Digital Commons Network^™

From Child To Children: The Experiences Of Economically Marginalized Parents As Their Family Sizes Grow, Yvanna Pogue Vicks

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Sprouty4 Is Epigenetically Upregulated In Human Colorectal Cancer, Alexei J. Stuckel, Shuai Zeng, Zhen Lyu, Wei Zhang, Xu Zhang, Urszula Dougherty, Reba Mustafi, Tripti Khare, Qiong Zhang, Trupti Joshi, Marc Bissonnette, Sharad Khare

Biomedical Sciences

Sprouty4 (SPRY4) has been frequently reported as a tumor suppressor and is therefore downregulated in various cancers. For the first time, we report that SPRY4 is epigenetically upregulated in colorectal cancer (CRC). In this study, we explored DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation levels of SPRY4 in CRC cells and patient samples and correlated these findings with mRNA and protein expression levels. Three loci within the promoter region of SPRY4 were evaluated for 5mC levels in CRC using the combined bisulfite restriction analysis. In addition, hydroxymethylation levels within SPRY4 were measured in CRC patients. Lastly, DNA methylation and mRNA expression data were …

A Comparison Of The Perceived Effects Of Injury On Collegiate Dancers And Athletes, Megan Chiles

Master's Theses

This research study focused on sustained injuries to collegiate dancers and athletes and the physical and mental effects that followed the sustained injuries. The researcher used an electronic survey to gather quantitative and qualitative data. Quantitative data included average weekly hours of practice and conditioning, if an injury was sustained during participation of their activity, where the injury was sustained, and if medical treatment was provided to them through their universities. Qualitative data included whether the injured participants ever felt pressured to continue participation after an injury was sustained. This research study demonstrated that both collegiate dancers and athletes sustain …

Fostering Resilience In Nurse Practitioner Practice: Development And Validation Of A Guide, Robyn L. Heiser

Doctoral Scholarly Projects & Capstones

Nurse practitioners (NPs) are a significant part of the U.S. healthcare system providing high quality, safe, consistent care often in low access and rural settings. Nurse practitioners are increasing in demand due to a growing physician shortage and a changing patient demographic of aging patients and patients with increasing complex, chronic illnesses. Nurse practitioners experience chronic work stress from layered demands of their work and role. This challenges their resilience and, if not appropriately managed, could lead to negative consequences for patient outcomes, the well-being of the NP, and overall healthcare system. Applying interventions that could effectively and efficiently foster …

The Use Of Stem Gaming To Promote Hearing Health In Youth, Catelyn D. Tweeten

Doctoral Scholarly Projects & Capstones

Hearing loss prevention programs targeting youth have been implemented in many forms to teach younger populations about hearing health to prevent noise-induced hearing loss. Some hearing loss prevention programs, such as Dangerous Decibels®, are based on health communication science and aim to not only increase youth’s knowledge about noise-induced hearing loss, but positively change their attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors towards safe listening practices. The purpose of this project was to investigate how an educational computer game called Song of the Starbird could potentially be used as an effective hearing health promotion tool for students with normal hearing and students with …

Dental Caries Screening For Food Insecure Children, John Joseph Kane

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Background. Dental caries is the most common childhood disease, disproportionally impacting minorities, and socio-economically disadvantaged children. Food insecurity impacts 23.6% of children in Texas; the majority being African American and Hispanic. Food insecurity screening rates are abysmal. Dental caries and food insecurity are significantly correlated and likely syndemic. Purpose. Implement oral examination and the “Hunger Vital Sign” screening tool in detecting dental caries and food insecurity at an urban pediatric urgent care center. Evidence. Food insecure children experience adverse health outcomes, impaired long-term health outcomes, developmental and cognitive delays, psychosocial delays, and oral health deficiencies including caries and malabsorption of …

Program Development And Expansion Of A Clinician-Driven Wound Care Program At An Outpatient Wound Care Center, Zhenhai Niu

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Problem. Patients with chronic wounds often present with additional physical and emotional problems because healing of chronic wounds may require months to resolve. Practitioners develop treatment plans based on their own training and clinical expertise, but unfortunately, there are no universal guidelines to inform the management of chronic wounds. Expanding multi-factorial assessments and interventions could improve patient outcomes. The purpose of this project was to implement a wound care protocol for outpatient wound care clients based on a nutritional and psychological self-assessment. Methods. A patient-completed checklist, done on arrival to the clinic, triggered clinician-driven protocol interventions addressing mental health and …

