Digital Commons Network^™

Stratification Of Pediatric Covid-19 Cases Using Inflammatory Biomarker Profiling And Machine Learning., Devika Subramanian, Aadith Vittala, Xinpu Chen, Christopher Julien, Sebastian Acosta, Craig Rusin, Carl Allen, Nicholas Rider, Zbigniew Starosolski, Ananth Annapragada, Sridevi Devaraj

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

While pediatric COVID-19 is rarely severe, a small fraction of children infected with SARS-CoV-2 go on to develop multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C), with substantial morbidity. An objective method with high specificity and high sensitivity to identify current or imminent MIS-C in children infected with SARS-CoV-2 is highly desirable. The aim was to learn about an interpretable novel cytokine/chemokine assay panel providing such an objective classification. This retrospective study was conducted on four groups of pediatric patients seen at multiple sites of Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX who consented to provide blood samples to our COVID-19 Biorepository. Standard laboratory markers of …

Antibiotic Use Without A Prescription: A Multisite Survey Of Patient, Health System, And Encounter Characteristics, Larissa Grigoryan, Michael K Paasche-Orlow, Osvaldo Alquicira, Lindsey Laytner, Matthew Schlueter, Richard L Street, Juanita Salinas, Kenneth Barning, Hammad Mahmood, Thomas W Porter, Fareed Khan, Jean L Raphael, Fabrizia Faustinella, Barbara W Trautner

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Using antibiotics without a prescription is potentially unsafe and may increase the risk of antimicrobial resistance. We evaluated the effect of patient, health system, and clinical encounter factors on intention to use antibiotics without a prescription that were (1) purchased in the United States, (2) obtained from friends or relatives, (3) purchased abroad, or (4) from any of these sources.

Methods: The survey was performed January 2020-June 2021 in 6 publicly funded primary care clinics and 2 private emergency departments in Texas, United States. Participants included adult patients visiting 1 of the clinical settings. Nonprescription use was defined as …

Changing Severity And Epidemiology Of Adults Hospitalized With Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) In The United States After Introduction Of Covid-19 Vaccines, March 2021-August 2022, Noah Kojima, Jennie H Kwon, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

INTRODUCTION: Understanding the changing epidemiology of adults hospitalized with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) informs research priorities and public health policies.

METHODS: Among adults (≥18 years) hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed, acute COVID-19 between 11 March 2021, and 31 August 2022 at 21 hospitals in 18 states, those hospitalized during the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron-predominant period (BA.1, BA.2, BA.4/BA.5) were compared to those from earlier Alpha- and Delta-predominant periods. Demographic characteristics, biomarkers within 24 hours of admission, and outcomes, including oxygen support and death, were assessed.

RESULTS: Among 9825 patients, median (interquartile range [IQR]) age was 60 years (47-72), …

“End-Of-Life Visitation Guidelines Duringpandemic Times”, Madeline Chung

The International Journal of Ethical Leadership

No abstract provided.

Wheat, Rye, And Barley: On Celiac And The Eucharist During The Pandemic, Nathan Jowers

New Horizons

This article ties together reflections on the Eucharist and reflections on the pandemic by appealing to the author’s experiences with celiac disease. Both celiac and the pandemic force Christians to ask the question “What does it mean to approach Christ’s body when it threatens our life?” Acknowledging the complexity of this question is key to understanding and communicating with Christians across the world, especially in high- stakes situations like a pandemic, where misrepresentation runs rampant. The pandemic witnessed the toll of undue simplifications of this question—both in those who denied that liturgy could be a source of danger, and in …

New Horizons Vol.7, Issue 1 2023

New Horizons

No abstract provided.

Effects Of Surface Treatment Method Forming New Nano/Micro Hierarchical Structures On Attachment And Proliferation Of Osteoblast-Like Cells, Jae-Seung Im, Hyunsuk Choi, Hyun-Wook An, Tae-Yub Kwon, Min-Ho Hong

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Titanium (Ti) and Ti-based alloys are commonly used in dental implants, and surface modifications of dental implants are important for achieving osseointegration (i.e., direct connection between the implant surface and bone). This study investigated the effect of an eco-friendly etching solution-a hydrogen peroxide-sodium bicarbonate mixture-on the surface properties and contact angles of osteoblast adhesion and proliferation on Ti surfaces. Disk-shaped Ti specimens were prepared using different surface treatments (machining, sandblasting, and sandblasting/acid-etching), and they were immersed in the etching solution and ultrasonically cleaned. Surface characterization was performed using scanning electron microscopy, digital microscopy, contact angle analysis, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. …

How Can Patients Be In Control Of Their Healthcare If They Are Not In Control Of Their Online Health Information?, M Hägglund, A Kharko, J Hagström, M Johansen, Et Al

Peninsula Medical School

No abstract provided.

