Showing papers by "Chaminade University of Honolulu published in 2020"

Chaotic mélange: neo-liberalism and neo-statism in the age of Sino-capitalism

Abstract: Following the central themes of this special forum, this article aims to move beyond binary debates on how China relates to the hitherto dominant US-led liberal order. The most debated outcomes – s...

Cannabis Chemovar Nomenclature Misrepresents Chemical and Genetic Diversity; Survey of Variations in Chemical Profiles and Genetic Markers in Nevada Medical Cannabis Samples.

Abstract: Introduction: Medical cannabis patients receive clinical benefits from the secondary metabolites of the plant, which contain a variety of cannabinoids and terpenoids in combinations that can be use...

The Role of Danger Associated Molecular Patterns in Human Fetal Membrane Weakening

Abstract: The idea that cellular stress (including that precipitated by stretch), plays a significant role in the mechanisms initiating parturition, has gained considerable traction over the last decade. One key consequence of this cellular stress is the increased production of Danger Associated Molecular Patterns (DAMPs). This diverse family of molecules are known to initiate inflammation through their interaction with Pattern Recognition Receptors (PRRs) including, Toll-like receptors (TLRs). TLRs are the key innate immune system surveillance receptors that detect Pathogen Associated Molecular Patterns (PAMPs) during bacterial and viral infection. This is also seen during Chorioamnionitis. The activation of TLR commonly results in the activation of the pro-inflammatory transcription factor Nuclear Factor Kappa-B (NF-kB) and the downstream production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. It is thought that in the human fetal membranes both DAMPs and PAMPs are able, perhaps via their interaction with PRRs and the induction of their downstream inflammatory cascades, to lead to both tissue remodeling and weakening. Due to the high incidence of infection-driven Pre-Term Birth (PTB), including those that have preterm Premature Rupture of the Membranes (pPROM), the role of TLR in fetal membranes with Chorioamnionitis has been the subject of considerable study. Most of the work in this field has focused on the effect of PAMPs on whole pieces of fetal membrane and the resultant inflammatory cascade. This is important to understand, in order to develop novel prevention, detection, and therapeutic approaches, which aim to reduce the high number of mothers suffering from infection driven PTB, including those with pPROM. Studying the role of sterile inflammation driven by these endogenous ligands (DAMPs) activating PRRs system in the mesenchymal and epithelial cells in the amnion is important. These cells are key for the maintenance of the integrity and strength of the human fetal membranes. This review aims to (1) summarize the knowledge to date pertinent to the role of DAMPs and PRRs in fetal membrane weakening and (2) discuss the clinical potential brought by a better understanding of these pathways by pathway manipulation strategies.

Characterizing the postmortem human bone microbiome from surface-decomposed remains.

Abstract: Microbial colonization of bone is an important mechanism of postmortem skeletal degradation. However, the types and distributions of bone and tooth colonizing microbes are not well characterized. It is unknown if microbial communities vary in abundance or composition between bone element types, which could help explain differences in human DNA preservation. The goals of the present study were to (1) identify the types of microbes capable of colonizing different human bone types and (2) relate microbial abundances, diversity, and community composition to bone type and human DNA preservation. DNA extracts from 165 bone and tooth samples from three skeletonized individuals were assessed for bacterial loading and microbial community composition and structure. Random forest models were applied to predict operational taxonomic units (OTUs) associated with human DNA concentration. Dominant bacterial bone colonizers were from the phyla Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Planctomycetes. Eukaryotic bone colonizers were from Ascomycota, Apicomplexa, Annelida, Basidiomycota, and Ciliophora. Bacterial loading was not a significant predictor of human DNA concentration in two out of three individuals. Random forest models were minimally successful in identifying microbes related to human DNA concentration, which were complicated by high variability in community structure between individuals and body regions. This work expands on our understanding of the types of microbes capable of colonizing the postmortem human skeleton and potentially contributing to human skeletal DNA degradation.

Volatile Organic Compound Profiling from Postmortem Microbes using Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry

Abstract: Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are by-products of cadaveric decomposition and are responsible for the odor associated with decomposing remains. The direct link between VOC production and individual postmortem microbes has not been well characterized experimentally. The purpose of this study was to profile VOCs released from three postmortem bacterial isolates (Bacillus subtilis, Ignatzschineria indica, I. ureiclastica) using solid-phase microextraction arrow (SPME Arrow) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Species were inoculated in headspace vials on Standard Nutrient Agar and monitored over 5 days at 24°C. Each species exhibited a different VOC profile that included common decomposition VOCs. VOCs exhibited upward or downward temporal trends over time. Ignatzschineria indica produced a large amount of dimethyldisulfide. Other compounds of interest included alcohols, aldehydes, aromatics, and ketones. This provides foundational data to link decomposition odor with specific postmortem microbes to improve understanding of underlying mechanisms for decomposition VOC production.

