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CANNABIS USE AMONG CANCER SURVIVORS AND THE IMPACT ON CANCER-RELATED PAIN
Get PDFWith a growing population of older adult cancer survivors—many of whom experience cancer-related pain—interest in medical cannabis as a pain management strategy has increased. This secondary analysis used data from the 2022 U.S. Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) to examine cannabis use behaviors among cancer survivors and assess associations with cancer-related pain. The study had three aims: (1) to describe 30-day cannabis use (prevalence, intensity, and administration routes) by chronic health condition and cancer diagnosis, focusing on non-melanoma skin cancer, melanoma, and other cancers; (2) to compare demographics, health characteristics, and tobacco use by cannabis use status among cancer survivors; and (3) to assess whether cannabis use was linked to cancer-related pain. Weighted descriptive, bivariate, and logistic regression analyses were conducted. Overall, 15.9% of respondents (n=12,429) reported past 30-day cannabis use, with use highest among those with chronic health conditions (excluding cancer) and lowest among cancer survivors. Non-melanoma skin cancer survivors had significantly lower cannabis use intensity than those with other chronic conditions. Cancer survivors also reported lower use of smoke, vape, and dab methods. Among survivors, current cannabis use was associated with certain demographics, poorer perceived health, and current tobacco use. Adjusted models showed that both current cannabis use and poorer health status were significantly associated with cancer-related pain. These findings highlight the importance of understanding cannabis use patterns among cancer survivors and their potential implications for pain management
The Page and the Stage: How Comics Perform
No full textComics and theatre share several, often overlooked similarities, like their unique concept of the gaze, interpretation and execution of a script, and the curation of a distinct visual language. This makes comics a viable candidate for analysis using the field of performance studies and other theatrical forms of analysis. The process of comics and how they are read is discussed before a brief literature review of performance and comics studies scholarship. Two comics, one nonfiction and one fiction, are analyzed using the key concepts from the literature review
Characterization of the Sphingolipidome in Model Organisms and Its Relevance to Neuronal Health Using Mass Spectrometry
No full textDisruptions in sphingolipid metabolism are increasingly implicated in neurodegenerative diseases, yet the utility of the sphingolipidome as a biomarker for neuronal health across diverse biological systems remains underexplored. This thesis addresses this gap by systematically evaluating sphingolipid profiles in multiple model organisms and cellular systems, aiming to establish lipidomic signatures that reflect neuronal status and disease susceptibility. In the initial phase, the environmental neurotoxin β-N-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) was employed to perturb sphingolipid homeostasis in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma and HeLa adenocarcinoma cells. Targeted mass spectrometry revealed that BMAA exposure led to the formation of a novel sphingoid base and altered the abundance of key sphingolipid classes, suggesting a direct link between environmental insult and neuronal lipid dysregulation. Building on these findings, comparative sphingolipidomic analyses were performed in yeast, zebrafish embryos, and mouse brain tissue to assess conserved and context-specific metabolic features. Yeast strains exhibited distinct sphingolipid compositions reflecting underlying biosynthetic diversity and membrane organization. In zebrafish embryos, removal of the yolk sac enabled precise delineation of endogenous sphingolipid metabolism, revealing active synthesis and remodeling in the developing nervous system. Mouse brain tissue from a neurodegenerative model displayed hallmark imbalances in sphingolipid classes. Collectively, these results demonstrate that the sphingolipidome sensitively reflects both environmental exposures and intrinsic developmental or genetic factors affecting neuronal health. This work establishes a framework for leveraging model organisms to interrogate sphingolipid metabolism and supports the use of lipidomic profiling as a tool for early detection and mechanistic study of neurodegenerative processes
Sink Into Serenity: Exploring the Healing Properties of Bathing Culture
Get PDFIn an effort to deconstruct the ideas of privacy as they’re understood in the west, this project’s concept revolves around levels of transparency and how that can eliminate barriers and feelings of shame surrounding the human body, fostering a greater sense of community through shared vulnerability
Effectiveness of zirconia-based primary anterior crowns with and without retention grooves: a randomized controlled trial
No full textPurpose: This clinical trial aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of zirconia-based primary anterior crowns with and without retention grooves in children aged 2-6 years.
Methods: Children were randomly assigned to zirconia-based primary anterior crowns either with or without retention grooves. The clinical and radiographic outcomes were evaluated based on gingival health, plaque index, secondary caries, crown failure, tooth wear of opposing teeth, and marginal integrity at a 2-week follow-up. The study utilized the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS) to evaluate Oral-Health Related Quality of Life (OHRQOL) at baseline and 2-weeks along with parental satisfaction at 2 weeks.
Results: In total, 38 crowns (23 with and 15 without grooves) were placed in twelve patients. At the 2-week follow-up, there were no significant differences in clinical outcomes based on retentive grooves (P\u3e.40). The most common negative clinical outcome was opposing tooth wear which was demonstrated in 7 (18%) crowns, 4 (27%) without grooves and 3 with grooves (13%). However, parents rated the crowns without grooves significantly better in terms of size (52% dissatisfied vs 0%; P =.0008), and marginally better for shape (P =.0634), color (P =.0634), and overall satisfaction (P=.0996). Bleeding around the crown and sensitivity were noted in two crowns without grooves.
