Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Isolation And Detection Of Circulating Tumour Cells From Metastatic Melanoma Patients Using A Slanted Spiral Microfluidic Device, Carlos A. Aya-Bonilla, Gabriela Marsavela, James B. Freeman, Chris Lomma, Markus Frank, Muhammad Khattak, Tarek Meniawy, Michael Millward, Majid Warkiani, Elin S. Gray, Mel Ziman

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Circulating Tumour Cells (CTCs) are promising cancer biomarkers. Several methods have been developed to isolate CTCs from blood samples. However, the isolation of melanoma CTCs is very challenging as a result of their extraordinary heterogeneity, which has hindered their biological and clinical study. Thus, methods that isolate CTCs based on their physical properties, rather than surface marker expression, such as microfluidic devices, are greatly needed in melanoma. Here, we assessed the ability of the slanted spiral microfluidic device to isolate melanoma CTCs via label-free enrichment. We demonstrated that this device yields recovery rates of spiked melanoma cells of over 80% …

Discoidin Domain Receptor 1 Modulates Insulin Receptor Signaling And Biological Responses In Breast Cancer Cells., Veronica Vella, Roberta Malaguarnera, Maria Luisa Nicolosi, Chiara Palladino, Cristina Spoleti, Michele Massimino, Paolo Vigneri, Michele Purrello, Marco Ragusa, Andrea Morrione, Antonino Belfiore

Department of Urology Faculty Papers

The fetal isoform A of the insulin receptor (IR-A) is frequently overexpressed in a variety of malignancies including breast cancer. IR overexpression has a recognized role in cancer progression and resistance to anticancer therapies. In particular, IR-A has a peculiar mitogenic potential and is activated not only by insulin but also by IGF-2. Previously, we identified discoidin domain receptor 1 (DDR1) as a new IR-A interacting protein. DDR1, a non-integrin collagen tyrosine kinase receptor, is overexpressed in several malignancies and plays a role in cancer progression and metastasis.We now evaluated whether DDR1 is able to exert a role in breast …

Disseminated Nocardia Cyriacigeorgia Causing Pancreatitis In A Haploidentical Stem Cell Transplant Recipient., Jason Chen, Md, Jonathan Pan, Md, Joanne Filicko-O'Hara, Margaret Kasner, Phyllis Flomenberg

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

We report the first published case of acute pancreatitis secondary to disseminated nocardiosis in a hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipient on chronic immunosuppression for graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Nocardiosis in the HSCT population is relatively rare, and has not yet been described in haploidentical HSCT recipients. Our patient is a 28-year-old male with a history of haploidentical HSCT and GVHD of the skin and lung who was admitted to the hospital with acute pancreatitis. The workup for the etiology of his pancreatitis was initially unrevealing. He subsequently developed worsening sepsis and respiratory failure despite broad spectrum antimicrobials. After multiple bronchoscopies …

Honey Bee Gut Dysbiosis: A Novel Context Of Disease Ecology, Kirk E. Anderson, Vincent A. Ricigliano

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

The honey bee microbiota has become a hot-spot of recent research. Highly co-evolved with its host, the hindgut microbiota of a worker honey bee consists of six bacterial species shown to occur reliably in particular proportions. Altered microbiota structure is associated with host deficiencies, and a variety of bacteria found throughout the hive environment can dominate the worker gut suppressing or displacing microbiota function. The synthesis presented here suggests environmental insults alter gut bacterial balance, leading to decreased host function and disease progression. Specific functional groups of native bacteria represent a model system to investigate dysbiosis and the evolution of …

Unsubmitted Sexual Assault Kit Intiative, Holden Brimhall, Dr. Julie Valentine

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Sexual assault is a serious public health concern that has extremely long-term mental and physical health implications for victims. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2012) estimates that 1 in 71 men and 1 in 5 women will be sexually assaulted during their lifetime. The key for getting these men and women the justice and closure they need is often found in their Sexual Assault Kits (SAKs), which collect physical evidence from the sexual assault survivor for the state crime laboratory to analyze. Unfortunately, only 20% of SAKs are ever submitted to the Utah Bureau of Forensic Services state …

Pembrolizumab-Associated Hypothyroidism: Case Report And Review Of Literature, Niranjan Tachamo, Saroj Lohani, Salik Nazir, Rishikesh Joshi, Mrunalini Deshmukh

Reading Hospital Internal Medicine Residency

Pembrolizumab is a Programmed Death 1 (PD-1) inhibitor used to treat advanced malignant melanoma and metastatic non-small cell lung cancer. It causes various endocrinological side effects including immune mediated thyroiditis. Thyroiditis caused by Pembrolizumab can mimic other immune mediated thyroiditis like Hashimoto thyroiditis and Grave’s disease.

