Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Effects Of Maternal Separation And Adolescent Stress On Microglial Levels In The Adult Brain, Joseph Noel-Torres, James Porter, Phd, Kimberly Santos-Avilés, Anixa Hernández-López

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Early life stress, such as maternal separation, has been associated with depressive-like symptoms in adult rats. Previous studies have linked depression with reduced activation of microglia in different parts of the brain. Microglia are important for neuronal transmission and plasticity, both of which are affected by stress. However, whether developmental stress alters microglial function to cause depression in adulthood is not fully understood. We hypothesized that exposing rats to early life stress would lead to depressive-like symptoms in adults that would be associated with reduce microglial levels in the brain. To test this hypothesis, male and female rats were maternally …

Exploring Sexual Transmitted Infections Rates Within The High School Populations And Sexual Health Behaviors Within A Community College Population: The Need To Provide Effective Sexual Education Programs, Erika Mcphetridge, Sarah Baron, Ed.D, Mph

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) is an umbrella term for bacterial, viral and parasitic infections that are transmitted through sexual contact. California Department of Public Health data ranks Kern County second worst in the state for congenital syphilis and chlamydia, third worst in the state for primary and secondary syphilis, and seventh worst in the state for gonorrhea. The incidence rates continue to increase in Kern County and especially within teenage and young adult populations.

This study explored the patterns and characteristics of STI incidence rates in Kern High School District (KHSD) and sexual health behaviors in a local community college. …

Exploring Characteristics Of Condom Use Among A College Population, Erika Mcphetridge, Sarah Baron, Ed.D, Mph, David A. Baron, Ed.D, Mph

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

The increasing lack of condom use puts young people at risk for a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI), which can lead to long term health consequences. This study was administered within Kern County, California. Kern County ranked second worst in California for chlamydia, and fourth worst for primary and secondary syphilis (California Department of Public Health, 2018). The study used archival data from Bakersfield College, which administered the American College Health Care Administrations (ACHA) survey as a need assessments and to drive health education plans.

Bakersfield College students (N=1,483) completed the survey of which 36 questions pertained to sexual behavior and …

Effects Of A Histone Methyltransferase Inhibitor On Fertility On A Rat Model Of Endometriosis, Diego Garcia, Inevy Seguinot Tarafa, Idhaliz Flores, Phd

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent, inflammatory disease that affects 5-10% of women of reproductive age. It is defined as the growth of functioning endometrium outside the uterus that results in severe pelvic pain and often infertility. Currently, endometriosis has no cure, and available treatments have limited efficacy and side effects. Epigenetics play a key role in the etiology of this disease, and we have previously shown that treatment with histone methyltransferase inhibitors (HMTi) in an animal model of endometriosis significantly decreases vesicle development, suggesting the potential use of epigenetic drugs for endometriosis. The objective of this study was to investigate the …

Investigating The Aquatic Ecosystem Of The Kenektok River In Quinhagak, Alaska, Ashley Forbes, Noehealani Antolin, Carolee Dodge Francis

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Water quality is defined by several characteristics: chemical, physical, biological, and radiological. Water quality is important in Alaskan communities due to the reliance of subsistence hunting like fishing to meet cultural and spiritual needs. A healthy aquatic system is achieved when water quality is not altered or disturbed. The objective of this project is to determine the water quality of the Kenektok River in Quinhagak, Alaska. The La Motte Water monitoring kit was used in this project to determine any chemical, physical, biological, and radiological disturbances. Three water samples were taken from different locations, approximately 1 meter apart, along the …

Exploring Vanadium Chemical Transferrin Mimetic Compounds For Insulin Enhancement, Amanda Feliciano, Arthur D. Tinoco, Ph.D., Sergio A. Loza

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is caused by a lack of insulin production (Type 1) or the body’s cells’ inability to properly receive it, also known as insulin resistance (Type 2), resulting in greatly elevated levels of blood glucose. Vanadium(IV) and vanadium(V) ions are believed to enhance insulin activity by inhibition of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B). PTP1B is normally responsible for downregulating the insulin signaling, but in DM type 2, PTP1B activity is overexpressed leading to the insulin signaling blocking. The most promising V(IV) compounds are designed for oral delivery: they are absorbed into the gut and delivered into the bloodstream …

