DU Undergraduate Showcase: Research, Scholarship, and Creative Works: Abstracts

Abstracts from the DU Undergraduate Showcase

Climate change and health in Southeast Asia – defining research priorities and the role of the Wellcome Trust Africa Asia Programmes

This article summarises a recent virtual meeting organised by the Oxford University Clinical Research Unit in Vietnam on the topic of climate change and health, bringing local partners, faculty and external collaborators together from across the Wellcome and Oxford networks. Attendees included invited local and global climate scientists, clinicians, modelers, epidemiologists and community engagement practitioners, with a view to setting priorities, identifying synergies and fostering collaborations to help define the regional climate and health research agenda. In this summary paper, we outline the major themes and topics that were identified and what will be needed to take forward this research for the next decade. We aim to take a broad, collaborative approach to including climate science in our current portfolio where it touches on infectious diseases now, and more broadly in our future research directions. We will focus on strengthening our research portfolio on climate-sensitive diseases, and supplement this with high quality data obtained from internal studies and external collaborations, obtained by multiple methods, ranging from traditional epidemiology to innovative technology and artificial intelligence and community-led research. Through timely agenda setting and involvement of local stakeholders, we aim to help support and shape research into global heating and health in the region.</ns4:p

Climate change and health in Southeast Asia – defining research priorities and the role of the Wellcome Trust Africa Asia Programmes

This article summarises a recent virtual meeting organised by the Oxford University Clinical Research Unit in Vietnam on the topic of climate change and health, bringing local partners, faculty and external collaborators together from across the Wellcome and Oxford networks. Attendees included invited local and global climate scientists, clinicians, modelers, epidemiologists and community engagement practitioners, with a view to setting priorities, identifying synergies and fostering collaborations to help define the regional climate and health research agenda. In this summary paper, we outline the major themes and topics that were identified and what will be needed to take forward this research for the next decade. We aim to take a broad, collaborative approach to including climate science in our current portfolio where it touches on infectious diseases now, and more broadly in our future research directions. We will focus on strengthening our research portfolio on climate-sensitive diseases, and supplement this with high quality data obtained from internal studies and external collaborations, obtained by multiple methods, ranging from traditional epidemiology to innovative technology and artificial intelligence and community-led research. Through timely agenda setting and involvement of local stakeholders, we aim to help support and shape research into global heating and health in the region

The genetic architecture of the human cerebral cortex

The cerebral cortex underlies our complex cognitive capabilities, yet little is known about the specific genetic loci that influence human cortical structure. To identify genetic variants that affect cortical structure, we conducted a genome-wide association meta-analysis of brain magnetic resonance imaging data from 51,665 individuals. We analyzed the surface area and average thickness of the whole cortex and 34 regions with known functional specializations. We identified 199 significant loci and found significant enrichment for loci influencing total surface area within regulatory elements that are active during prenatal cortical development, supporting the radial unit hypothesis. Loci that affect regional surface area cluster near genes in Wnt signaling pathways, which influence progenitor expansion and areal identity. Variation in cortical structure is genetically correlated with cognitive function, Parkinson's disease, insomnia, depression, neuroticism, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Safety and efficacy of fluoxetine on functional outcome after acute stroke (AFFINITY): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Background Trials of fluoxetine for recovery after stroke report conflicting results. The Assessment oF FluoxetINe In sTroke recoverY (AFFINITY) trial aimed to show if daily oral fluoxetine for 6 months after stroke improves functional outcome in an ethnically diverse population. Methods AFFINITY was a randomised, parallel-group, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial done in 43 hospital stroke units in Australia (n=29), New Zealand (four), and Vietnam (ten). Eligible patients were adults (aged ≥18 years) with a clinical diagnosis of acute stroke in the previous 2–15 days, brain imaging consistent with ischaemic or haemorrhagic stroke, and a persisting neurological deficit that produced a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 1 or more. Patients were randomly assigned 1:1 via a web-based system using a minimisation algorithm to once daily, oral fluoxetine 20 mg capsules or matching placebo for 6 months. Patients, carers, investigators, and outcome assessors were masked to the treatment allocation. The primary outcome was functional status, measured by the mRS, at 6 months. The primary analysis was an ordinal logistic regression of the mRS at 6 months, adjusted for minimisation variables. Primary and safety analyses were done according to the patient's treatment allocation. The trial is registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, ACTRN12611000774921. Findings Between Jan 11, 2013, and June 30, 2019, 1280 patients were recruited in Australia (n=532), New Zealand (n=42), and Vietnam (n=706), of whom 642 were randomly assigned to fluoxetine and 638 were randomly assigned to placebo. Mean duration of trial treatment was 167 days (SD 48·1). At 6 months, mRS data were available in 624 (97%) patients in the fluoxetine group and 632 (99%) in the placebo group. The distribution of mRS categories was similar in the fluoxetine and placebo groups (adjusted common odds ratio 0·94, 95% CI 0·76–1·15; p=0·53). Compared with patients in the placebo group, patients in the fluoxetine group had more falls (20 [3%] vs seven [1%]; p=0·018), bone fractures (19 [3%] vs six [1%]; p=0·014), and epileptic seizures (ten [2%] vs two [<1%]; p=0·038) at 6 months. Interpretation Oral fluoxetine 20 mg daily for 6 months after acute stroke did not improve functional outcome and increased the risk of falls, bone fractures, and epileptic seizures. These results do not support the use of fluoxetine to improve functional outcome after stroke

