Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Treatment Guidelines For Hyponatremia: Stay The Course, Richard H Sterns, Helbert Rondon-Berrios, Horacio J Adrogué, Tomas Berl, Volker Burst, David M Cohen, Mirjam Christ-Crain, Martin Cuesta, Guy Decaux, Michael Emmett, Aoife Garrahy, Fabrice Gankam-Kengne, John K Hix, Ewout J Hoorn, Kamel S Kamel, Nicolaos E Madias, Alessandro Peri, Julie Refardt, Mitchell H Rosner, Mark Sherlock, Stephen M Silver, Alain Soupart, Chris J Thompson, Joseph G Verbalis

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

International guidelines designed to minimize the risk of complications that can occur when correcting severe hyponatremia have been widely accepted for a decade. On the basis of the results of a recent large retrospective study of patients hospitalized with hyponatremia, it has been suggested that hyponatremia guidelines have gone too far in limiting the rate of rise of the serum sodium concentration; the need for therapeutic caution and frequent monitoring of the serum sodium concentration has been questioned. These assertions are reminiscent of a controversy that began many years ago. After reviewing the history of that controversy, the evidence supporting …

Patient Questions Surrounding Posterior Nasal Nerve Ablation For Chronic Rhinitis, Daniel Gorelik, Samuel E Razmi, Robert Kenneth Sims, Aatin K Dhanda, Masayoshi Takashima, Ella S Brissett, Nicholas R Rowan, Michael T Yim, Najm Khan, Meha G Fox, Omar G Ahmed

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

OBJECTIVE: In-office ablation of the posterior nasal nerve (PNN) has emerged as an effective treatment option for chronic rhinitis patients. This study explored questions patients commonly search online regarding this therapy and the quality of content available.

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective analysis of online search criteria and sources was performed with subsequent analysis of results.

SETTING: Search and data acquisition was in September of 2023.

METHODS: Most common search terms related to cryotherapy and radiofrequency neurolysis of the PNN were identified with associated People Also Ask (PAA) questions. Questions were categorized and organized into subtopics and sources evaluated using readability …

Expert Review Of Child And Caregiver Critiques Of A Therapeutic Guided Imagery Therapy Mobile Application Targeting Disorders Of Gut-Brain Interaction In Children, John M Hollier, Tiantá A Strickland, C Michael Fordis, Robert J Shulman, Debbe Thompson

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

BACKGROUND: A guided imagery therapy mobile application (GIT App) is a novel platform for treating children with disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBI). Previous feedback from child/caregiver dyads suggested modifications for our App prototype. However, their feedback had the potential to affect the intervention's efficacy. Thus, we aimed to have their critiques vetted by relevant experts prior to further App refinement.

OBJECTIVE: Compare expert reviews of the GIT App with end-users' (i.e., child/caregiver dyads') feedback.

METHODS: This mixed-methods study with experts included a hands-on App evaluation, a survey assessing usability, and focus groups comparing their perspectives with those previously provided by …

Protein Biomarkers Gdf15 And Fgf21 To Differentiate Mitochondrial Hepatopathies From Other Pediatric Liver Diseases, Johan L K Van Hove, Marisa W Friederich, Dana K Strode, Roxanne A Van Hove, Kristen R Miller, Rohit Sharma, Hardik Shah, Jane Estrella, Linda Gabel, Simon Horslen, Rohit Kohli, Mark A Lovell, Alexander G Miethke, Jean P Molleston, Rene Romero, James E Squires, Estella M Alonso, Stephen L Guthery, Binita M Kamath, Kathleen M Loomes, Philip Rosenthal, Krupa R Mysore, Laurel A Cavallo, Pamela L Valentino, John C Magee, Shikha S Sundaram, Ronald J Sokol, Childhood Liver Disease Research Network (Children)

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

BACKGROUND: Mitochondrial hepatopathies (MHs) are primary mitochondrial genetic disorders that can present as childhood liver disease. No recognized biomarkers discriminate MH from other childhood liver diseases. The protein biomarkers growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) and fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) differentiate mitochondrial myopathies from other myopathies. We evaluated these biomarkers to determine if they discriminate MH from other liver diseases in children.

