Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

The Association Of Secondary Hyperparathyroidism And Tendon Ruptures In Patients Undergoing Dialysis, Yolanda V. Gutierrez, Joaquin S. Rivera, Alyssa S. Sepulveda, Ronald S. Shaju, Aamir Ahmad

Research Symposium

Background: Spontaneous tendon ruptures are rare occurrences observed in dialysis patients and are strongly correlated with secondary hyperparathyroidism. Secondary hyperparathyroidism occurs due to decreased renal function causing unregulated calcium and phosphate levels that can impact the parathyroid hormone (PTH) and weaken tendons. Increased PTH hormone causes bone resorption and calcification at tendon site which can further increase the likelihood of rupture. Tendon ruptures commonly occur in weight bearing tendons such as the quadriceps, patellar, and achilles tendon. Treatment management ranges from suture anchor fixation of tendons or tendon repair with immobilization followed by physiotherapy. Prevention can also be implemented with …

Chemothorax And Atrial Fibrillation: Multidisciplinary Management Of Misplaced Port-A-Cath In A Lung Cancer, Yasitha Kakarlapudi, Hasini Vasa Charu, Pantoja Rojas Celias

Research Symposium

Case: Chemothorax caused by a misplaced Port-A-Cath is an exceedingly rare complication of chemotherapy, with limited cases reported in the oncology literature. A 79-year-old woman with primary adenocarcinoma of the right lower lobe, status post-lobectomy, presented with fever, fatigue, and respiratory symptoms during chemotherapy. Initial evaluation revealed leukocytosis (WBC: 25000/uL), anemia (hemoglobin: 6.6 g/dL), and right middle lobe pneumonia with pleural effusion. Empirical antibiotics were initiated for healthcare-associated pneumonia (HAP) and urinary tract infection (UTI).

Given these findings, further diagnostic workup included thoracentesis, which removed 1,400 mL of milky pleural fluid. Fluid analysis revealed triglycerides of 392 mg/dL, giving an …

Curcumin Attenuates Smoking And Drinking Activated Nf-Κb/Il-6 Inflammatory Signaling Axis In Cervical Cancer, Vivek K. Kashyap, Prashanth Kb Nagesh, Ajay K. Singh, Andrew Massey, Godwin P. Darkwah, Aaron George, Sheema Khan, Nadeem Zafar, Santosh Kumar, Namita Sinha, Meena Jaggi, Subhash C. Chauhan

Research Symposium

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

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

Novel Signaling Pathways Involved In Ybx1 Role In Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Yamile Abuchard Anaya, Ana Ayala Pazzi, Dennis Kwabiah, Veerababu Nagati, Ricardo Pequeno Bracho, Kyle Doxtater, Subhash C. Chauhan, Manish K. Tripathi

Research Symposium

Background: The most prevalent type of liver cancer is hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and socioeconomic and health disparities have a major impact on both its incidence and fatality rates. HCC rates are typically greater in areas with poor access to healthcare, high obesity rates, and a high frequency of infectious diseases. Because of risk factors include diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and Hepatitis B and C, HCC is particularly common in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV). The burden of HCC in this underprivileged area is made worse by McAllen, Texas, which regrettably holds the distinction of being the most obese …

Targeted Nanomedicine For The Modulation Of Pancreatic Tumor Immune Surveillance, Vivek Kumar Kashyap, Neeraj Chauhan, Mohammed Sikander, Eswara N. H. K. Ghali, Rahul Tiwari, Shabnam Malik, Sheema Khan, Bilal B. Hafeez, Murali M. Yallapu, Subhash C. Chauhan

Research Symposium

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most lethal types of cancer, characterized by a dismal 5-year overall survival rate, primarily due to the lack of early detection and limited effective treatment options available. Gemcitabine (GEM) is the most effective therapy for PanCa, but it only offers a marginal survival benefit of 6 months. A combination of Paclitaxel (PTX) albumin nano-formulation (Abraxane) and Gemcitabine has shown marginal improvement in pancreatic cancer treatment. This poor treatment response has been associated with desmoplastic stroma, microbiome effects, altered tumor microenvironment (TME), suppressive immune cells and PDAC-specific signaling pathways. Our research has demonstrated …

Tannic Acid-Stabilized Liposomal Platform For Microrna Delivery In Endometriosis, Victoria Herrera, Rahul Tiwari, Bridgette Lozano Lozano, Subhash Chauhan, Murali Yallapu

