Digital Commons Network^™

The Impact Of Gram Positive Bacteria On Semen Quality In Infertile Men And Assessment Antibiotic Susceptibility Profile, Huda Mohammed Jawed, Mohammed Sh. Jebur

Al-Nisour Journal for Medical Sciences

Despite of bacterial infections have been known as a potential condition of male infertility but clear definition and role of these conditions is not very clear. Presence of bacteria in the genital tract has been frequently discovered to be associated with reduced sperm function and as a result causes infertility. The goal of this study was to identify bacterial pathogens in infertile men's sperm culture and their antibiotic susceptibility patterns in vitro, which would aid in the formulation and monitoring of antibiotic policies and appropriate empiric therapy. A total of 50 semen specimen were collected from infertile men and 50 …

Role Of Grasses In Oviposition Site Selection By Malaria Vectors In Western Kenya, Eticha Bokore Getachew

All PhD Dissertations

Malaria continues to be among the top leading causes of illness and deaths in Africa. Its elimination is challenging in high transmission areas using insecticide-based intervention tools alone. Understanding the ecology and behaviour of disease vectors, including the olfactory cues, are essential for the development of novel, insecticide-free control tools. Recent work has highlighted that selected graminoid plants release volatile chemicals that attract malaria vectors. However, there is dearth of information on the type of dominant graminoid plants in habitats, nature of volatiles they emit and how volatiles affect behaviour of malaria vectors during oviposition sites selection. The objectives of …

Transforming Social Determinants To Educational Outcomes: Geospatial Considerations, Gary Szirony, S Banerjee, Mccune, Davis

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

No abstract provided.

Envenomation By A Gaboon Viper, Mary Claire Lark, Jarratt Lark

South Atlantic Division GME Research Day 2022

No abstract provided.

Fever Of Unknown Origin: A Grave Diagnosis, Ryan Miller, Richard Allen

South Atlantic Division GME Research Day 2022

No abstract provided.

To Vax Or Not To Vax: Predictors Of Anti-Vax Attitudes And Covid-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Prior To Widespread Vaccine Availability, Hannah A. Roberts, D. Angus Clark, Claire Kalina, Carter Sherman, Sarah Brislin, Mary M. Heitzeg, Brian M. Hick

Psychology Publications

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is a highly contagious disease responsible for millions of deaths worldwide. Effective vaccines against COVID-19 are now available, however, an extreme form of vaccine hesitancy known as anti-vax attitudes challenge vaccine acceptance and distribution efforts. To understand these anti-vax attitudes and their associated psychological characteristics, we examined several predictors of vaccine hesitancy for COVID-19 and anti-vax attitudes generally. We surveyed 1004 adults (M = 47.0 years, SD = 17.1 years, range 18–98 years) in September-October 2020 across the United States (51% female, 49% male; 76.5% White, 23.5% non-White), prior to widespread availability of the COVID-19 vaccines. …

The Covid-19 Pandemic And The Importance Of Financing The Biotechnology Industry In South Africa, Ramazan Uctu, Karen Eksteen

The Journal of Entrepreneurial Finance

Whether it is a government research institution, a public-private partnership, or a private enterprise, the South African biotechnology industry requires funding for the biotechnology industry. Our goal with this research is to look into the role of venture capital (VC) in financing biotech enterprises and demonstrate how VC finance could aid in the development of diagnostic kits and vaccines for Covid-19 or future pandemics in South Africa.