Ionis Huntington’S Disease Drug A Step Closer To A Critical Phase 2 Study, Kenneth P. Serbin

At Risk for Huntington's Disease

No abstract provided.

Cytotoxicity Of Platinum Anticancer Drugs In Mammalian Cell Lines Of Metastatic Cancer, Hosannah Evie

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

With the invention of advanced technology, focus has been put on understanding and looking for potential cures for many diseases, one of which is cancer. The difference in the leaving and non-leaving ligands of the FDA approved cancer drugs contributes to the differential cell specific cytotoxic effects. These drugs such as oxaliplatin approved for colorectal cancer, cisplatin approved for testicular cancer, and their analogs were used to treat different cancer cell lines in an MTT assay. This project aims to determine how changing the molecular shape of these compounds affects their uptake and toxicity into different cell lines. The assay …

Nutritional And Behavioral Repercussions Of Food Insecurity And The Impact Of Nutrition Education, Kelly Burgess

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Food insecurity occurs when an individual does not have consistent access to fresh, nutritious food in safe, socially acceptable, and affordable ways. This is a significant challenge facing Kentuckians, with one in six adults and one in four children experiencing some degree of food insecurity. The present study examines the effectiveness of customized nutrition education in improving 1) nutrition-related behaviors associated with food insecurity and 2) management of household food supply in food-insecure individuals with and without children. Participants were recruited through HOTEL INC, and one was from a household without children and one with children. A pre-assessment survey evaluated …

Intergenerational Living Between College Students And Senior Housing Residents: A Framework, Laura Allen

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Ageism, the discrimination against persons of a certain age group, is one of the most important civil rights issues of the 21st century (Palmore, 2015). There are community-wide and personal strategies to combatting ageism. Homesharing and cohousing each offer concepts that can be utilized in intergenerational living because of their housing infrastructure. The relationship between college students and senior housing residents is unique because both groups are experiencing a season of life with common characteristics. This project aims to understand the relationship and tensions between stakeholders of existing intergenerational living programs to develop an implementation plan for a program at …

Investigating The Synergistic Effects Of Cisplatin And Two Curcuminoid Compounds On Cancer, Denis Hodzic

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Cisplatin is an anti-cancer drug effective against several cancers which can produce the serious side-effect of hearing loss. Curcumin, a natural plant compound, can increase the activity of cisplatin against cancer and counteract cisplatin’s effect against hearing. Because curcumin exhibits poor bioavailability, there is considerable interest in developing synthetic curcumin analogs (curcuminoids) that are more soluble and which retain anti-cancer activity and otoprotective function. This study investigated whether two curcuminoids, EF-24 and CLEFMA, increase the cytotoxic and ototoxic effects of cisplatin against the lung cancer cell line, A549, and the colorectal cancer cell line, Caco2. Cytotoxicity was measured by using …

Assessment Of Endpoint Criteria And Perceived Barriers During Maximal Cardiorespiratory Testing Among Pregnant Women, Caitlin Hesse

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

PURPOSE: Plateau in oxygen consumption (VO₂) is the primary indicator for determining if an individual has reached their true maximal aerobic capacity (Howley et al., 1995). Although age and gender-specific secondary criteria (i.e. additional criteria that can be used to identify one’s attainment of maximal effort) have been developed for the healthy population, no secondary criteria have been established for pregnant women (Edvarsen et al., 2014). The primary purpose of this study was to analyze secondary endpoint criteria during VO_2max testing among pregnant women during the 2nd trimester. A secondary purpose was to identify emotional and physical …

What's Happening: June 26, 2017, Maine Medical Center

What's Happening

No abstract provided.

