Digital Commons Network^™

Probiotic Intervention In Managing Chronic Stress, Bianca Opdenbosch

PANDION: The Osprey Journal of Research and Ideas

Chronic stress can induce gut dysbiosis which contributes to the dysregulation of the gut-brain axis and leads to anxiety and depressive-like symptoms. The gut-brain axis relies on nervous, immune, and endocrine interactions. Gut dysbiosis, an imbalance within the gut microbiome, disrupts gut-brain communication, impairing gut barrier integrity, inflammation regulation, and hormonal and neurotransmitter production. These gut changes contribute to mood disorders resulting from stress, and thus it is important to implement dietary interventions, like probiotics, to help mitigate these effects. Research highlights the potential of probiotics to act as an intervention to combat stress-induced gut dysbiosis and replenish beneficial bacteria …

Factor Structure Of Food And Physical Activity Parenting Practices Among Us Fathers By Ethnicity And Survey Language: A Cross Sectional Study, Salma M A Musaad, Louise C Mâsse, Alicia Beltran, Oriana Perez, Teresia M O'Connor

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Background: Parenting practices contribute to children’s eating and physical activity behaviors, and thereby their risk of obesity and associated medical conditions. Fathers may engage in different parenting practices than mothers. The objective of this study was therefore to establish psychometrically sound tools in English and Spanish for measuring Physical Activity Parenting Practices (PAPP) and Food Parenting Practices (FPP) for Hispanic and non-Hispanic fathers of diverse races for use in future studies, such as evaluations of family-based obesity interventions targeted at fathers.

Methods: We conducted a preliminary assessment of the psychometric properties of a reduced version of the PAPP and FPP …

Designing An Electronic Patient-Reported Outcomes Information Infrastructure Supported By The Re-Aim Implementation Framework, Amy C. Moreno, Angela Peek, Toshiko S. Stein, Kevin R. Shook, Sara M. Ali, Laia Humbert-Vidan, Aileen Chen, Miriam Lango, Anna Lee, Michael Spiotto, William H. Morrison, Adam S. Garden, Jack Phan, Steven J. Frank, Katherine Hutcheson, David I. Rosenthal, Clifton D. Fuller, G Brandon Gunn

Advances in Cancer Education and Quality Improvement

Objective: Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) contain valuable information that can be leveraged by providers to perform timely interventions and improve quality of life and survival. However, the implementation of electronic PROs (ePROs) remains a challenge from technical and evaluation perspectives. Our objective was to construct a robust electronic health record (EHR)-integrated ePRO information infrastructure founded on RE-AIM (reach-effectiveness-adoption-implementation-maintenance) principles.

Materials and Methods: We used Epic Systems as our EHR platform to build the MD Anderson Symptom Index Head and Neck Module (MDASI-HN) for release to all patients undergoing evaluation and/or treatment in our HN Radiation Oncology clinics. RE-AIM metrics were …

Advancing Sex Education And Health Outcome: The Impacts Of Education And Support Program In Cambodia, Natepy Vann

Public Health: Student Scholarship & Creative Works

Abstract

Context:

In most countries, early pregnancies are one of the most public health issues, particularly in a developing country like Cambodia. This problem is leading those young mothers to face mental health breakdowns and limited socioeconomic opportunities. Beyond that, they also face the disruption of education and overall health risks in the long term. This research paper answers and delves into doubts related to the question: How does early pregnancy affect the mental health and future socioeconomic opportunities, including education, career prospects, and social mobility, of teenage mothers in Cambodia?

Methods:

This literature review focuses on psychological …

Beyond The Pediatrician: Building Your Child’S Care Circle, Maggie Mckay, Chelsea Wolfe

Parent-ish Podcast

From pediatricians to orthodontists, knowing when your child should see different specialists can make a big difference. Dr. Chelsea Wolfe joins Parent-ish to break down the timeline of care and share tips for spotting when extra support might be needed.

Click here to stream the podcast episode.

