Diseases Commons^™

Targeting Cgas/Sting Signaling-Mediated Myeloid Immune Cell Dysfunction In Time, Vijay Kumar, Caitlin Bauer, John H. Stewart

School of Graduate Studies Faculty Publications

Myeloid immune cells (MICs) are potent innate immune cells serving as first responders to invading pathogens and internal changes to cellular homeostasis. Cancer is a stage of altered cellular homeostasis that can originate in response to different pathogens, chemical carcinogens, and internal genetic/epigenetic changes. MICs express several pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) on their membranes, cytosol, and organelles, recognizing systemic, tissue, and organ-specific altered homeostasis. cGAS/STING signaling is a cytosolic PRR system for identifying cytosolic double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) in a sequence-independent but size-dependent manner. The longer the cytosolic dsDNA size, the stronger the cGAS/STING signaling activation with increased type 1 interferon …

Systemic Review Of Clot Retraction Modulators, Alaina Guilbeau, Rinku Majumder

School of Graduate Studies Faculty Publications

Through a process termed clot retraction, platelets cause thrombi to shrink and become more stable. After platelets are activated via inside-out signaling, glycoprotein αIIbβIII binds to fibrinogen and initiates a cascade of intracellular signaling that ends in actin remodeling, which causes the platelet to change its shape. Clot retraction is also important for wound healing. Although the detailed molecular biology of clot retraction is only partially understood, various substances and physiological conditions modulate clot retraction. In this review, we describe some of the current literature pertaining to clot retraction modulators. In addition, we discuss compounds from Cudrania trucuspidata, Arctium lappa, …

Incubation With Porcine Urinary Bladder Matrix Yields A Late-Stage Wound Transcriptome In Endothelial Cells And Keratinocytes Isolated From Both Diabetic And Non-Diabetic Subjects, John T. Paige, Daniel J. Lightell, Hunter F. Douglas, Natasha C. Klingenberg, Thaidan Pham, T. Cooper Woods

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Proper wound closure requires the functional coordination of endothelial cells (ECs) and keratinocytes. In the late stages of wound healing, keratinocytes become activated and ECs promote the maturation of nascent blood vessels. In diabetes mellitus, decreased keratinocyte activation and impaired angiogenic action of ECs delay wound healing. Porcine urinary bladder matrix (UBM) improves the rate of wound healing, but the effect of exposure to UBM under diabetic conditions remains unclear. We hypothesized that keratinocytes and ECs isolated from both diabetic and non-diabetic donors would exhibit a similar transcriptome representative of the later stages of wound healing following incubation with UBM. …

Tumor Microenvironment As A Therapeutic Target In Melanoma Treatment, Naji Kharouf, Thomas W. Flanagan, Sofie Yasmin Hassan, Hosam Shalaby, Marla Khabaz, Sarah Lilly Hassan, Mosaad Megahed, Youssef Haikel, Simeon Santourlidis, Mohamed Hassan

School of Graduate Studies Faculty Publications

The role of the tumor microenvironment in tumor growth and therapy has recently attracted more attention in research and drug development. The ability of the microenvironment to trigger tumor maintenance, progression, and resistance is the main cause for treatment failure and tumor relapse. Accumulated evidence indicates that the maintenance and progression of tumor cells is determined by components of the microenvironment, which include stromal cells (endothelial cells, fibroblasts, mesenchymal stem cells, and immune cells), extracellular matrix (ECM), and soluble molecules (chemokines, cytokines, growth factors, and extracellular vesicles). As a solid tumor, melanoma is not only a tumor mass of monolithic …

Journal Club: Glymphatic System In Neurodegenerative Diseases, Ronald G. Lott Iii, Xavier Zonna, Samuel Wlasowicz

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's Disease impact a multitude of individuals worldwide. The neural Glymphatic system is a relatively newly discovered cellular transport pathway within the brain that has been implicated in neurodegenerative diseases. This article serves to provide a journal club review of current literature on the Glymphatic system to raise awareness of this system and its potential for future treatment and prevention of neurodegenerative conditions.

Nutrition In Times Of Crisis: A Qualitative Study In Siargao Island, Philippines, During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Gideon Lasco, Vincen Gregory Yu, Julie Madelo Compra, Phetdavanh Leuangvilay, Rapeepong Suphanchaimat, Yunting Zhang, Charina Javier

Development Studies Faculty Publications

Objectives

Despite the public-health significance of both malnutrition and crises, little has been done to explore the convergence of the two domains and develop ways to improve policies and practices, especially in rural communities. This article remedies that knowledge gap by focusing on nutrition-related changes, responses, and practices during crisis situations in Siargao Island, Philippines, using the COVID-19 pandemic as a backdrop.