Week Of June 26, 2017, New York Medical College

InTouch

• Professor Emeritus Catherine N. Hinterbuchner, M.D., Leaves Legacy of Endowed Professorship and Chair of the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine
• School of Medicine Hosts First Microbiome Translational Science Conference
• Department of Family and Community Medicine Hosts Annual Preceptor Appreciation Dinner
• School of Medicine Office of Admissions Seeks Interviewers
• SOM P2P Committee Recognizes Role Models at NYMC
• From the Collection of Edward C. Halperin, M.D., M.A.

Implications Of Synchronous Ivr Radio On Syrian Refugee Health And Community Dynamics, R. Talhouk, T. Bartindale, K. Montague, S. Mesmar, C. Akik, A. Ghassani, M. Najem, Hala Ghattas Ph.D., P. Olivier, M. Balaam

Faculty Publications

With 1,033,513 Syrian refugees adding a strain on the Lebanese healthcare system, innovation is key to improving access to healthcare. Our previous work identified the potential for technology to improve access to antenatal care services and increase refugee agency. Using (1) paper mock ups and a mobile based prototype, (2) process mapping, (3) focus groups and interviews and (4) key informant meetings, we explored the concept of refugee led community radio shows to deliver peerled healthcare.1We observed the influence of community radio shows on Syrian refugee health education, community dynamics and community agency in relationships between healthcare providers and refugees. …

Point-Of-Care Testing For Toxoplasma Gondii Igg/Igm Using Toxoplasma Ict Igg-Igm Test With Sera From The United States And Implications For Developing Countries, Ian J. Begeman, Joseph Lykins, Ying Zhou, Bo Shiun Lai, Pauline Levinge, Kamal El Bissati, Kenneth Boyer, Shawn Withers, Fatima Clouser, A. Gwendolyn Noble, Peter Rabiah, Charles N. Swisher, Peter T. Heydemann, Depina G. Contopoulos-Ioannidis, Jose G. Montoya, Yvonne Maldonado, Raymund Ramirez, Cindy Press, Eileen Stillwaggon, François Peyron, Rima Mcleod

Economics Faculty Publications

Background

Congenital toxoplasmosis is a serious but preventable and treatable disease. Gestational screening facilitates early detection and treatment of primary acquisition. Thus, fetal infection can be promptly diagnosed and treated and outcomes can be improved.

Methods

We tested 180 sera with the Toxoplasma ICT IgG-IgM point-of-care (POC) test. Sera were from 116 chronically infected persons (48 serotype II; 14 serotype I-III; 25 serotype I-IIIa; 28 serotype Atypical, haplogroup 12; 1 not typed). These represent strains of parasites infecting mothers of congenitally infected children in the U.S. 51 seronegative samples and 13 samples from recently infected persons known to be IgG/IgM …

A Study Of Ticks And Tick-Borne Livestock Pathogens In Pakistan, Shahid Karim, Khemraj Budachetri, Nabanita Mukherjee, Jaclyn Williams, Asma Kausar, Muhammad Jawadul Hassan, Steven W. Adamson, Scot E. Dowd, Dmitry Apanskevich, Abdullah Arijo, Zia Uddin Sindhu, Muhammad Azam Kakar, Raja Muhammad Dilpazir Khan, Shafiq Ullah, Muhammad Sohail Sajid, Abid Ali, Zafar Iqbal

Faculty Publications

Background

As obligate blood-feeding arthropods, ticks transmit pathogens to humans and domestic animals more often than other arthropod vectors. Livestock farming plays a vital role in the rural economy of Pakistan, and tick infestation causes serious problems with it. However, research on tick species diversity and tick-borne pathogens has rarely been conducted in Pakistan. In this study, a systematic investigation of the tick species infesting livestock in different ecological regions of Pakistan was conducted to determine the microbiome and pathobiome diversity in the indigenous ticks.

Methodology/Principal findings A total of 3,866 tick specimens were morphologically identified as 19 different tick …

Medical School Watercooler Newsletter - June 25, 2017, Lindsey Lyle

Watercooler Newsletter

This is the June 25, 2017 edition of the Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine's Newsletter - Watercooler.