Resilience Factors And Physical Activity Engagement In Adolescents With Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain: A Cross-Sectional Study., William R. Black, Haley Hart, Jennifer Christofferson, Mark Connelly, Liesbet Goubert, Dustin Wallace, Laura Ellingson-Sayen, Ann M. Davis

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Background/Objectives: Chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMSKP) affects up to 40% of adolescents and leads to substantial disability, reduced quality of life, and long-term health risks. Physical activity is central to treatment, but adherence to moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) is inconsistent. We evaluated higher-resilience constructs-self-efficacy, pain acceptance, motivational stage, and affect-and hypothesized that higher resilience would be associated with greater objectively measured physical activity, better daily functioning, and higher quality of life in adolescents with CMSKP. Methods: Forty-three adolescents (13-18 years) with CMSKP completed measures of physical activity-specific self-efficacy, acceptance (AFQ-Y), motivational stage (PSOCQ-A), and affect (PANAS-C). Participants wore activPAL …

Evaluation Of Dental Arch Width And Its Correlation With Gender And Age In Adolescents With Early Permanent Dentition, Delvina Panxhaj, Jeta Kubati Kiseri

UBT International Conference

The development of the dental arch during adolescence represents a crucial period for shaping the orofacial structure and orthodontic planning. The main objective was to assess whether significant differences exist in these parameters depending on gender and age.In this study, conducted at the University for Business and Technology (UBT) in Pristina, the morphometric dimensions of the mandibular arch—specifically intercanine width, intermolar width, and arch length—were analyzed in a sample of 40 dental study models. Participants were divided into two age groups: the first group included study models of children aged 1213, and the second group included those aged 13–14; in …

Social Vulnerability Associations With Hypopharyngeal Carcinoma Treatment And Prognostic Disparities, Camaren M. Cuenca, David M. Bruss, David J. Fei-Zhang, Jill N. D'Souza, Anthony M. Sheyn, Jeffrey C. Rastatter, Daniel C. Chelius

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Objectives: Prior studies investigating the impacts of social determinants of health (SDoH) on hypopharyngeal cancer have only assessed the impact of individual factors on patient outcomes. This study uses the CDC's Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) and a national patient cohort to examine how the interrelational influence of SDoH affect hypopharyngeal cancer prognosis, treatment, and follow-up. Methods: This retrospective cohort study analyzed patients from 1975 to 2017 with a diagnosis of hypopharyngeal carcinoma in the NCI-SEER database. Net social vulnerability and its contributions from 15 SDoH variables were ranked and scored across all US counties, yielding a SVI. SVI scores were …

Decreasing Barriers To The Utilization Of Cryopreserved Sperm In Male Cancer Survivors: An Expert Review And Guide, Megan V Alexander, Hailie Ciomperlik, Anna Claire Reynolds, Allyson Nevins, Luwam Ghidei, Jordan Kassab, Kevin Campbell, John Sullivan, Michael D Jochum, Laura Detti, Terri L Woodard, Larry I Lipshultz, Laurie J Mckenzie

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Cryopreservation of sperm offers male cancer patients a critical opportunity to preserve fertility prior to gonadotoxic treatments. Despite its increasing availability, utilization rates remain modest at typically less than ten percent. This expert review provides a framework for an optimal Oncofertility Patient Care Pathway, explores the multifaceted barriers to cryopreserved sperm use, and proposes specific solutions. We focus on key timepoints for intervention, including the post-treatment fertility care return visit, continued sperm cryopreservation while remote from family building, eventual readiness for family building, and posthumous considerations. Patients often face difficulty engaging in post-treatment reproductive follow-up, with one-third of patients missing …

14th International Conference On Business, Technology And Innovation 2025, University For Business And Technology - Ubt

