An Evidence Review Of Technology Enabled Social Care In The Uk: Report For Cornwall Health Determinants Research Collaboration, Sheena Asthana, Michael Loizou, Marius Varga, Oliver Beer, Rory Baxter, Kieran Green

School of Nursing and Midwifery

The Urgent Need for a Shift from Crisis Intervention to Prevention. As highlighted by the Chief Medical Officer, demographic ageing—particularly acute in coastal areas like Cornwall—necessitates a fundamental shift in care models to allow individuals to live as independently as possible. Currently, the potential of digital technologies to support this aim is not being realised. To maintain wellbeing and reduce demand on statutory services, the system must pivot from reactive crisis management to a greater focus on prevention. While technology can play a pivotal role, it will only succeed if integrated into interoperable, data-driven systems that facilitate early intervention and …

Are There Ecological Consequences Of Urban Adaptation? A Test Of Eco-Evolutionary Dynamics In A Terrestrial Isopod (Oniscus Asellus), Aaron Yilmaz, Grace Bellino, Ryan A. Martin

Faculty Scholarship

Urbanization affects many aspects of the environment with the potential to alter both ecological and evolutionary processes. However, while examples of urban evolution are accumulating, tests of urban eco-evolutionary dynamics are rare. We carried out a reciprocal transplantation experiment using the terrestrial isopod Oniscus asellus to test how adaptation to the urban heat island influenced ecological processes. As isopods are important decomposers, we asked if leaf-litter decomposition differed among reciprocal transplant treatments and used a separate laboratory experiment to isolate the effects of temperature on rates of isopod leaf consumption. We found that leaf-litter decomposition was greater in urban habitats, …

Impact Of A Revised Educational Training Process On Improving The Efficiency Of Primary Care Mental Health Integration (Pcmhi) Referrals, Demesia Brown

DNP Projects

Timely access to mental health care remains a challenge for new Veterans entering primary care at the Meridian Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC). Although a Microsoft Teams warm hand-off referral system to Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI) was available, referrals were inconsistently initiated, limiting use of psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) and reducing opportunities for same-day access. This quality improvement project examined whether revising the educational training process for CBOC staff would improve referral efficiency and increase same-day PCMHI encounters for new Veterans. Guided by Orem’s Self-Care Framework, the intervention consisted of monthly educational sessions from June to December …

Ready. Set. Prevent: Turning Risks Into Results, Demi Goolsby, Keyuanna Mcgee, Jeannie Ricks, Jimesha Walker, Manuel Zuniga

MSN Research Projects

Hypertension remains a leading modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease and contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality in Mississippi. Despite the availability of evidence-based clinical treatment guidelines, rates of uncontrolled and undiagnosed hypertension remain disproportionately high. The purpose of this study is to examine the extent to which nurse practitioners in Mississippi are aware of and incorporate the updated 2025 American Heart Association (AHA) hypertension guidelines and the PREVENT cardiovascular risk stratification tool into clinical practice. A non-experimental, descriptive, quantitative design using survey methodology with convenience sampling was employed. Online scripting via social media platforms was utilized to recruit licensed …

Estrogen Deprivation During Primate (Papio Anubis) Pregnancy: Impact On Systemic Microvascular Flow And Cardiovascular Development And Function After Birth In Offspring, Sifa Turan, Jeffery S. Babischkin, Graham W. Aberdeen, Gerald J. Pepe, Eugene D. Albrecht

Department of Biomedical and Translational Sciences Faculty Publications

Background

Suppressing estradiol (E₂) during baboon pregnancy lowers offspring skeletal muscle capillary density, vital for insulin-mediated glucose uptake, and induces insulin resistance. We examined whether E₂ deprivation also impairs microvascular flow and cardiac function.

Methods

Offspring of untreated baboons, letrozole-treated baboons, or letrozole plus E₂ (maternal s.c. injections during the second half of gestation) underwent contrast-enhanced microbubble ultrasonography to quantify microvessel flow and echocardiography to assess cardiac performance.

Results

Letrozole reduced maternal serum E₂ by 95% (p <  0.01). In letrozole offspring, microbubble flux rate (β) fell 55% (p <  0.02), replenishment was 5 s slower (p <  0.03), and microvessel flow declined 40% (p = 0.05); all were restored by added E₂. Indices of systolic (isovolumic contraction), diastolic (isovolumic relaxation), global performance (Tei index), and cardiac output were unchanged.

