Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

A Community-Engaged Interprofessional Project Led By Medical Students, School Of Social Work Students, And Resident Physicians: Lessons Learned And Recommendations For Success, Sabrina Orta, Daniela Santos Cantu, Giuiseppe Allan Fonseca, Luis R. Torres-Hostos, Chelsea Chang

School of Medicine Publications

Addressing health disparities through community engagement and interprofessional partnerships is increasingly critical. However, learner-led approaches that integrate medical students, resident physicians, and social work students are not well-studied. We designed a learner-led, interprofessional, public health campaign for a majority Hispanic community, with the goals of building interprofessional leadership skills, engaging learners to address COVID-19 inequities, and disseminating lessons learned. Faculty and students from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Schools of Medicine and Social Work partnered with community leaders to pilot an interprofessional project supported by the American Association of Medical Colleges’ Nurturing Experiences for Tomorrow’s Community Leaders (AAMC …

Osteosarcopenia Predicts Greater Risk Of Functional Disability Than Sarcopenia: A Longitudinal Analysis Of Fradysmex Cohort Study, Oscar Rosas-Carrasco, Betty Manrique-Espinoza, Juan Lopez-Alvarenga, Beatriz Mena-Montes, Isabel Omaña-Guzmán

School of Medicine Publications

Objectives

Aging involves significant changes in body composition, marked by declines in muscle mass and bone mineral density alongside an increase in fat mass. Sarcopenia is characterized by low strength and muscle mass, and osteosarcopenia is the coexistence of sarcopenia and osteopenia/osteoporosis. Physiologically, there is a crosstalk between muscle and bone tissues mediated by several pathways. Both, sarcopenia and osteosarcopenia, have been related with adverse outcomes such as functional disability. However, there is a lack of longitudinal studies. Therefore, this study aimed to assess whether sarcopenia and osteosarcopenia phenotypes increased the risk of functional disability in a longitudinal cohort of …

The Internist's Post V.1 N.9, The University Of Texas Rio Grande Valley. School Of Medicine, Eunbee Cho, Diana Othon Martinez, Edgar Dorsey Trevino, Osiris Fernandez, Ramon Elizondo Romo, Roque Mifuji Lira, Martha Solis, Cesar Gutierrez

School of Medicine Publications

No abstract provided.

The African Initiative For Bioinformatics Online Training In Neurodegenerative Diseases (Ai‐Bond): Investing In The Next Generation Of African Neuroscientists, Bernard Fongang, Biniyam A. Ayele, Yannick Joel Wadop Ngouongo, Emmanuel Epenge, Cyrille D. Nkouonlack, Wepnyu Y. Njamnshi, Xueqiu Jian, Muralidharan Sargurupremraj, Alice B. S. Nono Djotsa, Gladys Maestre

School of Medicine Publications

Neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease and AD‐related dementias (AD/ADRD), pose significant challenges to health care systems globally, particularly in Africa. With the advances in medical technology and research capabilities, especially in next‐generation sequencing and imaging, vast amounts of data have been generated from AD/ADRD research. Given that the greatest increase in AD/ADRD prevalence is expected to occur in Africa, it is critical to establish comprehensive bioinformatics training programs to help African scientists leverage existing data and collect additional information to untangle AD/ADRD heterogeneity in African populations. The South Texas Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, with efforts from the National Institutes of …

A Case Of A Rheumatoid Arthritis Patient On Newly Initiated Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitor Treatment Developing Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis Vasculitis: A Conundrum About Disease Overlap Or Drug-Induced Vasculitis, Jessica Daza, Joud Enabi, Cristine Arcilla, Myint Thway, Gurjit Kaeley

School of Medicine Publications

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is a necrotizing vasculitides subset of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAVs) that involves small-sized arteries affecting multisystemic organs. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by inflammatory polyarthritis involving the small joints. GPA and RA can have overlapping clinical presentations, including vasculitis, ocular inflammation, interstitial lung disease, and arthritis, but existing evidence indicates they are distinct conditions. Vasculitis-induced biologic tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors have been reported, particularly cutaneous vasculitis and lupus-like syndromes. We retrospectively review a case of a patient with rheumatoid arthritis with a newly diagnosed GPA with RA on anti-TNF …

The Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative-4 (Adni-4) Engagement Core: A Culturally Informed, Community-Engaged Research (Ci-Cer) Model To Advance Brain Health Equity, Mónica Rivera Mindt, Alyssa Arentoft, Amanda T. Calcetas, Vanessa A. Guzman, Hannatu Amaza, Adeyinka Ajayi, Miriam T. Ashford, Omobolanle Ayo, Lisa L. Barnes, Gladys Maestre

School of Medicine Publications

Introduction: The Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative-4 (ADNI-4) Engagement Core was launched to advance Alzheimer's disease (AD) and AD-related dementia (ADRD) health equity research in underrepresented populations (URPs). We describe our evidence-based, scalable culturally informed, community-engaged research (CI-CER) model and demonstrate its preliminary success in increasing URP enrollment.