Effect Of Antioxidants In Cathepsin B Release By Hiv Infected Macrophages, Luz J. Cartagena Isern, Loyda M. Meléndez, Ph.D, Gabriel Borges, Lester Rosario

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

During HIV infection of macrophages, the lysosomal protein cathepsin B is released and induces neurotoxicity. Also, the levels of cathepsin B are increased in plasma and post-mortem brain tissue of patients with HIV-associated dementia. Oxidative damage is increased in HIV- infected patients, while antioxidants are decreased in HIV-associated dementia. Dimethyl fumarate (DMF), an antioxidant, has been reported to decrease HIV replication and neurotoxicity caused by HIV-infected macrophages. Since HIV also increases cathepsin B, we hypothesize that DMF will also reduce cathepsin B release from HIV-infected macrophages. Monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM) were isolated from healthy donors and inoculated with HIV-1_ADA. …

Step-Up: A Cultural Alaska Journey For Students And Staff, Carolee Dodge Francis, Ed.D., Noehealani Bareng-Antolin, Mph, Kira Tran, B.S.

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

This manuscript introduces the abstracts from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Coordinating Center

Coconut Production For Food Security, Economic Development, And Health: A Comparative Study Of Two Communities In Pohnpei, Federated States Of Micronesia, Macmillan Willyander, Nat Tuivavalagi, Ph.D.

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Coconuts (Cocos nucifera) have been beneficial on many Pacific islands for centuries, including the island of Pohnpei. There is a current effort in Pohnpei to more fully explore the potential of coconuts in raising living standards of the local people. This study explores the status of coconut production in two communities of Pohnpei - a community on the main island of Pohnpei and one on the outer atoll of Ngatik. It is hypothesized that coconut-related activities are less intensive on the outer islands due to a lack of marketing opportunities.

This study involves interviewing community members and 40 …

Protective Effects Of Insulin In Cardiomyocytes Against Iron-Mediated Cell Death, Carina Tanaka, Takashi Matsui, M.D., Ph.D., Faha

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

When an acute myocardial infarction (MI) occurs, the heart becomes ischemic. Medical treatments such as stents have improved the recovery process after a MI, but there is still a high risk for heart failure. Due to the resulting intramyocardial hemorrhage, residual hemoglobin with excess iron compromises cardiomyocyte (CM) survival. Previous studies suggest that the magnitude of CM cell death is directly proportional to the level of adverse left ventricular (LV) remodeling. Mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a key downstream signaling pathway that is sufficient for CM cell survival against iron and responds to insulin, a cardioprotective growth factor. However, …

Preliminary Assessment Of Growing Oyster Mushroom, Pleurotus Sajor-Caju On Coconut Husk Substrate Supplemented With Different Amounts Of Copra Cake, Unaisi Grace Kuilamu, Vincent Enriquez, Ma

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Mushroom cultivation is a newly introduced technology in the Marshall Islands to promote food security and community health due to its soluble fiber content and nutritive values. Mushroom is also known to have naturally occurring beta-glucans that could prevent high cholesterol and some other non-communicable disease (NCDs). Majuro Atoll has an ample amount of coconut husk and copra cake, a by-product from Tobolar Copra Processing Plant. The study aimed to assess the possibility of using copra cake for mushroom cultivation.

The capability of oyster mushroom in utilizing coconut by-product was assessed in terms of mycelial growth, number of fruiting body, …

Exosomes: A Novel Zika Virus Vaccine Candidate, Carlos Furukawa, Pakieli Kaufusi, B.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

With the recent emergence of Zika virus (ZIKV) diseases, increasing global concern has driven the demand for a vaccine. One promising vaccine platform has presented itself in the form of exosomes: a subgroup of extracellular vesicles released by many human cell types that facilitate intercellular communication. The objective of this study is to engineer exosomes that incorporate ZIKV structural proteins into its phospholipid bilayer. Previous studies indicate that CD9 and CD63 proteins are highly enriched in exosomal membranes. From this, it was hypothesized that attaching ZIKV genes to CD9 or CD63 to produce a gene fusion may enable exosomes to …

