Digital Commons Network^™

Various Bone Disorders Affecting The Medically Underserved South Texas Region, Blake Martin, Manoj Peiris, Michael Sander

School of Medicine Publications

Bone disorders can have a devastating impact on an individual’s quality of life. The main objective of our study was to analyze various demographic disparities between various bone disorders in the demographically unique Rio Grande Valley region. We hypothesized that osteoporosis would be the most prevalent condition and that the demographics between the various conditions would vary depending on age, sex, BMI, and ethnicity but not on marital status. This was a retrospective chart review using the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley UTHealth electronic database from January 1, 2017, to January 1, 2024. Any relevant individuals seen at a …

Comorbidities, Therapy And Health System Factors Associated With Treatment Interruption Among Males With Tuberculosis In Nairobi County, Kenya, Lorraine Nkirote Mugambi-Nyaboga

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

While males are recognized as key drivers of tuberculosis (TB) transmission, the association between comorbidities (i.e., diabetes and malnutrition), adverse drug reactions (ADRs), and health system factors (i.e., frequency of drug refills) with TB treatment interruption, remains unclear. I aimed to determine the association between these factors and TB treatment interruption among males diagnosed with TB in Nairobi County, Kenya controlling for age, sub-county of residence, alcohol use, HIV co-infection, type of TB and presence of treatment supporter. Guided by WHO’s framework on adherence to long-term therapies, a quantitative, case-control study was conducted using secondary analysis of Kenya’s TB surveillance …

The Association Between Neighborhood Environment, Social Relations, And The Prevalence Of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Negin Iranfar

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disorder of gut-brain interaction influenced by biological, psychological, and social factors. Stress and socioeconomic influences on IBS have been studied, however few studies have explored the impact of neighborhood and social environments across racial and ethnic groups and sex at birth. The biopsychosocial framework was used to examine whether built environment and social context contribute to IBS prevalence. A cross-sectional analysis of 80,874 participants from the All of Us Research Program was conducted to assess the associations between IBS and six neighborhood and social factors: safety, structure, cohesion, supportive relationships, social relationships, and perceived …

Global Dna Methylation Differences Involving Germline Structural Variation Impact Gene Expression In Pediatric Brain Tumors, Fengju Chen, Yiqun Zhang, Wei Li, Fritz J Sedlazeck, Lanlan Shen, Chad J Creighton

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

The extent of genetic variation and its influence on gene expression across multiple tissue and cellular contexts is still being characterized, with germline Structural Variants (SVs) being historically understudied. DNA methylation also represents a component of normal germline variation across individuals. Here, we combine germline SVs (by short-read sequencing) with tumor DNA methylation across 1292 pediatric brain tumor patients. For thousands of methylation probes for CpG Islands (CGIs) or enhancers, rare and common SV breakpoints upstream or downstream associate with differential methylation in tumors spanning various histologic types, a significant subset involving genes with SV-associated differential expression. Cancer predisposition genes …

2024 Health Equity Impact Report, Children's Health, Stormee Williams

Publications

The Health Equity Impact Report from Children’s Health outlines the organization’s strategy and progress in advancing equitable pediatric care. The report highlights efforts to identify and address social determinants of health—such as food insecurity, housing instability, and access to transportation—through systemwide screening and targeted interventions.

Unlocking Musculoskeletal Anatomy: Enhancing Second-Year Medical Students’ Knowledge Recall And Self-Efficacy With A Physician-Led Ultrasound Session, Nathan Cowan, Abdus Sattar, Qian Wu, Allison N. Schroeder

Faculty Scholarship

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to determine whether exposure to musculoskeletal (MSK) ultrasound (US) enhanced medical students’ knowledge and self-efficacy in understanding basic US principles, MSK anatomy and physical examination, and use of US to evaluate MSK structures. Materials and Methods: Forty-three second-year medical students were divided into control (n = 22) and experimental (n = 21) groups. All participants completed a pre-session self-efficacy questionnaire and were encouraged to view a recorded 20-min MSK US lecture. All participants then attended a physician-led 35-min MSK US hands-on scanning session covering the shoulder and knee. The control group took a …

