Digital Commons Network^™

Overcoming The Barrier To The Clinical Application Of Naloxone: Application Of Drug Delivery Technologies, Akeemat O. Tijani

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Opioid overdose crisis continues to demand innovative solutions for rapid and effective drug administration. Naloxone (NAL), a critical opioid antagonist, has been the primary treatment for reversing opioid-induced respiratory depression. However, its current delivery methods, such as intravenous and intranasal formulations, are limited by their invasive nature, short half-life, and the need for repeated dosing. This dissertation investigates advanced drug delivery technologies aimed at overcoming these challenges and enhancing the clinical utility of NAL.

This research focused on improving the transdermal and transnasal delivery of NAL using minimally invasive techniques. Various approaches were evaluated, including sonophoresis, microneedles, laser ablation, dermaplaning …

Service Provider Perceptions Of Systems Serving Individuals Experiencing Homelessness: A Needs Assessment And Strategic Plan In Johnson City, Tn, Opal Frye-Clark

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This Integrated Learning Experience (ILE) investigates service providers' perceptions of Johnson City, Tennessee's homelessness services, aiming to inform a city-wide strategic plan for reduction. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the study gathered qualitative data through in-depth interviews with service providers in 2022 and quantitative data via a 2024 survey. The research focused on those directly involved in serving or significantly influencing the lives of individuals experiencing homelessness (IEH). Three key aims guided the investigation: (1) To analyze provider perspectives to identify community assets, opportunities, barriers, and unmet needs, informing a comprehensive needs assessment; (2) To refine these findings through SWOT analysis …

2024 November 15 - Board Of Trustees Agenda And Minutes, Board Of Trustees, East Tennessee State Universit

Board of Trustees Agendas and Minutes

No abstract provided.

Infectious Disease Mapping And Spread Prevention Using An Agent-Based Modeling Technique, Michael Kama

3 Minute Thesis Competition

No abstract provided.

2024 September 13 - Board Of Trustees Agenda And Minutes, Board Of Trustees, East Tennessee State University

Board of Trustees Agendas and Minutes

No abstract provided.

A Comparison Of Maxent Models For Aedes Aegypti Species Distribution In South America Utilizing Different Bioclimatic And Environmental Variables, Matthew Beer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Aedes aegypti is the principal vector for dengue transmission across large areas of the world. Understanding where this critically important vector lives is paramount to preventing the continued expansion of dengue globally. Using 1981-2010 bioclimatic (bioclim) variables, as well as additional environmental variables and elevation data, multiple MaxEnt models were constructed for Ae. aegypti within the South American continent to identify ecologically important variables and areas of persistent high suitability. All models had acceptable AUC scores (> 0.70), indicating accurate model fitting. Annual mean precipitation and temperature were found to be important model variables; however, when added, humidity became the …

Student Achievement In The State Of Tennessee Through Virtual Learning In Asynchronous, Bisynchronous, And Hybrid Approaches, Lindsey Weeden

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study was used to investigate the differences in asynchronous, bisynchronous, and hybrid learning environments in student achievement in online schools. Utilizing quantitative data analysis, the research examines student growth data, chronic absenteeism, graduation rates, and ACT scores across these modalities. The research holds significant implications for educators, policymakers, and stakeholders in enhancing the quality of online education. The results may contribute to the ongoing dialogue surrounding effective pedagogical practices in the digital age by providing evidence-based insights into the strengths and weaknesses of each instructional mode. By addressing the challenges of the digital divide, the results may be used …

Dengue And Climate Change: Assessing Potential Future Areas Of Concern For Transmission In The United States, Matthew Beer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background: Global climate change severely impacts human life, particularly health, as rising temperatures and extreme weather affect physical and mental well-being. Climate change can also alter the risk factors and epidemiology of infectious diseases, notably vector-borne diseases (VBDs), including those transmitted by mosquitoes. The Aedes mosquito, responsible for dengue, poses a significant threat due to its prevalence vector. Dengue prevention lacks effective methods beyond vector control, and the current vaccine has limitations, emphasizing the need for intensified research and prevention strategies to mitigate the expanding dengue burden worldwide. The goal of these studies was to establish a novel risk index …

Quillen Magazine - Summer 2024, Quillen College Of Medicine, East Tennessee State University

Quillen Magazine

No abstract provided.