A Quality Improvement Project To Screen For Food Insecurity In Adults With Anxiety Or Depression, Kelsie Evelyn Kroll

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Background Food insecurity is the limited availability and inconsistent accessibility of healthy foods (Coleman-Jensen et al., 2022a). Food insecurity contributes to mental health problems. Individuals with food insecurity have greater odds of screening positive for depression and anxiety (Wolfson et al., 2021). The Hunger Vital Sign™ screening tool is a 2-questions evidence-based tool used to identify food insecurity (Hager et al., 2010). Purpose. Implement the Hunger Vital Sign™ tool at a non-profit behavior health clinic to identify food insecurity in adults who screened positive for anxiety or depression, offer resources for them to obtain nutritious food, and provide additional information …

Submandibular Salivary Gland Vulnerability: Unveiling Aflatoxin B1-Induced Toxicity And Rosmarinus Officinalis 'S Protective Role, Mohamed Shamel, Mahmoud Al Ankily, Mohamed Mansy, Robert Fua Angeles

Dentistry

No abstract provided.

Characterizing The Regulation Of Candida Albicans Hyphal Morphogenesis In The Context Of Host Macrophages, Hannah Wilson

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Candida albicans is a commensal fungus that resides on the skin, mucosal surfaces, and in the gut of an estimated 80% of individuals. Though generally harmless, C. albicans is capable of causing uncomfortable mucosal infections as well as deadly disseminated infections depending on the immune status of the host. Although antifungal therapeutics exist, the mortality rate associated with disseminated disease still lingers around 50%. Further, C. albicans is the fourth most common cause of all bloodstream infections and continues to present as a major clinical issue with less than satisfactory treatment options. For this reason, it is imperative to understand …

Finding Peace With Puberty: The Importance Of Increasing Puberty-Related Dialogue In Athletics, Amber Borofsky

The Synapse: Intercollegiate science magazine

No abstract provided.

Issue 38

The Synapse: Intercollegiate science magazine

No abstract provided.

Assessing The Feasibility Of Implementing A Dairy Industry In Mauritius, Sophia Ultes

Economics Undergraduate Honors Theses

Mauritius faces food security and economic challenges due to its lack of a domestic dairy industry. To address this, the University of Arkansas partnered with the Ministry of Agro Industry and Food Security to explore the possibility of establishing a dairy sector on the island.

Through surveys and interviews with locals, including restaurant owners and grocery store customers, we investigated the demand for fresh milk. We also studied factors like consumer preferences and production costs. Our research, conducted with IRB approval, aimed to understand if people are willing to buy locally produced milk.

During the summer, our team visited Mauritius …

The Effects Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On Students In The School Setting: The Adaptations Needed For Tiered Supports, Eleni M. Gajewski

Dissertations

This study aims to evaluate the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on students in the school setting and identify necessary adaptations needed, particularly through a tiered system of support. The research aims for two primary objectives by employing a constructivist framework utilizing mixed methods for data collection. Firstly, it aims to provide districts with a foundation for understanding the social-emotional and academic consequences of the pandemic on students. Secondly, its purpose is to empower districts to leverage this comprehensive evaluation as a proactive approach to cater to the diverse needs of all students. This includes responding to the challenges posed …

Chronic Stressors, Obesity Pathogenesis, And The Moderating Effect Of Internalized Weight Stigma; A Quantitative, Illinois Study, Karyn Byrne

Dissertations

The obesity epidemic is a ‘wicked’ problem with a complex web of determinants and outcomes. While generally higher for minoritized populations, prevalence rates manifest in surprising, nonlinear patterns. There is no consensus regarding treatment protocols or mitigation efforts, except that current efforts remain largely ineffective. Much research evidence that a profusion of determinants of health support obesity pathogenesis through various physiological processes and mechanisms, including the allostatic load, mitochondria functioning, the gut microbiome, and epigenetics. Intervening to support markers of the allostatic load (immunity, inflammation, and metabolic health) may provide a more effective treatment outcomes than traditional approaches, which tend …

Community-Based Cultivation Of Medicinal Plants: Preserving Florida's Native Plants, Shayna Dimmer

