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The Inflammatory Exposome Of Major Depressive Disorder In An Egyptian Sample, Reem Deif

Theses and Dissertations

Major depressive disorder (MDD) has been recognized as a global public health concern affect-ing the lives of 264 million people with increasing prevalence worldwide. Inspired by the expo-somic research, this study aims to investigate the dynamic and complex interplay between dif-ferent demographic, lifestyle, environmental factors and bimolecular factors that are potentially involved in the pathology of MDD in a sample of Egyptian adults living in Cairo. This is in an attempt to acknowledge the biological underpinnings of MDD without underestimating the role of environmental influences. The context of Egypt provides richness to the current study given the national transition from …

Validation Of Harmonized Cognitive Assessment Protocol (Hcap) In Egypt: A Sub Study Of The Egyptian Longitudinal Study Of Aging (Al-Seha), Sara Ayman Moustafa

Theses and Dissertations

Abstract Building upon the insights gained from the AL-SEHA pilot study, which underscored the pressing need for comprehensive cognitive assessment tools in Egypt, a subsequent research initiative was launched. This initiative sought to address the escalating burden of dementia and Alzheimer's Disease Related Dementias (ADRD) by adapting and validating the Harmonized Cognitive Assessment Protocol (HCAP) for the Egyptian context. The validation study, conducted with 300 participants aged 55 and over, drawn from diverse backgrounds and healthcare settings in Cairo, Mansoura, and Beni Suef, demonstrated the HCAP's effectiveness across different age and education levels within the Egyptian population. The tool exhibited …

From Crisis To Aftermath: The Role Of Nursing Professional Development Educators During The Covid-19 Pandemic: A Realist Case Study, Kimberly Kanner

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative, realistic inquiry case study was to examine and understand the experiences of NPD educators as they assisted new graduate nurses transitioning into clinical nursing practice during the COVID-19 pandemic in acute care hospitals in the state of New York. Moreover, this research study sought to understand how the COVID-19 pandemic brought about changes to the NPD educator's role and their ability to assist new graduate nurses transitioning into clinical practice post-pandemic. The sample included NPD educators from acute care hospitals in the state of New York. Data collection included semi-structured interviews and document collection. The …

Examining Lung Cancer Disparities And Risk Factors In Wisconsin, Usa (2016-2020), Mathew Chidera Ugwuanyi

Theses and Dissertations

Studies over the United States has shown that disparity still exists in lung cancer mortality. Such disparity has been attributed to several risk factors such as genetics, socio-economic status, comorbidities, amongst others. This study investigates the spatial variations in lung cancer mortality rates in Wisconsin, USA, through analyzing county-level data from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER). Emphasis is placed on exploring the relationship between access to lung cancer services, socio-economic factors, and lung cancer mortality rate, utilizing American Community Survey and County ranking data. Scan Statistics (SaTScan) was used …

Accuracy And Precision Of Wearable Camera Media Annotations To Estimate Dimensions Of Physical Activity And Sedentary Behavior, Julian Martinez

Theses and Dissertations

Physical activity (PA) is a complex behavior to measure given its sporadic nature and its all-encompassing definition as bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that result in increased energy expenditure. Sedentary behavior (SB) is another complex health behavior to measure as it is more exactly defined as sitting, reclining, or lying while having an energy expenditure ≤ 1.5 metabolic equivalents (METs). For both PA and SB, it is important to measure the dimensions of frequency, intensity, duration and type of activity being performed when associating the volume of PA and SB with different health outcomes. However, commonly used measurement tools …

Linking Determinants And Outcomes: Examining The Relationship Between Key Determinants Of The Implementation Process And Implementation Outcomes, Marin Schmitt

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Implementation science advances public health by studying the process of implementing evidence-based practices in real-world settings. While our knowledge surrounding determinants (factors affecting the implementation process) and outcomes (measures of implementation success) has grown exponentially, it remains difficult to determine which determinants have the greatest impact on the implementation process, as well as their relationship with implementation outcomes. Research is needed to identify 1) key determinants that affect the implementation process, or those found to play the biggest role in the implementation process most frequently and 2) their relationship with implementation outcomes.Methods: The relationship between key determinants and implementation …