Research Symposium

Background: Endometriosis is defined as the presence of endometrial-type mucosa outside the uterine cavity. It affects about 6.5 million women of reproductive age in the United States. It is a leading cause of infertility, impacting up to 50% of women with difficulty conceiving, and is prevalent in as many as 90% of individuals experiencing severe, chronic pelvic pain. Women with endometriosis had 4.2-fold higher ovarian cancer risk than those without endometriosis. Within this work, a range of liposomal formulations was investigated for endometriosis. Recent studies confirmed the role of miR-205-5p as a potential suppressor of ectopic endometriotic progression. Clinical translation …

Trends And Prevention Strategies In Pediatric Spinal Cord Injuries: A Retrospective Analysis Of Trauma Data From Texas, Victoria Elizondo, Paul Bonilla, Daniel Salinas, Anesu Karen Murambadoro, Kevin Garcia Valdez, Blake Martin, Kelsey Baker

Research Symposium

Background: Pediatric populations are particularly vulnerable to spinal cord injuries (SCI) due to several anatomical factors, including a larger head-to-torso ratio, more flexible ligaments, and relatively weaker neck muscles. These factors contribute to a 2.5-fold higher incidence of atlanto-axial injuries in children compared to adults. While data shows how access to trauma centers significantly impacts SCI outcomes, there is limited research on the most common trends in pediatric SCI. This study seeks to fill this gap by examining causative trends in SCI and exploring potential prevention strategies for high-risk groups.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of a publicly available …

Impact Of Diabetes Mellitus On Shoulder Arthroplasty Outcomes: A Systematic Review Of Postoperative Complications, Mohammad Khalil, Blake Martin, Victoria Elizondo

Research Symposium

Background: In modern day, diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases in the United States and worldwide, ranking as the seventh leading cause of death in the United States. Worldwide, 1 in 11 adults have diabetes mellitus and the prevalence is expected to increase from 415 to 642 million by the year 2040. Diabetes mellitus (DM) may also increase the risk of complication in various surgeries, such as shoulder arthroplasty. Shoulder arthroplasty is increasing in popularity; however, various pre-existing medical comorbidities can increase the risk of complications from this procedure such as DM. The primary objective of this …

Retreatability Of Bioceramic And Resin-Based Root Canal Sealers Using Xp Shaper Rise: An In Vitro Study, Muhammed Ahmed Omar Abouel Seoud Phd, Shehab Saber

Dentistry

Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate in-vitro the retreatability of premixed calcium-silicate-based sealer versus resin-based sealer when combined with gutta-percha using the single-file system XP-endo Rise.Materials and methods: 26 canals in typodont acrylic Nissin teeth were instrumented with E-flex blue rotary instruments up tosize 0.35mm and taper of 4%. Root canals were divided into two groups, obturated using either hydraulic condensation techniquewith a bioceramic sealer (n=13) or continuous wave of compaction (CWC) technique with a resin-based sealer (n=13). Theretreatment procedure was done for both groups using the XP-endo Rise instruments. The time required to complete theretreatment procedures …

Multi-Ancestry Transcriptome-Wide Association Studies Of Cognitive Function, White Matter Hyperintensity, And Alzheimer's Disease, Dima L Chaar, Zheng Li, Lulu Shang, Scott M Ratliff, Thomas H Mosley, Sharon L R Kardia, Wei Zhao, Xiang Zhou, Jennifer A Smith

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Genetic variants increase the risk of neurocognitive disorders in later life, including vascular dementia (VaD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD), but the precise relationships between genetic risk factors and underlying disease etiologies are not well understood. Transcriptome-wide association studies (TWASs) can be leveraged to better characterize the genes and biological pathways underlying genetic influences on disease. To date, almost all existing TWASs on VaD and AD have been conducted using expression studies from individuals of a single genetic ancestry, primarily European. Using the joint likelihood-based inference framework in Multi-ancEstry TRanscriptOme-wide analysis (METRO), we leveraged gene expression data from European ancestry (EA) …

Meta-Analysis On Sex Differences In Mortality And Neurodevelopment In Congenital Heart Defects, Alyssa K Crain, Zhia N Lim, Chloe J Sarfatis, Magela Arias, Travis Holder, Alvaro G Moreira, Antonio F Corno, Tina O Findley

