Digital Commons Network^™

The Role Of Mitochondrial And Lysosomal Damage In Neurotoxicity From Parkinson 'S-Related Environmental Exposures, Neda Ilieva

ETDs from 2020-2029

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive motor neurodegenerative disorder with a predominantly idiopathic etiology. More recently, however, the contribution of exogenous risk factors such as environmental contaminants has become of interest. Some endogenous genetic risk factors have been well characterized, but the mechanisms by which exogenous insults, such as environmental contaminants, drive dopaminergic neurodegeneration remain incompletely understood. This dissertation will address how environmental contaminants converge on mitochondrial and lysosomal dysfunction to activate parallel neurotoxic signaling pathways, with a focus on the LRRK2 kinase and the cGAS-STING innate immune pathway. Chapter 2 demonstrates that pharmacological inhibition of LRRK2 kinase activity protects …

Virtual Lunch And Learn: Enhancing Research Communication With Visual Tools, Sonya Fogg

TMC Library Newsletter (2015-)

Virtual Lunch and Learn: Enhancing Research Communication with Visual Tools on June 26, 2026 at noon.

Understand the role of visual communication in medical research. Distinguish between data visualizations, infographics, and visual abstracts. Identify best practices and some resources and tools for creating effective visuals.

Register to attend this virtual session!

06-16-26 Bor Hsc Committee Meeting Agenda, Patricia Serna

HSC Committee (A subcommittee of the UNM Board of Regents)

06-16-26 BOR HSC Committee Meeting Agenda

06-16-26 Bor Hsc Committee Meeting Agenda Revised, Patricia Serna

HSC Committee (A subcommittee of the UNM Board of Regents)

06-16-26 BOR HSC Committee Meeting Agenda Revised

06-16-26 Bor Hsc Committee Meeting Minutes, Patricia Serna

HSC Committee (A subcommittee of the UNM Board of Regents)

06-16-26 BOR HSC Committee Meeting Minutes

Pregnancy Outcomes In Systemic Sclerosis Before And After Diagnosis: A Retrospective Nationwide Cohort Study, Alper Doğanci, Serdar Can Güven, Nuray Yilmaz Çakmak, Rifat Bozkuş, Sali̇h Başer, Eki̇n Doğanci, Nesli̇han Öztürk, Şuayi̇p Bi̇ri̇nci̇, Nai̇m Ata

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Pregnancy outcomes in women with systemic sclerosis (SSc) were evaluated in a nationwide cohort study. The impact of the disease on pregnancy outcomes was further assessed by comparing outcomes before and after the diagnosis of systemic sclerosis.

Materials and methods: A retrospective, nationwide, multicenter study was conducted under the supervision of the Ministry of Health. A nationwide cohort was between 1 January 2018, and 31 October 2025, including female patients with at least two recorded ICD codes for SSc (M34 subcategories) at an interval of at least 1 month, who were identified as pregnant before (pre-SSc) or after SSc …

Impact Of Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injection On Pain, Disability, And Kinesiophobia In Lumbar Disc Herniation With Radicular Pain, Hande Ece Öz, Rumeysa Çeti̇nkaya Bulutoğlu, Furkan Çeti̇n, Ezgi̇ Can, Alp Eren Çelenli̇oğlu, Ender Si̇r

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: The aim was to evaluate the effect of single-level transforaminal epidural steroid injection (TFESI) on kinesiophobia (KP) in patients with lumbar radicular pain (RP) caused by single-root, single-level lumbar disc herniation (LDH).

Materials and methods: A total of 63 patients diagnosed with unilateral single-level radicular pain due to LDH and treated with single-level TFESI were included. The Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), modified Oswestry Disability Index (MODI), Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK), and Neuropathic pain (NP)-Douleur Neuropathique 4 Questionnaire (DN4) were used before the procedure and at 3 weeks and 3 months postoperatively.

Results: At baseline, 76.19% (n = 48) …

Impact Of Race-Based And Race-Free Ckd-Epi Equations On Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate In A Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Of Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease, Özgür Akin Oto, Abdulmeci̇t Yildiz, İsmai̇l Koçyi̇ği̇t, Hali̇l Yazici, Sai̇de Eli̇f Güllülü Boz, Yi̇ği̇t Kurtuluş, Alparslan Demi̇ray, Müge Doksan, Vafa Suleymanova, Ece Ük, Alper Akin, Bahar Bastani, John C. Edwards, Krista Leigh Lentine, Yaşar Kerem Çalişkan

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: The 2021 revision of the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation, which eliminates race-based coefficients, may significantly influence disease staging and treatment in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). This study was designed to evaluate the impact of the 2021 race-free CKD-EPI equation on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) staging in a multi-ethnic ADPKD population.

