Digital Commons Network^™

Placental Epigenetics In Children’S Environmental Health, Carmen Marsit

Dartmouth Scholarship

There is a growing interest in understanding the mechanisms that drive the developmental origins of health and disease, and the role of epigenetic regulation has risen to the forefront of these studies. In particular, the placenta may be a model organ to consider as a mediator of the impact of the environment on developmental programming of children's health, as this organ plays a critical role in directing development and regulating the fetal environment. Several recent studies have begun to examine how environmental toxicant exposures can impact the placental epigenome, focusing on studies of DNA methylation and microRNA expression. This review …

Girls And Stem (Science, Technology, Engineering, And Mathematics) In Catholic Schools: A Mixed Methods Exploration Of Interest, Confidence, And Perceptions Of Stem, Rachel Lynn-Pleis Mckenna

Doctoral Dissertations

Over the past decade, there has been a considerable push in emphasizing STEM—an acronym standing for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math—as an integral aspect of educational curriculums. Even though research suggests that females tend to outperform males in standardized testing in STEM areas, they remain underrepresented in STEM careers and in the achievement of STEM degrees. In preparing this dissertation, therefore, the researcher investigated this issue by looking specifically at 4th- through 8th-grade girls in Catholic schools in the Diocese of San Jose, CA, which covers the Greater Silicon Valley region, one of the world's epicenters for technological innovations. In …

Two-Arm Randomized Pilot Intervention Trial To Decrease Sitting Time And Increase Sit-To-Stand Transitions In Working And Non-Working Older Adults., Jacqueline Kerr, Michelle Takemoto, Khalisa Bolling, Andrew Atkin, Jordan A. Carlson, Dori Rosenberg, Katie Crist, Suneeta Godbole, Brittany Lewars, Claudia Pena, Gina Merchant

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: Excessive sitting has been linked to poor health. It is unknown whether reducing total sitting time or increasing brief sit-to-stand transitions is more beneficial. We conducted a randomized pilot study to assess whether it is feasible for working and non-working older adults to reduce these two different behavioral targets.

METHODS: Thirty adults (15 workers and 15 non-workers) age 50-70 years were randomized to one of two conditions (a 2-hour reduction in daily sitting or accumulating 30 additional brief sit-to-stand transitions per day). Sitting time, standing time, sit-to-stand transitions and stepping were assessed by a thigh worn inclinometer (activPAL). Participants …

Hematologic Outcomes After Total Splenectomy And Partial Splenectomy For Congenital Hemolytic Anemia., Brian R Englum, Jennifer Rothman, Sarah Leonard, Audra Reiter, Courtney Thornburg, Mary Brindle, Nicola Wright, Matthew M Heeney, C Jason Smithers, Rebeccah L Brown, Theodosia Kalfa, Jacob C Langer, Michaela Cada, Keith T Oldham, J Paul Scott, Mukta Sharma, Andrew M Davidoff, Kerri Nottage, Kathryn Bernabe, David B Wilson, Sanjeev Dutta, Bertil Glader, Shelley E Crary, Melvin S Dassinger, Levette Dunbar, Saleem Islam, Manjusha Kumar, Fred Rescorla, Steve Bruch, Andrew Campbell, Mary Austin, Robert Sidonio, Martin L Blakely, Henry E Rice, Splenectomy In Congenital Hemolytic Anemia Consortium, Shawn D. St Peter

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to define the hematologic response to total splenectomy (TS) or partial splenectomy (PS) in children with hereditary spherocytosis (HS) or sickle cell disease (SCD).

Methods: The Splenectomy in Congenital Hemolytic Anemia (SICHA) consortium registry collected hematologic outcomes of children with CHA undergoing TS or PS to 1 year after surgery. Using random effects mixed modeling, we evaluated the association of operative type with change in hemoglobin, reticulocyte counts, and bilirubin. We also compared laparoscopic to open splenectomy.

