Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Predicting Accelerated And Delayed Aging In Global Settings: Biobehavioral Age Gaps And The Role Of Global Exposomes, Hernan Hernandez, Hernando Santamaria-Garcia, Sebastian Moguilne, Agustina Legaz, Pavel Prado, Jhosmary Cuadros, Liset Gonzalez, Cyprian Mostert, Chinedu Momoh, Zul Merali

Brain and Mind Institute

Background: Global health challenges like aging and dementia are shaped bysocioeconomic disparities, environmental factors, and social determinants of health.We developed a behavioral age gap (BAG), measuring the difference between expectedbehavioral age and chronological age

Method: We utilized a cross-sectional sample (n = 161,981) comprising countriesfrom Latin America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Behavioral age was estimated usinga Gradient Boosting Regressor with 10-fold cross-validation, incorporating multiplerisk factors (hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, female sex, visual impairment andhearing impairment) and protective factors (cognition, functional ability, education)associated with healthy aging. BAG was calculated as the difference between predictedand chronological age, and adjusted gaps were derived …

Reducing Operating Room Turnover Times Through Standardized Workflow, Trinity H. Darnell

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract

Prolonged operating room (OR) turnover times (TOTs) contribute to surgical delays, decreased case volume, and inefficiencies that negatively affect patient care and hospital operations. Lack of coordination in turnover processes and communication among staff are common contributors to extended TOTs. The purpose of this project was to reduce turnover times by implementing a standardized workflow carried out by efficiency teams composed of OR float staff. This project took place in the surgical department of a hospital in Sugar Land, Texas, using a single group pretest-posttest design. Baseline data was collected for 12-weeks prior to implementation and compared to 12-weeks of …

A Randomized Controlled Trial Combining House Screening And Insecticide-Treated Nets Reduces Malaria Transmission In Northwestern Ethiopia, Aklilu K. Belay, Abebe Asale, Catherine L. Sole, Abdullahi A. Yusuf, Baldwyn Torto, Zewdu Abro, Menale Kassie, Clifford M. Mutero, David P. Tchouassi

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

House screening (HS) of doors, eaves, and windows using wire-mesh has demonstrated potential in the integrated vector management of malaria. However, limited epidemiological data are available to guide its implementation across different ecological settings. In a 16-month randomized controlled trial (follow-up period) conducted across three agroecological areas (dry mountain, plateau highland, and semi-arid) in Jabi Tehnan district, northwestern Ethiopia, treatment houses were equipped with HS combined with insecticide-treated nets (ITNs), while control houses received ITNs only. The intervention led to a significant 2.3-fold reduction in indoor malaria vector density, the primary entomologic outcome, largely influenced by An. gambiae s.l. mosquitoes. …

Preparing For “Disease X”: Lessons From Tax And Non-Tax Policy Responses To The Covid-19 Pandemic In Singapore And Australia, Vincent Ooi

Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law

During the Covid-19 pandemic, a lack of pre-pandemic planning resulted in sub-optimal policy outcomes. Crucial lessons can be drawn from the experience of Singapore and Australia in the pandemic in implementing various tax and non-tax economic measures; lessons that can help in preparing for the next pandemic (“Disease X”). This article analyses and critically evaluates three main categories of economic measures: direct payments, tax measures and non-tax “other” measures. It finds that direct payment measures such as jobs support had a very significant impact on preserving jobs and supporting the economy. However, eligibility conditions have to be carefully designed for …

Protocol For Visual-Acoustic Intervention With Service Delivery In-Person And Via Telepractice (Visit) Non-Inferiority Trial For Residual Speech Sound Disorder, Tara Mcallister, Jonathan L. Preston, Elaine R. Hitchcock, Nina R. Benway, Jennifer Hill

Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Background: Residual speech sound disorder (RSSD) is a high-prevalence condition that negatively impacts social and academic participation. Telepractice service delivery has the potential to expand access to technology-enhanced intervention methods that can help remediate RSSD, but it is not known whether remote service delivery is associated with a reduction in the efficacy of these methods. This project will systematically measure the outcomes of visual-acoustic biofeedback intervention when delivered in-person or online. Methods/design: This project, Visual-acoustic Intervention with Service delivery In-person and via Telepractice (VISIT), aims to treat 76 children in a parallel randomized controlled clinical trial in which children with …

