Digital Commons Network^™

Zinc Imbalance And Its Effect On Nutritional Status, Behavior, Gut Microbiota, And Inflammatory Biomarkers In Btbr T+Itpr3tf/J And C57bl/6j Mice: Insights Into Autism Spectrum Disorder, Asma Nasrullah Ahmadani

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been associated with altered zinc homeostasis and disruptions in the gut microbiota. Zinc is a vital trace mineral involved in multiple biological processes such as inflammatory regulation, intestinal integrity, and neurobehavioral function, and has an important role in influencing microbial activity along the gut–brain axis. Both deficiency and excess of zinc can alter microbial balance. However, their collective effects on behavior, overall physiology, and mineral status in ASD-relevant models are not yet fully understood.

Aim: This comprehensive study explored the effect of dietary zinc variation on body weight, food intake, behavior, gut microbiota composition, …

[Excerpt From] Taking Action: Top 10 Priorities For Nurses To Protect Health In A Changing Climate, Susan B. Hassmiller

Sigma Publications: Book Excerpts

Taking Action: Top 10 Priorities for Nurses to Protect Health in a Changing Climate offers nurses a clear, evidence-based road map for responding to one of the most significant public health challenges of our time. Written as a practical and nonpolitical guide, the book translates the latest science into actionable strategies, helping nurses understand and address the ways climate-driven events affect the health of the public. Authors Sue Hassmiller and Katie Huffling—together with distinguished experts across nursing and environmental health—provide concrete recommendations for strengthening climate resilience, implementing effective clinical and community interventions, advancing sustainability within healthcare systems, and advocating for …

Improving Diabetes Care: Staff Training On Updated Ada Guidelines, Jeffrey Wilson

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

The incidence of diabetes is rising, requiring clinical staff to stay current with the American Diabetes Association (ADA) Standards of Care. A lack of knowledge and outdated practices were revealed during the needs assessment at the project site. This quality improvement (QI) project sought to determine whether ADA‑centered educational training could impact staff members' knowledge of diabetes. Orem’s Self‑Care Deficit Nursing Theory and Lewin’s Change Theory served as the theoretical frameworks to promote provider competence and adherence to evidence‑based diabetes treatment. Quasi‑experimental pre–post design was used with a convenience sample of four clinical staff at a rural outpatient clinic. Study …

A Neutrosophic Soft Set-Based Approach For Anemia Diagnosis: Managing Uncertainty In Medical Decision-Making, Ümit Karabıyık, Metin Bağcı

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

No abstract provided.

Characterization And Identification Of Some Indigenous Bacterial Strains For Heavy Metal Accumulation From Contaminated Soils, Aziza Usmonkulova, Gulchekhra Kadirova, Nosir Shukurov, Tulkin Shonakhunov, Samatov Nuriddin

Baghdad Science Journal

Numerous studies have reported elevated quantities of cadmium and nickel in soil, resulting in reduced plant growth, particularly in biomass, chlorophyll content, and photosynthetic traits due to their hazardous nature. Therefore, it is crucial to enhance plant resistance to heavy metal stress and reduce the toxicity of cadmium and nickel. In this study, several bacterial strains were isolated from heavy metal-contaminated soil to investigate their potential role in facilitating detrimental consequences of heavy metal stress. The capacity of the isolates to increase plant production under heavy metal stress and minimal inhibitory concentration was evaluated after the isolates were identified at …

An International Human Rights-Based Approach To Reducing Maternal Mortality And Enhancing Safe Motherhood In Africa, John Mukum Mbaku

San Diego International Law Journal

In 2015, the U.N. General Assembly (UNGA) noted that almost fifteen years after the global community had agreed to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which provided an important framework for economic and human development, significant progress has been made in several areas. However, the UNGA explained that many developing countries have not been able to achieve the MDGs, especially those goals related to maternal and reproductive health. Although the global maternal mortality rate has declined significantly, only 50% of pregnant women in developing countries receive the recommended minimum of four antenatal care visits. Additionally, complications suffered during pregnancy and childbirth …

