Digital Commons Network^™

Medical School Watercooler Newsletter - June 21, 2024, Lindsey Lyle

Watercooler Newsletter

This is the June 21, 2024 edition of the Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine’s newsletter - Watercooler.

Contents Include

• Prakash named 2024 recipient of the Samuel H. Wilson Award for Studies on DNA Repair
• M3 students prepare for patient care in the clinical setting
• Medical student selected to present findings of MS research at national forum
• Pediatric gastroenterologist joins pediatrics faculty
• Class of 2026 dons white coats, GHHS inducts new members

Impact Of Physical Intimate Partner Violence On Postpartum Depression And Breastfeeding Duration In American Indian And Alaska Native Women, Zoe Resnick Milavetz Green, Marcia Bennett, Abby Hughes-Scalise, James Theisen, Julie Beans

Theses and Graduate Projects

In Alaska, 46 to 91 percent of American Indian and Alaska Native women have experienced physical intimate partner violence (IPV), compared to all women in other states, where the prevalence ranges from seven to 51 percent (Tjaden & Thoennes, 2000). Experiencing physical IPV has negative consequences on the mother’s physical and mental well-being, and has been associated with increased vulnerability to postpartum depression (PPD). Compared to other populations, American Indian and Alaska Native women are at greater risk for PPD due to less access to resources and less research on treatments (MacDorman, 2011). Additionally, American Indian and Alaska Native women …

Active Molecular Network Discovery Links Lifestyle Variables To Breast Cancer In The Long Island Breast Cancer Study Project., Miao Yu, Qian Li, Georgia Dolios, Peijun Tu, Susan Teitelbaum, Jia Chen, Lauren Petrick

Faculty Research 2024

A healthy lifestyle has been associated with decreased risk of developing breast cancer. Using untargeted metabolomics profiling, which provides unbiased information regarding lifestyle choices such as diet and exercise, we aim to identify the molecular mechanisms connecting lifestyle and breast cancer through network analysis. A total of 100 postmenopausal women, 50 with breast cancer and 50 cancer-free controls, were selected from the Long Island Breast Cancer Study Project (LIBCSP). We measured untargeted plasma metabolomics using liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS). Using the "enet" package, we retained highly correlated metabolites representing active molecular network (AMN) clusters for analysis. LASSO was used …

No Evidence For Metabolic Adaptation During Exercise-Related Energy Compensation, E. W. Flanagan, G. Sanchez-Delgado, C. K. Martin, E. Ravussin, H. Pontzer, L. M. Redman

Clinical Research Faculty Publications

The constrained energy model posits that the increased total daily energy expenditure (TDEE) in response to exercise is often less than the energy cost of the exercise prescribed. The mechanisms behind this phenomenon, coined “exercise-related energy compensation” (ExEC), are poorly understood, and it is unknown if ExEC is coupled with metabolic adaptation. Using a randomized controlled 24-week exercise intervention, individuals who demonstrated ExEC were identified. Changes to all components of TDEE and metabolic adaptation were assessed using doubly labeled water over 14 days and room calorimetry over 24-h 48% of individuals exhibited ExEC (−308 ± 158 kcals/day). There were no …

Transfer Students Matter: A Case Study On The Student Experience Of First-Generation Transfer Students At A Four-Year Public University In A Bridge Program, Quishaundra R. Harris

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study aims to establish a knowledge base and learn about the experience of first-generation transfer students who have completed their Associate in Art (AA) degree from a community college and have transitioned to a four-year public university. The study aims to examine first-generation transfer students' sense of belonging and transition at a four-year public university. A qualitative case study was conducted to learn about the experiences of first-generation transfer students who transferred from state community colleges and are currently enrolled at a four-year university in a bridge program. This study was driven by two theoretical frameworks: Schlossberg's transition …

Improving Anti-Hypertensive Medication Taking: The Direct And Interacting Effects Of Perceived Adherence Difficulty, Adherence Knowledge, And Commitment To Adherence, Yazhen Xiao, Alessandra S. Gessl, Cheryl Nakata, Jelena Spanjol, Stephanie Y. Crawford, Lisa K. Sharp, Anna S. Cui

