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Psychometric Evaluation Of A Perceived Barriers To Medication Adherence Instrument And Association Between Perceived Barriers And Patient Characteristics, Lynn Andreae
All ETDs from UAB
Medication adherence is an important component of diabetes management, yet nonadherence is common and has substantial patient and economic costs. In order to achieve meaningful improvements in medication adherence, clinicians and researchers need good ways of both identifying those at risk of nonadherence and ascertaining the specific reasons driving nonadherence in those patients. Current options for self-reported medication adherence are limited in their vulnerability to response bias, which may lead to overestimation of adherence. A measure that assesses perceived barriers to medication adherence may be a useful alternative, as it may identify patients at risk of nonadherence while reducing socially …
Examining Anti-Racist Attitudes In Maternity Care Workers, Angelina Aduke Toluhi
Examining Anti-Racist Attitudes In Maternity Care Workers, Angelina Aduke Toluhi
All ETDs from UAB
Racism in maternity care has been identified as one of the major contributors to the persistent racial disparities in maternal health outcomes in the United States (US). Antiracism is a term used to describe the practice of actively identifying and opposing racism with the goal of changing policies, attitudes, behaviors, and beliefs that continue to foster racist ideas and actions. The results of this convergent mixed method research study reveal that racism and other forms of racial discrimination during maternity care may lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes in Non-Hispanic Black (NHB) pregnant patients in Southern US. In the first aim, …
The Role Of Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptors In Inflammatory Airway Diseases, Molly Easter
The Role Of Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptors In Inflammatory Airway Diseases, Molly Easter
All ETDs from UAB
Chronic inflammation plays a role in the development and progression of airway diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cystic fibrosis (CF). COPD is caused primarily by chronic cigarette smoke exposure. Conversely, CF is a single gene disorder caused by mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator gene (CFTR). Although the causes of COPD and CF are different, there are common pathological features. Studies show that chronic inflammation plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of both COPD and CF. Moreover, chronic inflammation induces ageing-associated pathomechanisms like cellular senescence, which exacerbates chronic inflammation. Previous work demonstrates that …
Understanding Disparities In Hypertension Treatment Cascade And Validating Blood Pressure Measurement Among Persons Living With Or At Risk For Hiv, Jessica Blair
All ETDs from UAB
In the United States, 44% of adult women >18 years have hypertension. Although non-Hispanic Black adults were more likely to be aware of and treated for hypertension compared to non-Hispanic White adults, Black individuals had the highest prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension. Persons living with HIV have a higher prevalence of hypertension, which is a major modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Similar to the geographic distribution of hypertension in the US, people living in the South have higher incidence of both hypertension and HIV diagnoses compared to other US regions. Furthermore, accurate diagnosis of hypertension and initiation of treatment is …
Novel Roles Of Rab35 In Development And Disease, Kelsey Ruth Clearman
Novel Roles Of Rab35 In Development And Disease, Kelsey Ruth Clearman
All ETDs from UAB
As the largest and most dynamic family of GTPases within the mammalian cell, Rabs play an essential role as molecular switches in regulating intracellular vesicular trafficking and serve as significant signaling transducers. Over the last few decades, Rabs have been identified to regulate endocytic, transcytosis, and exocytotic pathways, and mutations in Rabs, or alterations in downstream effectors lead to embryonic lethality and diseases such as cancer and ciliopathies. Ciliopathies are a class of pathologies that result from defects in structure or function of the primary cilia. Primary cilia, found on virtually all mammalian cells, is a microtubule-derived appendage that relies …