Electric Pressure Cookers: What You Need To Know, Callahan Adams, Emily Smith

All Current Publications

Electric pressure cookers (EPCs) offer convenience, versatility, and efficiency in everyday cooking. EPCs offer multiple cooking functions beyond pressure cooking, including sautéing, slow cooking, steaming, cooking rice, and preparing yogurt. They are not suitable for pressure canning, as confirmed by multiple Extension research studies and national guidelines. When used properly, EPCs provide a safe and effective way to prepare meals quickly while saving counter and storage space.

"The Only Place I Feel Understood": A Mixed Methods Survey Of Adolescent And Caregiver Perspectives On Social Media And Parental Controls, Melanie Watt Ramos, Constance M Wiemann, Lauren A Bretz

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Purpose

Methods

Results

Effect Of Cooking Methods On Lead (Pb) In Pasig River-Sourced Tilapia (Oreochromis Niloticus), Rhian Joy M. Romero, Mary Rosendahl D. Monteverde, Francesca Simone A. Remorozo, Lizel P. Bonifacio, John Albert D. Gurtiza

DLSU Senior High School Research Congress Conference Proceedings

Once declared biologically dead, the Pasig River now shows signs of aquatic life but remains heavily polluted with heavy metals like lead (Pb), which accumulate in fish and pose health risks. Despite this, many communities still rely on the river for food, particularly tilapia. This study addresses public health concerns by evaluating whether common cooking methods—frying, grilling, and steaming can reduce Pb levels in tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) from the Pasig River to safe levels for consumption. A total of 107 tilapia samples were collected from Barangay Hulo, Mandaluyong City. The fish were cleaned, grouped, and cooked for 25 minutes using …

Sociodemographic Influences On Student-Athlete Eating Disorder Risk And Treatment-Seeking Behavior In The National College Health Assessment, Savannah Hughbanks, Andrew W. Froehle, Brian A. Edwards

Journal of Sports Medicine and Allied Health Sciences: Official Journal of the Ohio Athletic Trainers Association

Objective: The present study was developed to explicate attributes associated with increased likelihood of disordered eating behaviors and treatment avoidance and help practitioners better-identify and assist high-risk individuals.

Participants: Varsity athletes (n=51,882) who completed the National College Health Assessment (NCHA) between 2011 and 2019.

Methods: Data was collected from survey responses to questions related to disordered eating behaviors. Disorders were cross-sectioned into eight predictors: year in school, gender, sexual-orientation, race/ethnicity, school-type, international-student, history of mental health illness, and anxiety of impending academic performance.

Results: Two percent of the student-athletes self-reported an ED diagnosis, and within those two percent 65.9% reported …

The Effect Of Vitamin D Supplementation On Serum 25(Oh)D And Its Association With Stress Fractures In High-Risk, Physically Active Adults: A Critically Appraised Topic, Connor Lewis, Martha Yost, Aric J. Warren

Journal of Sports Medicine and Allied Health Sciences: Official Journal of the Ohio Athletic Trainers Association

Clinical Scenario: In collegiate athletic and military populations alike, the repetitive and intense training increase the risk of experiencing a stress fracture, representing a significant time loss and financial cost. Research suggests the use of supplemental vitamin D to prevent the occurrence of stress fractures in high-risk adults. Clinical Question: In high risk, physically active adults, does the effect of vitamin D supplementation on serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentration effect the occurrence of stress fractures? Clinical Bottom Line: The findings suggest that clinicians should consider the use of supplemental vitamin D as a protective measure against the occurrence of stress …

Catastrophes From Consumption: Meat Production Problems, Dana Bakke

Fresh Voices: Composition at Cal Poly

No abstract provided.

They’Re Human, Too, Ashley Woo

Fresh Voices: Composition at Cal Poly

No abstract provided.