Painting The Pacific: A Comparative Analysis Of The Lightfastness Of Watercolors Made From Indigenous Plants In The Pacific Region, Michael Angelo P. Fernandez, Mari Marutani, Phd

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Pacific Islanders have traditionally used plants and other natural resources to craft paints, dyes, and other colorants. However, much of society today has transitioned to more accessible, inexpensive colorants, which oftentimes contain toxic pigments and harmful solvents that can be detrimental to human health and the environment. This study will explore using phytochemicals of plants indigenous to the Pacific as safe, natural watercolor paints. The objective of this study is to test the lightfastness of watercolors made from roots of the langiti (Ochrosia mariannensis), roots of the ladda (Morinda citrifolia), cambium of the binalo (Thespesia …

Investigating The Effect Of Air Conditioning On Radon, Tina Choi, Captain Derek Chambers, P.E. Mph, Austin Flores, A.A.S. Criminal Justice

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Radon is an invisible and dangerous noble gas that seeps up from the ground. Breathing in too much radon may cause lung cancer. When a room is not ventilated properly and closed up for a long time, it can lead to dangerous amounts of radon filling up. Radon is everywhere around us, and any amount of radon may be dangerous. In order to lower the threats from radon, rooms must recirculate fresh air. The average radon level outside is 0.4 pCi/L (picocuries per liter). The recommended radon level in a room is under 4.0 pCi/L. As the use of air …

Are Purple Hermit Crabs (Coenobita Brevimanus) Seed Dispersers Or Predators?, Alyssa Cepeda, Haldre Rogers, Phd, Meg Kargul, Anthony Castro

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Vertebrate frugivores play an important role in forests by dispersing seeds and helping improve germination through gut passage. Some frugivores may also be seed predators, where the seed is destroyed through gut passage. On the island of Saipan, the native frugivores are birds, bats, and crabs. This experiment focused on purple hermit crabs, Coenobita brevimanus, which are known to consume fruits, but it is unknown whether purple hermit crabs disperse or predate the seeds they consume. A maximum of ten purple hermit crabs, ranging in size from medium to large individuals, were captured from the forest and kept in …

The Antimicrobial Effects Of Allium Sativum On Escherichia Coli, David Borja, Johnny Aldan, Bsn, Rn

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Allium sativum (Garlic) is an herb that is grown all over the world, and can be found in the homes of many people. This herb has many medicinal properties, but is mainly known for its antimicrobial properties. Fresh garlic contains enzymes called “alliinase” and “alliin”. When garlic is crushed or cut into the alliinase converts the alliin into allicin. Allicin is what gives the garlic its antimicrobial properties and odor.

The antimicrobial activity of the Allium sativum extract was tested on Escherichia coli, a gram-negative bacteria, using the agar-well diffusion method. A test tube containing only Escherichia coli was …

Promoting Local Talents To Fight Local Health Issues Step-Up In The Pacific, Aneesa Golshan, Mph, George Hui, Phd,

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

This manuscript introduces the abstracts for the University of Hawai'i at Manoa Coordinating Center.

The Interaction Between Nef Protein And Abca1 Mutants In Tangier Disease, Jaden White, Michael Bukrinsky, M.D., Phd, Beda Brichacek, Phd, Christina Darwish

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

The genetic disorder Tangier Disease is characterized by mutations at a chromosomal locus, 9q31, which affect proper function of the cholesterol transporter ATP-Binding Cassette A1 (ABCA1). Individuals with mutant ABCA1 have very low levels of high-density lipoprotein and are at high risk for development of neuropathy and atherosclerosis. Two of the ABCA1 mutations, Q597R and R587W, lead to retention of ABCA1 in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in a pattern that is reminiscent of a previously reported ABCA1 inactivation by HIV-1 protein Nef. The mechanism of that inactivation involves Nef binding to an ER chaperone calnexin, which disrupts the interaction between …