USF St. Petersburg campus Honors Program Theses (Undergraduate)

This thesis explores the role of community-based cultivation of native medicinal plants as a strategy for promoting conservation, cultural awareness, and public health in Florida. Through a review of ethnobotanical literature and a hands-on case study conducted in a St. Petersburg community garden, the research documents the process of identifying, sourcing, propagating, and integrating two Florida native medicinal species, Passiflora incarnata (purple passionflower) and Callicarpa americana (American beautyberry), into a community setting. The study examines the historical and contemporary significance of medicinal plants, the challenges posed by overharvesting and habitat loss, and the growing need for sustainable cultivation practices. Findings …

The Impact Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On The Well-Being Of People Incarcerated In United States Prisons, Kimberly Rivera

Department of Sociology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the population as a whole. However, the incarcerated population (which also experiences a variety of health disparities) has been disproportionately affected by the pandemic. Due to overcrowding, poor ventilation, and lack of resources, the incarcerated population already is at a heightened risk for negative health outcomes, made worse by the recent pandemic. To adapt to the rapidly changing conditions during the pandemic in 2020 and into 2022, new safety measures were implemented, but the unintended consequences associated with the implementation of these procedures have yet to be examined empirically. I conducted a qualitative content …

Developing Disinfection Strategies For Controlling Human Norovirus, Sars-Cov-2, And Clostridioides Difficile Endospores In Long-Term Care Facilities, Jinge Huang

All Dissertations

Long-term care facilities (LTCFs) provide an environment favorable for the transmission of three critical human pathogens: human norovirus (HuNoV), severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and Clostridioides difficile. Given residents in LTCFs are susceptible to infections due to their advanced ages and compromised immune systems, effective environmental surface disinfection plays a crucial role in controlling the spread of human pathogens within these settings and, therefore, mitigates the risk of infections caused by these pathogens. This dissertation aimed to assess the efficacy of various types of disinfectants against two HuNoV surrogates [feline calicivirus (FCV) and Tulane virus (TuV)], two …

Mapping Variability Of Soybean Leaf Potassium Concentrations To Develop A Sampling Protocol, Carrie C. Ortel, Trenton Roberts, Kyle A. Hoegenauer, Aurelie M. Poncet, Nathan A. Slaton, W. Jeremy Ross

Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

The spatial variability of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] leaf-K (potassium) concentrations must be considered when collecting samples to monitor crop K status. Five commercial soybean fields were sampled at a 0.4-ha grid resolution at two reproductive growth stages to quantify the trifoliolate tissue-K concentration. The objectives of this study were to identify the potential field variability of soybean leaf-K concentrations in typical Mid-south US soybean production fields, evaluate interpolation methods, and develop a sampling protocol for in-season soybean tissue monitoring. No consistent spatial dependencies were found in the leaf-K concentrations across the fields and sample times, indicating that …

Improving Learning Environments In Schools Through Evidence Based Strategies, Brenda Cabrera

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Blue Zones Project is a community led well- being initiative serving all of Monterey County. When a school participates it must earn a specific number of points by implementing and enforcing recommended policies and programs. Currently in Monterey County, 45 percent of adults have prediabetes or type 2 diabetes. A big focus of Blue Zones Project is diabetes education for students and their families. The approval process of a middle school in Salinas, Ca is currently in progress and will not be completed by the end of December 15, 2023. School Approval signifies a commitment to creating environments that prioritize …

Too Many Seniors In Santa Cruz County Are Food Insecure, Erica Santoyo

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Since 1977, Community Bridges has been a catalyst for a brighter future by delivering fundamental resources for the people of Santa Cruz County. According to the Seniors Council of Santa Cruz County, “40% of all older Santa Cruzan's (age 65+) do not have enough income to meet their basic needs, food being one of them.” (Bratten, 2021) The majority of these seniors are on fixed incomes and don't have enough resources to afford nutritious food. This number has continued to increase in the past months for those who are homebound, as access to food is especially difficult and the cost …

Implications Of California State Standards In Relation To Disordered Eating For School Aged Children, Jessica De Mott

