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Moving Beyond The Single Gene: Integrative Gene Set Analysis For Rna-Seq, Andrew Richard Aschenbrenner

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

RNA-seq is the next-generation sequencing technology for gene expression and while many tools have been developed to assess differential expression, most focus on gene-level statistics. Gene-level statistics implicitly ignore any dependence among genes. In order to directly incorporate correlation into testing for differential expression, genes are sorted into networks using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) and the gene expression of each network is modeled using Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE). Since the gene network data often exhibits correlation structures containing positive and negative values, a new intermediate correlation structure is developed. This structure provides a compromise between an exchangeable (one parameter for …

The Associations Between Fat And Clinical Outcomes Among Lung Cancer Patients: Dietary Intake And Genetic Determinants, Fang Yu Lin

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Higher dietary fat intake and alterations in fatty acid metabolism may affect cancer development and progression. This dissertation conducted a series of studies examining whether dietary fat intake and genetic variants in fatty acid metabolism genes have an impact on clinical outcomes among non-Hispanic whites newly diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). First, a cohort of 2,262 NSCLC patients was prospectively examined for intakes of total, saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fat in relation to overall survival and recurrence. Dietary fat intake at diagnosis was assessed with a previously validated food frequency questionnaire and categorized by Dietary Reference Intakes. Multivariable …

Examining Differences In Physical Activity By Socio-Demographics, Employment, And Social Support Among U.S. Adolescents, Ashleigh Marie Johnson

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

The overall decline in physical activity levels during adolescence supports the examination of intrapersonal-, interpersonal-, and behavior-level factors that may influence physical activity behavior among this population. The three papers within this dissertation aimed to examine associations of socio-demographics and socio-environmental factors with physical activity among U.S. adolescents. Papers 1 and 3 used data from the Family Life, Activity, Sun, Health, and Eating (FLASHE) Study. Paper 1 examined differences in adolescent physical activity by gender and race/ethnicity, and examined modification by grade and socioeconomic status (SES). Paper 3 examined the association of parent- and adolescent-reported parental social support with adolescent …

Understanding The Relatlonships Between Survivorship Care Plans And Survivor Level Outcomes Among Breast And Colorectal Cancer Survivors, Jessica Danielle Austin

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

PURPOSE: Cancer survivors have complex journeys following the completion of active treatment. The Institute of Medicine and other high-profile organizations have recommended and mandated the use of a survivorship care plan (SCP) despite mixed evidence supporting the impact of SCPs on key survivor-level outcomes. The purpose of this dissertation was to understand the complex relationship linking the delivery of SCPs and to relevant survivorlevel outcomes. STUDY GROUP: This dissertation focuses on breast and colorectal cancer survivors because they comprise nearly 30% of the entire cancer survivor population in the US and are the two most prevalent cancers in men and …

Characterization Of Plasmids Harbored By Vibrio Cholerae Isolates Endemic To The Rio Grande Delta, Viviana Trevino

Theses and Dissertations

Cholera is a diarrheal disease responsible for considerable morbidity and mortality globally. Epidemics along the Rio Grande Delta were reported during the 1850s, and the etiological agent Vibrio cholerae, remains endemic, thus presenting a unique opportunity for a study of historical and biological relevance. V. cholerae strains were isolated from two locations: the Rio Grande River under a bridge linking Brownsville to Matamoros (site 21) and where the river empties into the Gulf of Mexico (site 42). Two strains from site 21, and one from site 42 were selected to isolate, subclone, sequence, assemble and annotate extra-chromosomal elements. Results …

Characterization Of The Impact Of Prenatal Cigarette Smoke Exposure On Age- And Sex-Specific Sirt1-Mediated Hepatic Molecular Phenotype In C57bl/6 Mice., Kendall S. Stocke

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In the U.S., 7.2% of women still report having smoked at some point during pregnancy despite known risks to fetal health. Prenatal cigarette smoke exposure (CSE) in children puts them at risk for low birth weight, premature birth, and other adverse impacts on developmental and postnatal health. Children subjected to prenatal CSE have a higher risk of adulthood metabolic disease predicted by the Barker Hypothesis. The hepatic molecular phenotype associated with this risk is unknown. This dissertation characterizes the prenatal CSE-induced hepatic molecular phenotype during three key life stages. We used a murine model of prenatal CSE utilizing a Teague …

Preface For Special Section On Archaeoparasitology: A Global Perspective On Ancient Parasites And Current Research Projects, Jong Yil Chai, Min Sea, Karl Reinhard, Dong Hoon Shin