Towards Universal Chemosensory Testing: Needs, Barriers, And Opportunities, Steven D. Munger, Kai Zhao, Linda A. Barlow, Duncan Boak, Katie Boateng, Susan E. Coldwell, Pamela Dalton, Richard L. Doty, Jennifer E. Douglas, Valerie Duffy, Frank A. Franklin, John E. Hayes, Howard J. Hoffman, Patrice Hubert, Paule V. Joseph, Jeb M. Justice, Joshua M. Levy, Julie A. Mennella, Marianna Obrist, M. Yanina Pepino, Jayant M. Pinto, Edmund A. Pribitkin, Christopher T. Simons, Mark W. Albers, Valentina Parma

Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Faculty Papers

Millions of people in the United States experience a reduced or distorted ability to smell or taste. Chemosensory disorders such as anosmia (the inability to smell), parosmia (distorted smell), or dysgeusia (altered taste) have major impacts on health and quality of life including difficulty sensing dangers such as fire or spoilage, a diminished palatability of food and drink that can negatively influence diet and nutrition, feelings of social isolation, and an increased incidence of frailty, anxiety, and depression. Smell or taste dysfunction can also be symptoms of other health issues, including sinonasal disease, cancer, or neurodegenerative disease. Aging adults are …

The Rise Of Nutrition Misinformation: Impact On The Credibility Of Registered Dietitians In Practice, Sarah Owens

Honors Theses

With the rise of social media usage, misinformation on health and nutrition has increased in the last decade. The consequences of this misinformation by social media users has been documented in research, although the effects of misinformation on registered dietitians (RDs) in the United States have not been extensively studied. This thesis examines how the credibility of RDs is affected by unregulated nutrition information and counseling on social media (e.g. by “wellness influencers") using a qualitative survey of twenty-seven RDs licensed and registered in the U.S. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis methods to determine recurring responses and themes among …

Dietary Intake Of Protein By Food Source And Incident Hypertension Among Diverse Us Adults: The Mesa Study, Ji Yun Tark, Ruosha Li, Bing Yu, Alexis C Wood, Nikhil S Padhye, Marcia C De Oliveira Otto

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Dietary guidelines recommend adequate protein intake from diverse sources for optimal blood pressure; however, its role in hypertension risk remains unclear. We examined prospective associations of protein intake and diversity, overall and by source, with hypertension risk in the MESA (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis) study.

Methods and results: Among 2294 participants aged 45 to 84 years without hypertension at baseline, total, animal, and plant protein intake was assessed using a 120-item food frequency questionnaire. Protein diversity was evaluated using count and the dissimilarity index. Over a 9-year median follow-up, 1356 hypertension cases were identified through blood pressure measurements and …

Associations Between Eating Attitudes And Dietary Intake Patterns In Physically Active Men And Women, N Chiu, J Goulart, A Sterczala, K Mroz, B Nindl Facsm, K Koltun

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

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Baseline Data: Sex Differences In Human Performance, D Desio, K Snyder, W Erickson, J Galati, K Otersen, S Campbell Facsm

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

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Acute Physiological And Performance Effects Of A Novel Energy-Dense Ketogenic Bar On 10k Running Performance, Z Furry, A Buga, J Buxton, J Muench, C Hannon, A Bryarly, D Stonel, D D'Agostino, A Koutnik, J Volek, P Prins

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

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Fall Risk In Community-Dwelling Elderly: A Potential Role Of Physical Activity In Counteracting Age-Related Impairment, M Kushkestani, M Moghadassi, M Bates

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

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Artificial Intelligence Applications In Decision-Making For Disease Management A Scoping Review, Mohammadhiwa Abdekhoda, Fatemeh Ranjbaran Madiseh