Contents Include:

USA Health Partners with Feeding the Gulf Coast to Address Food Insecurities in Clinical Setting

Graduate Medical Education Committee Hosts Inaugural Resident and Fellow Exposition

Safety First: Tips for a Healthy, Happy Fourth of July

Class of 2019 Medical Students Begin Clinical Rotations

My Crown And Glory: Community, Identity, Culture, And Black Women’S Concerns Of Hair Product-Related Breast Cancer Risk, Dede K. Teteh, Susanne B. Montgomery, Sabine Monice, Laura Stiel, Phyllis Y. Clark, Eudora Mitchell

Health Sciences and Kinesiology Faculty Articles

Breast cancer (BC) incidence rates for Black and non-Hispanic White women have recently converged; however, Black women continue to die at higher rates from the disease. Black women also use hair products containing hormonally active chemicals at higher rates than other races and ethnic groups. Studies now link chemical components in hair and personal care products to breast cancer risk. Using a community-based participatory research approach, this qualitative study explored community concerns about the role of hair products on breast cancer risk. Focus groups and key informant interviews using triangulation to assure relevant perspectives (women with and without breast cancer …

Establishment Of Innovative Shared Departments To Advance Interdisciplinary Education, Ronald S. Harichandran, Brian Kench, Summer Mcgee, Michael A. Collura, Jean Nocito-Gobel, Charles David Skipton

Engineering and Applied Science Education Faculty Publications

More and more universities are pursuing interdisciplinary academic activities that span across department and college boundaries. Administrative structures to facilitate such programs are difficult to establish within traditional university frameworks consisting of disciplinary departments and colleges. Often interdisciplinary programs are housed in a traditional disciplinary department or college, or in a standalone center reporting to a college dean or the provost. The difficulty of these structures is obtaining broad buy-in from faculty across departments and having disciplinary degree programs include interdisciplinary coursework.

To overcome the difficulties described above, an innovative shared department structure that fosters collaborations to advance interdisciplinary education …

Ethical Theories And Perspectives On End-Of-Life Decisions, Lauren Skelton

Dialogue & Nexus

This paper approaches several different ethical theories to see how they interact with the issue of withdrawing and withholding life-sustaining care. After the theories of Utilitarianism, Kantian and Prima Facie Deontology, Virtue Ethics, and Evolutionary Ethics are explored at length, Deontological theories are proven to be the best decision-making guide from the perspective of both patients and those in policy-making positions. When used together, Kantian and Prima Facie Deontology offer the overall best combination of ethical instruction and personal freedom.

The Ethical Considerations Of Physician-Assisted Suicide, Madeline Jordan

Dialogue & Nexus

With respect to physician-assisted suicide, several approaches to adjudicate an ethical position can be processed from the theories of utilitarianism, Kantian deontology, and virtue ethics. This paper will explore these three positions with respect to physician-assisted suicide and the pros and cons of each. In conclusion, based on my research and Christian beliefs, I will define why I reside with virtue ethics and why it leads me to a position that is against physician-assisted suicide at this particular point in my life.

Christian And Islamic Perspectives On The Ethical Dilemma Of In Vitro Fertilization (Ivf), Stephanie Sariles

Dialogue & Nexus

After defining IVF procedures and the associated biomedical ethics with each, I will compare and contrast Christian and Islamic perspectives on IVF. Christianity in general does not accept IVF, because it is an unnatural method of reproduction that can affect Christian traditions such as parenthood and marriage. Despite this view, Protestants, in particular, have opened up to IVF as a method for treating infertility. Islam fully accepts IVF provided the married couple follows Islamic law. Sunni Muslims do not accept gamete donation, but Shi’ite Muslims are more flexible with gamete donation and surrogacy.

Gadgets And Grieving: A Chronological Analysis On The Ways In Which Advancements In Medical Technologies Have Altered The Grieving Process, Grace Mcnair

Dialogue & Nexus

Since the 1940s, both end-of-life care and advancements in medical technologies have expanded exponentially. This article explores the advancements in medical technologies and how these have altered the way that Western society grieves death. With the capabilities to prolong life, the family, the patient, and the medical team, all grieve the end of life in different ways. This article provides a chronological analysis of palliative care, hospice care, and various medical advancements. These changes in medicine are then paralleled with alterations in the bereavement process. This article explores historical narratives of Western society’s transformation of grief through the lens of …

