Digital Commons Network^™

Bacteria Synergized With Pd-1 Blockade Enhance Positive Feedback Loop Of Cancer Cells-M1 Macrophages-T Cells In Glioma, Qi Chen, Yuyi Zheng, Xiaojie Chen, Yuan Xing, Jiajie Zhang, Xinyi Yan, Qi Zhang, Di Wu, Zhong Chen

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Cancer immunotherapy is an attractive strategy because it stimulates immune cells to target malignant cells by regulating the intrinsic activity of the immune system. However, due to lacking many immunologic markers, it remains difficult to treat glioma, a representative "cold" tumor. Herein, to wake the "hot" tumor immunity of glioma, Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) is customized with a coating to create an immunogenic tumor microenvironment and further prove the effect in combination with the immune checkpoint agent anti-PD-1, exhibiting elevated therapeutic efficacy. This is accomplished not by enhancing the delivery of PD-1 blockade to enhance the effect of immunotherapy, but by …

Enhanced Ctla-4 Blockade Anti-Tumor Immunity With Apg-157 Combination In A Murine Head And Neck Cancer, Daniel Sanghoon Shin, Saroj Basak, Mysore S Veena, Begoña Comin-Anduix, Arjun Bhattacharya, Tien S Dong, Albert Ko, Philip Han, Jonathan Jacobs, Neda A Moatamed, Luis Avila, Matteo Pellegrini, Marilene Wang, Eri S Srivatsan

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: A phase I clinical study for patients with locally advanced H&N cancer with a new class of botanical drug APG-157 provided hints of potential synergy with immunotherapy. We sought to evaluate the efficacy of the combination of APG-157 and immune checkpoint inhibitors.

METHODS: CCL23, UM-SCC1 (human), and SCCVII (HPV-), MEER (HPV+) (murine) H&N cancer cell lines were utilized for in vitro and in vivo studies. We measured tumor growth by treating the mice with APG-157, anti-PD-1, and anti-CTLA-4 antibody combinations (8 groups). The tumor microenvironments were assessed by multi-color flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, and RNA-seq analysis. Fecal microbiome was analyzed …

Leveraging Logical Definitions And Lexical Features To Detect Missing Is-A Relations In Biomedical Terminologies, Rashmie Abeysinghe, Fengbo Zheng, Jay Shi, Samden D Lhatoo, Licong Cui

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Biomedical terminologies play a vital role in managing biomedical data. Missing IS-A relations in a biomedical terminology could be detrimental to its downstream usages. In this paper, we investigate an approach combining logical definitions and lexical features to discover missing IS-A relations in two biomedical terminologies: SNOMED CT and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) thesaurus. The method is applied to unrelated concept-pairs within non-lattice subgraphs: graph fragments within a terminology likely to contain various inconsistencies. Our approach first compares whether the logical definition of a concept is more general than that of the other concept. Then, we check whether the …

Mechanical Venous Thrombectomy For Deep Venous Thrombosis In Cancer Patients: A Single-Center Retrospective Study, Riya M Patel, Koustav Pal, Syed Hadi Ahmed, Joshua D Kuban, Milan Patel, Ketan Shah, Peiman Habibollahi, Zeyad Metwalli, Varshana Gurusamy, Sanjay Gupta, Cristhiam M Rojas-Hernandez, Vahid Afshar-Kharghan, Michael H Kroll, Rahul A Sheth

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

PURPOSE: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a major contributor to the mortality of cancer patients. Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is an endovascular technique that physically removes a thrombus without thrombolytics. The purpose of this study was to evaluate safety, efficacy, and clinical outcomes following MT for lower extremity DVT in cancer patients.

METHODS: This single-center, retrospective study evaluated outcomes following MT of lower extremity DVT in cancer patients from November 2019 to May 2023. The primary outcome measure was clinical success, defined as a decrease in Villalta score by at least 2 points following the intervention. Secondary outcomes included repeat intervention-free survival …

Montelukast As A Repurposable Additive Drug For Standard-Efficacy Multiple Sclerosis Treatment: Emulating Clinical Trials With Retrospective Administrative Health Claims Data, Astrid M Manuel, Assaf Gottlieb, Leorah Freeman, Zhongming Zhao

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: Effective and safe treatment options for multiple sclerosis (MS) are still needed. Montelukast, a leukotriene receptor antagonist (LTRA) currently indicated for asthma or allergic rhinitis, may provide an additional therapeutic approach.

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to evaluate the effects of montelukast on the relapses of people with MS (pwMS).