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

Artificial intelligence (AI) has several potential applications in medicine, creating opportunities for reliable and evidence-based decision-making in disease management. To explore the practical aspects of AI in decision-making, this scoping review was conducted to identify AI applications in disease management using the PRISMA-ScR checklist. Data collection involved searching relevant keywords in Web of Science and Scopus databases in May 2023. Eligibility criteria for study inclusion and exclusion were established, and the review process adhered to the PRISMA-ScR checklist. A total of 80 extracted sub-themes were identified and categorised into 6 main themes: data processing and management, characterisation and analysis, prediction …

Approach To The Patient: From Endocrinopathy To The Diagnosis Of A Histiocytic Disorder, Polyzois Makras, Dana Erickson, Caroline J Davidge-Pitts, Eli L Diamond, Carl E Allen, Kenneth L Mcclain, Jithma P Abeykoon, Ronald S Go, Krishmita Siwakoti, Houman Sotoudeh, Aishwarya Ravindran, Lucinda M Gruber, Gaurav Goyal

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Endocrinopathies are frequently the initial presentation of histiocytic neoplasms, which are rare hematologic disorders affecting multiple organ systems. Langerhans cell histiocytosis and Erdheim-Chester disease are 2 such disorders known to infiltrate the hypothalamus and/or pituitary gland, leading to arginine vasopressin deficiency (AVP-D) and anterior pituitary dysfunction (APD) in 20% to 30% of cases, often as the first manifestation. Conversely, histiocytic disorders account for a notable proportion (10-15%) of all pituitary stalk lesions. The diagnosis of histiocytoses is often delayed in such cases due to the nonspecific presentation of endocrinopathies and pituitary involvement. Consequently, endocrinologists are at the frontline and uniquely …

Food Insecurity, Myplate Utilization, And Hba1c In United States Adults With Prediabetes, Lindley R. Sharp

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The rising prevalence of prediabetes in the United States presents a significant public health challenge, particularly due to its progression into Type 2 diabetes. Despite national dietary guidelines, disparities in dietary adherence persist, especially among food-insecure adults. This quantitative study examined the impact of food insecurity and MyPlate utilization on HbA1C levels in prediabetic U.S. adults, while accounting for structural and intermediary determinants of health. Guided by the Commission on Social Determinants of Health framework, this cross-sectional study utilized secondary data from the 2015–March 2020 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey including a sample size of 1,417 noninstitutionalized male and …

Staff Education On Psychoeducational Interventions For Older Patients With Mood Disorder, Vera Ngenwie Nkweti

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No included because we used the Walden University School Template

Ccaat/Enhancer-Binding Proteins Α And Β Regulate Ovulation And Gene Expression Via Dose- And Stage-Dependent Mechanisms, Hanxue Zhang, Rainer B Lanz, Jimmy Dhillon, Paul D Soloway, Bo Shui, Yi Athena Ren

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

The preovulatory luteinizing hormone (LH) surge orchestrates complex cellular and molecular events leading to ovulation. CCAAT/enhancer-binding proteins α and β (C/EBPα/β) are transcription factors acutely induced by the LH surge and crucial for ovulation and granulosa cell luteinization. However, biological processes (BPs) and their regulatory mechanisms downstream of C/EBPα/β in the preovulatory ovary are not completely understood. To address this knowledge gap, we generated Cebpa/bfl/fl;Pgr-Cre mutants and compared them with Cebpa/bfl/fl;Cyp19a1-Cre mutant female mice: Cebpa/bfl/fl;Cyp19a1-Cre mutants have undetectable levels of C/EBPα/β throughout the preovulatory stages and do not ovulate, aligning with previous reports; and Cebpa/bfl/fl;Pgr-Cre mutants present gradual depletion of …

Mining Medical Data Toward A More Equitable Health System For The Public, Julian Powell

Undergraduate Theses and Capstone Projects

The aim of this study is to identify predictors of different sleep disorders which are less studied within the field. With sleep disorders affecting the overall well being of millions of individuals worldwide this is an important examination of potential factors which can lead to the development of such disorders. A relational database was constructed using MySql and Python in order to perform multiple different statistical analyses on data provided by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) dataset. Correlations and predictions between described sleep disorders and different physiological factors described within the dataset were found to establish conclusions …