Leucocytozoon Cariamae N. Sp. And Haemoproteus Pulcher Coinfection In Cariama Cristata (Aves: Cariamiformes): First Mitochondrial Genome Analysis And Morphological Description Of A Leucocytozoid In Brazil, Lis Marques De C. Vieira, Pedro Henrique O. Pereira, Daniel Ambrózio Da Rocha Vilela, Irène Landau, M. Andreína Pacheco, Ananias A. Escalante, Francisco C. Ferreira, Érika Martins Braga

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Library Materials

The distribution of avian haemosporidians of the genus Leucocytozoon in the Neotropics remains poorly understood. Recent studies confirmed their presence in the region using molecular techniques alone, but evidence for gametocytes and data on putative competent hosts for Leucocytozoon are still lacking outside highland areas. We combined morphological and molecular data to characterize a new Leucocytozoon species infecting a non-migratory red-legged seriema (Cariama cristata), the first report of a competent host for Leucocytozoon in Brazil. Leucocytozoon cariamae n. sp. is distinguished from the Leucocytozoon fringillinarum group by its microgametocytes that are not strongly appressed to the host cell …

Unh Spearheads Multi-University Tick Surveillance System Project, Nicholas Gosling

UNH Today Archive

No abstract provided.

Stability Analyses On The Effect Of Vaccination And Contact Tracing In Monkeypox Virus Transmission, Solomon Eshun, Richmond Essieku, James Ladzekpo

School of Mathematical & Statistical Sciences Faculty Publications

Monkeypox is a significant health concern due to its potential for morbidity and occasional mortality. Vaccination and effective contact tracing play pivotal roles in controlling infectious diseases, including monkeypox. This study aims to contribute to our understanding of monkeypox dynamics by developing a comprehensive mathematical model that incorporates key factors such as vaccination, quarantining, and contact tracing. Through rigorous sensitivity analysis, we explore the impact of varying vaccination coverage and contact tracing on the disease’s dynamics. In particular, we investigate the dynamics of the disease in relation to variable vaccination coverage and contact tracing. Our findings highlight the critical role …

Single-Valued Pentapartitioned Neutrosophic Weighted Hyperbolic Tangent Similarity Measure To Determine The Most Significant Environmental Risks During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Priyanka Majumder, Arnab Paul, Surapati Pramanik

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

No abstract provided.

Airway Management Simulation With Ppe To Improve Nat Education And Comfort, Blake Butler, Marius Zymantas

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

Guidelines for the use of proper personal protective equipment (PPE) were created by the Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) half a century ago but PPE compliance remains low. To effectively protect healthcare workers from becoming infected and spreading infectious agents, PPE compliance must be improved. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of an educational tool and simulation on improving NAT (nurse anesthesia trainee) knowledge of PPE protocols as well as perceived comfort performing airway management procedures while wearing PPE. This study used a pre- and post- survey design to assess both knowledge of proper …

Multiomic Investigations Into Lung Health And Disease, Sarah E Blutt, Cristian Coarfa, Josef Neu, Mohan Pammi

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Diseases of the lung account for more than 5 million deaths worldwide and are a healthcare burden. Improving clinical outcomes, including mortality and quality of life, involves a holistic understanding of the disease, which can be provided by the integration of lung multi-omics data. An enhanced understanding of comprehensive multiomic datasets provides opportunities to leverage those datasets to inform the treatment and prevention of lung diseases by classifying severity, prognostication, and discovery of biomarkers. The main objective of this review is to summarize the use of multiomics investigations in lung disease, including multiomics integration and the use of machine learning …

