Virus Diseases Commons^™

The Use Of Internal Combustion Boat Motors On Lakes On The Menominee Reservation, Dante Kaquatosh, Joshua Pyatskowit, Phd

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Introduction: The use of boat motors on lakes is allowed on some but not all lakes. Does the use of motorized boats have an effect on the quality of water?

Objective or Hypotheses: We will investigate the water quality in lakes to determine if there is a difference in water quality due to boat motors. We hypothesize that lakes where boat motors are allowed will have lower water quality than lakes where boat motors are not allowed.

Methods: Four different water quality parameters were measured (pH, Alkalinity, Hardness and Conductivity), from six different lakes. Water samples were taken from each …

Polychlorinated Biphenyls And Metabolic Diseases On St. Lawrence Island, Alaska, Jasmine Jemewouk, Pamela Miller, Ms, Phd

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are industrial chemicals that were used from 1929 until 1979 as a plasticizer in paints, plastics, and rubber products. However, PCBs continue to persist in the Arctic. They enter the Arctic environment through air and ocean currents. Sunlight and weathering help break down chemicals, so the Arctic’s lack of sunlight and precipitation during the winter allows PCBs to more readily accumulate. These chemicals settle either on organic films or water and are consequently absorbed by the Arctic food web. PCBs then bioaccumulatep in fatty tissues like omega-3 fatty acids. The higher the animal is in the food …

Localization Of Fulicin-Like Immunoreactivity In The Central Nervous System And Periphery Of Biomphalaria Glabrata, An Intermediate Host For Schistosomiasis, Anthony Hernandez-Vasquez, Mw Miller, Phd, S Rolon-Martinez, Bs, Lo Vaasjo, Bs, Mb Rodriguez

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

An estimate of about ten percent of the population worldwide live at risk of contracting the parasitic disease schistosomiasis, or “snail fever”. The digenetic trematode worm species Schistosoma mansoni that is responsible for causing the most common form of intestinal schistosomiasis requires the freshwater snail Biomphalaria glabrata to serve as its primary intermediate host, where it multiplies and develops into its cercarial form that is infectious to humans. Parasitic castration and parasitic gigantism are among some of the profound behavioral changes that the infection of B. glabrata by S. mansoni is known to cause. For this reason, a neural transcriptomics …

The Contributions Of Skeletal Muscle Pkc Theta To Diet-Induced Obesity, Erika Harness, Joseph S. Marino, Phd, Yvette Huet, Phd

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Protein Kinase C- Theta (PKCθ) is a gene predominantly expressed in hematopoietic cells and skeletal muscle. In skeletal muscle, PKCθ regulates fat metabolism and insulin sensitivity. PKCθ activity increases in response to high levels of diacylglycerol in the cell, a common outcome of chronic high fat diet consumption and obesity. PKCθ is associated with skeletal muscle metabolic dysfunction, which may exacerbate weight gain and metabolic disease. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that the selective deletion of PKCθ from skeletal muscle protects against diet-induced obesity.

Mice lacking PKCθ in skeletal muscle were created using Cre-Lox recombination. …

Pilot Study: Placental Weight Ratio In Diabetic Women With Preeclampsia, Lindsey Hancock, Misti Leyva, Phd, Rd/Ld, Christopher Ashton, Phd

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Birth weight, a simple measure of birth outcome, has a key role in assessing infant health. A primary determinant of birth weight is a well grown, efficient placenta. Placental weight ratio (PWR) reflects the growth of the baby and placenta and is calculated by dividing the placental weight by fetal weight and is a proven useful health indicator. Preeclampsia (PE) is defined as new-onset hypertension and proteinuria during pregnancy and it is a major cause of maternal and fetal death worldwide. PE is associated with large placentae and small-for-gestational-age (SGA) infants; the PWR is expected to be increased in this …

Polymorphisms In Alcohol Dehydrogenase (Adh): A Case Study On The Effects Of Adh And Aldh On Alcoholism Among Native American Population, Sage Bingaman, Jeevan Baretto, Phd

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Genetic variations in an individual affects the way alcohol is metabolized in the body. Alcohol Dehydrogenase (ADH) and Aldehyde Dehydrogenase (ALDH) are the two known enzymes that participate in alcohol metabolism. Polymorphisms of these enzymes are reported to make one more or less susceptible to alcoholism in some ethnic groups. The current study is a review of various articles highlighting the effects of ADH and ALDH on different populations.