Eat. Sleep. Lift. Repeat., Jaymi Boynton

Fresh Voices: Composition at Cal Poly

No abstract provided.

My Most Terrifying Teacher, Emma Pierotti

Fresh Voices: Composition at Cal Poly

No abstract provided.

Decolonizing Postpartum Depression: A Review Of Postpartum Depression In Adolescent American Indian Mothers, Brandi A. Richardson, Christopher J. Cutter, Mark Beitel

Journal of Indigenous Research

Postpartum depression (PPD), defined as at least two weeks of depressed mood or loss of interest in daily activities accompanied by symptoms such as altered eating habits, suicidal or infanticidal thoughts, feelings of inadequacy, and low energy, is a significant public health problem in the United States. Poor infant and maternal health increase risk for PPD. In addition, adolescent mothers are at higher risk of prenatal depression, birth complications, and PPD. Current research fails to address adolescent American Indian / Alaska Native (AI/AN) mothers experiencing PPD. This review seeks to integrate what has been discovered about PPD within Native communities …

Ft-Mir Spectra Of Fructose And Glutamine-Based Edible Polymer, Ghassan Faisal Mohsin

Baghdad Science Journal

The Maillard mechanism frequently gives numerous varieties of food a distinctive flavor and visually appealing hue. The Maillard reaction (MR) is additionally referred to as the non-enzymatic glycosylation, and MR contain a variety of chemical compounds, including precursors for the brown hue generated in the Maillard reaction and compounds that eventually form melanoidins, which are brown that develop into dark-colored hue nitrogenous polymer molecules. Melanoidin polymer was synthesized by integrating L-glutamine and D-fructose and then scorching the resulting mixture at 130 °C for 20 minutes. Additionally, dialysis was conducted to eliminate low molecular weight fractions. The utilization of Fourier Transform …

Role Of Developmental Plasticity In Tethered Flight Performance Of The Oriental Fruit Fly, Bactrocera Dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae), Thabang P. Moropa, Steve B.S. Baleba, Christopher W. Weldon

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

This study investigated the effect of nutrition on development of wings and adult body condition of Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel), an exotic pest of Asian origin and a species of economic importance in South Africa. Six host fruit types were used to rear B. dorsalis: mango, guava, orange, grapefruit, papaya and apple. One day after emergence, adults were used for tethered flight assessments using computerised flight mills. Additional flies were assessed in terms of wing morphology using geometric morphometrics, flight muscle mass, and lipid content. There were significant differences in the larval and pupal developmental time as well as larval and …

Supplementary Table 2. Colostrum Fatty Acid Content (%) For Cows Supplemented –40 Meq/Kg Dm Dcad Diet +/- 23 G/D Nicotinic Acid Or –80 Meq/Kg Dm Dcad Diet +/- 23 G/D Nicotinic Acid For 28 D Prepartum, Tess Stahl, J. Kraft, Sarah Allen, Peter S. Erickson

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Supplementary Table 1. Fatty Acid Methyl Esters (% Of Colostrum) For Cows Supplemented –40 Meq/Kg Dm Dcad Diet +/- 23 G/D Nicotinic Acid Or –80 Meq/Kg Dm Dcad Diet +/- 23 G/D Nicotinic Acid For 28 D Prepartum, Tess Stahl, J. Kraft, Sarah Allen, Peter S. Erickson

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

The Impact Of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor, Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin, And Interleukin-38 Food And Air Allergy Patients Following The Pandemic Of Covid-19 In Iraq, Esraa Hameed Khamees, Zaizafoon N. Nasif

Baghdad Science Journal

Allergies are a common health issue where the immune system reacts to substances in the environment that are normally harmless. This study further investigates the effects of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), interleukin-38 (IL-38), immunoglobulin E (IgE), and the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in these individuals, offering insight into the probable processes behind allergic responses following the pandemic. The study comprised 120 non-vaccinated females with previous COVID-19 infection. Groups included controls and food and air (F&A) allergic patients, with 60 individuals matched for age and gender. Serum levels of IL-38, VEGF, IgE, and NGLA were assessed using …