Results: The analysis included 130 children, with 62.3% (n=81) undergoing TS. For children with HS, all …

Randomized Trial Of Late Surfactant Treatment In Ventilated Preterm Infants Receiving Inhaled Nitric Oxide., Roberta A. Ballard, Roberta L. Keller, Dennis M. Black, Philip L. Ballard, Jeffrey D. Merrill, Eric C. Eichenwald, William E Truog, Mark C. Mammel, Robin H. Steinhorn, Elizabeth E. Rogers, Rita M. Ryan, David J. Durand, Jeanette M. Asselin, Catherine M. Bendel, Ellen M. Bendel-Stenzel, Sherry E. Courtney, Ramasubbareddy Dhanireddy, Mark L. Hudak, Frances R. Koch, Dennis E. Mayock, Victor J. Mckay, T Michael O'Shea, Nicolas F. Porta, Rajan Wadhawan, Lisa Palermo, Tolsurf Study Group

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether late surfactant treatment in extremely low gestational age (GA) newborn infants requiring ventilation at 7-14 days, who often have surfactant deficiency and dysfunction, safely improves survival without bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).

STUDY DESIGN: Extremely low GA newborn infants (GA ≤28 0/7 weeks) who required mechanical ventilation at 7-14 days were enrolled in a randomized, masked controlled trial at 25 US centers. All infants received inhaled nitric oxide and either surfactant (calfactant/Infasurf) or sham instillation every 1-3 days to a maximum of 5 doses while intubated. The primary outcome was survival at 36 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA) without …

Depressive Symptoms In Children With Chronic Kidney Disease., Amy J. Kogon, Matthew B. Matheson, Joseph T. Flynn, Arlene C. Gerson, Bradley A. Warady, Susan L. Furth, Stephen R. Hooper, Chronic Kidney Disease In Children (Ckid) Study Group

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

OBJECTIVE: To assess depression in children with chronic kidney disease and to determine associations with patient characteristics, intellectual and educational levels, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

STUDY DESIGN: Subjects aged 6-17 years from the Chronic Kidney Disease in Children cohort study completed the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI), Wechsler Abbreviated Scales of Intelligence, Wechsler Individual Achievement Test-II-Abbreviated, and the Pediatric Inventory of Quality of Life Core Scales 4.0. Regression analyses determined associations of CDI score and depression status with subject characteristics, intellectual and educational levels, and HRQoL. A joint linear mixed model and Weibull model were used to determine the …

Locations Of Physical Activity As Assessed By Gps In Young Adolescents., Jordan A. Carlson, Jasper Schipperijn, Jacqueline Kerr, Brian E. Saelens, Loki Natarajan, Lawrence D. Frank, Karen Glanz, Terry L. Conway, Kelli L. Cain, James F. Sallis, J E. Chapman

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

OBJECTIVES: To compare adolescents' physical activity at home, near home, at school, near school, and at other locations.

METHODS: Adolescents (N = 549) were ages 12 to 16 years (49.9% girls, 31.3% nonwhite or Hispanic) from 447 census block groups in 2 US regions. Accelerometers and Global Positioning System devices assessed minutes of and proportion of time spent in moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in each of the 5 locations. Mixed-effects regression compared MVPA across locations and demographic factors.

RESULTS: Forty-two percent of adolescents' overall MVPA occurred at school, 18.7% at home, 18.3% in other (nonhome, nonschool) locations, and …

Contraceptive Provision To Adolescent Females Prescribed Teratogenic Medications., Stephani L. Stancil, Melissa K. Miller, Holley Briggs, Daryl Lynch, Kathy Goggin, Gregory Kearns

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Rates of adult women receiving contraceptive provision when simultaneously prescribed a known teratogen are alarmingly low. The prevalence of this behavior among pediatric providers and their adolescent patients is unknown. The objective of this study was to describe pediatric provider behaviors for prescribing teratogens concurrently with counseling, referral, and/or prescribing of contraception (collectively called contraceptive provision) in the adolescent population.

METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted examining visits in 2008-2012 by adolescents aged 14 to 25 years in which a known teratogen (US Food and Drug Administration pregnancy risk category D or X) was prescribed. The electronic …

Allergic Diseases And Internalizing Behaviors In Early Childhood., Maya K. Nanda, Grace K. Lemasters, Linda Levin, Marc E. Rothenberg, Amal H. Assa'ad, Nicholas Newman, David Bernstein, Gurjit Khurana-Hershey, James E. Lockey, Patrick H. Ryan

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The relationship between allergic diseases and internalizing disorders has not been well characterized with regard to multiple allergic diseases or longitudinal study. The objective of this study was to examine the association between multiple allergic diseases in early childhood with validated measures of internalizing disorders in the school-age years.

METHODS: Children enrolled in the Cincinnati Childhood Allergy and Air Pollution Study underwent skin testing and examinations at ages 1, 2, 3, 4, and 7 years. At age 7, parents completed the Behavior Assessment System for Children, Second Edition (BASC-2), a validated measure of childhood behavior and emotion. …

Whole-Genome Sequencing And Disability In The Nicu: Exploring Practical And Ethical Challenges., Michael J. Deem

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Clinical whole-genome sequencing (WGS) promises to deliver faster diagnoses and lead to better management of care in the NICU. However,several disability rights advocates have expressed concern that clinical use of genetic technologies may reinforce and perpetuate stigmatization of and discrimination against disabled persons in medical and social contexts. There is growing need, then, for clinicians and bioethicists to consider how the clinical use of WGS in the newborn period might exacerbate such harms to persons with disabilities. This article explores ways to extend these concerns to clinical WGS in neonatal care. By considering these perspectives during the early phases of …

Dog Walking Among Adolescents: Correlates And Contribution To Physical Activity., Jessa K. Engelberg, Jordan A. Carlson, Terry L. Conway, Kelli L. Cain, Brian E. Saelens, Karen Glanz, Lawrence D. Frank, James F. Sallis

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

PURPOSE: To assess the association of dog walking with adolescents' moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and body mass index (BMI), and identify correlates of dog walking.

METHODS/DESIGN: Participants were 12-17year-olds (n=925) from the Baltimore, MD and Seattle, WA regions. Differences in accelerometer-assessed minutes/day of MVPA and self-reported BMI (percentile) were compared among adolescents (1) without a dog (n=441) and those with a dog who (2) did (≥1days/week, n=300) or (3) did not (n=184) walk it. Correlates of (1) dog walking (any vs. none) among adolescents with dogs (n=484), and (2) days/week of dog walking among dog walkers (n=300) were investigated. Potential …

Please Do Whatever It Takes To End Our Daughter's Suffering!, Stéphan Clément De Cléty, Marie Friedel, A A Eduard Verhagen, John D. Lantos, Brian S. Carter

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

What is the best way to care for a child with severe neurologic impairment who seems to be dying and is in intractable pain? Can we give sedation as we remove life support? Is it ethically permissible to hasten death? In the United States, 5 states have legalized assisted suicide (although only for competent adults). In Belgium and the Netherlands, euthanasia is legal for children under some circumstances. We present a case in which parents and doctors face difficult decisions about palliative care. Experts from Belgium, the Netherlands, and the United States then discuss how they would respond to such …

Ebola Virus Disease And Critical Illness, Aleksandra Leligdowicz, William A. Fischer, Timothy M. Uyeki, Thomas E. Fletcher, Neill K.J. Adhikari, Gina Portella, Francois Lamontagne, Christophe Clement, Shevin T. Jacob, Lewis Rubinson, Abel Vanderschuren, Jan Hajek, Srinivas Murthy, Mauricio Ferri, Ian Crozier, Elhadj Ibrahima, Marie-Claire Lamah, John S. Schieffelin, David Brett-Major, Daniel G. Bausch, Nikki Shindo, Adrienne K. Chan, Tim O'Dempsey, Sharmistha Mishra, Michael Jacobs, Stuart Dickson, G. Marshall Lyon, Robert A. Fowler

