Digital Commons Network^™

Serum Levels Of Gdf-15, Betatrophin, Tnf-Α And Il-6 In Diabetic Patients With And Without Diabetic Complications, Ahmet Yılmaz, Tugce Kaymaz, Burkay Yakar, Mehtap Gömleksiz, Erhan Önalan, Mehmet F. Gürsu

Saudi Medical Journal

ABSTRACT Objectives: To investigate serum levels of growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15), inflammatory biomarkers, and betatrophin in individuals with diabetes mellitus, both with and without complications. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted involving patients with diabetes. Participants were categorized into 3 groups: Group 1 (30 healthy individuals without diabetes), Group 2 (30 diabetic patients without complications), and Group 3 (30 diabetic patients with complications). Blood samples were collected to assess standard biochemical parameters, as well as plasma concentrations of betatrophin, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and GDF-15. All serum biomarkers were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) techniques. Results: …

Cutting-Edge Research From The 2024 Middle East Rheumatology Conference (Mrc 2024) Of The Gulf Cooperation Council Association Of Immunology And Rheumatology (Gcc-Air), Ahmed S Zayat, Beena Hamid, Martin Lee, Fahdah Alokaily, Maryam Al Nisf, Mahmood Hachim, Hanan Al Reyes, Khalid Alnaqbi, Amal Hussain, Fiaz Alam, Ghida Al Dabi, Suad Hannawi

Saudi Medical Journal

No abstract provided.

Use Of Manga And Videos As Trigger Scenarios In Interprofessional Education For Undergraduate Medical And Nursing Students, Yukihiro Ike, Yoshiyuki Mitsui, Akiko Tanoue

Journal of Medical Education

Background: Interprofessional education (IPE) is being implemented in medical schools worldwide. Role-play, group discussion, and simulation have been among the educational methods reported, and the eff ects of each educational method have been examined. Objective: In IPE at the Faculty of Medicine and School of Nursing, we studied the use of manga and videos as trigger scenarios for group work. Methods: IPE involving manga and videos implemented in an online virtual setting. Participants filled out a questionnaire before and after IPE. Results: After IPE, students gave positive feedback about the use of manga and videos as teaching materials. Students seemed …

Memory-Efficient Graph Processing On Gpus: Reducing Intermediate Data Structure Overhead, Chang Ye

Dissertations and Theses Collection (Open Access)

The increasing scale of real-world graphs in domains such as fraud detection, community detection, and biological analysis demands high-throughput, memory-efficient graph processing solutions. GPUs offer massive parallelism for accelerating such workloads, and numerous frameworks have been developed to leverage their computational power. These frameworks primarily focus on optimizing scheduling to better align graph processing with GPU architectures. It performs well for algorithms with low memory demands, such as BFS, SSSP, and PageRank. However, for algorithms that require substantial memory, such as label propagation, and subgraph counting, the limited memory capacity of GPUs often becomes a significant bottleneck.

This dissertation addresses …

De Novo Pathogenic Csf1r Variant Implicates Microglial Dysfunction In Pathogenesis Of Febrile Infection-Related Epilepsy Syndrome, Kristen S Fisher, Jesse M Levine, Alexander Ankar, Ruizhi Duan, Yi Chen Lai, Eyal Muscal, Sarah R Risen, James J Riviello, Pei-Chien Tsai, Daniel G Calame

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Febrile infection-related epilepsy syndrome (FIRES) is a rare presentation of refractory status epilepticus following a febrile illness with resulting refractory epilepsy. Evidence supports the presence of immune dysregulation in patients with FIRES, but a monogenic basis for FIRES has not been identified in most cases. We present a case of a previously healthy 16-year-old male with FIRES who was found to have a de novo predicted damaging missense variant in CSF1R on clinical whole genome sequencing, a gene encoding a critical regulator of microglial homeostasis in which pathogenic variants cause adult onset leukoencephalopathy. Molecular modeling demonstrates that the CSF1R variant …

Computational Analysis Of Dna Methylation From Long-Read Sequencing, Yilei Fu, Winston Timp, Fritz J Sedlazeck

