Digital Commons Network^™

Ginger And Honey, Samana Shah, Austin Shin

Biomedical Engineering

Ginger and Honey is an application service for those interested in holistic health and wellness. It is intended to provide a cohesive space where eating plans, recommendations and information can be easily accessed. The app captures the art and science of food as a healing mechanism for those fighting diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Migration As A Determinant Of Childhood Obesity In The United States And Latin America, Mireya Vilar-Compte, Arturo V. Bustamante, Nancy López-Olmedo, Pablo Gaitán-Rossi, Jaqueline Torres, Karen E. Peterson, Graciela Teruel, Rafael Pérez-Escamilla

Department of Public Health Scholarship and Creative Works

International migration has economic and health implications. The acculturation process to the host country may be linked to childhood obesity. We use the Community Energy Balance (CEB) framework to analyze the relationship between migration and childhood obesity in Mexican households with international migrants. Using longitudinal data from the Mexican Family Life Survey (MxFLS), we examine how migrant networks affect childhood obesity in origin communities. We also review binational health programs that could be effective at tackling childhood obesity in migrant households from Mexico. Children embedded in migrant networks are at greater risk of developing overweight or obesity, suggesting a significant …

Implementation Of Childhood Obesity Prevention And Control Policies In The United States And Latin America: Lessons For Cross-Border Research And Practice, Rafael Perez-Escamilla, Mireya Vilar-Compte, Elizabeth Rhodes, Olga L. Sarmiento, Camila Corvalan, Rachel Sturke, Susan Vorkoper

Department of Public Health Scholarship and Creative Works

Progress has been made in the development and widespread implementation of effective interventions to address childhood obesity, yet important challenges remain. To understand how the United States and Latin American countries achieved success in implementing obesity policies and programs (PAPs) and identify improvement opportunities using implementation science principles. We identified three comparative case studies: (1) front-of-food package labeling (Mexico and Chile); (2) Open Streets/play streets (Colombia and the United States); and (3) the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (Brazil and the United States). Information from multiple sources (e.g., scientific and gray literature and key informant interviews) was synthesized to describe barriers, facilitators, …

Feasibility And Acceptability Of Using Mobile Health Apps In Underserved Patients With Diabetes, Jieyu Luo

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Introduction. Diabetes mellitus is a condition with a growing morbidity and mortality burden. An estimated 30 million adults currently live with diabetes, with each individual spending over $9500 annually on medical care. The successful management of diabetes is a lifelong endeavor. This involves balancing a variety of factors including diet, medications, and glucose monitoring. It has been well established that successful control of diabetes depends largely upon patients’ daily lifestyle habits and activities. Not all patients, however, have the resources necessary for effective diabetes management. Health disparities lead to a higher rate of diabetes development in minority and poor populations. …

Reducing Stroke Burden Through A Targeted Self-Management Intervention For Reducing Stroke Risk Factors In High-Risk Ugandans: A Protocol For A Randomized Controlled Trial, Shirley Moore, Carol Blixen, Martha Sajatovic

Faculty Scholarship

Introduction: Stroke burden is rapidly increasing globally. Modifiable risk factors offer an opportunity to intervene, and targeting hypertension is a key actionable target for stroke risk reduction in sub-Saharan Africa. This 3-site planned randomized controlled trial builds on promising preliminary data. Methods: A total of 246 Ugandan adults will be recruited randomized to experimental intervention vs. enhanced treatment control. Intervention participants will receive six weekly group-format stroke risk reduction self-management training sessions, and the controls will receive information on cardiovascular risk. The primary study outcome is systolic B.P. measured at baseline, 13-week, 24 weeks (6 months). Secondary outcomes include other …

Evaluating Motor Performance With The Bruininks-Oseretsky Test Of Motor Proficiency In Impoverished Pakistani Children, Zehra Habib Hasan, Fariha Shaheen, Arjumand Rizvi, Jelena Obradovic, Aisha Khan Yousafzai

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Objective: To evaluate the sensitivity of the modified Brief Form of Bruininks Oseretsky Test in identifying motor differences secondary to malnutrition and poverty.
Methods: This longitudinal cohort study was conducted at Nowshero Feroze, Sindh from 2013 to 2014 and comprised data drawn from children who participated in a randomised controlled trial, that assessed responsive stimulation and nutrition interventions in the first two years of life. Outcome measures included motor development assessed using Brief Form of Bruininks Oseretsky Test, child anthropometry and household economic and demographic information. Data was analysed using SPSS 15 and STATA 12.
Results: Of the 1058 children, …

