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A One-Year Hospital System Review Of Plasma Next-Generation Sequencing In A Mixed Population, Ty C Drake, Jessica Babic, Audrey Wanger, Violeta Chavez

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objective: To describe the use of plasma next-generation sequencing (NGS) and determine if it provided additional information from routine tests or lead to change in antimicrobial management.

Design and setting: This retrospective cohort study evaluated patients with a NGS test performed who were admitted to a hospital health system in the greater Houston area between May 2022 and May 2023.

Patients: In total, 143 NGS tests were ordered in the span of one year for 135 unique patients. Most patients were ≥ 18 years (74.1%), White/Caucasian (43.7%), male (61.5%), and immunocompetent (54.1%). Eight patients had repeat tests during the study …

Increased Rate Of Multidrug-Resistant Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections In Hospitalized Immunocompromised Pediatric Patients, Sarah Khafaja, Yara Salameh, Celina F Boutros, Cherine Awad, Kawthar Faour, Nadim Tfaily, Sarah Merhi, Zeinab El Zein, Samer Bou Karroum, Dana Oweini, Danielle Fayad, George F Araj, Ramia Zakhour, Ghassan S Dbaibo

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Introduction: Multidrug resistant Gram-negative bacterial infections are considered a major public health threat. Immunocompromised pediatric patients are at a great risk of severe or overwhelming infections. The aim of this study was to describe the frequency of infections with multidrug resistant (MDR) Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) in immunocompromised pediatric patients and to determine the risk factors. In addition, we aimed to identify the antimicrobial resistance patterns of these isolates.

Materials and methods: This was a retrospective observational study conducted at the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC) from 2009 to 2017. The study included immunocompromised patients 18 years of age …

Risk Factors Of Under-Five And Infant Mortality: An Umbrella Review Of Systematic Reviews And Meta-Analyses, Bereket Kefale, Jonine Jancey, Amanuel T. Gebremedhin, Sylvester Dodzi Nyadanu, Daniel G. Belay, Gavin Pereira, Gizachew A. Tessema

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Ensuring child survival is a critical global challenge, requiring a robust and comprehensive understanding of the risk factors contributing to under-five mortality (U5M). We aimed to synthesise and summarise the current available evidence on risk factors of U5M and infant mortality worldwide to inform global child health programmes.

Methods: We searched six major databases (Embase, Medline, Scopus, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Global Health) and repositories of systematic reviews, as well as grey literature sources to identify systematic reviews and meta-analyses that examined the associations between risk factors of U5M and infant mortality between 1 January 1990 and 4 …

Activation Of Piezo1 Increases The Sensitivity Of Breast Cancer To Hyperthermia Therapy, Shao-Kang Wang, Xiao-Ting Zhang, Xuan-Yao Jiang, Bi-Jiang Geng, Tao-Lin Qing, Lei Li, Yun Chen, Jin-Feng Li, Xiao-Fang Zhang, Shuo-Gui Xu, Jiang-Bo Zhu, Yu-Ping Zhu, Mei-Tang Wang, Ji-Kuai Chen

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Photothermal therapy (PTT) of nanomaterials is an emerging novel therapeutic strategy for breast cancer. However, there exists an urgent need for appropriate strategies to enhance the antitumor efficacy of PTT and minimize damage to surrounding normal tissues. Piezo1 might be a promising novel photothermal therapeutic target for breast cancer. This study aims to explore the potential role of Piezo1 activation in the hyperthermia therapy of breast cancer cells and investigate the underlying mechanisms. Results showed that the specific agonist of Piezo1 ion channel (Yoda1) aggravated the cell death of breast cancer cells triggered by heat stress

Willingness To Accept Monkeypox Vaccine And Its Correlates Among Men Who Have Sex With Men In Southern China: A Web-Based Online Cross-Sectional Study, Xinju Huang, Zhifeng Lin, Jiao Qin, Dee Yu, Fei Zhang, Ganggang Fang, Xi Chen, Jinfeng He, Ping Cen, Mu Li, Rongjing Zhang, Tong Luo, Junjun Jiang, Sanqi An, Hao Liang, Li Ye, Bingyu Liang

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: The May 2022 global outbreak of monkeypox (MPX) poses a threat to the health of men who have sex with men. However, there is limited data on the willingness of MSM to receive monkeypox vaccination in Southern China. This study aimed to assess the knowledge of MPX, concerns regarding MPX, and willingness to receive monkeypox vaccination, as well as their correlates, among MSM in China.

