Digital Commons Network^™

Identification Of Protein Biomarkers Of The Dietary Approaches To Stop Hypertension Diet In Randomized Feeding Studies And Validation In An Observational Study, Hyunju Kim, Alice H Lichtenstein, Peter Ganz, Shutong Du, Olive Tang, Bing Yu, Nilanjan Chatterjee, Lawrence J Appel, Josef Coresh, Casey M Rebholz

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background

The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet is recommended for cardiovascular disease prevention. We aimed to identify protein biomarkers of the DASH diet using data from 2 randomized feeding studies and validate them in an observational study, the ARIC (Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities) study.

Methods and Results

Large‐scale proteomic profiling was conducted in serum specimens (SomaLogic) collected at the end of 8‐week and 4‐week DASH diet interventions in multicenter, randomized controlled feeding studies of the DASH trial (N=215) and the DASH‐Sodium trial (N=396), respectively. Multivariable linear regression models were used to compare the relative abundance of 7241 proteins …

Reproductive Justice Teaching In Undergraduate Medical Education: An Opportunity To Partner With Communities Beyond Traditional Medicine To Influence Health, Tiwadeye I. Lawal, Miriam R. Singer, Deborah Bartz

Feminist Pedagogy

No abstract provided.

Investigating Interactive Methods In Remote Chestfeeding Support For Lactation Consulting Professionals In Brazil, Jessica De Souza, Cinthia Calsinski, Kristina Chamberlain, Franceli L. Cibrian, Edward Jay Wang

Engineering Faculty Articles and Research

Objective: Lactation consultants (LCs) positively impact chestfeeding rates by providing in-person support to struggling parents. In Brazil, LCs are a scarce resource and in high demand, risking chestfeeding rates across many communities nationwide. The transition to remote consultations during the COVID-19 pandemic made LCs face several challenges to solve chestfeeding problems due to limited technical resources for management, communication, and diagnosis. This study investigates the main technological issues LCs have in remote consultations and what technology features are helpful for chestfeeding problem-solving in remote settings.

Methods: This paper implements qualitative investigation through a contextual study (n = 10) and …

Closing Casinos During Covid-19'S First Wave: Comparing Tribal And First Nation Pandemic Responses To State And Provincial Executive Orders, Theodor Gordon, Savannah Supan

Initiative for Native Nation Relations

Our project compared Tribal and First Nation casinos’ responses to the first wave of COVID-19 to their neighboring provincial and state governments. We evaluated whether Tribal and First Nation casinos closed earlier, at the same time as, or after their neighboring provincial and state governments issued orders closing bars and restaurants. We also evaluated whether Tribal and First Nation casinos reopened earlier, at the same time as, or after neighboring provincial and state governments began lifting restrictions on bars and restaurants. We found that in the United States, the median Tribal casino closure date was 1 day before the surrounding …

Is Adiposity Related To Repeat Measures Of Blood Leukocyte Dna Methylation Across Childhood And Adolescence?, Luke Montrose

Public and Population Health Faculty Publications and Presentations

Epigenetic modifications such as DNA methylation may influence gene expression and phenotypes, including obesity in childhood. The directionality of this relationship is nevertheless unclear, and some evidence suggests that adiposity modifies the epigenome, rather than the other way around. In this pilot study, we utilize data from the Early Life Exposures in Mexico to Environmental Toxicants (ELEMENT) study to examine whether measures of adiposity in childhood and early adolescence are associated with repeated measures of blood leukocyte DNA methylation at LINE-1 repetitive elements and two genes implicated in growth and adiposity: H19 and HSD11B2. Longitudinal epigenetic data were generated …

Examination Of Explicit And Implicit Emotions And Relationship With The Intention To Support Breastfeeding In Public: A Descriptive Study, Kaitlin Overgaard, Lauren M. Dinour, Adrian Kerrihard, Yeon K. Bai

Department of Nutrition and Food Studies Scholarship and Creative Works

Objectives

Current social norms in the United States do not favor breastfeeding in public. This study examined associations between college students’ explicit and implicit emotions of breastfeeding in public and their intention to support public breastfeeding.

