Digital Commons Network^™

Utilization Of Antiviral Treatment For Hospitalized Patients With Mild-To-Moderate Covid-19 At High Risk For Disease Progression, Michael P. Iannetti, Katie Barnes, Stephen Varga, Suzanne Kemper, Elaine Davis Mattox

Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives

Clinicians frequently encounter patients in the hospital with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 who are at high risk for disease progression. Antiviral drugs reduce the rate of progression to severe COVID-19 when given to these patients within 5-7 days of symptom onset. To look at the utilization of antiviral medications in hospitalized patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19, a detailed chart review was conducted of 500 randomly selected patients from the Charleston Area Medical Center COVID-19 Registry. We identified 124 patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 who were eligible for antiviral treatment. Only 41 of the 124 patients (33.1%) received antiviral treatment. Providers listed mild symptoms as …

2025 November 14 - Academic, Research And Student Success Committee, Board Of Trustees, East Tennessee State University

Board of Trustees Agendas and Minutes

No abstract provided.

Mechanism Of Anticancer Action Of Bifidobacterium: Insights From Gut Microbiota, Hoang Do, Esther Asiamah, Mayanijesu Olorife, Arathi Pillai, Sakshi Patel, Ponniah Selvakumar, Sidhartha D Ray, Ashakumary Lakshmikuttyamma

College of Pharmacy Faculty Papers

Bifidobacterium has captured major attention recently because of its health benefits and extensive research highlighting its potential in cancer treatment and prevention. Evidence suggests that bifidobacterium can actively fight against various types of cancer, including those of the colon, lungs, breast, and stomach. Research indicates that several species of bifidobacterium can potentiate the action of chemotherapy, immunotherapy and radiation therapy in battling tumors, and reducing their adverse effects. Bifidobacteria shows its multipronged effect by modulating various immunomodulatory and inflammatory signaling pathways, potentially leading to the suppression of tumor growth. Moreover, different species of bifidobacteria are known to regulate signaling molecules …

Mapping Respiratory Health Digital Interventions In South And Southeast Asia: A Scoping Review, Laura Evans, Jay Evans, Paul Barach, Adina Abdullah, Zakiuddin Ahmed, Respire Collaboration

College of Population Health Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: The growing burden of respiratory disease, particularly in Asia, where mortality is higher and awareness and policy engagement lag, could be mitigated through rapidly advancing digital health tools that offer opportunities for improved management, prevention, and personal health empowerment. We aimed to map the existing evidence, technologies, opportunities, and gaps related to respiratory digital health interventions in South and Southeast Asia and propose relevant recommendations.

METHODS: We used a scoping review methodology, where we searched MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, PakMediNet, and MyMedR along with grey literature databases (ProQuest Thesis and Dissertations, Digital Health Atlas, …

Rabies Virus-Vectored Lyme Disease Vaccine Provides Long-Term Protection Against Tick-Transmitted Borrelia Burgdorferi, Shantel Rios, Bibek Bhattachan, Christoph Wirblich, Anisha Chandwani, Kruthi Vavilikolanu, Jacob F. Myers, Chrysoula Kitsou, Utpal Pal, Matthias J. Schnell

Department of Microbiology and Immunology Faculty Papers

Lyme disease (LD) cases have doubled globally. LD is a tick-borne illness caused by the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (Bb). If untreated, Bb can disseminate to distal organs, causing carditis, arthritis, and meningitis. Currently, no FDA-approved human LD vaccine exists on the market. This study used two approaches to incorporate OspA into the rabies virus (RABV) vaccine vector. We used the RABV-glycoprotein tail (RVG tail) and the Hendra virus (HeV) glycoprotein tail (HVG tail) to incorporate OspA, creating BNSP333-OspA-RVG and BNSP333-OspA-HVG, respectively. Both vaccines produced type-1 biased anti-OspA antibodies, but only BNSP333-OspA-HVG induced neutralizing antibodies and protected against Bb infection. …