Recovery And Characterization Of Moraxella Species From Bovine Specimens, Laura G. Leger

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The family Moraxellaceae is made up of a diverse group of 24 named species that fall into three phylogenetic groups. While most Moraxella spp. act as commensal respiratory and/or ocular flora of mammals, some are associated with disease. One of these diseases, infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK), has significant welfare and economic impacts to both cattle and cattle producers. Moraxella bovis is the only experimentally determined cause of IBK, however, an association of Moraxella bovoculi with disease has been proposed. Currently, available vaccines do not have high levels of efficacy in the field. Culture based methods are the gold standard for …

Dual-Level Pattern Tree For Visual Field Improves Glaucoma Progression And Polygenic Risk Prediction, Luo Song, Lucy Q. Shen, Louis R. Pasquale, Michael V. Boland, Sarah R. Wellik, Carlos Gustavo De Moraes, Ayellet Segre, Janey L. Wiggs, Constance Turman, Jonathan S. Myers, Tobias Elze, Nazlee Zebardast, David S. Friedman, Jae H. Kang, Mengyu Wang

Wills Eye Hospital Papers

PURPOSE: To develop a dual-level pattern tree to characterize visual field (VF) loss subtypes that can be used to better predict glaucoma progression and glaucoma polygenic risk scores (PRSs).

METHODS: This study included 113,030 patients from three datasets, each used for a specific purpose: (1) model training, (2) progression forecasting, and (3) PRS correlations. We applied archetypal analysis to cluster 24-2 VFs into trunk patterns and their branch patterns. The Cox regression model was used to forecast VF progression using mean deviation (MD) slope, MD-fast slope, total deviation (TD) pointwise slope, and visual field index (VFI) slope. Multivariable regression analyses …

Net Effects Of Correlated Determinants Of Health Among U.S. Older Adults, Haomiao Jia, E I. Lubetkin

Publications and Research

Background

The health effect produced by a contributing factor alone may be different from the effect when other interacting factors are present. The effects of a set of contributors, estimated by regression coefficients, may be invalid or inappropriate if some of the predictors are correlated or the model has interaction and nonlinear terms. The net effect (NE) of a given contributing factor is the effect produced by the factor alone, not by other factors due to their correlations with the factor of interest. This study estimated NE of selected determinants of health for U.S. older adults.

Methods

Participants, aged ≥ …

Monte Carlo Simulations Of Geometric Deformation Of Harrison-Anderson-Mick Applicators Used In Intraoperative Radiation Therapy, Benjamin Insley, Brett Bocian, Sam Beddar, Reza Reiazi, Patrick James Jensen, Rachael M Martin-Paulpeter, Joshua Scott Niedzielski, David Flint, Gabriel Oliveira Sawakuchi, Luis Augusto Perles

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: The Harrison-Anderson-Mick (HAM) applicator is a high-dose-rate intraoperative radiotherapy (HDR-IORT) applicator used to position Ir-192 brachytherapy sources over surgically-accessed tumor volumes or post-resection tumor beds. Because of the lack of a 3D imaging system, dwell times are optimized pre-surgery by a TG-43-based treatment planning system (TPS) that assumes a perfectly flat applicator surface surrounded by an infinite water phantom. These assumed conditions are disparate from typical treatment conditions, especially in the pelvic regions, which often involve uneven patient surfaces and superficial irradiations with little to no backscatter material.

Purpose: Develop and validate a Monte Carlo (MC) model of HDR-IORT …

Evaluating A Blood Warming Device For Packed Red Blood Cell Transfusions To Decrease Hypothermia In Very Preterm Infants: A Randomised Control Trial Protocol, Kayla C. Everhart Phd, Rn, Michael D. Wirth Msph, Phd, Face, Victor N. Iskersky, Robin B. Dail Phd, Rn, Faan