METHODS: Serum biomarkers were measured in 36 children with MH (17 had a genetic diagnosis); 38 each with biliary atresia, α1-antitrypsin deficiency, and Alagille syndrome; 20 with NASH; and 186 controls.

RESULTS: GDF15 levels compared to controls were …

Hepatic Failure And Hyperbilirubinemia Secondary To Hemolytic Disease Of The Newborn, Matthew Reinhardt, Marya L Strand, Dajana Sabic

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Anti-D antibody is the most common cause of hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN). Other antigens have emerged, causing significant damage to the newborn. We report a case of a 31-week dichorionic diamniotic twin born emergently to a mother with anti-C and anti-D antibodies who required multiple percutaneous umbilical cord blood sampling (PUBS) and transfusions. Extensive resuscitation at birth was required due to severe anemia, hypovolemia, and prematurity. Ensuing liver damage occurred with subsequent profound coagulopathy, transaminitis, and direct hyperbilirubinemia that required significant support. This patient developed several unique findings including the inability to monitor oxygen saturations due to dermal …

Revolutionizing Psoriasis Topical Treatment: Enhanced Efficacy Through Ceramide/Phospholipid Composite Cerosomes Co-Delivery Of Cyclosporine And Dithranol: In-Vitro, Ex-Vivo, And In-Vivo Studies, Sammar Fathy Elhabal, Nashwa Abdelaal, Saeed A S Al-Zuhairy, Mohamed Fathi Mohamed Elrefai, Mohamed Mansour Khalifa, Mohammad Ahmad Khasawneh, Ahmed Mohsen Elsaid Hamdan, Passant M Mohie, Rania A Gad, Soad L Kabil, Mohamed Kandeel El-Ashery, Bhaskara R Jasti, Nahla A Elzohairy, Nehal Elfar, Tayseer Elnawawy, Fatma E Hassan, Mohamed Ahmed El-Nabarawi

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

PURPOSE: Improving the treatment of psoriasis is a serious challenge today. Psoriasis is an immune-mediated skin condition affecting 125 million people worldwide. It is commonly treated with cyclosporine-A (CsA) and dithranol (DTH). CsA suppresses the activation of T-cells, immune cells involved in forming psoriatic lesions. Meanwhile, DTH is a potent anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative drug that effectively reduces the severity of psoriasis symptoms such as redness, scaling, and skin thickness. CsA and DTH belong to BCS class II with limited oral bioavailability. We aim to develop a drug delivery system for topical co-delivery of CsA and DTH, exploring its therapeutic potential. …

Statins And The Risk Of Pancreatic Cancer: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis Of 2,797,186 Patients, Eryka Karbowska, Damian Swieczkowski, Aleksandra Gasecka, Michal Pruc, Kamil Safiejko, Jerzy R Ladny, Tomasz Kopiec, Milosz J Jaguszewski, Krzysztof J Filipiak, Zubaid Rafique, Lukasz Szarpak

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

BACKGROUND: Statin use in many studies is related to the improvement of a patients' condition including reducing the risk of various malignancies. Herein, is a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine the evidence on the association between statin therapy and the risk of the occurrence of pancreatic cancer, mainly in terms of decreased risk of developing pancreatic cancer among patients using statin therapy in the long-term perspective.

METHODS: PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) were searched from database inception to December 1st, 2021. Random effect models were used to estimate summary odds ratios …

Editorial: Managing Cancer Metastasis By Tackling Anticancer Drug Resistance, Erxi Wu, Zhongzhi Wu, Chao-Yie Yang, Dan Qi, Xiaoxiao Hu, Wei Li

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

No abstract provided.

The Impact Of Obesity-Associated Glycine Deficiency On The Elimination Of Endogenous And Exogenous Metabolites Via The Glycine Conjugation Pathway, Hong Chang Tan, Jean W Hsu, E Shyong Tai, Shaji Chacko, Jean-Paul Kovalik, Farook Jahoor

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

BACKGROUND: Glycine is an integral component of the human detoxification system as it reacts with potentially toxic exogenous and endogenously produced compounds and metabolites via the glycine conjugation pathway for urinary excretion. Because individuals with obesity have reduced glycine availability, this detoxification pathway may be compromised. However, it should be restored after bariatric surgery because of increased glycine production.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the impact of obesity-associated glycine deficiency on the glycine conjugation pathway. We hypothesize that the synthesis rates of acylglycines from endogenous and exogenous sources are significantly reduced in individuals with obesity but increase after bariatric surgery.