UBT International Conference

Welcome to IC – UBT 2025

UBT Annual International Conference is the 14th international interdisciplinary peer reviewed conference which publishes works of the scientists as well as practitioners in the area where UBT is active in Education, Research and Development. The UBT aims to implement an integrated strategy to establish itself as an internationally competitive, research-intensive university, committed to the transfer of knowledge and the provision of a world-class education to the most talented students from all background. The main perspective of the conference is to connect the scientists and practitioners from different disciplines in the same place and make …

Staff Education To Improve Knowledge Of Venous Leg Ulcer Prevention, Bini John

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) staff education project implemented a standardized program to strengthen knowledge, confidence, and adherence to venous stasis ulcer (VSU) prevention among staff in an outpatient vascular clinic. The practice problem was the lack of standardized staff education, leading to inconsistent patient teaching and recurrent ulceration. VSUs are a significant public health challenge, increasing morbidity, healthcare utilization, and reducing quality of life (He et al., 2024). The practice-focused question for this project was: In frontline medical staff at a vascular outpatient clinic, does a staff education program on a standardized approach to patient education for VSU …

Staff Education On Oral Health To Night Shift Staff, Uzoamaka Mbionwu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) remains the most common hospital-acquired infection in the United States, with nonventilated adult patients particularly at risk. This doctoral project focused on improving oral care practices among night shift nursing staff on a medical-surgical unit to reduce the risk of HAP. The practice gap identified was the inconsistent and inadequate delivery of oral hygiene during night shifts, primarily due to staff knowledge deficits, time constraints, and a lack of standardized procedures. The project was guided by the Johns Hopkins Evidence-Based Practice model and addressed the following question: In adult patients on a medical-surgical unit, will staff education …

Understanding Short Stature In Pediatrics: Key Insight, Micahel Smith, Pratibha Rana

Pediatrics in Practice: A CME Podcast

In this episode of Pediatrics in Practice, Dr. Mike and Dr. Pratibha Rana from Children's Mercy unravel the complexities of caring for patients with short stature. They discuss common causes, evaluation techniques, and treatment approaches. Ideal for pediatricians, this episode highlights clinical decision-making tools for better patient outcomes.

Click here to stream the podcast episode.

Mold Exposure And Cognitive Health During Menopausal Transitions: A Quantitative Analysis Using Secondary Data, Holly Jeannette Burns

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Mold exposure and menopausal transition have been independently linked to cognitive decline, yet their interaction among socioeconomically disadvantaged populations has not been well examined. This quantitative study is an exploration of how menopausal transition influences the relationship between mold exposure and cognitive health outcomes among women aged 40 to 60 living in low-income housing in the United States. Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory was used to guide the cross-sectional design using secondary data from the 2005–2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES; N = 149). Weighted logistic regression and Hayes’ PROCESS (Models 2 and 4) were used to test associations …

Sociocultural Factors Influencing Excess Gestational Weight Gain In Pregnant Puerto Rican Women, Sonia O. Roselló Aponte

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

More than 50% of women experience excessive weight gain during pregnancy or are overweight at the start of pregnancy, increasing their risk of short and long-term maternal and fetal complications. The literature highlights the relationship between sociocultural factors and excessive gestational weight gain (EGWG) and the need to explore these factors in ethnic subgroups. The purpose of this descriptive qualitative study, guided by Nola Pender’s health promotion model, was to explore the sociocultural factors that influence EGWG for pregnant women living in Puerto Rico. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven participants recruited from public and private prenatal clinics in Puerto …

Use Of The Selective Cytopheretic Device With Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy In Children: A Comparison Of Contemporary Cohorts, Natalja L Stanski, Jangdong Seo, Todd Jenkins, Kelli A Krallman, Shina Menon, H David Humes, David J Askenazi, Rajit K Basu, Ayse Akcan-Arikan, Stuart L Goldstein, Katja M Gist

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Introduction: The selective cytopheretic device (SCD) is a cell-directed extracorporeal therapy approved for use in children with acute kidney injury (AKI) receiving continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) with sepsis/sepsis-like conditions. We compared outcomes for children treated with SCD to a contemporary cohort of children treated with CRRT alone.

