Browsing by Subject "African Americans"
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Item Clinical Significance of Annexin A2 in Predicting Poor Prognosis in African American Women with Triple-Negative Breast Cancer(2017-05) Gibbs, Lee D.; Vishwanatha, Jamboor K.; Basha, Riyaz; Lovely, Rehana S.; Mathew, Porunelloor A.; Singh, MeharvanTriple-negative breast cancers (TNBC) are identified by the absence of these three major receptors that drive most breast cancer subtypes. TNBC is the most aggressive breast cancer subtype and studies have shown that the incidence of TNBC is much higher in premenopausal African American (AA) women and woman of African descent in comparison to woman of European descent. TNBC in AA women has been associated with worst overall survival after controlling for socioeconomic factors, treatment latency, and tumor receptor expression. This suggests that the clinical outcome of TNBC in AA women may result more from biological differences than access to adequate healthcare. Utilizing a large archived breast cancer cohort of genome sequencing information and the evaluation of these targets in breast tissue and serum can lead to recognition of reliable biological markers that have tremendous potential to enhance detection, treatment, and prognosis. Our previous studies have shown that Annexin A2 (AnxA2), a 36 kda calcium-dependent phospholipid binding protein, is abundantly expressed in TNBC. We have shown AnxA2 to play multiple roles in TNBC by regulating cellular functions; including plasminogen activation, angiogenesis, proliferation, migration, invasion, and metastasis. AnxA2 is one of the most identified proteins expressed in exosomes (small vesicles that are secreted from tumors as metastatic regulators). We have previously demonstrated exosomal AnxA2 contribution to metastasis of TNBC cells in vivo. The proposed study will determine the correlation of AnxA2 with poor prognoses in AA TNBC patients, and establish the clinical significance of exosomal AnxA2 in contributing to the poor clinical outcomes seen in AA TNBC patients. Three specific aims were addressed in this work. Aim 1- Determine the association of secreted exosomal AnxA2 with TNBC amongst AA patients. Aim 2 - Evaluate AnxA2 expression in TNBC tissue samples amongst a breast cancer patient cohort of various breast subtypes. Aim 3 - Determine the correlation of AnxA2 gene expression with poor pathological, prognostic variables and race/ethnicity in TNBC patients through in silico analysis.Item Comparison of Dietary Micronutrient Intakes by Body Weight Status among Mexican-American and Non-Hispanic Black Women Aged 19-39 Years: An Analysis of NHANES 2003-2014(MDPI, 2019-11-20) Liu, Jialiang; Zhu, Xiangzhu; Fulda, Kimberly G.; Chen, Shande; Tao, Meng-HuaThe objective of the current study was to examine micronutrient intake from foods in women of childbearing age and to better understand potential nutritional problems varied by body weight status in minority women. A sample of women aged 19-39 years from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) 2003-2014 was analyzed. Dietary intakes of 13 micronutrients were estimated using the National Cancer Institute method. Mexican-American and non-Hispanic Black women were categorized into normal/under-weight, overweight, or obese groups according to their body mass index (BMI). Mexican-American and non-Hispanic Black women had lower dietary intakes for vitamins A, B2, B6, B12, and D, folate, calcium, and magnesium than non-Hispanic Whites. Among Mexican-Americans, obese women had the lowest dietary intake of vitamins A, B2, C and D. Obese non-Hispanic Black women had significantly lower dietary intakes of iron and zinc than their normal/under-weight counterparts. Comparable percentages (>30%) of Mexican-American and non-Hispanic Black women had dietary intake less than the Estimated Average Requirements (EARs) for several key nutrients including vitamin A, C and D, folate, calcium and magnesium, and the percentages varied by body weight status. These results indicate micronutrient inadequacies persist among and within racial/ethnic and body weight groups.Item Environmental Tobacco Smoke Exposure in Children: Compliance with a Home Smoking Ban Among Texas Households(2007-12-01) Rodriguez, Lori A.; Cardarelli, Kathryn; Ramisetty-Mikler, Suhasini; Lin, Yu-ShengRodriguez, Lori A., Environmental Tobacco Smoke Exposure in Children: Compliance With a Home Smoking Ban Among Texas Households. Master of Public Health (Epidemiology), December, 2007, 72 pp., 10 tables, bibliography, 75 titles. This general population study explores characteristics influencing non-compliance with a home smoking ban among Texas households with children, particularly those with asthmatic children. Over 17% of adults