Digital Commons Network^™

April 13, 2021 Ereporter, University Of Alabama At Birmingham

eReporter (campus newsletter)

No abstract provided.

Using Quantitative D-Dimer To Determine The Need For Pulmonary Ct Angiography In Covid-19 Patients, Gary Mikhjian, Ahmad Elghoroury, Keith Cronovich, Kevin Brody, Robert Jarski

Emergency Medicine Articles

INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 has been frequently cited as a condition causing a pro-inflammatory state leading to hypercoagulopathy and increased risk for venous thromboembolism. This condition has thus prompted prior studies and screening models that utilize D-dimer for pulmonary embolism (PE) into question. The limited research to date has failed to provide tools or guidance regarding what COVID-19 positive patients should receive pulmonary CT angiography screening. This knowledge gap has led to missed diagnoses, CT overutilization, and increased morbidity and mortality.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the utility of the quantitative D-dimer lab marker in a convenience sample …

The Use Of Dmaic To Improve Quality Vaccination Recommendations In Chain Community Pharmacies, Urvi Patel

Applied Research Projects

Community pharmacies provide the convenience and ease of administrating vaccinations outside traditional settings. Vaccinations are health initiatives that protect communities and improve health outcomes in all populations. Despite their accessibility and supporting clinical data, various influential factors contribute to the current suboptimal rates of vaccine administration. Given the common barriers to vaccine administration, this research narrows down to address a specific barrier and attempts to implement a method that focuses on improving vaccine rates in community pharmacies. This research is a case study that utilizes the DMAIC model of lean six sigma and aims to use this quality improvement process …

Exploring The Interaction Of Amphiphilic Mycobacterial Lipoarabinomannan With Lipoproteins: Implications For Blood-Based Diagnosis, Shailja Jakhar

Biomedical Sciences ETDs

Currently, over one-third of the global population is infected with tuberculosis (TB), one of the world’s most deadly infectious diseases. The current gold standard for TB diagnosis is microbiological culture, which can take up to 6-8 weeks, which is not conducive to timely treatment. There are no reliable diagnostics for TB. Disease manifestation and outcome of diagnostic tests for TB are influenced by co-morbidities such as HIV co-infection, further complicating diagnostics development. Thus, there is a need for reliable diagnostics for TB. This is especially true in pediatric populations where the differential disease presentation further complicates outcomes.

This dissertation describes …

Announcing Tita As Associate Dean For Global And Women's Health, Jessica Martindale

Browse All News

No abstract provided.

A Study Of Covid-19 Mortality Under Varying Patient Frailty, Alison Sifuentes, Olcay Akman, Daniel Hrozencik

Spora: A Journal of Biomathematics

For this study, we modeled the spread and mortality of COVID-19 throughout the city of Chicago. By incorporating group frailty into a classic SEIR infectious disease model, we were able to differentiate the population of Chicago by their response to COVID-19. Three age groups with different COVID-19-induced death rates were examined, and the model sought to showcase the multiplicative deviation of each age group death rate from the average disease-induced death rate. This adjustment for different death rates among age groups accounted for heterogeneity within the population, and sought to introduce a more accurate manner for modeling the spread of …

Explore The Seasonality Of Covid19 In Hamilton County, Tennessee, Shelby County, Tennessee, And Davidson County, Tennessee, Morgan Osborn

UTC Spring Research and Arts Conference

The following study hypothesizes that COVID19 is a seasonal infectious disease. To test this hypothesis, this study investigated the correlation between weather conditions and transmission of COVID19 in Tennessee. The study contains weather conditions for selected counties in Tennessee, Hamilton county, Davidson county, and Shelby county. This research estimated the daily average weather conditions, and then merged them with the daily COVID19 cases. The following data was visualized and applied cross relation analysis. The initial analysis identified the time lags between weather conditions and COVID19 daily cases.

B25: Generation And Characterization Of Sars-Cov-2 Spike Protein-Pseudotyped Lentivirus Particles For Use In Neutralizing Antibody Titer Testing Of Human Serum, Luis Sanchez

Annual Research Symposium

No abstract provided.

B20: Role Of The Cd5 T Cell Coreceptor In T Cell Activation In Periodontal Disease, Kimble Mahler

Annual Research Symposium

No abstract provided.

