Public Health Commons^™

Btp2 Restricts Tulane Virus And Human Norovirus Replication Independent Of Store-Operated Calcium Entry, Francesca J Scribano, J Thomas Gebert, Kristen A Engevik, Nicole M Hayes, Jorge Villanueva, Son Pham, Soni Kaundal, Janam J Dave, B V Venkataram Prasad, Mary K Estes, Sasirekha Ramani, Joseph M Hyser

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Human norovirus is the leading cause of viral gastroenteritis across all age groups. While there is a need for human norovirus antivirals, therapeutic development has been hindered by a lack of cell culture systems and animal models of infection. Surrogate viruses, such as Tulane virus (TV), have provided tractable systems to screen potential antiviral compounds. Our previous work demonstrated that TV encodes a viral ion channel, which dysregulates cytosolic calcium signaling. We set out to investigate whether host pathways triggered by viral ion channel activity, including store-operated calcium entry (SOCE), play a role in virus replication. Using pharmacologic inhibitors and …

Identification Of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor Hif1a As A Therapeutic Target During Sars-Cov-2-Associated Lung Injury, Bentley Bobrow, Samuel D Luber, Paul Potnuru, Katherine Figarella, Jieun Kim, Yanyu Wang, In Hyuk Bang, David Robinson, Paulina B Sergot, Steven K Burke, Tingting Mills, Constanza De Dios, Robert Suchting, George W Williams, Adit A Ginde, Yafen Liang, Hongfang Liu, Charles Green, Marie-Francoise Doursout, Alparslan Turan, Daniel I Sessler, Xiaoyi Yuan, Holger K Eltzschig

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) promote lung protection and pathogen eradication during acute lung injury. We therefore tested the theory that pharmacologic stabilization of HIFs dampens lung injury during SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia. Initial studies in murine SARS-CoV-2 models showed improved outcomes after treatment with the FDA-approved HIF-stabilizer vadadustat. Subsequent studies in genetic models implicated alveolar-expressed Hif1a in mediating lung protection. Therefore, we performed a randomized, double-blinded, multicenter phase 2 trial in patients admitted for SARS-CoV-2 infection and concomitant hypoxia (SpO2 ≤ 94%). Patients (n=448) were randomized to oral vadadustat (900 mg/day) or placebo for up to 14 days. Safety events were similar between …

Sports And Physical Activity Of Poles In The Context Of Good Health And Well-Being As A Sustainable Development Goal, Elżbieta Biernat, Monika Piątkowska, Robert Podstawski

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Investing in physical activity (PA) is vital for achieving sustainable development goals. We examine PA trends in Poland using data from Eurobarometer surveys conducted in 2013, 2017, and 2022. In 2022, 64.6% of Poles did not participate in sports, and 41.8% did not engage in non-sport PA. There is a concerning trend of increasing inactivity in sports (Chi²_2022/2017 = 34.64; p < 0.001; Chi²_2017/2013 = 56.98; p < 0.001) and non-sports PA (Chi²_2022/2017 = 18.3, p < 0.01 and Chi²_2017/2013 = 16.95, p < 0.01). Participation in sport and PA is influenced by individual, inter-personal, environmental, political, and global factors. Notably, there is an upward trend in interpersonal (e.g., club membership, volunteering), environmental (e.g., PA in parks/nature, at home), and political (e.g., dissatisfaction with local government actions) factors. Government intervention is crucial and requires: (1) establishment of an institution for leadership and advocacy of PA, (2) adoption of a cross-sectoral approach for a coordinated change, and (3) increased in-vestment in monitoring systems to track the impact of interventions. These actions are essential for fostering a more active and healthier population in Poland.

Top Ten Types Of Childhood Cancer In Nineveh Governorate 2018–2022: A Time Series Analysis, Marab Younis Abdullah Al-Fathy, Ahmed Asaad Hussein, Hiba Farooq Mohamed Ameen, Maan Younis Al-Fathi

BioMed Visions Journal

Background: Childhood cancer incidence and deaths reflects the low health status, which can be prevented by setting upstrategies with help of different sectors in community.

Aim: To describe the childhood cancer in Nineveh governorate during 2018–2022.

Methods: A Biometry study used to review 646 a cancer registration form for five years 2018–2022, using Can-Rej 5 inquiryforms adopted by Ministry of Health measuring [sex ratio, sex and cause specific death rate, the incidence rate, the case fatalityrate, the proportion mortality rate and trend of (occurrences and death)].