METHODS: In this retrospective case-control study, two independent longitudinal claims datasets were used to emulate randomized clinical trials (RCTs). We identified pwMS aged 18-65 years, on MS disease-modifying therapies concomitantly, in de-identified claims from Optum's Clinformatics

RESULTS: pwMS treated with montelukast demonstrated a statistically significant 23.6% reduction in relapses compared …

Serial Cytoreductive Surgery And Survival Outcomes In Recurrent Adult-Type Ovarian Granulosa Cell Tumors, Jeffrey A How, Alejandra Flores Legarreta, Katelyn F Handley, Bryan Fellman, Katherine I Foster, Deanna Glassman, Veena K Vuttaradhi, Allison L Brodsky, Barrett Lawson, Michael Frumovitz, Shannon N Westin, Lois M Ramondetta, David M Gershenson, Anil K Sood, R Tyler Hillman

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: Few studies have evaluated the role of cytoreductive surgery in patients with recurrent adult granulosa cell tumors of the ovary. Despite a multitude of treatment modalities in the recurrent setting, the optimal management strategy is not known. Cytoreductive surgery offers an attractive option for disease confined to the abdomen/pelvis. However, few studies have evaluated the role of surgery compared with systemic therapy alone following the first recurrence and subsequent disease progressions.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the impact of secondary, tertiary, and quaternary cytoreductive surgery on survival outcomes in recurrent adult granulosa cell tumors of the ovary.

STUDY …

Mr-Guided Stereotactic Radiation Therapy For Head And Neck Cancers, He Wang, Jinzhong Yang, Anna Lee, Jack Phan, Tze Yee Lim, Clifton D Fuller, Eun Young Han, Dong Joo Rhee, Travis Salzillo, Yao Zhao, Nitish Chopra, Mary Pham, Pam Castillo, Angela Sobremonte, Amy C Moreno, Jay P Reddy, David Rosenthal, Adam S Garden, Xin Wang

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

PURPOSE: MR-guided radiotherapy (MRgRT) has the advantage of utilizing high soft tissue contrast imaging to track daily changes in target and critical organs throughout the entire radiation treatment course. Head and neck (HN) stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) has been increasingly used to treat localized lesions within a shorter timeframe. The purpose of this study is to examine the dosimetric difference between the step-and-shot intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) plans on Elekta Unity and our clinical volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) plans on Varian TrueBeam for HN SBRT.

METHOD: Fourteen patients treated on TrueBeam sTx with VMAT treatment plans were …

Modeling Acute Myocardial Infarction And Cardiac Fibrosis Using Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Multi-Cellular Heart Organoids, Myeongjin Song, Da Bin Choi, Jeong Suk Im, Ye Na Song, Ji Hyun Kim, Hanbyeol Lee, Jieun An, Ami Kim, Hwan Choi, Joon-Chul Kim, Choongseong Han, Young Keul Jeon, Sung Joon Kim, Dong-Hun Woo

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Heart disease involves irreversible myocardial injury that leads to high morbidity and mortality rates. Numerous cell-based cardiac in vitro models have been proposed as complementary approaches to non-clinical animal research. However, most of these approaches struggle to accurately replicate adult human heart conditions, such as myocardial infarction and ventricular remodeling pathology. The intricate interplay between various cell types within the adult heart, including cardiomyocytes, fibroblasts, and endothelial cells, contributes to the complexity of most heart diseases. Consequently, the mechanisms behind heart disease induction cannot be attributed to a single-cell type. Thus, the use of multi-cellular models becomes essential for creating …

Mapping Recommendations Towards An Asian Code Against Cancer (Acac) As Part Of The World Code Against Cancer Framework: An Asian National Cancer Centers Alliance (Ancca) Initiative, Sok King Ong, Sarah K Abe, Gillian Li Gek Phua, Harindra Jayasekara, Kayo Togawa, Laureline Gatellier, Jeongseon Kim, Yawei Zhang, Siti Zuhrini Kahan, Siti Norbayah Yusof, Jong Soo Han, C S Pramesh, Manju Sengar, Abhishek Shankar, Clarito Cairo, Suleeporn Sangrajran, Erdenekhuu Nansalmaa, Tseveen Badamsuren, Tashi Dendup, Kinley Tshering, Jie He, R Soeko Werdi Nindito D, Azmi Ritana, Jeong Soo Im, Eun Young Park, Giang Nguyen Huong, Tran Thi Thanh Huong, Mohammed Biglari, Aasim Yusuf, Kishore Kumar Pradhananga, Champadeng Vongdala, Muhammad Taufiq Bin Jaafar, Nor Saleha Ibrahim Tamin, Yi Yi Myint, Kyaw Kan Kaung, Md Shafiur Rahman, Eshani Fernando, Beauta Rath, Babu Sukumaran, William Yk Hwang, Carolina Espina, Joachim Schüz, Manami Inoue, Tomohiro Matsuda

