Digital Commons Network^™

Association Of Chlamydia Trachomatis Burden With The Vaginal Microbiota, Bacterial Vaginosis, And Metronidazole Treatment, Caleb M. Ardizzone, Christopher M. Taylor, Evelyn Toh, Rebecca A. Lillis, Jacob H. Elnaggar, John W. Lammons, Patricia Dehon Mott, Emily L. Duffy, Li Shen, Alison J. Quayle

School of Graduate Studies Faculty Publications

Bacterial vaginosis (BV), a dysbiosis of the vaginal microbiota, is a common coinfection with Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct), and BV-associated bacteria (BVAB) and their products have been implicated in aiding Ct evade natural immunity. Here, we determined if a non-optimal vaginal microbiota was associated with a higher genital Ct burden and if metronidazole, a standard treatment for BV, would reduce Ct burden or aid in natural clearance of Ct infection. Cervicovaginal samples were collected from women at enrollment and, if testing positive for Ct infection, at a follow-up visit approximately one week later. Cervical Ct burden was assessed by inclusion forming …

Structural Analysis And Activity Correlation Of Amphiphilic Cyclic Antimicrobial Peptides Derived From The [W4R4] Scaffold, Shaima Ahmed El-Mowafi, Anastasia G. Konshina, Eman H. M. Mohammed, Nikolay A. Krylov, Roman G. Efremov, Keykavous Parang

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

In our ongoing quest to design effective antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), this study aimed to elucidate the mechanisms governing cyclic amphiphilic AMPs and their interactions with membranes. The objective was to discern the nature of these interactions and understand how peptide sequence and structure influence antimicrobial activity. We introduced modifications into the established cyclic AMP peptide, [W₄R₄], incorporating an extra aromatic hydrophobic residue (W), a positively charged residue (R), or the unique 2,5-diketopiperazine (DKP). This study systematically explored the structure–activity relationships (SARs) of a series of cyclic peptides derived from the [W₄R₄] scaffold, …

12.04.2023 Orsp Connect, Liz Williamson

ORED Newsletter

Week of December 4, 2023

2023-December-12-Etsu Rotc Cadets Will Earn Commissions.Pdf, University Marketing And Communication, East Tennessee State University

ETSU News

The community is invited to celebrate the commissioning of cadets in the Army ROTC Program at East Tennessee State University, an elite program that is ranked No. 1 in the Volunteer State.

The 1 p.m. ceremony is in the Brown Hall Auditorium, located on the university’s main campus along Stout and Sherrod Drive near University School, on Friday, Dec. 15.

ETSU alumni Gary McAllister, a retired colonel, will be the guest speaker. The university inducted McAllister, a 1983 ETSU graduate with a distinguished military career, into the ROTC Hall of Fame earlier this year.

On Friday, the following ETSU cadets …

Migrant Labour Protection In Asean, In What Way Does Ilo Matter?, Dwi Ardhanariswari Sundrijo, Dhanny Safitri

Global: Jurnal Politik Internasional

Despite the importance of labour migration in Southeast Asia, the mechanism of migrant workers protection in the region is still lacking. Because of that, cases show that often the undocumented and/or the low-skilled workers receive inappropriate treatment in the host countries. In certain cases, they were treated as second-class citizens – this is despite the work that they do. To address these issues, ASEAN has conducted a series of dialog forums and issued various agreements. In doing so, ASEAN have been involving different key stakeholders working on the issue, including international organizations, regional and national civil society organizations, and employers’ …

2023-December-12-Etsu Student Will Fulfill Promise At Commencement.Pdf, University Marketing And Communication, East Tennessee State University

ETSU News

All of the East Tennessee State University students who cross the commencement stage later this month will no doubt feel a range of emotions, from a deep sense of pride and excitement to reflective nostalgia and gratitude.

It will be especially meaningful for senior James “Jack” Smithey, an interior architecture major who already has a job lined up in Nashville.

On December 16, 2009 – 14 years to the day from ETSU’s commencement ceremony – he made a promise to his dad.

