Medical Sciences Commons^™

Chronic Stressors, Obesity Pathogenesis, And The Moderating Effect Of Internalized Weight Stigma; A Quantitative, Illinois Study, Karyn Byrne

Dissertations

The obesity epidemic is a ‘wicked’ problem with a complex web of determinants and outcomes. While generally higher for minoritized populations, prevalence rates manifest in surprising, nonlinear patterns. There is no consensus regarding treatment protocols or mitigation efforts, except that current efforts remain largely ineffective. Much research evidence that a profusion of determinants of health support obesity pathogenesis through various physiological processes and mechanisms, including the allostatic load, mitochondria functioning, the gut microbiome, and epigenetics. Intervening to support markers of the allostatic load (immunity, inflammation, and metabolic health) may provide a more effective treatment outcomes than traditional approaches, which tend …

Development, Validation, And Diagnostic Performance Of A Novel Radiomic Model For Predicting Prostate Cancer Recurrence, Linda M. Huynh

Theses & Dissertations

Multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging (MP-MRI)-derived radiomics have been shown to capture sub-visual patterns for the quantitative characterization of prostate cancer (PC) phenotypes. The present dissertation seeks to develop, evaluate, and compare the performance of an MRI-derived radiomic model for the prediction of PC recurrence following definitive treatment with radical prostatectomy (RP).

MP-MRI was obtained from 339 patients who had a minimum of 2 years follow-up following RP at three institutions. The prostate was manually delineated as the region of interest and 924 radiomic features were extracted. All features were evaluated for stability via intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and image normalization …

Molecular Mechanisms Of Opioid Use Disorder In Human Brain Models, Emily Mendez

Dissertations & Theses (Open Access)

Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a national and global public health crisis with no end in sight. While studies from animal models hint at widespread epigenetic and transcriptomic alterations of opioid drugs, the molecular consequences of long-term exposure to opioid drugs in human brain is still unclear, and human-centered translational models are necessary to discern the human cell type-specific effects of OUD.

Using postmortem brain Brodmann area 9 (BA9) from the UTHealth Brain Collection for Research on Psychiatric Disorders, I identified angiogenic gene networks perturbed in the RNA and protein of OUD subjects, as well as downregulation of many neuron-correlated …

Examining The Effects Of Menstrual Cycle Phase And Hormonal Contraceptive Use On Women's Sleep, Charles Ethan Coombs

Psychological Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

Women overrepresent men for sub-optimal sleep, a consequence of hormone fluctuation in the menstrual cycle affecting sleep regulatory pathways. While research has examined the prevalence of sub-optimal sleep through cycle phases, little research has examined how hormonal contraceptives (HC’s) could similarly affect women’s sleep, while also neglecting to utilize subjective sleep measures. In this study, we examine subjective sleep quality among naturally cycling (NC) women, women using different HC types, and between active and inactive phase pill users by subjecting 463 women to a subjective sleep battery. We hypothesized that HC users would report more sub-optimal sleep than NC women. …

Exploring Neuroplasticity Changes In Neurotoxin-Induced Parkinson’S Disease: A Preliminary Analysis Using Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, Tomas Gomez Jr., Daniel Salinas, Kelsey Potter-Baker, Nawaz Hack, Ramu Vadukapuram

Research Symposium

Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative condition that affects movement, cognition, gait, and significantly impacts one's quality of life. Studies have suggested that neurotoxin pre-exposure is related to PD pathology and progressive motor/non-motor deficits, though it remains unclear how neurotoxin exposure affects neuroplasticity. The present study aimed to examine neurotoxin–induced PD-associated neuroplasticity changes in relationship to mental acuity and PD motor functionalities.

Methods: 7 voluntary participants experiencing early-stage PD symptoms with self-reported neurotoxin pre-exposure were enrolled in the longitudinal, repeated-measures clinical study; 2 sex-matched, age-matched, and occupation-matched healthy subjects were recruited for controlled comparative analysis (n=9). UTRGV’s Institute …

Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (Gaba) Neurons And Perineuronal Nets (Pnn) In The Monodelphis Domestica And Relevance To Psychiatric Disorders, Jatziry Z. Luna Escobedo, Mariela Garcia, John L. Vandeberg, Mario Gil

Research Symposium

Background/ Purpose: Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is an amino acid that serves as the central nervous system’s (CNS) main inhibitory neurotransmitter. By inhibiting nerve transmission, it works to lower neuronal excitability. Altered GABA levels have been associated with a variety of psychiatric disorders, for example Epilepsies, Parkinson’s Disease, and Schizophrenia. Perineuronal nets (PNN) are extracellular molecules that are released by neurons and glial cells that modulate many neuronal and glial functions by encapsulating the inhibitory cells and neurites. Altered PNN levels serve as a potential trigger to synaptic imbalance. The purpose of this study is to quantify and analyze the presence, …

Development Of Solitary Keratoacanthoma From A Cutaneous Wart, Joshua M. Ninan, Veronica Salazar

Research Symposium

Background: Common cutaneous warts, referred to in medicine as verrucae vulgaris, are proliferative lesions caused by human papillomavirus. These lesions are mostly benign and usually resolve without incident, except in the case of the patient mentioned in this report. Our patient developed a solitary keratoacanthoma, currently accepted as a clinical variant of squamous cell carcinoma, as a result of several risk factors and traumatic exposure. The current literature does not have an established association of HPV with solitary keratoacanthomas. This case report explores the presentation and pathogenesis of solitary keratoacanthomas within the setting of HPV.

