Digital Commons Network^™

Autologous Multiantigen-Targeted T Cell Therapy For Pancreatic Cancer: A Phase 1/2 Trial, Benjamin L Musher, Spyridoula Vasileiou, Brandon G Smaglo, Catherine S Robertson, Mengfen Wu, Tao Wang, Ayumi Watanabe, Manik Kuvalekar, Yovana Velazquez, Shamika Ketkar, Tamadar Al Doheyan, Penelope G Papayanni, Aakash Shah, Natalia Lapteva, Bambi J Grilley, George Van Buren, Premal D Lulla, Helen E Heslop, Cliona M Rooney, Malcolm K Brenner, Ann M Leen

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

T cell therapy has proven challenging for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), partly due to heterogeneous expression of tumor-associated antigens (TAAs). To address tumor heterogeneity and mitigate immune evasion, an ex vivo expanded, polyclonal, T helper 1 cell-polarized T cell product targeting five TAAs—PRAME, SSX2, MAGEA4, Survivin and NY-ESO-1—was developed. These antigens were chosen based on their tumor specificity, oncogenicity, immunogenicity and level of expression. In a phase 1/2 trial, this autologous nonengineered T cell product was administered (1 × 107 cells m−2 per infusion) monthly to patients with advanced PDAC responding (arm A, n = 13) or refractory (arm B, …

Discovery Of Genetic Susceptibility Variants In Pediatric And Adult Ependymoma, Joshua D Strauss, Priya B Shetty, Spiridon Tsavachidis, Jinyoung Byun, Stephen C Mack, Xiao Xiangjun, Terri S Armstrong, Mark R Gilbert, (On Behalf Of Nci-Connect);, Lisa Mirabello, Smita Bhatia, Wendy M Leisenring, Lindsay M Morton, Gregory T Armstrong, Jon Foss-Skiftesvik, Christian Munch Hagen, Jonas Bybjerg-Grauholm, (On Behalf Of Gicc), Manel Ghozal, Audrey Bonaventure, Jacqueline Clavel, Melissa L Bondy, Christopher I Amos, Thanh T Hoang, Michael E Scheurer

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Ependymoma is a malignancy of the neuroepithelium-derived ependyma that lines the spinal cord and ventricles of the brain, occurring most frequently in young children and older adults. Genetic susceptibility to ependymoma has proven difficult to assess due to disease rarity.

Methods: We performed genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of 478 ependymoma patients and 4,841 disease-free controls of European ancestry. Ependymoma patients consisted of 117 children (< 18 years old) with whole-genome sequencing (WGS), 142 children with genotyping, and 219 adults (≥18 years old) with genotyping. Genotyped samples were imputed using the 1,000 Genomes Project as the reference panel and underwent quality control filtering. The GWAS was performed separately by age group and technology (genotyped or WGS). GWAS variants were considered significant at P < 5 × 10-8.

Results: Among pediatric subjects with WGS data, we identified a significant intronic variant in EDIL3 (rs149378, P = 1.9 × 10-8) and a nearly significant intronic variant in LHX4 (rs79008224, P = 7.2 …

Therapeutic Potential Of Hookworm Proteins In Promoting Regulatory Immune Responses To Modulate Trypanosoma Cruzi Induced Liver Inflammation And Oxidative Stress, Maria Jose Villar, Cristina Poveda, Bin Zhan, Maya Gonsoulin, Kathryn M Jones

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Chronic Trypanosoma cruzi infection causes significant liver pathology, and current antiparasitic treatments often worsen hepatic damage. Hookworm-derived proteins have shown immunomodulatory effects in inflammatory diseases, including T. cruzi-induced myocarditis.

Objective: This study evaluates recombinant hookworm proteins AIP-1 and AIP-2 for treating liver inflammation in a murine model of chronic Chagas disease (CD).

