Digital Commons Network^™

Changes In Streptococcus Pneumoniae Susceptibility In Wisconsin: Implications For Clinical Treatment Decisions For Respiratory Infections, Erik Munson, Stephen C. Lavey, Megan R. Lasure, Barry C. Fox

Clinical Lab Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

Objective: In 2019, the American Thoracic Society and Infectious Diseases Society of America updated clinical practice guidelines for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). In contrast to guidelines published in 2007, macrolide monotherapy for outpatients was made a conditional recommendation based on resistance levels. Local knowledge of current antimicrobial susceptibility is needed to guide management of CAP and other bacterial respiratory pathogens. The purpose of this study was to investigate antimicrobial susceptibility profiles and trending for Wisconsin Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates.

Design: Multi-center laboratory surveillance, with testing at a central location utilizing standardized susceptibility testing protocols.

Methods: Data published by the Wisconsin Department of …

Experiences Of Mothers And Significant Others In Accessing Comprehensive Healthcare In The First 1000 Days Of Life Post-Conception During Covid-19 In Rural Uganda, Grace Nakate, Sean Mackay, Eunice Ndirangu, Valerie Fleming

School of Nursing & Midwifery, East Africa

Background: COVID-19 presented an unprecedented global public health challenge because of its rapid and relentless spread, and many countries instituted lockdowns to prevent the spread of infection. Although this strategy mayhave been appropriate to reduce infection, it presented unintended difficulties in rural Uganda, especially in maternal and born newborn care. For example, some services were suspended, meaning the nearest health facility was at a considerable distance. This study explored the experiences of mothers and their significant others of comprehensive care in the first 1000 days of life post-conception during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bunghokho-Mutoto sub-county, Mbale District, Uganda.

Methods …

Exploring The Effects Of Fatty Acids (Pufas) On The Antimicrobial Resistance In Vibrio Cholerae, Naina Patel

Honors Theses

As antibiotic resistance becomes a major challenge for public health professionals, our research objectives aimed to investigate the potential for polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) to create membrane vulnerability in the gram-negative pathogen Vibrio cholerae to help improve the efficacy of several antibiotics. V. cholerae, normally residing in aquatic environments, is capable of altering its phospholipid composition through the uptake and assimilation of exogenous polyunsaturated fatty acids. The purpose of this study was to measure PUFA-mediated changes in the membrane permeability and antibiotic resistance of Vibrio cholerae. The three physiologically relevant PUFAs used were linoleic acid [18:2], arachidonic acid [20:4], and …

The Effect Of Volatile Organic Compounds On Endothelial Function And Atherogenesis., Samantha Mcfall

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are a group of pervasive air pollutants that are released into the atmosphere from both anthropogenic and environmental sources. Recent epidemiological studies suggest that exposure to various VOCs is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. However, the relationship between VOCs and cardiovascular disease is not well-studied. Using animal models and three select VOCs, benzene, xylene, and trichloroethylene, we studied the effects of VOCs on endothelial injury and benzene-induced atherogenesis. We found that exposure to benzene and xylene increased circulating endothelial microparticles, depleted progenitor cells, and increased platelet activation. Following the exposure to the representative …

Hgf-Mediated C-Met Signaling In Human Corneal Epithelial Cells., Kate Tarvestad

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Vision is often regarded as the primary sense of humans. The cornea is the main refractive tissue that permits light through to the retina, allowing a clear image. When the cornea sustains damage, it opens a pathway for infection and blindness through fibrotic processes. Healing the corneal tissue is critical for vision restoration and pain alleviation. Growth factors and their cognate receptors are currently under investigation as tools to restore proper corneal physiology. We hypothesize that manipulating the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)/ c-Met signaling pathway is one route to promote quality corneal healing. This thesis investigates the signaling, trafficking, and …

Neonate, Infant, And Child Mortality In North Africa And Middle East By Cause: An Analysis For The Global Burden Of Disease Study 2019, Sadaf G. Sepanlou, Hossein Rezaei Aliabadi, Reza Malekzadeh, Ali. A. Asadi-Pooya

Global Health Articles

Background: During the past three decades, neonate, infant, and child mortality declined in North Africa and Middle East. However, there is substantial heterogeneity in mortality rates across countries.