Publications

Background: This protocol describes a study to test a commercial blood warming device in warming blood transfusions to prevent hypothermia associated with packed red blood cell (PRBC) transfusions in very preterm infants. Objectives: Very preterm infants receiving blood transfusions warmed by a commercial blood warmer will have less central body hypothermia post transfusion (abdominal temperatures < 36.5°C) and/or a higher mean abdominal temperature for the hour after the transfusion is complete compared to those receiving blood transfusions by standard of care. This trial has been registered with Clinicaltrials.gov (trial number NCT05170633). Methods: In this trial, which is funded by The Gerber Foundation and adhered to the SPIRIT2013 checklist, 140 very preterm infants with an order to receive PRBCs will be randomised into a standard of care group to receive one PRBC transfusion over 3 h with blood in a syringe at room temperature or into the intervention group to receive one PRBC transfusion over 3 h using a Hotline® Blood and Fluid Warmer. Abdominal skin temperatures will be measured every minute through a blood transfusion using a skin thermistor and datalogger. Data analysis: Descriptive statistics will be computed for each group to compare demographics and all infant pre-, during, and post-transfusion body temperatures. A student t-test will be used to compare the groups on mean post-transfusion temperatures as a primary outcome variable. To examine thermal change over time between the two groups, linear mixed models with a random intercept will be utilised. Results: This trial began in January 2022, in a South Carolina neonatal intensive care unit and is ongoing. Discussion: This RCT will determine if warming PRBC transfusions will prevent hypothermia in preterm infants during and after blood transfusions. Results from this trial will be used to design national standards for blood transfusions in preterm infants to decrease morbidity and mortality.

Interventions, Programmes And Resources That Address Culturally And Linguistically Diverse Consumer And Carers’ Cancer Information Needs: A Mixed Methods Systematic Review, Lisa Whitehead, Deborah Kirk, Pelden Chejor, Weiting Liu, Minh Nguyen, Caroline Balczer, Charlene Lan, Melissa Evans

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) consumers and carers have been identified as experiencing high levels of unmet needs relating to information and support across the cancer journey. This review identified and evaluated the effectiveness of strategies to meet the cancer information needs of consumers and carers from CaLD backgrounds. Methods: This review followed Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology for systematic reviews. Databases searched included MEDLINE, CINAHL Ultimate, PsycINFO and AMED, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, and GreyNet. Published and unpublished studies between 2013 - May 2024 on interventions, programmes or resources developed for adults (aged 18 years and over) from …

Embedding-Driven Dual-Branch Approach For Accurate Breast Tumor Cellularity Classification, Hossam Magdy Balaha, Ali Mahmoud, Khadiga M. Ali, Mohammed Ghazal, Norah Saleh Alghamdi, Ashraf Khalil, Ayman El-Baz

All Works

This study proposes a dual-branch framework for precise classification of breast tumor cellularity via histopathological images where it integrates two distinct branches: the Embedding Extraction Branch (embedding-driven) and the Vision Classification Branch (vision-based). The Embedding Extraction Branch uses the Virchow2 transformation to generate dense, structured embeddings, whereas the Vision Classification Branch employs Nomic AI Embedded Vision v1.5 to process image patches and produce classification logits. Both branches’ outputs are combined to form the final classification. The framework also suggests Knowledge Block with fully connected layers, batch normalization, and dropout to improve feature extraction and reduce overfitting. The proposed approach reports …

The Contribution Of Audition And Proprioception In Unisensory And Multisensory Target Reaching, Ivan Camponogara

All Works

Everyday actions often involve reaching for targets sensed by auditory and proprioceptive senses (reaching a ringing smartphone in the dark or tapping on it while holding it with the other hand). However, it is still unclear whether reaching performance toward auditory and proprioceptive targets is modality-specific and whether performance improves under multisensory compared to unisensory conditions. Here, we addressed these questions by measuring reaching performance toward auditory, proprioceptive, and combined audio-proprioceptive targets along the azimuth and depth dimensions. Accuracy was similar along the azimuth dimension, whereas precision was generally lower for auditory targets compared to proprioceptive and audio-proprioceptive targets. A …

Sleep Irregularity Is Associated With Night-Time Technology, Dysfunctional Sleep Beliefs And Subjective Sleep Parameters Amongst Female University Students, Teresa Arora, Fernando Vaquerizo-Villar, Roberto Hornero, David Gozal

