Digital Commons Network^™

Bacterial Motion And Spread In Porous Environments, Yasser Almoteri

Dissertations

Micro-swimmers are ubiquitous in nature from soil and water to mammalian bodies and even many technological processes. Common known examples are microbes such as bacteria, micro-algae and micro-plankton, cells such as spermatozoa and organisms such as nematodes. These swimmers live and have evolved in multiplex environments and complex flows in the presence of other swimmers and types, inert particles and fibers, interfaces and non-trivial confinements and more. Understanding the locomotion and interactions of these individual micro-swimmers in such impure viscous fluids is crucial to understanding the emergent dynamics of such complex systems, and to further enabling us to control and …

Illness-Related Attitudes Toward Covid-19 And Precautionary Practices Among Kuwaiti Males During The Total Lockdown And Curfew In Kuwait Illness-Related Attitudes Toward Covid-19 And Precautionary Practices Among Kuwaiti Males During The Total Lockdown And Curfew In Kuwait, Hend Batel Al-Ma’Seb, Maha Meshari Al-Sejari

Journal of Arts and Social Sciences

COVID-19 is a worldwide pandemic that affects individuals’ physical and mental health. The aim of this descriptive cross sectional study was to investigate relationships between precautionary practices (washing hands, taking vitamins, and eating a healthy diet) and attitudes about illness related to COVID-19 (worry about illness, concern about pain, hypochondriacal beliefs, thanatophobia, and treatment experience). This study used non-probability sample method to recruit the participants. The study sample was restricted to males who were 18 and older and who lived in Kuwait during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 430 males volunteered to participate in this study. The participants completed …

Loss Of Stearoyl-Coa Desaturase 2 Disrupts Inflammatory Response In Macrophages, Joseph B. Lin, Amy Mora, Tzu Jui Wang, Andrea Santeford, Darksha Usmani, Marianne M. Ligon, Indira U. Mysorekar, Rajendra S. Apte

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Macrophages are innate immune cells that patrol tissues and are the first responders to detect infection. They orchestrate the host immune response in eliminating invading pathogens and the subsequent transition from inflammation to tissue repair. Macrophage dysfunction contributes to age-related pathologies, including low-grade inflammation in advanced age that is termed "inflammaging." Our laboratory has previously identified that macrophage expression of a fatty acid desaturase, stearoyl-CoA desaturase 2 (SCD2), declines with age. Herein, we delineate the precise cellular effects of SCD2 deficiency in murine macrophages. We found that deletion of

Loss Of Stearoyl-Coa Desaturase 2 Disrupts Inflammatory Response In Macrophages, Joseph B Lin, Amy Mora, Tzu Jui Wang, Andrea Santeford, Darksha Usmani, Marianne M Ligon, Indira U Mysorekar, Rajendra S Apte

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Macrophages are innate immune cells that patrol tissues and are the first responders to detect infection. They orchestrate the host immune response in eliminating invading pathogens and the subsequent transition from inflammation to tissue repair. Macrophage dysfunction contributes to age-related pathologies, including low-grade inflammation in advanced age that is termed "inflammaging." Our laboratory has previously identified that macrophage expression of a fatty acid desaturase, stearoyl-CoA desaturase 2 (SCD2), declines with age. Herein, we delineate the precise cellular effects of SCD2 deficiency in murine macrophages. We found that deletion of

Litigating Climate Change Infrastructure Impacts, Hari M. Osofsky

NULR Online

No abstract provided.

