Digital Commons Network^™

Exposure To Suaahara Ii Interventions And Knowledge Of Maternal And Child Nutrition And Health Among Mothers, Grandmothers, And Male Household Heads: An Association Study In Nepal, Shalini Suresh, Edward A. Frongillo Jr. Ph.D., Deependra K. Thapa, Ramesh P. Adhikari, Subir K. Kole, Femila Sapkota, Manisha Laxmi Shrestha, Kristine Garn, Pooja Rana Pandey, Indra Kshetri, Dipak Sharma, Kenda Cunningham

Faculty Publications

Suaahara was a USAID-funded multi-sectoral integrated nutrition program that aimed to improve the nutritional status of children under the age of five and their mothers in Nepal. The program included multiple interventions targeted to mothers and children, as well as other caregivers. Caregiver knowledge of optimal nutrition and health practices among household members is an important driver of healthy child and maternal nutrition behaviors. This study investigates the associations between exposure to Suaahara interventions and knowledge of maternal and child nutrition and health practices among mothers (n =, grandmothers (n =, and male household heads (n =. Linear and logistic …

Apoe And Plasma Ad Biomarkers: The Role Of Genetic Ancestry In Hispanics/Latinos, Caitlin Cheung, Natasha Z Anita, Paola Filigrana, Myriam Fornage, Kevin A Gonzalez, Linda C Gallo, Carmen R Isasi, Robert C Kaplan, Xihao Li, Freddie Márquez, Humberto Parada, Krista M Perreira, Alberto R Ramos, Tatjana Rundek, Wassim Tarraf, Fernando D Testai, Charles Decarli, Hector M González, Tamar Sofer

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Apolipoprotein E (APOE) alleles are well-established genetic risk factors for Alzheimer's disease (AD), but their effects on AD biomarkers (amyloid beta [Aβ]42/40, phosphorylated tau [p-tau]181, neurofilament light chain [NfL], and glial fibrillary acidic protein [GFAP]) may vary across populations due to ancestry-, age-, and sex-related differences. We hypothesized that these effects vary across Hispanic/Latino background groups with distinct ancestral admixture.

Methods: We analyzed ε2 and ε4 allele associations with AD biomarkers using survey-weighted linear regression models, adjusting for demographic covariates. Secondary analyses examined genetic analysis group- and ancestry-specific effects.

Results: ε4 was associated with lower Aβ42/40 and higher p-tau181and …

An Exploratory Bayesian Network Analysis Of Weight And Feeding Outcomes In 6-Month-Old Infants With Complex Congenital Heart Disease, Amy Delaney, Mary Taylor, Julie Ann Lavoie, Roger Brown, Karen Pridhame

Speech Pathology and Audiology Faculty Research and Publications

Purpose: We aimed to explore with a Bayesian network how clinically important factors related to feeding infants with complex congenital heart disease (CCHD) are associated with each other and influence feeding outcomes. Our goal was to raise questions for further study.

Method: This descriptive study included data from 19 infants on severity of neonatal illness, early oral-motor (OM) and swallowing skills, feeding patterns, liquid and solid intake, and weight-for-age at 2 and 6 months. Bayesian network analysis was used to estimate the conditional probabilities of these variables in relation to each other and predict the 6-month weight-for-age z score and …

A Hemodynamic Cascade: Tumor Embolism And Post-Bypass Systolic Anterior Motion During Nephrectomy, Anika Pruthi, Christopher Mcloughlin, Robert Thomas, Keyur Trivedi

Cooper Medical School of Rowan University Departmental Research

Introduction: Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) commonly invades the renal vein, and in advanced cases, the inferior vena cava (IVC). Standard management of localized RCC with venous thrombus is surgical resection, often requiring radical nephrectomy ± tumor thrombectomy. We present a unique case in which sequential intraoperative tumor embolization and post-cardiopulmonary bypass systolic anterior motion (CPB SAM) created a rare, complex hemodynamic cascade, highlighting challenges in the perioperative management of advanced RCC.