Illuminated Magazine, School Of Graduate Studies, East Tennessee State University

Illuminated: Graduate Student Research Magazine

From the Graduate School; Connecting Cultures and Overcoming Adversity through Art: One Artist’s Perspective, [Akintayo Akintobe, Studio Art, MFA]; Where Are They Now? [Featuring Emily Lu]; Bridging the Gap in Patient Self-Care: The Lived Experiences of Young Adults with Type 2 Diabetes, [Holly Berry-Price, Nursing, PhD]; Where Are They Now? [Featuring Oluwafisayo Ogundoro]; Examining the Causes of COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Among People Living with HIV, [Charles Olomofe, Public Health, DrPH]; Where Are They Now? [Featuring Julianna Cole]; Uncovering East Tennessee’s History through a Material Lens, [Slade Nakoff, History, MA]; Where Are They Going? [Featuring Tess Ann Simpson]; Filling the Gaps: …

The Implications, Magnitude, And Development Of Traumatic Brain Injury For Individuals Undergoing Treatment For Opioid Use Disorder, Hannah G. Mitchell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

There is an established bidirectional relation between substance use and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Despite the high rate of prescribing opioids for pain management following a TBI and the epidemic of opioid use disorder (OUD) in the United States, scarce research has specifically analyzed the association between TBI and OUD. In a series of three interrelated manuscripts, the present study will first examine the prevalence and features of TBIs among persons seeking treatment for OUD. Next, the present study will evaluate the association between TBI and indicators of risky health behaviors and OUD severity, including the risk of overdose and …

Cost Saving And Resource Limited Public Health Interventions In Southeast Asia, Amanda Blackwelder

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background: Public health interventions are any activity with the objective of improving human health such as preventing or curing disease, reducing the severity or duration of a disease, or assisting in regaining function after a disease or injury. These interventions are known to be impactful; however, those living with the highest burden of disease such as individuals in low- and middle-income countries have limited money and resources to successfully implement these interventions. Southeast Asian countries are among some of the middle-income countries effected by the lack of affordable interventions. The aims of this study were to assess cost saving and …

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Perceptions Of How Providing Patient Care During The Covid-19 Pandemic Affected Their Own Mental Health, Linda Cabage

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Public health concerns were prominent during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly regarding rising cases of anxiety and depression among adults. U.S. healthcare providers were especially affected by the unrelenting demands on their time and service. Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs) provided patient care during the pandemic to meet the increasing need for mental health services as people began experiencing mood disturbances such as anxiety, depression, and grief. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the perceived effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of PMHNPs. A qualitative design using the interpretive description method allows researchers to …

Perinatal Buprenorphine Effects On Offspring Growth, Opioid Withdrawal, And Brain Morphology In Rats, Parker Barnes

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Opioid use disorder (OUD) impacts 5.6 million people in the US. Buprenorphine (BUP) is a commonly prescribed opioid medication used to treat OUD, including in pregnant women. However, opioid use during pregnancy is associated with poorer infant outcomes including reduced fetal growth, neurodevelopmental deficits, and neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS). Recent clinical data suggests that providing mothers with a lower dose of BUP may result in fewer negative outcomes in infants. Here, a preclinical rodent model of low-dose perinatal BUP exposure was used to study offspring health outcomes in the neonate, juvenile, and adolescent offspring. Dams were given clinically relevant …

Exploring The Correlates And Predictors Of Covid-19 Vaccine Hesitancy And Uptake Among People Living With Hiv/Aids In Tennessee, Charles Olomofe

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background

The administration of the COVID-19 vaccines has met with resistance and hesitance from different population groups including people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). It is concerning to know that PLWHAs are showing a higher rate of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy than the general population. The objective of this study is to synthesize the literature and determine the correlates and predictors of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among PLWHA using primary and secondary data.

Methods

A scoping review was conducted to identify and summarize studies on COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among PLWHA using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) Extension for …

Changes In Young Adults’ Perspective On Ageism After Participating In A Virtual Nutrition Education Program With Older Adults, Julianne Hensley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The growing older adult population has led to increased ageist tendencies among younger generations. Previous research suggests that ageism is associated with cognitive and physical decline among older adults. This mixed-methods research project examined changes in ageist perceptions among graduate student facilitators and undergraduate nutrition ambassadors after participating in a training that included information about healthy aging, addressing ageism, and communicating with older adults. Results from a secondary data analysis of pre-test/post-test data and thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with facilitators of Socially Nutritious, a virtual nutrition education program for older adults, indicate that ageist perceptions decreased after the …

