Digital Commons Network^™

A Review Of Rat Lungworm Infection And Recent Data On Its Definitive Hosts In Hawaii, Chris Niebuhr, Susan I. Jarvi, Shane R. Siers

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Rat lungworm (Angiostrongylus cantonensis) is a zoonotic nematode that causes rat lungworm disease (angiostrongyliasis), a potentially debilitating form of meningitis, in humans worldwide. The definitive hosts for rat lungworm are primarily members of the genus Rattus, with gastropods as intermediate hosts. This parasite has emerged as an important public health concern in the United States, especially in Hawaii, where the number of human cases has increased in the last decade. Here we discuss the current knowledge of the rat lungworm, including information on the life cycle and host species, as well as updates on known infection levels. Three species of …

Estimating Waterbird Abundance On Catfish Aquaculture Ponds Using An Unmanned Aerial System, Paul C. Burr, Sathishkumar Samiappan, Lee A. Hathcock, Robert J. Moorhead, Brian S. Dorr

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

In this study, we examined the use of an unmanned aerial system (UAS) to monitor fish-eating birds on catfish (Ictalurus spp.) aquaculture facilities in Mississippi, USA. We tested 2 automated computer algorithms to identify bird species using mosaicked imagery taken from a UAS platform. One algorithm identified birds based on color alone (color segmentation), and the other algorithm used shape recognition (template matching), and the results of each algorithm were compared directly to manual counts of the same imagery. We captured digital imagery of great egrets (Ardea alba), great blue herons (A. herodias), and doublecrested cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus) on aquaculture …

Influenza Vaccine Coverage, Awareness, And Beliefs Regarding Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Among People Aged 65 Years And Older In Central Saudi Arabia, Fawzan Y. Alotaibi, Abdulkarim F. Alhetheel, Yousef M. Alluhaymid, Mohammed G. Alshibani, Abdulkarim O. Almuhaydili, Talal A. Alhuqayl, Fahad M. Alfayez, Ahmed A. Almasabi

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To investigate the level of awareness, sources of knowledge, and beliefs about the influenza vaccine in people ≥65 years in central Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional study that used self-administered questionnaires conducted in 3 primary healthcare centers in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia between May 2018 and August 2018. Results: There were 496 Saudis participants (70.2% male) were included, of whom, 47.8% had been vaccinated against influenza at least once. Of unvaccinated individuals, 46% believed that the vaccine was unnecessary. The majority of participants (70.2%) preferred to receive medical information on vaccination from doctors and health workers. Participants with higher levels …

Molecular Investigation And Phylogeny Of Species Of The Anaplasmataceae Infecting Animals And Ticks In Senegal, Mustapha Dahmani, Bernard Davoust, Masse Sambou, Hubert Bassene, Pierre Scandola, Tinhinene Ameur, Didier Raoult, Florence Feenollar, Oleg Mediannikov

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Background: Our study aimed to assess the diversity of the species of Anaplasmataceae in Senegal that infect animals and ticks in three areas: near Keur Momar Sarr (northern region), Dielmo and Diop (Sine Saloum, central region of Senegal), and in Casamance (southern region of Senegal).

Methods: A total of 204 ticks and 433 blood samples were collected from ruminants, horses, donkeys and dogs. Ticks were identified morphologically and by molecular characterization targeting the 12S rRNA gene. Molecular characterization of species of Anaplasmataceae infecting Senegalese ticks and animals was conducted using the 23S rRNA, 16S rRNA, rpoB and groEL genes.

Results: …

Classified Information: The Newsletter Of The Lloyd Sealy Library, Lloyd Sealy Library, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice

Reports and Publications from John Jay College

Classified Information was a publication that informed the College about Library services, personnel, upcoming events, new technologies, and available resources.

Global Burden Of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease In People With Hepatitis C Virus Infection: A Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis, And Modelling Study, Kuan Ken Lee, Dominik Stelzle, Rong Bing, Mohamed Anwar, Fiona Strachan, Sophia Bashir, David E. Newby, Jasmit Shah, Michael Chung, Gerald S. Bloomfield

Internal Medicine, East Africa

Background: More than 70 million people worldwide are estimated to have hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Emerging evidence indicates an association between HCV and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. We aimed to determine the association between HCV and cardiovascular disease, and estimate the national, regional, and global burden of cardiovascular disease attributable to HCV.