Case Description: A 71-year-old female with a history of hypertension was diagnosed with a large left renal mass with tumor thrombus extending into the left renal vein and IVC, …

The Correlation Of Vitamin D Deficiency On Clinical Disease Activity Index (Cdai) Scores In Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis, Ruha Reddy, Amanda Rodriguez Do, Amy Wu, Jasmine Sturn, Rachel Champagne, Rebekah Johnson, Marie S. O'Brien Do

USF-LVHN SELECT

No abstract provided.

An Assessment Of Brain Mri Utilization In Inpatient Admissions For Headache And Dizziness At Lehigh Valley Health Network, Srijit Paul, Shadi Jarjous Md

USF-LVHN SELECT

No abstract provided.

A Narrative Approach To Understanding K2 Use In The Community, Gabriella Blanco, Abby S. Letcher Md, Nyann Biery Ms

USF-LVHN SELECT

No abstract provided.

Significant Disease In Substance-Related Deaths: A Serious Confounder, Clare F Hartman, Michael Johnson, Chandler Grant

USF-LVHN SELECT

No abstract provided.

Sepsis At Children's Mercy: A Descriptive Study, Katlyn Mayer, Leslie Hueschen, Grace E. Arends Md, Ashley Sherman

Presentations

No abstract provided.

Substance Use Stigma: Examining The Role Of Social Work Education., Eboni Burton

Doctor of Social Work Capstone Projects

This study explored the extent of substance use related stigma among social work students and professionals (i.e., BSW, MSW, PHD and DSW) and its relationship to specialized education/training in substance use and professional practice with people who use drugs (PWUD)/live with a substance use disorder (PWSUD). Stigma was measured using the Opening Minds Provider Attitudes Toward Opioid Use Scale and the Medical Condition Regard Scale. The final sample size was 263. Results indicate that current enrollment in a social work program, post degree or non-curriculum related substance use related training, and personal and professional experience with substance use specifically, mitigate …

Emergency Department Boarding For Psychiatric Care: The Effect Of Pointclickcare Integration., Chris Rowan

Doctor of Social Work Capstone Projects

Emergency Department Boarding for Psychiatric Care: The Effect of PointClickCare Integration

Abstract

For many individuals in psychiatric crisis, the emergency department has become the first place to seek help, highlighting gaps in how behavioral health care is accessed and coordinated. In Massachusetts, PointClickCare's Behavioral Health Treatment and Referral Platform (BH TRP) was implemented to centralize and streamline referrals between emergency departments and inpatient psychiatric facilities. This capstone evaluates whether implementation of the BH TRP was associated with changes in psychiatric boarding time at a community hospital emergency department. Using a mixed-methods program evaluation design, this study analyzed de-identified electronic medical …

The Unexplored Relationship Between Adverse Childhood Experiences, Burnout, And Resiliency Among Hospital Staff., Elizabeth Davis

Doctor of Social Work Capstone Projects

This study addresses the critical issue of staff turnover at Baptist Health Floyd, where rates exceed national hospital averages. While prior research connects burnout to workplace stressors, less is known about the role of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and resilience among hospital staff. Understanding these relationships is essential for improving workforce stability and patient care outcomes. A cross-sectional survey design was used, with convenience sampling of hospital employees and providers (n=207). Data were collected via a Qualtrics survey using validated instruments: the Maslach Burnout Inventory (Maslach et al., 2016), the ACE questionnaire (Felitti et al., 1998), and the Brief Resilience …

Prospective Validation Of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor Pharmacokinetic Models For Precision Dosing In Children And Adolescents, Ethan A. Poweleit, Whitney Sparks Ms, Catherine Koertje, Addison Pritchett Ms, Gail Robertson, Lindsey Malloy-Walton, Stephani Stancil, Jeffrey R. Strawn, Alexa L. Pagano, Kathryn Kyler, Jonathan B. Wagner, Brandon Retke, Paul C. Toren, J Steven Leeder Pharmd, Phd, Laura B. Ramsey

Posters

Background: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are commonly prescribed to children and adolescents with anxiety and depression. However, their clinical use is complicated by marked interindividual variability in exposure, which contributes to differences in treatment response and side effects. Further, SSRIs are commonly dosed using a trial-and-error approach. Model-informed precision dosing could improve treatment outcomes, yet existing SSRI population pharmacokinetic (PK) models have not been prospectively validated and may not generalize to pediatric patients. This study aims to evaluate how accurately these models predict exposure for three SSRIs—escitalopram (ESC), sertraline (SRT), and fluoxetine (FLX)—and refine them to develop tools for …

