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Psychometric Evaluation Of A Perceived Barriers To Medication Adherence Instrument And Association Between Perceived Barriers And Patient Characteristics, Lynn Andreae Jan 2020

Psychometric Evaluation Of A Perceived Barriers To Medication Adherence Instrument And Association Between Perceived Barriers And Patient Characteristics, Lynn Andreae

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Medication adherence is an important component of diabetes management, yet nonadherence is common and has substantial patient and economic costs. In order to achieve meaningful improvements in medication adherence, clinicians and researchers need good ways of both identifying those at risk of nonadherence and ascertaining the specific reasons driving nonadherence in those patients. Current options for self-reported medication adherence are limited in their vulnerability to response bias, which may lead to overestimation of adherence. A measure that assesses perceived barriers to medication adherence may be a useful alternative, as it may identify patients at risk of nonadherence while reducing socially …

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Prediction Of The Optimal Catheter Placement Selection For Therapy Infusion To Treat Brain Tumors, Lisa Hope Antoine Jan 2020

Prediction Of The Optimal Catheter Placement Selection For Therapy Infusion To Treat Brain Tumors, Lisa Hope Antoine

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ABSTRACT In 2020, the National Brain Tumor Society reported that physicians would diagnose more than 87,000 new cases of brain tumors. These cases will add to the approximately 700,000 individuals in the United States living with brain and central nervous system tumors. Almost 18,000 of these cases will prove fatal [1]. The blood-brain barrier (BBB) hinders the effective treatment of brain tumors. The task of this barrier is to protect the brain from composition instabilities in blood plasma and shield the brain from agents that may adversely impact brain functionality. However, by performing its tasks the barrier prevents potential effective …

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Understanding The Impact Of Diet And Obesity On Anti-Tumor Immunity And Therapeutic Efficacy In Kidney Cancer, Rachael Miller Orlandella Jan 2020

Understanding The Impact Of Diet And Obesity On Anti-Tumor Immunity And Therapeutic Efficacy In Kidney Cancer, Rachael Miller Orlandella

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Obesity is regarded as a major risk factor for developing renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Advanced-stage RCC exhibits chemotherapeutic resistance, but is responsive to immunotherapies such as the immune checkpoint inhibitor anti-programmed cell death-1 (anti-PD-1). Despite some clinical successes, response rates remain low for anti-PD-1 monotherapy (20-30%). Preclinical evaluations of immunotherapeutic strategies typically use lean mice and do not account for patient comorbidities. This may explain the underwhelming success rates following clinical translation of new cancer treatments. Recent studies found that obesity was associated with favorable outcomes and responses to immunotherapy in melanoma. However, the effects of obesity on anti-tumor immunity …

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Investigating Growth-Related Hormones And Their Roles In Metabolism In Fish Skeletal Muscle, Ross Michael Lee Reid Jan 2020

Investigating Growth-Related Hormones And Their Roles In Metabolism In Fish Skeletal Muscle, Ross Michael Lee Reid

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The endocrine system is essential for the maintenance and regulation of skeletal muscle growth and metabolic processes, as secretions of growth-related hormones directly regulate these systems. The roles of these growth-related hormones are well understood in mammals yet are not well defined in teleosts. Thus, the work outlined in these chapters provides novel insight for the actions of two growth-related hormones, Growth Hormone (GH) and Teneurin C-terminal Associated Peptide (TCAP), in fish skeletal muscle. First, Chapter 2 highlights the work expanding the application of resazurin as a novel method of in vivo metabolic assessment across fish life-stages, which was utilized …

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Nutrition Transition And Ses As A Fundamental Cause: An Integrative Approach To Examine Weight Status Among Women In Nepal, Sanjeev Acharya Jan 2020

Nutrition Transition And Ses As A Fundamental Cause: An Integrative Approach To Examine Weight Status Among Women In Nepal, Sanjeev Acharya

