Digital Commons Network^™

Targeted Deletion Of Cxcl1 In Mscs Regulates Osteogenesis And Suppresses Bone-Metastatic Prostate Cancer, Catherine S. Johnson, Diane L. Costanzo-Garvey, Julio C. Valencia, Sanjana Rajgopal, Theodore Reed, Emma R. Brannon, Jeremy S. Frieling, Deanna Mosley, Todd A. Wyatt, Elijah F. Edmondson, Kabhilan Mohan, Grinu Mathew, Leah M. Cook

Journal Articles: Environmental, Agricultural & Occupational Health

Bone metastasis continues to be the greatest challenge in treating patients with prostate cancer despite ongoing research. In bone, prostate cancer tumors hijack normal bone remodeling processes to drive cancer progression. However, it is unclear how these interactions drive bone-metastatic prostate cancer growth in the bone environment. To understand the mechanisms associated with bone-metastatic prostate cancer regulation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), we previously identified that bone-metastatic prostate cancer induces MSC expression of the pro-inflammatory chemokine CXCL8 and its mouse functional homologue Cxcl1. To date, there has been little to no information about the role of CXCL1/8 in MSC biology …

The Intersection Of Indigenous Medicine And Biomedicine In Santiago, Chile, Sam Boehm

Hispanic Studies Honors Papers

No abstract provided.

Knowledge, Perception And Acceptability Of Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Among Moroccan Medical Students, Safa Ibork, Asmaa Naim, Mohamed Khalis, Soumaya Rafii, Abire Allaoui

Health Sciences

Background:

Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women and the third leading cause of cancer-related mortality in Morocco. In October 2022, the Ministry of Health introduced the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine into the national immunization program. This study aimed to assess knowledge, satisfaction, and acceptability regarding HPV infection and vaccination among Moroccan medical students.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study was conducted between September 2021 and July 2022 among fifth-year and higher medical students from all nine Moroccan medical universities. Data were collected through an online questionnaire and analyzed descriptively and analytically.

Results: A total of 636 students participated …

A Comparative Analysis Of Stress Relief, Life Satisfaction, And Quality Of Life Based On Marriage Status And Gender Among Members Of Society Participating In Exercise, Ji-Hye Yang, Sicheol Jung, Hyejin Yang, Chulhwan Choi, Chul-Ho Bum

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Faculty Publications

Modern members of society tend to feel stressed in their workplace and at home, but exercising has been shown to effectively reduce stress and increase quality of life and satisfaction. This study aimed to investigate and compare stress relief, life satisfaction, and quality of life based on marriage status and gender among members of society who participate in exercise. We used a questionnaire survey with 311 participants, and the data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, validity and reliability, a multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA), and a post hoc analysis. The study results showed that the single groups demonstrated higher mean …

Establishing The Philippine Cancer Center National Cancer Research Agenda 2024-2028: Insights And Future Directions, Frederic Ivan L. Ting, Edward Christopher Dee, Ma Katrina Domenica R. Ting, Abigail R. Tud, Erin Jay G. Feliciano, Erika P. Ong, Carol V. Narra

Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health Publications

No abstract provided.

Intersection Between Individual, Household, Environmental And System Level Factors In Defining Risk And Resilience For Children In Kenya’S Asal: A Qualitative Study, Esther Chongwo, Barack Aoko, Martha Kaniala, Moses Wesala, Phillis Magoma, Eunice Njoroge, Susan Nyamanya, Joyce Marangu, Anil Khamis, Amina Abubakar

Institute for Human Development, East Africa

Introduction: Children growing up in arid and semi-arid regions of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) face heightened risks, often resulting in poor developmental outcomes. In Kenya, the arid and semi-arid lands (ASAL) exhibit the lowest health and developmental indicators among children. Despite these risks, some children grow up successfully and overcome the challenges. However, there is limited comprehensive data on sources of risks and resilience in these children, particularly research that incorporates community perspectives and indigenous knowledge. Systematic documentation of factors influencing child outcomes is crucial for understanding the overall burden, informing policy and implementing targeted interventions. This study aimed at …

Factors Affecting The Joy Of Life In Old Age: A Scale Development Study, Yalçın Karagöz, Yusuf Karaşi̇n, Mustafa Filiz, Mehmet Ateş