All Works

Sleep irregularity has been linked to multiple deleterious consequences in clinical populations or community adults and adolescents, but little is known about young adults. In this study, we explored the relationships between two measures of sleep regularity and a wide range of factors (lifestyle behaviors, subjective sleep, clinical outcomes, and academic performance) in a sample of female, university students in the United Arab Emirates. A total of 176 participants were recruited. Objective estimates of sleep–wake patterns were obtained using seven-day wrist actigraphy and data were used to calculate daily sleep regularity with the Sleep Regularity Index (SRI) and weekly sleep …

Characterising Acute And Chronic Care Needs: Insights From The Global Burden Of Disease Study 2019, Yves Miel H. Zuniga, Alimuddin Zumla, Liesl J. Zuhlke, Mohammad Zoladl, Boback Ziaeian, Chenwen Zhong, Xiu Ju George Zhao, Zhi Jiang Zhang, Jianrong Zhang, Nejimu Biza Zepro, Getachew Assefa Zenebe, Jean David Zeitoun, Zelalem Banjaw Zegeye, Mikhail Sergeevich Zastrozhin, Zahra Zareshahrabadi, Kourosh Zarea, Ali Zare Dehnavi, Iman Zare, Moein Zangiabadian, Alireza Zangeneh, Nelson Zamora, Sojib Bin Zaman, Nazar Zaki, Farima Zakaryaei, Mazyar Zahir, Farbod Zahedi Tajrishi, Vesna Zadnik, Ali Artaman

All Works

Chronic care manages long-term, progressive conditions, while acute care addresses short-term conditions. Chronic conditions increasingly strain health systems, which are often unprepared for these demands. This study examines the burden of conditions requiring acute versus chronic care, including sequelae. Conditions and sequelae from the Global Burden of Diseases Study 2019 were classified into acute or chronic care categories. Data were analysed by age, sex, and socio-demographic index, presenting total numbers and contributions to burden metrics such as Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs), Years Lived with Disability (YLD), and Years of Life Lost (YLL). Approximately 68% of DALYs were attributed to chronic …

Decorin Deficiency Promotes D-Galactose-Induced Skeletal Muscle Atrophy And Fibrosis By Regulating Itgb1/Akt/Mtor Signalling Pathway, Xiaoqin Luo, Mengxue Zhang, Lili Chen, Ruichang Wang, Jiabing Lian, Zhe Yang, Renato V. Iozzo, Jin Wang, Yan Zhang, Xiuli Bi

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Primary sarcopenia is an age-associated disorder with progressive and generalised loss of skeletal muscle strength and mass. Skeletal muscle fibrosis is one of the significant pathological manifestations of age-associated sarcopenia. Decorin, a small dermatan-sulfate proteoglycan, participates in extracellular matrix assembly. In numerous studies, the involvement of decorin is not restricted to matrix structural proteins, and it also affects a diverse variety of biological functions like cell growth, adhesion, migration, proliferation and differentiation. Additionally, it modulates the process of inflammation and fibrillogenesis. Based on these preclinical evidences, we hypothesised that decorin may potentially play an important role in skeletal muscles …

The Association Between Gestational Body Mass Index Change, Cesarean Section, And Other Pregnancy Outcomes: Research Protocol: Retrospective Cohort Analysis, Kirsten I. Black, Owen Streeter, Arianne Sweeting, Pejman Adily, Mark Lauer, Adrienne Gordon, Vincenzo Berghella, Belinda R. Bruce, Lauren Ferris, Bradley De Vries

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Faculty Papers

Increasingly the value of gestational weight gain (GWG) as a useful measure to predict obstetric outcomes including cesarean section is being questioned. We will undertake a retrospective cohort study of recorded births in 2023 from 24 to 42 weeks' gestation for women aged from 16 to 49 years in the United States. Using multivariable Robust Poisson Regression, maternal body mass index (BMI) and BMI gain will be modelled on the primary outcome of cesarean delivery. The primary analysis will be restricted to nulliparous women if there is interaction between parity and BMI or BMI gain. A sample of 716,392 births …