Comparison Of Agar-Based Methodologies To Broth Disc Elution For The Detection Of Aztreonam Susceptibility In The Presence Of Ceftazidime-Avibactam, Teslin Sandstrom, Andra Banete, Alice Kanyua, Kevin Davis, Susan Poutanen

Pathology, East Africa

The combination of aztreonam and ceftazidime-avibactam is a proven treatment option for infections caused by metallo-beta-lactamase (MBL)-expressing gram-negative organisms. Restoration of aztreonam susceptibility in the presence of ceftazidime-avibactam can be determined using the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI)’s broth disc elution (BDE) method; however, the high manual workload and significant material footprint of this assay make it difficult to implement in a high-throughput clinical microbiology lab. This study evaluates two agar-based methods for the detection of susceptibility to the combination of aztreonam and ceftazidime-avibactam, using BDE as the comparator methodology. Resistant Enterobacterales, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, and Acinetobacter spp. …

Low-Dose Aspirin For Preventing Intrauterine Growth Restriction And Pre-Eclampsia In Sickle Cell Pregnancy, Lydia Pecker, Sophie Lanzkron

Cardeza Foundation for Hematologic Research

No abstract provided.

Trauma: Blunt Solid Organ Injury, Children's Mercy Kansas City

Clinical Pathways

No abstract provided.

Student Mental Health: Screening For Stress, Anxiety And Depression Using Fitbit Data, Rebecca Lopez, Avantika Shrestha, Ml Tlachac, Kevin Hickey, Xingting Guo, Shichao Liu, Elke Rundensteiner

Information Systems and Analytics Department Faculty Conference Proceedings

College students experience many stressors, resulting in high levels of anxiety and depression. Wearable technology provides unobtrusive sensor data that can be used for the early detection of mental illness. However, current research is limited concerning the variety of psychological instruments administered, physiological modalities, and time series parameters. In this research, we collect the Student Mental and Environmental Health (StudentMEH) Fitbit dataset from students at our institution during the pandemic. We assess the ability of predictive machine learning models to screen for depression, anxiety, and stress using different Fitbit modalities. Our findings indicate potential in physiological modalities such as heart …

Does Genetic Testing Influence Outcomes: Early Experience In Melanoma Case Series, Ryan Reyes, George Skenteris, Stella Coker Watson Self Ph.D., Ms, Christine Marie-Gilligan Schammel, Steven D. Trocha

Faculty Publications

Background:

The treatment and prognosis of melanoma have historically been based on histologic stage and Breslow depth; however, due to the increase in surveillance, melanomas are being identified at an earlier stage and lower Breslow depth. Advances in genetic testing, such as Decision Dx®, mean that melanoma diagnostic decisions and prognosis can now be directed by genetics. The purpose of this project was to assess the influence of a Decision Dx® high-grade (Class 2A/B) classification on the treatment of melanoma patients at a regional medical center, particularly those not deemed high risk by conventional classification methods, including Breslow depth and …

Screening Ptsd In Clinical Populations Within East Africa: Results From The First Follow-Up Study Of Neurogap-Psychosis, Shaili Jha, Rocky Stroud, Ana Lucia Dice, Joseph Kyebuzibwa, Stella Gichuru, Fredrick Ochieng, Manasi Sharma, Hayden Mountcastle, Lydia Marshall, Lukoye Atwoli

Brain and Mind Institute

Background: Given the high burden of trauma in Sub-Saharan Africa, there is a critical need for scalable tools to screen for trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, especially in low-resource settings.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the utility, reliability, and validity of the Primary Care PTSD Screen for DSM-5 (PC-PTSD-5) administered over the telephone to individuals previously enrolled in the Neuropsychiatric Genetics of African Populations-Psychosis study (NeuroGAP-Psychosis) study in Uganda (N = 4,921) and Kenya (N = 3,149).