Adultspan Journal

This study aims to introduce a measurement tool into the literature that can reveal the factors affecting the joy of life in older adulthood. Participants included 266 individuals aged 55 and over living in Izmir, Turkey. The process of developing the scale includes the following stages: problem identification, item pool creation, expert opinion, form shaping, pilot application, and finalizing the scale. The exploratory factor analysis revealed that the scale consists of 6 different dimensions, and the variance explained by these dimensions was found to be 65.184%. The acceptable values for the scale's fit indicators are as follows: χ²/df0.90, IFI > 0.90, …

Mental Health Trends Among African American High School Students, Alexis Heard

Theses and Dissertations

Adolescent mental health is a major public health issue in the U.S., with African American high school students facing a rapidly worsening crisis. While all youth show increasing rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidality, African American adolescents are at greater risk due to systemic racism, socioeconomic inequality, community violence, and limited access to culturally responsive care. Few national studies have examined mental health trends among this group. This study (1) examines 2011–2021 trends in persistent sadness/hopelessness, suicidal ideation, suicide planning, and suicide attempts among African American high school students; (2) explores gender differences; and (3) compares these patterns to national …

Applied Research Division Research At A Glance: 2025, Shellie R. Hubbard Ma

Institute of Child Nutrition, Applied Research Division

The Institute of Child Nutrition Applied Research Division (ICN ARD) conducts applied research to address operational issues affecting child nutrition programs and support continuous program improvement. During the 2024–2025 reporting year, the division completed research focused on workforce development, training needs, culinary competencies, school food trends, and operational challenges in child nutrition settings.

Major projects included studies examining training needs and delivery preferences of child nutrition professionals, challenges affecting Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) operations, and the development of a Competencies, Knowledge, and Skills (CKS) resource for chefs working in school nutrition programs. Findings informed the creation of …

Racial Health Disparities Among Pregnant Women Of Color In New York City: Biological And Systemic Impacts, Kaylin Peña

Pitzer Senior Theses

Racial Health Disparities Among Pregnant Women of Color in New York City: Biological and Systemic Impacts

Abstract

This thesis aims to explore how racial health disparities, underrepresentation in gynecology, and socioeconomic barriers contribute to adverse pregnancy outcomes among women of color in New York City. Through an interdisciplinary approach that combines resources from medical anthropology and human biology, this research will examine the biological implications of chronic stress, specifically HPA axis dysregulation, and its role in maternal health outcomes. With the idea of intersectionality, as conceptualized by Kimberlé Crenshaw, the study analyzes the various effects of systemic inequities and social …

Academic Proficiency In Ugandan Children With Sickle Cell Anemia: A Cross-Sectional Study, Robert Opoka, Shubaya Kasule Naggayi, Paul Bangirana, Simple Ouma, Betty Nyangoma, Annet Birabwa, Grace Nambatya, Maxencia Kabatabaazi, Ann Jacqueline Nakitende, Dennis Kalibbala

Paediatrics and Child Health, East Africa

Introduction: Academic proficiency is crucial for advancing learning goals, school advancement, and future economic security. Children with sickle cell anemia (SCA) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) may be at risk of disease-associated learning difficulties. Limited data exist on this topic among school-age children in the region. We aimed to assess academic proficiency in a sample of children with SCA in Uganda compared with unaffected controls.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Kampala, Uganda. Participants were school-going children with SCA, aged 6–12 years, attending Mulago Hospital SCA Clinic, and age-matched sibling controls without SCA. Academic proficiency was assessed by the Wide …

The Association Between Obstetric Violence And Postpartum Depression Among Latina Women In The United States: An Integrative Review, Natalia Alameda

Scripps Senior Theses

Obstetric violence, a structural form of gender-based violence, involves abuse, mistreatment, or neglect by healthcare providers during obstetric care. It is often associated with childbirth trauma and may result in physical and psychological harm to mothers and children, including postpartum depression. Postpartum depression is a major depressive episode occurring during pregnancy or within four weeks following delivery. While these concepts are often studied independently, few studies examine their intersection, particularly among Latina women in the United States. To address this gap, an integrative literature review was conducted to explore the association between obstetric violence and postpartum depression among Latina women. …

