Digital Commons Network^™

Policy Overview (November, 2021)

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

No abstract provided.

Data Infomation: Insights Into History Of Global Infectious Disease Research

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

No abstract provided.

Intouch December 20, 2021, New York Medical College

InTouch

• HSL Hosts 28th Annual Faculty Author Recognition
• NYMC and TCUS Host 16th COVID-19 Symposium
• Donate Life Club Hosts Successful Blood Drive with Record Turnout

Impact Of Semi-Annual Albendazole On Lymphatic Filariasis And Soil-Transmitted Helminth Infection: Parasitological Assessment After 14 Rounds Of Community Treatment, Sébastien D S Pion, Cédric B Chesnais, Gary J Weil, Frédéric Louya, Michel Boussinesq, François Missamou

Open Access Publications

Between October 2012 and October 2015, we conducted a community trial to assess the impact of semi-annual (twice yearly) community treatment with albendazole on lymphatic filariasis in Seke Pembe, a village in the Republic of the Congo. Semi-annual community treatment with albendazole has been continued in the community since October 2015. We conducted an additional parasitological assessment survey in October 2019, 6 months after the 14th round of semi-annual treatment. Between October 2012 and October 2015, Wuchereria bancrofti antigenemia and microfilaremia rates in the community had decreased from 17.3% to 4.7% and from 5.3% to 0.3%, respectively. In October 2019, …

Reading And Study Habits Among Secondary School Students During Covid-19 Lock-Down In Ondo City, Michael Jato

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The study is on the reading and study habits of secondary students during Covid-19 lockdown in Ondo City. The study employs survey research design and questionnaire instrument was used to elicit responses from200 respondents. Five research questions were formulated and the answers were provided through statistical mean. Findings reveal that that the reading habit of secondary school students during Covid-19 lockdown in Ondo city was good, but the study habit was poor, diverse materials were used for studying, home was used mostly for study and house chores and insufficient data were the major challenges. The study concludes that students of …

Emerging Themes In The Molecular Pathogenesis Of Enterotoxigenic Escherichia Coli, James M Fleckenstein, Alaullah Sheikh

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) are ubiquitous diarrheal pathogens that thrive in areas lacking basic human needs of clean water and sanitation. These genetically plastic organisms cause tremendous morbidity among disadvantaged young children, in the form of both acute diarrheal illness and sequelae of malnutrition and growth impairment. The recent discovery of additional plasmid-encoded virulence factors and elucidation of their critical role in the molecular pathogenesis of ETEC may inform new approaches to the development of broadly protective vaccines. Although the pathogens have been closely linked epidemiologically with nondiarrheal sequelae, these conditions remain very poorly understood. Similarly, while canonical effects of …

2021-12-19_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 three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Syndromic Surveillance System data is obtained from approximately 216 facilities participating in syndromic surveillance (139 Emergency Departments (ED), 77 Urgent Care) 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, …

Health Care Capacity Surge Strategies, Jennifer L. Wenhold

Florida Public Health Review

While streamlining emergency powers might offer some advantages, recent events demonstrate how Florida’s Department of Health worked collaboratively to address the Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. As Florida began experiencing a need for increased health care capacity, Division of Medical Quality Assurance (MQA) officials reviewed health care practitioners’ licensing and regulatory framework to identify mitigation strategies to boost staffing of front-line responders where needed. Florida officials responded quickly to the spread of COVID-19 and adopted health care workforce strategies that were grouped into three categories: (1) those involving licensed practitioners, (2) those involving soon-to-be licensed practitioners, and (3) those …

Build A Bigger Table, Eric F. Spina

President's Blog: From the Heart

"As you enter the world outside this campus, I urge you to build a bigger table. Invite others with alternative viewpoints and those who look different from you to join you around your table. And, most importantly, stay at that table when conflicts and tensions arise," I told the Class of 2021 at winter commencement.

The Environmental Kuznets Curve For Deforestation In Indonesia, Dara Adila, Nunung Nuryartono, Mandar Oak

Economics and Finance in Indonesia

This study provides empirical findings on the relationship between deforestation and income in 32 provinces in Indonesia. To enrich the discussion on deforestation, this study investigates the impact of the factors of population, roundwood production, land area, and main crop production on deforestation. The selected main crops in Indonesia are oil palm, coffee, coconut, rubber, and cacao. The results confirm the existence of the EKC relationship between deforestation and income in Indonesia. The study also finds that oil palm production positively affects tree cover loss, but the production of natural rubber has the opposite impact on deforestation.