Materials and methods: In this multicenter, retrospective cohort study, 597 ADPKD patients were evaluated, including 515 self-identified as Caucasian and 82 as African-American. eGFR values at baseline and final follow-up were calculated using both the 2009 and 2021 …

Reliability And Validity Of The Turkish Version Of The Barthel Index-Dyspnea In Patients With Pulmonary Hypertension, Pinar Merç, Rengi̇n Demi̇r, Meli̇h Zeren, Habi̇be Durdu, Ümi̇t Yaşar Si̇nan, Mehmet Serdar Küçükoğlu

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: The Barthel Index-dyspnea (BI-d) is a respiratory disease-specific tool developed on the basis of the Barthel Index (BI), which provides a simple and quick way to measure the degree of dyspnea in activities of daily living (ADL). Dyspnea is one of the most common symptoms of pulmonary hypertension (PH). The objective of this study was to explore the reliability and validity of the Turkish version of the BI-d in patients with PH.

Materials and methods: A total of 73 PH patients were included in the study. Criterion validity was explored using the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea scale, …

A High Fib-4 Score May Be An Early Sign Of Severe Liver Damage In Patients With Primary Antibody Deficiencies, Haci Uğur Muşabak, Tuba Erdoğan, Emre Özbek, Dudu Merve Durak Anşi̇n, Zumrud Mehti̇

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Liver damage is a significant complication that increases mortality and morbidity in primary immunodeficiencies (PIDs). Although biopsy is the gold standard, the fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) scoring system is a noninvasive method for diagnosing liver fibrosis. In this study, we investigated the value of the FIB-4 score as an early indicator of liver damage in patients with primary antibody deficiencies (PADs).

Materials and methods: Of 52 patients, 40 had common variable immunodeficiency (CVID), 12 had immunoglobulin G subclass deficiency (IgG-SGD), and they were enrolled in the study. Patients were divided into hematology, rheumatology + dermatology, gastroenterology/hepatology, and respiratory diseases groups based …

Preliminary Population Genetic Analysis Of 12 X-Str Loci In A Sample From Türkiye: Allele Frequencies, Haplotype Diversity, And Linkage Disequilibrium​, Hizir Asliyüksek, Esra Güzel Tanoğlu, Abdulkadi̇r Can, Muhammed Fevzi̇ Esen, Yusuf Atan

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: X-chromosomal short tandem repeats (X-STRs) are informative genetic markers in kinship testing and specific forensic contexts, particularly when standard autosomal approaches are less informative. This study aimed to provide preliminary allele frequency, haplotype diversity, and linkage disequilibrium (LD) data for 12 X-STR loci in a sample from Türkiye.

Materials and methods: A total of 136 unrelated individuals from Türkiye were genotyped for 12 X-STR loci. Inferential analyses of X-linked loci require diploid genotypes; therefore, allele frequencies, Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (HWE), LD, and regional comparisons were based primarily on female samples (n = 115), whereas male haplotypes (n = 21) were …

Pediatric Mr Cholangiopancreatography: Comparison Of 3d Fast Spin-Echo And Single-Shot Fast Spin-Echo Thick-Slab Techniques For Pancreaticobiliary Anatomy, Seda Kaynak Şahap, Suat Fi̇toz

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: This study compared thick-slab and three-dimensional (3D) T2-weighted magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) sequences in pediatric patients with respect to image quality and visualization of the pancreaticobiliary anatomy.

Materials and methods: The MRCP examinations of 62 pediatric patients evaluated for suspected pancreaticobiliary pathology were retrospectively reviewed, comprising a total of 69 studies. Thick-slab single-shot fast spin-echo and 3D fast spin-echo MRCP sequences were compared. The visualization of pancreaticobiliary structures was assessed using a qualitative visual scoring system. Image quality was graded as good, moderate, poor, or nondiagnostic. Biliary anatomical variations were also evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed using appropriate nonparametric …

Postoperative Normocalcemic Hyperparathyroidism: A Comprehensive Analysis Of 510 Cases, Alparslan Ertenli̇ce, İbrahi̇m Kilinç, Mustafa Oruç

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Postoperative normocalcemic hyperparathyroidism (NC-HPT) is defined as elevated parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels despite normal calcium levels after parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). This study investigates the demographic, biochemical, and histopathological factors associated with NC-HPT in a large patient cohort and presents the follow-up outcomes.