Methods

Forty-six (46) semi-structured interviews were conducted among parents, caregivers, local health workers, and local officials of Del Carmen, Siargao Island. Principles of thematic analysis were applied to data analysis using NVivo 12. Afterwards, the preliminary data were …

Cystic Duct Morphology And Heister Valves: A Cadaveric Study, Cierra R. Goerish

Theses & Dissertations

Continued occurrence of cholelithiasis, gallstones, commonly results in cholecystectomy, removal of the gallbladder. Having a comprehensive anatomical, histological, and physiological knowledge of the biliary apparatus is imperative in clinical medicine today. Additionally, the functionality of cystic duct (CD) Heister valves (HV) has been speculatory since being reported in 1732. This study summarizes the morphology, orientation, and variability of the gross biliary system and provides data to help justify HV functionality.

Cadaveric dissection was utilized for gross observation and analysis of the biliary system. The angulation of the CD was found primarily as an acute angle; however, obtuse angulation could be …

Occurrence And Trends Of Musculoskeletal Pain Among Ski Instructors, Denis Causevic, Erol Kovacevic, Semir Masic, Seth Spicer, Ahmed Gawash

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) are incredibly common and are often related to work load. For any occupational or public health intervention, injury prevention is preferred to injury treatment. Occupational health and injury prevention research has the potential to help mitigate MSD in the workplace. The aim of this study was to determine how the work demands of ski instructors may affect the health of their musculoskeletal system.

Material and Methods

A cross-sectional study involved the participation of 87 ski instructors (age = 34.61 ±10.67) in Bosnia and Herzegovina (ATUS in Bosnia and Herzegovina). Observed variables were the prevalence of MSD measured …

Association Of Prematurity And Urogenital Comorbidities With Postoperative Outcomes Of Ureteroneocystostomy For Vesicoureteral Reflux, Raeann Dalton, Young Son, Edward Wu, Leah Anderton, Matthew Eximond, Lance Earnshaw, Katelyn Klimowich, Gregory Dean

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: It is estimated that 20-30% of congenital anomalies involve the kidney and ureter, and these rates are even higher in infants with low birth weights. Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) occurs when there is a backflow of urine from the bladder to the kidney. Depending on severity, this condition may require surgical correction with ureteroneocystostomy (UNC). The impact of premature birth and presence of urogenital comorbidities on outcomes of UNC is not known. The objective of this study is to determine the relationship between premature birth and urogenital comorbidities with operative outcomes of UNC for VUR.

Methods: The 2020 American College …

Congenital L-Transposition Of The Great Arteries In A 12-Year-Old: A Case Report, Muhammad Noman

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Levo-transposition of the great arteries, L-TGA, also known as congenitally corrected transposition, cc-TGA is a rare anomaly and accounts for less than 1% of all congenital heart diseases. It is characterized by both atrioventricular and ventriculoarterial discordance . It is considered a congenitally corrected transposition because the circulation is from right atrium to left ventricle leading to the pulmonary vasculature. The lungs then pump blood into the left atrium to the right ventricle and eventually to the systemic circulation via the aorta.

Role Of Gper In Cadmium-Induced Phosphorylation Of Erk1/2 In Ovarian Adenocarcinoma, Laura Sackie

Undergraduate Theses

Cadmium, a carcinogenic heavy metal, is an environmental contaminant found in air, water, and soil. It also exhibits endocrine disruptive properties by mimicking the proliferative effects of the hormone estrogen and is classified as a metalloestrogen. At low concentration levels in some cancer cells, cadmium induces cell proliferation and phosphorylation of ERK1/2, a key protein in the estrogen signaling pathway. While the signaling pathways for cadmium- induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 have been discovered in breast and lung cancer cells, it has not yet been fully determined in ovarian cancer cells. The fairly recent discovery of a transmembrane receptor found in …

Comparison Of Clinical And Radiographic Efficacy Of Particles Versus Nbca/Onyx In Middle Meningeal Artery Embolization For Chronic Subdural Hematoma, Jane Khalife, Mohamed Salem, Victoria Wong Murray, Allen Karimov, Brian Jankowitz, Jan Karl Burkhardt, Hamza Shaikh, Daniel Tonetti, Pratit Patel, Tudor Jovin, Ajith Thomas

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Different embolic materials are utilized in MMA embolization of chronic subdural hematoma per operators’ discretion. We aim to compare the clinical and radiographic efficacy of different embolic materials in a pooled retrospective cohort of two US centers.