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Given the increasing survival rates among congenital heart disease (CHD) patients and the growing emphasis on their quality of life, there is a need to comprehensively assess the impact of surgical interventions on neurodevelopmental outcomes. With increasing awareness in sex-related disparities in CHD, there is a need to explore potential differences in surgical mortality and neurodevelopmental outcomes between male and female patients. In this systematic review, we adhered to PRISMA guidelines and PROSPERO registration (#CRD42021225610). Articles published from 2015 to 2021 were searched using MeSH descriptors in three major databases (MEDLINE Ovid, Elsevier Embase, and Cochrane Library). Study selection criteria …

Comparative Evaluation Of Bacterial Adhesion And Biofilm Formation On Contact Lenses, Lina M. Shaker, Wan Nor Roslam Wan Isahak

AUIQ Complementary Biological System

This study evaluates bacterial adhesion, biofilm formation, and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) (ATCC 25923) colonization on medical and cosmetic contact lenses made from Hilafilcon B and Omafilcon B under simulated ocular conditions. Non-incubated lenses served as controls, and experiments were repeated three times with a variability margin of ±5%, ensuring accuracy and reliability. Results revealed that biofilm growth and bacterial adhesion were influenced by lens material, type, and incubation duration. Cosmetic lenses made from Hilafilcon B exhibited the highest biofilm growth (1.95%) after one day, highlighting their susceptibility to microbial colonization. Conversely, medical lenses made from Hilafilcon B …

Removal Of Cr(Vi) From Aqueous Solution Using Magnetic Activated Carbon Prepared From Waste Shell Of Marigold Flower Straw: Kinetics, Isotherm And Mechanism Studies, Shanmukha Rao Metta, Uttam Kumar Sahu

AUIQ Complementary Biological System

When Cr(VI) was released from industrial waste into water bodies harms aquatic ecosystems and poses risks to human well-being. To reduce risks, it's crucial to lower Cr(VI) levels through the sustainable process. In order to extract Cr(VI) from a liquid, the magnetic activated carbon adsorbent was created for the current investigation. H₃PO₄ was utilised as an activating agent in the thermal procedure to prepare activated carbon from marigold flower straw for the first time. The marigold flower straw activated carbon (MFSAC) was further decorated with Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄/MFSAC) in the …

Renal Transplant Recipients And Complicated Utis: A Path Toward Next-Generation Care, Rob E. Carpenter

Human Resource Development Faculty Publications and Presentations

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) offers diagnostic potential in managing complicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) in renal transplant recipients by enabling precise pathogen identification and resistance profiling. Integrating NGS into care protocols can improve graft preservation, reduce hospitalizations, and support antimicrobial stewardship. Policies should prioritize its adoption, while research explores cost-effectiveness and clinical outcomes. Medical education must emphasize NGS to prepare clinicians for advanced diagnostic approaches, fostering improved patient outcomes and innovative care solutions. Please cite this paper as: Carpenter RE. Renal transplant recipients and complicated UTIs: a path toward next-generation care. Renal transplant recipients face a heightened risk of complicated urinary …

Recognizing Individual Variability In Misophonia: Identifying Symptom-Based Subgroups With Gaussian Mixture Modeling, Mercedes G. Woolley, Amanda M. Ramos, Emily M. Bowers, Karen Muñoz, Julie M. Petersen, Michael P. Twohig

Psychology Student Research

Misophonia is characterized by intense emotional and physiological reactions to everyday sounds such as chewing and tapping. While previous researchers have focused on defining and characterizing the disorder, limited attention has been given to the variability in symptom presentations across individuals. In this study, we sought to identify distinct subgroups of individuals with misophonia by applying a Gaussian finite mixture model to explore the heterogeneity of symptom profiles. Sixty treatment-seeking participants completed the Duke Misophonia Interview, which assessed the presence and severity of various behavioral, affective, and cognitive symptoms. Items from this measure served as model indicators. Two clusters were …

Impact Of Chromatin On Hiv-1 Latency: A Multi-Dimensional Perspective, Joanna E. Jones, Chelsea E. Gunderson, Brian Wigdahl, Michael R. Nonnemacher

Kimmel Cancer Center Papers, Presentations, and Grand Rounds

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is a retrovirus that infects multiple immune cell types and integrates into host cell DNA termed provirus. Under antiretroviral control, provirus in cells is able to evade targeting by both host immune surveillance and antiretroviral drug regimens. Additionally, the provirus remains integrated for the life of the cell, and clonal expansion establishes a persistent reservoir. As host cells become quiescent following the acute stage of infection, the provirus also enters a latent state characterized by low levels of transcription and virion production. Proviral latency may last years or even decades, but stimuli such as …

