Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Virginia Dental Journal (Vol. 97, No. 3, 2020)

Virginia Dental Journal

No abstract provided.

The Effects Of Gspt1 Degradation On Serum Calcium, Parathyroid Hormone, And Fibroblast Growth Factor 23 Concentrations In Human Cereblon Knock-In Mice, Kamran Ghoreishi

Theses and Dissertations

Test article CC-325 is a potent oral cereblon (CRBN) modulator that has shown potent G1 to S phase transition 1 (GSPT1) degradation and anti-tumor activity in pre-clinical models. One of the adverse effects associated with CC-325 was dose dependent hypocalcemia, which was determined to be an on-target toxicity.

To investigate the mechanism of hypocalcemia, we conducted a toxicity study in human cereblon (huCRBN) knock-in (KI) mice with CC-325. The huCRBN KI mice are transgenic mice engineered to express human cereblon that is capable of binding to CRBN and degrading GSPT1. Four groups of mice were treated with vehicle (0 mg/kg), …

Kcc2: A Novel Therapeutic Target To Rescue Gabaergic Dysfunction And Behavioral Deficits Induced By Hiv And Opiate Use, Aaron J. Barbour

Theses and Dissertations

With adherence to combined antiretroviral therapy (cART), HIV infection can be considered a controllable chronic condition, but quality of life issues remain. The preeminent of which, HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND), encompasses an array of neurological complications and has persisted despite cART implementation. The symptoms of HAND can be exacerbated by opiate use, a common comorbidity for people infected with HIV (PWH). While neurons are not infected by HIV, they incur sublethal damage, with γ-amino butyric acid- (GABA)ergic function being particularly vulnerable to viral and inflammatory factors released by infected/affected glia. This dissertation presents studies on novel organoid and dissociated primary …

A Comparison Of Three-Dimensional Printing Technologies On The Precision, Trueness, And Accuracy Of Printed Retainers, Owais A. Naeem

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the differences in the precision, trueness, and accuracy of 3D printed orthodontic clear retainers produced using printer systems with various printing technologies.

Methods: Retainers (n=15) were printed using four different 3D printers: a stereolithography (SLA) printer, two different digital light processing (DLP and cDLP) printers, and a polyjet photopolymer (PPP) printer. The 3D printed retainers were transformed into a digital file through a cone-beam computed tomography scan that was compared to the original image using a 3D superimposition analysis software. At previously chosen landmarks (R6, L6, R3, L3, R1, L1) retainers …

The Functional Importance Of Methyl Cpg Binding Domain Proteins 2 And 3 In Regulating Fetal Hemoglobin Expression In Human Adult Erythroid Cells, Alexander Azzo

Theses and Dissertations

Humans undergo two developmental switches in the predominantly expressed β-like globin chain during embryogenesis and fetal development. The first switch from embryonic (ε) to fetal (γ) occurs around week 5 of embryonic development, while the second switch from fetal to adult (β) globin occurs shortly after birth. By adulthood, fetal hemoglobin represents only 1-2% of total hemoglobin in the blood. As sufficiently elevated levels of fetal hemoglobin are beneficial for improving clinical outcomes in sickle cell disease and β-thalassemia, the mechanisms that enforce silencing of fetal hemoglobin expression postnatally are of great clinical significance. The methyl-CpG binding domain protein MBD2 …

Accounting For The Uncertainty Due To Chemicals Below The Detection Limit In Mixture Analysis, Paul M. Hargarten

Theses and Dissertations

Humans are exposed to multiple chemicals every day. Epidemiological studies have shown that chemical mixtures are associated with cancers, allergies, neurodevelopmental disorders, and other adverse health effects. To assess these associations, investigators are increasingly using chemical mixture approaches like weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression. In these studies, the research objectives are to determine whether a mixture of correlated chemicals is associated with an adverse health outcome and to identify the important chemicals. However, as experimental equipment measures each exposure to a chemical-specific detection limit, the exposures are unknown between zero and the detection limit. Indeed, the number of exposures below …

Non-Invasive Retrieval Of Prefabricated Zirconia Crowns With Er,Cr:Ysgg Laser From Primary And Permanent Teeth, Connor W. Mccall Dds

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: Compromised tooth structure on permanent and deciduous teeth in the pediatric population is increasingly being restored with tooth-colored prefabricated zirconia crowns. These restorations may need to be removed or replaced with permanent crowns. The purpose of this in vitro study was to explore the use of an Er,Cr:YSGG laser for removal of prefabricated zirconia crowns cemented with RMGI as a non-invasive alternative to rotary instruments.