Methods: This study is part of the Global Burden of Diseases study (GBD) 2019. We report the number as well as mortality rates for neonates, infants, and children by cause across 21 countries in the region since 1990.

Results: Between 1990 and 2019, the neonate mortality rate in the region declined from 31.9 (29.8, 34.0) to 12.2 (11.1, 13.3) per 1000 live births. Respective figures for under 5 mortality rates (U5MRs) were …

Indigenizing The Outbreak Narrative: How Lee Maracle, Richard Van Camp, And Cherie Dimaline Critique Settler Colonialism And Medical Racism, Deanne Michelle Sparks

Theses and Dissertations

The dissertation analyzes how Lee Maracle's Ravensong, Richard Van Camp's "I Am Filled with a Trembling Heart", and Cherie Dimaline's The Marrow Thieves critique the traditional outbreak narrative structures identified by Charles Rosenberg and Priscilla Wald. Specifically, these Indigenous texts decenter the microbe for a more miasmic perspective that takes into consideration how settler colonialism and medical racism complicates the disease experience and its social epidemic.

Snapshot Of Rsv, Urvashi Mathur, Barbara Stewart

MEDI 9331 Scholarly Activities Clinical Years

Background: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is known to cause bronchiolitis and other upper respiratory infections (URIs) in children. However, given the COVID-19 pandemic and the resultant lockdowns, circulation of other respiratory viruses was uncharacteristically low. Restrictions are quickly falling and with increased interaction there has been an uncharacteristic jump in cases.

Purpose: To summarize the pathogenesis of RSV and the mechanisms the virus uses to evade immune responses. Additional discussion of the increased rates of RSV hospitalizations as well as the role of vaccinations in controlling infection.

Spinal Metastases And The Evolving Role Of Molecular Targeted Therapy, Chemotherapy, And Immunotherapy, Elena I Fomchenko, James C Bayley, Christopher Alvarez-Breckenridge, Laurence D Rhines, Claudio E Tatsui

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Metastatic involvement of the spine is a common complication of systemic cancer progression. Surgery and external beam radiotherapy are palliative treatment modalities aiming to preserve neurological function, control pain and maintain functional status. More recently, with development of image guidance and stereotactic delivery of high doses of conformal radiation, local tumor control has improved; however recurrent or radiation refractory disease remains a significant clinical problem with limited treatment options. This manuscript represents a narrative overview of novel targeted molecular therapies, chemotherapies, and immunotherapy treatments for patients with breast, lung, melanoma, renal cell, prostate, and thyroid cancers, which resulted in improved …

Covid-19 Vaccine Acceptance Behavior Among Hispanics/Latinxs In Nevada: A Theory-Based Analysis, Tara Marie Naoe Tacderan Wong Nerida

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted many lives around the world, leaving negative repercussions including health effects, economic downturns, and social and physical restrictions. The pandemic has also revealed many disproportionate health impacts on vulnerable populations, especially among the Hispanic and Latinx populations. The use of the three COVID-19 vaccines in the United States has presented a form of protection against additional negative impacts. However, hesitancy toward the COVID-19 vaccine has hindered its rapid uptake, preventing the country from reaching herd immunity and ultimately ending the pandemic. Current research is minimal in understanding the intentions of receiving the COVID-19 vaccine among …

Structure, Function, And Immunogenic Applications Of Ab5-Type Adp-Ribosylating Bacterial Toxins, Elise Marie Overgaard

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Bacterial mono-ADP-ribosyltransferases (ARTs) catalyze the singular transfer of an ADP-ribose moiety from an NAD+ molecule onto a target molecule. ARTs contain an ancient and highly conserved tertiary structure and have a wide variety of intracellular targets and effects. Some, but not all, bacterial ARTs have an AB₅-type multimeric structure consisting of an enzymatically active subunit non-covalently situated atop of a non-toxic pentamer. The active, or A, subunit of AB₅-type toxins has a catalytic action that contributes to bacterial pathogenicity, and it is sometimes, but not always, an ART. ArtAB is an ART with AB₅-type …

Histopathological Study On The Effect Of Artemisinin Multiple Doses On The Pathogenesis And Immune Reaction Of Trichinella Spiralis In Albino Rats, Zeinab Dwidar, Hebatallah Mahgoub, Iman Ibrahim, Ahmed Elshaieb

