Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Tumor And Microenvironment Evolution During Immunotherapy With Nivolumab., Nadeem Riaz, Jonathan J Havel, Vladimir Makarov, Alexis Desrichard, Walter Urba, Jennifer S Sims, F Stephen Hodi, Salvador Martín-Algarra, Rajarsi Mandal, William H Sharfman, Shailender Bhatia, Wen-Jen Hwu, Thomas F Gajewski, Craig L Slingluff, Diego Chowell, Sviatoslav M Kendall, Han Chang, Rachna Shah, Fengshen Kuo, Luc G T Morris, John-William Sidhom, Jonathan P Schneck, Christine E Horak, Nils Weinhold, Timothy A Chan

Articles, Abstracts, and Reports

The mechanisms by which immune checkpoint blockade modulates tumor evolution during therapy are unclear. We assessed genomic changes in tumors from 68 patients with advanced melanoma, who progressed on ipilimumab or were ipilimumab-naive, before and after nivolumab initiation (CA209-038 study). Tumors were analyzed by whole-exome, transcriptome, and/or T cell receptor (TCR) sequencing. In responding patients, mutation and neoantigen load were reduced from baseline, and analysis of intratumoral heterogeneity during therapy demonstrated differential clonal evolution within tumors and putative selection against neoantigenic mutations on-therapy. Transcriptome analyses before and during nivolumab therapy revealed increases in distinct immune cell subsets, activation of specific …

Table Of Contents

Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science

No abstract provided.

Investigating The Toxicity And Accumulation Of 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid (2,4-D) And Glyphosate In Eisenia Fetida, Caitlin Lazurick, Nicole Lidzbarski, Rachel Owings, Jeff Brotherton, Edna Steele

Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science

Glyphosate, the main ingredient in Roundup^®, is the most widely used herbicide in the world. It is also used in combination with another effective herbicide, 2,4-D, in the formulation called Enlist Duo^®. The EPA approved the use of Enlist Duo^® on certain crops including those genetically modified to be resistant to both herbicides. The predicted significant increase in the use of these herbicides raised concerns from the general public because both compounds have been classified as possibly or probably carcinogenic. Since herbicides are applied directly to vegetation, the safety of organisms that come in contact …

Optimizing Sperm Collection Procedures In Zebrafish, Madelyn B. Wasden, Rachel L. Roberts, April Delaurier

Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science

Zebrafish are a highly-valued model organism used for developmental biology research. Zebrafish can be used for genetic manipulation and hence, many mutant and transgenic lines exist. It is impractical to maintain lines of adult zebrafish, due to resource constraints and the need to continuously produce new generations. Therefore, a practical way to preserve zebrafish lines is to freeze sperm and retrieve lines using in vitro fertilization of fresh eggs. Most existing in vitro protocols used by research labs have a wide variety of fertilization rates (ranging from 0% to >90%). Due to this variability, lines may be at risk of …

The Effects Of Sports Related Head Impact On Balance And Neurocognitive Functions, Shaquanda D. Ross-Simmons, Michelle L. Vieyra, Abhishek Jain, Keri Weed

Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science

The goal of this study was to investigate the effects of sports-related head injury on balance, attention, and memory. Reliable differences have been found using measures that directly tap into brain functioning, such as the auditory oddball task combined with EEG recording. We hypothesized that athletes reporting a diagnosed concussion or participation in high-risk sports would have compromised balance and neurocognitive functioning compared to athletes in low risk sports. Forty-five undergraduate participants were identified as either concussed, non-concussed in high-risk sports, or non-concussed in low-risk sports using a survey of athletic history, head trauma and demographics. The Biopac MP36 system, …

Investigation Of Moringa Oleifera Leaf Extract And Its Cancer-Selective Antiproliferative Properties, Reagen H. Welch, Ashlee H. Tietje

Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science

Moringa oleifera is a tree native to a number of Asian, African, and Central American countries and has been used in traditional medicine for an assortment of medicinal uses for centuries. Due to bioactive compounds within Moringa leaves, it is believed that Moringa leaf extract may possess cancer-selective antiproliferative properties. Previous research has been conducted in regards to this topic, but poor experimental design due to lack of necessary controls limits the legitimacy of anticancer claims. While previous research has shown that Moringa leaf extract has the potential to kill cancer cells, the research fails to demonstrate the effects of …

Differences In Pragmatic Language Measures In Mothers Of Children With Autism Or Fragile X Syndrome, Michelle Huang

Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science

Mastery of pragmatics, which refers to the language used in different social interactions, is key to effective communication in daily life. However, studies have found that mothers of children with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) are at an increased risk for impaired pragmatic language skills. Though many measures of pragmatic language exist for children, very few are available for these mothers. Two commonly used measures for the mothers include the Pragmatic Rating Scale (PRS) and the Pragmatic Language Subscale of the Broad Autism Phenotype Questionnaire (BAPQ). This study, unlike previous ones that only look at …

Differential Impact Of Serial Measurement Of Nonplatelet Thromboxane Generation On Long-Term Outcome After Cardiac Surgery., Nikolaos Kakouros, Tyler J Gluckman, John V Conte, Thomas S Kickler, Katherine Laws, Bruce A Barton, Jeffrey J Rade

Articles, Abstracts, and Reports

BACKGROUND: Systemic thromboxane generation, not suppressible by standard aspirin therapy and likely arising from nonplatelet sources, increases the risk of atherothrombosis and death in patients with cardiovascular disease. In the RIGOR (Reduction in Graft Occlusion Rates) study, greater nonplatelet thromboxane generation occurred early compared with late after coronary artery bypass graft surgery, although only the latter correlated with graft failure. We hypothesize that a similar differential association exists between nonplatelet thromboxane generation and long-term clinical outcome.

METHODS AND RESULTS: Five-year outcome data were analyzed for 290 RIGOR subjects taking aspirin with suppressed platelet thromboxane generation. Multivariable modeling was performed to …

Hypotonia And Intellectual Disability Without Dysmorphic Features In A Patient With Pign-Related Disease., Isabelle Thiffault, Britton Zuccarelli, Holly Welsh, Xuan Yuan, Emily Farrow, Lee Zellmer, Neil Miller, Sarah Soden, Ahmed Abdelmoity, Robert A Brodsky, Carol Saunders

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: Defects in the human glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor biosynthetic pathway are associated with inherited glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-deficiencies characterized by a broad range of clinical phenotypes including multiple congenital anomalies, dysmorphic faces, developmental delay, hypotonia, and epilepsy. Biallelic variants in PIGN, encoding phosphatidylinositol-glycan biosynthesis class N have been recently associated with multiple congenital anomalies hypotonia seizure syndrome.

CASE PRESENTATION: Our patient is a 2 year old male with hypotonia, global developmental delay, and focal epilepsy. Trio whole-exome sequencing revealed heterozygous variants in PIGN, c.181G > T (p.Glu61*) and c.284G > A (p.Arg95Gln). Analysis of FLAER and anti-CD59 by flow-cytometry demonstrated a shift in this patient's …

Ensemble-Based Modeling And Rigidity Decomposition Of Allosteric Interaction Networks And Communication Pathways In Cyclin-Dependent Kinases: Differentiating Kinase Clients Of The Hsp90-Cdc37 Chaperone, Gabrielle Stetz, Amanda Tse, Gennady M. Verkhivker

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

The overarching goal of delineating molecular principles underlying differentiation of protein kinase clients and chaperone-based modulation of kinase activity is fundamental to understanding activity of many oncogenic kinases that require chaperoning of Hsp70 and Hsp90 systems to attain a functionally competent active form. Despite structural similarities and common activation mechanisms shared by cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) proteins, members of this family can exhibit vastly different chaperone preferences. The molecular determinants underlying chaperone dependencies of protein kinases are not fully understood as structurally similar kinases may often elicit distinct regulatory responses to the chaperone. The regulatory divergences observed for members of CDK …

Nlrp10 Enhances Cd4+ T-Cell-Mediated Ifnγ Response Via Regulation Of Dendritic Cell-Derived Il-12 Release, Maurizio Vacca, Julia Böhme, Lisa Zambetti, Hanif Javanmard Khameneh, Bhairav S. Paleja, Federica Laudisi, Adrian W. S. Ho, Kurt Neo, Keith Weng Kit Leong, Mardiana Marzuki, Bernett Lee, Michael Poidinger, Laura Santambrogio, Liana Tsenova, Francesca Zolezzi, Gennaro De Libero, Amit Singhal, Alessandra Mortellaro