Optimizing Discharge Education For Patients With Heart Failure, Connie-Rose Pangan

Nursing | Senior Theses

Noncompliance can be a result of a lack of comprehension of discharge instructions and a lack of concise, effective educational resources. Due to this deficit, patients with heart failure are less likely to comply with their discharge protocol and are therefore more likely to be readmitted to the hospital. The aim of the study is to consolidate a teaching method that accommodates one's existing educational barriers, implement follow-up to increase knowledge retention and improve self care, and prevent readmission among HF patients. Two hundred hospitalized, English-speaking patients with heart failure above 65 years old across 20 US Hospitals will be …

Beyond Grit: Structural Determinants Of Resilience Among College Women With Children In The U.S., Juliana Kahrs

Dissertations of Practice

This critical quantitative analysis explores how social determinants of health, including basic needs security, caregiving and work responsibilities, healthcare access, discrimination experiences, and institutional support predict resilience among U.S. college women with dependents. Using data from the Spring 2021 ACHA-NCHA III survey (n = 4,417), this study integrated the Health Equity Framework with the Social Ecological Theory of Resilience to examine multilevel influences on resilience. Descriptive analyses highlighted disproportionate burdens among single, first-generation, and racially minoritized groups. Bivariate chi-square tests revealed significant associations between resilience and sense of belonging, basic needs security, employment, healthcare utilization, and self-assessed overall health. Multinomial …

Infant Health Equity In Oklahoma: A Mixed-Methods Exploration Of Personal, Organizational, Environmental, And Policy Factors Contributing To Black Infant Mortality, Ayesha M. Lampkins

West Chester University Doctoral Projects

Black women experience higher rates of adverse birth outcomes, including infant mortality. There is a gap in the literature on multilevel strategies to achieve infant health equity and engage Black women. This study is unique in that no others have looked at the views of Oklahoma Black women to inform and address infant health equity strategies and utilize these views to provide context to existing infant mortality data. The study research questions are: 1) What views on infant health equity and infant mortality are held by Black women in Oklahoma? 2) What differences exist between Black and White mothers in …

Awake And Affected: Cultural And Socioeconomic Impacts On Sleep Insufficiency In Modern-Day Ohio, Nehal Mittal, Marina Shenouda

Scholarship in Medicine - All Papers

Background: Previous literature explores factors such as urban environments, screen use and stress negatively impact sleep quality in American adults. However, there is a lack of demographic focus on non-white, low-income populations specifically related to sleep. There is a growing need for targeted interventions to address increasingly prevalent disparities.
Objective: Our study aims to look deeper into race, age, and socioeconomic status and other demographic factors that may affect sleep health.
Results: Our analysis revealed a strong positive correlation between insufficient sleep and selfreported poor or fair health (r = .728) and a moderate positive correlation with unemployment (r = …

The Role Of Horizontal Gene Transfer In Antibiotic Resistance Amidst Prevalent Community And Healthcare-Associated Mrsa Rates, Gabrielle Nascimento

Honors College Theses

In recent decades, cases of community-acquired MRSA (CA-MRSA) and healthcare-associated MRSA (HA-MRSA) have been on the rise. The ability of antibiotic resistance to transfer between microorganisms greatly expands its threat to the effective treatment and containment of bacterial infections. The mecA gene is found on a mobile cassette within the Staphylococcal cell and encodes for PBP2a, an alternate version of penicillin-binding protein (PBP) with less binding affinity for β-lactam antibiotics, increasing resistance to the effects of antibiotics. The goal of this research is to investigate the horizontal transfer of the mecA gene between various Staphylococcus species as well as to …

The Relationship Between Socioeconomic Factors And Low Birth Rates In Ohio, Ryan Gora, Hannah Amin

Scholarship in Medicine - All Papers

Background: The incidence of low birth weight (LBW) has not substantially fallen over time despite advances in medical interventions. LBW has been linked to several chronic diseases in adulthood including type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and cardiovascular disease (CVD), making it a particularly salient public health issue.
Objective: To examine socioeconomic factors and diseases associated with LBW in Ohio between 2016-2022.
Methods: Using data from County Health Rankings, we identified socioeconomic factors predictive of LBW in Ohio between 2016-2022. We also examined the relationship between LBW and incidence of T2DM as well as food insecurity (FI). In addition, we investigated how …

