Digital Commons Network^™

Investigating The Mechanisms Of Microbial Interactions Using A Model Cystic Fibrosis Polymicrobial Community, Bassam El Hafi

Dartmouth College Ph.D Dissertations

Cystic fibrosis (CF) airway microbial communities are complex ecosystems where interspecies interactions influence pathogen survival and disease progression. We leverage a CF-relevant in vitro four-species model composed of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus sanguinis, and Prevotella melaninogenica, alongside a microbiome dataset with over 4,000 respiratory samples from publicly available sequencing data of CF patient samples, to explore the dynamics of microbial interactions in CF. On a broader scale, we performed microbial network analysis to examine how the latest modulator therapy, elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor (ETI), might influence CF microbial communities. Our analysis revealed a reduction in node connections and …

The National Landscape On Wellness Culture And Well-Being Best Practices In Healthcare Systems And Academic Institutions: Results From The Fourth National Summit On Promoting Clinician Well-Being, Megan Amaya, Bernadette Mazurek-Melnyk, Josh Winn, Jeff Messinger

Journal of Wellness

Introduction: The health of our nation’s healthcare workforce continues to decline. A comprehensive, whole-system, evidence-based approach is key to a successful wellness initiative and is the foundation for culture change. Building a culture of wellness leads to better mental health outcomes, healthier lifestyle behaviors, higher levels of engagement and job satisfaction, improved patient satisfaction and employee retention, and a positive return (ROI) and value on investment (VOI).

Methods: The purpose of this cross-sectional, descriptive, anonymous survey was to assess the organizational wellness culture of participants who attended the National Summit on Promoting Well-being and Resilience in Healthcare Professionals. …

Bladder Prolapse (Cystocele) Among African, Asian, And Middle Eastern Women: A Clinical And Socio-Cultural Perspective, Gayathri Delanerolle, Vindya Pathiraja, Tharanga Mudalige, Nirmala Rathnayake, Abirame Sivakumar, Wijamunige Nimesha Prashadini, Nihal Mohamed Al Riyami, Lamiya Al-Kharusi, Mohammad Haddadi, Fred Tweneboah-Koduah, Om Kurmi, George Uchenna Eleje, Peter Phiri, Lauri Romanzi, Sohier Elneil

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Faculty Papers

Bladder prolapse, also known as cystocoele, is the most common form of pelvic organ prolapse (POP), significantly affecting women's physical, sexual, and psychosocial health, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Despite its widespread prevalence and disabling consequences, bladder prolapse remains under-recognised and inadequately addressed in global health strategies. Prevalence estimates vary widely across regions, from 3%-64.6%, influenced by diagnostic methods and cultural reporting biases. Common risk factors include high parity, early childbirth, prolonged labour, poor postpartum care, malnutrition, obesity, and ageing. Clinical diagnosis often relies on simplified grading systems in resource-limited settings. Conservative treatments like pelvic floor muscle training …

Stiefel Md Anderson Oropharynx Cancer (Mda-Opc) Cohort: A Single-Institution, Prospective Longitudinal Outcomes Study, Amy Moreno, Ariana J Sahli, Faye Johnson, Xiaowen Sun, Carly Barbon, Waree Rinsurongkawong, Wenye Song, Flavie M Luciani, Han Liang, Jun Li, Wei Liu, J Jack Lee, S J Frank, Stephen Lai, Clifton Fuller, Katherine Hutcheson

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Purpose: The MD Anderson Oropharynx Cancer (MDA-OPC) cohort is a unique single-institution, prospective longitudinal cancer cohort. The cohort aims to enhance the therapeutic index of OPC management by supporting data needs for independent investigators to conduct rigorous observational studies examining exposures and factors associated with acute and late toxicities, cancer progression, recurrence, new malignancies and quality of life in OPC survivors.

