Harmony in Healing: Investigating the Impact of Music Therapy Reduction, Literature Review

Background: Various treatments exist for treating anxiety disorders, and a therapy that appears to show promise is music therapy (MT). This includes using methods such as listening to music, structured musical activities, and improvisational musical activities. MT has shown efficacy in a wide range of settings including individuals with severe mental illness, cancer patients1,2, children, adults, in-patient care, and out-patient care. Methods: This literature review aimed to evaluate current research on the efficacy of music therapy for treating anxiety. The guidelines for selecting which studies to review are as follows: Publication date: only studies published after 2000 were included to ensure this review reflects more current research practices. Patient population: only studies involving patients with anxiety were considered, regardless if they were seen in-patient or out-patient. Age: no age restrictions were applied regarding patients involved in the studies i.e. studies involving children, adolescents, and adults were all acceptable Study Design: various study designs were considered for this literature review, including systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), observational studies, and pilot studies. Not discriminating based on study design allowed for a broader perspective on the efficacy of music therapy in treating anxiety. Results: Research indicates that music therapy can significantly reduce anxiety in diverse settings and patient populations. Meta-analyses reported effects ranging from small to moderate (SMD = 0.36 to 0.74)3. SMD means standard mean difference. A meta-analysis from 2021 investigated 32 RCTs involving 1,924 participants and found that MT notably reduced anxiety immediately post-intervention (SMD = -0.36)4, albeit long-term effects were less substantial. Interventions involving 12 or more MT sessions or interventions with active participation were especially effective.5 Some studies face methodological limitations such as small sample sizes, but the overall evidence supports MT’s efficacy in reducing anxiety. Therefore, a single study of a larger magnitude is needed to assess long-term impacts. Conclusion: A literature review of academic databases was conducted to identify and analyze relevant literature regarding the efficacy of music therapy in treating anxiety. Music therapy demonstrates significant potential as an effective intervention for reducing anxiety in a diverse patient population. The papers examined give warrant to further investigation of music therapies\u27 long-term effects on anxiety with a larger participant pool and a standardized way to measure anxiety

Fabrication of docetaxel loaded PCL/PLGA electrospun nanofibers for lung cancer therapy

Background: Electrospinning is a commonly employed method in tissue engineering due to its ability to produce nano-/microscale fibrous materials with mechanical and functional properties that mimic the extracellular matrix of living tissues. The general interest in electrospun fibrous matrices has recently expanded to cancer research both as scaffolds for in vitro cancer modeling and as patches for in vivo therapeutic delivery. This research aims to investigate the efficient delivery of anticancer drug in lung cancer treatment. Methods: Three different biocompatible polymeric nanofibers (i.e. PCL fibers, PCL-PLGA mixed fibers, and PCL-PLGA tetra-layered fibers) loaded with docetaxel, were prepared using electrospinning technique. Size and morphology of developed fibers were assessed using a scanning electron microscope. The physico-chemical characterization of nanofibers was evaluated spectral, thermal, chromatography, crystallography methods. Various biological functional assays were employed to examine hemocompatibility, cellular binding and uptake, cytotoxicity of nanofibers. Results: The surface morphology of prepared nanofibers revealed the formation of fibers i.e., smooth, porous, and rough surface topography. The formation of PCL and layer by layer (PCL and PLGA) fibers appeared to be bundled while mixing fibers (PCL and PLGA) are highly uniform and relatively smaller fibers. Its composition, docetaxel loading and release profiles are suitable for therapeutic applications. The nanofibers exhibit hemocompatibility and anti-thrombogenic properties. All three docetaxel loaded nanofibers demonstrated maximum cytotoxicity compared to free nanofibers. Conclusions: These results indicate that the use of docetaxel loaded mixed nanofibers represents a promising alternative for the treatment of lung cancer. Further research is needed to explore its in vivo and future clinical translation

