Digestive System Commons^™

Blastomas Of The Digestive System In Adults: A Review, Yu Liu, Tony El Jabbour, Jonathan Somma, Yukihiro Nakanishi, Saverio Ligato, Hwajeong Lee, Zhi-Yan Fu

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Blastomas, characterized by a mixture of mesenchymal, epithelial, and undifferentiated blastematous components, are rare malignant neoplasms originating from precursor blast cells. This review focuses on digestive system blastomas in adult patients, including gastroblastoma, hepatoblastoma, and pancreatoblastoma. Gastroblastoma is a biphasic, epitheliomesenchymal tumor, with only sixteen cases reported to date. In addition to the characteristic histology, metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 - glioma-associated oncogene homolog 1 gene fusion is typical, although recently novel ewing sarcoma breakpoint region 1 - c-terminal binding protein 1 and patched 1 - glioma-associated oncogene homolog 2 fusions have been described. Hepatoblastoma is exceptionally rare in adults …

Obesity: The Effects On Health And Healthcare, Nadia Abdulbaki

Posters - 2024

▪ In 2022, 1 in 8 people in the world were living with obesity.

▪ 2.8 million people die each year due to being overweight and obese.

▪ Obesity is a medical disease that raises the likelihood of developing various conditions and diseases that increase the chances of mortality for affected individuals.

▪ Obesity can be caused by several influences, whether behavioral, socioeconomic, environmental, hormonal, or genetic; however, the primary cause of obesity is mostly attributed to lifestyle. Specifically, it is the consumption of a high amount of calories in conjunction with a low amount of calories expended. This is …

Limonene Exerts Anti-Inflammatory Effect On Lps-Induced Jejunal Injury In Mice By Inhibiting Nf-Κb/Ap-1 Pathway, Sarmed H. Kathem, Yasameen Sh. Nasrawi, Shihab H. Mutlag, Surya M. Nauli

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

The human gastrointestinal system is a complex ecosystem crucial for well-being. During sepsis-induced gut injury, the integrity of the intestinal barrier can be compromised. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), an endotoxin from Gram-negative bacteria, disrupts the intestinal barrier, contributing to inflammation and various dysfunctions. The current study explores the protective effects of limonene, a natural compound with diverse biological properties, against LPS-induced jejunal injury in mice. Oral administration of limonene at dosages of 100 and 200 mg/kg was used in the LPS mouse model. The Murine Sepsis Score (MSS) was utilized to evaluate the severity of sepsis, while serum levels of urea and …

Exploring Endoscopic Competence In Gastroenterology Training: A Simulation-Based Comparative Analysis Of Gages, Dops, And Ace Assessment Tools, Faisal Wasim Ismail, Azam Afzal, Rafia Durrani, Safia Awan, Rayyan Qureshi, Michelle R. Brown

Section of Gastroenterology

Purpose: Accurate and convenient evaluation tools are essential to document endoscopic competence in Gastroenterology training programs. The Direct Observation of Procedural Skills (DOPS), Global Assessment of Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Skills (GAGES), and Assessment of Endoscopic Competency (ACE) are widely used validated competency assessment tools for gastrointestinal endoscopy. However, studies comparing these 3 tools are lacking, leading to lack of standardization in this assessment. Through simulation, this study seeks to determine the most reliable, comprehensive, and user-friendly tool for standardizing endoscopy competency assessment.
Methods: A mixed-methods quantitative-qualitative approach was utilized with sequential deductive design. All nine trainees in a gastroenterology training program …

Effects Of Food Bar Chewing Duration On The Physiologic, Metabolic, And Perceptual Responses To Moderate-Intensity Running, Thomas R. Geaney, Zachary A. Sievert, J. David Branch, Patrick B. Wilson

Exercise Science Faculty Publications

Purpose

Chewing duration can affect food particle size, gastric processing, and postprandial glycemia, but these effects have not been investigated with exercise. This study examined how the chewing duration of a food bar impacts glycemic and metabolic responses, gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, psychological affect, and performance during endurance running.

Methods

This randomized, unblinded, crossover study had 15 males (35.2 ± 7.4 years, VO_2peak: 56.1 ± 5.2 ml/kg/min) attend three laboratory visits. Visit 1 required a VO_2peak test, 10 min familiarization run at 60% VO2peak, and familiarization time-to-exhaustion (TTE) test (10 min at 90% VO_2peak, followed by …

The Role Of Liver-Specific Transcription Factor Hnf4 In Reprogramming Of Fibroblasts, Mary Odubote

Masters Theses

The mammalian liver, a vital organ with complex functions, relies on a network of transcription factors to regulate gene expression. Fusion of hepatoma cells with fibroblasts often leads to gene extinction, silencing approximately 400 liver-enriched genes, including critical transcription factors such as HNF4. Previous studies revealed that ectopic expression of HNF4 in fibroblasts failed to prevent the extinction of SERPINA1, a liver-specific gene, upon subsequent fusion with hepatoma cells. Here, we sought to investigate the extent to which ectopic expression of HNF4 can reprogram fibroblast cells and prevent gene extinction in hybrid cells.

