Research Appreciation Day
Permanent URI for this communityhttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12503/21612
About RAD
RAD is an institutional tradition encompassing medicine, public health and basic science. The program provides an opportunity for students, faculty and staff to share their research efforts with the campus community and the public. The program encourages the development of joint research projects and increases the community's awareness of the outstanding quality and range of research conducted at UNT Health Science Center.
See the RAD website for more information. Please contact rad@unthsc.edu with questions.
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Item 1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene (Pseudocumene) Formation of Photochemical Smog and Contribution to Atmospheric Greenhouse Gases (GHGs)(2015-03) Patel, Devang A.; Rich, Alisa A.Objective: To examine 1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene’s contribution to photochemical smog and affect cardiac and pulmonary disease. Introduction: 1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene, a chemical derivative of benzene, is an industrial solvent and easily volatilizes to the atmosphere. In the presence of other VOCs, it was found to contribute to formation of photochemical smog. Photochemical smog is known to exacerbate respiratory conditions, including asthma and may contribute to cardiac and pulmonary disease. This study examined 1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene in hydraulic fracturing fluids and produced water and its ability to contribute to atmospheric levels of GHGs and photochemical smog. Methods and Materials: A meta-analysis was performed and articles related to1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene evaluated. Databases searched include PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, TOXNET and Science direct. Keywords 1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene, pseudocumene, Trimethylbenzene, atmospheric conversion, atmospheric degradation/reaction, hydraulic fracturing, and health effects. Published article dates ranged from 1994 – 2011. Inclusion criteria were chemical properties of 1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene, atmospheric degradation and reaction, and atmospheric sustainability, and health effects. Exclusion criteria were articles related to 1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene and water pollution, and animal toxicology studies. Articles meeting inclusion criteria were retrieved as full-text and examined. Results: This study confirmed high concentrations of 1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene in hydraulic fracturing fluids and produced water, and ability to aerosolize to the atmosphere from water and soil. Degradation of 1,2,4-TMB in the atmosphere by reactions with hydroxyl radicals are an indirect contributor to atmospheric GHG levels from hydroxyl radical scavenging, and may contribute to local/regional climate change. Slow atmospheric conversion of 1,2,4-TMB in the presence of ozone was found to occur with a half -life of more than 24 years, making it a candidate for long-range transportation. Conclusion: 1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene may be present in tanks and ponds in areas where hydraulic fracturing is occurring. The general public in close contact with these tanks and ponds may be exposed to 1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene in air and may experience adverse health effects.Item 12th Annual Research Appreciation Day Program and Abstract Book(2004-04-02) University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort WorthAbstracts, agenda, and keynote speaker information from the twelfth annual Research Appreciation Day in 2004. The keynote speaker was David I. Kaufman. His presentation was titled "Clinical Research: A View from the Trenches." There were 154 abstracts presented.Item 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee: A Review of the Literature Behind the National Guidelines and a Comparison to Fort Worth Nutritional Standings(2018-03-14) Kannappan, AnjuIntroduction: The 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) is a joint effort between the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and of Agriculture (USDA). Every five years the committee publishes a report containing dietary information and eating habits involving the American public. This study aims to review the literature utilized by the 2015 DGAC to describe the methods of data collection and selected results pertaining to the pediatric population. It will also present the results of the Youth Risk and Behavior Survey conducted amongst Fort Worth high school students to offer comparative data between local and national benchmarks of pediatric nutrition. Methods: A literature review was conducted using the DGAC’s published report index on the www.health.gov website. The primary results were retrieved from the 2007-2010 National Health and Nutrition Survey (NHANES) and the CDC’s Second National Report on Biochemical Indicators of Diet and Nutrition in the US Population. Dietary reference intakes for macro and micronutrients were taken from the Food and Nutrition Board and the Institute of Medicine’s