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

This paper outlines the process undertaken by Asian National Cancer Centers Alliance (ANCCA) members in working towards an Asian Code Against Cancer (ACAC). The process involves: (i) identification of the criteria for selecting the existing set of national recommendations for ACAC (ii) compilation of existing national codes or recommendations on cancer prevention (iii) reviewing the scientific evidence on cancer risk factors in Asia and (iv) establishment of one or more ACAC under the World Code Against Cancer Framework. A matrix of national codes or key recommendations against cancer in ANCCA member countries is presented. These include taking actions to prevent …

Effect Of Delayed Cell Infusion In Patients With Large B-Cell Lymphoma Treated With Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy, Andrew P Jallouk, Naishu Kui, Ryan Sun, Jason R Westin, Raphael E Steiner, Ranjit Nair, Loretta J Nastoupil, Luis E Fayad, Ajlan Al Zaki, Misha Hawkins, Sherry Adkins, Mansoor Noorani, Kaberi Das, Jared Henderson, Elizabeth J Shpall, Partow Kebriaei, Jeremy Ramdial, Christopher R Flowers, Sattva S Neelapu, Sairah Ahmed, Paolo Strati

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Complications occurring after lymphodepleting chemotherapy (LDC) may delay chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell infusion. The effect of these delays on clinical outcomes is unclear. We performed a retrospective analysis of 240 patients with relapsed/refractory large B-cell lymphoma treated with standard-of-care axicabtagene ciloleucel (axi-cel) and identified 40 patients (16.7%) who had delay in axi-cel infusion. Of these, 85% had delay due to infection. At time of LDC initiation, patients with delayed infusion had lower absolute neutrophil count (P=0.006), lower platelets (P=0.004), lower hemoglobin (P5 days (4.6 vs. 8.2 months; P=0.036), but not 1 day (5.7 vs. 8.2 months; P=0.238). Following propensity …

Juvenile Report, May 2024, Tennessee. Department Of Correction.

Juvenile Reports

No abstract provided.

The Design And Characterization Of An Enhanced Reference Termination Board For Mipi, Matthew Corso

Master's Theses and Capstones

The Mobile Industry Processor Interface (MIPI) is a collection of protocols primarily used for connecting cameras and displays to processors in mobile devices. These links are asymmetrical in nature. Large amounts of data are sent in one direction and smaller amounts in the other. The speeds at which these protocols operate are continually increasing with each new revision of the specifications. The design of Automated Test Equipment (ATE) used to qualify new transceivers is rapidly falling behind in capability compared to that of the transceivers being currently developed. This thesis explores the design process for a passive M-PHY termination board …

Plant Model Of Α-Synucleinopathy: Expression Of Α-Synuclein A53t Variant In Hairy Root Cultures Leads To Proteostatic Stress And Dysregulation Of Iron Metabolism, Jasmina Kurepa, Kristen A. Bruce, Greg A. Gerhardt, Jan A. Smalle

Neurology Faculty Publications

Synucleinopathies, typified by Parkinson’s disease (PD), entail the accumulation of α- synuclein (αSyn) aggregates in nerve cells. Various αSyn mutants, including the αSyn A53T variant linked to early-onset PD, increase the propensity for αSyn aggregate formation. In addition to disrupting protein homeostasis and inducing proteostatic stress, the aggregation of αSyn in PD is associated with an imbalance in iron metabolism, which increases the generation of reactive oxygen species and causes oxidative stress. This study explored the impact of αSyn A53T expression in transgenic hairy roots of four medicinal plants (Lobelia cardinalis, Artemisia annua, Salvia miltiorrhiza, and Polygonum multiflorum). In all …

Reconceptualizing Self-Directed Learning In The Era Of Generative Ai: An Exploratory Analysis Of Language Learning, Belle Li, Curtis J. Bonk, Chaoran Wang, Xiaojing Kou

Department of Curriculum and Instruction Faculty Publications

This exploratory analysis investigates the integration of ChatGPT in self-directed learning (SDL). Specifically, this study examines YouTube content creators’ language-learning experiences and the role of ChatGPT in their SDL, building upon Song and Hill's conceptual model of SDL in online contexts. Thematic analysis of interviews with 19 YouTubers and relevant video contents reveals distinct constructs of ChatGPT-integrated SDL, suggesting a reconceptualization and refinement of the SDL framework in the consideration of generative artificial intelligence (AI). This framework emphasizes critical aspects of utilizing ChatGPT as an SDL tool on two distinct levels: 1) the interactive relationships and interplay between learners’ personal …

