Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Assessing Community Health Workers Perceptions Of Their Participation In Covid-19 Related Projects Implemented Throughout South Texas And Their Alignment To The Dimensions Of Community Capacity, Eduardo Gandara Garcia, P. Recto, J. Lesser, A. Z. Idar, J. Zapata, V. Vela, M. Castilla, L. Hernandez, C. Castillo, J. Escareño, M. Flores, V. Morales

Research Symposium

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, Community Health Workers (CHWs) have been vital in helping to mitigate health disparities as they have helped serve as a bridge for communities and needed resources. In addition, they have been vital in improving health as they help build community capacity through their outreach, community education, and advocacy. Thus, the purpose of this project was to assess CHW’s perceptions of their participation in COVID-19 related projects implemented by the South Texas AHEC Program, throughout South Texas, and their alignment to Goodman et al.’s Dimensions of Community Capacity.

Methods: Using qualitative description, five individual semi-structured interviews …

Pulmonary Tuberculosis In Older Adults, Texas, 2008 - 2020: Trends And Adverse Outcomes, Belinda Medrano, Gretchen L. Gemeinhardt, Miryoung Lee, Sandra Morris, Lana Yamba, Blanca I. Restrepo

Research Symposium

Background: After two decades of 2% annual declines in the global incidence of TB, there was a 3.6% increase between 2020 and 2021. The World Health Organization’s (WHO) ‘End TB Strategy’ is aimed at reducing TB incidence by 80% and TB deaths by 90% by 2030, compared with 2015, but its goals will not be reached at the current pace. Reacceleration of TB elimination efforts must take into consideration the changing epidemiology of TB, including an aging global population. The older adult population, aged 65 and older, is growing faster than all other age groups, and in the United States, …

Dissecting The Influence Of Perceived Discrimination And Genetic Liability On Mental Health, Bassent Abdelbary, C. E. Guerra Amorim, P. Rodriguez, J. L. Montalvo-Ortiz

Research Symposium

Background: Underrepresented groups are disproportionally affected by discrimination, which can have long-lasting influences on the individual’s wellbeing and mental health. This study leverages the diversity of the All of Us cohort to investigate the interplay between genetic risk factors and perceived discrimination in the context of mental health disorders. This study aims to shed light into the underlying biological and environmental risk factors, and its interplay, of mental health disorders in underrepresented populations.

Methods: Data on perceived discrimination was retreived from the the All of Us (AoU) COVID-19 Participant Experience (COPE) questionnaire and matched with sociodemographic and phenotypic …

Pain Catastrophizing, Depression, And Anxiety In Tha Patients With Differing Radiographic Severity, Vanessa Lopez, Cesar Sevilla Jr., Isabella Amado, Ruthvik Allala, Y. Xi, E. P. Mulligan, Whitney Herge, Joel Wells

Research Symposium

Background: Comorbid mood disorders and pain catastrophizing behavior in patients with hip osteoarthritis have been associated with worse pain scores and more functional limitations before and after undergoing a total hip arthroplasty (THA). There remain questions regarding the relationship between severity of hip disease and mental health factors on preoperative measures in patients with differing radiographic disease. The purpose of this study was to assess preoperative pain catastrophizing, depression, and anxiety scores in THA patients with less severe radiographic hip arthritis compared to those with more severe radiographic disease.

Methods: A total of 785 patients were enrolled in a prospective …

Impacts Of Work Environment On Health Status Of Traffic Compliance And Enforcement Corps Members In Ogun State. Nigeria, Tunde Olaniyan, D. O. Babayemi, T. F. Akinhanmi, R. N. Ugbaja, O. Ademuyiwa

Research Symposium

Background: Traffic Compliance and Enforcement (TRACE) Corps members in Nigeria are occupationally exposed to lots of environmental pollutants due to essential services that they render in the transport industry. Exposure to environmental pollutants has been shown to contribute to the pathogenesis and progression of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Information about biochemical end points of CVD in Traffic Compliance and Enforcement (TRACE) Corps members who are occupationally exposed to environmental pollutants is lacking. This study therefore investigated the effects of these environmental pollutants on some indices of CVD.