Materials and methods: The initial study sample included 571 patients who underwent surgery for PHPT between January 2018 and January 2024, 510 of whom were analyzed retrospectively after the application of the exclusion criteria. Preoperative and postoperative biochemical parameters, bone mineral density, pathological findings, and follow-up data were evaluated. NC-HPT was defined as postoperative PTH …

Alterations In Gut Microbiota Composition In Adult Patients With Familial Mediterranean Fever: A Pilot Case–Control Study, Nazi̇fe Şule Yaşar Bi̇lge, Vicente Pérez Brocal, Ti̇muçi̇n Kaşi̇foğlu, Uğur Bi̇lge, Ni̇lgün Kaşi̇foğlu, Andres Moya, Ener Çağri Di̇nleyi̇ci̇

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Although familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is a monogenic disease, recent evidence suggests that the gut microbiota may play a role in its pathogenesis or phenotypic expression. We conducted a pilot exploratory study to evaluate the intestinal microbiota composition in patients with FMF and compare it to that of healthy controls.

Materials and methods: In this prospective cohort study, 10 adult patients with FMF receiving colchicine and 10 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were enrolled. Fecal samples were collected and stored at –80 °C until DNA extraction. The V3–V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene was amplified and sequencing was …

New Studies In Lattice-Based Cryptography, Quantum Algorithms, And Privacy-Preserving Computation, Hansraj Jangir

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Classical public-key cryptographic schemes primarily rely on the presumed hardness of the integer factorization and discrete logarithm problems. However, Shor’s algorithm demonstrates that both problems can be solved efficiently on a sufficiently powerful quantum computer. This breakthrough motivated the search for quantum-resistant hard assumptions. The assumptions based on lattices are one of the primary candidates in post-quantum cryptography due to their strong theoretical foundations and well-established hardness against both classical and quantum attacks. In this thesis, we explore several directions of lattice based cryptology and quantum algorithms.

On the construction side, we propose two compact encryption schemes based on the …

Applying Theory Of Planned Behavior To Examine Adolescent Female Athletes’ Intentions Of Continued Sport Participation, Chris Hopkins, Casey S. Hopkins

Open Access Fund Publications

Introduction: Adolescent females discontinue sports at higher rates than males, which contributes to their lower overall physical activity during this important period of development. Potentially useful for understanding this disparity, the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) provides a framework to study one's intentions through their attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control. This study examined whether TPB constructs predict female adolescents’ intentions to continue participating in sports and remain physically active.

Methods: This cross-sectional study used an online questionnaire to collect data from 271 female adolescents who recently participated in organized sports. Structural equation modeling was used to test TPB's …

Engagement With Tailored Physical Activity Interventions Among Women In Midlife With Elevated Risk For Cardiovascular Disease, Kiri Baga

Theses and Dissertations

Women in midlife (ages 40-65) with risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) need physical activity (PA) interventions that are informed by and address their daily challenges and life circumstances, to reduce their chances of premature mortality from CVD. Sustaining engagement with PA interventions remains a substantial challenge for women in midlife. The aims of the proposed study were to describe participants’ PA-relevant characteristics and intervention preferences and to identify their patterns of engagement with different PA support tools (tailored PA website, intervention involving pairing women as PA partners). With respect to engagement, there was limited between-person stability in engagement outcomes …

Livelihood Transformation In Indonesian Peatland Communities: A Never-Ending Adaptation Strategy, Sulistya Ekawati, Sri Suharti, Murniati Murniati, Subarudi Subarudi, Moh. Andika Lawasi, Dicky Rachmawan, Ari Nurlia, Surati Surati, Nurul Silva Lestari, Bugi Kabul Sumirat, Handoyo Handoyo, Enkin Asrawijaya

Forest and Society

Local communities have mainly depended on peatlands for their livelihoods since ancient times. The peatland ecosystem plays a vital role, not only at the local level but also at the national and global levels. The important role of peatlands has shifted and influenced the government's policies, affecting the community's livelihood. This paper aims to analyse the shifting livelihood of local communities and formulate adaptation strategies for future challenges. The study employs a systematic literature review with NVivo for coding and themes categorization, providing a structured and transparent synthesis. The research results indicated that government policies often overlook local wisdom values …

State Climate Superfunds: States Are Not Powerless To Hold Polluters Accountable, Daniel Milovic

Maryland Law Review

No abstract provided.