Regulation Of Cd4 T Cell Functions By Ncrna-Mediated Signaling Pathways During Chronic Viral Infections, Lam Nguyen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

CD4 T cell homeostasis and competency are critical for the effectiveness of antiviral immunity. However, CD4 T cells derived from people living with HIV (PLWH) and individuals with chronic HCV infection often exhibit an inflammaging phenotype, evidenced by persistent inflammation, immune activation, exhaustion, senescence, and cellular apoptosis. Despite intensive investigations, the molecular mechanisms underlying CD4 T cell dysfunction in antiretroviral therapy (ART)-controlled PLWH and HCV-infected patients remain poorly understood. By investigating the roles of non-coding (nc)RNA transcripts in regulating the functions of CD4 T cells derived from PLWH and HCV-infected patients, we demonstrated that long non-coding (lnc)RNA - growth arrest-specific …

Candida Parapsilosis Endocarditis In A Patient With Mitral Valve Clip Receiving Chronic Fluconazole Therapy, Shahnawaz Notta, Ashwin Jagadish, Nasir Notta, Hezborn Magacha, Sean Moore, Sabahuddin Hajjar, Joel Danisi, Mohannad Al Akeel

Appalachian Student Research Forum

Introduction Fungal endocarditis (FE) is a relatively uncommon and challenging form of endocarditis, making up a modest percentage of infectious endocarditis cases, ranging from 1.3% to 6%.1 While Candida albicans has historically been recognized as a common causative agent, the landscape is evolving, with Candida parapsilosis (C. parapsilosis) emerging as a prevalent non-albicans species associated with this condition. Recent data show FE prevalence rising to 2-5% of endocarditis cases, highlighting evolving epidemiology. We present a rare case of C. parapsilosis endocarditis, contributing to understanding the changing fungal pathogen landscape in cardiovascular infections. By highlighting this unique instance of Candida parapsilosis …

2024 February 16 - Board Of Trustees Academic, Research, And Student Success Committee Agenda And Minutes, Board Of Trustees, East Tennessee State University

Board of Trustees Agendas and Minutes

No abstract provided.

Gattonrx Magazine - 2024, Bill Gatton College Of Pharmacy, East Tennessee State University

GattonRX Magazine

No abstract provided.

Etsu Health Annual Report - 2024, Etsu Health, East Tennessee State University

ETSU Health Annual Reports

No abstract provided.

Intestinal Microbiome, Fecal Fermentation Profile, And Health Indices In Hiv Infected Men Versus Non-Infected Controls, Mary Andreae, Mary C. Andreae Mrs

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Many HIV-positive (HIV+) males on Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Therapy (HAART) experience metabolic abnormalities, including Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) and lipodystrophy. The intestinal microbiota and short chain fatty acids (SCFA), participate in bidirectional communication with their host. Dysbiosis in HIV+ males on HAART demonstrate a Prevotella-rich enterotype shaped by multiple factors including, medications, adiposity, diet, intestinal permeability, and lifestyle; our objective was to investigate these factors. 19 HIV+ and 21 HIV- males were enrolled. BMI and hip-to-waist ratio (H:W) were obtained, and FibroScan for liver health. Intestinal permeability markers Claudin-21, flagellin, and intestinal fatty acid binding protein (IFABP) in …

Obstetric Violence And Postpartum Adjustment: Exploration Of Risk And Resilience Factors, Hope O'Neill

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Obstetric violence includes acts of abuse, coercion, or disrespect that occur during the labor process. The present study explores how obstetric violence impacts a person’s postpartum psychosocial adjustment. This study used a subset of data (N = 339) from a larger online study, which attempted to explore multiple facets of a person’s postpartum health. The psychological constructs examined are postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety. Additional constructs assessed were protective and risk factors: self-compassion and medical mistrust. Self-compassion and medical mistrust were examined by using moderation models. Additional analyses were completed using simple regression models to explore whether obstetric violence predicts …

Effect Of Macrophage Expressed Α7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor (Α7nachr) On Migration Of Macrophages During Inflammation, Kasey Keever

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition characterized by overwhelming inflammation, resulting in organ system damage, leading to a high mortality rate. Care in the clinical setting is supportive, and there are no approved sepsis-specific treatments. In septic mice, activation of the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway decreases cytokine secretion by leukocytes and improves survival. The cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway is a reflex of the parasympathetic nervous system, converging on the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine (α7nAChR) at the surface of macrophages. Signaling through the receptor blocks NF-kB activation, thus cytokine secretion. Receptor activation has other effects on macrophages, including modulating their migration to …