Methods: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, Ovid Global Health, and Web of Science databases from inception to May 9, 2018, without language restrictions, for longitudinal studies that evaluated the risk ratio (RR) of cardiovascular disease in people with HCV compared with those without …

2019 Fall Vol. 36 No. 2, Alumni Affairs School Of Medicine

Medicinews

No abstract provided.

The Law Of Genetic Privacy: Applications, Implications, And Limitations, Ellen Wright Clayton, Barbara J. Evans, James W. Hazel, Mark A. Rothstein

Vanderbilt Law School Faculty Publications

Recent advances in technology have significantly improved the accuracy of genetic testing and analysis, and substantially reduced its cost, resulting in a dramatic increase in the amount of genetic information generated, analysed, shared, and stored by diverse individuals and entities. Given the diversity of actors and their interests, coupled with the wide variety of ways genetic data are held, it has been difficult to develop broadly applicable legal principles for genetic privacy. This article examines the current landscape of genetic privacy to identify the roles that the law does or should play, with a focus on federal statutes and regulations, …

Bridging The Gap On Schistosomiasis: A Cross-Sectional Study Examining The Knowledge Gap And Common Attitudes And Practices Regarding S. Mansoni Infections Among Varying Education Levels In Luanda K’Otieno, Western Kenya, Kathy Zhang

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Background: Schistosomiasis is considered one of the most prevalent neglected tropical diseases in the world. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the most effective strategy for schistosomiasis control is through preventive chemotherapy with praziquantel (PZQ). In order to successfully control morbidity rates, the WHO recommends mass treatment targeting high risk groups, such as school-age children and adults considered to be at risk.

Methods: This cross-sectional study examined the effects of the National School-Based Deworming Programme (NSBDP) on knowledge of schistosomiasis and subsequent prevalence rates and intensity. A total of 43 residents in Luanda K’Otieno were interviewed, and 34 of …

Exploring Legal Issues In Tribal Public Health Data And Surveillance, Aila Hoss

Southern Illinois University Law Journal

Law is the foundation of public health practice, including the underpinnings of public health data collection and surveillance and ensuring the privacy of such data. Much has been written on public health data and surveillance at the state and local level. Yet, Tribal law and the federal laws that define the relationships between Tribes, states, and the federal government add an additional complexity to the collection and surveillance of law for American Indian and Alaska Natives. This article explores legal issues in Tribal data and surveillance. First, this article provides a summary of Tribal public health and health care systems. …

Incidence And Diagnostic Yield Of Repeat Urine Culture In Hospitalized Patients: An Opportunity For Diagnostic Stewardship, Kap Sum Foong, Satish Munigala, Ronald Jackups, Melanie L Yarbrough, Carey-Ann D. Burnham, David K Warren

Open Access Publications

There is limited knowledge on the incidence, diagnostic yield, and cost associated with inappropriate repeat urine cultures. The factors that affect repeat urine culturing practices are not well understood. We conducted a retrospective study of adult inpatients who had ≥1 urine culture performed during their hospitalization between January 2015 and February 2018. We analyzed the proportion of inappropriate repeat urine cultures performed <48 h after the index culture. We defined an inappropriate repeat urine culture to be a repeat urine culture performed following a negative index culture or a repeat urine specimen obtained from the same urinary catheter. Overall, 28,141 urine cultures were performed on 21,306 patients. There were 2,060 (7.3%) urine cultures repeated in <48 h. Of these, 1,120 (54.4%) urine cultures were inappropriate. Predictors for inappropriate repeat urine cultures included collection of the initial urine sample for culture in the emergency department (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 5.65; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.70 to 6.78), male gender (aOR, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.42 to 1.84), congestive heart failure (aOR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.03 to 1.38), and a longer hospital stay (aOR, 1.01 per day; 95% CI, 1.00 to 1.01). A patient with an index urine culture obtained from an indwelling catheter (aOR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.53 to 0.80) was less likely to have an inappropriate repeat culture. Among 1,120 negative index urine cultures, only 4.7% of repeat cultures were positive for bacteriuria. The estimated laboratory charges for inappropriate repeat urine cultures were $16,800 over the study period. Among inpatients, over half of all urine cultures repeated in <48 h were inappropriate. This offers an opportunity for diagnostic stewardship and optimization of antimicrobial use.