Methods: URPs include ethnoculturally minoritized, lower education (≤ 12 years), and rural populations. The CI-CER model includes: (1) culturally informed methodology (e.g., less restrictive inclusion/exclusion criteria, sociocultural measures, financial compensation, results disclosure, Spanish Language Capacity Workgroup) and (2) inclusive engagement methods (e.g., the Engagement Core team; Hub Sites; Community-Science Partnership Board).

Results: As …

Optimizing Niclosamide For Cancer Therapy: Improving Bioavailability Via Structural Modification And Nanotechnology, Russell Wiggins, Jihoo Woo, Shizue Mito

School of Medicine Publications

Niclosamide, a drug originally used to treat parasitic infections, has shown potential as a possible cancer treatment, but poor absorptive and solubility properties are believed to limit its effectiveness. Researchers are exploring modified structures of the drug along with advanced delivery methods, particularly nanotechnology, to improve niclosamide’s absorption profile and improve its specificity in regard to targeting cancerous cells. These efforts intend to produce more effective tumor-targeting compounds, which can be employed as pharmacological cancer treatment options when appropriate. If successful, these efforts will provide new tools for scientists and doctors, offering a novel approach regarding the treatment of a …

Curcumin Attenuates Smoking And Drinking Activated Nf-Κb/Il-6 Inflammatory Signaling Axis In Cervical Cancer, Vivek Kashyap, Prashanth K. B. Nagesh, Ajay K. Singh, Andrew Massey, Godwin P. Darkwah, Aaron George, Sheema Khan, Bilal Hafeez, Nadeem Zafar, Murali Yallapu, Meena Jaggi, Subhash Chauhan

School of Medicine Publications

Background

High-risk strains of HPV are known to cause cervical cancer. Multiple clinical studies have emphasized that smoking and drinking are critical risk factors for cervical cancer and its high-grade precursors. In this study, we investigated if smoking and/or drinking augment the molecular mechanisms of cervical carcinogenesis and defined a potential therapeutic approach for their attenuation.

Methods

The impact of benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) and/or ethanol (EtOH) exposure on cervical cancer cells was assessed by measuring changes in their cell migration and invasion characteristics. Expression of HPV16 E6/E7, NF-κB, cytokines, and inflammation mediators was determined using qRT-PCR, immunoblotting, ELISA, luciferase reporter assay, …

Editorial: Exploring The Potential Of Nanobiomaterials In Biomedical Engineering: Assessing Biocompatibility, Toxicity, And Future Prospects, Narsimha Mamidi, Ebrahim Mostafavi, Murali M. Yallapu

School of Medicine Publications

No abstract provided.

Development Of Polyvinyl Alcohol Hydrogels For Controlled Glucose Release In Biomedical Applications, Rosa María Quispe-Siccha, Osvaldo I. Medina-Sandoval, Abraham Estrada-Tinoco, Jorge A. Pedroza-Pérez, Adolfo Martínez-Tovar, Irma Olarte-Carrillo, Rafael Cerón-Maldonado, Arturo Reding-Bernal, Juan Lopez Alvarenga

School of Medicine Publications

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogels have a wide range of applications in the pharmaceutical and biomedicine fields due to their exceptional biophysical properties. The study focuses on preparing and characterizing capsule-shaped PVA hydrogels to enhance their biocompatibility and porosity for controlled glucose release and cell proliferation. The hydrogels were prepared using different concentrations (Cs) and molecular weights (MWs) of PVA, with two different lengths, A (10 mm) and B (20 mm), to control glucose release over 60 min. The preparation process involved PVA gel preparation and PVA hydrogel formation. A total of 500 µL of glucose was injected into all dehydrated …

Honey Targets Ribosome Biogenesis Components To Suppress The Growth Of Human Pancreatic Cancer Cells, Aun A. Bangash, Sahir S. Alvi, Muhammad Bangash, Haider Ahsan, Shiza Khan, Rida Shareef, Georgina Villanueva, Divyam Bansal, Mudassier Ahmad, Dae Joon Kim, Subhash Chauhan, Bilal B. Hafeez

