Digital Commons Network^™

A Consensus Statement On Spinal Muscular Atrophy Management In Saudi Arabia In The Context Of Covid-19, Fouad Alghamdi, Nahla Alshaikh, Ahmed K. Bamaga, Fahad A. Bashiri, Khalid Hundullah, Ali Alshehri, Mohammad A. Al-Muhaizea, Abdulaziz Al-Saman

Neurosciences

No abstract provided.

Pestilence And Poverty: The Great Influenza Pandemic And Underdevelopment In The New South, 1918-1919, Andrew Kishuni

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This study examines the "Spanish" influenza pandemic of 1918-1919 in the U.S. South, using case-studies of Jacksonville, Savannah, New Orleans, and Nashville to sculpt a "Southern flu" more identical to the Global South and the developing world than the rest of the U.S. I examine poverty and political and economic paralysis in the years between the end of Reconstruction and 1918, and the poor results of political indifference on public health and disease control. I also analyze the social and institutional racism against persons of color that defined high infectious disease mortality in Southern cities.

I argue that Southerners faced …

Stretched Thin: Parents Lacking Resources Who Are Accused Of Negligent Child Abuse Need Solutions, Not Prisons, Katie Scott

Journal of Inequality Inquiry

No abstract provided.

Environmental Variables Influencing Cynipid Gall Distribution In Southwest Florida, Christine R. Leonard

USF St. Petersburg campus Master's Theses (Graduate)

Insect galls are a common feature in many xeric environments, where hiding away inside a plant host offers developing larvae consistent food and shelter from harsh conditions. This study aimed to identify the most significant environmental factors that affect local populations of oak-galling wasps (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae) associated with three Quercus species found in xeric habitats located in southwest Florida, USA. Cynipid gall diversity, richness, and abundance were quantified for 35 sample sites across 11 counties, counting only winter-season galls. All sample sites were located within xeric, fire-managed, vegetative communities. It was hypothesized that time since last fire, habitat size, latitude, …

Adult Environmental Education: Active Vs. Passive Learning Pedagogy, Kelly Mckenna

USF St. Petersburg campus Master's Theses (Graduate)

From wildfires to coral bleaching, the global effects of climate change are difficult to ignore. Unfortunately, the number of environmental education (EE) programs that target adults in the United States is lacking. Adults have the biggest impact on the environment and the greatest ability to make positive environmental changes and therefore, the need to expand environmental education for adults is imperative. In order to contribute to improved environmental quality, adults need to be exposed to environmental problems and to be taught ways to reduce their environmental impacts. Existing research highlights the difficulties when attempting to include adults in environmental education …

Effects Of An Exogenous Ketone Supplement On Five‐Kilometer Running Performance, Philip J. Prins, Andrew P. Koutnik, Dominic P. D’Agostino, Christopher Q. Rogers, Jacob F. Seibert, Jillian A. Breckenridge, Daniel S. Jackson, Edward J. Ryan, Jeffrey D. Buxton, Dana L. Ault

Molecular Pharmacology & Physiology Faculty Publications

Numerous oral ketone supplements are marketed with the claim that they will rapidly induce ketosis and improve exercise performance. The purpose of this study was to assess exercise performance time and related physiological, metabolic and perceptual responses of recreational endurance runners after ingestion of a commercially available oral ketone supplement. Recreational endurance runners (n = 10; age: 20.8 ± 1.0 years; body mass: 68.9 ± 5.6 kg; height: 175.6 ± 4.9 cm) participated in a double-blind, crossover, repeated-measures study where they were randomized to 300 mg.kg-1 body weight of an oral β-hydroxybutyrate-salt + Medium Chain Triglyceride (βHB-salt+MCT) ketone supplement or …

Ketone Bodies Attenuate Wasting In Models Of Atrophy, Andrew P. Koutnik, Angela M. Poff, Nathan P. Ward, Janine M. Deblasi, Maricel A. Soliven, Matthew A. Romero, Paul A. Roberson, Carl D. Fox, Michael D. Roberts, Dominic P. D'Agostino

Molecular Pharmacology & Physiology Faculty Publications

Background: Cancer Anorexia Cachexia Syndrome (CACS) is a distinct atrophy disease negatively influencing multiple aspects of clinical care and patient quality of life. Although it directly causes 20% of all cancer-related deaths, there are currently no model systems that encompass the entire multifaceted syndrome, nor are there any effective therapeutic treatments.