Trends In Reported Sexual Behaviors Among Alabama High School Students From 2011-2021, Sarah Franklin
Trends In Reported Sexual Behaviors Among Alabama High School Students From 2011-2021, Sarah Franklin
All ETDs from UAB
Background: Sexual health education is associated with better outcomes among adolescents proper use of contraception, STI prevention methods, and lower rates of teenage pregnancy and STIs. In Alabama, sexual health education is not mandated in public schools. It is unknown how the lack of mandated sexual education has impacted trends in the sexual health of Alabama high school students. Methods: Using 2011-2021 data from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), this study evaluated trends in sexual behaviors, including: 1) sexual history, 2) current sexual activity, 3) risky or protective sexual behaviors, and 4) history of HIV testing, over time among …
Phosphate Drives Pulmonary Inflammation Through Fgfr1, Erk, And Akt Signaling, Seth Bollenbecker
Phosphate Drives Pulmonary Inflammation Through Fgfr1, Erk, And Akt Signaling, Seth Bollenbecker
All ETDs from UAB
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is characterized as irreversible progressive loss of renal function and affects over one tenth of the global population. Although CKD-associated comorbidities contribute significantly to its mortality, the lungs are often not considered. Lung diseases make up three of the top six leading causes of death worldwide and share many comorbidities with CKD. Clinical reports show that CKD patients are more likely to develop obstructive and restrictive lung diseases, but the mechanisms underlying this propensity for CKD-associated pulmonary complications are unknown. Hyperphosphatemia and associated elevations of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 23, two of many consequences of reduced …
Crown Fatigue Resistance And Enamel Wear Of 3d Printed Resin Compared To Lithium Disilicate, Pranit Vasant Bora
Crown Fatigue Resistance And Enamel Wear Of 3d Printed Resin Compared To Lithium Disilicate, Pranit Vasant Bora
All ETDs from UAB
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to compare the wear characteristics and fatigue resistance of two dental crown materials: SprintRay Ceramic Crown, a 3D-printed resin material, and IPS™ e.Max CAD, a lithium disilicate material. Methods: This study evaluates wear and fatigue characteristics of dental crowns made from Ceramic Crown (SprintRay) and IPS e.max CAD LT (Ivoclar). For fatigue testing, custom fatigue devices were utilized to subject the crowns to cyclic loading, simulating occlusal forces. The specimens underwent 100,000 cycle intervals until 1.5 million cycles at a load of 40N of fatigue loading, with inspections conducted for signs of debonding, …
Predictive Modeling Using Clinical Data And Compositional Microbiome Data, Li Zhang
Predictive Modeling Using Clinical Data And Compositional Microbiome Data, Li Zhang
All ETDs from UAB
This dissertation focuses on developing predictive modeling using data from two areas: clinical data and microbiome data. Compositional data in real life are mainly represented by relative proportions. With the advancement of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology, researchers can now collect a large volume of metagenomic sequencing data, which is valuable for investigating associations between the microbiome and host diseases. Current methods for dealing with such data are either constrained by generalization or limited by application. In the first part, to address this, we propose Bayesian compositional generalized linear models for analyzing microbiome data (BCGLM). This model incorporates a structured regularized …
Access To And Service Utilization Of Alabama Medicaid's Section 1115 Demonstration Waiver Program, Sarah Lee Bowler
Access To And Service Utilization Of Alabama Medicaid's Section 1115 Demonstration Waiver Program, Sarah Lee Bowler
All ETDs from UAB
Background: Much research has been done investigating health disparities in the field of publicly-funding family planning. However, no longitudinal analysis has been conducted to examine the impact of Alabama Medicaid’s Section 1115 demonstration waiver on access to care, experience of barriers reported by enrollees, and repeat utilization of services. Methods: Medicaid enrollment and visit claims data were used to answer the questions related to access and service utilization. Annual Plan First survey data were used to investigate the experience of barriers to care among enrollees. For all three research questions, descriptive statistics were calculated, and linear probability models were used …