Methods: Secondary analysis and comparison of patients ≤22 years old and ≥10 kg from a multicenter registry of patients receiving CRRT for AKI and/or fluid overload (WE-ROCK; 2015-2021) to patients from two multicenter, prospective, interventional studies of children with AKI and multiple organ dysfunction (MODS) receiving SCD (SCD-PED-01/SCD-PED-02; 2016-2022).

Results: Eighteen patients …

Xpert Mtb/Rif Ultra Assay For Tuberculosis Disease And Rifampicin Resistance In Children, Alexander W Kay, Maia Madison, Katie Scandrett, Tara Ness, Pauline Amuge, Leeberk Raja Inbaraj, Mukesh Kumar Sathya Narayanan, Lucia González Fernández, Michael Eisenhut, Nazir Ismail, Alexei Korobitsyn, Sabine E Verkuijl, Annemieke Brands, Kerri Viney, Tiziana Masini, Anna M Mandalakas, Karen R Steingart, Yemisi Takwoingi

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: In 2023, an estimated 1.3 million children (aged 0-14 years) became ill with tuberculosis, and 166,000 children (aged 0-15 years) died from the disease. Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra (Xpert Ultra) is a molecular World Health Organization (WHO)-recommended rapid diagnostic test that detects Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex and rifampicin resistance. This is an update of a Cochrane review first published in 2020 and last updated in 2022. Parts of the current update informed the 2024 WHO updated guidance for the diagnosis of tuberculosis.

Objectives: To assess the diagnostic accuracy of Xpert Ultra for detecting pulmonary tuberculosis, tuberculous meningitis, lymph node tuberculosis, and …

2025 Celebration Of Scholarship, Creativity, And Engagement, Todd Bruns, Jaime Pedigo, Jennifer Smith, Patty Watson, Heather Wohltman, Amanda Wolf

Programs

Each year, Eastern Illinois University proudly recognizes the outstanding achievements of our faculty in research, creativity, and engagement. This collection of accomplishments reflects the dedication of an engaged faculty committed to excellence and the continual pursuit of knowledge. Many of these successes were made possible through meaningful collaboration with our students, who contribute as co-authors, research assistants, and partners in bringing ideas to life. Some of these professional milestones represent years of effort, demonstrating remarkable persistence and determination. We offer our heartfelt congratulations on this wide range of achievements, which bring distinction to our departments, colleges, and the University as …

Nutritional Management Of The Complex Fontan Physiology Patient In The Pre-Transplant Phase, Mona Kasik, Jill Rockwell

2025

No abstract provided.

Defining Endotypes Of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia In Preterm Infants To Improve Precision-Based Therapies., Megha Sharma, Gangaram Akangire, Noah H. Hillman, Winston M. Manimtim, Mark Ivan Attard, Venkatesh Sampath

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) remains a debilitating disease in premature infants. The chronic pathogenesis of BPD with complex prenatal and postnatal programming challenges attempts at precisely defining or treating disease. While existing BPD definitions categorize disease severity, a lack of consideration of disease heterogeneity and endotypes has contributed to the failure of clinical trials to improve BPD outcomes. Recent studies have used advanced lung imaging techniques, echocardiography, and lung function tests to identify airway, parenchymal, and vascular BPD endotypes. These endotypes carry different prognoses and require endotype-specific treatment strategies to optimize infant outcomes. In this Review, we focus on the pathogenic …

Rtx-303, An Orally Bioavailable Polθ Polymerase Inhibitor That Potentiates Parp Inhibitors In Brca Mutant Tumors, Gurushankar Chandramouly, William Fried, John Gordon, Douglas Ralph, Channita Keuk, Sangeeta Kumari, Mercy Ramanjulu, William Auerbacher, Leonid Minakhin, Taylor Tredinnick, Bernadette Tiberi, George Morton, Robert Betsch, Kathy Q. Cai, Umeshkumar M Vekariya, Mrityunjay Tyagi, Tomasz Skorski, Sergey Karakashev, Neil Johnson, Wayne E. Childers, Xiaojiang S. Chen, Richard T. Pomerantz

Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Faculty Papers

DNA polymerase θ (Polθ) is a polymerase-helicase fusion protein that is synthetically lethal with homologous recombination (HR) factors, such as BRCA1/2, and confers resistance to PARP inhibitors (PARPi) and other genotoxic cancer therapies. Previously developed Polθ polymerase (Polθ-pol) inhibitors (Polθi) exhibited limited pharmacological activity and metabolic stability, warranting the development of a Polθi with improved drug-like properties. Here, we developed RTx-303, a selective allosteric small-molecule Polθ-pol inhibitor that exhibits 5.1 nM IC50, 88% oral bioavailability, and a prolonged half-life along with its equipotent metabolite. X-ray crystallography highlights the development of a solvent-exposed side-chain that is essential for the optimal drug-like …

Mir147 Promotes Mucosal Integrity And Healing In Intestinal Inflammation, Agnieszka K Czopik, Arash Dabiri, Chia-Hao Tung, Victoria Vaughn, Xiangsheng Huang, Jinlian Wang, Hui Li, Nicolas F Moreno, Natalia V Piwko, Katherine Figarella, Hongfang Liu, Zhongming Zhao, Xiaoyi Yuan, Holger K Eltzschig

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The intestinal mucosal epithelium forms a barrier between luminal contents and the body. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate mucosal homeostasis by controlling inflammatory responses and structural integrity. Here, we discovered a protective role for miR147 in intestinal inflammation using a miR147tdTomato reporter mouse. miR147 was enriched in the intestines, with the highest expression in the colonic epithelial cells at the luminal surface, with prominent expression in differentiated enterocytes. Mice with general or intestinal epithelial deletion of miR147 showed increased intestinal inflammation and diminished mucosal healing during colitis. RNA sequencing of miR147-deficient cells showed dysregulated immune signaling, with upregulated proinflammatory cytokine pathways and …

2025 October 21 - Medical Student Education Committee Retreat Minutes, Medical Student Education Committee, East Tennessee State University

Medical Student Education Committee Minutes

No abstract provided.

A Global Overview Of Anatomical Science Education And Its Present And Future Role In Biomedical Curricula, Michael Hortsch, Virginia Claudia Carneiro Girão-Carmona, Ana Caroline Rocha De Melo Leite, Ilias P. Nikas, Margaret K. Gatumu, Nii Koney Kwaku Koney, Benjamin Arko-Boham, Doris George Yohannan, Aswathy Maria Oommen, Yan Li, Jian Yang, Alexandra F. Trollope, Amanda J. Meyer, Sonya E. Van Nuland

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

The four main anatomical sciences, gross anatomy, histology, neuroanatomy, and embryology, are fundamental subjects for most health professionals and biomedical students. Usually taught as part of preclinical basic science training, the anatomical sciences provide a structural understanding of human or animal bodies at both macroscopic and microscopic levels. This overview characterizes how the anatomical sciences are currently taught around the globe, highlighting similarities, differences, and recent curricular transformations that were partially in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Globally, educators of the anatomical sciences navigate similar pressures, including expectations of curricular integration and reduced time for anatomical teaching. Student-centered teaching approaches …

Utilizing An Evidence-Based Educational Intervention To Assess Health Care Provider Knowledge And Confidence Of Weight Management Strategies In A Primary Care Setting, Fanny Ngwa Shu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project aimed to address a clinical gap in primary care by enhancing provider and staff knowledge and confidence in delivering weight management counseling. Despite the high prevalence of overweight and obesity, many healthcare providers feel inadequately prepared to initiate weight-related discussions due to factors such as limited training, cultural barriers, and a lack of understanding of social determinants of health (SDOH) that influence patient behaviors. This gap in care can hinder the effective management of chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. The practice-focused question guiding this project was: Can an educational session …

Do Research Day Program 2025, Lincoln Memorial University, Debusk College Of Osteopathic Medicine

DO Research Day

DO Research Day was hosted by the DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine at Lincoln Memorial University. This program features abstracts from the LMU-DCOM community.