Journal Articles: Epidemiology

As of 20 May 2016 there have been 28,646 cases and 11,323 deaths resulting from the West African Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak reported to the World Health Organization. There continue to be sporadic flare-ups of EVD cases in West Africa.EVD presentation is nonspecific and characterized initially by onset of fatigue, myalgias, arthralgias, headache, and fever; this is followed several days later by anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Anorexia and gastrointestinal losses lead to dehydration, electrolyte abnormalities, and metabolic acidosis, and, in some patients, acute kidney injury. Hypoxia and ventilation failure occurs most often with severe illness and …

Costs And Consequences: Hepatitis C Seroprevalence In The Military And Its Impact On Potential Screening Strategies, David Brett-Major, Kevin D. Frick, Jennifer A. Malia, Shilpa Hakre, Jason F. Okulicz, Charmagne G. Beckett, Linda L. Jagodinski, Michael A. Forgione, Philip L. Gould, Stephen A. Harrison, Clinton K. Murray, Francisco J. Rentas, Adam W. Armstrong, Aatif M. Hayat, Laura A. Pacha, Peter Dawson, Angelia A. Eick-Cost, Hala H Maktabi, Nelson L. Michael, Steven B. Cersovsky, Sheila A. Peel, Paul T. Scott

Journal Articles: Epidemiology

UNLABELLED: Knowledge of the contemporary epidemiology of hepatitis C viral (HCV) infection among military personnel can inform potential Department of Defense screening policy. HCV infection status at the time of accession and following deployment was determined by evaluating reposed serum from 10,000 service members recently deployed to combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan in the period 2007-2010. A cost model was developed from the perspective of the Department of Defense for a military applicant screening program. Return on investment was based on comparison between screening program costs and potential treatment costs avoided. The prevalence of HCV antibody-positive and chronic HCV …

Identification Of A Novel Gene On 10q221 Causing Autosomal Dominant Retinitis Pigmentosa (Adrp), Stephen P Daiger, Lori S Sullivan, Sara J Bowne, Daniel C Koboldt, Susan H Blanton, Dianna K Wheaton, Cheryl E Avery, Elizabeth D Cadena, Robert K Koenekoop, Robert S Fulton, Richard K Wilson, George M Weinstock, Richard A Lewis, David G Birch

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Whole-genome linkage mapping identified a region on chromosome 10q21.3-q22.1 with a maximum LOD score of 3.0 at 0 % recombination in a six-generation family with autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (adRP). All known adRP genes and X-linked RP genes were excluded in the family by a combination of methods. Whole-exome next-generation sequencing revealed a missense mutation in hexokinase 1, HK1 c.2539G > A, p.Glu847Lys, tracking with disease in all affected family members. One severely-affected male is homozygous for this region by linkage analysis and has two copies of the mutation. No other potential mutations were detected in the linkage region nor were …

Local Corticotropin Releasing Hormone (Crh) Signals To Its Receptor Crhr1 During Postnatal Development Of The Mouse Olfactory Bulb, Isabella Garcia, Paramjit K Bhullar, Burak Tepe, Joshua Ortiz-Guzman, Longwen Huang, Alexander M Herman, Lesley Chaboub, Benjamin Deneen, Nicholas J Justice, Benjamin R Arenkiel

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Neuropeptides play important physiological functions during distinct behaviors such as arousal, learning, memory, and reproduction. However, the role of local, extrahypothalamic neuropeptide signaling in shaping synapse formation and neuronal plasticity in the brain is not well understood. Here, we characterize the spatiotemporal expression profile of the neuropeptide corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and its receptor CRHR1 in the mouse OB throughout development. We found that CRH-expressing interneurons are present in the external plexiform layer, that its cognate receptor is expressed by granule cells, and show that both CRH and CRHR1 expression enriches in the postnatal period when olfaction becomes important towards olfactory-related …

