Digital Commons Network^™

Pre-Transplant Marital Status And Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Outcomes., J Tay, S Beattie, C Bredeson, R Brazauskas, N He, Ibrahim A. Ahmed, M Aljurf, M Askar, Y Atsuta, S Badawy, A Barata, A M Beitinjaneh, N S Bhatt, D Buchbinder, J Cerny, S Ciurea, A D'Souza, J Dalal, N Farhadfar, C O Freytes, S Ganguly, U Gergis, S Gerull, H M Lazarus, T Hahn, S Hong, Y Inamoto, N Khera, T Kindwall-Keller, R T Kamble, J M Knight, Y N Koleva, A Kumar, J Kwok, H S Murthy, R F Olsson, M Angel Diaz-Perez, D Rizzieri, S Seo, S Chhabra, H Schoemans, H C Schouten, A Steinberg, K M Sullivan, J Szer, D Szwajcer, M L Ulrickson, L F Verdonck, B Wirk, W A Wood, J A Yared, W Saber

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Background: Evidence about the impact of marital status before hematopoietic cell transplantation (hct) on outcomes after hct is conflicting.

Methods: We identified patients 40 years of age and older within the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research registry who underwent hct between January 2008 and December 2015. Marital status before hct was declared as one of: married or living with a partner, single (never married), separated or divorced, and widowed. We performed a multivariable analysis to determine the association of marital status with outcomes after hct.

Results: We identified 10,226 allogeneic and 5714 autologous hct cases with, respectively, …

Covid-19 Investigated In Terms Of Disparities: An Analysis Of The Past, Present, And Future Of Public Health In Illinois, Hannah Deblock

University Honors College

As a relatively new topic, previous literature fails to address the relation of social determinants of health to COVID-19. By combining existing knowledge on previous epidemics, information on the role of social determinants of health, and data on COVID-19, conclusions can be made about the path going forward. Historically, nonpharmacologic interventions such as quarantine periods, face coverings, and social distancing have been used in epidemics such as the Spanish Influenza of 1918-19. In terms of social determinants of health, geographical location, educational level, and income level all play a part in the health of an individual. Rather than emphasizing personal …

The Use Of Nanoparticles And Electrospun Fibers For Intravaginal Delivery To Treat Viral And Bacterial Infections And Electrophysiological Measurements Of Synthetic Chloride Channels., Farnaz Minooei

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Female reproductive viral and bacterial infections affect millions of women worldwide. Given the diversity and magnitude of these unmet reproductive health challenges, topical administration of antiretrovirals (ARVs) and antibiotics have emerged as promising approaches to maintain and restore reproductive health. However, currently available intravaginal dosage forms often suffer from low user adherence and the need for frequent, daily administration to achieve therapeutic effect. To address these challenges, the broad goal of this research was to focus on the development of new localized nanoparticle (NP) and electrospun fiber dosage forms to prolong the delivery and enhance the efficacy of active agents …

Estimation Of Transmission Dynamics Of Covid-19 In India: The Influential Saturated Incidence Rate, - Tanvi, Rajiv Aggarwal, Ashutosh Rajput

Applications and Applied Mathematics: An International Journal (AAM)

A non-linear SEIR mathematical model for coronavirus disease in India has been proposed, by incorporating the saturated incidence rate on the occurrence of new infections. In the model, the threshold quantity known as the reproduction number is evaluated which determines the stability of disease-free equilibrium and the endemic equilibrium points. The disease-free equilibrium point becomes globally asymptotically stable when the corresponding reproduction number is less than unity, whereas, if it is greater than unity then the endemic equilibrium point comes into existence, which is locally asymptotically stable under certain restrictions on the parameters value in the model. The impact of …

A Mathematical Model Of Avian Influenza For Poultry Farm And Its Stability Analysis, Abdul Malek, Ashabul Hoque

Applications and Applied Mathematics: An International Journal (AAM)

This paper aims to estimate the basic reproduction number for Avian Influenza outbreak in local and global poultry industries. In this concern, we apply the SEIAVR compartmental model which is developed based on the well-known SEIR model. The SEIAVR model provides the mathematical formulations of the basic reproduction number, final size relationship and a relationship between these two phenomena. The developed model Equations are solved numerically with the help of Range-Kutta method and the values of initial parameters are taken from the several literatures and reports. The calculated result of basic reproduction number shows that it is locally and globally …

Dynamical Behavior Of An Eco-Epidemiological Model Incorporating Prey Refuge And Prey Harvesting, Dawit Melese, Ousman Muhye, Subrata K. Sahu

Applications and Applied Mathematics: An International Journal (AAM)

In this paper an eco-epidemiological model incorporating a prey refuge and prey harvesting with disease in the prey-population is considered. Predators are assumed to consume both the susceptible and infected prey at different rates. The positivity and boundedness of the solution of the system are discussed. The existence and stability of the biologically feasible equilibrium points are investigated. Numerical simulations are performed to support our analytical findings.

