Power of Connections: Using

Network Analysis to Examine Symptoms of Complicated Grief in Bereaved Dementia Caregivers

Background: Many informal caregivers of people with dementia report “anticipatory grief” while their loved one is still alive. However, less is known about dementia caregivers’ experiences after their loved one dies. Studies of bereaved non-dementia caregivers suggest that 7% develop complicated grief (CG), a prolonged period of marked psychological distress and functional impairment associated with increased morbidity and mortality. The substantial physical and emotional demands of caring for an individual with dementia are well-documented and may leave bereaved dementia caregivers more vulnerable to developing CG.

Traditional approaches to assessing psychopathology in general, and CG in particular, have conceptualized symptoms as observed indicators of underlying latent constructs (e.g., depression, anxiety, or CG). More recent work has challenged the view that symptoms are interchangeable indicators of latent constructs. Instead, this research argues that symptoms interact with each other within a causal system that characterizes the disorder. Developments in network analysis methods have enabled researchers to explore this possibility empirically.

Purpose: This study used network analysis to examine the structure of CG symptoms in a diverse sample of dementia caregivers.

Methods: Data are from 224 bereaved caregivers participating in the Resources for Enhancing Alzheimer’s Caregiver Health (REACH) Study. I used network analysis to identify interrelationships among 19 symptoms assessed with the Inventory of Complicated Grief. Results may inform the development of targeted treatment for bereaved dementia caregivers experiencing CG.

Franco (MMSc-GHD)

Socioeconomic

Abstract: Periacetabular osteotomy for acetabular dysplasia is associated with improved quality of life and reduced pain. Despite literature demonstrating need for timely diagnosis and follow-up, there has been no research into socioeconomic factors or barriers to e quitable care.

A retrospective cohort study will be performed on patients who underwent a periacetabular osteotomy at Boston Children’s Hospital. Demographic and socioeconomic factors will be investigated with respect to severity of disease at first review, including pain, clinical and radiological findings. Subsequently, these factors will be investigated against post-operative clinical outcomes and complications. This will inform further studies comparing post-operative clinical outcomes and complications.

Oluchi I. Ndulue (MMSc-GHD) Racial/ethnic disparities in substance use disorder treatment (SUD) completion: Analysis of the 2020 Treatment Episode Dataset-Discharges (TEDS-D), a national dataset.

Purpose: Substance use disorder is a chronic and debilitating condition. Race/ethnicity plays a crucial role in SUD treatment outcomes. The objective of this study is to assess factors associated with treatment completion among different races/ethnicities .

Methods: Retrospective analysis of substance use discharge records across treatment centers in the US as recorded in 2020 Treatment Episode Dataset-Discharges (TEDS-D) will be performed. Sociodemographic characteristics, clinical data, and multivariable regression models will be used to examine racial/ethnic disparities in treatment completion.

Preliminary result: Forty-two percent of all admissions completed treatment. Alaskan Natives/American Indians recorded the highest rate of treatment completion.

Future: Understanding the predictors of treatment completion will guide future interventions for reducing racial/ethnic health inequities.

Waleed Seddiq (MMSc-CI) Novel strategy “Viral-entry on/off” improve codelivery of cell-based therapy and virotherapy.

Authors: Waleed Seddiq1,2 Nobuhiko Kanaya1,2, Khalid Shah1,2,3

1 Center for Stem Cell and Translational Immunotherapy, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA

2 Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA

3 Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA

Virotherapy and cell-based therapy are promising fields in treating cancer. In this study, we engineered "Nectin-" receptor in twin stem cells in order to improve the cell-based delivery and enhance oncolytic viruses (OVs) effects. We created twin stem cell that have human Nectin-1 to increase OVs and reduced tumor size in a brain cancer model, while knockdown Nectin-1 to resist OVs and secrete immunomodulator safely. The novel combined approach of on/off nectin -1 in stem cells improved overall survival and sustained co-delivery of both OVs and immunomodulator. This research suggests that modifying Nectin-1 may be a promising strategy for improving virotherapy and cell-based therapies.

Erin Sharoni (MBE) The Moral Obligation to Bear Witness: A Policy

Proposal Mandating Audio-Visual Documentation of Federally-Funded Animal Use

This project aims to investigate the ethical issues related to animal use in agriculture and scientific research, interrogate the position that humans have a moral obligation to bear witness to animal suffering in these industries, understand existing legislative challenges to actualizing this moral obligation, and examine the connection between witnessing and social change. Methodology includes a review of ethics literature, public sentiment polls, and US policy governing federally -funded animal use. Next steps include interviews with policymakers, whistleblowers, and scholars, culminating in a draft policy proposal mandating that federally -funded animal use facilities capture and disclose audio-visual footage of all animal use operations.