Ergosterol Distribution Controls Surface Structure Formation And Fungal Pathogenicity, Hau Lam Choy, Elizabeth A. Gaylord, Tamara L. Doering

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Ergosterol, the major sterol in fungal membranes, is critical for defining membrane fluidity and regulating cellular processes. Although ergosterol synthesis has been well defined in model yeast, little is known about sterol organization in the context of fungal pathogenesis. We identified a retrograde sterol transporter, Ysp2, in the opportunistic fungal pathogen

Intensive Care Unit Sinks Are Persistently Colonized With Multidrug Resistant Bacteria And Mobilizable, Resistance-Conferring Plasmids, Luke Diorio-Toth, Meghan A. Wallace, Christopher W. Farnsworth, Bin Wang, Danish Gul, Jennie H. Kwon, Saadia Andleeb, Carey-Ann D. Burnham, Gautam Dantas

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Contamination of hospital sinks with microbial pathogens presents a serious potential threat to patients, but our understanding of sink colonization dynamics is largely based on infection outbreaks. Here, we investigate the colonization patterns of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) in intensive care unit sinks and water from two hospitals in the USA and Pakistan collected over 27 months of prospective sampling. Using culture-based methods, we recovered 822 bacterial isolates representing 104 unique species and genomospecies. Genomic analyses revealed long-term colonization by

A Case Of Fournier’S Gangrene: A Rare, Lethal Skin Infection, Aditi Chokshi, Laura Ziton

HPD Articles

Fournier’s gangrene (FG) is a rare form of necrotizing fasciitis that is characterized by fascial necrosis of the genitalia or perineum. FG typically results as a complication of genital or anorectal abscess, pressure sore, or surgical site infections. Many patients present with no symptoms, whereas other patients may present with non-specific symptoms such as pain or erythema in the genital or perianal regions. We present a case of FG in a 76-year-old male. Our patient presented initially with only complaints of perianal and groin pain. Upon imaging and skin examination, a diagnosis of Fournier’s gangrene was made. However, due to …

Current Ideas In Covid Vaccines, Pornumpa Bunjoungmanee

Asian Medical Journal and Alternative Medicine

No abstract provided.

The Utility Of Preoperative Ct Scans For The Differentiation Of Mucinous Versus Non-Mucinous Colorectal Adenocarcinoma, Piyaporn Apisarnthanarak, Sirudcha Polsak, Voraparee Suvannarerg, Vilasinee Rerkpichaisuth, Kobkun Muangsomboon, Wanwarang Teerasamit, Sopa Pongpornsup, Anucha Apisarnthanarak

Asian Medical Journal and Alternative Medicine

Introduction: To assess the utility of preoperative computed tomography (CT) scans for the differentiation of mucinous versus non-mucinous colorectal adenocarcinoma.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted over a 12-year, 6-month period for a comparative assessment of preoperative abdominal CT scans in 143 participants postoperatively confirmed with either mucinous (47 participants) or non-mucinous colorectal adenocarcinoma (96 participants). Two experienced abdominal radiologists separately conducted a blinded review of preoperative CT scans for tumor characterization. A stratified comparative analysis was performed.

Results: The mean tumor diameter and length were significantly greater in the mucinous group (p-value < 0.001). The presence of heterogeneous enhancement and …

Climate Justice Perspectives And Strategies Implemented By Public Health Nurses And Their Community Partners, Jessica Leclair

Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation was to understand PHN perceptions, strategies, and experiences with environmental and climate justice in the United States. In the first published study, a scoping review, I examined strategic actions nurses take to promote environmental justice through research, education, advocacy, and practice reported in peer-reviewed literature.

Impact Of Digital Transformation On Achieving Sustainability In Utility Sector Of Uae, Abdulrahman Salem Alsaleh

Theses

The central focus of the current study is to understand the impact of digital technology on sustainable practices in a utility sector within the UAE. The research examined whether AI, blockchain, and big data can improve sustainability in the company to completely understand how digital technologies influences sustainable practices in the county’s utility sector. Data were gathered using the survey data collection method for a quantitative review. The reliability of the data was examined using Cronbach’s Alpha, and the strength of the relationships between the variables was investigated using correlation analysis. The extent to which the adoption of AI, big …

Editor's Note, Anucha Apisarnthanarak

Asian Medical Journal and Alternative Medicine

No abstract provided.