Working Sandwich Generation Women Utilize Strategies Within And Between Roles To Achieve Role Balance, Kiah Evans, J. L. Millsteed, Janet E. Richmond Phd, Marita Falkmer, Torbjorn Falkmer, Sonya Girdler

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Increasingly, women simultaneously balance the roles of mother, parental carer and worker. However, individual role balance strategies among these working 'sandwich' generation women have not been thoroughly explored. Eighteen women combining these three roles were interviewed about their individual role balance strategies. Findings were identified through the framework analysis technique, underpinned by the Model of Juggling Occupations. Achieving and maintaining role balance was explained as a complex process accomplished through a range of strategies. Findings revealed the women used six within-role balance strategies: living with integrity, being the best you can, doing what you love, loving what you do, remembering …

The Influence Of The Sex Of And Prior Relationship Between The Perpetrator And Victim On Perceptions Of Stalking: A Qualitative Analysis, Jeff Bath, Adrian J. Scott

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

The sex of and prior relationship between the perpetrator and victim have been shown to influence perceptions of stalking. To explore the ways in which shared assumptions around these factors interact to shape perceptions of stalking, this study analyses the deliberations of mock juries as they attempt to reach a unanimous verdict on a hypothetical stalking case summary. Twelve mock juries comprising between five and six ‘jurors’ (n = 64) were presented with one of three versions of a case summary (stranger, acquaintance, and ex-partner) describing a man stalking a woman or a woman stalking a man. Thematic analysis shows …

The Interrelationships Of Placental Mammals And The Limits Of Phylogenetic Inference, James E. Tarver, Mario Dos Reis, Siavash Mirarab, Raymond J. J. Moran, Sean Parker, Joseph E. O'Reilly, Benjamin L. King, Mary J. O'Connell, Robert J. Asher, Tandy Warnow, Kevin J. Peterson, Philip C.J. Donoghue, Davide Pisani

Dartmouth Scholarship

Placental mammals comprise three principal clades: Afrotheria (e.g., elephants and tenrecs), Xenarthra (e.g., armadillos and sloths), and Boreoeutheria (all other placental mammals), the relationships among which are the subject of controversy and a touchstone for debate on the limits of phylogenetic inference. Previous analyses have found support for all three hypotheses, leading some to conclude that this phylogenetic problem might be impossible to resolve due to the compounded effects of incomplete lineage sorting (ILS) and a rapid radiation. Here we show, using a genome scale nucleotide data set, microRNAs, and the reanalysis of the three largest previously published amino acid …

Ethnic Differences In Maternal Adipokines During Normal Pregnancy, Xinhua Chen, Theresa O Scholl

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Departmental Research

Two adipokines (adiponectin and resistin) have opposite relations with insulin resistance and inflammation. Our major focus was to determine whether there were detectable ethnic differences in maternal adipokines during pregnancy. We also explored the correlation of the adipokines with maternal glucose homeostasis, blood pressure and anthropometric parameters. Pregnant women (n = 1634) were from a large prospective cohort study in Camden NJ (African-American 36.8%; Hispanic 47.6%; Caucasian 15.6%). Serum adiponectin and resistin were measured at entry (week 16.8) and the 3rd trimester (week 30.7) using the Luminex xMapTechnology. Significant differences were observed among ethnic groups, controlling for confounding variables. African …

Exploring The Factors Of Persistence For African American Senior Nursing Students, Yolanda Nelson

Theses and Dissertations

African American nursing students experience commonalities within their college experience. Often these students may be faced with challenges, barriers, and/or struggles that may place a hindrance on their success in meeting their educational goals. This qualitative study used a phenomenological approach to explore African American female nursing students perceptions of faculty-student relationships and its implications for persistence. Four African American female nursing students and two nursing faculty agreed to participate in this study. This research study offers an examination of past and present research regarding the history of African American nursing students, health disparity, social justice and diversity within the …