reference manual. Statistics concerning Fort Worth’s population were taken from the Tarrant County Public Health Department and the 2016 FWISD Youth Risk and Behaviors Survey. Results: About 1/3 of children are expected to be obese. Concerning fruit intake, children ages 1 to 8 years meet recommended intakes, however average intakes of fruit are lowest among girls ages 14-18 years. Males and females on both national and local levels are receiving fewer servings of fruits and vegetables than advised, and their protein intake is on the lower end of the recommended range. Overall, all age groups and genders intake more sugar and saturated fats than recommended. Discussion: The target audience for the published Dietary Guidelines results are medical professionals who then work to translate the findings into usable resources for the public. One of the initiatives set forth by the USDA was MyPlate, an online tool that offers ideas for creating healthy eating recipes that encompass all necessary food groups and proper proportions. A local initiative in Fort Worth with similar focus is the Mobile Pantry program. Further studies can assess the success of such initiatives in fostering healthy eating among children.Item 21st Annual Research Appreciation Day Program and Abstract Book(2013-04-12) University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort WorthAbstracts, agenda, and keynote speaker information from the twenty-first annual Research Appreciation Day in 2013. The keynote speaker was Stanley B. Prusiner. Dr. Prusiner's presentation was titled "Prions, Frontotemporal Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease." There were 248 abstracts presented.Item 22 year old male trisomy 21 with Syncope and intermittent hyper-production of C-peptide: A Case Report(2015-03) Diver, Thomas; Wong, LongPurpose: There are multiple causes of syncope, which is a short loss of consciousness and muscle strength, characterized by a fast onset, short duration, and spontaneous recovery. Most of time, it is difficult to figure out the exact reason for syncope in a young adult. Ruling out cardiac, non-cardiac or neurological life-threatening conditions is important. We offer a case report that manifests as syncope in a young adult with multiple intermittent high C-peptide levels upon testing. Methods: A 22-year old white male with Down’s syndrome presented to a family medicine clinic with increased intermittent episodes of syncope. These episodes lasted approximately 3-5 minutes and the patient awoke without recall. The patient presented with two main complaints, seizures and syncope frequently over the last two years. The seizures were consistent with epilepsy and he was given standard anti-convulsants which controlled these symptoms. However, the syncope remained. Further testing was conducted including workups for neurology, cardiology, emergency room evaluation and endocrinology. Results: Neurological causes were ruled out because of a normal brain MRI , Cardiogenic causes were ruled out because of normal results for EKG and echocardiogram. Meanwhile, he went to the emergency room for loss of conscious symptoms and his medication Keppra was increased from 500 milligrams to 750 milligrams controlling his seizures. Repeated blood chemistries indicated that blood glucose levels were normal but C-peptide levels were elevated with each episode of syncope, which could indicate Insulin Hypersecretion Syndrome or a cellular insulinoma. Future testing needs to be conducted at the cellular level, including repeated MRI’s of the pancreas; however, insurance issues are barriers to this process. Conclusions: No other case reports for young adults with a primary complaint of syncope and similar test results have surfaced in the literature thus far. Without further testing, a definitive cause cannot be determined.Item 22nd Annual Research Appreciation Day Abstract Book(2014-03-21) University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort WorthAbstracts from the twenty-second annual Research Appreciation Day in 2014. There were 211 abstracts presented.Item 23rd Annual Research Appreciation Day Abstract Book(2015-04-17) University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort WorthAbstracts from the twenty-third annual Research Appreciation Day in 2015. There were 249 abstracts presented.Item 24th Annual Research Appreciation Day Abstract Book(2016-04-15) University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort WorthAbstracts from the twenty-fourth annual Research Appreciation Day in 2016. There were 260 abstracts presented.Item 25th Annual Research Appreciation Day Abstract Book(2017-04-07) University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort WorthAbstracts from the twenty-fifth annual Research Appreciation Day in 2017. There were 270 abstracts presented.Item 26th Annual Research Appreciation Day Abstract Book(2018-04-06) University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort WorthAbstracts from the twenty-sixth annual Research Appreciation Day in 2018. There were 259 abstracts presented.Item 27th Annual Research Appreciation Day Abstract Book(2019-03-29) University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort WorthAbstracts from the twenty-seventh annual Research Appreciation Day in 2019. There were 303 