reported non-compliance, with the highest rate in African Americans. Adults who currently smoke (25%) had higher reports of having an asthmatic child in the household and were more likely to not comply. Child asthma status was not a significant predictor of non-compliance; however, African Americans with no asthmatic children were more likely than African Americans with an asthmatic child to not comply. The role of race/ethnicity should be further investigated to improve interventions and home smoking bans should continue to be promoted in an effort to reduce environmental tobacco smoke exposure.Item Ethnic Differences in the Distribution of Factors Associated with Obesity in Children(2002-08-01) Ahmad, Naveed; Bayona, Manuel; Urrutia-Rojas, XimenaAhmad, Naveed M.D., Ethnic Differences in the Distribution of Factors Associated with Obesity in Children. Masters of Public Health (Biostatistics), August 2002, 31 pp., 6 tables, 1 illustration, references, 24 titles. Childhood obesity has risen dramatically during the last few decades and the factors associated with it vary for different ethnicities. The purpose of this study is to find ethnic differences in the distribution of factors associated with obesity in children. The data used in this study was collected in a school-based study of 1,076 school children in Fort Worth, Texas. Obesity was found to be more prevalent in Hispanics and African Americans than in Caucasians. Reported factors associated with childhood obesity, that were more prevalent in Hispanics were: eating more sweets and less vegetables, not doing regular daily exercise and watching more TV. In African Americans children the more common correlates of obesity were: reported eating more sweets, fewer fruits, watching more TV, and not doing daily exercise. For Caucasians reported correlates of obesity were: eating more chips, and being less involved in active sports, when compared to African American and Hispanic children.Item Prevalence of Obesity and Associated Factors for Diabetes in United States - 2005(2007-04-01) Tomer, Vikas; Bae, Sejong; Singh, Karan; Sandhu, RaghbirTomer, Vikas, Prevalence of obesity and associated factors for diabetes in United States –2005, Master of Public Health (Biostatistics), May 2007, 27 pp, 9 tables. Diabetes is one of the major public health problems in the United States. The purpose of this research is to explore whether there is a relationship between obesity and diabetes and to understand the effects of some other associated factors on diabetes in the United States in the year 2005. The data studied is from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) 2005. A univariate analysis for frequency distribution was used to evaluate and edit the data. Binary logistic regression was used to assess the association of diabetes and the variables through crude and adjusted odd ratio. The result of the study showed significant association between diabetes and obesity and the associated factors among US adults. The prevalence of diabetes has been found to be highest among African Americans followed by Hispanics and Others. Our results indicate that being an obese non-Hispanic black with low income level over the age of 65 years is indicative of being at the highest risk for diabetes. Therefore, for preventive measures to decrease the risk of being overweight and obesity healthy eating habits and regular exercise are recommended. As, income level increases, there is a significant decrease in the diabetes population. The strongest predictor of all appears to be obesity followed by age. Age, gender, income level, race and BMI all had significant effect on diabetes.Item Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms and Haplotype Analyses of Complex Medical Disorders(2008-05-01) Gonzalez, Suzanne D.; Arthur Eisenberg; Robert Luedtke; Rustin ReevesGonzalez, Suzanne D., Doctor of Philosophy. Cell Biology and Genetics. Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms and Haplotype Analyses of Complex Medical Disorders. Number of Pages: 129. Number of Tables: 25. Number of Illustrations: 5. Number of Titles Included in References: 197. There has been great difficulty in identifying genes involved in complex disorders. The complex genetic basis of these diseases indicates that either several genes act together to cause disease, or genetic heterogeneity is present in the population. This dissertation was aimed at developing new assays to identify polymorphisms in novel candidate genes that potentially contribute to two classes of common complex disorders: psychiatric diseases and metabolic disorders. Genotyping assays were developed to investigate single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and haplotypes in complex genetic disorders using multiplexed SNP