Digital Commons Network^™

Exploring The Links Among Brain Iron Accumulation, Cognitive Performance, And Dietary Intake In Older Adults: A Longitudinal Mri Study, Valentinos Zachariou, Colleen A. Pappas, Christopher E. Bauer, Elayna R. Seago, Brian T. Gold

Neurology Faculty Publications

This study evaluated longitudinal brain iron accumulation in older adults, its association with cognition, and the role of specific nutrients in mitigating iron accumulation. MRI-based, quantitative susceptibility mapping estimates of brain iron concentration were acquired from seventy-two healthy older adults (47 women, ages 60–86) at a baseline timepoint (TP1) and a follow-up timepoint (TP2) 2.5–3.0 years later. Dietary intake was evaluated at baseline using a validated questionnaire. Cognitive performance was assessed at TP2 using the uniform data set (Version 3) neuropsychological tests of episodic memory (MEM) and executive function (EF). Voxel-wise, linear mixed-effects models, adjusted for longitudinal gray matter volume …

A Longitudinal Study Of The Association Between The Teachable Moment Heuristic And Smoking Of Head And Neck Cancer Patients, Tia Borger, Matthew W. Southward, Jessica Maras, Abigayle Feather, Jessica L. Burris

Psychiatry Faculty Publications

Background: The Teachable Moment Heuristic (TMH) posits that change in its three components (ie, affective response, risk perception, and social role/self-concept) could increase motivation and confidence for health promotion, such as smoking cessation. For patients with cancer, smoking cessation can extend survival, while persistent smoking causes numerous problems (eg, cancer recurrence).

Purpose: This intensive longitudinal study with cancer patients aimed to evaluate the link between TMH constructs and smoking outcomes.

Methods: Participants included 42 newly diagnosed head/neck cancer patients who reported smoking in the past month. Participants completed a baseline questionnaire before a 30-day daily assessment. Single-item measures were used …

Impact Of Medical Mission In Sub-Saharan Africa: History And Present Implications, Olaotse Obed Gabasiane

Journal of Adventist Mission Studies

Early medical missionaries and gospel workers understood the importance and place of health, especially in view of the counsel of Ellen White when she suggested that medical work is “the right arm of the gospel.” Intuitively, this remains the case, even during these end times. This calls for the Adventist Church and its health system to look into effective ways and means to save the hospitals that face existential issues and help them return to effective ministry in their communities. However, the old model of running hospitals could also be improved by considering some of the suggested recommendations. The Divine, …

The Massai People And Wealth: A Stewardship Of Totality, Youssry Guirguis

Journal of Adventist Mission Studies

The concept of wealth among the Massai people differs significantly from the traditional understanding in contemporary societies. To the Massai people wealth is not measured by money as commonly perceived by people today, but rather exhibits itself by land, social status, and livestock. This article examines a few terms used by the Massai people to define the idea of wealth in order to comprehend their unique cultural dimensions. Terms that are related to wealth will be investigated, such as “land” (enkop), “red God” (enkai Nanyokie), “black God” (enkai Narok), “cattle” (inkishu), “goats and sheep,” “wealth” (emali), and “dowry” (Inkishu/ Olpisiai). …

The Growth And Decline Of The Seventh-Day Adventist Church In The Southern Asia Division From 1997–2021, Solomon Renati

Journal of Adventist Mission Studies

Based on literature from journals, books, and archival research, this article offers an overview of the membership growth and decline in the Indian Adventist Church in the Southern Asia Division (SUD). This article reviews the numerical data for church membership of the SUD as available from the website of the Office of Archives, Statistics and Research (ASTR) at the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, the trends in church membership, and the evidence for growth, stability, and decline. The article focuses on church growth and decline by observing the annual church statistics from 1997 to 2021.