Results: The total number of participants was 646, the commonest childhood cancer was among …

Respectful Patient-Provider Communication And Patient Portal Usage In Pregnant People Of Color, Amy H. Goh, Christopher Lee, Chisolum Nkenke, Joyce K. Edmonds

College of Health Professions Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Patient-provider communication (PPC) increasingly occurs in online patient portals. Variations in portal usage might worsen communication inequities for pregnant people of color (POC), widening the digital divide. The objective of this study was to examine the relationships between respectful PPC, patient portal usage, and digital health literacy (DHL) in pregnant POC.

METHODS: A multimethod cross-sectional survey design was used. Ordered logistic regression was performed to determine the relationship between PPC and portal use, controlling for trimester prenatal care was initiated, insurance type, age, gestational age, and parity. The moderating effect of Digital Health Literacy Instrument (DHLI) was tested on …

“Are You Worried About Going Into Withdrawal Today?” Retrospective Analysis Of Single-Question, Patient-Centered Screen For Substance Use And Care Linkage, Kory S. London, Beth Hurwitz, Jennifer Davis, Tareva Warrick-Stone, Alan Cherney, Frederick Randolph, Bernice Bradley-O'Toole, Kate Deis, Karen Alexander

Department of Emergency Medicine Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Emergency Department (ED) screening for substance use disorder (SUD) is limited by a lack of standardization and challenging clinical environments. Existing tools may be focused on informing clinicians rather than supporting patients. This study assessed a novel single-question screening tool to identify patients at risk of withdrawal and link those with opioid use disorder (OUD) to standardized treatment.

METHODS: A cross-sectional, retrospective study was conducted at two urban EDs in Philadelphia, PA, using electronic health record data between November 8, 2022, and February 28, 2025. Patients were included in the study if they arrived ambulatory to the emergency department, …

Beyond The Genome: The Racialized Exposome, Flourishing, And Stress Biology In African Americans, A Non-Exhaustive Review, Enye Washington

University Honors Theses

Racial health disparities remain an enduring challenge in the United States, disproportionately impacting African American communities through higher rates of chronic disease and premature mortality. This non-exhaustive literature explores how the racialized exposome - a term denoting the totality of social, environmental, and structural stressors rooted in systemic racism - biologically embeds itself via stress-responsive pathways. Specifically, it examines the interaction between racial stress, flourishing, and key biological markers, including allostatic load and telomere length, considering the gut-brain axis. The review highlights robust evidence that chronic exposure to racial discrimination and structural adversity contributes to multisystem dysregulation and accelerated cellular …

Development Of Preventive Dental Guidelines In The Primary Healthcare Setting In Egypt: A Delphi Method, Basant Mehriz

Theses and Dissertations

This study addresses the critical need for standardized preventive dental care guidelines within Egypt's primary healthcare system amid the rising burden of oral diseases. Through a systematic two-phase methodology combining a comprehensive literature review and a Delphi consensus-building process engaging 35 dental professionals, the research established priorities for contextually appropriate preventive measures. The consensus framework revealed strong support for clinical interventions (mean of 83% agreement), particularly fluoride-based prevention; community initiatives (mean of 83%), especially school-based programs; policy measures (mean of 77%) such as workforce and educational development, though with variable support for taxation and social determinants approaches. Statistical analysis demonstrated …

How Do Montessori-Based Activities Affect Behaviors For Older People With Dementia: A Literature Review, Isabel Quigley

University Honors Theses

Objectives: This literature review is meant to analyze the development on the research on Montessori-based activities for adults with dementia.

Introduction: Baby Boomers are the largest generation to enter senior age (65+) in history due to the advancement in medicine to increase life expectancy. Dementia is a neurocognitive disease that affects parts of the brain related to memory and signs typically surface around 65 years old. Dementia is not considered healthy aging. Montessori-based activities have been recently developed as an intervention to encourage a feeling of accomplishment and success for adults with dementia.

