Digital Commons Network^™

Evidence-Based Approaches To Managing Adolescent Aggression, April Dade

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Circulating Metabolites Associated With Protection Against Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Infection And Inhibition Of Mycobacterial Growth, Todia P Setiabudiawan, Lika Apriani, Julian Avila-Pacheco, Edwin Ardiansyah, Vinod Kumar, Bachti Alisjahbana, Ayesha J Verrall, Andrew R Dinardo, Agnes R Indrati, Vera P Mourits, L Charlotte J De Bree, Simone J C F M Moorlag, Clary B Clish, Leo A B Joosten, Arjan Van Laarhoven, Krista E Van Meijgaarden, Mihai G Netea, Simone A Joosten, Valerie A C M Koeken, Philip C Hill, Reinout Van Crevel

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

A significant proportion of individuals who are heavily exposed to infectious tuberculosis patients do not acquire Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection, as detected by an interferon gamma release assay (IGRA). We examined circulating metabolite profiles and metabolic genotypes in 199 heavily exposed IGRA-negative tuberculosis household contacts in Indonesia. Based on differentially abundant metabolites, activity of several pathways including arachidonic acid, arginine and proline, glutathione, and tryptophan metabolism, correlated with a negative IGRA at three months. SNPs near PRODH (involved in arginine and proline metabolism) were associated with circulating proline concentrations and persistently negative IGRA results, while SNPstudys near AFMID (involved in …

Hiv/Aids-Related Awareness And Misconceptions Among Grade 10 Students In Muttrah Wilayat, Muscat, Oman: A Descriptive, Cross-Sectional Study, Rahma Abdullah Al Riyami, Balqees Ahmed Al -Maawali, Nabila Hamood Al Wahaibi, Mariam Rashid Al Rashdi, Fatma Ahmed Al Hinai

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

Objectives: Despite Oman having a low HIV prevalence, stigma and lack of knowledge among young people may hinder prevention efforts. This study aimed to assess HIV/AIDS-related knowledge and misconceptions among Grade 10 students in Muttrah wilayat in Oman. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in February 2025 and included Grade 10 students from 4 governmental schools in Muttrah selected via proportional stratified sampling. The sample size was calculated depending on the number of students in Grade 10. Data collection was performed during face-to-face interviews using a validated Arabic-language questionnaire. Results: A total of 271 Grade 10 students were included in …

In-Use Stability And Device Compatibility Define Clinically Actionable Handling Limits For A Gmp-Produced Attenuated Listeria Monocytogenes Vaccine Expressing Gucy2c, Jagmohan Singh, Taranjot Johar, Vannessa Scully, Scott A. Waldman, Babar Bashir, Adam E. Snook

Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Cancer Biology Faculty Papers

Background: Live-attenuated Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) vectors are a clinically validated cancer immunotherapy platform, but translation requires reproducible, clinically realistic workflows for dose preparation and infusion. For live bacterial products, in-use stability and device compatibility can drive dose variability through adsorption, settling, and device losses. Methods: We developed and GMP-manufactured an attenuated Lm vaccine expressing human GUCY2C (Lm-GUCY2C) and performed translational characterization, including construct verification and immunogenicity readouts, and defined the administration-focused in-use stability and device compatibility. Post-thaw stability was assessed in primary cryovials and during preparation and delivery from 250 mL saline infusion bags using standard clinical devices (syringes/needles, filter-free …

Improving Hyaluronic Acid Filler Safety Through A Structured, Evidence-Based Training Program: A Dnp Educational Initiative, Carlos Sandoval Madrigal

Doctoral Projects

The rapid growth of aesthetic medicine, particularly the use of hyaluronic acid (HA) dermal fillers, has outpaced the development of standardized educational pathways for Health Care Providers (HCPs), contributing to a wide variability in clinical practice and increased risk of adverse events. This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a structured, evidence-based educational intervention designed to improve provider knowledge and confidence in the prevention and management of HA filler complications. The intervention was developed using the 10-Point Plan framework and evaluated using the Kirkpatrick Model Levels 1 (Reaction) and 2 (Learning). A quasi-experimental, one-group …