panels, restriction fragment length polymorphism technology, and cycle sequencing platforms. An introduction to the study is provided in Chapter 1. Manuscripts focus on association studies of candidate genes in Bipolar Disorder and Schizophrenia (Chapter 2), Type 2 Diabetes, Hypertension and Metabolic Syndrome (Chapter 3), and baseline blood pressure in African Americans (Chapter 4). The summary of these manuscripts (Chapter 5) describes the significant associations made between SNPs/haplotypes in psychiatric and metabolic complex genetic disorders. Significant genetic associations of SNPs within the PHLPP gene were detected among schizophrenics (Chapter 2). The G allele of SNP rs8087170 was associated with the control population with the T allele of SNP rs12966002 was found only in schizophrenics. A significant variance was detected at SNP rs12457020 between bipolar and schizophrenic datasets, as there was a 10 fold increase in the A allele in the bipolar group. Significant associations of ATP1A2 5’ SNPs C-1489T and G-1253A were detected in metabolic syndrome and hypertensive groups (Chapter 3). Haplotypes based on these 3 SNPs were significantly associated with metabolic syndrome and hypertensive populations. Four linked ATP1A2 SNPs, G3756C, G3853A, C3913T and C3915T, were associated with baseline blood pressure (Chapter 4). Haplotypes associated with blood pressure in an ethnic specific manner. GGCC associated with lower blood pressures, while haplotype GGTT associated with higher blood pressures in African Americans. These studies provide new mechanisms to identify mutations and provide evidence supporting the pathophysiology of these disorders.Item Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms of the ATP1a2 gene and Their Effects on Blood Pressure and Other Cardiovascular Variable in African Americans and Caucasian Americans(2007-05-01) Thakre, Tushar P.; Smith, Michael L.; Caffrey, James L.; Shi, XiangrongThakre, Tushar P., Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms of the ATP1a2 Gene and Their Effects on Blood Pressure and Other Cardiovascular Variables in African Americans and Caucasian Americans. Doctor of Philosophy (Integrative Physiology), May 2007. Mutations in the 3’ – untranslated region (3’-UTR) of the ATP1a2 gene, which encodes the α2 subunit of Na+-K+-ATPases are reportedly associated with hypertension. This study was initiated: 1) to identify and to determine the frequency of the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) responsible for a 3’-UTR restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) of the ATP1a2 gene in African Americans (AAs) and Caucasian Americans (CAs), 2) to test for association of these SNPs with baseline blood pressure, 3) to determine whether pressor responses of cardiovascular variables are affected by these SNPs, and 4) to test whether endothelial dysfunction is associated with these SNPs. RFLP analysis using the BglII restriction enzyme was performed on DNA obstained from 63 normotensive subjects and results were confirmed by sequencing. Responses of blood pressure, heart rate, muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) and systematic vascular resistance (SVR) to pressor stimuli of two difference origins (cold pressor and hypoxic apnea) were tested in 37 individuals. Endothelin function was tested using ultrasound imaging of the brachial artery. Six SNPs were detected in the sequenced region at mRNA positions G3756C, A3788G, T3849C, G3853A, C3913T and C3915T, of which T3849C, G3853A and C3913T are novel SNPs. Mutant allel frequencies for these SNPs were higher in AAs than in CAs. SNPs at mRNA positions G3756C, G3853A, C3919T and C3915T were associated with baseline blood pressure. The ancestral haplotype G3756G3853AC3913C3915 constructed from these 4 SNPs associated with lower blood pressure in AAs and with higher blood pressure in CAs. Haplotypes GGTT and CATT were associated with higher mean and diastolic blood pressures, respectively in AAs. Responses of blood pressure, MSNA and SVR to the pressor stimuli were not difference across haplotype (p≥0.61). Similarly, no endothelial dysfunction was associated with the SNPs (p≥0.56). Haplotype groups associated with higher baseline blood pressure tended to have higher systemic vascular resistance (SVR), suggesting increased vascular tonicity as a primary mechanism for the higher blood pressure. These data suggest that although SNPs in the 3’-UTF of the ATP1a2 gene and haplotypes constructed from the SNPs affect baseline blood pressure in an ethnic-specific manner at a young age, neither the responses to pressor stimuli nor endothelial function are affected. Thus, these SNPs and haplotypes are associated with an increased arterial pressure that is likely mediated by an increased vascular tone.