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The increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity in developing countries is a public health problem. Globally and in Nepal, women have higher burden of overweight and obesity. Over the recent years, Nepal has made progress in human development and is also experiencing nutrition transition. In this context, the goal of this study is to investigate the change in association between socioeconomic status (SES) and body weight over time, examine whether SES – body mass index (BMI) varies across region and occupation, and test for the double burden of malnutrition among adult women. Using a novel framework that integrates nutrition transition …

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Dietary Nitrate And The Oral Microbiome In Obesity, Health And Exercise, Christian E. Behrens Jan 2020

Dietary Nitrate And The Oral Microbiome In Obesity, Health And Exercise, Christian E. Behrens

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Obesity ranks among the top growing health concerns worldwide. The prevalence of obesity at all life stages continues to rise with nearly 40% of adults and 35% of children/adolescents being affected. Equally troublesome is the increased risk for a number of comorbidities associated with obesity including cardiovascular disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and certain types of cancer. The successful treatment of obesity, particularly long-term, continues to prove challenging and is often met with limited success. This highlights the importance of continued investigation into alternative strategies that may reduce the incidence and severity of obesity and associated pathophysiologies. Regular physical …

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Cognitive Factors And Treatment Adherence In Individuals With Cystic Fibrosis, Benjamin Edwin Burgess Jan 2020

Cognitive Factors And Treatment Adherence In Individuals With Cystic Fibrosis, Benjamin Edwin Burgess

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Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a life-threatening chronic illness which requires adherence to a many complex and time-consuming treatments. Adherence is suboptimal in this population. Thus, it is important to consider predictors of treatment adherence. Research has evaluated a number of cognitive factors that are related to adherence in groups with chronic illnesses, including those with CF. The present study considers three factors (health locus of control (HLC), perceived social support, and perceived disease severity) in order to address important gaps in the literature evaluating their relationships with treatment adherence. For each of these factors, the current research is limited by …

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Examining The Role Of Neighborhood Quality On The Association Of Mammography Adherence Among Racial/Ethnic Groups, Roman Johnson Jan 2020

Examining The Role Of Neighborhood Quality On The Association Of Mammography Adherence Among Racial/Ethnic Groups, Roman Johnson

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Although several racial/ethnic minority women groups (e.g., Latina, Black, Asian-American, and Native-American women) have lower breast cancer incidence than white women, they are more likely to die from breast cancer. One possible explanation for this discrepancy is racial/ethnic differences in mammography use. Mammography has been shown to contribute to the discovery of tumor proliferation earlier which translates to less breast cancer complications like greater risk of breast cancer-related mortality. Previous studies on racial/ethnic differences in mammography adherence (e.g., annual and biannual mammography adherence) have been inconclusive, and they generally overlook important contextual factors, namely neighborhood quality and geographic location (e.g., …

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The Effect Of Gi Patients' Health Literacy Levels On Gi Patients' Health Outcomes, Dae Hyun Kim Jan 2020

The Effect Of Gi Patients' Health Literacy Levels On Gi Patients' Health Outcomes, Dae Hyun Kim

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The paper in this dissertation provide empirical evidence on the effect of GI patients’ health literacy levels on GI patients’ health outcomes. The findings of this study contribute to existing body of literature on health literacy and health outcomes. Furthermore, the findings also offer both theoretical and practical implications to physicians, healthcare administrators, and policymakers. Overall, the results of this study show that GI patients’ health literacy levels are negatively associated with GI patients’ health outcomes (hospital length of stay, readmission, and complication). However, partial support was shown for different types of GI surgeries accentuating the negative association between GI …

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A Preliminary Analysis On The Effects Of Acute Beetroot Juice Intake On Glycemic And Blood Pressure Control In Type 2 Diabetes, Braxton Linder Jan 2020

A Preliminary Analysis On The Effects Of Acute Beetroot Juice Intake On Glycemic And Blood Pressure Control In Type 2 Diabetes, Braxton Linder

