dietary Timing Of Organic Trace Minerals To Reduce The Incidence Of Osteomyelitis Lameness In Broiler Chickens Using The Aerosol Transmission Model, Khawla Alharbi, Andi Asnayanti, Anh Dang Trieu Do, Ruvindu Perera, Layla Al-Mitib, Abdulkarim Shwani, Marco A. Rebollo, Michael T. Kidd, Adnan Ali Khalaf Alrubaye

Poultry Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

Our prior research demonstrated a 20% to 25% reduction in bacterial chondronecrosis with osteomyelitis (BCO) lameness in broilers with organic Zn, Mn, and Cu (Availa^® ZMC) supplementation. Expanding on this, we investigated the optimal timing for Availa^® ZMC feeding to mitigate BCO lameness and reduce feed additive costs in the poultry industry. In this study, we compared the application of 0.15% Availa^® ZMC for 56 days, the first 28 days, and the last 28 days. The experimental design was a randomized block design involving 1560 one-day-old chicks distributed across two wire-floor pens as BCO source infection and …

Agronomic And Economic Productivity Of Summer Annual Forage Systems Under Different Poultry Litter Application Methods, Ivanelle Meyer, Michael P. Popp, Christine C. Nieman, Amanda J. Ashworth, Phillip R. Owens

Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Faculty Publications and Presentations

Poultry litter (litter) is a nutrient dense fertilizer that increases nutritive value and yield in pastures in the mid-southern US. Nutrient losses due to runoff and nitrogen volatilization are common when broadcasting litter. As such, incorporating litter below the soil surface (subsurface) was evaluated in comparison to broadcasting in 2021 and 2022 by quantifying yield and nutritive value of annual forages. The study was a randomized complete block design with three forage treatments—sorghum-sudangrass only (Sorghum bicolor L.), cowpea only (Vigna unguiculata L.), and their mixture, and three litter application methods (broadcast, subsurface, and a no litter control). Litter …

Efficacy And Safety Of A Four-Drug, Quarter-Dose Treatment For Hypertension: The Quartet Usa Randomized Trial, Mark D Huffman, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

New approaches are needed to lower blood pressure (BP) given persistently low control rates. QUARTET USA sought to evaluate the effect of four-drug, quarter-dose BP lowering combination in patients with hypertension. QUARTET USA was a randomized (1:1), double-blinded trial conducted in federally qualified health centers among adults with hypertension. Participants received either a quadpill of candesartan 2 mg, amlodipine 1.25 mg, indapamide 0.625 mg, and bisoprolol 2.5 mg or candesartan 8 mg for 12 weeks. If BP was >130/>80 mm Hg at 6 weeks in either arm, then participants received open label add-on amlodipine 5 mg. The primary outcome …

Physicochemical And Metagenomic Analysis Of Samples From The Roman Baths (Bath, Uk) Reveals High Bacterial And Archaeal Diversity And A Potential For Antimicrobial Discovery, Enus Fina, Michele Kiernan, Bonnie Whatmough, Nathaniel J. Clark, Jazmin Conway, Iga W. Wieczorek, Laura Carey, Zofia Matyjaszkiewicz, Philip J. Warburton, Mathew Upton, Lee P. Hutt

School of Biological and Marine Sciences

Antimicrobial resistance of pathogenic bacteria to currently used antibiotics killed an estimated 1.27 million people in 2019 and it is believed that this toll will increase to 10 million per year by 2050. This remains one of the most urgent threats to human health and the hunt for novel antimicrobial natural products (NPs) from microorganisms is essential in efforts to combat this threat, but recent efforts have been unsuccessful. The investigation of extreme ecological niches, such as hot springs, has gained recent interest due to their unique ecosystems, increasing the chance for novel antimicrobial NP discovery. The Roman Baths (Bath) …

Soil Profile Distribution Of Nutrients In Contrasting Soils Amended With Struvite And Other Conventional Phosphorus Fertilizers, Tatum Simms, Kristofor R. Brye, Trenton L. Roberts, Lauren F. Greenlee

Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

Phosphorus (P) can be recovered from wastewater and used as an alternative fertilizer, namely, struvite [MgNH₄PO₄·6(H₂O)]. However, the soil mobility of wastewater-derived P and other nutrients needs to be evaluated. The objective of this study was to compare the vertical distribution of water-soluble (WS) soil P and other nutrients from a synthetic-wastewater-derived electrochemically precipitated struvite (ECST) to that from a chemically precipitated struvite (CPST), triple superphosphate (TSP), monoammonium phosphate (MAP), and a control in six soils from Arkansas (AR; loam [L] and silt loam [SiL]), Missouri (MO; SiL 1 and SiL 2), and Nebraska …