The pledge: He would attend and ultimately graduate from college.

“My grandfather had gotten into some trouble, and …

Study Protocol For A Randomized Controlled Trial Of Realconsent2.0: A Web‑Based Intervention To Promote Prosocial Alcohol‑Involved Bystander Behavior In Young Men, Laura F. Salazar, Dominic J. Parrott, David Dilillo, Sarah J. Gervais, Anne Marie Schipani‑Mclaughlin, Ruschelle Leone, Kevin Swartout, Lauren Simpson, Renita Moore, Tiffany Wilson, Nyla Flowers, Haley Church, Amanda Baildon

Department of Psychology: Faculty Publications

Background Sexual violence (SV) is a significant, global public health problem, particularly among young adults. Promising interventions exist, including prosocial bystander intervention programs that train bystanders to intervene in situations at-risk for SV. However, these programs suffer from critical weaknesses: (1) they do not address the proximal effect of alcohol use on bystander decision-making and (2) they rely on self-report measures to evaluate outcomes. To overcome these limitations, we integrate new content specific to alcohol use within the context of prosocial bystander intervention into an existing, evidence-based program, RealConsent1.0. The resulting program, RealConsent2.0, aims to facilitate bystander behavior …

In Vitro Observation Of Optical Changes In Whole Blood Due To Injection Of Glucose Solution, James Gordon Harkness

Theses and Dissertations

Significance: While the optical properties of blood have been extensively studied, the influence of glucose concentration on blood optics remains unquantified. This is information which could be used to develop a noninvasive blood glucose monitor. Aim: This in vitro study investigated the optics of blood. Time-dependent effects and various methods of introducing glucose into blood samples were examined. The study aimed to quantify how alterations in glucose levels impacted blood optics across 14 distinct NIR wavelengths. Approach: Blood in a cuvette was exposed to light, and the reflected and transmitted light was captured in integrating spheres. 14 distinct wavelengths from …

Genetic Determinants Underlying The Progressive Phenotype Of Β-Lactam/Β-Lactamase Inhibitor Resistance In Escherichia Coli, William C Shropshire, Hatim Amiji, Jordan Bremer, Selvalakshmi Selvaraj Anand, Benjamin Strope, Pranoti Sahasrabhojane, Marc Gohel, Samuel Aitken, Sarah Spitznogle, Xiaowei Zhan, Jiwoong Kim, David E Greenberg, Samuel A Shelburne

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Currently, whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data have not shown strong concordance with Escherichia coli susceptibility profiles to the commonly used β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor (BL/BLI) combinations: ampicillin-sulbactam (SAM), amoxicillin-clavulanate (AMC), and piperacillin-tazobactam (TZP). Progressive resistance to these BL/BLIs in the absence of cephalosporin resistance, also known as extended-spectrum resistance to BL/BLI (ESRI), has been suggested to primarily result from increased copy numbers of bla TEM variants, which is not routinely assessed in WGS data. We sought to determine whether addition of gene amplification could improve genotype-phenotype associations through WGS analysis of 147 E. coli bacteremia isolates with increasing categories of BL/BLI non-susceptibility ranging …

Prevalence Of Missed Opportunities For Immunization And Its Associated Factors Among Children Below Two Years Old Attending Primary Healthcare Centers In Baghdad/Al-Karkh, Baraka Safaa’ Mustafa, Jalil Ibrahim Saleh

Muthanna Medical Journal

Immunization is an effective means for preventing illness and reducing the burden of various infectious diseases. Incomplete or partial immunization poses a serious threat to the health of children in many developing countries, including Iraq. The objectives are to investigate the prevalence of missed opportunities for immunization (MOI) and its associated factors among children aged below two years old attending primary health care centers (PHCCs) in Baghdad/Al-Karkh. A cross-sectional study involving 500 children’s companions attending PHCCs in Baghdad/Al-Karkh from the 1st of September 2022 to the 1st of July 2023. The respondents were enrolled using a systematic random sample technique …

