Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Human Ipsc Derived Neural Stem Cells: An In-Vitro Model To Investigate Snake Venom Neurotoxicity, Miriam Aceves, Jose C. Granados, Ana C. Leandro, Juan M. Peralta, Sarah Williams-Blangero, Jacob Galan, John Blangero, Joanne E. Curran, Satish Kumar

Research Symposium

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized snakebite as a neglected tropical disease that affects nearly 2.7 million people per year and causes both long-term morbidity and substantial mortality. The multifunctionality of snake venom and the diversity of cellular responses to snake venom insult are well recognized. However, the neurotoxic effects of snake venom insult on the human nervous system are not yet fully understood. Therefore, a robust cell model that is easily reproducible and scalable to a larger sample size is required to aid the discovery of molecular mechanisms involved in the neurobiology of snake envenomation in humans. …

The Mechanisms Of N-Acetylcysteine Protect Against Cobalt Chloride Induced 661w Cone Photoreceptor Cell Toxicity., Lili Guerra, Benxu Cheng, Andrew Tsin

Research Symposium

Purpose: Proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) is the leading cause of blindness due to the apoptotic death of the photoreceptors among working age adults. Photoreceptors are the most common and metabolically demanding cells inl the retina thus oxygen is vital for retinal function. Hypoxia induced metabolic stress leads to photoreceptor atrophy and retinopathy. However, the protection of hypoxia-induced cytotoxicity in cone photoreceptor cells has not been investigated extensively. The aim of the present study was to further characterize the biochemical changes in cultured 661W photoreceptor cells during hypoxic exposure and to investigate the protective mechanisms of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) against hypoxia-induced …

An Investigation Of Porous Pcl Scaffolds And Osteogenic And Angiogenic Inducing Mirnas For Bone Tissue Engineering, Lauren Serra, E. Lozoya, S. D. Vidal, D. M. Enriquez, M. A. Arriaga, Sue Anne Chew

Research Symposium

Background: Trauma, infection, fracture, tumor resection, disease, or congenital abnormalities can cause bone defects. Small defects can self-regenerate, but larger ones or those with poor vascularized areas require intervention. Autografts involve transferring bone from one area to the damaged site. Although considered the current gold standard for treatment, this method is associated with limitations such as pain, infection risk, rejection and difficulty in finding the correct size, shape and volume of bone needed. Bone tissue engineering may be a promising alternative which combines multipotent cells, scaffolds, and bioactive factors to induce bone regeneration. The objectives of the study were to …

Differences In Female Re6productive Cycles Dependent On Age And The Effects On Short Term Memory In The Syrian Hamster (Mesocricetus Auratus), Laura Emma Garcia, Mariela Garcia, Fernando Dominguez, Mario Gil

Research Symposium

The female reproductive system plays an important role in cognitive function, and the status of it affects memory and many other health issues, including mental. For this reason, it is important to continue studying its effects by using as a model, the female Syrian hamster. Like the human female menstrual cycle, the female hamster has shown inconsistencies in their cycles and changes in it as they age. The female hamsters’ estrus cycle consists of a 4-day cycle. Dr. Orsini’s protocol focusing on vaginal secretion, published in 1961, describes day 1 discharge of the cycle as translucent (TS), day 2 as …

Co-Culture Of Retinal Pericytes And Retinal Endothelial Cells, Laura Valdez, Lili Guerra, Richard Lebaron, Andrew Tsin

Research Symposium

Background: Human retinal pericytes (HRP) are contractile cells adjacent to and provide support for retinal endothelial cells (REC) of retinal capillaries. One of the earliest events of diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the loss of RP through apoptosis. Pericytes share a common basement membrane with endothelial cells and are most prominent in retinal capillaries in comparison with capillaries in other tissues in the body. The loss of HRP leads to the development of advanced-stage pathology including angiogenesis. In this present study, human HRP and REC in coculture were examined in order to evaluate effects of their interactions and response to exogenous …