B16: Chikungunya Virus Time Course Infection Of Human Macrophages, Madison Gray, Israel Guerrero-Arguero, Antonio Solis Leal, Richard Robison, Brad Burges, Brett Pickett

Annual Research Symposium

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an Alphavirus spread by Aedes spp. mosquitoes and is responsible for infecting 1.1 million people per year worldwide, including a large epidemic in the western hemisphere in 2014-2015. During the body’s immune response to CHIKV, human macrophages become infected after phagocytosis of CHIKV and undergo induced apoptosis, catalyzing the virus spread in the body. It is presently unclear what macrophage genes, functions, and intracellular signaling pathways are impacted during the early, intermediate, and late stages of CHIKV infection. Therefore we quantified the transcriptional response of human macrophage cells infected with CHIKV at two different timepoints.

P15: Vaccine Hesitancy Or Acceptance In High School Students, Sohini Mandal

Annual Research Symposium

Teenage vaccine hesitancy or acceptance in the context of COVID-19, related to public health.

P14: Emerging Role Of Pharmacists In Treatment And Vaccination For Covid-19, Dwaynie Bacon Jr, Man Ha, Dr. Mandal

Annual Research Symposium

No abstract provided.

P6: Predictors Of Compliance With Covid-19 Related Non- Pharmaceutical Interventions Amongst University Students, Spencer G. Shumway, Ethan R. Tolman, Jonas D. Hopper, David Patterson, Gabriella Hubble, Jamie L. Jensen Dr.

Annual Research Symposium

College campuses have been an area where the novel coronavirus has spread rapidly, thus this study is focused on compliance with COVID-19 related non-pharmaceutical interventions among college students.
We surveyed over 600 college students from across the United States and modeled predictors of compliance with non-pharmaceutical interventions. To determine how applicable nationwide modeling might be to individual local campuses we also administered this same survey to nearly 600 students at two large universities in Utah County (Brigham Young University and Utah Valley University). We then ran structural equation modeling (SEM) to determine what factors are related to student compliance with …

P5: Covid-19 Vaccine: Technology Platform, Efficacy And Immune Protection, Manas Mandal

Annual Research Symposium

Roseman Research Day Symposium.

2021-04-12_Michiganoverview_Covidsymptoms, Michigan Department Of Health & Human Services

Michigan COVID-19 Syndromic Surveillance System Data

The Syndromic Surveillance System Data report was obtained from Michigan's COVID-19 dashboard, from under the link "​Coronavirus Symptoms": https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus. Data was compiled by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). The information was updated daily.

Syndromic Surveillance System data is obtained from approximately 183 facilities participating in syndromic surveillance (132 Emergency Departments (ED), 51 Urgent Cares) across the State of Michigan. The reporting is based on individuals who present at EDs and may not be representative of the overall population. The coronavirus-like symptoms query searches visit free-text (chief complaint, triage notes, and clinical impression) for fever or …

Does Computer-Based Classroom Instruction Impact Student Participation?, Paige Hyer

MOT Student Capstones

COVID-19 has caused a disruption of typical teaching methods forcing students to receive instruction virtually. Computer-based classroom instruction was implemented to allow for quick transition between virtual and face-to-face instruction as determined by COVID-19 cases. This research explores how computer-based classroom instruction has impacted student participation within the classroom and the role of occupational therapy to support students who utilize this method of learning. Eighteen elementary school teachers who currently utilize this method of learning were surveyed and data was collected to determine feedback on the impact of computer-based classroom instruction. Data determined that student participation is impacted by computer-based …

Development Of A Lethal Rodent Model Of Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus Infection For Preclinical Antiviral Drug Testing, Rhett Fackrell

Student Research Symposium

Lymphocyctic Choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) is an Old World arenavirus belonging to the family Arenaviridae. The natural host is the common house mouse, with about 5% of the population persistently carrying and shedding the virus. LCMV is spread to humans through the aerosolized excrements of rodents or passed from mother to fetus through the placenta. Some of these cases lead to aseptic meningitis or meningoencephalitis with permanent neurological damage possible. Studies indicate that 2-5% of people are positive for serum LCMV antibodies [1]. LCMV infection has also occurred in organ transplant recipients, with nearly all cases being fatal [2]. There are …

Gcn5-Related N-Acetyltransferases (Gnats) With A Catalytic Serine Residue Can Play Ping-Pong Too, Jackson T. Baumgartner, Thahani S. Habeeb Mohammad, Mateusz P. Czub, Karolina A. Majorek, Xhulio Arolli, Cillian Variot, Madison Anonick, Wladek Minor, Miguel A. Ballicora, Daniel P. Becker Ph.D., Misty L. Kuhn