"I Can Just Be Myself And Part Of That Is Being A Vaper." A Qualitative Analysis Of Vaping Identity, Megan Wahl

Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: E-cigarette use among young adults (18-24 years-old) is becoming increasingly problematic. Current vaping cessation programs draw from existing tobacco interventions which focus on reducing nicotine consumption. Vaping, however, is distinctly different from smoking. Rooted in sociology, recent research has evaluated social identity as a new way of addressing complex health behaviors. Purpose: Young adulthood is a unique time for experimenting with multiple identities. Understanding social identity formation around vaping may have public health utility in addressing current e-cigarette use. To date there is limited research about vaping identity and the process by which it is formed among young adults …

Technology Acceptance Model (Tam)-Based Predictors Of Internet-Accessed Testing For Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Young Adults In The United States Using An Online Sample, Immaculate Apchemengich

Theses and Dissertations

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) continue to be a global public health concern, with an estimated 357 million new infections of curable STIs each year. As of 2018, there were more than 2.4 million cases of STIs in the United States (US) with youth being affected disproportionately. Whereas STIs generally affect youth disproportionately compared to other age groups, young adults (18-24) have a heightened risk for STIs.There is a plethora of research on access to STI testing using conventional modes, but less research exists on access to testing services via the Internet (e-STI services). With only conventional modes of testing, national …

To Decipher Genomic Evolution Of Dengue Virus And To Probe The Activation Mechanism Of A Her2 Directed Chimeric Antigen Receptor Toward Computer Aided Drug Design (Cadd), Mariya Hryb

Theses and Dissertations

This study encompasses three significant chapters focusing on diverse yet interconnected aspects of pharmaceutical research. Chapter 1 delves into the complexities of drug development, emphasizing the challenges and the pressing need for advanced technologies to streamline the process. Computational methods like Computer-Aided Drug Design (CADD) extend their scope beyond small molecules, aiding in the design of intricate biomolecules vital for biomedical advancements, especially in immunotherapy. Chapter 2 introduces the Near-Neutral Balanced Selectionist Theory (NNBST) validated through analysis of Dengue virus evolution. The unique features observed align with NNBST, surpassing existing theories. This approach offers a deeper understanding of viral evolution …

Tunable Dual-Phase Dual-Drug Delivery System Using A Plga Microparticle/Pva Hydrogel Composite, Timothy John Eck

Theses and Dissertations

Current drug-eluting coatings have demonstrated controlled long-term, sustained release but have only tried to mitigate short-term burst release as a negative side effect. For applications like wound healing, there is a need for a drug-eluting coating which is adjustable in both short- and long-term release, independent of each other. We present a tunable dual-phase dual-drug delivery coating composed of drug-loaded polymer microparticles and drug-loaded hydrogel which can control short term and long term release individually in this study. This coating was created using lidocaine and dexamethasone encapsulated in poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) particles combined with lidocaine- and dexamethasone-loaded poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogel. Hydrogel drug …

" Does Educational Level Affect The Outcome Of Myocardial Infarction? ", Ahmed Magdy Ahmed Elsayed

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Heath awareness plays a major role in determining the outcomes of serious medical conditions specially when response time is crucial. STEMI patients are prone to serious compilations if they didn’t receive the appropriate treatment on time. Raising the health awareness of the community would result in seeking medical help at earlier stage of the disease. Earlier presentation to the medical center would result in better health outcomes. Certain factors form the health awareness of the community. This includes educational level, previous exposure to similar situations, and exposure to health awareness materials.

Methods: This is a cohort study in …

Can Mirna Be The Missing Link Between Parkinson’S Disease And Pesticides?, Fatma Gobba

Theses and Dissertations

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative condition that leads to significant morbidity and a decline in the quality of life. It develops as a consequence of the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. Nevertheless, the development of PD is influenced by environmental factors, and the intricate nature of these relationships is further complicated by a multitude of factors, including the genetic backgrounds that are specific to populations and variations in environmental exposures, such as pesticides. Pesticides, consisting of a diverse family of chemicals commonly used in both agricultural and household settings to protect crops against …

Mri Image Regression Cnn For Bone Marrow Lesion Volume Prediction, Kevin Yanagisawa