Evaluation Of Critical Weed-Free Period For Three Sweetpotato (Ipomoea Batatas) Cultivars, Emmanuel G. Cooper, Stephen L. Meyers, Jeanine Arana, Katherine Jennings, Ashley Adair, Kevin D. Gibson, William G. Johnson

Department of Horticulture & Landscape Architecture Faculty Publications

Sweetpotato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.] is a staple crop that provides nutritional benefits to humans globally, but it is subject to yield loss when competing with weeds, especially during the early stage of establishment. Yield loss can vary widely based on the cultivar, production environment, weed species, and management techniques. To address this challenge, we conducted field research at the Samuel G. Meigs Horticulture Research Farm, Lafayette, IN, and at the Southwest Purdue Agricultural Center, Vincennes, IN, in 2022 to determine the effect of sweetpotato cultivar on the critical weed-free period. The experiment was a split-plot design, with weed-free interval …

Vol 4 May '24 Cover, Publishing And Table Of Contents, Donna L. Williams

Journal of the Louisiana Public Health Association

No abstract provided.

Adolescent Development Unconsidered - Facts Related To Youth In The Adult Criminl Legal System, Stephen Phillippi

Journal of the Louisiana Public Health Association

After three administrations, including republican and democrat leadership, and over two-decades of bi-partisan justice reform, Louisiana has elected to likely return to a time when we were known as the incarceration capital of the world. There were numerous reasons for the reforms that happened, including federal lawsuits, supreme court rulings, new evidence of what works in juvenile justice, and a renewed focus on community programs to support youth and families (both victims and delinquent youth). These reforms focused on increasing public safety, improving outcomes, being more developmentally responsive, and responsibly lowering reliance on incarceration. The commentary that follows is solely …

Vol 4 May '24 Full Issue, Donna L. Williams

Journal of the Louisiana Public Health Association

No abstract provided.

The Naked Truth: Policy On Tackling The Std Crisis Among Young Adults In Louisiana, Chijindu Eke, Matthew Kelley, Madeline Barclay

Journal of the Louisiana Public Health Association

No abstract provided.

Immigration Exams At Community Healthworx In Alexandria, Louisiana From 2014 To 2023, David J. Holcombe, Joshua Mjolsness

Journal of the Louisiana Public Health Association

No abstract provided.

Pandemic Experiences Among Louisiana Adults: Demographic And Behavioral Correlates, Ariane L. Rung, Evrim Oral, Tyler Prusisz, Edward S. Peters

Journal of the Louisiana Public Health Association

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic negatively affected mental health outcomes. We designed a study to describe the pandemic impacts experienced by adults in Louisiana and examine the characteristics and behaviors associated with them. Methods: 1050 Louisiana residents were surveyed in 2020. A pandemic impact score about respondents’ life experiences was created from 23 items across multiple life domains. Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to estimate adjusted associations between demographics, health behavior characteristics and changes, and the pandemic impact score. Results: Higher levels of pandemic impacts were associated with being married and having children under 18 years in the home. Changes …

Farm To Early Care And Education (Ece) Programming: Assessing Current Activities, Resource, Opportunities, And Challenges In Louisiana, Domonique C. Washington, Elisa Munoz-Miller, Megan B. Knapp

Journal of the Louisiana Public Health Association

No abstract provided.

Assessing Covid-19 Deaths By Occupation And Race: Louisiana 2020-2021, Anna Reilly, Brittany Babin, Rashanda Littles, Susanne Straif-Bourgeois

Journal of the Louisiana Public Health Association

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic underscored significant health disparities, with social determinants such as living conditions and occupation amplifying the risk for severe outcomes in Black residents. This study examines the intersection of occupation, race, and COVID-19 mortality among Louisiana workers in 2020 and 2021, emphasizing the importance of integrating work-related information into public health surveillance. Methods: Occupation and race were collected from the death certificates of Louisiana resident workforce participants aged 18-70 years with COVID-19 listed as a cause of death for 2020 and 2021. COVID-19 mortality rates per 100,000 workers were calculated and compared using rate ratios for occupational …

Using Additional Measures Of Handgrip Strength To Predict Aerobic Capacity In Wheelchair Users, Eric Naugle

