Immune System Diseases Commons^™

The Pneumothorax And Symptom Evaluation (Pase) Study: Bendopnoea In Patients With Pneumothorax, Bianca M. Iacopetta, Michaela Donaghy, Chloe Charlesworth, Carolyn J. Peddle-Mcintyre, Ai Ling Tan, Y. C.Gary Lee

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Pneumothorax can cause distressing breathlessness, however the effect of the accumulated air in the pleural space and its association with diaphragmatic function and symptoms of breathlessness is not well understood. Bendopnoea is an evolving clinical symptom that has been demonstrated as clinically useful in some heart and lung conditions. Whether bendopnoea is present in patients with pneumothorax, and its potential clinical usefulness has not yet been investigated. The PASE study is a pilot study to explore the incidence and clinical relevance of bendopnoea in patients with pneumothorax and may provide better understanding of pneumothorax related dyspnoea. Methods: PASE is …

A Presentation Of Acute On Chronic Pancreatitis Complicated By Pancreaticopleural Fistula Leading To Bilateral Exudative Pleural Effusions And Empyema, Ashruta Patel, Do, Ms

The Journal of Integrated Primary Care

This case report highlights a rare but serious complication of acute pancreatitis, where pancreatic juice drains into the pleural space, causing bilateral exudative pleural effusions and potentially leading to empyema. The patient's history of alcohol abuse and splenic vein thrombosis likely contributed to the development of this complication. The clinical presentation, including progressive shortness of breath and pleuritic chest pain, along with findings on examination and imaging, prompted further investigation. The MRI findings of a pancreaticopleural fistula, along with a pseudocyst, were significant in diagnosing the condition. Treatment involved a multidisciplinary approach, including antibiotic therapy, chest tube placement to drain …

Tfeb Safeguards Trophoblast Syncytialization In Humans And Mice, Wanshan Zheng, Yue Zhang, Peiqun Xu, Zexin Wang, Xuan Shao, Chunyan Chen, Han Cai, Yinan Wang, Ming-An Sun, Wenbo Deng, Fan Liu, Jinhua Lu, Xueqin Zhang, Dunjin Cheng, Indira U Mysorekar, Haibin Wang, Yan-Ling Wang, Xiaoqian Hu, Bin Cao

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

The formation of multinucleated syncytiotrophoblast (STB) through cell fusion of cytotrophoblast, also termed syncytialization, ensures the proper placental structure and functions. Nutrient insufficiency and inactivation of the mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) in trophoblasts have been shown to enhance STB formation; however, the underlying mechanism remains elusive. Here, we showed that the deficiency of a mTORC1 downstream transcriptional factor, TFEB, significantly impaired STB formation in human trophoblasts and knock-out mice. TFEB conferred direct transcriptional activation of the fusogen ERVFRD-1 and thereby promoted trophoblast syncytialization. Additionally, TFEB expression positively correlated with the reinforced trophoblast syncytialization in human fetal growth …

Data-Driven Drug Repurposing For Immune System-Related Diseases, Sabyasachi Mohanty

Department of Biochemistry: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

In this research, we explore a data-driven approach for drug repurposing to enhance the immunomodulatory effect by integrating pattern-based search and genome-scale metabolic modeling. This research helps to find a solution to the preexisting problems of drug discovery which includes expenses and a high amount of time consumption. By leveraging the pre-existing data of the approved drugs to identify the major metabolic pathway changes, we can find new drugs with similar effects with less off-target effects.

The focus on the immune system modulating drugs is due to the high prevalence of immune system-involved diseases and the growing demand for effective …

Exploring The Experiences Of Hiv Positive Pregnant Women On Prevention Of Vertical Transmission Of Hiv/Aids In Rural Malawi, Gertrude Finyiza

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) continues to be the primary conduct that HIV is transmitted to children worldwide. The problem of HIV/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is having a great impact on the world's children. The prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Malawi continues to be a serious public health issue, especially for expectant mothers. The health outcomes of mothers and children remain significantly threatened by vertical HIV transmission, even with improvements in preventive and treatment efforts. The purpose of this thesis was to explore the experiences of HIV-positive pregnant women in Malawi. I conducted semi structured interviews with thirteen …