Evaluation Of Sestrin 2 And Tribbles Homolog 3 Levels In Obese And Nonobese Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Ayşegül Çatal, Evri̇m Ebru Kovalak

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: This study was designed to evaluate the relationship of two new biomarkers [tribbles homolog 3 (TRB3) and sestrin 2 levels], which were previously associated with obesity, with metabolic parameters in obese and nonobese women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Materials and methods: This cross-sectional case control study was conducted between September 2017 and August 2019 in the gynecology department of a tertiary referral hospital. The values of the plasma sestrin 2, TRB3, insulin, fasting plasma glucose, lipid profile, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were compared in 90 obese women with PCOS (BMI > 30), 90 women with …

Quantifying Non-Muscle Myosin 2 Filament Dynamics, Melissa Ann Quintanilla

Dissertations

Non-muscle myosin 2 is a motor protein that, when assembled into filaments, works on the actin cytoskeleton to produce contractile forces within cells. This type of myosin dynamically assembles within cells to exert forces necessary for a wide variety of functions including cell division, migration, and multicellular movement. The ability to dynamically assemble contractile networks, and the ability to control the assembly and placement of these myosin filaments in both space and time, is therefore required throughout cell physiology. We used a suite of dynamic, quantitative imaging approaches to identify deterministic factors that drive myosin filament appearance and amplification as …

The Experience Of Teaching Disengaged Students In Stem: Examined Through The Lens Of The Abc Engagement Framework, William Randall Hjorth

Theses and Dissertations

Young people today are increasingly disengaged from their education. Studies indicate that of all school subjects, American students struggle to engage in STEM subjects more than others. For decades, we have known that student engagement/disengagement impacts teachers. Researchers have also claimed that engagement/disengagement can be described as a construct made up of affective, behavioral, and cognitive dimensions (ABC). However, we do not understand how teachers experience student disengagement in these three areas. At a crucial time in education, investigation into the experiences of teachers with disengaged students is needed to uncover insights which may help us understand how teachers interpret …

Inclisiran: Where Are We On Safety, Efficacy, And Clinical Effectiveness Of Sirna Therapies For Prevention?, Christie M Ballantyne, Abdul Mannan Khan Minhas, Carl E Orringer

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

No abstract provided.

Development And Validation Of A Multiplex Real-Time Pcr Assay For Detection And Quantification Of Streptococcus Pneumoniae In Pediatric Respiratory Samples, Molly Butler, Garrett Breazeale, Eric Mwangi, Elaine Dowell, Samuel R Dominguez, Linda Lamberth, Kristina G Hultén, Sarah A Jung

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Streptococcus pneumoniae (Spn) is a bacterial pathogen that causes a range of disease manifestations in children, from acute otitis media to pneumonia, septicemia, and meningitis. Primary Spn laboratory diagnostic identification methods include culture, antigen testing, single-plex real-time PCR, and syndromic PCR panels. However, each method lacks sensitivity, specificity, and/or cost efficiency. We developed and validated a quantitative, multiplex PCR assay using three Spn genomic targets (lytA, piaB, and SP2020) for improved sensitivity and specificity to detect Spn in pleural fluid (PF), bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), tracheal aspirate (TA), and upper respiratory (UR, research only) samples. Validation testing …

Enhancing Efficiency And Sustainability: Retrofitting Fluorescent Lights To Leds, Khalifa Alshaiba

Theses

This research work emphasizes the urgent need to implement energy-efficient lighting technologies, particularly the retrofit of fluorescent lights with LED alternatives, in order to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. In addition to that maintaining operational safety and sustainability, improving energy efficiency is essential in Dubai's industries, which are major consumers of electricity and economic drivers. The project's goal is to retrofit energy-efficient LED lighting into a well-known packaging company's current fluorescent lighting systems. In doing so, the project hopes to improve illumination quality and minimize maintenance needs while lowering energy consumption, operating expenses, and environmental impact. The goals …

Partake: A Product Design Aimed At Helping Individuals Master The Art Of Cooking, Zikai Meng

Theses

Many individuals aspire to become skilled cooks and create delectable dishes on their own. However, following recipes or tutorials can be challenging for many. This is why I developed Partake - an interactive cooking learning platform designed to provide a solution. With this app, users can learn the art of cooking in a personalized and engaging way by adjusting ingredient quantities and receiving clear instruction on culinary techniques. Partake aims to enhance the likelihood of success for those embarking on their journey to master cooking skills.