A Relationship Study Of Coronavirus (Covid-19) Infection, Blood Groups, And Some Related Factors In Iraqi Patients, Alyaa M. Zyara, Atheer Abdulrazzaq Aldoori, Farah Thamer Samawi, Shaymaa Ismael Kadhim, Zainab Anwar Ali

Baghdad Science Journal

Many studies of the relationship between COVID-19 and different factors have been conducted since the beginning of the corona pandemic. The relationship between COVID-19 and different biomarkers including ABO blood groups, D-dimer, Ferritin and CRP, was examined. Six hundred (600) patients, were included in this trial among them, 324 (56%) females and the rest 276 (46%) were males. The frequencies of blood types A, B, AB, and O were 25.33, 38.00, 31.33, and 5.33%, respectively, in the case group. Association analysis between the ABO blood group and D-dimer, Ferritin and CRP of COVID-19 patients indicated that there was a statistically …

Post Covid-19 Effect On Medical Staff And Doctors' Productivity Analysed By Machine Learning, Maitham G. Yousif, Khalid Hashim, Salman Rawaf

Baghdad Science Journal

The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly affected the healthcare sector and the productivity of medical staff and doctors. This study employs machine learning to analyze the post-COVID-19 impact on the productivity of medical staff and doctors across various specialties. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 960 participants from different specialties between June 1, 2022, and April 5, 2023. The study collected demographic data, including age, gender, and socioeconomic status, as well as information on participants' sleeping habits and any COVID-19 complications they experienced. The findings indicate a significant decline in the productivity of medical staff and doctors, with an average reduction …

Hepatocellular Carcinoma Prediction And Early Diagnosis Of Hepatitis B And C Viral Infection Using Mir-122 And Mir-223 In A Sample Of Iraqi Patients., Saja Khudhier Essa Al-Juboori, Shaymaa I K Al-Juboori

Baghdad Science Journal

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third most common cause of cancer-related death. Therefore, it is critical for researchers to understand molecular biology in greater depth. In several diseases including cancer, abnormal miRNA expression has been linked to apoptosis, proliferation, differentiation, and metastasis. Many miRNAs have been studied in relation to cancer, including miR-122, miR-223, and others. Hepatitis B and C viruses are the most important global risk factors for HCC. This study is intended to test whether serum miRNAs serve as a potential biomarker for both HCC and viral infections HBV and C. The expression of miRNA in 64 serum …

Comparative Analysis Of Mfo, Gwo And Gso For Classification Of Covid-19 Chest X-Ray Images, Asraa M. Mohammad, Hussien Attia, Yossra H. Ali

Baghdad Science Journal

Medical images play a crucial role in the classification of various diseases and conditions. One of the imaging modalities is X-rays which provide valuable visual information that helps in the identification and characterization of various medical conditions. Chest radiograph (CXR) images have long been used to examine and monitor numerous lung disorders, such as tuberculosis, pneumonia, atelectasis, and hernia. COVID-19 detection can be accomplished using CXR images as well. COVID-19, a virus that causes infections in the lungs and the airways of the upper respiratory tract, was first discovered in 2019 in Wuhan Province, China, and has since been thought …

The Impact Of Climate Change On Mental Health, Taylor Brewer, Chelsea Holbrook, Alison Hong

URGENT Matters

No abstract provided.

“Dying Alone And Being Eaten”: Dog Scavenging On The Remains Of An Elderly Animal Hoarder-A Case Report, Louise Bach Kmetiuk, Paulo Cesar Maiorka, Alan M. Beck, Alexander Welker Biondo

Purdue University Libraries Open Access Publishing Fund

Animal hoarding and human consumption by dogs have been important but often understudied aspects of the human-animal bond that can be addressed within a One Health framework. No scientific report has focused on dog scavenging on animal hoarders to date, despite isolated reports of dog scavenging on human remains, mostly due to starvation. The phenomenon has been approached as a confounding factor for human forensics. In 2014, the Animal Protection Department of Curitiba City was called to rescue and handle ten small dogs which had scavenged for a week on the human remains of their elderly owner, a potential animal …