abstracts presented.Item 28th Annual Research Appreciation Day Abstract Book(2021-03-26) University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort WorthAbstracts, award winners, and sponsor information for the twenty-eighth annual Research Appreciation Day. RAD 2021 was the first all-virtual RAD due to ongoing restrictions related to COVID 19. Participants submitted an abstract, poster, and video this year so that judging could be done virtually. There was no keynote speaker. In total, 278 abstracts were submitted.Item 29th Annual Research Appreciation Day Abstract Book(2022-03-25) University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort WorthAbstracts submitted for the twenty-ninth annual Research Appreciation Day. RAD 2022 was the second all-virtual RAD. Participants submitted an abstract, poster and video so that judging could be done virtually. There was no keynote speaker. In total, 326 abstracts were submitted.Item 365 DAYS OF INFANT MORTALITY USING PHOTOVOICE TO UNDERSTAND INFANT MORTALITY AS AN ISSUE FOR SOCIAL CHANGE(2014-03) Paul, Marcy; Eley, Lindsey; Miller, Jennifer M.; Espinoza, AnnaPurpose (a): African Americans have an infant mortality rate more than twice the rate of Whites; yet there is limited information about parents' experience of an infant death and their perceptions about the causes of racial disparity in infant mortality. Photovoice, a documentary photography technique, was used to give a voice to parents who experienced an infant loss, and to better understand the causes and effects of racial disparity in infant mortality. To date, no known Photovoice projects have focused solely on the perceptions of parents who suffered an infant death. Methods (b): North Texas parents who experienced an infant loss were recruited using convenience sampling techniques. Participants were provided digital cameras, and asked to photograph and journal about community resources which were helpful to them as they grieved, and community resources, or lack thereof, they felt may have contributed to the death of their baby. Participants were divided into two groups based on current residency (Fort Worth or Dallas, Texas). These groups met monthly, giving participants an opportunity to discuss their photos, journal entries, and experiences during the project. Photographs and journal entries will be on display at a local art gallery as an exhibit, "Eight Warrior Mamas: Survivors of Infant Mortality - Empty Arms, Broken Hearts, and Grieving Wombs." Results (c): African American women (n=6) and White women (n=2) participated in the project. From their photographs and group discussions three themes emerged. The first theme was poor post-partum care. Many of the mothers reported feeling that the health provider they visited after delivery was insensitive, and the post-partum examinations were uncomfortable. The second theme was loneliness and isolation. The mothers described finding it difficult to locate support groups and other resources to help them during the grieving process. The third theme was the poor/inappropriate response from health insurers and regulatory agencies such as Child Protective Services. The mothers expressed that they were treated in a cold and distant manner when communicating with different systems about their deceased child. Conclusions (d): This project is an innovative approach to identifying systemic issues that contribute to racial disparity in infant mortality. Through the exhibit parents who suffered an infant death have a platform to voice their loss and their concerns about needed social change. Additionally, the exhibit increases community awareness of the issue of infant mortality. These findings suggest the importance of continuing to raise awareness about infant mortality and the need to further assess institutional polices' effect on racial disparities in infant mortality.Item 3D TUMOR MODELING TO IMPROVE BIOMARKER IDENTIFICATION AND CANCER OUTCOMES.(2022) Mylabathula, Preteesh Leo; Ranade, Payal; Trivedi, Rucha; Vishwanatha, JamboorPurpose: Cancer-associated proteins annexina2 (ANXA2) and MIEN1 are overexpressed in various cancers including triple negative breast cancer, prostate, and colorectal cancers. Therefore, these proteins are being investigated as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets. We will use a 3D tumor model to mimic in vivo tumor growth and evaluate changes in tumor characteristics after silencing ANXA2 and MIEN1 to understand their correlative/causal relation to tumor behavior. Methods: Ultra-low attachment 3D culture plates were used to culture tumor spheroids in breast cancer cells(MDA-MD-231) with ANXA2 knock-down using sh-RNA and colorectal cancer cells(HT29) with MIEN1 knock-out (KO) using CRISPR-Cas9. Changes in spheroid growth, migration and invasion, drug sensitivity, and immune cell killing will be evaluated. Boyden chambers with Matrigel inserts were used to evaluate migration and invasion. Spheroids were imaged using confocal microscopy for size estimation. Results: Optimal initial seeding density was 5000 cells and spheroids were grown for 7-days. Average tumor spheroid size was 1360±420µm with no differences in spheroid size with MIEN1 KO. 50% reduction in migration and invasion potential were observed after MIEN1 KO in colorectal cancer cells in a 