Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

A Wide Range Of Fusions And Alterations Are Detected In Myb- Or Mybl1- Altered Gliomas, S Rajan, Z Abdullaev, H Lidov, Y Wilson, D Thomas, Joseph Fullmer, K Jones, D Brown, P Kobalka, A Buckley

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Background: Diffuse astrocytoma, MYB- or MYBL1-altered are rare pediatric low-grade gliomas, reported in young adults that are often associated with refractory seizures and generally located in the supratentorial compartment. While GFAP is consistently expressed, interestingly OLIG2 expression (another glial marker) is not a common finding. Here we describe the various associated genetic alterations. Methods: Fourteen cases matching to methylation class (MC), Diffuse astrocytoma, MYB- or MYBL1-altered, were analyzed for structural variants/fusion partners. Results: The median age was 16 years (range 1-64), with male: female ratio of 1:1. All but one was supratentorial (one located in pons). On histology, some showed …

Displacement Of Hospital-Acquired, Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Clones By Heterogeneous Community Strains In Kenya Over A 13-Year Period, Justin Nyasinga, Zubair Munshi, Collins Kigen, Andrew Nyerere, Lillian Musila, Andrew Whitelaw, Wilma Ziebuhr, Gunturu Revathi

Pathology, East Africa

We determined antibiotic susceptibility and employed Oxford Nanopore whole-genome sequencing to explore strain diversity, resistance, and virulence gene carriage among methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains from different infection sites and timepoints in a tertiary Kenyan hospital. Ninety-six nonduplicate clinical isolates recovered between 2010 and 2023, identified and tested for antibiotic susceptibility on the VITEK ID/AST platform, were sequenced. Molecular typing, antibiotic resistance, and virulence determinant screening were performed using the relevant bioinformatics tools. The strains, alongside those from previous studies, were stratified into two periods covering 2010–2017 and 2018–2023 and comparisons were made. Mirroring phenotypic profiles, aac(6′)-aph(2″) [aminoglycosides]; gyrA (S84L) …

Clinical Pharmacology Of Cannabis Relevant To Dentistry, Fran M. Gengo Pharmd, Pcp

The New York State Dental Journal

Cannabis is no longer an illicit drug but rather a drug whose use has dramatically increased because its recreational use is largely legal, and its use in medicine has demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of many difficult to treat disorders including chronic pain, spasticity, and several cancer related problems to name but a few.

This change represents several new challenges for dentists. Chronic cannabis use can increase the prevalence and severity of periodontal disease and dental caries. Cannabis also has been shown to alter the clinical pharmacokinetics and the magnitude of the clinical actions of many pharmacologic agents frequently used …

Dentist And Dental Hygienist Compact License Portability Without Federal Control, Chester Gary Dds, Jd

The New York State Dental Journal

State governments and licensing agencies, dental education and organized dentistry must partner to attain dental and dental hygiene license portability through an interstate agreement.

An Unusual Presentation Of Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis: Case Report And Review Of The Literature, Aaron E. Yancoskie, Ghazeleh Peiravani Dds, Jordana S. Rothernberg Dds, Anthony S. Alessi Dmd, Md, Heather Z. Fugazy Dds

The New York State Dental Journal

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a destructive process that may involve both hard and soft tissues. While rare, it has a predilection for the oral and maxillofacial region. LCH occurs across the age range, yet is often diagnosed in the pediatric population. The dentigerous cyst (DC) is the most common developmental odontogenic cyst. It typically presents in young adult patients as a solitary lesion associated with impacted third molars. Here we present a case of LCH occurring in the wall of a DC in a 12-year-old male.

N Y State Dent J June-July 2024

The New York State Dental Journal

In the June-July 2024 issue, the reader will find the following feature articles:

• “Managing Perforating Internal Root Resorption Nonsurgically”
• “Clinical Pharmacology of Cannabis Relevant to Dentistry”
• “An Unusual Presentation of Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis"
• and “The Welcome Mat is Out”, a Perspectives article on encouraging new dentists to become engaged in organized dentistry.