An Ethical Evaluation Of The Modern Pharmaceutical Industry, Kaitlyn Drennan

Dialogue & Nexus

Lack of transparency, wrongdoings, and unlawful promotion characterize the healthcare industry; these are especially prevalent within the pharmaceutical industry. Consequently, an investigation into the evidence of the corruption and the ethical infringement is needed. In this paper, I will evaluate the pharmaceutical industry’s adherence to the three major branches of ethics. The ever-increasing prices of pharmaceutical products, especially medications used for the combating of anaphylaxis and cancer, coupled with the compensatory-based medication promotion and research points to a major crisis in the realm of social justice. These examples, among many other current issues, lead to difficulties in individuals receiving the …

Higher Education Capacity Building In Water Resources Engineering And Management To Support Achieving The Sustainable Development Goal For Water In Pakistan, Steven J. Burian, Mercedes Ward, Tariq Banuri, M. Aslam Chaudhry, Sajjad Ahmad, Bakhshal Lashari, Rasool Bux Mahar, Davey Stevenson, Jim Vanderslice, Kamran Ansari, Munir Babar, Abdul Latif Qureshi

Civil and Environmental Engineering and Construction Faculty Research

Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals requires a multi‐pronged approach, with a key element being the development of a trained Community of Practice to sustain the advances in the relevant sectors. The engagement of higher education as a catalyst in the development and capacity building of the next generation of professionals and citizens comprising the Community of Practice is essential to meet the challenges of poverty, climate change, and clean water and to sustain those advances past 2030. This paper describes a capacity building program funded by the United States Agency for International Development to partner the University of Utah, in …

Caps And Capes: Nursing News (1958-1971) In The Jefferson Digital Commons, Daniel G. Kipnis, Msi

Jefferson Digital Commons News

One of the newest additions to the Jefferson Digital Commons is a run of the nursing student newspaper, Caps and Capes. Started on October 21, 1958, with Alice Bolig as Editor-in-chief, and continuing through at least 1971, the issues include updates about nursing faculty, highlights of individual students, and information about upcoming events. Alumnae news, crossword puzzles, and engagement announcements were also regularly included.

A Functional Algorithm For Weight Loss And Obesity Practice: Guide For Clinical Decision-Making For Treating Women, Jennifer A. Tice Williams

Dissertations

ABSTRACT

Background

Overweight and obesity have significant impact and consequences on women leading to reduced quality of life, comorbid conditions and premature mortality. Many healthcare providers lack adequate training and the time to properly treat overweight and obesity. Algorithms have been shown to improve clinical knowledge and save time.

Objectives

To develop an algorithm for weight loss assessment and treatment to aid in the clinical decision-making process while improving the quality of care for overweight and obese clients in an efficient manner that can be replicated.

Methods

After an extensive literature review to identify best-practice guidelines for weight loss a …

Efficient Synthesis Of Cn2097 Using In Situ Activation Of Sulfhydryl Group, Shaban Darwish, Keykavous Parang, John Marshall, Dennis J. Goebel, Rakesh Tiwari

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

CN2097 (R₇Cs-sCYK[KTE(β-Ala)]V) is a rationally designed peptidomimetic that shows effectiveness in preclinical models for the treatment of neurological disorders, such as Angelman syndrome, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and stroke. Because of its potential therapeutic activity for the treatment of human CNS disorders, there was an urgent need to develop an efficient strategy for large-scale synthesis of CN2097. The synthesis of CN2097 was accomplished using Fmoc/tBu solid phase chemistry in multiple steps. Two different peptide fragments (activated polyarginine peptide Npys-sCR₇ and CYK[KTE(β-Ala)]V) were synthesized, followed by solution phase coupling in water. Activation of the polyarginine (CR₇) …

Understanding The Factors That Make Public Participation Effective In Health Policy And Planning: A Realist Synthesis, Celso P. Pagatpatan Jr., Paul R. Ward

Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health Publications

Although researchers argue for the importance of involving the public in developing health policy, there has been little focus on central research questions – such as what techniques of public participation work, in what circumstances, and why. This paper presents a realist synthesis which identifies and explains the underlying mechanisms and specific contextual factors that lead to effective public participation in health policy and planning. Peer-reviewed, English language literature was searched, which resulted in 77 articles for review and synthesis. This synthesis uncovered the underlying mechanism of ‘political commitment’ that generates public participation effectiveness. The other three possible underlying mechanisms, …