96-hour time-course experiment. Experiments with ANXA2 knock-down are ongoing with spheroid sizes averaging 1700±260µm. Future experiments include evaluating changes in protein expression, drug sensitivity, immune cell killing as a result of knockout of MIEN1. Conclusion: We expect the results to identify functional role of cancer-associated proteins ANXA2 and MIEN1 in tumor spheroid growth, metastasis, drug sensitivity, and susceptibility to immune cell killing. Funding: Research reported in this publication was supported by the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number R01CA220273 (JKV).Item 3D-Printed Insert for Visualization of Liposomal Interactions with Collagen Fibers(2019-03-05) Mishra, Ina; Kastellorizios, Michail; Curry, StephenPurpose: Nanoparticles, such as liposome, are commonly used as vehicles for drug delivery to target tissues such as tumors. However, relatively little research has focused on liposomal interactions with the tumor extracellular matrix (ECM), a huge hurdle in the process of perfecting dosage. To our knowledge, there is no method available that allows the observation liposomes against a whole collagen fiber. In order to better study these interactions, we have designed a 3D-printed frame that helps in visualizing liposome transport around a collagen fiber. Observation of our replicated microenvironment will allow us to shed more light on the movements of liposomes within the ECM of tumor cells. Methods: Collagen fiber was removed from adult rat tail and allowed to soak in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) overnight. Primary design of the frame was done using SketchUp software. Printing of 12mm frame design was done using a Form 2 3D printer (Formlabs). Fiber-in-frame was placed in a glass bottom microwell dish (MatTek Corp.). Research-grade liposomes that mimic the clinical product Doxil (DoxomTM, Liposomics) were used in a background of 0.07mg/ml BSA solution, and added to the channel. Visualization of the interaction was done using confocal microscope (Nikon A1R-MP+ Multiphoton System). Results: As a proof-of-concept, we mounted a collagen fiber into our frame and filled channel with BSA solution. Observation indicates that liposomes prefer to accumulate on the collagen fiber surface. Multiple trial frames were needed to account for height requirements necessary for confocal microscopy. Our built-in sample well allowed for a maximum 20 uL of formulation to be added into the channel environment from one end of the fiber. Our next steps will focus on reducing height and volume of background and sample needed as well as removing the need for a dish or slide altogether. Future studies will focus on kinetic phenomena in this microenvironment. Conclusions: Using the methods described above, we observed that Doxom liposomes accumulated near the fiber surface. This suggests that liposomes can use collagen as a route of travel in the extracellular environment. Future experiments with this frame design and others will be used to study the liposomal interactions with collagen and other ECM components. In addition to new frame designs, instruments with higher intensity and resolution will provide more accurate data.Item 5-Methoxyindole-2-Carboxylic acid (MICA) as a potential caloric restriction mimetic(2021) Evans, Zachary; Yan, Liang-JunPurpose: Calorie restriction (CR), as an intervention to influence aging and disease, has been demonstrated to show an inhibitory effect on dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (DLD), the E3 subunit of pyruvate dehydrogenase. Elevated DLD activity has been linked with an increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Increased levels of ROS contribute to aging effects and decreased life span. Theoretically, an inhibitor of DLD would produce the same decrease in ROS as CR. Methods: Searching PubMed with keywords such as caloric restriction, dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase, 5-methoxyindole-2-carboxylic acid, reactive oxygen species, etc. Results: 5-Methoxyindole-2-Carboxylic acid (MICA) has been shown to inhibit DLD activity which could potentially limit the level of ROS produced in the body. Conclusion: Because of this mechanism of action, we have proposed that MICA has the potential to provide, at least in part, calorie restrictive mimicry by carrying out some of the beneficial physiological effects of CR.Item 5-Methoxyindole-2-Carboxylic Acid (MICA) Fails to Retard Development and Progression of Type II Diabetes in ZSF1 Diabetic Rats(2021) Yan, Liang-JunPurpose: 5-Methoxyindole-2-carboxylic acid (MICA) is a well-established reversible inhibitor of mitochondrial dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (DLDH). This chemical, as an indole derivative, has been shown to be neuroprotective against ischemic stroke injury when administered either before or after ischemic stroke in animal models. MICA has also been studied as a potential antidiabetic agent by numerous investigators, though the underlying mechanisms remain sketchy. To attempt to elucidate the mechanisms of its antidiabetic action, we tested the effect of MICA on ZSF1 rat, a widely used rodent model of type 2 diabetes. Methods: ZSF1 rats as well as its healthy controls were fed with control diet or MICA-containing diet (200 mg/kg/day) for 