Karl Reinhard Publications

Archaeoparasitological research has rapidly developed in recent years, entering a new stage of improved understanding of our ancestors’ parasitic infections across the world. This progress is based on a variety of recently developed research techniques. During a period of rapid innovation since 2016, there has been no much opportunity for parasitologists to gather and share in-depth views about this novel research field. This was remedied by the 14th International Congress of Parasitology (ICOPA) held in Korea (Aug. 19-24, 2018; EXCO, Daegu). For archaeoparasitologists, ICOPA provided a unique opportunity to gather and exchange research and ideas. The participation was unprecedented in …

Confusing A Pollen Grain With A Parasite Egg: An Appraisal Of “Paleoparasitological Evidence Of Pinworm (Enterobius Vermicularis) Infection In A Female Adolescent Residing In Ancient Tehran”, Morgana Camacho, Karl Reinhard

Karl Reinhard Publications

There is often the risk of confusing pollen grains with helminth eggs from archaeological sites. Thousands to millions of pollen grains can be recovered from archaeological burial sediments that represent past ritual, medication and environment. Some pollen grain types can be similar to parasite eggs. Such a confusion is represented by the diagnosis of enterobiasis in ancient Iran. The authors of this study confused a joint-pine (Ephedra spp.) pollen grain with a pinworm egg. This paper describes the specific Ephedra pollen morphology that can be confused with pinworm eggs.

Pinworm Infection At Salmon Ruins And Aztec Ruins: Relation To Pueblo Iii Regional Violence, Karl Reinhard, Morgana Camacho

Karl Reinhard Publications

The study of coprolites has been a theme of archaeology in the American Southwest. A feature of archaeoparasitology on the Colorado Plateau is the ubiquity of pinworm infection. As a crowd parasite, this ubiquity signals varying concentrations of populations. Our recent analysis of coprolite deposits from 2 sites revealed the highest prevalence of infection ever recorded for the region. For Salmon Ruins, the deposits date from AD 1140 to 1280. For Aztec Ruins, the samples can be dated by artifact association between AD 1182-1253. Both sites can be placed in the Ancestral Pueblo III occupation (AD 1100-1300), which included a …

The Effectiveness And Effects Of Alcohol Regulation: Evidence From India, Dara Lee Luca, Emily Owens, Gunjan Sharma

WCBT Faculty Publications

We provide quasi-experimental evidence on the effects of alcohol regulation on alcohol consumption and associated public health outcomes using detailed individual level and aggregate data from India, where state-level laws regulating the minimum legal drinking age generate substantial variation in the availability of commercially produced alcohol across people of different ages. We find that despite significant law evasion, men who are legally allowed to drink are substantially more likely to consume alcohol. Further, men who are legally allowed to drink are significantly more likely to commit violence against their partners, suggesting a causal channel between alcohol consumption and domestic violence. …

Factors Influencing Consumers’ Choices Of Oral Hygiene Products: A Cross-Sectional Study, Faiza Awais, Hazik Bin Shahzad, Kiran Naheed, Ayyaz Ali Khan

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: Environment, peer-groups, and salespersons influence consumers’ purchasing decisions regarding oral hygiene products. Other influences include various cultural, social, demographic, and socioeconomic factors. This study was designed to determine factors motivating and influencing consumers while choosing oral hygiene aids. Methods: 410 patients (age, 10–70 years), who visited the outpatient department of Sheikh Zayed Medical Complex, Lahore, Pakistan, were subjected to a close-ended questionnaire survey. Factors investigated included cost, packaging, media advertisement, perceptions, and previous experiences. Results: The cost of oral-hygiene products (82%) were the biggest influence. Advertisements influenced 55% of consumers in their purchase decisions regarding oral …

Correlation Between Carotid Intima-Media Thickness And Serum Tnf-Alpha Levels In Female With Rheumatoid Arthritis Of Different Ethnicities: A Single-Centre Experience In Malaysia, Kek Xin Yi, Asrul A. Wahab, Mohamad Norazrin Mohd Abas, Siti Amira Kamarul Abdul Wahid, Faridah Hanun Othman, Mohd. Shahrir Mohamed Said

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a destructive chronic inflammatory disease with intra- and extra-articular manifestations. It is associated with accelerated formation of arteriosclerosis. The aim of this study was to ascertain the correlation between endothelial dysfunction using carotid intima–media thickness (cIMT) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels among the three main ethnic groups in Malaysia: Malay, Chinese, and Indian. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 23 females with RA belonging to three different ethnic groups who were free from cardiovascular risk factors. Blood sample was taken from each patient to measure serum TNF-α level, C-reactive protein (CRP), and erythrocyte …