Chemistry: Faculty Publications and Other Works

Enzymes in the Gcn5-related N-acetyltransferase (GNAT) superfamily are widespread and critically involved in multiple cellular processes ranging from antibiotic resistance to histone modification. While acetyl transfer is the most widely catalyzed reaction, recent studies have revealed that these enzymes are also capable of performing succinylation, condensation, decarboxylation, and methylcarbamoylation reactions. The canonical chemical mechanism attributed to GNATs is a general acid/base mechanism; however, mounting evidence has cast doubt on the applicability of this mechanism to all GNATs. This study shows that the Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA3944 enzyme uses a nucleophilic serine residue and a hybrid ping-pong mechanism for catalysis instead …

A Risk Assessment Tool For Resumption Of Research Activities During The Covid-19 Pandemic For Field Trials In Low Resource Settings, Suzanne M Simkovich, Victor G Davila-Roman, Lisa De Las Fuentes, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

RATIONALE: The spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 has suspended many non-COVID-19 related research activities. Where restarting research activities is permitted, investigators need to evaluate the risks and benefits of resuming data collection and adapt procedures to minimize risk.

OBJECTIVES: In the context of the multicountry Household Air Pollution Intervention (HAPIN) trial conducted in rural, low-resource settings, we developed a framework to assess the risk of each trial activity and to guide protective measures. Our goal is to maximize the integrity of reseach aims while minimizing infection risk based on the latest scientific understanding of the virus.

METHODS: We …

Invasive Pneumococcal Serotype 3 Disease Despite Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine-23, B. Frank Parker Jr, Forest W. Arnold

The University of Louisville Journal of Respiratory Infections

Pneumococcal disease has a high global morbidity and mortality. We report a case of a 63-year old female with a history of vaccination with pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine-23 (PPSV-23) who was transferred to a tertiary care facility with fever and seizures due to an unknown etiology. The diagnosis of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) was based the identification of Streptococcus pneumoniae in the blood (culture; serogroup 3) and cerebrospinal fluid (antigen), and the finding of purulence under pressure at craniotomy. The pneumococcal vaccine should provide protection from IPD. The findings reported here display that IPD can overcome immunity proffered by the pneumococcal …

Climate Change's Impacts May Necessitate Innovative Delivery Models In Us Healthcare Systems, Max Mauldin

Student Research Symposium

Medicaid is a federal programs within the US whose goal is to provide healthcare to vulnerable populations such as low-income adults, children, pregnant women, older adults and persons with disabilities. These groups are also some of the same groups found to be most at risk for vulnerability to and exposure to effects of climate change, such as “heat waves, extreme weather events, poor air quality, food safety, infectious diseases, and psychological stressors that can arise from these experiences. As climate change and its effects continue to worsen financial strain will be place on states’ Medicaid programs because of the exacerbating …

Efficacy Of A Yfv-Specific Monoclonal Antibody In The Treatment Of Yf In A Hamster Model, Ryne Christiansen

Student Research Symposium

The yellow fever virus (YFV) is a flavivirus found mainly in South America and Africa. Infection may result in fever, chills, jaundice, nausea, and vomiting. Outbreaks may have up to 50% case mortality. Although Yellow Fever (YF) is a highly preventable disease through the use of an effective vaccine, there are no approved antivirals for this disease. An effective antiviral is necessary to treat infected individuals in areas where the YF vaccine was not used and an outbreak of YF occurs. In this study, female Syrian golden hamsters were infected with YFV and treated with YFV-specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). Weight …

Uab's Neuroscience Café Serves Up A Covid-19 Update, Alicia Rohan

Browse All News

No abstract provided.

2021-04-11_Michiganoverview_Covidsymptoms, Michigan Department Of Health & Human Services

Michigan COVID-19 Syndromic Surveillance System Data

The Syndromic Surveillance System Data report was obtained from Michigan's COVID-19 dashboard, from under the link "​Coronavirus Symptoms": https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus. Data was compiled by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). The information was updated daily.