A Review Of The Interaction Between Potassium Nutrition And Plant Disease Control, C. C. Ortel, T. L. Roberts, J. C. Rupe

Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

Potassium (K) is an essential macronutrient involved in many physiological and biochemical functions that affect a plant's susceptibility to disease. These processes include stomatal regulation, enzyme activation, and solute transport, each of which is often discussed through the lens of either plant nutrition or plant disease control. However, the interaction between these stresses and the resulting physiological and agronomic impact is an important consideration when managing a cropping system as a whole and is scarcely addressed in the literature. Therefore, a review of the literature was focused on the interaction of K nutrition and the resulting impact on plant disease …

Improving Mangoes' Productivity And Crop Water Productivity By 24-Epibrassinosteroids And Hydrogen Peroxide Under Deficit Irrigation, Mahmoud Abdel-Sattar, Rashid S. Al-Obeed, Essa Makhasha, Laila Y. Mostafa, Rania A.E. Abdelzaher, Hail Z. Rihan

School of Biological and Marine Sciences

In nature, plants are frequently subjected to a wide range of abiotic stresses that drastically reduce crop productivity. Deficit in irrigation is one of the main factors of abiotic stresses that affect agricultural productivity. Nevertheless, not much research has been done on how to use water with brassinosteroids (Br) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)in deficit water conditions in order to reach comparatively good values of mango tree growth, productivity, and fruit quality as well as crop water productivity (WP_C). A split-plot experiment in a complete randomized block system design study with 3 regulated deficit irrigation …

Black Food Geographies And The Politics Of Resistance In The Brick City. An Intersectional Analysis Of Black Food Provisioning Practices, Food Access, And Racial Food Inequities In Newark, New Jersey From 1666 – 2020, Angelika Winner

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

This work studied Black food geographies in Newark, NJ, which represent alternative food provisioning practices and strategies working within but also parallel to traditional food geographies and exist within and despite of foodscapes of domination. Black food geographies not only include the spatial agency of Black residents but also entail the structural intersectionality and organized abandonment that Black residents currently experience as well as their historical production. Thus, food access of Newark’s Black resident was analyzed with a three-pronged mixed methods research design, a supply-centered analysis from a Positivistic perspective, a political economy-centered historical analysis from a Marxist perspective, and …

Presentation, Management, And Outcomes Of Norovirus In Adult And Pediatric Solid Organ And Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Recipients: A Multicenter, Retrospective Study, Michelle Callegari, Lara A Danziger-Isakov, Anne Rose, Daniel Kaul, Kelly Shaffer, Diana Florescu, Robin Avery, M Hong Nguyen, Brett Wildfeuer, Marian G Michaels, Michael Green, Kexin Guo, Lihui Zhao, Amna Daud, Michael G Ison

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Norovirus (NoV) can cause chronic relapsing and remitting diarrhea in immunocompromised patients. Few multicenter studies have described the clinical course, outcomes, and complications of chronic NoV in transplant recipients.

Methods: A multicenter retrospective study of adult and pediatric SOT and HSCT recipients diagnosed with NoV between November 1, 2017, and February 28, 2021. Data were obtained from electronic medical records (EMR) and entered into a central REDCap database. Descriptive statistics were calculated.

Results: A total of 280 NoV+ patients were identified across eight sites. The majority were adults (74.1%) and SOT recipients (91.4%). Initial diagnosis of NoV occurred a …

Plasmacytoid Urothelial Carcinoma Of The Urinary Bladder-A Clinicopathological And Molecular Analysis Of 52 Cases, Lan Zheng, Hui Chen, Jianping Zhao, Sinchita Roy-Chowdhuri, Ashish M Kamat, Jianjun Gao, Donna E Hansel, Bogdan Czerniak, Charles C Guo

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Plasmacytoid urothelial carcinoma (UC) is a rare histologic subtype of bladder cancer that is associated with an aggressive clinical behavior. We analyzed the clinicopathologic and molecular features of plasmacytoid UC in 52 patients from a single institute. The patients included 44 men and 8 women, with a mean age of 64 years (range, 41-91 years). All bladder cancers were high-grade UC, and plasmacytoid component accounted for a mean of 47% of bladder tumors (range, 5-100%). Distinct gene mutations were found in most plasmacytoid UCs (n = 49); the most common mutations were TP53 (n = 30), followed by TERT (n …