A Novel Biomarker Panel For The Early Detection And Risk Assessment Of Hepatocellular Carcinoma In Patients With Cirrhosis, Ilvira M Khan, Donjeta Gjuka, Jingjing Jiao, Xiaoling Song, Ying Wang, Jing Wang, Peng Wei, Hashem B El-Serag, Jorge A Marrero, Laura Beretta

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Novel biomarkers for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) surveillance in patients with cirrhosis are urgently needed. We previously identified osteopontin (OPN) as a promising biomarker for the early detection of HCC. This study is to further validate the performance of OPN and identify fatty acids (FA) that could improve OPN's performance in HCC risk assessment in patients with cirrhosis. To that end, we selected 103 patients with cirrhosis under surveillance. Among them, 40 patients developed HCC during follow-up. We investigated in these 103 patients, the association between HCC incidence and prediagnostic serum levels of AFP, OPN, and 46 FAs. OPN performance was …

Ube2i Deletion In Adipocytes Causes Lipoatrophy In Mice, Aaron R Cox, Natasha Chernis, Kang Ho Kim, Peter M Masschelin, Pradip K Saha, Shawn M Briley, Robert Sharp, Xin Li, Jessica B Felix, Zheng Sun, David D Moore, Stephanie A Pangas, Sean M Hartig

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

OBJECTIVE: White adipose tissue (WAT) expansion regulates energy balance and overall metabolic homeostasis. The absence or loss of WAT occurring through lipodystrophy and lipoatrophy contributes to the development of hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance. We previously demonstrated that sole small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) E2-conjugating enzyme Ube2i represses human adipocyte differentiation. The role of Ube2i during WAT development remains unknown.

METHODS: To determine how Ube2i impacts body composition and energy balance, we generated adipocyte-specific Ube2i knockout mice (Ube2i

RESULTS: Surprisingly, Ube2i

CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that Ube2i expression in mature adipocytes allows WAT expansion during postnatal growth. Deletion of Ube2i in …

Sleeve Gastrectomy Improves Metabolic Syndrome In Psychologically Stable Patients With Schizophrenia, Irene Chen

Clinical Research in Practice: The Journal of Team Hippocrates

A clinical decision report appraising:

Archid R, Archid N, Meile T, Hoffman J, Wulff D, Teufel M, Muthig M, Quante M, Konigsrainer A, Lange J. Patients with schizophrenia do not demonstrate worse outcome after sleeve gastrectomy: a short-term cohort study. Obesity Surgery. 2019;29:506-510. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-018-3578-0

for a patient with schizophrenia and obesity.

Improved First Trimester Maternal Iodine Status With Preconception Supplementation: The Women First Trial, Amy E. Young, Jennifer F. Kemp, Charis Uhlson, Jamie L. Westcott, Sumera Aziz Ali, Sarah Saleem, Ana Garcès, Lester Figueroa, Manjunath S. Somannavar, Shivaprasad S. Goudar

Community Health Sciences

Maternal iodine (I) status is critical in embryonic and foetal development. We examined the effect of preconception iodine supplementation on maternal iodine status and on birth outcomes. Non-pregnant women in Guatemala, India and Pakistan (n ~ 100 per arm per site) were randomized ≥ 3 months prior to conception to one of three intervention arms: a multimicronutrient-fortified lipid-based nutrient supplement containing 250-μg I per day started immediately after randomization (Arm 1), the same supplement started at ~12 weeks gestation (Arm 2) and no intervention supplement (Arm 3). Urinary I (μg/L) to creatinine (mg/dl) ratios (I/Cr) were determined at 12 weeks …

Review Of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (Fasd) Among Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander People, Sharynne Hamilton, Michael Doyle, Carol Bower

Australian Indigenous HealthBulletin

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a preventable, lifelong disability that disproportionately affects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. This review provides a comprehensive synthesis of the available information on FASD among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, with reference to the limitations on population-based data and evaluated programs. The review outlines; the harms of alcohol use in the context of colonisation, cultural perspectives on assessment and diagnosis, effective prevention programs and a summary of state and national policies. Health impacts, educational outcomes and the effects of FASD on vulnerable populations such as children in protection and young people in …

Managing Pediatric Atopic Dermatitis In The Allergy Clinic: Use Of An Eczema Action Plan To Improve Caregiver Understanding And Self-Efficacy, A Pilot Study, Danielle Hubacek

