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IRB No. 02-200-1 (Dr. Bruce Liang, PI): Molecular Correlates of Atrial Fibrillation

Study description not available

IRB No. 02-288-2 (Dr. Anna Dongari-Bagtzoglou, PI): Oral Epithelial Cell Cytokines Candida and PMN Activation

This is a research study that examines the ways by which human blood cells fight yeast infections of the mouth. More specifically, we are interested in the activation of human cells in response to mucosal cell products called cytokines.

IRB No. 03-007-1 (Dr. Ernst Reichenberger, PI): Genetic Analysis of Human Disorders: Keloid Formation

The purpose of this study is to identify genes which cause or contribute to keloid formation. Keloids are wounds which grow beyond the margin of the original skin wound.

IRB No. 03-008-1 (Dr. Ernst Reichenberger, PI): Genetic Analysis of Human Disorders: Skeletal Disorders

The purpose of this study is the investigation of rare bone disorders such as craniometaphyseal dysplasia, cherubism, aplasia cutis congenita, gnathodiaphyseal dysplasia.

IRB No. 03-203-2 (Dr. Daniel Rosenberg, PI): Identification and Analysis of Aberrant Crypt Foci in Colonoscopy Patients

Study description not available

IRB No. 07-016-1 (Dr. Martin Freilich, PI): Osteoporosis and bone augmentation/implant outcomes: An observational study

The objective of this study is to utilize a clinical study model to collect descriptive data needed to support the development of future studies that will test the association between specific measures of bone health and the successful integration of new bone from bone augmentation procedures. Postmenopausal women with a wide range of bone health and reduced jaw bone thickness will receive bone augmentation therapy followed by implant and restoration placement, with the specific treatment based upon best clinical judgment. Throughout initial diagnosis, treatment and follow-up, blood makrers will be drawn to assess bone health and its possible association with treatment outcomes. Outcomes will be based upon clinical and radiographic examination, bone health markers and patient interviews.

IRB No. 07-252-2: Circulating Markers for Ischemic Heart Failure

The purpose of this research is to determine if two proteins in the blood are increased during acute myocardial infarction and whether their levels are higher in those who develop heart failure than those who do not. These two proteins are produced and potentially released when the heart muscle is damaged. They may then be released into the blood and be detected by standard method in the research laboratory. At this time, detection of an increase in these proteins in the blood is not know to be associated with any disease or myocardial infarction.

IRB No. 08-280-2 (Dr. Daniel Connor, PI): Assessment of Children in Outpatient Psychiatric Treatment

The study aims to analyze medical chart data from two child psychiatry outpatient clinics. The goal of the study is to learn about the characteristics and needs of children in outpatient psychiatric treatment and their families and who they respond to different forms of psychiatric and psychological treatment, in order to improve treatment services.

IRB No. 08-310-1: UCONN Health Center Research Tissue Registry/Repository

The objective of this project is to develop a research repository for the purpose of performing cancer studies. Information will be gathered form UCHC medical records, molecular and pathological analysis of blood collected and tissue gathered during surgical procedures. The tissue will be obtained during surgical procedures the patient may have elected to have performed at the Health Center in the future. The collection of data will also permit review of relevant information to identify patients who may be eligible for future studies, and to seek permission of patients to be contacted to determine their interest in taking part in future studies. De-identified information will be used for approved research studies and to gather pilot data for extra-mural grant applications.

IRB No. 07-224-2 (Dr. Augustus Mazzocca, PI): The in vitro effect of biomaterials on human osteoblast, tenocytes and chondrocyte cultures

In this study the goal is to evaluate in vitro, biomaterials, using primary osteoblasts, tenocytes and chondrocytes abtained from discarded tissue samples during orthopaedic procedures.

IRB No. 11-027-2 (Dr. Susan Tannenbaum, PI): UCHC Cancer Center Research Screening

Study description not available

IRB No. 12-009-2 (Dr. Mark Metersky, PI): Bronchiectasis Research Registry: A Consolidated Database of Non-Cystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis Patients from Major Clinical and Research Institutions

Study description not available

IRB No. 13-119-2 (Dr. Bruce Liang, PI): Study of Circulating Monocytes in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease

Study description not available

IRB No. 14-024-2 (Dr. Adam Adler, PI): In vitro characterization of cancer related immune impairment and its reversal by the use of cytokines, costimulatory molecules and a blocker of immune suppression used singly or in combination

The trial will include patients with advanced malignancy and an estimated survival of 6 months or less, based on the judgment of their oncologist, the type of malignancy, ECOG performance status, stage of disease and pre-existing co-morbidities. This is an exploratory in-vitro study which is being performed to determine optimal combinations of cytokines, costimulatory agonists and inhibitors of immune-suppressive factors to restore immune responsiveness in patients with advanced malignancy. Patients meeting the “inclusion and exclusion criteria” will be solicited by their physician or designee to allow a venipuncture and withdrawal of 20cc of blood. The samples will be obtained, as much as feasible, along with routine blood work, so as to minimize the need for additional venipuncture. The lymphocytes will be isolated and exposed to cytokines, including, but not limited to, members of the IL1 family of cytokines [IL 1, IL 18, and IL 33. IL 36]. The cells will also be exposed to agonists for costimulatory molecules of the TNF family, including but not limited to, OX-40 and 4-1-BB. Costimulatory agonists and antagonists to B7 family will also be used, including but not limited to PD1, PD2, PD1L and CD28. An inhibitor of IDO will also be used to reduce the suppressive effects of Tregs and MDSC. The T-cells will be stimulated by vaccine recall antigens, such as tetanus toxoid and influenza antigen. Mitogens such as PMA plus Ionomycin and/or anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody will also be employed. Ki-67 staining, a marker of cell proliferation will be done to determine a Ki-67 labeling index on the study and control specimens before and after experimental manipulations. Measurements of T cell cytotoxicity and quantification of expression levels of cytotoxic effector molecules will be performed before and after experimental manipulations. RNA-Seq will be done before and after experimental manipulations of the study and control specimens to determine which genes are being transcribed in response to experimental measures. Control samples will be obtained from de-identified blood purchased from the GRC. These control specimens will be stimulated and activated in a similar fashion to the specimens obtained from the experimental subjects. If possible, the same study patients will be requested to allow a second venipuncture no sooner than 6 weeks after the first venipuncture, and in no case, no sooner than six weeks after the last antineoplastic therapy.

IRB No. 14-107-6 (Dr. Biree Andemariam, PI): Identification of Patient-specific RBC-endothelial Cell Adhesion Profiles as Markers of Sickle Cell Disease Severity.

The research objective of this proposal is to determine in 25 adult/pediatric SCD patients (1) the relationship between pain severity phenotype and the strength of adhesion between single red blood cells (RBCs) and single endothelial cells (ECs) isolated from peripheral blood and (2) the ex vivo effect of pharmacologic inhibitors on RBC-EC adhesion, creating both a patient-specific adhesion profile and therapeutic signature. The results are expected to lead to novel individually-targeted approaches to inhibit the onset and limit the duration of painful vaso-occlusive episodes (VOEs). Our central hypothesis is that the strength of adhesion between RBCs and ECs at baseline is related to patient-specific pain severity phenotype, resulting in the need for patient-specific drug therapy. To test the hypothesis, we will pursue the following three specific aims: Investigate the relationship between pain severity phenotype and baseline RBC-EC adhesion profile in SCD subjects – We will measure the strength of adhesion between single RBCs-ECs from SCD subjects at baseline. Baseline/steady-state adhesion profiles will be compared on an inter-patient level to determine which adhesion profiles correlate most highly with pain severity phenotype. Assess the association of VOE severity with changes in RBC-EC adhesion from baseline to VOE onset. We will measure the change in strength of adhesion between single RBCs-ECs from baseline to VOE onset. Changes in adhesion will be compared on an inter-patient level to determine whether relative changes in adhesion profile at VOE onset correlate with VOE severity. Test the ex vivo effect of targeted pharmacotherapy on the RBC-EC adhesion profile of SCD subjects – We will measure (at baseline and at VOE onset) the ex vivo inhibitory effect of two known RBC-EC adhesion blockers (propranolol and abciximab) to identify patient-specific anti-adhesive therapeutic signatures.

IRB No. 14-136-6 (Dr. Biree Andemariam, PI): Hemoglobinopathies and Bone Health

This research study has two purposes. The first purpose is to determine whether having sickle cell trait is a risk factor for the development of bone thinning at an earlier age than expected. Nearly 10% of African Americans carry sickle cell trait and most of them are unaware of it. African Americans are less likely to develop thin bones than whites, but if they sustain a bone fracture, they are more likely to die from it. We believe having sickle cell trait may lead to bone thinning and predispose a subset of African Americans to dangerously thin bones. The second purpose is to try to understand why individuals with sickle cell disease have thinner bones than healthy individuals do. Doctors have already discovered that people with sickle cell disease have very thin bones, but they have not determined why. Our study will try to identify whether the bone thinning is from the body not making enough bone or from the body losing bone once it is made.

IRB No. 15-027-2 (Dr. Susan Tannenbaum, PI): S1207, "Phase III Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial Evaluating the Use of Adjuvant Endocrine Therapy +/- One Year of Everolimus in Patients with High-Risk, Hormone Receptor-Positive and HER2/neuNegative Breast Cancer."

Primary Objective: The primary objective of this study is to compare whether the addition of one year of everolimus (10 mg daily) to standard adjuvant endocrine therapy improves invasive disease-free survival (IDFS) in patients with high-risk, hormone-receptor (HR) positive and HER2-negative breast cancer. Secondary Objectives: a. To compare whether the addition of one year of everolimus to standard adjuvant endocrine therapy improves overall survival (OS) and distant recurrence-free survival (DRFS) in this patient population. b. To evaluate the safety, toxicities and tolerability of one year of everolimus in combination with standard adjuvant endocrine therapy and compare it with standard adjuvant endocrine therapy plus placebo in this patient population. c. To determine whether the benefit of one year of everolimus use in addition to standard adjuvant endocrine therapy varies by recurrence score (RS), nodal status, or other commonly used prognostic factors. d. To evaluate adherence to 1-year treatment of everolimus in comparison to placebo in addition to standard adjuvant endocrine therapy in this patient population. e. To collect specimens in order to evaluate biomarkers of therapeutic efficacy.

IRB No. 13-132S-2 (Dr. Glenn Konopaske, PI): Enroll-HD: A Prospective Registry Study in a Global Huntington's Disease Cohort

Enroll HD is a worldwide observational study for people with HD and their family members. We are collecting data in an effort to improve our understanding and treatment of HD.

IRB No. 16-055-2 (Dr. David Steffens, PI): Department of Psychiatry: Adult Repository

The purpose of the repository is to prospectively collect biological samples along with clinical data to facilitate future research studies and pilot analysis related to medical and behavioral health research.

IRB No. 01-127H-2 (Dr. Kazuya Machida, PI): Signalosome-oriented Phosphotyrosine Profiling of B-cell Malignancies

Study description not available

IRB No. 14-041HO-1 (Dr. Rajesh Lalla, PI): Clinical Registry of Dental Outcomes in Head and Neck Cancer Patients (ORARAD)

The ORARAD study is a prospective cohort study to document dental and other oral outcomes in patients who receive radiation therapy as part of treatment for a head and neck cancer. Seven hundred and fifty-six participants will be enrolled nationally over a three year period. Of these, 135 will be enrolled at UCHC. All participants will be seen for the study before starting radiation therapy then at six-month intervals for up to two years after the start of radiation therapy. The primary outcome will be the two-year rate of tooth loss after radiation therapy. Secondary outcomes will include measures of dental caries, periodontal health, salivary flow, and exposed bone/osteoradionecrosis.

IRB No. 17-155-3 (Dr. Adam Lindsay, PI): Fundamentals of Orthopaedic Surgery (FORS) & Fundamentals of Arthroscopic Techniques (FAST) Surgical Simulators

The purpose of this research study is to evaluate two surgical simulators as a way of assessing and improving surgical skills. The simulators are composed of materials founds at hardware stores such as PVC pipes, pipe insulation, foam bricks and wood blocks. Participants will be asked to perform different surgical skills such as suturing, drilling and/or arthroscopy using one or both of the simulators while being observed. Participation involves multiple 20-30 minute testing sessions to evaluate surgical skills over time. The following individuals are invited to participate in this study: • All UConn Medical Students • All UConn Medical Residents • All UConn Medical Fellows • Attending Physicians that perform more than 5 orthopaedic surgery/arthroscopic operations per month

IRB No. 13-087-3.2 (Dr. Susan Tannenbaum, PI): Factors Influencing Fatigue in Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Breast Irradiation

Study description not available

IRB No. 12-013S-3.2 (Dr. Biree Andemariam, PI): Biomechanical Properties of Blood Cells in Sickle Cell Disease

Study description not available

IRB No. 18-170-1 (Dr. Sara Tabtabai, PI): Evaluation of a Guideline Directed Medication Titration (GDMT) Program in Patients with Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction

A patient newly diagnosed with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction requires close follow up for titration of medications as blood pressure, electrolytes and symptoms permit. Although the benefits of guideline directed medical therapy (GDMT) have been well studied, there remains a significant gap in the receipt of GDMT in the ambulatory and hospitalized setting. As such, we seek to assess the utility of focused GDMT clinic to reduce this gap. We hypothesize that implementation of a GDMT focused clinic will reduce the gap, improve medication compliance and in turn, improve the mean ejection fraction, and reduce hospitalization rates.

IRB No. 19-036-1 (Dr. Jun Lu, PI): Rheumatology-Dermatology Combined Clinic Patient Registry

The Rheumatology-Dermatology Combined Clinic Patient Registry is a prospective registry that collects patient data within the UConn Department of Dermatology combined clinic for patients being treated for both rheumatologic and dermatologic conditions. Both dermatologists and rheumatologists participate in care for patients suffering from connective tissue disease with both cutaneous and rheumatological manifestations. By establishing combined rheumatology-dermatology clinic, patients will receive collaborative care from both specialties in the same visit. The combined multidisciplinary clinic offers the opportunity for improving care quality, patient satisfaction, and continued education and professional development for physicians. The protocol includes patients over the age of 18 that are being treated in the UConn combined rheumatology-dermatology clinic. This registry will gather data over a 10 year period for future research regarding improving patient care, diagnosis, treatment and long term outcomes for this subspecialty clinic.

IRB No. 19-214-1 (Dr. David Steffens, PI): Apathy and Reward Systems in Alzheimer's Disease

Apathy is a common feature of Alzheimer's disease (AD) that is related to functional decline, but its underlying neurobiology is poorly understood. In this application, we propose to use functional magnetic imaging and tasks that focus on the brain's reward system to examine apathy in AD and in late-life depression. Our aim is to identify new targets for intervention to improve apathy in patients with AD.

IRB No. 19-206S-1: Just Us Moving Program in the State of Connecticut (JUMP-CT)

JUMP-CT aims to increase light physical activity and reduce weight in the African and Hispanic American populations with type 2 diabetes in the greater Hartford region. This program is a simple behavioral modification program focused on decreasing the hemoglobin A1c levels, a marker of blood sugar levels,in diabetics and in turn improving the management of diabetes and its associated complications and risk factors over time.

IRB No. 14-107CS-6.2 (Dr. Biree Andemariam, PI): Identification of Patient-specific RBC-endothelial Cell Adhesion Profiles as Markers of Sickle Cell Disease Severity.

The research objective of this proposal is to determine in 25 adult/pediatric SCD patients (1) the relationship between pain severity phenotype and the strength of adhesion between single red blood cells (RBCs) and single endothelial cells (ECs) isolated from peripheral blood and (2) the ex vivo effect of pharmacologic inhibitors on RBC-EC adhesion, creating both a patient-specific adhesion profile and therapeutic signature. The results are expected to lead to novel individually-targeted approaches to inhibit the onset and limit the duration of painful vaso-occlusive episodes (VOEs). Our central hypothesis is that the strength of adhesion between RBCs and ECs at baseline is related to patient-specific pain severity phenotype, resulting in the need for patient-specific drug therapy. To test the hypothesis, we will pursue the following three specific aims: Investigate the relationship between pain severity phenotype and baseline RBC-EC adhesion profile in SCD subjects -- We will measure the strength of adhesion between single RBCs-ECs from SCD subjects at baseline. Baseline/steady-state adhesion profiles will be compared on an inter-patient level to determine which adhesion profiles correlate most highly with pain severity phenotype. Assess the association of VOE severity with changes in RBC-EC adhesion from baseline to VOE onset. We will measure the change in strength of adhesion between single RBCs-ECs from baseline to VOE onset. Changes in adhesion will be compared on an inter-patient level to determine whether relative changes in adhesion profile at VOE onset correlate with VOE severity. Test the ex vivo effect of targeted pharmacotherapy on the RBC-EC adhesion profile of SCD subjects -- We will measure (at baseline and at VOE onset) the ex vivo inhibitory effect of two known RBC-EC adhesion blockers (propranolol and abciximab) to identify patient-specific anti-adhesive therapeutic signatures.

IRB No. 14-136CS-6.2 (Dr. Biree Andemariam, PI): Hemoglobinopathies and Bone Health

This research study has two purposes. The first purpose is to determine whether having sickle cell trait is a risk factor for the development of bone thinning at an earlier age than expected. Nearly 10% of African Americans carry sickle cell trait and most of them are unaware of it. African Americans are less likely to develop thin bones than whites, but if they sustain a bone fracture, they are more likely to die from it. We believe having sickle cell trait may lead to bone thinning and predispose a subset of African Americans to dangerously thin bones. The second purpose is to try to understand why individuals with sickle cell disease have thinner bones than healthy individuals do. Doctors have already discovered that people with sickle cell disease have very thin bones, but they have not determined why. Our study will try to identify whether the bone thinning is from the body not making enough bone or from the body losing bone once it is made.