Link, Retain, Suppress: A Grounded Theory Study Of Medical Case Management In The Philadelphia Hiv Service Agencies, Shakeera Wynne

Social Work Doctoral Dissertations

Medical case management (MCM) plays a critical role in supporting engagement in HIV care; however, differences in implementation across agencies may influence service delivery and outcomes. Existing research has focused primarily on outcomes such as retention in care and viral suppression, while less is known about how the MCM intervention is implemented in practice. The purpose of this grounded theory study was to explore how medical case management is implemented within HIV care settings and to examine the structural, organizational, and relational factors that shape service delivery. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with medical case managers working within Ryan White-funded agencies …

Bridging The Gap Towards Sustainable Development: A Systematic Literature Review On Orang Asli Communities In Peninsular Malaysia, Nurfatiha Akmal Fawwazah Abdullah-Fauzi, Nursyuhada Othman, Hidayah Haris, Nur Hartini Sariyati, Farah Farhana Ramli, Kaviarasu Munian, Mohd Faudzir Najmuddin, Mohd Tajuddin Abdullah, Muhammad Abu Bakar Abdul-Latiff

Forest and Society

Orang Asli communities in Peninsular Malaysia have a complex history marked by challenges related to land rights, environmental degradation, and cultural preservation. Despite ongoing efforts to address these challenges, significant obstacles persist, particularly in healthcare access and outcomes, education, language preservation, dietary practices, religious beliefs, and policy frameworks. This systematic literature review aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of past and current research on various aspects of Orang Asli communities in Peninsular Malaysia. The primary goal is to uncover the trends of challenges and unique characteristics of the Orang Asli communities while offering valuable recommendations for improvement. The Preferred Reporting …

Implementation Of A Standardized Adverse Childhood Experiences Screening Process In A Primary Care Clinic, Tanya M. Wonnacott

Doctoral Dissertations & Projects

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are associated with increased risks of chronic disease, mental health disorders, substance use disorders, and premature mortality. Despite growing evidence supporting ACE screening, it remains inconsistent in many primary care settings, particularly among underserved populations. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to evaluate whether implementation of a standardized ACE screening workflow increased ACE screening completion and behavioral health referral within a nonprofit primary care clinic serving uninsured, underinsured, and refugee populations.

This project utilized a pre–post quality improvement design guided by Lewin’s Change Management Model and the Chronic Care Model. Interventions included standardized ACE …

Operation No Noro: A Multidisciplinary Approach To Containing A Norovirus Outbreak In An Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit, Donika Marko, Roula Hilli, Priscila Bercea, Pamela S. Bozigar, Levi Launder, Stephanie Robertson, Trini A. Mathew

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Norovirus is a highly contagious viral gastroenteritis and can rapidly spread in healthcare settings, particularly in congregate environments such as inpatient rehabilitation units. In March 2025, a cluster of acute gastrointestinal illness was identified on a 34-bed inpatient rehabilitation unit within a 150-bed acute care hospital. Eight patients developed: • Nausea • Vomiting • Diarrhea • Abdominal pain Due to shared spaces, communal therapy activities, and high patient interaction, rapid intervention was initiated to prevent further spread.

What Do Highly Successful Families Of Faith Teach Us About Trust?, Caleigh E. B. Kerr

Undergraduate Honors Theses

This study examined trust among diverse families of Abrahamic faiths across the United States. The 292 families who were part of this national study represent significant religious breadth (over 20 total denominations), geographic scope, and racial diversity, with 51% of the participants being racial/ethnic minorities. Married participants had at least one child. Education levels of participants ranged from G.E.D to Ph.D., with varying socioeconomic statuses. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants. Couples were hand-chosen by their respective religious leaders as being both relational and religious exemplars.

Using the qualitative responses of participants, a word search was conducted. Responses relevant to …

Learning To See Lesions, Not Skin Tone: Counterfactual Multimodal Learning For Fair, Trustworthy, And Text-Free Dermatology Ai, Shivam Jangid

Master’s Dissertations

Recent advances in deep learning have significantly improved the performance of automated skin lesion classification systems, enabling accurate detection of various dermatological conditions from medical images. Despite these achievements, concerns regarding fairness and generalization remain a major challenge for the deployment of such systems in real-world clinical settings. A key factor contributing to these challenges is the presence of bias in training datasets, particularly with respect to skin-tone representation. Most publicly available skin lesion datasets contain a disproportionate number of samples from individuals with lighter skin tones. As a result, deep learning models trained on these datasets often learn representations …

Antioxidant Potential Of A Non-Heme Iron Complex: Mitigating H2O2-Induced Cellular Damage, Magy A. Mekhail, David M. Freire, Cameron Bowers, Grant Elam, Nora Del Bosque, Hannah K. Pyle, Sarah K. Dunn, Spencer Lanyon, Timothy J. Hubin, Giridhar Akkaraju, Kayla N. Green