Methods: A novel model of systemic metastasis was evaluated for the comprehensive CACS (metastasis, skeletal muscle and adipose tissue wasting, inflammation, anorexia, anemia, elevated protein breakdown, hypoalbuminemia, and metabolic derangement) in both males and females. Ex vivo skeletal muscle analysis was utilized to determine ubiquitin proteasome degradation pathway activation. …

Using A Rapid Assessment Methodology To Identify And Address Immediate Needs Among Low-Income Households With Children During Covid-19, Shreela V. Sharma, Amier Haidar, Jacqueline Noyola, Jacqueline Tien, Melinda Rushing, Brittni M. Naylor, Ru-Jye Chuang, Christine Markham

All publications

Objective: Brighter Bites is a school-based health promotion program that delivers fresh produce and nutrition education to low-income children and families. Due to COVID-19-related school closures, states were under "shelter in place" orders, and Brighter Bites administered a rapid assessment survey to identify social needs among their families. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the methodology used to identify those with greatest social needs during this time ("high risk"), and to describe the response of Brighter Bites to these "high risk" families.

Methods: The rapid assessment survey was collected in April 2020 across Houston, Dallas, Washington DC, and …

Concerning The Continuation Of The Regulation Of Naturopathic Doctors, And, In Connection Therewith, Implementing Recommendations Contained In The 2019 Sunset Report By The Department Of Regulatory Agencies., Colorado General Assembly

Session Laws 2001-Present

No abstract provided.

Concerning The Provision For Payment Of The Expenses Of The Executive, Legislative, And Judicial Departments Of The State Of Colorado, And Of Its Agencies And Institutions, For And During The Fiscal Year Beginning July 1, 2020, Except As Otherwise Noted., Colorado General Assembly

Session Laws 2001-Present

No abstract provided.

Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Retroperitoneal Lymph Node Dissection: A Minimally Invasive Surgical Approach For Testicular Cancer., Harsha R Mittakanti, James R Porter

Articles, Abstracts, and Reports

Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) can been employed as primary treatment for stage I non-seminomatous germ cell tumor (NSGCT) as well as for treatment of post-chemotherapy masses. Open RPLND (O-RPLND) has long been the standard approach for lymphadenectomy, but is associated with significant morbidity. Laparoscopic RPLND (L-RPLND) was developed to mitigate the morbidity associated with O-RPLND, but is a technically challenging procedure requiring significant experience with laparoscopic dissection and suturing to remove lymph nodes behind the great vessels and to control vascular injury. Robotic RPLND (R-RPLND) has gained traction in recent years as an alternative to both O-RPLND and L-RPLND. …

Systematic Review Of Energy Drinks And Qtc Prolongation, Cecilia Alvarez

Physician Assistant Studies | Student Authored Articles

The importance of healthcare providers educating the public regarding the consequences of energy drink consumption is critical as energy drink popularity and consumption continues to rise. The purpose of this systematic review is to add to the research that proves the correlation between energy drink consumption and cardiovascular disease. Energy drinks are a contributing factor to cardiovascular disease which is the number one cause of deaths globally. The four studies reviewed in this systematic review demonstrate a statistically significant correlation between energy drinks and QTc prolongation. Further research is needed to have a better understanding of the correlation between energy …

Prophylaxis Of Food Allergen Sensitivity, Dustin Gottfeld

Physician Assistant Studies | Student Authored Articles

Food allergies can have a severe and drastic effect on a person’s lifestyle, while prevention of allergic disease can help to ensure others do not have to live with this burden. There are a variety of differing hypotheses that offer explanations for the early development of food allergies, particularly peanut allergies. Two of the foremost hypotheses are the Hygiene Hypothesis and the Dual-Allergen Hypothesis. The Hygiene Hypothesis claims that the diversity of a child’s microbiota creates a beneficial balance of microorganisms which can help prevent the development of allergic disease. Alternatively, the Dual-Allergen Hypothesis states that early environmental exposure to …

Benefits Of Intermittent Fasting: A Systematic Review Of Randomized Clinical Trials, Kavisha N. Abeyasekera

Physician Assistant Studies | Student Authored Articles

Background: Daily calorie restriction regimens are still the most common diet strategies implemented for weight loss. ^[2,3] In the recent years, intermittent fasting (IMF) has gained popularity among some of the easier diets to follow.^[4]

Objective: The objective of this study is to use the available data on short- and long-term effects of intermittent fasting, either by time restricted feeding or alternate day fasting and help healthcare providers decide on which patients should be recommended IMF as a dietary option.