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

DNA methylation is a critical epigenetic mechanism in numerous biological processes, including gene regulation, development, ageing and the onset of various diseases such as cancer. Studies of methylation are increasingly using single-molecule long-read sequencing technologies to simultaneously measure epigenetic states such as DNA methylation with genomic variation. These long-read data sets have spurred the continuous development of advanced computational methods to gain insights into the roles of methylation in regulating chromatin structure and gene regulation. In this Review, we discuss the computational methods for calling methylation signals, contrasting methylation between samples, analysing cell-type diversity and gaining additional genomic insights, and …

Validation Of An Assay For Ngal In A Pediatric Population, Nazmin Bithi, Ridwan B Ibrahim, Estella L Tam, Radwa Almamoun, Annette C Frenk Oquendo, Ayse Akcan-Arikan, Sridevi Devaraj

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background and objectives: Acute kidney injury (AKI) poses a serious clinical challenge, particularly in high-risk environments, due to its association with increased morbidity and mortality. Traditional diagnostic markers, such as serum creatinine, often detect AKI only after significant kidney damage has occurred, limiting opportunities for early intervention. Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) has emerged as a promising early biomarker due to its rapid upregulation following kidney ischemia. NGAL supports renal recovery by reducing toxicity and promoting tubular regeneration via heme oxygenase-1 activity. This study aimed to validate the BioPorto ProNephro AKI™ turbidimetric immunoassay for urinary NGAL on the Ortho Vitros XT7600 …

Fetal Presentation Of A Child With Partial Atrioventricular Septal Defect And Calcium Release Deficiency Syndrome, Alexander J Kiener, Tam Dan N Pham, Christina Y Miyake, James C Wilkinson

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

No abstract provided.

High-Fidelity Finite Element Modeling Technique To Improve Sensitivity To Bone Tissue Changes Of Older Adults With Obesity Undergoing Intensive Lifestyle Intervention, Michael A K Liebschner, Daeseung Kim, Nina Klonis, Giulia Gregori, Reina Armamento-Villareal, Clifford Qualls, Dennis T Villareal

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Introduction: Obesity presents a significant health risk for the aging population. Research shows that weight loss and regular exercise can greatly improve the functional status of older adults who are obese. However, weight loss may also result in a decrease in bone mass. To properly assess changes in fracture risk due to lifestyle interventions, a direct biomechanical evaluation of bone strength and fracture risk at metabolically active sites is essential.

Methods: Computed tomography scans taken at two different time points of ten human volunteers provided the foundation for this study. A high-fidelity segmentation and modeling approach was taken to generate …

Unravelling The Global Tapestry Of Genetic Ataxias: Epidemiology And Genetic Testing Approaches, Malco Rossi, Christopher D Stephen, Joana Damásio, José Luiz Pedroso, Sheng-Han Kuo, Chi-Ying R Lin, Oluwadamilola Ojo, Shaimaa El-Jaafary, Woong-Woo Lee, Harutyun Madoev, Orlando G P Barsottini, Achal Kumar Srivastava, Christine Klein, Bart P Van De Warrenburg

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

The landscape of genetic ataxias is influenced by migration, population genetics, consanguinity, and founder effects, resulting in significant regional variation. Within the expanding domain of genetic ataxias, knowledge of regional epidemiology is scarce, particularly outside of North America and Europe. Understanding the epidemiology of genetic ataxias, together with deep phenotyping and knowledge of the appropriate ancillary studies, is crucial for the development and deployment of diagnostic testing strategies. This review offers a comprehensive, data-driven overview of 2932 articles with regional epidemiological estimates and the occurrence and prevalence of 548 genes associated with ataxia across 122 countries. Regional differences in epidemiology …

Optical Coherence Tomography Enables The Depth-Resolved Measurement Of Cilia Beat Frequency In Ex Vivo Human Fallopian Tubes, Dilara J Long, Tian Xia, Photini F Rice, Deirdre M Scully, Makayla Johnson, Ryan Mistifer, Andrea Aguirre, John M Heusinkveld, Irina V Larina, Jennifer K Barton

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Objectives: The movement of cilia in the fallopian tubes (FTs) facilitates important processes involved in fertility, and abnormalities in cilia function are linked with diseases including endometriosis and pelvic inflammatory disease. For the first time, we demonstrate the use of optical coherence tomography (OCT) to create depth-resolved mapping of motile cilia locations and quantify cilia beat frequency (CBF) in human FT samples ex vivo.