Mapping The Mortality-To-Incidence Ratios Of Alzheimer’S Disease And Related Dementias (Adrds): Evidence From The South Carolina Alzheimer’S Disease Registry, Eric Mishio Bawa, Daniel A. Amoatika, Margaret C. Miller Ms, Ph.D., Bankole A. Olatosi Ph.D., Lorie Donelle Phd, Rn, Fcan, Sue E. Levkoff Scd, Msw, Sm, James W. Hardin Ph.D., Xiaoming Li Ph.D., Leonardo Bonilha, Daniela B. Friedman Ph.D., Swann Arp Adams Ph.D., Ms, Face

Publications

Introduction Mortality-to-incidence ratios (MIRs) are useful in assessing disease burdens and illustrating disparities. Unlike cancer, MIRs have not been applied to ADRDs. Therefore, we estimated and mapped the MIRs for ADRDs to show disparities in South Carolina. Methods Using data from the South Carolina Alzheimer’s Disease Registry (2017−2021), ADRD MIRs were calculated by demographic and geospatial characteristics. To account for the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic, data from 2015 to 2019 were also examined. MIRs were calculated as age-adjusted mortality rates divided by age-adjusted incidence rates. Results Overall, Black people and rural individuals consistently experienced higher MIRs, with the COVID-19 …

Building Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Student Competencies For Telemental Health Treatment Through Simulation, Amy Dievendorf Dnp, Aprn, Fnp-Bc, Agacnp-Bc, Phyllis Raynor Phd, Aprn, Pmhnp-Bc, Beverly Baliko Phd, Rn, Pmhnp-Bc, Abbas Tavakoli Drph, Mph, Me

Publications

Depressive disorders are common mental health conditions that are often undiagnosed or undertreated. Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioners (AGACNPs) are educated in the management of acute and critically ill patients but are often uncomfortable identifying and treating mental health conditions. Telehealth instruction is useful in mental healthcare and is required as part of the AGACNP’s efficient patient care competencies. This article reports findings from a mental health-focused telehealth instructional activity integrated into an existing AGACNP curriculum. This instructional activity was designed to introduce students to telehealth delivery and build AGACNP competencies using telehealth technology to assess patients with depressive mood …

Dna Methylation Markers Of Insulin Resistance Surrogate Measures In The Atherosclerosis Risk In Communities (Aric) Study, Jeewoen Shin, Jan Bressler, Megan L Grove, Michael Brown, Elizabeth Selvin, James S Pankow, Myriam Fornage, Alanna C Morrison, Chloé Sarnowski

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Insulin resistance (IR) is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes. Associations between DNA methylation (DNAm) and IR have been less studied in African ancestry (AA) populations than those of European ancestry (EA). We aimed to identify associations between whole blood DNAm and IR in up to 1,811 AA and 964 EA participants from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study. We quantified IR using three surrogate measures: the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), the triglyceride-glucose index (TyG), and the triglyceride glucose-body mass index (TyG-BMI). We used ancestry-stratified linear regression models to conduct epigenome-wide association …

Association Of Epigenetic Age Acceleration And Mitochondrial Dna-Based Aging Metrics Provides Insights Into Mechanisms Of Aging-Related Diseases, Mengyao Wang, Yinan Zheng, Meng Lai, Emmanuel Saake, Xue Liu, Xiuqing Guo, Kent D Taylor, Tianxiao Huan, Roby Joehanes, Drew R Nannini, Kai Zhang, Nicole J Lake, Christina A Castellani, Stephen S Rich, Jerome I Rotter, Yongmei Liu, Laura M Raffield, April P Carson, Myriam Fornage, Jiantao Ma, Dan E Arking, Lifang Hou, Daniel Levy, Chunyu Liu

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Investigating the interplay between mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variations and epigenetic aging metrics may elucidate biological mechanisms associated with age-related diseases. We estimated epigenetic age acceleration (EAA) metrics from DNA methylation data and derived mtDNA metrics, including heteroplasmic variants and mtDNA copy number (mtDNA CN) from whole genome sequencing. Linear regressions and meta-analyses were conducted to assess associations between EAA and mtDNA metrics, adjusting for chronological age, self-identified sex, and other covariates in 6,316 participants (58% female, 41% non-White Americans). Mediation analysis was conducted to examine whether EAA mediated the relationship between mtDNA CN and metabolic traits. A higher burden of …

Trends In Hospital Resource Use For Children With Complex Chronic Conditions., Nathaniel D. Bayer, Matthew Hall, Maria Osipovich, John M. Morrison, Christian D. Pulcini, Jana C. Leary, Joanna E. Thomson, Tamara D. Simon, Dennis Z. Kuo, Jeffrey D. Colvin, Eyal Cohen, Jay G. Berry

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

IMPORTANCE: Despite a small prevalence, children with complex chronic conditions (CCCs) use substantial inpatient resources.