METHODS: We …

The Tb27 Transcriptomic Model For Predicting Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Culture Conversion, Maja Reimann, Korkut Avsar, Andrew R Dinardo, Torsten Goldmann, Gunar Günther, Michael Hoelscher, Elmira Ibraim, Barbara Kalsdorf, Stefan H E Kaufmann, Niklas Köhler, Anna M Mandalakas, Florian P Maurer, Marius Müller, Dörte Nitschkowski, Ioana D Olaru, Cristina Popa, Andrea Rachow, Thierry Rolling, Helmut J F Salzer, Patricia Sanchez-Carballo, Maren Schuhmann, Dagmar Schaub, Victor Spinu, Elena Terhalle, Markus Unnewehr, Nika J Zielinski, Jan Heyckendorf, Christoph Lange

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

RATIONALE: Treatment monitoring of tuberculosis patients is complicated by a slow growth rate of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Recently, host RNA signatures have been used to monitor the response to tuberculosis treatment.

OBJECTIVE: Identifying and validating a whole blood-based RNA signature model to predict microbiological treatment responses in patients on tuberculosis therapy.

METHODS: Using a multi-step machine learning algorithm to identify an RNA-based algorithm to predict the remaining time to culture conversion at flexible time points during anti-tuberculosis therapy.

RESULTS: The identification cohort included 149 patients split into a training and a test cohort, to develop a multistep algorithm consisting of …

Pre-Left Ventricular Assist Device Endoscopic Evaluation Does Not Reduce The Risk Of Later Gastrointestinal Bleeding: A Multicenter Study, Jiahao Peng, Samanthika Devalaraju, Mohamed Azab, William T Cates, Molly Stone, Jonathan Reichstein, Sneha Shaha, Subhasis Chatterjee, Andrew B Civitello, Mourad H Senussi, B Joseph Elmunzer, Michael Volk, Wasseem Skef

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

BACKGROUND: Gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) is a common complication after placement of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD). Some institutions attempt to mitigate post-LVAD GIB using preoperative endoscopy. Our study evaluated whether preoperative endoscopy was associated with a lower risk of post-LVAD GIB.

METHODS: This was a multicenter cohort study of patients who underwent LVAD insertion from 2010-2019 at 3 academic sites. A total of 398 study participants were categorized based on whether they underwent preoperative endoscopy or not. The follow-up period was 1 year and the primary outcome was GIB. Secondary outcomes were severe bleeding and intraprocedural complications.

RESULTS: A …

Stroke Survivors’ Telemedicine Experiences During The Covid-19 Pandemic: A Phenomenological Investigation, Barbara Kimmel, Annette Walder, Anette Ovalle, Chethan P Venkatasubba Rao, Sean I Savitz, Mark Goldberg, Steven Warach, Salvador Cruz-Flores, Daiwai M Olson, Jane A Anderson

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

PURPOSE: This study aimed to describe stroke survivors' experiences receiving telemedicine visits at the Lone Star Stroke Consortium during the COVID-19 pandemic.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A qualitative descriptive phenomenological design was applied to gather patients' telemedicine experiences through in-depth interviews, using a study guide. Audio-recorded interviews were conducted via ZOOM and transcribed verbatim. Two independent reviewers used the Giorgi descriptive method to analyze the data and search for the essence of stroke survivors' follow-up telemedicine experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic.

RESULTS: Fifteen underserved patients were recruited: mean age, 51.8 (15.7), and 9 (60%) females. Three themes emerged: (1) vivid memory …

A Woman With Bilateral Pheochromocytoma And Tuberous Sclerosis Complex, Maleeha Zahid, Shalini Koshy, Jawairia Shakil, Helmi S Khadra, Luan D Truong, Archana R Sadhu

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma (PPGL) are rare neuroendocrine tumors. Here, we report an unusual case of synchronous PPGL in an asymptomatic patient with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC).