Methods: Thirteen permanent and 12 primary molars were prepared to dentin and prefabricated zirconia crowns were passively fitted and cemented with two resin modified glass ionomer cements. The irradiation parameters for ErCR:YSGG were 4.5 …

Process Factors Affecting Reperfusion Time In Patients Presenting With St-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (Stemi), Richard R. Wall

Theses and Dissertations

Abstract PROCESS FACTORS AFFECTING REPERFUSION TIME IN PATIENTS

PRESENTING WITH ST-SEGMENT ELEVATION MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION (STEMI) By Richard R. Wall MSRS, RT(R)(CT)(CI), RCIS

A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Virginia Commonwealth University, 2020.

Dissertation Chair: Jeffrey S. Legg Ph.D. Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Radiation Sciences

An ST-segment myocardial infarction (STEMI) occurs when the blood flow to the myocardium is suddenly and completely blocked causing the myocardium to become ischemic. A STEMI is a life-threatening condition that necessitates emergent medical treatment. Research has shown that longer …

Selenomonas Sputigena: Growth Conditions And Projected Virulence Factors Of An Emerging Oral Pathogen, Kayla A. Keller

Theses and Dissertations

Periodontal diseases are ubiquitous diseases. They can affect people through a chronic infection that happens over a lifetime, but also as an aggressive infection that afflicts the younger population. It not only results in tooth loss and a lower quality of life, but it can also lead to fatal secondary infections like cervical cancer, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. This study looks at Selenomonas sputigena, an emerging oral pathogen, that has been hypothesized to contribute to periodontal disease. It has been linked to fatal septicemia and has been found in increased abundance within the oral biofilm during peak infection. …

Enhancing Chemosensitivity Of Lung Cancers By Manipulating The Tumor Microenvironment: Local Lung Delivery And Nanocarrier-Based Therapies, Hanming Zhang

Theses and Dissertations

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in United States causing an estimated six hundred thousand death in 2019. Among different types of cancer, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer related death in both male and female. While targeted therapy and immunotherapy have shown promising clinical outcomes, currently there remain a significant proportion of patients who do not benefit from these strategies or who cannot tolerate them, making Pt based doublet chemotherapy still an indispensable component in almost all stages of treatment. However, partially due to the poor tumor distribution of small molecule drug, the development of …

Reducing Disparities In Smoking For Adults With Mental Illness: Are U.S. Tobacco Prevention Policies Effective?, L. Morgan Snell

Theses and Dissertations

One in five people in the U.S. are estimated to experience “any mental illness” (AMI); however this group represents an estimated 40% of the annual, adult cigarette consumption in the U.S. Tobacco prevention policies have been successful at reducing smoking prevalence among the U.S. population as a whole, however it is unclear whether these efforts have had significant impact on tobacco use rates among individuals with AMI. The three papers that comprise this project combined longitudinal, nationally-representative data and online behavioral experiments from U.S. adults to compare demand for cigarettes among adult smokers with and without AMI. Taken together, our …

Exploring The Use Of A Mindfulness Based Yoga Intervention For Children With Severe Asthma, Sharon Lack

Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: A diagnosis of severe asthma greatly impacts the physical and psychological health of children. Often experiencing increased stress, decreased physical activity, and increased exacerbations, children with severe asthma frequently exhibit poor health outcomes. Mindful yoga is a complementary health approach that may improve the physical and psychological well-being of children with severe asthma. The aims of this research were to evaluate the tolerability, feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects of a mindful yoga intervention in children with severe asthma. A novel theoretical framework encompassing concepts from three vulnerability nursing theories guided the research.

Methods: A mixed methods pilot …

Differences In Treatment For Substance Use Disorders By Insurance Status: Self-Help Only Versus Outpatient Medical Treatment, Huyen Pham, Lauryn Walker Phd Rn, Andrew J. Barnes Phd, Peter Cunningham Phd

Graduate Research Posters

Background: The role of insurance on substance use disorders (SUD) treatment utilization generally is poorly understood and still less is known on how insurance status relates to the use of evidence-based treatment (i.e., medicalization approach) compared to other treatments, like single self-help groups, where the research on effectiveness is less supportive. This study examines associations between health insurance and any SUD treatment utilization as well as use of single self- help versus medicalization approach.

Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used. Data were from the 2015-2017, public use National Surveys on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). Adjusted logistic regressions were …

Paroxetine Is Pro-Inflammatory In Human Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells, Syeda Hashimi, Sulay Patel, Omar Hassan, Bukola Odeniyi

Graduate Research Posters

BACKGROUND: Paroxetine is an antidepressant that is widely used. However, Paroxetine possesses anticholinergic properties which may contribute to cognitive decline in older adults. Surprisingly, the mechanisms of the cognitive decline of anticholinergic drugs in older adults remains elusive. A hypothesis is that a loss of cholinergic signaling is pro-inflammatory in the brain. We designed experiments to determine if Paroxetine is pro-inflammatory in Normal Human Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells (NHBMECs).

METHOD: NHBMECs were grown at 5% CO2, 37C and 95% relative humidity until 90% confluent. NHBMECs were treated with the RNA free water as control, Paroxetine as 1.67x 10 4 mM/mol, …

Perceptions Of Using Smart Speaker Technology For Improving The Health And Wellness Of Older Adults Living In A Low-Income Community, Brooke Saba Mcdowell, Jane Chung, Johnathan Bennett

Graduate Research Posters

There is a growing interest in the usage of smart speakers in various settings with older adults for improved quality of life and health. Residents who live within a low-income housing development may benefit from the use of smart speaker technology for creating a more engaging and healthier lifestyle. Because technology acceptance is critical; this study aims to examine smart speaker acceptance among low-income senior housing residents. A cross-sectional survey (n=46) was conducted to assess smart speaker acceptance, perceived usefulness, perceived ease, and privacy concerns. Individuals were recruited through varying methodologies, including group information sessions, sign-up sheets, word of mouth, …

Local Lung Targeting Of Tumor Associated Macrophages Combined With Cytoreductive Therapy Decrease Tumor Burden In A Secondary Lung Cancer Model, Sulaiman Alhudaithi, Hanming Zhang, Rashed Almuqbil, Wei Du, Fatemah Sunbul, Paula Bos, Sandro Da Rocha

Graduate Research Posters

Backgrounds. The efficacy of a locally administered small molecule colony stimulating factor 1 receptor inhibitor (CSF-1Ri), PLX3397, alone or in combination with cytoreductive therapy (paclitaxel) in reducing the tumor burden of an in vivo model of secondary lung cancer was investigated in this work. Local administration of immunotherapy to the lungs may enhance lung biodistribution of such therapies and reduce potential unwanted off-target toxicity. In addition, combination of such therapy with low dose standard of care chemotherapy may offer improved anti-tumor effects.

Methods. Murine breast cancer cells (4T1, known to be highly metastasized to the lungs) were transduced to …

Addressing Minority Health Disparities In Richmond: Results From A Health Needs Assessment Of A Southside Community, Nixon Arauz, Ma, Shanteney Jackson, Ma, Robert A. Blanco, Mph

Graduate Research Posters

Background:

Evidence shows the effectiveness of integrating community health workers (CHWs) into care models serving high-risk patients to reduce emergency department (ED) use, increase primary care use, and address adverse social determinants of health (SDH). The Southwood Resource Center, part of a network of clinics established by Richmond City Health Department, utilizes CHWs to address disparities affecting underserved populations through primary care referrals and additional resource linkages. Local student-volunteers in partnership with CHWs conducted a community needs assessment to identify patient resource gaps, aid in design and implementation of SDH interventions, and examine the relationship between chronic disease management and …

Centering High Risk Pregnancies Interprofessionaly (Chrpi) To Reduce Racial Disparities In Pregnancy Outcomes, Dongjin Suh B.S., Dhruv Srinivasachar B.S., Wintwar Phyo B.S., Asma Khan B.S., Sarah H. Milton, M.D.

Graduate Research Posters

Background:

Despite the steady rise in use of prenatal care, significant racial disparities exist in pregnancy-related outcomes. This calls for innovative prenatal care to improve pregnancy outcomes in racial minorities. CHRPI is an innovative prenatal care model designed to address risk factors and manageable conditions particularly prevalent in African Americans that threaten their course of pregnancy.

Methods:

CHRPI is an outpatient model (Fig. 1) that will accept pregnant moms with risk-factors outlined by the ACOG. They are initially evaluated by a Maternal Fetal Medicine physician where management is outlined. Then, patients are placed in groups of 4 according to their …

Investigating The Role Of Aeg-1 In Mouse Models Of Pain, Bryan Mckiver, Wisam Toma, Deniz Bagdas, Devanand Sarkar, M. Imad. Damaj