OBJECTIVE: To assess national trends in hospital discharges, bed days, and hospital charges for children with and without CCCs in the US from 2000 to 2022.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This retrospective, repeated cross-sectional study used hospital discharge data from the Kids' Inpatient Database (KID) from the years 2000, 2003, 2006, 2009, 2012, 2016, 2019, and 2022 for US children aged 0 to 18 years, excluding uncomplicated newborn discharges.

EXPOSURE: Presence of 0, 1, 2, or 3 or more CCCs.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Trends …

Comparative Value Of Echocardiography Vs. Right Heart Catheterization In Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction, Nathanael Tran, Mohammad Shaar, Hussein Al-Sudani, Ramy Sedhom, Hamza Akhtar, Kevin Bryan Lo, Gregg S. Pressman

Einstein Health Papers

BACKGROUND: Echocardiography and right heart catheterization (RHC) are useful in the evaluation of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). We compared the two among decompensated HFpEF patients to determine their relative value in predicting all-cause mortality and a composite of cardiovascular (CV) death and heart failure (HF) readmission at 1 year.

METHODS: One hundred seventy-eight decompensated HFpEF patients who underwent both procedures and survived to hospital discharge were retrospectively identified. Hospital records and the National Death Index were queried to determine outcomes. Echocardiographic and invasive parameters were tested for significant associations with each outcome. Additionally, three predictive models were …

A Molecular Renaissance In Alzheimer's Disease Research: The Rise Of Systems Biology And Spatial Omics, Lucia M. Perez-Navarro, Juan Lopez-Alvarenga

School of Medicine Publications

Recent advances in multi-omics and spatial proteomics are reshaping our understanding of Alzheimer's disease. Guo et al.1 applied integrative multi-omics to stratify mild cognitive impairment into biologically distinct subtypes with divergent progression trajectories: one metabolically impaired and slow-progressing, the other immune-activated and rapidly declining. Current techniques such as STC-DESI, LCM-MS, and machine learning enhance regional proteomic resolution, supporting biomarker discovery and spatially targeted interventions. This work exemplifies a broader shift toward precision medicine and a systems-level molecular framework in neurodegenerative disease research.

From Molecules To Models: A Holistic Review Of Autism Spectrum Disorder Mechanisms And Research Tools, Sriya Gullapalli, Lois Baldado, Megan W. Szobody, Anesu K. Murambadoro, Kevin Garcia Valdez, Arjun Bellamkonda, Daniela Gonzalez, Usman Ghumman, Nikhilesh Anand, Kelsey A. Potter-Baker, Bharathi Gadad

School of Medicine Publications

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition characterized by persistent deficits in social communication and interaction, as well as restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities. These features are associated with atypical early brain development and connectivity. While ASD has been traditionally associated with molecular genetic alterations, recent research highlights the significant contribution of various environmental factors to the pathophysiology of the disorder. Pathogenic genetic variations in key regulatory genes remain central to ASD risk; however, environmental influences such as advanced maternal or paternal age, poor maternal health during pregnancy, gestational diabetes mellitus, alterations in the early-life …

Cannabidiol And Beta-Caryophyllene: Chronic Inflammatory Pain, Mohammed Alnoud, Mohammad Hussain, Jose Rios, Emmanuel Franco, Justin D. Mills, Joshua Nwose, Maria Sophia Malbas, Hiram L. Garcia, Sophia Leslie, Manish Tripathi, Khalid Benamar

School of Medicine Publications

While chronic pain is challenging to manage, it always co-exists with depression. Currently, chronic pain and depression are usually treated separately with distinct approaches, yet effectiveness remains elusive. Consequently, the development of integrated therapeutic strategies for pain while addressing depression is a high public health priority and unmet need that affects millions of people. This study aims to determine if the combination of the two phytocannabinoids Beta-Caryophyllene (BCP) and cannabidiol (CBD) is effective for chronic pain while simultaneously showing antidepressant effects. We used a chronic inflammatory pain model (Complete Freund's Adjuvant, CFA) and a battery of pain and depression-like behavior …