Role Of Β-Glucan Structure In Dectin-1 Homo- And Hetero-Oligomerization In Innate Anti-Fungal Immunity, Eduardo U. Anaya

Biomedical Sciences ETDs

Dectin-1A is a C-type Lectin innate immunoreceptor that recognizes β-(1,3)-glucan, a structural component of Candida species cell walls. Dectin-1 has eight alternative splice isoforms including, A and B. Innate immunocytes can express one or both isoforms, but neither their relative responsiveness to β-glucan nor the potential for inter-isoform signaling cross-talk is well understood. In this study, we determine how the different structures of soluble β-glucans affect both isoforms and unravel how differences in glucan structure impact the earliest events in Dectin-1 signaling. Using quantitative microscopy techniques, we explored the role of glucan structure on Dectin-1A oligomerization, which is thought to …

Inducible Epithelial Resistance Against Acute Viral Pneumonia And Chronic Asthma, Shradha Wali

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Viral pneumonia remains a global health threat despite worldwide vaccination and therapeutic programs. The influenza pandemic of 1918 and SARS-CoV2 pandemic of 2019-2020 are cautionary reminders demanding the need for novel treatment strategies. Moreover, in addition to causing acute disease, respiratory virus infections are often complicated by chronic lung pathologies, such as asthma induction, progression, and exacerbation. We have reported that mice treated with a combination of inhaled Toll-like receptor (TLR) 2/6 and TLR 9 agonists (Pam2-ODN) to stimulate innate immunity are broadly protected against respiratory pathogens, but the mechanisms underlying this protection remain incompletely elucidated. Here, we show in …

Effect Of Marketing Through Value Added And Video Sales On Feeder Cattle Prices, Amanda Trotter

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Feeder cattle marketing opportunities for producers in Missouri continue to expand. Missouri ranks within the top ten U.S. States in beef cow inventory and is a major feeder calf exporter. Selecting the appropriate marketing opportunity can have a dramatic impact on the income of the cattle producer. Feeder cattle marketing opportunities include value-added program sales, video auctions, as well as the traditional live cattle auction. A long-term study comparing these marketing opportunities in a single livestock market in Missouri has not been conducted. The objective of this study is to analyze cattle characteristics that can influence market price in feeder …

Magnetoelectric Coupling In Bismuth Ferrite—Challenges And Perspectives, N. V. Srihari, K. B. Vinayakumar, K. K. Nagaraja

Open Access archive

Multiferroic materials belong to the sub-group of ferroics possessing two or more ferroic orders in the same phase. Aizu first coined the term multiferroics in 1969. Of late, several multiferroic materials’ unique and robust characteristics have shown great potential for various applications. Notably, the coexisting magnetic and electrical ordering results in the Magnetoelectric effect (ME), wherein the electrical polarization can be manipulated by magnetic fields and magnetization by electric fields. Currently, more significant interests lie in significantly enhancing the ME coupling facilitating the realization of Spintronic devices, which makes use of the transport phenomenon of spin-polarized electrons. On the other …

Student Perceptions Of Online And In-Person Microbiology Laboratory Experiences In Undergraduate Medical Education, Ross M. Brockman, John M. Taylor, Larry Segars, Veronica Selke, Tracey A.H. Taylor

Faculty and Staff Publications

Background:

Universities are facing increased budget constraints, often resulting in reduced funds to support microbiology laboratories. Online mock laboratory activities are often instituted as a cost-effective alternative to traditional wet labs for medical students.

Objective:

The purpose of this study was to examine students' perceptions of online and in-person microbiology lab learning experiences.

Design:

We investigated undergraduate medical student perception of the in-person and online microbiology lab experience; 164 first-year medical students participated in newly designed online labs, while 83 second-year medical students continued to use in-person labs. An online survey was administered to collect student opinions of the lab …

An Efficient Algorithm For Numerical Inversion Of System Of Generalized Abel Integral Equations, Sandeep Dixit

Applications and Applied Mathematics: An International Journal (AAM)

In this article a direct method is introduced, which is based on orthonormal Bernstein polynomials, to present an efficient and stable algorithm for numerical inversion of the system of singular integral equations of Abel type. The appropriateness of earlier numerical inversion methods was restricted to the one portion of singular integral equations of Abel type. The proposed method is absolutely accurate, and numerical illustrations are given to show the convergence and utilization of the suggested method and comparisons are made with some other existing numerical solution.