Gatad2b O-Glcnacylation Regulates Breast Cancer Stem-Like Potential And Drug Resistance, Giang Le Minh, Jessica Merzy, Emily Esquea, Nusaiba Ahmed, Riley Young, Ryan Sharp, Tejsi Dhameliya, Bernice Agana, Mi-Hye Lee, Jennifer Bethard, Susana Comte-Walters, Lauren Ball, Mauricio Reginato

Kimmel Cancer Center Faculty Papers

The growth of breast tumors is driven and controlled by a subpopulation of cancer cells resembling adult stem cells, which are called cancer stem-like cells (CSCs). In breast cancer, the function and maintenance of CSCs are influenced by protein O-GlcNAcylation and the enzyme responsible for this post-translational modification, O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT). However, the mechanism of CSCs regulation by OGT and O-GlcNAc cycling in breast cancer is still unclear. Analysis of the proteome and O-GlcNAcome, revealed GATAD2B, a component of the Nucleosome Remodeling and Deacetylase (NuRD) complex, as a substrate regulated by OGT. Reducing GATAD2B genetically impairs mammosphere formation, decreases expression …

Condensed Low-Dose Total Skin Electron Beam Therapy For Mycosis Fungoides: An Institutional Retrospective Review And Subgroup Analysis Of Patients With Large Cell Transformation, Louis Cappelli, Megan Cappelli, Nilanjan Haldar, Tiara Paul, Jenna Mandel, Tingting Zhan, Neda Nikbakht, Wenyin Shi

Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology Faculty Papers

Low-dose total skin electron beam therapy (TSEBT) is an effective treatment option for mycosis fungoides (MF) with proven palliative effects and reduced toxicity. Presented is an institutional analysis of survival/response rate and quality of life for MF patients with subgroup analysis of those possessing pathologic large cell transformation (LCT). This is a single institutional retrospective review of patients with mycosis fungicides treated from 2014 to 2023 with low-dose TSEBT. All patients received 12 Gy in 6 fractions every other day with the modified Stanford technique, with boosts to shadowed sites between treatments, completed in 2 weeks. Outcomes evaluated included clinical …

Does Travel Time Matter?: Predictors Of Transportation Vulnerability And Access To Hiv Care Among People Living With Hiv In South Carolina, Sayward Elizabeth Harrison, Peiyin Hung, Katherine Green, Sarah J. Miller, Mariajosé Patron, Divya Ahuja, Sharon Weissman, Caroline Rudisill, Tammeka Evans

Faculty Publications

Background

People living with HIV (PLHIV) in the southern United States (US) are at high risk for poor outcomes across the HIV care continuum leading to low rates of viral suppression. Understanding structural barriers to care—including transportation vulnerability—is critical to improve HIV outcomes. This study investigated relationships between travel time to HIV care, transportation vulnerability, and HIV care disruptions to inform future transportation interventions for PLHIV residing in South Carolina and other southern US states.

Methods

A total of 160 PLHIV (N = 160) were recruited from a large immunology center in South Carolina. Participants reported on transportation experiences, transportation …

Comparison Of Deep Learning And Traditional Machine Learning Models For Predicting Mild Cognitive Impairment Using Plasma Proteomic Biomarkers, Kesheng Wang Phd, Ma, Bs, Donald A. Adjeroh, Wei Fang, Suzy M. Walter, Danqing Xiao, Ubolrat Piamjariyakul, Chun Xu

Faculty Publications

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a clinical condition characterized by a decline in cognitive ability and progression of cognitive impairment. It is often considered a transitional stage between normal aging and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This study aimed to compare deep learning (DL) and traditional machine learning (ML) methods in predicting MCI using plasma proteomic biomarkers. A total of 239 adults were selected from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) cohort along with a pool of 146 plasma proteomic biomarkers. We evaluated seven traditional ML models (support vector machines (SVMs), logistic regression (LR), naïve Bayes (NB), random forest (RF), k-nearest neighbor …

Molecular Model Of Tfiih Recruitment To The Transcription-Coupled Repair Machinery, Tanmoy Paul, Chunli Yan, Jina Yu, Susan E Tsutakawa, John A Tainer, Dong Wang, Ivaylo Ivanov