Middle School as a Nexus for Educational Reform

Background: Educational disparities significantly impact student achievement, particularly in underserved regions like the Rio Grande Valley (RGV). This study aims to identify the grade level where interventions are most necessary to enhance academic motivation and career orientation. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 1,384 students across 55 schools in 17 districts within the RGV. The study included economically disadvantaged populations (83.7%) with a predominantly Hispanic demographic (95.1%). Students’ motivation, measured using a 5-point Likert scale, was assessed using six domains utilizing (e.g., college readiness, school attendance, academic improvement, homework completion, career exploration and preparation) aggregated into a unified z-score through factor analysis with varimax rotation (KMO: 0.83). Multilevel Tobit regression models accounted for hierarchical data structures, with students nested within schools and districts. Variance was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), and kernel density plots visualized motivation score distributions. Results: Kernel density plots of the aggregated motivation scores revealed a right-censored distribution at higher motivation levels. This justified the use of Tobit models for robust analysis. Factor analysis confirmed that the six motivation domains were strongly correlated which supported their aggregation into a single factor for further investigation. The analysis showed that with a Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) measure of 0.83, indicating excellent sampling adequacy. The aggregated z-score had a median of 0.17 (IQR:-0.61, 0.78) with skewness (-0.85) and kurtosis (3.36) suggesting a concentration of higher motivation scores. Tobit regression models revealed a declining trend in motivation as students advanced through grade levels. By 6th grade, motivation scores dropped significantly compared to lower grades with a coefficient of -1.41 (95% Cl: -2.68, -0.13). The decline became more pronounced in grades 7 and 8 where coefficients were -1.69 (95% CI: -2.98, -0.40) and -1.54 (95% CI: -2.83, -0.25) respectively. Conclusions: Middle school marks a pivotal stage for addressing educational disparities with motivation scores declining sharply during this period. Targeted interventions should focus on maintaining engagement and supporting students at this critical time. These findings emphasize the role of school-level factors in shaping motivation and providing actionable insights for policy and reform in underserved regions like the RGV. Further research should delve into the implementation of interventions and their effectiveness in improving student motivation

Developing ship on-chip strategy of transporting theranostic radionuclides for rapid and efficient radiopharmaceutical production

Introduction: Radiopharmaceuticals play a critical role in cancer diagnosis, staging, and therapy. Recent successes in radiotheranostics (which utilize targeted radiopharmaceutical pairs for both diagnosis and therapy) have led to improved outcomes in challenging clinical settings, such as neuroendocrine tumors and prostate cancer. Despite the tremendous potential, development of new radiopharmaceutical agents and widespread distribution is hampered by the extreme costs associated with production and delivery. Most hospitals require a substantial investment in facility and operational equipment for radiosynthesis that in turn limits the development of radiopharmaceuticals and their impact on precision medicine. Herein, we describe a simple and inexpensive microfluidic radiochemistry platform that will enable the efficient delivery of 89Zr, 177Lu and on-demand radiopharmaceutical production at distinct points-of care. The “single use” disposable nature of our device can also eliminate cross-contamination issues commonly associated with expensive reusable systems. Methods: To produce a miniaturized device for delivering high quality theranostic radionuclides such as 89Zr and 177Lu, a microfluidic chip was assembled using polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and borosilicate glass, equipped with an on-chip purification column for retaining the purified 89Zr or 177Lu. The column is formed within a microchannel in the PDMS by using patterned pillars to trap the desired resin. To retain 89Zr or 177Lu, the micro-column was packed with the QMA and SCX resin, respectively. The 89Zr or 177Lu solution in oxalate or HCl solution (100-500 µL) was slowly loaded into the chip (100 µL/min). The micro-column was further rinsed with 1 mL of water. Whereas 89Zr was eluted with 200 µL of 1M HCl, 300 µL solution mixture composed of 4.8M sodium chloride in 0.1M HCl 177Lu was applied to elute 177Lu. Results: In our preliminary studies, we were able to retain more than 95% of 89Zr or 177Lu using as little as 30 mg of resin on the chip. Of note, 89Zr was eluted as a chloride form through our microfluidic platform that not only allows for typical 89Zr-DFO chelation but also can effectively be complexed with DOTA – the chelator widely used in radiometal-based tracers. In addition, more than 90% of 89Zr or 177Lu can be eluted from the chip for the labeling reaction. Optimization of the resin loading procedure and quality analysis of the on-chip radionuclides are currently underway. Conclusions: Our preliminary studies prove the feasibility of theranostic radionuclides “ship on-chip” and demonstrate the potential of producing radiometal-based radiopharmaceuticals for pre-clinical and clinical investigations using this platform