Using Expanded Natural Killer Cells As Therapy For Invasive Aspergillosis, Win Mar Soe, Joan Hui Juan Lim, David L. Williams, Jessamine Geraldine Goh, Zhaohong Tan, Qi Hui Sam, Sanjay H. Chotirmall, Nur A’Tikah Binte Mohamed Ali, Soo Chin Lee, Ju Ee Seet, Sharada Ravikumar, Louis Yi Ann Chai

ETSU Faculty Works

Invasive aspergillosis (IA) is a major opportunistic fungal infection in patients with haematological malignancies. Morbidity and mortality rates are high despite anti-fungal treatment, as the compromised status of immune system prevents the host from responding optimally to conventional therapy. This raises the consideration for immunotherapy as an adjunctive treatment. In this study, we evaluated the utility of expanded human NK cells as treatment against Aspergillus fumigatus infection in vitro and in vivo. The NK cells were expanded and activated by K562 cells genetically modified to express 4-1BB ligand and membrane-bound interleukin-15 (K562-41BBL-mbIL-15) as feeders. The efficacy of these cells was …

A Global Health Action Agenda For The Biden Administration, Lawrence O. Gostin, Donna E. Shalala, Margaret A. Hamburg, Barry R. Bloom, Jeffrey P. Koplan, Barbara K. Rimer, Michelle A. Williams

Georgetown Law Faculty Publications and Other Works

Joe Biden will assume the US presidency at a time of unprecedented global health crises, with the COVID-19 pandemic and major setbacks in reducing poverty, hunger, and disease. The COVID-19 pandemic offers rare opportunities for the US President-elect to spearhead long-overdue structural changes and revitalise global health leadership. Building trust among global partners will be challenging, given the USA's withdrawal from, and disruption of, international cooperation under the presidency of Donald Trump. The USA will have to lead in a different, more collaborative way. Here, we offer a Global Action Agenda for the Biden Administration.

Assessing Nurse Practitioners' Knowledge And Clinical Practice With Regard To The Oral-Systemic Link, Angela Haynes

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Nurse Practitioners (NPs) comprise a significant portion of the U.S. primary care workforce and play an essential role in patients' health awareness, prevention strategies, disease management, and in providing appropriate provider referrals. Nurse Practitioners receive education on the oral-systemic connection, yet there have been limited studies on the clinical practice of NPs assessing the oral cavity to evaluate the condition of the teeth and the oral tissues. The purpose of this study was to explore the nurse practitioners’ knowledge and practice habits of assessing the oral cavity for diseases or abnormalities in the mouth that can, in turn, affect overall …

Serum Levels Of Vitamin C And Vitamin D In A Cohort Of Critically Ill Covid-19 Patients Of A North American Community Hospital Intensive Care Unit In May 2020: A Pilot Study, Cristian Arvinte, Maharaj Singh, Paul E. Marik

School of Dentistry Faculty Research and Publications

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has placed an enormous and growing burden on the population and health infrastructure, warranting innovative ways to mitigate risk of contracting and developing severe forms of this disease. A growing body of literature raises the issue of vitamin C and vitamin D as a risk-assessment tool, and therapeutic option, in COVID-19.

Objective

The objective of this pilot study was to measure serum vitamin C and vitamin D levels in a cohort of patients with critical COVID-19 illness in our community hospital ICU, correlate with other illness risk factors (age, BMI, HgbA1c, smoking status), generate hypotheses, and …

A Collaborative Approach To Reduce The Spread Of Covid-19 In A Large Urban Hospital In South Florida, David Schneider, Roberto L. Roman Laporte

Nursing & Health Sciences Research Journal

The novel Coronavirus has proven challenging for many healthcare organizations. Hospitals are pressed to secure sufficient personal protective equipment to ensure the safety of their healthcare personnel and various strategies have been implemented to stop the spread of the virus. There are still many unknowns about COVID-19 and hospitals are rapidly adapting to new information while trying to maintain the safety and wellbeing of healthcare personnel. Baptist Hospital of Miami developed a collaborative data driven plan to monitor, disseminate vital information, and implement various strategies to protect employees and patients during the pandemic.