Case Presentation: 48-year-old Caucasian female …

Contribution Of 24-H Blood Pressure Variability To Dementia-Related Disorders In Hispanics, Nura Salhadar, Kristina Vatcheva, Silvia Mejia-Arango, Luis J. Mena, Ney Alliey-Rodriguez, Carlos A. Chavez, Ciro A. Goana, Egle Silva, Gustavo Calmon, Rosa P. Mavarez, Joseph H. Lee, Joseph D. Terwilliger, Jesus D. Melgarejo, Gladys E. Maestre

Research Symposium

Introduction: As the number of people living with dementia is increasing at alarming rates worldwide, there is an urgent need to understand the physiopathology of dementia syndromes. Among the most important preventable risk factors, treatment of vascular risk factors such as high blood pressure (BP) decreases the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD). Recent evidence suggests that examining BP variability provides additional physiopathological and predictive information above the mean BP level. However, studies examining the relationship between 24-h BP variability and ADRD are limited, and evidence of the association with dementia has not been documented yet. Therefore, we …

Intouch Week Of March 18, 2024, New York Medical College

InTouch

• Match Day Marks Another Milestone for Class of 2024
• Intersection of Innovation and Health Care Subject of NYMedTalks
• Study Reveals Concerning Link Between Growth Hormone Therapy and Growth Plate Fractures in Children
• Students, Staff, and Faculty Pet Their Stress Away
• LCME Element of the Week
• Alumni Spotlight: D.P.T. Alumnus Finds Solace in Writing After Cardiac Event

Intouch Week Of March 11, 2024, New York Medical College

InTouch

• Dr. Kenneth Knapp Named Chair of Department of Public Health
• Dr. Mitchell Cairo Secures $2.6M FDA Grant for Infant CMV Infection Research
• Department of Radiation Medicine Enrolls First Patient in Nation in Prostate Cancer Clinical Trial
• NYMC and Regeneron Debut Neighborhood Science Seminar Series
• NYMC Annual Days of Giving Set for March 26 and 27
• LCME Element of the Week
• Department Spotlight: The Office of Academic Excellence Elevates Student Achievement
• Dr.P.H. Candidate Advocates for Long Term Care Through the Media

Balancing The Medical, Psychiatric, And Ethical Considerations In The Inpatient Treatment Of Extreme Anorexia Nervosa: A Case Report, Carter A. Schulz, Carolyn A. Kennedy

Aesculapius Journal (Health Sciences & Medicine)

Introduction: Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a psychiatric illness characterized by restricted energy intake, intense fear of gaining weight, and a disturbance in body image. A 2011 meta-analysis estimated the mortality rate for anorexia nervosa to be over 5 times that of the general population, with one-fifth of deaths in AN patients being due to suicide. Treating this disease is notoriously difficult, and treatment is complicated by these patients’ characteristically poor insight.

Case summary: Here we present the case of a 37 year old woman who visited the ED with complaints of nausea and weakness; she was admitted due to hypoglycemia, …

The Symptoms And Management Of Children With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder During Covid-19 Pandemic At The Child And Adolescent Psychiatry Clinic, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Nuttorn Pityaratstian

Chulalongkorn Medical Journal

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused abrupt changes in almost everybody’s life, particularly children. Children and adolescents with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have difficulties in many aspects in lives and may have worsening of the symptoms during the pandemic.

Objectives: This cross-sectional descriptive study aimed to investigate the changes of the ADHD symptoms and managements of children with ADHD during the first lockdown and after-lockdown period.

Methods: Parent-reported questionnaires i.e. the Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham Rating Scale-IV (SNAP-IV) and a demographic questionnaire, were applied to collect data from 109 children with ADHD aged between 4 -18 years …

Detection Of Pathogenic Leptospira Spp. By Rpa-Nalfia Targeting Lipl32 Gene, Nattachai Srisawat

Chulalongkorn Medical Journal

Background: Lack of available sensitive point-of-care tests is one of the key challenges limiting the early point-of-care diagnosis of leptospirosis.Previously, a Recombinase Polymerase Amplification (RPA) and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 12a (CRISPR/Cas12a) lipL32 detection platform with high sensitivity and specificity was developed. However, its turnaround time is between one and two hours, and two reactions are required.

Objective: To develop the RPA in combination with a nucleic acid lateral flow immunoassay (NALFIA) detection platform to reduce the turnaround time and make it a one-step reaction.