The study aims to provide policymakers with a clear image of the importance of funding the biotechnology sector, notably during the Covid-19 period, as recognized by the industry's key players. We employed a …

Governors State University Operating Plan - Academic Year 2021-2022, Governors State University

President Cheryl Green

Throughout the pandemic, Governors State University (the “University” or “GSU”) has prioritized the health and safety of the GSU community while focusing on providing high-quality instruction and advising, no matter the delivery platform. It will continue to do so for Academic Year 2021-22 (AY22) as outlined in this plan. The times are unprecedented, and the campus has drawn on its history of innovation and flexibility to construct the Academic Year 2021-2022 Operating Plan (the “Operating Plan”) with its models of working and learning that meet campus needs. The University has been monitoring current public health conditions, including the recent rise …

Health And Technology: Online Platform To Facilitate Access To Care And Prevention For Chronic Non-Communicable Conditions In Rwanda, Arnaud Michel Nibaruta Mdp

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

Rwanda is confronted with a growing problem of non-communicable diseases (NCD). It is important that people in Rwanda have access to effective prevention and treatment. This paper explores a program that would use a digital platform to facilitate access to information, services, and products that would help NCD at risk populations in Rwanda to access appropriate prevention and care. The program was developed based on the author’s experience in Rwanda’s healthcare industry, the information from review of literature as well as key informant interviews (NCD patients, advocates, and caregivers) and a survey with health professionals. The research conducted highlighted that …

The 8th Annual Africa Conference Program April 7-9, 2022, Tennessee State University

The Annual Africa Conference Programs

No abstract provided.

Catabolic Ornithine Carbamoyltransferase Activity Facilitates Growth Of Staphylococcus Aureus In Defined Medium Lacking Glucose And Arginine, Itidal Reslane, Cortney R. Halsey, Amanda Stastny, Barbara J. Cabrera, Jong-Sam Ahn, Dhananjay Shinde, Madeline R. Galac, Margaret F. Sladek, Fareha Razvi, Mckenzie K. Lehman, Kenneth W. Bayles, Vinai Chittezham Thomas, Luke D. Handke, Paul D. Fey

Journal Articles: Pathology and Microbiology

Previous studies have found that arginine biosynthesis in Staphylococcus aureus is repressed via carbon catabolite repression (CcpA), and proline is used as a precursor. Unexpectedly, however, robust growth of S. aureus is not observed in complete defined medium lacking both glucose and arginine (CDM-R). Mutants able to grow on agar-containing defined medium lacking arginine (CDM-R) were selected and found to contain mutations within ahrC, encoding the canonical arginine biosynthesis pathway repressor (AhrC), or single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) upstream of the native arginine deiminase (ADI) operon arcA1B1D1C1. Reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) studies found that mutations within ccpA or ahrC or …

The Affects Of The Foot Conditions On The Homeless Population, Alexander Kaye

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The research is attempting to acknowledge and explain the impact, if any, on homeless individuals not wearing socks. The curiosity for this study started on December 25th, 2018 when my family and I were volunteering at a homeless shelter in South Florida. After having numerous conversations with homeless individuals, I was informed on how they do not have enough pairs of socks to keep their feet in a healthy condition. Thus, I decided to initiate a sock drive to improve the lives of those who are homeless. This study is looking at a series of articles that are reviewing the …

2022-2023 Maine Medical Center House Staff, Maine Medical Center

Graduate Medical Education

No abstract provided.

Nova Law Review Full Issue Volume 46, Issue 3

Nova Law Review

No abstract provided.

Improved Database Filtering Technology Enables More Efficient Ab Initio Design Of Potent Peptides Against Ebola Viruses, Thomas Ripperda, Yangsheng Yu, Atul Verma, Elizabeth Klug, Michellie Thurman, St. Patrick Reid, Guangshun Wang

Journal Articles: Pathology and Microbiology

The rapid mutations of viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 require vaccine updates and the development of novel antiviral drugs. This article presents an improved database filtering technology for a more effective design of novel antiviral agents. Different from the previous approach, where the most probable parameters were obtained stepwise from the antimicrobial peptide database, we found it possible to accelerate the design process by deriving multiple parameters in a single step during the peptide amino acid analysis. The resulting peptide DFTavP1 displays the ability to inhibit Ebola virus. A deviation from the most probable peptide parameters reduces antiviral activity. The designed …

"Thank You For Your Sacrifice": Off-Label Drug Regulation Strategies After The Misuse Of Hydroxychloroquine For Covid-19, Erin Mccluan