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Manuscripts

Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is a complex and chronic condition that affects approximately 10% of children throughout the United States (Brown et al., 2018). The American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) (2017) estimates the average cost of eczema management for each patient is approximately $3,302 per year. The complex nature of atopic dermatitis indicates a need for individualized treatment plans. Research has shown that standardized patient teaching, written education materials, and Eczema Action Plans (EAP) reinforce patient teaching, parental understanding, and improve quality of life. This evidence-based practice (EBP) project introduces the use of a written Eczema Action …

Weight Reduction Motivation In Osteoarthritis Patients Through Nurse Practitioner Driven Education And Follow-Up: A Pilot Project, Caoilfhionn Mulvey, Martha Fuller Phd

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Manuscripts

Purpose of Project: The ultimate goal of this short-term pilot project is for

overweight or obese osteoarthritis patients to increase their knowledge on the benefits of

weight loss and physical activity. Research shows that for every kilogram of weight lost,

2.2–4.0 kilograms of weight is taken off of the joint and could reduce joint pain up to

thirty to fifty percent and improve quality of life. Following education from the provider,

patients will understand the correlation of osteoarthritis symptom management with

weight loss.

EBP Model/Frameworks: This project utilizes the Iowa Model of Evidence-Based

Practice to Promote Quality Care. This addresses …

The Associations Of Chronic Stress, Social Support, Health Behaviors And Metabolic Syndrome Among Hispanic Women, Edna Esquer

Dissertations

The Associations of Chronic Stress, Social Support, Health Behaviors and Metabolic Syndrome Among Hispanic Women

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) prevalence is 25% among Mexican American women 30 – 49 years of age, compared to 22% among non-Hispanic Whites in the United States. Little is known about the additional contributions of chronic stress, social support and health behaviors to the development of MetS among this population.

Purpose: Describe the associations between chronic stress, social support, and health behaviors and the presence of MetS in Hispanic women living in an underserved community.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study design. The Adult Treatment Panel …

Understanding Older Adults Living In Medically Underserved Areas Perspectives Regarding Type 2 Diabetes Care Received, Christopher Rogers

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Older adults with type 2 diabetes living in medically underserved areas (MUAs) have unique health and social needs that must be taken into consideration when supporting their type 2 diabetes treatment and management care. Effective treatment and management of type 2 diabetes for older adults living in MUAs requires incorporating the preferences, desires, needs, values, and goals of the person at the center of the care into his/her care plan. Shifting care to be conducive to the treatment and management goals and plans co-created with older adults living in MUAs based on their individual physical, psychological, social, and spiritual preferences, …

Inflammation, Diet, And Depression, Kareem F. Hamada

College Honors Program

Although it is well established that inflammation contributes to cardiovascular disease (CVD), this thesis considers the potential for dietary-induced inflammation to also play a role in the development of depression. Even though the association between inflammation and depression was initially proposed over 100 years ago, treatment of depression has focused on psychopharmacological and psychotherapy. In addition to the increases in the chronic diseases that are the leading causes of death, including CVD, diabetes, and several forms of cancer, consumption of meat, dairy, and highly processed foods have also increased dramatically in recent decades. The resulting Standard American Diet (S.A.D.) is …

Effects Of Social Determinants Of Health In Progression To Type 2 Diabetes, Folabi I. Ariganjoye

Applied Research Projects

The prevalence of prediabetes and diabetes in the United States and around the world has increased faster than expected in the last 30 years. The economic burden this costs a nation can be astronomic both in terms of expense and loss in productivity. One-third of U.S. adults, 86 million people, have prediabetes. Effective management is needed that can reach these 86 million, and others at high risk, to reduce their progression to diagnosed Type 2 diabetes. After the literature review, there was not enough literature to support how these led to the progression to diabetes. The abundant literature is centered …

A Neural Basis For Brain Leptin Action On Reducing Type 1 Diabetic Hyperglycemia, Shengjie Fan, Yuanzhong Xu, Yungang Lu, Zhiying Jiang, Hongli Li, Jessie C Morrill, Jing Cai, Qi Wu, Yong Xu, Mingshan Xue, Benjamin R Arenkiel, Cheng Huang, Qingchun Tong