Method: Cases with psychosis and controls without psychosis (patients, caretakers, or employees) were recontacted from the NeuroGAP-Psychosis …

Cultivating The Future Of Dentistry: Evolution Of Dental Education, Eric Mediavilla Dds, Fagd

Metro Denver Dental Society Articulator Magazine

This article explores how dental education and practice are rapidly changing with rising enrollment, growing female representation, and advanced digital technologies like VR simulators, 3D scanning and AI imaging. As educators balance innovation with foundational techniques, dentistry continues to evolve.

Credit Card Reform Tops Legislative Wins For Dentistry, Lance Plunkett Jd, Llm

The New York State Dental Journal

Several new laws of interest to dentistry were passed in 2025 and two of them were NYSDA’s own proposals, making the 2025 legislative session a productive one for the State Association, arguably the best in years.

Extraction Of Teeth Or Root Tips From Underneath Fixed Partial Denture Abutments Or Pontics: A Case Report, John S. Mamoun D.M.D.

The New York State Dental Journal

A dental patient may present with a fixed partial denture such that a tooth or a fractured tooth root that was once a terminal abutment or a pier abutment of the fixed partial denture may need extraction from underneath the abutment without removing the fixed partial denture. The patient may need to retain the fixed partial denture for financial or esthetic reasons, or to use the fixed partial denture as a long-term provisional restoration until the extraction site heals, or until a new fixed partial denture is fabricated.

This article presents a clinical report describing a technique for extracting a …

N Y State Dent J March 2026

The New York State Dental Journal

In the March 2026 issue, the reader will find the following feature articles:

• Pebbly Gingival Nodule in an Older Male
• Extraction of Teeth or Root Tips from Underneath Fixed Partial Denture Abutments or Pontics
• Successful Regenerative Endodontic Therapy of an Immature Dens Evaginatus Mandibular Second Premolar with Apical Periodontitis

This issue includes regular columns with regional news impacting the New York membership including editorial and perspectives columns, legal, association activities, component news, continuing education opportunities, and classifieds.

Enhancing Pediatric Tube Weaning With Remote Patient Monitoring: A Pilot Quasi-Experimental Study, Sarah T. Edwards, Dana Bakula, Kristina Nash, Saiyara Baset, Amy Ricketts, Julianne Brogren, Ryan M. Thompson, Sarah Bullard, Rachel Graham, Janelle R. Noel-Macdonnell Phd, Brenda Fetter, Lori A. Erickson

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Objective: Feeding-tube weaning is conducted in both inpatient and outpatient settings, with significant logistical, financial, and structural barriers to both approaches. We sought to assess whether remote patient monitoring (RPM), using a mobile application, which would overcome many of these barriers, could be effective in helping patients tube wean. Methods: We prospectively enrolled patients with a feeding tube, aged 0–3 years. Enrolled families entered data daily into the remote application. Data were monitored by a nurse and reviewed weekly by a multidisciplinary team. A standard hunger provocation protocol was used, paired with medical, behavioral, oral motor, and nutrition interventions, as …

The Role Of Top-Down Appetite Self-Regulation In The Development Of Healthy Eating Behaviors Among Children: A Narrative Review And Socialization Framework, David J Bridgett, Sheryl O Hughes, Matthew Broussard, Daniela Mccourt, Christina M Croce, Jennifer O Fisher

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Appetite self-regulation (ASR) among children is thought to have a fundamental role in shaping the development of healthy eating behaviors, dietary intake, and growth during childhood. Parallel to developmental frameworks for understanding "general" self-regulation among children, ASR has been described as involving children's use of "top-down" cognitive processes to moderate "bottom-up" biological drives around food approach and avoidance in the interest of achieving desired eating behaviors or outcomes. Whereas bottom-up ASR processes during early childhood are well characterized, particularly in the context of dysregulation and obesity risk, the role of top-down ASR processes in the development of healthy eating behaviors …

Perceptions And Use Of Behaviour Change Interventions For Physical Activity In Chronic Respiratory Disease In The Republic Of Ireland, Ciara Hanrahan, Joseph G Mcveigh, Terence M O'Connor, Thierry Troosters, Julie Broderick

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Objectives: Behaviour change interventions may support physical activity behaviour in people with chronic respiratory disease. The most effective interventions for long-term physical activity behaviour change in this cohort remains unclear. This aim of this study was to explore the use and perceptions of behaviour change interventions by both providers of physical activity programmes for people with chronic respiratory disease and by people living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in The Republic of Ireland.