Conclusion

Prolonged gestational E₂ deprivation programs a reduction in microvascular flow without altering cardiac function; maternal E₂ prevents this, supporting E₂'s role in …

Ornithine Metabolism In Retinal Pigment Epithelium And Retina And Implications In Gyrate Atrophy, Artjola Puja

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Ornithine aminotransferase (OAT) is a mitochondrial enzyme that regulates ornithine metabolism by converting ornithine to pyrroline-5-carboxylate, a precursor for proline and glutamate synthesis. Deficiency of OAT causes systemic ornithine accumulation and leads to gyrate atrophy (GA) of the choroid and retina, a hereditary disorder characterized by progressive chorioretinal degeneration and irreversible vision loss. Chorioretinal atrophy typically starts at the mid-peripheral retina and progresses toward the macula. Although elevated ornithine is considered toxic to the eye, how ornithine is metabolized in ocular tissues and why OAT deficiency causes selective, region-specific vulnerability remain unclear. We combined ex vivo and in vivo stable …

Polyfluoroalkyl Substances And Altered Glucose Homeostasis In Adolescents Following Bariatric Surgery, Elizabeth Costello, Brittney O Baumert, Zhenjiang Li, Vishal Midya, Shudi Pan, Justin R Ryder, Thomas H Inge, Todd M Jenkins, Stephanie Sisley, Stavra A Xanthakos, Anita Courcoulas, Douglas I Walker, Nikos Stratakis, Damaskini Valvi, Scott M Bartell, Angela L Slitt, Rohit Kohli, Sarah Rock, Michele A La Merrill, Sandrah P Eckel, Max T Aung, Rob Mcconnell, David V Conti, Lida Chatzi

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Objectives: Bariatric surgery is an effective treatment for severe obesity and associated metabolic comorbidities. Exposure to polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) before bariatric surgery may attenuate improvements in glucose metabolism and explain some of the heterogeneity in post-surgery outcomes.

Design: This is an observational cohort study.

Methods: Adolescents (n = 186) enrolled in the Teen-Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery study were included. Eight-PFAS congeners were measured in plasma before surgery. Linear and logistic regressions were used to examine cross-sectional associations between log2-transformed PFAS (ng/mL) and fasting glucose, insulin, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Linear mixed …

Alternative Polyadenylation Signatures Distinguish Maladaptive Right Ventricular Remodeling In Pulmonary Hypertension: Implications For Rna-Based Diagnostics And Therapeutics, Janani Subramaniam, Venkata Jonnakuti, Scott D Collum, Sandra Martineau, Kai-Lieh Huang, Sandra Breuils-Bonnet, Andrea L Frump, Bindu H Akkanti, Jayeshkumar A Patel, Manish K Patel, Ismael Salas De Armas, Isabella N Lefebvre, Rajko Radovancevic, Elvin Blanco, Eric J Wagner, Igor Gregoric, Sriram Nathan, Biswajit Kar, Steeve Provencher, Sebastien Bonnet, François Potus, Hari Krishna Yalamanchili, Harry Karmouty-Quintana

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Increased pulmonary vascular pressures due to vascular remodeling, elevated vascular resistance, and vasoconstriction characterize Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH). The narrowing of the pulmonary arteries and obstruction of blood flow increase the Right Ventricular (RV) afterload, forcing the RV to undergo structural and functional changes. While adaptive remodeling leads to RV compensation by maintaining function, maladaptive remodeling leads to RV decompensation, characterized by worsening function and eventual failure. At present, there is no effective treatment for these patients as therapies for left ventricular failure are ineffectual, and there are no therapies specifically targeting the RV. Therefore, there is a clear need …

Imagining Genomics And Population Health In 2050: Anticipating Future Research, Policy, And Governance Needs, Bartha Maria Knoppers, Yann Joly, Ma Apos N H Zawati, Habiba Alsafar, Jeffrey C Barrett, Laura Blackburn, Brian Hon-Yin Chung, Martina C Cornel, Edward S Dove, David Glazer, Calvin Wai-Loon Ho, Muin J Khoury, Anna C F Lewis, Anneke Lucassen, Peter F R Mills, Colin Mitchell, Nicola Mulder, Ainsley J Newson, Anthony Ng, Paul D P Pharoah, Vasiliki Rahimzadeh, Megan C Roberts, Saskia C Sanderson, Jeffrey M Skopek, Ron Zimmern, Eric M Meslin

Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy Staff Publications

No abstract provided.