Proteomic Profiling of Stress-Associated Proteins in Hepatocellular Carcinoma and The Hepatoprotective Effects of Silymarin

Background: The liver is the principal organ responsible for the detoxification of exogenous and endogenous toxins, xenobiotics, and viruses and bacteria, making it susceptible to damage by various chemicals and metabolites that enter the body. In clinical relevance, Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major global health concern, being the sixth most common cancer worldwide and third leading cause of cancer-related death. HCC accounts for 85–90% of liver cancers globally. Texas is projected to have the second-highest liver cancer-related deaths, with Hispanic populations experiencing the highest mortality rates. The liver, a vital metabolic organ, is particularly vulnerable to stress-induced damage. According to the ACS 2024, the USA is expected to report 41,630 new cases and 29,840 deaths from HCC. In the South Texas Rio Grande Valley (RGV), where ~90% of the population is Latino/Hispanic, socioeconomic disparities, poverty, obesity, diabetes, and low-income levels contribute to a high prevalence of stress. Stress exacerbates cancer progression by impairing immune responses, triggering inflammation, and activating the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis, which releases cortisol and leptin, known to influence oncogenesis. These stressors can significantly affect liver function, hastening HCC progression. Critical need for targeted therapies in stress-associated HCC growing importance of natural compounds in cancer treatment, Silymarin as a promising hepatoprotective agent in HCC. The therapeutic Potential of Silymarin, a flavonolignan complex derived from Silybum marianum (milk thistle), has demonstrated hepatoprotective and anticancer properties. Its historical use in liver diseases, such as cirrhosis and hepatitis, underscores its potential as a therapeutic agent in HCC. Studies indicate its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-fibrotic properties, which are essential in mitigating stress-induced liver damage. Methods: Proteins, pathways associated with stress were identified through liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and analysis the data by proteome discoverer 2.5 software. HCC cell lines were treated with cortisol and leptin to simulate acute and chronic stress conditions. Gene expression was analyzed via reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and overexpression models were established using lentiviral vectors. Further identified genes/proteins from stress-treated and silymarin-treated in SKHep1 cell lines with control were validated by RT-PCR, western blot and Immunohistochemistry analysis. Results: We identified more than 4150 proteins from stress-treated and silymarin-treated in SKhep1 lines with control via LC-MS analysis and focused/target on previously identified eleven key stress-associated proteins, including IPO7, BASP1, SCFD1, TIPRL, SCL25, SERPINB6, TRMT2, and HSP90B1 from Malat1 overexpression cell lines and were validated in leptin, cortisol and Silymarin-treated in SK-Hep1 cells. The Quan ratio and Quan channel values by LC-MS analysis and the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database analysis confirmed these findings in HCC patient cohorts. Notably, silymarin significantly reduced stress-response gene expression in treated SK-Hep1 cells while sparing untreated parental cells. Further pathway analyses and validation in knockdown models are ongoing to elucidate mechanisms underlying these effects. Conclusion: Novel therapeutic approach of silymarin as a potential therapeutic agent significantly demonstrated hepatoprotective effects through antioxidant properties. Silymarin effectively downregulated cortisol- and leptin-induced stress-response proteins in SK-Hep1 cells, highlighting its therapeutic potential in stress-associated HCC while developing precision therapy approaches for improved patient outcomes. These findings underscore silymarin\u27s role in targeting novel molecular pathways, offering promising strategies to address HCC disparities in underserved populations in the RGV. This research aims to improve outcomes and reduce mortality among high-risk groups, addressing a critical healthcare challenge in Texas and Worldwide

Patterns and Outcomes in Urotrauma: An Analysis of Fatality Trends and Contributing Factors