CASE REPORT: A 49-year-old woman with a history of TSC and end-stage renal disease was referred for evaluation of bilateral adrenal and retroperitoneal masses. She denied chest pain, palpitations, headaches, or previous hypertensive crisis. The laboratory test results showed a plasma normetanephrine level of 20.20 nmol/L (normal range, 0.00-0.89 nmol/L) and plasma chromogranin A level Chromogranin A (CgA) levels of 1518 ng/mL (normal range, 0-103 ng/mL). The plasma metanephrine level was normal. After …

Long-Term Efficacy And Safety Of Cardiac Genome Editing For Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia, Oliver M Moore, Yuriana Aguilar-Sanchez, Satadru K Lahiri, Mohit M Hulsurkar, J Alberto Navarro-Garcia, Tarah A Word, Joshua A Keefe, Dean Barazi, Elda M Munivez, Charles T Moore, Vaidya Parthasarathy, Jaysón Davidson, William R Lagor, So Hyun Park, Gang Bao, Christina Y Miyake, Xander H T Wehrens

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

INTRODUCTION: Heterozygous autosomal-dominant single nucleotide variants in RYR2 account for 60% of cases of catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT), an inherited arrhythmia disorder associated with high mortality rates. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing is a promising therapeutic approach that can permanently cure the disease by removing the mutant RYR2 allele. However, the safety and long-term efficacy of this strategy have not been established in a relevant disease model.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to assess whether adeno-associated virus type-9 (AAV9)-mediated somatic genome editing could prevent ventricular arrhythmias by removal of the mutant allele in mice that are heterozygous for

METHODS …

Increasing Social Determinants Of Health Screening Rates Among Six Endocrinology Centers Across The United States: Results From The T1d Exchange Quality Improvement Collaborative, Ori Odugbesan, Trevon Wright, Nana-Hawa Yayah Jones, Selorm Dei-Tutu, Mary Pat Gallagher, Emily Dewit, Roberto E Izquierdo, Marisa Desimone, Nicole Rioles, Osagie Ebekozien

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Social determinants of health (SDOH) are strongly associated with outcomes for people with type 1 diabetes. Six centers in the T1D Exchange Quality Improvement Collaborative applied quality improvement principles to design iterative Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles to develop and expand interventions to improve SDOH screening rates. The interventions tested include staff training, a social risk index, an electronic health record patient-facing portal, partnerships with community organizations, and referrals to community resources. All centers were successful in improving SDOH screening rates, with individual site improvements ranging from 41 to 70% and overall screening across the six centers increasing from a baseline of 1% …

Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting In A Patient With Multivessel Disease And Dextrocardia With Situs Inversus Totalis, Rohit Shahani, Adham Ahmed, Frank M Rosell, Alexander Iribarne

The Texas Heart Institute Journal

Dextrocardia with situs inversus totalis is a rare hereditary condition characterized by reversed orientation of the major thoracic and abdominal organs. Though dextrocardia itself is not believed to increase the risk of coronary artery disease, the workup and surgical management of patients with this condition may be technically challenging to heart team clinicians. This report describes the case management of a high-risk 56-year-old man with dextrocardia who presented with multivessel coronary artery disease.

Mitral Valve Regurgitation In Klippel-Feil Syndrome With Related Thoracic Deformity, Yuki Endo, Yoshiei Shimamura, Hiroshi Niinami

The Texas Heart Institute Journal

Klippel-Feil syndrome, characterized by congenital fusion of any 2 or more cervical vertebrae, is a rare disorder in which skeletal and other organ system-related abnormalities have been reported. This article reports a case of mitral valve regurgitation in a patient with Klippel-Feil syndrome and related thoracic deformity who underwent mitral valvuloplasty. Postoperatively, the mitral valve regurgitation disappeared, and there has been no recurrence for 3 years. This case highlights mitral valvuloplasty via median sternotomy as an excellent treatment for mitral valve regurgitation in a patient with thoracic deformity related to Klippel-Feil syndrome.

Does Serum Uric Acid To Creatinine Ratio Predict Mortality Risk In Patients With Heart Failure, Xiaoqing Xi, Jinfeng Cai, Chen Zhang, Xuefei Wang

The Texas Heart Institute Journal

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have established a positive correlation between serum uric acid to creatinine (SUA/Cr) ratio and cardiovascular disease, but the relationship between SUA/Cr ratio and the prognosis of heart failure (HF) remains unknown. This study investigated the potential of SUA/Cr ratio as a prognostic predictor for patients with HF.