Participants: A total of 1811 patients with OPC with a minimum follow-up of 6 months have been consented to our prospective registry between 18 March 2015 and 29 December 2023. Clinical and treatment (Tx) data are available on all …

Mycobacterium Chelonae Outbreak Investigation At A Quaternary Pediatric Hospital Following The Opening Of A Leed-Certified Critical Care Tower: Where Does Water Sustainability Intersect With Infection Control?, Andrea L Ankrum, Silvia M Caceres, Michael Torsell, Elaine Epperson, Vinicius Calado Nogueira De Moura, Jennifer J Gilick, Michael Strong, Qingyun Liu, Matthew J Strand, Rachel N Wilsey, Jennifer R Honda, Jane E Gross, Felicia A Scaggs-Huang

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objective: Investigate the increased incidence of Mycobacterium chelonae positive respiratory cultures in hospitalized patients.

Design: Apply the Healthcare-Associated Links in Transmission of Nontuberculous Mycobacteria (HALT NTM) toolkit to an outbreak investigation of M. chelonae.

Setting: Quaternary-care pediatric hospital and medical center in the United States with a recently opened LEED-certified critical care tower.

Patients: Adult and pediatric patients with M. chelonae positive respiratory cultures between June 2022 and January 2024.

Methods: An epidemiological investigation involving clinical and laboratory practices, water management, building construction and renovation projects. Environmental sampling of air vents, water sources and endoscope reprocessing equipment was performed. M. …

Sustained Cellular Survival Amid Amyloid Beta (Aβ) Burden, Giselle Shim

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

Amyloid beta (Aβ) accumulation is a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), persisting in the brain for years. Despite its neurotoxic potential, widespread neuronal death is not consistently observed. Histopathological analysis indicates that most neurons remain viable, suggesting an altered survival state under chronic Aβ burden. This study integrates clinical, imaging, and in vitro evidence to characterize this non-lethal state. FDG-PET imaging reveals reduced glucose metabolism. In vitro, Aβ exposure leads to decreased uptake of glucose and amino acids. Reductions in ATP levels and AMPK activity indicate impaired metabolic regulation. Despite these metabolic disruptions, cell death is not observed, implying a …

Forage Mass And Botanical Composition Of Four Annual Forages Grown In A Loblolly Pine Silvopasture In The Mid-South Usa, Christine C. Nieman, Dirk Philipp, Jonathan O.C. Kubesch

Animal Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

Annual forages are commonly planted in open pasture in the Mid-South, but there is little information on the productivity of these forages when incorporated into silvopasture. The objective was to evaluate four annual forages adapted to the Mid-South, namely, arrowleaf clover (Trifolium vesiculosum Savi), crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.), tetraploid annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum L.), and diploid annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum L.), in a loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) silvopasture for seasonal forage mass distribution and annual forage accumulation. The forages were tested in a randomized complete block design with three replicates and three harvests per year: Harvest 1 (H1, …

Addressing Health-Related Social Needs With Innovative Healthcare Spending, Kelly Naranjo Ms Ccrc, Eric Rochman Mph, Allyson Schiff Ba, Dorella Walters Mpa, Andrea Zaldivar Ed.D, Ms, Anp

Journal of Law and Health

Key objectives: To address the social determinants of health domains "social and community context" and "neighborhood and built environment" via Medically Tailored Meals, a nutrition intervention that includes home delivery, medical nutrition therapy and education, and frozen medically tailored meals provided by the non-profit partner. This intervention targeted Medicaid members exhibiting high healthcare utilization in conjunction with each individual's risk of developing higher morbidity and mortality of existing disease due to co-existing food and nutrition insecurity. The populations served include people living with Type 2 Diabetes, Hypertension, Cardiovascular Disease, Cancer, HIV/AIDS, and End-Stage Renal Disease, among other conditions, whose burden …

Madagascar's Urban Lemur Meat Trade, Cortni Borgerson, Be Noel Razafindrapaoly, Be Jean Rodolph Rasolofoniaina

Department of Anthropology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

As the world's most endangered mammals, lemurs are key to understanding how humans and wildlife can sustainably coexist. We present the first national assessment of the urban lemur meat trade. We interviewed 2600 participants across 17 cities to determine its scale, target species, distribution, and drivers. We reveal a considerable trade, with thousands of threatened lemurs sold annually. This trade is largely hidden, with 95% of sales occurring directly between suppliers and a trusted clientele, and targets some of the nation's most endangered species, often during critical breeding seasons. While entrepreneurial peri-urban suppliers are lured by a dependable economic opportunity, …