Theses and Dissertations

Bone marrow lesions (BMLs), occurs from fluid build up in the soft tissues inside your bone. This can be seen on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans and is characterized by excess water signals in the bone marrow space. This disease is commonly caused by osteoarthritis (OA), a degenerative join disease where tissues within the joint breakdown over time [1]. These BMLs are an emerging target for OA, as they are commonly related to pain and worsening of the diseased area until surgical intervention is required [2]–[4]. In order to assess the BMLs, MRIs were utilized as input into a regression …

Impairment Of The Glial Phagolysosomal System Drives Prion-Like Propagation Of Huntington’S Disease, Graham Davis

Theses and Dissertations

The ability of glia to tightly regulate neuronal health and homeostasis in the CNS is conserved across species. Yet, despite the ability to degrade protein aggregates, glia are vulnerable to the accumulation of neurotoxic amyloid aggregates during neurodegenerative disease progress, and even exacerbate their spread. A developing narrative highlights glia as a double-edged sword in neurodegenerative diseases: initially capable of dynamically responding to amyloid aggregate-ladened dying neurons but also capable of inducing chronic inflammation and creating seeding-competent amyloid oligomers. Thus, uncovering the mechanisms that allow glia to control aggregate deposition while preventing the neurotoxic effects and seed generation is vital …

Behavioral Effects Of Novel Treatments For Pain Using Different Pathways, Danya M I Aldaghma

Theses and Dissertations

Pain is defined as an unpleasant sensation that is mostly caused by a stimulus from our surroundings. This sensation has the potential to become a significant concern, disrupting daily activities, and diminishing overall quality of life. However, it could also hold significant importance as it serves as a protective mechanism. Pain acts as an alarm system for the human body, alerting it to potentially harmful situations where tissues may be at risk of damage1. Despite the considerable advancements in pain treatment and the extensive knowledge scientists possess regarding the pathophysiology and pathways of pain, numerous medications aimed at alleviating pain …

Variability In Perceptions Of Complementary Health Approaches Among Graduate Student Trainees, Delaney C. Bilodeau

Theses and Dissertations

Complementary Health Approaches (CHAs) encompass a diverse range of practices which are often used both independently and alongside conventional medical treatments. Understanding how graduate students training in different fields perceive CHAs is important because these professional trainees will go on to occupy roles as healthcare practitioners, researchers, policy makers, and consumers. This study used sequential rank agreement methods (Ekstrøm, Gerds, & Jensen, 2019) to investigate variations in perceptions of CHAs in a sample of graduate students (N = 416) from 140 possible training programs. Ratings of CHA familiarity, perceptions of CHA legitimacy, and willingness to recommend CHAs were compared …

The Effect Of Experienced Compassion At Work On Nursing Home Certified Nursing Assistants' Well-Being And Turnover Intentions, Kristin M. Macdonald

Theses and Dissertations

Statement of problem and objectives: Could experienced compassion at work alleviate nursing home certified nursing assistant (CNA) burnout? This study investigates whether experienced compassion at work predicts higher well-being (meaningfulness of work, psychological vitality, and resilience) for CNAs, and if well-being predicts lower turnover intentions.

Procedure followed: This is a prospective, observational, survey-based study with three timepoint data collection. Convenience sampling of Kansas and Virginia NHs was conducted (n=13). All CNAs working at the NHs were study eligible. CNAs received gift cards with laddered incentives for ongoing participation. There was in-person administration of a CNA survey at each timepoint. …

Exploring The Impact Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On Adolescent Mental Health: An Integrative Systematic Review, Ruth Maouda

Theses and Dissertations

An integrative systematic review was conducted to understand the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on adolescent mental health and to identify what contributing risk and protective factors increased or decreased the likelihood that these mental health outcomes were experienced among adolescents, including those from diverse and vulnerable communities. Furthermore, this review examined interventions and coping strategies identified within the literature that were beneficial in mitigating these harmful pandemic-related effects. Methods. Data was collected from five electronic databases and included peer-reviewed, English-language articles published between 2020-present in the United States, comprised of adolescent participants aged 11-19. All studies were required …

Reducing Mortality Among African American Mothers Related To Postpartum Hemorrhage By Implementing Early Education And Risk Assessments, Don'ya Truesdale

