Meharry Medical College Research Articles

Abstract B093: Facilitating conversations on cancer genomic education: Development of a toolkit for community advisory boards

Abstract Community Advisory Boards are representative groups of individuals that reside in a particular area and serve an important role in the research process. Often CABs are the voice of the community, rather it be key community stakeholders, business, or community organizations. The purpose of this project is to describe the development of a cancer genomic toolkit and initial introduction of the toolkit to local community advisory boards to CAB members interested in cancer genomic topics to increase inclusion and awareness of emerging topics and activities around cancer genomic research. Existing CAB members from the Meharry Medical College/Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center/Tennessee State University Cancer Partnership (MVTCP) and the Research Centers in Minority Institutions (RCMI) at Meharry Medical College were introduced to a cancer genomic toolkit that is in development. CAB members were presented the toolkit during a regularly scheduled CAB meeting for approximately 30 minutes and were allowed 10 minutes to answer questions. After the presentation of the cancer genomic toolkit, CAB members were sent a word document version of the toolkit to provide any feedback for improvement during the development stage. CAB members were allowed up to two months to review the cancer genomic toolkit. Directions for review were to use track changes and leave comments or provide direct feedback via email response. To date, one CAB member has provided individualized feedback. Group feedback included questions and open discussion around historic research participation. Next steps are to introduce the tool to a newly formed genomic community advisory board and begin to reiterate the toolkit for evaluation and implementation for other local CABs. Citation Format: Calandra G. Whitted. Facilitating conversations on cancer genomic education: Development of a toolkit for community advisory boards [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 17th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2024 Sep 21-24; Los Angeles, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2024;33(9 Suppl):Abstract nr B093.

Judge rules in favor of former student

CASE NAME: Dawitt v. Meharry Medical College, No. 3:20‐cv‐00624 (M.D. Tenn. 03/01/24).

Judge rules in favor of former student

Case name: Dawitt v. Meharry Medical College, No. 3:20‐cv‐00624 (M.D. Tenn. 03/01/24).

Judge rules in favor of former student

Case name: Dawitt v. Meharry Medical College, No. 3:20‐cv‐00624 (M.D. Tenn. 03/01/24).

Establishing the short course in transferable skills training program.

While PhD programs prepare graduate students to perform biomedical research, a defined systematic training program for transferable skills is generally lacking. When provided, this training is often informal, unstructured, or inconsistent. Therefore, there is a need to provide critical skills in marketing, relationship building, project management, and budgeting to prepare trainees to navigate into a productive, engaging, and rewarding biomedical research career. To address this gap in training, the School of Graduate Studies at Meharry Medical College has developed the SHort Course In transFerable skills Training (SHIFT) Program, a 1-year professional development program accessible to graduate students in the United States who are enrolled in graduate biomedical research related programs. The SHIFT Program has been launched to equip trainees with skills essential for success in all biomedical science careers. PhD students will be taught the primary constituents of career management through the use of four training modules. In Module I, students complete self-assessments and are assigned to a small peer-mentoring team with mentors. Module II consists of a 5-day workshop that encompasses instruction on the transferable skills identified as essential for career success. Module III entails monthly interactive discussions over a 6-month period involving case study review and mentor-guided discussions to further reinforce skills learned. In Module IV, students compile the information learned from Modules I-III to develop an Individual Development Plan that incorporates 3-5 specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-based career goals. Collectively, the SHIFT Program will allow participants to train, practice, and refresh skills, empowering them to navigate career transitions and obtain success in the career of their choice.