Customary Corruption, Ani B. Satz, Liza Vertinsky

Faculty Articles

For over a hundred years, it has been well-accepted among tort scholars that physicians—as one of the legally recognized professions— determine their own customary practices. Within tort law, and medical malpractice more specifically, customary practice establishes whether physicians breach or uphold the required standard of care toward their patients. The results of our hand-coded examination of decided cases and statutes show a more complex picture. While some states have endeavored to shift the standard away from professional custom, it continues to play a critical, and in many cases a determinative, role in establishing physician liability in most states.

Using illustrative …

Association Of Biomarker And Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic Syndrome Among Older Chinese Adults : Findings From A Nationwide Study, Jiahao Shi

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Background: CKM syndrome poses a growing burden in aging populations, but early detection remains limited by the lack of integrated biomarkers. The C-reactive protein–triglyceride glucose index (CTI), which reflects inflammation and insulin resistance—two core drivers of CKM—has not yet been evaluated for its association with CKM status in large, aging Asian cohorts. This study addresses this gap.Objective: To investigate the association of C-reactive protein–triglyceride–glucose (CTI) index with cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome in older Chinese adults.Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed data from 10,318 participants aged ≥45 years in the 2015 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). CKM syndrome was operationalized as …

Exploration Of The Mechanisms Of Benjakul’S Anti-Rheumatoid Arthritis Actions Through Network Pharmacology, Hongxiang Duan

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is driven by chronic inflammation and matrix degradation; traditional Thai formula Benjakul (BJK) is empirically used for inflammatory conditions, but its mechanisms are not well defined. To assess the antioxidant capacity of BJK and to elucidate potential anti-inflammatory targets and signaling pathways relevant to RA. BJK and its five constituent herbs were extracted with 99% ethanol and evaluated for TPC, TFC, FRAP, and DPPH assays. LC–MS/MS was used to profile key bioactive compounds, which were further filtered by SwissADME and subjected to target prediction using SwissTargetPrediction. Overlapping targets with RA-related genes were analyzed by GO and KEGG. …

Exploring Lgbtq+ Competency In Healthcare, Jordan Whiteman

Honors College Theses

Marginalized groups such as the LGBTQ+ community are known to face healthcare disparities that negatively affect their process of navigating healthcare systems. This project explores the perceived lack of representation and understanding of the LGBTQ+ community within healthcare settings, exposing the deficits in knowledge for unique challenges and inequalities these patients may face. By viewing the literature, a myriad of complications faced by LGBTQ+ people in clinical settings can be identified. They possess a generalized feeling of mistrust towards the healthcare system. Healthcare staff overall describe low confidence with caring for this demographic. Heteronormativity’s presence in the field of healthcare …

Knee Health Is A Major Determinant Of Mobility Across The Healthspan, Brandon M. Peoples, Kenneth Harrison, Michael A. Samaan, Christopher B. Mobley, David T. Redden, Jaimie A. Roper

Kinesiology and Health Promotion Faculty Publications

Knee health constitutes a pivotal determinant of locomotor function and overall mobility throughout the healthspan. Impairments in knee function lead to a series of biomechanical and physiological alterations that pose substantial public health challenges and economic burdens worldwide. This review synthesizes evidence that delineates the complex and multifaceted relationship between knee health and mobility, emphasizing the interplay across various domains in adult populations. Knee health is conceptualized as a dynamic, interconnected system whereby structural integrity, neuromuscular mechanisms, biomechanical adaptations, and functional mobility are intricately interrelated through cascades of mechanistic processes operating across different temporal stages. A comprehensive understanding of these …

The Impacts Of Dietary And Educational Intervention In Addressing Adult Obesity In The Mexican Population, Matthew C. Servin

CMC Senior Theses

Mexico’s obesity epidemic has been an ongoing issue for the past few decades, with multiple studies attributing this to the disparities in accessing healthy food and health education. Designing a solution to Mexico’s adult obesity crisis will focus on studying the effects of an intervention plan that addresses these obesogenic factors. This proposed study will assess how a token system and health education sessions may impact the risk of obesity in the adult Mexican population. This study also will consider any limitations that arise when only one of the two intervention methods are used. As these interventions are implemented over …