School of Medicine Publications

Simple Summary

Pancreatic cancer (PanCa) is one of the deadliest forms of cancer with limited therapeutic options. The available conventional therapies are highly toxic and often show resistance. Accumulating evidence suggests that dysregulated ribosome biogenesis has been linked to the survival and aggressive phenotypes of many tumor types, including PanCa. Thus, targeting ribosome biogenesis could be a novel approach for suppressing the growth of PanCa. The current study aimed to investigate the anti-cancer efficacy and underlying molecular mechanisms of honey against PanCa. Our results demonstrated that honey induces apoptosis and inhibits the growth and invasive potential of PanCa cells by …

The Perfect Storm: Abnormal Baseline Qt With Chronic Methadone Use And Serious Hypokalemia, Oscar J. Lopez, Diana Othon, Yilen Karen Ng-Wong, Jose Sleiman

School of Medicine Publications

Methadone, a well-known drug used for pain control and as a treatment for opioid addiction, can cause arrhythmias, including torsades de pointes (TdP), which may progress to ventricular fibrillation and sudden death. We present a case of a middle-aged woman with a long history of methadone use who presented to the emergency department after experiencing cardiac arrest at home. During her hospitalization, she experienced multiple episodes of TdP that improved with isoproterenol and potassium correction. The initial diagnosis was methadone-induced prolonged QT. However, even with discontinuation of methadone, her QTc remained prolonged. Congenital long QT syndrome was suspected, and genetic …

Whole-Genome Sequencing In 333,100 Individuals Reveals Rare Non-Coding Single Variant And Aggregate Associations With Height, Gareth Hawkes, Robin N. Beaumont, Zilin Li, Ravi Mandla, Xihao Li, Christine M. Albert, Donna K. Arnett, Allison E. Ashley-Koch, Aneel A. Ashrani, Joanne E. Curran

School of Medicine Publications

The role of rare non-coding variation in complex human phenotypes is still largely unknown. To elucidate the impact of rare variants in regulatory elements, we performed a whole-genome sequencing association analysis for height using 333,100 individuals from three datasets: UK Biobank (N = 200,003), TOPMed (N = 87,652) and All of Us (N = 45,445). We performed rare ( < 0.1% minor-allele-frequency) single-variant and aggregate testing of non-coding variants in regulatory regions based on proximal-regulatory, intergenic-regulatory and deep-intronic annotation. We observed 29 independent variants associated with height at P <  after conditioning on previously reported variants, with effect sizes ranging from −7cm to +4.7 cm. We also identified and replicated non-coding aggregate-based associations proximal to HMGA1 containing variants associated with a 5 cm taller height and of highly-conserved variants in MIR497HG on chromosome 17. We have developed an approach for identifying non-coding rare variants in regulatory regions with large effects from whole-genome sequencing data associated with complex traits.

Extraordinary Variance In Meta-Analysis Of Venom Toxicity Of 160 Most Lethal Ophidians And Guidelines For Estimating Human Lethal Dose Range, Brian P. Hanley, Gustavo Gross

School of Medicine Publications

Background: This is the first meta-analysis to characterize intra-ophidian-species variation in whole venom. Being the largest possible meta-analysis at this time, it encompasses all known records of animal lethality studies over the past 100 years. These results were not artifacts of resistant test-animal species and showed orders of magnitude beyond the 1.6 logs (40-fold change) range of lethal dose documented in the literature between amphibians, lizards, and mice.

Methods: A total of 1003 lethal dose study results for 160 of the most lethal venomous ophidian species in the world were analyzed.

Results: LDLo was not different from LD50 across studies, …

Venom Immunization: Igg/Ige Titers, Safety, Risk, And Methods Of The Viprbitem Cohort, Brian P. Hanley, Gustavo Gross

School of Medicine Publications

Background: This is the first study to examine a cohort that engages in the practice of immunization with snake venoms. In this practice, either fresh wet venom or venom reconstituted from freeze-dried form is used in vaccination protocols to produce hyper-immunity to venom.