Incidence of Optic Disc Drusen in Patients with Papilledema

Optic disc drusen (ODD) are congenital acellular proteinaceous deposits of the optic nerve head and have a prevalence of 3.7% in adults and 1.0% in the pediatric population. ODD can cause elevation of the optic nerve head, mimicking the appearance of disc edema, and are a common cause of pseudopapilledema, a condition that is not vision threatening. In contrast, papilledema is potentially vision threatening optic disc swelling caused by elevated intracranial pressure. Historically, ODD and papilledema have been viewed as 2 distinct disease processes; however, a higher prevalence of ODD in children with papilledema has been reported. We hypothesize that ODD are non-coincidental sequelae of papilledema. Our aim is to estimate the incidence of ODD in adult and pediatric patients with papilledema

RNA molecular recording with an engineered RNA deaminase

RNA deaminases are powerful tools for base editing and RNA molecular recording. However, the enzymes used in currently available RNA molecular recorders such as TRIBE, DART or STAMP have limitations due to RNA structure and sequence dependence. We designed a platform for directed evolution of RNA molecular recorders. We engineered an RNA A-to-I deaminase (an RNA adenosine base editor, rABE) that has high activity, low bias and low background. Using rABE, we present REMORA (RNA-encoded molecular recording in adenosines), wherein deamination by rABE writes a molecular record of RNA–protein interactions. By combining rABE with the C-to-U deaminase APOBEC1 and long-read RNA sequencing, we measured binding by two RNA-binding proteins on single messenger RNAs. Orthogonal RNA molecular recording of mammalian Pumilio proteins PUM1 and PUM2 shows that PUM1 competes with PUM2 for a subset of sites in cells. Furthermore, we identify transcript isoform-specific RNA–protein interactions driven by isoform changes distal to the binding site. The genetically encodable RNA deaminase rABE enables single-molecule identification of RNA–protein interactions with cell type specificity.6 month embargo; first published: 19 October 2023This item from the UA Faculty Publications collection is made available by the University of Arizona with support from the University of Arizona Libraries. If you have questions, please contact us at [email protected]

The Perfect Garden

With hands-on work in the Chris Robb Garden, we researched what was the best method for preparing a proper organic garden. After the garden was created in 2012, Dr. Brunell and his students are still researching the best method for creating a productive, pesticide-free, all-natural garden that produces a variety of delicious, high-yield produce in addition to maintaining the soil’s health. To research the best method to maintain the garden, we first prepared the beds for plants. Cover crops, which were planted to naturally restore nutrients and nitrogen in the soil, were removed. Then, we turned the soil to aerate it and mixed it with chicken manure and an organic soil amender called Black Gold to add more nutrients back into the soil. After starting different plants from seeds, we transplanted these seedlings to the garden and planted them into six inch deep holes about four or eight inches apart. Drip tape was used as a watering system and covers were used in the winter to protect the plants from harsh weather. This semester we harvested a variety of vegetables in great abundance, some of which included kale, Asian greens, broccoli, lettuce, collard, cabbage, kohlrabi, and peas. To waste nothing in the garden, compost piles were made using plant waste that will break down and be used as new soil and nutrients for the beds. Our harvests have gone to the school’s Farmer’s Market and dining service, Bon Appetit, every Wednesday for students, faculty, and others to buy and enjoy