The Happy Older Latinos Are Active (Hola) Health Promotion And Prevention Study: Study Protocol For A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial, Daniel E. Jimenez, Charles F. Reynolds, Margarita Alegría, Philip Harvey, Stephen Bartels

Dartmouth Scholarship

Results of previous studies attest to the greater illness burden of common mental disorders (anxiety and depression) in older Latinos and the need for developing preventive interventions that are effective, acceptable, and scalable. Happy Older Latinos are Active (HOLA) is a newly developed intervention that uses a community health worker (CHW) to lead a health promotion program in order to prevent common mental disorders among at-risk older Latinos. This pilot study tests the feasibility and acceptability of delivering HOLA to older, at-risk Latinos.

Methods/Design: HOLA is a multi-component, health promotion intervention funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). …

Are Immune Modulating Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms Associated With Necrotizing Enterocolitis?, Ashanti L Franklin, Mariam Said, Clint D Cappiello, Heather Gordish-Dressman, Zohreh Tatari-Calderone, Stanislav Vukmanovic, Khodayar Rais-Bahrami, Naomi L C Luban, Joseph M Devaney, Anthony D Sandler

Genomics and Precision Medicine Faculty Publications

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a devastating gastrointestinal emergency. The purpose of this study is to determine if functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in immune-modulating genes pre-dispose infants to NEC. After Institutional Review Board approval and parental consent, buccal swabs were collected for DNA extraction. TaqMan allelic discrimination assays and BglII endonuclease digestion were used to genotype specific inflammatory cytokines and TRIM21. Statistical analysis was completed using logistic regression. 184 neonates were analyzed in the study. Caucasian neonates with IL-6 (rs1800795) were over 6 times more likely to have NEC (p = 0.013; OR = 6.61, 95% CI 1.48-29.39), and over …

The Female Perception Of Safety On A College Campus, Kimberly N. Miles

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Previous research has shown the prevalence of females on college campuses across the nation experiencing a generalized fear of being victimized or violently assaulted while on campus. This fear is generated by the knowledge of violent crimes towards women on campus, as well as the perception alone that there are assaults happening on campus. Studies have noted that this fear held by female students can significantly affect their academic progress and overall wellbeing while at school. This study chose to examine the female students of Western Kentucky University and their personal perception of safety on college campuses comparing students who …

Effectiveness Of Food-Demos To Increase Nutrition Knowledge, Megan Hemmelgarn

Honors Projects

This research investigated the effectiveness of a one-time food-demo at increasing the knowledge and improving the behavior of vegetable and diary consumption in the diets of college-aged females. Participation included a convenience sample of 26 college-aged females living in residence halls at a Bowling Green State University in Northwest Ohio. Testing was delivered before intervention as a baseline of knowledge and diet behavior. Post-testing was delivered immediately after intervention and evaluated any gain in knowledge from the baseline. One-month after intervention, post 2-testing was distributed evaluating retention of knowledge and behavioral change. Overall, participants experienced knowledge gain immediately after intervention …

Isosorbide Mononitrate In Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction., Margaret M. Redfield, Kevin J. Anstrom, James A. Levine, Gabe A. Koepp, Barry A. Borlaug, Horng H. Chen, Martin M. Lewinter, Susan M. Joseph, Sanjiv J. Shah, Marc J. Semigran, G. Michael Felker, Robert T. Cole, Gordon R. Reeves, Ryan J. Tedford, W.H. Wilson Tang, Steven E. Mcnulty, Eric J. Velazquez, Monica R Shah, Eugene Braunwald

Division of Cardiology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Nitrates are commonly prescribed to enhance activity tolerance in patients with heart failure and a preserved ejection fraction. We compared the effect of isosorbide mononitrate or placebo on daily activity in such patients.