An Overview Of Drugs For The Treatment Of Mycobacterium Kansasii Pulmonary Disease, Shashikant Srivastava, Jotam G. Pasipanodya, Scott Heysell, Gunavanthi D. Boorgula, Tawanda Gumbo, Pamela J. Mcshane, Julie V. Philley

School of Medical and Biological Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine and compare the efficacy of drugs to treat Mycobacterium kansasii (Mkn) pulmonary disease by performing minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) determination and time-kill studies. Methods: We determined the MICs to 13 drugs against the Mkn standard laboratory strain ATCC 12478 and 20 clinical isolates and performed time-kill studies with 18 drugs from different classes using the standard laboratory strain of Mkn. The β-lactam antibiotics were tested with or without the combination of the β-lactamase inhibitor avibactam. An inhibitory sigmoid Emax model was used to describe the relationship between drug concentrations and bacterial …

Arginine-Rich Polypeptides Are Potent Inhibitors Of Human Papillomavirus Infection And Powerful Tools To Investigate Viral Attachment And Entry, Jesse Mckay Young

Biomedical Sciences ETDs

HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection. It is estimated that 80% of sexually active adults will contract an HPV infection. Thus, there is a significant need for low-cost and easily distributable HPV antivirals that can be used alongside vaccines to combat infection. Herein I have identified protamine sulfate (PS) as a potent microbicide against HPV infection. PS was agnostic to genotype and efficacious pre and post HPV exposure. PS application topically reduced HPV internalization by altering epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling and suppressed EGFR-stimulated HPV entry. Our preliminary data also suggest that heparin binding epidermal growth factor …

Covid-19 In A Secure Behavioral Rehabilitation Setting: A Program Evaluation, Jennifer G. Jones

Doctors of Nursing Practice (DNP) Final Projects, 2020-current

Problem: The COVID-19 case rate as of June 5, 2020, for prisoners was 5.5 times higher than the United States (US) population case rate (Saloner et al., 2020). A secure behavioral rehabilitation facility in the US was challenged to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and made many changes to facility and program protocol in order to meet this challenge.

Methods: The purpose of this program evaluation was to examine the COVID-19 facility response, case rates, percent positivity and attack rates between units at a secure behavioral rehabilitation facility to inform further policy and procedure recommendations for the mitigation of COVID-19 …

Providing Hypertension Education For African Immigrants At A Southern California Congregation During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Esther Oshunluyi

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Providing Hypertension Education for African Immigrants at a Southern California Congregation During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Background: Hypertension (HTN) is one of the major risk factors for cardiovascular disease and the prevalence is highest among African Americans (AAs) (American Heart Association, 2017). The difference in the management and outcomes of HTN between African Americans and Whites is most disparate with lack of education being a major contributor to uncontrolled HTN among African Americans, especially among African Immigrants (Lackland, 2014).

Problem: According to church leadership at the project setting, the majority of their adult African Immigrant population is believed to have …

2021-12-17_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 three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Syndromic Surveillance System data is obtained from approximately 216 facilities participating in syndromic surveillance (139 Emergency Departments (ED), 77 Urgent Care) 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, …

Using Simulation To Improve Covid-19 Code Blue Outcomes, Charity Shelton

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background

Healthcare workers in the acute care setting must be ready to respond to emergencies at any given time. The recent COVID-19 pandemic put strains on the healthcare workforce that have brought challenges and new competencies for how healthcare workers safely respond to emergencies. To ensure healthcare workers maintain these competencies, specific training must occur to improve emergency response and outcomes. Specifically, there needs to be training for healthcare workers to respond to COVID-19 code blue emergencies safely and with skilled interventions.

Problem

A code blue in the acute care setting is a medical emergency that requires nurses, physicians, and …

Use Of Simulation To Improve Nurse's Response To Covid-19 Code Blue: A Literature Review, Charity Shelton

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background

Healthcare workers in the acute care setting must be ready to respond to emergencies at any given time. The recent COVID-19 pandemic put strains on the healthcare workforce that have brought challenges and new competencies for how healthcare workers safely respond to emergencies. To ensure healthcare workers maintain these competencies, specific training must occur to improve emergency response and outcomes. Specifically, there needs to be training for healthcare workers to respond to COVID-19 code blue emergencies safely and with skilled interventions.