Investigating The Ability Of Foxo Factors To Regulate The Notch Pathway, Larissa Barroso, A. M. Reyes, S. Rios

Research Symposium

Background: Initial studies show that forkhead box (FOXO) transcription factors support maintenance in embryonic, hematogenic, and neural stem cells. Myoblasts, embryonic precursors of myocytes, are essential for forming and maintaining skeletal muscle tissue, which can fuse to form with multinucleated myotubes. In the presence of activated PI3K-AKT pathway, FOXO factors are inactive in muscle and liver cells; however, this regulatory mechanism is bypassed in stem/stem-like cells. FOXO factors directly interact with stem-related genes like OCT4 and SOX2, facilitating their expression. Nevertheless, our understanding of the full range and conservation of FOXO transcription factor function in stem cell environments remains incomplete, …

Investigating The Post-Treatment Mechanisms Underlying Prolonged Effect Of Niclosamide And Camptothecin On Glioblastoma Cells, X. Fang, B. Cheng, R. Lara, J. B. Osho, Josue Fonseca

Research Symposium

Background: Glioblastoma is the most common malignant brain tumor characterized by its aggressive and highly proliferative nature. Although GBM rarely metastasizes to distant organs, it presents unique characteristics that challenge chemo- and radio-therapeutic efforts. Previous studies have attributed glioblastoma's prominent level of resistance to its involvement in multiple signaling pathways. To counter this, current promising treatments, such as Niclosamide and Camptothecin (CPT), have been evaluated and subsequently combined for their synergistic effect, targeting the multiple pathways that glioblastoma upregulates. The current study provides further insight into the duration of effect in with the usage of such promising treatments. The lasting …

Assessing The Post-Treatment Morphological Effects Of Niclosamide And Camptothecin On Glioblastoma Cells, X. Fang, B. Cheng, R. Lara, J. B. Osho, Josue Fonseca

Research Symposium

Background: Glioblastoma is the most common malignant brain tumor characterized by its aggressive and highly proliferative nature. Due to its poor prognosis, high recurrence, and lack of a permanent cure, current therapy is directed toward extending survival. Recent studies have provided insight into the anticancer effects of the anti-helminthic drug, Niclosamide, and the naturally occurring alkaloid, Camptothecin (CPT). Our lab previously observed how co-administration of Niclosamide and CPT resulted in increased suppression of cell proliferation, as well as higher rates of cell apoptosis compared to usage of each treatment alone. The present study examines the impact of the different chemotherapies …

Gaba Expression In The Monodelphis Domestica And Relevance To Neuropsychiatric And Neurological Disorders, Jatziry Luna, Truc Le, Esperanza I. Zacarias, Mario Gil

Research Symposium

Background/Purpose: Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is an amino acid that serves as the central nervous system's (CNS) main inhibitory neurotransmitter. By preventing nerve transmission, it works to lower neuronal excitability. Altered GABA levels have been associated with a variety of psychiatric disorders for example Epilepsies, Parkinson’s Disease and Schizophrenia. However, it is also imperative to study the role GABA transmission relates with drug addiction and substance disorders including alcohol misuse. GABAergic neurons can be identified and quantified using antibodies that target GAD65 and GAD67. GAD65 is mostly abundant in axon terminals and is linked to synaptic vesicles while GAD67 is found …

Electrosprayed Minocycline-Loaded Plga Microparticles For The Treatment Of Glioblastoma, Jaqueline Quintanilla, A. Rodriguez, J. Amieva, J. Ledezma, M. A. Arriaga, I, Davila, Karen S. Martirosyan, Sue Anne Chew