This issue includes regular columns with regional news impacting the New York membership including: editorial and legal columns, association activities, component news, continuing education opportunities, and classifieds.

New State Laws Provide Further Protections For Patients And Employees, Lance Plunkett Jd, Llm

The New York State Dental Journal

FTG weighs in with final Noncompete Rule. Dentists would be well advised to pay attention to new employment rules as they apply to practices of all sizes.

Effects Of A Cb1 Receptor Antagonist On Anxiety In Adult Rats Exposed To Thc During Development, Jennifer Aguilera-Fonseca, Karla Colley, Atoria Hamm, Eddie Galarza, Joe Morse, Rachel Ntor, Destiny Pichardo, Vincent P. Markowski

McNair Scholars Program

No abstract provided.

Looking Back...And Forward, Karen Foster Dds

Metro Denver Dental Society Articulator Magazine

The author reflects on the need for constant evolution and calls for member engagement, realistic goal-setting, and innovative solutions to ensure MDDS remains relevant and valuable to both seasoned and new dentists, emphasizing the need for adaptation and active participation in shaping the future of the organization.

Mdds: Future Forward, Shelly Fava Ms, Cmp, Cae

Metro Denver Dental Society Articulator Magazine

This article highlights the Metro Denver Dental Society's (MDDS) reflection on its history and its forward-looking initiatives in organized dentistry. Key developments include the implementation of advanced technology systems like the Association Management System (AMS) and Learning Management System (LMS) to enhance member benefits and education, alongside efforts to modernize events such as the Rocky Mountain Dental Convention (RMDC). The MDDS Leadership Council is focused on increasing member engagement and leadership development, aiming to provide meaningful opportunities and adapt to the evolving needs of the dental community.

The Curse Of Perfectionism, Joel Small Dds, Mba, Pcc, Fdic

Metro Denver Dental Society Articulator Magazine

This article explores the psychological impact of perfectionism among healthcare professionals, drawing parallels with the experiences of professional athletes. It advocates for embracing a growth mindset over striving for unattainable perfection, emphasizing continual self-improvement and the dangers of setting unrealistic standards in demanding fields like dentistry.

Walking Ada Lobby Day In My Shoes, Lindsay Compton Dds

Metro Denver Dental Society Articulator Magazine

This article recounts a firsthand experience of ADA Lobby Day 2024 in Washington, DC, where over 1,200 dental professionals gathered to advocate for legislative reforms impacting the dental profession.

Being Open To Possibility: How Somehow May Change Your Life, Amisha Singh Dds, Edd

Metro Denver Dental Society Articulator Magazine

The article delves into the concept of seizing opportunities and embracing moments of uncertainty with bravery. The author emphasizes the importance of intuition and courage in navigating life's pivotal moments and the potential for transformative change.

Managing Perforating Internal Root Resorption Non-Surgically: A Report Of 2 Cases And A Review Of The Literature, Joseph C. Stern Dds

The New York State Dental Journal

Aim: To describe the use of bioceramics in the non-surgical treatment of perforating internal root resorption.

Summary: Confusion over the subject of root resorption seems ubiquitous in the general dental community. Because of the several subheadings such as internal, external cervical, and apical, and because of a variety of causes for each, such as trauma, pressure, infection, inflammation, and systemic, the confusion can be understandable. It seems that this confusion arises primarily from the nomenclature describing the location and etiology of root resorption. This case report deals with perforating internal root resorption (IRR), its causes, diagnosis, and successful nonsurgical treatment, …

The Welcome Mat Is Out, Robert Margolin Dds

The New York State Dental Journal

The author relates his own positive experience in encouraging new dentists to become engaged in organized dentistry.

