The Role of Ca2+/Calmodulin Dependent Protein Kinase II, CaMK-II, in Kidney Morphogenesis

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is one of the most common heritable diseases in the world, characterized by the development of large fluid filled cyst. Treatments for this disease are limited due to a lack of understanding of disease pathogenesis. Ca2+/calmodulin dependent protein kinase II (CaMK-II) is necessary for kidney morphogenesis in zebrafish as well as being a downstream effector of pkd2, one of the genes most commonly mutated in ADPKD patients. The roles of CaMK-II during zebrafish kidney development include regulation of kidney cell migration as well as cloacal cilia stability. The influence of CaMK-II on these pathways is partially dependent on its regulation of HDAC4 localization. Inhibition of CaMK-II caused the translocation of HDAC4 from the cytosol to the nucleus, leading to the model that CaMK-II activation via PKD2 retains HDAC4 in the cytosol allowing for transcription of its target genes. Further studies attempted with a zebrafish camk2g1 mutant proved inconclusive as mutants displayed none of the phenotypic defects seen in morphant embryos. Analysis of CaMK-II gene expression in camk2g1 mutants identified the capability of genetic compensation between CaMK-II family members. In camk2g1 mutants, the paralog gene camk2g2 is upregulated over 3 fold, compensating for the loss of its paralog gene. In conclusion, this study has furthered the understanding of the roles of CaMK-II during kidney development and demonstrated the ability of CaMK-II family members to compensate for one other. In addition, this study also further validates the uses of knockdown methods in developmental studies

Patient Engagement in Patient Portals in Appalachia v. Surrounding U.S. Census Regions: An Analysis of HINTS (Health Information National Trends Survey) Data, 2017–2020

Introduction: Those living in the Appalachian Region face a greater number of significant health disparities than residents of other areas of the U.S. Patient portals can decrease disparities, increase health literacy, and improve health outcomes. Purpose: This study explores if those living in the Appalachian Region are offered access to and use their patient portals differently than those in the surrounding U.S. Census regions. Additionally, the study aims to determine if there was a difference in reported reasons for the non-use of patient portals. Methods: A secondary analysis was completed using data from the National Cancer Institute\u27s Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) (2017–2020), a nationally representative survey. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were used to determine differences in patient portal use between regions. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the Appalachian and surrounding U.S. Census regions in being offered access to patient portals. However, there was a statistically significant difference (non-weighted) between regions in the use of patient portals. Common reasons for the non-use of patient portals were a preference to speak directly to the provider and the lack of perceived need to use the portal. Implications: Providers in the Appalachian Region should be aware of the non-use of patient portals. Moreover, understanding the reported reasons for non-use may help providers tailor educational materials to increase patient portal use

Experiences of Health System Preceptors and Faculty Advisors with Community Service-Learning Initiatives: Learning from the Dalhousie University Drug Use Management and Policy Residency Program

From 2001 to 2011, an innovative approach to pharmaceutical policy and drug use management graduate education—the Drug Use Management and Policy Residency Program—was developed and implemented by the College of Pharmacy at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. This in-depth qualitative assessment of the experience of faculty members and site preceptors who guided residents in their 17-week placements identifies components, characteristics, strategies, and principles associated with successful service-learning initiatives and provides guidance around the development of programs in other jurisdictions.

The Parthenon, October 24, 2018

The Parthenon, Marshall University’s student newspaper, was published by students Monday through Friday during the regular semester and weekly on Thursdays during the summer. Due to budgetary constraints, beginning with the 2018 Fall semester, the newspaper is only published one day a week. The editorial staff is responsible for the news and the editorial content

The Parthenon, October 10, 2018

The Parthenon, Marshall University’s student newspaper, was published by students Monday through Friday during the regular semester and weekly on Thursdays during the summer. Due to budgetary constraints, beginning with the 2018 Fall semester, the newspaper is only published one day a week. The editorial staff is responsible for the news and the editorial content

The Parthenon, September 5, 2018

The Parthenon, Marshall University’s student newspaper, was published by students Monday through Friday during the regular semester and weekly on Thursdays during the summer. Due to budgetary constraints, beginning with the 2018 Fall semester, the newspaper is only published one day a week. The editorial staff is responsible for the news and the editorial content

The Parthenon, October 3, 2018

The Parthenon, Marshall University’s student newspaper, was published by students Monday through Friday during the regular semester and weekly on Thursdays during the summer. Due to budgetary constraints, beginning with the 2018 Fall semester, the newspaper is only published one day a week. The editorial staff is responsible for the news and the editorial content

The Parthenon, December 5, 2018

The Parthenon, Marshall University’s student newspaper, was published by students Monday through Friday during the regular semester and weekly on Thursdays during the summer. Due to budgetary constraints, beginning with the 2018 Fall semester, the newspaper is only published one day a week. The editorial staff is responsible for the news and the editorial content