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Cardiometabolic diseases are becoming increasingly prevalent in modern society due to low activity lifestyles and poor nutrition. Inorganic dietary nitrate (diNO3) has shown to potentially improve cardiometabolic health in a number of different populations but remains to be corroborated in humans with type 2 diabetes (T2D). This preliminary analysis aimed to determine the effects of consuming an acute, concentrated dose of diNO3 containing beetroot juice (BRJ) on hemodynamic and glycemic responses in humans with T2D while controlling for pharmacological influences. Three participants with a clinical diagnosis of T2D were recruited into this study. Pulsewave Velocity (PWV) was used to assess …

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Evaluation Of The Effectivenss Of Rotc Army Cadet Exercise Training For The Army Combat Fitness Test, Jake Mintz Jan 2020

Evaluation Of The Effectivenss Of Rotc Army Cadet Exercise Training For The Army Combat Fitness Test, Jake Mintz

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The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of ROTC Army cadet exercise training for the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT). A secondary purpose was to evaluate the effectiveness and perception of a remote training program. The cadets performed an 8-week training program that consisted of similar movements to the movements seen on the ACFT. Following 8 weeks, the cadets retested the ACFT. Performance measures were in-creased in the scores and scoring variable of the 3-repetition deadlift and 2-mile run (p < .005). The overall testing score also improved significantly. These results imply that an 8-week training program focusing on movements similar to those tested by the ACFT could improve ACFT score.

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Immunopathogenesis In Fungal Asthma, Matthew Stephen Godwin Jan 2020

Immunopathogenesis In Fungal Asthma, Matthew Stephen Godwin

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Asthma patients are increasingly presenting with asthma that is more difficult to control and treat than in years past. A subset of these patients who are sensitive to fungal species are described as having severe asthma with fungal sensitization (SAFS). Given the severity of disease, there is ever increasing interest in identifying the immune processes underlying SAFS disease pathology and the development of novel therapeutics to improve management. While sensitivity to multiple fungal species has been described in SAFS, none is more common than Aspergillus fumigatus. Here, we describe two previously unrecognized contributors to the amelioration of disease pathology in …

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Adolescent Fast Food Consumption: Underlying Factors And Related Health Outcomes, Lindsay Marie Stager Jan 2020

Adolescent Fast Food Consumption: Underlying Factors And Related Health Outcomes, Lindsay Marie Stager

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Obesity represents one of our nation’s leading public health issues. In 2017, over 30% of U.S. high school students presented with either overweight (15.6%) or obesity (14.8%). These trends are alarming as early childhood and adolescence are critical developmental periods for establishing healthy eating and exercise behaviors. Though past research has uncovered many factors related to adolescent eating behaviors, few studies have examined the longitudinal impacts of parenting and family variables on diet across the transition from adolescence to adulthood. Further, there is a lack of longitudinal research regarding health outcomes of fast food consumption during this same developmental period. …

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Novel Methods For Establishing The Capacity For Nociception And Cognition In The Zebrafish Danio Rerio, Chris Taylor Jan 2020

Novel Methods For Establishing The Capacity For Nociception And Cognition In The Zebrafish Danio Rerio, Chris Taylor

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Here we demonstrate the utility of a zebrafish-based model of nociception to serve as a novel screening tool for analgesic drugs. Zebrafish swimming behavior was measured following administration of various algogens used in rodent research. All compounds reduce distance traveled, thought to be an expression of nociception. Furthermore, we undertook to investigate the contribution of sex and feeding history on the acetic acid-evoked nociceptive response in zebrafish. Data suggest that male fish were more sensitive to pain than females, and that females recovered from pain faster than males. Dietary restriction increased pain sensitivity in zebrafish. We then tested the viability …

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The Relationship Between Accreditation And Performance Among Federally Qualified Health Centers, Henry Thompson Jan 2020

The Relationship Between Accreditation And Performance Among Federally Qualified Health Centers, Henry Thompson