Patterns And Predictors Of Racial/Ethnic Disparities In Hiv Care Continuum In The Southern Usa: Protocol For A Population-Based Cohort Study, Xueying Yang Ph.D., Jiajia Zhang Ph.D., Bankole Olatosi Ph.D., Zhenlong Li, Sharon Weissman, Xiaoming Li Ph.D.

Faculty Publications

Introduction Health disparities exist at every step of the HIV care continuum (HCC) among racial/ethnic minority population. Such racial/ethnic disparities may have significantly delayed the progress in HCC in the Southern US states that are strongly represented among geographic focus areas in the 2019 federal initiative titled 'Ending the HIV Epidemic: A Plan for America'. However, limited efforts have been made to quantify the long-term spatiotemporal variations of HCC disparities and their contributing factors over time, particularly in the context of COVID-19 pandemic. This project aims to identify the spatiotemporal patterns of racial disparities of each HCC outcome and then …

A Path To Full Citizenship: The Impact Of The Civil Rights Movement On The Creation Of Title I Schools Through The Elementary And Secondary Education Act Of 1965, Edwin Ryan

Washington Semester Program

Studies of the Civil Rights Movement commonly include events like Brown v. Board of Education, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, sit-ins, bus boycotts, and the Freedom Riders. The creation of Title I schools through the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) in 1965 to serve "disadvantaged" students also was a major move in a broader attempt to undo systematic Black poverty. As part of his War on Poverty in the formation of a "Great Society," President Lyndon Johnson and his administration proposed drastic increases for federal involvement in the funding of public school …

Protective Effects Of Safranal On Kidney Tissue In A Rat Model Of Distant Ischemiareperfusion Injury With Infrarenal Aortic Occlusion, Mehmet Tort, Hülya Sevi̇l, Fehi̇m Can Sevi̇l, Neci̇p Beci̇t, Uğur Aksu, Zülfükar Kadi̇r Saritaş, Hasan Hüseyi̇n Demi̇rel, Azi̇z Bülbül, Zehra Yaşar, Merve Beci̇t Kizilkaya, Hazen Saritaş

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury to a part of the body can cause damage to distant organs such as the kidney and heart. This study investigated the protective effects of safranal against IR-induced renal injury. Materials and methods: Used in this study were 24 Wistar Albino male rats, which were divided into 3 equal and randomised groups. The sham group underwent laparotomy only. In the IR group, the infrarenal aorta was clamped for 1 h, and then reperfused for 2 h. In the IR-safranal group, safranal was administered 30 min before the procedure and IR injury was induced in the same …

Effects Of Acetylsalicylic Acid And Ultrasound Elastography On Testicular Torsion In Rats, Ezgi̇ Gün Soytürk, Ünal Biçakci, Serdar Aslan, Tolga Güvenç, Meltem Neci̇be Ceyhan Bi̇lgi̇ci̇

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: To investigate the effects of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and the use of ultrasound elastography on testicular torsion. Materials and methods: Herein, 6 equal groups of rats were formed (n: 48): control group, sham group, torsion/detorsion (T/D)-1 h group, T/D-1 h + ASA group, T/D-8 h group, and T/D-8 h + ASA group. Testicular torsion was created by rotating the left testis 720° clockwise. At 30 min before torsion, 100 mg/kg of ASA was injected intraperitoneally. Elastography was performed at 8 and 24 h. After orchiectomy, specimens were collected for histopathological evaluation. Results: When comparing the left testicular volume (LV) …

Volume 122, Number 3 - Tuesday, December 12th, 2023, Saint Mary's College Of California

The Collegian

No abstract provided.