Establishing the SHort course In transFerable skills Training (SHIFT) Program

While Ph.D. programs prepare graduate students to perform biomedical research, a defined systematic training program for transferable skills is generally lacking. When provided, this training is often informal, unstructured, or inconsistent. Therefore, there is a need to provide critical skills in marketing, relationship building, project management, and budgeting to prepare trainees to navigate into a productive, engaging, and rewarding biomedical research career. To address this gap in training, the graduate school at Meharry Medical College has developed the SH ort Course I n trans F erable skills T raining (SHIFT) Program, a one-year professional development program accessible to graduate students in the Southeast United States. The SHIFT Program has been launched to equip trainees with skills essential for success in all biomedical science careers. PhD Students between years one and two in their graduate program will be taught the primary constituents of career management through the use of four training modules. In Module I, students will complete self-assessments and be assigned to a small peer-mentoring team of six students with two mentors. Module II will consist of a 5-day workshop that encompasses instruction on the transferable skills identified as essential for career success. Module III will entail monthly interactive discussions over a 6-month period involving case study review and mentor-guided discussions to further reinforce skills learned. In Module IV, students will compile the information learned from Modules I-III to develop an Individual Development Plan that incorporates 3-5 specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-based (SMART) career goals. Collectively, the SHIFT Program will allow participants to train, practice, and refresh skills, empowering them to navigate career transitions and obtain success in the career of their choice. NIH GM151274 and VA I01BX000505. This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2024 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.

Immune Metabolic Reprogramming by Excess Dietary Salt in Salt Sensitive Hypertension via CXCL8

Salt sensitivity of blood pressure (SSBP) is when blood pressure changes parallel to salt loading/ depletion and is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Despite its importance, there is no feasible diagnosis, which limits investigational studies to identify therapeutic targets. We have found that immune cells mediate SSBP via Epithelial Sodium Channel (ENaC). CXCL8/(IL-8), a known chemoattractant plays a well-known role in glycolysis. We hypothesize that CXCL8 mediates immune metabolic reprogramming of immune cells to glycolysis via ENaC. To test this hypothesis, we performed bulk and single cell RNA sequencing in human monocytes from individuals from a modified Weinberger inpatient salt loading/ depletion protocol. The participants were instructed to refrain from taking their blood pressure medication for 2 weeks prior to the salt loading/depletion protocol. Blood and urine samples were collected, as well as ambulatory blood pressure recording. We found that changes in immune cell activation via isolevuglandin (IsoLG) protein-adducts mirror changes in salt balance and blood pressure in salt sensitive but not salt resistant individuals. We confirmed that these in vivo changes can be recapitulated in vitro. In addition, we found that salt-loading both in vivo and in vitro increases antigen presenting cell production of IL-8, which was reversed after salt depletion in salt sensitive, but not salt resistant people. ENaC inhibition by amiloride prevented the high salt-induced production of IL-8. Moreover, high salt induced blood pressure changes of expression of CXCL8 (p = 0.01553, r = 0.8067) were significant along with varying expression of glycolytic genes, including hexokinase 1(HK1)(p = 0.04190, r = -0.7249), phosphofructokinase (PFKP)(p = 0.05932, r = 0.6879) and galactose mutarotase (GALM) (p = 0.04176, r = 0.5138). Seahorse analysis revealed increased extracellular acidification rate (ECAR) in high salt conditioned monocytes, which was associated with mitochondrial dysfunction. Our results suggest that high salt intake reprograms antigen presenting cell metabolism to glycolysis via IL-8 signaling. Furthermore, targeting IL-8 and mitochondrial switching to glycolysis may not only provide novel therapeutic approaches, but also important biomarkers for diagnosis of salt sensitivity of blood pressure. 1R03HL155041-01 (Kirabo, PI), 1R01HL144941-01A1 (Kirabo, PI), 5R01HL147818-22 (Kleyman & Kirabo), 1R01HL157584-01 (Shibao, Kirabo — MPI), R01DK135764 (Kon, Shelton, Kirabo — MPI), R21TW012635 (Kirabo, Masenga — MPI), Meharry Medical College: School of Graduate Studies T32AI007281, T32GM14492, andT32HL00773. This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2024 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.