Early Chemical Markers Of Spoilage In Thermally Processed Tomato Paste: A Rapid Approach For Shelf-Stable Foods, Hussein Ali Shaghati, Rawia Mahmood Yousif

Al-Nisour Journal for Medical Sciences

This study aims to reduce the incubation period (commercial sterility test) of tomato paste cans before the bacteriological inspection in quality control laboratories. 62 cans of tomato paste were incubated under temperatures (mesophilic 25,37°C and thermophilic 55°C) to accelerate potential spoilage. Chemical indicators(pH, titratable acidity, and lactic acid) and microbial indicators (Total plate count and yeast/molds) were monitored daily to identify the earliest reliable spoilage signals. Incubation at elevated temperatures accelerated acid buildup. D+L lactic acid levels measured using a rapid enzyme assay increased with titratable acidity, while pH decreased. Meanwhile, total platelet counts remained at very low levels, while …

Environmental Impact Of Benzo[A]Anthracene Exposure On Liver Biomarkers And Covid-19 Severity: Evaluation Of Combined Clinical And Molecular Modeling, Osamah Alkilidar, Hayder G. Jawad, Hasan K. Nimr

Al-Nisour Journal for Medical Sciences

This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between exposure to environmental pollutants, particularly benzo[a]anthracins (BaA), and the severity of the inflammatory response and liver dysfunction in COVID-19 patients, using a combination of statistical analysis and molecular modeling. Molecular docking studies revealed stable and robust interactions between benzo[a]anthracins and cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzymes, suggesting that these interactions may contribute to increased oxidative stress and hepatocyte damage. The statistical analysis included 70 COVID-19 patients, stratified by benzo[a] anthracene exposure. The results showed statistically significant associations between exposure to this pollutant and elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, as well as a significant increase …

Predicting The Risk Of Diabetes Using Machine Learning Algorithms, Noor Ismail Ibrahim, Jamal Kamil Alrudaini, Hytham Falih Hassan, Sahar Faeq Jaafar

Al-Nisour Journal for Medical Sciences

Diabetes is a chronic disorder that many people suffer from. This disease develops when the blood glucose level is high. Serious side effects, such as harm to the heart, kidneys, eyes, and other organs may result from diabetes neglected treatment. Diabetes has numerous causes, including aging, obesity, inactivity, genetics, poor food and lifestyle choices. Early identification of this illness helps lessen its negative consequences. There are many traditional methods for predicting this disease, but they are expensive. Early prediction of diabetes benefits all those at risk by providing early treatment. With the advancement of healthcare technology, machine learning algorithms can …

Allopurinol Beyond Hyperuricemia: A Multifaceted Therapeutic Agent With Expanding Clinical, Safa Khaldoon, Emad Yousif, Khawla A. Kasar, Hazim F. Abbas

Al-Nisour Journal for Medical Sciences

Allopurinol is a well-established xanthine oxidase inhibitor widely used in the management of hyperuricemia, gout, tumor lysis syndrome, and uric acid nephrolithiasis. This review provides a comprehensive overview of its pharmacology, mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, clinical efficacy, safety profile, and emerging insights from recent clinical and translational studies. Despite being in clinical use for over five decades, allopurinol remains the first-line urate-lowering therapy worldwide due to its proven efficacy, favorable safety profile, and cost-effectiveness. Beyond its classical role in inhibiting xanthine oxidoreductase, increasing evidence highlights additional therapeutic effects, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. The structural similarity of allopurinol to purine …

The Ramification Of Mutations In Sonic Hedgehog Gene On The Occurrence Of Deformities In The Course Of The Embryonic Development Stage, Umalbaneen Hilal Hadi, Safa J. Al-Yassiri

Al-Nisour Journal for Medical Sciences

Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) is one of the most significant genes regulating embryonic development in mammals, playing a pivotal role in cell differentiation, tissue fate determination, and regulating lateral symmetry of the embryo. The results of this research show that any mutation whether, a loss of function or a change in the regulation of gene expression in SHH gene leads to severe and highly complex consequences for embryonic development.as a result for that, severe disorders of CNS development SHH is a morphogen essential for germline formation and neuronal differentiation. Mutations in this gene result in failure to develop properly the cerebellum, …