Mansoura Veterinary Medical Journal

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the therapeutic effect of Artemisinin multiple doses on the pathogenesis and immune reaction of Trichinella spiralis during the intestinal and muscular phases in albino rats.Design: Randomized controlled study.Animal Models: The experiment was performed on 80 adult albino rats of both sexes, weighting (160 g ±20g) and (4-6) weeks old.Procedures: rats were divided into four experimental groups, (Control negative) group, T. spiralis infested (TR) group: each animal was orally infested with 300 T. spiralis larvae, T. spiralis treated (AR+TR) group: each animal in this group was orally infested with 300 T. spiralis …

Computer-Aided Drug Discovery For Helicobacter Pylori, Nicole Ann Vita

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Helicobacter pylori is a high-priority drug-resistant pathogen and is currently the only bacteria considered to be a class I carcinogen and there is a critical need to identify novel chemical matter to treat H. pylori infections. Hp is responsible for greater than 60% of gastric cancer related deaths and 89% of all gastric cancer morbidities. In a previous study, our lab identified novel Hp thienopyrmidine inhibitors that target respiratory complex I, an essential enzyme in respiration. Respiratory complex I is a large asymmetric multidomain and membrane bound enzyme and due to these innate features, it is not practical for biophysical …

Clinical, Laboratory, And Chest Radiographic Characteristics Of Covid-19 Associated Severe Pediatric Pneumonia. A Retrospective Study, Ali A. Asseri, Saleh M. Al-Qahtani, Mohammed A. Algathradi, Ibrahim A. Alzaydani, Ahmed A. Al-Jarie, Ibrahim A. Al-Benhassan, Ibrahim A. Alhelali, Mona S. Alassiri, Ali A. Alrmelawi, Abdelwahid S. Ali

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To evaluate the demographics, clinical presentation, laboratory data, chest radiographs, and outcomes of pediatric patients with critical coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Methods: This retrospective study included 34 children who were diagnosed with severe COVID-19 pneumonia between August 2020 and July 2021. Severe pneumonia was defined as fever, respiratory distress (tachypnea, chest retractions, and hypoxia [oxygen saturation <90% in room air]), and obvious infiltrations on chest radiography. Results: Ages of the patients ranged from newborns to 12 years old, with a median of 24 months (interquartile range: 12-72 months). Preschool-aged children were the most common age group (44%). Levels of inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein, ferritin, and procalcitonin) were elevated in most patients. A total of 13 patients developed severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), while 4 developed multiorgan failure. Despite receiving supportive therapy, 2 (5.9%) patients died due to severe septic shock and multiorgan failure. One deceased patient was born prematurely at 30 weeks, while the other had chronic granulomatous disease. Conclusion: This study described a single-center cohort of pediatric patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia. In this cohort, children with cardiopulmonary comorbidities and ARDS had a high mortality and long-term morbidity, as observed in other pediatric studies.

Special Education Teachers’ Self-Efficacy During The Times Of A Global Pandemic, Vanessa G. Leal

Theses and Dissertations

This quantitative dissertation aims to describe and compare the perception of special education teachers' self-efficacy amid the COVID-19 pandemic using the practice of distance and their self-efficacy pre-pandemic using face-to-face instruction and describe the perceived valuable supports teachers received from educational leaders during the pandemic and considered valuable. The study population includes special education teachers teaching in inclusive settings before and during the pandemic in grades 6–12 in districts located in South Texas. The current study's data was analyzed using a two-way factorial analysis of variance, with both factors including repeated measures within subjects (2 x 3). A descriptive statistical …

Heat Waves And A Public-Private Partnership In Alaska, Karen Sandrik, Sarah Matsumoto

Alaska Law Review

The recently-passed Inflation Reduction Act represents the largest single step that Congress has taken to combat harms from climate change. In its over $360 billion commitment, the Act incentivizes clean energy development and generation, includes methods to directly lower residential utility bills and increase home efficiency, promotes cleaner transportation and agricultural practices, and funds states' and cities' efforts to meet their individual climate goals. While many environmental organizations applauded the Act's passage, some—even simultaneously—expressed concern about its tradeoffs: the Act continues to invest in fossil fuels, subsidizing pipeline construction and guaranteeing new oil and gas leases, specifically expanding leasing in …

