Whole Body Learning in the Classroom

Students with special needs benefit from various modifications and accommodations in the classroom. Due to their specific sensory needs our students thrive in a classroom environment that supports “whole body learning.” This presentation will offer examples of how to best support students in the classroom to not only reach their learning potential but also encourage positive behaviors, social skills, and coping strategies

Effect of rising sea levels on the geochemistry of coastal soils in Southern Australia

In coming decades, sea level rise will increasingly cause ecosystem change in coastal nearshore environments. Seawater will inundate intertidal and supratidal zones more frequently and for longer durations, some for the first time in nearly 3000 years. Sea level rise will both increase flooding and inundation over the short term, but also cause more long-term progressive inundation through the current unsaturated zone. Little is currently known about how the soil and shallow groundwater will change geochemically from seawater inundation over both these timescales. This thesis aimed to investigate the effect of both short term and long-term inundation of seawater on coastal soils in temperate Southern Australia using a suite of novel approaches. Chapter 2 details a novel ‘collision cell’ based ICP-MS/MS approach which was developed to determine the sulfur isotope abundances (i.e., 34S/32S ratios, expressed as δ34S) in natural waters rapidly, accurately and with minimal sample preparation. The ICP-MS/MS approach was then used to investigate the δ34S signature of porewaters from a variety of coastal systems in South Australia (including acid sulfate soils), and importantly observe how the δ34S isotope ratio ‘shifts’ to that of seawater when inundated. This novel approach increases the applicability of sulfur isotope analysis to trace seawater inundation. This research titled “A simple and rapid ICP-MS/MS determination of sulfur isotope ratios (34S/32S) in complex natural waters: A new tool for tracing seawater intrusion in coastal systems” was published in Talanta https://doi.org/10.1016/j.talanta.2021.122708 Chapter 3 details an experiment where 12 soils from three distinct environments in South Australia (fresh water streams and lakes; hypersaline saltmarsh and mangroves; acid sulfate soils) were inundated with seawater over a two week period under laboratory conditions, to replicate a short-term storm surge. All soils in the experiment are predicted to be affected by sea level rise in the next 20 years. Dissimilatory reductive dissolution of Mn-oxides and Fe oxyhydroxides and competitive ion exchange processes were two important phenomena which instigated a rapid increases in metal and metalloid concentrations in soil porewaters following seawater inundation, particularly in freshwater environments and in acid sulfate soils. This research titled “Short-term seawater inundation induces metal mobilisation in freshwater and acid sulfate soil environments” was published in Chemosphere https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.134383 Chapter 4 details a long term (540 day) laboratory experiment where the progressive sea level rise through coastal soils was investigated by slowly inundating intact soil columns with seawater from the ‘bottom up’. This experiment gave new insights into the biogeochemical cycling of sulfur and iron in soils experiencing seawater inundation from sea level rise over longer timescales, and the geochemical conditions to which sulfidization (due to in-situ sulfate reduction) will affect coastal soils over time following progressive seawater inundation. This research titled “Controls on sulfide accumulation in coastal soils during simulated sea level rise” is under review in Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta. In Chapter 5, the data collected from the above experiments was used to formulate hydro-geochemical models using PHREEQC to help predict changes in coastal soils and shallow groundwater following sea water inundation at longer time scales and with different soil properties (reactive iron oxide and organic carbon content). Chapter 6 summaries the overall findings and provides suggestions for future research.Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Biological Sciences, 202

APC loss in breast cancer leads to doxorubicin resistance via STAT3 activation

Resistance to chemotherapy is one of the leading causes of death from breast cancer. We recently established that loss of Adenomatous Polyposis Coli (APC) in the Mouse Mammary Tumor Virus – Polyoma middle T (MMTV-PyMT) transgenic mouse model results in resistance to cisplatin or doxorubicin-induced apoptosis. Herein, we aim to establish the mechanism that is responsible for APC-mediated chemotherapeutic resistance. Our data demonstrate that MMTV-PyMT;ApcMin/+ cells have increased signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) activation. STAT3 can be constitutively activated in breast cancer, maintains the tumor initiating cell (TIC) population, and upregulates multidrug resistance protein 1 (MDR1). The activation of STAT3 in the MMTV-PyMT;ApcMin/+ model is independent of interleukin 6 (IL-6); however, enhanced EGFR expression in the MMTV-PyMT;ApcMin/+ cells may be responsible for the increased STAT3 activation. Inhibiting STAT3 with a small molecule inhibitor A69 in combination with doxorubicin, but not cisplatin, restores drug sensitivity. A69 also decreases doxorubicin enhanced MDR1 gene expression and the TIC population enhanced by loss of APC. In summary, these results have revealed the molecular mechanisms of APC loss in breast cancer that can guide future treatment plans to counteract chemotherapeutic resistance