Conclusion: Similar success was noted between the crowns (with and without retentive grooves). However, parents preferred NuSmile zirconia crowns for size and showed marginal preference for shape, color, and satisfaction
A Qualitative Exploration of the Employment Experiences and Coping Strategies Among Transgender Women in Medellín, Colombia.
Get PDFTransgender individuals face disproportionate employment discrimination, with unemployment rates five times higher than the general population. Despite growing awareness of workplace diversity, transgender women continue to experience systemic barriers to economic security and professional fulfillment. This dissertation examines the employment experiences and coping strategies of transgender women in Medellín, Colombia, a city characterized by both progressive policies and persistent challenges. Using an exploratory-descriptive qualitative design, this study employed reflexive thematic analysis of in-depth interviews with 18 transgender women. Two theoretical frameworks—Puwar\u27s Bodies Out of Place and Minority Stress Theory—guided the analysis of how transgender women navigate predominantly cisgender employment environments. Findings revealed seven interconnected themes: Systemic Exclusion, Resistance to Transgender Bodies, Limited Employment Opportunities, Coerced Conformity, Affirming Dimensions of Positive Employment Experience, Transformative Resilience, and Transformative Inclusion. This study contributes to understanding transgender employment experiences in Colombian contexts, highlighting both significant barriers and pathways to inclusion. Implications for social work practitioners, employers, policymakers, and researchers emphasize the need for interventions that address both immediate discrimination and underlying systemic inequities while recognizing transgender women\u27s resilience and agency in navigating hostile employment environments
Black Art Educators in a Predominantly white Field: Their Struggles and Love for the Profession
No full textThis thesis project seeks to honor and uplift Black art educators in Virginia while fostering a critical dialogue about the challenges they face in a predominantly white field—art education. It also explores the significance of love in the classroom, examining both its role in education and what these educators cherish most about their profession. Ultimately, this project serves as a source of inspiration and representation for Black and Brown students who aspire to pursue careers in the arts and need to see more individuals who reflect their identities and experiences
Targeting the Achilles’ Heel of Lung Cancer Induced by Oncogenic P53
Get PDFMutations of the tumor suppressor gene, TP53, are the most prevalent oncogenic mutations in lung cancer, occurring in up to 70% of human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The majority of mutations in p53 are missense mutations that cause not only a loss of tumor suppressor function, but also gain of oncogenic functions, like tumorigenicity, immune suppression, and chemoresistance. Previous studies have shown that the depletion of gain-of-function (GOF) p53 or disruption of its ability to transactivate the expression of genes related to oncogenesis eliminates its tumorigenic properties indicating a dependency of human lung cancer cells expressing GOF p53 to execute its tumor formation ability. Thus, we hypothesized that targeting GOF p53 and its ability to transactivate gene expression could serve as a promising therapeutic target in lung cancer. Previously our laboratory developed a novel detection system to identify compounds that inhibit GOF p53-induced transactivation. In this study, we performed colony formation assays and xenograft tumor assays to evaluate one of the most promising compounds, 2-Amino-N-[[4-(5-bromopyrimidin-2-yl)oxy-3-chlorophenyl]carbomoyl] benzamide (referred to hereafter as Benzamide G3), for its ability to inhibit GOF p53-mediated transactivation. Through single-cell RNA sequencing analysis of orthotopic tumors generated in an immunocompromised mouse model, we found that treatment with Benzamide G3 resulted in differential expression of genes related to tumor-immune crosstalk in lung cancer cells containing GOF p53. Additionally, we found that treatment of lung cancer tumors harboring GOF p53 with Benzamide G3 resulted in a different tumor immune microenvironment when compared to vehicle-treated orthotopic tumors. This suggests a potential mechanism in which GOF p53-specific transactivation regulates epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), by downregulating CDH1, and tumor-immune crosstalk by downregulating the expression of cytokines related to the recruitment and differentiation of macrophages, such as TNFSF15, CSF2, and GDF15. Using Benzamide G3 to specifically inhibit GOF p53-induced transcription may be useful in the development of lung cancer therapeutics
Lucky Vessel: Poems and An Excerpt from In Every Possible Universe
No full textLucky Vessel: Poems is a contemporary collection of poetry that explores love, loss, and queer identity in three acts of dying.