Methods: This is a retrospective community-initiated collaborative research (CICR) project that collated the records of venom immunization. Records of schedules, formulations, photographs, medical records, and diaries were collated from existing practitioners and evaluated by inspection and interviews. One accidental bite was observed over 3 days, with vital signs, and photographic records of swelling taken to verify reality …

Unusual Metastatic Pathways: A Case Of Colorectal Adenocarcinoma Presenting As A Cervical Neck Mass, Taha Al Hassan, Jessica Flores, Adam Bender-Heine, Rachel A. Giese

School of Medicine Publications

Head and neck metastasis of colorectal adenocarcinoma is exceedingly rare with most cases presenting in the liver, lungs, or peritoneum. This report describes the case of a 53-year-old female patient with a past medical history significant for mucinous adenocarcinoma of the colon treated with a right hemicolectomy. She was thought to be in remission but presented a few years later with a new, isolated left cervical neck mass and symptoms of left eye ptosis and dryness. Diagnostic imaging and biopsy confirmed the neck mass to be a metastatic lesion from her prior mucinous adenocarcinoma, with immunohistochemical findings specific for colorectal …

Larp1 Haploinsufficiency Is Associated With An Autosomal Dominant Neurodevelopmental Disorder, James Chettle, Raymond J. Louie, Olivia Larner, Robert Best, Kevin Chen, Josephine Morris, Zinaida Dedeic, Roberta Sierra, Lori Berry, Kent Carter

School of Medicine Publications

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder (NDD) that affects approximately 4% of males and 1% of females in the United States. While causes of ASD are multi-factorial, single rare genetic variants contribute to around 20% of cases. Here we report a case series of seven unrelated probands (6 males, 1 female) with ASD or another variable NDD phenotype attributed to de novo heterozygous loss of function or missense variants in the gene LARP1. LARP1 encodes an RNA binding protein that post-transcriptionally regulates the stability and translation of thousands of mRNAs, including those regulating cellular metabolism and metabolic plasticity. …

The Internist's Post V.1 N.8, The University Of Texas Rio Grande Valley. School Of Medicine, Edgar Dorsey Trevino, Diana Othon Martinez, Ramon Elizondo Romo, Carlos Alejos Aguero, Elizabeth Mills-Reyes, Roque Mifuji, Martha Solis, Cesar Gutierrez

School of Medicine Publications

No abstract provided.

Trends And Patterns In Hypertension-Related Deaths: A Comprehensive Analysis Using Center For Disease Control And Prevention's Wide-Ranging Online Data For Epidemiologic Research (Cdc Wonder) Data, Oyinlola O. Fasehun, Joycelyn Adjei-Mensah, Wisdom S. Ugorji, Victoria O. Titus, Oluwatobi O. Asade, Damilola A. Adeyemo, Okelue E. Okobi

School of Medicine Publications

Hypertension (HTN) is a leading cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality worldwide. Despite advances in treatment, including the development and use of vasodilator-β-blocker combination and treatment with antihypertensive agents, HTN-related deaths have shown concerning trends. As such, the objective of this study is to examine the trends, disparities, and demographic variations in HTN-related mortality over a decade and to identify key factors contributing to these patterns, including genetics, dietary habits, structural discrimination in access to healthcare, lifestyle choices, and secondary hypertension, which is due to underlying conditions like kidney disease, hormonal disorders, or certain medications. To attain this objective, this …

Topological Cluster Statistic (Tcs): Toward Structural Connectivity–Guided Fmri Cluster Enhancement, Sina Mansour L., Caio Seguin, Anderson M. Winkler, Stephanie Noble, Andrew Zalesky

School of Medicine Publications

Abstract

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies most commonly use cluster-based inference to detect local changes in brain activity. Insufficient statistical power and disproportionate false-positive rates reportedly hinder optimal inference. We propose a structural connectivity–guided clustering framework, called topological cluster statistic (TCS), that enhances sensitivity by leveraging white matter anatomical connectivity information. TCS harnesses multimodal information from diffusion tractography and functional imaging to improve task fMRI activation inference. Compared to conventional approaches, TCS consistently improves power over a wide range of effects. This improvement results in a 10%–50% increase in local sensitivity with the greatest gains for medium-sized effects. TCS …

Reproducibility And Repeatability Of Intervoxel Incoherent Motion Mri Acquisition Methods In Liver, Juan A. Vasquez, Marissa Brown, Mary Woolsey, Mohammad Abdul-Ghani, Venkata Katabathina, Shengwen Deng, John Blangero, Geoffrey D. Clarke

School of Medicine Publications

Background: Intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) diffusion weighted MRI (DWI) has potential for evaluating hepatic fibrosis but image acquisition technique influence on diffusion parameter estimation bears investigation.

Purpose: To minimize variability and maximize repeatably in abdominal DWI in terms of IVIM parameter estimates.

Study type: Prospective test-retest and image quality comparison.