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Transcription-coupled repair (TCR) is a vital nucleotide excision repair sub-pathway that removes DNA lesions from actively transcribed DNA strands. Binding of CSB to lesion-stalled RNA Polymerase II (Pol II) initiates TCR by triggering the recruitment of downstream repair factors. Yet it remains unknown how transcription factor IIH (TFIIH) is recruited to the intact TCR complex. Combining existing structural data with AlphaFold predictions, we build an integrative model of the initial TFIIH-bound TCR complex. We show how TFIIH can be first recruited in an open repair-inhibited conformation, which requires subsequent CAK module removal and conformational closure to process damaged DNA. In …

External Jugular Vein Catheterization Technique For Continuous Blood Sampling In Gilts, Preechaphon Taechamaeteekul, Yosua Kristian Adi, Chutikan Srisang, Pirada Virankabutra, Natchanon Dumniem, Jinda Singlor, Padet Tummaruk

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

External jugular vein blood collection is common in gilts and sows, but continuous sampling for hormonal and pharmacokinetic research requires catheterization. The standard protocol has remained largely unchanged for nearly 40 years. This study aimed to develop a modified external jugular vein catheterization technique in gilts. Ten gilts (72.0 ± 3.4 kg) underwent surgery under general anesthesia after 12-hour fasting. Sedation was induced with intramuscular Xylazine (4.4 mg/kg) and Tiletamine–Zolazepam (2.2 mg/kg), followed by intravenous Thiopental sodium (10 mg/kg). Once anesthetized, gilts were placed in dorsal recumbency, and the external jugular fossa was prepared under sterile conditions. A 10 cm …

The Long-Term Effect Of Dolutegravir On Depressive Side Effects: A Charter Cohort Study On People With Hiv, Sonya A. Bhatia, Upal Roy, Ankita Garg, Asante R. Kamkwalala, Avery Matthews, David B. Clifford, Benjamin Gelman, Susan Morgell, Payal Patel, Leah H. Rubin, Donald Franklim, Robert K. Heaton, Ronald J. Ellis, Scott L. Letendre

Research Symposium

Background: Integrase strand transfer inhibitors (InSTIs) are first-line therapy in the U.S. and other countries. One InSTI drug, dolutegravir (DTG), has been linked to neuropsychiatric adverse events but few reports have used standardized assessments of depression or assessed the concomitant influence of age and antidepressant use. These analyses aimed to determine the relationships between InSTI use, aging, antidepressant use, and depressive symptoms in people with HIV (PWH).

Methods: All 280 participants were comprehensively assessed in the CHARTER Aging project; were taking cART; and had plasma HIV RNA ≤ 200 copies/mL. The project enrolled participants based on chronological age < or ≥ 60 years. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)-II and four subscales were compared to demographic characteristics, use of InSTIs and antidepressants, and clinical biomarkers in a cross-sectional design by multivariable linear regression, including backward selection by Akaike Information Criterion.

Results: Participant …

Microrna-145 Replacement As A Therapeutic Tool To Improve Trail Therapy, Saini Setua, Murali M. Yallapu, Stephen W. Behrman, Subhash C. Chauhan, Sheema Khan

Research Symposium

Pancreatic cancer (PanCa) is a third leading cause of cancer related deaths in US. Unlike other cancers, PanCa is highly resistant to TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) that emerges as one of the most-promising therapy in clinical trials. Our group has previously identified microRNA-145 (miR-145) is downregulated in PanCa, the restoration of which inhibits tumor growth and enhances gemcitabine sensitivity. In this study, we have observed that miR-145 restoration in PanCa cells renders them sensitive to TRAIL treatment. Therefore, we have engineered unique superparamagnetic nanoparticles (Magix) for codelivering miR-145 and TRAIL in PanCa for improving their therapeutic response to TRAIL. The …

Exploring T2d In The Hispanic Community: Insights From The Rio Grande Valley, Samantha Arevalo, Luis Aguillon, Daniela Ollervides, Chun Xu

Research Symposium

Background: T2D affects 462 million people worldwide, with Hispanic Americans comprising 17% of those affected. This chronic disease disproportionately impacts the Hispanic population due to genetic, socioeconomic, and lifestyle factors, leading to severe complications like cardiovascular disease, kidney failure, and cognitive decline. Given the growing prevalence of diabetes in this community, understanding the unique challenges faced by Hispanics is essential. This study investigates factors contributing to T2D among Hispanics to develop more effective and culturally tailored prevention and treatment strategies.