Graduate Research Posters

Background: Astrocyte Elevated Gene 1 (AEG-1) is a multifunctional protein shown to be a regulator of transcription and multiple intracellular signaling pathways. The role of AEG-1 in cellular inflammation appears to be primarily facilitated by its direct interaction with the transcription factor NFκB, transcriptional regulator of inflammatory cytokines. May be have a potential role in models of pain, particularly chronic inflammatory and chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). Methods: C57BL6/J male and female mice, 8-14 weeks old. AEG-1 wild type (WT) and global knockout (KO) male and female mice, 8-14 weeks old. Chronic Inflammatory Pain induced via i.pl. injection of 50% …

Dendrimer Conjugation Enhances Tumor Penetration And Cell Kill Of Doxorubicin In 3d Coculture Lung Cancer Models, Rashed Almuqbil, Rodrigo S. Heyder, Elizabeth R. Bielski, Mikhail Durymanov, Joshua J. Reineke, Sandro R. P. Da Rocha

Graduate Research Posters

Background: Doxorubicin (DOX) is a potent chemotherapeutic widely used for solid tumors (1). Despite high efficacy in 2D cell culture, DOX efficacy does not translate to in vivo lung cancer models (2). Major side effects such as cardiotoxicity may be alleviated with nano-based drug delivery systems (nanoDDS). However, tumor penetration of DOX and DOX-nanoDDS is largely unknown and is an additional barrier to effective clinical therapy (3). Here we describe a nanoDDS capable of enhancing the penetration of DOX.

Methods: DOX was conjugated to generation 4 poly(amido-amine) dendrimers through (GFLG) tumor- liable bond. G4SA-GFLG-DOX was synthesized/characterized. spheroids were formed of …

An Examination Of Virginia Wic Staff’S Attitudes And Knowledge Towards The Brush, Book, Bed Oral Health Program, Tia Jackson, Tegwyn H. Brickhouse, Lizbeth Snead, Natalie Pennywell

Graduate Research Posters

Introduction: Families who are low income and have low oral health literacy tend to have poor oral health. The Brush, Book, Bed (BBB) program helps caregivers establish a consistent night routine for their children that includes brushing teeth, reading, and an age-appropriate bedtime. BBB has been shown to increase oral hygiene behaviors and therefore oral health outcomes. Studies have shown that children who participate in Women, Infants, and Children, (WIC) programs are more likely to access dental services. This study examined local Richmond, Virginia (VA) WIC staff on their current oral health knowledge and views on implementing BBB.

Methods: A …

Vascular Dysfunction And Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Examining The Role Of Oxidative Stress And Sympathetic Activity, Jennifer Weggen, Aaron Autler, Gina Tuzzolo, Austin C. Hogwood, Ashley M. Darling, Kevin P. Decker, Ryan S. Garten

Graduate Research Posters

Purpose: The physiological manifestations of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have been associated with an increase in risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) independent of negative lifestyle factors. The goal of the study was to better elucidate the mechanisms behind the increased CVD risk by examining peripheral vascular function, a precursor to CVD. Moreover, this study sought to determine the role of oxidative stress and sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity in PTSD-induced vascular dysfunction.

Methods: Sixteen individuals with PTSD (10 women, 6 men; age 24 ± 4 years), and twenty-four healthy controls (CTRL; 15 women, 9 men, 24 ± 4 years), participated …

“How Am I Supposed To Feel?”: Social Support And Black Mothers’ Infant Feeding Decisions, Hannah M. Ming, Cecilia Barbosa

Graduate Research Posters

Background: Many of the adverse health outcomes that breastfeeding protects against disparately affect black mothers and children; however, black mothers are the least likely racial group in the U.S. to breastfeed. Black mothers have indicated that breastfeeding barriers include a lack of social support. Qualitative studies examining such breastfeeding barriers often focus on women who have unsuccessfully breastfed and fail to define the experiences of women who have successfully breastfed. This study aims to identify the impacts of social support on the infant feeding decisions of black women with varying levels of breastfeeding success.

Methods: Twenty-five black women were interviewed …

The Future Of Returning Genetic Test Results For Psychiatric Conditions, Morgan Driver, Sally Kuo, Danielle Dick

Graduate Research Posters

Background: Genome-wide association studies are rapidly advancing our understanding of the genetic architecture of complex psychiatric conditions. In order to use findings from these studies for enhanced clinical prediction, we need to gain a better understanding of the issues surrounding the return of complex genetic results.

Methods: We review the current literature on genetic literacy in the population, the public’s interest in receiving genetic test results for psychiatric conditions, how individuals react to and interpret their genetic results for psychiatric conditions, and gaps in our knowledge that will be critical to address before returning genetic results for psychiatric conditions.