Methods

Twenty-two student participants viewed images of a breastfeeding woman with a fully-covered, fully-exposed, or partially-exposed breast in a public setting. After viewing each image, participants’ explicit emotions (self-reported) of the image were measured using a questionnaire and their implicit emotions (facial expression) were measured using FaceReader technology. We examined if a relationship exists between both emotions [toward images] and intention to support breastfeeding …

Covid-19 Vaccine Hesitancy And Vaccination Rate Among The Latino Population In South Carolina, Brynn E. Lynagh

Senior Theses

It is common knowledge that COVID-19 disproportionately impacts racial and ethnic minorities in the United States. Furthermore, these sects of the population exhibit increased vaccine hesitancy and lower vaccination rates as compared to the aggregated population of the United States, furthering the risk posed by COVID-19 to these communities. In particular, this study focuses on the Latino population in South Carolina, the vaccination rate among this community, and the perspectives which contributed to their vaccination decision. Two hundred Spanish and Portuguese speaking residents of South Carolina were interviewed using a paper survey conducted by pre-trained interviewers. The survey gathered data …

Comparative Medicaid Policy Analysis Related To Maternal And Infant Birth Outcomes In South Carolina, Cassidy L. Lena

Senior Theses

The United States despite being one of the most industrialized and wealthiest nations in the world, has the worst maternal and child health outcomes of any industrialized nation. The rates of maternal morbidity, mortality, and infant mortality have been increasing within the past decade, when many causes of death for this population are preventable. This study conducted a literature review on Medicaid policies and associated programs between three states (South Carolina, North Carolina, and California) in order to gain background information. Secondly, a comparative Medicaid policy analysis was completed using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] framework, which …

A Process For Converting An In-Person Training To Increase Church Capacity To Implement Physical Activity And Healthy Eating Practices And Policies To An Online Format, Sara Wilcox Phd, Ruth P. Saunders Ph.D., Jessica Stucker, Andrew T. Kaczynski Ph.D., Kelsey R. Day, Deborah Kinnard, Lindsay Decker, John A. Bernhart Ph.D., Mph, Ches

Faculty Publications

The implementation of evidence-based public health programs into practice is critical for improving health, but trainings for organizational change agents are often not scalable. To describe the process of converting a training that targets faith-based organizational capacity development from an in-person to an online format. We engaged in an iterative process to convert the training delivery mode from in-person to online that included assessing stakeholder support, consulting the literature on best practices, seeking a design team, consolidating content, designing engaging lessons, and building an online site. Feedback from end-users and other audiences was incorporated throughout. Pilot participants with characteristics like …

Oral Health In Relation To The Covid-19 Pandemic, Anika L. Gram

Honors Thesis

Oral health has seen significant changes through the Covid-19 pandemic. Many people experienced the lifestyle alteration of wearing a mask for a major portion of their day-to-day life, and some went to the dentist significantly less than they did pre-pandemic. The literature review explores dental practices during the Covid-19 pandemic. It also examines mask-wearing behaviors both before and during the pandemic and the research that has been conducted previously regarding the potential effects of mask-wearing. Despite the decrease in use of masks post-pandemic, many healthcare professionals continue to wear masks daily. Additionally, in the event of future disease outbreak, it …

The Economic, Mental Health, And Social Stressors During The Covid-19 Pandemic Among Native Americans In South Dakota, Savannah E. Lukkes

Honors Thesis

American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities test positive for COVID-19 and experience higher mortality than other racial and ethnic groups. These high rates of vulnerability could be connected to the systemic inequalities that have been experienced for centuries. This study aimed to compare socioeconomic stressors, concerns, and mental health experiences during the early COVID-19 pandemic between AI/AN and non-AIAN populations in South Dakota. The study sample (n=1,586) was grouped by AI/AN and non-AI/AN status based on self-identification of being AI/AN alone or in combination with another race/ethnicity. Participant responses to socioeconomic stressors and concerns (e.g., top concerns, level of concern, self-isolation, …

Exploring Modern Trends And Prevention Strategies For Childhood Obesity: A Comprehensive Literature Review, Anya E. Bogen

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

This literature review seeks to provide an overview of the current research on childhood obesity. The study examines the prevalence and causes of childhood obesity, including genetic, environmental, and behavioral factors. The review also discusses the health consequences associated with childhood obesity, such as the increased risk for chronic diseases and psychological and social problems. Additionally, the review explores the effectiveness of interventions designed to prevent childhood obesity, including individual lifestyle modifications, education from health practitioners and school programs, and global, national, and state programs to promote wellness. The literature review concludes that childhood obesity is a complex and multifactorial …

Migrants Sans Papiers: The Impact Of Cantonal Program And Policy Discrepancies On Undocumented Migrant Healthcare Utilization In Switzerland, Denise Peng

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

While Switzerland houses what is generally considered one of the best healthcare systems globally, regional policy discrepancies leave undocumented migrants (UDM) in precarious conditions that threaten the nation’s claim to universal health coverage. Critical analyses of existing UDM-catering structures in different cantons, the Swiss Confederation member states, reveal that local discrepancies in healthcare utilization are functional gradients of cantonal support and public endorsement. Relationships with these authorities are instrumental in steering health outcomes not only with program funding and outreach but also management of studies to better understand UDM health determinants and inform future preventative measures.