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 …

Mv140 Mucosal Vaccine Induces Targeted Immune Response For Enhanced Clearance Of Uropathogenic E Coli In Experimental Urinary Tract Infection, Paula Saz-Leal, Marianne Morris Ligon, Carmen María Diez-Rivero, Diego García-Ayuso, Soumitra Mohanty, Marcos Viñuela, Irene Real-Arévalo, Laura Conejero, Annelie Brauner, José Luis Subiza, Indira Uppugunduri Mysorekar

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

MV140 is an inactivated whole-cell bacterial mucosal vaccine with proven clinical efficacy against recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs). These infections are primarily caused by uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) strains, which are unique in their virulence factors and remarkably diverse. MV140 contains a non-UPEC strain, suggesting that it may induce an immune response against different UPEC-induced UTIs in patients. To verify this, we experimentally evaluated the cellular and humoral responses to UTI89, a prototypical UPEC strain, in mice vaccinated with MV140, as well as the degree of protection achieved in a UPEC UTI89 model of acute cystitis. The results show that …

Downregulation Of Mirlet7 Mirna Family Promotes Tc17 Differentiation And Emphysema Via De-Repression Of Rorγt, Phillip A Erice, Xinyan Huang, Matthew J Seasock, Matthew J Robertson, Hui-Ying Tung, Melissa A Perez-Negron, Shivani L Lotlikar, David B Corry, Farrah Kheradmand, Antony Rodriguez

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Environmental air irritants including nanosized carbon black (nCB) can drive systemic inflammation, promoting chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and emphysema development. The let-7 microRNA (Mirlet7 miRNA) family is associated with IL-17-driven T cell inflammation, a canonical signature of lung inflammation. Recent evidence suggests the Mirlet7 family is downregulated in patients with COPD, however, whether this repression conveys a functional consequence on emphysema pathology has not been elucidated. Here, we show that overall expression of the Mirlet7 clusters, Mirlet7b/Mirlet7c2 and Mirlet7a1/Mirlet7f1/Mirlet7d, are reduced in the lungs and T cells of smokers with emphysema as well as in mice with …

Emotion Regulation Strategies And Perceived Emotional Intelligence: The Effect Of Age., Iwanna Sepiadou

Adultspan Journal

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between perceived emotional intelligence and the reported use of cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression. We also investigated the possible effects of age on the aforementioned variables. The total sample consisted of 379 people (158 men, 220 women, 1 unreported). Across participants, 273 were young (20-39 years old) and 106 were middle-aged (40-65 years old). We found statistically significant positive correlations between the dimensions of perceived emotional intelligence and the reported use of cognitive reappraisal and negative primarily correlations between the dimensions of perceived emotional intelligence and the reported use of …

Immunopathogenesis Of Post-Infectious Hydrocephalus, Sascha Powers Bernier

Honors Scholar Theses

Hydrocephalus is characterized by the abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within the brain ventricles. In post-infectious hydrocephalus (PIH) cases, the condition presents challenges in understanding the immune response. PIH is a complex condition, often persisting after the initial infection is treated and thus requiring a deeper understanding of the immune mechanisms involved in its development. This thesis will explore the immunopathogenesis of PIH, elucidating the relationship between the immune response and neurological complications that would succeed infection. The immune response of PIH includes a series of events, beginning with the activation of immune cells and finishing with the release …

Therapeutic Effects Of Bet Protein Inhibition In B-Cell Malignancies And Beyond, Audrey L. Smith

Theses & Dissertations

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) develops through a combination of intrinsic genetic defects, constitutively active survival/proliferation signaling pathways, and complex microenvironment interactions. Redundant tumor microenvironment (TME) immuno-suppressive mechanisms and epigenetic maintenance of terminal T-cell dysfunction also greatly hinder anti-tumor T-cell responses in CLL. Small-molecule agents targeting the B-cell receptor (BCR) pathway and anti-apoptotic proteins alone or in combination with chemo-immunotherapy have revolutionized the management of CLL, yet there is still a significant need for novel therapeutic strategies to yield durable tumor elimination. Bromodomain and extra-terminal domain (BET) proteins are epigenetic readers that bind to acetyl-lysine residues on histones to regulate gene …

Novel Spirocyclic Dimer (Spid3) Displays Potent Preclinical Effects In Hematological Malignancies, Alexandria Eiken