Genome-Wide Gene-Sleep Interaction Study Identifies Novel Lipid Loci In 732,564 Participants, Raymond Noordam, Wenyi Wang, Pavithra Nagarajan, Heming Wang, Michael R Brown, Amy R Bentley, Qin Hui, Aldi T Kraja, John L Morrison, Jeffrey R O'Connel, Songmi Lee, Karen Schwander, Traci M Bartz, Lisa De Las Fuentes, Mary F Feitosa, Xiuqing Guo, Xu Hanfei, Sarah E Harris, Zhijie Huang, Mart Kals, Christophe Lefevre, Massimo Mangino, Yuri Milaneschi, Peter J Van Der Most, Natasha L Pacheco, Nicholette D Palmer, Varun Rao, Rainer Rauramaa, Quan Sun, Yasuharu Tabara, Dina Vojinovic, Yujie Wang, Stefan Weiss, Qian Yang, Wei Zhao, Wanying Zhu, Md Abu Yusuf Ansari, Hugues Aschard, Pramod Anugu, Themistocles L Assimes, John Attia, Laura D Baker, Christie Ballantyne, Lydia Bazzano, Eric Boerwinkle, Brain Cade, Hung-Hsin Chen, Wei Chen, Yii-Der Ida Chen, Zekai Chen, Kelly Cho, Ileana De Anda-Duran, Latchezar Dimitrov, Anh Do, Todd Edwards, Tariq Faquih, Aroon Hingorani, Susan P Fisher-Hoch, J Michael Gaziano, Sina A Gharib, Ayush Giri, Mohsen Ghanbari, Hans Jörgen Grabe, Mariaelisa Graff, C Charles Gu, Jiang He, Sami Heikkinen, James Hixson, Yuk-Lam Ho, Michelle M Hood, Serena C Houghton, Carrie A Karvonen-Gutierrez, Takahisa Kawaguchi, Tuomas O Kilpeläinen, Pirjo Komulainen, Henry J Lin, Gregorio V Linchangco, Annemarie I Luik, Jintao Ma, James B Meigs, Joseph B Mccormick, Cristina Menni, Ilja M Nolte, Jill M Norris, Lauren E Petty, Hannah G Polikowsky, Laura M Raffield, Stephen S Rich, Renata L Riha, Thomas C Russ, Edward A Ruiz-Narvaez, Colleen M Sitlani, Jennifer A Smith, Harold Snieder, Tamar Sofer, Botong Shen, Jingxian Tang, Kent D Taylor, Maris Teder-Laving, Rima Triatin, Michael Y Tsai, Henry Völzke, Kenneth E Westerman, Rui Xia, Jie Yao, Kristin L Young, Ruiyuan Zhang, Alan B Zonderman, Xiaofeng Zhu, Jennifer E Below, Simon R Cox, Michelle Evans, Myriam Fornage, Ervin R Fox, Nora Franceschini, Sioban D Harlow, Elizabeth Holliday, M Arfan Ikram, Tanika Kelly, Timo A Lakka, Deborah A Lawlor, Changwei Li, Ching-Ti Liu, Reedik Mägi, Alisa K Manning, Fumihiko Matsuda, Alanna C Morrison, Matthias Nauck, Kari E North, Brenda Wjh Penninx, Michael A Province, Bruce M Psaty, Jerome I Rotter, Tim D Spector, Lynne E Wagenknecht, Ko Willems Van Dijk, Lifelines Cohort Study, Million Veteran Program, Cashell E Jaquish, Peter Wf Wilson, Patricia A Peyser, Patricia B Munroe, Paul S De Vries, W James Gauderman, Yan V Sun, Han Chen, Clint L Miller, Thomas W Winkler, Dabeeru C Rao, Susan Redline, Diana Van Heemst

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background and aims: Deviations from the population mean in sleep duration have been associated with increased risk for developing dyslipidemia and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, but the mechanism of effect is poorly characterized. We performed large-scale genome-wide gene-sleep interaction analyses of lipid levels to identify genetic variants underpinning the biomolecular pathways of sleep-associated lipid disturbances and to suggest possible druggable targets.

