Project description:Viral strains, age, and host factors including genetics and proteins are associated with variable immune responses against SARS-CoV-2 and disease severity. We hypothesized that unique proteins/pathways are associated with COVID-19 disease severity in Puerto Rican Hispanics. A total of 121 men and women aged 21-80 years-old were recruited in Puerto Rico. Plasma samples were collected from unvaccinated COVID-19 infected subjects during acute disease (n=39) and compared to COVID-19 negative individuals (n=56) during acute disease using proteomics and cytokine expression. Infected individuals were stratified based on symptomatology as follows: mild (n=18), moderate (n=13), and severe (n=8). Quantitative proteomics was performed in plasma samples using Tandem Mass Tag (TMT) labeling. Cytokines in plasma were quantified using a human cytokine array. Proteomics analyses revealed 56 differentially regulated proteins and the top 3 pathways that were predicted to be inhibited in severe patients including LXR/RXR signaling, Production of NO and ROS in macrophages, and Synaptogenesis signaling. Decreased cadherin-13 validated by ELISA, which participates in synaptogenesis, is a novel protein is a novel protein not previously reported in other studies of COVID-19 severity and validated by ELISA. Cytokine analyses showed that TNF⍺ levels decreased with disease severity. This study uncovers potential host predictors of COVID-19 severity and new avenues for treatment in Puerto Rican Hispanics.
Project description:The overall goal of this educational program was to increase colorectal cancer screening (CRCS) in men and women who attend Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) in Puerto Rico. FQHCs, referred to in Puerto Rico as "Clínicas 330", are ideal settings to implement innovative approaches to increase CRCS because they serve primarily low-income patients who typically have lower rates of screening. The goal of this study, is to develop and evaluate the impact of a clinic level intervention on increasing CRCS among low-income Puerto Rican men and women aged 50-75, who have either never been screened for colorectal cancer, or are under-screened according recommended guidelines. To evaluate the delivery of the CRCS education program we used a group randomized controlled trial that provided data to determine the effectiveness of the CRC intervention program compared with usual practice (no intervention).
Project description:RNA-Sequencing performed on 177 honey bee whole-brains, divided into "soldier" and "forager" groups from Puerto Rican honey bee colonies.