Research Symposium

Background: Around 12,340 patients in the US are diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) yearly, and despite the current treatment options, such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgical resection, or a combination of them, the median survival is only about 15 months after initial diagnosis. Minocycline, a tetracycline antibiotic, has shown to inhibit U87 glioblastoma cell death and inhibit angiogenesis, or the creation of new blood vessels as is often needed by the tumor to grow. The utilization of biomaterials such as poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) can better sustain the release and bioactivity of loaded drugs. The use of polyethylene glycol (PEG), a …

The Significance Of Reactive Oxygen Species In Physiological Processes And Hematological Disorders: Insights Into Cardiovascular And Cerebrovascular Diseases, Alex Zuo, Hector Trejo, Anthony Alanis

Research Symposium

Background. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have a double role on biomedicine: they are molecular commodities in cellular biochemistry and signaling, but also corrosive threats to other cellular elements with their damaging or directly oxidizing effect. This poster seeks to discuss the relevance of ROS in different physiological processes and diseases of cardiovascular disease (including hypertension), hematological diseases related to cerebrovascular accident.

Methods. We have thoroughly studied over 60 most recent or related literature to the topic and determine important roles of ROS in various biological systems, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.

Results. ROS are fundamental for cell signaling and …

Investigating The Behavioral Effects Of Microinjecting Hormones Into The Brain Of The Syrian Hamster (Mesocricetus Auratus), Fernando Dominguez, J. Chapa, A. Hinojosa, E. Alaniz, G. Padilla, Mario Gil

Research Symposium

Background: Hormones are important modulators of physiological functions, behaviors, emotions, and cognition; however, most neuroscientists focus on neurotransmitters and how these chemicals affect the brain and behavioral outcomes. Studies have shown that arginine-vasopressin (AVP), a hormone that is typically known for its regulation of kidney function, microinjected in the anterior hypothalamus (AHA) induces flank marking and aggressive behaviors in Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus). In the present study, we investigated the behavioral effects of two hormones, AVP and angiotensin, microinjected into the interfascicular nucleus (IF) and the bed nucleus stria terminalis (BNST), respectively, in the Syrian hamster.

Methods: Eleven hamsters (8 …

One-Step Simultaneous Liquid Phase Exfoliation-Induced Chirality In Graphene And Their Chirality-Mediated Microrna Delivery, Pranav, Eswara Naga Hanuma Kumar Ghali, Neeraj Chauhan, Rahul Tiwari, Subhash C. Chauhan, Murali M. Yallapu

Research Symposium

Background: Graphene (G) has been established as an exciting prospect for a broad range of applications owing to its remarkable properties. As the molecular structure of G itself is achiral thus introducing chirality in G by simple attachment of a functional group (a chiral ligand) on the G nanosheet may result in more diverse applications. The recent innovations of G chiral nanosystems have been extended to drug delivery. Herein, we have developed a novel and facile synthesis method for producing chiral G for its application in the chirality-dependent microRNA delivery.

Methods: L-graphene and D-graphene were produced in a single …

Examining Apoe Gene Associated With Diabetes And Hypertension Of The Hispanic Population In The Rio Grande Valley., Erika Guajardo, Daniela Gamez, Aida Galvan Gutierrez, Kesheng Wang, Chun Xu

Research Symposium

Background: In the United States, 11.3% of the population has diabetes. Diabetes is a group of chronic health conditions that affects blood sugar uptake into cells for energy. There are different types of diabetes characterized by different pathophysiologies, with the most common being Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus where there is a total lack of insulin, and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus where peripheral tissues become insulin resistant. Over time, these conditions can cause many different health issues that decrease the quality of life. In addition, Hispanic people are twice as likely to develop Type 2 diabetes than non-Hispanic White people. In …

Apoe Gene Associated With Dementia Related Traits, Depression And Anxiety In The Hispanic Population., Daniela Gamez, Erika Guajardo, Aida Galvan Gutierrez, Victoria I. Padilla, Stephanie Lozano, Mario Gil, Gladys E. Maestre, Kesheng Wang, Chun Xu

Research Symposium

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative disorders that has been associated with a strong genetic component. In addition, AD is often comorbid with neuropsychiatric conditions, some of which are early indicators of the disease. Specific demographic factors and genetic variants have been identified as risks in non-Hispanic populations; however, there are limited studies observed on the Hispanic population. Therefore, in our current study, we focused on investigating a known gene, APOE, that is associated with AD-related phenotypes and two psychiatric diseases (depression and anxiety) within the U.S. Hispanic population.