The Prescription Drug Monitoring Program And Its Effect On Drug Overdose Mortalities, Charles Lee
The Prescription Drug Monitoring Program And Its Effect On Drug Overdose Mortalities, Charles Lee
All ETDs from UAB
The opioid epidemic is a growing concern, and the health and economic impacts on rural and urban counties are increasing. Between 1999 and 2019, approximately 841,000 people died from drug overdoses involving heroin, synthetic opioids, and prescribed opioids with 71,000 dying in 2019. This study examined the relationship between drug overdose mortalities and three independent variables, (a) Medicaid expansion, (b) Years PDMP active, and (c) Academic detailing engagement. Results of this study will contribute to the literature by determining if the Medicaid expansion, years prescription drug monitoring programs active, and academic detailing engagement decrease drug overdose mortalities. This study includes …
Using Hope To Cope: Chronic Stress, Religious Coping, And Masked Hypertension In African American Adults: The Jackson Heart Study, Miriam Miles
All ETDs from UAB
USING HOPE TO COPE: CHRONIC STRESS, RELIGIOUS COPING, AND MASKED HYPERTENSION IN AFRICAN AMERICAN ADULTS: THE JACKSON HEART STUDY ABSTRACT Chronic stress experienced at home or work has been associated with acute increases in blood pressure (BP) measured in the doctor’s office. Few data are available on the association of chronic stress with BP measured outside of the office setting. Religious coping, applying religious beliefs to adapt to stressful situations, and functional and structural social support may protect against MHT by promoting active coping behaviors and increasing emotional well-being. High levels of religious involvement and high social support have been …
Associations Between Grit, Life Satisfaction, And Academic Outcomes In Elementary And Middle School Students, Charles Jaylon Williams
Associations Between Grit, Life Satisfaction, And Academic Outcomes In Elementary And Middle School Students, Charles Jaylon Williams
All ETDs from UAB
Grit is used to predict various positive benefits within students. Grit is trying to get back up to attempt another try at one’s goal after failure. Recently, grit has been seen as a potential candidate in improving the life satisfaction and academic performance of individuals. Grit is conceptualized as having two components, perseverance of effort and consistency of interest. Perseverance of effort is trying again until you finally accomplish your goal, while consistency of interest is a constant drive to complete one’s goals over a long-time span. This study measured the effects that grit has on elementary and middle school …
Impact Of Federally Qualified Health Centers (Fqhc) And Look-Alikes (Fqhc Lal) Participating In The 340b Drug Pricing Program, Shannon Burger
Impact Of Federally Qualified Health Centers (Fqhc) And Look-Alikes (Fqhc Lal) Participating In The 340b Drug Pricing Program, Shannon Burger
All ETDs from UAB
The 340B Drug Pricing Program intends to enable community health providers to deliver care more easily to vulnerable populations. Safety net providers were designated as eligible entities through an act of Congress and were allowed access to prescription drug savings. Existing studies have focused on hospital participation in the program, overlooking the impact of Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) and FQHC Look-alikes (FQHC LAL) and legislative intent. This study aimed to fill this gap by comparing the effectiveness of FQHCs and FQHC LALs participating in the 340B Drug Pricing Program. Specifically, the study examined the influence of the status of …
Physical And Optical Properties Of Material Used For Injection Molding, Nadia Christine Farias Machado
Physical And Optical Properties Of Material Used For Injection Molding, Nadia Christine Farias Machado
All ETDs from UAB
Background: This project investigates the materials used in injection molding dental resin composites which involves injecting flowable composite into a clear mold. Understanding the physical and optical properties of both the resin composite and the clear mold material is crucial for successful clinical outcomes. For the clear mold material, its translucency, curing light transmission, and rigidity are vital factors. Correlations may be present between trans-lucency and curing light transmission. For the resin composite, comparing wear, hardness, translucency, radiopacity, shrinkage stress, flexural strength, and modulus will affect mate-rial performance. Finally, the depth of cure of the material will be dependent on …
