Dr. McClanahan studies the intersection of race, poverty, and the foster care system in the United States, analyzing how these factors affect the placement of children in foster care. She highlights significant disparities, showing that Black children are placed in foster care more often than their White peers. Additionally, she investigates treatments for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in older adults, specifically using the drug cisapride, which has shown marked improvements in heartburn symptoms. Her cancer research focuses on identifying and diagnosing blood cancers, especially non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and mycosis fungoides, by examining specific immune cell markers.
Key findings
In her 2023 study, Dr. McClanahan found that Black children are placed in foster care more frequently than White children, with poverty levels having minimal impact on this disparity.
A 2000 study revealed that after one month of treatment with cisapride, 18 older adults with GERD experienced significant reductions in heartburn and improved stomach activity.
Her 1999 research discovered that up to 22% of blood samples from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patients contained gamma delta T-cells that could be misidentified, emphasizing the need for careful diagnosis.
Dr. McClanahan's 1996 study indicated that blocking the alphavbeta3 receptor could halt the movement of melanoma cells toward certain signals, which may inform new treatment strategies.
In a 1994 study, 80% of patients with mycosis fungoides showed abnormal T-cell receptor expression, aiding in the accurate diagnosis of this skin cancer.
Frequently asked questions
Does Dr. McClanahan study racial disparities in child welfare?
Yes, Dr. McClanahan focuses on how race and poverty affect child placement in the foster care system.
What treatments has Dr. McClanahan researched for GERD?
She has researched the use of cisapride in older adults, finding it significantly reduces heartburn symptoms and improves stomach function.
Is Dr. McClanahan's work relevant to patients with blood cancers?
Yes, her research contributes to better diagnostic practices for conditions such as non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and mycosis fungoides.
How does Dr. McClanahan's work help older adults?
Her studies on GERD treatments provide effective options for older adults suffering from heartburn and related symptoms.
What are gamma delta T-cells, and why are they important in cancer diagnosis?
Gamma delta T-cells are a type of immune cell that can be misidentified in cancer diagnoses; understanding their presence is crucial for accurate diagnosis, especially in lymphoid neoplasia.
Publications in plain English
Race, Poverty, and Foster Care Placement in the United States: Longitudinal and Cross-Sectional Perspectives.
2023
International journal of environmental research and public health
Wulczyn F, Zhou X, McClanahan J, Huhr S, Hislop K +2 more
Plain English This study looked at how race and poverty levels affect the placement of children in foster care in the U.S. Researchers found that Black children are placed in foster care more often than White children, with a significant difference noted. Specifically, when White child poverty rates rise, the gap in foster care placements narrows, but when Black child poverty rates rise, the disparity remains mostly unchanged. Understanding these patterns is crucial to addressing inequalities in child welfare systems.
Who this helps: This helps policymakers and child welfare advocates working to improve foster care practices and support for families in need.
Gastric myoelectric activity in older adults treated with cisapride for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.
2000
Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics
Orr WC, Zhang M, McClanahan J, Sloan S, Chen JD
Plain English This study looked at how a drug called cisapride affects older adults with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The researchers found that after taking cisapride for one month, heartburn and feelings of fullness after eating were significantly reduced in 18 adults with GERD, and their stomach activity showed improvements. This is important because it indicates that cisapride can effectively help older patients manage GERD symptoms and improve their stomach function.
Who this helps: This helps older adults suffering from GERD.
Increased peripheral blood gamma delta T-cells in patients with lymphoid neoplasia: A diagnostic dilemma in flow cytometry.
1999
Cytometry
McClanahan J, Fukushima PI, Stetler-Stevenson M
Plain English This study examined blood samples from patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma to check for a type of immune cell called gamma delta T-cells. Researchers found that up to 22% of these blood samples contained gamma delta T-cells that lacked common markers usually found on unhealthy cells, and some were associated with signs of cell growth disorders. Recognizing these normal gamma delta T-cells is crucial because misidentifying them could lead to incorrect diagnoses of cancer in patients with a history of lymphoma.
Who this helps: This helps doctors by providing clearer insights for diagnosing patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Integrin alphavbeta3 mediates chemotactic and haptotactic motility in human melanoma cells through different signaling pathways.
1996
The Journal of biological chemistry
Aznavoorian S, Stracke ML, Parsons J, McClanahan J, Liotta LA
Plain English This study looked at how human melanoma cells move in response to two different types of signals: one from soluble proteins (chemotaxis) and another from proteins attached to surfaces (haptotaxis). Researchers found that blocking a specific receptor, called alphavbeta3, completely stopped the cells from moving towards soluble proteins, while it only partially affected their movement towards attached proteins. This research is significant because understanding these different pathways could help develop new treatments targeting how cancer cells move and spread in the body.
Who this helps: This helps patients with melanoma by informing potential treatment strategies.
Flow cytometric detection of neoplastic T cells in patients with mycosis fungoides based on levels of T-cell receptor expression.
1994
American journal of clinical pathology
Kuchnio M, Sausville EA, Jaffe ES, Greiner T, Foss FM +3 more
Plain English This research focused on identifying cancerous T cells in the blood of patients with mycosis fungoides, a type of skin cancer, by measuring specific proteins on their surface. The study found that 80% of patients with blood involvement showed abnormal levels of these proteins, which indicates the presence of neoplastic (cancerous) T cells. This finding is important because it can help doctors diagnose the disease more accurately and monitor its progression.
Who this helps: Patients with mycosis fungoides and their doctors.