Methods: We collected data from 55 cohorts with a combined sample size of 732,564 participants (87 % European ancestry) with data on lipid traits (high-density lipoprotein [HDL-c] and low-density lipoprotein [LDL-c] cholesterol and triglycerides [TG]). Short (STST) and long (LTST) …

Limosilactobacillus Reuteri Alleviates Proinflammatory T-Cell-Mediated Liver Injury And Transcriptomic Changes In Immunocompromised Mice, Ana Fadhel Alvarez, Zheng Yin, Beanna Okeugo, Alexander Banerjee, Meng Luo, Christopher M Taylor, Salomea Giorgberidze, Vaishali Harne, Rambabu Majji, Melissa N Munroe, Ji Ho Suh, Stephen T C Wong, Kang Ho Kim, Hari Krishna Yalamanchili, Suhair Al Salihi, Jon Marc Rhoads, Yuying Liu

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Background: A deficiency of immunosuppressive regulatory T cells, as seen in scurfy (SF) mice or in IPEX syndrome in humans, can lead to multiorgan inflammation. Oral administration of the probiotic Limosilactobacillus reuteri Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen und Zellkulturen GmbH (DSM) 17938 prolongs survival and reduces Th1- and Th2-associated inflammation in SF mice. It remains unclear how DSM 17938-educated SF-CD4+ T cells modulate T-cell-liver communication.

Methods: To characterize CD4+ T cells from SF mice orally administered DSM 17938 (Prob-SF-CD4+ T cells) and to compare them with CD4+ T cells from SF mice (SF-CD4+ T cells), cells isolated from SF spleens were …

Insulinemic And Inflammatory Dietary Patterns And Colorectal Cancer Risk: A Dietary Data Harmonization Study Of One Million Participants In The Consortium Of Metabolomics Studies (Comets), Ni Shi, Rachel Hoobler, Rhea Harewood, Amanda E Toland, Demetrius Albanes, Emmanouil Bouras, Marc J Gunter, Linda M Liao, Steven C Moore, Fulvio Ricceri, Jerome I Rotter, Rashmi Sinha, Rachael Stolzenberg-Solomon, Anne Tjønneland, Alexis C Wood, Danxia Yu, Mary C Playdon, Fred K Tabung

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Background: Inflammatory and insulinemic dietary patterns have been associated with colorectal cancer (CRC) risk, but generalizability across diverse populations with heterogeneous food supplies and dietary behaviors has not been established.

Objectives: We harmonized disparate dietary and covariate data on a large scale to compute the reverse Empirical Dietary Index for Hyperinsulinemia (rEDIH), reverse Empirical Dietary Inflammatory Pattern (rEDIP), and Healthy Eating Index (HEI)-2015 scores, and tested their associations with CRC risk.

Methods: We leveraged data among 501,892 women and 407,390 men from 6 cohorts across the United States (NIH-AARP, Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis, Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian, SCCS) and …

Three Essays In Cpi Bias And Health Economics, Auderta Amoako-Nuamah

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The first essay estimates bias in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for elderly individuals in the United States using Engel curve methodology and household-level data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics (1999–2023). The analysis focuses on how well the CPI reflects changes in the cost of living for older Americans, with particular attention to differences by gender and marital status. Results show that from 1999–2011, the CPI overstated the increase in the cost of living for both elderly and non-elderly households. In contrast, from 1999–2023, the CPI understated cost increases, with the bias generally larger for non-elderly households. Within …

Enhancing Occupational Engagement And Wellness In Middle-Aged And Retired Adults Through Movement And Mindfulness Program Development, Erin J. Harvey

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Occupational imbalance and a diminished sense of purpose are common challenges faced during middle age and the transition into retirement. These issues can contribute to increased burnout, decreased participation in meaningful activities, and an overall decline in health and well-being. Occupational therapy is well-equipped to address these concerns through comprehensive and holistic, occupation-based wellness programs that promote healthy routines and engagement in meaningful roles. This doctoral capstone project involved developing and implementing two community-based wellness programs tailored to different populations. The first program included self-paced wellness modules for middle-aged adults, aiming to encourage healthy lifestyle habits, enhance coping skills, and …