Improving Rural Health Through Nutrition Incentives: A Mixed Methods Evaluation Of The First Year Of The Appalachian Farmacy Program, Bethesda O'Connell, Harrison Ihrig, Andrea D Nutsugah, Ignacio Garcia, Michael Rice, Ashley Cavender

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

Food insecurity remains a critical public health concern, particularly in rural, low-income communities. In 2023, 13.5% of United States households experienced food insecurity, with rates in Tennessee (15.6%) exceeding the national average. Produce prescription programs have emerged as a strategy to improve food access and promote healthier eating behaviors. This study presents an evaluation of Appalachian Farmacy, a produce prescription program in Northeast Tennessee designed to increase fruit and vegetable consumption among individuals receiving Medicaid, Medicare, or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Program evaluation methods included semi-structured interviews for process evaluation and pre- and post-surveys for outcome evaluation. Interviews …

Synthesis, Characterization, And Anticancer Activity Study Of New Curcumin Analogues Against Mda-Mb 231 Breast Cancer Cell Line, Ola A. Odah, Rita S Elias, Shaker A. N. Al-Jadaan

Baghdad Science Journal

Synthesis of six new curcumin analogues was performed through condensation reaction of 3-methyl-2, 4-pentandione with substituted aromatic aldehyde derivatives and boron oxide in the presence of trimethylborate and butylamine. The reaction was carried out under ultrasonic irradiation. The synthesized compounds were identified using ¹H-, ¹³C-NMR, FT-IR spectroscopy, and electron impact mass spectrometry. The Swiss ADME website was used to predict the physicochemical properties of the new compounds using computational techniques like ADME studies. All produced compounds, according to this study, complies with the Lipinski rule of five. The microculture tetrazolium (MTT) assay was utilized to assess the investigated …

Assessment Of Histopathological Features Of The Placenta And Plasma Level Of Βhcg, Estrogen, And Progesterone In First-Trimester Spontaneous Miscarriage, Russul Hameed Hassan, Mukhtar K. Haba

Baghdad Science Journal

Miscarriage is a distressing complication with many fetal and maternal abnormalities. About 15% of pregnancies end in spontaneous miscarriages, and over 80% of these occur in the first 12 weeks of gestation. This research aims to evaluate the changes in the hormonal status in addition to determining the types and incidences of abnormalities in the decidua and chorionic villi of placentas that have been aborted. The peripheral blood samples were collected from twenty normal pregnant women as a control group and 30 aborted women. The obstetric characteristics results showed that the patients' mean maternal age was 25.73 ± 7.32 years …

A Scoping Review On Governing The Commercial Determinants Of Health: Mechanisms, Tools, And Collaborative Approaches, Alyssa S. Khan, Sierra Arnold, Imran Bari, Isabel G. Long, Nino Paichadze

Student Works

Purpose: The commercial determinants of health (CDoH) are the systems, practices, and pathways through which commercial actors drive health and equity. This review aimed to identify CDoH governance approaches, distinguishing between promoted and criticized approaches.

Design/Methodology/Approach: We conducted a systematic scoping review in PubMed and Google Scholar databases. Relevant grey literature was also identified through citation searching and reference list review. Our search strategy combined terms related to economic and commercial determinants of health, governance models, and health outcomes. English-language publications between January 2000 to December 2025 were included. Relevant data from included sources were extracted and then synthesized using …

Trends In Self-Reported Responses To Nutrition Facts Labels Before And After Nutrition Labeling Policy Implementation: A Comparison Of Adults In The United States And Mexico, Jim Thrasher Ph.D., Ma, Ms, Victor Vilalobos, Dai Fang, Alejandra Jáuregui, Alejandra Contreras-Manzano, Rachel Davis Ph.D., Lana Vanderlee, Christine M. White, Rachel B. Acton, James W. Hardin, Edward A. Frongillo Jr. Ph.D., Simón Barquera, David Hammond