Prevalence Of Potentially Inappropriate Medications In People Living With Hiv: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Mustapha Muhammed Abubakar, Abdulmuminu Isah, Ruth Jeminiwa, Ibraheem Abioye, Ismaeel Yunusa, Mohammed Abba-Aji, Osagie Kenneth Cole, Jamila Sani, Mukhtar Ijaiya, Chukwuemeka Nwachuya, Yusuf Ibrahim, Mustapha Usman, Duke Daniels, Oluwaseun Samuel Ilugbuhi, Blessing Onyinye Ukoha-Kalu

College of Pharmacy Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Potentially inappropriate medications (PIM) are associated with adverse health outcomes. The use of PIM among persons living with HIV (PLHIV) could be more problematic due to peculiarities such as antiretroviral toxicity and drug-disease interactions. However, PIM among PLHIV continues to receive little attention. Therefore, we aimed to systematically review and estimate the prevalence of PIM among PLHIV.

METHODS: We searched the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases to identify relevant studies from 1 January 2014 to 30 June 2024. Studies included were peer-reviewed articles that determined PIM prevalence using validated explicit or implicit tools and provided statistical information …

The Lived Psychosocial Experiences Of Nursing Students Transitioning From In-Person Learning To Virtual Learning: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Lesley I. Gerald-Koram

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to explore and understand the lived psychosocial experiences of nursing students who transitioned from in-person learning to virtual learning at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the northeast region. The study comprised of 15 participants who were enrolled in accredited nursing programs across New York, who experienced the abrupt shift in learning platforms during a global crisis. The abrupt shift significantly affected the emotional, academic, and professional development of the nursing students. This research was rooted in the growing concern of nursing student mental health, academic engagement, and preparation for clinical …

Comparing Machine Learning, Deep Learning, And Reinforcement Learning Performance In Culex Pipiens Predictive Modeling, Wei Yin, Sanad H. Ragab, Michael G. Tyshenko, Teresa Patricia Feria-Arroyo, Tamer Oraby

School of Mathematical & Statistical Sciences Faculty Publications

Several machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) methods have been used to predict the presence of species in classification problems. Another set of methods, called reinforcement learning (RL), has been used in training agents to perform various tasks, but not in predicting species distribution. Culex pipiens (Diptera: Culicidae), commonly known as the common house mosquito, is a globally distributed species prevalent in temperate and subtropical regions. They serve as a primary vector for West Nile Virus (WNV), a mosquito-borne pathogen that affects humans and other animals. The study objective is to compare the performance of logistic regression, random forest …

Analyzing Discipline Rates For Students In Grades 6-12 With Emotional Disturbances: A Comparative Study Of Four Years Before And After The Covid-19 Pandemic., Maegan N. Ramsey

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation investigated the trends in discipline rates for students in grades 6-12 with emotional disturbances. It compared data from the four years prior to the COVID-19 pandemic (2016-2019) to the four years following its onset (2021-2024). Emotional disturbances can significantly affect students' behavior, often leading to higher rates of disciplinary actions within school settings. However, the impact of COVID-19 on these students, particularly in terms of remote learning, school closures, and shifts in behavioral norms, has yet to be fully explored. Using archival data from multiple middle and high schools, this study examined variations in suspensions and other disciplinary …

Grief Disrupted: A Phenomenological Study Of How African Americans Experienced Grief Without Traditional Rituals During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Jacqueline Williamson-Webb

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

In recent times, the dominant psychological understanding of grief is as an emotion (Gravesen & Birkelund, 2021; Meiselman, 2021). However, grief is also socially constructed, meaning that the emotions and behaviors labeled as grief have their beginning in the social space. Grief, then, is a performative act shaped by cultural traditions and public rituals (Murrell et al., 2023). Consequently, the purpose of this interpretative phenomenological study is to understand the lived grief experiences of African Americans (AAs) living in New Jersey who experienced a personal loss through the death of another person during the COVID-19 pandemic. Erving Goffman’s dramaturgy guides …

From Knowledge To Prevention: How A Targeted Tip Sheet Slashed Cauti Rates, Samantha Herbert Dnp, Aprn, Accns-Ag, Cmsrn

Nursing Research & Professional Development Conference

Background:

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) remain among the most prevalent hospital-acquired infections, with considerable implications for both patient outcomes and healthcare costs. Despite established prevention guidelines, variability in adherence across clinical units often results in inconsistent outcomes. At a academic medical center, CAUTI rates continued to exceed national benchmarks, indicating potential gaps in staff knowledge or inconsistent implementation of best practices.