Methods: RPA combined with nucleic acid lateral flow immunoassay (NALFIA) detection …

Effects Of Fine Particulate Matter On Hospital Admission Due To Stroke In A Business City Of Thailand, Piyanee Kasiravat

Chulalongkorn Medical Journal

Background: About 99.0% of global population was living in the area where air pollutant levels exceed World Health Organization Standard. Particulate matter whose diameter is equal to or less than 2.5 microns (PM2.5), is an important risk factor for chronic diseases including chronic respiratory diseases, heart diseases and lung cancer. However, the association between PM2.5 and cerebrovascular event is still controversial, especially in Asian populations.

Objective: To assess the association between PM2.5 and hospital admissions due to stroke.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted using air monitoring and health data during 2017 - 2019 in Hatyai, a business city in …

Mandibular Plane To Hyoid In Lateral Cephalometry As A Predictive Parameter For Severity Of Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Likhit Khattiyawittayakun

Chulalongkorn Medical Journal

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common disorder affect­ing at least 2.0% to 4.0% of the adult population. Early diagnosis and treatment can reduce patient burden. A lateral cephalometric radiograph (LCR) is one method to evaluate upper airway obstruction in patients with OSA.

Objective: This cross­sectional study was aimed to investigate the predictive performance of mandibular plane to hyoid (MP­H) in LCR for determining the OSA severity.

Methods: One hundred and three adult subjects were analyzed. LCR was performed under standardized processes and measured twice on separate occasions. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to obtain the …

Depression, Smartphone Addiction And Association Factors Among Preclinical Medical Students, Aticha Wattanaudomchai

Chulalongkorn Medical Journal

Background: There were few studies of smartphone addiction behavior has been found in preclinical medical students.

Objective: To determine the prevalence and associated factors of depression of smartphone addiction behavior among preclinical medical students of Chulalongkorn University.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional descriptive study. The data were collected from preclinical medical students at Chulalongkorn University in 2020 academic year, prior to COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand. The instruments included the Smartphone Addiction Scale Thai version (SAS-SV-TH), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 Thai version (PHQ-9-T), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index Thai version (PSQI-T), and Thai Interpersonal questionnaire. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 25. …

Urinary Oxalate Excretion Is Increased In Calcium Oxalate Nephrolithiasis Patients And Associated With Increased Urinary Capacity Of Calcium Oxalate Crystallization, Chanchai Boonla

Chulalongkorn Medical Journal

Background: Calcium oxalate (CaOx) stone is the most common type of stones formed in the urinary tract. Formation of CaOx stone is driven by increased CaOx crystallization in urine.

Objective: To develop a new test, called indole-reacted calcium oxalate crystallization index (iCOCI), and to measure the capability of urine to produce CaOx crystals.

Methods: One hundred samples of 24-h human urine samples obtained from CaOx stone-forming subjects (SFS, n = 50) and non-stone subjects (NSS, n = 50). The levels of oxalate were determined by two methods, i.e., oxalate oxidase method and iCOCI test. Unpaired student t - test, Pearson’s …

Evaluation Of Aspartate Aminotransferase To Platelet Ratio Index And Fibrosis 4 Score For Selecting Patients With Chronic Hepatitis B To Perform Liver Fibrosis Assessment By Transient Elastography In Resource-Limited Areas, Puth Muangpaisarn

Chulalongkorn Medical Journal

Background: Liver stiffness measurement operated by transient elastography (TE) becomes a noninvasive method to assess the severity of hepatic fibrosis. However, TE may not be available in resource-limiting areas. Therefore, simple serum biomarker scoring should be evaluated for fibrotic assessment instead of TE.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of aspartate. aminotransferase to platelet ratio index (APRI) and fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) scores compared with TE in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients and determine the optimal cut-off values to select the CHB patients who should be referred to higher-level hospital for TE evaluation.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study …

Characterization Of Anti-Cancer Properties Of Fungal Metabolite Ophiobolin A, Asma Syed, Rozena Shirvani, Maximiliano Arath Morales, Shizue Mito, Alexander Kornienko, Xiaoqian Fang

Research Symposium

Background: Ophiobolin A (Oph A) is a secondary metabolite and a phytotoxin produced by the pathogenic fungi Cochliobolus heterostrophus that causes “southern corn leaf blight” disease in maize via modulation of the calcium binding protein calmodulin. Numerous studies have found antiproliferative effects of Ophiobolin A against a variety of cells including bacteria and various cancers including melanoma, glioma and leukemia. Recent studies have shown that OphA induces paraptosis-like cell death in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) cells via vacuolization of the cytoplasm and enlargement of the mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum. Notably, unlike apoptosis, paraptosis cell death lacks DNA fragmentation and activation …

Intouch Week Of March 4, 2024, New York Medical College

InTouch

• HeLa Conference Navigates the Future of AI and Health Care Equity
• 2024 Alpha Omega Alpha Inductees Personify the Art of Healing
• Members of SOM Class of 2025 Recognized for Humanism in Medicine
• Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology Hosts Research Symposium
• Advancing Biomedical Research Abroad Through the OVERWORLD Program
• LCME Element of the Week