Implementation Of A Nurse Practitioner-Led Video Telehealth Program To Improve Triage For Pediatric Patients In An Ambulatory Intestinal Rehabilitation Center, Elizabeth Castle

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

Background: Children with short bowel syndrome are medically complex, requiring specialized management and coordinated care to address acute triage issues between scheduled visits. Their risk for rapid decompensation and distance from specialty centers often necessitates telephone-based triage—a typically non-reimbursable method. At a leading Northeastern U.S. children’s hospital, the Intestinal Rehabilitation (IR) center manages high-risk telephone triage of these patients’ concerns using experienced nurse practitioners. The inability to directly visualize patients during telephone encounters, however, limits clinical assessment and decision-making, presenting challenges to efficient and safe care delivery. A systematic literature review indicated that telehealth can enhance parental confidence, improve clinician …

Sociodemographic And Psychosocial Characteristics Of E-Cigarette Ever-Use: U.S. Hints 6 Survey, Lilianna Phan, Kuang-Yi Wen, Hee Jun Kim, Julie A. Barta, Hee-Soon Juon

Department of Medical Oncology Faculty Papers

Objective

Methods

Results

Analyzing The Effectiveness Of Dance Movements In Enhancing Activities Of Daily Living For Geriatric Patients And Relevant Implications For Nursing Care, Rachel Bruce

Undergraduate Theses and Capstone Projects

Within the healthcare industry, the geriatric population holds a unique set of patient-care needs due to a myriad of physical and cognitive challenges that are not present in other subcategories of the population (Cremer et al., 2023). The presentation of these challenges can negatively impact a patient’s quality of life and their overall independence, which in turn decreases their overall quality of life (Cremer et al., 2023). One specific challenge healthcare providers must consider when caring for elderly patients is the reduced range of mobility typically associated with growing older (Machacova et al., 2015; Hartigan, 2007; Sinoff & Ore, 1997; …

The Relationship Between Lynchburg Area Ob-Gyn Physician Exercise Recommendations, Physical Activity Status, And Depression In Postpartum Women., Mckenzie Brundage

Undergraduate Theses and Capstone Projects

Introduction: Postpartum depression (PPD) significantly impacts maternal well-being and infant care, necessitating effective and accessible interventions. This study examines the role of physical activity as a potential therapeutic modality for PPD, focusing on whether OB-GYNs in the Lynchburg, VA area provide exercise recommendations to pregnant and postpartum patients, and how these recommendations relate to postpartum activity levels and mood. We hypothesize that OB-GYN recommendations on exercise will lead to a positive correlation between regular physical activity and reduced PPD symptoms, supporting the integration of exercise into standard postpartum care protocols. Methods: Data was collected through an anonymous Google-Form administered to …

Determining Diagnostic Criteria To Define Infant Swallowing Through Dyad Interviews With Experts, Evon Youkhana

Speech and Hearing Sciences ETDs

INTRODUCTION: With the increasing incidence of pediatric dysphagia, understanding what constitutes normal swallowing is essential to identifying aberrant swallowing. The purpose of this investigation is to understand how expert clinicians define swallowing disorders in infants and young children through a qualitative analysis of clinical decision-making processes.

METHODS: Data collection occurred in two phases. Phase I consisted of an online survey, which gathered demographic information and expert opinions on pediatric feeding and swallowing assessments. Phase II consisted of two dyad interviews to discuss key clinical and instrumental components important in determining the presence or absence of swallowing problems in infants and …

A Novel Approach To Competency-Based Education For Pediatric Nurse Practitioners: Bringing Clarity To Competencies, Kristina L. Banks, Carol L. Savrin

Faculty Scholarship

Introduction: Guidance for Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) competency-based education (CBE) is provided by the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) The Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education (“Essentials”). The 2021 AACN Essentials update prompted a significant shift from traditional to (CBE)for Nurse Practitioner (NP) faculty. NONPF has responded, updating its NP Role Core Competencies and domains to be congruent with the AACN 2021 Essentials, but NONPF's population-specific competencies remain unchanged since 2013. Methods: Two PNP faculty conducted a multistep crosswalk between the NONPF 2013 population-based competencies for Primary and …