IRB No. 17-193C-6.2 (Dr. Biree Andemariam, PI): Measures of Functional Ability in Adults with Sickle Cell Disease

This study is a prospective, clinical/translational research pilot study using a web-based, daily survey. Pain in adults with sickle cell disease (SCD) is unique in that patients often experience acute and chronic pain simultaneously. Numerical rating scales are often unhelpful in the measurement of this type of pain as patients tend to report high pain scores despite noted variations in functional ability. This pattern of functional improvement with continued report of high pain intensity scores is common in patients with recurrent and chronic pain. A functional assessment tool that can reflect functional changes over brief time periods (days) is necessary to 1) allow for the examination of the impact of acute pain on usual function, 2) investigate the extent to which acute pain symptoms create a burden for patients and caretakers, 3) use as an outcome measure that would allow for objective measurement of changes in functioning as the result of acute pain interventions, and 4) study individual differences in functioning within specific patient groups. We have previously developed the YAPFAQ, a measure of acute functional ability in youth with sickle cell disease. No tool for measurement of daily functional ability in adults with SCD exists. The aim of this project is to provide preliminary data on item content for an adult acute functional ability tool, while examining the impact of other variables such as pain, mood and sleep on daily function in individuals with SCD. We propose to complete a pilot study of 40 adults between the ages of 21-40 years with SCD. Each adult will access an online survey daily for 30 days to report 20-30 items regarding their functional ability, sleep, mood and pain. Participants will access the daily survey through any standard web-browser using REDCap and complete the survey between 6pm-10pm each day.

IRB No. 18-050-1 (Dr. Jun Lu, PI): Corrona Psoriasis Registry

The Corrona Psoriasis Registry is a prospective, multicenter, observational registry that will compare the safety of approved psoriasis therapies in patients across the nation who are actively being treated with these medications by dermatologists. Patients must have been started on, or have been switched to a biologic psoriasis medication within the 12 months preceeding enrollment. Adverse events of special interest, including malignancy, will be followed for all patients.

IRB No. 17-180H-6.2 (Dr. Erin Mead-Morse, PI): Electronic Cigarette Use During Pregnancy HHC-2017-0208

An observational, longitudinal, prospective cohort study of 375 women (125 women who smoke conventional cigarettes exclusively during pregnancy, 125 who use e-cigs and 125 dual users). Background: Maternal smoking is one of the most important modifiable causes of poor pregnancy outcomes in the United States causing 16% low birth weight babies, 6% of premature deliveries, and 6% of preterm related deaths. Quitting smoking is the best option to improve maternal and child health, and smoking reduction is also beneficial. However, an increasing number of pregnant smokers may be using electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) as a substitute for or in conjunction with cigarette smoking. Rationale for this study: E-cigs are an emerging public health issue. They may have a net benefit or risk. A need exists to evaluate the impact of e-cigs in vulnerable populations such as pregnant women. The information about the potential risks and benefits is needed to adequately inform pregnant women and health care providers who counsel their patients. Study Design: This is an observational, longitudinal, prospective cohort study. Study Population and Sample Size: Pregnant smokers who exclusively smoke conventional cigarettes, or who use e-cigs. A total of 375 subjects (125 who smoke conventional cigarettes and 125 who use e-cigs, and 125 dual users) will be enrolled across six sites (UCHC, HH, Baystate Medical Center, University of Colorado, Denver Health, and University of East Tennessee). Major Study Interventions: Not a treatment study. Observational only. Providing written smoking cessation education materials and referral to state Quitline if needed. Main Outcome Measures/Analyses: To determine if e-cigarettes use leads to lower exposure to toxicants in pregnant women relative to those pregnant smokers who smoke conventional cigarettes. Hypotheses, aims and objectives: Hypothesis 1: We hypothesize that women who smoke conventional cigarettes will have higher urine NNAL and serum cotinine & benzene levels compared to users of e-cigs (dual users or exclusive users). Aims / objectives 1: To compare the overall toxicant exposure in pregnant women who use e-cigs to women who smoke conventional cigarettes Hypothesis 2: We hypothesize that infants born to women who smoke conventional cigarettes will have higher levels of NNAL, benzene/SPMA and cotinine compared to infants born to users of e-cigs (dual or exclusive users). Aim/Objective 2: To compare toxicant exposure and birth outcomes among infants born to pregnant women who use e-cigs compared to women who smoke conventional cigarettes Hypothesis 3: We hypothesize that maternal urine for NNAL will be predictive of birth weight, and that this effect will be mediated by inflammatory processes, measured using markers of inflammation [high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs CRP) and intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM-1)]. Any additional effect of benzene/SPMA will be explored. Aim/Objective 3: To explore potential mechanisms by which toxicants could influence birth weight.

IRB No. 20-084-2 (Dr. Zhichao Fan, PI): Mechanisms and Roles of Integrin Activation of Human Blood Leukocytes

Background, Rationale and Significance: Integrins are key mediators of the recruitment of leukocytes which play critical roles in human immunity and inflammatory diseases. Insights about Integrin function hold out the prospect improved inflammatory disease prevention. Blood leukocytes including neutrophils, monocytes, and lymphocytes, all have a recruitment cascade during inflammation and infections. They can first roll on the vascular endothelium, firmly adhere (arrest) on the vascular endothelium, spread on the vascular endothelium, perform intravascular crawling, transmigrate through vascular endothelium, and finally, migrate to the site of inflammation or infections. This cascade is essential for the recruitment and immunological function of leukocytes and involved in many infectious and inflammatory diseases. Integrins, are a group of adhesion molecules vital for the recruitment cascade. Studying the mechanisms and roles of integrin activation will bring new insights into leukocyte recruitment and immune functions and invite discovery of novel treatments for infectious and inflammatory diseases. (See Protocol-Appendix for Leukocyte Recruitment, Integrin Activation Pathways and Super Resolution/ Flow Imaging Graphics- pg.10-16) This protocol is used to develop a continuing supply of fresh blood donations for the Integrin Research Laboratories under the direction of the PI @ UConn Health, Dept of Immunology where the PI recently joined. 2 recent PI authored publications are included for reviewer, explanatory of the Integrin research for which materials are to be utilized in ongoing experiments.

IRB No. 10-273S-2 (Dr. Robert Clark, PI): The Role of Unique Lipids Derived From Common Human Bacteria in Multiple Sclerosis

Study description not available

IRB No. 14-193CH-6.2 (Dr. Damion Grasso, PI): Prenatal Exposure to Stress

The purpose of the repository is to build a research program focused on epigenetic influences of early childhood exposure to violence and disruption in the development of the stress response system. The work will continue the focus on the glucocorticoid receptor gene FKBP5 and it's companion molecules in the stress response pathway.

IRB No. 18-038-1 (Dr. Damion Grasso, PI): Intergenerational Transmission of Trauma-Related Risk

Evidence suggests that the effects of trauma exposure, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), can be transmitted across generations to shape pathways to psychological impairment in offspring; however, the mechanisms and timing of these effects are not well known. The purpose of this study is to better understand these mechanisms. It builds on an ongoing study to examine associations between maternal PTSD during pregnancy, newborn infant epigenetic patterns, and infant stress reactivity at 6 months of age, in the context of the caregiving environment. Hispanic/Latino participants who had enrolled in the ongoing study and who have agreed to be contacted and invited to participate in future research opportunities will be invited to participate. Specific aims are to examine (1) associations between maternal PTSD and epigenetic patterns in both mothers and newborn infants, (2) links between maternal PTSD during pregnancy, maternal and newborn epigenetic patterns, and biological and behavioral indicators of stress reactivity in 6-month-old infant offspring, and (3) whether aspects of the caregiving environment moderate the effects of maternal PTSD and epigenetic patterns on infant stress reactivity.

IRB No. 19-145J-2 (Dr. Danielle Luciano, PI): Cellular Phenotyping of Endometriosis – Towards Biomarker Discovery and a Mechanistic Understanding of Disease

Endometriosis is a common gynecological disorder that results when tissue that normally lines the inside of a woman';s uterus - the endometrium - grows outside the uterus. The tissue forms large lesions that most typically implant in the ovaries, fallopian tubes and the tissue lining the pelvis, causing severe and debilitating pain, fatigue and infertility. The condition can only be diagnosed through surgical removal of lesions and treatment is aimed primarily at managing the pain symptoms. Removal of endometriosis lesions offers temporary relief, but lesions and their associated symptoms frequently recur in patients. There is no cure. Endometriosis is a significant health and economic burden owing to disability and lost productivity among women. A major reason why we lack options for diagnosing and treating endometriosis is because our understanding of the fundamental mechanisms of disease remains poor. Understanding the cell types and cell-type-specific gene expression patterns in the lesion and the surrounding environment is a foundational step that will inform hypotheses on the etiology and pathogenesis of disease and reveal the molecular factors that could represent viable targets for diagnostic and therapeutic development. We hypothesize that the local environment creates conditions for endometriotic lesions to develop and invade surrounding organs, and that both the lesion and lesion-adjacent tissues contain factors that could represent viable targets for biomarker-based diagnostics and therapeutics. To investigate our hypothesis, we will employ cutting-edge technologies for investigating the gene-expression patterns of single cells, and for high-resolution imaging to understand how different cell types comprising a tissue are spatially arranged. We will perform these experiments in human endometriotic lesions from the pelvic cavity, in tissue immediately adjacent to the lesion (to begin to understand the molecular features of the local environment), and in healthy endometrial tissue. We will use computational algorithms to compare the different gene expression patterns and to correlate these patterns with specific cell types. We will then analyze the spatial arrangement of these cell types to understand the cell-cell interactions that could help lesions to establish and grow. This work will yield the first, comprehensive profile of the endometriosis ";ecosystem"; along with a list of expressed genes that researchers can use to form new hypotheses about disease etiology. This list of expressed genes will likely contain molecular factors that could be developed into biomarkers or therapeutic targets.

IRB No. 20-122-1 (Dr. Lihong Wang, PI): A Neural Study of the Maturational Shift in Emotion Regulation in Healthy Aging and Depression

This study will focus on examining the impacts of age and depression history on emotion regulation, both behaviorally and neurally. Maladaptive emotion regulation in older subjects with a history of depression is a risk for depression relapse. Confirming the failure in the normal adult maturational shift in emotion regulation in remitted depressed patients and identifying neural mechanisms supporting emotion regulation strategies used in remitted depressed subjects will inform the future development of novel prevention or treatment interventions.

IRB No. 20-123-1 (Dr. David FitzGerald, PI): Child Clinic Registry

The objective of this project is to develop a data registry. A registry collects, processes, stores and distributes data for future scientific investigation. The registry will consist of medical record information obtained from patients treated at Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Outpatient Clinic at UConn Health. The treatment in this clinic is focused on addressing psychological and psychiatric behaviors.

IRB No. 20-230-2 (Dr. Kourosh Parham, PI): Prestin as a Biomarker for Hearing Loss in Cisplatin Therapy

Cisplatin is a widely used and effective chemotherapeutic agent but well-known for also causing hearing loss or ototoxicity. However, there is currently no available blood-based biomarker test to evaluate the onset of ototoxicity in patients undergoing cisplatin. Diagnostic blood tests are easy to obtain and non-invasive and can provide critical information for treatment, intervention, and even prevention of downstream pathology. Several animal studies have shown outer hair cell electromotility protein prestin to be a promising biomarker for ototoxicity, however it has yet to be applied in human studies. Our hypothesis is that prestin may present as a measurable and specific serological biomarker for early detection of ototoxicity secondary to cisplatin chemotherapy. Our specific aim is to determine a temporal relationship between prestin levels and cisplatin treatment.

IRB No. 20-210S-1: The Feasibility and Effectiveness of an Opioid Package Prototype (OPP) to Impact Opioid Prescribing, Dispensing, and Patient Use Outcomes

This study is looking at how the packaging of opioid medication affects the use of opioids following surgery. The study is comparing opioid use when provided in a standard amber vial (normal orange bottle) versus a blister pack called the Opioid Package Prototype, or “OPP” for short. Study participants will receive their post-surgery opioid medication from Arrow Pharmacy (located in the Outpatient Pavillion) in one of the two packages, which are pre-assigned. Participants will also complete surveys and/or interviews before surgery and at 1 week, 1 month and 3 months after surgery. Basic criteria to participate include being an adult having one of 17 common surgical procedures by a participating orthopaedic surgeon and using opioid medication for post-operative pain.

IRB No. 20-072-1 (Dr. Fiona Campbell-Furlong, PI): Study of The Relationship Between 27-Hydroxycholesterol Levels and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Mobilization in Pregnant Women