The Effect Of Saturated Fatty Acid On The Expression Of Apoptotic And Fibrotic Proteins In Renal Tubular Epithelial Cells, Joya Sims, Xeuying Zhao, Doctor Of Physiology In Cardiology, Alyssa Cobbs

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Diabetic Nephropathy, triggered by diabetes, is a kidney disease with severe health consequences and is a high economic burden. Literature suggests that the deterioration of kidney function correlates best with the degree of renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis. Proximal tubule epithelial cells can orchestrate renal fibrosis, as a result of fatty acid accumulation, also known as lipotoxicity. The objective of the study is to evaluate the effect of saturated fatty acid on renal tubular epithelial cells. Human kidney proximal tubule cells (HK-2) were cultured in 5% FBS/DMEM/streptomycin/Hepes and incubated at 37°C until cells are 90% confluent. Palmitic acid (PA) was prepared in …

Examining Race Differences In Blood Pressure Control Among People With Chronic Kidney Disease, Jayme Savoy, Roland J. Thorpe, Jr., Phd

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) patients, 20% of them also have hypertension (HTN). African Americans (AA) are known to be more at risk of CKD development and poor HTN control compared to Whites, largely due to their higher prevalence of diabetes and HTN. While those health conditions are a known risk factor to CKD, it is less clear if there is a race difference in HTN control among CKD patients.

Using a combined 1999-2014 data set from The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), we sought to determine if there is an association between race and HTN control among …

Spheroid Toxicity Assay Utilizing Magnetic 3d Bioprinting, Anore Pedalino, Ka Bian, Phd

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Analysis of cell cultures utilizing two-dimensional (2D) spheroid assays has been the standard to analyze toxicity screenings for decades, however the high cost and inefficiencies in producing in-vitro assays using this technique creates the need for more productive and cost-efficient methods. The newly introduced Magnetic 3D Bioprinting system addresses the shortcomings of the 2D systems. This method relies on magnetizing cells and rapidly printing them in a more organized formation, mimicking in-vitro environments and interaction. This study assesses the effectiveness of Magnetic 3D Bioprinting system in analyzing spheroid toxicity assays when compared to the 2D methods, we hypothesize that …

Assessing Indications Of Riskiness In Adolescents, Niral Patel, Roland Alexander Blackwood, Md, Phd

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Adolescents are often likely to engage in perilous behaviors during their transitional years from youth to adulthood. Nearly 75% of the primary causes of death in the adolescent population are of preventable causes. In order to address the harmful issues facing this young population today, researchers at the University of Michigan developed the Rapid Assessment for Adolescent Preventive Services (RAAPS), a 21-question risk screening examination that identifies the behaviors contributing the most to adolescent morbidity, mortality, and social problems.

Over the course of this study, beginning in 2015, researchers utilized the RAAPS to gather data from University of Michigan Health …

Missed Treatments Of Hemodialysis Patients After Hurricane Maria In Puerto Rico, Mercedes Harford, Keith Norris, Md, Phd, Ylene Rodriguez, Rn, Mph

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

The consequences of a natural event such as a hurricane can especially have a negative impact on vulnerable patients such as hemodialysis patients. In former incidences such as Hurricane Katrina, factors such as living relocations disrupted hemodialysis patients’ ability to adhere to their thrice-weekly treatments (Anderson et al, 2009). In this study, 44% of the 386 hemodialysis patients who experienced Hurricane Katrina reported missing one or more dialysis sessions. Thus, the hurricane had significant negative influence on patients’ attendance at the dialysis clinic. In the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, Puerto Rico suffered extensive road blockages, electricity shortages, and lacking …

Investigating The Aggregation Of Α-Synuclein Variants And Their Interactions With A Molecular Tweezer, Leslie Gonzalez, Karl Biggs, B.S, Gal Bitan, Ph.D.