Additive Effects Of Cyclic Peptide [R4w4] When Added Alongside Azithromycin And Rifampicin Against Mycobacterium Avium Infection, Melissa Kelley, Kayvan Sasaninia, Arbi Abnousian, Ali Badaoui, James Owens, Abrianna Beever, Nala Kachour, Rakesh Kumar Tiwari, Vishwanath Venketaraman

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Mycobacterium avium (M. avium), a type of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), poses a risk for pulmonary infections and disseminated infections in immunocompromised individuals. Conventional treatment consists of a 12-month regimen of the first-line antibiotics rifampicin and azithromycin. However, the treatment duration and low antibiotic tolerability present challenges in the treatment of M. avium infection. Furthermore, the emergence of multidrug-resistant mycobacterium strains prompts a need for novel treatments against M. avium infection. This study aims to test the efficacy of a novel antimicrobial peptide, cyclic [R4W4], alongside the first-line antibiotics azithromycin and rifampicin in reducing M. avium survival. Colony-forming unit (CFU) …

The Role Of Curcumin On Apoptosis And Nlrp3 Inflammasome-Dependent Pyroptosis On Colorectal Cancer In Vitro, Zeynep Dal, Başak Aru

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide. Many factors such as stress, lifestyle, and dietary habits are known to play a role in the initiation and progression of the disease. Herbal therapeutic agents including curcumin can hold a great potential against cancer treatment; however, their efficacy on CRC is still under investigation. Herein, we evaluated the anticancer mechanism of curcumin on four different CRC cell lines. Materials and methods: Cells were treated with curcumin for 24, 48 and 72 h, and IC50 doses for each cell line were calculated. Mechanistic studies were conducted with the …

Evaluation Of Local And Systemic Side Effects Of Turkovac Vaccine In Adults, Bülent Nuri̇ Kalayci, Doğu Karahan

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: COVID-19 is a respiratory disease that caused a pandemic after reportedly emerging from Wuhan, China, in December 2019. Different types of COVID-19 vaccines such as viral vectors, mRNA, and inactivated vaccines have been produced since the beginning of the pandemic. Turkovac is an inactive COVID-19 vaccine developed and produced in Türkiye. We conducted our study to investigate the local and systemic side effects of the Turkovac vaccine. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional survey-based study was conducted to collect data on the postvaccine side effects in people aged over 18 who were vaccinated with Turkovac, between March and June 2022, …

A Mixed Methods Approach To Understanding The Links Between Mining, Climate Change And Selected Health Outcomes In India, Mary J. Cheruvillil

Dissertations and Theses

Despite ample evidence of the significant role that mining activities play in determining health outcomes, in India there is a dearth of comprehensive health studies that draw linkages between mining and health. The purpose of the following study is to investigate the impact of mining activities on population health in India using three different methods: ecological multivariable regression, exploratory spatial data analysis (ESDA) and content analysis of government documents using a phenomenological approach. The first aim uses the ecological multivariable regression to examine associations between mining activities and children’s malnutrition outcomes at the district level. Census data, the Demographic Health …

Systematic Design And Data-Driven Evaluation Of Social Determinants Of Health Ontology (Sdoho), Yifang Dang, Fang Li, Xinyue Hu, Vipina K Keloth, Meng Zhang, Sunyang Fu, Muhammad F Amith, J Wilfred Fan, Jingcheng Du, Evan Yu, Hongfang Liu, Xiaoqian Jiang, Hua Xu, Cui Tao

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objective: Social determinants of health (SDoH) play critical roles in health outcomes and well-being. Understanding the interplay of SDoH and health outcomes is critical to reducing healthcare inequalities and transforming a "sick care" system into a "health-promoting" system. To address the SDOH terminology gap and better embed relevant elements in advanced biomedical informatics, we propose an SDoH ontology (SDoHO), which represents fundamental SDoH factors and their relationships in a standardized and measurable way.