A Quality Improvement Initiative To Decrease The Length Of Stay In The Post-Anesthesia Care Unit For Children Undergoing Iv Anesthetic Inductions For Gastrointestinal Procedures, Kaylee Bahret Bangs

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Background: Pediatric patients at WVU Medicine Children’s (WVU-CH) are emerging slowly from anesthetics during diagnostic gastrointestinal procedures which delays discharge from the post-anesthesia care unit. The cumulative effect is an increased length of hospital stay and the associated increases in costs. This project explores a novel method to reduce the amount of medication pediatric patients receive by using virtual reality goggles as a nonpharmacologic intervention to reduce preprocedural anxiety.

Purpose: This quality improvement project seeks to reduce time spent in PACU for children undergoing IV induction GI procedures by using preoperative virtual reality (VR) headsets during IV placement …

South Asians And Renal Disease: Traditional Food Lists For Management Of Chronic Kidney Disease, Ashwini Wagle

Open Educational Resources

The renal food list is a culturally tailored nutrition education tool designed to address the specific dietary needs of the South Asian population. It is an original intellectual work created by Ashwini Wagle, Ed.D., MS, RD, FAND, Chair and Professor, Department of Nutrition, Food Science, and Packaging at San José State University (SJSU).

An earlier version of this tool was published in 2011 with the assistance of graduate student Kalpana Balasubramanian. The development of this renal food list was strengthened by the encouragement and support of the registered dietitian community, whose contributions included verifying the accuracy of the nutritional information …

Supporting Latine Older Adults’ Nutrition And Physical Health Goals In Counseling, Zachary P. Mcniece, Jacqueline J. Bergman

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Latine older adults face disproportionate risk of chronic nutrition-related conditions and food insecurity, which can exacerbate or contribute to the development of mental health-related concerns. Cultural stigma toward mental illness can result in Latine clients, especially older adults, somatizing symptoms and focusing on physical health goals in counseling. Despite these intersecting needs, counselors often overlook clients’ physical health goals due to limited training and the assumption that medical providers alone should address them. This article advocates integrating basic, culturally responsive nutrition information into counseling practice to support client well-being while staying within the scope of practice. We offer practical recommendations …

Healthcare Provider Perspectives On A Clinical Decision Tool To Support Individualized Exercise Prescriptions And Discussions For Breast Cancer Survivors, Jinani Jayasekera, Oliver W. A. Wilson, Kaitlyn M. Wojcik, Eleanor M. Kerr, Rachelle Brick, David Berrigan, Jennifer Yeong-Shin Sheng, Takeo Fujii, Kathleen Thomas, Henri K. Parson, Padma Sheila Rajagopal, Richard L. Street Jr.

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

Purpose: We evaluated healthcare providers' current knowledge, practices, and perspectives on a novel clinical decision tool (beta-version) to facilitate individualized exercise prescriptions and discussions in clinical settings.

Methods: We recruited healthcare providers who had treated or provided care to breast cancer survivors aged >= 35-years in the past 12 months. The participants were presented with a tool to provide individualized exercise recommendations considering women's individual, clinical, and contextual characteristics. Validated and reliable pre-existing instruments were used to survey providers' current knowledge, practices regarding exercise discussions, and perspectives on the beta-version (paper-draft) of the novel tool.

Results: The sample consisted of …

Chronobiology Of Meal Timing In Early-Stage Hypertension: A Controlled Feeding Pilot Study Investigating The Effects On Renal And Vascular Function, Natalie J. Bohmke, Brittany Barton, Patrice Wiecek, Paula Rodriguez-Miguelez, Dave L. Dixon, Youngdeok Kim, Salvatore Carbone, Danielle L. Kirkman