METHODS: We conducted a Web-based online survey of MSM in Southern China from August to September 2022. Data were collected on the socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge, worries, concerns regarding MPX and willingness to receive monkeypox …

Covid-19 Convalescent Plasma Therapy: Long-Term Implications, Hyunah Yoon, Yi Li, Keith S Goldfeld, Gia F Cobb, Caroline L Sturm-Reganato, Luis Ostrosky-Zeichner, Dushyantha T Jayaweera, Julie V Philley, Mahalia S Desruisseaux, Marla J Keller, Judith S Hochman, Liise-Anne Pirofski, Mila B Ortigoza

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: The long-term effect of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) acute treatments on postacute sequelae of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection (PASC) is unknown. The CONTAIN-Extend study explores the long-term impact of COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP) therapy on postacute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC) symptoms and general health 18 months following hospitalization.

METHODS: The CONTAIN-Extend study examined 281 participants from the original CONTAIN COVID-19 trial (CONTAIN-RCT, NCT04364737) at 18 months post-hospitalization for acute COVID-19. Symptom surveys, global health assessments, and biospecimen collection were performed from November 2021 to October 2022. Multivariable logistic and linear regression estimated associations between …

Advanced Practice Providers In Emergency Medicine, Matthew Kalonick

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Papers

The emergency department is at the core of healthcare in western medicine. It is commonly the first site of patient contact prior to admission or surgical intervention. Management of admission and discharge from the ED is integral to efficient flow of hospital operation. The critical operation of the ED has long acted as a barrier for the application of advanced practice providers (nurse practitioners and physician assistants) from being heavily utilized in this setting. As healthcare costs, physician shortages, and the acceptance of APPs has increased over time, EDs have increased their utilization of APPs. However, there remains concerns regarding …

The Efficacy Of Probiotic Use In Patients With Anxiety And Depression, Joanna Mcclelland

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Papers

Given the impact of mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression, it is helpful to know the available resources and treatment options to offer patients to aid in the modulation of symptoms. The gut-brain connection has become more widely researched for its impacts on anxiety and depression. This bodes the question that if the gut microbiome can be altered, would there be a decrease in symptoms of anxiety and depression as a result? One way to alter gut microbiome is to implement a probiotic. To determine if this is an effective treatment option for anxiety and depression, a literature …

Probiotic Therapy For The Treatment And Prevention Of Bacterial Vaginosis, Chelsea Scheil

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Papers

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common presenting complaint in healthcare, and patients often experience recurrences at a frustrating rate. The mainstay of current treatment is antibiotic therapy, either via oral or vaginal route. When recurrences occur, stronger antibiotics are often employed. This current method of treatment does not address an underlying component that impacts infection recurrence and rate of recurrence- the patient’s baseline vaginal microbiome and the healthy bacteria that support it. To determine the efficacy and safety of probiotic therapy for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis, a literature review was completed using databases PubMed and Embase. The results of …

The Lived Experience Of The Covid-19 Pandemic Among Mandate-Resistant Adults In Washington State, Amber N. Peterson

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This study examined the lived experience of self-identified, mandate-resistant adults in Washington state. This study explored participants’ experience of the COVID-19 pandemic, from a retrospective framework by uncovering challenges, silver linings, decision-making, and self-reported mental health. Remote interviews were conducted with nine participants. Participants were between 23–31 years old, mostly male, and over half identified as Black. Through semi structured interviews, data was collected and analyzed using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Participants described their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic and highlighted significant changes in the way they lived their lives. Most notably, participants described ways in which they defied COVID-19 …

Inclusive Theory Of Change Development For A Social Enterprise, Megan A. Bolton

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This research aimed to study what occurs when a theory of change (ToC) is co-created in a social enterprise serving individuals facing barriers to employment. The study included the following three objectives: identifying the barriers and facilitators experienced by those implementing the ToC, gathering the perspectives of program end users on the ToC, and exploring how the ToC would facilitate impact measurement. A central feature of this AR study was the engagement of returning citizens in the discussion and development of the ToC, which added to the process and outcomes of this research in important ways. The lived experience of …

From East To West: Exploring The Mental Health Of Punjabi Immigrants Residing In British Columbia, Jasleen Kaur

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Mental health has been a topic that is slowly gaining more acknowledgement and awareness over time. However, despite the elevation in awareness, there are many cultures where mental health issues remain subject to stigma, which discourages an individual from seeking, or even acknowledging, mental health treatment and services. This study focuses upon varying perceptions of mental health by exploring in-depth the perception of mental health within the Punjabi community and how Punjabi culture affects such perceptions. Specifically, this research study examines how young adults who immigrated from Punjab, India to British Columbia (B.C.) perceive and respond to mental health concerns. …

The European Association For Predictive, Preventive And Personalized Medicine (Epma) World Congress 2024: Pioneering The Intersection Of Tourism And Health Science, Fangli Hu, Jun Wen

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

No abstract provided.