Methods: Before enrollment in the study, all subjects, including controls, were informed …

Effect Of Mir-660-5p In Breast Cancer Progression, Valeria Villarreal García, Jose Roberto Estupiñan-Jimenez, R. Noriega, Patricio A. Zapata-Morín, Recep Bayraktar, Diana Resendez-Perez, C. Rodríguez-Padilla, Jose M. Vázquez-Guillén, Fermin Mar Aguilar, Gabriel Lopez-Berestein, Pablo E. Vivas-Mejía, V. Gonzalez-Villasana

Research Symposium

Background: Breast cancer (BC) is the most diagnosed cancer in women worldwide. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) participate in different processes of BC and their deregulation can cause them to act as oncogenes or tumor suppressors, participating in cancer progression. Using the TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas) database, we found that miR-660-5p significantly overexpressed and associated with poor survival in patients with this pathology. Moreover, it is reported that miR-660-5p can induce BC progression through transcription factor CP2 (TFCP2) and the downregulation of tet methylcytosine dioxygenase 2 (TET2). In this project, we propose to identify the role of miR-660-5p in proliferation, migration, invasion, …

Functional Effect Of Mir-1307-3p On Breast Cancer Progression, Jose Roberto Estupiñan-Jimenez, V. Villarreal-García, R. Noriega, Patricio A. Zapata-Morín, Recep Bayraktar, Diana Reséndez-Pérez, C. Rodríguez-Padilla, Jose M. Vázquez-Guillén, Fermin Mar-Aguilar, Gabriel Lopez-Berestein, Pablo E. Vivas-Mejía, V. Gonzalez-Villasana

Research Symposium

Background: MiRNAs are non-coding RNA molecules and its function is the regulation of gene expression. In cancer, the deregulation of miRNAs allows them to act as oncogenes or tumor suppressors. From an analysis of the expression of miRNAs in breast cancer (BC) in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), it was identified that miR-1307-3p is significantly overexpressed in the tumor tissue compared to healthy tissue from patients. So far, in BC, it has only been reported that this miRNA inhibits SMYD4 and that it is involved in resistance to cisplatin through its effect on Mdm4. In this project we propose to …

In Vitro Murine Lymphoma L5178y-R Cells Growth Inhibition By Endophytic Fungi Isolated From Lophocereus Marginatus, Jesica María Ramírez Villalobos, C. I. Romo-Sáenz, D. L. Clark-Pérez, Karla S. Morán-Santibañez, R. Quintanilla-Leal, P. Tamez-Guerra, A. Ordoñez-Vásquez, C. Rodríguez-Padilla, Ricardo Gomez-Flores

Research Symposium

Background: Chemotherapy is one of the main treatments to fight cancer. However, about 90% of failures in this procedure are due to the invasion and metastasis of drug-resistant cancer cells. Therefore, the search for new drugs has become critical in oncology. Endophytic fungi, as important sources of bioactive compounds, represent an alternative for the isolation, characterization, and development of new pharmacological treatments for cancer control. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the cytotoxic activity of liquid culture extracts of endophytic fungi isolated from Lophocereus marginatus against murine lymphoma L5178Y-R cells.

Methods: Endophytic fungi obtained from L. marginatus …

Carf Expression-Based Screening Of Steatosis-Modulating Compounds, Hanlin Han, Yixin Sun, Huayue Zhang, Dongyang Li, Sunil C. Kaul, Renu Wadhwa

Research Symposium

Introduction: Steatosis, excessive accumulation of fat in liver, is a stressed state of liver caused by various factors such as obesity, diabetes, alcohol consumption, certain medications and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. While it is generally considered a benign condition, prolonged steatosis often progresses to serious liver diseases including liver fibrosis, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and hepatocarcinoma. Whereas drug development is expensive and long process, anti-steatosis natural compounds are anticipated to be useful for management of this condition and prevent its progress to complicated lethal pathologies. CARF protein has been shown to play a key role in regulating the cellular response to stress. …