Duquesne Law Review

In March 2020, BuzzFeed News reported that a 45-year-old patient with systemic lupus erythematosus ("SLE") was denied her long-standing hydroxychloroquine ("HCQ") prescription due to the COVID-19 pandemic.¹ Her healthcare network, Kaiser Permanente, informed her that this was necessary to "conserve[] the current supply for those who are critically ill with COVID-19."² Disturbingly, Kaiser wrote to the patient, "Thank you for the sacrifice you will be making for the sake of those that are critically ill; your sacrifice may actually save lives." ³

The patient, Dale, who asked only to be identified by her first name, told BuzzFeed News, …

Comparison Of Effects Of Sleep Fragmentation On Pro-Inflammatory Cytokine Il-1Β Of Male And Female Adult Mice, Manzar Rzayeva

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Sleep plays an essential role throughout the body by affecting the physiological function and regulation of many systems. One of these systems that receives effects as a result of the adequacy of sleep is the immune system. Previous studies have demonstrated effects of sleep fragmentation upon the immune system; however, sexual differences of these effects have not been studied in depth. To analyze these variances amongst the genders, male and female adult mice were subjected to acute sleep fragmentation (SF) for 24 hours in an automated SF cage that includes a bar sweeping across the cage every two minutes. Meanwhile, …

Implementation Of An Icu Surge Capacity Response Protocol, Patrick Simon Soria

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

Implementation of an ICU Surge Capacity Response Protocol

Patrick Simon S. Soria

Abstract

High consequence infectious diseases (HCID) threaten healthcare systems because of their high transmissibility, resulting in massive infections within hours. In the initial stages of an HCID outbreak in developing countries, there are no definite treatment pathways and guidelines to manage patients who become critically ill. The prolonged surge of critically ill patients affects the physical and mental well-being of intensive care unit (ICU) nurses due to many factors. An ICU surge capacity response protocol was implemented in four intensive care units for four months at one government …

An Unusual Case Of A Giant Intradiploic Epidermoid Cyst Removed Using A Combined Supra-Infratentorial Retromastoid Approach., César Adán Almendárez-Sánchez, Saúl Solorio-Pineda, Abrahan Alfonso Tafur-Grandett, Miguel Ángel Ramírez-Sosa Dr., Gabriel Arturo Ramos Martínez, Leonardo Álvarez-Vázquez

Archives of Neurosurgery

Background: Epidermoid cysts (EC) are relatively rare congenital lesions. They arise from ectodermal debris during aberrant closure of the neural tube, are benign, and of slow growth. They are found predominantly in the cistern of the cerebellopontine angle, most are intradural, and very rarely, there is underlying compression of the venous sinuses, leading to benign intracranial hypertension.

Case description: We present the case of a patient diagnosed with a giant extradural, intradiploic EC with compression of the left transverse sinus and its successful management by using ultrasonic aspiration, performing a combined supra-infratentorial retromastoid approach with occipitotemporal craniotomy, without subsequent …

At-Home Blood Collection And Stabilization In High Temperature Climates Using, Lauren G Brown, Amanda J Haack, Dakota S Kennedy, Karen N Adams, Jennifer E Stolarczuk, Meg G Takezawa, Erwin Berthier, Sanitta Thongpang, Fang Yun Lim, Damien Chaussabel, Mathieu Garand, Ashleigh B Theberge

Faculty Research 2022

Expanding whole blood sample collection for transcriptome analysis beyond traditional phlebotomy clinics will open new frontiers for remote immune research and telemedicine. Determining the stability of RNA in blood samples exposed to high ambient temperatures (>30°C) is necessary for deploying home-sampling in settings with elevated temperatures (e.g., studying physiological response to natural disasters that occur in warm locations or in the summer). Recently, we have developed

Targeting Sars-Cov-2 Infection Through Car-T-Like Bispecific T Cell Engagers Incorporating Ace2., Mikail Dogan, Lina Kozhaya, Lindsey Placek, Fatih Karabacak, Mesut Yigit, Derya Unutmaz

Faculty Research 2022

OBJECTIVES: Despite advances in antibody treatments and vaccines, COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection remains a major health problem resulting in excessive morbidity and mortality and the emergence of new variants has reduced the effectiveness of current vaccines.