Methods: Segments of the FT ampulla were acquired from five patients following salpingectomy under an IRB approved protocol. The samples were longitudinally opened to expose the luminal surface for imaging. A sequence of at least 500 …

Patient-Centered Management Of Heavy Menstrual Bleeding While On Anticoagulation: A Survey Study, Benjamin Barnett, Rushad Patell, Dana Angelini, Leben Tefera, Jordan K Schaefer, Ang Li, Alejandra Gutierrez Bernal, Shruti Chaturvedi, Anjlee Mahajan, Leslie Lake, Jori May, Anna L Parks

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Nearly three-quarters of women experience heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) during anticoagulation treatment for venous thromboembolism (VTE). HMB can lead to medical interventions, impact school or work and diminish quality of life (QOL). While there are several management options for HMB in patients with VTE, we lack information on how patients approach HMB treatment decisions.

Objectives: We examined patients' experience with, perceptions of, and preferences for treatment of HMB while on anticoagulation.

Methods: Clinicians and patient advocates developed a web-based survey that was distributed via patient advocacy organizations and social media between May and June 2024, targeting participants 18 years …

Evaluation Of A Novel Tc-24 Recombinant Antigen Elisa For Serologic Detection Of Trypanosoma Cruzi Infection In Dogs: A Pilot Study, Rojelio Mejia, Guilherme G Verocai, Ilana A Mosley, Ashley B Saunders, Bin Zhan, Lindsey Vongthavaravat, Rachel E Busselman, Sarah A Hamer

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Chagas disease, caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, is a significant challenge for canine health, with limited diagnostic tools. This study assessed the performance of a novel Tc-24 recombinant antigen ELISA compared to three commercial diagnostic tests on 70 serum samples from kennel dogs in Texas. The Tc-24 ELISA demonstrated high sensitivity (87.5%) and specificity (91.2%) compared to Indirect Fluorescent Antibody (IFA) testing, with significant differences in Tc-24 optical density (OD) between positives and negatives (0.607 vs. 0.089, p < 0.001). When compared to Chagas Stat-Pak (SP), Tc-24 ELISA showed sensitivity and specificity values of 82.1% and 86.7%, respectively (p < 0.001). For Chagas Detect Plus (IB), the assay achieved a sensitivity of 80.0% and specificity of 93.1% (p < 0.001). Spearman correlation analysis revealed significant associations between Tc-24 OD and SP (r = 1.0, p = 0.0167), IB (r = 0.9, p = 0.0833) and IFA (r = 0.6273, p = 0.044). Elevated immunochromatographic values in commercial kits (SP or IB) correlated with Tc-24 OD (1.17 vs. 0.039, p < 0.001), achieving 100% sensitivity and 95.8% specificity based on positive results from commercial kits. These findings suggest that Tc-24 ELISA is a reliable and accurate serological tool for diagnosing T. cruzi infection in dogs, with the potential to enhance diagnostic capabilities in veterinary medicine.

Cognitive Performance In Early Neuronal Synuclein Disease With Hyposmia But Without Motor Disability: Association With Dopamine Deficiency And Isolated Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Behavior Disorder, Daniel Weintraub, Anuprita R Nair, Ryan Kurth, Michael C Brumm, Christine Kohnen, Michele K York, Roseanne D Dobkin, Kenneth Marek, Caroline Tanner, Tanya Simuni, Andrew Siderowf, Douglas Galasko, Lana M Chahine, Christopher Coffey, Kalpana Merchant, Kathleen L Poston, Tatiana Foroud, Brit Mollenhauer, Ethan G Brown, Karl Kieburtz, Mark Frasier, Sohini Chowdhury, Roy N Alcalay, Aleksandar Videnovic, Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Objective: To determine the impact of dopamine deficiency and isolated rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder (iRBD) on cognitive performance in early neuronal α-synuclein disease (NSD) with hyposmia but without motor disability.