Variations In The Germinal Center Response Revealed By Genetically Diverse Mouse Strains, Anne Marie Aubin, Daria Vdovenko, Roxanne Collin, Lois Balmer, Lise Coderre, Grant Morahan, Félix Lombard-Vadnais, Sylvie Lesage

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The humoral response is complex and involves multiple cellular populations and signaling pathways. Bacterial and viral infections, as well as immunization regimens, can trigger this type of response, promoting the formation of microanatomical cellular structures called germinal centers (GCs). GCs formed in secondary lymphoid organs support the differentiation of high-affinity plasma cells and memory B cells. There is growing evidence that the quality of the humoral response is influenced by genetic variants. Using 12 genetically divergent mouse strains, we assessed the impact of genetics on GC cellular traits. At steady state, in the spleen, lymph nodes and Peyer's patches, we …

Overview Of Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Health Status 2023, Australian Indigenous Healthinfonet

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The main purpose of the Overview of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health status (Overview) is to provide a comprehensive summary of the most recent indicators of the health and current health status of Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The Overview has been prepared by HealthInfoNet staff as part of our contribution to supporting those who work in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health sector. The Overview is a key indicator of the HealthInfoNet’s commitment to authentic and engaged knowledge development and exchange.

The initial sections of this Overview provide information about the context of Aboriginal and …

The Value Of Work For Doctors In Pakistan: Towards A Framework For Ensuring Decent Work, Abid Hussain, Esme Franken, Tim Bentley, Uma Jogulu

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The critical frontline work of doctors in Pakistan was overlooked and undervalued by the government, hospitals, and the public during the COVID-19 pandemic. Media reports and studies highlight that public sector doctors in Pakistan facing new societal, professional, and organisational challenges, compunding to the inherent demands of workpotentially leading to its undervaluation. This study, explores how the work of doctors is (under)valued in Pakistan’s public sector hospitals, and how this aligns to the underpinnings of decent work. 27 semi structured in-depth interviews were conducted with doctors in Pakistan’s public sector hospitals. We found that serving others, recognition and appreciation, and …

Weathering The Storm: Diagnosis And Treatment Of A Life-Threatening Disseminated Nocardia Otitidiscaviarum Infection, Li Yan Zhang, Liang Wang, Zeeshan Umar, Yuan Hong Huang, Bing Gu

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Nocardiosis demonstrates a temporal categorization that includes acute, subacute, and chronic stages alongside distinct typical localizations such as pulmonary, cutaneous, and disseminated forms. Disseminated nocardiosis, commonly caused by Nocardia asteroides, N. brasiliensis, and N. farcinica, continues to result in substantial morbidity and mortality. Herein, we report a life-threatening disseminated nocardiosis caused by Nocardia otitidiscaviarum in a patient with minimal change disease. This study emphasizes the difficulty in the diagnosis and treatment of unknown infections in clinical settings and highlights the important role played by laboratories in solving infectious diseases caused by rare pathogens.

Mooditj–Indigenous Australian Sexuality Education Adapted For Hilltribe Youth Of Northern Thailand: Evaluation Of Delivery Through A Mixed-Methods Approach, Jordina Quain, Lorel Mayberry, Amanda Sibosado, Giselle Woodley, Jacqueline Hendriks

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

‘Mooditj' known as ‘good' or ‘solid knowledge’ in Noongar language based in Western Australian, is an impact evaluated sexuality education program developed in 2002 by Sexual Health Quarters after an extensive consultation process with WA First Nations populations. The program uses interactive activities designed to educate 11–14–year–old First Nations youth about sexual health, life and relationship skills. In conjunction with local and Indigenous leaders within hilltribe communities, Borderless Friendship Foundation (BFF) and Borderless Friendship WA (BFWA) adapted the Mooditj training program to a hilltribe youth audience. Hilltribe people are the Indigenous culture of Thailand, typically living in remote villages that …

Twin Scholarships Of Glycomedicine And Precision Medicine In Times Of Single-Cell Multiomics, Seungyoul Oh, Weijie Cao, Manshu Song