Dyadic Yoga For Head And Neck Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemoradiation And Their Family Caregivers, Kathrin Milbury, David I Rosenthal, Yisheng Li, An Thuy Ngo-Huang, Smitha Mallaiah, Clifton D Fuller, Eduardo Bruera, Lorenzo Cohen

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objectives: Concurrent chemoradiation to treat head and neck cancer (HNC) may result in debilitating toxicities. Targeted exercise such as yoga therapy may buffer against treatment-related sequelae; thus, this pilot RCT examined the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a yoga intervention. Because family caregivers report low caregiving efficacy and elevated levels of distress, we included them in this trial as active study participants.

Methods: HNC patients and their caregivers were randomized to a 15-session dyadic yoga program or a waitlist control (WLC) group. Prior to randomization, patients completed standard symptom (MDASI-HN) and patients and caregivers completed quality of life (SF-36) assessments. …

Association Of Tea And Coffee Consumption And Biliary Tract Cancer Risk: The Biliary Tract Cancers Pooling Project, Yu-Han Huang, Erikka Loftfield, Ilona Argirion, Hans-Olov Adami, Demetrius Albanes, Veronika Fedirko, Neal D Freedman, Graham G Giles, Patricia Hartge, Verena Katzke, Synnove F Knutsen, James Lacey, Linda M Liao, Juhua Luo, Roger L Milne, Katie M O'Brien, Ulrike Peters, Jenny N Poynter, Mark P Purdue, Kim Robien, Sven Sandin, Dale P Sandler, Veronica W Setiawan, Jae H Kang, Tracey G Simon, Rashmi Sinha, Trang Vopham, Stephanie J Weinstein, Emily White, Xuehong Zhang, Bin Zhu, Katherine A Mcglynn, Peter T Campbell, Mei-Hsuan Lee, Jill Koshiol

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background and aims: Tea and coffee are widely consumed beverages worldwide. We evaluated their association with biliary tract cancer (BTC) incidence.

Approach and results: We pooled data from 15 studies in the Biliary Tract Cancers Pooling Project to evaluate associations between tea and coffee consumption and biliary tract cancer development. We categorized participants as nondrinkers (0 cup/day), moderate drinkers (>0 and < 3 cups/day), and heavy drinkers (≥3 cups/day). We estimated multivariable HRs and 95% CIs using Cox models. During 29,911,744 person-years of follow-up, 851 gallbladder, 588 intrahepatic bile duct, 753 extrahepatic bile duct, and 458 ampulla of Vater cancer cases were diagnosed. Individuals who drank tea showed a statistically significantly lower incidence rate of gallbladder cancer (GBC) relative to tea nondrinkers (HR=0.77; 95% CI, 0.64-0.91), and intrahepatic bile duct cancer (IHBDC) had an inverse association (HR=0.81; 95% CI, 0.66-1.00). However, no associations were observed for extrahepatic bile duct cancer (EHBDC) or ampulla of Vater cancer (AVC). In contrast, coffee consumption was positively associated with GBC, with a higher incidence rate for individuals consuming more coffee (HR< 3 cups/day =1.29; 95% CI, 1.01-1.66; HR≥3 cups/day =1.49; 95% CI, 1.11-1.99, Ptrend=0.01) relative to coffee nondrinkers. However, there was no association between coffee consumption and GBC when restricted to coffee drinkers. There was little evidence of associations between coffee consumption and other biliary tract cancers.

Conclusions: Tea consumption was associated with a lower incidence of GBC and possibly IHBDC. Further research is warranted to replicate the observed positive association between coffee and GBC.

Diagnostic And Prognostic Biomarkers Of Chronic Pancreatitis: A Conceptual Framework Based On The Probe Design, Dhiraj Yadav, Darwin L Conwell, Stephen J Pandol, Hanno Steen, Ziding Feng

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

No abstract provided.