Novel M4 Pediatrics Chief Program Utilizing Near-peer Teaching and Mentoring to Enhance Clerkship Curricula

Introduction: Near-peer teachers add many benefits to the academic, clinical performance, and enjoyment of near-peer learners in medical education. This enterprise describes and examines how the Creighton University School of Medicine M4 Pediatrics Chief Program fills a gap in medical education by offering an organized and formal methodology for near-peer teaching. The Creighton University M4 Pediatrics Chief Program utilizes select fourth year medical students to orient, teach basic clinical skills, mentor, and participate in curriculum development for the third year Pediatric clerkship students. Methods: Third year students (n=43) in their Pediatrics clerkship from September 2020 to February 2021 completed surveys at the end of the clerkship to assess the quality and effectiveness of the M4 Pediatrics Chief Program. Results: Students rated effectiveness of the Chiefs most highly as clerkship guides (4.29, SD=0.79), teachers (4.21, SD=0.92), and mentors (4.19, SD=0.75). Near-peer perspectives, education, provision of pertinent content, serving as a clerkship resource, and being a source of encouragement were the most beneficial aspects of the program. Students reported strong agreement all clerkships should have an M4 Chief Program (4.53, SD=0.88). Discussion: Because of the positive reviews by the third years students, the M4 Pediatrics Chief Program is now a permanent part of the Pediatric Clerkship. Additionally, other third year clerkships at Creighton University School of Medicine are adopting this model. Finally, the M4 students acting as the chiefs gain valuable leadership and educational skills. Conclusion: Based on positive perceptions of the “M4 Chief Program”, the authors recommend other medical schools consider initiating similar programs within their third year clerkships.https://digitalcommons.unmc.edu/chri_forum/1037/thumbnail.jp

Heterogeneous cortical atrophy patterns in MCI not captured by conventional diagnostic criteria

ObjectiveWe investigated differences in regional cortical thickness between previously identified empirically derived mild cognitive impairment (MCI) subtypes (amnestic MCI, dysnomic MCI, dysexecutive/mixed MCI, and cluster-derived normal) in order to determine whether these cognitive subtypes would show different patterns of cortical atrophy.MethodsParticipants were 485 individuals diagnosed with MCI and 178 cognitively normal individuals from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative. Cortical thickness estimates were computed for 32 regions of interest per hemisphere. Statistical group maps compared each MCI subtype to cognitively normal participants and to one another.ResultsThe pattern of cortical thinning observed in each MCI subtype corresponded to their cognitive profile. No differences in cortical thickness were found between the cluster-derived normal MCI subtype and the cognitively normal group. Direct comparison between MCI subtypes suggested that the cortical thickness patterns reflect increasing disease severity.ConclusionsThere is an ordered pattern of cortical atrophy among patients with MCI that coincides with their profiles of increasing cognitive dysfunction. This heterogeneity is not captured when patients are grouped by conventional diagnostic criteria. Results in the cluster-derived normal group further support the premise that the conventional MCI diagnostic criteria are highly susceptible to false-positive diagnostic errors. Findings suggest a need to (1) improve the diagnostic criteria by reducing reliance on conventional screening measures, rating scales, and a single memory measure in order to avoid false-positive errors; and (2) divide MCI samples into meaningful subgroups based on cognitive and biomarkers profiles-a method that may provide better staging of MCI and inform prognosis

Alkalinity and elemental cycles in present and past ocean: Insight from geochemical modeling and alkali and alkaline earth metal isotopes

This chapter provides an overview of near-surface geochemical processes operating on Earth, with special emphasis placed on (i) marine weathering such as alteration and dissolution of silicates, carbonates and terrigenous riverine particles in the ocean, complemented by (ii) reverse weathering reactions leading to marine authigenic clay formation, and the impact of these phenomena on ocean alkalinity budget and the chemical and isotope composition of seawater. Model simulations of the above processes provide estimates of the global marine fluxes of major cations (Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+) and alkalinity in the ocean induced by silicate weathering and dissolution of terrigenous material in seawater. Additional constraints on silicate vs. carbonate weathering, oceanic/coastal CaCO3 cycling, and paleo-seawater reconstructions are provided via the stable and radiogenic isotope systems of alkali and alkaline earth metals (Li, K, Mg, Ca, and Sr isotopes) that are discussed within the context of marine and reverse weathering in the present and past ocean. Key points • Impact of weathering processes on marine elemental cycles and the ocean alkalinity budget. • Alteration and dissolution of silicate minerals and riverine particles in the ocean quantified via thermodynamic equilibrium (PHREEQC) calculations, in seawater and top sediment settings. • Estimates of global ocean fluxes of dissolved cations (Na+ , K+ , Mg 2+ , Ca2+ ) and alkalinity induced by alteration and dissolution of terrigenous material in seawater and marine sediments. • Principles and mechanisms of isotope variability in nature (mass-dependent and radiogenic isotope effects) observed for alkali and alkaline earth metals. • Silicate vs. carbonate weathering and coastal carbon/carbonate cycling constrained via stable and radiogenic Ca and Sr, and Li isotopes. • Oceanic processes, marine carbonate chemistry (alkalinization vs. acidification), and paleo-seawater reconstructions constrained via d44 Ca, d88 Sr, d26 Mg proxies and numerical (MATLAB) modeling. • Emerging metal isotope proxies (d41 K) for silicate and reverse weathering in the ocean