Methods: Two electronic databases …

Virtual Versus In-Person Rose Program (La Luz) As Universal Prevention For Perinatal Depression: Protocol For A Randomized Controlled Trial In A Safety Net Hospital, Daphne Y. Liu, Nicholas S. Perry, Catherine H. Demers, Jennifer S. Hyer, Anely Alamo, Paige Vuksanovich, Nandi Dube, Erin R. Flanagan, Robert J. Gallop, Galena K. Rhoades, Elysia Poggi Davis

Psychology: Faculty Scholarship

Perinatal depression disproportionally affects underserved communities, who need effective and accessible prevention programs. Reach Out, Stay strong, Essentials for new mothers (ROSE) has demonstrated effectiveness in preventing postpartum depression in underserved populations when delivered in person. This ongoing randomized controlled trial (RCT) tests the novel virtual implementation of ROSE as universal prevention in a Federally Qualified Health Center setting. We adopted the name, La Luz, for ROSE to be culturally relevant to our population. Pregnant individuals < 30 gestational weeks (target N = 900) are randomized to either the virtual or in-person La Luz program, which consists of four 90-min group sessions. Groups are offered in English and Spanish, based on participants' preference. Participants complete surveys at seven timepoints: before program, 28 gestational weeks, 35 gestational weeks, and 6-weeks, 3-months, 6-months, and 12-months postpartum. Primary outcomes are postpartum depression severity measured by the 20-item Symptom Checklist (SCL-20) and 10-item Center of Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CESD-10). We will perform intent-to-treat analysis to test whether virtual La Luz is non-inferior to in-person La Luz. This study also evaluates implementation process and outcomes of both modalities of La Luz to inform the development of an implementation toolkit. This RCT contributes to our knowledge of perinatal depression prevention and addresses access barriers for underserved populations. If effectiveness of virtual La Luz is demonstrated, the new evidence for a scalable low-cost prevention can be used to reduce perinatal depression and offer accessible treatment options for people who face significant barriers to care.

Together We Thrive: A Co-Production Toolkit For People With Ms And Care Providers, E. Chandlee Bryan

Dartmouth College Master’s Theses

Nearly a million people in the U.S. have Multiple Sclerosis (MS), a progressive neurological disease. People with MS (PwMS), are more likely to have a decreased quality of life (QoL) and are at greater risk for unemployment, loneliness, and depression than people without MS. As MS symptoms can include fatigue, balance issues, mobility problems, and changes to bladder and bowel function, managing MS requires patient engagement that includes coordination of care between neurology, primary care, and specialists. This thesis was researched and written by a PwMS who has worked in collaboration with her neurologist, Dr. Andrew D. Smith III, and …

Urban-Rural Divide In Inequality’S Impact On Substance Abuse, Jonathan E. Flores

Undergraduate Theses, Capstones, and Recitals

This thesis focuses on investigating the relationship between income inequality, measured through the Gini coefficient, and drug addiction, proxied through substance-related mortality. Specifically, this thesis focuses on how these dynamics vary across rural and urban counties in the United States, using population size as a proxy. County-level data from 2016 to 2020 were collected through both the CDC and the Census Bureau and subsequently analyzed using Stata, with crude death rates from drug and alcohol causes serving as a function of the Gini coefficient, labor force participation, racial composition, and other socioeconomic indicators. Through a quadratic version of the model, …

How Different Forms Of Exercise Affect Bone Mineral Density In Postmenopausal Women, Jonathan Mccanless

University Honors Theses

This paper analyzed 20 studies to understand how bone health in postmenopausal women is impacted by different forms of exercise. The primary aspect of bone health examined in this paper is bone mineral density (BMD). Resistance and impact training demonstrated clear signs of maintenance and increases in BMD, particularly in the lumbar spine and femoral neck. Aquatic exercise demonstrated mixed results in positively impacting BMD in a significant way, but it’s worth noting that there were still some signs of increased BMD. Impact exercise on its own can maintain BMD, and these effects can be seen in total hip BMD. …

Predictive Model For Hemoglobin Levels Using Multiple Linear Regression, Dien Gusta Anggraini Nursal, Muhammad Daffa Atthariq Winata, Nohan Arum Romadlona, Noura Rizki, Sabillah Nasitoh, Muhammad Sakhi Baretta

Journal of Health Research

Background: Anemia is a condition in which the number of red blood cells or hemoglobin (Hb) levels fall below normal, limiting the ability of blood to transport oxygen effectively. This study aimed to develop a predictive model for Hb levels by identifying significant risk factors.

Method: This observational analytic study was conducted among 103 randomly selected students of Bung Hatta University in Padang, Indonesia. Data were collected with a questionnaire and a hemoglobin test between April to May 2024. Pearson’s correlation analysis and multiple linear regression were performed in this study.