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Food is a part of people’s lives, even when it is not acknowledged. It is distinctly tied to various cultures, ethnicities, and religions; with elements of restriction and gluttony abundant. Then, there is the complication of modern nutrition and health education that is taught in American, and more specifically in Californian schools. But, the education received on this issue has failed some students. Many school aged children reported that they experienced disordered eating, and learning content has further exacerbated this issue. This senior capstone research will examine the implications of California State Standards in relation to disordered eating for school …

Single-Cell Dna Methylome And 3d Multi-Omic Atlas Of The Adult Mouse Brain, Hanqing Liu, Qiurui Zeng, Jingtian Zhou, Anna Bartlett, Bang-An Wang, Peter Berube, Wei Tian, Mia Kenworthy, Jordan Altshul, Joseph R Nery, Huaming Chen, Rosa G Castanon, Songpeng Zu, Yang Eric Li, Jacinta Lucero, Julia K Osteen, Antonio Pinto-Duarte, Jasper Lee, Jon Rink, Silvia Cho, Nora Emerson, Michael Nunn, Carolyn O'Connor, Zhanghao Wu, Ion Stoica, Zizhen Yao, Kimberly A Smith, Bosiljka Tasic, Chongyuan Luo, Jesse R Dixon, Hongkui Zeng, Bing Ren, M Margarita Behrens, Joseph R Ecker

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Cytosine DNA methylation is essential in brain development and is implicated in various neurological disorders. Understanding DNA methylation diversity across the entire brain in a spatial context is fundamental for a complete molecular atlas of brain cell types and their gene regulatory landscapes. Here we used single-nucleus methylome sequencing (snmC-seq3) and multi-omic sequencing (snm3C-seq)1 technologies to generate 301,626 methylomes and 176,003 chromatin conformation–methylome joint profiles from 117 dissected regions throughout the adult mouse brain. Using iterative clustering and integrating with companion whole-brain transcriptome and chromatin accessibility datasets, we constructed a methylation-based cell taxonomy with 4,673 cell groups and 274 …

Plastic, It's What's For Dinner: A Preliminary Comparison Of Ingested Particles In Bottlenose Dolphins And Their Prey, Leslie B Hart, Miranda Dziobak, Randall S Wells, Elizabeth Berens Mccabe, Eric Conger, Tita Curtin, Maggie Knight, John Weinstein

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Microplastic ingestion was reported for common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) inhabiting Sarasota Bay, FL, USA, a community that also has prevalent exposure to plasticizers (i.e., phthalates) at concentrations higher than human reference populations. Exposure sources are currently unknown, but plastic-contaminated prey could be a vector. To explore the potential for trophic exposure, prey fish muscle and gastrointestinal tract (GIT) tissues and contents were screened for suspected microplastics, and particle properties (e.g., color, shape, surface texture) were compared with those observed in gastric samples from free-ranging dolphins. Twenty-nine fish across four species (hardhead catfish, Ariopsis felis; pigfish, Orthopristis …

Effects Of Antiresorptive Medications On Tooth Root Formation And Tooth Eruption In Paediatric Patients, Yuki Arai, Jeryl D English, Noriaki Ono, Wanida Ono

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Tooth eruption is a pivotal milestone for children's growth and development. This process involves with the formation of the tooth root, the periodontal ligament (PDL) and the alveolar bone, as the tooth crown penetrates the bone and gingiva to enter the oral cavity. This review aims to outline current knowledge of the adverse dental effects of antiresorptive medications. Recently, paediatric indications for antiresorptive medications, such as bisphosphonates (BPs), have emerged, and these agents are increasingly used in children and adolescents to cure pathological bone resorption associated with bone diseases and cancers. Since tooth eruption is accompanied by osteoclastic bone resorption, …

Exploratory Analysis Of Medication Adherence And Social Determinants Ofhealth Among Older Adults With Diabetes, M. L. Blakely, F. Sherbeny, T. J. Hastings, L. Boyd, Omolola A. Adeoye-Olatunde

Department of Pharmacy Practice Faculty Publications

Background

Diabetes is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States (US), affecting approximately 27%, or 15.9 million adults 65 years of age and older. Diabetes is the most expensive chronic condition in the US and accounts for the second largest avoidable healthcare cost. Adherence to long-term medication treatment plans is crucial among patients with diabetes because it decreases risk of developing comorbid conditions and improves quality of life. Greater exposure to adverse social determinants of health (SDOH) over an individual's lifespan can result in worse health outcomes. Hence, it is important to obtain a better understanding of …