From Consumers Of Mission To Contributors To Mission, Silvano Barbosa

Journal of Adventist Mission Studies

Seventh-day Adventists in many parts of the Global South have been able to plant self-governing, self-sustaining, and self-propagating churches. One of the immediate results of this successful missionary and evangelistic work has been an explosive growth in membership and financial resources. More importantly, they have given evidence of intense passion, growing qualifications, and remarkable capabilities for international missions. For this reason, leaders of the church in those regions should continuously work on expanding their mission-sending structure to allow young people, professionals, and pastors to fulfill the cross-cultural missionary call the Holy Spirit places on their hearts.

Spiritual And Theological Foundations For A Contextual Ministry For Muslims, Andrews Mondal

Journal of Adventist Mission Studies

This article explored a contextual ministry’s spiritual and theological foundation by referencing Old and New Testament passages. It emphasized the importance of faith, obedience, forgiveness, inclusivity, and spreading God’s love universally. The article discussed influential figures such as Paul, Peter, and Ellen White and their contributions to sharing the gospel and incorporating faith into everyday life. It also touched on the importance of interacting with Muslims, the transformative impact of encountering Jesus and the significance of medical ministry work in demonstrating Christ’s love.

Barriers To Adherence To Standard Of Care In Appalachia: A Qualitative Assessment In Gastrointestinal Cancers, Brittany Levy, Jennifer T. Castle, Roshmita Bardhan, Mark Dignan, Avinash S. Bhakta

Internal Medicine Faculty Publications

Purpose: Appalachian Kentucky, a 32-county region in the eastern part of the state, has elevated colon cancer mortality rates. While recommended as the standard of care, access to adjuvant chemotherapy treatment is limited in this region due to scarce health services and significant social and geographical barriers. The purpose of this investigation was to improve understanding of barriers that cancer patients residing in rural areas not served directly by tertiary medical systems must overcome in completing adjuvant therapy.

Methods: Participants were recruited from two medical centers: A tertiary care NCI designated Cancer Center and a regional hospital. Participants underwent a …

Circulating Molecular Drivers Of Bone Remodeling In Pancreatitis, Rachel L. Hill, Dhiraj Yadav, Phil A. Hart, David C. Whitcomb, Kristen J. Mcquerry, Kelsey N. Karnik, Kimberly M. Stello, Darwin L. Conwell, Madhumathi Rao

Internal Medicine Faculty Publications

INTRODUCTION: 

Pancreatitis-associated osteopathy is a clinically significant but mechanistically underexplored complication of pancreatic disease. We aimed to characterize stage-specific alterations in bone remodeling biomarkers across the spectrum of disease: recurrent acute pancreatitis (RAP) and chronic pancreatitis (CP).

METHODS: 

In a cross-sectional analysis of North American Pancreatitis Study 2 participants, we measured serum mechanistic (sclerostin, dickkopf-1, receptor activator of nuclear factor κβ ligand, and osteoprotegerin), hormonal (fibroblast growth factor 23, insulin, and leptin), and modulatory (osteopontin, oncostatin, and osteoactivin) markers in controls (n = 30), RAP (n = 40), and CP (n = 40) using a multiplex assay. Group differences were …

Digital Health Interventions For Colorectal Cancer Screening Uptake: A Scoping Review, Sujin Kim, Andrew J. Whipkey, Jihye Bae, Avinash S. Bhakta

Internal Medicine Faculty Publications

Digital health interventions (DHIs) are increasingly employed to improve colorectal cancer (CRC) screening uptake, yet comprehensive syntheses of their effectiveness across diverse contexts remain scarce. This scoping review examines how individual, contextual, technological, and timing-related factors shape CRC screening outcomes in DHI-based trials. Following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, we conducted a systematic search of PubMed, Google Scholar, and ClinicalTrials.gov from March 1 to April 20, 2024, identifying 4,523 records through databases and an additional 2,039 through backward citation tracking. After deduplication and screening, 51 studies were included and charted using the PICOT (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome, and Timing) framework. Included studies spanned …

Early-Onset Bevacizumab-Associated Knee Osteonecrosis In A Young Adult With Astrocytoma, Chandra L. Kakarala, Nicole A. Lisek, Clyde Coleman, John L. Villano, Katherine L. Copely, Patricia A. Santos