Oral Lactoferrin Administration Does Not Impact The Diversity Or Composition Of The Infant Gut Microbiota In A Peruvian Cohort, Luis González, Jose Luis Paredes Sosa, Susan Mosquito, Yesenia Filio, Pedro E Romero, Theresa J Ochoa, Pablo Tsukayama

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Previous studies have suggested that oral lactoferrin enhances diversity in the gut microbiota in infants while inhibiting the growth of opportunistic pathogens. However, the effect of lactoferrin on infant gut microbiota over time has yet to be thoroughly studied. Our study suggests that lactoferrin oral treatment in infants aged 12-18 months does not affect gut microbiome diversity and composition over time. to our knowledge, this is the first study to report the effect of lactoferrin on infant gut microbiome composition over time and helps elucidate its impact on infant health and its therapeutic potential.

A Multilevel Mhealth Intervention Boosts Adherence To Hydroxyurea In Individuals With Sickle Cell Disease, Jane S Hankins, Donald Brambilla, Michael B Potter, Abdullah Kutlar, Robert Gibson, Allison A King, Ana A Baumann, Cathy Melvin, Victor R Gordeuk, Lewis L Hsu, Chinonyelum Nwosu, Jerlym S Porter, Nicole M Alberts, Sherif M Badawy, Jena Simon, Jeffrey A Glassberg, Richard Lottenberg, Lisa Dimartino, Sara Jacobs, Maria E Fernandez, Hayden B Bosworth, Lisa M Klesges, Nirmish Shah

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Hydroxyurea reduces sickle cell disease (SCD) complications, but medication adherence is low. We tested 2 mobile health (mHealth) interventions targeting determinants of low adherence among patients (InCharge Health) and low prescribing among providers (HU toolbox) in a multi-center, non-randomized trial of individuals with SCD ages 15-45. We compared the percentage of days covered (PDC), labs, healthcare utilization, and self-reported pain over 24 weeks of intervention and 12 weeks post-study with a 24-week preintervention interval. We enrolled 293 patients (51% male; median age 27.5 years, 86.8% HbSS/HbSβ0-thalassemia). The mean change in PDC among 235 evaluable subjects increased (39.7% to 56.0%; P < 0.001) and sustained (39.7% to 51.4%, P < 0.001). Mean HbF increased (10.95% to 12.78%; P = 0.03). Self-reported pain frequency reduced (3.54 to 3.35 events/year; P = 0.041). InCharge Health was used ≥1 day by 199 of 235 participants (84.7% implementation; median usage: 17% study days; IQR: 4.8-45.8%). For individuals with ≥1 baseline admission for pain, admissions per 24 weeks declined from baseline through 24 weeks (1.97 to 1.48 events/patient, P = 0.0045) and weeks 25-36 (1.25 events/patient, P = 0.0015). PDC increased with app use (P < 0.001), with the greatest effect in those with private insurance (P = 0.0078), older subjects (P = 0.033), and those with lower pain interference (P = 0.0012). Of the 89 providers (49 hematologists, 36 advanced care providers, 4 unreported), only 11.2% used HU toolbox ≥1/month on average. This use did not affect change in PDC. Tailoring mHealth solutions to address barriers to hydroxyurea adherence can potentially improve adherence and provide clinical benefits. A definitive randomized study is warranted. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT04080167.

Master Transcription Factor Reprogramming Unleashes Selective Translation Promoting Castration Resistance And Immune Evasion In Lethal Prostate Cancer, Sandra Santasusagna, Shijia Zhu, Vijayakumar Jawalagatti, Marc Carceles-Cordon, Adam Ertel, Saioa Garcia-Longarte, Won-Min Song, Naoto Fujiwara, Peiyao Li, Isabel Mendizabal, Daniel P. Petrylak, William Kevin Kelly, E. Premkumar Reddy, Liguo Wang, Matthew J. Schiewer, Amaia Lujambio, Jeffrey Karnes, Karen E. Knudsen, Carlos Cordon-Cardo, Haidong Dong, Haojie Huang, Arkaitz Carracedo, Yujin Hoshida, Veronica Rodriguez-Bravo, Josep Domingo-Domenech