Business Faculty Publications and Presentations

Background Non-adherence to anti-hypertensive medications is prevalent, leading to increased hospital costs and preventable deaths and disabilities. Managing patient perceptions of adherence difficulties may be key to improving adherence. Objective This study examined the potential negative effect of patients’ perceived difficulties with anti-hypertensive medication taking on adherence, along with whether and how that effect could be reduced through patient knowledge of and commitment to adherence. Method 10,867 adult U.S. residents diagnosed with essential hypertension and prescribed anti-hypertensive medications participated in a cross-sectional online survey using self-reported behaviors and perceptions. Stepwise regressions and mean difference analyses were performed. Results Perceived adherence …

Toxicosis From Range Lupine Ingestion In A Research Herd Of Rafter 7 Merino Sheep, Benjamin J. Weigler, Walter F. Mandeville Iii, Scott Huber, Gary Mccuin, Fabrizio Caragena, Daniel D. Cook, Stephen T. Lee, Chris A. Pritsos

Poisonous Plant Research (PPR)

An outbreak of lupine alkaloid neurotoxicosis and death occurred in sheep grazed on rangeland areas of the Nevada Great Basin during the summer of 2023. Overall, 97 sheep died despite veterinary supportive care. Lupinus argenteus var. utahensis was implicated as the causative plant with high levels of lupanine (11.5 µg/mg) and spartiene (13.7 µg/mg) in collected and archived samples. Previous reports of sheep deaths due to lupine ingestion have not been recorded in this region. An increased abundance of the number plants producing seed pods having a high alkaloid content may have been associated with abnormally elevated levels of precipitation …

Novel Adaptations In Iron Regulation Acquired During Chronic Fungal Cf Infections, Daniel R. Murante

Dartmouth College Ph.D Dissertations

Chronic fungal infections are highly recalcitrant to treatment; we postulated that as populations persist, increasing genetic diversity is reflected in phenotypic heterogeneity, contributing to treatment inefficacies. The study of evolutionary patterns is underrepresented in chronic fungal infections, and to supplement this body of knowledge, we leveraged isolates acquired from four individuals with chronic fungal-dominated cystic fibrosis infections. We evaluated in-host evolution through a whole-genome sequencing approach, comparing multiple isolates obtained from each subject's sputum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Our analysis found non-synonymous mutations that arose in parallel across the independent infections in the gene MRS4, which encodes a mitochondrial …

Application And Development Of Ceragenins In Medical Device Coatings For Clinical Settings, Elliot E. Sherren

Theses and Dissertations

Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) pose a significant and increasing threat to global health. One primary cause of this threat is increasing antibiotic resistance. As traditional antibiotics continue to grow less effective, there is an urgent need for novel antimicrobial strategies. This work explores the potential of ceragenins, also known as cationic steroid antimicrobials (CSAs), as a promising alternative to combat HAIs. Specifically, we investigated potential roles that CSAs can play in the context of multiple medical device coatings in healthcare settings. Ceragenins are synthetic mimic of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) which exhibit broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against many common pathogens that have been …

When John Locke Meets Lao Tzu: The Relationship Between Intellectual Property, Biodiversity, And Indigenous Knowledge And The Implications For Food Security, Paolo Davide Farah, Marek Prityi

Duke Environmental Law & Policy Forum

No abstract provided.

Adolescent Obesogenic Behaviors: The Influence Of Race/Ethnicity, Generation Status, Acculturation, And Tme Lived Outside The United States, Tien D. Vo, Alisha H. Redelfs, Mackay Graper, Lori A. Spruance

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

Children living with obesity are at higher risk for chronic disease. Dietary behaviors, sedentary time, and physical activity contribute to the risk of developing obesity. The purpose of this research was to identify associations between acculturation and race/ethnicity influences on obesogenic behaviors in middle school students. A national convenience sample of diverse U.S. children (11–14) was recruited to participate in an online survey (N = 615). Dietary behaviors, including fruit and vegetable consumption (F/V) and sugar-sweetened beverage consumption (SSB), as well as screen time and physical activity, were quantified. Multivariable regression models (linear and logistic) were built. We analyzed …

Evaluation Of A Clincally-Integrated Community Health Worker Program To Support Adults With Cardiovascular Conditions: Guided By The Prism Framework, Cynthia Orofo

Dissertations

Chronically ill individuals with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) have been extensively challenged by the complexities of disease management. Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in the U.S. Although clinically integrated community health worker (cCHW) support interventions have been increasingly implemented to help manage CVDs, a comprehensive analysis of interventions implemented in real-world settings is lacking. The purpose of this study was to observe and evaluate a cCHW support intervention in a real clinical setting serving adults with CVD using an implementation science perspective, guided by the PRISM Framework.