Non-Catalytic Regulators Of The Secretory Pathway, Peyton Vanwinkle
Non-Catalytic Regulators Of The Secretory Pathway, Peyton Vanwinkle
All ETDs from UAB
This thesis focuses on two key questions: 1) how are bone development and regeneration regulated by the CREB3L1 transcription factor; and 2) what is the mechanism of action of the endoplasmic reticulum resident protein JAGN1, which when dysregulated, causes severe congenital neutropenia (SCN)? CREB3L1 regulates bone development and regeneration in mammalian models by facilitating the expression of COL1A1 and components of the secretory pathway required for collagen secretion. We generated two zebrafish models of Creb3l1 dysfunction (creb3l1ΔbZIP/ΔbZIP and creb3l1TA+/TA+). Both models showed that Creb3l1 functions in regulating col1a1a transcription and overall regenerate size are conserved in zebrafish. However, we also …
The Association Between Cardiovascular Disease Risk And Fractures In Postmenopausal Women, Rafeka Hossain
The Association Between Cardiovascular Disease Risk And Fractures In Postmenopausal Women, Rafeka Hossain
All ETDs from UAB
Background: Fragility fractures pose a significant healthcare and economic burden in the United States. While age and bone mineral density (BMD) are the primary established risk factors for fragility fractures, the relationship between cardiovascular disease (CVD) and fractures remains underexplored. The primary objective of this analysis was to estimate the association of CVD risk with fractures in postmenopausal women. Methods: Utilizing 30 years of data from the WHI, Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD) risk scores were computed using baseline age, race, systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, diabetes, anti-hypertension medications, and smoking. Fracture outcomes encompassed any clinical fracture, major osteoporotic …
Investigating Hiv-1 Transmission To Human Cervix Using Reporter Virus Technologies, Dana Frances Indihar
Investigating Hiv-1 Transmission To Human Cervix Using Reporter Virus Technologies, Dana Frances Indihar
All ETDs from UAB
Around 39 million people globally are currently infected with Human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1), more than half of whom are women. HIV-1 is a retrovirus that infects and depletes an individual’s immune cells, culminating in the development of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) if not managed with anti-retroviral therapies (ART). Most women acquire HIV-1 through heterosexual intercourse. However, the early mechanisms and virologic determinants of HIV-1 transmission to women remain unclear. Herein, we demonstrate transmitted/founder (TF) HIV-1 representing two genetically and pathogenically distinct subtypes (A and D) in vivo have distinct replication phenotypes in an ex vivo cervical explant tissue (CET) …
Catecholamines And Catecholamine Resistance In Animal Models Of Metabolic Syndrome, Robert Follett Rosencrans
Catecholamines And Catecholamine Resistance In Animal Models Of Metabolic Syndrome, Robert Follett Rosencrans
All ETDs from UAB
The sympathetic nervous system is a key regulator of energy homeostasis, in part, through the control of white adipose tissue lipolysis. Sympathetic nerves modulate adipose tissue physiology through the release of catecholamines, particularly norepinephrine, onto alpha- and beta-adrenergic receptors (a-AR; B-AR). Lipolysis refers to the breakdown of triglycerides into glycerol and free fatty acids, often in response to activation of B2/3-AR. Beta adrenergic activation of lipolysis is widely known to be impaired in patients with metabolic syndrome and animal models thereof (catecholamine resistance). Recent studies have demonstrated that catecholamine regulation of adipokine release is also disrupted, suggesting that catecholamine resistance …
Investigating The Electrostatics Of Mucins As Key Contributors To Mucus Stasis In Cystic Fibrosis, Elex Skylar Rose
Investigating The Electrostatics Of Mucins As Key Contributors To Mucus Stasis In Cystic Fibrosis, Elex Skylar Rose
All ETDs from UAB
