2021
Permanent URI for this communityhttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12503/30427
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Browsing 2021 by Author "Ali, Arkoon"
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Item A Biological Approach in Exploring Breast Cancer Disparities(2021) Ali, Arkoon; Sankpal, UmeshPurpose: In the United States, healthcare disparities lie across a multitude of diseases including breast cancer. These disparities are caused by multiple different factors such as socioeconomic status, education, environment, biology, and others. To overcome the disparities, each factor needs to be addressed with research and development. In the US, breast cancer death rates have significantly declined since the start of 21st century. However, looking closer at breast cancer outcomes between races, a significant racial disparity is seen between white and black women. Research has found that black women are diagnosed with breast cancer at an earlier age and with the most aggressive triple negative tumors. These factors attribute to the differences in outcomes between the black and white populations. Studies have also identified various biological differences between the two populations that can potentially affect outcomes for breast cancer. Method: Genomic data from breast tumor was used to obtain differentially expressed genes between the two populations. These were evaluated as possible biological markers for racial disparity in breast cancer. Results: Genes were identified that were expressed at higher levels in tumor tissue from black women compared to white. This also correlated with the lower survival rates observed for black women. Conclusion: In addressing the disparities of healthcare and more specifically those seen in breast cancer, novel approaches are needed to reduce mortality and improve outcomes for the black population. These approaches need to include a combination of public health strategies along with biological methods and techniques to improve outcomes.Item Bilateral Absent Fibular (Peroneal) Arteries(2021) Ali, Arkoon; Thomas, Alexander; Faught, Cassidy; Vedantam, RahulBackground: The most common branching pattern in the lower extremity is the popliteal artery branching into the anterior tibial artery and tibiofibular trunk. The documentation of aplastic fibular artery is quite rare in the scientific literary world and is mostly found incidentally in unrelated procedures. The absence of a fibular artery can lead to compensatory changes in the posterior tibial artery. Case Presentation: The bilateral absent fibular arteries described in this case report were found in a 75-year old female during routine cadaver dissection at The University of North Texas Health Science Center. The donor had no known complications from this anatomical variation and died from unrelated causes. In this case, the popliteal artery is seen branching into the anterior and then posterior tibial arteries. There is no formation of the tibiofibular trunk nor the fibular artery. The posterior tibial artery supplies the gastrocnemius and other muscles of the posterior compartment of the leg. In addition, the posterior tibial artery fills the role of the absent fibular artery by sending compensatory branches to the lateral compartment of the leg to supply fibularis longus, brevis, and lateral foot. These unique branches from the posterior tibial artery allow for blood supply to the lateral lower extremity and lateral foot musculature. This variation was found bilaterally in the cadaver. Conclusion: This case illustrates a unique presentation of a cadaver with an unusual anatomic variant: bilateral missing fibular arteries.