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Central leptin action rescues type 1 diabetic (T1D) hyperglycemia; however, the underlying mechanism and the identity of mediating neurons remain elusive. Here, we show that leptin receptor (LepR)-expressing neurons in arcuate (LepRArc) are selectively activated in T1D. Activation of LepRArc neurons, Arc GABAergic (GABAArc) neurons, or arcuate AgRP neurons, is able to reverse the leptin’s rescuing effect. Conversely, inhibition of GABAArc neurons, but not AgRP neurons, produces leptin-mimicking rescuing effects. Further, AgRP neuron function is not required for T1D hyperglycemia or leptin’s rescuing effects. Finally, T1D LepRArc neurons show defective nutrient sensing and signs of cellular energy deprivation, which are …

Alzheimer’S And Patient Caregiver Burnout: A Comprehensive Review Of The Literature, Madeline J. Hekeler

Senior Honors Projects, 2020-current

The term ‘silent epidemic’ has become fitting for Alzheimer’s disease, as it is now the sixth leading cause of death in the US. Caring for AD patients at home in the US costs billions of dollars each year. The current comprehensive literature review discusses the background/history of AD, pathology and modes of transmission of AD, behavioral and natural risk factors, prevention and treatment options, and how the aforementioned factors contribute to caregiver burnout and subsequently affect the AD patient. The extensive examination of the literature determined several gaps to be addressed. More specifically, burnout among AD caregivers has become an …

Mucin And Splice Variant Profiles Of Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Predict Patient Survival And Subtyping, Christopher M. Thompson

Theses & Dissertations

PDAC is a pancreatic epithelial malignancy and demonstrates aggressive progression and bleak patient prognosis. Despite decades of research, the evolution of novel diagnostics and intervention modalities for PDAC is stagnant. This dissertation explores the characteristic aberrant and elevated expression of mucins in PDAC. Beginning with the hypothesis that mucins are associated with disease aggressiveness, analysis of PDAC patient survival in TCGA revealed no associations between single mucin expression and patient survival. This led to the underlying issue of PDAC tumor cellularity since this disease demonstrates variability in the proportion of cancer cells within the tumor. Tumor purity assessed with the …

Fucoxanthin: A Review Of Potential Benefits Relative To Human Health, Michael R. White

Masters Theses, 2020-current

Fucoxanthin is a carotenoid sourced and extracted mainly from dark orange and brown seaweeds found in the pacific ocean, such as the wakame algae. The allenic bonds and unique oxygen groups give fucoxanthin its unique structure and are thought to be part of the reason fucoxanthin has unique physiological functions. Fucoxanthin has potentially numerous effects on the physiology of human health, ranging from skin health to metabolic health, which have been demonstrated in animal model research. The goal of this review is to examine current literature to discuss fucoxanthin’s potential application as a nutraceutical, treatment for obesity, type 2 diabetes, …

Ring Based Wearable Bioelectrical Impedance Analyzer For Body Fat Estimation, Muhammad Usman, Adarsh Gupta, Wei Xue

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Introduction

• Obesity is the most serious public health problem because it is linked to cardiovascular diseases.
• Measuring fat mass is necessary to study the obesity epidemic.
• Fat mass can be estimated by measuring impedance of the human body.

Conclusions

• A novel bioelectrical impedance analyzer for body fat estimation.
• Device validated for 40 healthy human subjects against commercial analyzer.
• Great potential to replace commercial analyzers for wearable real-time body fat monitoring.

Nutrition Education Intervention For Children In Low Socioeconomic Neighborhoods, Archana Menon, Kasmier Viciosi, Joshua Nsubuga

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Childhood obesity is a public health epidemic affecting 18.5% of children and adolescents in the United States. Children who are obese are more likely to obese as adults. Obesity leads to a number of comorbidities including chronic conditions like high blood pressure, Type II diabetes, and heart disease. Low socioeconomic status (SES), lack of healthy food access, and urban neighborhoods have been associated with childhood obesity. Additionally, convenience stores and other low-price stores tended to display and promote junk foods by the main entrance, whereas supermarkets and higher-income stores tended to display fruits and vegetables. We want to combat these …

Effect Of High Intensity Interval Training Vs Low Intensity Training On Fat Loss In Patients With Obesity, Jonathan Aaron Deck, Adarsh Gupta

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Nowadays, there are several exercise modalities to lose weight, retain, and or build lean body mass. A widely known training philosophy that has gained increased popularity is high intensity interval training (HIIT). HIIT is based on exercising at submaximal or maximal intensity for a brief period then reducing work to minimal intensity for a longer duration in a series of repeated bouts. The benefit of HIIT is to increase fat loss through the scientific principle of EPOC (excess post exercise oxygen consumption). Low intensity training (LIT) also has its benefits in that it is more sustainable but with the caveat …