Methods: Female BALB/c mice infected with T. cruzi were treated with AIP-1 or AIP-2 (1 mg/kg) for seven days. Controls were untreated or received aspirin (25 mg/kg) for 14 days. Liver tissues were analyzed for parasite burden (quantitative polymerase chain reaction - qPCR), histopathology (H&E, Picrosirius Red), …

Δnp63 Defines An Exocrine-Committed Subset Of Murine Pancreatic Progenitor Cells, Katarina Coolens, Melissa Van Der Vliet, Jente Van Campenhout, Natalia Del Pozo, Alejo Torres-Cano, Catharina Olsen, Jianming Xu, Rose-Anne Romano, Heiko Lickert, Meritxell Rovira, Isabelle Houbracken, Jonathan Baldan, Francisco X Real, Francesca M Spagnoli, Ilse Rooman

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

No abstract provided.

Investigating Food-Related Behaviors In Smith-Magenis Syndrome: Tailoring A Questionnaire For A Rare Disease, Citrine Elatrash, Theresa A Wilson, Alexis C Wood, Sarah H Elsea, Stephanie Sisley

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Purpose: Accurate measurement is essential for tracking changes in clinical outcomes. Individuals with Smith-Magenis syndrome (SMS) exhibit challenging and unique food-related behaviors. We sought to determine the best tool to capture their unique food-related behaviors.

Methods: We conducted focus groups with caregivers of individuals with SMS to evaluate two commonly used questionnaires for food-related behaviors- the Food Related Problems Questionnaire (FRPQ) and the Hyperphagia Questionnaire for Clinical Trials (HQ-CT). Based on caregiver input and clinical expertise, we adapted these existing measures into a new tool: the SMS-FRPQ. We then validated this instrument for internal consistency and concurrent validity using online …

Acmg Medical Directors’ Special Interest Group Survey: Current Challenges For Medical Genetics Clinics, Mark Dulchavsky, Catherine E Keegan, Nathaniel H Robin, Chad Haldeman-Englert, Shweta U Dhar, Fuki M Hisama

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Purpose: The American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics Medical Directors' Special Interest Group (SIG) began in 2021 as a forum for directors of medical genetics clinical groups to share questions, concerns, current practices, and solutions regarding clinical operations. We report on the first 4 years of the SIG-its membership growth and SIG activities. We also present quantitative and qualitative results of a nationwide survey of 66 SIG members addressing recurrent questions from members regarding: wait times, volume of referrals, clinical workload expectations, and independent practice of genetic counselors (GCs) and advanced practice providers.

Methods: Cross-sectional survey of American College …

Using Lotilaner Ophthalmic Solution, 0.25% To Treat Demodex Blepharitis In Patients Who Were Initially Misdiagnosed: A Case Series, Laura M Periman, Richard Lindstrom, Paul Karpecki, Brandon Ayres, Eric Donnenfeld, Marjan Farid, Ian Benjamin Gaddie, Preeya K Gupta, Selina Mcgee, Kelly K Nichols, Stephen Pflugfelder, Christopher E Starr, Nandini Venkateswaran, Elizabeth Yeu, Cecelia Koetting

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Introduction: Demodex blepharitis (DB) is a chronic ocular inflammation caused by Demodex mite infestation of the eyelid. DB is often misdiagnosed, as some of its clinical findings and patient-reported outcomes overlap with those of other ocular surface diseases. The Demodex Expert Panel on Treatment and Eyelid Health (DEPTH) has reached consensus on the symptomatology, diagnosis, and treatment of DB. Consensus findings from the DEPTH group include that collarettes are pathognomonic for DB and that lotilaner ophthalmic solution, 0.25%, the first and only FDA-approved treatment for DB, should be the first-line treatment for the disease. This case series highlights two instances …

Non-Congenital Hsv-1 Keratitis In An Immunocompetent 9-Month-Old Infant, Caleb A Casanova, Stephanie Trejo Corona, Stephen F Pflugfelder

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Isolated, non-congenital herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) keratitis in immunocompetent infants is exceedingly rare and may be easily misdiagnosed, leading to delays in appropriate antiviral therapy. This case is unique in that it describes HSV-1 keratitis in a healthy 9-month-old infant presenting without systemic illness, initially treated as bacterial conjunctivitis. The patient presented with unilateral eye pain, redness, and corneal opacification. Subsequent evaluation revealed HSV-1 keratitis, and the patient was treated with intravenous acyclovir in combination with topical moxifloxacin and topical ganciclovir, resulting in complete resolution of symptoms within one week. This case adds to the limited literature on …