Allelic Frequency Of Dpyd Genetic Variants: Implementation Of A Genotyping Test In Mexican Population, Diana Cristina Pérez-Ibave, Carlos H. Burciaga-Flores, Valeria Jimena Gómez-Ordaz, Noé Israel Oliva-García, Vanessa N. Ortiz-Murillo, Francisco Alvarado Villarreal, Jonatán Isaí Cortes-Alfaro, Alan Burguete-Torres, Fernando Alcorta-Núñez, Oscar Vidal Gutiérrez, María Lourdes Garza-Rodríguez

Research Symposium

Background: Fluoropyrimidine-based (FP) chemotherapy is extensively used to treat solid cancers, including colorectal and breast cancer. A dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) enzyme deficiency, encoded by the dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPYD) gene, increases the risk of severe toxicity. FP toxicity affects about 30-40% of patients, which in some cases may be lethal. FPs have been used for over 50 years, and an estimated 2 million cancer patients are treated with FP drugs annually. In particular, FPs remain among the most effective drugs for treating GI malignancies, including colorectal cancer (CRC) (1.8 million), gastric (1 million), and pancreatic cancer (n=460,000). In Mexican oncology …

Using Molecular Docking, Dynamics, And Simulation To Investigate The Role Of Trigonella Foenum-Graecum Interaction With Parkin Gene In The Prevention Of Oral Cancer, Rashmi Kumari, B. Kumari, B. Khan, S. Ram, M. M. A. Rizvi

Research Symposium

Background: Oral cancer is one of the most feared diseases in the world, as well as India's second leading cause of death. Several studies have found that the upregulation and downregulation of various tumour suppressor genes, such as Parkin gene, are linked to cancer pathogenesis. So, numerous therapeutic options are available to combat this disease; however, due to their drawbacks and side effects, it is necessary to find alternatives, such as medicinal plants. As a result of their low toxicity and immense nutraceutical value, plants and their extracts have proven critical in treating and managing a variety of cancers, including …

Characterization Of Yb1 In Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells, Yamile Abuchard Anaya, Sophia Leslie, Kyle Doxtater, Samantha Lopez, Dennis Kwabiah, Ana Ayala Pazzi, Omar Karkoutly, Manish Tripathi

Research Symposium

Background: The Rio Grande Valley’s demographics show that the Hispanic population demographics exceeds more than 92% in The Rio Grande Valley. Being the most prominent ethnicity. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) affects the Hispanic community greatly, and many factors impact the suceptibility. In 2022, liver cancer was predicted to be the fifth and seventh major cause for mortality in both males and females, respectively. Given its fast-growing rate and its aggressiveness, it is important to study the social, cultural, and most importantly the biogenetic factors that affect the prevalence of the disease. Unfortunately, in Texas, and specifically in the RGV, its prevalence …

Aspects Of Glucose Metabolism In Anoikis-Induced Colorectal Cells, Sophia Leslie, Kyle Doxtater, Samantha Lopez, Yamile Abuchard, Bilal B. B. Hafeez, Tamer Oraby, Timothy Loy, Subhash Chauhan, Manish Tripathi

Research Symposium

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most lethal cancer, and its survival rate drops from 90% to 14% when the condition is contained within the colon vs. when found at distant sites within the body. This is concerning because the disease will develop metastasis in 40-50% of patients. Metastasis is a multistep process in which cancer cells gain anoikis resistance to survive after detaching from primary locations and traveling through the circulatory and lymphatic systems to distant target organs. Thus, understanding the molecular drivers involved in glucose metabolism and its role in the anoikis process could be vital for improving …

Leveraging Secondary Data To Study Alzheimer's Disease Risk Factors In Minority Populations, Ney Alliey-Rodriguez, Ramya Kunta, Angel Jose, Lily Putegnat, Cristian Maestre

Research Symposium

Background: Alzheimer’s Disease is the leading cause of dementia in the aging population, and minority groups like Latinos have 3 to 5 times more risk to develop dementias than the overall US population. Several studies have examined for possible causes of this increased risk, but lack of comprehensive information plus a reduced number of minority samples available in those studies have hindered the answers.