UDM services and initiatives …

Development Of A Primary-Care And Social-Marketing Based Sugary Drink Reduction Intervention: Qualitative Feedback From Community Pediatricians, Natalie Vallone, Nia I. Bodrick, Jasmine H. Kaidbey, Adam Dawer, William H. Dietz, Jennifer Sacheck, William D. Evans, Allison C. Sylvetsky

GW Research Showcase 2021-2026

No abstract provided.

The Fitness, Rest, And Exercise For Strength And Health (Fresh) Study: A Comparison Of College Students’ Perceived Health To Measured Health Metrics, Jennifer Cook, Adelaide Feek, Lihi Kadosh, Annika Stadler, Catherine Alvaro, Kyle Levers, Jennifer Sacheck

GW Research Showcase 2021-2026

No abstract provided.

Effect Of Nutrition Interventions With Mental Health Components On The Nutrition Status In Adolescents: A Systematic Review, Sarah Poncet Landolt, Yifan Shi, Rob M. Van Dam, Melanie Jaar, Karina R. Lora

GW Research Showcase 2021-2026

No abstract provided.

The Associations Of Built Environments On College Students' Physical Activity Levels, Catherine M. Neel

Senior Theses

The issues with American physical activity infrastructure have been causing The United States to have lower levels of physical activity compared to other developed countries. The social and physical built environments of college students typically provide more access for students to be able to be active; however most students still do not meet the recommended amount of physical activity. The purpose of this study was to determine what in their physical and social environment that students utilize in order to participate in physical activity and what aspects of their environment discourage physical activity or limit access to being active. This …

Use Of High-Flow Cannula In Pediatric Patients With Respiratory Failure: A Prospective Cohort Study In Three High-Altitude Hospitals, Natalia Ante-Ardila, Camilo Novoa Garnica, Paola Mora Umaña, Olga Lucía Baquero Castañeda, Alexandra Jiménez Cháves, Melisa Sofía Naranjo, Juan G Piñeros, Carolina Bonilla, Luz M Mejía, María L Mesa-Rubio, Sonia Restrepo-Gualteros, Pedro Barrera, Sergio Moreno-Lopez, Paola Rueda-Guevara, Andrea Ramírez Varela

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Acute respiratory failure (ARF) is a common cause of morbimortality, and a frequent reason for admission to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). It requires a high-flow oxygen device as treatment. Our aim is to determine the frequency and main indications for the use of high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC), and the prevalence of HFNC failure and its main causes, in three hospitals.

METHODS: It is a multicenter prospective cohort study, developed in three hospitals in Bogota. Eligible patients were children older than 1 month and younger than 18 years who presented ARF and required management with an …

Effects Of A School-Based Garden Program On Academic Performance: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial, Jaimie N Davis, Katie Nikah, Matthew J Landry, Sarvenaz Vandyousefi, Reem Ghaddar, Matthew Jeans, Michele Hockett Cooper, Bonnie Martin, Lyndsey Waugh, Shreela V Sharma, Alexandra E Van Den Berg

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: School gardening programs have consistently been found to improve dietary behaviors in children. Although several quasi-experimental studies have also reported that school gardens can enhance academic performance, to date, no randomized controlled trial has been conducted to substantiate this.

Objective: The objective of the study was to examine the effects of Texas Sprouts (TX Sprouts), a gardening, nutrition, and cooking program vs control on academic performance in primarily low-income, Hispanic children.