Study Title: The Relationship Between 27-Hydroxycholesterol Levels and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Mobilization in Pregnant Women SPECIFIC AIMS The specific aims of this project are: To investigate the association between plasma 27-hydroxycholesterol (27HC) and total cholesterol levels during pregnancy progression. To investigate the association between plasma 27HC levels and mobilized hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) number during pregnancy progression. To investigate whether 27HC levels in the peripheral blood differ between pregnant and non-pregnant women. To investigate whether mobilized HSC number in the peripheral blood differ between pregnant and non-pregnant women. To investigate the association between CYP27A1 gene expression/mutation and complications during pregnancy. 4 STUDY DESIGN This prospective, single-site, observational study will enroll 50 healthy adult females in their first trimester of pregnancy and 13 adult healthy non-pregnant female controls. The purpose of this research study is to investigate the relationship between plasma 27HC levels and HSC mobilization during pregnancy. Participants will provide 6 mL of blood samples for the analyses of 27HC levels and HSC number at each research visit (single visit for non-pregnant female controls and 5 visits every 8-10 weeks for pregnant participants). Permission will also be obtained from the pregnant participants for the collection of placental and umbilical cord tissue discarded after delivery. 4.1 Characteristics of the Study Population Cohort A Number: 50 Age Range 18-40 years Sex: Females Health Status: Healthy, in their first trimester pregnancy Duration of Participation: 5 study visits every 8-10 weeks coinciding with routine prenatal visits, hospitalization for labor and delivery, and post-natal visit. First visit approximately 30 minutes in duration and the remaining 4 visits 10 minutes each. Placental tissue and umbilical cord specimens (surgical discard) will be collected following labor and delivery. Cohort B Number: 13 Age Range 18-40 years Sex: Females Health Status: Healthy, not-pregnant Duration of Participation: Single research visit, approximately 30 minutes in duration. 4.2 Sampling Plan The study sample will be drawn from healthy pregnant women and healthy non-pregnant women in the catchment area of UConn Health in Farmington, CT under the direction of Dr. Winston Campbell. 5 SELECTION AND ENROLLMENT OF PARTICIPANTS Fifty (50) healthy pregnant women and 13 healthy non-pregnant women, ages 18-40 years, from all ethnic and racial groups will be recruited in this study. Dr. Winston Campbell, the Principal Investigator of the clinical protocol, and his clinical team will recruit for this study from the patient population of UConn Health. All pregnant women presenting to the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at UConn Health in their first trimester for prenatal care will be considered candidates to participate in the study (Cohort A). Healthy controls (Cohort B) will be recruited from the patient population presenting in the Gynecology clinic. The UConn Health Women';s Center evaluates approximately 2,000 patients annually for routine gynecological care and the John Dempsey Hospital accounts for about 1,000 deliveries annually. Recruitment in this study will occur via direct clinician referral of the potential participant to the study team. Any recruitment material used will be presented to the IRB for approval before use. Vulnerable Populations Fifty (50) healthy adult females in their first trimester of pregnancy will be enrolled as part of this study. All five study visits will coincide with routine pre-natal and post-natal visits. Six milliliters (6 mL) of blood will be collected at each of the five visits by experienced and trained staff (a total of 30ml over 32-40 weeks). Permission will also be obtained to collect discarded placental tissue after delivery. The study imposes no greater than minimal risk to the pregnant women and fetuses. The researchers will not interfere/influence the standard of care, nor will they have any part in: 1) any decisions as to the timing, method, or procedures used to terminate a pregnancy, and 2) determining the viability of the fetus at the termination of the pregnancy. No other vulnerable populations will be enrolled in this study. Collaborating Sites/Investigators All prospective recruitment, enrollment, and clinical data abstraction will occur at UConn Health by Dr. Christine Nkemeh and the other Maternal-Fetal Medicine fellows under the direction of Dr. Winston Campbell, Professor, Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynecology, UConn Health. The blood sample collection, processing, and complete blood count, will be performed at the UConn Health - Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine. Plasma preparation and flow-cytometric analyses of coded blood samples will be performed at the UConn Health - Dept. of Cell Biology. Lipid panel and bile acid analyses will be performed at the UConn Metabolic Phenotyping Facility. The code key will be maintained at UConn Health with access restricted to Dr. Campbell and the UConn Health study team. Coded and deidentified plasma samples will be shared by Dr. Oguro with Dr. Jeffrey G. McDonald, Assoc. Prof., Center for Human Nutrition, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (UTSW) for analysis of plasma 27HC levels. 5.1 Eligibility Criteria Eligibility Criteria for Cohort A- Pregnant Females (n=50) Inclusion Criteria: Female Age 18-40 years Pregnant <12 weeks of gestation Receiving prenatal care at UConn Health Able and willing to provide written informed consent Willing to provide placental tissue following delivery Exclusion Criteria: <18 years old Hypercholesterolemia Known history of any of the following conditions: Malignancy (eligible if no recurrence in the last 5 years) Congestive Heart Failure Cardiovascular Disease (unstable ≤ 6 months) Kidney disease Renal failure Impaired hepatic function Diabetes HIV, AIDS or other Immunodeficiency Autoimmune disease such as: Rheumatoid Arthritis, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, etc. Currently taking any prescribed medication more than 3 times a week for longer than 2 weeks (other than pregnancy related vitamins or supplements) Recent (≤ 3 months) trauma or surgery Current substance and/or alcohol abuse Prisoners Eligibility Criteria for Cohort B- Healthy Controls (n=13) Inclusion Criteria: Female Age 18-40 years Not Pregnant (confirmed with Urine Pregnancy Test) Able and willing to provide written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: <18 years old Hypercholesterolemia Known history of any of the following conditions: Malignancy (eligible if no recurrence in the last 5 years) Congestive Heart Failure Cardiovascular Disease (unstable ≤ 6 months*) Kidney disease Renal failure Impaired hepatic function Diabetes HIV, AIDS or other Immunodeficiency Autoimmune disease such as: Rheumatoid Arthritis, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, etc. Currently taking any prescribed medication more than 3 times a week for longer than 2 weeks (other than pregnancy related vitamins or supplements) Recent (≤ 3 months) trauma or surgery Current substance and/or alcohol abuse Prisoners 5.2 Study Enrollment Procedures Cohort A participants will be recruited from the population of pregnant women presenting at Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology for prenatal care. Cohort B participants will be recruited from the patient population presenting at the general gynecology clinic. A combination of IRB approved recruitment methods may be used; including, referral by clinicians, broadcast recruitment email messages, study flyers posted in public areas, clinics, and blood draw stations at UConn Health, video displays in clinics, etc. The majority of recruitment will occur via direct clinician referral of the potential participant to the study team. Dr. Campbell, or another UConn Health Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynecology clinician, will inform patient of the possibility of participating in a research study and ask if there is interest in learning more. If the patient is interested, the clinician or a Fellow will present the details of the study and administer the informed consent. If the patient prefers a separate visit for consent, this may be scheduled at their convenience. Interested patients will provide written consent following an informed consent discussion with an authorized member of the UConn Health study team prior to initiation of study activities. Since participants in Cohort A will receive ongoing prenatal care at the UConn Health Rheumatology clinic and study visits will be coordinated to coincide with routine prenatal/postnatal care visits and hospitalization for labor and delivery, a high rate of retention in this study is expected. Since participants in Cohort B will have a single study visit, a high rate of retention in this cohort is expected. 6 STUDY PROCEDURES 6.1 Schedule of Events Participants in Cohort A will have 5 study visits 8-10 weeks apart for a total study duration of up to 11 months. The study visits will coincide with their routine prenatal and postnatal care visits as follows: Visit 1: Coincides with the first prenatal visit (5-13weeks) Visit 2: Coincides with the prenatal visit for alpha-fetal protein analysis (17-24 weeks) Visit 3: Coincides with the prenatal visit for glucose tolerance test (28-32 weeks) Visit 4: At the time of admission into John Dempsey Hospital for labor and delivery Visit 5: Coincides with 4-6 weeks post-partum visit The researchers aim to collect blood specimens during each of the three trimesters, at the time of labor and delivery, and during their postpartum visit. Participants in Cohort B will have only one study visit. Event Cohort B Cohort A Visit 1 Visit 1 Visit 2 Visit 3 Visit 4 Visit 5 Informed Consent Prior to study activities x x Screening Form x x Medical History x x Demographics x x Current Medications x x Adverse Events x x x x x x Peripheral blood specimen (6 mL) x x x x x x Medical Notes on current pregnancy (from charts) x x x x x Medical Notes on outcome of pregnancy (from charts) x x Fresh placental tissue collection (following delivery) x Umbilical cord sample collection (following delivery) x 6.2 Description of Study Visits Visit 1: Approximate visit time = 30 minutes Consent Procedure Before any study activity, the IRB-approved Informed Consent Form (ICF) will be reviewed with the potential participant, section-by-section by a qualified member of the study team in a private area. Subjects will be given the opportunity to ask questions and to have them fully answered. Subjects who elect to enroll will sign and date the consent form. The member of the study team conducting the informed consent discussion will also sign and date the ICF. A copy of the ICF signed by the consenter and the subject will be provided to the subject. This process will be documented by the Documentation of Consent Form that will be stored in the research record under a unique Participant Identifier (PID). The original signed ICF will be stored separately from the research record and with other study documents that contain personal identifiers (HIPAA Authorization, or other). The HIPAA Authorization form will be provided to the participant to review and sign to authorize the use and disclosure of their Protected Health Information (PHI) collected for use in this study. We do not expect to encounter many non-English speaking patients in this study. However, in order to facilitate any non-English speaking patients who are unexpectedly encountered in the study, a short form consent will be made available as per the UConn Human Subjects Protection Program, Informed Consent - Short Form policy. This will only be presented to individuals who have a witness (who is fluent in English and the language of the subject) present and willing to translate for the patient. An IRB-approved Short Form consent document written in a language understandable to the subject, will be presented to the patient. The person obtaining consent will provide an oral presentation of the informed consent information to the subject and a copy of the IRB-approved consent form will be provided to the subject as a written summary. If the subjects consents to participating in the study, the subject will be asked to sign and date only the short form consent. The witness will sign both the short form consent as well as the IRB-approved informed consent form. The study consenter will only sign and date the IRB-approved informed consent form. A copy of the short form document as well as the IRB-approved informed consent form will be provided to the subject. If a larger non-English speaking population is encountered during the course of the study, the complete IRB-approved ICF will be translated into the language that this population understands. Enrollment The participant will be considered enrolled and will receive a unique participant identifier number (PID) number in the study once the ICF has been signed. The PID will not be derived from or include any direct personal identifiers (name, birthdate, medical record number, etc.). Screening After informed consent, participants will be screened for eligibility. For Cohort B participants, an on-site urine pregnancy test will be used to confirm non-pregnant status. Individuals that signed informed consent but do not meet all eligibility criteria will be withdrawn from participation and considered ";screen failures";. Data Collection Once all inclusion and exclusion criteria have been reviewed and the subject has been determined to have met all eligibility criteria, the following data collection forms (CRFs) will be completed: Demographic Information Form completed with subject by interview All the other data will be abstracted from medical charts by UConn Health IRB approved study team. Clinical data to be abstracted include: date of last menstrual period, expected date of delivery, gestational age at delivery, medical conditions, and medications will be obtained from the medical record. Infant information to be obtained from the medical record will include gestational age at delivery, date of delivery, mode of delivery, birth weight, 1 minute and 5 minute APGARS, and whether or not the baby is admitted to the NICU. Blood draw Blood (6 mL) will be collected peripherally following clinical care phlebotomy and blood draw by qualified clinical staff at UConn Health using best practices. Two EDTA (lavender top) Vacutainer tubes (6 mL) will be used for whole blood collection to obtain a total of 6 mL (3 mL in each tube). The research tubes will be labeled with sample ID (see Sample Processing, Labeling and Transfer) and date of collection. Once filled with blood, tubes will be immediately inverted 8-10 times to mix and ensure adequate anticoagulation of the specimen. The tubes will then be stored at 4°C until further processing at the UConn Health - Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine. The first EDTA tube (3 mL blood) will be used for complete blood count at UConn Health Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynecology and flow-cytometric analyses at Dept. of Cell Biology. The second EDTA tube (3 mL blood) will be used for plasma purification at Dept. of Cell Biology. The EDTA tubes will be stored on ice and securely transported to Dept. of Cell Biology for processing and analysis. Triple packaging consisting of a leak-proof primary receptacle (eg. blood tube), a leak-proof secondary package (eg. Sealable plastic bag), and an outer package clearly labeled with Biohazard sign will be used for secure transportation of the samples from Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynecology to Dept. of Cell Biology. At Dept. of Cell Biology, the plasma samples will be divided into 3 parts, labelled with sample ID (see Sample Processing, Labeling and Transfer) and date of collection. One part of the plasma sample will be shipped to UTSW (0.5 mL of plasma) for the analysis of plasma 27HC levels. Visits 2-5: Cohort A only - Approximate visit time = 10 minutes each Blood draw Blood (6 mL) will be collected peripherally by phlebotomy by qualified clinical staff at UConn Health using best practices at each study visit as detailed above. The blood draws at Visits 2, 3, and 4 will occur at the time of phlebotomy and blood draws performed for clinical care. Labelling, storage, processing, analysis, and transportation of samples to Dept. of Cell Biology will be as detailed above. Placental Tissue Collection Following delivery at the UConn John Dempsey Hospital, several samples of the placental tissue will be collected from the expelled placenta (to be discarded otherwise). Specifically, three 0.5cm3 blocks of placental tissue will be excised from the maternal side of the placenta. Collected specimens will be washed with sterile saline and placed into separate pre-labelled tubes (see Sample Processing, Labeling, and Transfer section) containing RNA stabilization reagent, DNA stabilization reagent, and fixative agent. All three pre-labelled tubes containing the reagents will be provided by Dept. of Cell Biology. The tubes will be stored on ice and securely transferred to Dept. of Cell Biology for processing and analysis. Umbilical Cord Sample Collection Following delivery of the placenta, a 1cm segment of the umbilical cord closest to the placental cord insertion site will be collected. This segment will be drained of all blood and then washed with saline. Collected specimen will be cut transversally into three pieces and placed into pre-labelled tubes (see Sample Processing, Labeling, and Transfersection) containing RNA stabilization reagent, DNA stabilization reagent, and fixative agent. All three pre-labelled tubes containing the reagents will be provided by Dept. of Cell Biology. The tubes will be stored on ice and securely transferred to Dept. of Cell Biology for processing and analysis. 6.3 Sample Processing, Labeling, and Transfer All specimens will be processed according to SOPs developed by the Dept. of Cell Biology team. Laminated copies of SOPs as well as labeling instructions will be provided to the UConn Health team prior to study initiation. All specimen tubes will be labeled with the sample ID and date of collection. The sample ID will be in the format 27HC-XXC-V#-S# where: 27HC is the study ID, XX is the two-digit sequential enrollment number and C is the cohort ";A"; or ";B";, V# is the visit number for blood samples (1, 2, 3, 4, or 5), S is the specimen type, and # is the tube number when multiple tubes of blood/placental tissue are collected (e.g., 27HC-01A-V1-B2, 27HC-01A-PM1, 27HC-04B-V1-P3). The Specimen type and tube number key is provided below: Specimen Type Description Tube Number B Blood- EDTA Tube 1, 2 PM Placenta-Maternal Side 1-3 U Umbilical cord 1-3 P Plasma 1-3 *Plasma separated from the blood in EDTA tube #2 The specimens will be prepared for transport using DOT/IATA compliant triple packaging consisting of a leak-proof primary receptacle (e.g. a closed tube), a leak-proof secondary package (e.g. sealable plastic bag), and an outer package clearly labeled with Biohazard sign (e.g. cardboard box or cooler). 6.4 Compensation There are no costs to study participants for taking part in the study. Participants in Cohort A will be provided a modest honorarium (total $20 for five visits: $10 gift cards at the end of visit 1 and $10 at visit 5). Participants in Cohort B will be provided a modest honorarium of $5 gift card. The gift cards will be presented directly to the participants by the study coordinator/fellow and the receipt will be documented. 6.5 Blood cell analysis Three (3) mL of fresh blood sample collected from participants (of the 6 mL) at each visit will be used for flow-cytometric analysis at Dept. of Cell Biology. Complete blood count will be performed at UConn Health either specifically for this study or as part of clinical care. The flow-cytometric analysis at Dept. of Cell Biology will evaluate the expression of CD34 and CD38 to obtain the frequency of HSCs that have CD34+CD38- cell-surface maker phenotype. 6.6 Plasma analysis The remaining three (3) mL of fresh blood samples collected from participants (of the 6 mL) will be processed at Dept. of Cell Biology for plasma purification. Purified plasma (~1.5 mL) will be divided into 3 tubes as follows: Tube #1: 500 uL for 27HC analysis (UTSW) Tube #2: 100 uL for lipid panel (UConn Metabolic Phenotyping Facility) Tube #3: Remaining volume (~900 uL) for storage for the backup (Dept. of Cell Biology) 6.7 Placental and umbilical cord tissue analysis The samples will be collected from 3 different loci from the maternal side of the placental tissue (a total of 3 pieces per tissue approximately 0.5 cm3 each) from pregnant women immediately after delivery at UConn John Dempsey Hospital. A 1cm section of umbilical cord will also be collected and cut transversely into three pieces. Specimens from the placenta and umbilical cord (one each) will be analyzed at Dept. of Cell Biology as follows: Piece #1: Place into a tube containing RNA stabilization reagent for mRNA expression analysis (mRNA expression analysis of CYP27A1 and other genes or RNA-sequencing at Dept. of Cell Biology) Piece #2: Place into a tube containing DNA stabilization reagent for genomic DNA mutation analysis (analysis of genomic mutations in CYP27A1 gene and other genes or whole genome sequencing at Dept. of Cell Biology) Piece #3: Place into a tube containing fixative reagent for immunohistochemistry (expression analysis of CYP27A1protein and other proteins at Dept. of Cell Biology) 7 RISKS AND PROTECTIONS 7.1 Potential Risks to Subjects Risk to Confidentiality: There is a potential risk to confidentiality due to the PHI that will be collected and stored in the subject';s research record. Risk from Blood draw: There may be a minor amount of discomfort due to the needle stick performed for the study blood draw. There is a minor risk of bruising (< 1%), infection at the phlebotomy site (< 1%) or dizziness following the blood draw (<1%). There is no additional risk to the participants from the additional low volume (6ml per visit) of blood drawn for this research. No more than 30ml of blood will be collected from the pregnant participants for purpose of this study over the approximately 40-week study period. No more than 6ml of blood will be collected from the participants in Cohort B. Risk from Placental and Umbilical cord specimens collection: The specimens collected for this study are placental and umbilical cord tissue that would otherwise be discarded. There is no additional risk to the participants in Cohort A or their new-born from the specimens collected for this research. 7.2 Adequacy of Protection against Risks The human subject components of this study will be conducted under the supervision of Dr. Campbell at UConn Health. UConn Health emergency care procedures will be followed if an adverse event or medical emergency occurs. The study site is located on the campus of a tertiary care hospital that is available for treatment of medical emergencies. Protection against Risk to Confidentiality All study visits will occur in a private area at UConn Health in Farmington, CT. Research records will be labeled with a participant ID (PID), an assigned unique identifier that is not derived from any patient identifiers. All contents of the research record will be labeled with the assigned PID. Research records will be stored in a secure area. A complete record of the subject's pertinent history and documentation of the visit will be kept on case report forms and will be stored in the research records. Research records will be accessible only to the IRB-approved UConn Health study team directly involved in conduct of the clinical protocol. Any study documents (Informed Consent Form, HIPAA Authorization) that contain the participant's name will be kept in a separate file apart from the research record and will be stored in a secure location. A master key that links participant names and PIDs will be maintained in a separate and secure location accessible only to the Site PI and approved UConn Health study team. At no time will this key or any identifiable information be provided to researchers at UConn Health Dept. of Cell Biology or UTSW. Samples will be labeled as per SOPs (see Sample Processing, Labeling, and Transfer) and will not contain any patient identifiers when they are transferred to Dept. of Cell Biology. Coded clinical data linked with study samples by the PID will be provided to the Dept. of Cell Biology study team for analysis. HIPAA personal identifiers will not be included in the clinical dataset/samples provided to Dept. of Cell Biology for use in analysis. The clinical data will be provided to Dept. of Cell Biology by secure file transfer or by the entering the data into a password-protected excel database. Dr. Oguro, as an investigator on the clinical protocol may be present at clinical team meetings when identifiable information is present. He will not record or disclose participant identifiers and will not receive the code key at any time. Publications and presentations about discoveries from the data generated from samples collected in this study will not identify subjects by name. Protection against Risk from Blood Draw Six (6) mL of blood will be drawn for participants at each research visit (five visits for Cohort A participants and one visit for Cohort B participants). Blood will be drawn by experienced, trained research staff in a clinic setting on a hospital campus. The site where the needle will be inserted will be wiped with alcohol before and after the draw. Only sterile needles will be used. An adhesive bandage will be placed over the site after the draw. Emergency treatment will be accessible on campus for any severe complications from blood draw. For participants in Cohort A, blood draws at visits 1, 2, 3, and 4 will follow phlebotomy and blood draws that are part of clinical care. Protection against Risk from Placental Specimen Collection Placental specimens will be collected following delivery by experienced, trained staff in appropriate settings. 7.3 Data and Safety Monitoring Data and Safety Monitoring Plan (DSMP) The Data & Safety Monitoring Plan for this study describes the components of the study that will be monitored by the study coordinators and consenters once annually. Recruitment, drop outs, unanticipated problems, data integrity and confidentiality, participant privacy and the general conduct of the study will be reviewed. Minutes of the annual DSMP review will be kept in the regulatory binder and provided to IRB at study continuation. Procedures in place to ensure confidentiality of research data are as follows: Only authorized individuals have access to any data, used or stored (via electronic format or as hard copy records). Only designated research staff and investigators will be granted access. All data collected on data forms are stored in a secure records room located in the Principle Investigator';s office at UConn Dept. of Ob/Gyn. CRF data and data abstracted from EMR will be entered into a excel database labeled only by the PID and the resulting dataset shared with Dr. Oguro at Dept. of Cell Biology. 8 BENEFIT Participants will not directly benefit from the information gathered in the study but other people may benefit in the future. Investigators in this study will gain insight into the mechanism of HSC mobilization. It is possible that findings from this study could lead to research projects to understand the mechanism of HSC mobilization during pregnancy as well as the relationship between gene mutation and complications, to prevent anemia during pregnancy, and to improve HSC mobilization methods for transplantation. There is also the possibility that no benefit will come from this study. 9 INTEGRATIVE DATA ANALYSIS 9.1 Power Calculations This study is part of a powered study with two study sites: UConn Health and Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). To determine approximate sample sizes for this study, a literature review was performed to identify estimates of effect size and variability that could be extrapolated to this research study. All sample size calculations are based on two-sided tests with alpha=0.05, with a goal of achieving 80% power to detect the association of interest. For example, linear regression results from two publications were used to inform sample size estimates for Specific Aims 1 and 2. Karuna et al. reported a significant association between 27HC and total cholesterol in healthy controls (beta coefficient=0.08, r= 0.54); based on these estimates, a sample size of 26 subjects would provide 80% power to detect an association of this magnitude [12]. For Aim 2, examining the association between 27HC and HSC number, we used data provided by Cimato et al. who found a significant relationship between LDL cholesterol and CD34+ HSPC in human subjects taking statins (beta coefficient=175, R-squared = 0.09573), and we hypothesize a similar relationship will be identified between total cholesterol and 27HC by the third trimester of pregnancy [11]. Using these estimates, a sample size of 82 individuals provides 80% power to detect such an association. Related to Aim 3, Ordovas et al. demonstrated a 49% increase in total cholesterol during pregnancy (mean 182 ± 35 ml/dL in the non-pregnant group and 265 ± 56 ml/dL by 37 weeks'; gestation) [19]. To detect such a large difference in means using a t-test, only 9 subjects are needed in each group (pregnant and non-pregnant). For Aim 4, Gao et al. measured hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells in the peripheral blood of human subjects, and found significantly increased levels in individuals with low compared to normal HDL Assuming similar variability in our sample of healthy women, we expect to see a difference in mean HSC levels of at least a similar magnitude (difference in means=11, standard deviation=15) between pregnant women in the third trimester and non-pregnant women [20]. With 82 pregnant women, 25 non-pregnant women are needed to have 80% power to detect this difference. Overall, sample sizes of 82 pregnant women and 26 non-pregnant women should provide sufficient power to investigate each of the aims. Accounting for expected dropouts, the study proposes to enroll 100 pregnant women and 26 non-pregnant women. Participants will be recruited at two study sites as follows: UConn Health: 50 pregnant women and 13 non-pregnant women CUHK: 50 pregnant women and 13 non-pregnant women The clinical study protocol at both sites will be reviewed by the respective institutional IRBs. 9.2 Statistical Analyses In addition to the hypothesis testing described above, descriptive analyses (mean, standard deviation, median and quartiles) will be performed to summarize 27HC, total cholesterol, and HSC number levels at each time point, and trajectories of their values over pregnancy progression will be plotted. The demographic characteristics of each cohort will be described. 10 DATA COLLECTION AND MANAGEMENT Data Collected from Human Subjects Specifically for Research Purposes Demographic information, medical history, date of last menstrual period, and current medication use will be provided by participants prior to the collection of blood at the research visit 1. Scanned copy of the CRFs redacted of PHI will be shared with the research team at Dept. of Cell Biology. The following medical data about current pregnancy (Cohort A only) will be abstracted from medical records into the study CRF: Gravida, Para, Abortion Date of Last Menstrual Period Expected Date of Delivery Gestational age Singleton pregnancy/Multiple pregnancy Ultrasound date and abnormal findings, if any Presence of any comorbidities (Preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, etc) Pregnancy Outcome- gestational age at delivery, date of delivery, mode of delivery Infant information- birth weight, 1 minute and 5 minute APGARS, and whether or not the baby is admitted to the NICU Participant Identification (PID) number A unique participant identifier (PID) not derived from any patient identifiers will be assigned to each participant once written informed consent for study participation has been obtained. The PID will consist of the study ID, ";27HC";, followed by two-digit sequential enrollment number and cohort (A-pregnant or B-non-pregnant); for e.g. 27HC-01A. Participant names or other personal identifiers will not be included in the study data set; all data will be identified only by PID. Access to individually identifiable private information about human subjects Access to identifiable study data will be restricted to the UConn Health study team involved in the conduct of the clinical protocol. Research records containing identifiable private information will be stored at the UConn Health and will only be accessed by IRB approved research coordinators/fellows. Coded clinical data will be provided to the Dept. of Cell Biology study team for analysis linked with study samples by the PID. The key linking the PID to participant identifiers will be stored separately and securely from the research records at the UConn Health Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynecology and will be accessible only to Site PI. The code key will not be provided to the Dept. of Cell Biology investigator or staff at any time. The Dept. of Cell Biology study team will have access to coded samples and data only. Dr. Oguro, as the Co-Investigator of this clinical protocol may be present at clinical team meetings when identifiable information is present. He will not record or disclose participant identifiers and he will not receive the code key at any time. Upon accessioning at Dept. of Cell Biology, the samples will be recoded and deidentified before being transferred to UTSW for 27HC analysis. Dr. Oguro will maintain the code key linking the UConn study PID and the new code assigned to samples shipped to UTSW for analysis. No genomic data generated in this study will be added to the participant';s medical record or returned to the UConn Health Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynecology study team. 10.1 Data Collection Forms (CRF) Forms to be labeled with the PID and completed for this study include: The Visit 1 Source Documentation Form The Visit 1 Source Documentation Form is labeled with the PID and includes the following data: Screening Form - This form lists all eligibility criteria. Participants must meet all inclusion criteria and not have any of the exclusion criteria to be enrolled into the study. Demographic Information Form-To be completed by participant Medical History and Medication Log Forms- Abstracted from EMR Clinical data abstracted from EMR Visits 2-5 (Cohort A only): Source Documentation Forms: The follow-up visit forms will document blood draws and the clinical data abstracted from EMR. Placental and umbilical specimens collection will also be documented. 10.2 Data Management Data Collection Forms (CRFs) will be labeled with the PID code and Visit Date and will be stored in the Research Record and/or electronically within the excel database. Paper CRF';s will be stored in a secure location in in the Principal Investigator';s office at the Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic. Scans of completed CRFs, labelled only with PID, will be shared with Dept. of Cell Biology. Data from these scans will be entered into a password-protected excel database. Records will only be labeled with the PID and will not contain subject initials or any other identifier. 10.3 Quality Assurance Training A study initiation meeting will be attended by study staff in which the protocol, visit procedures, secure storage of research records, secure management of electronic databases and sharing of coded data with Dept. of Cell Biology, sample labeling protocol, and the process for sample transfer to Dept. of Cell Biology and UTSW will be reviewed. Delegation of Responsibilities A Delegation of Responsibilities log will be completed at the Initiation Visit for members of the CUHK study team that will be obtaining informed consent entering data on CRF, determining eligibility and labeling samples. This log will be kept in the study regulatory binder. 10.4 Protocol Deviations A cumulative Protocol Deviation Log will be kept electronically by the study coordinator with a copy added to the regulatory binder and provided to IRB at the next study continuation or closure submission, whichever occurs first. Deviations from the protocol will be entered on this log with a Note to File labeled with the PID and no personal identifiers added to the regulatory binder with a copy to the research record that describes the deviation, date when it was identified, the corrective action taken to prevent recurrence, whether or not the deviation met criteria of an Unanticipated Problem, and the date of IRB notification. Any unauthorized access to the database linking the research records to participant direct identifiers shall be reported to the IRB at the time that it is discovered as well as at annual review. Incidents of non-compliance, defined as any action that is taken or occurs that is not in accordance with an IRB approved study, IRB policies or regulations or failure to follow the requirements and determinations of the IRB, that is within the control of the study team must be reported to the IRB within 5 days of becoming aware of the occurrence. 10.5 Unanticipated Problems For the purpose of reporting Unanticipated Problems to IRB, internal adverse events that may also represent an unanticipated problem are defined as those events, experiences or outcomes that are: Unexpected (in terms of nature, severity or frequency) given (a) the research procedures that are described in the protocol-related documents, such as the IRB approved research protocol and informed consent document; and (b) the characteristics of the subject population being studied; and Related or possibly related to participation in the research (i.e., there is a reasonable possibility that the incident, experience, or outcome may have been caused by the procedures involved in the research). Any internal event meeting these criteria must be reported to the IRB, which will then make the final determination as to whether the research places subjects or others at a greater risk of harm (including physical, psychological, economic or social) than was previously recognized. 11 PARTICIPANT RIGHTS AND CONFIDENTIALITY 11.1 Institutional Review Board (IRB) Review This protocol, the recruitment material, the informed consent form, study CRFs, and any subsequent modifications will be reviewed and approved by the UConn Health IRB before use. 11.2 Informed Consent The informed consent process will begin after an individual confirms interest in participating in the study. A copy of the IRB approved Informed Consent Form (ICF) will be provided to the subject in advance for review, whenever possible. At the research visit, a study clinician will review the ICF, section by section, with the subject in a private room prior to any study procedures. Questions from the participant will be encouraged and will be fully answered. Once the form has been fully reviewed and all questions answered, the volunteer will be asked if they would like to participate in the study. If they agree to participate, they will be asked to sign and date the ICF indicating their consent. The consenter member of the study team obtaining consent will sign the ICF as well and a copy of the form signed by both the subject and the consenter will be provided to the subject. The Informed Consent process will be documented by the consenter on the Documentation of Informed Consent Form or as a note in the subject';s Medical record. Original signed and dated ICFs will be stored separately and securely away from the research record with other identifiable documents that contain participant identifiers. 11.3 Genomic Data Sharing Participants will provide consent within the ICF for sharing of genomic data generated from their samples in this study in publicly available online scientific databases in the future. Before this genomic data is shared, PIDs will be replaced with new codes and a link will not be kept between the data and participant identity. Even if a participant wants to withdraw from the study, genomic data once shared will not be withdrawn since there will be no way to link data with the subject. Subjects who decline consent for sharing of re-coded genomic data in public access databases will be enrolled in this study, however, their genomic data will not be shared in public access databases. Any samples remaining after study analysis has been completed will be kept in storage at Dept. of Cell Biology and will be given a new unique code. This random code will link the study information to the remaining sample. These recoded samples may be shared with other researchers and/or used in other projects. Subjects will provide or decline consent within ICF for sharing of samples for future research use. Subjects who grant permission for sharing of samples for future research use will not be contacted when the samples are used. 11.4 Withdrawal Subjects may withdraw their permission to participate in this study at any time by contacting: Dr. Winston Campbell Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynecology, UConn Health, 263 Farmington Avenue, Farmington, CT 06030 Phone: 860-679-7605, Email: wcampbell@uchc.edu Dr. Campbell will inform Dr. Oguro of the PID of the sample to be removed, but will not provide the subject';s name. The Dept. of Cell Biology team will locate and destroy/delete all specimens/data, linked to the subject requesting to be withdrawn. Any samples that were shared with UTSW before the request for withdrawal will be retrieved and destroyed. Any samples that were recoded (without a link to the PID) and recoded sequencing data shared in public access databases will not be withdrawn as there will be no way to link the recoded data/samples with the participant. 11.5 HIPAA Authorization Study participants must provide written authorization at study entry for use and disclosure of their Protected Health Information that is recorded and used in this study in order to participate. Participants may withdraw their Authorization at any time, but will then be withdrawn from the study. HIPAA Authorization will include access of UConn Maternal-Fetal Medicine fellows to identified data in the EMR for abstraction into the study CRF and database. Study data will be stored in a password-protected database coded by Participant ID (PID). The key linking PID and participant name will not be shared with Dr. Oguro and Dept. of Cell Biology team performing laboratory analysis. As a co-investigator, Dr. Oguro will be actively engaged in the conduct of this research and although he will not be provided with the key linking PID and identity of participants, he may have identifiable information disclosed to him during meetings with the clinical study team. Dr. Oguro will be listed in the HIPAA Authorization form for this reason.