Methods: We examined South Texas Medicare/Medicaid data as well as the National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center dataset, looking for comorbidities and risk factors related to neurodegeneration in different minority groups. Correlation and regression analyses were used to …

The Dual Delivery Of Y15 And Metformin In A Plga Scaffold For The Treatment Of Platinum Resistant Ovarian Cancer, Manuel Duarte, E. Jordan, Hannah Obregon, V. Villalobos, Marco Antonio Arriaga, Arkene Levy, Sue Anne Chew

Research Symposium

Background: Ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer mortality among women. This high mortality rate is linked to the development of resistance to first line chemotherapy with platinum compounds which has been attributed in part to increased activity of focal adhesion kinase (FAK). The anti-diabetic drug metformin was previously shown to induce cytotoxicity in PROC cells and thus, the combination of a FAK inhibitor, Y15 and metformin may be a promising treatment for PROC. Biomaterial scaffolds can be utilized to deliver drugs locally to maximize the drug concentration and bioactivity at the target site while minimizing non-target systemic …

Adipose Stem Cells As An Adjunct To Peripheral Nerve Surgery, Allison Podsednik Gardner, Raysa Cabrejo, Joseph Rosen

Research Symposium

Background: Currently, many different techniques exist for the surgical repair of peripheral nerves. The degree of injury dictates the repair and, depending on the defect or injury of the peripheral nerve, plastic surgeons can perform nerve repairs, grafts, and transfers. All the previously listed techniques are routinely performed in human patients, but a novel addition to these peripheral nerve surgeries involves concomitant fat grafting to the repair site at the time of surgery. Fat grafting provides adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) to the injury site. Though fat grafting is performed as an adjunct to some peripheral nerve surgeries, there is …

Plasma Cell Free Dna (Cfdna) Test For Diagnosis Of Infectious Diseases In Children: A Tertiary Care Children's Hospital Experience, Guyu Li, Pamela Campos, Utpal Bhalala, Jaime Fergie

Research Symposium

Introduction: Plasma cell free DNA (cfDNA) test (Karius Test®, KT) has emerged as an attractive diagnostic modality allowing noninvasive broad-range pathogen detection, and fast diagnosis. There are however few studies examining the impact of the KT in the diagnosis and management of infections in children. Our study aimed at evaluating the clinical impact of plasma cfDNA test since it was used at our institution.

Methods: Our retrospective study included children between 0 to 21 years of age who were admitted to Driscoll Children’s Hospital, Corpus Christi, Texas between January 2019 and January 2022. Demographic and clinical course data were collected. …

Descriptive Analysis Of State And Federal Malpractice Litigation In The United States Related To Neuroendovascular Procedures, Nazaneen Amjadi, Sohum Desai

Research Symposium

Introduction: Medical malpractice interests the medical community at large. While previous neurosurgical review articles have analyzed malpractice in the context of spinal surgery, few have reviewed malpractice data surrounding neurovascular procedures as a whole. Here we present a retrospective review of characteristics associated with malpractice litigation in cases involving neuroendovascular procedures in the United States.

Methods: Google Scholar Case Law, Casetext and Westlaw legal databases were searched for verdict and settlement reports pertaining to neurovascular procedures from 1984 to 2023. Data were collected regarding type of procedure, patient age and gender, defendant specialty, outcome, award, and alleged cause of malpractice. …

Evaluation Of Vitamin B12 Levels In Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Taking Metformin In The Ambulatory Care Setting, Khairiya Haj-Yahya, Jose G. Gomez Casanovas, Alejandro Aquino, Eric Sanchez, Jose Rivera, Laura Rincon-Rueda, Andreina Baird, Jorge Nadal, Martha Solis, Andres R. Suarez Parraga

Research Symposium

Background: Metformin is the most widely used oral, anti-hyperglycemic medication, prescribed to more than 100 million people across the entire globe (1). Although Metformin has proven beneficial for patients with pre-diabetes, type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, and PCOS, studies have also shown its use may be associated with vitamin B12 deficiency. Due to a lack of screening criteria, B12 deficiency is likely unrecognized in the ambulatory setting. Our project aimed to improve screening for vitamin B12 deficiency in our clinic amongst patients with diabetes on long-term metformin therapy.