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disease caused by mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene, which encodes a channel responsible for the transport of chloride and bicarbonate ions across the apical cell surface. In the respiratory tract, defective CFTR results in viscous and adherent mucus that becomes static within the airway, which leads to chronic infections, progressive lung damage, and early mortality. Historically, CF mucus stasis has been attributed to significant airway dehydration; however, growing evidence has demonstrated that aberrant electrostatic properties of mucins also contribute to mucus stasis in CF. Mucins are large, polymeric glycoproteins …
Insulin Responses, Diet Composition, And Fat Loss, Amanda Finn
Insulin Responses, Diet Composition, And Fat Loss, Amanda Finn
All ETDs from UAB
Some but not all studies show participants who have higher baseline insulin responses lose more weight on a low glycemic load compared to a high glycemic load diet. Most prior research tested the relationship between insulin and weight changes with only one insulin response variable, such as insulin from an orally or intravenously (IV) administered metabolic test. We tested whether insulin responses (IV or oral) predicted changes in body fat among participants undergoing diet-induced weight loss. This study was a secondary analysis of a clinical trial. In the parent study, participants were randomized to either a reduced carbohydrate (ReducedCHO) or …
Does Ceo Education Matter? The Relationship Between Doctoral-Educated Hospital Ceos And Organizational Performance, Kofi Ali Cash
Does Ceo Education Matter? The Relationship Between Doctoral-Educated Hospital Ceos And Organizational Performance, Kofi Ali Cash
All ETDs from UAB
One of the most pressing issues in healthcare strategic leadership research is identifying which hospital chief executive officer (CEO) characteristics possess a significant and favorable relationship to organizational performance. However, little is known about the relationship between hospitals led by doctoral-educated CEOs and organizational performance. This study adds to our knowledge by examining the relationship between doctoral-educated hospital CEOs and selected financial and patient safety outcomes. UET served as the theoretical framework and guided the examination of the relationship between the selected dependent and independent variables. This study’s population included 509 acute-care hospitals across nine states, requiring a minimum four-year …
Utilization Of Romosozumab During Covid-19 Pandemic Among U.S. Medicare Beneficiaries, Ye Liu
Utilization Of Romosozumab During Covid-19 Pandemic Among U.S. Medicare Beneficiaries, Ye Liu
All ETDs from UAB
Osteoporosis is increasingly recognized as a major public health issue in the aging U.S. population. Shortly after the licensure of romosozumab, an injectable medication indi-cated for women with postmenopausal osteoporosis at high risk of fracture administered by health care provider monthly, the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, which caused ma-jor disruptions to the delivery of health care across the nation. The pandemic dispropor-tionately affected minority and economically disadvantaged communities, exacerbating many pre-existing health disparities. Romosozumab has the highest dosing frequency among common injectable osteoporosis medications in the U.S. that require an office visit for injection, making romosozumab adherence more susceptible to …
Screening For And Addressing Social Determinants Of Health In Hospitals Participating In Accountable Care Organizations, Heather Lee
All ETDs from UAB
There is a growing recognition among hospitals, payers, and policymakers in the United States that addressing social needs of patients is important to improving quality of care, patient outcomes, and lowering health care spending. Accountable care organizations (ACOs) may be especially incentivized to address social needs of patients to meet population health goals related to patient outcomes and costs. This cross-sectional study used data from the American Hospital Association Annual Survey to explore to explore how hospitals participating in or leading ACOs are screening for and addressing individual-level HRSNs of patients and to understand the extent to which ACOs are …
Effect Bioactive Material Have On Tooth Demineralization, Taillk Gomes
Effect Bioactive Material Have On Tooth Demineralization, Taillk Gomes
All ETDs from UAB
The objective of this in vitro study is to compare the inhibition of demineralization of root dentin caused by the presence of different restorative materials using Vickers Hardness (HV) test (microhardness) test and polarized light microscopy (PLM).