METHODS: This single-center prospective cohort study enrolled 2,122 patients with HF between March 2013 and June 2017. All patients were divided into 3 groups according to SUA/Cr ratio tertiles and were followed up with until December 31, 2022. The association between SUA/Cr ratio and the prognosis of HF was assessed …

Implementation Of A Pilot Quality Improvement Project To Guide The Administration Of Intraoperative Dexamethasone For Postoperative Nausea And Vomiting Prophylaxis In Patients With Diabetes Undergoing Orthopedic Procedures, Brittany W. Hall

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Background: At a local tertiary care hospital, there was no recommendation to guide anesthesia providers in the administration of intraoperative dexamethasone to patients with diabetes. While dexamethasone is a highly effective antiemetic, it may promote hyperglycemia in patients with diabetes.

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to guide and educate about current recommendations for the administration of dexamethasone for PONV prophylaxis in patients with diabetes.

Intervention: 1) Examined pre-intervention practices of dexamethasone administration. 2) Educated about current and best practices to anesthesia staff. 3) Developed badge buddy cards outlining the guideline. 4) Examined post-intervention practices. 5) Evaluated the effect …

Limb Speed Perception Accuracy In Neurodegenerative Disease, Brandmeir Lynn Cheryl

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Movement is a fundamental human activity, enabling us to engage with our surroundings. Consequently, a well-operating neuromuscular system is essential for maintaining quality of life. Motion is not only integral for the basic function of daily living, but also plays a significant role in enhancing our physical, mental, and emotional health. The importance of this system becomes abundantly clear when it is compromised, such as with neurodegenerative disease.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD), followed by Parkinson’s disease (PD) are the two most common neurodegenerative diseases that profoundly affect millions of individuals worldwide (Lamptey et al., 2022). Characterized by distinct but sometimes overlapping …

Dual Suppression Of Glossina Pallidipes Using Entomopathogenic Fungal-Based Biopesticides And Sterile Insect Technique, Fidelis L.O. Ombura, Adly M.M. Abd-Alla, Komivi S. Akutse, Steven Runo, Paul O. Mireji, Rosemary Bateta, Joseck E. Otiwi, Inusa J. Ajene, Fathiya M. Khamis

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Tsetse flies and trypanosomosis significantly impact bovine production and human health in sub-Saharan Africa, exacerbating underdevelopment, malnutrition, and poverty. Despite various control strategies, long-term success has been limited. This study evaluates the combined use of entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) and the sterile insect technique (SIT) to combat tsetse flies. Eleven EPF isolates were tested against teneral males of Glossina pallidipes, focusing on mortality rates, radial growth, and impacts on fly fitness. Temperature effects on conidial growth, sporulation, and spore yield of SIT-compatible/tolerant strains were also assessed. The fungal isolates significantly influenced mortality rates in both unirradiated and irradiated (SIT-treated) males (p <  0.0001). Metarhizium anisopliae strains ICIPE 20, ICIPE 32, ICIPE 41, ICIPE 62, ICIPE 78, and Beauveria bassiana ICIPE 603 showed higher SIT compatibility/tolerance with LT50 values of 11–30 days, compared to other more virulent isolates with LT50 values of 4–9 days. Temperature significantly affected the radial growth of SIT-compatible EPF strains (p <  0.0001), with M. anisopliae ICIPE 78 exhibiting the fastest conidia growth at 25°C. Spore yield varied significantly across temperatures (15–40°C), and the thermal range for conidia germination of SIT-compatible strains was 8.1–45.4°C, with an optimal range of 26.7–31.1°C. Moreover, infected unirradiated females and irradiated males (donors) successfully transmitted conidia to untreated flies (receivers) without significant differences in survival rates (p = 0.6438) and no observed sex dimorphism. Our findings highlight the potential of combining EPF and SIT as a novel dual approach that could effectively and synergistically suppress tsetse fly populations.