Methods: A total of 1,382 …

Cucurbitacin D Suppresses Benzo[A]Pyrene-Induced Liver Injury By Modulating Nrf2 Signaling, Shabnam Malik, Mohammed Sikander, Daniel Zubieta, Anyssa Rodriguez, Murali M. Yallapu, Fathi T. Halaweish, Meena Jaggi, Subhash Chauhan

Research Symposium

Background: Accumulating studies have shown strong correlation of HCC and co-morbidity factors including smoking. Tobacco smoke contains benzo[a]pyrene, which is extremely carcinogenic and contributes to liver damage. Cucurbitacin, a triterpene, has a wide range of biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties. However, their hepatoprotective effects remain poorly understood. In the current study, we examined the hepatoprotective activity of cucurbitacin D, a novel analog of cucurbitacin, against benzo[a]pyrene-induced liver injury in human HepG2 cells.

Method: To investigate the hepatoprotective effect of cucurbitacin D against benzo[a]pyrene-induced liver damage, proliferation, clonogenicity, migration, invasion, Western blotting, and qPCR analyses were performed. …

Differential Expression Of Irbp By Cultured Rod And Cone Cells In Hypoxia And Hyperglycemia, Arianna Rodriguez, Elias Martinez, Laura Valdez, Kevin Abraham, Federico Gonzalez-Fernandez, Andrew Tsin

Research Symposium

Background: Interphotoreceptor-Retinoid-Binding-Protein (IRBP, RBP3) is a 124 kDa glycolipoprotein secreted by rods and cones. IRBP traffics and protects visual cycle retinoid and has significant free radical scavenging activity. Its expression is reduced in early stages of diabetes. Interestingly, an increased level of IRBP is protective against diabetic retinopathy (DR). We reported that that hypoxia increases VEGF expression by 661W cone photoreceptors in culture, suggesting a role of photoreceptors in proliferative DR (PDR) (Rodriguez et al, Arch Clin Exp. Ophthal 3:23,2021). Here, we compare hypoxia and VEGF on IRBP expression between rods and cones in high and low glucose.

Methods: Y79 …

Development Of An Experiential Learning Lab Activity On Skeletal Muscle Physiology In Undergraduate Md Pre-Clerkship Curriculum, Angela Martinez, Daniel Salinas, Kelsey Potter-Baker, Amin Shah

Research Symposium

Background: Experiential learning is an important part of the medical education curriculum. Our goal was to establish an experiential learning skeletal muscle physiology lab activity that would improve undergraduate MD pre-clerkship students’ skill to collect muscle force measurements using a hand-held dynamometer (HHD) and understanding of core physiological concepts.

Methods: The authors developed and incorporated lab activity in the Musculoskeletal and Dermatology (MSKD) Module in the undergraduate MD pre-clerkship year 2 curriculum. Before lab sessions, students reviewed the HHD guide, watched videos on how to use a HHD to measure the force, and reviewed the Arm Angle strength data sheet. …

Cellular And Molecular Mechanisms Of Neurodegeneration In Early-Stage Diabetic Retinopathy, Andrew Callan, Sonal V. Jha, Laura Valdez, Andrew Tsin

Research Symposium

Background: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) remains the leading cause of blindness in working age Americans. There has yet to be any effective treatment to prevent the onset of the condition, only to treat late-stage disease. Research on early signs of disease have shown that changes in neural layers of the retina are the earliest signs of disease, preceding the vascular changes that currently define DR. This has sparked interest in the pathogenesis of the neurodegeneration involved in DR. This review explains the current understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms of neuronal degeneration in DR, as well as the potential pharmacological …