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While past studies have examined the relationship between accreditation and hospital performance, no previous studies have evaluated the relationship between Joint Commission accreditation and Federal Qualified Health Center (FQHC) performance. Multiple regression analyses were used to evaluate the relationship between Joint Commission accreditation and variables of interest. Joint Commission accreditation was utilized as the dependent variable in the evaluation of organizational and environmental market factors, and utilized as the independent variable in the evaluation of clinical and non-clinical performance outcomes. This study applies a novel approach to determine the relationship between Joint Commission accreditation and adoption among FQHCs, and organizational …

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Exploring Diet Quality In Early Care And Education Centers: Measures, Policies, And Center Characteristics, Elizabeth Kroeger Jan 2020

Exploring Diet Quality In Early Care And Education Centers: Measures, Policies, And Center Characteristics, Elizabeth Kroeger

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Over 65% of children ages 2-5 years attend Early Care and Education (ECE) centers where they consume most of their daily caloric intake; however, children at these centers are not meeting the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA). This could suggest poor diet quality, which is a risk factor for diet-related diseases. Currently, diet quality in ECE centers is measured through the assessment of either the food/beverages listed on the lunch menu (menu), served to the children during lunch (served), or consumed by the children during lunch (consumed). However, the lunch meal may be better viewed as a process, rather than …

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Analyzing Spinach Growth Using Vertical Garden Techniques And Local Water Sources For Urban Gardens, Julia Ashlyn Manzella Jan 2020

Analyzing Spinach Growth Using Vertical Garden Techniques And Local Water Sources For Urban Gardens, Julia Ashlyn Manzella

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The University of Alabama at Birmingham undergraduate and graduate programs’ continued involvement in the Birmingham-Jefferson County community have identified food insecure areas, known as food deserts, and associated health issues negatively impacting the community due to poor diets and lack of access to healthy foods. Farm stands and community gardens around the Birmingham-metropolitan area have increased healthy food availability during the past several years to encourage healthier eating habits. To combat food insecurity, sustainable alternative growing techniques for urban agriculture need to be implemented and incorporated into local community gardens. Alternative gardening techniques such as vertical gardens maximize yield in …

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Translating Public Health Strategies To Examine Hypertensive Disorders Of Pregnancy In Alabama, Matthew Dean Moore Jan 2020

Translating Public Health Strategies To Examine Hypertensive Disorders Of Pregnancy In Alabama, Matthew Dean Moore

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Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) are on the rise in the United States and contribute significantly to maternal and infant morbidity and mortality. The impact of such disorders is especially burdensome for women insured by Medicaid, for those who live in the South, and for those representing racial and ethnic minorities. It is evident across the aims of this dissertation that HDP remains an important public health concern to stakeholders in Alabama, its diagnosis is influenced by various maternal characteristics, and it can result in disparate severe outcomes for some populations. The first aim examines systems level decision-making in the …

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Single Cell Proteins Affect Growth Performance And Body Composition Of Pacific White Shrimp Litopenaeus Vannamei, Yuan Yuan Jan 2020

Single Cell Proteins Affect Growth Performance And Body Composition Of Pacific White Shrimp Litopenaeus Vannamei, Yuan Yuan

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The globally growing human population has increased the needs for protein based food. Single cell proteins (SCPs) as unconventional protein source, when coupled to aq-uaculture production, offer a means to ensure future protein needs can be met. To demon-strate a given type of SCP has potential as a protein source for use in aquaculture feed; a number of investigations are needed including demonstrating that the SCP is attractable and accepted by the animals, leads to equivalent survival, growth and nutritional compo-sition. This dissertation represents a series of investigations designed to evaluate the fea-sibility of using a bacterial based (MRD-Pro) and …

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Copper Dependent Inhibitors Subvert Common Resistance Mechanisms In Staphylococcus Aureus And Inhibit Crucial Metabolic Pathways, Cameron Crawford Jan 2020

Copper Dependent Inhibitors Subvert Common Resistance Mechanisms In Staphylococcus Aureus And Inhibit Crucial Metabolic Pathways, Cameron Crawford