The Association Between Mental Health And Fibromyalgia In African Americans, Shalika J. Tisinger

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Depression and fibromyalgia can often exacerbate each other and are known to be bidirectional disorders. Chronic pain from fibromyalgia often leads to depression, and depression can cause pain to become worse and affect the nervous system, causing pain. The purpose of this quantitative, binary logistic regression study is to determine if there is an association between mental health and fibromyalgia in African Americans while controlling for cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, arthritis, education level (ie. Some high school, high school graduate, some college or higher), diet, poverty-income-ratio, PIR, diabetes, gender, and age. The socio-ecological model included in this cross-sectional study …

The Association Between Mental Health And Fibromyalgia In African Americans, Shalika J. Tisinger

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Depression and fibromyalgia can often exacerbate each other and are known to be bidirectional disorders. Chronic pain from fibromyalgia often leads to depression, and depression can cause pain to become worse and affect the nervous system, causing pain. The purpose of this quantitative, binary logistic regression study is to determine if there is an association between mental health and fibromyalgia in African Americans while controlling for cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, arthritis, education level (ie. Some high school, high school graduate, some college or higher), diet, poverty-income-ratio, PIR, diabetes, gender, and age. The socio-ecological model included in this cross-sectional study …

Protocol For Seahorse Analysis Of Ex Vivo Mouse Brown And White Adipose Tissues, Fenfen Wang, Phu M Huynh, Yu A An

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The mitochondrial stress test is a gold-standard approach for assessing adipose tissue physiological functions and pathological changes. Here, we present a protocol for conducting Seahorse assays using ex vivo mouse brown and white adipose depots. We describe steps for rehydrating the cartridge, preparing freshly harvested fat depots, placing them onto an islet capture plate, and incubating them in a non-CO2 incubator. We then detail procedures for adding mitochondrial stressor solutions and conducting the mitochondrial stress test using the Seahorse XFe24 Analyzer. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to An et al.1.

Symbiotic Behaviour Of Alfalfa Varieties Grown In Different Soils, C Scotti, S Gnocchi, M Carelli, P Rotili

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Six alfalfa (Medicago sativa) varieties were grown in two contrasting soils to study their symbiotic ability as estimated by nodule biomass and dry matter yield in presence of the natural population of rhizobia of soil. Varieties can be discriminated on the basis of total (year) nodule biomass; their ranking for nodule biomass was consistent in the different soil types although soils significantly influenced nodulation and dry matter yield.

Long Term Effects Of Liming A Basalt-Derived Soil, On Lucerene And Phalaris Production, K.M. F. Reed, J F. Chin

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Lime incorporated into a basalt-derived clay loam lowered exchangeable aluminium in soil. Soil pH was still elevated, 9 years after 2 t/ha of lime was incorporated. With lower rates of lime the density of lucerne plants declined. Lucerne yield more than doubled with lime. After six years, the area was sown to a phalaris-clover pasture. A 15% increase in the yield of phalaris was recorded from limed plots over the next three years. Despite this, 11 years after liming, herbage P concentrations increased with lime, from 0.28% to 0.35%.

Can Maize Influence The Dissolution Of Low Water Soluble Phosphorus Fertilizers?, S Sinaj, E Frossard

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the respective importance of maize (Zea mays) and soil properties on the dissolution of two sparingly soluble P fertilizers. The surface horizon of an acidic and a calcareous soils were amended with Thomas’ slag or phosphate rock and were either incubated or cultivated with maize. Maize cultivation increased the rate of dissolution of both fertilizers in both soils. Its influence remained limited compared to fertilizer dissolution in the incubated acidic soil. In the calcareous soil, however, the presence of maize increased significantly the rate of fertilizer dissolution compared to that observed in …

Phosphorus Availability, Defoliation Tolerance, And Genetic Differentiation In White Clover, D F. Chapman