Updates In Mycobacterial Keratitis Diagnosis And Treatment, Uma L Balakrishnan, Ryan T Wallace, Patricia Chévez-Barrios, Alejandro Arboleda, Masih U Ahmed

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Mycobacterial keratitis is an uncommon but challenging form of infectious keratitis, often associated with postsurgical eyes. Clinical presentation is variable and may be difficult to recognize, resulting in delays in diagnosis and challenges in management. Traditional diagnostic techniques from corneal scrapings are limited by slow organism growth and may yield negative results. Treatment is challenging due to antimicrobial resistance and typically requires prolonged multidrug therapy. Advances in diagnostic modalities, antimicrobial therapies, surgical approaches, and adjunctive treatments such as corneal crosslinking have improved clinicians' ability to mitigate or avoid severe visual consequences. Despite these developments, optimal management strategies remain incompletely defined, …

Common And Recurrent Dysregulated Molecular Network Of Placental Hypoxia And Associated Vasculogenesis And Angiogenesis In Fetal Growth Restriction, Wei Li, Xiaoyi Bai, Oi Ka Chan, Maran Bo Wah Leung, So Ling Lau, Chi Chiu Wang, Tak Yeung Leung

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Fetuses with fetal growth restriction (FGR) and selective FGR (sFGR) face elevated health risks both before and after birth. Although the underlying pathomechanisms remain unclear, placental dysfunction is recognized as a major contributing factor. By integrating untargeted transcriptomic data from FGR/sFGR placentae, this study identified 69 differentially expressed mRNAs (DEmRs) and eight differentially expressed miRNAs (DEmiRs). Functional enrichment analysis demonstrated significant enrichment in the angiogenesis and vasculogenesis pathways, with the hypoxia-related genes

Combination Therapy With 308-Nm Excimer Laser, Compound Glycyrrhizin, And Tacrolimus For Pediatric Facial And Cervical Vitiligo, Yingying Qian, Yafen Wu, Wei Li, Qian Chen, Siyuan Song, Ting Zhang

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Vitiligo is a common acquired depigmenting disorder in pediatric dermatology. Facial and cervical involvement is particularly distressing due to cosmetic disfigurement, leading to psychosocial impairment in children and significant psychological burden for parents. Safe and effective treatment strategies to halt disease progression and promote repigmentation are urgently needed.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical efficacy, onset of repigmentation, safety, and repigmentation patterns of 308-nm excimer laser combined with oral compound glycyrrhizin and topical 0.03% tacrolimus in children with facial and cervical vitiligo.

Methods: A total of 112 pediatric patients were randomized into two groups: treatment group (n=56, 86 lesions) received …

3d Geometric Modelling And Clinical Validation Of Lower Limb And Preliminary 2-Year Post-Operative Clinical Outcomes Of Neutral Boundary Alignment In Total Knee Arthroplasty, Bruno Violante, Lorenzo Deveza, Francesco Pollara, Giovanni Rusconi, Gianroberto Ferreri, Alessandro Annibaldi, Ilwhan Park

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Purpose: To introduce a novel three-dimensional (3D) modelling concept for lower limb alignment in total knee arthroplasty (TKA), termed neutral boundary alignment (NBA) and to present preliminary clinical data supporting this physics-based custom alignment strategy.

Methods: NBA is defined as the alignment at which the knee joint line is parallel to the ground during the mid-stance phase of gait, achieving static equilibrium with the NBA axis aligned to gravity. A theoretical geometric model of the lower limb was developed, integrating principles of physics to describe this condition. Preliminary clinical validation was performed using radiographic data from an initial cohort of …

Professionalism In Practice: A Novel Approach To Integrating Small Doses Of Case-Based Professionalism Education Into Monthly Grand Rounds., Allison H Taylor, Andrew Caruso, Kelley Arredondo, Ellen M Friedman, Stacey R Rose

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Introduction: Professionalism is a critical construct across the health professions, though learners and faculty report feeling underprepared to navigate difficult situations; education in professionalism is challenged by the absence of a universal definition, time constraints due to overcrowded curricula, and the lack of consistent messaging to learners and faculty.