Does Healthy Lifestyle Contribute To Physical And Mental Health Among University Students?, Dian Caesaria Widyasari, Sherly Saragih Turnip

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: Little is known of how a healthy lifestyle and its health outcomes are related in university students in Indonesia. This study examined the association between healthy lifestyle markers (diet, sleeping hours, physical exercise, smoking, alcohol intake) and health outcomes (perceived physical fitness, psychological distress) among undergraduate students at university in Indonesia. We also examined gender-related patterns. Methods: A total of 616 undergraduate students participated in two cross-sectional studies carried out between 2011 and 2013. Six close-ended questions were used to measure health behaviors and perceived physical fitness. The Hopkin Symptoms Checklist-25 was used to measure psychological distress. …

An Experimental Model Of Chemically-Induced Ulceration Of The Buccal Mucosa Of Mus Musculus, Erik Idrus, Pratiwi Dwi Hartanti, Dewi Fatma Suniarti, Sri Redjeki Prasetyo, Yuniardini Septorini Wimardhani, Ajiravudh Subarnbhesaj

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: Ulceration caused by chemical agents used in dental practice for in-office or home-used is a common event, resulting in discomfort and pain. Treatments for such conditions are still being developed, requiring extensive experiments both in vitro and in vivo studies. At present, a standardized experimental mouse model for mucosal ulceration caused by a chemical inducer to study the pathogenesis of ulceration and to develop medications for treatment of ulceration is still not available. The aim of this study was to create a chemically induced model of ulceration of the buccal mucosa of mice. Methods: An in vivo …

Age-Adjusted Incidence Rates And Time Trends Of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma By Subtype, 2000-2015, Daitrang Le

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

Background: Non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL) are a group of diverse and complex cancers of the lymphocytes. More than 60 subtypes have been identified based on certain characteristics of the cancer cell. The objectives of this study were to: 1) determine NHL age-adjusted incidence rates from 2000 to 2015 in the U.S. by age, sex, and race/ethnicity; 2) to examine age-adjusted subtype-specific NHL incidence rates by age, sex, and race/ethnicity; 3) to determine if there was significant time trend in age-adjusted NHL incidence rate from 2000-2015 in the U.S by age, sex, and race/ethnicity.; 4) and to examine time trend in age-adjusted …

Association Between Gastroduodenal Ulcer And Age Of Diagnosis Of Head And Neck, Gastroduodenal And Pancreatic Cancer, Rukevwe Madusor

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

Background: Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States and remains a major public health problem worldwide. Epidemiological studies have demonstrated that insulin like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) is linked to ulcers and most cancers. Although studies have investigated the role of IGF1 in ulcer healing and cancer pathogenesis, the link between ulcer and cancer remains unclear. Hence, we assessed the relationship between ulcers and cancers.

Methods: This study consists of a sample of 180 cancer patients obtain by convenience sampling who were seen at Nebraska Medicine and were enrolled in the integrated cancer repository for cancer …

The Association Between Melanoma And Exposure To Arsenic Among U.S. Adults Using The National Health And Nutrition Examination Survey (Nhanes) From 2003 To 2016, Ahmed Bedaiwi

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

Background: Melanoma is a deadly skin cancer at late stages, and its incidence has been increasing significantly over the last ten years in the United States. Chronic exposure to arsenic has been associated in many studies as a risk factor for non-melanoma skin cancer, notably squamous cell carcinoma. However, current knowledge is limited regarding melanoma and long-term arsenic exposure.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study using the 2003-2016 cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), to investigate the association between arsenic exposure and self-reported melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer diagnoses. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were conducted. …

Midwife’S Role In The Mother-To-Child Transmission Prevention Program In Primary Health Care In Yogyakarta, Niken Meilani, Nanik Setiyawati, Sammy Onyapidi Barasa

Kesmas

Curing and eradicating Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) are to the core principles of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The incidence of HIV in the world remains high. Although midwives play a pivotal role in PMTCT implementation, the factors associated with midwives’ role in its implementation are not well understood. The aim of this study was to determine factors associated with midwives’ role in implementation of PMTCT. This study used a cross-sectional design. The subjects were 80 midwives at 14 primary health care in Yogyakarta City, Indonesia. The study was conducted from April to August 2017. …

Sexual Dysfunction Among Women With Diabetes In A Primary Health Care At Semarang, Central Java Province, Indonesia, Lintang Dian Saraswati, Ari Udiyono, Dian Sutrisni, Muh Fauzi