Background: Urotrauma, involving injuries to the kidneys, ureters, and bladder, represents a critical subset of trauma cases, significantly impacting patient morbidity and mortality. Renal and urogenital injuries account for 10–20% of abdominal trauma in adults and children. Understanding urotrauma\u27s epidemiology is vital for improving care protocols and resource allocation. Despite its impact, data on injury mechanisms, intent, and care modalities specific to urotrauma remain limited. This study investigates patterns in injury mechanisms, intent, transport modalities, and facility transfer status to identify factors influencing patient outcomes and inform trauma care improvements. Methods: A retrospective review analyzed 3,492 trauma cases, filtered for urotrauma using ICD-10 codes (S37.01–S37.23). Variables included intent (unintentional, self-harm, assault), transport modalities (fixed-wing, helicopter, ground ambulance), and facility transfer status (transfer vs. non-transfer). Statistical analyses assessed fatality rates and identified patterns among injury mechanisms, transport methods, and demographics. Results: Self-harm cases had the highest fatality rate (21.01%), followed by legal/war-related injuries (13.01%) and undetermined cases (12.76%). Unintentional injuries, the majority of cases, had a lower fatality rate (2.95%). Fixed-wing and helicopter transports were associated with higher fatality rates (8.09% and 7.33%, respectively) compared to ground ambulances (3.26%). Walk-in and private/public vehicle transports reported no fatalities but were rare. Non-transfer cases experienced a higher fatality rate (3.78%) than transfer cases (2.63%), suggesting disparities in care access. Motor vehicle occupant injuries accounted for 39% of urotrauma cases. Combined with firearms, falls, motorcyclist, and pedestrian injuries, these mechanisms represented over 80% of cases. Passenger injuries in motor vehicle collisions were the most frequent. Young adults had a high absolute fatality count but lower rates due to better baseline health, while adults showed slightly higher fatality rates, though not statistically significant Conclusions: This study provides a valuable snapshot into the patterns and outcomes of urotrauma which emphasizes the need for focused interventions to address high-risk scenarios - including self-harm and critical transport modalities. The higher fatality rates among non-transfer cases highlight potential disparities in access to specialized care, underscoring the importance of ensuring equitable access to trauma resources. Public health efforts such as targeting common mechanisms of injury -like improving motor vehicle safety and implementing firearm injury prevention programs could reduce the overall burden of urotrauma. These findings could serve as a foundation for refining trauma care protocols and advancing healthcare equity. Future research should explore resource disparities in trauma facilities and evaluate the impact of targeted interventions on improving patient outcomes

MD Anderson RADIATE - An end-to-end research platform to drive radiopharmaceutical therapeutics discovery

Purpose: Radiopharmaceutical (RP) theranostic represents a promising paradigm for personalized medicine and has been hailed by some as the future of cancer treatment.Following landmark clinical data showing improved patient outcomes, the subsequent approvals of Lutathera (177Lu-dotatate; Novartis) and Pluvicto (177Lu-vipivotide tetraxetan; Novartis) have illuminated the tremendous potential of radionuclide therapy in well-selected patients. Encouraged by these developments, we have developed a research-driven platform that provides the scientific vision and technical resources to discover, mature, and translate innovative radiopharmaceutical (RP) therapeutics and companion diagnostics on an industry-scale. Termed RADIATE, we believe that our broadly engaged end-to-end Therapeutics Discovery Research Platform enables us to collaborate with stakeholders, including those in vastly under-sourced communities to advance their research and promotes equity outreach to those communities of high health disparities. Description: RADIATE (Radiopharmaceuticals for Advanced Diagnostic Imaging And ThErapy) is a comprehensive program, integrating basic, translational, and clinical research to deliver next-generation RP assets. The mission of RADIATE is: ‘to discover, translate, and leverage innovative radiopharmaceuticals to transform the care of patients with cancer’. The overarching goals of RADIATE ensure opportunities for impactful collaboration with industry, academic, and governmental partners. Our prioritized research programs include target prioritization, pharmacophore development, isotope production, radiochemistry, preclinical model development and evaluation, and translation to early-phase clinical trials. Partners: Among the key strengths of the RADIATE program is our strategic alliance with leading field experts at MD Anderson and outside collaborators, including leaders in proteomics, data science (AI), leaders in well-established programs such as IACS and TRACTION, and front-line clinicians that help advance our RP discovery and development. The MD Anderson core RADIATE infrastructure benefits from close affiliations with the Small Animal Imaging Facility and South Campus Human Research Imaging Facility, both in close proximity, thus positioning us with concept-to-clinic capabilities. (Figure 1) Looking Ahead: Our vision for RADIATE is to drive breakthroughs in theranostics discovery, increase the value and impact of radionuclide therapy, and enhance patient reach, including those in communities of high health disparities. We offer an armamentarium of resources that will benefit prospective collaborators, especially those in disproportionately sourced communities, and to further advance the next-generation of RPs for transformative patient care