Using whole-genome expression analysis, we compared RAT1 …

Advancing School Nursing Practice: A Novel Approach To Screening For Gastrointestinal Disorders In Children, Ashley Bunting, Isabella Cavlan

Nursing | Senior Theses

Background: Currently, mandated health screenings in California schools are limited to vision, hearing, and scoliosis; this leaves several other body systems unmonitored during the crucial years of childhood development. One such system is the gastrointestinal (GI) system, which plays a vital role in the normal growth, nutrition status, development, and overall health of children. Objective: By developing and implementing a GI-specific screening tool in the outpatient school setting, this research aims to increase the detection of GI disorders in children. Not only that, but school nurses can use this novel screening tool to promote early diagnosis, intervention, and …

Characterization Of Bowel Dysfunction After Spinal Cord Injury In Mice, Olivia Wireman

Theses and Dissertations--Physiology

Most individuals who suffer a spinal cord injury (SCI) will experience some form of bowel dysfunction. Trauma to the spinal cord can result in severe constipation and/or incontinence, otherwise known as neurogenic bowel. Constipation requires extensive bowel routines typically involving the help of another person. Still, many living with SCI are hospitalized due to bowel complications such as fecal impaction. While neurogenic bowel has been well characterized in the clinic, pre-clinical models of neurogenic bowel after SCI are still in development. Most pre-clinical studies in bowel dysfunction after SCI are published in rat models. Studies existing in mice, to our …

Machine Learning As A Tool For Early Detection: A Focus On Late-Stage Colorectal Cancer Across Socioeconomic Spectrums, Hadiza Galadima, Rexford Anson-Dwamena, Ashley Johnson, Ghalib Bello, Georges Adunlin, James Blando

Community & Environmental Health Faculty Publications

Purpose: To assess the efficacy of various machine learning (ML) algorithms in predicting late-stage colorectal cancer (CRC) diagnoses against the backdrop of socio-economic and regional healthcare disparities. Methods: An innovative theoretical framework was developed to integrate individual- and census tract-level social determinants of health (SDOH) with sociodemographic factors. A comparative analysis of the ML models was conducted using key performance metrics such as AUC-ROC to evaluate their predictive accuracy. Spatio-temporal analysis was used to identify disparities in late-stage CRC diagnosis probabilities. Results: Gradient boosting emerged as the superior model, with the top predictors for late-stage CRC diagnosis being anatomic site, …

Socioeconomic Status And Health Disparities Drive Differences In Accelerometer-Derived Physical Activity In Fatty Liver Disease And Significant Fibrosis, Lucia Tabacu, Sajag Swami, Mark Ledbetter, Mohamad S. Siddiqui, Ekaterina Smirnova

Mathematics & Statistics Faculty Publications

Background and aims

The cornerstone of clinical management of patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are lifestyle changes such as increasing physical activity (PA) aimed at improving cardiometabolic risk. To inform NAFLD prevention and treatment guidelines we aimed to: (i) quantify the role of PA on lowering the risk for NAFLD and fibrosis; (ii) characterize NAFLD and fibrosis association with PA in the context of socioeconomic environment.

Methods

A sample of 2648 participants from the NHANES 2003–2006 was selected to develop survey weighted multivariable logistic regression models for predicting NAFLD and significant fibrosis, diagnosed non-invasively via fatty liver index …

Sccad: Cluster Decomposition-Based Anomaly Detection For Rare Cell Identification In Single-Cell Expression Data, Yunpei Xu, Shaokai Wang, Qilong Feng, Jiazhi Xia, Yaohang Li, Hong-Dong Li, Jianxin Wang

Computer Science Faculty Publications

Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) technologies have become essential tools for characterizing cellular landscapes within complex tissues. Large-scale single-cell transcriptomics holds great potential for identifying rare cell types critical to the pathogenesis of diseases and biological processes. Existing methods for identifying rare cell types often rely on one-time clustering using partial or global gene expression. However, these rare cell types may be overlooked during the clustering phase, posing challenges for their accurate identification. In this paper, we propose a Cluster decomposition-based Anomaly Detection method (scCAD), which iteratively decomposes clusters based on the most differential signals in each cluster to effectively separate …

Massive Upper Gi Bleeding From Duodenal Invasion Of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Successfully Treated With Embolization And Hemospray®, Patrick Twohig, Erin Walsh, Amy Calderon

Graduate Medical Education Research Journal

Direct invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) into the duodenum is a unique and life-threatening complication of HCC that has been rarely reported. A 60-year-old male with known HCC and cirrhosis presented with melena. Computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis showed a 7cm hepatic mass abutting the duodenum. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy demonstrated a large, actively oozing mass in the duodenum treated with Hemospray® followed by transarterial embolization (TAE). Active upper gastrointestinal bleeding due to duodenal invasion of HCC can be successfully treated with Hemospray® Endoscopic Hemostat and TAE.