Amenorrhea And Stress Fractures In Female New Jersey Division Iii Collegiate Runners: An Opportunity For Increased Health Education, Emily Forester, Tara Pellegrino

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: In the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), 9.1% of the injuries reported by Women’s cross country athletes between 2014-2019 were fractures. Although excessive exercise is a major contributor to the development of amenorrhea, there are currently no studies on the association between amenorrhea and stress fractures in NJ NCAA Division III Women’s cross country or track athletes. This study aims to determine if there is an association between incidence of amenorrhea and subsequent occurrence of stress fractures among this population.

Methods: This is a survey based study. Participants must be female athletes over the age of 18 who currently …

The Vaginal Microbiome Post-Menopause And Urinary Tract Infections, Rifke Anolik, Julia Kiffel, Venkateswar Venkataraman

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) is a condition where pathogens invade the urinary tract and can travel up the urethra and into the bladder. UTIs occur more commonly in females compared to males and in the post-menopausal population this rate increases significantly. While these infections may be asymptomatic, they can also cause severe discomfort and lead to serious and even life threatening complications. Recent investigation into the vaginal microbiome has opened the doors to a possible mechanism behind the increased incidence of UTIs after menopause. Understanding the pathogenesis behind the increased risk of UTIs in the postmenopausal state will allow …

Impact Of Draft Order On Stress Sonography Of The Ulnar Collateral Ligament Of The Elbow In Professional Baseball Pitchers: An 18-Year Study, Adeeb Hanna, John Sonnier, Brian Fliegel, Matthew Sherman, Michael Ciccotti, Robert Jack, Steven Cohen

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: The MLB draft is a common route for players to enter professional baseball in the United States. Individuals taken in earlier rounds are typically higher-performing players. When looking at pitchers specifically, higher performance at the amateur level may be associated with increased frequency of adaptive change in the throwing elbow.

Purpose/Hypothesis: To determine if players taken in earlier rounds of the MLB draft have a greater frequency or extent of pathological change in the elbow, as measured by dynamic stress ultrasound.

Study Design: Retrospective Cohort Study Methods: Dynamic stress ultrasounds (SUS) were performed over an 18-year period on the …

Ureterocutaneous Fistula In Setting Of Recurrent Gluteal Abscesses: A Case Report, Catherine Alapatt, Young Son, Benjamin Fink, Brian Thomas, Sean Coulson, Shawon Akanda, Jacob Thatcher, Thomas Mueller

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Ureteral fistulas are a rare occurrence that can arise from iatrogenic trauma, radiation, malignancy, and inflammation. Treatment options of urinary tract fistulas are handled on a case-by-case basis and can necessitate a surgical approach. We present the case of an 85-year-old patient with a ureterocutaneous fistula where conservative management with PCN is a viable alternative to surgical intervention.

Adaptive Changes Of The Ulnar Collateral Ligament Of Professional Baseball From Different Climates Over Multiple Seasons: An 18-Year Study, Adeeb Hanna, Brian Fliegel, John Sonnier, Matthew Sherman, Michael Ciccotti, Robert Jack, Steven Cohen

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: The ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) is put under high levels of stress through the overhead throwing motion typical of professional baseball pitchers. In response to repetitive stress the UCL undergoes adaptive changes including thickening of the ligament and increased joint laxity under valgus stress. Studies examining the adaptive changes in the elbows of professional pitchers over multiple seasons are limited. Investigations such as this one offer insight into the changes in the UCL of professional pitchers over multiple years of professional play as well as the risk for injuries that may be associated with these changes.

Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose …

Spontaneous Iliac Arteriovenous Fistula, High-Output Heart Failure, And Cardiac Arrest, J. Maxwell Piraneo, Russell Mordecai, James Espinosa, Alan Lucerna

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

High-output heart failure is a potentially life-threatening condition that can lead to cardiac arrest. The most common causes of this condition are obesity, liver disease, arteriovenous shunts, lung disease, and myeloproliferative disorders, however the exact prevalence remains uncertain [1]. Here we describe an unusual case of cardiac arrest as a consequence of high-output heart failure, secondary to rupture of an iliac artery aneurysm into the common iliac vein, with arteriovenous (AV) fistula formation.