Tissue-Specific Localization Of Tick-Borne Pathogens In Ticks Collected From Camels In Kenya: Insights Into Vector Competence, Rua Khogali, Armanda Bastos, Joel L. Bargul, Dennis Getange, James Kabii, Daniel Masiga, Jandouwe Villinger

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Background: Tick-borne pathogen (TBP) surveillance studies often use whole-tick homogenates when inferring tick-pathogen associations. However, localized TBP infections within tick tissues (saliva, hemolymph, salivary glands, and midgut) can inform pathogen transmission mechanisms and are key to disentangling pathogen detection from vector competence. Methods: We screened 278 camel blood samples and 504 tick tissue samples derived from 126 camel ticks sampled in two Kenyan counties (Laikipia and Marsabit) for Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Coxiella, Rickettsia, Theileria, and Babesia by PCR-HRM analysis. Results: Candidatus Anaplasma camelii infections were common in camels (91%), but absent in all samples from Rhipicephalus pulchellus, Amblyomma gemma, Hyalomma dromedarii, …

Harnessing Antagonistic Pleiotropy: Tolc-Dependent Coliphages Can Drive Reduced Antibiotic Resistance In E. Coli, Cooper Mckenna

CMC Senior Theses

The rise of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial pathogens has been a growing concern in healthcare around the world, and bacteriophage (phage) therapy is a promising method to combat MDR infections. One defense mechanism of E. coli against antibiotics is the TolC-AcrAB efflux pump. At the same time, some phages use TolC as a surface receptor to infect the cell. This puts TolC at a crossroads in which it is beneficial to the bacteria to protect against antibiotics but harmful by allowing phage infection, creating the potential for evolutionary trade-offs. Previous research has identified only three TolC-dependent phages and shown phage-resistant E. …

Gut Dysbiosis Correlates With Covid-19 Severity, Ednita Escobar

CMC Senior Theses

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) impacts not only respiratory but also gut and oral microbiomes, influencing the manifestations of COVID-19. Each person’s unique microbiome consists of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses, some of which are symbiotic and others potentially harmful. Alterations in the gut microbiome, specifically, can affect the severity and symptoms of COVID-19. A review of studies indicate a pattern of gut dysbiosis in COVID-19 patients characterized by a decrease in beneficial microbiota and/or an increase in opportunistic pathogens. This gut imbalance correlates with disease severity, suggesting that the gut microbiome plays a significant role …

Driven By Change: The Impact Of Macroeconomic Shifts And Covid-19 On New Vehicle Sales, Jackson Aldrich

CMC Senior Theses

This paper examines the impact of macroeconomic factors and the COVID-19 pandemic on new vehicle sales. In order to address these two topics, a two-pronged approach was used with separate regression models. The macroeconomic variables include monthly supply of new homes, CPI for urban public transportation, unemployment rate, disposable personal income, inflation expectation, consumer sentiment, average gas prices, and total vehicle miles traveled which were regressed on total vehicle sales from 1978-2022. The regression results confirmed and supported current literature and highlighted the importance of the housing market and unemployment rate on new vehicle sales. The COVID-19 pandemic model variables …

Exploring The Impact Of Caffeine, Alcohol, And Opioids On Intraocular Pressure: A Comprehensive Analysis Of Short-Term And Long-Term Effects On Vision, Jake Prieto

CMC Senior Theses

Coffee, alcohol, and opioids are addictive drugs commonly used in modern society, yet their impact on ocular health remains ambiguous. This systematic review aims to elucidate this ambiguity by examining their effects on intraocular pressure (IOP). Utilizing IOP as a metric, both short-term and long-term effects are evaluated across individuals with irregular IOP levels and healthy subjects. Furthermore, the study analyzes choroidal thickness as an additional measure to reinforce or challenge the findings regarding IOP, leveraging the inverse relationship between the two metrics concerning elevated IOP-related illnesses, such as open-angle glaucoma (OAG).