Methods: Clinic data was collected from July 1st, 2020, to July 1st, …

Sar Study Of Niclosamide Derivatives For Neuroprotective Function In Sh-Sy5y Neuroblastoma, Shizue Mito, Benxu Cheng, B. A. Garcia, Xin Yee Ooi, D. Gonzalez, T. C. Ruiz, Francisco Xavier Elisarraras, Andrew Tsin

Research Symposium

Background: Neurodegenerative disease is a debilitating and incurable condition that affects millions of people around the world. The loss of functions or malfunctions of neural cells causes mortality. A proteasome inhibitor, MG132, is well known to cause neurodegeneration in vitro when model neuronal-derived cell lines are exposed to it. Niclosamide, an anthelmintic drug, which has been used for more than 50 years, has recently attracted renewed attention in drug repurposing because it has been found as a good candidate against various diseases in screenings. We recently found that all markers of MG132-induced neuronal cell toxicity, including the accumulation of ubiquitinated …

The Impact Of Opuntia Ficus-Indica And Other Vegetables On Serum Cholesterol And Triglycerides: A Cross-Sectional Analysis, Maricarmen Marroquin, M. Salinas, A. Cantu Martinez, M. Hernandez Ahumada, E. Balandrano Cantu, L. De Leon Sanchez, S. Chavez Acosta, A. Santos Vega, A. Sanchez Diaz, E. Vega Saldierna, A. Perez Mar, Juan Carlos Lopez-Alvarenga

Research Symposium

Background: Cholesterol is primarily synthesized in the liver. Treatment with statins and diet regulation are commonly prescribed for people with hypercholesterolemia. Previous claims suggest that the consumption of nopal and other vegetables may have a significant effect on diabetes but scarce is known about its relationship with cholesterol and triglycerides. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of nopal and other vegetables on serum cholesterol and triglyceride level in population not related with hypercholesterolemia.

Methods: We analyzed a dataset comprising of students from UMAN and their relatives totaling 198 participants. Participants completed an informed consent, …

Association Between Alcohol Use And Negative Mental Health Symptoms In The Rio Grande Valley, Yahia Al-Qudah

Research Symposium

Background: This study's purpose was to research the link between alcohol use and negative mental health symptoms in the Rio Grande Valley. As current literature suggests, the Rio Grande Valley has above average alcohol consumption and negative mental health symptoms, especially among young adults. Recent studies indicate there may be an association between the amount of alcohol one consumes and the likelihood of experiencing negative mental health symptoms such as depression and anxiety and vice versa. The RGV’s population and culture provides a unique opportunity to study this correlation and better advise the community and health care professionals about potential …

Using The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System To Determine The Association Of Alcohol Use And Depressive Disorders In Texas, 2019-2021, Shiv Govindji

Research Symposium

Background: Alcohol is a commonly consumed substance and has been widely studied to negatively affect mental health. Alcohol misuse and depression often coexist as comorbid conditions. The presence of one can exacerbate the other, creating a cyclic pattern that may be challenging to break. Understanding the relationship between alcohol usage and depression may guide researchers and healthcare professionals towards prevention efforts and treatment strategies to increase the chances of achieving long-term wellness and improved mental wellbeing in our community.

Objective: To examine the association of alcohol use and depressive disorders in a randomly sampled adult population in Texas.

Methods: …

Revitalizing Alzheimer's Community Engagement In The Rgv Post-Pandemic: Insights From The First Two Alzheimer's Forums, Karla D. Lopez Lorenzo, Maxine Vieyra, Jesus D. Melgarejo, Gladys E. Maestre

Research Symposium

Background: The Rio Grande Valley (RGV), with a population predominantly composed of Hispanic/Latinos (93%), faces a higher risk of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) compared to other groups. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the lack of education and awareness surrounding AD and related dementias in our community. To address these challenges, we partnered with the Alzheimer's Association to organize the first two Community Forums after the pandemic. Our goal is to raise awareness, provide resources, and support those affected by AD and related conditions in the RGV.