Design: Two anonymous online and paper-copy cross-sectional surveys, piloted and mapped to the COM-B model of behaviour change, were distributed via social media and relevant gate-keepers …

Pre- And Postnatal Exposure To Pm2.5 And No2 And Blood Pressure In Children: Results From The Echo Cohort, Yu Ni, Andrew Law, Xingyu Gao, Adam A Szpiro, Christine T Loftus, Miranda Jones, Logan C Dearborn, Marnie F Hazlehurst, Allison R Sherris, Sindana Ilango, Kaja Z Lewinn, Nicole R Bush, Qi Zhao, Leonardo Trasande, Joseph T Flynn, Daniel A Enquobahrie, Ruby H N Nguyen, Tom O'Connor, Arpita K Vyas, Mingyu Zhang, Hooman Mirzakhani, Alison Hipwell, Anne Starling, Alicia K Peterson, Akhgar Ghassabian, Assiamira Ferrara, Judy Aschner, Scott Collingwood, Margaret R Karagas, Michelle Katzow, Annemarie Stroustrup, Mehtap Haktnair, Tina V Hartert, Brittney M Snyder, Sophia Jan, Anne Marie Singh, Dana Dabelea, Angela M Malek, Jennifer K Straughen, Carlos A Camargo, Miatta A Buxton, Rosalind Wright, Kecia Carroll, Keia Sanderson, Daphne Koinis Mitchell, Viren D'Sa, Christine Hockett, Anne L Dunlop, Shohreh F Farzen, Sunni L Mumford, Akram N Alshawabkeh, Hudson P Santos, Xueying Zhang, Zhongzheng Niu, Nan Ji, Carrie Breton, Donghai Liang, Catherine J Karr, Echo Cohort Consortium

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Background: There is growing interest in understanding the link between early life exposures to ambient air pollution and childhood blood pressure; however, existing findings, largely from single site/cohort studies, are inconclusive.

Methods: We examined the association between exposures to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and blood pressure measured at age 5-12 years in 4863 U.S. children from 20 pregnancy cohorts of the NIH ECHO cohort. Point-based residential exposures were derived from spatiotemporal models with a biweekly resolution and averaged over each trimester, the whole pregnancy, and child age 0-2 years. We converted systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood …

Rmdc: Dig Deeper. Grow. Connect. Have Fun., Bryan Savage

Metro Denver Dental Society Articulator Magazine

The 2026 Rocky Mountain Dental Convention (RMDC) brought together approximately 6,500 dental professionals for a three-day event organized by MDDS. The convention featured top national speakers, a dynamic Expo Hall, and emerging research connecting oral and systemic health. Insights from ADA Forsyth Institute researchers highlighted advances in understanding the oral microbiome, inflammation, and environmental impacts on dental development. The RMDC continues to emphasize medical-dental integration through expanded programming and hands-on diagnostic experiences, fostering collaboration across disciplines.

Incidence Vs. Prevalence, Allen Vean Dmd

Metro Denver Dental Society Articulator Magazine

Despite advances in dental technology, dental caries remain the most common chronic disease in children and adults. This reflection highlights the ongoing challenge of early childhood caries and the critical role of parental supervision, preventive care and collaboration with medical providers.

Courageous Conversations: A Dental Professional’S Most Powerful Skill, Katherine Eitel Belt

Metro Denver Dental Society Articulator Magazine

Many professionals avoid difficult conversations out of fear of conflict or failure, but avoidance only worsens problems and erodes trust. This article by Ms. Katherine Eitel Belt offers practical tools for having courageous, productive dialogues. The author shared tips, including listening first, starting from agreement, suspending judgment and emphasizing choice. Ms. Eitel Belt makes a case that by approaching conversations with empathy, openness, and curiosity, leaders can resolve issues more effectively, strengthen relationships, and build healthier, more collaborative teams.