Material and methods: Drawing on the content of existing ontologies relevant to certain aspects of SDoH, we used a top-down approach to formally model classes, relationships, and …

Changing The Economic And Social Institutions Of Lincoln Nebraska To Benefit Climate Change Refugees From The Central American Region, Calvin W. Martin

RURALS: Review of Undergraduate Research in Agricultural and Life Sciences

Climate change will negatively impact many regions of the world. Perhaps one of the worst affected regions will be Central America. The effects of climate change will cause social and economic unrest in the Central American region and will be the catalyst for widespread migration into the United States. In order to repatriate Central American climate refugees, the federal government of the United States may have to rely on federal resettlement areas such as Lincoln Nebraska. The city government of Lincoln Nebraska and the federal government can improve the quality of life for Central American climate refugees by implementing polices …

Retrospective Analysis Of Children Diagnosed With Kawasaki Disease, Fati̇h Varol, Reyhan Dedeoğlu, Azi̇z Kiliç, Murat Tuğberk Bakar, Amra Adrovi̇c, Sezgi̇n Şahi̇n, Mehmet Yildiz, Kenan Barut, Hali̇t Çam, Özgür Kasapçopur

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim:The aim of our study was to evaluate the long-term impacts of Kawasaki disease on our patients regarding coronary involvement demographic characteristics, treatment regimens, and clinical course. Materials and methods: Our study included 104 patients diagnosed and hospitalized with Kawasaki disease in our center, from January 2004 to January 2019. In our study, patients were divided into three groups according to coronary artery involvement. Patients in group 1 had no echocardiographic findings, while the ones in group 2 had coronary artery dilatation and ones in group 3 had coronary artery aneurysm (CAA). Results:Among 104 patients, the median age was 9.15 …

Additive Effects Of Cyclic Peptide [R4w4] When Added Alongside Azithromycin And Rifampicin Against Mycobacterium Avium Infection, Melissa Kelley, Kayvan Sasaninia, Arbi Abnousian, Ali Badaoui, James Owens, Abrianna Beever, Nala Kachour, Rakesh Kumar Tiwari, Vishwanath Venketaraman

Student Publications

Mycobacterium avium (M. avium), a type of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), poses a risk for pulmonary infections and disseminated infections in immunocompromised individuals. Conventional treatment consists of a 12-month regimen of the first-line antibiotics rifampicin and azithromycin. However, the treatment duration and low antibiotic tolerability present challenges in the treatment of M. avium infection. Furthermore, the emergence of multidrug-resistant mycobacterium strains prompts a need for novel treatments against M. avium infection. This study aims to test the efficacy of a novel antimicrobial peptide, cyclic [R4W4], alongside the first-line antibiotics azithromycin and rifampicin in reducing M. avium survival. Colony-forming unit …

A Thesis On The Human Genetic Basis Of Severe Pneumococcal Infection In Papua New Guinea, Emma Catherine Walker

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

Pneumonia remains a major cause of childhood mortality, especially in under-resourced communities. The profound morbidity of pediatric pneumonia in Papua New Guinea (PNG) compels innovative approaches to ameliorate disease. While the high incidence of pneumonia has been ascribed to environmental factors, we here identify a heritable allele increasing risk of severe pneumonia. In a pilot study, whole exome sequencing reveals a single nucleotide variant (SNV) in coenzyme Q6 (COQ6), a mitochondrial enzyme essential for ubiquinone biosynthesis. Significant association of SNV homozygosity with pneumonia replicates in an independently recruited cohort (p=0.036). Mice homozygous for the murine variant exhibit increased mortality after …

One Size Does Not Fit All: Advanced Practice Provider Considerations For The Antimicrobial Steward., Kyleen E. Swords, Gina Weddle, Joshua C. Herigon, Paula D. Stering, Matthew S L Lee

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Advanced practice providers are a diverse and established group of antimicrobial prescribers in both ambulatory and inpatient settings. We outline important considerations for antimicrobial stewardship programs and stewards to consider when engaging this important group of providers.

Defining The Roles Of Pyruvate Oxidation, Tca Cycle, And Mannitol Metabolism In Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection, Santosh Paudel, Sarah Guedry, Chloe L P Obernuefemann, Scott J Hultgren, Jennifer N Walker, Ritwij Kulkarni

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an important cause of complicated urinary tract infection (UTI) associated with the use of indwelling urinary catheters. Previous reports have revealed host and pathogen effectors critical for MRSA uropathogenesis. Here, we sought to determine the significance of specific metabolic pathways during MRSA UTI. First, we identified four mutants from the Nebraska transposon mutant library in the MRSA JE2 background that grew normally in rich medium but displayed significantly reduced growth in pooled human urine (HU). This prompted us to transduce the uropathogenic MRSA 1369 strain with the transposon mutants in sucD and fumC (tricarboxylic acid …