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The effective antibiotic pool is shrinking with antibiotic resistance a constant problem that threatens to make our current therapies obsolete. To combat this, new drug screening methodologies are required since the traditional drug screens are offering limited results or only improvements upon current treatments. This work expands upon the idea that transition metal toxicity can be preferentially targeted towards bacteria. Specifically, the focus is on copper dependent inhibitors that quickly work to eliminate Staphylococcus aureus. S. aureus is a particularly threatening bacteria with high strain variability, a litany of survival and virulence factors, and multiple drug resistance mechanisms that are …

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Religious/Spiritual And Secular Coping Among Individuals With Cystic Fibrosis And Their Caregivers, Christina Marie D'Angelo Jan 2020

Religious/Spiritual And Secular Coping Among Individuals With Cystic Fibrosis And Their Caregivers, Christina Marie D'Angelo

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Cystic fibrosis (CF) – a genetic, progressive disease affecting approximately 30,000 individuals in the United States – has been linked with psychological maladjustment and clinical difficulties among both affected individuals and their caregivers, specifically as the disease progresses and becomes more difficult to treat. Religious/spiritual and secular coping strategies, however, can offset many of the detrimental effects. Yet despite the salient effects that coping can have, aspects of coping among individuals with CF and their caregivers are still largely understudied and poorly understood. In general, less is known about religious/spiritual coping specifically including how it changes across the lifespan, how …

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Rna Polymerase I Elongation Kinetics: A Biochemical And Global Study Of A Cancer Therapeutic Target, Catherine Elizabeth Scull Jan 2020

Rna Polymerase I Elongation Kinetics: A Biochemical And Global Study Of A Cancer Therapeutic Target, Catherine Elizabeth Scull

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My graduate research has focused on understanding the elongation kinetics of RNA polymerase I (Pol I), the enzyme responsible for synthesizing ribosomal RNA (rRNA), and defining how inhibition of ribosome biogenesis may be used as a cancer therapeutic strategy. Here, I have defined key biophysical features of Pol I and I have expanded the field’s understanding of Pol I elongation by: 1) characterizing the enzymatic properties of Pol I by mutational analysis of the polymerase itself, and by 2) elucidating the role of DNA sequence on Pol I arrest and nucleolytic cleavage activity. In recent years, Pol I has become …

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5 Ways To Be A Healthy Holiday Party Pro, Staff Dec 2019

5 Ways To Be A Healthy Holiday Party Pro, Staff

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No abstract provided.

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5 Ways To Be A Healthy Holiday Party Pro, Adam Pope Dec 2019

5 Ways To Be A Healthy Holiday Party Pro, Adam Pope

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No abstract provided.

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Anantharamaiah Named To National Academy Of Inventors, Alicia Rohan Dec 2019

Anantharamaiah Named To National Academy Of Inventors, Alicia Rohan

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No abstract provided.

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Uab To Launch Sullivan Survivorship Program, First Of Its Kind For Head And Neck Cancer Patients, Staff Dec 2019

Uab To Launch Sullivan Survivorship Program, First Of Its Kind For Head And Neck Cancer Patients, Staff

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No abstract provided.

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Statewide Coalition To End Student Hunger In Alabama Awarded $500,000 Grant, Shannon Thomason Nov 2019

Statewide Coalition To End Student Hunger In Alabama Awarded $500,000 Grant, Shannon Thomason

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No abstract provided.

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Grant Will Explore Low Vision's Impact On Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors, Staff Nov 2019

Grant Will Explore Low Vision's Impact On Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors, Staff

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No abstract provided.

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New Guidelines Lead To Improvement In Cholesterol Levels In Americans, But More Work Is Needed, Adam Pope Nov 2019

New Guidelines Lead To Improvement In Cholesterol Levels In Americans, But More Work Is Needed, Adam Pope

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No abstract provided.

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Stay Active This Holiday Season With Urec's #Movember, Haley Herfurth Nov 2019

Stay Active This Holiday Season With Urec's #Movember, Haley Herfurth

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