All NMU Master's Theses

Manual wheelchair users have been shown to have low physical capacity and impaired ability to perform activities of daily living. Current tests and protocols for assessing physical capacity in wheelchair users have specific boundaries. Measuring handgrip strength (HGS) with electronic handgrip dynamometers has been shown to be a reliable measure of muscle function and a convenient assessment of overall muscle strength. This study aimed to determine the correlation of maximal HGS, HGS rate of force development, HGS fatigability, HGS isometric control, and HGS asymmetry to a six-minute wheelchair propulsion (6MPT) test in ambulatory young adults. Thirty-four recreationally active ambulatory individuals …

Plumbing The Depths Of The Shallow End: Exploring Persistent Homology Using Small Data, R. Anne Flynn

All NMU Master's Theses

Persistent homology is a prominent tool in topological data analysis. This thesis is designed to be an introduction and guide to a beginner in persistent homology. This comprehensive overview discusses the math used behind it, the code needed to apply it, and its current place in the field. We explain and demonstrate the algebraic topology which fuels persistent homology. Homotopies inspire homology groups, which are able to determine how many holes a shape has. By visualizing data as a shape, persistent homology determines what type of holes are present.

We demonstrate this by using the package TDA in the manipulation …

Neurocorrelates Of Character Choice In A Videogame Task, Elijah Nieman

All NMU Master's Theses

An individual’s experience of autonomy or lack thereof has a significant effect on interest and motivation towards everyday activities. The present study looks to expand on basic research by examining the neurocorrelates of interest following supporting and thwarting of autonomy through character choice in a videogame task. Previous research has demonstrated an important role of digital avatars on perceived autonomy and interest, and early neurological results have shown that choice of visual frame affects reward processing of task outcomes. Together, autonomy supports seem to enhance engagement and interest in a situation. In the present work, participants were presented with five …

Evaluating Embryo Survival Of Surrogate Fish Species Using Multiple Incubators: Continuing Efforts Towards Reintroducing Arctic Grayling (Thymallus Arcticus) Into Lower Michigan Streams, Joshua Mutchler

All NMU Master's Theses

Arctic Grayling Thymallus arcticus have been successfully reintroduced to the Upper Missouri River Basin of Montana using Remote Site Incubators (RSI). Widespread use of RSIs as part of reintroduction efforts in Michigan is challenged by low gradient streams, which limit deployment success. In this study, I evaluated the utility of an alternative instream rearing device, the Floating Basket Incubator (FBI), by directly comparing the survival of Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss, Brook Trout Salvelinus fontinalis, and Walleye Sander vitreus (as Arctic Grayling surrogates) between RSI and FBI in stream and hatchery environments. In addition, I assessed how abiotic and …

Restoring Meaning Through Leisure: Exploring The Benefits Of Leisure-Focused Occupational Therapy For Individuals With Neurological Diagnoses, Elizabeth Rose Stoutland

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

There are limited findings in occupational therapy literature on leisure, despite being a highly meaningful area of occupation that has implications for both physical and mental health. This poster describes an occupational therapy Capstone experience in adaptive sports and inpatient rehabilitation at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center related to leisure restoration. The student investigated the role of occupational therapy in restoring leisure and recreation for individuals with neurological conditions and achieved the following main goals: (Goal 1) to gain skills in adaptive recreation for individuals with neurological conditions, and (Goal 2) to determine how leisure exploration can be implemented in …

The Importance Of Preferred Meaningful Occupations For Children With Medically Complex Conditions, Kaylee S. Schmit

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

Children with medically complex conditions experience limitations in their ability to engage in preferred meaningful occupations. Additionally, when these children are in the hospital setting, the environment poses another barrier to accessing preferred meaningful occupation opportunities. This capstone project aimed to explore how preferred meaningful occupations could be utilized with children with medically complex conditions in the pediatric inpatient setting. The literature and needs assessment indicated the need for preferred meaningful occupations to be used as a motivator and a way to target specific skills a patient wanted to regain. With the focus of occupational therapy on return to occupation …

Occupational Therapy Services In Pediatric Mental Health, Hallie Jerome

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

Children and youth experiencing mental health concerns often have limited or decreased engagement in meaningful occupations. Additionally, children and youth who experience mental health concerns at an early age are more likely to experience negative health outcomes such as poor occupational engagement, academic achievement, adverse childhood experiences (ACES), maltreatment/abuse/neglect, family and peer conflict/rejection, low self-esteem, early substance use, and many others impacting their overall health and well-being. My capstone project aimed to administer occupation-based interventions in a pediatric mental health program while I advance my skills working with an interdisciplinary team. The literature and needs assessment indicated a need for …