Investigating the role of Vitamins in Prostate cancer risk among African Americans

Background & Aims: Previous studies have shown certain vitamins and minerals are associated with a reduced risk of prostate cancer. In this study, we assess whether vitamins will have an effect on prostate cancer risk among African Americans. Methods: A case-control study was conducted in Washington, District of Columbia and Nashville, Tennessee. There were 264 participants involved in the study. The participants were divided into 3 groups: prostate cancer (n=56), elevated PSA (n=377) and control (n=163). Dietary intake was measured by using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Food items rich in vitamin D, vitamin E, selenium, and lycopene were identified. Chi square tests were performed to evaluate the association between vitamins and prostate cancer risk. Results: There is a statistically significant association between the consumption of certain food items such as beef, pork, eggs and decreased prostate cancer risk (p<.05). There is also a statistically significant association between the consumption of salmon, cod liver oil, peanuts, mushrooms, orange juice and prostate cancer risk increase (p<.05). When aggregated, there was no significant correlation between the consumption of vitamin D, vitamin E, lycopene, selenium and decreased prostate cancer risk. Conclusions: Results of our case-control study suggest dietary restriction of certain meats as prostate cancer risk reduction strategy cannot be suggested. Increasing annual intake of food high in vitamin D, vitamin E, selenium, and lycopene cannot be suggested as a way to decrease prostate cancer risk. Diet modification interventions should focus on dietary moderations. Center of Excellence COE/Offce of Dean, Meharry Medical College School of Medicine, Grant Number: D34HP16299. This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2024 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.

279 Highlighting the Expansion and Reach of the Meharry-Vanderbilt Community Engaged Research Core (CERC) Researcher Training Series

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: * Describe the Community Engaged Research Core (CERC) Researcher Training Program modules and objectives. * Examine the expansion and reach of the CERC Researcher Training Program across various institutions/organizations. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: Through joint efforts from Meharry Medical College and Vanderbilt University Medical Center, the Community Engaged Research Core (CERC) Researcher Training Program began as a resource to provide CERC post-docs with knowledge of the basic principles of community engaged research (CEnR). It has since expanded to reach researchers at different institutions/organizations. This series examines topics from ethics to dissemination of research findings. The purpose of this project is to describe the CERC Researcher Training Program modules and present the expansion and reach of the training series. We examined both online training requests and series evaluations to determine: (1) participant reach, (2) number of module requests, and (3) purpose for using training modules. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Since its inception in 2018, the program has expanded to reach 16 institutions/organizations across the United States. On average, 45 researchers register for the training series and approximately 16 researchers participate each year. As time progresses, the number of registrants and attendees continues to increase. To date, there have been 110 online training module requests. The majority (~75%) of participants are requesting content for self-training purposes, while others are using the information to train others in their home institutions/organizations (~25%). Researchers are using modules for a range of reasons including recruitment, career development, and developing their own CEnR training. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: CEnR has the ability to make research better in how it is planned, executed and disseminated. Implementing the CERC researcher training series and expanding its reach demonstrates the desire and need to alleviate health disparities through researcher and community partnerships.

The Diaspora Human Genomics Institute Launches the Together for Change Initiative: A Transformative, Historic Partnership to Ensure Health Equity in a Time of Unprecedented Technological Advancements

Abstract: Human subjects research and drug and device development currently base their findings largely on the genetic data of the non-Hispanic White population, excluding People of Color. This practice puts People of Color at a distinct and potentially deadly disadvantage in being treated for sickness, disability, and disease, as seen during the COVID-19 pandemic. Major disparities exist in all chronic health conditions, including cancer. Data show that less than 2% of genetic information being studied today originates from people of African ancestry. If genomic datasets do not adequately represent People of Color, new drugs and genetic therapies may not work as well as for people of European descent. Addressing the urgent concern that historically marginalized people may again be excluded from the next technological leap affecting human health and the benefits it will bring will requires a paradigm shift. Thus, on behalf of underserved and marginalized people, we developed the Together for CHANGE (T4C) initiative as a unique collaborative public-private partnership to address the concern. The comprehensive programs designed in the T4C initiative, governed by the Diaspora Human Genomics Institute founded by Meharry Medical College, will transform the landscape of education and health care and positively affect global Black communities for decades to come.