Study design: Searched Google Scholar, CINAHL, PubMed and Cochrane databases for evidence-based literature on intermittent fasting. Included studies: …

Anti-Hypochlorite, Antioxidant, And Catalytic Activity Of Three Polyphenol-Rich Super-Foods Investigated With The Use Of Coumarin-Based Sensors, Karolina Starzak, Tomasz Świergosz, Arkadiusz Matwijczuk, Bernadette Creaven, Janusz Podleśny, Dariusz Karcz

Articles

The anti-hypochlorite activity of açaí (Euterpe oleracea Mart.), goji (Lycium barbarum L.) and schisandra (Schisandra chinensis) fruit extracts were assessed by determining the reactive chlorine species (RCS)-scavenging ability of these three “super-food” berries. In addition, the aqueous extracts obtained were employed as both the media and the catalyst in a green chemistry approach to the synthesis of a coumarin-based fluorescence turn-off sensor, which was then used for anti-hypochlorite activity testing. The aqueous extracts were also assessed for total phenolic content (TPC), using the Folin–Ciocalteu method, and the antioxidant activity using the ABTS+• assay. Moreover, the main water-soluble polyphenolic constituents of …

Parenting In The Public Eye, Sarah Stauff

Communication Senior Capstones

This paper examines how parents share photos, videos and information about their children on social media websites, called sharenting. COPPA, the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act is mentioned specifically because it does not protect children’s online presence from their parents. Multiple types of sharenting are examined such as; posts for family and friends to view, informational blogs and posts, punishment posts, and YouTube vlogging, or blogging in a video format. Vlogging is dissected by studying three different family vlog YouTube channels and the content that they create. The confidence and sense of self worth of children whose parents participate in …

Kujdesi Infermieror Te Pacienti Me Pneumoni, Ernesta Osmanaj

Theses and Dissertations

Qëllimi i temës “ Kujdesi infermieror te pacienti me pneumoni “ ka të bëjë me pacientët që vuajnë nga infamacioni i indit pulmunar ku edhe kryesishtë janë marrë pacientat në spitalin rajonal në Pejë kryesisht në repartin e pulmologjisë për hulumtim . Në kapitullin e parë të punimit zhvillohet hyrja ku filitet për anatominë , fiziologjinë dhe patologjitë e pneumonisë . Kapitulli i dytë përfshinë shqyrtimin e literaturës , kapitulli tretë për diskutimin e problemit , kapitulli katërt metodologjinë dhe kapitulli i pestë hulumtimin klinik . Sëmunjet e mushkërive gjegjësishtë pneumonitë janë mjaftë të shprehura si tek fëmijët ashtu edhe …

Through The Icu Darkly: Transparency And The Texas Advance Directives Act, John J. Locurto

Faculty Articles

Conflicts arise when a physician deems life-sustaining interventions futile, but a patient or surrogate presses for treatment to continue. The Texas Advance directives Act uses a procedural approach to resolve these disputes. The Act’s multi-step scheme is nationally recognized, yet the public knows little about how it works. The Texas legislature should fix this by requiring hospitals to report how they use the Act’s dispute resolution mechanism.

Association Between Breastfeeding And Child Stunting In Mexico, Ana Paola Campos, Mireya Vilar-Compte, Summer Sherburne Hawkins

Department of Public Health Scholarship and Creative Works

Background: Globally, the prevalence of child stunting has been decreasing over the past decades. How-ever, in low-and middle-income countries such as Mexico, stunting is still the most prevalent form of undernutrition affecting a large number of children in the most vulnerable conditions. Breastfeeding has been identified as one of the key affordable and modifiable maternal health behaviors protecting against child stunting. Objective: To examine the association between breastfeeding (defined as never breastfed, any breast-feeding for <6 months, and any breastfeeding for ≥6 months) and other individual-, household-, and area-level factors with child stunting (defined as length/height-for-age-z-score for sex under –2 standard deviations of the World Health Organization child growth standards’ median) in Mexico. Methods: Secondary data analysis using the 2012 Mexican Health and Nutrition Survey, which allowed representativeness of rural and urban areas at national level and among 4 regions in Mexico. Our subset included data on 2,089 singleton Mexican children aged 6–35 months with information on previously identified risk and protective factors for stunting. We conducted fixed-and mixed-effects logistic regression models sequentially controlling for each level of factors. Findings: Overall, 12.3% of children were stunted and 71.1% were breastfed for ≥6 months. Any breast-feeding and being female were consistent protective factors against child stunting across all models. In contrast, child low birthweight, maternal short stature, higher number of children aged <5 years per household, and moderate to severe food insecurity were consistent risk factors for child stunting across all models. Conclusions: According to our findings, efforts to reduce child stunting in Mexico should include prenatal strategies aiming to prevent low birthweight offspring particularly among short-stature women, moderate to severe food insecure households, families with a higher number of children aged <5 years, and indigenous communities. Postnatal components should include multilevel strategies to support breastfeeding.