Dact1, The “Super-Crosslinker”: Regulation Of Non-Canonical Wnt Signaling During Vertebrate Convergent Extension By Modulating Dishevelled Oligomerization, Allyson Angermeier
Dact1, The “Super-Crosslinker”: Regulation Of Non-Canonical Wnt Signaling During Vertebrate Convergent Extension By Modulating Dishevelled Oligomerization, Allyson Angermeier
All ETDs from UAB
A broad spectrum of human birth defects arise from the disruption of morphogenesis, the critical process through which tissues and organs acquire their proper shape. Convergent extension (CE) is a universal morphogenetic engine that promotes polarized extension of diverse tissues and organs by regulating directional cell behavior, such as oriented cell intercalation. In vertebrates, CE is regulated by non-canonical Wnt/Planar Cell Polarity (PCP) pathway, an ancient signaling pathway that was originally discovered to coordinate the cellular polarity in the plane of the epithelium. Non-canonical Wnt/PCP signaling shares the Frizzled (Fz) receptor and cytoplasmic signal transducer Dishevelled (Dvl) with the canonical …
Challenges And Opportunities In Glioblastoma And Immunovirotherapy With Oncolytic Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1, Dagoberto Estevez-Ordonez
Challenges And Opportunities In Glioblastoma And Immunovirotherapy With Oncolytic Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1, Dagoberto Estevez-Ordonez
All ETDs from UAB
This dissertation covers data from published and pre-published studies exploring challenges and opportunities in the treatment of malignant glioma with emphasis in glioblastoma and oncolytic immunovirotherapy with an oncolytic herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) designed to induce expression of IL-12, M002 (murine IL-12) and M032 (human IL-12).It starts with the report of a study that uncovered important racial and socioeconomic disparities experienced by patients with glioblastoma treated in Alabama. Notable results also include the unexpected finding of increased survival in African American patients with glioblastoma even after controlling for factors associated with survival and socioeconomic disparities. The implications of …
Comparison Of Radiological Signs To Clinical Symptoms In Children With Jia. A Pilot Study, Shubham Sharma
Comparison Of Radiological Signs To Clinical Symptoms In Children With Jia. A Pilot Study, Shubham Sharma
All ETDs from UAB
JIA, which stands for juvenile idiopathic arthritis, is a group of chronic inflammatory joint diseases that usually occur in children under the age of 16 and last for at least six weeks1–5. It is one of the most common chronic joint diseases in childhood1 and affects up to 150 out of every 100,000 children worldwide6. This condition has no identifiable cause and is different from adult rheumatoid arthritis. Unfortunately, JIA can have a significant negative impact on the lives of these young children, causing disability and impairing their daily activities. TMJ involvement is more common than previously believed in JIA …
An Examination Of The Relationship Between Mobile Apps And Healthcare Outcomes: A Patient Engagement And Patient Satisfaction Perspective, Khaled Hamad Alkhalifa
An Examination Of The Relationship Between Mobile Apps And Healthcare Outcomes: A Patient Engagement And Patient Satisfaction Perspective, Khaled Hamad Alkhalifa
All ETDs from UAB
Background: Mobile apps are rapidly becoming an essential tool for hospitals to be competitive in a rapidly evolving healthcare market driven by patient expectations. The effectiveness of mobile apps is not fully understood, and more research needs to be done to evaluate their impact on patient satisfaction. More specifically, the role of patient engagement in this relationship needs to be investigated, given the rapid improvement in health behavior-changing mobile apps.Objective: This study aimed to examine (1) whether hospitals providing mobile apps are associated with higher patient satisfaction and patient engagement scores, (2) whether mobile app usability impacts this relationship, and …
Quantitative Analysis Of The Impact Of Automatically Generated Normal Tissue Contours On Knowledge-Based Planning Model Quality, Samuel Christopher Baker Arnold
Quantitative Analysis Of The Impact Of Automatically Generated Normal Tissue Contours On Knowledge-Based Planning Model Quality, Samuel Christopher Baker Arnold
All ETDs from UAB
While radiotherapy has become one of the primary standards of treatment for cancer in areas such as the brain, treatment plans are limited by the time it takes physicians to contour CT images used for dose distribution calculations. Automation of the contouring process can not only improve the rate of plan formation but establish an improved standard of care. With the development and implementation of knowledge-based planning (KBP) in radiation oncology, information derived from treatment plans provide machine learning models with years of experience to assess and create future treatment plans. Since KBP model quality rely on contouring from training …