Methods: Professionalism in Practice (PiP) was developed to provide small doses (∼5 minutes) of case-based professionalism education as part of an existing educational forum (Grand Rounds) to optimize attendance of both learners and faculty. Each vignette highlighted a common professionalism challenge and was aligned with an AAMC professional competency. Sessions were …

Functional Analysis Of Genes Enriched In Male Reproductive Organs: Validation Via Fertility Assessment Of 14 Knockout Mouse Lines, Kazumasa Takemoto, Katarzyna Kent, Kaori Nozawa, Shingo Tonai, Ahn H Pham, Terumi Fujimoto, Thomas X Garcia, Martin M Matzuk, Masahito Ikawa, Keizo Tokuhiro

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Tissue-restricted gene expression serves as a key indicator of functional importance within specific organs. Despite advances in high-throughput sequencing and genome editing over the past decade, this principle remains the gold standard for identifying candidate genes for functional studies. In reproductive biology, testis-restricted expression is anticipated to indicate genes crucial for gametogenesis, given the conserved features shared between spermatogenesis and oogenesis. Concurrently, rapid evolution of spermatogenesis-related genes is well documented and thought to arise through duplication and subsequent mutation of ubiquitously expressed genes. In this study, we established 14 knockout (KO) mouse lines for male reproductive organ-enriched genes, all of …

Challenges In The Diagnosis Of Concurrent T-Lymphoblastic Leukemia/Lymphoma And Thymic Neuroendocrine Carcinoma: A Case Report, Kristen Oliveira, Mary Doan, Ying Pei, Marwan Yared, Songlin Zhang

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

The co-occurrence of T-lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma and thymic neoplasia is a rare event that can present a diagnostic challenge. In this case report, we describe a 31-year-old man who was found to have thymic neuroendocrine carcinoma and T-lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma 2 years after initial treatment for T-lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma. The thymic neuroendocrine carcinoma was initially detected in a malignant pleural effusion, and a retrospective review of a preceding lung biopsy suggested the involvement of both tumors within one tissue sample. Immunohistochemical analysis was imperative in highlighting these two elements because despite their unique cytomorphological characteristics, a limited amount of each component was seen …

Developing And Evaluating A Young Adult Peer Mentor Training Program, Beth H Garland, Demonica L Jones, Cassandra J Enzler, Jean L Raphael, Albert C Hergenroeder, Rachel S Wolfe, Sarah C Graham, Constance M Wiemann

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Improving self-management skills for adolescents and emerging adults (AEA) with chronic health conditions is critical for successful transition to adult-based care. Peer-mentoring has been effective in improving the self-management skills of AEA. However, the components of training a successful young adult peer mentors (YAPM), especially interpersonal aspects of the role, such as communication skills and navigating mentee ambivalence are not well understood. This descriptive study created and pilot-tested a training curriculum for YAPM as part of a larger study to build self-management skills in the context of healthcare transition from pediatric to adult care. Five YAPM completed the training curriculum. …

When Targeted Gene Testing Falls Short: Case Report Of A Novel Slc4a3 F347s Genetic Variant Associated With Short Qt Syndrome, Chelsea A Boyd, Tyler J Novy, Taylor A Beecroft-Dawson, Connor A Bell, Emily M Bland, Christina Y Miyake

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

No abstract provided.

The Lived Experience Of Pediatric Pain Management: Insights From Families And Providers, Samrithaa Balakrishnan, Annesha Dey, Aarti Bavare, Paul Checchia, Katherine Shwetz, Natasha Afonso

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Pain represents a subjective experience that manifests with emotional and physical discomfort. In pediatric care, pain management is especially complex due to communicative limitations, which creates a unique point of entry for parents to contribute to their child's treatment process. In this study, we explored whether families' perceptions of their child's pain and preferences for treatment were aligned with healthcare providers' pain management decisions. Using narrative-informed techniques in interviews with families and healthcare providers in pediatric care settings, we analyzed areas of concordance and discordance in pain assessment and treatment priorities. Our findings show that trust is built over time …

Point-Of-Care Ultrasound Foundations In Physics And Image Acquisition: An Innovative Hands-On Active Learning Workshop, Cherie Tator, Saul Flores, Alan Riley, Kiyetta Alade

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Introduction: We developed an innovative, active learning workshop to introduce foundations of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) physics and instrumentation. The workshop design aimed to reduce cognitive load and encourage learner-centered engagement through hands-on exploration that reinforces key principles and connects theory to practice.