Predicting Five-Year Comorbid Bipolar Disorder After Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Diagnosis: A Population-Based Machine Learning Approach, Yen-Shan Yang, Chih-Wei Hsu, Liang-Jen Wang, Kuo-Chuan Hung, Yang-Chieh Brian Chen, Chih-Sung Liang, Mu-Hong Chen

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Background

Early detection and accurate prediction of bipolar disorders (BDs) comorbidity in individuals with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are clinically critical. This study used machine-learning methods to identify features predictive of subsequent BD among patients initially diagnosed with ADHD.

Methods

We analyzed claims from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database (2000–2013) and included patients aged ≥ 12 years with at least two diagnoses of ADHD. Predictor features included demographics (sex, age at ADHD onset), healthcare utilization (psychiatric outpatient visit counts), comorbidities (International Classification of Diseases–coded diagnoses), psychiatric medications (Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical–coded prescriptions), and family psychiatric history. All features were extracted …

A Class Of Benzofuranoindoline-Bearing Heptacyclic Fungal Ripps With Anticancer Activities, Qiuyue Nie, Fanglong Zhao, Xuerong Yu, Mithun C Madhusudhanan, Caleb Chang, Siting Li, Sandipan Roy Chowdhury, Bryce Kille, Andy Xu, Rory Sharkey, Chunxiao Sun, Hongzhi Zeng, Shuai Liu, Dishu Zhou, Xin Yu, Kevin Yang, Sandra A C Figueiredo, Maria Zotova, Zichen Hu, Alan Y Du, Dongyin Guan, Rui Tang, Todd Treangen, Jin Wang, Pedro N Leão, Yang Gao, Junjie Chen, Peng Liu, Hans Renata, Xue Gao

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs) are a promising source of new pharmaceuticals, yet the therapeutic potential of fungal RiPPs remains largely underexplored. Here, we report asperigimycins as a distinct class of fungal RiPPs, featuring a unique heptacyclic scaffold consisting of a benzofuranoindoline core and three additional macrocycles, primarily assembled by six distinct fungi-specific DUF3328 oxidases. Inspired by the enhancement of anticancer activity through the N-terminal pyroglutamate in naturally occurring asperigimycins C and D, we chemically modify the inactive asperigimycin B with a series of lipid substitutions at its N-terminus. A derivative with a C-11 linear fatty …

Reliability Analysis Of In-Person And Virtual Goniometric Measurements For Select Shoulder And Forearm Motions, Autumn Whitson, Tracy Cook, Lisa Middleton, Casey E. Humphrey, Aaron D. Sciascia

EKU Faculty and Staff Scholarship

Background Previous research on upper extremity range of motion has compared in-person to virtual measures for sagittal plane motions (flexion/extension) showing good-excellent reliability. Since upper extremity evaluation includes motion in all planes, it is important to assess whether transverse plane motion (rotation, supination, pronation) can be reliably measured during a virtual assessment. Purpose To evaluate the reliability (test/re-test inter-rater and intra-rater) of goniometric measurements of shoulder internal rotation and forearm pronation/supination obtained in-person and virtually. Study Design Observational cohort, Reliability study Methods Subjects 18-60 years of age with no upper extremity injuries were recruited for range of motion (ROM) testing …

The Personality Profile Of U.S. Vice President Jd Vance, Aubrey Immelman, Logan Butler

Psychology Faculty Publications

This paper presents the results of an indirect personality assessment of U.S. vice president JD Vance, from the conceptual perspective of personologist Theodore Millon.

Psychodiagnostically relevant data relating to Vance were collected from biographical sources and media reports and synthesized into a personality profile using the Millon Inventory of Diagnostic Criteria (MIDC), which yields 34 normal and maladaptive personality classifications congruent with DSM-III-R, DSM-IV, and DSM-5-TR.

The personality profile yielded by the MIDC was analyzed in accordance with interpretive guidelines provided in the MIDC and Millon Index of Personality Styles manuals. Vance’s primary personality patterns were found …