Case Report: Cavitary Pneumonia In A 28 Year Old Male, Dan Zaayenga, Katelyn Courtney

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Cavitary pneumonia can be caused by several different mechanisms. Such causes include suppurative necrosis (pyogenic lung abscess), caseous necrosis (tuberculosis), ischemic necrosis (pulmonary infarction) cystic dilatation of lung structures (ball value obstruction and Pneumocystis pneumonia) as well as malignant processes. Causes are subject to both environmental factors and host susceptibility. The most common cause of infectious process is tuberculosis with its propensity to cause extensive caseous necrosis. The potential for secondary infection after an individual develops a cavitary pneumonia is also great as it provides a shelter for various pathogens the flourish in an environment otherwise usually well-guarded by host …

Sigmoid Perforation Extending Into The Abdominal Wall, Zamran Masih, Wayne Tamaska, James Espinosa, Alan Lucerna

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Sigmoid colon perforation and spread into the abdominal wall is a rare condition that can occur due to various causes such as diverticulitis, trauma, malignancy, or iatrogenic injury during surgery. Although rare, sigmoid colon perforation into the abdominal wall can result in significant morbidity and mortality if not promptly diagnosed and treated. Most common cause of diverticular disease leading to perforation is diverticulitis, accounting for 60% of all colonic perforations.

Sexual Dimorphism Of Glomerular Capillary Morphology In Rats, Zackarias Coker

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) progresses faster in males than females; however, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Sex differences in glomerular capillary morphology has been hypothesized to contribute, in part, to the increased susceptibility to hypertension-induced renal injury and CKD progression in males, but this has not been investigated. The goal of the present study was to assess glomerular capillary morphology in male vs. female rats with intact kidneys and after uninephrectomy (UNX). We hypothesized that glomerular capillary radii (R_CAP) and length (L_CAP) would be greater in male rats.

Male (n=4) and female (n=4) with intact …

Barriers To Screening For Diabetic Retinopathy: A Scoping Review, Amy Cooper Rn, Bsn, Lajerica Bates Rn, Bsn, Julie Bridges Rn, Bsn, Laura Reed Dnp, Fnp-Bc

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Purpose/Background

More than 34 million people in the United States have diabetes. Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a major complication of diabetes and a leading cause of vision loss. Risk factors for diabetic retinopathy include Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes, hypertension, smoking, and being African American or Hispanic/Latino. This scoping review seeks to analyze the current research on ways to increase vision screenings, thus reducing cases of diabetic retinopathy in adults.

Methods

Between September 2020 and November 2021, a search was conducted using PubMed, EBSCOhost, Medline, and CINAHL to identify articles using keywords such as diabetic retinopathy and ophthalmology. This …

Attitudes Toward Personal Health Data Sharing Among People Living With Sickle Cell Disorder, Exemplar For Study Of Rare Disease Populations, Rebecca Baines, Sebastian Stevens, Zainab Garba-Sani, Arunangsu Chatterjee, Daniela Austin, Simon Leigh

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Purpose: Rare conditions are often poorly understood, creating barriers in determining the value treatments can provide. This study explored barriers and facilitators to personal health data sharing among those with one particular group of rare hematologic disorders, ie, sickle cell disorder (SCD) and its variants.

Methods: A single online focus group among those > 18 years of age and living with SCD was conducted. Participants (N = 25) were recruited through a United Kingdom-based SCD charity. Discussions were transcribed verbatim, with data therein analyzed using inductive thematic analysis.

Results: Five primary motivators for sharing health data were identified: improving awareness; knowing …

Effects Of Diet On Lcn2 Expression And Onset Of Neuroinflammation In An Alzheimer’S Disease Mice Model, Abdirahman A. Hayir

Neuroscience Honors Projects

This project covers the findings regarding the impact of diet on lipocalin 2 (LCN2) and the effects it has on neuroinflammation Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). LCN2 is a protein that is critical to the functionality of mitochondria and inflammatory responses. Evidence has shown that mitochondrial dysfunction is a potential central event in driving AD pathogenesis and contributing to formation of pathological hallmarks such as chronic inflammation. Furthermore, studies have shown that LCN2 can be deficient under metabolic conditions such as high-fat-diet (HFD). This study investigates if HFD induces LCN2 deficiency and increased neuroinflammation in an AD mice model.

Triazole Compounds – Potentials In The Treatment Of Cystic Fibrosis, Maggie Taylor

Undergraduate Research Conference

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disease that affects the respiratory and digestive system and is most common among Caucasians of Northern European origin. CF is caused by mutations in a membrane protein CFTR (Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane-conductance Regulator). This mutation impairs the membrane protein’s chloride ion channel function. One of the most common CFTR mutations is the DF508 mutation that affects over 70% of CF cases. Our research has shown that the DF508-CFTR mutation can be partially reversed by physical and chemical means [Heda & Marino, BBRC, 271:659-664, 2000]. In cell lines expressing DF508-CFTR, synthetic anion carriers have shown to …

Uh-02 A Case Report Of The Potential Link Between Pulmonary Fibrosis And Diabetes Mellitus, Bryson T. Rose, Isabella Nielson, Nnenna Igwe

SC Upstate Research Symposium

Pulmonary fibrosis is a chronic lung disease that is characterized by the progressive and irreversible scarring of the lung tissue. This scarring greatly diminishes the efficiency of pulmonary function. After being diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, patients live, on average, only three to five years. Diabetes mellitus is known to damage the tissue and blood vessels in organs such as the heart and kidneys due to increased intravascular pressure.