Theses and Dissertations

African American women are at the highest risk for hemorrhaging during childbirth (Okunlola, 2022). A hemorrhage can occur among postpartum mothers for many reasons, with the main causes being uterine atony, tissue trauma, and clotting issues. However, risks for Black mothers differ. The comorbid and social factors within the Black community greatly influence the likelihood of Black mothers experiencing postpartum hemorrhage. Additionally, the lack of assessment and attention catered towards those risk factors lead to an increased mortality among African American (AA) mothers compared to Caucasian mothers and all other ethnicities. Nonetheless, as maternal risk assessments and education increase, mortality …

The Influence Of Flavor On The Abuse Liability Of A Heated Tobacco Product And Its Feasibility As A Menthol Cigarette Substitute, Augustus White

Theses and Dissertations

Heated Tobacco Products (HTPs) purport to expose people that use cigarettes to fewer of the harmful or potentially harmful constituents of tobacco while still delivering reinforcing amounts of nicotine (Auer, Concha-Lozano et al., 2017). An exemplar of the HTP class, IQOS, and its three varieties of “HeatSticks” have been authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as “Modified Risk Tobacco Products” (MRTP). However, as the FDA is planning to ban menthol as a characterizing flavor in cigarettes, questions remain regarding whether characterizing flavors should be permitted in HTPs (FDA, 2022e). New evidence regarding HTP abuse liability (i.e., the likelihood …

Frozen By Worry And Fatigue? A Mixed Methods Approach To Understanding The Lived Experiences Of Freezing Of Gait, Sarah M. Ghose

Theses and Dissertations

This study utilized a mixed methods emergent, phenomenological approach to (1) understanding the lived experience of freezing of gait for individuals diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease and (2) determining the role of anxiety and sleep in freezing of gait outcomes. Participants included 13 adults diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease (N=14 for qualitative data, N=13 for quantitative data; 23.1% female-identifying, 76.9% male-identifying) who were predominantly white (92.3%) with an average age of 69 years (SD = 6.73 years). Data collection consisted of semi-structured interviews, self-report measures, actigraphic sleep data, and salivary alpha amylase biomarker collection. Results are organized into …

Exploring Drivers Of Sex-Based Disparities In Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis, Stephanie K. Buxhoeveden

Theses and Dissertations

Females are three times more susceptible to relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS) and males typically have more severe disease, but the molecular underpinnings of these sex-based disease disparities are unknown and represent a critical knowledge gap.Subject Population: Blood samples from a demographically homogenous group of treatment naïve males and females with relapsing-MS and healthy controls. Research Design: Cross-sectional combinatorial omics pilot study. Instruments: Whole transcriptomic analysis with messenger RNA (mRNA) expression profiling using next generation sequencing (RNA-seq) and micro-RNA (miRNA) expression using NanoString technology. Aim 1) Identify and compare the actively expressed mRNAs in the transcriptome of males and …

Associations Between Childhood Trauma And Tobacco Dependence Among Latine Adults: Testing The Protective Effects Of Compassion For Self And Others, Camila Tirado

Theses and Dissertations

Tobacco dependence has posed a significant public health challenge in the United States and disproportionately affects Latine adults' risk of developing a variety of adverse health conditions. Childhood trauma is a recognized risk factor for dependence, overall health, and mental health concerns. Still, the influence of compassion for self or compassion for others in this context remains unclear. This cross-sectional study investigated the moderating effects of self-compassion and compassion for others on the relationship between childhood trauma and cigarette dependence among Latine adults. Data was collected through questionnaires assessing childhood trauma, self-compassion, cultural values and factors, compassion for others, and …

Levofloxacin Incorporated Extracellular Matrix Nanoparticles For Pulmonary Cystic Fibrosis Infections, Raahi Patel

Theses and Dissertations

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a progressive genetic disorder that affects around 40,000 people in the United States. CF is characterized by a mutation in the CFTR protein that causes dysregulated ion transport across epithelial cells, producing viscous mucus in the lung that increases bacterial invasion, causing persistent infections and subsequent inflammation. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus are two of the most common infections in CF patients that are resistant to antibiotics. One antibiotic approved to treat these infections is levofloxacin (LVX) that functions to inhibit bacterial replication, but can be further developed into tailorable particles. Nanoparticles are an emerging inhaled …

Drugging The Histone Acetyltransferase Ep300 Modulates Alternative Splicing At Schizophrenia Risk Genes, Shravani Malay

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose. We will evaluate the effects of drugging the epigenetic histone acetyltransferase (HAT) enzyme p300, encoded by the schizophrenia risk gene EP300, on genome-wide gene expression in neural cells. We hypothesize that drugging p300 will affect gene expression and alternative splicing of other schizophrenia risk genes. Our motivation is to identify potential new epigenetic treatment avenues for schizophrenia.