Adapting A Mobile Health Intervention To Improve Prep Adherence Among Young Black Msm In Fulton County, Georgia, Kassidy Maust

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

Young Black men who have sex with men (YBMSM) in the southern United States, particularly in Fulton County, Georgia, face disproportionately high rates of HIV and unique structural barriers to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) uptake and adherence. Sustained adherence among YBMSM remains low due to intersecting structural, social, and behavioral barriers. To address these disparities, this paper presents an adapted implementation of the evidence-based M-Cubed (Mobile Messaging for Men) mHealth intervention. Prior studies of M-Cubed and similar mHealth interventions have shown promising outcomes in increasing PrEP adherence among Black MSM populations. The adapted intervention integrates culturally tailored messaging specific to behaviors …

Air Pollution Exposures And Cognitive Function Among Older Americans, Clarisse Nyondo Okoma

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

Background: New findings indicate that environmental factors, such as air pollution, could contribute to cognitive decline among older adults. Nonetheless, extensive longitudinal studies in the U.S. investigating this connection are few and far between.

Objective: This study assessed the relationship between long-term exposure to ambient air pollutants and cognitive function in older adults in the United States.

Methods: We examined data from the Health and Retirement Study (2010-2018), which included 234,250 observations from adults aged 50 and older. Cognitive performance was evaluated based on immediate and delayed word recall, a 27-point cognitive summary score, backward from 20, and …

Exploring The Role Of Bingocize® Workshops In Enhancing Health And Well-Being In Older Adults, Kaitlyn Gray

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

As the population of older adults grows, the need for better health and well-being also grows, making it necessary to implement effective strategies for healthy aging to improve the length and quality of life of older adults (CDC, 2024). This study evaluates the effectiveness of a Bingocize^® Workshop in improving the physical health of older adults. Bingocize^®, a unique program combining bingo with exercise, is designed to increase physical activity. Eleven (11) participants aged 68.55 ± 6.235 attended a ten-week workshop, two times per week focusing on physical exercises tailored to their abilities. The primary objective was …

Pathogen Surveillance Of Viruses And Antimicrobial Resistance Through Wastewater Based Epidemiology, William Strike

Theses and Dissertations--Biomedical Engineering

Pandemic surveillance is a cornerstone in public health safety, as it enables identification of pathogens circulating within a community before they become widespread outbreaks. Wastewater based epidemiology has blossomed in recent years due to its success in the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, but this form of public health surveillance has a global equity problem. A large majority of the wastewater-based surveillance work has been done in large metropolitan cities with access to advanced testing infrastructure, which poses a challenge as we consider where pandemics have historically emerged. Therefore, there is a need to identify, adapt, and develop workflows to meet the needs …

Understanding The Impact Of The Medicaid Expansion On Hospital Length Of Stay And Emergency Department Use In Kentucky, Cameron Bushling

Theses and Dissertations--Epidemiology and Biostatistics

Three related analyses were performed to try to understand the immediate effects of Medicaid expansion on hospital systems in Kentucky. Medicaid expansion led to a large, sudden increase in the number of individuals eligible for various health care needs. This sudden increase in demand for health services lead to initial hypotheses regarding hospitals’ ability to handle this demand. The first analysis examined hospital average length of stay (LOS) using a linear mixed-effects model. Length of stay was modeled longitudinally between 2013 and 2015 to determine if significant changes in the slope of LOS could be detected after expansion (2014). Separate …

Researching Dementia Indicators Among Rural Populations, Justin S. Yount

Theses and Dissertations--Community & Leadership Development

The study explored potential dementia indicators and risk factors among older adults residing in rural areas who are actively engaged in farming operations. Data was collected in three components a questionnaire, an audiogram test, and a memory impairment screening. 104 people responded to the questionnaire, 133 participants took the audiogram test, and 94 participated in the memory impairment screening. The findings revealed that 80.9% of participants showed no sign of cognitive impairment while 19.1% showed signs of possible impairment. Participants reported moderate levels of physical and social activity, but common risk factors such as elevated BMI, diabetes, hearing loss, and …