Design: This is a secondary analysis of the grade-level academic scores from schools that participated in the TX Sprouts program, a school-based cluster randomized controlled trial, consisting of …

Diet, Physical Activity, And Stress Among Wheelchair Users With Multiple Sclerosis: Examining Individual And Co-Occurring Behavioral Risk Factors, Stephanie L Silveira, Brenda Jeng, Gary Cutter, Robert W Motl

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

OBJECTIVE: This study examined individual and co-occurring behavioral risk factors (diet, exercise, and stress) in wheelchair users with multiple sclerosis (MS) and potential association with MS symptoms (ie, fatigue, depression, anxiety, pain, sleep, and health-related quality of life [HRQOL]).

DESIGN: Survey.

SETTING: General Community.

PARTICIPANTS: One hundred twenty-three wheelchair users with MS completed this study (N=123).

INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Participants were mailed instructions for accessing online questionnaires (demographic and clinical characteristics, Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire, Perceived Stress Scale, Automated Self-Administered 24-Hour Dietary Assessment Tool, and MS symptoms).

RESULTS: Standard cut-points were used to categorize behavioral risk factors …

Metabolomics Of Dietary Intake Of Total, Animal, And Plant Protein: Results From The Atherosclerosis Risk In Communities (Aric) Study, Lauren Bernard, Jingsha Chen, Hyunju Kim, Kari E Wong, Lyn M Steffen, Bing Yu, Eric Boerwinkle, Casey M Rebholz

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: Dietary consumption has traditionally been studied through food intake questionnaires. Metabolomics can be used to identify blood markers of dietary protein that may complement existing dietary assessment tools.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to identify associations between 3 dietary protein sources (total protein, animal protein, and plant protein) and serum metabolites using data from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study.

METHODS: Participants' dietary protein intake was derived from a food frequency questionnaire administered by an interviewer, and fasting serum samples were collected at study visit 1 (1987-1989). Untargeted metabolomic profiling was performed in 2 subgroups (subgroup 1:

RESULTS: In this study …

Plasma Metabolites Associated With Cognitive Function Across Race/Ethnicities Affirming The Importance Of Healthy Nutrition, Einat Granot-Hershkovitz, Shan He, Jan Bressler, Bing Yu, Wassim Tarraf, Casey M Rebholz, Jianwen Cai, Queenie Chan, Tanya P Garcia, Thomas Mosley, Bruce S Kristal, Charles Decarli, Myriam Fornage, Guo-Chong Chen, Qibin Qi, Robert Kaplan, Hector M González, Tamar Sofer

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

INTRODUCTION: We studied the replication and generalization of previously identified metabolites potentially associated with global cognitive function in multiple race/ethnicities and assessed the contribution of diet to these associations.

METHODS: We tested metabolite-cognitive function associations in U.S.A. Hispanic/Latino adults (n = 2222) from the Community Health Study/ Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL) and in European (n = 1365) and African (n = 478) Americans from the Atherosclerosis Risk In Communities (ARIC) Study. We applied Mendelian Randomization (MR) analyses to assess causal associations between the metabolites and cognitive function and between Mediterranean diet and cognitive function.

RESULTS: Six metabolites were consistently associated …

Oral Health Considerations For Aging Patients Living With Hiv/Aids, Madeleine Daily Dds, Susan Liu Dds, Yuna Park Dds, Mph, Ms, Emily Byington Msw, Ivette Estrada Ma, Mphil, Sunil Wadhwa Dds, Carol Kunzel Phd

The New York State Dental Journal

People living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH) have an increased life expectancy due to advances in antiretroviral therapy. In 1996, the life expectancy for a 20-year old living with HIV was 39-years old; today, it is >70-years old. As life expectancy increases, PLWH are burdened with age-associated comorbidities. This paper reviews the interaction between aging and HIV and how it affects social, physical, and oral health issues. The shift in demographics presents new challenges for clinicians in how to identify, address, and manage these complex manifestations. This review summarizes how to approach HIV-related changes when providing care as a dental clinician.

Hourly Associations Between Heat Index And Heat-Related Emergency Medical Service (Ems) Calls In Austin-Travis County, Texas, Kijin Seong, Junfeng Jiao, Akhil Mandalapu

Research Collection College of Integrative Studies

This paper aims to investigate the following research questions: (1) what are the hourly patterns of heat index and heat-related emergency medical service (EMS) incidents during summertime?; and (2) how do the lagged effects of heat intensity and hourly excess heat (HEH) vary by heat-related symptoms? Using the hourly weather and heat-related EMS call data in Austin-Travis County, Texas, this paper reveals the relationship between heat index patterns on an hourly basis and heat-related health issues and evaluates the immediate health effects of extreme heat events by utilizing a distributed lag non-linear model (DLNM). Delving into the heat index intensity …