Dance/Movement Therapy Interventions That Can Address And Decrease Impacts Of Developmental Prosopagnosia: A Literature Review, Caitlin Rivenbark

Expressive Therapies Theses

This literature review explores dance/movement therapy (DMT) as a treatment modality for developmental prosopagnosia (DP) or face blindness. Research on DP causes and assessments are limited, as well as research on treatments and supportive management. In order to conceptualize how DMT might support people with DP, this paper focuses on mitigating the impacts of having the condition by exploring treatments for conditions with similar impacts including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and social anxiety disorder (SAD). The interventions included were pharmacotherapy, behavioral contingencies, mainstream therapies, and alternative therapies including DMT and drama therapy (DT). The various …

Addressing Socioeconomic Disparities In The Treatment Of Antimicrobial-Resistant Infections: The Role Of Pharmacists In Mitigating Barriers, Arin Wade, Danielle Egbujor, Anna Spalvieri, Owen Fox, Marisa Petrunich, Joshua Honaker, Samantha Mccord, Kasie Landin

Pharmacy and Wellness Review

Antimicrobial resistance is an escalating global threat driven by inappropriate antibiotic use and shaped by socioeconomic disparities. Social determinants of health, including limited healthcare access, poverty, low health literacy, and environmental conditions, contribute to higher rates of resistant infections and poorer treatment outcomes in underserved populations. Barriers such as pharmacy deserts, self-medication, and inadequate stewardship infrastructure amplify these risks. Pharmacists, as accessible and highly trained healthcare professionals, play a critical role in combating antimicrobial resistance by optimizing antibiotic use, delivering culturally competent education, and leading antimicrobial stewardship programs across settings. Community and clinical pharmacists are especially well positioned to bridge …

Prevalence, Factors And Impact Of Migraine On Healthcare Professionals: A Cross-Sectional Study In The United Arab Emirates, Syyeda Maleha Jeelani, Shatha Al Sharbatti

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of migraines among healthcare professionals (HCPs) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), identify associated factors and evaluate their impact on quality of life (QoL) and work performance. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from January to June 2022 and included nurses and doctors across 4 healthcare settings in the UAE. Migraine prevalence was assessed using the Migraine Screen Questionnaire, while its impact on social support and work function was evaluated through the Migraine Disability Assessment, the Oslo Social Support Scale and the Headache Impact Test. Data were analysed using Chi-square tests, binary …

Evidence-Based Human Clinical Trials On Antidiabetic Herbal 6 Remedies Commonly Used In The Middle East, Shihab Al-Makhmari, Abir Al-Aufi, Saleh Al-Kindi, Maha Al Riyami, Hussein Sakr, Mohamed-Rachid Boulassel, Khalid M Abu Khadra, Rahma Al-Haddabi, Ammar Boudaka, Jumana Saleh

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a prevalent metabolic disorder with significant health and economic impacts. This review examined Middle Eastern herbs as alternative T2DM treatments in human randomised controlled trials and meta-analyses. A comprehensive PubMed search was conducted for human randomised controlled trials and meta-analyses on black seed (Nigella sativa), fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum), ginger (Zingiber officinale), cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia) and curcumin (Curcuma longa), with at least 6 human studies per herb. The results revealed that N. sativa and fenugreek improved glycaemic control and lipid profiles, while ginger regulated carbohydrate …

Enhancing Care For Psychiatric Patients Boarding In The Emergency Department, Abby Ford

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Project

Psychiatric boarding in the emergency department has become a common phenomenon in emergency departments throughout the United States. The purpose of this DNP Scholarly Project was to create a quality improvement project to enhance the care that psychiatric patients receive while they are boarding in the emergency department (ED). This quality improvement project consisted of an educational PowerPoint module for ED nursing staff and the dissemination of a care plan that nursing staff utilized while caring for psychiatric patients in this specific ED. The target population for this scholarly project was emergency department nursing personnel in a 40-bed metropolitan ED. …