Evaluating Correlates Of Healthy Eating And Dietary Quality Among Older Adults: A Mixed Methods Approach To Development And Application Of A New Survey Instrument, Sara K. Rosenkranz, Donya Shamati, Anna Biggins, Alissa Mick, Christopher Acosta, Richard R. Rosenkranz

Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences Faculty Research

Objectives: Community-dwelling older adults face unique challenges related to nutrition and health, but little is known about their barriers and facilitators for healthy eating behaviors. This study sought to develop and evaluate a new instrument to measure the capability, opportunity, and motivation for healthy eating behaviors (COM-HE) among community-dwelling older adults.

Design: A mixed methods approach was used to obtain qualitative and quantitative data. Participants were aged 65 years or older, community-dwelling, and English-speaking. Participants engaged in focus groups (n = 12) and pilot-testing (n = 81) to evaluate the COM-HE instrument. The Rapid Eating Assessment for Participants – Shortened …

Impact Of High-Protein, Low-Calorie Diet On Anthropometric Indices, Glycation, And Inflammation Associated With The Fat Mass And Obesity (Fto) Gene Among Individuals With Overweight/Obesity, Bibi Hajira, Bismillah Sehar, Fakhrunisa, Sami Siraj, Muhammad Omar Malik, Huma Naqeeb, Ali Madi Almajwal, Sharifa Alblooshi, Hayder Hasan, Iftikhar Alam, Falak Zeb, Fahad Lodhi

All Works

Background: The common polymorphism rs9939609 of the fat mass and obesity gene (FTO) has been associated with increased susceptibility to obesity, but this association appears to be modified by diet. High protein diets have been shown to reduce weight and may increase the formation of circulating advanced glycation end products (AGEs). Obesity, on the other hand, is also associated with increased formation of AGEs, leading to oxidative stress and inflammation. Objectives: This study was designed to investigate the impact of a high-protein and low-calorie (HPLC) diet on anthropometric indices and circulating AGEs levels associated with the FTO variant rs9939609 among …

Fine Mapping Regulatory Variants By Characterizing Native Cpg Methylation With Nanopore Long-Read Sequencing, Yijun Tian, Shannon K. Mcdonnell, Lang Wu, Nicholas B. Larson, Liang Wang

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

5-Methylcytosine (5mC) is the most common DNA modification in the human genome. Bisulfite conversion combined with short-read sequencing captures this modification at single-nucleotide resolution but introduces PCR duplication bias and limits co-methylation analysis between distant cytosines. To resolve these limitations, we used nanopore long-read sequencing to profile human methylation and performed long-range co-methylation analysis with native DNA modification information. We analyzed the nanopore demo data in the adaptive sampling sequencing targeting the CpG islands and applied the linkage disequilibrium (LD) R to identified methylation haplotype blocks (MHBs). We found that the cancer genome exhibited significantly smaller MHBs, higher CpG density, …

Association Between Diabetes Mellitus, Hypertension, Obesity, And Diagnosis Of Covid-19 In Puerto Rico, Julian Rene Rivera Rodriguez

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The population of Puerto Rico has been heavily affected by chronic diseases; however, data remains limited on the influence of diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension, and obesity on the probability of COVID-19 diagnosis. The purpose of this quantitative study was to evaluate the association between non-communicable diseases that included DM, obesity, hypertension, and COVID-19 diagnosis, controlling for age and sex and person exposure in Puerto Rico. The sample consisted of 1,463 participants who underwent a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for COVID-19 from April 1, 2020, to March 31, 2021. Results from adjusted multivariable logistic regression analyses established that obesity OR …