Results: Bivariate analysis showed significant correlations between Hb levels …

Embedding Mental Rehearsal In Surgery: A Comprehensive Review Of The Evidence, Josephine Walshaw, Bright Huo, Paul Barach, Philippa Banks, Adam Mcclean, Florent Lebon, Faisal Mushtaq, David Jayne, Danilo Miskovic, Marina Yiasemidou

College of Population Health Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Mental rehearsal (MR), the deliberate practice of skills specific to a procedure, has been successfully used in sports and music training for decades, but has not been adopted in surgery. This narrative review explores MR's role in surgical training and clinical practice, evaluating its effectiveness in motor skill acquisition, technical and non-technical skill development, and real world clinical implementation. Our aim was to assess MR's impact on both surgical education and clinical performance, while identifying the barriers to its routine adoption in surgical training.

METHODS: We searched for relevant studies on the topic and impacts of MR in surgery …

Risk And Protective Factors Associated With Teenage Pregnancy And Intergenerational Interventions: A Scoping Review Protocol, Zamasomi Luvuno, Wilbroda Hlolosile Chiya, Silingene Joyce Ngcobo, Deshini Naidoo, Serwaa Omowale, Tracy Zhandire, Elizabeth Musili Joseph-Shehu, Busisiwe Purity Ncama, Sinegugu E Duma

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Introduction: Teenage pregnancy remains a critical global health issue, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. The intergenerational transmission of teenage pregnancy underscores the need for targeted interventions. Existing research on intergenerational approaches is fragmented, with varying methodologies and outcomes. This scoping review seeks to address this gap by answering the following research questions: What are the available intergenerational interventions for teenage pregnancy, and what are the associated risks and protective factors for early and late teenage pregnancy?

Methods and analysis: This study does not involve primary data collection and therefore does not require ethical approval. The review will be conducted …

Enhancing Mental Health Through Mind-Body Exercises In Sedentary Students: A Systematic Review With An Indonesian Perspective, Izmi Alya Khairunnisa, Aditya Denny Pratama

Jurnal Sosial Humaniora Terapan

Sedentary Behavior (SB) among students is associated with increased risks of depression, anxiety, stress, and weakened immune function. According to the WHO, SB contributes to approximately two million deaths each year. This systematic literature review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of mind-body exercises in improving mental health outcomes—specifically stress reduction, anxiety management, and emotional regulation—among students with sedentary lifestyles. Using the PRISMA framework, 2,201 articles were identified from databases including Scopus, PubMed, and ProQuest, with six studies meeting the inclusion criteria. The review found that mind-body exercises such as yoga, tai chi, and pilates significantly reduce stress and anxiety, enhance …

Relocation Post-Dobbs Among Clinicians Providing Abortions, Dana Howard, Marta Bornstein Phd, Mph, Jocelyn Wascher, Alison H. Norris, Katherine Rivlin

Faculty Publications

Introduction

Intensifying state-level abortion restrictions following the Dobbs v Jackson Women’s Health Organization (2022) decision could lead clinicians to leave states that ban abortion.¹ While large-scale changes are not yet apparent among obstetrician-gynecologists, the abortion care workforce may be uniquely at risk.² We examined the proportion of abortion-providing clinicians who changed primary state of practice, comparing those who left states that banned abortion with those who left states that did not ban abortion after Dobbs, and the ban status of the states to which they relocated.

Methods

This survey study was approved by The Ohio State University …

Nafld Surveillance In The Alaska Native/American Indian Population, Wileina Saumara Rhodes

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In the United States, the prevalence of NAFLD is estimated at 24% of the population, and by 2030, the incidence of NAFLD will increase to 100.9 million cases. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and rate of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) progression in the Alaska Native/ American Indian population (AN/AI) with and without elevated liver function tests. Two research questions guided the study: Do outcomes (abnormal/normal) of LFTs, A1C, lipids, BMI, and inflammatory markers predict or have a relationship with NAFLD progression? Does NAFLD surveillance have a relationship with the patient’s outcome as measured by the NAFLD Fibrosis …

Citrullinated Eno1 Vaccine Enhances Pd-1 Blockade In Mice Implanted With Murine Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells, Ricardo A León-Letelier, Alejandro M Sevillano-Mantas, Yihui Chen, Soyoung Park, Jody Vykoukal, Johannes F Fahrmann, Edwin J Ostrin, Candace Garrett, Rongzhang Dou, Yining Cai, Fu-Chung Hsiao, Jennifer B Dennison, Eduardo Vilar, Banu K Arun, Samir Hanash, Hiroyuki Katayama

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background/Objectives:Cancer vaccine targets mostly include mutations and overexpressed proteins. However, cancer-associated post-translational modifications (PTMs) may also induce immune responses. Previously, our group established the enzyme protein arginine deiminase type-2 (PADI2), which catalyzes citrullination modification, is highly expressed in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), promoting antigenicity.