Enhancing The Tribological Performance Of Prosthetic Implants: An Investigation Of Cnc Surface Micro-Texturing On Uhmwpe, Javier Ortega, J. Perez, N. Perez

Research Symposium

Background: Annually, there are over a million joint replacement procedures and more than 250,000 revision surgeries in the United States. The typical lifespan of a joint replacement ranges from 7 to 15 years, often curtailed by complications such as excessive implant wear leading to infections and joint dislocations. Given that most joint replacement recipients are between the ages of 50 and 70, the later part of their lives is often marred by repeated surgeries and discomfort. Presently, the predominant material used in joint replacements is medical-grade Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) with smooth surfaces. While these smooth surfaces are believed …

Primary Care Behavioral Health Partnerships Advancing & Transforming Health Sciences (Pcbh Paths), Kristan Diaz-Rios, Deepu George, Salvador Arellano Iii, Maria Hernandez, Myrna Ruiz

Research Symposium

Purpose: Primary Care Behavioral Health Partnerships Advancing & Transforming Health Sciences (PCBH PATHS) is a workforce development pipeline project aimed at permanently augmenting UTRGV’s institutional capacity to address shortage of an Integrated Behavioral Health (IBH) competent workforce locally, regionally and nationally. Our initiative, aligned with UTRGV strategic priorities and key initiatives, will integrate basic(model specific strategy and operational elements), mid-level (role identity and profession specific behavioral competencies specific to each health profession), and advanced (behavioral medicine clinical skills) applications of the evidence based PCBH model of delivery. A PCBH focused delivery system (clinical and educational), in which primary care providers …

The Fortify Resilience Initiative, Deepu George, Salvador Arellano Iii, Maria Hernandez, M. Ruiz, Tanya Eychner

Research Symposium

Purpose: The Fortify Resilience Initiative focuses on building and sustaining a culture of wellbeing for Residents and Fellows (R/Fs) at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) School of Medicine’s (SOM) Graduate Medical Education (GME) residency and fellowship programs. In order to address the multitude of threats to physician wellness and to mitigate the silent, but pernicious effects of burnout on these physician learners serving in the RGV, this Initiative from the Office of GME will strengthen existing wellbeing pathways while expanding additional solutions that will work to sustain wellbeing. Utilizing a combination of prevention, promotion, and intervention strategies …

Interdisciplinary Integrated Primary And Behavioral Healthcare (I2pbh) Initiative, John Ronnau, Deepu George, Maria Hernandez, Salvador Arellano Iii, M. Ruiz

Research Symposium

Purpose: The Interdisciplinary Integrated Primary and Behavioral Healthcare (I2PBH) Initiative will train University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) mental health graduates to deliver high quality, evidence-based Integrated Behavioral Health (IBH) services in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) – a high-need, high-demand, medically underserved Hispanic region along the US-Mexico border. Specifically, the I2PBH initiative will train 24 UTRGV mental health graduates annually to deliver high-quality IBH clinical services through the evidence based Primary Care Behavioral Health (PCBH) model. With a training emphasis on basic/advanced theory and clinical skills in the PCBH model, students will serve as Behavioral Health Consultants (BHC) …

Association Between Drug Addiction Disorders And Drug Policy. A Bibliometric Analysis, Desiree Garza, Noe Garza

Research Symposium

Background: It has been known for many years that drug addiction has been a big problem in the United States, also that in recent years the use and abuse of substances has been increasing. For example, according to the American addiction center in 2017 about 19.7 million Americans from ages 12 and older have had a problem of substance abuse, but only 11% of those actually get treatment. This is a disease, and as a nation, the United States of America, we are not offering the assistance that these children and adults require to conquer it. Genes can play a …

Love Machina, John C. Lyden

Journal of Religion & Film

This is a film review of Love Machina (2024), directed by Peter Sillen.