METHODS: In this multicenter, double-blind, crossover study, 110 patients with heart failure and a preserved ejection fraction were randomly assigned to a 6-week dose-escalation regimen of isosorbide mononitrate (from 30 mg to 60 mg to 120 mg once daily) or placebo, with subsequent crossover to the other group for 6 weeks. The primary end point was the daily activity level, quantified as the average daily accelerometer …

‘Much Clearer With Pictures’: Using Community-Based Participatory Research To Design And Test A Picture Option Grid For Underserved Patients With Breast Cancer, Marie-Anne Durand, Shama Alam, Stuart W. Grande, Glyn Elwyn

Dartmouth Scholarship

Women of low socioeconomic status (SES) diagnosed with early stage breast cancer experience decision-making, treatment and outcome disparities. Evidence suggests that decision aids can benefit underserved patients, when tailored to their needs. Our aim was to develop and test the usability, acceptability and accessibility of a pictorial encounter decision aid targeted at women of low SES diagnosed with early stage breast cancer.

Chronic Ethanol Exposure Enhances The Aggressiveness Of Breast Cancer: The Role Of P38Γ, Mei Xu, Siying Wang, Zhenhua Ren, Jacqueline A. Frank, Xiuwei H. Yang, Zhuo Zhang, Zun-Ji Ke, Xianglin Shi, Jia Luo

Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences Faculty Publications

Both epidemiological and experimental studies suggest that ethanol may enhance aggressiveness of breast cancer. We have previously demonstrated that short term exposure to ethanol (12–48 hours) increased migration/invasion in breast cancer cells overexpressing ErbB2, but not in breast cancer cells with low expression of ErbB2, such as MCF7, BT20 and T47D breast cancer cells. In this study, we showed that chronic ethanol exposure transformed breast cancer cells that were not responsive to short term ethanol treatment to a more aggressive phenotype. Chronic ethanol exposure (10 days - 2 months) at 100 (22 mM) or 200 mg/dl (44 mM) caused the …

Long-Term Seizure And Psychosocial Outcomes Of Vagus Nerve Stimulation For Intractable Epilepsy, Vibhangini S. Wasade, Lonni Schultz, Karthik Mohanarangan, Aryamaan Gaddam, Jason M. Schwalb, Marianna Spanaki-Varelas

Neurology Articles

Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is a widely used adjunctive treatment option for intractable epilepsy. Most studies have demonstrated short-term seizure outcomes, usually for up to 5 years, and thus far, none have reported psychosocial outcomes in adults. We aimed to assess long-term seizure and psychosocial outcomes in patients with intractable epilepsy on VNS therapy for more than 15 years. We identified patients who had VNS implantation for treatment of intractable epilepsy from 1997 to 2013 at our Comprehensive Epilepsy Program and gathered demographics including age at epilepsy onset and VNS implantation, epilepsy type, number of antiepilepsy drugs (AEDs) and seizure …

Genetic Factors Influencing B-Type Natriuretic Peptide-Mediated Production Of Cyclic Guanosine Monophosphate And Blood Pressure Effects In Heart Failure Patients, David E. Lanfear, Jia Li, Raza Abbas, Ruicong She, Badri Padhukasahasram, Ramesh C. Gupta, David Langholz, W Hw Tang, Keoki L. Williams, Hani N. Sabbah, Sheryl L. Chow

Cardiology Articles

Natriuretic peptides (NPs) represent a critical pathway in heart failure (HF). We explored genetic determinants of pharmacodynamic effects of B-type NP (BNP) and changes in plasma cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) and blood pressure (BP). HF patients (n = 135) received recombinant human BNP (nesiritide) at standard doses, and plasma cGMP levels were measured at baseline and during infusion. We tested the association of 119 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 4 candidate genes (NPR1, NPR2, NPR3, and membrane metallo-endopeptidase (MME)) with the change in cGMP and BP. Gene-based testing for association of genetic variation with endpoints was significant only for MME. …