Epidemiology Of Musculoskeletal Injury In Military Recruits: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Myles C. Murphy, Joanne Stannard, Vanessa R. Sutton, Patrick J. Owen, Brendon Park, Paola T. Chivers, Nicolas H. Hart

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Injuries are a common occurrence in military recruit training, however due to differences in the capture of training exposure, injury incidence rates are rarely reported. Our aim was to determine the musculoskeletal injury epidemiology of military recruits, including a standardised injury incidence rate. Methods: Epidemiological systematic review following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Five online databases were searched from database inception to 5th May 2021. Prospective and retrospective studies that reported data on musculoskeletal injuries sustained by military recruits after the year 2000 were included. We reported on the frequency, prevalence and injury incidence rate. Incidence rate per 1000 training …

Dietary And Supplemental Intake Of Vitamins C And E Is Associated With Altered Dna Methylation In An Epigenome-Wide Association Study Meta-Analysis, Amena Keshawarz, Roby Joehanes, Jiantao Ma, Gha Y. Lee, Ricardo Costeira, Pei-Chien Tsai, Olatz M. Masachs, Jordana T. Bell, Rory Wilson, Barbara Thorand, Juliane Winkelmann, Annette Peters, Jakob Linseisen, Melanie Waldenberger, Terho Lehtimäki, Pashupati P. Mishra, Mika Kähönen, Olli Raitakari, Mika Helminen, Carol A. Wang, Phillip E. Melton, Rae-Chi Huang, Craig E. Pennell, Therese A. O’Sullivan, Carolina Ochoa-Rosales, Trudy Voortman, Joyce B.J. Van Meurs, Kristin L. Young, Misa Graff, Yujie Wang, Douglas P. Kiel, Caren E. Smith, Paul F. Jacques, Daniel Levy

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

BACKGROUND: Dietary intake of antioxidants such as vitamins C and E protect against oxidative stress, and may also be associated with altered DNA methylation patterns. METHODS: We meta-analysed epigenome-wide association study (EWAS) results from 11,866 participants across eight population-based cohorts to evaluate the association between self-reported dietary and supplemental intake of vitamins C and E with DNA methylation. EWAS were adjusted for age, sex, BMI, caloric intake, blood cell type proportion, smoking status, alcohol consumption, and technical covariates. Significant results of the meta-analysis were subsequently evaluated in gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) and expression quantitative trait methylation (eQTM) analysis. RESULTS: …

Multi-Domain Interventions For Dementia Prevention–A Systematic Review, C. B. Castro, L. M. Costa, C. Max B. Dias, J. Chen, H. Hillebrandt, Samantha L. Gardener, B. M. Brown, R. L. Loo, M. L. Garg, Stephanie R. Rainey-Smith, Ralph N. Martins, Hamid R. Sohrabi

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Objectives: There is a growing incidence of cognitive decline and dementia associated with the ageing population. Lifestyle factors such as diet, physical activity, and cognitive activities may individually or collectively be undertaken to increase one’s odds of preventing cognitive decline and future dementia. This study will examine whether clinical trials using multidomain lifestyle intervention can significantly decrease the risk of cognitive decline and therefore dementia. Design, Setting and Participants: This systematic literature review of multidomain lifestyle interventions for the prevention of cognitive decline and dementia followed the PRISMA guidelines. Clinical trials involving multidomain intervention (i.e., diet and physical activity, or …

Oxalic Acid: A Blooming Organic Acid For Postharvest Quality Preservation Of Fresh Fruit And Vegetables, Mahmood Ul Ul Hasan, Zora Singh, Hafiz Muhammad Shoaib Shah, Jashanpreet Kaur, Andrew Woodward, Eben Afrifa-Yamoah, Aman Ullah Malik

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Oxalic acid (OA) is a unique organic acid that commonly occurs in plants with distinct functions in modulating metabolic processes. To date, the role of OA has primarily been studied in the deactivation of copper-containing preservatives, detoxification of aluminium toxicity and remediation of organic pollutants. During the last two decades, OA has been considered as an antioxidant compound with focus on its potential to enhance crop yield, improve fruit quality, boost nutritional profile, and delay postharvest senescence in fruit and vegetables. It has been established that pre- and postharvest OA application delays ripening and senescence by down-regulating physiological processes such …