Digital Commons Network^™

Is Sinupret (Bno 1016- Herbal Combination) An Effective Treatment For The Symptoms Of Acute And Chronic Rhinosinusitis Compared To Non-Treatment In Male And Female Adults Ages 18-75?, Sarah K. Boyle

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not Sinupret (BNO 1016- herbal combination) is an effective treatment for the symptoms of acute and chronic rhinosinusitis compared to non-treatment in male and female adults ages 18-75? Study Design: This is a systematic review of three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) regarding Sinupret treatment for sinonasal symptoms. All RCTs were published in the English language in peer-reviewed journals in 2011, 2015, and 2017. Data Sources: Three randomized controlled trials were found using PubMED and CINAHL databases. Outcomes Measured: Symptom relief of acute and chronic rhinosinusitis was measured …

Is Frozen Fecal Microbiota Transplantation As Effective As Fresh Fecal Microbiota Transplantation Via Colonoscopic Versus Nasogastric Tube Administration In Treating Adults With Clostridium Difficile Infection?, Baylee D. Summers

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not “is frozen fecal microbiota transplantation as effective as fresh fecal microbiota transplantation via colonoscopic versus nasogastric tube administration in treating adults with Clostridium difficile infection?”

STUDY DESIGN: Review of two randomized, controlled trials (RCTs) and one randomized, open-label, controlled pilot study published between 2014 and 2017. Each included study was published in a peer reviewed journal in English language.

DATA SOURCES: Two RCTs and one pilot study were researched via PubMed.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: Resolution of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) was measured via written subject diaries of …

Does Probiotic Supplementation Help Decrease Pain And Number Of Tender Joints In Adults With Rheumatoid Arthritis?, Brittany Snyder

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not “probiotic supplementation helps decrease pain and number of tender joints in adults with rheumatoid arthritis?”

STUDY DESIGN: Review of three double-blind, randomized control trials published between 2008 and 2018. All studies were published in English in peer reviewed journals.

DATA SOURCES: Three double-blind, randomized control trials were found via PubMed.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: The outcomes measured included number of tender joints from baseline to end of study counted by an investigator, visual analog scale (VAS) for pain severity, and a Stanford Health Assessment Questionnaire visual analog scale …

Csf Inflammatory Markers Differ In Gram-Positive Versus Gram-Negative Shunt Infections., Gwenn Skar, David Synhorst, Matthew K. Beaver, Jessica N. Snowden

Journal Articles: Pediatrics

BACKGROUND: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunt placement is frequently complicated by bacterial infection. Shunt infection diagnosis relies on bacterial culture of CSF which can often produce false-negative results. Negative cultures present a conundrum for physicians as they are left to rely on other CSF indices, which can be unremarkable. New methods are needed to swiftly and accurately diagnose shunt infections. CSF chemokines and cytokines may prove useful as diagnostic biomarkers. The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of systemic and CSF biomarkers for identification of CSF shunt infection.

METHODS: We conducted a retrospective chart review of children with …

Sawubona From Swaziland! A Global Health View Of The Hiv/Aids Epidemic In Swaziland, Abby Hardin

Posters

Describes a global health learning experience with Baylor International Pediatric AIDS Initiative in Swaziland.

Swaziland Global Health Elective, Danielle Horton

Posters

Describes a global health learning experience

Global Health Experience In Botswana, Jared Willard

Posters

Describes a global health learning experience at the Botswana Baylor Center of Excellence with emphasis on treating pediatric HIV/AIDS patients.

Determining The Instructional Effectiveness Of An Online Resident Vaccine Curriculum, S. Elizabeth Williams, Shannon Clark, Barbara A. Pahud, Sharon Humiston, Donald Middleton, Kadriye O. Lewis

Posters

We developed four online modules through the Collaboration for Vaccine Education and Research (CoVER) project. The objective of this qualitative study is to determine the instructional effectiveness of the CoVER curriculum from the perspectives of medical residents.

Philippine Children's Medical Center And Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital, Adam Grumke

Posters

Describes medical learning experiences of pediatric resident while working in two Philippine medical facilities.