Results: …

Dyrk1a And The Cell Cycle, Holly Byers, Larisa Litovchick, Md, Phd

Graduate Research Posters

The ability to halt the cell cycle is critical for cells to maintain tissue and organ size, to suppress tumors and abnormal growth, and exists as a helpful mechanism to pause the cell cycle for DNA repair. DYRK1A is (dual specificity tyrosine-(Y)-phosphorylation regulated kinase 1A) a human gene found on the long (q) arm of chromosome 21, which is known to be involved with nervous system development, cell growth and division, and neuronal differentiation. In glioblastoma cells grown in vitro (T98G cell line), there are three copies of DYRK1A, which have dosage- dependent effects on the cell, including association with …

The Effects Of A High Fat Meal On Blood Flow Regulation During Arm Exercise, Alexander Chiu, Lauren Pederson, Jeremy O. Via, Natalie J. Bohmke, Jacob Richardson, Aaron Autler, Hunter Reed, Eric Henderson, R. Lee Franco, Ryan S. Garten

Graduate Research Posters

A diet high in saturated fats results in endothelial dysfunction and can lead to atherosclerosis, a precursor to cardiovascular disease. Exercise training is a potent stimulus though to mitigate the negative effects of a high saturated fat diet; however, it is unclear how high-saturated fat meal (HSFM) consumption impacts blood flow regulation during a single exercise session.

PURPOSE: This study sought to examine the impact of a single HSFM on peripheral vascular function during an acute upper limb exercise bout.

METHODS: Ten young healthy individuals completed two sessions of progressive handgrip exercise. Subjects either consumed a HSFM (0.84 g of …

Clinical Reconciliation Of Patient Social Context And Implementation Of Preventive Care Guidelines, April Williams

Graduate Research Posters

Background

Preventive care practice guidelines are disseminated regularly through federal and scientific groups as a way of promoting best practices and evidence-based health promotion. Yet rates of their implementation are historically low and complex, with cited barriers including limits on physicians’ time, knowledge or attitudes; and external factors related to the guideline itself, the clinical environment, or patient factors. The objective of this qualitative research is to understand how primary care clinicians and staff reconcile perceived patient-level factors and implementation of preventive care guidelines.

Methods

Key informant interviews (n=23) with 14 clinicians and 9 office managers from 14 primary care …

Offering The Choice Of Self-Administered Oral Hiv Testing (Chivst) Among Long-Distance Truck Drivers In Kenya: A Trial-Based Cost-Effectiveness Analysis, Deo Mujwara, April D. Kimmel

Graduate Research Posters

Background: Long distance truck drivers (LDTD) are a high-HIV-risk population facing unique healthcare barriers due to continuous travel and irregular schedules, and may require targeted, resource-intensive strategies for HIV-test uptake. We conducted a trial-based cost-effectiveness of CHIVST among LDTD in Kenya.

Methods: Effectiveness data came from a randomized-controlled trial of CHIVST (n=150) versus provider-administered testing (n=155). Economic cost data came from the literature and reflected a societal perspective. Generalized Poisson and linear-gamma regression models estimated the effectiveness (relative-risk) and incremental costs (2017 I$), respectively, with incremental effectiveness calculated as the reciprocal of the absolute risk difference and reported as the …

Six Weeks Of Resveratrol Improves Cardiovascular Health In Patients With Copd, Rebekah Lavender, Kolton Cobb, Kendall Goldman, Paula Rodriguez-Miguelez Phd

Graduate Research Posters

BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the third leading cause of death worldwide. One-third of people diagnosed with COPD die of cardiovascular (CV) complications as opposed to pulmonary. Despite these odds, there are no therapies that mitigate this important health issue. Resveratrol, a naturally occurring antioxidant, improves CV health in other populations. However, there is currently no literature on resveratrol in patients with COPD. The purpose of this pilot study was to test if six weeks of resveratrol supplementation could improve CV health in patients with COPD. METHODS: A randomized, double-blind, pilot trial was completed in 8 patients with …

Impact Of Diet On Colorectal Cancer, Ashley Rosenberg Md, Mirinda Gromley Msph, Nicole Weighard Md, Juan Lu J Phd Mph Md

Graduate Research Posters

Background

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer diagnosed worldwide. Modifiable risk factors such as diet have been linked to the development of CRC but results of previous research have been inconsistent. We utilized the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) to determine whether the consumption of dietary variables contributed to increased diagnosis of colorectal cancer.

Methods

Participants from NHANES 2015-2016 database aged 16 years or older, with available two-day dietary and CRC information were included. Study exposure included dietary consumptions (salt, cholesterol, sugar, fat, and carbohydrates); the outcome was self-reported CRC. Descriptive analysis was performed with …