A study of 26 Native American, 21 Inuit, and 17 caucasian ethnic groups revealed the influence of ADH and ALDH on alcohol dependence. In one of the studies, different ADH allele …

An Intervention To Promote Navajo Gardening, Nutrition, And Community Wellness, Sonia Avitia, Mark C. Bauer, Phd, Linda Garcia

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

The rates of diabetes and obesity in Navajo communities are higher than national rates. A healthy diet of fresh fruits and vegetables will help to prevent and reduce such rates. So the project focuses on promoting gardening to make vegetables and fruits more accessible at the comfort of one’s own home. Previous research in this area shows that gardeners consume 2 more servings of fruits and vegetables than nongardeners. Thirty participants were recruited by flyer distribution at chapter houses, senior centers, and community centers, from four Navajo targeted areas: Shiprock, NM; Tsaile, AZ; Lukachukai, AZ, and Hogback, NM. With the …

The Role Of Ifn-Α/Β In Host Antiviral Response To T3d Mammalian Orthoreovirus, Kaitlyn Alvord, Kelli Boyd, Dvm, Phd, Dacvp, Allen Wu, Md, Terence Dermody, Md

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

The antiviral activity of Type 1 Interferon (IFN) has been extensively studied and recognized, especially in regards to Hepatitis and HIV; however the IFN antiviral activity has not been specifically analyzed in reoviral infection.

In this study, a mouse model of reoviral encephalitis was used to determine the role of Type 1 Interferon (IFN) in host antiviral activity. Six mice deficient in IFN-α/β receptor (IFNAR) function were inoculated with Type 3 Dearing (T3D) mammalian orthoreovirus intracranially at 15 days of age and showed signs of clinical illness, lethargy, hunched posture, and dull hair coat at day 7 post infection. Mice …

Prescription Drug Costs: Does Neighborhood Matter?, Abigayle Alexander, Lisa M. Lapeyrouse, Phd

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

The price of pharmaceuticals can impact one’s ability to purchase needed medication(s). If one cannot afford necessary prescriptions the resulting medication noncompliance can lead to further health complications, increasing the risk of disability, disease progression, and mortality (Mojtabai & Olfson, 2003; Sherbourne, Hays, Ordway, DiMatteo, & Kravitz, 2010).

In this research study we aim to answer two questions: (1) Is there a relationship between neighborhood characteristics (population size, race/ethnic composition, median income, and crime) and access to pharmacies?; and (2) Is there a relationship between neighborhood characteristics and pharmaceutical prices? Using 2009-2013 American Community Survey Data, Census block group data …

In Search Of Young American Indian/Alaska Native Scientists, Carolee Dodge Francis, Edd

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

This article introduces the work that was done through the Coordinating Center at the University of Nevada Las Vegas.

Detection Of Dengue Virus In Acutely Febrile Children In Kenya, Raymond Thicklin, Claire Heath, Phd, Elysse Grossi-Soyster, Ms, David Vu, Md, Angelle Desiree Lebeaud, Md, Ms

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

The burden of dengue virus in Kenya is unknown, and is likely grossly underestimated due to febrile illnesses,often being presumptively treated as malaria , which is endemic. Additionally, Dengue fever can be fatal if left improperly treated especially in children who have lesser-developed immune systems.

The objective of this ongoing study is to determine the incidence of dengue fever as the etiology of fever in febrile children in Western Kenya.

In this ongoing study, children ages ≤17 presenting with febrile illness to our recruitment sites, had serum samples drawn for testing. For the purposes of the current study, RNA extracted …

Prostate Cancer And External Beam Therapy, Jordyn Solis, Yu Kuang, Phd

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

The Prostate is an exocrine gland of the male reproductive system. Prostate cancer is a malignancy that begins in the prostate gland and has the potential to spread to other parts of the body. The cancerous tumors are most commonly diagnosed through a biopsy of the prostate or medical imaging. Prostate cancer can be treated with surgery, brachytherapy or external beam therapy. External beam therapy is a method of delivering a beam or multiple beams of high energy x-rays to a tumor. Proper treatment planning of external beam therapy allows for the beams to be placed precisely in order to …

In Vitro Effect Of Ascorbic Acid In Hiv-1 Infected Cd4+ T-Cells, José Santiago Echevarria, Martin Hill, Phd, Lenin Godoy, Bs, Elinette Albino, Phd

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) attacks the immune system by infecting and depleting CD4+ T-cells. HIV infection induces cellular oxidative stress potentially leading to DNA damage. Although no cure has been found for HIV-1, antiretroviral treatment (ART) can control its viral load. Since impoverished countries have limited access to ART, complementary, inexpensive treatments need to be further studied. Studies have shown that micronutrients have a positive effect in limiting HIV-1 pathogenesis. Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is a known antioxidant micronutrient found in fruits, vegetables and as a dietary supplement. This study aims to assess the effect of ascorbic acid in HIV-1 …

Role Of Endomucin In Hypoxia-Induced Retinopathy Of Prematurity, James Salvador Niffenegger, Cindy Park-Windhol, Phd, Patricia A. D'Amore, Phd, Mba