Publications and Research

NLRP10 is a nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor that functions as an intracellular pattern recognition receptor for microbial products. Here, we generated a Nlrp10−/− mouse to delineate the role of NLRP10 in the host immune response and found that Nlrp10−/− dendritic cells (DCs) elicited sub-optimal IFNγ production by antigenspecific CD4+ T cells compared to wild-type (WT) DCs. In response to T-cell encounter, CD40 ligation or Toll-like receptor 9 stimulation, Nlrp10−/− DCs produced low levels of IL-12, due to a substantial decrease in NF-κB activation. Defective IL-12 production was also evident in vivo and affected IFNγ production by CD4+ T cells. Upon …

Diagnostic Divisions Of Eating Disorders: A Critical Analysis, Channah A. Leff

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this thesis is to critically examine the diagnostic divisions of eating disorders as proposed within the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). I focus on Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder, and Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED), although there were several new categories issued in 2013. Using person-centered ethnographic interviews, focus groups, participant observation, and autoethnography, I collected qualitative data to highlight how disordered eaters perceive themselves and their behaviors in relation to their diagnoses. I recruited participants in Boston, MA from Eating Disorders Anonymous (EDA), a decentralized network of support groups …

Validation Of The Electronic Kids Dietary Index (E-Kindex) Screening Tool For Early Identification Of Risk For Overweight/Obesity (Ow/Ob) In A Pediatric Population: Associations With Quality Of Life Perceptions, Patricia A. Hall

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Despite a worsening obesity epidemic and despite the American Medical Association (AMA) declaring Obesity a disease (2013), few assessment tools exist that assist practitioners who are charged with identifying risk for development of OW/OB in children. The Center for Health Statistics (2017) reported a 40% rate in obesity in the adult population and 18.5% in children in the U.S. Successful weight loss maintenance after 1 to 2 years of non-invasive treatment is less than 1%, indicating obesity is nearly incurable, making prevention imperative. Assessing risk for OW/OB in children has proven difficult given the lack of validated tools. The purposes …

"Active Team" A Social And Gamified App-Based Physical Activity Intervention: Randomised Controlled Trial Study Protocol, Sarah Edney, Ronald Plotnikoff, Corneel Vandelanotte, Tim Olds, Ilse De Bourdeaudhuij, Jillian Ryan, Carol Maher

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background

Physical inactivity is a leading preventable cause of chronic disease and premature death globally, yet over half of the adult Australian population is inactive. To address this, web-based physical activity interventions, which have the potential to reach large numbers of users at low costs, have received considerable attention. To fully realise the potential of such interventions, there is a need to further increase their appeal to boost engagement and retention, and sustain intervention effects over longer periods of time. This randomised controlled trial aims to evaluate the efficacy of a gamified physical activity intervention that connects users to each …

Hospice Utilization Of Medicare Beneficiaries In Hawai‘I Compared To Other States, Deborah Taira, Merle Kataoka-Yahiro, Angela Sy

Asian/Pacific Island Nursing Journal

The objective is to examine hospice utilization among Medicare beneficiaries in Hawai‘i compared to other states. Data were from the 2014 Medicare Hospice Utilization and Payment Public Use File, which included information on 4,025 hospice providers, more than 1.3 million hospice beneficiaries, and over $15 billion in Medicare payments. Multivariable linear regression models were estimated to compare hospice utilization in Hawai‘i to that of other states. Control variables included age, gender, and type of Medicare coverage. Medicare beneficiaries using hospice in Hawai‘i differed significantly from beneficiaries in other states in several ways. Hawai‘i beneficiaries were more likely to be Asian …

Defining Electron Bifurcation In The Electron-Transferring Flavoprotein Family, Amaya M. Garcia Costas, Saroj Poudel, Anne-Frances Miller, Gerrit J. Schut, Rhesa N. Ledbetter, Kathryn R. Fixen, Lance C. Seefeldt, Michael W. W. Adams, Caroline S. Harwood, Eric S. Boyd, John W. Peters

Chemistry Faculty Publications

Electron bifurcation is the coupling of exergonic and endergonic redox reactions to simultaneously generate (or utilize) low- and high-potential electrons. It is the third recognized form of energy conservation in biology and was recently described for select electron-transferring flavoproteins (Etfs). Etfs are flavin-containing heterodimers best known for donating electrons derived from fatty acid and amino acid oxidation to an electron transfer respiratory chain via Etf-quinone oxidoreductase. Canonical examples contain a flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) that is involved in electron transfer, as well as a non-redox-active AMP. However, Etfs demonstrated to bifurcate electrons contain a second FAD in place of the …