Refugees Living With Dementia: Assessing The Barriers To Healthcare Access In Crisis-Affected Populations In Lebanon And Switzerland, And The Role Humanitarian Actors Have On Addressing Them, Pedro Gomez

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

As life expectancies increase in many places around the world, the prevalence of aging populations has increased. Consequently, increased numbers of people globally, especially in developing countries, have been diagnosed with conditions associated with old age. Dementia, a group of conditions associated with impaired cognitive functions, is among these. Notwithstanding, many developing countries have done poorly with regards to diagnosing and treating dementia, with some cultures not even having a word to describe the condition. (ADI 2022). The lack of a diagnosis and knowledge about dementia for some refugee communities has led to healthcare challenges in their host countries (Corfield …

The Effects Of Stigma Against Hiv And Tuberculosis On Patient Mental Health And Healthcare-Seeking Behavior In Dharamshala, Isabel Powell

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

HIV and tuberculosis are highly impactful diseases in India, causing severe morbidity, mortality, and suffering for millions. The stigmatization of these diseases unnecessarily exacerbates suffering for those afflicted and their families, compounding to the existing physical and emotional burden of diagnosis. Individual interviews with healthcare workers were conducted at Delek Hospital and the Tibetan Children’s Village in order to identify the existence and effects of stigma in the Tibetan refugee population in Dharamshala. Respondents reported an extremely high burden of tuberculosis in the community, complicated by the refugee status and unique infrastructural challenges of the population. The burden of HIV …

Examining Associations Between Social Needs And Mental Health Among Youth And Young Adults With Diabetes, Andrea Danielle Brown

Theses and Dissertations

Household food insecurity (HFI) disproportionally affects people with diabetes living in the United States and is more likely to occur in households with children and in minority race/ethnicity households. Food insecure people with youth-onset diabetes likely have increased risk for poor mental health due to dealing with stress and cost related to diabetes management, especially if facing additional health-related social needs that intersect with HFI. If left untreated, poor mental health among youth and young adults (YYA) with diabetes can lead to diabetes-related complications, increased health care costs, and mortality. Yet few studies have examined associations between HFI and mental …

Ultra-Processed Food Consumption And Risk Of Liver Cancer, Longgang Zhao

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Studies have shown positive associations between ultra-processed food (UPF) intake and obesity and type 2 diabetes, two risk factors for liver cancer. However, the relationship between UPF intake and liver cancer has scarcely been studied. We aimed to evaluate the association between UPF intake and the risk of liver cancer in three prospective cohorts and further explore the role of genetic predisposition to fatty liver diseases and biomarkers of liver health on modifying the association.

Methods: We used data from the Nurses’ Health Study (1986-2012), the Health Professionals Follow-up Study (1986-2012), and UK Biobank (2006-2020). Diet was assessed with …

Multilevel Description Of Spotted Fever Group Rickettsia Among Humans, Animals, And The Environment In Miraflores, Colombia, And South Carolina, Usa, Lidia Gual Gonzalez

Theses and Dissertations

Tick-borne diseases are emerging worldwide due to environmental shifts caused by land fragmentation and climate change. Among the most important ones spotted fever group rickettsioses (SFGRs) are of particular interest due to their wide species variety and high pathogenicity. Given the global spotted fever group rickettsia (SFGR) distribution, evaluation and comparison of different populations is critical to better understand these pathogens' epidemiology and unravel the risk factors affecting disease occurrence. Consequently, this dissertation investigates SFGR highlighting the One Health framework, assessing animals, humans, and the environment. The first part includes an evaluation at the household level using human and canine …

Wernicke's Encephalopathy: Mapping The Risk Factors Throughout The State Of South Carolina, Shannon M. Rychener

Senior Theses

Wernicke’s Encephalopathy is a consistently underrecognized neurodegenerative brain disorder resulting from prolonged thiamine deficiency. Clinical presentation of the disease results from brain lesions attributable to thiamine deficiency. Because these lesions occur in various locations in the cerebral cortex, symptoms can vary significantly. Varied presentation of symptoms, in addition to the lack of a widely accepted biomarker for the disorder cause challenges to clinicians when identifying and diagnosing the disorder. Due to these challenges, healthcare providers must heavily rely on patient history and risk factor prevalence when multiple symptoms of the disorder are present. By mapping the prevalence of the four …