Kesmas

Sexual dysfunction is associated with pain during sexual intercourse. Diabetes mellitus (DM) has been reported to be one of the causal factors for sexual dysfunction in women. This cross-sectional study was conducted to describe the status of sexual dysfunction in women with DM in the Tlogosari Kulon Primary Health Care, Semarang, Indonesia, in March 2017. A total of 103 women with DM attending the health center participated in this study. Data were collected using a questionnaire-guided interview and through measurements (blood pressure and random blood glucose test). Results showed that 74.8% of women with DM had sexual dysfunction. The proportion …

College Of Public Health News, Georgia Southern University

College of Public Health: News & Publications

• Georgia Southern: Completes Molecular Survey Study for Pathogens and Markers of Pesticide Resistance in Human Head Lice from Madagascar
• Georgia Southern: Completes Pilot Survey of Mosquitos from Southeastern Georgia for Wolbachia and Rickettia felis

Humanitarian Engineering Design For Health Challenges: An Inter-Faculty Service Based Learning Model, Yara Najem, Imad H. Elhajj, Zaher Dawy, Aline Germani, Hala Ghattas Ph.D., Muhammad Zaman, Youseph Yazdi

Faculty Publications

The study introduces and evaluates a unique inter-faculty service learning course as a pedagogical model that enhances students’ learning and knowledge of health problems and associated engineering intervention design for populations affected by protracted crises.

Background: With an increase in humanitarian protracted crises around the world, due to conflict and natural disasters, we are in dire need to reinvent how we educate, train, and conduct research in these environments. Engineering and Health Sciences disciplines, individually and collectively, have been working to fill the gaps and address pressing public health issues. However, courses merging those disciplines and focusing on emerging humanitarian …

The Epidemiological Burden Of Obesity In Childhood: A Worldwide Epidemic Requiring Urgent Action, Mariachiara Di Cesare, Maroje Sorić, Pascal Bovet, J Jaime Miranda, Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhutta, Gretchen A. Stevens, Avula Laxmaiah, Andre-Pascal Kengne, James Bentham

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Background: In recent decades, the prevalence of obesity in children has increased dramatically. This worldwide epidemic has important consequences, including psychiatric, psychological and psychosocial disorders in childhood and increased risk of developing non-communicable diseases (NCDs) later in life. Treatment of obesity is difficult and children with excess weight are likely to become adults with obesity. These trends have led member states of the World Health Organization (WHO) to endorse a target of no increase in obesity in childhood by 2025.
Main body: Estimates of overweight in children aged under 5 years are available jointly from the United Nations Children's Fund …

How Urban Land Use Contributes To Inequitable Health Outcomes: An Interdisciplinary Review & Analysis, Bliss Storm Croton

University Honors Theses

Using existing literature as a basis for initial review, this paper seeks to explore the relationship between urban land use and socioeconomic status as both pertain to the prevalence of psychological health diagnoses among neighborhood residents. The purpose of this analysis is to investigate the combined literature from multiple areas of research in order to gain a more holistic, up-to-date scope of knowledge regarding how discriminatory neighborhood land use may result in poorer psychological health outcomes for urban populations. By utilizing an interdisciplinary approach, some of the locally relevant, long-term impacts of uneven development and environmental injustice are examined based …

Trends And Associated Factors Of Use Of Opioid, Heroin, And Cannabis Among Patients For Emergency Department Visits In Nevada: 2009-2017, Pearl C. Kim, Ji Won Yoo, Chris R. Cochran, Seong-Min Park, Sungyoun Chun, Yong-Jae Lee, Jay J. Shen

School of Medicine Faculty Research

To examine trends and contributing factors of opioid, heroin, and cannabis-associated emergency department (ED) visits in Nevada. The 2009 to 2017 Nevada State ED database (n = 7,950,554 ED visits) were used. Use of opioid, heroin, and cannabis, respectively, was identified by the International Classification of Diseases, 9th & 10th Revisions. Three multivariable models, one for each of the 3 dependent variables, were conducted. Independent variables included year, insurance status, race/ethnicity, use of other substance, and mental health conditions. The number of individuals with opioid, heroin, cannabis-associated ED visits increased 3%, 10%, and 23% annually from 2009 to 2015, particularly …

What Happened To This Child? Identifying Factors That Influence The Identification And Categorization Of Child Maltreatment In The United States, Erika Tullberg

Dissertations and Theses

Background: Research has shown that adverse childhood experiences are strongly linked with health outcomes over the life course, and that child maltreatment – generally defined as physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional maltreatment and neglect – can have an immediate, negative impact on child health and development and a longer-term impact on adolescent and adult health, including the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the U.S. With such significant consequences, the accurate identification of child maltreatment is critical.