In Every Possible Universe is an adult science fiction novel that follows Zero Sinclair, a former foster kid from West Philadelphia who embarks on a life-altering cosmic quest to kill the woman who threatened her home. In her sprint to secure her safety and return to Earth, she meets a rebel princess, a cursed girl, a mysterious one-eyed adversary, and a woman who can rip holes in the fabric of space and time
Targeting BCL-2 Family Proteins in Doxorubicin-induced Senescence using Triple Negative Breast Cancer Models
No full textTriple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subset of breast carcinomas that are classified by their lack of estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and HER2. Because of this, TNBCs are difficult to treat with conventional hormone therapy and are without available targeted treatment forms. In this study, we utilized the DNA-damaging agent, Doxorubicin (Dox), a drug commonly used to activate the intrinsic apoptotic pathway through disruption of topoisomerase-II mediated DNA-repair. Mediators of this pathway include proteins of the BCL-2 family. This inhibition of DNA-repair also leads to the development of therapy-induced senescence (TIS). Previous research on Dox treatment in human TNBC MDA-MB231 cells has shown increased susceptibility to anti-apoptotic BCL-2 family inhibitors by inducing senescence with Dox. Specifically, their sensitivity to the dual BCL-XL/BCL-2 inhibitor, ABT-263 (Navitoclax) and related senolytic agents was evident. In this project, we examined the effect of senolytics against mouse TNBC cell lines toward the ultimate goal of determining the efficacy and toxicity in syngeneic breast cancer mouse models. To examine the dosage of Dox that could possibly induce apoptosis while maintaining cell viability (IC50), we performed a WST-1 assay in TNBC cell lines. Based on WST-1 assay results, the ideal Dox concentrations were 0.5μM (4T1), 30nM (PyMT-230), and 1 μM (E0771). In order to observe whether this Dox dosage would be sufficient to induce senescence, X-Gal staining was performed in 4T1, E0771, and PyMT-230 using the respective dosages determined by the WST-1 assay. This staining was performed in control and Dox experimental populations, in which blue staining solely occurred in groups that underwent Dox Pirtle 9 treatment. While E0771 showed the most resistance to Dox based on the WST-1 results displayed, it showed a higher level of blue-staining in the Dox treated groups when compared to 4T1 and PyMT-230. To support our data quantitatively, Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorting (FACS) was performed with C12FDG, a substrate that when cleaved by β-galactosidase in the cell, produces a fluorescent stain, as a marker. In 4T1, there was a ~10 percent difference in fluorescence between the control and experimental populations, while E0771 groups showed a difference of approximately 15 percent. In PyMT-230, the difference of C12FDG expression between our control and Dox treated group was approximately 35 percent. To further support that this cell cycle arrest was taking place, quantitative PCR was performed using primers for p21, a marker for cell-cycle arrest, and CXCL10, a chemokine that acts as a SASP. In 4T1 and E0771, there was an upregulation of p21 observed once these cell lines were treated with Dox, displaying the occurrence of cell-cycle arrest when undergoing treatment. However, chemokine CXCL10 was upregulated in 4T1 and downregulated in E0771 once treated with Dox. This data led us to wonder whether different SASPs expression can vary between cell lines. After examining senescence-related data between these cell lines, we wanted to understand the effect that the senolytic agent ABT-263 would have on cell viability once senescence was induced. We compared the effects of ABT-263 against other BCL-2 family inhibitors: AZD-4320 (dual BCLXL/BCL-2 inhibitor), ABT-199 (selective BCL-2 inhibitor), and A1155463 (selective BCL-XL inhibitor). Crystal violet staining revealed that when exposed to the BCL-2 family inhibitors, 4T1 and E0771 were more sensitive to dual inhibitors ABT-263 and AZD-4320. Although PyMT-230 induced more senescence with Dox, the Dox-treated plate showed no difference between the control well and wells treated with BCL-2 family inhibitors. To confirm these results, Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorting was performed in TNBC cell lines using Annexin- Pirtle 10 V, a stain that fluoresces in apoptotic populations, and DAPI, which fluoresces in the presence of necrotic cells. We observed a substantial increase in apoptotic response with combination of Dox and ABT-263 treatments when compared to Dox or ABT-263 alone treatments in 4T1 and E0771. In PyMT-230, there is little to no difference between Dox and combination treated groups, supporting our crystal violet data. To further investigate, expressions of members of the BCL-2 family were compared against TNBC cell lines with and without Dox treatment. The data suggests that high basal levels of anti-apoptotic BCL-2 family member expression in PyMT230 cells may play a role in the cell lines insensitivity to BCL-XL/BCL-2 dual inhibitors, ABT-263 and AZD-4320. There is, however, increased BCL-XL expression in cell lines 4T1 and E0771, which may contribute to sensitivity when exposed to not only dual inhibitors but also A-1155463, a selective inhibitor of BCL-XL. This data led us to inquire whether protein expression of these members could be altered in TNBC cells when not only exposed to Dox alone, but also in the presence of dual-inhibitor ABT-263. In 4T1, E0771, and PyMT-230, the combination group showed decreased expression levels in BCL-XL in comparison to the Dox only group. There was also an increase in pro-apoptotic BAX in the combination groups of these cell lines. This in turn supported the suggestion that the high expression levels of anti-apoptotic BCL-XL, BCL-2, and MCL-1, may play a substantial role in lack of cell death in PyMT-230 when exposed to the selected senolytic agents. Based on the observations from this study, it is evident that Dox can induce senescence in TNBC cell lines. In combination with ABT-263, senolytic treatment increased apoptosis in senescent 4T1 and E0771 cells