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The genetic composition of mixed populations of white clover growing in low fertility, grass-dominant hill pastures was estimated four and eight years after populations were established. Populations were based on an adapted ('Grasslands Tahora') or poorly adapted ('Grasslands Huia') cultivar, and received either no fertiliser, or 35kg P /ha /year. The P response curve of surviving plants was also determined, and compared with plants grown from 'standard' seedlines of the respective cultivars. Between years 4 and 8, the proportion of the populations constituted by plants true-to-type for the sown cultivar remained steady at 56 - 58% for Tahora, but fell …

Potassium Rates For Macrotyloma Axillare Growth, R A. Martim, F A. Monteiro, P.R. L. Portilho

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The response of the tropical forage legume macrotiloma guata (Macrotyloma axillare (E. Mey) Verdc) to potassium rates was studied in a greenhouse experiment. The plants were grown in nutrient solution with seven potassium (K) rates, 0; 3.5; 7; 21; 35; 105 and 245 mg l-1 of solution, in randomized complete block design, with four replications. There was significant response of the legume to potassium rates. Considerations are made on the influence of these levels on plant dry matter yield in two harvests, root dry matter production and potassium and magnesium concentrations in the plant tissue.

Phosphogypsum As A Source Of Nutrients For Bahiagrass, J E. Rechcigl, I S. Alcordo

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Phosphogypsum is a by-product of the manufacture of phosphoric acid from phosphate rock and is a potential source of sulfur and calcium for crops. There are currently more than 700 million Mg of phosphogypsum in Florida alone stacked in waste piles and an additional 30 million Mg produced annually. A 3-year study was conducted to determine whether addition of phosphogypsum to bahiagrass would increase production and quality. Results indicate that addition of up to 4.0 Mg/ha phosphogypsum increased bahiagrass yields, protein content, and in vitro digestibility of forage. This study has demonstrated that phosphogypsum can be used as an alternative …

A Review Of Centrosema Pascuorum (Centurion) Cvv. Cavalcade And Bundey As A Pasture Legume In The Ley Farming System Studies In North West Australia, K Thiagalingam, D Zuill, T Price

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Field experiments and commercial experience with the pasture legume Centrosema pascuorum (centurion) in the Katherine and Douglas Daly districts of the Northern Territory over the past ten years were reviewed. Results show that cultivars of this species (Cavalcade and Bundey) have good potential for improving both soil fertility and the quality of dry season forage (as hay or grazing) for cattle in mixed farming systems in the semi-arid tropics of north west Australia.

Effect Of Plant Age And N And P Fertilization On Mineral Composition Of Andropogon Gayanus, D E. Morillo, A Caraballo, J Faria-Marmoll, L R. Mcdowell

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Mineral concentrations of Andropogon gayanus Kunth, as affected by age of regrowth, 42 and 63 days (six and four cuttings); rate (kg/ ha/year) of N fertilizer, 0, 100 and 200, and of P2O5, 0 and 75, were evaluated on a sandy-loam Aridisol (pH 5.5) in Venezuela, using a split-split-plot experimental design with two replications. Forage mineral concentrations did not differ (P>0.05) among ages. Mean Ca, P, Mg, Na were: 0.20, 0.11, 0.10 and 0.029 %, and regarded as deficient for ruminants. Only K (1.21 %) was considered adequate. Mean Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn and Co were 57, 24, 2.7, …

Interaction Of Endomycorrhizal Fungi And Phosphate On Neonotonia Wightii, Lackey, V T. Paulino, O.M. A.A. Ghisi, M.A. C. Lucena, M J. Valarini, J C. Werner

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

This experiment was carried out in greenhouse condition, to study the effect of four phosphorus levels (20, 80, 140 and 200 kg of P2O5/ ha) with or without fungi mycorrhizal inoculation (Acaulospora longula + A. morrowae ). Five accessions of Neonotonia wightii (Wightii & Arn) Lackey (perennial soyabean) were studied: Malawi, Tinaroo, NO1264, NO409 and NO 250. The growth of Neonotonia was improved by the phosphorus fertilization.The effect of VAM inoculation was greater in the lower levels of P fertilization reducing its effect in the higher levels of P applied. The presence of soluble P induced higher N accumulation …