Subjects: Healthy volunteers (3F/7M, 29.9 ± 12.9 years) and Family Study subjects (18F/12M, 51.7 ± 16.7 years), without and with liver steatosis.

Field strength/sequence: Abdominal single-shot echo-planar imaging (EPI) and simultaneous multi-slice (SMS) DWI sequences with respiratory triggering (RT), breath-holding (BH), and navigator echo (NE) at 3 Tesla.

Assessment: SMS-BH, …

Disparities In Stage At Diagnosis Among Hispanic Patients With Gastric Cancer In The United States, Antoine Jeri-Yabar, Liliana Vittini-Hernandez, Renzo Aller-Rojas, Francisco Arias-Reyes, Sirish Dharmapuri

School of Medicine Publications

Simple Summary

This study investigates racial disparities in the stage of gastric cancer at diagnosis and overall survival among different racial groups using data from the SEER database (2018–2021). The retrospective cohort study of 18,984 patients found that Hispanics are 19% more likely to be diagnosed at a later stage of gastric cancer compared to non-Hispanics. Additionally, both Hispanics and Black patients showed poorer overall survival compared to Non-Hispanic Whites. The disparities are attributed to factors such as healthcare access, insurance coverage, language barriers, and preventive health service utilization. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to address these …

Longitudinal Development Of Resting-State Functional Connectivity In Adolescents With And Without Internalizing Disorders, Eline F. Roelofs, Janna Marie Bas-Hoogendam, Anderson M. Winkler, Nic J.A. Van Der Wee, Robert R.J. M. Vermeiren

School of Medicine Publications

Longitudinal studies using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) focused on adolescent internalizing psychopathology are scarce and have mostly investigated standardized treatment effects on functional connectivity (FC) of the full amygdala. The role of amygdala subregions and large resting-state networks had yet to be elucidated, and treatment is in practice often personalized. Here, longitudinal FC development of amygdala subregions and whole-brain networks are investigated in a clinically representative sample. Treatment-naïve adolescents with clinical depression and comorbid anxiety who started care-as-usual (n = 23; INT) and healthy controls (n = 24; HC) participated in rs-fMRI scans and questionnaires at baseline (before …

Preliminary Results In The Investigation Of In Vivo Iliac And Coronary Flow Collision, Vortex Formation, And Disorganized Flow Degeneration: Insights From Invasive Cardiology Based On Fluid Mechanics Principles And Practices, Thach Nguyen, Hieu D. Nguyen, Hoang V. K. Dinh, Tien H. T. Dinh, Khiem D. Ngo, Hieu H. Truong, Vu Tri Loc, Thien Le, Nhi Vo, Trung Q. T. Le

School of Medicine Publications

Background: In the research of coronary artery disease, the precise initial injury that starts the atherosclerotic cascade remains unidentified. Moreover, the mechanisms governing the progression or regression of coronary plaque are not yet fully understood. Based on the concept that the cardiovascular system is a network of pumps and pipes, could fluid mechanics principles and practices elucidate the question of atherosclerosis using flow dynamics images from a novel angiographic technique, focusing on antegrade and retrograde flows and their collisions in iliac and coronary arteries? Methods: From January 2023 to May 2024, coronary angiograms of all hemodynamically stable patients with stable …

Burden Of Diabetes Mellitus In The Medically Underserved Rio Grande Valley, John M. Gaddis, Elias Arellano, Kassandra Pulido, Tyler Torres, Dominic Chau-Zanetti, Natasha N. Quailes, Andres Suarez Parraga

School of Medicine Publications

Introduction

Diabetes mellitus (DM) encompasses metabolic disorders characterized by elevated blood sugar. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and associated metrics of DM in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV), a low-income and medically underserved region in the United States, and compare these metrics to the national averages from 2012 to 2022.

Methods

A retrospective cross-sectional analysis was conducted using publicly accessible data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Metrics analyzed included DM prevalence, average principal cost, rates of emergency department visits, hospitalizations, screenings, and prevalence of obesity. Data from the RGV counties were compared to national …

Neuroprotective Effects Of Magnesium: Implications For Neuroinflammation And Cognitive Decline, Veer Patel, Nuraly S. Akimbekov, William B. Grant, Carolyn Dean, Xiaoqian Fang, Mohammed S. Razzaque