HIV Stigma and Its Associations with Longitudinal Health Outcomes Among Persons Living with HIV with a History of Unhealthy Alcohol Use

This study examined the demographic and clinical correlates of HIV stigma and evaluated how HIV stigma was associated with physical and mental health outcomes one year later in a primary-care based cohort of persons living with HIV (PLHIV; N = 584). HIV stigma was measured using a modified Berger HIV stigma scale, which includes four subscales: (1) personalized stigma; (2) disclosure concerns; (3) negative self-image; and (4) concerns around public attitudes towards PLHIV. Physical and mental health were assessed using the 12-item short form survey (SF-12). Compared to whites, African Americans were more likely to have higher personalized stigma scores (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR] 1.54 [95% confidence interval 1.10-2.15]), disclosure concerns (aPR 1.40 [1.03-1.92]), and concerns with public attitudes about PLHIV (aPR 1.61 [1.11-2.34]). Hispanic/Latinx participants were more likely to have concerns around public attitudes towards PLHIV (aPR 1.50 [1.11-2.02]) than whites. Compared to men, women were more likely to have higher negative self-image scores (aPR 1.50 [1.08-2.08]). Higher stigma scores were associated with poorer subsequent self-reported physical and mental health functional status. Our findings highlight the substantial need for addressing HIV stigma, particularly among minority subgroups

Heterogeneous cortical atrophy patterns in MCI not captured by conventional diagnostic criteria

Objective: We investigated differences in regional cortical thickness between previously identified empirically derived mild cognitive impairment (MCI) subtypes (amnestic MCI, dysnomic MCI, dysexecutive/mixed MCI, and cluster-derived normal) in order to determine whether these cognitive subtypes would show different patterns of cortical atrophy. Methods: Participants were 485 individuals diagnosed with MCI and 178 cognitively normal individuals from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative. Cortical thickness estimates were computed for 32 regions of interest per hemisphere. Statistical group maps compared each MCI subtype to cognitively normal participants and to one another. Results: The pattern of cortical thinning observed in each MCI subtype corresponded to their cognitive profile. No differences in cortical thickness were found between the cluster-derived normal MCI subtype and the cognitively normal group. Direct comparison between MCI subtypes suggested that the cortical thickness patterns reflect increasing disease severity. Conclusions: There is an ordered pattern of cortical atrophy among patients with MCI that coincides with their profiles of increasing cognitive dysfunction. This heterogeneity is not captured when patients are grouped by conventional diagnostic criteria. Results in the cluster-derived normal group further support the premise that the conventional MCI diagnostic criteria are highly susceptible to false-positive diagnostic errors. Findings suggest a need to (1) improve the diagnostic criteria by reducing reliance on conventional screening measures, rating scales, and a single memory measure in order to avoid false-positive errors; and (2) divide MCI samples into meaningful subgroups based on cognitive and biomarkers profiles—a method that may provide better staging of MCI and inform prognosis. Neurology® 2016;87:2108–211

Changes in Days of Unhealthy Alcohol Use and Antiretroviral Therapy Adherence, HIV RNA Levels, and Condomless Sex: A Secondary Analysis of Clinical Trial Data.

In a sample of people with HIV (PWH) enrolled in an alcohol intervention trial and followed for 12 months, we examined the association of changes in days (i.e., decrease, increase, no change [reference]) of unhealthy drinking (consuming ≥ 4/≥ 5 drinks for women/men) with antiretroviral therapy adherence (≥ 95% adherent), viral suppression (HIV RNA < 75 copies/mL), condomless sex with HIV-negative/unknown status partners, and dual-risk outcome (HIV RNA ≥ 75 copies/mL plus condomless sex). The sample included 566 PWH (96.8% male; 63.1% White; 93.9% HIV RNA < 75 copies/mL) who completed baseline, 6-, and 12-month assessments. Decrease in days of unhealthy drinking was associated with increased likelihood of viral suppression (odds ratio [OR] 3.78; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.06, 13.51, P = .04) versus no change. Increase in days of unhealthy drinking was associated with increased likelihood of condomless sex (OR 3.13; 95% CI 1.60, 6.12, P < .001). Neither increase nor decrease were associated with adherence or dual-risk outcome. On a continuous scale, for each increase by 1 day of unhealthy drinking in the prior month, the odds of being 95% adherent decreased by 6% (OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.88, 1.00, P = 0.04)