The Effect Of Narrative Medicine Combined With Medication Assisted Treatment On Decreasing The Desire To Use Intravenous Substances In Hospitalized Patients With Infective Endocarditis, Paula Works

DNP Projects

Substance abuse is a significant problem that spans the nation. Of particular concern is the growing population of patients at UK HealthCare who have endocarditis as a complication from IV substance abuse.

PURPOSE: The aims of this study were

1. To assess the effect of narrative medicine combined with MAT, compared to MAT alone, on desire to use in hospitalized patients with a history of IV substance use
2. To examine the changes in quality of life before and after the introduction of narrative medicine in hospitalized patients with a history of IV substance abuse using The Quality of Life Scale (QOLS). …

Patient Care In High-Level Containment Care Units: In A Resourced Setting, Angela M. Vasa, Kate C. Boulter, Jolene M. Horihan, David S. Cates, Craig A. Piquette, James N. Sullivan, Daniel W. Johnson, Angela L. Hewlett

Books and Book Chapters: Nebraska Medicine

Vasa, A., Boulter, K., Horihan, Cates, D., Piquette, C., Sullivan, J., Johnson, D, & Hewlett, A. (2019). Patient Care in High-Level Containment Care Units. In T. Cieslak, M. Kortepeter, C. Kratochvil, & J. Lawler (Eds.), Nebraska Isolation and Quarantine Manual (pp. 87-101). Lincoln, NE: University of Nebraska Press.

Differences In The M1 And M2 Macrophage Subtypes Between The Sexes Determine Susceptibility To Francisella Tularensis Infection, Michelle Arlene Sanchez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Francisella tularensis is the causative agent of the human disease tularemia. It is highly infectious with as few as 10 microorganisms via inhalation causing a lethal infection. F. tularensis infects a variety of cell types, including macrophages and neutrophils, since it needs to enter, survive and proliferate in order to cause pathogenicity. Disease is the result of over activating the host's own inflammatory response initiated by the macrophage's response to infection.

Known differences exist in the intensity of the inflammatory response between the sexes which leads to differences in sensitivity to autoimmune and infectious disease. Males tend to be more …

Adaptation Of The Streptococcal Collagen-Like Protein 1, Scl1, Of Group A Streptococcus To Recognize Fibronectin Type Iii Repeats, Dudley H. Mcnitt

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Background: Group A Streptococcus (GAS) is responsible more than 700 million infections worldwide each year. Most of these infections start with initial colonization of the throat and skin, which is augmented by surface adhesins. The streptococcal collagen-like protein 1 (Scl1) is a major adhesin expressed by GAS that contains an N-terminal sequence-variable (V) domain, protruded away from the cell surface by the collagen domain. The Scl-V domain is comprised of three pairs of anti-parallel α-helices interconnected by surface-exposed loops. For attachment, GAS adhesins require a portal of entry, such as a wound or breach in the epithelium, to enter …

Epidemiology, Clinical Features And Outcomes Of Patients With Sickle Cell Disease Hospitalized With Influenza, Kyle P. Openo

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Influenza is a respiratory viral infection responsible for annual epidemics, periodic pandemics and regularly causes substantial morbidity, mortality and economic burden worldwide. In the United States alone, influenza causes between 9.2 – 35.6 million cases, 140,000 to 710,000 hospitalizations and 12,000 – 56,000 deaths annually. Individuals with comorbid health conditions are at increased risk of hospitalization and severe outcomes from influenza infection and were recommended for vaccination prior to universal vaccine recommendations. Individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD) have been included in this group for decades though limited data existed to describe influenza among those with SCD. Recent studies showed …

Seroepidemiology Of Parechovirus A3 Neutralizing Antibodies, Australia, The Netherlands, And United States, Eveliina Karelehto, Lieke Brouwer, Kimberley Benschop, Jen Kok, Kerri Basile, Brendan Mcmullan, William Rawlinson, Julian Druce, Suellen Nicholson, Rangaraj Selvarangan, Christopher J. Harrison, Kamani Lankachandra, Hetty Van Eijk, Gerrit Koen, Menno De Jong, Dasja Pajkrt, Katja C. Wolthers

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

© 2018, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). All rights reserved. Recent parechovirus A3 (PeV-A3) outbreaks in Australia suggest lower population immunity compared with regions that have endemic PeV-A3 circulation. A serosurvey among populations in the Netherlands, the United States, and Australia before and after the 2013 Australia outbreak showed high PeV-A3 neutralizing antibody prevalence across all regions and time periods, indicating widespread circulation.