METHODS: Here, as a proof-of-concept, we engineered primary CD8 T cells to express SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein-specific CARs, using the extracellular region of ACE2 and demonstrated their highly specific and potent cytotoxicity towards Spike-expressing target cells. To improve on this concept as a potential therapeutic, we developed a bispecific T cell engager combining ACE2 with an anti-CD3 scFv (ACE2-Bite) to target infected cells and …

Engineering A "Detect And Destroy" Skin Probiotic To Combat Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus., Changhui Guan, Peter J Larson, Elizabeth Fleming, Alexander P Tikhonov, Sara Mootien, Trudy H Grossman, Caroline Golino, Julia Oh

Faculty Research 2022

The prevalence and virulence of pathogens such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus (S.) aureus (MRSA), which can cause recurrent skin infections, are of significant clinical concern. Prolonged antibiotic exposure to treat or decolonize S. aureus contributes to development of antibiotic resistance, as well as depletion of the microbiome, and its numerous beneficial functions. We hypothesized an engineered skin probiotic with the ability to selectively deliver antimicrobials only in the presence of the target organism could provide local bioremediation of pathogen colonization. We constructed a biosensing S. epidermidis capable of detecting the presence of S. aureus quorum sensing autoinducer peptide and producing lysostaphin …

Identification Of Distinct Immune Cell Subsets Associated With Asymptomatic Infection, Disease Severity, And Viral Persistence In Covid-19 Patients, Xiaorui Wang, Han Bai, Junpeng Ma, Hongyu Qin, Qiqi Zeng, Fang Hu, Tingting Jiang, Weikang Mao, Yang Zhao, Xiaobei Chen, Xin Qi, Mengyang Li, Jiao Xu, Jingcan Hao, Yankui Wang, Xi Ding, Yuanrui Liu, Tianlong Huang, Chao Fang, Changli Ge, Dong Li, Ke Hu, Xianwen Ren, Baojun Zhang, Binghong Zhang, Bingyin Shi, Chengsheng Zhang

Faculty Research 2022

The cell-mediated protective and pathogenic immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection remain largely elusive. Here we identified 76 distinct cell subsets in the PBMC samples that were associated with various clinical presentations of COVID-19 using scRNA-seq technology coupled with a deep and comprehensive analysis of unique cell surface markers and differentially expressed genes. We revealed that (TRAV1-2CD8)MAIT cells and (NCAM1CD160)NK cells significantly enriched in the asymptomatic subjects whereas (LAG3CD160CD8)NKT cells increased in the symptomatic patients. We also observed that (CD68CSF1RIL1BCD14)classical monocytes were positively correlated with the disease severity. Moreover, (CD33HLA-DMACD14)classical monocytes and (CLEC10AS100A9)pDC were associated with the viral persistence. The GO …

A Community Effort For Covid-19 Ontology Harmonization, Asiyah Yu Lin, Yuki Yamagata, William D. Duncan, Leigh Carmody, Tatsuya Kushida, Hiroshi Masuya, John Beverley, Biswanath Dutta, Michael Debellis, Zoë May Pendlington, Paola Roncaglia, Yongqun He

Faculty Research 2022

Ontologies have emerged to become critical to support data and knowledge representation, standardization, integration, and analysis. The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic led to the rapid proliferation of COVID-19 data, as well as the development of many COVID-19 ontologies. In the interest of supporting data interoperability, we initiated a community-based effort to harmonize COVID-19 ontologies. Our effort involves the collaborative discussion among developers of seven COVID-19 related ontologies, and the merging of four ontologies. This effort demonstrates the feasibility of harmonizing these ontologies in an interoperable framework to support integrative representation and analysis of COVID-19 related data and knowledge.