IRB No. 21-046-2 (Dr. Kevin Manning, PI): Cognitive Remediation of Cognitive Control in Late-Life Depression

This research is being completed because depressed older adults commonly experience difficulties with concentration and processing speed, also called executive dysfunction, as well as negative affect/emotions (e.g., low mood, irritability, worry). Older adults with depression and executive dysfunction and/or negative affect/emotions regularly fail to get better with conventional antidepressant medications. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to use an established non-invasive treatment (computerized brain-training) that may improve cognitive and depression related outcomes in older adults. There are two aims of the current study. We are interested in whether a computerized braintraining treatment will improve thinking and depression in older depressed adults. We are also interested in whether participating in the treatment will result in changes to brain activity measured with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

IRB No. W19-209-1 (Dr. Rebecca Riba-Wolman, PI): A Long-Term Follow-up Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Adeno-Associated Virus (AAV) Serotype 8 (AAV8)-Mediated Gene Transfer of Glucose-6-Phosphatase (G6Pase) in Adults with Glycogen Storage Disease Type Ia (GSDIa)

This study serves to continue to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the AAV8 Mediated Gene Therapy in those subjects infused with it in the 401GSDIa01 Study, this study is approximately 4 years in length. There are no investigative products given in this study.

IRB No. 21-074-2 (Dr. Jun Lu, PI): Corrona Atopic Dermatitis Registry: A Study of Post Approval Drug Safety and Effectiveness

The objective of the Corrona Atopic Dermatitis (AD) Registry is to create a national cohort of patients with atopic dermatitis. Data collected will be used to extensively evaluate the effectiveness and safety of medications used to treat atopic dermatitis. This will be done through the standardized collection of patient-reported outcomes (PRO) and clinician-reported outcomes (ClinRO), and the prevalence and incidence of comorbidities and adverse events, medication utilization patterns, and patient productivity measures.Personal information is also collected from each consenting registry patient allowing for linkages to other public or private clinical and administrative databases, as well as to databases maintained by organizations focused on the care and treatment of atopic dermatitis for the purposes of clinical, market, or outcomes research. This provides an opportunity to evaluate other aspects of the disease and its treatment including but not limited to clinical and drug cost-effectiveness, healthcare resource utilization, and patient adherence.

IRB No. 21-095J-2 (Dr. George Kuchel, PI): Dynamic assessment of immune system in COVID-19 patients Pilot Study 2: Aging and the Cutaneous Immune System in Young and Older Adults

This prospective, single-site pilot study is designed to determine the feasibility to recruit and enroll COVID-19 convalescent adults into a study that will assess immunity changes associated with aging. To complete a 8-subject pilot study with the following aims: To establish feasibility of conducting a larger trial with the enrollment of adults that have recovered from COVID-19 and healthy adults, we will enroll 4 younger adults (25-50 years) and 4 older adults (>65 years) and collect skin samples using punch biopsy and blood samples. To enumerate and assess functional status of dendritic cells, monocytes, macrophages, T cells and B cells in skin biopsies using multi-marker immunofluorescence and histo-cytometry (10+ markers) as well as image mass spectrometry (IMC) (30+ marker analysis in intact tissues). This is a prospective, single-site pilot study that will use an established and comprehensive approach to cellular and molecular analysis of non-dissociated tissues that will be applied herein to assess tissue immunity and changes associated with COVID-19 and aging. In this study, a total of 8 healthy adult participants who have either recovered from COVID-19 or have had no history of confirmed COVID-19 will be enrolled: four (4) older adults aged 65 years and older and four (4) younger adults aged 25-50 years. Participation in the study will involve two study visits scheduled on two consecutive days and up to three follow-ups via phone or email over three weeks after the biopsies. Subjects will be administered an intradermal injection of saline on one arm and two punch skin biopsies will be performed at the site of injection and adjacent the next day under local anesthesia. The biopsy sites will be closed with an absorbable suture. Peripheral blood specimens (50 mL each) will be collected at both study visits. Self-reported medical history, medication history and demographics information will be collected at Visit 1.

IRB No. 21-149J-1 (Dr. George Kuchel, PI): High-resolution single cell profiling of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine responsiveness in healthy adults

This study is a collaboration between The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine (JAX) in Farmington, CT and UConn Health in Farmington, CT. All recruitment, enrollment, clinical data, and sample collection will occur at the UConn Center on Aging (COA) or at the Clinical Research Center (CRC), under the direction of Dr. George Kuchel, Professor of Medicine and Director of the UConn COA. This prospective, single-site, multi-cohort observational study is designed to determine how vaccine formulations and subject age affect immunologic responses to SARS-CoV-2 vaccine and to uncover the molecular signatures (genomics) elicited by novel COVID-19 vaccines. Up to 114 SARS-CoV-2 naïve healthy men and women aged 21 years or over, from all races and ethnic backgrounds that receive the Pfizer/Moderna/J&J COVID-19 vaccine will be enrolled to this study over a one-year period. Participation will involve nine (9) study visits for adults receiving the two-dose Pfizer or Moderna vaccine and seven (7) study visits for adults receiving the single-dose J&J vaccine. Blood samples (at all 9/7 visits) and nasal swabs (at three visits) will be collected.