A comprehensive literature search was performed through Google …

Employing A Machine Learning Approach In Precision Oncology To Predict Pik3ca Functional Status And Identify Phenocopying Variants Of Deleterious Pik3ca Mutations, Javier Castillo

CMC Senior Theses

The following proposal describes a modular machine learning approach that detects malfunctioning genes and pathways in cancer using the transcriptome of cancer patients. The transcriptome is underused in precision oncology and, combined with machine learning, can aid in the identification of hidden responders. Applied to the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, this method can be used to predict PIK3CA functional status and identify phenocopying variants of deleterious PIK3CA mutations. The classifier will do this by integrating RNA-seq, copy number, and mutation data from tumors to determine the functional status of PIK3CA using a set of learned gene-specific weights. The classifier will then be …

Parkinson's Disease And Other Alzheimer's Disease And Related Dementia Pathologies And The Progression Of Parkinsonism In Older Adults, Aron S Buchman, Lei Yu, Shahram Oveisgharan, Andrea R Zammit, Tianhao Wang, Joshua M Shulman, Veronique Vanderhorst, Sukrit Nag, David A Bennett

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

BACKGROUND: The interrelationship of parkinsonism, Parkinson's disease (PD) and other Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) pathologies is unclear.

OBJECTIVE: We examined the progression of parkinsonian signs in adults with and without parkinsonism, and their underlying brain pathologies.

METHODS: Annual parkinsonian signs were based on a modified Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale. We used linear mixed effects models to compare the progression of parkinsonian signs in 3 groups categorized based on all available clinical evaluations: Group1 (never parkinsonism or clinical PD), Group2 (ever parkinsonism, but never clinical PD), Group3 (ever clinical PD). In decedents, we examined …

Prevalence Of Congenital Anomalies According To Maternal Race And Ethnicity, Texas, 1999–2018, Jeremy M Schraw, Elwin Jaime, Charles J Shumate, Mark A Canfield, Philip J Lupo

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

BACKGROUND: Few studies of congenital anomalies provide prevalence estimates stratified by maternal race/ethnicity. We sought to determine whether the prevalence of a broad spectrum of anomalies varies among offspring of women from different race/ethnic groups.

METHODS: We obtained information on cases with anomalies from the population-based Texas Birth Defects Registry, and denominator data on livebirths among Texas residents during 1999-2018 from the Texas Center for Health Statistics. We estimated the prevalence ratio (PR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of N = 145 anomalies among offspring of Hispanic and non-Hispanic Black relative to non-Hispanic White women using Poisson regression, adjusting for …

Multiple Sclerosis In Central America And Caribbean Countries: Frequency And Clinical Characterization Of An Emergent Disease, Fernando Gracia, Deyanira A Ramírez Navarro, Nicia E Ramírez Sánchez, Roberto Weiser, Alexander Parajeles-Vindas, Ligia I Portillo Rivera, Ericka López Torres, Luis A García Valle, Alfredo Sanabria-Castro, César Abdón López, Pahola Araujo, Maria J Ayerdis Zamora, Andrea Balmaceda-Meza, Aron Benzadon Cohen, Awilda Candelario Cueto, Diego Castillo, Romy Castro-Escobar, Karla Z Corea Urbina, Anyeri De Peña Rivas, Octavio Duarte Sotelo, Temís Enamorado Claros, José L Giroud Benítez, Karla Gracia, Mario Larreategui, Jorge A Martínez Cerrato, Josmarlin P Medina Báez, Carlos E Menjivar Samayoa, Gustavo Miranda-Loria, Priscilla Monterrey-Alvarez, Lilliam A Morales Arguello, Michelle Ortiz, Carlos D Pérez Baldioceda, Lizeth Pinilla Aguilar, Luis C Rodríguez Salinas, Virginia Rodríguez-Moreno, Sebastián Rojas-Chaves, Norbel Román-Garita, Biany Santos Pujols, Carlos Valderrama, Ivonne Van Sijtveld, Indhira Zabala Angeles, Victor M Rivera, Blas Armien

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

BACKGROUND: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a common neurological disease among white populations of European origin. Frequencies among Latin Americans continue to be studied, however, epidemiologic, and clinical characterization studies lack from Central American and Caribbean countries. Ethnicity in these countries is uniformly similar with a prevalent Mestizo population.

METHODS AND RESULTS: Data from January 2014 to December 2019 from Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Dominican Republic, and Aruba on demographic, clinical, MRI and phenotypic traits were determined in coordinated studies: ENHANCE, a population-based, retrospective, observational study on incidence and clinical characteristics, and from the subgroup with MS …