Abstract A031: Leveraging the Meharry-Vanderbilt alliance to develop a faculty affiliate program to expand cross-collaborative research

Abstract Background: Academic institutions struggle to break down research silos and boost interdisciplinary collaboration. The challenge is magnified when multiple partners seek to build research collaboratives. The Meharry-Vanderbilt-Tennessee State Cancer Partnership (MVTCP) is one of the longest-standing Comprehensive Partnerships to Advance Cancer Health Equity (U54 CPACHE) in the nation and includes faculty from 4 partner institutions, including 2 historically black institutions: Meharry Medical College (MMC), Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC), Vanderbilt University, and Tennessee State University. While this partnership has been extremely productive, a 2022 MVTCP strategic planning session indicated opportunities for deeper scientific discovery and community engagement. The Meharry-Vanderbilt Alliance (MVA) is a 20+year collaboration between MMC and VUMC explicitly designed to advance clinical, translational and basic research focused on ending health disparities by developing and supporting mutually beneficial partnerships between academic centers and the community. A mixed-methods approach was employed to ascertain how the MVA could leverage its resources to further enhance the mission of the MVTCP. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 MVA stakeholders (2 MMC; 5 VUMC, 3 community partners) to identify opportunities to grow cross-institutional collaborations. Emerging themes were used to develop exploratory questions for faculty-centric focus groups. Focus groups with MMC and VUMC faculty were held to elicit barriers to collaboration and explore possible solutions. A faculty survey was designed and deployed among faculty from all 4 MVTCP institutions from April to December 2022. Results: Themes from semi-structured interviews included limited networking opportunities between institutions, need for greater community engagement, and lack of awareness of faculty development resources, scholarly opportunities, and research funding. Focus group participants (6 MMC; 7 VUMC) recommended solutions that included hosting networking events, newsletters to highlight research and community partners, and developing a resource repository. Faculty respondents to the survey (n=52) indicated their willingness to support cross-institutional capacity building by mentoring students (86.5%), connecting research and clinical colleagues (63.5%), and peer mentorship (57.7%). Faculty requested connections to resources and community organizations (82.7%), support for research and grant development (63.5%), and career development opportunities (50%). Conclusion: This project informed the MVA to actualize the Faculty Affiliate Program (FAP). FAP membership is open to faculty across all MVTCP institutions and has grown to over 75 members. This centralized resource hub facilitates collaborative research and fosters cross-institutional engagement. It is hoped that with support from the FAP, the MVTCP will continue to develop more robust cross-institutional collaborations and community partnerships designed to eliminate cancer disparities. Citation Format: Karen M. Winkfield, Jessica L. Jones, Virginia Fuqua-Meadows, Freneka F. Minter, Calandra G. Whitted, Alecia M. Fair. Leveraging the Meharry-Vanderbilt alliance to develop a faculty affiliate program to expand cross-collaborative research [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 16th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2023 Sep 29-Oct 2;Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2023;32(12 Suppl):Abstract nr A031.

Abstract A079: Implementation of the FOREST cancer risk study at an HBCU: The family history and cancer risk study at Meharry Medical College