Child welfare caseworkers are charged with protecting the safety and fostering the well-being of children who have been identified as maltreated or …

Climate Change And Human Rights: Shaping The Narrative For Reflexive Responses From Civilization’S Leadership To Counter And Abate Climate Change And Enhance The Role Of Human Rights In The Rule Of Law, Michael Donlan

New England Journal of Public Policy

This article offers a bold new legal process for enhancing and upgrading the rule of law to enable civilization to cope with and counter the mounting damage and injustice caused by climate change. Climate change, once an unimaginable threat, is now a brutal, ubiquitous game changer that is leading inexorably to the demise of all humanity. Only by enhancing the rule of law and melding international law with domestic law can civilization fashion a coherent, global action plan for survival.

For almost three centuries greenhouse gases have been emitted around the world by the burning of fossil fuel, and—most alarming—these …

Hiv Prevention Via Mobile Messaging For Men Who Have Sex With Men (M-Cubed): Protocol For A Randomized Controlled Trial, Patrick Sean Sullivan, Ryan J. Zahn, Sarah Wiatrek, Cristian J. Chandler, Sabina Hirshfield, Rob Stephenson, Jose A. Bauermeister, Mary Ann Chiasson, Martin J. Downing, Deborah J. Gelaude, Aaron J. Siegler, Keith Horvath, Erin Rogers, Ana Alas, Evelyn J. Olansky, Heather Saul, Eli S. Rosenberg, Gordon Mansergh

Publications and Research

Background:

Men who have sex with men (MSM) continue to be the predominately impacted risk group in the United States HIV epidemic and are a priority group for risk reduction in national strategic goals for HIV prevention. Modeling studies have demonstrated that a comprehensive package of status-tailored HIV prevention and care interventions have the potential to substantially reduce new infections among MSM. However, uptake of basic prevention services, including HIV testing, sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing, condom distribution, condom-compatible lubricant distribution, and preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP), is suboptimal. Further, stronger public health strategies are needed to promote engagement in HIV care …

Chronic Environmental Exposure To Metal Mixtures In Tribal Populations And Potential Immune System Effects, Jennifer J. Ong

Biomedical Sciences ETDs

Hardrock mining in the United States (US) has left a legacy of mixed metal mine waste sites. Wastes may contain multiple metals of health concern, including arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury, and uranium, among others. Mining waste sites are disproportionately located on or contiguous to the watersheds of tribal lands. Due to proximity, and because of reliance on natural resources to maintain traditional diets and customs, Native American communities’ contact with multiple metals is often increased. Two impacted communities are the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe (CRST) and Navajo Nation. Both tribes have expressed concerns that metals in mine waste adversely affect …

Multi-Ancestry Sleep-By-Snp Interaction Analysis In 126,926 Individuals Reveals Lipid Loci Stratified By Sleep Duration, Raymond Noordam, Maxime M. Bos, Heming Wang, Thomas W. Winkler, Amy R. Bentley, Tuomas O. Kilpeläinen, Paul S. De Vries, Yun Ju Sung, Karen Schwander, Brian E. Cade, Alisa Manning, Hugues Aschard, Michael R. Brown, Han Chen, Nora Franceschini, Solomon K. Musani, Melissa Richard, Dina Vojinovic, Stella Aslibekyan, Traci M. Bartz, Donna K. Arnett

Epidemiology and Environmental Health Faculty Publications

Both short and long sleep are associated with an adverse lipid profile, likely through different biological pathways. To elucidate the biology of sleep-associated adverse lipid profile, we conduct multi-ancestry genome-wide sleep-SNP interaction analyses on three lipid traits (HDL-c, LDL-c and triglycerides). In the total study sample (discovery + replication) of 126,926 individuals from 5 different ancestry groups, when considering either long or short total sleep time interactions in joint analyses, we identify 49 previously unreported lipid loci, and 10 additional previously unreported lipid loci in a restricted sample of European-ancestry cohorts. In addition, we identify new gene-sleep interactions for known …

Least Of My Worries: Food Security, Diet Quality, And Antiretroviral Adherence Among People Living With Hiv, Charlotte Ann Noble

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

More than forty years into the epidemic, HIV continues to impact the health and well-being of millions of people – nearly 37 million across the globe and in excess of 1 million in the U.S. – more than 44% of which live in the Southern United States. HIV continues to disproportionally affect marginalized populations, and vast amounts of money, time, and effort have been spent to understand how to slow the rate of new infections and improve health outcomes for People Living with HIV (PLWH). This study aims to understand the experience of living with and managing HIV while on …