Methods: Here, we show the workflow of designing citrullinated enolase 1 (citENO1) vaccine peptides identified from breast cancer cells by mass spectrometry and demonstrate TNBC vaccine efficacy in the mouse model. Immunized mice with citENO1 peptides or the corresponding unmodified peptides, plus Poly I:C as an adjuvant, were orthotopically implanted with a TNBC murine …

Food Environments And Mental Health: Analyzing The Impact Of Fast-Food Availability On U.S. Adults (2011-2016), Nicole Tenner

NYMC Student Theses and Dissertations

This study investigates the relationship between the availability of fast food in US territories and mental health outcomes. Utilizing a cross-sectional design, the study examines data from the 2011 and 2016 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) from the CDC, along with data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Environment Atlas. The analysis included a nationally representative sample of 351,823 participants across all 50 US states. Multiple regression models examined the association between fast food availability and two primary mental health outcomes: the number of self-reported poor mental health days and the likelihood of being diagnosed with a depressive …

One Health Integration To Control And Prevent Zoonoses: Application Of Organizational Theory Literature, Lisset M. Dumet Poma, Sherril Gelmon, Julia M. Goodman, Seth E. O’Neal

Hatfield Graduate Journal of Public Affairs

Zoonoses are infectious diseases transmitted between animals and people that disproportionately affect low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The One Health (OH) approach aims to integrate systems, incentivizing collaboration among animal, human, and environmental systems to address zoonoses and improve health. Innovative solutions for effectively and sustainably achieving systems integration are needed. Organizational theories can facilitate the study of the context of OH implementation, applying comprehensive approaches that recognize the interconnections among organisms, the environment, and social systems, including the diverse entities needing integration (e.g., policy, community, public organizations). This narrative review examines organization and systems literature to provide recommendations for …

Olfaction And Plasma Biomarkers Of Alzheimer Disease And Neurodegeneration In The Atherosclerosis Risk In Communities Study, Srishti Shrestha, Xiaoqian Zhu, Michael E Griswold, Priya Palta, Kevin J Sullivan, Honglei Chen, Andrea Lauren Christman Schneider, Abhay Moghekar, Megan L Grove, Bharat Thyagarajan, James Russell Pike, Rebecca F Gottesman, B Gwen Windham, Thomas H Mosley, Jennifer A Deal, Vidyulata Kamath

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background and objectives: Investigation of olfactory impairment, an early manifestation of Alzheimer disease (AD), in relation to plasma biomarkers of AD and neurodegeneration could provide insights into the disease's pathophysiology. Because few such studies based on large, diverse, community-based populations exist, we investigated associations of odor identification ability with plasma biomarkers of AD and other neurodegenerative pathologies in community-dwelling Black and White older adults.

Methods: This cross-sectional investigation included participants from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study who attended visit 5 (2011-2013) and who completed olfactory testing and brain MRI examinations and had plasma biomarkers measured (namely, amyloid-beta [Aβ]42/Aβ40 ratio, …

Enhancing Dementia Classification For Diverse Demographic Groups: Using Vision Transformer-Based Continuous Scoring Of Clock Drawing Tests., Mengyao Hu, Yi Lu Murphey, Tian Qin, Edmundo R Melipillán, Laura B Zahodne, Richard Gonzalez, Vicki A Freedman

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objectives: Alzheimer's disease and related dementias significantly affect older adults' quality of life. The clock-drawing test (CDT) is a widely used dementia screening tool due to its ease of administration and effectiveness. However, manual CDT-coding in large-scale studies can be time-intensive and prone to coding errors and is typically limited to ordinal responses. In this study, we developed a continuous CDT score using a deep learning neural network (DLNN) and evaluated its ability to classify participants as having dementia or not.