Translation of a One-Dimensional to a Comprehensive Two-Dimensional Gas Chromatography Method with Dual-Channel Detection for Volatile Organic Compound Measurement in Forensic Applications.

Abstract: After its introduction in the early 1990s, comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC×GC) has evolved from a separation science research tool to the central component of many industries. Despite the maturity of the technique, some fields remain reluctant to its use in routine applications. In the case of forensic science, some constraints are the strict requirements enforced in forensic laboratories and the time and effort that must be invested for intralaboratory method validation. Concerns may also arise about whether information could be lost when transitioning to a new technique. This study reports on a method translation from conventional one-dimensional (1D) GC to GC×GC, ensuring the integrity of data as conversion is made. The GC was retrofitted with a reverse fill/flush (RFF) flow modulator and equipped with dual-channel detection using a quadrupole mass spectrometer (qMS) and a flame ionization detector (FID). The parallel use of two detectors, where qMS was applied for qualitative identification and FID for quantification, allowed higher flows and slightly wider peaks to be exploited for the analysis of a volatile organic compound (VOC) reference mixture relevant to forensic VOC profiling. Peak quality assessment and calibration curves using GC-qMS and GC×GC-qMS/FID document the transfer and adaptation of the original method without a loss in data quality. Furthermore, the preprocessing and the data analysis processing steps, including calibration and peak quality assessment for each of the three data sets, are explained in detail. This information provides benchmark data for routine laboratories that want to implement a GC×GC approach into routine workflows.

Using microbiome tools for estimating the postmortem interval

Abstract: Estimating the postmortem interval (PMI) of human remains is important in criminal investigations. Microbes play an important role in the process of decomposition and can provide clues about the time elapsed since death. Host-associated and environmental microbial communities have been shown to undergo succession in a predictable, clock-like manner during decomposition. High-throughput DNA sequencing can be used to inexpensively and rapidly track these microbial community shifts, and machine learning techniques can use these data to develop predictive models. In this chapter, we discuss the development of a microbial clock for estimating PMI, as well as remaining knowledge gaps and hurdles to technology adoption.

Nursing Students' Perceptions of Just Culture in Nursing Programs: A Multisite Study

Abstract: Background While just culture is embraced in the clinical setting, just culture has not been systematically incorporated into nursing education. Purpose The purpose of this study was to assess prelicensure nursing student perceptions of just culture in academia. Methods Following a quantitative, descriptive design, the Just Culture Assessment Tool for Nursing Education (JCAT-NE) was used to measure just culture across multiple (N = 15) nursing programs. Results The majority of JCAT-NE respondents (78%) reported their program has a safety reporting system, 15.4% had involvement in a safety-related event, and 12% submitted an error report. The JCAT-NE mean total score was 127.4 (SD, 23.6), with a statistically significant total score decline as students progressed from the beginning (133.6 [SD, 20.52]) to the middle (129.77 [SD, 23.6]) and end (122.2 [SD, 25.43]) of their programs (χ[2] = 25.09, P Conclusions The results from this study are a call to action for nursing education to emphasize the tenets of just culture, error reporting, and quality improvement.

Understanding the Role of Mental Health Clubhouses in Promoting Wellness and Health Equity Using Pilinahā—An Indigenous Framework for Health

Abstract: Individuals with severe mental illness need to be engaged in defining their own vision of wellness to promote equity and reduce disparities. This photovoice study helps define what wellness is and how it is achieved in mental health Clubhouses in Hawai'i. Results from a photovoice study with 43 members and staff were analyzed using Pilinahā, a Native Hawaiian framework for health. Pilinahā envisions health through connection to place, community, past and future, and one's better self. Within Clubhouses, connection to place included connection to 'āina (land) and the access to a safe space. Connection to community occurred through reciprocal social support, which developed kuleana (responsibility), and a sense of 'ohana (family) for many members who were previously isolated. Connection to one's better self-involved positive identity change, development of hope, and pursuing opportunities within and outside the Clubhouse. Connection to past and future was described through individual narratives, remembering members who had died, and connection to cultural traditions. Overall, wellness was conceptualized as the ability to work toward dreams, engage in cultural practice, and feel accepted, respected, and valued-to be treated with aloha. Findings provide a culturally responsive perspective on wellness and illustrate the value of Clubhouses as a space for mental health recovery and transformative change.

β-hydroxybutyrate does not alter the effects of glucose deprivation on breast cancer cells.