Association Between Childhood Obesity And Lack Of Healthy Food Access In Urban Food Deserts, Nicholas Averell, Rushali Desai, Archana Menon, Ayushi Naik, Arpun Shah

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background

Childhood Obesity: growing epidemic affecting almost 20% of children and adolescents in the United States

● Characterized by BMI greater than 95^th percentile of their age and gender

● Often leads to chronic medical conditions: high blood pressure, Type II Diabetes and heart diseases

● Low socioeconomic status(SES), lack of healthy food access and urban neighborhood

Abhd5 Induced Morphological Changes On Model Membrane Systems, Nasser S. Junedi

Honors College Theses

Proper regulation of neutral lipid storage (lipogenesis) and release (lipolysis) are critical molecular processes localized to an organelle called the Lipid Droplet (LD). The LD consists of a core with neutral lipids such as triacylglycerols (TAGs) and sterol esters surrounded by a phospholipid monolayer. Dysregulation of the processes localized to the LD are involved in the pathology of various diseases such as Neutral Lipid Storage Disease, diabetes, stroke and cancer. The non-enzymatic protein ABHD5 (α-β Hydrolase Domain-Containing Protein 5), is thought to play a key role in the process of lipolysis by forming homo-oligomers on the surface of the LD …

Mitochondrial Distribution Of Glycine Receptors In Motor Neuron Cell Lines, Katsiaryna Milashevich

Student Theses and Dissertations

Although non-essential, glycine plays an important role in major metabolic reactions and is most known for its anti-inflammatory effects. An accumulation of contemporary research has shown that glycine is able to stabilize membrane potential using glycine receptors at the cellular level and to protect mitochondrial function directly, whether it is from inflammation, heavy metal poisoning, or ischemia-induced neuroinflammation. In this research, the existence of a hypothetical mitochondrial glycine receptor is examined. Immunofluorescence imaging was used to examine the presence of the glycine receptor subunits alpha 1 and alpha 2 in both non- differentiated and differentiated neuroblastoma cell lines. The preliminary …

Coronary Artery Disease: An Analysis Of Its Biochemical, Physiological, And Sociological Causes And Effects, Alexander Velazquez

Honors Theses

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is a serious condition caused by a buildup of plaque in your coronary arteries, the blood vessels that bring oxygen-rich blood to your heart. It disproportionately affects millions of Americans and thousands of Mississippians. This study presents the results of an evaluation of causation factors of CAD, the physiological impact on the body, and the contributing determinants of CAD on Mississippi populations. Data on Mississippi populations were collected using the Center for Population Studies at the University of Mississippi. A multitude of individuals were evaluated when examining the causes and effects of CAD including men, women, …

Sodium Pyruvate Ameliorates Influenza A Virus Infection In Vitro And In Vivo, Jessica M. Reel

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Pyruvate is produced in duplicate at the end of glycolysis in addition to ATP and NADH. Pyruvate is the metabolite of choice in most cells, whether obtained exogenously or endogenously. Recently we found that the addition of pyruvate’s conjugate base, sodium pyruvate, to cell culture media dampened the immune response to influenza A virus (IAV) infection in cultured innate immune cells. Thus, I decided to investigate the mechanism and potential for treatment of IAV. In vitro using bone marrow derived macrophages that were infected with IAV we found that adding sodium pyruvate to the media decreased immune signaling pathways through …

Child Maltreatment And Neglect In The United Arab Emirates And Relationship With Low Self-Esteem And Symptoms Of Depression, Syed M. Shah, Gul Nowshad, Fatima Al Dhaheri, Mariam H. Al-Shamsi, Alfan M. Al-Ketbi, Alaa Galadari, Priyam Joshi, Heba Bendak, Michal Grivna, Danilo Arnone

Department of Family Medicine

Objectives: To our knowledge, this study is the first in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to investigate the prevalence of child maltreatment in relation to depressive symptoms and self-esteem.
Study design: Exposure to physical maltreatment, emotional abuse and neglect was evaluated in 518 adolescents (86% response rate) randomly selected from schools in Al Ain in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The Rosenberg self-esteem scale and the Beck Depression Inventory were used to measure self-esteem and depressive symptoms by using multivariate logistic regression analyses.
Results: The mean age of study participants was 14.3 years. Emotional abuse was the most frequent form …