Theses & Dissertations

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a heterogeneous disease characterized by the accumulation of mature CD5⁺ B-cells in the peripheral blood, bone marrow, and secondary lymphoid tissues (e.g., spleen and lymph nodes).Despite the efficacy of front-line therapies, CLL is still an incurable disease, highlighting the need for development of novel therapeutics and further study of resistance mechanisms. Within the lymph node CLL tumor microenvironment (TME), there is an upregulation of gene signatures associated with B-cell receptor (BCR) and downstream nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling compared to CLL cells found within the blood or bone marrow niches. Additionally, BCR signaling …

Case Report: Dysphagia In Inclusion Body Myositis Leading To Respiratory And Gastrointestinal Complications, Veroneka Mikhail, James A. Espinosa, Alan Lucerna

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Inclusion Body Myositis (IBM) stands as a rare and complex neuromuscular disorder (NMD) characterized by progressive muscle weakness and atrophy. Among its cardinal symptoms are dysphagia and respiratory distress, which are the most common cause of death in this disease. While the differential diagnosis of respiratory distress is vast and includes aspiration, pneumonia, acute coronary syndrome, emphysema, and congestive heart failure, a clinician should recognize that respiratory distress can also be secondary to dysphagia in NMDs like IBM and can quickly become life threating. Here we present the case of a 68-year-old female with a history of IBM who presented …

A Systematic Review On Belimumab’S Effectiveness, Improved Health Outcomes And Quality Of Life In Patients With Lupus Syndromes, Emily Meale, Alexandra Fontaine

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Autoimmune diseases are prevalent disorders that many individuals within the United States suffer from. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a common autoimmune disease that has a high incidence in women of child-bearing age. Management for lupus depends on the anatomical location SLE manifests, the severity of disease, and the tolerance that one has for certain adverse effects. Glucocorticoids are commonly used to manage lupus. Currently, long term glucocorticoid usage is associated with devastating adverse effects, so current treatment options aim to mitigate corticosteroids use to improve quality of life while maintaining favorable health outcomes. New management for SLE include biologics …

A Novel Approach To Hiv Testing: Group Harm Reduction And Testing For High Risk Women In Nj, Gabrianna A. Andrews

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Outreach programs have been implemented aimed at providing healthcare to minority populations and those considered high-risk for acquiring HIV. Variables such as these cause hesitance in community members, preventing HIV screenings and adherence to follow-ups. This study provides and evaluates a new approach: group HIV testing. Data was collected from 6/2/2023 to 4/19/2024 by surveying participants at the end of the interaction. 87.5% of participants rated their care at the mobile clinic as ‘Excellent’, 8% as ‘Very Good’, and 4.5% as ‘Good’. 95.6% of participants ranked Group Harm Reduction Counseling as ‘Definitely’ helpful. 84.4% of participants did not find that …

“Lupus, Marijuana, And Takotsubo: A Perfect Storm”: An Unusual Presentation Of Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy, Matthew Orap, Parth Patel, Haitham Dib

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is a type of myocardial injury that is marked with left ventricular contraction dysfunction. Various regions of the left ventricular wall may exhibit hypokinetic or hypercontractile activity. There is no exact mechanism elucidated for Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, but it is often associated with a triggering stressful event that leads to a catecholamine surge. We describe a 38-year-old female who presented with typical Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, likely in the setting of worsening systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) exacerbations and excessive cannabis use. The patient described her pain as a tight burning sensation that started on her right side and traveled to the …

Chilling Complications: A Case Of Covid-Associated Cold Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (Aiha), Julian Coz, Kishan B. Patel

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Cold Agglutinin disease (CAD) also known as Cold Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA) is a form of autoimmune hemolytic anemia wherein cold agglutinins (IgM autoantibodies against red blood cell (RBC) antigens) bind during cold temperatures causing clinical symptoms related to RBC agglutination resulting to hemolytic anemia. Clinicians should recognize that Cold Agglutinin disease can be secondary to an underlying pathology such as COVID-19. Here we describe an unusual case of Cold Agglutinin Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia which was diagnosed in the Emergency Department with the presence of COVID-19 and with a hospital course complicated by acute deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and bilateral …

Exploring Subtype C Hiv-1 Tissue Reservoirs And The Impact Of Cannabis Use In Virally Suppressed African Individuals, Zhou Liu

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has dramatically prolonged the lives of people living with HIV (PLWH), but it is not curative as it cannot eliminate integrated HIV-1 proviruses in different tissue reservoirs. Even though subtype C HIV-1 accounts for almost half of global HIV-1 infections, few studies had evaluated HIV-1 reservoirs for this subtype. Many co-factors, including the lifestyle factor cannabis use, have been investigated for their potential effects in HIV-1 infection. However, only limited information exists regarding cannabis’s effects on HIV-1 infections in vivo, and the impact of cannabis use on HIV-1 parenchymal tissue reservoirs is unexplored. This dissertation aims to …