Different Response Of Lucerne (Medicago Sativa L.) Cultivars To P And Zn Fertilization And Susceptibility To Phosphorus-Induced Zinc Deficiency On Calcareous Soils, Gansu, China, Chen Wen, Graham Eagleton, Graeme Blair

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The three pot experiments were carried out at the Qingyang Research Station, Gansu, China to determine the yield response of P and Zn, and examine the effect of soil types on P and Zn requirement of the local and introduced lucerne cultivars in the establishment phase on calcareous soils. The results showed marked growth and dry matter yield benefit at lucerne establishment when P fertiliser was applied on both soils. There were no consistent difference among the three cultivars in response to added P. A significant shoot yield response to Zn was only recorded at high P supply in the …

Application Of N And P Fertilizers On Pasture Of Southern Italy: Effects On Forage Species, Production And Quality, D Ferri, G Convertini

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The effects of N and P fertilization on the productive and qualitative characteristics of improved pastures in inside Southern Italy areas were investigated. The trial was carried out in two sites characterized by different altitude above sea level and soil properties; also previous fertilization treatments and botanical composition characteristics are significantly different. The N fertilization reduced negative effects of climatic variations (typical of these areas) on botanical composition of “Bella” grassland at lower altitude. On the contrary a more stable botanical composition assured good yields and quality of forage at “Li Foy” field (higher a.s.l.) because more regular weather conditions …

Long-Term Effects Of Co2 Enrichment And Temperate Increase On Forage Quality In A Temperate Grass, J F. Soussana, J M. Besle, I Chabaux, P Loiseau, P C. De Faccio Carvalho

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Perennial ryegrass swards were grown during two years at two N fertilizer supplies in elevated (700 ppm) or ambient atmospheric CO2 concentration at outdoor temperature and at + 3°C in elevated CO2. Elevated CO2 and temperature increase had only minor impacts on the digestibility and on the fiber composition of the cut material. On average, the water soluble carbohydrate concentration of the leaf laminae was doubled in elevated CO2, whereas a 3°C temperature increase reduced this concentration by 25 %.

Co2 Enrichment And Temperature Effects On Productivity Of Field-Grown Phalaris And Subterranean Clover, J M. Lilley, T P. Bolger, R M. Gifford

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Pure and mixed swards of Phalaris aquatica and Trifolium subterraneum were exposed to cool (ambient) and warm (cool +3oC) temperatures, at both 380 and 690 ppm CO2 concentrations in field temperature gradient tunnels for 5 months. In general, clover and the mixture had similar forage productivity in each treatment, while phalaris was less productive. Elevated CO2 increased clover production 40% in the monoculture and the mixture. Higher temperatures reduced clover regrowth at ambient CO2 and reduced the response to elevated CO2 in the monoculture but not in the mixture. In contrast, phalaris regrowth in the monoculture was not increased by …

Elevated Co2 And Temperature Effects On Paspalum And Arachis Forages, K J. Boote, F B. Fritschi

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Long-term effects of elevated carbon dioxide (CO2) and elevated temperature on growth processes of bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flugge) and rhizoma peanut (Arachis glabrata Benth.) were evaluated. Forages were established and grown in 27-m long temperature-gradient greenhouses constructed over a natural field soil. Treatments were two CO2 levels, 350 or 700 vpm CO2, and four temperature sectors (0, 1.5, 3.0, and 4.5 °C above ambient). Shoot emergence, ground cover, leaf and canopy assimilation, rate of leaf appearance, and dry matter accumulation were measured. Increasing temperature accelerated plant establishment and increased early plant dry matter accumulation, leaf area, and leaf appearance rate. …

Silage Production Possibility Of Sorghum Vulgare, S. Sudanense And Their Hybrid On The Second Crop Conditions Of Tokat-Turkey, U Büyükburç, Y Karadag, M Yildirim

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The objective of the work was to determine biological characters of some fodder grasses (Sorghum, Sudangrass and their hybrid) under second crop condition of Tokat-Turkey with different N levels. The grasses were sown on 20-21 July 1994-1995 after harvesting the main crop of wheat, harvested at the end of October 28-29. Application of 40 - 80 - 120 kg/ha N fertilizer increased the plant height, fresh fodder, DM yield, CP contents in all plants. The hybrid showed the highest fresh and dry fodder yield (100.7 - 23.4 Mg/ha) at the high level of N. Leaf rate declined with use of …