Effect Of Different Methods Of Smoking On Serum Level Of Vitamin D Among University Students In Baghdad, Sabiha Aljubory, Usama Salman Altimari

Al-Nisour Journal for Medical Sciences

Vitamin D has different biological actions in the body. Vitamin D has pleiotropic effects in multiple organ systems. Vitamin D deficiency has been found to have an inverse relationship with tobacco smoking. The objective of this study was to identify the prevalence of Vitamin D level and its correlates with tobacco smoking among University student male and female. Volunteer was conducted on a sample of university student, both males and females Iraq, during the period from January to December 2020. A pretested questionnaire was used for data collection adopted from previous standard national surveys and studies, and the questionnaire included …

Improving Staff Competence In Phq-9 Administration, Obinna C. Okonkwo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Educating Staff On The Use Of The Phq-9 Screening Tool For Depression, Clarice Malla

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Implementing Trauma Informed Care Practices In An Inpatient Psychiatric Unit, Clara Eyra Dedzo Amenuvor

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Staff Education To Improve Early-Stage Chronic Kidney Disease Patient Education, Yoel Madruga Reyes

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Pr Interval Alternans And The Mystery Of Inverse Decremental Conduction, Alyssa Zakala, Mohammed Hussein Kamareddine, Farah Olleik, Ali Keramati, Gan-Xin Yan

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

CASE SUMMARY: A 73-year-old man with severe aortic stenosis and preexisting right bundle branch block (RBBB) underwent transcatheter aortic valve replacement. Postprocedural day 4 mobile cardiac outpatient telemetry revealed intermittent atrioventricular block. A 12-lead electrocardiogram obtained in the emergency department revealed PR interval alternans with RBBB, with longer PR following longer preceding RP intervals, and shorter PR following shorter RP intervals. He suddenly experienced cardiac arrest due to proximal atrioventricular block, requiring cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

TAKE-HOME MESSAGES: Inverse decremental conduction, known as Yan conduction, demonstrates an inverse relationship between conduction time and frequency of upstream stimulation. Inverse decremental conduction within the …

When Qtc Shrinks After Rhythm Conversion, Mohammed Hussein Kamareddine, Alyssa Zakala, Farid Farkouh, Ibrahim Alameh, Gan-Xin Yan

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

CASE SUMMARY: An 83-year-old man with a history of atrial fibrillation on amiodarone therapy was admitted for direct-current cardioversion because of recurrent atrial fibrillation with a ventricular rate of approximately 105 beats per minute. Cardioversion successfully restored sinus rhythm. Postcardioversion 12-lead electrocardiography revealed an unexpectedly short QTc of 344 ms despite chronic treatment with a QT-prolonging agent. This finding was attributed to QT hysteresis, reflecting delayed adaptation of ventricular repolarization to the abrupt reduction in heart rate after rhythm conversion.

TAKE-HOME MESSAGE: QT hysteresis can result in transient QTc shortening and has important implications for interpretation of QT intervals during …

Objective Oculomotor, Vestibular, Reaction Time, And Cognitive Signatures Of Vestibular Migraine, Claire E. J. Ceriani, Alexandr Braverman, Alexander Kiderman

Department of Neurology Faculty Papers

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate oculomotor, vestibular, reaction time, and cognitive (OVRT-C) function in patients with vestibular migraine (VM) using objective eye-tracking-based metrics and to identify patterns of dysfunction relative to healthy controls.

BACKGROUND: Vestibular migraine is a common yet underdiagnosed cause of vertigo. Diagnosis remains primarily clinical, because objective neurologic and vestibular findings are often absent or inconsistent. Quantitative methods capable of capturing the multisystem manifestations of VM may improve objective characterization of the disorder.