Comparative Impact of SGLT2 Inhibitors and Emerging Therapies on Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction

Background: Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) presents significant clinical and therapeutic challenges. This is especially true when patients have comorbidities such as type 2 diabetes (T2D) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) have shown efficacy in managing HFpEF by reducing hospitalizations, improving cardiovascular outcomes, an enhancing quality of life. This systematic review synthesized evidence from recent studies to evaluate the impact of SGLT2 is and adjunct therapies in management of HFpEF. Methods: We systematically reviewed abstracts from PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Cochrane Library that investigated the efficacy of SGLT2is (dapagliflozin, empagliflozin, tofogliflozin) in patients with HFpEF. From 75 original articles with strict inclusion criteria 25 original research articles were identified. We focused on hospitalizations for heart failure (HHF), cardiovascular (CV) mortality, quality of life metrics, and biomarker changes. Results: Dapagliflozin and empagliflozin significantly reduced HHF and CV mortality in HFpEF patients. In DELIVER and EMPEROR-Preserved trails, empagliflozin was shown to reduce the composite outcomes of HHF and CV mortality with hazard ratios of 0.79 and 0.77 respectively. Dapagliflozin reduced NT-proBNP levels, improved ejection fraction, and led to weight loss in HFpEF patients. Semaglutide was shown to reduce HF-related events and CV mortality in a T2D and CKD population. This was with hazard ratios of 0.73 for composite and isolated HF events. SGLT2is improved Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) scores and dapagliflozin showed the largest gains in HFpEF patients that had a high BMI. Empagliflozin improved frailty indices and quality of life measures over the 12 to 52 weeks of treatment. Lokelma allowed for up-titration of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors in hyperkalemic HF patients with CKD. Empagliflozin showed reductions in the risk on anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity in cancer patients with high risks of HF. SGLT2is demonstrated consistent efficacy across geographic regions and demographic variations. North America showed higher baseline event rates, but similar relative risk reduction. Conclusion: SGLT2is, especially dapagliflozin and empagliflozin, reduce HHF, CV mortality, and enhance quality of life in HFpEF patients. Adjunct therapies like Lokelma and semaglutide allow for targeted benefits in hyperkalemia and T2D-related HFpEF cases. Future research should focus on refining therapeutic strategies and including combining SGLT2is with novel agents. This would allow for outcomes to be maximized in diverse patient populations

Visualizing Methane-Cycling Microbial Dynamics in Coastal Wetlands

Coastal wetlands are the largest biotic source of methane, where methanogens convert organic matter into methane and methanotrophs oxidize methane, thus playing a critical role in regulating the methane cycle. The wetlands in South Texas, which are subject to frequent weather events, fluctuating salinity levels, and anthropogenic activities due to climate change, influence methane cycling. Despite the ecological importance of these processes, methane cycling in South Texas coastal wetlands remains insufficiently explored. To address this gap, we developed and optimized a method for detecting genes related to methanogens and methanotrophs, including mcrA as a biomarker for methanogens and pmoA1, pmoA2, and mmoX as biomarkers for methanotrophs. Additionally, this study aimed to visualize the spatial and temporal distribution patterns of methanogen and methanotroph abundance utilizing the geographic information system (GIS) software ArcGIS Pro. The integration of these molecular techniques with advanced geospatial visualization provided critical insights into the spatial and temporal distribution of methanogen and methanotroph communities across South Texas wetlands. Thus, the methodology established in this study offers a robust framework for mapping microbial dynamics in wetlands, enhancing our understanding of methane cycling under varying environmental conditions, and supporting broader ecological and environmental change studies

Deaf History Month

Collection of posters created for National Deaf History Month. Poster topics include: General Books, Streaming Films, and Curated Open Access Research Resources created by UTRGV faculty and graduate students. Book and video covers are hyperlinked.https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/librarydisplayposters/1084/thumbnail.jp