Investigating The Pi3k/Akt/Atm Pathway, Telomeric Dna Damage, T Cell Death, And Crispr/Cas9-Mediated Gene Editing During Acute And Chronic Hiv Infection, Sushant Khanal

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection initiates major metabolic and cell- survival complications. Anti-retroviral therapy (ART) is the current approach to suppress active HIV replication to a level of undetected viral load, but it is not a curative approach. Newer and sophisticated gene editing technologies could indeed be a potent antiviral therapy to achieve a clinical sterilization/cure of HIV infection. Chronic HIV patients, even under a successful ART regimen, exhibit a low-grade inflammation, immune senescence, premature aging, telomeric DNA attrition, T cell apoptosis, and cellular homeostasis. In this dissertation, we investigated CD4 T cell homeostasis, degree of T cell apoptosis, an …

Correctional Career Pathways: A Reentry Program For Incarceration, Taylor M. Dula

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

For the past several decades, the United States led the world in incarceration rates. With nearly 2.3 million people being held in state or federal prisons or local jails in 2019, incarceration rates in the United States are over four times higher than in other developed countries. Disparities exist by gender, race, ethnicity, and other special populations. Males are 13 times more likely to be incarcerated than females. Additionally, black males are 5.7 times and Hispanic males are 2.8 times more likely to be incarcerated than white males. Individuals who experience incarceration have poorer mental and physical health outcomes. People …

A Functional Study Of Topological Dna Problem In Human T Cells During Chronic Viral Infection, Xindi Dang

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

T cells play an important role in adaptive immune system against viral infections, while premature aging and dysfunction of T cells induced by unrepaired DNA damages are always non-negligible snags during the long-term of fighting with chronic viral infections, such as Hepatitis B virus (HBV), Hepatitis C virus (HCV) or Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection. In this dissertation, we investigated the role of topological DNA damage in reprogramming telomeric DNA damage responses (DDR), mitochondrial metabolisms, and T cell functions using CD4+ T cells derived from individuals with chronic viral infections or healthy subjects treated with topoisomerase inhibitors. The healthy human …

The Effects Of Tubulin Post-Translational Modifications On The Flagellar Motility Of Trypanosoma Brucei, Katherine Wentworth

All Theses

Trypanosoma brucei is a parasitic kinetoplastid that causes African trypanosomiasis and is transmitted to a mammalian host by the tsetse fly (Glossina spp.). T. brucei relies on its flagellar motility to carry out its morphological changes from the procyclic form (predominant in the fly vector) to the bloodstream form (infectious form in mammals) and navigate the bloodstream of its host. The driving structure within the flagellum is the axoneme, which is composed of microtubules and dynein motor proteins. The tubulin code hypothesis suggests that cells regulate microtubule motor protein activity through post-translational modifications (PTMs) of alpha and beta …

Meningitis Post-Cochlear Implant And Role Of Vaccination, Ghadah A. Alanazi, Aumniyat S. Alrashidi, Khalid S. Alqarni, Saeed A. Al Khozym, Saad Alenzi

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To investigate the incidence, risk factors, and management of meningitis in cochlear implant (CI)users. Methods: A systematic review was carried out using PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central Register. Articles were considered relevant if reported any data on incidence, clinical presentations, the role of vaccination, management, and outcomes of meningitis after CI. Results: A total of 32 studies including 27358 patients were included, and meningitis was reported in only 202 cases. Meningitis occurred in the period ranging from 1 day to 72 months after CI. A total of 55 patients received the pneumococcal vaccine, while 20 patients …

Identification Of Human Immunodeficiency Virus -1 E Protein-Targeting Lead Compounds By Pharmacophore Based Screening, Mazen M. Almehmadi, Alaa A. Shafie, Mamdouh Allahyani, Tahir Muhammad, Soukayna Baammi, Abdulelah Aljuaid, Abdulraheem A. Almalki, Ahad Amer Alsaiari, Amal Adnan Ashour

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To identify potential compounds by seeking the knowledge of molecular interactions between human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) glycoprotein (gp) 120 protein and anti-HIV drug (BMS-488043). Methods: This study is a computational structure-based drug design study, carried out at University of Taif, Saudi Arabia and African Genome Centre (AGC), Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Benguerir, Morocco from January 2021 to March 2022. Initially, using the docked structure of gp120 with BMS-488043, a structure-based pharmacophore model was created. The generated model was utilized for virtual screening of the ZINC and ChemBridge database in order to identify hit compounds. To further assess the time-dependent …