Methods: Using a nationally representative sample of older adults from the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS), we …

Adolescent Preventive Care Outcomes Before And After Covid-19 Onset: What Is The Role Of Telehealth?, Sarah Hayden Knipper

Dissertations and Theses

Adolescents are a developmentally distinctive population with unique primary health care needs; they comprise about 10% of Oregon's population and more than half are covered by the Oregon Health Plan (OHP). This dissertation investigated significant declines in preventive care utilization (well visits and HPV immunizations) among adolescents enrolled in OHP during the COVID-19 pandemic and the relationship between the decline in utilization and the rise in telehealth availability. The study focused specifically on the role of race/ethnicity, geography, and access to health systems in mitigating or exacerbating decreases in preventive care. A mixed methods approach was employed to understand not …

Adolescent Scoliosis In Autism Spectrum Disorder: Is It Idiopathic Or Syndromic??, Ravi Rajendra, Matthew B. Bratton, Claudia Leonardi, R. Carter Clement

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Purpose: Minimal data exists on whether adolescents with both autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and scoliosis exhibit distinct curve types or require varying surgical management compared to neurotypical adolescents. Our study at a high-volume scoliosis center compares patterns of scoliosis in ASD patients with those of neurotypical patients. We hypothesized adolescents with ASD would present with atypical scoliosis curve characteristics compared to neurotypical adolescents. Methods: Using ICD-10 codes, we constructed an electronic database of adolescents aged 10 to 18 with diagnoses of both scoliosis and ASD. To avoid confounding with syndromic conditions, adolescents with a syndrome independently associated with scoliosis were …

Community Perspectives On Cancer And Cancer Research: Findings From Listening Sessions With Diverse Groups In Philadelphia, Karen Glanz, Emma A. Soliva, Krista Scheffey, Yawei Song, Charnita Zeigler-Johnson, Evelyn T. González, Thierry Fortune, Nilsa Graciani, Amy E. Leader

Kimmel Cancer Center Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Listening sessions are useful for understanding community perspectives on cancer disparities. The Philadelphia Communities Conquering Cancer (PC3) coalition conducted listening sessions to identify community priorities for cancer prevention and control research among diverse communities in Philadelphia.

METHODS: Guided by a Stakeholder Advisory Committee, PC3 partnered with community-based organizations to conduct 8 listening sessions with diverse communities (including Black, Hispanic, Asian, Russian, LGBTQ + , and veterans) to learn about perceptions of cancer, research priorities, and training and communication preferences. Sessions were facilitated by community members or PC3 members in the primary language of participants. Sessions were audio recorded, transcribed, …

Regulation Of Myogenesis By Mechanomir-200c/Foxo3 Axis, Junaith S Mohamed, Aladin M Boriek

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Cyclic mechanical stretch has been shown to inhibit myoblast differentiation while promoting proliferation. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are not well understood. Here, we report that mechanical stretch inhibits the differentiation of mouse primary myoblasts by promoting the cell cycle program and by inhibiting the expression of the myogenic regulator MyoD. Stretch alters the miRNA expression profile as evidenced by miRNA microarray analysis. We identified miR-200c as one of the highly downregulated mechanosensitive miRNAs (mechanomiRs) whose expression level was increased during differentiation. This suggests that mechanomiRs-200c is a myogenic miRNA. Overexpression of mechanomiR-200c revoked the effect of stretch on myoblast …

Fluorescence-Guided Ureteral Identification In Robotic Surgery For Advanced Endometriosis: A Comparison Of Junior Versus Senior Surgeons, Linda A Alpuing Radilla, Qiannan Yang, Daniel Y Lovell, Tamisa Koythong, Brooke Thigpen, Luis E Delgadillo Chabolla, Qianqing Wang, Xiaoming Guan

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Identifying the ureters in patients with advanced endometriosis and severe pelvic adhesive disease can be challenging. Adhesiolysis along the deformed pelvic sidewall may increase the risk of prolonged operative time and incidental ureteral injury. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and surgical outcomes of using Indocyanine Green (ICG) under near-infrared fluorescence for intraoperative ureteral localization and preservation during robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery (RALS) for advanced endometriosis, comparing procedures performed by two junior surgeons to those performed by one senior surgeon. This was a retrospective observational case series conducted by three minimally invasive gynecologic surgeons (X.G., T.K., B.T.) at a single …

Exploring Muslim American Attitudes Toward Genetic Testing: Perceptions, Barriers, And Ethical Considerations, Hannah Mahmoud

University Honors Theses

This thesis explores perceptions and attitudes toward genetic testing within the Muslim American community, a group often underrepresented in genomic research and public health discourse. Using a community-distributed digital survey, data was collected from 50 self-identified Muslim Americans on their familiarity with genetic testing, reproductive and ethical considerations, and the influence of religious factors. While only 18% had undergone genetic testing themselves, many were familiar through family or friends, and most expressed cautious interest—especially when results could influence future family planning. Education level, age, and religious values shaped both comfort and understanding.

A key theme was the desire for culturally …