Evaluating The Effects Of Antibody-Conjugated Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes In Combination With Microwave Irradiation, Amy Chall

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Cancer remains one of the largest public health concerns of our day, particularly in developed countries where technological advances have allowed populations to live well into their eighth decade. In America, those in their 80’s have a 1 in 2 chance of developing cancer in their lifetime. Prostate cancer, specifically is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in males. Traditional cancer therapies cause high levels of toxicity to the patient due to mechanisms of action that often attack cancer cells and healthy cells alike. The holy grail of cancer research is to find a treatment that targets the cancer …

A Poxvirus Pseudokinase Represses Viral Dna Replication Via A Pathway Antagonized By Its Paralog Kinase, Annabel T. Olson, Zhigang Wang, Amber B. Rico, Matthew S. Wiebe

Nebraska Center for Virology: Faculty Publications

Poxviruses employ sophisticated, but incompletely understood, signaling pathways that engage cellular defense mechanisms and simultaneously ensure viral factors are modulated properly. For example, the vaccinia B1 protein kinase plays a vital role in inactivating the cellular antiviral factor BAF, and likely orchestrates other pathways as well. In this study, we utilized experimental evolution of a B1 deletion virus to perform an unbiased search for suppressor mutations and identify novel pathways involving B1. After several passages of the ΔB1 virus we observed a robust increase in viral titer of the adapted virus. Interestingly, our characterization of the adapted viruses reveals that …

Near-Atomic Structure Of A Giant Virus, Qianglin Fang, Dongjie Zhu, Irina Agarkova, Jagat Adhikari, Thomas Klose, Yue Liu, Zhenguo Chen, Yingyuan Sun, Michael L. Gross, James L. Van Etten, Xinzheng Zhang, Michael G. Rossmann

Nebraska Center for Virology: Faculty Publications

Although the nucleocytoplasmic large DNA viruses (NCLDVs) are one of the largest group of viruses that infect many eukaryotic hosts, the near-atomic resolution structures of these viruses have remained unknown. Here we describe a 3.5 Å resolution icosahedrally averaged capsid structure of Paramecium bursaria chlorella virus 1 (PBCV-1). This structure consists of 5040 copies of the major capsid protein, 60 copies of the penton protein and 1800 minor capsid proteins of which there are 13 different types. The minor capsid proteins form a hexagonal network below the outer capsid shell, stabilizing the capsid by binding neighboring capsomers together. The size …

Relationship Between The Cervical Microbiome, Hiv Status, And Precancerous Lesions, Cameron Klein, Daniela Gonzalez, Kandali Samwel, Crispin Kahesa, Julius Mwaiselage, Nirosh Aluthge, Samodha Fernando, John T. West, Charles Wood, Peter C. Angeletti

Nebraska Center for Virology: Faculty Publications

Nearly all cervical cancers are causally associated with human papillomavirus (HPV). The burden of HPV-associated dysplasias in sub-Saharan Africa is influenced by HIV. To investigate the role of the bacterial microbiome in cervical dysplasia, cytobrush samples were collected directly from cervical lesions of 144 Tanzanian women. The V4 hypervariable region of the 16S rRNA gene was amplified and deep sequenced. Alpha diversity metrics (Chao1, PD whole tree, and operational taxonomic unit [OTU] estimates) displayed significantly higher bacterial richness in HIV-positive patients (P = 0.01) than in HIV-negative patients. In HIV-positive patients, there was higher bacterial richness in patients with …

Persistent Viral Reservoirs In Lymphoid Tissues In Siv-Infected Rhesus Macaques Of Chinese-Origin On Suppressive Antiretroviral Therapy, Summer Siddiqui, Stefanie Perez, Yong Gao, Lara Doyle-Meyers, Brian T. Foley, Qingsheng Li, Binhua Ling