Methods: Through a proactive partnership, our objective was to meet the growing demand for education, …

Assessing Influence Of Immigrant Status And Other Social Determinants Of Health On Community Psychiatry, Agnes M. Cruz, Jorge A. Romero Ortiz, Diana Chapa

Research Symposium

Background/purpose: Social determinants of health are fundamental and structural factors that affect people’s lives and impact their health and longevity. Differences in social determinants of health across populations and communities account for major health disparities between them. The purpose of this paper is to assess how social determinants of health have impacted the health outcomes in patients from our community psychiatry clinics, to evaluate the impact of irregular immigration status as an independent social determinant of health, and to investigate the use of SDOH screening instrument in our clinics.

Methods: An online questionnaire was sent to community psychiatry providers in …

Healthy Media - Enhancing Healthy Living Education In Prek Students With Edtech Media, Emilio Puente Barrios

Research Symposium

Background: Young children today learn in diverse environments, including home, school, and through digital media platforms such as apps, videos, games, and songs. With the increase in screen time due to Covid-19 restrictions, digital media has become a valuable resource for remote learning, offering fun and educational interactions. However, the impact of incorporating educational technology or EdTech digital media applications into health education curricula on the performance of PK 4 students in understanding and adopting healthy living concepts remains understudied. By exploring the effectiveness of design elements and strategic approaches this research aims to evaluate newer technology-driven media in enhancing …

Collection And Analysis Of Architectural Features In Streetscapes In South Texas, Cristian Maestre, Maria E. M. Carlier, Gladys E. Maestre

Research Symposium

Background: The built environment of neighborhoods influences the health and well-being of residents. One approach to studying the impact of such a built environment on people's health is through the study of the memorability of the architectural features (AFs) in streetscapes. In this direction, we raise the question: what AFs are more memorable? Understanding how AFs impact cognition will allow us to propose neighborhood designs that consider this finding to foster people's health and well-being. However, AFs in streetscapes are not universal they need to be studied in specific historical, cultural, and geographical contexts. In order to analyze the memorability …

Prevent Congenital Syphilis: A Facebook-Based Retrospective Analysis Of Community Questions To Identify Gaps In Knowledge And Misconceptions, Aryana Garza, Robert Nelson Jr.

Research Symposium

Background: Congenital syphilis is a significant public health issue that occurs when a pregnant woman with untreated syphilis transmits the infection to her unborn child, which can lead to severe health consequences such as developmental delay, stillbirth, and neonatal death. Despite the availability of effective treatments, the incidence of congenital syphilis has been increasing in recent years, particularly in certain populations such as women of color and those living in poverty. This project aims to better inform public health measures by leveraging social media as a data source for understanding community perspectives on syphilis prevention and management.

Methods: In this …

Clinical Analysis From Critically Ill Patients During The Early Spread Of Covid-19, Guohui Yang, Zewen Liu, Qing Zhang, Tabitha Abraham, Alex Zuo

Research Symposium

Background: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) occurred in December 2019 in Wuhan, China. This study is performed in Ezhou, a city located near Wuhan and one of the first to undergo lockdown during the outbreak, thus focusing on clinical outcomes and imaging variables.

Methods: The retrospective study collected clinical data from confirmed severe COVID-19 patients who were treated at Ezhou Central Hospital during the early phase of the pandemic. Laboratory results, imaging features, and treatments were compared between patients who survived and died.

Results: The coexisting conditions were chronic respiratory diseases and cardiovascular diseases in most patients. Symptoms occurring among critically ill …

Chronic Cannabis Use Is Associated With Decreased Treatment Response In Major Depression, Ihsan Salloum

Research Symposium

Background: Cannabis is the most frequently used federally illegal drug among the population and those receiving psychiatric treatment, including patients with major depression or alcohol use disorder. There is limited information on the impact of chronic cannabis use on treatment response. The aim of this study was to examine the rate of depression remission among patients with MDD and comorbid alcoholism who reported chronic cannabis abuse.

Methods: Sixty-four subjects with comorbid major depressive disorder and alcohol dependence (PRISM/DSM-IV), and a chronic (=>10 years) history of cannabis use (n=26) were compared to those who reported occasional or no cannabis …