Material and Methods: This study was conducted in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV), a region with a significant Hispanic population, …

Evaluating The Impact Of A Surgical Skills Workshop: A Pre- And Post-Program Assessment, Victoria Elizondo, Anesu Murambadoro, Miguel Quintanilla, Russel Wiggins, Kevin Garcia Valdez, Chantal Uzoma, Fernando Cisneros, Chloe Harris, Hunter Butler

Research Symposium

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the educational impact of a surgical skills workshop for medical students, focusing on changes in self-perceived confidence and skill levels in suturing, laparoscopic techniques, and aseptic practices (gowning, gloving, and scrubbing-in). Using pre- and post-surveys, the study assessed whether the workshop met its educational objectives, providing insights for improving future training and ensuring the workshop effectively enhances students’ surgical competence and confidence.

Description: The event took place at a UTRGV hospital simulation center, organized around three stations led by two PGY-2 General Surgery residents and a professor/pediatric general surgeon from UTRGV School …

Integrative Analysis Of Transcriptomics And Clinical Data Of Slc1a5 In Cervical Cancer, Veronica O'Brien, Vivek Kashyap, Bhuvnesh Sharma, Murali Yallapu, Everardo Cobos, Subhash Chuahan

Research Symposium

Background: Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in adult females globally and the second most common cancer in females between the ages of 15 and 44. The alanine-serine- cysteine transporter 2, ASCT2 (solute carrier family 1 member 5, SLC1A5), is a major transporter of the amino acid, glutamine. SLC1A5 expression is associated with the progression of multiple types of tumors, including liver, lung, breast, colon and head and neck cancer. However, the biological significance of SLC1A5 cervical cancer has not been systematically and comprehensively investigated. Using deep data mining and transcriptomics analyses, in this study, we investigated the …

Dysregulation Of Cholesterol Metabolism And Sorafenib Drug Resistance In Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Veerababu Nagati, Dennis Kwabiah, Yamile Abuchard Anaya, Ana Ayala Pazzi, Manish K. Tripathi

Research Symposium

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is among the most prevalent cancers and a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Sorafenib, a multikinase inhibitor, serves as a key first-line treatment for HCC when surgical intervention is not an option. However, primary and acquired resistance to sorafenib has significantly limited its effectiveness, reducing the disease control rate. Dysregulation of numerous genes that influence cancer cell proliferation, survival, and drug resistance contributes to this challenge. Identifying the molecular drivers of sorafenib resistance remains critical to improving treatment outcomes. Several factors, including activation of oncogenic pathways (e.g., Akt/mTOR), hypoxia, cholesterol metabolism, EMT, multidrug resistance, and …

Smart Hydrogels For Infection Control, Varaprasad Kokkarachedu, Matías Araneda Cistemas, Nicolás Nicolás Valdés Gangas

Research Symposium

Background: Infection control is a critical area of concern in healthcare, mainly owing to the rising incidence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Traditional antibacterial agents often face challenges, such as limited efficacy, toxicity, and the potential for resistance development. This necessitates innovative approaches to combat infections. Hydrogels are biocompatible hydrophilic polymeric materials that can deliver nanomedicines with complications. They have emerged as promising candidates for infection control applications. Incorporating nanotoxicity nanomaterials, especially curcumin-layered silver nanoparticles, significantly enhances the antibacterial properties of hydrogels, making them promising candidates for infection control applications.

Methods: The smart antimicrobial hydrogels were synthesised from Poluronic and curcumin-layered polyvinylpyrrolidone/silver …

Long-Term Neurocognitive And Behavioral Outcomes In Survivors Of Pediatric Brain Tumors: A Systematic Review, Tori Sayers, Megan W. Szobody, Nina Mourao, Blake C. Martin, Sriya Gullapalli, Kory Punch, Tirath Patel, Murali Yallapu, Bharathi Shrikanth Gadad

Research Symposium

Background: Pediatric populations have an increased susceptibility for brain tumors and suffer from neurocognitive impairment due to the neoplasm itself, and side effect of subsequent treatments. This causes many patients to experience a subpar quality of life (QoL), affecting academic endeavors, social interaction and mental well-being. Increasing our understanding of the long-term effects associated with brain tumors and the side effects from our current treatment methodology will help us formulate better treatment protocols and improve survivors’ QoL. This review aims to investigate different long-term neurocognitive and behavioral outcomes in pediatric brain tumor survivors, as well as evaluate how various treatment …