Abstract PURPOSE: Family Health History (FHH) is a key factor in assessing cancer risk, yet health providers often do not have adequate time or resources to collect FHH systematically. African Americans and other medically underserved populations suffer significantly higher cancer incidence and mortality. These populations would benefit if their cancer risk were better defined. The Family History and Cancer Risk Study (FOREST) aims to implement a patient-facing web-based FHH cancer risk assessment platform called MeTree in a clinic with a high percentage of underserved patients at Meharry Medical College (MMC) and a cohort at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. METHODS: Partnering with the MMC Community Engagement Core (CEC), we conducted two virtual studios with 12 Nashville minority community members. Topics of concern were medical data privacy, potential benefits, and proper informed consent. CEC recommendations informed our pre-implementation planning. Recruitment methods consisted of a staffed table outside of and, later, presence inside the MMC Family & Community Med. Clinic waiting room. Patients could also request assistance to navigate MeTree with the study research coordinator (in person or virtually). RESULTS: Since October 2022, 76 potential participants have been invited to FOREST from MMC. 26 patients were interested, 18 were eligible, 16 patients consented, and 12 patients completed the MeTree FHH. Of note, 6 patients utilized in-person assistance from the research study coordinator. Overall, 2 of the 12 patients who completed MeTree were determined to be at high-risk for cancer. CONCLUSION: We observed a 30% enrollment rate and 43% completion rate. Also, 6 of 26 patients requested and received assistance. In-person recruitment had the highest volume of potential enrollments (16 interested), yet lower completion rates (5/16 = 31%) compared to the pamphlet QR code (5 interested with 3/5 completing = 60%). We realize that these numbers are not large enough to show statistical significance at this early stage, and we plan to implement FOREST in a higher volume clinic (Internal Medicine at Nashville General Hospital) to determine if this trend scales. Citation Format: Clasherrol Edwards, Dana R. Marshall, Leah Alexander, Justin D. Andujar, S.T. Bland, Jillian Duke, Sarah Jones, Jeffrey Leegon, Kate F. Mittendorf, Lori A. Orlando, Georgia L. Wiesner, Siddharth Pratap. Implementation of the FOREST cancer risk study at an HBCU: The family history and cancer risk study at Meharry Medical College [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 16th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2023 Sep 29-Oct 2;Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2023;32(12 Suppl):Abstract nr A079.

The Tennessee Center for AIDS Research HIV Research Training Program for Minority High School and Undergraduate Students: Development, Implementation, and Early Outcomes.

The Southern region of the United States has the highest HIV incidence, and new infections disproportionately affect Black Americans. The Tennessee Center for AIDS Research (CFAR) Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Pathway Initiative (CDEIPI) program supports the training of individuals from groups underrepresented in medicine and science in multiple areas of research to increase the pool of HIV-focused investigators at early educational and career stages. The Tennessee CFAR is a partnership between Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Meharry Medical College (one of the oldest historically Black medical colleges), Tennessee Department of Health, and Nashville Community AIDS Resources, Education and Services (a sophisticated community service organization, which emphasizes research training responsive to regional and national priorities). The Tennessee CFAR CDEIPI program leverages existing Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Meharry Medical College structured biomedical training programs for high school and undergraduate students to provide an intensive, mentored, HIV research experience augmented by CFAR resources situating this training within the broader history, scientific breadth, and societal and political aspects of the HIV epidemic. The first year of the Tennessee CFAR CDEIPI program trained 3 high school and 3 undergraduate students from underrepresented in medicine and science backgrounds in basic, clinical/translational, and community-focused research projects with a diverse group of 9 mentors. All students completed the program, and evaluations yielded positive feedback regarding mentoring quality and effectiveness, and continued interest in HIV-related research. The Tennessee CFAR CDEIPI program will continue to build upon experience from the first year to further contribute to national efforts to increase diversity in HIV-related research.

Court rules against former student

Case name: Chapman v. Meharry Medical College, No. 21‐5866 (6th Cir. 01/31/23).

Scientific Hero: Dr. James E. K. Hildreth.

Note from the editor: This column was originally published in 2013. Currently, Dr. Hildreth serves as president and CEO of Meharry Medical College, leading the technological, academic, and clinical transformation of the nation's largest private historically Black academic health sciences center. Because of his standing as a world-class infectious disease expert, Hildreth emerged as an important national figure in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In September 2020, he was appointed to the FDA Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee that reviewed COVID-19 vaccine candidates for approval, and in February 2021, Dr. Hildreth was named to President Joseph Biden's Health Equity Task Force.