How Do They Feel About It? Testing A New Mixed Methods Survey Tool To Assess Collective Emotional Status, Michael Schwab

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

Emotions are now widely accepted as important elements of qualitative research, in studies of individuals and communities. However, collective emotional status—what a community feels about a given situation or proposition—can be challenging to assess. In this study, we examined the validity and acceptability of a new mixed methods survey tool, primarily qualitative, to address this challenge—the Assessment of Collective Emotional Status (ACES). The tool begins with an adjustable set of questions about emotion, to draw respondents’ attention to their own feelings. These are followed by an emotional self-assessment, in which respondents select and prioritize five emotional responses to a standardized …

Evaluating The Implementation Of A Risk Screening Tool To Decrease The Incidence Of Postoperative Nausea And Vomiting, Lauren E. Stoltzfus

West Chester University Doctoral Projects

Abstract

Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) continues to occur despite medical advances over the years. PONV decreases patient satisfaction, can lead to postoperative complications such as dehydration and suture dehiscence, and it increases hospital costs. Evidence in the literature suggests a preoperative risk assessment screening and prophylactic antiemetic administration can decrease the incidence of PONV. The purpose of this project was to evaluate the effectiveness of a risk assessment tool and to determine if the tool would decrease the incidence of PONV. This quality improvement project involved collecting pre-intervention PONV data over a 6-week time period. The pre-intervention incidence was …

Reframing Professional Learning To Analyze Teacher Practice And Promote System-Wide Change, Jennifer Smerecky

West Chester University Doctoral Projects

The present study examined teachers’ perceptions of targeted professional learning experiences offered within their educational agency. This study focused on teachers' perceptions of the planning, delivery, and follow-up support from teacher professional learning sessions. The teacher participants shared their perceptions of professional learning, implementation of new strategies, barriers to implementation, and support needed from their administration in order to grow as educators. This focus of this study aims to reframe professional learning by forming cooperation between administrators and teachers within education organizations to reform professional learning opportunities. This study advocates for further development in the collaboration of a system-wide change …

Eyeballing Stroke: Blood Flow Alterations In The Eye And Visual Impairments Following Transient Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion In Adult Rats, Jea-Young Lee, Vanessa Castelli, Brooke Bonsack, Julián García-Sánchez, Chase Kingsbury, Hung Nguyen, Naoki Tajiri, Cesar V. Borlongan

Neurosurgery and Brain Repair Faculty Publications

Middle cerebral artery occlusion in rodents remains a widely used model of ischemic stroke. Recently, we reported the occurrence of retinal ischemia in animals subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion, owing in part to the circulatory juxtaposition of the ophthalmic artery to the middle cerebral artery. In this study, we examined the eye hemodynamics and visual deficits in middle cerebral artery occlusion-induced stroke rats. The brain and eye were evaluated by laser Doppler at baseline (prior to middle cerebral artery occlusion), during and after middle cerebral artery occlusion. Retinal function-relevant behavioral and histological outcomes were performed at 3 and 14 …

The Role Of Gut Microbiome Perturbation In Fatigue Induced By Repeated Stress From Chemoradiotherapy: A Proof Of Concept Study, Velda J. González-Mercado, Josué Pérez-Santiago, Debra Lyon, Israel Dilán-Pantojas, Wendy Henderson, Susan Mcmillan, Maureen Groer, Brad Kane, Sara Marrero, Elsa Pedro, Leorey N. Saligan

Nursing Faculty Publications

Objectives. The objectives of this proof of concept study were to (a) examine the temporal changes in fatigue and diversity of the gut microbiome over the course of chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in adults with rectal cancers; (b) investigate whether there are differences in diversity of the gut microbiome between fatigued and nonfatigued participants at the middle and at the end of CRT; and (c) investigate whether there are differences in the relative abundance of fecal microbiota at the phylum and genus levels between fatigued and nonfatigued participants at the middle and at the end of CRT. Methods. Stool samples …

