Quantitative Molecular Sensing Using DNA Origami

Type I diabetes is considered a worldwide epidemic because its incidence is exponentially increasing. Current treatment of the disease requires blood glucose monitoring and intake of insulin. While there have been many medical advances in devices that monitor glucose and deliver insulin, these treatments can still lead to complications, including but not limited to debilitating hypoglycemia, neuropathy, and death, if not followed properly. To eliminate these complications, there is a need to create a novel approach for continuous and automated glucose monitoring and insulin delivery. This project seeks to address this challenge by creating a DNA nanostructure that can sense changes in the concentration of a target biomolecule. The long-term goal is to use this DNA nanostructure to detect a glucose-protein complex. The nanostructure comprises a DNA hinge with aptamers (short DNA strands with sequences that bind to a specific protein). Initial development and optimization experiments will target the protein thrombin for simplicity and easy availability. We use transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to measure the equilibrium changes in conformation of the hinge upon contact with thrombin. We initially explored two conformations of the hinge: one that opens when it comes into contact with thrombin and another that closes. Preliminary TEM results have shown that the closed structure is more efficient for detection. In the future, we plan to conduct fluorescence experiments to further optimize the protein sensor and measure real-time response. These experiments will lay the foundation for a viable long-term glucose sensor; the sensor can then be paired with a molecular release mechanism to deliver insulin. Ultimately, this type of device could serve as an automated monitoring and delivery system that would make diseases such as diabetes more manageable and eliminate many of the complications that arise from current treatments.The College of EngineeringNo embargoAcademic Major: Chemical Engineerin

Mapping of Pediatric COVID-19 Cases in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties: an Analysis of Sociodemographic Disparities

Background Numerous studies have shown a disproportionate impact of COVID-19 infection on Black and Hispanic Americans in the adult patient population. However, few studies have been done with pediatric populations. The aim of this study is to identify the prevalence and distribution of COVID-19 cases among pediatric patients in Miami-Dade and Broward counties and identify any sociodemographic disparities. Methods A total of 10,087 children/adolescents ages zero years-old to 20 years-old were tested from July 1, 2020, to December 31, 2020. ArcGIS was used to map cases and obtain sociodemographic data. SPSS software was used to determine significance of data trends and create a predictive model. Results There were 1,161 pediatric COVID-19 cases detected. White Hispanics and Black Hispanics had statically significantly higher cases when compared to White non-Hispanics and Black non-Hispanics. Percentage of households on food stamps, percentage of households below the poverty line, percentage of minority populations, and percentage of Hispanic population showed a positive correlation with detected pediatric COVID-19 cases. Alternatively, areas with higher median household incomes and higher educational status were negatively correlated with COVID-19. Percentage of Hispanic population and percentage of households below the poverty line were predictive of pediatric COVID-19 cases. Conclusion There was a disproportionate impact of pediatric COVID-19 infection on zip codes of lower socioeconomic status and increased racial/ethnic minority populations. This study demonstrates the need for public health policies that prioritize testing children/adolescents in these communities

Female Genital Mutilation: Treatment Updates and the Need for Education

INTRODUCTIONFemale genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) refers to ritual surgical procedures performed that intentionally alter genitalia for nonmedical purposes. Female genital mutilation/ cutting is a lifelong problem for women that can have detrimental effects on menstruation, pregnancy, sexual health, and self-esteem. In 2016 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated 513,000 women and children in the United States were victims of or at risk for FGM/C. Currently, few studies discuss potential management options for FGM/C and their associated complications. Aims of this study are to review contemporary research on FGM/C, discuss current surgical therapies in the pediatric and adult populations, and draw attention to the urgent need for further education. METHODSThe authors conducted a literature review using PubMed, and identified 731 articles in the adult and pediatric populations. The articles were cross-referenced with 2 systematic reviews, and duplicates were discarded. Based on our criteria, 9 articles were included. RESULTSBased on our findings, defibulation offers patients a better quality of life with a low rate of complication. Similarly, clitoral reconstruction has shown favorable results for treatment of FGM/C. Using the Female Sexual Function Index can better help standardize measurements of sexual health outcomes. Currently, established clinical guidelines are lacking and there is limited training on the recognition and treatment of FGM/C. CONCLUSIONSThis study supports clitoral reconstruction and defibulation as effective therapies for FGM/C. Reconstructive surgeons are at the forefront of developing and providing these surgical treatments. Further research including randomized controlled studies and long-term follow-up are needed to better elucidate the best therapeutic options

Identifying Populations at Risk for Child Abuse: A Nationwide Analysis

Child abuse is a national, often hidden, epidemic. The study objective was to determine at-risk populations that have been previously hospitalized prior to their admission for child abuse. The Nationwide Readmissions Database (NRD) was queried for all children hospitalized for abuse. Outcomes were previous admissions and diagnoses. χ2 analysis was used; significance equals p < 0.05. 31,153 children were hospitalized for abuse (half owing to physical abuse) during the study period. 11% (n = 3487) of these children had previous admissions (one in three to a different hospital), while 3% (n = 1069) had multiple hospitalizations. 60% of prior admissions had chronic conditions, and 12% had traumatic injuries. Children with chronic conditions were more likely to have sexual abuse (89% vs. 57%, p < 0. 001) and emotional abuse (75% vs. 60%, p < 0. 01). 25% of chronic diagnoses were psychiatric, who were also more likely to have sexual and emotional abuse (47% vs. 5.5% and 10% vs. 1%, all p < 0. 001). This study uncovers a hidden population of children with past admissions for chronic conditions, especially psychiatric diagnoses that are significantly associated with certain types of abuse. Improved measures to accurately identify at-risk children must be developed to prevent future childhood abuse and trauma. Level III. Retrospective comparative study

168 Prevalence and Severity of Sleep Disruption Amongst Asylum-Seekers in South Florida

Abstract Introduction While research suggests that asylum-seekers often present with a high level of medical and psychological needs, there is a dearth of research exploring sleep quality in this population, and, accordingly, the role that the sleep medicine community may be able to play in alleviating the suffering of this population. Therefore, this study aims to assess the prevalence of sleep disruption amongst asylum-seekers presenting to a South Florida clinic and to categorize these disruptions according to severity and type. Methods This is a cross-sectional study utilizing medical affidavits for asylum seekers in South Florida from 2018-2020 (n=54). Affidavits were reviewed for narrative descriptions of sleep quality and information from validated screeners regarding sleep; demographic information was also collected. Affidavits were excluded if they did not include itemized answers to screening questions. Results Out of 54 asylum-seekers (31% male, median age=34.5 years), 72.2% reported sleep disturbance. 38.9% reported nightmares, 66.7% reported insomnia of any type, and 29.6% reported severe insomnia. Asylum-seekers that screened positive for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were more likely to report ongoing sleep disturbance than asylum-seekers that screened negative for PTSD (p=.004). Sleep disturbance prevalence did not vary significantly by gender identity or country of origin. Conclusion This study reveals a high prevalence of sleep disruption amongst asylum-seekers in South Florida. The asylum-seekers in our study were more likely to experience insomnia than nightmares, but many experienced both; sleep disturbance was significantly associated with screening positive for PTSD. Our findings suggest that physicians working with asylum-seekers should ask about sleep quality and offer appropriate care. Directions for further research include investigating how poor sleep quality impacts the health and wellbeing of asylum-seekers. Support (if any) Non