Internal Medicine Faculty Publications

We describe a rare case of knee osteonecrosis in a 22-year-old man with astrocytoma and neurofibromatosis type 1 after short-term treatment with bevacizumab and corticosteroids. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) identified infarctions and osteonecrosis of the distal femur and proximal tibia. Osteonecrosis associated with bevacizumab is typically limited to the jaw; this case highlights the potential for earlier, extra-jaw involvement. Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for osteonecrosis in patients on vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors, especially with concurrent steroid use, and consider prompt MRI in the evaluation of unexplained joint pain.

Ryan Rivera '25-Karin Kunstler-Goldman '65, Ryan Rivera, Karin Kunstler-Goldman

Alumni Oral History Project

No abstract provided.

Adverse Childhood Experiences, Depression And Subjective Cognitive Decline By Gender: A Moderated Mediation Analysis, Monique J. Brown, Darlingtina K. Esiaka, Jaya Viswanathan

Behavioral Science Faculty Publications

Studies assessing depression as a mediating factor between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and subjective cognitive decline (SCD) are lacking. Therefore, the aims of this study were to: (1) determine the mediating role of depression in the association between ACEs and SCD; and (2) assess the moderating role of gender. Data were obtained from the 2023 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Study (BRFSS) survey (N = 38,600). Crude and adjusted path analyses were used to determine the mediating role of depression between ACEs and SCD. Adjusted analyses controlled for sociodemographic confounders. ACEs were positively associated with depression (B = 0.129, p …

Commercial Tobacco Retail Marketing In Rural Communities In Appalachian Kentucky, 2024, Saber Feizy, Judy Van De Venne, Melissa Abadi, W. Jay Christian, Jayani Jayawardhana, Bethany Shorey Fennell, Delvon T. Mattingly, Shyanika W. Rose

Behavioral Science Faculty Publications

Objective: To investigate heterogeneous commercial tobacco marketing patterns across rurality gradient.

Methods: We conducted audits in all retail stores (n = 279) selling at least one commercial tobacco/nicotine product in eight U.S. Appalachian Kentucky counties in 2024, comprising rural and peri-urban catchments. Trained auditors assessed product availability, discounts, and advertising. Stores were linked to census tract demographics and Index of Relative Rurality (IRR) quartiles. Poisson models assessed prevalence rates of exterior and interior ads and discounts for cigarettes, nicotine vapes, and nicotine pouches (ONP) by IRR quartiles.

Results: Most stores carried cigarettes, cigarillos, and smokeless products, and over 50 % …

Differential Speed And Accuracy Trade-Off In Working Memory Retrieval And Bilateral Precuneus Between Older Men And Women, Darlingtina K. Esiaka, Stephanie Strothkamp, Aghayeeabianeh Banafsheh, Lucas S. Broster, David K. Powell, Gregory Jicha, Yang Jiang

Behavioral Science Faculty Publications

Background

Despite various hypotheses, including differences in longevity, hormones, genetics, and neuroanatomy, the reasons for the higher prevalence of Alzheimer's disease in older women compared to men remain unclear. Emerging evidence suggests that the precuneus, a key region of the default mode network, is linked to internally focused processes like memory retrieval. We examined the relationship between precuneus volumes and task performance (accuracy and reaction time) during working memory retrievals in cognitively normal older adults.

Method

A cohort of older participants (N = 45; 25 women; M_age = 77) from the University of Kentucky Alzheimer's Disease Research Center …

Disparities In Discrimination Distress Among U.S. Youth, Delvon T. Mattingly, Meman Diaby, Osayande Agbonlahor, Shyanika W. Rose, Carrie B. Oser, Nancy L. Fleischer, Adam M. Leventhal, Joy L. Hart

Behavioral Science Faculty Publications

Introduction

Racial and ethnic discrimination differentially affects youth in the U.S. However, evidence of U.S. youth discriminatory experiences at the national level is scant.