Faculty Publications

Background

Objectives

Methods

Selenium-Thioredoxin Axis Contributes To Ferroptosis Resistance In Pancreatic Cancer Cells, Arslan Amer, Micah Olamide Idowu, Aqsa Ahsan, Alyssa A. Abbas, Tahiyat Alothaim, Xiaohu Tang

Michigan Tech Publications

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) shows substantial heterogeneity in cysteine dependence and ferroptosis sensitivity. We identify two PDAC subtypes distinguished by EMT status: mesenchymal-like cells are highly cysteine-dependent and rapidly undergo ferroptosis upon cystine deprivation or system xc⁻ inhibition, whereas epithelial-type cells are ferroptosis-resistant. Selenium supplementation protects cells from erastin-induced ferroptosis, and this protection persists even when intracellular glutathione (GSH) is depleted, supporting an additional GPX4-independent protective mechanism. Sepp1 knockdown does not alter sensitivity, indicating that selenium’s protective effect is independent of Sepp1. Instead, epithelial-type cells rely on both cytosolic and mitochondrial thioredoxin reductases (TrxR1 and TrxR2) to maintain ferroptosis …

A Novel Method For Producing Muscle Cramps Without Electrical Stimulation, Elizabeth C. Krajca, Benjamin Greengold, Edward Merritt

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Muscle cramps are involuntary, often painful, skeletal muscle contractions that can occur for multiple reasons including physical exertion, injury, dehydration, nutritional deficiencies, or other neuromuscular conditions. Understanding muscle cramping etiology and treatments is difficult due to their often unpredictable timing and conditions that need to be met for many individuals to experience them. Previous studies have induced muscle cramping through electrical stimulation, long duration exercise, dehydration, and other methods, but these techniques are either non-physiological or complex and time attentive. PURPOSE: Therefore, we aimed to develop a new method to produce a muscle cramp in the biceps brachii in a …

Dietary Acculturation And Body Composition Changes In Division I Female International Student-Athletes, Holland R. Weerasekara, Leticia De Souza, Leslee Funderburk

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Athletic performance relies on optimal body composition that supports biomechanics and bioenergetics of sport. Limited research exists on dietary acculturation and body composition changes in Division I female international student-athletes. PURPOSE: To investigate the impact of dietary acculturation levels and increased food availability on the body composition of Division I female international student-athletes. METHODS: Eighteen female NCAA Division I female international student-athletes (18–25 years) from 14 countries and 5 sports participated. Retrospective Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) body composition data were accessed at baseline, 6 months, 12 months, and most recent scan. Dietary acculturation and food availability were assessed using the …

Inter-Rater Reliability Of Manual Waist Circumference And Agreement With Dxa-Derived Waist In Male Collegiate Rugby Players, Hayden Johnson, Christian Rivera, Stephanie Hansford, Regan Renfro, Dalton Prye, Matthew Poole, Saheed Jaiyeola, Sage A. Newman, Adesiji Adetona, Oscar Woodside, Jmya Hughes, Preston James, Kelly Hines, Jade Simon, Drew E. Gonzalez, Christopher D. Greenleaf, Micheil Spillane

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Waist circumference (WC) is a low-cost surrogate of central adiposity, but measurement error can limit athlete monitoring. PURPOSE: Evaluate inter-rater reliability of manual WC and agreement with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA)-derived WC in male collegiate rugby players. METHODS: Twenty-one male collegiate rugby players completed baseline testing (manual WC and DXA completed same day) following an overnight fast and euhydration. Two trained raters independently measured WC on bare skin at the superior border of the iliac crest (site not pre-marked) using a seca 201 measurement tape, with participants standing feet together and arms relaxed at their sides; the tape was verified …