Department of Medical Oncology Faculty Papers

Signaling rewiring allows tumors to survive therapy. Here we show that the decrease of the master regulator microphthalmia transcription factor (MITF) in lethal prostate cancer unleashes eukaryotic initiation factor 3B (eIF3B)-dependent translation reprogramming of key mRNAs conferring resistance to androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) and promoting immune evasion. Mechanistically, MITF represses through direct promoter binding eIF3B, which in turn regulates the translation of specific mRNAs. Genome-wide eIF3B enhanced cross-linking immunoprecipitation sequencing (eCLIP-seq) showed specialized binding to a UC-rich motif present in subsets of 5' untranslated regions. Indeed, translation of the androgen receptor and major histocompatibility complex I (MHC-I) through this motif …

A Human Rights And Legal Analysis Of The Understanding Our Roots Report, Naiomi Metallic, Cheryl Simon

Reports & Public Policy Documents

In October 2023, the University released Understanding Our Roots - Nstikuk tan wtapeksikw Report written by the Task Force on Settler Misappropriation of Indigenous Identity. The Report recommends the creation of a Standing Committee who would verify claims to Indigenous identity by students, faculty and staff seeking to benefit from any opportunity at the University that prioritizes access for Indigenous peoples, as well as investigate and recommend sanction in cases of suspected academic fraud whereby an individual assumes an Indigenous identity. The Report does not address or respond to potential legal issues and rights violations arising from its recommendation. To …

Cognitive Test Anxiety, Course Grades, And Course Repetition In Associate Degree Nursing Students, Crystal Elaine Jones

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Exploring The Effect Of Resilience Training On The Effectiveness Of Psychological Body Armor Among College Students, Devaney Ross

Honors Theses

Using Everly’s proposal of a unique form of human resilience known as Psychological Body ArmorTM (PBA), this study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of Psychological Body Armor training in improving the resilience capacity amongst college students. In this study, data was collected from 194 (N = 108 for the 2022 Fall Semester and N = 86 for the 2023 Spring Semester) participants enrolled in a Wellness class at Andrews University. Participants were asked to complete a 20-item PBA questionnaire developed by Tan et al. (2022) to measure resilience based on two previous PBA studies (Burnett et al., 2019; Burnett et …

Hubungan Tingkat Berat Jenis Urin Dengan Keluhan Kesehatan Akibat Pajanan Panas Pada Pekerja Konstruksi Depo Lrt, Muhammad Syafiq Nafis, Doni Hikmat Hikmat Ramdhan

National Journal of Occupational Health and Safety

Background: Construction workers in Indonesia are among vulnerable workers of the negative impact of heat hazard from the work environment. Past research has found that more than 80% of construction workers experienced dehydration and 100% construction workers have experienced heat-related symptoms/illnesses. Objective: The purpose of this study is to analyze the correlation between dehydration (based on urine specific gravity) and heat-related symptoms/illnesses in depo Light-Rail Transit (LRT) construction workers. Methods: This study used a cross-sectional method from secondary data of work environment heat level measurement, workers’ questionnaire, and workers’ urine specific gravity in depo LRT construction 2021. Results : There …

Analisis Faktor Risiko Gangguan Otot Rangka Akibat Kerja Pada Pekerja Perkantoran Di Instansi X Tahun 2023, Alvina Winners Putri, Indri Hapsari Hapsari Susilowati

National Journal of Occupational Health and Safety

An uncomfortable posture when doing work for a long duration can cause work-related musculoskeletal disorders. The purpose of this study was to determine the risk factors associated with the occurrence of symptoms of work-related musculoskeletal disorders in office workers at Institution X in 2023. This study used a cross-sectional design and the occupational posture assessment Rapid Office Strain Assessment (ROSA) method then to assess complaints of musculoskeletal disorders as a whole subjectively using the NBM (Nordic Body Map). The results showed that the level of risk of complaints of musculoskeletal disorders due to work at the intermediate level requires further …