Local Problem:

Between December 2022 and September 2023, the facility recorded 10 CAUTI cases. An internal review highlighted discrepancies in protocol adherence and knowledge levels among staff across units. In response, a targeted intervention was deemed necessary to …

Development Of A Clinical Practice Guideline For The Prevention Of Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections (Cautis) In A Skilled Nursing Facility, Marford Okoye

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Abstract (as displayed in your dissertation/thesis): This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project focused on developing a clinical practice guideline (CPG) and accompanying checklist to prevent catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) in adult inpatients within a skilled nursing facility. CAUTIs represent the most prevalent healthcare-associated infections in both acute and long-term care environments, contributing to increased patient morbidity, prolonged hospitalization, and elevated healthcare costs. A key issue identified was inconsistent adherence to evidence-based practices related to catheter insertion, maintenance, and timely removal—posing a significant threat to patient safety. The guiding practice question for this project was: Will a clinical practice …

Optimizing Sepsis Management: A Journey From Audit To Ehr Solutions, Amy Rosenberger Bsn, Rn, Ccrn, Sam Bores Emergency Medicine Physician

Nursing Research & Professional Development Conference

Background:

Sepsis is a leading cause of mortality across the enterprise. While Sepsis and Septic Shock Early Management Bundle (SEP-1) treatment reduces sepsis mortality, the NC/GA Division lacks comprehensive SEP-1 performance reports to identify care gaps and improve outcomes.

Local Problem:

The NC/GA Division SEP-1 data, based on minimum patient sample size, is insufficient, with Pineville averaging only 9.5 abstracted patients per month. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Servies (CMS) abstraction process is lengthy, excluding significant patient populations (i.e. COVID, freestanding emergency departments), and is a composite metric leading to inconclusive performance insights.

Method:

We developed an internal audit …

A Picture Worth A Thousand Words For Hapi Prevention, Stephannie Oppermann Ms, Bsn, Rn, Cnml, Hannah Witkofski Bsn, Rn, Medsurg-Bc, Tracey Maszka Clinical Nurse Specialist

Nursing Research & Professional Development Conference

Introduction and Context

In 2024, a Wisconsin healthcare system prioritized the Patient Safety and Adverse Event Composite (PSI-90) as a key quality benchmark. One component, the PSI-03 Pressure Ulcer Rate, reflects a hospital’s ability to prevent hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPI). In the year prior to project implementation, a Milwaukee, Wisconsin, community hospital recorded 52 HAPIs—at least 10% of which were suspected to be present on admission (POA) but lacked proper documentation. Additionally, 5% were staged at level three or higher, adversely impacting PSI-03 HAPI outcome.

Implementation Strategy

In April 2024, a multidisciplinary team launched a technological initiative to improve POA …

Reducing Driveline Infections In Lvad Patients Through Standardized Education And Practice, Randa Jaber Msn, Aprn, Fnp-Bc, Belgin Hughes Rn, Bs, Mba, Tina Demogerontas Bsn, Rn, Jose Lozada Bsn, Rn

Nursing Research & Professional Development Conference

Background/Rationale:

Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) patients are at high risk for driveline infections, which increase hospital stays, costs, and complications. At Advocate Christ Medical Center, Q1 2024 data showed an average infection rate of 25%, peaking at 43% in February. Variation in caregiver and nursing techniques contributed to inconsistent practices. Literature supports that standardizing education and sterile technique can improve outcomes.

Purpose:

To reduce driveline infections by 40% over 12 months by implementing structured nurse training, caregiver education, and consistent dressing change techniques.

Implementation Plan:

Beginning October 1, 2024, the unit launched standardized RN education through video modules, hands-on …

Integrated Analysis Of The Safety Of Fecal Microbiota, Live-Jslm In Adults With Recurrent Clostridioides Difficile Infection From Five Prospective Clinical Trials: An Update, Christine Lee, Paul Feuerstadt, Thomas Louie, Lindy Bancke, Beth Guthmueller, Adam Harvey, Frederikke Hoeyer, Robert Orenstein, Erik R Dubberke, Sahil Khanna

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Fecal microbiota, live-jslm (RBL) is approved in the United States and Canada for prevention of recurrent

OBJECTIVES: Provide an updated integrated safety analysis, incorporating final safety data from Punch CD3-OLS.