Abstract: Ketogenic diets have the potential to lower glucose availability to cancer cells. However, the effect that the resulting increase in ketone bodies has on cancer cells is not fully understood. The present study explored the effect of β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) on glucose-deprived MCF-7 and T47D breast cancer cells. Cell proliferation was decreased in response to lower glucose conditions, which could not be rescued consistently by 10 or 25 mM BHB supplementation. In addition, gene expression levels were altered when cells were glucose deprived. Reducing glucose availability of cancer cells to 225 mg/l for 4 days significantly decreased the expression of 113 genes and increased the expression of 100 genes in MCF-7 breast cancer cells, and significantly decreased the expression of 425 genes and increased the expression of 447 genes in T47D breast cancer cells. Pathway enrichment analysis demonstrated that glucose deprivation decreased activity of the Hippo-Yap cell signaling pathway in MCF-7 breast cancer cells, whereas it increased the expression of genes in the NRF2-pathaway and genes regulating ferroptosis in T47D breast cancer cells. Treatment of glucose-deprived cells with 10 or 25 mM BHB significantly changed the expression of 14 genes in MCF-7 breast cancer cells and 40 genes in T47D breast cancer cells. No significant pathway enrichment was detected when glucose-deprived cells were treated with BHB. Both cell lines expressed the enzymes (OXCT1/2, BDH1 and ACAT1/2) responsible for metabolizing BHB to acetyl-CoA, yet expression of these enzymes was not altered by either glucose deprivation or BHB treatment. In the publicly available The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), increased expression of ketone body-catabolizing enzymes was observed in various types of cancer based on mRNA expression z-scores. Increased expression of BDH1 and ACAT1 significantly decreased overall survival of patients with breast cancer in TCGA studies, while decreased OXCT1 expression non-significantly decreased overall survival. In conclusion, neither MCF-7 nor T47D breast cancer cells were affected by BHB during glucose deprivation; however, screening of tumors for activation of ketone body-metabolizing enzymes may be able to identify patients that will benefit from ketogenic diet interventions.

Characterization of the C-terminal tail of the Arc protein.

Abstract: The activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associate protein Arc (or Arg3.1) is specifically linked to memory formation and a number of cognitive disorders, including Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia. Since the discovery of Arc in 1995, extensive research has been conducted on the protein to identify its function and mechanisms of action, with solving the structure of Arc as a major goal. However, the Arc protein tends to self-oligomerize in vitro, and is difficult to crystallize. These properties have hindered efforts to obtain the structure of the full-length, whole protein Arc. As an alternative approach, we and others, have sought to solve the structures of various subdomain proteins of Arc, including the N-lobe, C-lobe, and capsid domain (N-lobe + C-lobe). In this study, we characterized the C-terminal tail of Arc using integrated bioinformatic and structural biology techniques. We compared the sequences of Arc proteins in different mammal species and found that the amino-acid composition in the C-terminal tail region has a significantly higher degree of variation rate than the rest of the protein. Structural prediction programs suggested that the C-terminal tail is structurally disordered. Chemical shift analysis based on solution NMR spectra confirmed that the C-terminal tail has a random coil (disordered) structure, and the tail starts from the residue D357. Furthermore, the NMR spectra showed that the C-terminal tail has minimum (if any) interaction with its neighboring capsid domain in Arc. This study fills gaps in our specific understanding of the structural nature and functional contributions of the Arc C-terminus.

Prebiotic Potential of Taro (Colocasia esculenta) to Modulate Gut Bacteria Composition and Short Chain Fatty Acid Production

Abstract: Taro (Colocasia esculenta) is a high fiber tuber that holds cultural and agricultural importance in the Pacific. The high fiber content offers potential as a dietary prebiotic through the presence of resistant starch (RS). RS aids gut bacteria in the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), which have health benefits to the host. As such, this study aimed to investigate the effect of taro on gut bacteria composition and SCFA production through in vitro human digestion and fecal fermentation methodology. Five taro varieties (Bun Long, Mana Ulu, Moi, Kauai Lehua, Tahitian) were processed. RS concentration of taro was determined using Megazyme Resistant Starch kit. Taro samples were subjected to in vitro human digestion, replicating oral, gastric, small intestinal, and large intestinal phases. Digested taro samples were mixed with fresh human fecal slurries and fermented at 37°C for 24 hours. During fermentation, samples were collected at specific time points for analyzation of SCFA contents using gas chromatography and bacterial composition using 16S rRNA gene targeted amplicon sequencing. Tahitian variety had the highest RS concentration of 25.1%, with no significantly difference between Tahitian, Bun Long, and Moi varieties. All taro varieties exhibited statistically similar SCFA concentrations for 3-hydroxybutyric acid, acetic acid and propionic acid. Bun-Long, Tahitian, and Moi varieties exhibited significantly higher butyric acid levels than two other taro varieties. Butyric acid production had the highest correlation coefficient with RS concentration of 0.80. The bacterial community present in all taro varieties after 24 hours of fermentation was markedly different from that of the control communities, including shifts in both the Bacteriodes and Firmicutes phyla. Different taro varieties have varying RS concentrations that affect the production of SCFA in an in vitro human digestion and fecal fermentation. The production of health-promoting butyric acid shows a strong positive correlation with the resistant starch concentration of taro. Taro distinctly causes shifts after 24 hours of fecal fermentation in Bacteriodes and Firmicutes phyla. These results provide new insights into the modulation of gut microbiota through dietary interventions. USDA-NIFA Hatch C-Maīki, University of Hawaii.