METHODS: Participants with a clinical diagnosis of vestibular migraine were recruited from a tertiary headache center and assessed using a battery of OVRT-C tests administered with …

Mitochondrial Ca2+ Uniporter (Mcu) Variants Form Plasma-Membrane Channels, Iuliia Polina, Jyotsna Mishra, Michael Cypress, Maria Landherr, Nedyalka Valkov, Isabel Chaput, Bridget Nieto, Brian Rhee, Ameneh Ahrari, Nathan Demichaelis, Kye-Im Jeon, Ulrike Mende, Peng Zhang, Bong Sook Jhun, Jin O-Uchi

Center for Translational Medicine Faculty Papers

MCU, originally known as CCDC109A, is widely recognized as the gene responsible for encoding a pore-forming subunit of a Ca2+-selective channel, mitochondrial Ca2+ uniporter complex (mtCUC). While MCU expression is typically highly mitochondrial-specific, we report here a protein variant derived from the MCU gene, termed MCU-S, which lacks the mitochondria-targeting sequence (MTS) and forms a Ca2+-permeable channel outside of mitochondria. The mRNA of MCU-S was ubiquitously expressed in all cell types/tissues tested, with particularly high expression in human platelets. MCU-S protein formed Ca2+ channels at the plasma membrane, which exhibited similar channel properties to those observed in mtCUC. MCU-S channels …

Staff Education On Nonpharmacological Sleep Hygiene Strategies, Miranda Akateh Morfaw

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Determinants Of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Medication Use Among People Aged 18–29 Years Living In Florida, Jeremiah Magraubin Mchaka Wandabwa

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Movement-Stabilized Three-Dimensional Optical Recordings Of Membrane Potential Changes And Calcium Dynamics In Hippocampal Ca1 Dendrites, Kevin C Gonzalez, Satoshi Terada, Asako Noguchi, George N Zakka, Cliodhna O'Toole, Giuliana Bilbao, Luke Reynolds, Anna Jász, Borbála Kertész, Zoltán Szadai, Alissa Shen, François St-Pierre, Franck Polleux, Attila Losonczy, Balázs Rózsa

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Local dendritic computations are thought to critically influence neuronal signaling and plasticity yet remain largely unexplored in vivo due to challenges in stably imaging small structures at ultrafast timescales. We developed a 3D real-time motion correction platform for movement-stabilized, ultrafast two-photon voltage imaging. By co-labeling CA1 pyramidal neurons with voltage and calcium indicators, we simultaneously measured somato-dendritic and electro-calcium coupling at multiple dendritic sites. We characterized isolated dendritic spikes and distance-dependent backpropagation of naturally occurring and photostimulation-evoked bursts and single spikes. We found that bursts backpropagated more reliably than single spikes, validated that somato-dendritic coupling decreases with distance from soma, …

Factors Associated With Vaping Frequency Among University Students, Oluwatosin Marylyn Oduneye

Masters Theses

Electronic cigarette use among university students is a growing public health concern, with approximately 20-25% reporting current use. Despite extensive research on vaping initiation, factors associated with vaping frequency among established users remain understudied. This study examined stress-coping mechanisms, peer influence, and health risk perceptions as predictors of vaping frequency, guided by Bandura's Social Cognitive Theory (SCT). A quantitative cross-sectional survey was administered via Microsoft Forms to 399 university students aged 21-25 with recent vaping experience, recruited nationally through campus flyers and online platforms. Multiple linear regression was conducted in SAS OnDemand for Academics, with stress-coping, peer influence, and health …

Exploring The Impact Of Cultural Beliefs On Death Anxiety: A Qualitative Study To Inform Healthcare Education And Practices, Sharon Sonnilal

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

A hermeneutic phenomenological approach framed this qualitative study, examining how cultural beliefs, spiritual traditions, and relational contexts shape death anxiety and meaning-making among adults from diverse backgrounds. Terror Management Theory and Culturally Sensitive Grief Treatment guided the conceptualization of death anxiety as a culturally mediated and relational phenomenon rather than an isolated psychological response. A purposive sample of 13 adults aged 18 and older represented diverse cultural, racial, gender, and spiritual identities. Recruitment occurred via Instagram, and participants completed an open-ended demographic and narrative survey. Participants who provided rich survey narratives received invitations to complete semi-structured Zoom interviews to deepen …

Exploring The Role Of Self-Efficacy In Undergraduate Nursing Students: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Dorothy Elaine Rolling