Methods. Prior to my joining the lab, an experiment was conducted using the novel p300 HAT inhibitor, A-485, to modulate genomic regulation in a neural cell line (SH-SY5Y). SH-SY5Y cells were exposed to 10μM of A-485 or vehicle (DMSO) for 24 …

The Role Of Notch1 Signaling In Regulating Neurogenesis In The Olfactory Bulb Following Traumatic Brain Injury, Sarah A. Baig

Theses and Dissertations

In the United States, more than 20.5 million adults over the age of 40 suffer from olfactory dysfunction, with TBI attributing to 5-17% of all olfactory dysfunction cases. Although often initially undetected and less conspicuous than other cognitive and behavioral impairments, olfactory dysfunction may have a significant negative impact on patients' quality of life and ability to accomplish activities of daily living, therefore the pathophysiology of these disorders should be understood. The production of neural stem cells enhances the repair and regeneration of the injured brain following a TBI. One of the primary endogenous neural stem cell generation sites in …

Opportunities For Mental Health Interventions In Rural Mississippi Communities During The Covid-19 Pandemic: A Quantitative Analysis, Brice Fortinberry

Theses and Dissertations

COVID-19 presented unique challenges for rural Mississippi communities including impacts on the mental health of rural individuals. This research study aimed to identify opportunities for mental health interventions to provide health promotion professionals with quantitative data on the accessibility and the likelihood of engagement with mental health-fostering behaviors. A secondary objective of this research was to categorize these behaviors within the constructs of the Social Ecological Model. Demographics for rural Mississippi communities were collected and displayed, and using multivariate analyses including Spearman’s correlation and a Mann-Whitney U test the correlation between mental health fostering behaviors and demographic factors was obtained. …

The Impact Of Medical Device Usability And Accessibility Information On Purchasing Decisions Of People Without Disabilities, Maysam M. Ardehali

Theses and Dissertations

The disparity between people with and without disabilities in timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment is exacerbated by inaccessible medical devices. The industry appears reluctant to address the shortcomings or provide usability and accessibility information to enhance the purchasing decisions of people with disabilities. This reluctance is mainly caused by the lack of market motivation based on perceptions of market size and the profitability of investments in accessibility evaluation and improvement. This study aims to challenge this notion by demonstrating that usability and accessibility information do not solely benefit what may be considered a “niche market,” and the purchasing decisions of …

Accessiblehomepro As An Educational Intervention: Preparing Occupational Therapy Students To Perform Home Safety Assessments, Laryn O'Donnell

Theses and Dissertations

The growing aging population of the United States urges occupational therapy practitioners to address the population's home safety needs. However, current occupational therapists need more resources and education to conduct comprehensive home safety evaluations. This study employed a pretest-posttest mixed methods design using occupational therapy students (n=17) to investigate the potential of AccessibleHomePRO as an educational intervention to enhance OT student knowledge of home safety assessments, perceived knowledge, which is known as the belief in your level of knowledge, and self-efficacy, which refers to the confidence in completing a task. AccessibleHomePRO (AHP) is a novel multifaceted assessment that leverages artificial …

Big Data Applications And Challenges In Giscience (Case Studies: Natural Disaster And Public Health Crisis Management), Amir Masoud Forati

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examines the application and significance of user-generated big data in Geographic Information Science (GIScience), with a focus on managing natural disasters and public health crises. It explores the role of social media data in understanding human-environment interactions and in informing disaster management and public health strategies. A scalable computational framework will be developed to model extensive unstructured geotagged data from social media, facilitating systematic spatiotemporal data analysis.The research investigates how individuals and communities respond to high-impact events like natural disasters and public health emergencies, employing both qualitative and quantitative methods. In particular, it assesses the impact of socio-economic-demographic …