Nebraska Center for Virology: Faculty Publications

Understanding HIV latent reservoirs in tissues is essential for the development of new strategies targeting these sites for eradication. Here, we assessed the size of latent reservoirs and the source of residual viruses in multiple lymphoid tissues of SIV-infected and fully suppressed rhesus macaques of Chinese-origin (cRMs). Eight cRMs were infected with SIVmac251 and treated with tenofovir and emtricitabine daily for 24 weeks initiated 4 weeks post-infection. Four of the eight animals reached sustained full viral suppression with undetectable viremia. The levels of cell-associated SIV DNA varied in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and multiple lymphoid tissues, but with higher …

A Single-Cycle Adenovirus Type 7 Vaccine For Prevention Of Acute Respiratory Disease, Brianna L. Bullard, Brigette N. Corder, Eric A. Weaver

Nebraska Center for Virology: Faculty Publications

Adenovirus type 7 (Ad7) infection is associated with acute respiratory disease (ARD), especially in military recruits living in close quarters. Recently, several outbreaks of Ad7 infections have occurred in civilian populations, with some cases leading to death. However, the current Ad7 vaccine is licensed for use only in military recruits because it utilizes an orally delivered wild type virus which is shed in the stool for 28 days after immunization. This poses a safety risk due to the possibility of virus spread to vulnerable populations. To address the need for a safer Ad7 vaccine for use in civilian populations, we …

A Double Humanized Blt-Mice Model Featuring A Stable Human-Like Gut Microbiome And Human Immune System, Lance Daharsh, Jianshui Zhang, Amanda E. Ramer-Tait, Qingsheng Li

Nebraska Center for Virology: Faculty Publications

Humanized mice (hu-mice) that feature a functional human immune system have fundamentally changed the study of human pathogens and disease. They can be used to model diseases that are otherwise difficult or impossible to study in humans or other animal models. The gut microbiome can have a profound impact on human health and disease. However, the murine gut microbiome is very different than the one found in humans. There is a need for improved pre-clinical hu-mice models that have an engrafted human gut microbiome. Therefore, we created double hu-mice that feature both a human immune system and stable human-like gut …

The Vaccinia Virus (Vacv) B1 And Cellular Vrk2 Kinases Promote Vacv Replication Factory Formation Through Phosphorylation-Dependent Inhibition Of Vacv B12, Annabel T. Olson, Zhigang Wang, Annabel Olson, Alexandria C. Linville, Brianna L. Bullard, Eric A. Weaver, Clinton Jones, Matthew S. Wiebe

Nebraska Center for Virology: Faculty Publications

Comparative examination of viral and host protein homologs reveals novel mechanisms governing downstream signaling effectors of both cellular and vi- ral origin. The vaccinia virus B1 protein kinase is involved in promoting multiple facets of the virus life cycle and is a homolog of three conserved cellular enzymes called vaccinia virus-related kinases (VRKs). Recent evidence indicates that B1 and VRK2 mediate a com- mon pathway that is largely uncharacterized but appears independent of previous VRK substrates. Interestingly, separate studies described a novel role for B1 in inhibiting vac- cinia virus protein B12, which otherwise impedes an early event in the …

Dynamics Of Two Pathogens In A Single Tick Population, Alexis White, Elsa Schaefer, Chelsea Wright-Thompson, Christopher M. Kribs, Holly Gaff

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

A mathematical model for a two-pathogen, one-tick, one-host system is presented and explored. The goal of this model is to determine how long an invading pathogen persists within a tick population in which a resident pathogen is already established. The numerical simulations of the model demonstrate the parameter ranges that allow for coexistence of the two pathogens. Sensitivity analysis highlights the importance of vector-borne, tick-to-host, transmission rates on the invasion reproductive number and persistence of the pathogens over time. The model is then applied to a case study based on a reclaimed swampland field site in southeastern Virginia using field …

Socio-Anthropological Methods To Study The Feasibility And Acceptability Of The Minimally Invasive Autopsy From The Perspective Of Local Communities: Lessons Learnt From A Large Multi-Centre Study, Maria Maixenchs, Rui Anselmo, Guillermo Martínez Pérez, Kelvin Oruko, Selidji Todagbe Agnandji, Pamela Catherine Angoissa Minsoko, Kounandji Diarra, Mahamane Djiteye, Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhutta, Shujaat Zaidi