Isolation And Genome Sequencing Of Cytomegaloviruses From Natal Multimammate Mice (Mastomys Natalensis), Frederick Hansen, Matej Vučak, Jenna Nichols, Joseph Hughes, Sidy Bane, Salvatore Camiolo, Silva Filipe A Da, Eleonore Ostermann, Laura Staliunaite, Baca Chan, Thekla Mauch, Nafomon Sogoba, Daniel N. Streblow, Sebastian Voigt, Lisa Oestereich, Bernhard Ehlers, Alec J. Redwood, Heinz Feldmann, Wolfram Brune, Kyle Rosenke, Michael A. Jarvis, Andrew J. Davison

School of Biomedical Sciences

Distinct cytomegaloviruses (CMVs) are widely distributed across their mammalian hosts in a highly host species-restricted pattern. To date, evidence demonstrating this has been limited largely to PCR-based approaches targeting small, conserved genomic regions, and only a few complete genomes of isolated viruses representing distinct CMV species have been sequenced. We have now combined direct isolation of infectious viruses from tissues with complete genome sequencing to provide a view of CMV diversity in a wild animal population. We targeted Natal multimammate mice (Mastomys natalensis), which are common in sub-Saharan Africa, are known to carry a variety of zoonotic pathogens, and are …

Forecasting Stock Indices With The Covid-19 Infection Rate As An Exogenous Variable, Mohammad Saha A. Patwary

School of Computing and Informatics

Forecasting stock market indices is challenging because stock prices are usually nonlinear and non- stationary. COVID-19 has had a significant impact on stock market volatility, which makes forecasting more challenging. Since the number of confirmed cases significantly impacted the stock price index; hence, it has been considered a covariate in this analysis. The primary focus of this study is to address the challenge of forecasting volatile stock indices during Covid-19 by employing time series analysis. In particular, the goal is to find the best method to predict future stock price indices in relation to the number of COVID-19 infection rates. …

Bioethics And Vaccines: Scientific Facts, Values, And Conflict, Amanda Roth

Myth and Science, 2023-24

This lesson plan and slide deck focuses on Bioethics and Vaccinations in relation to the theme of Myths and Science. Topics include: moral questions around vaccine mandates, intergenerational justice and the varicella vaccine, and justice in vaccine distribution.

Understanding Risk Perception And Xenophobic Attitudes During The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) Pandemic In The United States, Sera Yoo, William Eger, Ashley Moore, Emily Miron, Marney A. White

Cooper Rowan Medical Journal

Introduction: There have been over 87 million cases of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the United States (US).

Objective: The objective of this study was to develop a novel questionnaire to assess risk perception of COVID-19 and xenophobic attitudes among adults in the US at the beginning of the pandemic.

Methods: An anonymous self-report questionnaire was developed for this study in February 2020, and was distributed using convenience sampling from March 10 to March 25, 2020. The questionnaire assessed knowledge and risk perceptions of COVID-19, as well as attitudes toward individuals of various races and ethnicities.

Results: 662 US adults …

Developing A Safe And Effective Papillomavirus Screen To Be Used On College Students At A South Carolina University, Owen R. Smith, Nicole E. Frantz, Emily E. Bishop, Rahjai G. Thomas, Paul E. Richardson

Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science

No abstract provided.

Identification Of A Small Regulatory Rna Usps Associated With The Universal Stress Protein In Lactobacillus Species, Zarah M. Fowler, Sasha S. Bronovitskiy, Finn K. Rose, Brian M. Lee

Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science

The gut microbiome is a complex habitat with many bacterial species, each playing crucial roles in regulating various physiological processes in the body. As the use of probiotics to combat human disease continues to increase, it is important to understand the mechanisms by which probiotic bacteria regulate their interactions with other bacteria and their host. Our exploration of the physiological functions of probiotic bacteria hopes to elucidate the role of small regulatory RNA (sRNA) in regulating gene expression within the microbiome. The goal of this project was to characterize the structure and function of the sRNA, UspS, which is found …