Progressive Ambivalence: Upholding And Upending Tradition In Philadelphia’S First Public Bathhouse, Gabriel Hearn-Desautels , '20

Senior Theses, Projects, and Awards

Philadelphia’s first, charity-run public bathhouse was established in 1898 by the Public Baths Association of Philadelphia. By the turn of the century, bathing had become inexorably linked to a series of social beliefs, particularly regarding hygiene, morality, and domesticity. In this paper I examine the development of these beliefs and discuss the ways in which the PBA’s first bathhouse became a site in which they were simultaneously upheld and challenged. In doing so, I hope to shed light on the relatively ambivalent nature of bath reformers’ feelings toward the city’s poor.

An Analysis Of The Rajasthan Public Health System’S Response To The 2019 Dengue Insurgence, Luke Bryan

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Dengue virus is in a pandemic status and is a major public health issue in the modern world. The mosquito-borne disease is largely prevalent in Asia and specifically India, where more than half of the states are considered to have complete presence of the dengue virus. The intricate infrastructure of the Indian public health system looks for dengue cases at all levels and reports to the integrated disease surveillance programme (IDSP).

Analyses of the IDSP and trends of dengue cases was done in response to dengue outbreaks throughout the state. Geographic information system (GIS) maps were created to evaluate a …

The Intergenerational Effects Of Adverse Childhood Experiences On Children’S Emergency Department Utilization And Depression And Anxiety In South Carolina, Eboni E. Haynes

Theses and Dissertations

Adult exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) is common in the U.S., with over half of adults reporting exposure to at least one ACE. Childhood trauma is associated with risk factors for premature death, disability, poor physical and mental health, and lower quality of life in adults. Traumatic experiences also influence parenting behaviors later in life, placing offspring at an increased risk of ACE exposure. Few studies have explored the intergenerational effects of ACEs on the health and well-being of offspring. This study sought to identify whether associations existed between caregiver ACE exposures and emergency department (ED) utilization for sick …

Study Of The Inflammatory And Fibrotic Pathology In The Gut Following Microcystin Exposure Under Conditions Of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease., Sutapa Sarkar

Theses and Dissertations

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become a global pandemic with increased risks of chronic inflammation in obese and elderly population. It has become a major public health concern due to the unavailability of proper therapeutic approaches. NAFLD is a condition of the liver involving wide spectrum of events including accumulation of fat in the liver and inflammation, which can progress to a fibrotic and cirrhotic phenotype, often termed as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). In this backdrop, exposure to environmental toxins from harmful algal blooms could prove detrimental to the overweight, obese or elderly population. NAFLD not only affects the liver …

Did Medicaid Expansion Under The Affordable Care Act Reduce The Likelihood That People Report Employment Status Changes Due To Health, U.S., 2009-2017, Songyuan Deng

Theses and Dissertations

Medicaid expansion of Affordable Care Act (ACA) extended coverage to low-income working adults. While Medicaid expansion led to increased healthcare use and national healthcare expenditures, current studies do not examine the effects of Medicaid expansion on health status from the perspective of social roles, for example, changes in employment status. This study use data from the Current Population Survey to examine the association between Medicaid expansion and the probability to attribute part-time work or not-in-labor- force to health issues among people with family annual income no more than 138 of Federal Poverty Level, with a difference-in-differences study design. We found …

Women’S Socio-Economic Empowerment And Uptake Of Hiv Testing In Ethiopia, Dawit Alemu

Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Sub-Sahran Africa constitute two-thirds of all people living with HIV in the world. HIV infection rate is high in the continent with women comprising 56% of new HIV infections among adults 15 and older. Women 15 to 24 are the most affected constituting 66 % of new infections occurring among this age group. The purpose of this study was to examine how gender power relations between men and women affect health seeking behavior, particularly HIV testing, among Ethiopian women age15 to 49.