Prevalence Of Transfusion-Transmitted Infections In Saudi Arabia Blood Donors: A Nationwide, Cross-Sectional Study, Jawaher Alsughayyir, Yasser Almalki, Imtinan Alburayk, Mohrah Alalshaik, Ibrahim Aljoni, Mona Kandel, Mohammad A. Alfhili, Abdulmajeed A. Alabdullateef

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To establish a nationwide epidemiological profile of transfusion-transmittable infection (TTI) markers among seemingly healthy blood donors to update policies required to ensure blood safety. Methods: A nationwide, cross-sectional study was designed to examine donor demographics and TTI prevalence during 2020 using data provided by the Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia. Results: Collectively, a total of 375,218 whole blood units were donated, of which 32,758 (8.7%) were excluded due to TTI-related risk. The exclusion was based on a positive nucleic acid amplification test (NAT) or seroreactivity to hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), human …

Epidemiology And Antimicrobial Resistance Of Staphylococci Other Than Staphylococcus Aureus From Domestic Animals And Livestock In Africa: A Systematic Review, Remous Ocloo, Justin Nyasinga, Mohammed Munshi, Aisha Hamdy, Tessa Marciniak, Manonmani Soundararajan, Mae Newton-Foot, Wilma Ziebuhr, Manonmani Soundararajan, Gunturu Revathi

Pathology, East Africa

Introduction: Staphylococci other than Staphylococcus aureus (SOSA) in animals are becoming more pathogenic and antibiotic resistant and can potentially disseminate to humans. However, there is little synthesized information regarding SOSA from animals in Africa. This systematic review provides a comprehensive overview of the epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance of SOSA in companion animals (pets) and livestock in Africa.

Method: This systematic review (PROSPERO-CRD42021252303) was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines, and 75 eligible studies from 13 countries were identified until August 2022. Three electronic databases (Pubmed, Scopus and Web of Science) were employed.

Results: The frequently isolated SOSA …

Divergent Serpentoviruses In Free-Ranging Invasive Pythons And Native Colubrids In Southern Florida, United States, Steven B. Tillis, Jillian M. Josimovich, Melissa A. Miller, Laura L. Hoon-Hanks, Arik M. Hartmann, Natalie M. Claunch, Marley E. Iredale, Tracey D. Logan, Amy A. Yackel Adams, Ian A. Bartoszek, John S. Humphrey, Bryan M. Kluever, Mark D. Stenglein, Robert N. Reed, Christina M. Romagosa, James F.X. Wellehan, Robert J. Ossiboff

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Burmese python (Python bivittatus) is an invasive snake that has significantly affected ecosystems in southern Florida, United States. Aside from direct predation and competition, invasive species can also introduce nonnative pathogens that can adversely affect native species. The subfamily Serpentovirinae (order Nidovirales) is composed of positive-sense RNA viruses primarily found in reptiles. Some serpentoviruses, such as shingleback nidovirus, are associated with mortalities in wild populations, while others, including ball python nidovirus and green tree python nidovirus can be a major cause of disease and mortality in captive animals. To determine if serpentoviruses were present in invasive Burmese …

Serologic Surveillance For Sars-Cov-2 Infection Among Wild Rodents, Europe, Vincent Bourret, Lara Dutra, Hussein Alburkat, Sanna Mäki, Ella Lintunen, Marine Wasniewski, Ravi Kant, Maciej Grzybek, Vinaya Venkat, Hayder Asad, Julien Pradel, Marie Bouilloud, Herwig Leirs, Valeria Carolina Colombo, Vincent Sluydts, Peter Stuart, Andrew Mcmanus, Jana A. Eccard, Jasmin Firozpoor, Christian Imholt, Joanna Nowicka, Aleksander Goll, Nathan Ranc, Guillaume Castel, Nathalie Charbonnel, Tarja Sironen

Publications

We report results from serologic surveillance for exposure to SARS-CoV-2 among 1,237 wild rodents and small mammals across Europe. All samples were negative, with the possible exception of 1. Despite suspected potential for human-to-rodent spillover, no evidence of widespread SARS-CoV-2 circulation in rodent populations has been reported to date.