The New Diagnostic Team, Mark L. Graber, Diana Rusz, Melissa L. Jones

Articles

The National Academy of Medicine (NAM) in the recently issued report Improving Diagnosis in Health Care outlined eight major recommendations to improve the quality and safety of diagnosis. The #1 recommendation was to improve teamwork in the diagnostic process. This is a major departure from the classical approach, where the physician is solely responsible for diagnosis. In the new, patient-centric vision, the core team encompasses the patient, the physician and the associated nursing staff, with each playing an active role in the process. The expanded diagnostic team includes pathologists, radiologists, allied health professionals, medical librarians, and others. We review the …

Guide Lines Vol. I, Issue 11 - November 2017, College Of Health And Human Services

GUIDE Lines

Periodic Newsletter of the Governors State University - University of Illinois, Chicago - Disparities Education Cancer research training and education project (The GUIDE Project).

Healthnet News V.32:No.6 November-December 2017, Wendy Urciuoli

Articles - Patient Care

Linking Connecticut Patients and Families to Reliable Health Information

A Randomized Controlled Trial On Effectiveness Of A Multicomponent Intervention On Migraine., Vishnu Renjith

Manipal College of Nursing, Manipal Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Moving Primary Care Forward To Meet The Complex Care Needs Of Older Adults., Lynn M. Wilson Do, Nyann Biery Ms, Laura J. Benner Rn, Bsn, Acm-Rn, Ccctm, Julie Dostal Md, Brenda Frutos Mph

Department of Family Medicine

No abstract provided.

Pilot Test Results Of A Video-Based Hiv Intervention For Chinese College Students In The United States, Wei-Chen Tung, Minggen Lu, Rudolph Rull, Wei Yang

Faculty Publications

Background: No culturally relevant and appropriate HIV/sexually transmitted infection (STI) programs are available to Chinese college students in the United States. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a translated Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) intervention, Video Opportunities for Innovative Condom Education and Safer Sex (VOICES), to change condom use intention and self-efficacy, perceived benefits and barriers, and HIV/AIDS knowledge among Chinese students in a U.S. university. The VOICES program includes video viewing and a facilitated small-group discussion.

Methods: A quasi-experimental design with single-group pretest-posttest was conducted in Chinese. Chinese students (N=67) from a local university were recruited to …

Thyroid Cancer: Is It All In The Genes?, Electron Kebebew

Surgery Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Elective Direct Current Cardioversion For Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: A Registry Analysis Of Adverse Events And Recurrence, Emily Keltner Bs, Ma, Charles Wong, Christopher Davis, Aaron Baker Ba, William Wilson

Parkview Heart Institute

Background

Synchronized direct current cardioversion (CV) is a common treatment for atrial fibrillation (AF) if primary treatment with anti-arrhythmic drugs fails. However, direct current CV, without pretreatment precautions, is associated with an increased risk of embolic stroke, presumably due to dislodgement of intracardiac thrombi. In order to prevent such complications, patients are typically treated with systemic anticoagulants for at least 3 weeks prior to cardioversion. (1) Warfarin has historically been the standard for anticoagulant treatment in AF. Warfarin reduces the risk of embolic stroke by 66% in AF patients. In addition, warfarin is relatively inexpensive and unaffected by renal function, …

Clinical Risks And Healthcare Utilization Of Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation For Sickle Cell Disease In The Usa Using Merged Databases., Staci D Arnold, Ruta Brazauskas, Naya He, Yimei Li, Richard Aplenc, Zhezhen Jin, Allistair Abraham, +Several Additional Authors

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

Advances in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation for sickle cell disease have improved outcomes, but there is limited analysis of healthcare utilization in this setting. We hypothesized that, compared to late transplantation, early transplantation (at age <10 >years) improves outcomes and decreases healthcare utilization. We performed a retrospective study of children transplanted for sickle cell disease in the USA during 2000-2013 using two large databases. Univariate and Cox models were used to estimate associations of demographics, sickle cell disease severity, and transplant-related variables with mortality and chronic graft-versus-host disease, while Wilcoxon, Kruskal-Wallis, or linear trend tests were applied for the estimates of …

Evolution Of Knowledge, Awareness, And Practices Regarding Zika Virus From 2016 To 2017, Quinton Katler, Prachi Godiwala, Charles J. Macri, Beth Pineles, Gary Simon, Aileen Chang, Homa Ahmadzia

Obstetrics and Gynecology Faculty Publications

Objective. Our team created a knowledge, attitudes, and practice (KAP) survey in order to assess changes over time in healthcare provider and community member awareness of Zika virus symptoms, transmission, treatment, and current and future concerns.