From Convenience To Consequence The Health Risks Of Eating Ultraprocessed Food, Eve Snyder

Osmosis Magazine

Understanding Ultraprocessed Foods and Their Effects on the Body What happens to the body when it's deprived of vital nutrients from fiber and protein, and pumped full of excessive sugar, fats, and salt? This situation can happen by eating ultraprocessed foods. Ultraprocessed foods are made with processes you wouldn't normally perform in a home kitchen, with ingredients that have little, if any, nutritional value. Pumped with additives to enhance color and taste, ultraprocessed foods may look appealing, but they can have harmful, longterm health risks (Monteiro et al., 2019).

Introducing The Catch Phrase "Don't Leave Your Patient In S.H.A.M.B.L.E.S" To Reduce The Incidence Of Hapis In Imcu, Angelica Taneca, Bsn, Rn, Pccn, Rebeca Zamora, Bsn, Rn, Pccn

St. Joseph Hospital, Orange, CA. Evidence Based Practice Conference

No abstract provided.

Guide For Selecting Experimental Models To Study Dietary Fat Absorption, Andromeda M. Nauli, Ann Phan, Karen Mai, Kathleen Tran, Surya M. Nauli

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Dietary fat absorption is a complex, multi-step process involving digestion, enterocyte uptake, intracellular trafficking, re-esterification, and transport via lipoproteins into circulation. Because dietary fat absorption plays a central role in lipid homeostasis, metabolic syndrome, and fat malabsorption disorders, its study has a broad biomedical significance. However, experimental investigation of this process is technically challenging due to the short lifespan of enterocytes, the dual lymphatic and portal transport routes, and the need to trace the metabolic fate of absorbed lipids. This review summarizes and critically evaluates the major experimental systems used to study dietary fat absorption, highlighting their respective strengths, limitations, …

The Impact Of Food Insecurity On The Physical And Mental Health Of Food Service Workers And Their Households, Pedro Andrade

Undergraduate Research Symposium Posters

Food insecurity in the United States continues to be a persistent problem, as this household stressor has worsened in the past decade. The prevalence of food insecurity varies by demographic; however, income is a key factor when discussing food security status. One group experiencing food insecurity, but often overlooked when talking about solutions, is food service workers. This research sought to understand the impact of food insecurity on food service workers and their households. A literature review was conducted to gain a deeper understanding of the associations between food insecurity and physical health, mental health, household health, and occupational and …

Mark Leclaire, Mark Leclaire, Juna Keehn

Oral Histories of Farming along the Middle Rio Grande

No abstract provided.

Epidemiology Of Metabolic Syndrome In Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Population-Level Cohort Study From The United States, Aakash Desai, Himsikhar Khataniar, Jana G. Hashash, Priya Sehgal, Francis A. Farraye, Gursimran S. Kochhar

Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological data on metabolic syndrome (MetS) in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are limited.

METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using the United States (US) Collaborative Network (TriNetX) to obtain data for patients with IBD between 2010 and 2023. The primary aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence of MetS in ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD). Prevalence was further characterized by age, sex, race, disease location, IBD medications, history of surgery, and IBD phenotype.

RESULTS: Among 100,890 patients with IBD, metabolic syndrome (MetS) affected 34.4% overall (UC 32.4%, CD 34.3%). Prevalence rose sharply …

High Phosphorus Intake: The Role Of Phosphorus And Health Outcomes Through The Lens Of High Phosphorus Additive Intake, Taigen M. Mayes

Senior Honors Theses

Phosphorus is a commonly consumed mineral in the traditional human diet and plays an essential role in human physiological functions. With the use of phosphate additives, high phosphate intake has become increasingly prevalent in recent years. Phosphate is regulated in the body by a homeostasis mechanism. A disruption to the homeostasis has a link to various pathologies such as bone health, cardiovascular disease, cancers, and kidney issues. Various studies have investigated the role of phosphate and its effects on human function. Bone health, cardiovascular disease, cancer, premature aging, dementia, and kidney disease are linked with high phosphorus intake.

Jack West, Jack West, Stephanie Mladinich

Oral Histories of Farming along the Middle Rio Grande

No abstract provided.