The Effects Of Sex Hormones On The Size Of Intestinal Lipoproteins, Andromeda M. Nauli, Ann Phan, Patrick Tso, Surya M. Nauli

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Larger intestinal lipoproteins are more likely to be retained longer in the intestinal wall, allowing more time for their fat to be hydrolyzed and subsequently taken up by the abdominal viscera. Since men generally accumulate more abdominal visceral fat than women, we sought to determine if males produce larger intestinal lipoproteins compared to females. Using the conscious lymph fistula mouse model, we discovered that the male mice indeed produced larger intestinal lipoproteins than the female mice when they were intraduodenally infused with lipid emulsion. We then employed our differentiated Caco-2 cell model with semipermeable membrane system to determine the effects …

Weight Loss In Obese Adults On The Ketogenic Diet, Abigail Velasquez

Master of Science in Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner

The ketogenic diet is a successful and sustainable diet for obese adults to lose weight. One aim of this project is to provide evidentiary support for the ketogenic diet. An additional aim is to disseminate up to date literature to primary care providers in order to offer the ketogenic diet as a sustainable option for weight loss, to reverse disease risk, and, essentially, regain optimal health.

Successful Surgical Outcome After Traumatic Diaphragmatic Intra-Pericardial Herniation From Blunt Abdominal Injury, Tyler Bayliss, Mark H. Cooper, Paul Bown

Marshall Journal of Medicine

Intrapericardial diaphragmatic hernia (IPDH) is a rare manifestation of non-hiatal diaphragmatic hernias (NHDH). Intrapericardial diaphragmatic hernia is defined as the prolapse of the abdominal viscera into the pericardium through the diaphragm. Their incidence has increased over the last 50-60 years, secondary to high-speed transport, and constitutes 5% of major thoracic and abdominal trauma today. These injuries can present during the initial workup or months after the initiating injury. These hernias can be caused by both blunt and penetrating trauma with concomitant central tendon rupture and pericardial laceration. We report an interesting case of intrapericardial diaphragmatic hernia with delayed presentation that …

Early Closure Of Colostomy From Abdominal Trauma May Be Beneficial In Otherwise Healthy Patients, Nicole Xu

Clinical Research in Practice: The Journal of Team Hippocrates

A clinical decision report appraising

Khalid MS, Moeen S, Khan AW, Arshad R, Khan AF. Same admission colostomy closure: a prospective, randomised study in selected patient groups. Surgeon. 2005;3(1):11-14. https://doi.org/10.1016/s1479-666x(05)80004-6

for a patient with loop transverse colostomy due to trauma

Risk And Risk Factors For Colorectal Subsequent Malignancies In Survivors Of Childhood Cancer: A Report From The Childhood Cancer Survivor Study, Constance A. Owens

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Survivors of childhood cancer are at risk for colorectal subsequent malignant neoplasms (SMNs); notably, these cancers are amenable to screening. To identify at-risk survivors that may benefit from early screening, descriptive and risk factor analyses were performed to ascertain risk factors for colorectal SMN in childhood cancer survivors. In particular, we explored detailed radiation therapy (RT) data – colorectal and substructure dose-volume metrics – as risk factors for colorectal SMN risk; metrics that have yet to be thoroughly investigated. We developed a novel population-based anatomical colorectal model with substructures for RT dosimetry in late effects studies of childhood cancer survivors; …

The Last Of Us In Therapy: How Mind-Controlling Fungi And Gut Bacteria Affect Your Mental Health, Anastasia Lyon

Journal of Pharmacology & Nutritional Sciences

The "psilocybiome" represents the mutually beneficial relationship between ourselves, our bacteria, and psychedelic drugs. This short review briefly discusses the benefits and limitations surrounding the potential for psychedelic therapy to synergize with gut bacteria to help regulate and maintain proper balance in the immune system, diet, and stress levels. Psychedelic therapy is a novel treatment strategy that has the potential to improve patient mental health, and, by identifying the types of gut bacteria present in patients, it can aid in personalizing medicine by determining how well their "psilocybiome" may respond.

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 …

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.