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Systems biology and multiomics research expand the prospects of planetary health innovations. In this context, this mini-review unpacks the twin scholarships of glycomedicine and precision medicine in the current era of single-cell multiomics. A significant growth in glycan research has been observed over the past decade, unveiling and establishing co- and post-translational modifications as dynamic indicators of both pathological and physiological conditions. Systems biology technologies have enabled large-scale and high-throughput glycoprofiling and access to data-intensive biological repositories for global research. These advancements have established glycans as a pivotal third code of life, alongside nucleic acids and amino acids. However, challenges …

Clinical-Grade Human Skin-Derived Abcb5+ Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Exert Anti-Apoptotic And Anti-Inflammatory Effects In Vitro And Modulate Mrna Expression In A Cisplatin-Induced Kidney Injury Murine Model, Erika Rendra, Adriana T. Crigna, Cristina Daniele, Carsten Sticht, Maike Cueppers, Mark A. Kluth, Christoph Ganss, Markus H. Frank, Norbert Gretz, Karen Bieback

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is characterized by a rapid reduction in renal function and glomerular filtration rate (GFR). The broadly used anti-cancer chemotherapeutic agent cisplatin often induces AKI as an adverse drug side effect. Therapies targeted at the reversal of AKI and its potential progression to chronic kidney disease or end-stage renal disease are currently insufficiently effective. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) possess diverse immunomodulatory properties that confer upon them significant therapeutic potential for the treatment of diverse inflammatory disorders. Human dermal MSCs expressing ATP-Binding Cassette member B5 (ABCB5) have shown therapeutic efficacy in clinical trials in chronic skin wounds or …

Investigation Of Campylobacter Concisus Gastric Epithelial Pathogenicity Using Ags Cells, Christopher Y. M. Luk, Seul A. Lee, Nicholas Naidovski, Fang Liu, Alfred C. Y. Tay, Liang Wang, Stephen Riordan, Li Zhang

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Campylobacter concisus is an oral bacterium. Recent studies suggest that C. concisus may be involved in human gastric diseases. The mechanisms, however, by which C. concisus causes human gastric diseases have not been investigated. Here we examined the gastric epithelial pathogenicity of C. concisus using a cell culture model. Six C. concisus strains and the human gastric epithelial cell line AGS cells were used. IL-8 produced by AGS cells after incubation with C. concisus was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and AGS cell apoptosis was determined by caspase 3/7 activities. The effects of C. concisus on actin arrangement in …

Mental Health On The Go: Navigating Travel And Travel Eligibility, Fangli Hu, Jun Wen, Weng M. Lim, Haifeng Hou, Wei Wang

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The 21st century has seen tourists from various source markets significantly impacted by non-communicable diseases, including mental disorders. Yet, research and practice frequently overlook tourists with mental disorders. Building on Buckley’s discussion in the Journal of Travel Research about tourism and mental health, this study examines the travel eligibility of tourists diagnosed with four prevalent mental disorders: major depressive disorder (MDD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), schizophrenia, and dementia. We present preliminary recommendations for accommodating these tourists and highlight the urgent need for collaborative efforts between stakeholders in tourism, hospitality, and medicine. © The Author(s) 2023.

Suboptimal Health Status, Covid-19 Psychology, And Cultural Value Impact On Post-Pandemic Outbound Travel, Danni Zheng, Yangyang Jiang, Jun Wen, Ian Phau, Haifeng Hou, Wei Wang

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Suboptimal health has become a core public health challenge, especially during the pandemic. This study adopts an interdisciplinary perspective to examine the relationships between suboptimal health status, COVID-19 fear and stress, cultural values, and outbound travel. A theoretical model was evaluated using data from 800 Beijing residents, 439 of whom were in suboptimal health. Four dimensions of suboptimal health (fatigue, mental status, immune system, and cardiovascular system) significantly affected COVID-19 stress and fear. Post-pandemic travel intention was positively related to fatigue symptoms and leisure and life enjoyment but negatively associated with COVID-19 stress. Suggestions for highlighting travellers’ health status and …

Analysis Of The Liner Shipping Network Structure Of The Asia–Europe Main Trunk Route Using Social Network Analysis, Sunghoon Park, Saeyeon Roh, Inhyeok Yeo

Plymouth Business School

Due to COVID-19, the shipping market has faced uncertainty, and the possibility of changes in port routes has increased. The purpose of this study was to analyze the network of container liner shipping routes between Asia and Europe. In particular, this research focused on a global risky situation—the COVID-19 pandemic. The data examined encompassed Asia–Europe route schedules from January 2018 to October 2021, which exhibited significant fluctuations due to the COVID-19 pandemic originating in 2019. To access this problem, utilizing concepts of centrality from social network analysis (SNA), namely degree centrality and betweenness centrality, this analysis incorporated route capacity as …