The Status Of Antimicrobial Resistance In Campylobacterspp. Isolated From Animals And Humans In Southeast Asia: A Review, Saeid Jafari, Mahdi Ebrahimi, Taradon Luangtongkum

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

Campylobacteris considered to be a major foodborne pathogen associated with human bacterial gastroenteritis in many parts of the world. Southeast Asia (SEA) has been challenging for infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance in recent years. Antibiotic resistance in Campylobacterisolates has been reported in humans and animals in this region.Since the SEA region is one of the top tourist destinations of the world, the provision of safe food is of importance for the travel-related foodborne infections. Therefore, it is essential to elucidate the status of antibiotic resistance of Campylobacterspp. in the SEA region to reduce the impact of infection and to implement …

Regulation Of In Vitro And In Vivo Hepatic Stellate Cell Activation By The Ayrl Hydrocarbon Receptor, Shivakumar Rayavara Veerabhadraiah

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Liver fibrosis is a pathological condition characterized by the excessive deposition of extracellular matrix material by activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). We recently reported that activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), a ligand-activated transcription factor, with 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) increases HSC activation in vitro and in mouse models of experimental liver fibrosis. The goal of this project was to determine the mechanism by which AhR activation impacts HSC activation and the subsequent development of liver fibrosis. It is possible that HSCs are direct cellular targets for TCDD. Alternatively, TCDD could increase HSC activation indirectly by exacerbating hepatocyte damage …

Effects Of Climate Change On The Epidemiology Of Flood-Related Waterborne Disease: A Systematic Literature Review, Sarah M. Cadarette

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

Natural disasters, such as flooding related to extreme precipitation, can lead to many adverse health effects (i.e. waterborne disease). Several outbreaks of waterborne disease have been linked to extreme precipitation, and gastrointestinal infection has been shown to increase after floods. Climate change is likely to lead to a higher frequency of waterborne disease through increases in extreme precipitation and associated flooding affecting water and sanitation infrastructure. This review sought to answer 2 research questions: 1. Has the epidemiology of waterborne disease related to floods changed over time? 2. Can this difference be related to climate change? A literature search was …

Developing A Rabies Prevention Program Based On Rabies Exposure Data In Nebraska, Jill Oatman

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

Eighty-nine percent of Nebraska’s towns are considered rural, with populations of less than 3,000 people and with many towns having less than 1,000 residents. Rural areas consist of crop ground, livestock facilities and regions inhabited by wildlife. Nebraska has two large urban cities, Lincoln and Omaha. Animal and human health in these communities can be greatly impacted by infectious diseases that are transmitted between animals and humans, known as zoonotic diseases. One zoonotic disease of great concern is rabies. Zoonotic diseases not only impact the health of animals and humans, but the social well-being of communities and result in increased …

Differential Diagnosis Of Exercise-Induced Laryngeal Obstruction And Exercise-Induced Asthma, Allison Lyman, Allison Lyman

Honors College Theses

Sensations of shortness of breath and difficulty breathing are not uncommon, especially among athletes and those who regularly engage in aerobic activities. Often, athletes will seek treatment for their respiratory symptoms and may be diagnosed with exercise-induced asthma. Doctors prescribe inhalers to these individuals to help alleviate their symptoms; however, there are occasions in which inhalers fail to lessen the severity of breathing difficulties. This is because asthma is not the only condition that can cause shortness of breath, also known as dyspnea. There exists another condition which affects the vocal folds but not the lungs and bronchioles as is …

No-Cost Flu Clinics, Madyson Shands

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Thousands of people go each year without access to flu vaccinations. In consideration of the current pandemic, there was a need for vaccinations in order to limit the possibility of a double pandemic. The Visiting Nurses Association (VNA), Community services is a non-profit organization that provides services that range from immunization to wellness programs. The community service department strives to connect with the community and construct programs that will assess their needs. The project consists of no-cost flu clinics working with agencies within the Monterey community. Interim is a transitional housing center for adults with mental illnesses. There was a …

Design, Synthesis And Antibacterial Studies Of Some New Pyridopyrimidine Derivatives As Biotin Carboxylase Inhibitors, Vivek B. Panchabhai, Parag G. Ingole, S R. Butle

Bulletin of Faculty of Pharmacy Cairo University

Present study reports the development of novel pyridopyrimidine derivatives as biotin carboxylase inhibitors with potent antibacterial activity. These compounds were designed to avoid possibility of resistance development. Accordingly eighteen compounds were synthesised and characterized on the basis of spectral data. These compounds were tested for their antibacterial potential by the enzyme kinetic assay against the biotin carboxylase. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and single step resistance studies were also performed. Compound 2-((2-Phenylpyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-yl)amino)phenol (6o) showed promising activity in biotin carboxylase inhibition with low MIC. It showed molecular docking score of -7.96, this compound showed formation of hydrogen bonds with the active …