Doing the Work of God: HBCU’s and Black America’s Response to the Influenza Pandemic of 1918

This study illuminates African American responses to the Influenza pandemic of 1918, historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in particular. We chose a decolonized approach to historical inquiry, centering Black narratives, periodicals, and historical documents to better understand the African American experience and thereby the world. Our investigation revealed institutions that readily and dutifully responded to the pandemic as a function of their expertise and as a strategy to advance the freedom cause of African Americans. Places like Howard University, Knoxville College, and Meharry Medical College were resources for Black folks, their communities, and for the first time, White Americans. HBCU giants, W. E. B. Du Bois and C.V. Roman emerged in new ways to help Black America balance its duties to society, democracy, and to the race. Despite valor in war and medical service to the country, Black America would continue to struggle for full citizenship.

Court rules against former student

Case name: Chapman v. Meharry Medical College, No. 21‐5866 (6th Cir. 01/31/23).

Court rules against former student

Case name: Chapman v. Meharry Medical College, No. 21‐5866 (6th Cir. 01/31/23).

Court rules against former student

Case name: Chapman v. Meharry Medical College, No. 21‐5866 (6th Cir. 01/31/23).

Spring 2023.

Spring 2023 Virginia M. Brennan, PhD, MA Spring has burst forth all over here in middle Tennessee and at Meharry Medical College, where JHCPU is based. As the campus prepares for graduation, we celebrate with the graduates and at the same time continue our work. The present issue might best be introduced as a series of themes, with the relevant articles identified, which is what appears immediately below. While we cover familiar ground in the important articles on access to care and COVID-19, we further explore new directions in this issue's work on transgender health, designing programs for vulnerable populations, and how the legal system affects quality of life. The list below identifies papers by the lead author's last name and a brief statement of the article's content. • Access to care Consequences of delayed care ◉ Seballos (People experiencing homelessness who died in the emergency department) ◉ Joseph (Social need during pregnancy was associated with increased risk of stillbirth) Factors that predict health care use ◉ Yoon (Use of preventive care among Asian Americans) ◉ Springer (Cost-related medication non-adherence in stroke) ◉ Adeyimi (The relationship between poverty, delayed care, unaffordable care, and functional limitations among individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) ◉ Veilleux (High-deductible health plan reporting delayed/foregone care) ◉ Gudina (Lung cancer screening among individuals at high risk) ◉ Ugas (Literature Review: Limited proficiency in the majority language) ◉ Luo (PCP Medicaid participation across the United States) • Trans and Gender-nonconforming populations and public health ◉ Masa (Findings from the U.S. Transgender Survey) ◉ Holt (Psychosocial assessment for gender-affirming medical care) ◉ Harris (Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey, 2014 to 2020, sex and gender identity questions) • Designing programs for underserved populations ◉ Castro (Promoting mental health among Latina breast cancer survivors and informal caregivers) ◉ Panda (The Haven Clinic: The planning and implementation of a medical home for child trafficking survivors ◉ Lee, EK (The effectiveness of collaborative care in publicly insured populations) [End Page vii] • How the legal system affects quality of life ◉ Du (Mental health needs of undocumented immigrants) ◉ Hutson (Literature Review: health impacts of the criminal legal system on families) ◉ Crookes (Immigration enforcement climate in Georgia and the mental health of Latinx immigrants) • COVID-19 ◉ Nasir (Long COVID epidemiology) ◉ Jamison/Zheng (COVID-19 care delivery) All these articles except four are empirical research articles. The remaining four are literature reviews (two) and reports from the field (two). From all of us here at JHCPU, happy reading! Virginia M. Brennan Editor, JHCPU Associate Prof., Meharry Medical College Acknowledgment Themes identified by Jannie Frierson, Editorial Assistant, JHCPU. Copyright © 2020 Meharry Medical College