Learning, Fast and Slow

Abstract: In Thinking, Fast and Slow (2011) Kahneman describes two modes of thinking: System 1 and 2. System 1 operates quickly, automatically, and unconsciously, drawing on our vast reservoir of stored know...

Experiential Lens in Nursing Education and Thriving Lāhui (Community): A Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Student Experience.

Abstract: DOI: 10.31372/20200503.1104 Creative Commons CC-BY-NC-ND: This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License (https://www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/) which allows others to download your works and share them with others as long as they credit you, but they can’t change them in any way or use them commercially. Special Abstract Section: New Knowledge & Practices for Asian / Pacific Islanders

The Effects of Inter-Individual Biological Differences and Taphonomic Alteration on Human Bone Protein Profiles: Implications for the Development of PMI/AAD Estimation Methods

Abstract: Bone proteomics studies using animal proxies and skeletonized human remains have delivered encouraging results in the search for potential biomarkers for precise and accurate post-mortem interval (PMI) and the age-at-death (AAD) estimation in medico-legal investigations. At present, however, the effects of inter-individual biological differences and taphonomic alteration on recovered human bone protein profiles are not well understood. This study investigated the human bone proteome in four human body donors studied throughout decomposition outdoors. The effects of ageing phenomena (in vivo and post-mortem), and intrinsic and extrinsic variables on the variety and abundancy of the bone proteome were assessed. Results identified a new potential biomarker for PMI estimation, as well as three potential biomarkers for AAD estimation. The results also suggest that bone mineral density (BMD) may be an important variable affecting the survival and extraction of proteins. Highlights - CO3, CO9, COBA2, CO3A1, MGP, PGS2 and TTHY are potential biomarkers for post-mortem interval estimation in skeletonized human remains - FETUA, ALBU and OLFL3 are potential biomarkers for age-at-death estimation in human remains - Taphonomic and biological variables play a significant role in survival and extraction rates of proteins in bone - Bone mineral density may affect survival of proteins in bone, probably due to the effects of the mineral matrix on the movement of decomposer microbes - Higher bone mineral density may affect the survival and the extraction rate of collagen and mineral-binding proteins

Contextualizing Escape in the Neo-slave Narratives of Octavia Butler’s Kindred and Sherley Anne Williams’s Dessa Rose

Abstract: Analyzing how interracial relationships, violence, and notions of refuge are depicted in the neo-slave narratives of Butler’s Kindred and Williams’s Dessa Rose, Francis makes a case for why neo-slave narratives can explore and exploit the slave’s escape in ways that fugitive slave narratives could not. Exploring how the languages of feeling and judgment are used by the characters in Butler’s and Williams’s novels to complicate the meaning of escape for enslaved black women, Francis demonstrates that the neo-slave narratives by Butler and Williams are less concerned with examining the journey to freedom than with offering us fictional analyses of enslaved black women’s feelings and reactions to freedom.

Community Engagement Leads to Professional Identity Formation of Nursing Students.

Abstract: Creative Commons CC-BY-NC-ND: This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License (https://www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/) which allows others to download your works and share them with others as long as they credit you, but they can’t change them in any way or use them commercially. Special Abstract Section: New Knowledge & Practices for Asian / Pacific Islanders

The Relationship of Online Social Networking and Various Psychological Behaviors

Abstract: The basis of this study is to evaluate and measure the correlation between the amount of time an individual spends online social networking and their self-reported levels of loneliness, depression, anxiety, and stress. With societies having increased connectivity, the researchers wanted to investigate how this affects our psychological functioning. This research is a follow-up study that targets a sample population of 189 people, over the age of 24, using a final scale that combined the UCLA Loneliness and DASS-21 scales. The final scale was created via Google Forms and was later published on Amazon Mechanical Turk. Results for statistical significance were analyzed through Spearman Rank Order Correlations, ANOVAS and descriptive statistics to indicate correlations between social networking and self-reported levels of loneliness, depression, anxiety, and stress from using both Facebook and YouTube platforms.