Problem

A code blue in the acute care setting is a medical emergency that requires nurses, physicians, and …

The Mrna-Lnp Platform's Lipid Nanoparticle Component Used In Preclinical Vaccine Studies Is Highly Inflammatory, Sonia Ndeupen, Zhen Qin, Sonya Jacobsen, Aurélie Bouteau, Henri Estanbouli, Botond Z. Igyártó

Department of Microbiology and Immunology Faculty Papers

Vaccines based on mRNA-containing lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are a promising new platform used by two leading vaccines against COVID-19. Clinical trials and ongoing vaccinations present with varying degrees of protection levels and side effects. However, the drivers of the reported side effects remain poorly defined. Here we present evidence that Acuitas' LNPs used in preclinical nucleoside-modified mRNA vaccine studies are highly inflammatory in mice. Intradermal and intramuscular injection of these LNPs led to rapid and robust inflammatory responses, characterized by massive neutrophil infiltration, activation of diverse inflammatory pathways, and production of various inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. The same dose of …

Connecting Human Dignity, Non-Violence, And Environment For Healthcare Ethics In Nigeria, John Mark Ogu

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

Connecting Human Dignity, Non-violence, and Environment in Health Care for Nigeria

By

John Mark Chinaemerem Ogu

December 2021

Dissertation supervised by Peter Ikechukwu Osuji, Ph.D.

This dissertation presents a global public health ethical approach based on social justice that connects human dignity, non-violence, and the environment in Nigeria. Recently, different places globally are witnessing uprisings and violence; some of these are linked to environmental scarcity. These are threats to global health, peace, development, and security because violence of any type or form is a global public health and security menace and an affront to human dignity. Environmental scarcity, especially …

Decreasing Maternal Breastfeeding Dissatisfaction During The Night Shift Related To Lactation Support, Robyn Caston

Master's Projects and Capstones

Abstract

Problem

This paper will discuss the Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) project's specific aim: to decrease maternal dissatisfaction during the night shift related to lactation support in a high-risk maternal department.

Context

Research has shown that adding lactation support improves the decision to exclusively breastfeed and increases the duration. Breastfeeding for all infants starting at birth and continuing until at least 6 months of age has been recommended by the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and the American Academy of Pediatrics. Many studies about lactation support have demonstrated the health benefits to mothers and their infants.

Interventions

A baseline survey will …

The Effect Of Hydroxychloroquine On Mortality In Hospitalized Covid-19 Patients, Misha Suresh, Jeff Abraham

Physician Assistant Capstones, 2020-current

As of October 2020, there are no commonly accepted or proven effective treatments for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is an established anti-malarial drug with demonstrated action against SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) in-vitro and early observational studies and anecdotal evidence supported its use in treatment of COVID-19. In this review, three of largest and most statistically powerful studies to date (two cohort studies and one randomized controlled trial [RCT]) are synthesized for the purpose of determining whether HCQ is effective in reducing mortality in patients hospitalized with COVID-19. All three studies found no statistically significant difference in …

Intention To Breastfeed: Breastfeeding Attitudes, Norms, Self-Efficacy, Social Support Network And Community Resources Of African American, Low-Income, Emerging Adult Women, Pregnant For The First Time, Sara E. Brown

Theses & Dissertations

African American (AA) women continue to have the lowest rates of breastfeeding. This continues to create a health disparity even though breastfeeding is extensively recognized in the scientific and health care communities as the optimal feeding choice for infants. This study examined the relationship between the external variables (social support network and community resources) and the explanatory variables (attitudes, norms, and perceived self-efficacy) and intention to breastfeed, for the AA, first time, low-income, emerging adult pregnant woman. The Integrated Behavior Model (IBM) was used as the theoretical framework to guide this study in better understanding the variables influencing breastfeeding intention. …

Characterization Of Aerosols Produced By Common Orthodontic Procedures, Anna R. Schoettger

Theses & Dissertations

Introduction: Aerosols can harbor active viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, making it vital that clinical protocols implemented in the orthodontic office be based on which procedures produce aerosols. Research shows that various procedures in the field of orthodontics generate aerosols, however, there is a lack of consensus as to which procedures should be deemed aerosol-generating procedures (AGPs). The current study aimed to better understand aerosol production of various orthodontic procedures. Methods: Orthodontic procedures were performed in a closed-room dental operatory on acrylic teeth mounted onto a dental manikin. Procedures performed included: debonding, bonding, and repositioning of one bracket. Variations introduced included: high-speed …

Evaluation Of Stratified Antibiograms For Use In Laboratory And Antimicrobial Stewardship, Linsey Donner

Theses & Dissertations

Antibiograms are critical for choosing empiric antimicrobial therapy. Cumulative antibiograms, which aggregate susceptibility data, can mask differences within specific patient subsets or clinical syndromes. This dissertation was done to determine if antibiotic susceptibilities showed substantial differences when comparing stratified antibiograms to cumulative antibiograms.