Methods

Using data from the 2023 National Youth Tobacco Survey on youth aged ≥9 years (N=22,069), the authors used the 15-item Adolescent Discrimination Distress Index to create a binary indicator of any discrimination and mean summary scale (i.e., overall) and subscales (i.e., educational, institutional, and peer) representing frequencies of distress. The authors estimated the distribution of each discrimination measure overall and examined differences by the intersection of gender, race, and ethnicity.

Results

More than half the …

Disparities In Use Modalities Among Adults Who Currently Use Cannabis, 2022–2023, Meman Diaby, Osayande Agbonlahor, Bethany Shorey Fennell, Joy L. Hart, Delvon T. Mattingly

Behavioral Science Faculty Publications

Purpose

Following the legalization of cannabis in several U.S. states, the cannabis market has expanded, leading to a wider range of products including smoked, edible, and vape products which have variable health effects. This proliferation highlights the need for more research on patterns of current cannabis use among U.S. adults.

Methods

We used combined data on adults who currently use (i.e., past 30-day use) cannabis (n = 16,999) from the 2022 and 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. We analyzed whether seven cannabis use modalities including smoking, vaping, dabbing, consuming edibles, taking pills, applying topicals, and absorbing …

Examining The Relationship Between Racial, Ethnic, And Economic Residential Segregation And Cigarette Smoking Among A Nationally Representative Sample Of Young Adults, Shyanika W. Rose, Mary Kay Rayens, Mona Azadi, Elexis C. Kierstead, Amanda Y. Kong, Kimberly Horn

Behavioral Science Faculty Publications

Introduction

Predominantly Black, Hispanic or Latino, and lower-income communities are overexposed to tobacco. This study investigated the relationship between cigarette smoking and racial/ethnic and economic segregation using the Index of Concentration at the Extremes (ICE). Aims and Methods

A nationally representative sample of 4091 (aged 18–34 years) was surveyed between September and October 2016. We calculated census-tract population estimates to form ICE measures for ethnicity, race, income, ethnicity and income, and race and income. Quintiles were determined, with Quintile 1 (Q1) representing the most Hispanic/Latino, Black, and lowest-income neighborhoods and Q5 representing the most non-Hispanic/Latino, White, and highest-income neighborhoods. State …

Psychometric Properties Of The Gad-7 Among College Students: Reliability, Validity, Factor Structure, And Measurement Invariance, Agnes E. White, Justin E. Karr

Psychology Faculty Publications

The GAD-7 (seven-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale) is a brief, freely available questionnaire measuring anxiety, which is a common mental health problem among college students. The current study examined the psychometric properties of the GAD-7 among undergraduate students from a public midwestern university (n = 582; M = 19.0 +/- 1.0 years old; 79.4% women; 81.6% White) who completed the GAD-7, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-Trait subscale (STAI-T), and Behavioral Inhibition and Activation Scale-Reward subscale (BIAS-R). The psychometric properties of two GAD-7 models were examined: a one-factor model, equivalent to a single total score, and a two-factor model, including cognitive-emotional and somatic …

Appalachian Primary Care Patients’ Quit Readiness And Tobacco Treatment Receipt, Jessica L. Burris, Abigayle R. Feather, Asal Pilehvari, Sarah Cooper, Amie M. Ashcraft, Roger Anderson, Amy K. Ferketich

Psychology Faculty Publications

Introduction: Healthcare providers should facilitate smoking cessation, and primary care is an ideal setting for delivering this evidence-based care. This study’s objective was to describe readiness to quit smoking combustible cigarettes among adult Appalachian primary care patients and determine their providers’ implementation of an established tobacco treatment model.