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

Iron complexes with antioxidant activity have garnered significant interest for both general and medical applications, yet few studies have yielded functional nonheme iron-based mimics for H₂O₂ mitigation in aqueous environments. Here, we investigate water-soluble nonheme iron complexes derived from 12-membered pyridinophanes (^CF₃PyN₃, PyN₃, ^NMe₂PyN₃, and Py₂N₂) to evaluate the impact of ligand scaffolds on H₂O₂ decomposition activity both in vitro and in a cellular model. Speciation and kinetic analyses reveal that both electronic and geometric modulation of the macrocyclic …

From Centrality To Sustainability: How Connected Boards Shape Waste Management Outcomes, Irfan Haider Shakri, Anh Tuan Nguyen, Fnu Pratima

Faculty Publications

The escalating climate crisis has elevated waste management from an operational concern to a critical issue of corporate governance. However, the role of board connectedness in shaping firms' waste practices remains largely unexplored. Drawing on resource dependency and social capital theories, this study examines how board network centrality influences waste management practices. Employing pooled OLS on 4948 firm- year observations from US- listed firms during 2004–2023, we find that higher board connectedness leads to a significant reduction in waste generation. Economically, a one standard deviation increase in DEGREE centrality is associated with a 3.4% decrease in total waste generation. Our …

Bridging The Gender Gap In Ghanaian Local Governance: Key Enablers And Pathways, Martin Brantuo, Victor Fannam Nunfam, Joseph Akanganngang Asitik, Ebenezer Afrifa-Yamoah

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This qualitative study examines factors facilitating women’s election to District Assemblies in Ghana through social capital and supply–demand theoretical frameworks. Through interviews with thirteen female Assembly members and four officials, the research identifies four critical enablers: financial resources, political affiliations, community relationships, and educational qualifications. Financial resources emerged as crucial for campaign management and voter mobilization, while political party support provided strategic advantages despite the nonpartisan nature of local elections. Strong interpersonal relationships within communities proved vital for building voter trust, and educational background enhanced candidates’ credibility. The findings inform recommendations for implementing gender quotas, establishing campaign funding mechanisms, voter …

An International Multidisciplinary Consensus Statement On Laparoscopic Liver Biopsy, Si Yi Lei, Yu Han, Don C. Rockey, Khalid Alswat, Vincent Wai Sun Wong, Nozim Jumaev, Carlos Jesus Toro-Huamanchumo, Safwan Taha, Mohamed El-Kassas, Jacob George, Mark Muthiah, Omar Ghanem, Masato Yoneda, Dao Viet Hang, Giada Sebastiani, George Papatheodoridis, Adam Abu-Abeid, Andrew G. Robertson, Sang Hyun Kim, Rudolf Weiner, Kamal Mahawar, Asim Shabbir, Mohammad Kermansaravi, Reynu Rajan, Yosuke Seki, Halit Eren Taskin, Scott Shikora, Edward Oliveros, Chetan Parmar, Qiuye Cheng, Omar Thaher, Elena Ruiz-Úcar, Rodolfo Oviedo, Rui Ribeiro, Mario Musella, Almino C. Ramos, Seung-Wan Ryu, Tamer Abdelbaki, Wei Jei Lee, Man Pan Chan, Jose Eduardo Garcia Flores, James Skinovsky, Ahmad Madkhali, Sylvia Weiner, Frank Tacke, Wah Yang, James Neuberger, Ming-Hua Zheng

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Laparoscopic liver biopsy (LLB) provides a way to obtain liver tissue samples under direct visual inspection of the liver surface. It complements percutaneous liver biopsy (PLB) for complex or high-risk cases where PLB cannot be performed. Clinical practices for LLB vary across centers due to the lack of international standards. To improve the procedural quality and diagnostic efficiency of LLB, a multidisciplinary panel of 45 international experts from 6 continents, including hepatology, hepatobiliary surgery, gastrointestinal surgery, and metabolic and bariatric surgery, developed this consensus statement through three rounds of a modified Delphi process. This consensus covers clinical application scenarios, high-risk …

If Pets Are Family: Pet Loss And The Need For Grief Equity In One Health, Michele L. Whitney

Journal of One Health Systems

One Health frameworks increasingly recognize pets as integral to human health and well-being. However, these models often overlook the health and equity implications of pet loss. Culturally mediated grief experiences following pet bereavement represent a critical grief equity gap in One Health systems. Drawing on findings from a qualitative study of African American adults who experienced pet loss, along with existing literature, this Viewpoint highlights how pet loss is not only an emotional experience but also a socially structured one shaped by cultural norms, social recognition, and access to support. These dynamics contribute to inequities in how grief is experienced …