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

The protein α-synuclein (α-syn) self-assembles under abnormal conditions into toxic aggregates thought to be a central cause of pathology in neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s Disease (PD). A promising approach for treating PD is to inhibit the abnormal self-assembly of α-syn in the brain by using small molecules called “molecular tweezers” that the Bitan laboratory has been developing. Molecular tweezers bind to lysine (Lys) residues and prevent both hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions that are key to abnormal self-assembly. The molecular tweezer CLR01 inhibits the self-assembly of α-syn in vitro and in vivo by preferentially binding to Lys at positions 10 …

The Effects Of Trunk Fat On Endothelial Function In African American Women, Kayla A. Braggs, Priscilla E. Pemu, M.D. Mscr Facp, Connie Jones, Lpn

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

African Americans (AA), both adults and adolescents, have increased mortality from most of the diseases associated with metabolic syndrome and Endothelial Dysfunction including: myocardial infraction, stroke, and hypertension. Recent research has shown that there is a close link between endothelial function and insulin sensitivity in both normotensive and hypertensive subjects. This is important because African Americans are more frequently insulin resistant and display less mediated brachial artery vasodilation compared to Caucasians.

The study took healthy, AA women ages 18-45 and grouped them into two main categories based on their Body Mass Index (BMI): lean/ insulin dependent (BMI<25) and obese/insulin resistant (BMI>30). There were …

Training Underrepresented High School Students As A Strategy To Increase Diversity In The Biomedical Research And Health Professions Workforce, Dolores E. Caffey-Fleming, Ms, Mph, Lourdes Guerrero, Edd, Msw, Keith C. Norris, M.D., Phd

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

This manuscript introduces the abstracts from the University of California, Los Angeles Coordinating Center.

Effects Of Par1a Deletion On Tubulointerstitial Fibrosis In Folic Acid Mouse Models Of Renal Injury, Vellia Zhou, Kimberly J. Reidy, Md, Zhongfang Du, Md, Cara Ford, Miguel Cole

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) affects 1 out of 7 adults in the United States and causes significant morbidity and mortality. Development of tubulointerstitial fibrosis, and the accompanying loss of functional tubular cells, leads to CKD progression. The Notch signaling pathway is required for renal development, however, sustained Notch activation in adult mice induces tubulointerstitial fibrosis. Dual deletion of Par1a and Par1b, serine threonine kinases, in developing mouse kidneys impaired Notch activation and resulted in the formation of abnormal glomeruli and proximal tubules. Deletion of either Par1a or 1b does not affect kidney development.We hypothesize that Par1a or 1b deletion …

Dental Emergencies In The Current Health Care System, David Singleton, Nawar Shara, Phd

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

A huge problem in the current health system is that Oral care is not currently integrated into the overall health system, given the lack of dental coverage for underserved adults, and the insufficient amount of dentists available for individuals with dental coverage.

The lack of education regarding the importance of oral health and shortage in the number of dentists and dental coverage leads to an influx of patients with mild to severe dental problems at the emergency departments (EDs) across the country. Many studies conclude that by integrating oral health into the overall health system, there would an increase in …

Epigenetic Factors Impacting Type 2 Diabetes In American Indians, Alejandra Salazar Gonzalez, Shelley Cole, Ph.D.

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

American Indians have been found to be at higher risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D) than any other ethnic or racial groups in the United States, with an estimated prevalence rate of 33%. Given that T2D prevalence rates amongst the American Indian population are so high, studying the complex factors that contribute to T2D is crucial. Of particular importance to this study is identifying heritable effects involved in development of T2D. Epigenetic effects, heritable changes to DNA that affect gene expression such as DNA methylation (DNAm), have been shown to be associated with T2D phenotypes.

Studies in other subpopulations have …

What Are Normal Cortisol Values For Young Children?, Aidan Rubio, Kanwaljeet Anand, Mbbs, D.Phil., Cynthia Rovnaghi, Ba, Bs, M.S

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Normative ranges for cortisol levels in children remain controversial, because of diurnal variations, effects of age, sex, stressful experiences before sampling (blood, saliva), intercurrent illnesses/immunizations, sample preparation and analytical methods. Measuring hair cortisol concentrations (HCC) is unaffected by diurnal variations or many of these factors, and presents a summative measure of chronic stress. Depending on hair growth rates, approximately 1 cm of hair represents cortisol release over the past month. HCC does not fluctuate frequently and therefore represents cumulative stress over time. It is vitally important to establish normative cortisol levels in children, so that both maladaptive and toxic stress …