IRB No. 21-211S-2 (Dr. Daniel Rosenberg, PI): Mechanisms for Early Onset Colorectal Cancer

Dr. Daniel W. Rosenberg and his project Co-Investigators are conducting a research study called "Mechanisms of Early Onset Colorectal Cancer" to examine the composition of cells that line the colon wall. Specifically, they will focus on fibroblasts, which are responsible for producing the structural framework (stroma) of connective tissue and coordinating the activities of epithelial, endothelial and immune cells in the tissue. Background & Hypothesis: Fibroblasts can exist in a number of distinct states with dramatically different activities. Resident fibroblasts in healthy tissue are non-dividing cells that help establish tissue architecture and crypt cell dynamics. However, when they are present adjacent to cancerous cells, fibroblasts can become persistently activated as cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), promoting tumor growth and new blood vessel growth, while suppressing immune responses. CAFs can also become senescent and acquire an irreversible senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) that establishes a "permanent" cancer-promoting microenvironment. We propose that the underlying stroma advances rapidly in EOCRC to drive early disease development. Specifically, we speculate that environmental and/or life-style factors cause abnormal fibroblast activation that negatively impacts the normal function of immunoregulatory cells within the stroma, while promoting epithelial cell division. The exploratory experiments proposed here will assess fibroblast proliferation (rapid division of cells), activation and senescence at different stages of cancer development in young patients. Understanding fibroblast dysregulation in individuals at risk of EOCRC could provide important information for understanding the factors responsible for the increasing incidence of EOCRC and ultimately point to therapeutic approaches that reduce this risk. Study Design: This study will screen 100 men or women between the ages of 30-45 years who are scheduled to undergo a routine screening or surveillance colonoscopy. Only patients found to have significant polyps, or healthy control patients, will be included in the final study population. A total target enrollment of 20 subjects (10 subjects found to have significant polyps; 10 healthy (no polyps) sex-matched controls) will fulfill this study's requirements. Main Outcome Measures/Analyses: 1) Study fibroblast populations resected near colonic lesions, 2) Classify fibroblast cell-types from colonic biopsies; Identify activated and senescent fibroblasts, 3) Define the distinguishing set of molecular alterations that characterize EOCRC cases, 4) Determine how a hyper-responsive stromal microenvironment established by activated and/or senescent fibroblasts relates to other stromal events that contribute to the rapid advancement of EOCRC.

IRB No. 21-174O-2 (Dr. Matthew Costello, PI): Effect of Bladder Interoception on Simulated Driving Performance Under Increasing Cognitive Load

This project will examine how your ability to drive may be affected by the feeling of your bladder, and how this changes in older age. The purpose of this research is to understand how the aging mind and bladder can interact to distract one’s ability to drive a car. In the testing, we will modify and measure your bladder levels while you operate a car simulator. We will also test you in a variety of cognitive and physical tests, and questionnaires that measure thinking ability, physical health, and psychological condition.

IRB No. 21-257-2 (Dr. Breno Diniz, PI): The SenDep Study: Linking Molecular Senescence Changes to Depression and Cognitive Impairment in Late Life

Late-life depression (LLD) is a common mental disorder in the elderly, with prevalence rates ranging from 1 to 5%. Recent evidence suggests that LLD is linked to age-related negative health outcomes, such as cerebrovascular disease, increased risk of Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, and of premature mortality. The mechanisms of LLD are complex and involve the dysregulation of different biological pathways. Understanding the interplay between the biological changes in aging and depression can provide insight into the mechanisms by which LLD increases the risk of negative health outcomes. This study proposes to evaluate the association of Senescence-Associated Secretory Phenotype (SASP) Index with different clinical phenotypes of aging (i.e., cognitive impairment) and with cellular senescence phenotype (i.e., leukocyte telomere [LT] attrition) in LLD. Finally, we will evaluate the trajectory of changes in SASP, and its relationship with cognitive performance in these individuals. Our hypotheses are that LLD individuals will show a significantly higher SASP index compared to age- and gender-matched never-depressed control subjects. SASP index will be significantly associated with greater cognitive impairment and telomere attrition in LLD subjects. We further hypothesize that an increasing or persistently higher SASP index trajectory will lead to faster cognitive decline among study participants over two years of follow-up. To our knowledge, this will be the first study to examine the association between circulating molecular senescence markers (SASP), a cellular senescence marker (LT attrition), and neurocognitive and clinical characteristics in LLD. Based on the results of this study, we will also be able to identify novel targets for the development of interventions aiming not only the treatment of depression in the elderly but also aiming the prevention of the negative outcomes related to this condition

IRB No. 21-180-1 (Dr. Biree Andemariam, PI): Measurement of Complex Viscoelasticity of Sickle, Normal and Hypoxic Red Blood Cell Mixtures in Sickle Plasma: Implications for Transfusion Therapy

This study is a prospective, clinical/translational research study using blood samples from consenting sickle cell diease (SCD) patients and healthy control volunteers. This study aims to determine the oxygen transport efficiency of red blood cells without oxygen and normal red blood cells (with oxygen) when mixed with blood from patients with sickle cell disease. The primary objective of this study is to test the hypothesis that the complex viscoelasticity of mixtures of SS blood, AA blood and hypoxic red blood cells (HYPX) suspended in SS blood and AA blood will predict oxygen transport efficacy of stored AA blood and hypoxic cell. The seconodary objective is to determine the effects of refrigerated storage duration of AA blood and HYPX on oxygen transport efficiency of the cells. Only SCD patients will be enrolled into this study at UConn Health. Potential subjects who are able to provide informed consent and are at least 18 years of age and have not had a transfusion in the past 90 days will be able to participate. We anticipated enrolling 10 SCD patients. SCD patients will be recruited during routine clinic visits in the New England Sickle Cell Institute (NESCI) and via flyers distributed throughout UConn Health. After consenting to the study, patients will come in for a one time blood draw. One tube will be sent to the JDH for CBC and hemoglobin electrophersis analyses and two tubes will be sent to the Hemanext research lab for research anaysis. The study will continue until full recruitment has been achieved. We estimate this will take approximately one year.

IRB No. 22-144-1 (Dr. Agnes Kim, PI): Echocardiographic Assessment of Pulmonary Artery Pressures

Pulmonary hypertension (PHT) is a complex and challenging hemodynamic condition which is characterized by pathologic increase in mean Pulmonary Arterial Pressure (mPAP) >20 mm of Hg at rest.1 The elevated pulmonary pressures could be due to a variety of underlying causes such as lung disease, left heart disease or disease affecting small pulmonary vessels. The gold standard for a definitive diagnosis of PHT is a right heart catheterization (RHC), done invasively to assess filling pressures.2 Nevertheless, immense improvement in the technology over last few decades has made the noninvasive quantification of pulmonary pressures with increased sensitivity possible by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE).2 Echocardiography, is currently the first imaging modality in patients where PHT is suspected. It not only estimates the systolic pulmonary arterial pressures, but also provides useful information on right ventricle function, left ventricle systolic and diastolic function, as well as valvular disease that might be contributing the elevated pulmonary pressures.3 The goal is to assess the accuracy of mPAP calculated through echocardiographic assessment of PVAT and mPAP obtained through RHC.

IRB No. 22-110-1 (Dr. Isaac Moss, PI): Properties of the Intervertebral Disc Tissue.

Surgical procedures in the realm of orthopaedic medicine often require the removal of the intervertebral disc. While there have been considerable advances in technology, there's a premium on understanding the properties of the intervertebral disc on a cellular and molecular level. Considering spine surgical procedures often result in disc material designated as discard, there's opportunity to bring these samples to the laboratory for exploration as they are otherwise not used or necessary for ongoing patient care.

IRB No. 22-146O-1 (Dr. Wizdom Powell, PI): Project BrEAtHe (Brothers, Reclaiming, Emotional, Awareness, Tranquility, Healing & Existence): Disrupting Racism-related Stress, Trauma, & Problematic Substance Use

Project BrEAtHe is a research study to create a program focused on mindfulness and stress reduction specifically tailored to young adult Black males (18 to 29 years old) residing in Durham, NC and in Hartford, CT. We plan to use a mobile app on a cell phone to better understand ';real-time'; feedback of experiences of stress due to racism. We are interested in learning about the recruitment and retention of Black males participating in mindfulness based practices. We are also interested in receiving feedback about options to modify and scale a Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction intervention and its preliminary effects on reducing physical and emotional stress reactions and poor coping mechanisms like marijuana and alcohol use linked to everyday racism and discrimination.

IRB No. 18-201COS-1 (Dr. Damion Grasso, PI): Adaptation and Resilience in Childhood Study U01

In the current application we propose applying advances in developmental measurement science, including those developed in our own lab, towards sensitive characterization of interpersonal violence (IV) exposure, biobehavioral indicators of threat detection and reactivity, trauma-related psychopathology, and contextual risk and protective factors in a high-risk sample of preschool age children. Assessment will include (1) the Family Socialization Interview-Modified (FSI-M), a comprehensive interview measuring children's experiences from birth to present, including family stressors, parenting practices and family conflict that was developed in our lab, (2) the Anxiety Dimensional Observation System (ANX-DOS) and (3) the Disruptive Behavior Dimensional Observation System (DB-DOS), two laboratory observation paradigms for characterizing fear/anxiety and anger/affect regulation, respectively, also developed in our lab, (3) a multiple source assessment of trauma exposure and trauma-related symptoms as defined by the DSM-5, (4) attention bias, autonomic (heart rate, skin conductance), and electrophysiological (Event-related potentials) responses to laboratory-based threat stimuli, and (5) observed and reported maternal sensitivity and parent-child interaction. In the current project, families will be recruited from domestic violence shelters and communities surrounding the shelters. Some families will have experienced IV and others will not. Research visits will occur at our child-friendly laboratory on the UConn Kane Street property in West Hartford and will last approximately four hours. Families will be compensated for their time. Should the mother deem it necessary to split the visit due to time contraints, consenting and assessments may be conducted at a different location that the mother deems safe and affords privacy. Specific Aims: Specific Aim 1. To demonstrate that how children respond to negative (threat) stimuli presented in the laboratory is related to their symptoms of fear and distress. Specific Aim 2. To test the hypothesis that how children respond to threat stimuli is the link between their exposure to interpersonal violence and the development of symptoms of fear and distress. Specific Aim 3. To test the hypothesis that mothers' responsiveness to their children will shape children's threat reactivity and the development of symptoms over time.

IRB No. 22-179J-1 (Dr. George Kuchel, PI): A deep longitudinal analysis of next generation influenza vaccines in older adults

This study is a collaboration between The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine (JAX) in Farmington, CT and UConn Health in Farmington, CT. All recruitment, enrollment, clinical data, and sample collection will occur at the UConn Center on Aging (COA), at UConn Health in Farmington, CT under the direction of Dr. George Kuchel, Professor of Medicine and Director of the UConn COA. Coded samples collected at Visits 1-17 will be securely transported to the Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine (JAX), located on the UConn Health campus, for processing, storage, sequencing, and analysis. Dr. Duygu Ucar will oversee sample management and sample and data analysis per protocol. In this study, a total of sixty (60) healthy adults aged 65 years and older who have had no history of confirmed COVID-19 and have not received influenza vaccination for the approaching influenza season will be enrolled in the study and vaccinated with influenza vaccines approved by the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for individuals ≥65 years. All participants receive influenza vaccine during the 2022-23, 2023-24, and 2024-25 influenza seasons. Participants will receive Fluzone® Quadrivalent High-Dose vaccine during the 2022-23 and 2024-25 flu seasons and FLUAD® Quadrivalent during the 2023-24 flu season. Blood samples will be collected from the participants at each of the seventeen study visits over three years. Nasal swab and stool samples will also be collected from participants at 7 time-points across the study period. The study is not designed to assess safety or tolerability of the influenza vaccines administered as part of this proposed study. By performing comprehensive profiling of their blood antibodies and immune cells over time, we will be able to associate specific age-related immune alterations with vaccine responder or non-responder status, thus allowing us to pinpoint biological pathways that can be targeted to enhance vaccine efficacy and that can also help us to progress towards developing a universal influenza vaccine.

IRB No. 22-174-2 (Dr. Zhichao Fan, PI): Investigating Mechanisms and Roles of Integrin Activation of Human Blood Leukocytes in Mitofusin (MFN2) Disease Condition; Charcot-Marie-Tooth Neuropathy (CMT2A)

Using methods of Integrin Activation, our laboratory has demonstrated that β2-integrin-mediated slow-rolling and arrest, but not PSGL-1- mediated cell rolling, are defective in MFN2-deficient neutrophil-like HL60 cells. This adhesion defect is associated with reduced expression of fMLP (N-formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine) receptor FPR1 (formyl peptide receptor 1) as well as the inhibited β2 integrin activation. MFN2 deficiency also leads to decreased actin polymerization, which is important for β2 integrin activation. Although a rare disease, MFN2 deficiency is responsible for a variety of Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMAT2A) related neuropathy. Mitochondrial gene mutations are responsible for a great variety of neurologic defects in patients . Mitofusin-2 is ubiquitously expressed in eukaryotic cells, playing a critical role in mitochondrial fusion. MFN2 is essential for β2 integrin activation directly as well as indirectly through FPR1 expression. The synthesis, degradation and homeostasis of synaptic terminal mitochondrial proteins are important to nerve function. Mechanistically, Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) neuropathy and related neuropathies are a heterogenous group of hereditable diseases with length dependent, degeneration of sensory and/or motor nerve fibres. With Next Gen Sequencing applied in the last decade by Inherited Peripheral Neuropathy clinics, up to 90 genes are now associated with CMT neuropathy. CMT2A, is the most common form of ";axonal"; CMT with nerve conduction velocity >38m/s and significant allelic heterogeneity. In this proposed Protocol, by seeking Donation of WBCs from UCH's Neurology patients/referrals with CMT2A, we expect to further knowledge. (*Fan Lab Methodology-See Appendix for Leukocyte Recruitment, Integrin Activation Pathways and Super Resolution/ Flow Imaging Graphics- pg.12-20)

IRB No. 22-114OS-1 (Dr. Golda Ginsburg, PI): Transitioning Emotionally and Academically to Middle School Successfully: Development of a Brief Intervention to Reduce Student Anxiety (TEAMSS)

Project Summary/Abstract Title: Transitioning Emotionally and Academically to Middle School Successfully: Development of a Brief Intervention to Reduce Student Anxiety (TEAMSS) Topic: Social, Emotional and Behavioral Competence Project Type: Special Education Research Grant, CFDA Number: 84.324A,Social and Behavioral Outcomes to Support Learning, Development and Innovation Purpose: The transition from elementary to middle school is difficult for most students and specialized transition supports are critical for students receiving, or at risk of needing special education services. Excessive anxiety, part of the definition of "emotion disturbance" under IDEA, is the most common form of psychopathology and severely impairs academic functioning. Currently, no intervention exists to support this high risk group during their transition to middle school. The purpose of this application is to develop and assess the feasibility of a brief multi-component intervention, delivered by school clinicians, to reduce anxiety symptoms and improve academic and social functioning. The project proposes an iterative development process (i.e., expert review, two open trials, and pilot RCT) to achieve these goals. Project Activities: TEAMSS is an intervention for students in regular and/or special education classrooms with excessive anxiety as their primary concern. The development of TEAMSS will occur in three stages. In Stage 1, we will establish a development workgroup who will assist us in refining the intervention and study methods. In Stage 2, two sequential open trials of the revised protocol will be implemented at 3 middle schools with about 15-20 students with excessive anxiety. In Stage 3, a pilot RCT will occur at 4-6 middle schools and about 42 students will be enrolled. The RCT will occur in three phases: Phase 1, students will be assessed for eligibility (Baseline 1) at the end of elementary school and randomized to receive TEAMSS or enhanced usual care (EUC). In Phase 2, those in TEAMSS will begin group sessions within two weeks of starting middle school. At the end of the intervention (i.e., 10 weeks later), students randomized to both conditions will complete a post evaluation (i.e., December) and a follow-up evaluation in May (i.e., 5 months after their post evaluation). Products Expected: After engaging in an iterative process of designing, testing, and refining the intervention, it is expected that a fully formed intervention (manual, handouts, training materials), aimed at helping students with anxiety transition to middle school, will be available. Data from the RCT will inform schools and the field whether implementing a brief intervention to support the transition to middle school for students with anxiety is feasible and has an impact both on anxiety and academic outcomes. Dissemination of the intervention and study findings will occur at the local and national level. With respect to local dissemination, we will present to our participating school/districts, at statewide conferences and to the Board of Education. At the national level, research staff will publish findings in peer-reviewed journals and at present at local and national conferences (e.g., National Association of School Psychologists). Setting: Connecticut elementary schools from a mix of urban and suburban districts. Sample: A total of 90 fifth grade students with elevated anxiety symptoms or disorders will participate in this study. Within the participating CT districts there are 51 elementary schools and 20,000 students. The student body within CT is diverse in terms of gender, socioeconomic status, and racial/ethnic background (12.3% African American, 22.1% Hispanic/Latino, 57.3% Caucasian, 4.8% Asian, 2.5% two or more races; 32.9% receive free/reduced priced meals). Intervention to be developed: TEAMSS will be an innovative program based on empirically supported cognitive behavioral strategies for anxiety reduction. The initial version of TEAMSS includes a six session student group, two parent group sessions, and teacher consultation meetings. The content of TEAMSS includes anxiety psychoeducation, behavioral exposure, cognitive restructuring, relaxation strategies and social and organizational skills for students, as well as strategies for parents and teachers to reduce anxiety-promoting behaviors. Control: To ensure adequate recruitment and retention, the control condition during the pilot RCT will be EUC, which will include written materials for families (e.g., resources on student anxiety, tip sheets on successful transitions to middle school) and formal visits with the middle school clinician in the spring of last year of elementary school. Primary research method: This project will be implemented in three stages. In Stage 1a "TEAMSS Development Workgroup" (TDW), comprised of national experts and school personnel, will provide input on the intervention and study protocol. Stage 2 involves two sequential open trials at 3 middle schools with about 15-20 students with excessive anxiety. In Stage 3a pilot RCT comparing TEAMSS and EUC with 4-6 school-based clinicians, at 4-6 middle schools and about 42 students will be conducted. Key outcomes measures: Using a multi-method multi-informant approach, key outcomes will assess feasibility and acceptability (e.g., clinician knowledge and fidelity of TEAMSS, satisfaction, recruitment/retention) and student outcomes (e.g., social-emotional, behavioral, and educational outcomes). Exploratory outcomes will assess mediators outlined in the proposed theory of change and data on costs will be collected. Data analytic strategy: Feasibility and acceptability analyses will be descriptive (e.g., recruitment, adherence, satisfaction). In the RCT, impact of TEAMSS vs EUC on key outcomes will use mixed effect models. Covariates may be included in the analysis to correct for imbalance if it is deemed necessary. Cost Analysis: Measures will assess TEAMSS costs (i.e., to schools, districts) as well as savings resulting from impacts on academics, special education and specialty mental health service utilization. We will obtain data on TEAMSS training and implementation costs at one of the participating schools, and use these data to estimate the overall costs of implementing and delivering TEAMSS.