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the role of self-efficacy for nursing students whose primary language was not English and who were enrolled in higher education in the northeastern area of the United States. The theory guiding this study was Bandura’s theory on self-efficacy. The major tenets of the self-efficacy theory aligned with the metaparadigm of nursing (person, health, environment, nursing) and with the study’s focus, which was to explore how English as a second language (ESL) nursing students could successfully complete the registered nursing program at an institution of higher learning. The central research question was: …

From Perception To Performance: The Acute Impact Of Virtual Reality On Hitting Metrics In Collegiate Baseball And Softball Hitters, Darrianne Kylie Hale

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this study was to examine the acute effects of the four warm-up conditions of virtual reality (VR), heavy bat, light bat, and game bat on hitting metrics in collegiate baseball and softball players. Specifically, this research investigated whether a perceptual-cognitive warm-up using virtual reality produced performance outcomes comparable to traditional physical warm-ups in key physical hitting metrics, including bat speed, time to contact, launch angle, and exit velocity. Each participant experienced all four warm-up conditions in a within-subjects, repeated measures design. Performance was measured using Blast Motion and HitTrax technologies, and statistical analysis was conducted using a …

Hantaviruses As Priority Zoonotic Diseases: A Comprehensive Review, Wimbuh Tri Widodo, Aswin Rafif Khairullah, Rahmania Ambarika, Widoretno Widoretno, Masri Sembiring Maha, Abdul Hadi Furqoni, Lisa Andriani Lienggonegoro, Bima Putra Pratama, M. Hasinuddin, Zakkiyatus Zainiyah, Eny Susanti, Mufarika Mufarika, Luluk Hermawati, Alvina Setiawardani, Syahputra Wibowo, Arif Nur Muhammad Ansori

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

Hantaviruses are zoonotic agents that play a significant role in global public health, primarily due to their ability to cause two highly severe clinical syndromes: Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS), which is predominant in Eurasia, and Hantavirus Cardiopulmonary Syndrome (HCPS/HPS), which is primarily found in the Americas. Although long recognized, the complex interactions between the virus, its rodent reservoir, and environmental factors make hantaviruses still a relevant epidemiological threat today. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of their virological characteristics, epidemiological patterns, pathogenesis mechanisms, risk factors, diagnostic methods, therapeutic options, prevention strategies, and the latest developments in …

Chronotropic Response To Intratracheal Versus Intravenous Atropine In Anesthetized Adult Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial, Ammar H. Mahdi, Majid Alhamaidah, Myasar J. Mohammed, Hussein Ali Hussein, Hussein Alkhfaji

AUIQ Complementary Biological System

Atropine is a commonly used anticholinergic agent in anesthetic practice, administered primarily to counteract bradycardia. Rapid treatment of intraoperative bradycardia is clinically critical, as delays may lead to hemodynamic compromise. This study aimed to compare the onset, magnitude, and duration of the chronotropic response to atropine administered via the intravenous (IV) versus intratracheal (IT) route in anesthetized adult patients. A prospective, single-blind, randomized controlled study was conducted on 60 adult patients classified as American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I-II, scheduled for elective peripheral surgery under general anesthesia. Patients were randomly allocated into three equal groups (n = 20 …

Relaxation Activities And The Effects Of Sleep Quality On High-Achieving Females, Kaitlynn Cusipag

InnovateHER Meeting 2026

The overall goal of this study was to help improve the sleep quality of high-achieving female high school students. This study’s goal was to determine whether the difficulty of crossword puzzles and coloring pages had an impact on sleep quality and stress levels. Sleep is crucial for the well-being and daily performance of teenagers

Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia, Sarcoidosis, And The Ultimate Unmasking Of A Pheochromocytoma, Anusha U. Saga, Elizabeth Clark, Isaac R. Whitman

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

The pitfall of anchoring bias may contribute to diagnostic conundra. In this case, a patient with a history of systemic sarcoidosis presented to the electrophysiology clinic with palpitations. Rhythm monitoring revealed polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (PMVT). A diagnosis of cardiac sarcoidosis was presumed and pursued even though repeat cardiac imaging was negative. In the interim, the patient developed new hypertension, and the patient’s primary care provider screened the patient for pheochromocytoma. Despite the initial pursuit of a misdiagnosis in a patient with a high pretest probability for the wrong diagnosis, the pheochromocytoma was resected and the PMVT and hypertension was cured.