9 weeks, and then comparison of body weight changes and blood glucose levels at the end of the 9-week's feeding period were made. Conclusion: Our data indicate, unexpectedly, that MICA failed to show any anti-diabetic effect in the ZSF1 diabetic rats. The reasons for this failure were briefly discussed.Item 6-Hydroxydopamine Aggravates Renal Injury and Inflammation in a Murine Model of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus(2018-03-14) Osazuwa, Billy; Thomas, Orlexia; Vedantam, Shyam; Fancher, Daniel; Mathis, Keisa W.; Pham, GracePurpose: Renal inflammation is prevalent in the chronic autoimmune disease systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and drives the progression of kidney injury. Inflammation in SLE results from a loss of self-tolerance and the production of autoantibodies against nuclear antigens. However, other immunoregulatory mechanisms, such as the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway, may also be dysregulated and contribute to aberrant systemic and renal inflammation in the disease. The cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway is a protective, neuroimmune mechanism thought to involve neurotransmission between the parasympathetic vagus and the sympathetic splenic nerves. In order to confirm the importance of the splenic nerve in this pathway, others have used 6-hydroxydopamine (6OHDA), a neurotoxin that depletes catecholamines, to chemically denervate the spleen and thereby dampen the sympathetic component of the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway. We hypothesized that splenic injection of 6OHDA would further disrupt the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway in a mouse model of SLE and result in increased renal inflammation and worsened disease severity, which would highlight the importance of the splenic nerve in quelling renal inflammation. Methods: In the current study, female SLE and control mice were injected with 6OHDA (120 µg in 60 μl saline) or vehicle directly into the spleen at 33 weeks of age (n = 6/group). To confirm splenic denervation with 6OHDA, we utilized the glyoxylic acid condensation reaction on 12 μm spleen sections of representative animals and verified that catecholamine histofluorescence was diminished in 6OHDA-treated mice (205 vs. 111 histofluorescent foci). Results: Renal cortical TNF-α (normalized to total protein) was increased in SLE mice compared to controls (3.1e6 ± 1.2e5 vs. 7.8e5 ± 1.6e4 intensity units; p = 0.029), and 6OHDA exacerbated this pro-inflammatory cytokine in SLE mice (7.6e6 ± 2.4 intensity units; p = 0.048) with no effect in controls (2.4e6 ± 6.6e5 intensity units; p = 0.697). Anti-dsDNA autoantibodies were elevated in SLE mice compared to controls (2.1e4 ± 5.7e3 vs. 1.0e4 ± 4.7e3 activity units; p = 0.013), but 6OHDA did not alter this measure of disease severity in SLE mice (1.8e4 ± 5.2e3 activity units; p = 0.692). Albumin excretion rate (AER) was elevated in SLE mice compared to controls (160.7 ± 28.0 vs. 2.7 ± 2.7 mg/dL; p Conclusions: In summary, 6OHDA aggravated renal inflammation and injury in SLE mice indicated by heightened renal cortical TNF-α and AER. This suggests that chemical splenic denervation may disrupt endogenous, sympathetically-mediated anti-inflammatory mechanisms. Further studies are needed to confirm the role of the splenic nerve in regulating renal inflammation.Item A 14-Month-Old Girl with Recurrent Vomiting(2021) Rodriguez, Monica; Esteban, Danielle; Donahue, DavidBackground: Hydrocephalus is an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the brain's ventricles. As the ventricles enlarge, brain pressure increases, leading to cognitive difficulties, impaired vision, delayed development, and death. Epidemiologic studies estimate a yearly average of 6,000 hydrocephalus cases in newborns. Case Presentation: A 14 month and 19-day old female infant suffered recurrent episodes of vomiting. The first episode occurred at age 11 months and 12 days. The emergency room (ER) diagnosis was viral gastroenteritis; vomiting resolved with supportive care and antiemetic medication. The following two months she returned to the ER three times for recurrent vomiting. On the last ER visit, her parents reported developmental regression during the previous three months. Examination findings included frontal bossing, full fontanelle with visible pulsations, enlarged head circumference (>95th percentile), and signs of pyramidal tract dysfunction. Magnetic resonance imaging showed enlargement of the lateral and third ventricles with cerebral aqueduct stenosis. No masses or lesions were noted. In this case, the rapid increase in head circumference, developmental regression, and imaging results was key to the diagnosis of increased intracranial pressure due to aqueductal stenosis with hydrocephalus. Therapies for hydrocephalus include shunts and endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV). This patient was successfully treated with an ETV, creating an opening in the third ventricle to drain excess CSF. Untreated, hydrocephalus could have caused further developmental regression, brain damage, and even death. Conclusions: This case illustrates the importance of primary care continuity, tracking developmental milestones and head circumference using growth charts.