IRB No. 21-143OSC-1 (Dr. Damion Grasso, PI): Impact of Perinatal Pandemic-Related Stress on the Early Caregiving Environment, Infant Functioning, DNA Methylation, and Telomere Length

The current study seeks to recruit a diverse cohort of women and their partners who were in the final two trimesters of pregnancy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Phase 1 of the study will involve a large-scale survey (N=2,000) of these individuals to assess perinatal stress exposure occurring in the context of the pandemic. Phase 2 will involve selecting individuals from the Phase 1 survey to establish two subgroups with high (n=200) and low (n=200) perinatal pandemic-related stress exposure to participate in a comprehensive and longitudinal assessment protocol, including interviews, parent-child interactions, an infant stress paradigm, and biological sample collection. Aims are to: (1) use person-centered latent class analysis of perinatal pandemic-related experiences to identify unique profiles that vary on the types and quantity of stress exposure and differentially associate with race/ethnicity, caregiver-reported perceived stress, emotion dysregulation, PTSD, parenting, and infant dysregulation (stress-reactivity and emotional/behavioral problems) in the large Phase 1 survey cohort (N=2,000); (2) Compare infants with high and low perinatal pandemic-related stress and examine caregiver emotion dysregulation, PTSD, and responsive parenting as potential mediators of this relationship in the longitudinal Phase 2 cohort (N=400); and (3) identify differentially methylated regions of DNA and differences in telomere length and changes over time in infants in high v. low perinatal stress groups. Assessment procedures will integrate the experiences and functioning of both the mother and partner when considering implications for offspring. This work will yield mechanistic insight on how pandemic-related stress, caregiver emotion dysregulation, and PTSD influence multiple aspects of the caregiving environment and infant outcomes and is expected to directly inform perinatal public health interventions as the COVID-19 pandemic continues and its sequelae unfold.

IRB No. 22-229-1 (Dr. Angela Bermudez Millan, PI): Barriers to Farmers Market Vouchers Redemption among Hartford WIC Participants: A Community-Based Pilot Study to Strengthen WIC Benefits Use and to Develop a Childhood Obesity Intervention

Unhealthy food choices and eating behaviors are major factors contributing to obesity. Families in predominantly minority and low-income neighborhoods have limited access to supermarkets and fresh produce. Within federal nutrition assistance programs, the WIC Farmers'; Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) has expanded the access to farm-fresh produce, by distributing vouchers that can be used to buy eligible foods from farmers, farmers' markets, or roadside stands. In the city of Hartford, there are 7 farmers'; markets that accept WIC vouchers. In addition, The Hartford Mobile Market (HMM), is a year-round mobile produce market targeting low-income Hartford neighborhoods, bringing fresh fruits and vegetables into areas with limited healthy food access. WIC benefits are accepted at all stops. However, the 7 farmers'; markets and HMM lack a steady stream of WIC benefit use, among low-income community members. This fact is reflected on the low redemption rates of WIC (FMNP) vouchers with an average of 38% redemption at farmers'; markets, with Senior Farmers'; Market Nutrition Program coupons having a much better redemption rate over the last 5 years (69%). This represents thousands of dollars that are not being used by WIC participants to purchase fresh, healthy food. Formative research is crucial in developing a tailored intervention to increase the intake of fruit and vegetables among children in the WIC program. Quantitative and qualitative research methods can be used to not only identify socio-demographic factors that can affect access to the farmers'; markets and fresh produce consumption, but also discover unanticipated information and subtle group differences related to cultural factors that may influence individuals'; dietary behaviors. Aim 1: Conduct quantitative and qualitative research to: (1a) examine maternal understanding of the association between the consumption of F&V and healthy weight; (1b) understand the barriers among Hartford residents to using WIC vouchers at the Hartford farmer';s markets and the HMM; and (1c) optimize components of a F&V intervention for overweight and obese children participating in the WIC program, including obtaining input on the most effective means of delivering educational messages to promote the usage of WIC vouchers at Hartford farmer';s markets and the HMM. Aim 2: Utilize the pilot findings to inform the design of a community-based intervention design among low-income WIC program participants to target childhood obesity and submit a federally funded-external grant proposal.

IRB No. 22-232-2 (Dr. Juan Salazar, PI): Elucidation of Treponema pallidum-specific antibodies in human syphilitic serum.

Syphilis, a multistage, sexually transmitted infection is caused by the highly invasive and immuno-evasive spirochete Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum (T. pallidum) (1, 2). Syphilis remains a major global public health threat causing approximately seven million new infections annually (3, 4). Although the efficacy of penicillin therapy for syphilis remains undiminished after more than seven decades of use (1, 5), the explosive resurgence of the disease in the new millennium has fueled a sense of urgency for a vaccine with global efficacy (6, 7) and the World Health Organization has set ambitious targets to reduce the incidence of syphilis by 90% by 2030. T. pallidum is an extracellular pathogen (8, 9), with a low abundance of surface proteins, known as outer membrane proteins (OMPs). OMPs form b-barrels with large extracellular loops (ECLs) that extend from the surface of the organism into the extracellular space. These ECLs are acceptable to antibodies produced during infection with the spirochete. It is generally believed that these antibodies are critical for spirochete clearance and subsequent containment of the pathogen (10, 11). Ex vivo studies have demonstrated that antibodies in human syphilitic serum promote uptake and degradation of T. pallidum by professional phagocytes, such as macrophages (12, 13). The exact target(s) of the antibodies present in human syphilitic serum that lead to uptake of the spirochete has yet to be determined. Strategies for vaccine design often are predicated on the ';learning from nature'; paradigm that immunization should mimic the protective response evoked by the infecting pathogen (14). Extrapolating to syphilis, a successful vaccine should elicit antibodies against targets on the T. pallidum surface, with opsonic activity serving as an ex vivo correlate of protective immunity (10, 11). Having knowledge about the antigenic response to T. pallidum OMPs, more specifically ECLs, of a given serum sample or ECL-specific monoclonal antibodies in the ex vivo human macrophage system may give rise to novel vaccine candidate against an organism that has been plaguing mankind for centuries Hypotheses or Research Question, Aims and Objectives: Hypothesis/Question: To address the above information gaps, this study seeks to illuminate the key antibodies present in human syphilitic serum that lead to the clearance of spirochetal infection. Aims / objectives: Confirm samples of syphilitic serum evaluated have opsonic potential to pathogenic spirochetes. Use an ex vivo human macrophage system to investigate how human syphilitic serum and/or T. pallidum-specific monoclonal antibodies influence innate immune responses. Study how the antibody-opsonized spirochetes shape innate responses imminent adaptive responses in syphilis.

IRB No. 22-255-2 (Dr. Zhichao Fan, PI): Mechanisms and Roles of Integrin Activation of Cystic Fibrosis Leukocytes

The immune system is the body';s defense against infectious organisms and other invaders. Integrins are key mediators in immunity for the recruitment of white cells which play critical roles in inflammatory diseases. Insights about Integrin function hold out the prospect of improved disease prevention and drug discovery. Integrin molecules stick to body surfaces or cells. They are vital to the successful functioning of the inflammatory response at the source of an insult. In response to inflammation or infection, white cells stick to nearby blood vessels and then crawl along the surface until they can squeeze out of the blood vessel into tissues where they must act. Studying and super imaging these mechanisms and the roles of integrin during this activation will bring new insights about leukocyte recruitment and leukocyte immune functions as well as invite discovery of novel treatments for infectious and inflammatory diseases. This project is investigating how integrins may also affect blood vessels as commonly seen in human heart disease.

IRB No. 22-287-2 (Dr. Kevin Manning, PI): Apathy: An Early Manifestation of Frailty and Disability in Older Adults with Depression?

The overall objective of this research is to understand whether a subtype of depression in older adults - apathy - heralds the onset of disability. This pilot project will test the hypotheses that there will be differences in functional performance and blood-based biomarkers between older depressed adults with and without apathy.

IRB No. 22-328-1 (Dr. Lisa Barry, PI): Assessing Geriatric conditions as novel risk factors for dropout among those seeking treatment for Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) in mid-to-late life: The role of incarceration history

This research is being done to identify geriatric conditions in persons seeking SUD treatment after mid-to-late life reentry as a novel means of distinguishing who may be at greater risk of SUD treatment dropout. The results could help us improve SUD services-related outcomes for those reentering the community in mid-to-late life following incarceration.

IRB No. 22-327-1 (Dr. Biree Andemariam, PI): Bone Loss, Physical Function and Frailty in Older Women with Sickle Cell Trait

This research study has two purposes. The first purpose is to determine whether having sickle cell trait is a risk factor for the development of bone thinning in older women. Nearly 10% of African Americans carry sickle cell trait, and most of them are unaware of it. African Americans are less likely to develop thin bones than whites, but if they sustain a bone fracture, they are more likely to die from it. Having sickle cell trait may lead to bone thinning and predispose a subset of African Americans to dangerously thin bones. The second purpose is to investigate whether women with SCT have reduced decreased muscle function, decreased muscle mass, and increased frailty compared to women without SCT. Frailty is a common clinical syndrome in older adults that carries an increased risk for poor health outcomes, including falls, incident disability, hospitalization, and death. This study will try to fill a knowledge gap in the scientific literature. It may potentially reveal a previously unrecognized risk factor for disability and address potential health disparity in African descent women.

IRB No. 22-314-2 (Dr. Flavio Uribe, PI): A Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing the Effect of Force Magnitude on the Rate of Canine Retraction and Gingival Crevicular Fluid Proteome Profile

lay Summary:. This research is being done to examine the effect of force level in orthodontic treatment plans here at UConn Health/SODM. Force level is the amount of force the orthodontic devices are putting on your teeth for movement. To better understand the effects of force levels, information is collected. Researchers will also collect the fluid that naturally releases from your gums, dental molds obtained with an intraoral digital scanner, picture (x-ray) of specific teeth to evaluate the eye tooth region on the upper jaw on both sides, during orthodontic treatment. Participants are having teeth removed and braces fit to their teeth for orthodontic treatment. The only difference bewtween standard of care and this study is that when the remaining teeth are pushed together to fill the space left by removing some teeth the braces will put about two and one half times as much pressure on half of their teeth as is usually used. This pressure will be applied with the braces remaining on for up to 17 weeks. Treatment will be starting from pulling back your eye teeth for 16-17 weeks to close the space of the pulled out upper premolars. The premolars are the teeth behind to the eye teeth. The space provided by the pulled out premolars will be closed by the pressure behind the back of the eye teeth in the upper jaw. Study visits will be scheduled on dates of routine orthodontic appointments with the addition of 20- 45 minutes to each orthodontic appointment depending upon the sample collection procedures. Only one appointment will be scheduled 1-2 weeks after the first appointment, and the other four appointments will be four weeks apart. The right and left sides will be randomly selected for high or low pulling forces. A high force is considered when an orthodontic force of more than 200 grams is being used to move an eye tooth back. Low pulling forces, or conventional force level is approximately 150 grams to move an eye tooth back. The researchers will decide this after you (your child) decide to join. You (your child) choose from a bunch of closed envelopes assigning one side for the light pulling force and the opposite side for the heavy force. The fluid that naturally releases from your gums and dental molds obtained with an intraoral digital scanner, and periapical radiographs of upper jaw eye teeth (x-rays) are obtained. The information to be collected by the researchers may lead to better and/or quicker treatment results for others in the future. All those who participate in this study will receive standard care in the UConn Health/School of Dental Medicine Orthodontic clinic, which they may benefit from Because of the research activities, there is a slight risk to you (your child) from participating in this research study- (slightly more than braces treatment). Giving the collection of the fluid that naturally releases from your gums or recording of the dental molds obtained with an intraoral digital scanner are slightly uncomfortable for some; you (your child) can take as much time as needed to complete these tasks on research visits. Research procedures will be conducted on the same day and place as your regular care for orthodontic treatment. We will also be taking two periapical radiographs of the eye teeth (two time-points) of the upper jaw region at T0 (The first visit of the study) and T5 (after 16-17 weeks) to better understand the changes in the root length following the course of treatment. This amount of extra x-ray exposure is minimal. Hypotheses, Aims, and Objectives: Hypothesis: Null Hypothesis Primary Outcome: Rate of canine retraction. We hypothesize that there is no significant difference in the rate of canine movement between the light force and the heavy force levels. Secondary Outcome: external apical root resorption (EARR), movement of the anchorage teeth (maxillary first molar), type of canine movement (rotation, extrusion, and tipping), and biomarkers evaluated through GCF. We hypothesize that there is no difference in magnitude of anchorage loss, root length of canines, the type of canine movement, and the expression of biomarkers between light and heavy force levels. Alternative Hypothesis There is a significant difference in the primary outcome (rate of canine retraction) and the supportive outcomes (cytokines and the amount of particular protein/polypeptides/antibody extracted from GCF). Aims/objectives: To compare the effect of light force and heavy force on the rate of orthodontic tooth movement (retraction of maxillary canines). To evaluate the effect of force magnitude on the root length of maxillary canines. To compare the effect of light force versus heavy force on the rate of anchorage teeth movement. To describe the type of canine displacement (degree of tipping, rotation, and extrusion) during space closure with light versus heavy force. To compare the expression of biomarkers with heavy force versus light force.

IRB No. 23-089-2 (Dr. Cutter Lindbergh, PI): Computerized Cognitive Remediation of Long COVID Symptoms in Older Adults

Evidence is mounting that a significant minority of patients who develop coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), especially older adults, show lingering neuropsychiatric symptoms including cognitive impairment, brain fog, and depression. These neuropsychiatric symptoms -- which are commonly referred to under the umbrella term "Long COVID" -- are debilitating and may last for months or even years after viral infection. There is a severe lack of evidence-based treatments. The purpose of the present study is to help address this public health crisis by determining whether computerized "brain-training" treatment has potential for improving thinking, mood, and other aspects of day-to-day functioning in older adults with Long COVID. There are two main aims of the present study. The first aim is to simply determine the "feasibility" of using brain-training treatment in older adults with Long COVID. This includes examining whether Long COVID patients are willing to engage in the treatment and whether they find the treatment acceptable and credible. The second aim is to gather preliminary data on whether the brain-training treatment appears to improve memory, thinking, mood, and other aspects of daily functioning in older adults with Long COVID.

IRB No. 23-079-1 (Dr. Scott Mallozzi, PI): Advanced Techniques in Intraoperative Monitoring for the Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion Procedure: A Utility Study

This study is designed to evaluate the clinical utility of a known intraoperative neuromonitoring modality (SSEP) using a nontraditional stimulation site (saphenous nerve versus more traditional posterior tibial nerve) to try to better identify nerve health changes to the lumbar plexus, which is at risk during the LLIF procedure. To quantify the clinical utility of saphenous nerve SSEP monitoring in predicting and/or mitigating new postoperative neural deficits following LLIF surgery.

IRB No. W23-093-2 (Dr. Neha Jain, PI): An Open-label, Long-term, Safety and Efficacy Study of Aticaprant as Adjunctive Therapy in Adult and Elderly Participants With Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

This is a clinical study of an investigational medication for adults with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of Aticaprant when used as an add-on treatment for adults with MDD. Study participation lasts 8 weeks and includes a screening phase, a double blinded phase and a follow-up phase. There is also an optional open-label phase study for those who qualify.

IRB No. 23-134-2 (Dr. Julie Robison, PI): UConn Pepper Center (OAIC) Recruitment Volunteer Registry

Objective/Goals: The Research Volunteer Registry (RVR) is a mailing list that is used to invite and share opportunities to participate in future research studies and to community educational events the UConn Pepper Center will host.

IRB No. 23-090-2 (Dr. Hardeep Singh, PI): Effect of Depo-Medrol application on the psoas muscle after transpsoas LLIF on post-operative hip flexor weakness, thigh pain and numbness.