Study Design. The cross-sectional survey was issued at an academic medical center in Washington, DC, and via an online link to healthcare providers and community members between June and August 2016. Survey distribution was then repeated the following year, from March to April 2017. Outcomes were compared by survey year and healthcare provider versus community member status using SAS Program Version 9.4.

Results. Significant …

Geographic Disparities In The Distribution Of The U.S. Gynecologic Oncology Workforce: A Society Of Gynecologic Oncology Study, Stephanie Ricci, Ana Tergas, Kara Roche, Melissa Fairbairn, Kimberly Levinson, Micael Lopez-Acevedo, +Several Additional Authors

Obstetrics and Gynecology Faculty Publications

A recent ASCO workforce study projects a significant shortage of oncologists in the U.S. by 2020, especially in rural/underserved (R/US) areas. The current study aim was to determine the patterns of distribution of U.S. gynecologic oncologists (GO) and to identify provider-based attitudes and barriers that may prevent GOs from practicing in R/US regions. U.S. GOs (n = 743) were electronically solicited to participate in an on-line survey regarding geographic distribution and participation in outreach care. A total of 320 GOs (43%) responded; median age range was 35–45 years and 57% were male. Most practiced in an urban setting (72%) at …

Treatment Charges For Traumatic Brain Injury Among Older Adults At A Trauma Center, Jennifer S. Albrecht, Julia F. Slejko, Deborah M. Stein, Gordon S. Smith

Clinical and Translational Science Institute

Objective—To provide charge estimates of treatment for traumatic brain injury (TBI), including both hospital and physician charges, among adults aged 65 and older treated at a trauma center. Methods—We identified older adults treated for TBI during 2008–2012 (n=1,843) at Maryland’s Primary Adult Resource Center and obtained hospital and physician charges separately. Analyses were stratified by sex and all charges were inflated to 2012 dollars. Total TBI charges were modeled as a function of covariates using a generalized linear model. Results—Women comprised 48% of the sample. The mean unadjusted total TBI hospitalization charges for adults aged 65 and older was $36,075 …

Prevalence And Geographic Variations Of Polypharmacy Among West Virginia Medicaid Beneficiaries, Xue Feng, Xi Tan, Brittany Riley, Tianyu Zheng, Thomas K. Bias, James B. Becker, Usha Sambamoorthi

Clinical and Translational Science Institute

Background—West Virginia (WV) residents are at high risk for polypharmacy given its considerable chronic disease burdens. Objective: To evaluate the prevalence, correlates, outcomes, and geographic variations of polypharmacy among WV Medicaid beneficiaries. Methods—In this cross-sectional study, we analyzed 2009–2010 WV Medicaid fee-for-service (FFS) claims data for adults aged 18–64 (N=37,570). We defined polypharmacy as simultaneous use of drugs from five or more different drug classes on a daily basis for at least 60 consecutive days in one year. Multilevel logistic regression was used to explore the individual- and countylevel factors associated with polypharmacy. Its relationship with healthcare utilization was assessed …

Gingival Perfusion And Tissue Biomarkers During Early Healing Of Postextraction Regenerative Procedures: A Prospective Case Series, Lamees Alssum, Timothy D. Eubank, Sashwati Roy, Barbaros S. Erdal, Vedat O. Yildiz, Dimitris N. Tatakis, Binnaz Leblebicioglu

Clinical and Translational Science Institute

Background—Post-extraction alveolar bone loss, mostly affecting the buccal plate, occurs despite regenerative procedures. To better understand possible determinants, this prospective case series assessed gingival blood perfusion and tissue molecular responses in relation to postextraction regenerative outcomes. Methods—Adults scheduled to receive bone grafting in maxillary, non-molar, single tooth extraction site were recruited. Clinical documentation included probing pocket depth (PD), keratinized tissue width (KT), tissue biotype (TB), plaque (P) and bleeding. Wound closure was clinically evaluated. Gingival blood perfusion was measured by Laser Doppler Flowmetry (LDF). Wound fluid (WF) and gingival biopsies were analyzed for protein levels and gene expression, respectively, of …