Volume 5 November '25 Full Issue, Donna Williams

Journal of the Louisiana Public Health Association

No abstract provided.

Association Between Food Insecurity And Nervous System Disorders In Caddo Parish, La: A Call To Action For Health, Megan Gremillion, Morgan Uebinger, Claire Crosby, Kaitlyn Tholen, Marie Vazquez Morgan, Ammar Husan

Journal of the Louisiana Public Health Association

Background: Food insecurity (FI)–the lack of access to affordable, nutritious food–affects millions of Americans. Caddo Parish, Louisiana, is of interest due to high FI prevalence and socioeconomic risk factors. While FI is known to exacerbate chronic health issues, its association with neurological health remains understudied, especially in high-risk communities. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among adult patients in Caddo Parish in 2022 using Epic Electronic Medical Record data to identify diagnoses of migraine, dementia, and stroke—the top neurological causes of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) in the United States. FI status was determined using the Hunger Vital Sign screening questionnaire. …

Volume 5 November '25 Cover, Publishing, And Table Of Contents, Donna Wlliams

Journal of the Louisiana Public Health Association

No abstract provided.

The Prospector, November 21, 2025, Utep Student Publications

The Prospector

No abstract provided.

Associations Between Gad-7 And Phq-9 Scores And Willingness To Seek Treatment, Josephine Shaw

Undergraduate Research Symposium Posters

In recent years, mental health concerns among college students have increased significantly. This study aims to analyze data on student willingness and frequency to seek counseling services, such as UNLV CAPS (Student Counseling and Psychological Services), and the appeal of utilizing alternative interventions such as exercise and meditation. This study collected data from UNLV students, faculty, and staff through distribution of a scannable QR code. It included whether they were in therapy, the PHQ-9 and GAD-7, their respective functional impairment questions, and willingness to consider therapy alternatives. Based on respondents’ answers to the PHQ-9, the highest proportion peaked at 36% …

Assessing How Early Vs. Late Exercise Influences Whole Body Glucose Tolerance And Insulin Signaling Pathways In Quadriceps During Social Jetlag, Ariana Khzarjyan, Austin Cooper, Paula Martinez, Joshua Corpuz, Srushti Wagh, Elias Malek, Todd Schrubb

Undergraduate Research Symposium Posters

BACKGROUND: Circadian rhythms regulate our physiological and metabolic processes throughout a 24-hour cycle. Disruptions to this rhythm with modern lifestyles creates irregular patterns. One of the most common forms of circadian rhythm disruptions amongst humans happens during the weekends, when people tend to stay up later and sleep in later compared to weekdays. This phenomenon is referred to as social jetlag (SJL).

PURPOSE: To determine whether timed exercise (early vs. late) can reduce the negative effects of social jetlag in mice. More specifically, determining whether exercise conducted in the early or late active phase of mice will impact the effects …

The Time-Dependent Association Between Irritable Bowel Syndrome And All-Cause And Cause-Specific Mortality In The Nih-Aarp Cohort Study, Daniela S Gutiérrez-Torres, Fangyu Li, Linda M Liao, Carrie R Daniel, Shreela V Sharma, Ruosha Li, Eric L Brown, Qing Lan, Maki Inoue-Choi, Baharak Moshiree, Paul Albert, Rashmi Sinha, Emily Vogtmann

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Introduction: Evidence on the association between irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and mortality is conflicting. In this study, we estimated the association between IBS and all-cause and cause-specific mortality in the NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study.

Methods: IBS diagnoses between 1994 and 2008 were identified from Medicare claims data, and mortality outcomes through 2019 were obtained through linkage to the National Death Index. Using multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models, we estimated hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for all-cause and cause-specific mortality within partitioned follow-up time categories (>2-5, >5-8, >8-11, >11-14, >14-17, and >17 years) with adjustment …

Differential Substance Use Screening Approaches Among Medical Providers Based On Pregnancy Status, Ericka L. Suarez-Vella