Antibiotic susceptibility data was retrospectively obtained from Nebraska Medicine January 1, 2017 – December 31, 2019 for Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Enterococcus faecalis. The University of Nebraska Medical Center’s web antibiogram clinical decision support tool was used to export the data. Bacteria-antibiotic susceptibility rates of stratified antibiograms …

Integrative Analysis Of Multi-Omics Kinome Data And Virtual Screening Of Identified Targets With Pan-Cancer Application, Siddesh Southekal

Theses & Dissertations

Cancer is a heterogeneous disease characterized by the uncontrolled growth and dissemination of abnormal cells. Unfortunately, it is also challenging to treat due to the heterogeneous nature of the tumors and the lack of known drugs that are effective against all tumor subpopulations.

The human protein kinases represent an essential and diverse family of enzymes and are often dysregulated in cancer. The human kinome comprises only around 2% of all coding genes of the human genome but phosphorylates about 30% of cellular proteins critical for regulating various biological processes such as cell proliferation, cell cycle progression, apoptosis, motility, growth, differentiation, …

Understanding The Impact Of Chlamydia Trachomatis Infection On Host Vesicular Trafficking, Lisa M. Jorgenson

Theses & Dissertations

Chlamydia trachomatis is a highly evolved obligate intracellular bacterial pathogen. During infection, organisms reside within a host epithelial cell in a membrane-bound vacuole called the inclusion. The inclusion membrane contains both pathogen and host components, including unique chlamydial type III effector proteins called Incs and host lipids like cholesterol and sphingomyelin. The inclusion membrane serves as the main barrier between the bacteria and the host cytosol, and thus, functions as the platform supporting host-chlamydial interactions. Via the inclusion membrane, C. trachomatis intercepts components of host vesicular traffic including many host SNARE proteins, which are a conserved family of eukaryotic proteins …

Humanized Mice For Brain Infection Of Emerging Viruses, Edward Makarov

Theses & Dissertations

Studies on the pathogenesis of emerging viruses that present a global threat are critical for pathogen classification and therapeutic development. Humanized mice enable investigation of viral pathogens, including Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1), Zika virus (ZIKV), Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and Dengue virus (DENV), offering an advanced understanding into the mechanisms of viral perseverance in its natural human host cells and for therapeutic discovery. Realizing the diverse dynamics of various viral infections with the capacity to establish an innovative acuity for therapeutics and mechanics when utilizing humanized mice contributes a formerly inaccessible insight into human-specific viral pathogenesis and treatment. We recently developed …

Immunological Factors Associated With Siv/ Shiv Persistence In Diverse Tissue Niches, Omalla A. Olwenyi

Theses & Dissertations

The significant challenge towards a successful HIV cure lies in eradicating persistent viral reservoirs across diverse tissue niches. As a result, HIV-infected individuals have to resort to lifelong antiretroviral therapy. Recent news of supposed HIV eradication in a second patient has further re-invigorated the fields of HIV cure. However, a few barriers remain, such as the lack of currently available assays to accurately quantify viral reservoirs, limited information on cellular factors associated with persistence, and varied dynamics of the viral reservoir in various body compartments. Lastly, HIV-infected individuals live different lifestyles stemming from comorbid substance abuse including consumption of morphine, …

Implementation Of A Risk Assessment Tool To Increase Screening For Extragenital Gonorrhea And Chlamydia In Men Who Have Sex With Men, Andrew P. Tharp

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

INTRODUCTION: Gonorrhea and chlamydia account for the majority of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the United States and are often thought to infect only the urogenital tract. Infections can also be harbored at extragenital sites (rectum and oropharynx), and these infections can increase susceptibility to HIV. Extragenital screening recommendations exist for populations deemed high risk, including men who have sex with men (MSM); yet, routine screening is not consistently completed.

PURPOSE: To improve screening rates for extragenital gonorrhea and chlamydia in MSM within a primary care setting by using an STI risk assessment tool.

METHODS: Clinicians completed a baseline knowledge …

Naturally Occurring Etiologic Factors Affecting The Health Of Breeding Seabirds In The Bering Sea, Maile Branson

Biological Sciences

Seabird populations across the globe have experienced both significant instability and consistent overall declines in recent history. Seabirds in the Bering Sea of Alaska, USA appear to be severely affected by environmental changes, exhibiting large-scale shifts in behavior and distribution and increases in unusual mortality events (UMEs) in recent years. I analyze a selection of the naturally occurring pathogenic and toxicological factors affecting breeding seabirds in the Bering Sea region using an approach focusing on zoonoses and bioaccumulating toxins. Specimens were collected at three breeding colonies in the Bering Sea in 2018 and 2019, and were evaluated for the presence …