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

The minimally invasive autopsy (MIA), an innovative approach for obtaining post-mortem samples of key organs, is increasingly being recognized as a robust methodology for cause of death (CoD) investigation, albeit so far limited to pilot studies and research projects. A better understanding of the real causes of death in middle- and low-income countries, where underlying causes of death are seldom determined, would allow improved health planning, more targeted prioritization of available resources and the implementation of coherent public health policies. This paper discusses lessons learnt from the implementation of a Feasibility and Acceptability (F&A) study evaluating the MIA approach in …

Diagnosis Of Leprosy Using Sural Nerve Biopsy Findings: A Case Report, Bridgette M. Love, Deana Mercer, Amber West, Karen S. Santacruz, Elizabeth A. Mikola

UNM Orthopaedic Research Journal

Leprosy, also known as Hansen disease, is an uncommon chronic disease caused by the slowly growing acid-fast bacilli, Mycobacterium leprae. Leprosy has tropism for peripheral nerves and skin and can also be found in the upper respiratory tract, eyes, and nasal mucosa. When left untreated, there can be considerable nerve damage resulting in paralysis, blindness, and the crippling of hands and feet. Although infrequent in the United States, leprosy has been diagnosed in patients exposed to armadillos, an animal reservoir. We describe an 80-year-old man who presented with a 6-year history of chronic erythematous, macular rash, and progressive symmetric sensory …

The Future Of Infection Surveillance At Ambulatory Surgical Centers, Jenna Godfrey, Jory Wasserburger, Scott Plaster, Susan Kellie, Julia Manweiler, Robert C. Schenck Jr

UNM Orthopaedic Research Journal

Background: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) has begun mandating infection surveillance at surgical sites, which started in hospitals and is now in ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs). We found a 0.1% increase in infection rate between 2005 and 2007, which prompted us to examine the issue further. The purpose of the current study was to summarize the results of an investigation after an outbreak of infection at our ASC, specifically attempting to identify a common pathogen, vector, or unknown lapses in infection prevention. Additionally, we relate our experience to current trends in infection prevention at ASCs by examining the …

Reviewers' Responses To Medical Research Articles, Saba Sohail, Jamshed Akhtar

Department of Radiology

Objective: To document the reviewers' responses in terms of reviewers' demographic and professional characteristics, promptness of reply, and duration of reply to the request to review medical research articles for a general biomedical research journal.
Study design: Cross-sectional, observational study.
Place and duration of study: Department of Publications, College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan (CPSP), from October to December 2015.
Methodology: Peer reviewed articles edited by a single staff editor were included. Editorials and correspondence were excluded. Manuscript category, discipline, and the total number of reviewers per manuscript were noted. Responses were divided into no response, regrets, and responded, i.e. …

Patients’ Experiences On Accessing Health Care Services For Management Of Hypertension In Rural Bangladesh, Pakistan And Sri Lanka: A Qualitative Study, Helena Legido Quigley, Aliya Naheed, H. Asita De Silva, Imtiaz Jehan, Z Samad

Department of Medicine

Hypertension is the leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease and leading cause of premature death globally. In 2008, approximately 40% of adults were diagnosed with hypertension, with more than 1.5 billion people estimated to be affected globally by 2025. Hypertensiondisproportionally affects low- and middle-income countries, where the prevalence is higher and where the health systems are more fragile. This qualitative study explored patients' experiences on the management and control of hypertension in rural Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. We conducted sixty semi-structured interviews, with 20 participants in each country. Hypertensive individuals were recruited based on age, gender and hypertensive status. …

Generation, Identification And Characterization Of Novel Monoclonal Antibodies Against Ctla-4, Pd-1 And Btla For The Treatment Of Cancer, Rosabril Acuna

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Members of the CD28 co-inhibitory receptor family, Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte- associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4), Program death-1 (PD-1) and B- and T-lymphocyte attenuator (BTLA) are type I transmembrane proteins expressed on a variety of immune cells. Co- inhibitory receptors deliver "off" signals that play an important role in down regulating immune cell activation. Manipulation of inhibitory signals have shown to be a powerful strategy in the treatment of autoimmune diseases, infectious diseases and various forms of cancer. In fact, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has approved the use of monoclonal antibodies against CTLA-4 (Ipilimumab) for the treatment of metastatic melanoma, against …