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COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT, DEPRESSION, AND INFLAMMATION IN OLDER HEMATOPOIETIC STEM CELL TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS
Title
COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT, DEPRESSION, AND INFLAMMATION IN OLDER HEMATOPOIETIC STEM CELL TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS
Creator
Fong, Wing Man
Date
2015, 2015-07
Description
Cancer is a common disease that increases in prevalence with age; it predominantly affects individuals over the age of 55. Cancer can be...
Show moreCancer is a common disease that increases in prevalence with age; it predominantly affects individuals over the age of 55. Cancer can be associated with a number of health complications due to the disease itself and/or its treatments such as higher risk of infection, anemia, fatigue, and cognitive dysfunction. Risks of developing these complications increase with age. Despite the increased vulnerability among older individuals, the existing literature and clinical trials show a disproportionately low enrollment rate for this population. This study aimed to provide to a mechanism-based understanding of cognitive impairment in older patients with hematologic malignancy who were scheduled to undergo hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Emerging evidence suggests that a significant portion of older persons with cancer demonstrate cognitive impairment prior to HSCT, and that cognitive deficits prior to HSCT are related to post-transplant complications. Hence, the goals of the study were to characterize cognitive impairment in older cancer patients prior to HSCT, and to examine the relations between cognitive impairment, depression, and inflammation. Sixty-one patients with hematologic malignancy participated in the current study and were administered a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment. Results showed that 50% of the sample was impaired on verbal memory. Correlation analyses revealed a significant association between depression and attention, with inflammation found to be a non-significant mediator. Possible alternative explanations with implications for future research and limitations of the study were discussed.
Ph.D. in Psychology, July 2015
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IMAGE-ANALYSIS WITH FIJI PROGRAM ON PERIPHERAL BLOOD MONOCULAR CELLS AFTER CONSUMPTION OF HIGH-FAT, HIGH CARBOHYDRATE MEAL WITH OR WITHOUT ADDITION OF SPICES – A SINGLE-CENTER RANDOMIZED, BLINDED, PLACEBO-CONTROLLED, 4-ARM, 24HR ACUTE CROSSOVER STUDY
Title
IMAGE-ANALYSIS WITH FIJI PROGRAM ON PERIPHERAL BLOOD MONOCULAR CELLS AFTER CONSUMPTION OF HIGH-FAT, HIGH CARBOHYDRATE MEAL WITH OR WITHOUT ADDITION OF SPICES – A SINGLE-CENTER RANDOMIZED, BLINDED, PLACEBO-CONTROLLED, 4-ARM, 24HR ACUTE CROSSOVER STUDY
Creator
Tsai, Meng Fu
Date
2020
Description
Chronic low-grade inflammation plays a significant role in developing various chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and type II...
Show moreChronic low-grade inflammation plays a significant role in developing various chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and type II diabetes. Western-type diets characterized by high-fat (saturated fat) and high-carbohydrate (HFHC) calories induce oxidative stress leading to inflammation. Polyphenol rich foods, such as berries, tea, and herbs and spices, have antioxidant properties. Spices have been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects in cell and animal studies; however, data are limited in humans. In the present study, we hypothesized that bioactive polyphenolic compounds in herbs and species would reduce diet-induced inflammation in overweight and obese (OW/OB) individuals. In a randomized, single-blinded 4-arm, 24-h, crossover clinical trial, sixteen OW/OB adults consumed an HFHC meal with and without three herbs and spices combinations, including Italian herbs (rosemary, basil, thyme, oregano, and parsley), cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice (cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice) on four separate occasions at least three days apart. Markers of inflammation were assessed before and at 2, 4, 5.5, and 7 hours after meal consumption by tracking nuclear translocation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), a transcription factor in inflammatory signaling, in human peripheral blood monocular cells (PBMCs) and by measuring plasma interleukin-6 (IL-6), a pro-inflammatory cytokine. Nuclear translocation of NF-κB and the proportion of PBMCs activated were estimated through a new method leveraging machine-learning immunofluorescence image analysis. Metabolic markers were also investigated by RX Daytona automated clinical chemistry analyzer. Statistical analysis was conducted using a statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) (α<0.05, significance). Preliminary results suggested the pumpkin pie spice mixture may improve inflammatory status. Compared to the control meal, the meal with pumpkin spice reduced nuclear translocation of NF-κB and proportion of PBMCs activation, p=0.007, and p=0.005, respectively. The addition of herbs/spices in HFHC meal had no apparent effect on postprandial glucose, insulin, or IL-6 concentrations compared to the control meal. Increased triglyceride concentrations were suggested after consuming the meal with Italian herbs compared to control (p=0.004). Overall, the results of this research suggested the potential of pumpkin pie spice as having anti-inflammatory effects in the context of a typical western-style eating pattern. A major component of this research was to develop a new method for assessing real-time inflammation in the human body. While the method and data are encouraging, upgrading image resolution and programming will be the subject of future research.
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Development of a Model To Investigate Inflammation Using Peripheral Blood Mononucleated Cells
Title
Development of a Model To Investigate Inflammation Using Peripheral Blood Mononucleated Cells
Creator
Geevarghese Alex, Peter
Date
2023
Description
Our modern culture in our society is facing one of the biggest risks in health which is high-calorie diet-related postprandial inflammation....
Show moreOur modern culture in our society is facing one of the biggest risks in health which is high-calorie diet-related postprandial inflammation. Chronic diseases may be caused if the energy-dense food is the choice meaning if it is uncontrolled, clinical studies have demonstrated this with the body's post-meal inflammatory response. We aimed to find the causes of postprandial inflammation in response to various dietary treatments and provide a model to demonstrate. We aimed to make use of in vivo and in vitro techniques and statistics to create a model. The created model would help us to design specific treatments to minimize inflammation with response to dietary. In addition to figuring out vital dietary additives, the model additionally facilitates the layout of individualized interventions to reduce inflammation, thereby improving long-time period health outcomes. We aim to understand the clinical observations of diet-induced postprandial inflammation on the molecular level. We desire to make contributions to reduce the impact of chronic inflammatory disorders that is associated with postprandial inflammation.
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