Clinical Outcomes After Acute Coronary Syndromes Or Revascularization Among People Living With Hiv: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Mohammed Haji, Michael Capilupi, Michael Kwok, Nouran Ibrahim, Gerald S Bloomfield, Christopher T Longenecker, Maria C Rodriguez-Barradas, Chester N Ashong, Eric Jutkowitz, Tracey H Taveira, Michelle Richard, Jennifer L Sullivan, James L Rudolph, Wen-Chih Wu, Sebhat Erqou

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

IMPORTANCE: Clinical outcomes after acute coronary syndromes (ACS) or percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) in people living with HIV have not been characterized in sufficient detail, and extant data have not been synthesized adequately.

OBJECTIVE: To better characterize clinical outcomes and postdischarge treatment of patients living with HIV after ACS or PCIs compared with patients in an HIV-negative control group.

DATA SOURCES: Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science were searched for all available longitudinal studies of patients living with HIV after ACS or PCIs from inception until August 2023.

STUDY SELECTION: Included studies met the following criteria: patients living with …

Evaluating The Association Of Influenza Vaccination On Long-Term Covid-19 Symptoms In U.S. Adults, Ratnakar Pingili

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

Objective. To evaluate the association of influenza vaccination in the past 12 months with Long COVID effects and clinical and sociodemographic factors.

Methods. Cross-sectional study with data from the 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), covering 415,132 non-institutionalized U.S. adults with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis and influenza vaccination reported within the last 12 months. Logistic regression was conducted between influenza vaccination (exposure) and Long COVID (outcome), controlling for demographic variables, pre-existing health conditions, and socioeconomic status.

Results. Of 120,603 participants, 21.89% reported Long COVID symptoms and 42.04% had received an influenza vaccine. Findings indicate a statistically significant 13% reduction …

The Role Of Psychogenic Factors In The Etiopathogenesis Of Autoimmune Disorders In The Oral Cavity, Nadya T. Avramova, Boyko K. Bonev

Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences

Autoimmune disorders (AD) represent a heterogeneous group of multifactorial chronic conditions, which are triggered secondary to the loss of self-antigen tolerance. Their etiology involves genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors; however, AD cannot be explained by these factors alone. Recent studies have shown increasing stress levels in industrialized countries and also increasing trends in the prevalence of autoimmune diseases. The oral mucosa is extremely responsive to emotional influences such as stress, anxiety and depression. Therefore, oral diseases can appear as a direct expression of emotions or indirectly, due to various psychological mechanisms. The aim of this study is to find and …

A Case Series Of Unusual Iga Vasculitis, Jared Bradley, Ian Whitaker, Brittany Lyons, Amy Mangla

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Introduction

Immunoglobulin A vasculitis (IgA)is a rare condition characterized by palpable purpura, often involving the skin, gastrointestinal tract, joints, and kidneys. Presentation is usually acute and is more common in children and adolescents of Southeast Asian and European descent. In the adult population, it is less common and therapies are not as well-established.

Case Presentation

Disease prevalence of IgA vasculitis outside Southeast Asian and European populations is not well-documented. In this case series, we present 2 cases of IgA vasculitis in 2 older adult males, one of Native American descent and one of African American descent.

Conclusion

IgA vasculitis must …

Development And Implementation Of An Evidence Based Practice Guideline Related To The Management Of Adult Angioedema, Megan Przybysz

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

Angioedema (AE) is a potentially life-threatening medical condition that occurs with a higher frequency than medical providers may expect, with the emergency department (ED) serving as the usual first point of medical contact for patients. Any hesitation in recognizing AE or inconsideration of the disease process in differential diagnoses may lead to a dangerous delay of care. Due to the potential rapid progression of airway obstruction in AE, inexperienced providers should not attempt intubation, instead deferring to providers experienced in alternative airway techniques (i.e., anesthesia providers). The primary goal of this project is to develop an evidencebased practice guideline for …

The Impact Of Eggs On Inflammatory And Immune Profiles In Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (Pcos), Clara Martin

Honors Scholar Theses

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent endocrine disorder affecting approximately 5-15% of women of reproductive age. Characterized by symptoms such as hyperandrogenism, ovulatory dysfunction, and insulin resistance, PCOS is also linked with significant health complications including metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular diseases, and type 2 diabetes. Recent studies highlight the critical role of immune dysfunction and chronic inflammation in exacerbating PCOS pathology, suggesting that managing these immune responses could alleviate the broader health impacts of the disorder.