Goal: The goal of this study is to determine the effects of a corticosteroid adminstired to the psoas muscle following a transpsoas LLIF on postoperative hip flexor weakness and thigh pain and numbness. Specific Objectives Primary Objective and Outcome Measure: Quantify the difference in thigh pain measured on the visual analog pain scale (VAS) between those receiving a depo-medrol injection and those who did not over 3 postoperative time periods: 2-3, 6, and 12 weeks following surgery. Secondary Objectives and Outcome Measures: Quantify the difference in rates and severity of postoperative hip flexor weakness, and numbness both with and with out application of depo-medrol to the psoas between those that did and did not receive a depo-medrol injection. Quantify patient reported outcomes measures (PROMs) (EQ5D, ODI, and sciatica Bothersome index between those that did and did not receive a depo-medrol injection. Specifically: EQ5D: Eur-Quality of Life 5 dimension questionnaire ODI: Oswestry Disability Index Determine effect of depo-medrol application on fusion rates and how it differs between those that did and did not receive a depo-medrol injection. Ancillary Objectives and Outcome Measures: To determine the effect of clinically relevant covariates including sociodemographic and comorbidities on the course of postoperative pain and associated outcome measures and whether the effect of these covariates moderate the effect of postoperative pain. Groups: Control group (standard care) - 1cc gel foam powder mixed with thrombin Steroid group (standard care + study intervention) - 1cc gel foam powder mixed with thrombin and 80mg depomedrol

IRB No. 23-113-2 (Dr. Andrea Shields, PI): Assessing postpartum volume status using clinical, laboratory, and sonographic values in a cohort of normotensive versus preeclamptic women

The hypothesis of this study is that ultrasound measurements of vein diameter will correlate to clinical and laboratory based values that measure the amount of fluid in a person's circulation and body; we will specifically look at women who are postpartum in two groups -- women with no high blood pressure and women with preeclampsia. Our aims will be to: - Measure the diameter of the inferior vena cava with a portable ultrasound - Examine the patient and look for signs of volume status (i.e. swelling in the legs) - Perform routine labatory tests that will reflect the amount of circulating blood volume (brain natriuretic peptide) Our objectives will be to: - Examine whether the vein diameter correlated with the level of brain natriuretic peptide - Examine whether there are differences in all values collected between the no high blood pressurs vs. preeclampsia population - In the preeclamptic population, collect 2-3 days of data so changes that occur longitudinally can also be examined.

IRB No. 19-214S-1 (Dr. David Steffens, PI): Apathy and Reward Systems in Alzheimer's Disease

Apathy is a common feature of Alzheimer';s disease (AD) that is related to functional decline, but its underlying neurobiology is poorly understood. In this application, we propose to use functional magnetic imaging and tasks that focus on the brain';s reward system to examine apathy in AD and in late-life depression. Our aim is to identify new targets for intervention to improve apathy in patients with AD.

IRB No. 23-193J-1 (Dr. Eric Wang, PI): Healthy Control Blood Collection to Investigate Mechanisms of Leukemogenesis and Therapy Resistance

Specific Aim To collect fresh healthy human blood for use in developing and optimizing co-culture assays with human malignant cell lines upon genetic and pharmacologic perturbation of gene candidates identified for therapy resistance. In addition, we will use healthy donor specimens to perform high-throughput genomic analyses compared to our human leukemia cell lines and use the leftover specimens as healthy controls for future research projects. Design and Outcomes This is a prospective, single-site study that will collect human blood specimens (50ml) from healthy adult participants Sample Size, Population, Interventions and Duration In this study, up to 20 healthy men and women participants, ages 18 and older will be enrolled at the UConn Health Clinical Research Center in Farmington, CT. Study participation will involve consent followed by a single visit lasting 30 minutes for blood and data collection.

IRB No. 23-179-1 (Dr. Andrea Shields, PI): Xenobiotic transfer of Tranexamic acid (TXA) using an ex vivo placental perfusion model: a pilot study

To our knowledge, there are no studies that have researched if tranexamic acid (TXA) has an effect on the placenta, or if there is considerable transfer of the drug from maternal to fetal circulation. We propose studying the transfer of the drug on a single placental lobule of 7 placentas. We hypothesize that given the large molecular composition of tranexamic acid there will be minimal transfer of the drug in the ex-vivo placental perfusion model, thus providing safety data on the administration of tranexamic acid for therapeutic indications especially during pregnancy. The specific aims are: 1) To set up and troubleshoot the placental perfusion model using 3-5 placental lobules 2) To measure and compare the levels of therapeutic tranexamic acid in the maternal versus fetal perfusate collected from an ex-vivo placental perfusion model.

IRB No. 23-173-1 (Dr. Roshanak Sharafieh, PI): Biomarker Development to Promote Geroscience-Guided Approaches to Chronic Wound Management in Older Adults

This research is being done to help better understand the role that senescent cells play in human wound healing in older adults. The goals of this pilot project are to provide: 1) junior faculty interested in human subjects research involving older adults with experience in the preparation of an IRB protocol, recruitment of human subjects and frailty assessments 2) provide investigators interested in translational aging research with the opportunity to generate early stage feasibility and preliminary human data that could then be used in future NIH grant applications. This will be accomplished using a cohort of older adults who have a lower extremity wound and studying their healing of the wound tissue compared to that of the healthy tissue over time. In order to achieve the objective, we propose the following aims: In Aim 1, Dr. Sharafieh and her research team will recruit individuals who have developed new early-stage lower extremity wounds within 1-3 weeks of presentation. Baseline research assessments will be completed and working with Drs Alam, Santiago, and/or Kerr, a tissue biopsy will be obtained to look for cellular senescence markers. In Aim 2, all individuals recruited during initial wound presentation (Aim 1) will be followed 5-7 weeks later and again 8-12 weeks after the onset of the wound to repeat clinical wound assessment, repeat wound biopsy. The purpose of this is to identify and quantify similarities and differences in wound biopsies throughout their healing process. The results from this follow up will show what markers are associated with senescence in the wounds when compared to individuals with properly healing wounds.

IRB No. 23-169H-1 (Dr. Benjamin Ristau, PI): Prostate cancer detection during transperineal prostate biopsy using cognitive versus software-based MRI-fusion

This study will examine differences in clinically significant cancer detection during transperineal prostate biopsy based on whether samples were obtained using a cognitive or software-based fusion technique. This will be a retrospective analysis of a multi-institutional cohort.

IRB No. 23-190SSF-2 (Dr. Andrea Shields, PI): Meals 4 Moms: Development and Feasibility of a Multilevel Community-based Lifestyle Intervention for Gestational Diabetes

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) affects 2-10% of pregnancies in the US and 50% of GDM patients will progress to develop Type II Diabetes Mellitusin their lifetime. GDM can also cause pregnancy complications including antepartum hospitalization, cesarean delivery and longer length of stay during antepartum or delivery admissions. Improving pregnancy outcomes involves patients understanding and adopting to an ADA specific diet, daily glucose monitoring and physical activity and compliance with prenatal visits. Providing education during pregnancy is the optimal window of opportunity for the prevention of diabetes. In Phase 1 of the study, the team of investigators will develop a novel, personalized lifestyle intervention (Meals 4 Moms Bundle) for pregnant patients diagnosed with GDM to supplement the usual care and education that is provided to such patients. The bundle will include additional GDM education, nutrition and exericse guidance, GDM meal kit delivery and support. Prior to implementation of the bundle, focus groups (with current GDM patients) to solicit feedback on the bundle materials will be conducted. Phase 2 of the study will involve a pilot feasibility randomized clinical trial which includes UConn Health patients diagnosed with GDM. Patients will be randomly assigned to receive usual obstetrics care for patients who are diagnosed with GDM or usual care plus the Meals 4 Mom Bundle. The clinical trial will assess the feasibility and acceptability outcomes of recruitment rate, retention, adherence to diet and exercise recommendations and acceptability with the program.

IRB No. W23-227-1 (Dr. Neha Jain, PI): A Study of Disease Characteristics and Real-life Standard of Care Effectiveness in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) With Anhedonia and Inadequate Response to Current Antidepressant Therapy Including an SSRI or SNRI.

This is an observational study for adults with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). The purpose of this study is to collect information on participants’ well-being and how depression treatments help over the course of their study participation. No study medication is used in this observational study. Participants will continue to take their current medications as prescribed by their provider(s).

IRB No. 23-175H-1 (Dr. Yanjiao Zhou, PI): Copy of Tracking the Microbiome Origin of Inflammation from Mouth to Placenta in Preeclampsia

AIMS Preeclampsia (PE) is defined by high blood pressure and proteinuria in pregnancy. It affects approximately 2-8% of the overall pregnant population and 17-25% of pregnant women with chronic hypertension. It is a leading cause of maternal death. Pathogenesis of PE involves excessive immune response, maternal endothelial dysfunction and abnormal placenta development. However, the initial factors responsible for the development of PE are unknown. Oral microbiota, comprising over 700 different bacterial species, has been linked not only to local periodontal diseases, but also systemic disorders. It has been speculated that oral microbiota can disseminate to placenta through blood circulation, heightening immune response and increasing risk of PE. Indeed, our recent work that tracked the oral and placental microbiome simultaneously in patients showed that the relative abundances of Haemophilus, Veillonella and Fusobacterium in subgingival plaque were significantly higher in patients with PE than matched controls without PE. We also rigorously identified the presence of these oral-like bacteria in placenta of PE patients, in contrast to controls. The preliminary data was based on samples collected at the delivery; thus, it is unclear whether the oral microbiome alteration is an acute process at PE onset or as a result of gradual alteration over the pregnancy term. It is also unclear when placental microbiome seeding occurs. A longitudinal profiling of the oral microbiome during pregnancy is critical to capture the overall dynamics of the microbiome in PE development, and provide novel insight into oral microbiome in pathogenesis of PE. Dysregulation of Th17/Tregs cells is a major contributor of pathogenesis of PE. Recent research showed that oral microbiome alteration in periodontal diseases can trigger Th17 cells to mediate oral mucosal immunopathology in an IL-6 dependent manner. Our preliminary data showed oral-like microbiota in placenta of PE patients were associated with elevated IL-6 in blood, raising a possibility that oral microbiome alteration may contribute to exaggerated immune response in PE through upregulation of IL-6 and Th17 cells. We hypothesize that an altered microbiome-immune interaction during pregnancy contributes to development of preeclampsia. We propose a prospective longitudinal study to determine dynamics of oral microbiome and immune response over different gestation and their association with PE. Aim 1. Determine the dynamics of the oral microbiome throughout pregnancy and their association with PE. We will prospectively enroll 100 patients with chronic hypertension or who meet criteria for being at risk of PE at UConn and Hartford Hospital. We will collect subgingival samples at each trimester and at PE onset, along with placenta at delivery. We will compare the oral microbiome of each trimester and at PE onset between patients who develop and who do not develop PE, and identify PE associated oral microbiome after controlling confounding factors. Placenta microbiome will be correlated with PE and oral microbiome. Aim 2. Determine the dynamics of immune response and immune-microbiome interactions throughout pregnancy. Blood will be collected at the same time as Aim1 in the study participants for immune assay. PBMC will be used to determine immune cell populations by flow cytometry focusing on Th17 and Tregs cells. Serum will be used to measure multiple panels of cytokines and chemokines by high- throughput Luminex assay. We will determine the association of oral microbiome at each trimester and placental microbiome with immune measures after controlling clinical confounding factors. Impact. The study holds promises to gain insight into the pathogenies of PE from a novel oral microbiome-immune interaction perspective, and lay ground work for future to develop non-invasive microbiome markers to predict PE. We will apply a R01 to extend the study to multi-centers to cross-validate the microbiome and immune findings. We also plan to collect and bank stool and vaginal samples from the study to create multiple lines of research on the microbiome and PE at Departments of Medicine and OB/GYN in future.

IRB No. 23-111SO-2 (Dr. Golda Ginsburg, PI): Managing Anxiety in Pediatric Primary Care (MAPP): A Pilot Trial of the Anxiety Action Plan (AxAP)

Anxiety disorders in youth are: 1) the most prevalent psychiatric disorders, 2) associated with severe disability, and 3) considered gateway disorders--as they predict a broad range of adult psychiatric and functional problems [1-6]. Despite the high prevalence and impairment, less than half of anxious youth receive mental health services, and access to evidenced-based interventions lags far behind that of less common psychiatric illnesses [7, 8]. For instance, in a primary care setting, only 31% of anxious youth, compared to almost 80% of youth with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, received mental health treatment in the past year [8]. To address this ";mental health service gap,"; researchers [9-11] along with the Surgeon General [12] have recommended: 1) offering evidence-based mental health services in community settings frequented by children (i.e., to have co-located or integrated mental health services in primary care), 2) enhancing the capacity of existing community providers who interact with youth (e.g., primary care providers; PCPs), and 3) improving identification and early evidenced-based interventions in community settings to reduce the need for specialty mental health treatment. This proposal responds to these recommendations, as well as those by the American Academy of Pediatrics [13] to close the mental health service gap by enhancing the capacity of PCPs to deliver a brief mental health intervention in pediatric primary care. Primary care settings are ideal for addressing pediatric anxiety specifically because: 1) prevalence rates of excessive anxiety are high in primary care (approximately 10-20%) [6], 2) over 90% of anxious youth report physical complaints (e.g., stomach aches) and are ";frequent flyers"; in primary care settings [14, 15], 3) children with, compared to without, medical conditions treated by PCPs are more likely to have elevated anxiety [16], and 4) PCPs are often the first and only health professional children visit [17]. This three year R34 application also responds to NIH';s priorities in PAR-MH-21-131: Pilot Effectiveness Trials for Treatment, Preventive and Services Interventions (R34) aimed at testing interventions with previous efficacy in community settings using novel service delivery methods. Specifically, we propose to refine and assess the feasibility of the Anxiety Action Plan (AxAP), a brief intervention to reduce pediatric anxiety, delivered by PCPs (defined here as nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and/or pediatricians) in community pediatric primary care clinics. This proposal builds on the PI';s initial feasibility work with PCPs (see Preliminary Studies) [18] conducted as part of the NIMH-funded Center for Mental Health in Pediatric Primary Care. The AxAP, modeled after the Asthma Action Plan familiar to PCPs, is based on the core therapeutic element of CBT for anxiety (i.e., behavioral exposure) [19], was designed to fit within the short primary care visit (20-30 minutes), is brief (1-4 sessions), harnesses technology by using virtual training, assessment, and an option for virtual visits, and can be billed for as an office visit. Uniquely, and in stark contrast to co-location or integrated treatment models, the goal of the AxAP is to enhance the capacity of PCPs to identify and intervene with anxious youth. Importantly, enhancing the capacity of PCPs, rather than adding co-located mental health specialists, increases the reach of the intervention and the number of interventionists available and trained to identify and reduce anxiety, particularly in communities where access to specialty mental health specialists is limited. The proposal also incorporates several additional innovative features including: 1) the development and pilot testing of cost-benefit measures of the AxAP and 2) pilot testing of AxAP target mediators at the child, parent, and PCP levels. Primary Aims To refine and assess the feasibility of the AxAP and study methods (e.g., PCP training, adherence measures, control condition materials) during an open trial and with feedback from a development advisory team comprised of experts in the field. To conduct a pilot randomized controlled trial of AxAP, relative to Enhanced Usual Care, for reducing anxiety severity and impairment at post-intervention (2 months after randomization) and at a 4 month follow-up (6 months after randomization) with 6-12 PCPs and 60 anxious youth (ages 6-17). Secondary/Exploratory Aims To pilot measures for investigating theory-based intervention targets of AxAP including changes in: 1) PCP knowledge and skills in anxiety reduction strategies; 2) reductions in child behavioral avoidance and 3) reductions in parental accommodation of child anxiety. To refine and pilot measures to be used in a cost-benefit analysis of AxAP in a future large scale effectiveness trail (R01).

IRB No. W24-025-2 (Dr. Andrew Winokur, PI): A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial of REL-1017 as an Adjunctive Treatment for Major Depressive Disorder (RELIGHT)

This is a clinical study of an investigational medication for adults with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of REL-1017 when used as an add-on treatment for adults with MDD. Study participation lasts 8 weeks and includes a screening phase, a double blinded phase and a follow-up phase.

IRB No. U23-210-2 (Dr. Jayesh Kamath, PI): A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-controlled Multicenter Study to Assess the Efficacy and Safety of Lumateperone as Adjunctive Therapy in the Treatment of Patients with Major Depressive Disorder.

This is a clinical study of an investigational medication for adults with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of Lumateprone when used as an add-on treatment for adults with MDD. Study participation lasts 8 weeks and includes a screening phase, a double blinded phase and a follow-up phase.

IRB No. 24X-083-2 (Dr. Richard Kamin, PI): By-stander Naloxone Administration and Refusal for Transport in Emergency Medical Care

The opioid epidemic continues to be a major public health concern in the United States. Treatment of opioid overdose with opioid antagonist naloxone has been a major tactic to combat the ever-increasing fatality count of death attributable to opioid use. Naloxone, an opioid antagonist, has since been formulated for emergent reversal of opioid-related overdose. Since its intra-nasal formulation received FDA approval in 2015, naloxone administration has expanded beyond paramedics, the highest level of emergency services care-provider, to include first responders such as police and fire. Naloxone has also become available to the public for administration by bystanders. According to the World Health Organization, after opioid overdose reversal with naloxone a patient should be transported and observed in a healthcare facility. Little research has been done on the consequences of bystander naloxone administration in terms of compliance with this recommendation. This study aims to elucidate such implications of bystander administration by utilizing the Statewide Opioid Reporting Directive (SWORD) database.