Methods: Using Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative baseline data, cognitive performance was assessed with a cognitive summary score (CSS) derived from robust healthy control (HC) norms. Performance was examined for participants with hyposmia in early NSD-Integrated Staging System (NSD-ISS), either stage 2A (cerebrospinal fluid α-synuclein seed amplification assay [SAA]+, dopamine transporter scan [DaTscan]-) or 2B (SAA+, DaTscan+).

Results: Participants were stage 2A (n = 101), stage 2B (N …

Microbiome Signatures And Inflammatory Biomarkers In Culture-Negative Neonatal Sepsis, Morcos Hanna, Shixia Huang, Matthew Ross, Anaid Reyes, Dimuthu Perera, Anil Surathu, Sara Javornik Cregeen, Joseph Hagan, Mohan Pammi

Faculty and Staff Publications

Overuse of antibiotics is a concern in 'culture-negative sepsis' but it is unclear whether this is due to infection with viruses, fungi or other microbes that are not easily cultured, or whether it results from inflammatory processes. In a prospective study, we enrolled 50 preterm neonates with culture-positive sepsis (CP), culture-negative sepsis (CN), and asymptomatic preterm controls (CO). The microbiome of stool, skin, and blood, including bacterial, viral and fungal components and serum cytokine profiles were evaluated. The microbiome alpha or beta diversity did not differ between CN and CO groups. A MaAsLin analysis revealed increased relative abundances of specific …

Cas 231n.50: Pharmacology And Addictions, Mary B. Mchugh

University of Montana Course Syllabi, 2021-2025

No abstract provided.

Bioe 370.01: General Ecology, Jedediah F. Brodie

University of Montana Course Syllabi, 2021-2025

No abstract provided.

Fors 241n.00: Dendrology, C. Alina Cansler

University of Montana Course Syllabi, 2021-2025

No abstract provided.

Geo 201.B01: The Rocky Planet, Marc S. Hendrix

University of Montana Course Syllabi, 2021-2025

No abstract provided.

Nrsm 212n.00: Ecology, Physics, And Taxonomy Of Soils, Justin D. Gay

University of Montana Course Syllabi, 2021-2025

No abstract provided.

Ptrm 582.01: Concepts In Wilderness And Protected Area Management, William L. Rice

University of Montana Course Syllabi, 2021-2025

No abstract provided.

Wild 374.01: Hunter Check Station, Erim Gomez

University of Montana Course Syllabi, 2021-2025

No abstract provided.

Wild 470.00: Conservation Of Wildlife Populations, Angela D. Luis

University of Montana Course Syllabi, 2021-2025

No abstract provided.

Slp 545.50: Social Communication Skills, Behavior, & Neurodiversity, Jennifer K. Schoffer Closson

University of Montana Course Syllabi, 2021-2025

No abstract provided.

Csd 110.01: Foundations Of Clinical Practice In Speech-Language Pathology, Jennifer K. Schoffer Closson

University of Montana Course Syllabi, 2021-2025

No abstract provided.

Csd 110.50: Foundations Of Clinical Practice In Speech-Language Pathology, Haley M. Permar

University of Montana Course Syllabi, 2021-2025

No abstract provided.

Csd 222.01: Introduction To Sound And Hearing, Anoop Basavanahalli Jagadeesh

University of Montana Course Syllabi, 2021-2025

No abstract provided.

Csd 222.50: Introduction To Sound And Hearing, Catherine A. Drescher

University of Montana Course Syllabi, 2021-2025

No abstract provided.

Pubh 491.01: Special Topics - Academic Health Department, Tony J. Ward

University of Montana Course Syllabi, 2021-2025

No abstract provided.

Pubh 510.01: Introduction To Epidemiology, Alexandra N. Albers

University of Montana Course Syllabi, 2021-2025

No abstract provided.