Nutritional interventions, particularly those targeting immune and inflammatory pathways, have emerged as promising strategies for managing PCOS. Among various dietary components, the intake of …

The Impact Of Telemedicine On Human Immunodeficiency Virus (Hiv)-Related Clinical Outcomes During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Avery Lin Cox, Daniel Tsang, Lisa A. Spacek, Constantine Daskalakis, Dagan Coppock

Division of Infectious Diseases and Environmental Medicine Faculty Papers

The coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic exacerbated barriers to care for people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (PLWH). The quick uptake of telemedicine in the outpatient setting provided promise for care continuity. In this study, we compared appointment and laboratory no-show rates in an urban outpatient HIV clinic during three time periods: (1) Pre-COVID-19: 9/15/2019-3/14/2020 (predominately in-person), (2) "Early" COVID-19: 3/15/2020-9/14/2020 (predominately telemedicine), and (3) "Later" COVID-19: 9/15/2020-3/14/2021 (mixed in-person/telemedicine). Multivariable logistic regression models evaluated the two study hypotheses: (i) equivalence of Period 2 with Period 1 and of Period 3 with Period 1 and (ii) improved outcomes …

Investigating Vital Neutrophil Extracellular Trap Pathogen Response In Neutropenic Individuals, Ryan Illig

Thinking Matters Symposium

Neutrophils, also called polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs), constitute the majority of innate immune cells. These cells possess a complex arsenal of functions that allow them to detect and eliminate a broad spectrum of pathogens. Neutropenia is characterized by decreased levels of neutrophils in the bloodstream, typically falling below the normal range. Moderate to severe neutropenia can increase the risk of pathogenic infections and without treatment can be life-threatening. Although the concentration of neutrophils in neutropenic individuals is decreased, upon activation, neutrophils still release neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). NETs are pivotal in combating a spectrum of pathogens through their non-selective nature. Overreactive …

Engineering Mesenchymal Stromal Cells To Suppress Inflammation And Increase Beta-Cell Mass For Treating Type 1 Diabetes, Dhruva Patel

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a life-threatening autoimmune disease where the immune system destroys the insulin producing beta-cells in the pancreas. There is no cure for the disease, and the current treatment involves life-long, daily injection of insulin. An ideal therapy for T1D will be the suppression of autoimmunity and increased functional beta-cell mass. The immune regulatory cytokine IL10 can suppress inflammation in various autoimmune diseases. On the other hand, several growth factors and peptide hormones are known to promote an increase in beta-cell mass, through neogenesis and beta-cell proliferation. However, efficient induction of increased beta-cell mass requires preferential and …

Interstitial Lung Disease Associated With Certolizumab Pegol Monotherapy In Psoriatic Arthritis, Tan T. Tran, Raesham Bukhari, Mahmood Danishwar, Mohammad Abu Tineh, Syed Jaleel

Tower Health Research Day

No abstract provided.

Remitting Seronegative Symmetrical Synovitis With Pitting Edema (Rs3pe) - A Hidden Inflammation Unveiled, Tirumala Nischal Jasty, Jon Nesfeder

Tower Health Research Day

No abstract provided.

The Evolving Role Of Monomethyl Fumarate Treatment As Pharmacotherapy For Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis, Alan D. Kaye, John Lacey, Viet Le, Ahmed Fazal, Nicole A. Boggio, Dorothy H. Askins, Lillian Anderson, Christopher L. Robinson, Antonella Paladini, Chizoba N. Mosieri, Adam M. Kaye, Shahab Ahmadzadeh, Sahar Shekoohi, Giustino Varrassi

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Multiple sclerosis is the most common autoimmune disease affecting the central nervous system (CNS) worldwide. Multiple sclerosis involves inflammatory demyelination of nerve fibers in the CNS, often presenting with recurrent episodes of focal sensory or motor deficits associated with the region of the CNS affected. The prevalence of this disease has increased rapidly over the last decade. Despite the approval of many new pharmaceutical therapies in the past 20 years, there remains a growing need for alternative therapies to manage the course of this disease. Treatments are separated into two main categories: management of acute flare versus long-term prevention of …