Immune Activation Induces Telomeric Dna Damage, Reduces Memory Precursors, And Promotes Short-Lived Effector T Cell Differentiation In Chronic Hcv Infection, Lam Nguyen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection exhibits persistent high viral load, inducing T cells differentiation and dysfunction in chronically infected individuals. Recent longitude studies in both HCV specific- and bulk T cells reveal that chronic immune stimulation is the driving force for the impaired T cell functions, however, the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Here, we show that peripheral CD4⁺ T cells from chronically HCV-infected patients exhibit lymphopenia with the reduction of naïve population and expansion of effector memory T cells. CD4⁺ T cells from HCV patient also display elevated activation markers. including HLA-DR, GLUT1, Granzyme B, and short-lived …

The Battle Against Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) In The Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia: Public Health Perspective, Sultan T. Al-Otaibi

Saudi Medical Journal

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) which was initially reported in the Chinese city of Wuhan has now spread unprecedented all over the world, including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The World Health Organization declared this outbreak as a public health emergency of international concern during late January 2020 while the announcement of this viral infectious condition was made as COVID-19 disease during February 2020. As of late May 2020, the global death rate due to COVID-19 was 357,714 and 441 in KSA alone. This review provides an overview of COVID-19 and the public health measures adopted by KSA in the …

Natural Immunity To Influenza A And B Among Saudi Blood Donors In Al Madinah Al Munawarah, Saudi Arabia, Waleed H. Mahallawi, Nadir A. Ibrahim, Khalid S. Alahmadi, Abdullah K. Al-Harbi, Mohammed A. Almughthawi, Omar A. Alhazmi, Fayez H. Alsehli, Omar F. Khabour

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To investigate the seroprevalence of influenza viruses (A and B) among blood donors in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Methods: The present investigation was conducted between April 2019 and July 2019. Participants were healthy adults recruited from the central blood bank Al Madinah Al Munawarah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels against influenza A and B were measured in serum samples using ELISA. Results: The results showed that 29.2% of the sample had significant concentrations of influenza A IgG antibody, whereas 38.6% had significant concentrations of influenza B IgG antibody. A strong correlation was found between the levels …

Clinical Characteristics And In-Hospital Outcome Of Medical Staff Infected With Covid-19 In Saudi Arabia: A Retrospective Single-Center Study, Samah I. Abohamr, Mubarak A. Aldossari, Faisal A. Alaklobi, Hala A. Amer, Shaimaa H. Alzarzour, Sara W. Abdelhamid, Obaid Aljunaidi, Omar S. Badhawi, Shireen Siddiqui, Hanem Jumaa, Muhammad Badwi, Eman Elsheikh

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To analyze the clinical characteristics and in-hospital outcomes among coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) positive medical staff compared with those of public. Methods: A total of 108 COVID-19-positive medical staff patients were included in the study from March 23, 2020 to June 15, 2020. Patients were analyzed for demographic data, clinical presentations, and in-hospital outcomes and compared against 661 COVID-19-infected patients of non-medical personnel. Results: Mean age of medical staff patients was 44.05±13.9 years, most of whom were women (63.9%). The infected medical staff members consisted of 63 nurses (58.3%), 37 physicians (34.3%), 5 technicians (4.6%), and 3 pharmacists (2.8%). …

Stress And Psychological Resilience Among General Surgery Residents During Covid-19 Pandemic, Yasser M. Aljehani, Sharifah A. Othman, Nosibah K. Telmesani, Raghad A. Alghamdi, Hussah M. Albuainain, Zeead M. Alghamdi, Hazem M. Zakaria, Farouk T. Alreshaid, Saleh A. Busbait, Abdullah A. Alqarzaie, Turki M. Alharbi, Ruba K. Alnajim

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To evaluate the impact of coronavirus-19 (COVID-19) pandemic and its consequences on general surgery residents. Methods: Cross-sectional, survey based study including surgical residents in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Kingdom of Bahrain. Results: Surgical trainees who participated in our survey (n=234) were young (mean age 28), single (53.8%), and males (65.8%). Approximately half (50.4%) have been deployed to cover the staff shortage in intensive care units (ICUs) or emergency departments (EDs). Half of our trainees (117) scored positive in the screening tool of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). There was a significant association between experiencing anxiety and male gender ( …

World Leaders Join Forces To Fight The Accelerating Crisis Of Antimicrobial Resistance

Saudi Medical Journal

No abstract provided.