Methods: As part of a randomized clinical trial, 298 providers in 10 health systems across 4 states received tobacco treatment training. Periodically between January 2022 and June 2023, anonymous surveys were distributed to patients after primary care visits. The survey included questions about demographics, visit type, smoking status, readiness to quit, and …

Using Llms To Model Arguments In U.S. Supreme Court Briefs: Preliminary Report, Heng Zheng, Dexter Williams, Bertram Ludäscher

Information Science Faculty Publications

Supreme Court briefs can impact the decision-making of Supreme Court cases. We show how to represent the briefs for a U.S. Supreme Court case as a formal argument model that relies on the briefs’ existing structure. We explore how to generate argument models with large language models (LLMs) by using them to identify attacks between arguments.

Examining The Communication Work Of Women Who Have Tested Brca-Positive: “I Feel This Responsibility To Let People Know”, Summer C. Martin, Allison M. Scott, Anne M. Stone

Communication Faculty Publications

Inheriting a pathogenic variant in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene considerably increases a woman's risk levels for developing breast and ovarian cancer. In addition to serious physical health implications, women with a BRCA pathogenic variant may face psychosocial challenges, including those related to navigating the often demanding process of communicating about topics regarding BRCA with family and other social network members. Based on in-depth interviews with 24 women who tested BRCA-positive, we found that—consistent with the conceptualization of communication work articulated by Donovan-Kicken et al. (2012) as an extension of the theory of illness trajectories (Corbin & Strauss, 1988)—the labor …

A Unique Inflammaging Profile Generated By T Cells From People With Obesity Is Metformin Resistant, S. Santacruz‑Calvo, S. Saraswat, Gabriella Kalantar, E. Zukowski, H. Marszalkowski, Aida Javidan, F. Gholamrezaeinejad, L. P. Bharath, P. A. Kern, X. D. Zhang, Barbara S. Nikolajczyk

Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences Faculty Publications

The alarmingly high prevalence of obesity in older adults coupled with the negative health effects of chronic inflammation in both obesity and aging highlight the importance of studies investigating the impacts of obesity on age-related inflammation. Since shifts in peripheral T-cell metabolism and function drive systemic inflammation in both obesity and aging, we hypothesize that obesity impacts the Th17-dominated inflammaging profile we identified in lean subjects and thus modifies the anti-inflammatory effects of geroprotective drugs like metformin. New cytokine profiling data showed that CD4+ T cells from older people with obesity generate a profile that specifically excludes Th17 cytokines. Metformin …

Bilirubin Hepatic And Intestinal Transport And Catabolism: Physiology, Pathophysiology, And Benefits, Zachary A. Kipp, Sally N. Pauss, Genesee J. Martinez, Terry D. Hinds, Jr., Wang-Hsin Lee

Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences Faculty Publications

Bilirubin, a metabolite derived from heme degradation, has traditionally been regarded as a waste product and a marker of liver injury. However, increasing evidence suggests that bilirubin also functions as a hormone, and reduced levels are associated with metabolic dysfunction. Studies have shown a strong association between low circulating bilirubin levels and an increased risk of metabolic disorders and cardiovascular disease. To advance bilirubin-based treatment strategies, it is essential to elucidate the mechanisms underlying bilirubin transport and metabolism. Therefore, we provide an in-depth discussion of bilirubin production and its subsequent fates, with a particular focus on the transport between the …

Cd47: An Immunoregulatory Nexus In Liver And Gastrointestinal Disorders, Josephine Otuagomah, Alana Newcomb, Taesik Gwag, Shuxia Wang

Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences Faculty Publications

Cluster of differentiation 47 (CD47) is a widely expressed transmembrane protein that serves as a critical immunoregulatory checkpoint in both homeostatic and pathological conditions of the digestive system. It interacts with signal regulatory protein alpha to send a ‘do not eat me’ signal, thereby preventing phagocytosis and shaping immune responses. Beyond immunity, CD47 also influences cell death, growth and metabolism through interactions with integrins and thrombospondin-1. Recent studies implicate CD47 as a central nexus in the pathogenesis of diverse liver and gastrointestinal disorders, including metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis, inflammatory bowel disease, liver ischaemia-reperfusion injury, drug-induced liver …

Gut Microbiome, Neuroinflammation, And Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: Insights From Rodent Models, Abdulrahman M. Busayli, Wenhua Xu, Ghaidaa A. Raffah, Gang Chen

Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences Faculty Publications

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is a significant public health issue that affects children. It results from ethanol exposure during pregnancy, leading to considerable physical, neurodevelopmental, behavioral, and cognitive deficits. The exact mechanism is not well understood. Recently, considerable attention has been focused on the influence of gut microbiome on brain development through the gut–brain axis. Changes in the gut microbiome resulting from ethanol exposure may contribute to the pathology of FASD, potentially involving neuroinflammation. This literature review summarizes the existing research and primary animal studies on the impact of early ethanol exposure on the gut microbiome, neuroinflammation, brain development, …

Calcineurin/Nfat Inhibitors Maintain Cognition In A Preclinical Prevention Study In An Aging Canine Model Of Alzheimer Disease, Lorena Sordo, Margo F. Ubele, Kathy Boaz, Jennifer L. Mefford, Erin Dehnart Jones, Katie L. Mccarty, Hollie Y. Van Rooyen, Jeffrey R. Smiley, Stasia A. Bembenek Bailey, Jessica A. Perpich, Beverly Meacham, David K. Powell, Frederick Bresch, Jacob W. Crump, Michael J. Phelan, Jessica A. Noche, Craig E. Stark, László G. Puskás, Christopher M. Norris, Elizabeth Head

Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences Faculty Publications

Brain signaling of calcineurin (CN) and nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFAT) transcription factor increases in Alzheimer disease (AD) and is associated with synaptic loss, neurodegeneration, neuroinflammation, amyloid-β (Aβ) production, and cognitive decline. CN/NFAT inhibitors ameliorate these neuropathologies in mouse models of AD. Further, chronic use of tacrolimus in transplant patients reduces risk of AD. Beagles naturally develop Aβ plaques and cognitive dysfunction. We evaluated the impact of FDA-approved CN inhibitor, tacrolimus, and experimental NFAT inhibitor, Q134R, on cognitive outcomes during a three-year prevention study in 37 middle-aged beagles. While beagles treated with CN/NFAT inhibitors showed differences in the pattern …

Is Mortality Of A Common Shrub A Heritable Trait? An Experimental Evaluation Of Senescence Using The Coast Willow, Salix Hookeriana., Maylin A. On, Rj Polyack, Sarah Galloway, Erik Jules

Undergraduate Scholarship

In 2009, a common garden study involving Salix hookeriana (called “willows” from hereon) was initiated in which multiple clonal replicates were created and propagated for a total of 675 trees. Since 2009, numerous experiments and observations have been completed using the willows at the study site of Humboldt Bay Wildlife Refuge demonstrating that growth, phenology, and insect communities are influenced by genotype. Our study was aimed at understanding if senescence and mortality are correlated with both plant sex and genotype. In August of 2024, seven replicates from each of the ten genotypes in the experimental array were selected and the …

From Likes To Legislation: How The Internet Has Facilitated Hate Speech, Anti-Dei Discourse And Policy, And Threatens Our Democracy, Carmen Lynn Benavides-Garb

Undergraduate Scholarship

I argue that the way hate speech, and Anti-DEI rhetoric spreads online, through social media and algorithms, has impacted real-world Anti-DEI policies, attitudes, and overall backlash. In this essay I will begin by discussing the four themes found in my literature review, 1) Online Hate Speech, 2) Social Media and Algorithms, 3) Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), and 4) Anti-DEI Movements. From there, I will discuss the historical background of DEI movements in America to provide context about what makes this moment in history unique. I will then discuss the role of the Trump Presidency in relation to Anti-DEI work. …

Sexualized Violence And Community Complicity In Rural Settings, Alex Neel

Undergraduate Scholarship

We know that sexualized violence is not only an individual act of harm, but a structural and cultural phenomenon. Living in a small, rural community, there are unique dynamics around sexualized violence due to structural barriers, limited anonymity, and social/cultural norms. How do these dynamics intersect with rape culture and community complicity?