Genome-Wide Association Studies And Mendelian Randomization Analyses Provide Insights Into The Causes Of Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer, R S Laskar, Y Cao, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: The incidence of early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC; diagnosed < 50 years of age) is rising globally; however, the causes underlying this trend are largely unknown. CRC has strong genetic and environmental determinants, yet common genetic variants and causal modifiable risk factors underlying EOCRC are unknown. We conducted the first EOCRC-specific genome-wide association study (GWAS) and Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses to explore germline genetic and causal modifiable risk factors associated with EOCRC.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a GWAS meta-analysis of 6176 EOCRC cases and 65 829 controls from the Genetics and Epidemiology of Colorectal Cancer Consortium (GECCO), the Colorectal Transdisciplinary Study (CORECT), the Colon Cancer Family Registry (CCFR), and the UK Biobank. We then used the EOCRC GWAS to investigate 28 modifiable risk factors using two-sample MR.

RESULTS: We found two novel risk loci for EOCRC at 1p34.1 and 4p15.33, which were not previously associated with CRC risk. We identified a deleterious coding variant (rs36053993, G396D) at polyposis-associated DNA repair gene MUTYH …

Real-World Experience With Avacopan In Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Autoantibody-Associated Vasculitis, Reza Zonozi, Aisha Shaikh, Colin Diffie, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

INTRODUCTION: Postmarketing data on outcomes of avacopan use in antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) are lacking.

METHODS: We performed a multicenter retrospective analysis of 92 patients with newly diagnosed or relapsing AAV who received therapy with avacopan. The coprimary outcome measures were clinical remission at 26 and 52 weeks. We use descriptive statistics and univariate logistic regression to assess outcomes and predictors of remission, respectively.

RESULTS: Of the 92 patients, 23% (n = 21) had a baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 15 ml/min per 1.73 m

CONCLUSION: A high rate of remission and an acceptable safety profile were observed with the use of …

Salivary Microbiome Signature In Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Ghaidaa Mohammed Mesto

Theses

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a complex disorder characterized by chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). IBD mainly includes two distinct diseases, namely Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). To date, the precise etiology of these conditions is not fully elucidated, although a strong relationship between microbial dysbiosis in the GIT and IBD has been proposed. In general, limited data is available on the oral microbiome of IBD patients, despite its recognizable role in impacting gut health. There is a paucity of research on IBD in the pediatric population, although this disease is becoming more prevalent than in …

The Association Between Body Image Satisfaction And Depressive Symptoms Among Young Women In The Uae With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (Pcos) And Non-Pcos: A Comparative Quantitative Cross-Sectional Study, Shaima Abdrahman Al-Mekhlafi

Theses

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common syndromes affecting women of reproductive age, (Laggari et al., 2009). PCOS not only impacts women's physical health but also their psychological well-being, often leading to depressive symptoms and lower body image satisfaction, Wang et al. (2023). Recent research indicates a growing prevalence of PCOS among women in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Mirza et al. (2023). However, there is a noticeable gap in understanding the psychological effects of PCOS on women in the UAE, likely due to cultural sensitivities. This study aims to investigate the association of depressive symptoms and …

Pharmacogenomic Biomarkers Of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors (Aceis) Induced Cough Among Healthy Emiratis And Multi-Ethnic Hypertensive Patients, Sahar Mohammad Altoum

Theses

Pharmacogenomics (PGx) is an emerging field that merges genetics with pharmacology. It focuses on how an individual's genetic makeup influences their response to specific medications. This relatively new area of medicine seeks to understand the genetic factors that affect drug efficacy and safety. One practical application of PGx is in the context of treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs), which are widely used medications for managing hypertension. However, ACEIs are often associated with cough as a side effect, leading to drug discontinuation and the adoption of alternative medications like Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs). The prevalence of ACEIs-induced cough varies …

Mitochondrial Control Of Tumorigenicity And Immunogenicity Of Colorectal Cancer, Maram Esam Ahmed

Theses

The Methylation-controlled J protein (MCJ), also known as DNAJC15, serves as an endogenous negative regulator of mitochondrial respiration. MCJ plays a crucial role in cellular bioenergetics by regulating cellular metabolism, and its expression is inversely proportional to the extent of mitochondrial ATP production. In the current study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between MCJ expression and the tumorigenicity and immunogenicity of colon adenocarcinoma. To this aim, we utilized MCJ knockout (KO) mice to assess the impact of tumor-extrinsic MCJ expression in host cells, particularly immune cells, on anti-tumor responses. Comparing the growth of MCJ-expressing cancer cells in wild-type vs. …