Loss Of The Scavenger Receptor Marco Results In Uncontrolled Vomocytosis Of Fungi From Macrophages, Chinaemerem U. Onyishi, Yusun Jeon, Gyorgy Fejer, Subhankar Mukhopadhyay, Siamon Gordon, Robin C. May

School of Biomedical Sciences

Vomocytosis, also known as nonlytic exocytosis, is a process whereby fully phagocytosed microbes are expelled from phagocytes without discernible damage to either the phagocyte or microbe. Although this phenomenon was first described in the opportunistic fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans in 2006, to date, mechanistic studies have been hampered by an inability to reliably stimulate or inhibit vomocytosis. Here we present the fortuitous discovery that macrophages lacking the scavenger receptor MAcrophage Receptor with COllagenous domain (MARCO), exhibit near-total vomocytosis of internalised cryptococci within a few hours of infection. Marco^−/− macrophages also showed elevated vomocytosis of a yeast-locked C. albicans strain, …

Utilizing Procalcitonin As A Guide For Antibiotic Therapy In An Acute Care Setting, Kayla J. Thomas

DNP Projects

In 1928, Alexander Fleming introduced the world to Penicillin. The discovery of Penicillin, one of the world’s first antibiotics, greatly reduced the number of deaths from infections. More than 100 different types of antibiotics have been developed over the past ninety years, resulting in better treatment of diseases. However, the use and misuse of antibiotics have led to antibiotic resistance (AMR). Currently, antibiotic-resistant bacteria kill 700,000 people every year (Tarín-Pelló et al., 2022). Procalcitonin (PCT) is a biomarker that can be utilized in the guidance of antibiotic therapy. PCT levels tend to rise in response to bacterial infections but remain …

Qualitative Study Of Hiv-Related Stigma In The Dental Care Setting, Sania A. Pullen, Dr. Dina T. Garcia

UROP Posters

Objectives: People living with HIV (PLWH) are susceptible to developing a variety of oral conditions that if left untreated can lead to sore gums, painful chewing, and tooth loss as well as compromise HIV management and viral suppression. Despite the increased risk of developing oral conditions, it is estimated that up to 58% of PLH do not receive regular dental care. This study aimed to examine HIV-related stigma and discrimination in the dental care setting.

Methods: Adults living with HIV who receive care through the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program at the VCU Infectious Disease (ID) clinic were recruited to participate. …

Development And Modeling Of An Innovative Microfluidic Paper-Based Analytical Device For Quantitative Elisa, Ashutosh Kumar

Open Access Dissertations

This work contributes to the burgeoning field of paper-based analytical devices, with a particular focus on advancing global health outcomes through the development of an innovative paper-based Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (p-ELISA) platform. At its core, this research seeks to address the critical need for accessible, efficient, and reliable diagnostic tools by leveraging the unique properties of paper as a substrate for fluid dynamics and biochemical reactions. The motivation behind this endeavor is the potential for such devices to significantly improve diagnostic capabilities, especially in resource-limited settings where traditional laboratory infrastructure is scarce.

The work is structured around a comprehensive exploration …

Developing Effective Physical And Chemical Adjuvants For Influenza And Tumor Vaccines, Yibo Li

Open Access Dissertations

An adjuvant is a pharmacological substance added to a vaccine to enhance the intensity, breadth and endurance of the immune responses. Traditional discovery and development of vaccine adjuvants mainly based on empirical experiences have been slow, but the situation has improved in the past two decades as more molecular mechanisms of vaccine adjuvants were revealed. Now it has been widely recognized that most adjuvants activate innate immune system by targeting pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) such as toll-like receptors (TLRs) to enhance adaptive immune responses. PRRs are proteins expressed mainly on innate immune cells, such as dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages, …

The "New" Drug War, Jennifer D. Oliva, Taleed El-Sabawi

Articles by Maurer Faculty

American policymakers have long waged a costly, punitive, racist, and ineffective drug war that casts certain drug use as immoral and those who engage in it as deviant criminals. The War on Drugs has been defined by a myopic focus on controlling the supply of drugs that are labeled as dangerous and addictive. The decisions as to which drugs fall within these categories have neither been made by health agencies nor based on scientific evidence. Instead, law enforcement agencies have been at the helm of the drug war advocating for and enforcing prohibition.

The drug war has been a failure …