Methods: First-year medical students participated in small-group, student-driven exercises to explore POCUS machine controls, transducers, and image acquisition skills. Each group was supported by a faculty member to guide activities and ensure accuracy. Students scanned pickles, hard-boiled eggs, and olives with pits; these items were selected for their low cost, sonographic characteristics, and recognizability. Later in the semester, …

Pd-L1-Centric Whole Blood-Based Immune Signature Profiles Of Tuberculosis Patients During Therapy, Johanna Eggeling, Martina Sester, Christoph Lange, Jan Heyckendorf, Barbara Kalsdorf, Anna M Mandalakas, Andrew R Dinardo, David Lewinsohn, Dagmar Schaub, Tina Schmidt, Eva Tolosa, Maja Reimann, Patricia M Sánchez Carballo

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

This prospective study investigated whole blood-based immune cell biomarkers for pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) immunoprofiling. Blood samples from 34 healthy controls and 51 tuberculosis patients were analyzed at three timepoints: Prior to therapy (T0), after 14 days of therapy (T1), and at the end of treatment (Te). Using multiparameter flow cytometry, 386 immune cell populations were analyzed. Predictive models were developed using two machine learning algorithms. A TB5LF change score, which was based on five cell populations, effectively distinguished tuberculosis patients from controls (AUC = 0.89) and tuberculosis patients before and at the end of treatment (AUC = 0.92). Similarly, the …

An Exploratory Study In Sports Geography: The Interaction With The Environment And Sense Of Place In Endurance Running Events, Jackson Steffener

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This study examines how endurance running shapes runners' sense of place through interactions with physical environments, social dynamics, and embodied experience. With sports geography, it explores how participants form emotional and spatial connections to race settings while moving through varied landscapes under physical strain. A phenomenological multi-site case study design was used, focusing on four endurance events in Iowa that differed in terrain, setting, and structure.

Data were collected from 46 participants using mental mapping and semi structured field notes. Mental maps identified meaningful locations along race courses, while field notes captured emotional responses, environmental conditions, and social interactions. Thematic …

Can’T Sue A Movement: Greenpeace’S $667 Million Crisis Narrative, Trevor Hart

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

In March of 2025, the environmental group Greenpeace was found liable for nearly $667 million to Energy Transfer, the oil company behind the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL). The lawsuit was widely regarded as a SLAPP, or Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation, because it weaponized civic torts to infringe upon Greenpeace’s First Amendment rights. The $667 million verdict is an unprecedented figure in SLAPP litigation–it’s enough to bankrupt Greenpeace in the United States and “chill” democratic participation. This thesis used a hybrid blame-renewal crisis narrative framework to analyze Greenpeace’s public response to lawsuits against a backdrop of cultural and political economic …

An Analysis Of The Influence Of Project-Based Assessments In Middle School Mathematics, Andrea Fettkether

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

In today’s diverse classrooms, teachers face the challenge of educating students with varied academic abilities, including those with disabilities, gifted learners, and students at grade level. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) ensures inclusive access to core curriculum, but educators must differentiate instruction to meet all learners’ needs. Traditional assessments focus on rote memorization, often failing to reflect deeper understanding or real-world problem-solving.

In middle school math, standard curricula often lack project-based assessments, despite research supporting their effectiveness in improving academic achievement and student engagement. Students benefit from working in collaborative environments where they can discuss mathematical ideas, receive …

Transforming The Chemistry Classroom: Flipped Learning As A Scaffold For Inquiry, Hannah Alicia Nash

Graduate Research Papers

No abstract provided.