DESIGN: Safety data were combined from five RBL trials: three phase II and two phase III trials.

METHODS: Adult participants had documented rCDI and completed SOC therapy before receiving one or two doses of RBL or placebo, rectally administered as one treatment course. Treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were recorded for ⩽6 months.

RESULTS: TEAEs were reported in 70.9% (845/1192) of RBL recipients; most TEAEs were mild to moderate and …

Slc35g3 Is A Udp-N-Acetylglucosamine Transporter For Sperm Glycoprotein Formation And Underpins Male Fertility In Mice, Daisuke Mashiko, Shingo Tonai, Haruhiko Miyata, Martin M Matzuk, Masahito Ikawa

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Despite the recognized importance of glycans in biological phenomena, their complex roles in spermatogenesis and sperm function remain unclear. SLC35G3, a 10-transmembrane protein specifically found in early round spermatids, belongs to the sugar-nucleotide transporter family, indicating its involvement in glycan formation. In this study, we found that Slc35g3 knockout male mice were sterile due to impaired sperm functions in uterotubal junction passage, zona pellucida binding, and oocyte fusion. Mouse SLC35G3 has UDP-GlcNAc transporter activity, and its ablation caused abnormal processing of the sperm plasma membrane and acrosome membrane proteins. Reported human SLC35G3 mutations (F267L and T179HfsTer27) diminished the UDP-GlcNAc transporter …

Njit Stem For Success Report, Riya R. Kapadia

STEM Month

Airborne viruses are the leading causes of disease and even death in public settings. For instance, the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in 768 million cases. Air filters improve air quality and remove airborne pathogens that detrimentally affect health. However, current antiviral air filters such as HEPA filters and face masks are impractical for hospital and public settings. Electrically conductive air filters are favorable for antiviral air purification, as they are inexpensive and energy-efficient. Among electrically conductive air filters, laser-induced graphene-based electrified air filters are a promising technology, but they require a voltage greater than 20 V to inactivate the virus. …

‘In Texas, Everybody Wants Antibiotics’: Reducing Inappropriate Antibiotic Expectations And Use With A Provider-Patient Communication Tool In Primary Care, Ashley Collazo, Paige Wermuth, Johanan Luna Rodriguez, Kiara Olmeda, Azalia Mancera, Fabrizia Faustinella, Michael K Paasche-Orlow, Roger Zoorob, Barbara Wells Trautner, Larissa Grigoryan

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background/objective: Patients often expect antibiotics for self-limiting diseases, pressuring providers to prescribe antibiotics unnecessarily. These expectations also contribute to the unsafe practice of taking antibiotics without a prescription (non-prescription use), such as pills retained from prior prescriptions or antibiotics from non-medical sources. Previous work shows that non-prescription use is due to strong, widely held misconceptions regarding the curative power of antibiotics. To reduce unnecessary use of antibiotics, we developed and pilot-tested a patient-focused, bilingual (English and Spanish) educational tool with patient and provider stakeholder input. The tool, a trifold brochure, included information on safe antibiotic use, potential antibiotic harms and …

Pd-1 Blockade Induced Bone Loss Occurs In A T-Cell Dependent Manner And May Be Mediated By Ifnγ-Driven Osteoclast Activation, Elena Amonette, Paige M. Hill

Science University Research Symposium (SURS)

PD-1 Blockade Induced Bone Loss Occurs in a T-Cell Dependent Manner and May Be Mediated by IFNγ-Driven Osteoclast Activation

^†Elena Amonette¹, ^†Paige Hill¹, Gwenyth J. Joseph², Rachelle W. Johnson^2,3

¹Belmont University, Nashville, TN; ²Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN; ³Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN

^†These authors contributed equally to this work

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are becoming increasingly prevalent in the treatment of various cancers due to their ability to reduce tumor mediated T cell death and lengthen the anti-tumor response. One such therapy that is increasingly utilized …