Development Of A Food Composition Database For The Estimation Of Dietary S-Methyl Cysteine Sulfoxide From Vegetables, Caroline R. Hill, Emma L. Connolly, Armaghan Shafaei, Lois Balmer, Liezhou Zhong, Taulant Muka, Antonietta Hayhoe, Shikha Saha, Richard J. Woodman, Joshua R. Lewis, Jonathan M. Hodgson, Lauren C. Blekkenhorst

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

A food composition database estimating S-methyl cysteine sulfoxide (SMCSO) was created following a systematic literature search. SMCSO data (705 entries) from 19 vegetables were summarised: brassicas (n = 10) and alliums (n = 9). The highest SMCSO in brassicas was reported in Brussels sprouts (median [range]: 318 [68−420] mg/100 g fresh weight (FW)) whilst the lowest was in radish (19 [4–45] mg/100 g FW). Brussels sprouts were almost twice as concentrated in SMCSO as cauliflower, followed by cabbage, kale, broccoli, kohlrabi, swede, Chinese cabbage, and turnips. The alliums highest in SMCSO were Chinese chives (271 [185−413] mg/100 g FW) followed …

The Third Pleural Effusion And Symptom Evaluation (Please-3) Study: Bendopnoea In Patients With Pleural Effusion, Bapti Roy, Bianca M. Iacopetta, Carolyn J. Peddle-Mcinytre, Michaela Donaghy, Matthew Ing, Ai Ling Tan, Y. C. Gary Lee

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Pleural effusions often cause disabling breathlessness, however the mechanism is unknown. Patients with pleural effusions are subjected to pleural fluid drainage on a ‘trial and error’ basis, as symptom relief varies. This population commonly complain of bendopnoea (breathlessness on bending forward) which has not been investigated. Our pilot data found bendopnoea was significantly associated with presence of pleural effusion. The PLEASE-3 study will evaluate bendopnoea as a screening test for effusion-related breathlessness, its predictive value of symptomatic benefits from fluid drainage and explore its underlying physiological mechanism. Methods: PLEASE-3 is a multi-centre prospective study. Eligible patients are assessed at …

Things To Keep In Mind When Selecting Physical Assessments In Youth Soccer: Correlations Between Test Performances, Interlimb Asymmetries, And Effects Of Maturation, Francisco Javier Robles-Palazón, John J. Mcmahon, Francisco Ayala, Paul Comfort

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

A range of field-based tests have been proposed for inclusion in physical performance assessment batteries. However, there are obvious time and human resources constraints in applied settings. The knowledge of potential relationships between tests on performance, asymmetries, as well as maturation-induced changes, may help select the most informative and least time-consuming testing battery. The purposes of this study were: (1) to determine correlations in performance between different field-based tests, in interlimb asymmetry between those unilateral tests, and between asymmetry scores and test performances, and (2) to determine the influence of players’ maturity status on test performances and asymmetries. A total …

Exercise As A Non-Pharmacological Intervention For The Management Of Sleep Disturbance In Primary Brain Tumour Survivors And Their Caregivers: A Study Protocol Of A Clinical Trial, Jason A. Martin, Nicolas H. Hart, Natalie Bradford, Fiona Naumann, Mark B. Pinkham, Elizabeth P. Pinkham, Justin J. Holland

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Sleep disturbance is a highly prevalent and impactful symptom experienced by those adversely affected by primary brain tumours. Despite this, there is a lack of literature exploring appropriate options for the management of sleep disturbance in these populations. As such, more holistic and patient-centred approaches to address sleep disturbance are needed. Exercise presents itself as a viable option for managing sleep disturbances given its numerous health benefits, minimal costs, and acceptability, though the feasibility of its use in the context of primary brain tumours is unknown. Methods: Primary brain tumour survivors and their caregivers will enrol and participate in …