Ghostlight, Christopher R. Deacy

Journal of Religion & Film

This is a film review of Ghostlight (2024), directed by Kelly O'Sullivan.

Characterization Of Variant Rnas Encapsidated During Bromovirus Infection By High-Throughput Sequencing, Sarah Dexheimer, Nipin Shrestha, Bandana Sharma Chapagain, Jozef J. Bujarski, Yanbin Yin

Food for Health: Publications

Previously, we described the RNA recombinants accumulating in tissues infected with the bromoviruses BMV (Brome mosaic virus) and CCMV (Cowpea chlorotic mottle virus). In this work, we characterize the recombinants encapsidated inside the purified virion particles of BMV and CCMV. By using a tool called the Viral Recombination Mapper (ViReMa) that detects recombination junctions, we analyzed a high number of high-throughput sequencing (HTS) short RNA sequence reads. Over 28% of BMV or CCMV RNA reads did not perfectly map to the viral genomes. ViReMa identified 1.40% and 1.83% of these unmapped reads as the RNA recombinants, respectively, in BMV and …

Post-Capillary Pulmonary Hypertension: Clinical Review, Joshua Riley, James Fradin, Douglas Russ, Eric Warner, Yevgeniy Brailovsky, Indranee Rajapreyar

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) caused by left heart disease, also known as post-capillary PH, is the most common etiology of PH. Left heart disease due to systolic dysfunction or heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, valvular heart disease, and left atrial myopathy due to atrial fibrillation are causes of post-capillary PH. Elevated left-sided filling pressures cause pulmonary venous congestion due to backward transmission of pressures and post-capillary PH. In advanced left-sided heart disease or valvular heart disease, chronic uncontrolled venous congestion may lead to remodeling of the pulmonary arterial system, causing combined pre-capillary and post-capillary PH. The hemodynamic definition of post-capillary …

A New Perspective On Intervertebral Disc Calcification-From Bench To Bedside, Emanuel Novais, Rajkishen Narayanan, Jose Canseco, Koen Van De Wetering, Christopher Kepler, Alan Hilibrand, Alex Vaccaro, Makarand Risbud

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Faculty Papers

Disc degeneration primarily contributes to chronic low back and neck pain. Consequently, there is an urgent need to understand the spectrum of disc degeneration phenotypes such as fibrosis, ectopic calcification, herniation, or mixed phenotypes. Amongst these phenotypes, disc calcification is the least studied. Ectopic calcification, by definition, is the pathological mineralization of soft tissues, widely studied in the context of conditions that afflict vasculature, skin, and cartilage. Clinically, disc calcification is associated with poor surgical outcomes and back pain refractory to conservative treatment. It is frequently seen as a consequence of disc aging and progressive degeneration but exhibits unique molecular …

Mechanisms Of Melanoma Progression And Treatment Resistance: Role Of Cancer Stem-Like Cells, Youssef Al Hmada, Robert T. Brodell, Naji Kharouf, Thomas W. Flanagan, Abdulhadi A. Alamodi, Sofie Yasmin Hassan, Hosam Shalaby, Sarah Lilly Hassan, Youssef Haikel, Mosaad Megahed, Simeon Santourlidis, Mohamed Hassan

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Melanoma is the third most common type of skin cancer, characterized by its heterogeneity and propensity to metastasize to distant organs. Melanoma is a heterogeneous tumor, composed of genetically divergent subpopulations, including a small fraction of melanoma-initiating cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) and many non-cancer stem cells (non-CSCs). CSCs are characterized by their unique surface proteins associated with aberrant signaling pathways with a causal or consequential relationship with tumor progression, drug resistance, and recurrence. Melanomas also harbor significant alterations in functional genes (BRAF, CDKN2A, NRAS, TP53, and NF1). Of these, the most common are the BRAF and NRAS oncogenes, with 50% …