Evaluating Postoperative Prognosis: A Single Surgeon's Experience With Total Mesorectal Excision In Middle And Lower Rectal Cancer Cases In Iraq, Aqeel S Mahmood, Mohammed Ahmed Abbas, Ammar Gany Yassin, Haider A Ahmed, Samer Sabri, Hussein Abbas

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

INTRODUCTION: Surgical intervention for rectal cancer is widely recognized for its potential to significantly impact quality of life, chiefly due to the high probability of permanent colostomy and the associated postoperative complications.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the short-term outcomes and morbidity associated with total mesorectal excision for middle and lower rectal cancer within an Iraqi cohort, in a prospective setting.

METHODS: This study prospectively collected and analyzed data from 89 patients who underwent a standardized radical rectal resection, with a follow-up period extending to one month post-surgery.

RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 54.4 ± 12.9 years, …

We Cannot Labor Our Way Out Of Oppression: An Exploratory Study Of Wealth Through Black Women’S Lived Experience, Tiffany N. Younger

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

An exploratory qualitative phenomenological study was used to explore Black women’s experiences with wealth accumulation. The aims of this study were to better understand how Black women navigate financial obligations as heads of households and the impact of the wealth gap on their lives. The research on the wealth gap, informed by U.S. values and culture, has assumed the accumulation of wealth is the baseline/default goal or aspiration for all individuals. More specifically the subaims of this study sought to examine the extent to which the structural, interpersonal, disciplinary, and hegemony impacts Black women’s wealth status. Furthermore, this study sought …

Cardiovascular Disease In Childhood, Adolescent, And Young Adult Cancer Survivors: The Impact Of Family History Of Premature Heart Disease, Amy M Berkman, Clark R Andersen, Andrew P Landstrom, Michelle A T Hildebrandt, Susan C Gilchrist

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

No abstract provided.

Mesenchymal-Specific Alms1 Knockout In Mice Recapitulates Metabolic Features Of Alström Syndrome, Eleanor J Mckay, Ineke Luijten, Xiong Weng, Pablo B Martinez De Morentin, Elvira De Frutos González, Mikhail G Kolonin, Robert K Semple

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

OBJECTIVE: Alström Syndrome (AS), caused by biallelic ALMS1 mutations, includes obesity with disproportionately severe insulin resistant diabetes, dyslipidemia, and fatty liver. Prior studies suggest that hyperphagia is accounted for by loss of ALMS1 function in hypothalamic neurones, whereas disproportionate metabolic complications may be due to impaired adipose tissue expandability. We tested this by comparing the metabolic effects of global and mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-specific Alms1 knockout.

METHODS: Global Alms1 knockout (KO) mice were generated by crossing floxed Alms1 and CAG-Cre mice. A Pdgfrα-Cre driver was used to abrogate Alms1 function selectively in MSCs and their descendants, including preadipocytes. We combined …

Soil Saturation Limits Early Oak Establishment In Upland Pastures For Restoration Of Atlantic Oak Woodlands, Thomas R. Murphy, Mick E. Hanley, Jon S. Ellis, Paul H. Lunt

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences

With woodland expansion providing a nature-based solution to help tackle anthropogenic climate change, the persistence and regeneration of fragmented Atlantic oak woodland is a critical feature of the wilding of uplands and conservation of Temperate Rainforests in Western Europe. Predicted shifts in precipitation with climate change are likely to be a major determinant of tree recruitment here, yet our understanding of the threshold effects of high soil moisture on oak establishment is limited, particularly at early-life-history stages when trees are most vulnerable. We address this gap in knowledge by investigating the effect of soil saturation states on; 1) the capacity …

Root Nodules Of Red Alder (Alnus Rubra) And Sitka Alder (Alnus Viridis Ssp. Sinuata) Are Inhabited By Taxonomically Diverse Cultivable Microbial Endophytes, Robyn Dove, Emily R. Wolfe, Nathan U. Stewart, Abigail Coleman, Sara Herrejon Chavez, Daniel J. Ballhorn

Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations

The root nodules of actinorhizal plants are home to nitrogen-fixing bacterial symbionts, known as Frankia, along with a small percentage of other microorganisms. These include fungal endophytes and non-Frankia bacteria. The taxonomic and functional diversity of the microbial consortia within these root nodules is not well understood. In this study, we surveyed and analyzed the cultivable, non-Frankia fungal and bacterial endophytes of root nodules from red and Sitka alder trees that grow together. We examined their taxonomic diversity, co-occurrence, differences between hosts, and potential functional roles. For the first time, we are reporting numerous fungal endophytes of alder root nodules. …