Syndromic Surveillance System data is obtained from approximately 183 facilities participating in syndromic surveillance (132 Emergency Departments (ED), 51 Urgent Cares) across the State of Michigan. The reporting is based on individuals who present at EDs and may not be representative of the overall population. The coronavirus-like symptoms query searches visit free-text (chief complaint, triage notes, and clinical impression) for fever or …

Dosing Recommendations For Vancomycin In Children And Adolescents With Varying Levels Of Obesity And Renal Dysfunction: A Population Pharmacokinetic Study In 1892 Children Aged 1–18 Years, Cornelis Smit, Sebastiaan C. Goulooze, Roger J. M. Brüggemann, Catherine M. Sherwin, Catherijne A. J. Knibbe

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

Vancomycin is an effective but potentially nephrotoxic antibiotic commonly used for severe infections. Dosing guidelines for vancomycin in obese children and adolescents with or without renal impairment are currently lacking. This study describes the pharmacokinetics of vancomycin in a large pediatric cohort with varying degrees of obesity and renal function to design practical dosing guidelines for this population. A multi-center retrospective population pharmacokinetic study was conducted using data from patients aged 1−18 years who received >1 dose of vancomycin and had ≥1 vancomycin concentration measured between January 2006 and December 2012. Besides pharmacokinetic data, age, gender, body weight, creatinine clearance …

Improving Antibiotic Prescribing For Acute Respiratory Illnesses, Laurinia Hunter

Student Scholarly Projects

Practice Problem: Unwarranted antibiotic prescribing practices when treating acute respiratory illnesses contribute to the national health threat of antibiotic resistance.

PICOT: In a pediatric outpatient setting for patients ages 6-25 who have no documented uncontrolled comorbidities, presenting with an acute respiratory illness (P), does provider utilization of clinical guidelines, and patient and (caregivers) utilization of educational pamphlets, to collectively develop a plan of care (I), compared to providers and patients who do not utilize such strategies(C) result in a reduction in antibiotics prescribed for acute respiratory illnesses (O) in a 6-week timeframe (T)?

Evidence: The evidence reviewed reported the utilization …

Illegal Wildlife Trade Increases Probability Of Zoonotic Disease Spread In The United States, Ryan Bushman

Student Research Symposium

Illegal wildlife trade is a major contributor to the spread of zoonotic disease in the United States and may potentially lead to further public health emergencies, a significant loss of life, and can cost billions of dollars. The trade of bushmeat and exotic pets are examples of illegal wildlife trade that can result in the spread of zoonotic diseases. These illegal activities are driven by deep-rooted cultural beliefs, financial necessity, and luxurious lifestyles. An analysis of the existing literature on these subjects through the lens of anticipatory intelligence reveals certain areas of the current systems that combat illegal wildlife trade …

Translating -Omics Big Data: Comprehensive Understanding Of Host-Pathogen Interactions To Control Bacterial Blight In Alfalfa Using Computational Approaches, Raghav Kataria

Student Research Symposium

Plant infectious diseases are a major threat to the crops, owing to economic losses to the agriculture industry worldwide. Molecular interactions between the host and pathogen play a critical role in understanding the basis of pathogenesis. Majority of the Pseudomonas syringae strains are known to cause frost injury in plants, amongst which, P. syringae pv. syringae ALF3 is asserted to be a causal organism of bacterial stem blight in Medicago sativa (alfalfa). We elucidated the genome-scale host-pathogen interactions (HPIs) between alfalfa and P. syringae using two intense computational approaches: interolog (homology-based) and the domain-based method (based on 3D structure of …

Bolstering Southeast Asia's Livestock Biosecurity And Climate Change Resilience Essential For Global Health, Madelyn Kunzler

Student Research Symposium

A large factor of climate change is its effect on infectious zoonotic diseases. Zoonotic diseases are diseases that can be transferred from animals into humans. Cases of zoonotic diseases have increased as humans have interacted more with animals, and as worldwide travel has become more frequent. It is predicted that 60% of emerging human diseases will be zoonotic. The cases will continue to increase to due climate change. As climate change continues, research has shown that new diseases will emerge from the melting permafrost and ice caps. It is also likely that pre-existing diseases will be able to migrate to …

Homelessness And Hygiene, Karen Goodsell

Student Research Symposium

Persons experiencing homelessness in the United States experience significant barriers to self-care and personal hygiene, including limited access to clean showers, laundry, toilets, and hand washing facilities. The obstacles to personal hygiene associated with homelessness may increase risk of infectious disease and has increasingly had effects on the homeless population due to the recent pandemic of COVID-19. Access to adequate sanitation, including toilets, showers, and hand-washing facilities is necessary for personal hygiene and good health. A vicious cycle can negatively impact homeless people without proper access to such facilities. Lack of personal hygiene and cleanliness can cause physical as well …