Potential Of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Alone, Or In Combination, To Treat Traumatic Brain Injury, Alison E. Willing, Mahasweta Das, Mark Howell, Shyam S. Mohapatra, Subhra Mohapatra

Neurosurgery and Brain Repair Faculty Publications

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) causes death and disability in the United States and around the world. The traumatic insult causes the mechanical injury of the brain and primary cellular death. While a comprehensive pathological mechanism of TBI is still lacking, the focus of the TBI research is concentrated on understanding the pathophysiology and developing suitable therapeutic approaches. Given the complexities in pathophysiology involving interconnected immunologic, inflammatory, and neurological cascades occurring after TBI, the therapies directed to a single mechanism fail in the clinical trials. This has led to the development of the paradigm of a combination therapeutic approach against TBI. …

Special Topic: Cell-Based Meat: The Need To Assess Holistically, Cameron Faustman, Deb Hamernik, Michael Looper, Steven A. Zinn

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Proof-of-principle for large-scale engineering of edible muscle tissue, in vitro, was established with the product’s introduction in 2013. Subsequent research and commentary on the potential for cell-based meat to be a viable food option and potential alternative to conventional meat have been significant. While some of this has focused on the biology and engineering required to optimize the manufacturing process, a majority of debate has focused on cultural, environmental, and regulatory considerations. Animal scientists and others with expertise in muscle and cell biology, physiology, and meat science have contributed to the knowledge base that has made cell-based meat possible and …

Formation And Characterization Of Lipid Droplets Of The Bovine Corpus Luteum, Heather A. Talbott, Michele R. Plewes, Crystal Krause, Xiaoying Hou, Pan Zhang, William B. Rizzo, Jennifer R. Wood, Andrea S. Cupp, John S. Davis

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Establishment and maintenance of pregnancy depends on progesterone synthesized by luteal tissue in the ovary. Our objective was to identify the characteristics of lipid droplets (LDs) in ovarian steroidogenic cells. We hypothesized that LDs are a major feature of steroidogenic luteal cells and store cholesteryl esters. Whole bovine tissues, isolated ovarian steroidogenic cells (granulosa, theca, small luteal, and large luteal), and isolated luteal LDs were assessed for LD content, LD-associated proteins and lipid analyses. Bovine luteal tissue contained abundant lipid droplets, LD-associated perilipins 2/3/5, hormone-sensitive lipase, and 1-acylglycerol-3-phosphate O-acyltransferase ABHD5. Luteal tissue was enriched in triglycerides (TGs) compared to other …

Asas-Nanp Symposium: Ruminant/ Nonruminant Feed Composition: Challenges And Opportunities Associated With Creating Large Feed Composition Tables, Andres Schlageter-Tello, George C. Fahey, Tarra Freel, Liz Koutsos, Phillip S. Miller, William P. Weiss

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Traditional feed composition tables have been a useful tool in the field of animal nutrition throughout the last 70 yr. The objective of this paper is to discuss the challenges and opportunities associated with creating large feed ingredient composition tables. This manuscript will focus on three topics discussed during the National Animal Nutrition Program (NANP) Symposium in ruminant and nonruminant nutrition carried out at the American Society of Animal Science Annual Meeting in Austin, TX, on July 11, 2019, namely: 1) Using large datasets in feed composition tables and the importance of standard deviation in nutrient composition as well as …

Influence Of Host Genetics In Shaping The Rumen Bacterial Community In Beef Cattle, Waseem Abbas, Jeremy T. Howard, Henry Paz, Kristin E. Hales, James E. Wells, Larry A. Kuehn, Galen E. Erickson, Matthew L. Spangler, Samodha Fernando

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

In light of recent host-microbial association studies, a consensus is evolving that species composition of the gastrointestinal microbiota is a polygenic trait governed by interactions between host genetic factors and the environment. Here, we investigated the effect of host genetic factors in shaping the bacterial species composition in the rumen by performing a genome-wide association study. Using a common set of 61,974 single-nucleotide polymorphisms found in cattle genomes (n = 586) and corresponding rumen bacterial community composition, we identified operational taxonomic units (OTUs), Families and Phyla with high heritability. The top associations (1-Mb windows) were located on 7 chromosomes. These …

Dementia, Autonomy, And Supported Healthcare Decision Making, Megan S. Wright

Maryland Law Review

No abstract provided.