All Bets Are On: Addiction, Prediction, Regulation, And The Future Of Financial Gambling, Sharon Rabinovitz, Nizan G. Packin

Fordham Intellectual Property, Media and Entertainment Law Journal

This Article challenges traditional financial regulation by exploring how prediction markets—initially developed as sophisticated tools for collective forecasting—increasingly resemble gambling venues. These platforms, once designed to harness crowd wisdom, have transformed into high-stakes ecosystems where engage- ment-driven features blur the boundary between forecasting and betting. This evolution presents a dual challenge: on one hand, certain platforms, including regulated ones, offer innovative avenues for price discovery and risk hedging; on the other, their gamblified design exposes users to significant behavioral and financial risks.

Through comprehensive empirical analysis of gamblification and self-determination manipulation across five prediction market interfaces, this Article demonstrates how …

Intouch Week Of November 10, 2025, New York Medical College

InTouch

• Roger Chirurgi, M.D., Appointed to Lead Department of Emergency Medicine
• NYMC Students Run with Purpose at the NYC Marathon
• NYMC and Touro Medical Volunteers Go the Distance at NYC Marathon
• Dr. Carrie Muh Brings Hope and Healing to a Kenyan Hospital
• Scientists, Medical Professionals, and Students Unite at the Meeting of the Minds Symposium
• Harnessing the Power of CRISPR Screening at the Neighborhood Science Seminar
• Meet the TCDM Student Infection Prevention Committee
• Savings on Gifts

[Kyda] The Role Of Human Movement On The Spread Of Mosquito-Borne Diseases, Omar Saucedo

Annual Symposium on Biomathematics and Ecology Education and Research

No abstract provided.

Investigating The Basic Reproduction Number For An Avian Influenza Model, Omar Saucedo

Annual Symposium on Biomathematics and Ecology Education and Research

No abstract provided.

[Kyda] Biologically Grounded Surrogate-Driven Parameter Inference For Sparsely Observed Dynamical Systems, Joshua C. Macdonald

Annual Symposium on Biomathematics and Ecology Education and Research

No abstract provided.

[Kyda] The Behavioral Spillover Effect: Modeling Behavioral Interdependencies In Multi-Pathogen Dynamics, Leah Lejeune, Omar Saucedo, Lauren M. Childs, Navid Ghaffarzadegan

Annual Symposium on Biomathematics and Ecology Education and Research

No abstract provided.

Modeling Synaptic Dysfunction As Neural Contagion: A Graph-Based Sedr Framework For Simulating Signal Spread, Michelle Marfo, Dr. Padmanabhan Seshaiyer, Alonso Ogueda-Oliva

Annual Symposium on Biomathematics and Ecology Education and Research

No abstract provided.

Exploring Solutions To Food Addiction Challenges Using Mathematical Modeling, Simulation, And Analysis Applying Optimal Control Theory, Dia Bonsu, Padmanabhan Seshaiyer, Alonso Ogueda-Oliva

Annual Symposium on Biomathematics and Ecology Education and Research

No abstract provided.

Immune Dysregulation In Covid-19: Mathematical Modeling Of The Within-Host Dynamics, Pagnapech Ngoun, Nicolas Alvarez, Ayesh Awad, Hwayeon Ryu

Annual Symposium on Biomathematics and Ecology Education and Research

No abstract provided.

Developing A High-Throughput Machine Learning Screening Platform For Genetic And Pharmacological Modulators On Caenorhabditis Elegans Seizure Behavior, Paul A. Scarpinato

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures that affect over 50 million people worldwide, including more than 3.5 million in the United States. Seizures arise from a disrupted balance between excitation and inhibition. Although antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) remain the primary treatment to restore the excitation and inhibition balance, approximately 30% of patients experience drug-resistant epilepsy, highlighting the need for additional antiseizure medications. The Caenorhabditis elegans electroshock assay was developed in relative alignment with the rodent maximal electroshock seizure (MES) test, the gold standard for preclinical AED screening, provides a cost-effective platform for prescreening candidate AEDs.

This work …