IRB No. 23-212-2 (Dr. Mina Boutrous, PI): Effects of Socioeconomic Disparities on the Long-term Outcomes of Hemodialysis Access

Goal This project is designed to contribute institutional data to a multi-institutional registry to evaluate the impact of socioeconomic disparities on the long-term outcomes of hemodialysis access, including the choice of access modality that the patient recieve, the long term patency of hemodialysis access and their access to healthcare services overall. Specific Objectives To determine the most prevalent type of access that patients from disadvantageous socioeconomic background receive. Hypothesis: Patients from the H-ADI group are likely to have lower overall long term survival in comparison to patients from the L-ADI group. Primary Endpoint: Patient survival over time. Hypothesis: Patients from the H-ADI group are likely to have higher prevalence of hemodialysis catheter placement as well as longer total duration of the catheter in comparison to patients from the L-ADI group. Primary Endpoint: Prevalence of hemodialysis catheter placement in both groups as well as total duration (in days) of catheter dependence in both groups prior to successful use of AVF/AVG. To determine long term survival of hemodialysis access patients in both groups Hypothesis: Patients in the H-ADI group will likely have lower fistula maturation rates as well as functional patency rates at 1 and 3 years in comparison to the patients in the L-ADI group. Primary Endpoint: Fistula maturation rate Secondary Endpoints: Number of procedures to attain maturity; functional patency at 1 and 3 years To determine the prevalence of hemodialysis catheter, use in both groups and compare total duration of catheter placement. Hypothesis: Patients from the highest quantile ADI score (those at the highest level of socioeconomic deprivation) are more likely to receive AVG as opposed to AVF. Primary Endpoint: Type of hemodialysis access in the highest quintile (H-ADI) vs the lowest four quintiles (L-ADI) To examine the outcomes and overall patency of hemodialysis access in patients of the highest quintile (H-ADI) vs the lowest four quintiles (L-ADI)

IRB No. 24-127J-1 (Dr. George Kuchel, PI): Hematopoietic epigenetic memory as a driver of inflammaging

This is a prospective, single-visit study. The UConn Center on Aging will recruit 80 healthy community-dwelling young (20-35 years old, n=40: 20 men, 20 women) and older adults (>65 years old, n=40: 20 men, 20 women). Blood samples (50 mL, single draw) will be collected from these participants and participants will be clinically assessed using Frailty Index, frailty phenotype and blood-borne measures of biological aging. This research is being done to determine how aging affects the rare blood stem cells that give rise to the circulating immune cells.. Scientists may conduct genomic testing of cells in blood in this research. This means that they will be looking at which genes are turned on and which are turned off in immune cells. This study may help contribute to new strategies to rejuvenate the immune system and responses.

IRB No. 24-066-2 (Dr. Iman Al-Naggar, PI): Mito-LUTS: A Pilot Study of the Effect of MitoQ on Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Older Women with Metabolic Syndrome

Objectives: The goal of this pilot study is to serve as proof-of-concept that using MitoQ, a supplement with gerotherapeutics properties, to target shared biological pathways between aging, metabolic syndrome and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) represents a much-needed novel direction in alleviating lower urinary tract symptoms. It will also help identify and validate biomarkers described in the literature for LUTS diagnosis and severity and generate data required to design and power future clinical trials. Aims: Aim 1: Elucidate the effect of MitoQ on lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in older women with MetS. We will carry out a double-blinded, placebo controlled randomized pilot and exploratory study to test the effect of MitoQ on LUTS in older women with MetS. Older women (50-75 years) with both LUTS (no UTI, with urgency possibly accompanied by other symptoms such as frequency, urgency or urge incontinence for at least 3 months), and MetS (International Diabetes Federation (IDF) definition) will be randomized 2:1 into a treatment (40mg/day MitoQ, for 16 weeks) and placebo arm (Total number of participants will be 50). Assessments of LUTS using well-validated questionnaires and 3-day voiding diaries will be done at baseline, during, and at the end of the drug administration period. Main outcome will be change in LUTS questionnaire scores from baseline for each individual and between Placebo and MitoQ groups. We hypothesize that treatment with MitoQ will improve LUTS questionnaire scores in females with MetS, whereas the placebo group scores will remain unchanged or worsen Aim 2: Measure the effect of MitoQ on biomarkers and their biomarkers and their correlation with LUTS severity. There are currently no clinically useful biomarkers that are specific for LUTS, and novel biomarkers that can reliably distinguish LUTS are urgently needed. A good biomarker would also help with choice of therapy, predict response, change with an intervention and reflect changes in symptom severity. Aim 2a: Does treatment with MitoQ in females with MetS-related LUTS alter blood and urinary biomarkers of biological hallmarks of aging and LUTS? We will measure biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress in blood and urine at baseline and 16 weeks after treatment initiation in our participants. We will also measure urinary proteins and metabolites shown to correlate with overactive bladder syndrome (OAB) and others reported to be urotoxic or uroprotective. Values will be compared to baseline for each subject and means will be compared between groups. We hypothesize that MitoQ will reduce biomarkers of inflammation, oxidative stress, and OAB, while also decreasing urotoxic metabolites and increasing uroprotective metabolites. Aim 2b: Do changes in biomarkers correlate with types of LUTS and their severity? In order to be clinically useful, a biomarker should correlate well with LUTS type and severity. Biomarker levels will be correlated to LUTS questionnaire scores and voiding diary parameters. Because LUTS can have multifactorial etiology, no single biomarker has been useful. We aim to identify a panel of biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, tailoring, and tracking interventions. We hypothesize that changes in biomarkers will reflect changes in LUTS and correlate with LUTS severity. Study Design: This will be a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded pilot and exploratory study. Participants in the MitoQ intervention group will receive MitoQ capsules (40 mg/day), whereas placebo control group will receive capsules containing all inactive ingredients prepared by the same manufacturer without the MitoQ, for 16 weeks.

IRB No. 24-094-1 (Dr. Omar Ibrahim, PI): Before-After Operational Data Collection Study Protocol - UConn

The diagnosis managment of lung nodules can be difficult. Current guidelines recommend that pulmonary nodules are managed based upon their probability of malignancy. Despite established guidelines, prior studies estimate that 60-70% of patients with ILNs are not followed up in a timely fashion in accordance with guidelines. To address the management and diagnostic challenges, Optellum has developed Virtual Nodule Clinic (VNC). VNC is an FDA-cleared, web-based, end-to-end software solution early lung cancer diagnosis. University of Connecticut Health (UConn) will be using VNC for routine clinical management of pulmonary nodule patients. As such, UConn offers an ideal environment in which to evaluate the real-world clinical utility of VNC. As part of this partnership, UConn will work with Optellum to evaluate whether use of VNC leads to an improvement in the number of pulmonary nodule patients being followed up and in the pulmonary nodule care pathway. All patients enrolled in UConn';s pulmonary nodule clinic will be eligible. The number of subjects with data collection is unspecified and will depend on the number of patients seen during different phases of the study. The data collection will have three parts: Phase 1: Baseline pre-VNC installation: operational data will be extracted from patient charts up to 6 months prior to the ';Go live'; date of Optellum';s VNC at UConn. Ramp-up period: This is the period during which UConn VNC users are being trained and migrating from their existing workflow, while the VNC workflow is being customized to their feedback. Phase 2: Active Patient Discovery post-VNC installation: operational data will be collected for the 3-12 months post-installation of VNC. During this time the Patient Discovery feature of VNC will be in active use by UConn VNC users.

IRB No. 24-111J-1 (Dr. Danielle Luciano, PI): The CT EndoRISE Biorepository

According to Connecticut Public Act No. 22-33, the CT EndoRISE biorepository will prospectively collect endometriosis tissues (termed lesions), healthy endometrium, blood, urine, and peritoneal fluid samples along with linked clinical and phenotypic data, symptoms, and quality of life questionnaires from patients with endometriosis and healthy controls. The CT EndoRISE is a collaboration between The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine and UConn Health.

IRB No. 24-125-1 (Dr. Archana Sanjay, PI): Analyzing the impact of aging on skeletal stem and progenitor cells in human bone marrow

This study will examine tissue biospecimens normally discarded from orthopaedic procedures to determine how aging impacts tissue on the cellular level. We plan to collect those discarded biospecimens and transfer them to the Musculoskeletal Institute Research Lab of Dr. Sanjay for preparation and analysis. Using these tissue biospecimens, we will attempt to understand and characterize the effects of aging on a cell's regenerative potential.

IRB No. 24-132-2 (Dr. Tarunya Vedere, PI): Primary Hyperaldosteronism is a Risk Factor for Developing Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy

This research is being done to determine if Primary Hyperaldosteronism (PA) is a pre-pregnancy risk factor for Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy (HDP). HDP which includes preeclampsia, eclampsia, gestational hypertension and chronic hypertension complicating pregnancy occur in about 10% of pregnancies and can cause a lifetime risk of developing chronic hypertension and heart disease. This study will look to see if excessive aldosterone hormone levels might be a risk factor for that. Aldosterone is a hormone naturally made in the body that helps keep the water and salt ratios in the body balanced. Excessive aldosterone hormone levels, or PA is a well-recognized cause of hypertension. Patients may be enrolled into the study or control group. Study group patients will have had a previous diagnosis of HDP in a pregnancy no earlier than January 1, 2018. Control group patients do not have any previous HDP diagnoses. Both groups will provide a one time blood draw, providing approximately 1 tablespoon of blood to be tested as well as one urine sample.

IRB No. 24-110-2 (Dr. Francesco Celi, PI): Exploring Treatment Experiences in Hypothyroidism Secondary to Surgery and Autoimmune Conditions

Our project seeks to understand if our current mainstay treatment for hypothyroidism (levothyroxine) is effective in treating the symptoms our patients are telling us. There have been several publications in the literature to suggest that a significant proportion of patients continue experiencing hypothyroid symptoms despite attaining normal lab values. In this study, we will utilize focus groups to discuss patient's experiences with hypothyroidism and improvements or no improvements with treatment, as well as any burdens of treatment. We will also use a validated, thyroid-specific quality of life instrument ThyPro questionnaire.

IRB No. 24-158J-2 (Dr. Julie Robison, PI): Skin immunity as a function of frailty, aging, and skin microbiome composition

Specific Aims AIM 1. Identify distinct and common skin immune features associated with aging and frailty-associated dysbiosis (FADS) to inform skin infection risk. AIM 2. Model how aging-related changes in skin infection response are modulated by the microbiome, senescence, inflammation, and genetic diversity. Design and Outcomes This is a prospective, observational, cohort study that will investigate how age-related declines in skin immunity relate to corresponding changes in the skin and its microbiome. Sample Size, Population, Interventions and Duration In this study, 42 participants ages 20-40 years old and 82 participants ages 60 years and older will be enrolled at the UConn Center on Aging in Farmington, CT and will participate in 4 study visits over 5 weeks. Visit 2 will occur the day after Visit 1. Visit 3 will occur 21 +/- 7 days after Visit 1 and Visit 4 the day after Visit 3. Skin (swab and microneedle patch at 7 skin sites) will be collected from participants to study the microbiome, immune profiling of interstitial fluid (ISF), and metabolomics. The seven skin sites will also be probed for skin physiologic metrics associated with frailty and aging. Participants will also have the option to provide oral swabs and self-collected stool samples that will be banked for future studies. The study is not designed to assess safety or tolerability of microneedle patch used as part of this proposed study.

IRB No. 24-213-1 (Dr. Andrea Shields, PI): Development and Validation of a Non-Invasive Microbiome-Based Diagnostic Tool for Early Detection of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is the development of glucose intolerance during pregnancy and is a serious complication with an incidence of 18% among pregnant people in the US. Recent evidence suggests that the gut microbiome undergoes changes parallel to GDM development early in pregnancy. This creates an important opportunity to establish a microbiome-based early screening tool to predict and potentially prevent GDM. Hypothesis/Question: Can a report containing risk scores for GDM based on proprietary stool collection from pregnant patients during their first trimester be developed to send to healthcare professionals promptly? Aims / objectives: We aim to develop a screening tool for the prediction of GDM as early as trimester 1 (T1) before the recommended administration of Oral Glucose Tolerance Test. Through non-invasive gut microbiome testing, we will determine T1 gut microbiome signatures associated with GDM and, based on these findings, develop an Machine Learning-based prediction model for GDM. This would allow for preventative treatment strategies before the disease becomes symptomatic and its side effects on the pregnant person and child become irreversible. The project aim is to demonstrate that the T1 maternal gut microbiome is a valid early indicator of GDM development, and an ML predictive model based on the microbiome';s characteristics permits accurate prediction of GDM development.

IRB No. 23-175HS-1 (Dr. Yanjiao Zhou, PI): Tracking the Microbiome Origin of Inflammation from Mouth to Placenta in Preeclampsia

AIMS Preeclampsia (PE) is defined by high blood pressure and proteinuria in pregnancy. It affects approximately 2-8% of the overall pregnant population and 17-25% of pregnant women with chronic hypertension. It is a leading cause of maternal death. Pathogenesis of PE involves excessive immune response, maternal endothelial dysfunction and abnormal placenta development. However, the initial factors responsible for the development of PE are unknown. Oral microbiota, comprising over 700 different bacterial species, has been linked not only to local periodontal diseases, but also systemic disorders. It has been speculated that oral microbiota can disseminate to placenta through blood circulation, heightening immune response and increasing risk of PE. Indeed, our recent work that tracked the oral and placental microbiome simultaneously in patients showed that the relative abundances of Haemophilus, Veillonella and Fusobacterium in subgingival plaque were significantly higher in patients with PE than matched controls without PE. We also rigorously identified the presence of these oral-like bacteria in placenta of PE patients, in contrast to controls. The preliminary data was based on samples collected at the delivery; thus, it is unclear whether the oral microbiome alteration is an acute process at PE onset or as a result of gradual alteration over the pregnancy term. It is also unclear when placental microbiome seeding occurs. A longitudinal profiling of the oral microbiome during pregnancy is critical to capture the overall dynamics of the microbiome in PE development, and provide novel insight into oral microbiome in pathogenesis of PE. Dysregulation of Th17/Tregs cells is a major contributor of pathogenesis of PE. Recent research showed that oral microbiome alteration in periodontal diseases can trigger Th17 cells to mediate oral mucosal immunopathology in an IL-6 dependent manner. Our preliminary data showed oral-like microbiota in placenta of PE patients were associated with elevated IL-6 in blood, raising a possibility that oral microbiome alteration may contribute to exaggerated immune response in PE through upregulation of IL-6 and Th17 cells. We hypothesize that an altered microbiome-immune interaction during pregnancy contributes to development of preeclampsia. We propose a prospective longitudinal study to determine dynamics of oral microbiome and immune response over different gestation and their association with PE. Aim 1. Determine the dynamics of the oral microbiome throughout pregnancy and their association with PE. We will prospectively enroll 100 patients with chronic hypertension or who meet criteria for being at risk of PE at UConn and Hartford Hospital. We will collect subgingival samples at each trimester and at PE onset, along with placenta at delivery. We will compare the oral microbiome of each trimester and at PE onset between patients who develop and who do not develop PE, and identify PE associated oral microbiome after controlling confounding factors. Placenta microbiome will be correlated with PE and oral microbiome. Aim 2. Determine the dynamics of immune response and immune-microbiome interactions throughout pregnancy. Blood will be collected at the same time as Aim1 in the study participants for immune assay. PBMC will be used to determine immune cell populations by flow cytometry focusing on Th17 and Tregs cells. Serum will be used to measure multiple panels of cytokines and chemokines by high- throughput Luminex assay. We will determine the association of oral microbiome at each trimester and placental microbiome with immune measures after controlling clinical confounding factors. Impact. The study holds promises to gain insight into the pathogenies of PE from a novel oral microbiome-immune interaction perspective, and lay ground work for future to develop non-invasive microbiome markers to predict PE. We will apply a R01 to extend the study to multi-centers to cross-validate the microbiome and immune findings. We also plan to collect and bank stool and vaginal samples from the study to create multiple lines of research on the microbiome and PE at Departments of Medicine and OB/GYN in future.

IRB No. 24-099J-1 (Dr. Timothy Crombleholme, PI): Intra-placental Gene Therapy with Ad-IGF-1 in BPH/5 mice with Mesenteric Uterine Artery Branch Ligation and Association of Pre-eclampsia and IUGR

Pre-eclampsia and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy present major health impact to both mother and fetus. Pre-eclampsia has been linked to maternal multi-organ failure, coagulopathic processes and in fetuses can impact fetal growth leading to growth restriction. The onset of pre-eclampsia is variable but typically onset is after 20 weeks of gestation. However, more severe forms of pre-eclampsia may present with earlier onset and have been linked to more egregious pregnancy complications, such as severe infantile uterine growth restriction (IUGR). Understanding the key mechanisms surrounding pre-eclampsia pathophysiology are vital to helping prevent and or cure this disease. Prior research has shown that the IGF-1 pathway is central in fetal growth and placental development. This project aims to study the pathophysiology of pre-eclampsia by studying the interrelation of IGF-1, a known common maternal and fetal pathway involved in cellular homeostasis. We will enroll mothers with pre-eclampsia, fetal growth restriction

IRB No. 24-158JO-2 (Dr. Julie Robison, PI): Skin immunity as a function of frailty, aging, and skin microbiome composition

Specific Aims AIM 1. Identify distinct and common skin immune features associated with aging and frailty-associated dysbiosis (FADS) to inform skin infection risk. AIM 2. Model how aging-related changes in skin infection response are modulated by the microbiome, senescence, inflammation, and genetic diversity. Design and Outcomes This is a prospective, observational, cohort study that will investigate how age-related declines in skin immunity relate to corresponding changes in the skin and its microbiome. Sample Size, Population, Interventions and Duration In this study, 42 participants ages 20-40 years old and 82 participants ages 60 years and older will be enrolled at the UConn Center on Aging in Farmington, CT and will participate in 2-4 study visits over 5 weeks. Visit 2 will occur the day after Visit 1. Visit 3 will occur 21 +/- 7 days after Visit 1 and Visit 4 the day after Visit 3. Skin (swab and micropatch at 7 skin sites) will be collected from participants to study the microbiome, immune profiling of interstitial fluid (ISF), and metabolomics. The seven skin sites will also be probed for skin physiologic metrics associated with frailty and aging.