Investigating The Role Of Maternal Adiposity On Human Breast Milk And Preterm Infant Stool Short Chain Fatty Acid And Microbiome Profiles, Kristy L. Thomas

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Preterm birth is the number one cause of death in neonates, accounting for 35% of neonatal mortality. The preterm birth rate in the U.S. in 2021 was 10.5%, disproportionally affected by race and ethnicity. Obese women have an increased risk of preterm pregnancy, and if delivered before 37 weeks of gestation, the offspring have higher rates of complications that extend from the neonatal period into life-long metabolic and immune adverse outcomes. In the early months after delivery, preterm infants have higher rates of adverse health outcomes than term infants, including infections, extrauterine growth restrictions, respiratory, metabolic, and neurological complications, necrotizing …

Parent Choice: Learning Pods Or Public Education During Covid-19 Pandemic, Shari Kinney

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this phenomenological qualitative study was to examine the decision-making process of K-12 parents living in the Appalachian Highlands who chose to remove their children from traditional public schools to join learning pods (sometimes referred to as pandemic pods) during the COVID-19 pandemic. In order to answer this overarching question, the researcher focused her study on two areas: first, what were the possible push factors that influenced parents to remove their children from public schools, and secondly, what were the pull factors that lead parents to choose learning pods over other school choice options. Through the data collected …

2023-November-24-Yao Named Quillen College Of Medicine’S Dishner Chair Of Excellence.Pdf, University Marketing And Communication, East Tennessee State University

ETSU News

Dr. Zhi Q. Yao, division chief of research and director of East Tennessee State University’s Center of Excellence in HIV/AIDS in the Quillen College of Medicine, has been named the college’s Paul Dishner Chair of Excellence in Medicine.

Established in 1989, the primary focus of the Dishner Chair of Excellence in Medicine is to enhance research efforts in the Quillen College of Medicine.

He is well-suited for the task.

During his time at ETSU, Yao has brought more than $10 million in grant funding for his research either as the principal or co-principal investigator on numerous research projects and …

2023-September-08-Etsu's Ciidi, Ut Health Sciences Center Partner To Study Genetic Markers In Blood, University Marketing And Communication, East Tennessee State University

ETSU News

(September 8, 2023) – How big of an impact do your genes play in overall health and response to treatment?

That’s the question East Tennessee State University’s Center of Excellence in Inflammation, Infectious Disease and Immunity (CIIDI) and the University of Tennessee’s Health Science Center (UTHSC) set out to answer with their Biorepository and Integrative Genomics (BIG) Initiative.  

The BIG Initiative aims to address some of the most critical health care needs in Tennessee by investigating the impact a person’s genes have on their overall health and response to treatment. Researchers are looking to discover new associations between a person’s …

Gratitude And Sleep Quality In Primary Care: Mediating Effects Of Health Self-Efficacy, Health Behaviors, And Psychopathology, Heather R. Altier

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Sleep disturbances are prevalent among primary care patients, and psychological dysfunction, including stress, anxiety, and depression, are robust contributors to poor sleep health. Yet, the presence of potential protective characteristics, such as health self-efficacy and engaging in adaptive health behaviors, may mitigate such outcomes. Gratitude (i.e., recognition and appreciation of experiences, relationships, and surroundings), a positive psychological cognitive-emotional characteristic, may serve as a catalyst of these beneficial downstream effects, given its association with improved health functioning and sleep. In a sample of primary care patients (N = 869) from 50 urban and 30 rural practices in Germany, health self-efficacy …

Use Of Transposon Screening For Salicylic Acid-Assisted Desiccation Killing In Salmonella, Shannon D. Elliott

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium is one of the most prevalent food-borne pathogens, affecting millions around the world every year, making it a threat to global health. Salmonella possesses the ability to survive the normally lethal condition of desiccation, however, discovery of the genes and mechanisms behind this phenomenon are still ongoing. Using a transposon mutagenesis approach to construct a broad transposon library, this study aimed to uncover genes that may be contributing to changes in Salmonella’s survivability under desiccation, particularly when exposed to the antimicrobial molecule salicylic acid. Building on previous findings showing salicylic acid can alter cell viability …