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Exploring medical providers’ role in relation to pregnant individuals who use substances is critical. Understanding how screening practices and provider biases influence addiction treatment referrals based on pregnancy status can help address several key issues, including potential disparities resulting from provider bias. It can ensure fair referral practices, promote equitable access to treatment, and ensure timely intervention resulting in better health outcomes. It can influence changes to policy and procedure among healthcare and judicial establishments, ultimately improving the relationship between providers and patients. The purpose of this study was to explore how medical providers’ screening practices of substance use in …

Mpox Insights: From Structure To Human Cell Interaction, Md. S. Zaman, Robert C. Sizemore, Draven Rodriguez, Emilio Lopez, S. M. Golam Alam, Suleyman Tufa, Juan C Lopez Alvarenga, Nuraly S. Akimbekov, Mohammed S. Razzaque

School of Medicine Publications

Mpox, a zoonotic viral disease, has emerged as a global concern due to outbreaks in both endemic and non-endemic regions in 2022. Rodents, including African squirrels and Gambian pouched rats, are suspected key reservoirs, with human infections occurring through direct contact with infected animals or bushmeat consumption. Previously confined to rural Africa, mpox has spread via international travel and the exotic pet trade. Human-to-human transmission occurs mainly via respiratory droplets and direct contact with bodily fluids or lesions. The virus has a double-stranded DNA genome within a lipid envelope. Despite lower mutation rates in DNA viruses, mpox has developed mutations, …

Patent Monopsonies, Roy Baharad, Gideon Parchomovsky

Duke Law Journal

Conventional wisdom perceives patent protection as a necessary evil. Patent protection, the argument goes, raises the prices of patented products and processes, thus restricting access to innovation. But without it, not enough innovation will be produced. Hence, generations of scholars have sought ways to curb the market power of patentees via various legal interventions, such as prizes, compulsory licenses, and other forms of regulation. All have tacitly assumed that eroding the market power of patentees would result in a competitive market for innovation that would put an end to the allocative inefficiencies and distributional inequities that emanate from patent protection. …

Exploring The Interplay Between Hypertension And Osteoporosis: A Narrative Review, Yolanda V. Gutierrez, Ronald Shaju, Alyssa A. Sepulveda, Seval Coban

School of Medicine Publications

Hypertension and osteoporosis are highly prevalent chronic conditions that have significant implications for global health, especially in aging populations. While these conditions have traditionally been viewed as separate, emerging research suggests a strong pathophysiological link between the two. Understanding these shared mechanisms may help improve screening and guide integrated management strategies. This narrative review was conducted between January 2024 and July 2025 using PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar. The search strategy used the Boolean string: (“hypertension” OR “high blood pressure”) AND (“osteoporosis” OR “bone loss”), supplemented with pharmacologic terms (“ACE inhibitors,” “angiotensin receptor blockers,” “thiazide diuretics,” “beta-blockers”, “SERMS”, “Bisphosphonates”, “Denosumab”, …

Valorization Of Rice Bran For Functional Bioplastic Fabrication Using Plasma-Activated Water, Saydul Md Safwa, Muhammad Nazrul Islam, Keisha B. Walters, Md Mahfuzur Rahman

Food Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

While plasma has been used for decades for the surface modification of packaging films, in this study, rice bran (RB) and rice bran protein (RBP) films were developed using plasma-activated water (PAW), and the chemical composition, surface structure modifications, surface properties, and thermal properties of these films were characterized. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) of the bran and protein films showed that the reactive species in PAW improved hydrogen bonding, as evidenced by the increase in the O-H stretching band at 3300 cm-1 and reduced peak intensity at 2940-2925 cm-1 (C-H stretching), suggesting oxidation of the aliphatic side chains. For the …

Norms For Scaling Up Small And Sick Newborn Care: An Overview Of Reviews, Natalie A. Strobel, Georgia Whisson, Derek Swe, Amy Budrikis, Karen M. Edmond

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) currently have no benchmarks or 'norms' for scaling up small and sick newborn (SSN) service delivery in health facilities in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Our objective was to understand which systematic reviews had addressed the following norms in the last five years: number of SSN beds per live births in a district or similar administrative unit (admission beds); space requirements for SSN units, including mother-infant dyads (space); health workforce ratios in SSN units (workforce); and travel time to health facilities with SSN units (travel time). Methods: …