School of Medicine Publications

Neurodegenerative diseases, which are characterized by progressive neuronal loss and cognitive decline, are a significant concern for the aging population. Neuroinflammation, a shared characteristic of these diseases, is implicated in their pathogenesis. This article briefly summarizes the role of magnesium, an essential mineral involved in numerous enzymatic reactions and critical for neuronal bioactivity, in the context of neuroinflammation and cognitive decline. The potential neuroprotective effects of magnesium, including the mechanisms of neuroprotection by magnesium through maintaining neuronal ion homeostasis, reducing inflammation, and preventing excitotoxicity, are also described. Additionally, we discuss the impact of inadequate magnesium on neuroinflammation and its potential …

Lactate/Pyruvate Ratio As An Early Predictor Of Mortality In Patients With Sepsis: A Cohort Study, Olga G. Cantu-Rodriguez, Jose A. Hawing-Zarate, Edgar Dorsey Trevino, David Hernandez-Barajas, Leonel E. Villalobos-Gutierrez, Jose Carlos Jaime-Perez, Consuelo Mancias-Guerra, Oscar Gonzalez-Llano, Graciela A. Gonzalez-Cantu, David Gomez-Almaguer, Cesar H. Gutierrez-Aguirre

School of Medicine Publications

Background: The lactate/pyruvate (LP) ratio has been studied as an alternative to serum lactate to determine clinical prognosis. Despite its clinical utility, there is a paucity of evidence evaluating the role of the L/P ratio in patients with sepsis. Methods: We assessed the clinical utility of the L/P ratio in patients with sepsis. The L/P ratio was measured at baseline, 4 and 8 h after admission. Our primary outcome was to determine the prognostic utility of the L/P ratio on the 15-day mortality risk. Our secondary outcomes were to compare the L/P ratio across time and its prognostic utility against …

Hypercalcemia-Driven Spontaneous Tumor Lysis Syndrome In A Case Of Recently Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma: An Unusual Clinical Encounter, Edgar Dorsey Trevino, Taha Al Hassan, Olga G. Cantu-Rodriguez

School of Medicine Publications

Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) represents an oncological emergency characterized by the rapid disintegration of neoplastic cells and subsequent release of their intracellular content into the systemic circulation due to cytotoxic therapy. However, a rare variant, spontaneous TLS (STLS), can occur without an evident precipitating factor. Prompt recognition of high-risk individuals and initiation of prophylactic interventions are crucial to forestall complications of electrolyte imbalance, such as cardiac arrhythmias or sudden death. We present the case of a 74-year-old male who was referred to the hematologist/oncologist’s office after exhibiting pelvic pain, progressive weakness, fatigue, unintended weight loss over the last five months, …

Project Give: Using A Virtual Genetics Service Platform To Reduce Health Inequities And Improve Access To Genomic Care In An Underserved Region Of Texas, Blake Vuocolo, Roberta Sierra, Keila Rodriguez, Ana Hernandez, Alberto Allegre, Humberto Hidalgo, Sarah Rodriguez, Jeremy Gibson, Robert Nelson, Lizbeth Mellin-Sanchez, Lori Berry, Kent Carter

School of Medicine Publications

Background

The utilization of genomic information to improve health outcomes is progressively becoming more common in clinical practice. Nonetheless, disparities persist in accessing genetic services among ethnic minorities, individuals with low socioeconomic status, and other vulnerable populations. The Rio Grande Valley (RGV) at the Texas-Mexico border is predominantly Hispanic/Latino with a high poverty rate and very limited access to genetic services. Funded by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, Project GIVE (Genetic Inclusion by Virtual Evaluation) was launched in 2022 to reduce the time to diagnosis and increase provider knowledge of genomics in this region, with the goal of …

Intestinal Microbiome As A Diagnostic Marker Of Coronary Artery Disease: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Yomna E. Dean, Mohamed A. Shebl, Mohamed Doma, Rafeek W. Elmezayen, Jose J. Loayza Pintado, Samah S. Rouzan, Noheir Ashraf Ibrahem Fathy Hassan, Yasmeen E. Yaqout, Akiko Tokunaga, Chukwuebuka Anozie

School of Medicine Publications

Background: The intestinal microbiome has been recently linked to several metabolic and chronic disorders, one of which is coronary artery disease (CAD). Our study aimed to analyze the intestinal microbiome of CAD patients and assess the eligibility of dysbiosis as a diagnostic marker of CAD.

Methods: PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science were searched using terms, such as 'CAD' and 'microbiome'. Only observational controlled studies were included. R version 4.2.2 was used for the analysis.

Results: A significant association was found between the CAD group and increased Simpson and Shannon Indices compared with the control group (MD=0.04, 95% CI=0.03-0.05, …