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a major cause of blindness among premature, low birth weight infants as a result of pathological angiogenesis. Angiogenesis, the growth of new blood vessels from preexisting vessels, occurs in the veins and capillaries of the body. The process is highly regulated during early development and maturation. However, under abnormal conditions such as a decrease in oxygen levels or hypoxia, angiogenesis can become dysregulated and pathogenic. Currently, the best treatment for ROP is laser therapy, which does not significantly improve vision. Alternatively, glycoproteins are believed to play an important role in angiogenesis. Endomucin (EMCN), a glycoprotein, …

A Cholecystokinin B Receptor-Specific Aptamer Does Not Activate Receptor Signaling, Wells Powell, Samuel S. Linton, Christopher O. Mcgovern, Gail L. Matters, Phd

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Targeted nanoparticles which deliver effective doses of chemotherapeutic drugs directly to pancreatic tumors could improve treatment efficacy without the toxicities associated with systemic drug administration. One protein on tumor cells that can be targeted by nanoparticles is a G-protein coupled cell surface receptor, the cholecystokinin B receptor (CCKBR). Previously, we had shown that attaching the CCKBR ligand gastrin to the surface of nanoparticles can enhance their up-take by tumors. The drawback of using gastrin is that it can also activate the receptor, causing tumor cell growth. This study shows that a DNA aptamer that binds to the CCKBR and enhances …

Thy-1 Cell Surface Protein And Human Cytomegalovirus Infection, Carson Peters, Dr. Qingxue Li, Dr. Jeffery Cohen

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

This research project is to investigate the role of a cell surface protein, THY-1, as an entry mediator for Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection. Previous research suggested that HCMV attaches to THY-1 on the host cell surface through virus encoded glycoprotein gB. The glycoproteins are located on the surface of virus particles thus initiating entry and infection. The specific question is to determine if the presence of a soluble form of THY-1 protein (sTHY-1) during the onset of infection would impair HCMV infectivity, based on the hypothesis that sTHY-1 would interrupt the interaction between the infectious virion and the target cells …

Effects Of Light Attenuation On Local And Bulk Mechanical Properties Of Photopolymerized Peg Hydrogels, Serfine Okeyo, Omar Bland, Bs, John Slater, Phd

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Cell experiments investigating cell behavior as a function of material stiffness are often carried out on the surface of hydrogels. An assumption that the bulk hydrogel mechanical properties represent the surface properties is often employed but in many cases is not valid. In photo-initiated radical polymerization, photons are absorbed by initiator chromophores generating high energy electrons. As photons progress through the prepolymer solution, the intensity of light that reaches the distal end of the solution is decreased through this attenuation. This work aims to determine whether light attenuation plays a significant role in local stiffness within a poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate …

The Effect Of Endogenous Expression Of Hiv-1 Gp120 On Glutamate Metabolism In Human Astrocytes, Richard J. Noel Torres, Vanessa Rivera-Amill, Phd, Fabian Vázquez-Santiago, Yashira García-Flores, Eileen Pabón-Cruz

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is a global epidemic that targets the immune system. HIV infects white blood cells and spreads throughout the entire body via blood stream and makes its way to the brain. HIV infection in the brain may lead to HIV associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). To be able to address this problem, we have to better understand how HIV infection damages neurons. We hypothesize that gp120 causes neurotoxicity in the cells by inhibiting the conversion of glutamate to glutamine by glutaminase. As a result, glutamate concentrations will build up both inside and outside the cell causing excitatory …

Lipid Metabolism, Paige Moore, Lawrence Chan, Dsc, Mbbs, Elaine Chen

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Perilipin 2, also known as Adipose differentiation-relation protein or PLIN2, is a lipid droplet-binding protein present in almost every tissue. The absence of PLIN2 upregulates hepatic very low-density lipoprotein secretion, relieves hepatosteatosis, and improves whole body insulin resistance in mice. Despite of the importance in mediating lipid metabolism, the regulation of PLIN2 itself remains largely unknown. Previous reports have shown that X-box binding protein 1 (XBP1) is an important regulator of lipogenesis. XBP1 is a transcription factor that recognizes and binds to a consensus sequence, 5’-TGACGTGG-3’. Interestingly, when we looked through the promoter region of mouse Plin2 gene, we found …

3-Dimensional Scanning To Determine Body Volume And Composition With And Without A Wetsuit, Diego Mendoza, John A. Mercer, Phd, Leland Barker, Ms

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Wetsuits are designed to improve swimming performance by providing increased buoyant forces, reduced drag forces, and compressive forces on the body. Recently, 3-D scanning technology (2015 Structure Scanner, Occipital) has been used to measure body volume, and may provide an alternative method to obtaining body composition.

Purpose: Therefore, the purpose of this study is to use 3-D scanning to measure and compare body volume with and without a wet suit. Combined with mass, volume from 3-D scanning will provide density calculations for body composition analysis.

A secondary purpose of this study is to measure the difference in body composition …