Post-Natal Anti-Retroviral Prophylaxis For Neonates Born To Mothers Living With Resistant Hiv Infection, Laila S. Al Yazidi, Philip N. Britton, Nicole Gilroy, Tony Lai, Alison Kesson

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

Mother-to-child transmission accounts for the majority of new HIV infections among children worldwide. Post-natal prophylaxis, in addition to other preventive measures, have been very successful in reducing transmission to babies born to mothers living with HIV infection to <2%. Single-drug prophylaxis with zidovudine is the mainstay regimen for infants in low-risk transmission settings. The optimal regimen for newborns of women with anti-retroviral (ARV)-resistant HIV is unknown. We report a baby born to a young mother living with highly resistant perinatally-acquired HIV at a tertiary care centre in Sydney, Australia, in 2018. Furthermore, the challenges with giving postnatal ARV prophylaxis to her baby, in light of the lack of dosing and safety data for many antiretroviral agents for neonates, is discussed. The baby received a combination of lamivudine and raltegravir for a total of six weeks and he was not breast-fed. He had negative HIV proviral DNA polymerase chain reaction at six weeks and three months and a negative HIV serology at 18 months of age.

Identification Of Asymptomatic Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infections Among Healthcare Workers At Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Oman, Amal Al Shibli, Mahmood Al Jufaili, Awatif Al Alawi, Abdullah Balkhair, Ibrahim Al Zakwani, Faisal Al Azri, Khuloud Al Maamari, Fatma Ba Alawi, Azza Al Qayoudhi, Hajar Al Ghafri

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

Objectives: This study aimed to describe the incidence and features of asymptomatic COVID-19 infections among HCWs at a tertiary hospital in Oman. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between August 2020 and February 2021 among HCWs with no history of COVID-19 infection using an online questionnaire to collect sociodemographic and clinical data. COVID-19 infection was diagnosed using nasopharyngeal/throat swabs, which were tested for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Analyses were performed using Chi-squared test, Fisher’s exact test, or univariate ordinary least squares regression, as appropriate. Results: A total of 583 HCWs participated in the study. Most were female …

The Quality Of Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Videos On Youtube, Bradley M. Nus, Kylie Wu, Trey Sledge, Grant Torres, Sai Kamma, Sanjana Janumpally, Syed Gilani, Scott Lick

Student Publications

Objective

YouTube (YouTube LLC, San Bruno, California, United States), one of the most accessed sites on the internet, has become a widespread source of healthcare information for patients. Videos about coronary artery bypass grafts (CABG) have accrued tens of millions of views on the platform, yet their educational quality is unknown. This study investigates the educational landscape of videos regarding CABG procedures on YouTube.

Methods

YouTube was queried for “Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery” and “Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Procedure”. After applying exclusion criteria, 73 videos were assessed. Two independent reviewers rated the material with the Global Quality Scale (GQS) …

Isolated Cerebral Mucormycosis And Aspergillosis Coinfection In An Immunocompromised Adult, George Sun, Allison Weiss, Joy Zhao, Mitchell Silver, Michael Demaio, Sara Dehbashi

Department of Neurology Faculty Papers

Opportunistic fungal infections are a major cause of mortality in immunosuppressed patients, with mucormycosis and aspergillosis as two of the most commonly identified fungal organisms. Coinfection with mucormycosis and aspergillosis is rare, but cases have been reported in literature, most commonly presenting as disseminated invasive fungal infection with cerebrorhino-orbital involvement in an immunocompromised patient. Infections are most commonly caused by direct implantation of spores with localised angioinvasion. Haematogenous spread is rare, with most cases secondary to haematological malignancies or intravenous drug use. Coinfection with mucormycosis and aspergillosis portends a poor prognosis, with a high mortality rate. Thus, prompt recognition and …

Volume 20, Issue 1

Medical Muse

No abstract provided.