Methods: The Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS) from 2016 served as the data source for …

Infections In Patients With Multiple Myeloma Treated With Conventional Chemotherapy: A Single-Center, 10-Year Experience In Pakistan, Mohammad Faizan Zahid, Natasha Ali, Myra Nasir, Maria Haider Baig, Mustafa Iftikhar, Syed Usman Bin Mahmood, Arhama Malik, Sara Atif, Mohammad Asim Beg

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Introduction: Multiple myeloma (MM) is a common hematologic malignancy with variable degrees of immunodeficiency. Disease- and treatment-related compromise of the immune system predisposes patients to infections, which are a major cause of morbidity and mortality.
Objective: We aimed to establish the incidence and main characteristics of infections in MM patients treated at our center over a 10-year period.
Method and results: Of the 412 patients retrospectively analyzed, 154 (37.4%) were documented to have at least one episode of infection and were included in this study. A total of 244 infectious episodes were documented. The most common site of infection was …

Longitudinally Extensive Transverse Myelitis With Seropositive Chikungunya, Sajid Hameed, Mubashar Memon, Hina Imtiaz, Dureshahwar Kanwar

Section of Neurology

Chikungunya viral (CHIKV) fever is often a self-limiting febrile illness associated with severe debilitating arthralgia. Neurological complications associated with CHIKV, although rare, have been reported in literature; however, longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis (LTEM) is rarely associated with it. We present a case of a middle-aged man with a 1-week history of low-grade fever and arthralgia followed by urinary retention and quadriplegia. A sensory level was noted at T2. On subsequent investigations, he was diagnosed with LETM. Although LETM is commonly seen in patients with neuromyelitis optica, the other possible etiologies are inflammatory and parainfectious. To date, only two cases of …

Learning Opportunities 2019/2020, Illinois Mathematics And Science Academy

Course Catalogs

The graduation requirements of the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy are established by the IMSA Board of Trustees. Each semester students must take a minimum of five academic courses (2.5 credits) for a letter grade (not Pass/Fail) not including Fine Arts, Wellness, SIR, Internship, and Independent Study. Students may enroll in a maximum of nine courses each semester including academic courses, Fine Arts,Wellness, SIR, Internship, and Independent Study. Only courses taken for a letter grade will count towards graduation credit.

The Relationship Between The Electronic Health Record Patient Portal And Shared Decision Making, Gloria Esoimeme

Theses and Dissertations

Shared decision making (SDM) is a collaborative decision-making style where the patient and the physician are involved in the clinical decision-making process. The goal of this dissertation project was to examine the relationship between the patient portal of an electronic health record (EHR) and SDM.

The SDM process has three main components: information sharing, deliberation and decision making. Patients participate in SDM at varying levels: some patients may prefer to share information and deliberate but leave the final decision making to the provider while others prefer to participate in all the three components of SDM. The patient portal of an …

Examining Opportunities To Increase Flu Vaccine Uptake On College Campuses Through Pharmacy Partnerships, Kristi Hargrave

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this project was to examine a university health clinic’s influenza vaccination program in a suburban city in a western U.S. state, and to explore the effects of partnering with a local pharmacy to overcome billing issues. A program evaluation was conducted to identify the potential barrier of cost for students. The health clinic was not set up to bill private health insurance for students; therefore, if students wanted to get a flu shot, they had to pay out of pocket for it. A pilot program was created in conjunction with the program director, partnering with the local …

The Ethics Of Parental Refusal To Vaccinate: Costs, Community Safety, And Individual Rights, Olatanwa Adewale, Carla Cooper, Pascal Felix, Ashley K. Mitchell, Justin Savage, William A. Mase