According to recent research, diabetes mellitus has also been linked to similar damage in the lungs. Additionally, a 2021 meta-analysis and systematic review of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis suggests an association between diabetes …

Enhanced Ca2+-Channeling Complex Formation At The Er-Mitochondria Interface Underlies The Pathogenesis Of Alcohol-Associated Liver Disease, Themis Thoudam, Dipanjan Chanda, Jung Yi Lee, Min Kyo Jung, Ibotombi Singh Sinam, Byung Gyu Kim, Bo Yoon Park, Woong Hee Kwon, Hyo Jeong Kim, Myeongjin Kim, Chae Won Lim, Hoyul Lee, Yang Hoon Huh, Caroline A. Miller, Romil Saxena, Nicholas J. Skill, Nazmul Huda, Praveen Kusumanchi, Jing Ma, Zhihong Yang, Min Ji Kim, Ji Young Mun, Robert A. Harris, Jae Han Jeon, Suthat Liangpunsakul, In Kyu Lee

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Ca2+ overload-induced mitochondrial dysfunction is considered as a major contributing factor in the pathogenesis of alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD). However, the initiating factors that drive mitochondrial Ca2+ accumulation in ALD remain elusive. Here, we demonstrate that an aberrant increase in hepatic GRP75-mediated mitochondria-associated ER membrane (MAM) Ca2+-channeling (MCC) complex formation promotes mitochondrial dysfunction in vitro and in male mouse model of ALD. Unbiased transcriptomic analysis reveals PDK4 as a prominently inducible MAM kinase in ALD. Analysis of human ALD cohorts further corroborate these findings. Additional mass spectrometry analysis unveils GRP75 as a downstream phosphorylation target of PDK4. Conversely, non-phosphorylatable GRP75 …

The Effects Of Demographics And Risk Factors On The Morphological Characteristics Of Human Femoropopliteal Arteries, Sayed Ahmadreza Razian, Majid Jadidi, Alexey Kamenskiy

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

Background: Disease of the lower extremity arteries (Peripheral Arterial Disease, PAD) is associated with high morbidity and mortality. During disease development, the arteries adapt by changing their diameter, wall thickness, and residual deformations, but the effects of demographics and risk factors on this process are not clear.

Methods: Superficial femoral arteries from 736 subjects (505 male, 231 female, 12 to 99 years old, average age 51±17.8 years) and the associated demographic and risk factor variables were used to construct machine learning (ML) regression models that predicted morphological characteristics (diameter, wall thickness, and longitudinal opening angle resulting from the …

Differentiating Axonal From Demyelinating Neuropathies Using Multiparametric Quantitative Mri Of Peripheral Nerves, Jacob D. Baraz, Stephanie Xuan, Sadaf Saba, Xue Yang, Ryan Castoro, Yang Xuan, Alison Roth, Richard D. Dortch, Jun Li, Yongsheng Chen

Medical Student Research Symposium

Objectives: To develop a multiparametric quantitative MRI (qMRI) method to track pathological changes in the peripheral neuropathies.

Background: Irrespective of the causes or types of polyneuropathies, peripheral nerves are mainly afflicted by two kinds of pathologies – axonal loss and demyelination. It is critical to differentiate between the two as treatments are different for the two conditions. While nerve conduction studies (NCS) have been used to differentiate the two pathologies in the distal nerves, there are no tools to probe the pathologies in the proximal peripheral nerves. This is particularly needed when distal nerves become non-responsive in NCS.

Methods: We …

Multivisceral Transplant Prognosis And Complications In Patients With Metastatic Neuroendocrine Tumor, Austin Mueller, Syed-Mohammed Jafri

Medical Student Research Symposium

Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are a rare subset of cancers that most commonly arise in the gastrointestinal tract, but can also arise in the pancreas, lungs, ovaries, thyroid, pituitary gland, and adrenal gland. When patients present with metastatic NETs, physicians have a variety of therapeutic options. Considering these options, transplant specialists are often involved due to the profound therapeutic effects of multi-organ transplantation. However, little information is available on prognosis/complications for patients that receive multi-organ transplants due to severe metastatic NETs.

With the incidence of NETs in the United States trending in an upward direction, researchers and physicians must understand the …