Esitämme tulokset serologisesta tutkimuksesta, jossa seulottiin SARS-CoV-2 tartuntojen varalta 1,237 luonnonvaraista jyrsijää ja piennisäkästä eri puolilta Eurooppaa. Kaikki näytteet olivat negatiivisia, yhtä näytettä lukuun ottamatta. SARS-CoV-2:n läikkymisen ihmisistä jyrsijöihin on arveltu olevan mahdollista, mutta todisteet viruksen laajamittaisesta leviämisestä jyrsijäpopulaatioissa puuttuvat.

Insectdisease: Programmatic Access To The Ecological Database Of The World’S Insect Pathogens, Tad Dallas, Colin J. Carlson, Patrick R. Stephens, Sadie J. Ryan, David W. Onstad

Faculty Publications

Curated databases of species interactions are instrumental to exploring and understanding the spatial distribution of species and their biotic interactions. In the process of conducting such projects, data development and curation efforts may give rise to a data product with utility beyond the scope of the original work, but which becomes inaccessible over time. Data describing insect host–pathogen interactions are fairly rare, and should thus be preserved and curated with appropriate metadata. Here, we introduce the insectDisease R package, a mechanism for curating, updating and distributing data from the Ecological Database of the World's Insect Pathogens, a database of insect …

Recombinant Simian Varicella Virus-Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Vaccine Induces T And B Cell Functions And Provides Partial Protection Against Repeated Mucosal Siv Challenges In Rhesus Macaques, Bapi Pahar, Wayne Gray, Marissa Fahlberg, Brooke Grasperge, Meredith Hunter, Arpita Das, Christopher Mabee, Pyone Pyone Aye, Faith Schiro, Krystle Hensley, Aneeka Ratnayake, Kelly Goff, Celia Labranche, Xiaoying Shen, Georgia D. Tomaras, C. Todd Demarco, David Montefiori, Patricia Kissinger, Preston A. Marx

Faculty and Student Publications

HIV vaccine mediated efficacy, using an expanded live attenuated recombinant varicella virus-vectored SIV rSVV-SIVgag/env vaccine prime with adjuvanted SIV-Env and SIV-Gag protein boosts, was evaluated in a female rhesus macaques (RM) model against repeated intravaginal SIV challenges. Vaccination induced anti-SIV IgG responses and neutralizing antibodies were found in all vaccinated RMs. Three of the eight vaccinated RM remained uninfected (vaccinated and protected, VP) after 13 repeated challenges with the pathogenic SIVmac251-CX-1. The remaining five vaccinated and infected (VI) macaques had significantly reduced plasma viral loads compared with the infected controls (IC). A significant increase in systemic central memory CD4+ T …

Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiotoxicity Is Mediated By Neutrophils Through Release Of Neutrophil Elastase, Anchit Bhagat

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Doxorubicin (Dox) is one of the most effective chemotherapy agents that is used for the treatment of childhood cancer. Unfortunately Dox treatment can cause damage to the heart. Indeed, childhood cancer survivors are at a higher risk of developing a cardiovascular disease at an earlier age. The mechanisms by which Dox causes acute and late cardiotoxicity are not completely understood. One understudied area in Dox-induced cardiotoxicity is the contribution of inflammation and innate immune cells, in particular neutrophils. Recognizing that neutrophils have been implicated in a number of heart diseases, we evaluated the role of neutrophils in Dox-induced cardiotoxicity. Here, …

Healthcare In A Time Of Crisis: An Investigation Of The Association Between Socioeconomic Status, Counties, And Covid-19, Jorge F. Contreras

Theses and Dissertations

The COVID-19 pandemic has stressed social structural institutions such as hospitals, schools, the economy, and governmental bodies (local, state, and federal), exacerbating existing health inequality. Fundamental Cause Theory (FCT) provides a framework for understanding which factors drive such inequality, but its primary focus is on within-group variation. By highlighting the role of fundamental causes as systems of exposure, the Systems-of-Exposure (SOE) approach expands on FCT to account for variation more directly between populations. I performed a Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) of county-level data from Texas and California to test the utility of SOE in assessing the impact of a pandemic …