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), vaccination has reduced the burden of infectious diseases to a significant extent. In recent times, however, the focus has been more on vaccine safety rather than effectiveness. As with any other public health program, immunizations and associated policies are designed to protect the health of the public. Compared to minor risks of side effects of vaccination, the risk of infection often rationalizes the use of vaccination. In states like Georgia, with fewer outbreaks associated with non-vaccination, the need to access community immunity remains constant. Though some articles have assessed parental refusal of …

Ethical Approaches To Mandating Influenza Vaccinations For Local Health Department Workforce In Georgia, Melicent R. Miller, Maureen K. Akubu-Odero, Lashauna L. Hunt, Stephanie L. Irvin, Catherine T. Palmer, William A. Mase

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: The seasonal influenza illness occurs every year in the United States during the cooler months from October to April, sometimes lasting longer. Although certain populations are more susceptible to this condition, data have shown that otherwise healthy individuals have experienced alarming rates of morbidity and mortality associated with these infections. Despite the CDC’s recommendation for influenza vaccination for all HCWs, compliance have been lagging among local health departments’ workforce. This practice arguably exposes a wide cross section of the U.S. population to the flu, while being served in these facilities. The utilitarian approach provides a framework to examine the …

Epid 9132 – Epidemiology Of Infectious Diseases Transmitted Via Bodily Fluids (Aka “Infectious Disease 2” Listed In Folio), (Isaac) Chun Hai Fung

College of Public Health: Faculty Syllabi (2014-2021)

This course covers advanced topics in epidemiology of infectious diseases transmitted via bodily fluids, primarily sexually transmitted infections and bloodborne infections. Important themes may include outbreak preparedness and response, surveillance, and interventions that prevent and control transmissions. Computational, mathematical and statistical tools relevant to the practice of infectious disease epidemiology will be introduced.

Epid 8130 – Field Methods In Epidemiology, Kelly L. Sullivan

College of Public Health: Faculty Syllabi (2014-2021)

This course addresses practical aspects of management and implementation of research studies and will focus on the conduct of research consistent with the scientific method. Topics include planning study activities, questionnaire design and implementation, and operations research.

Epid 7233– Public Health Surveillance Methods, Jian Zhang

College of Public Health: Faculty Syllabi (2014-2021)

This course will provide students with a strong foundation in public health surveillance of both health conditions and risk factors. The course will teach the theory and practice of surveillance supported by many examples of surveillance systems from the developed and developing world. The class will build on and reinforce basic epidemiologic concepts. Students will be given the opportunity to design and evaluate a surveillance system.

Chbe 9335 A – Global Health And Preparedness, Andrew Hansen

College of Public Health: Faculty Syllabi (2014-2021)

This course will focus on global public health and preparedness for domestic and global emergencies. Students will explore patterns of health and disease around the world, and compare them to public health issues in the United States. An ecological framework will be employed to illustrate the complex political, social, economic, and environmental determinants of global health inequity. Concepts from the social sciences, epidemiology, health systems, and policymaking will be incorporated. The course will emphasize issues related to humanitarian emergencies and natural disasters both globally and domestically, and the need to build public health infrastructure and preparedness to mitigate them.

Pubh 4233 Topics In Global Epidemiology, Evans Afriyie-Gyawu

College of Public Health: Faculty Syllabi (2014-2021)

This course will introduce students to the field of epidemiology as applied in a global context. Students will be introduced to basic concepts of epidemiology as well as an overview of topics across the discipline. Special emphasis will be placed on health issues in the low and middle-income countries and case studies will be used as examples to illustrate concepts and topics of epidemiology. (3 credits)

Pubh 3431 – Introduction To Global Health, Kristina Harbaugh

College of Public Health: Faculty Syllabi (2014-2021)

This course introduces the broad and growing field of global health. The course will discuss how health and illness is defined and explore the biological, cultural, social, and political forces that influence health at the global level. This is a survey course that will explore such topics as: comparative health systems, social determinants of health, health services and quality, healthcare policy, key stakeholders, and major global health initiatives. Throughout the course, an emphasis is placed on global health ethics and issues of social justice. 3 credits (3-0-3)