“Já Muito Estropeadas”: Bodies And Landscapes Of Oppression In Rodolfo Teófilo’S A Fome, Mikaela Wood

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis article analyzes Rodolfo Teófilo's novel "A fome" through the lens of ecofeminism, exploring the representations of gender and nature in Brazilian literature. The novel, set during a devastating drought in the Northeast, follows Manuel de Freitas and his family as they seek relief in Ceará. While existing criticism has focused on the novel's use of nature and masculinity, the portrayal of female characters and the connection between gender and nature representations have been overlooked. Ecofeminist theory offers a critical perspective to understand these dynamics, revealing the devaluation of women and nature in favor of men and human beings …

Developing An Ethical Framework-Guided Instrument For Assessing Bias In Ehr-Based Big Data Studies: A Research Protocol, Shan Qiao Ph.D., George Khushf, Xiaoming Li, Jiajia Zhang Ph.D., Bankole Olatosi Ph.D.

Faculty Publications

Introduction The emergence of Big Data health research has exponentially advanced the fields of medicine and public health but has also faced many ethical challenges. One of most worrying but still under-researched aspects of the ethical issues is the risk of potential biases in data sets (eg, electronic health records (EHR) data) as well as in the data curation and acquisition cycles. This study aims to develop, refine and pilot test an ethical framework-guided instrument for assessing bias in Big Data research using EHR data sets.

Methods and analysis Ethical analysis and instrument development (ie, the EHR bias assessment guideline) …

Dynamics Of The Mrsa Population In A Chilean Hospital: A Phylogenomic Analysis (2000-2016), José R W Martínez, Paul J Planet, Maria Spencer-Sandino, Lina Rivas, Lorena Díaz, Ahmed M Moustafa, Ana Quesille-Villalobos, Roberto Riquelme-Neira, Manuel Alcalde-Rico, Blake Hanson, Lina P Carvajal, Sandra Rincón, Jinnethe Reyes, Marusella Lam, Juan F Calderon, Rafael Araos, Patricia García, César A Arias, José M Munita

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The global dissemination of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is associated with the emergence and establishment of clones in specific geographic areas. The Chilean-Cordobes clone (ChC) (ST5-SCCmecI) has been the predominant MRSA clone in Chile since its first description in 1998, despite the report of other emerging MRSA clones in recent years. Here, we characterize the evolutionary history of MRSA from 2000 to 2016 in a Chilean tertiary health care center using phylogenomic analyses. We sequenced 469 MRSA isolates collected between 2000 and 2016. We evaluated the temporal trends of the circulating clones and performed a phylogenomic reconstruction to …

Molecular Mechanisms Governing The Generation Of Tissue Resident Memory Cd8 T Cells In The Setting Of Cancer, Nikhil Khatwani

Dartmouth College Ph.D Dissertations

Although there has been extensive research on T-cell responses to cancer immunotherapy, the understanding of long-lasting memory in visceral organs remains less well understood. Among these, a population of Trm cells was discovered that reside durably within tumor draining lymph nodes (TDLN) and plays a crucial role in protecting against invading melanoma cells, uncovering a new role for Trm cells at critical metastatic sites. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms promoting Trm establishment in tissues where cancer can develop and metastasize. Here, employing longitudinal T cell receptor (TCR)-lineage-tracing and single-cell transcriptomics, we find that TDLN contain Teff cells …

Understanding The Audience In Framing Research: Empirical Evidence From Three Studies Examining Hiv Framing In China, Tianen Chen, Minhao Dai, Nancy Grace Harrington

Faculty Articles

Guided by framing theory, this three-phase mixed-methods study explored (a) how Chinese government-sponsored newspapers frame HIV and (b) framing effects on people’s HIV beliefs. A content analysis of two government-sponsored newspapers and a survey of 210 readers showed discrepancies in frame and frame valence. In-depth follow-up interviews with 15 media and public health experts revealed that the discrepancies were related to people’s attitudes toward the media and beliefs about HIV, which could further be explained by the political environment, media ecology, historical framing, and cultural identities in China. We discuss theoretical implications for framing theory and practical implications for HIV …