Exploratory Studies Of Oral And Fecal Microbiome In Healthy Human Aging., Xin Zhou, Baohong Wang, Patrick C Demkowicz, Jethro Johnson, Yanfei Chen, Daniel Spakowicz, Yanjiao Zhou, Yair Dorsett, Lei Chen, Erica Sodergren, George A Kuchel, George M. Weinstock

Faculty Research 2022

Growing evidence has linked an altered host fecal microbiome composition with health status, common chronic diseases, and institutionalization in vulnerable older adults. However, fewer studies have described microbiome changes in healthy older adults without major confounding diseases or conditions, and the impact of aging on the microbiome across different body sites remains unknown. Using 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing, we reconstructed the composition of oral and fecal microbiomes in young (23-32; mean = 25 years old) and older (69-94; mean = 77 years old) healthy community-dwelling research subjects. In both body sites, we identified changes in minor bacterial operational taxonomic …

Treatment, Clinical Outcomes, And Predictors Of Mortality Among A National Cohort Of Admitted Patients With Acinetobacter Baumannii Infection, Haley J. Appaneal, V. Lopes, Kerry L. Laplante, Aisling R. Caffrey

Pharmacy Practice and Clinical Research Faculty Publications

The objectives were to analyze treatment, clinical outcomes, and predictors of mortality in hospitalized patients with Acinetobacter baumannii infection. This was a retrospective cohort study of inpatients with A. baumannii cultures and treatment from 2010 to 2019. Patients who died during admission were compared to those who survived, to identify predictors of inpatient mortality, using multivariable unconditional logistic regression models. We identified 4,599 inpatients with A. baumannii infection; 13.6% died during admission. Fluoroquinolones (26.8%), piperacillin-tazobactam (24%), and carbapenems (15.6%) were used for treatment. Tigecycline (3%) and polymyxins (3.7%) were not used often. Predictors of inpatient mortality included current acute respiratory …

Ptsd In Covid-19 Frontline Workers, Samantha Gagliano

Graduate Research Projects

No abstract provided.

Implementation Of An Electronic Scheduling Platform, Rachel Miles

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

Implementation of an Electronic Scheduling Platform

Abstract

Rachel Miles

The relationship between hospital nurse staffing and quality of care continues to be a significant concern for health services researchers, health care executives, policymakers, and consumers. The evidence supporting inadequate nurse staffing and negative patient outcomes is well documented in the literature. A national nursing shortage, nursing turnover, and increased acute care patient admissions intensifies the need for consistent scheduling and staffing for a Denver Metro hospital. The nursing shortage has been further impacted by the recent COVID19 pandemic. The purpose of this quality improvement (QI) DNP pilot project was to …

Ms Environmental Biology Capstone Project, Hannah Dekay

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

Chapter 1: Literature Review - Human-Wildlife Conflict: Comparing Lethal and Behavioral Mitigation in Agricultural Settings

Chapter 2: Grant Proposal - Evaluating the Effectiveness and Impacts of Predator Odor Repellants for Elk Management in Colorado

Chapter 3: Journal Manuscript - Examining Post-release and Seasonal Movements in Wyoming Toads (Anaxyrus baxteri) for Current Recovery Efforts

Chapter 4: Resolving the Success of Grizzly Bear Conservation in the Greater Yellowstone and Northern Continental Divide Ecosystems: Learning to Live with Large Terrestrial Predators

Can Stem Cell Transplantation Restore Insulin Levels In Diabetics?, Nechama Mendelson

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

A recent public interest in stem cell research has led to new approaches to treat various pathologies, including diabetes. Diabetes mellitus is characterized by elevated blood glucose levels due to the inability of the β cells in the pancreas to produce insulin. Therefore, the standard diabetes treatment is introducing insulin to the bloodstream. With the advancement of stem cell therapy, a new approach to treating diabetes mellitus is being researched. Scientists are working to differentiate pluripotent stem cells into mature insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells. These cells are then transplanted into in vivo models and observed after a glucose challenge for …