Methylgenotyper: Accurate Estimation Of Snp Genotypes And Genetic Relatedness From Dna Methylation Data, Yi Jiang, Minghan Qu, Minghui Jiang, Xuan Jiang, Shane Fernandez, Tenielle Porter, Simon M. Laws, Colin L. Masters, Huan Guo, Shanshan Cheng, Chaolong Wang

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Epigenome-wide association studies (EWAS) are susceptible to widespread confounding caused by population structure and genetic relatedness. Nevertheless, kinship estimation is challenging in EWAS without genotyping data. Here, we proposed MethylGenotyper, a method that for the first time enables accurate genotyping at thousands of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) directly from commercial DNA methylation microarrays. We modeled the intensities of methylation probes near SNPs with a mixture of three beta distributions corresponding to different genotypes and estimated parameters with an expectation-maximization algorithm. We conducted extensive simulations to demonstrate the performance of the method. When applying MethylGenotyper to the Infinium EPIC array data …

Australian Children's Physical Activity And Screen Time While In Grandparental Care, Michelle I. Jongenelis, Timothy Budden, Ben Jackson, Hayley Christian, Andrea Nathan, David Coall, Emma Glassenbury

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Objective: The objective of this study was to explore Australian children's engagement in physical activity and screen time while being cared for by their grandparents.

Method: Grandparents (N = 1,190) providing ≥3 hours of weekly care to a grandchild aged 3–14 years completed an online survey assessing their grandchildren's movement behaviours while in their care. Descriptive statistics were computed for frequency of engagement in unstructured and structured physical activities, minutes spent playing outdoors, and minutes spent engaged in screen time. Regression analyses were conducted to assess socio-demographic predictors of movement behaviours.

Results: Playing in the yard was the most common …

Mobility Repertoires: How Chinese Overseas Students Overcame Pandemic-Induced Immobility, Jiaqi M. Liu, Rui Jie Peng

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

The burgeoning field of immobility studies focuses on how migratory aspirations and capabilities shape a given (im)mobility status but devotes scant attention to how people traverse different (im)mobility categories. Through a case study of Chinese students in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic, this article develops two arguments to shed light on migrants’ experiences and strategies in mobility transitions. First, during the pandemic, while China's restrictive travel policies and unfavorable public discourses made return migration extremely difficult, Chinese overseas students also felt unwelcome in the United States, due to visa restrictions and Sinophobic violence. This dilemma of being unable …

A Dual-Angle Exploration Towards Understanding Lapses In Covid-19 Social Responsibility, Sean T. H. Lee, Jerome J. X. Mah, Angela K. Y. Leung

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

Breaking infection chains requires not just behaviours that allow individuals to stay healthy and uninfected (i.e. health protective behaviours) but also for those who are possibly infected to protect others from their harboured infection risk (i.e. socially responsible behaviours). However, socially responsible behaviours entail costs without clear, immediate benefits to the individual, such that public health-risking lapses occur from time to time. In this important yet understudied area, the current exploratory study sought to identify possible psychological factors that may affect people's likelihood of engaging in socially responsible behaviours. Assuming that self-perceived infection should provide an impetus to engage in …

Predicting Mild Cognitive Impairment Through Ambient Sensing And Artificial Intelligence, Ah-Hwee Tan, Weng Yan Ying, Budhitama Subagdja, Anni Huang, Shanthoshigaa D, Tony Chin-Ian Tay, Iris Rawtaer

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

This paper reports an emerging application leveraging ambient and artificial intelligence techniques for in-home sensing and cognitive health assessment. The application involves a prospective longitudinal study, wherein non-pervasive sensing devices are installed in homes of over 63 real users undergoing clinical cognitive assessment, and digital signals of the users’ activities and behaviour are transmitted to a central cloud-based data server for further processing and analysis. Based on the sensor readings, we identify a set of digital biomarkers covering four key aspects of daily living, namely physical, activity, cognitive, and sleep, and develop a suite of customized feature extraction methods for …