EVMS School of Health Professions Faculty Publications

Lifestyle intervention is critical for young adults with early-stage hypertension. A Western diet has negative effects on kidney function and blood pressure; however, time-of-day effects are understudied. We hypothesized that consumption of a Western-style meal that is misaligned with the endogenous circadian rhythm would have adverse effects on blood pressure, kidney function, and vascular function. Ten young adults with elevated blood pressure or stage 1 hypertension (means ± SD: 26 ± 8 yr, 50% female) underwent a randomized crossover, isocaloric controlled feeding intervention. Participants were allocated to receive a Western-style meal high in sodium, sugar, and saturated fat in the …

The Treatment Of Obesity In The Context Of The Obesity Paradox In Patients With Heart Failure: A Narrative Review, Pamela L. Alebna, Sarah Martey, Anurag Mehta, Carl J. Lavie, Salvatore Carbone

EVMS School of Health Professions Faculty Publications

Purpose of review

While excess adiposity is a known risk factor for incident heart failure ( HF), once the condition is established, observational data suggest that increased body mass index (BMI) may confer a survival advantage. This paradox has emphasized the underlying roles of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), and body composition, particularly lean mass (LM), in influencing clinical outcomes.

Recent findings

In this review, we explore the multifaceted nature of the obesity paradox in HF, with a focus on emerging anti-obesity incretin-mimetic therapies, such as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) and dual GLP-1/glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor agonists. These agents …

Mechanism-Driven Therapy For Diabetic Cardiovascular Disease, Fabian Sanchis-Gomar, Carl J. Lavie, Salvatore Carbone, Ian J. Neeland

EVMS School of Health Professions Faculty Publications

[Introduction] Diabetic cardiovascular disease is a network disorder, not a glucose-only complication

Diabetes accelerates cardiovascular (CV) target-organ damage through multiple interacting biological modules that amplify risk even when glycemia is modestly controlled^[1]. These modules include (i) adipose tissue dysfunction with altered adipokine secretion and immune-cell infiltration; (ii) ectopic lipid deposition in liver, myocardium, and perivascular/epicardial fat (iii) endothelial dysfunction with impaired nitric oxide bioavailability and heightened oxidative stress (iv) chronic kidney disease (CKD)-mediated volume, pressure, and uremic-toxin stress, and (v) autonomic and neurohormonal activation that promotes hypertension, arrhythmias, and remodeling^[1]. The clinical spectrum includes macrovascular disease …

Optimizing Poultry Production And Enhancing Egg Nutrient Composition Through Kelp Supplementation In Laying Hens, Meghan Clifford

Open Access Dissertations

The development of sustainable feed supplements is a crucial component in addressing the current global need for resilient and environmentally responsible food systems. This dissertation has explored the potential of brown algae (Saccharina latissima) as a sustainable feed supplement for poultry with the potential to benefit production efficiency, product quality, and the global food supply. With both controlled feeding trials and a producer-based survey, the work in this dissertation investigates the nutritional, biological and practical implications of adopting kelp into poultry diets.

Chapter one provides a comprehensive overview of the current literature surrounding the use of marine sources …

Longitudinal Changes In Plasma Biomarkers Of Immune Activation, Neuronal Inflammation And Injury In Persons With Hiv Initiating Art, Merle Henderson, Peter Dutey-Magni, Carolina Herrera, Wolfgang Stöhr, Alejandro Arenas-Pinto, Owen Swann, Amanda Heslegrave, Henrik Zetterberg, John Tregoning, Sarah Fidler, François Raffi, Andrea Calcagno, Ab Babiker, Alan Winston

CONRAD Publications

Background

Data on changes in biomarkers of brain health, and their associations with cognitive function in adults commencing either dual- or triple-antiretroviral therapy (ART) are sparse.

Methods

Plasma biomarkers (neurofilament light [NfL], glial fibrillary acidic protein [GFAP], sCD14, CXCL10, neopterin and IL-6) were measured at baseline and after 96 weeks on ART in individuals randomized to darunavir/ritonavir and either tenofovir-DF/emtricitabine (triple-ART, n = 119) or raltegravir (dual-ART, n = 119) in NEAT-001/ANRS143. Regression models examined associations of baseline and week-96 biomarker concentrations with HIV clinical parameters, composite cognitive test scores (Standardized neuropsychological test [NPZ], 7-domains) and treatment arm.

Results

In …

Treating Alzheimer's Disease In A Person Living With Hiv, David B Clifford, Tammie L S Benzinger, Jee-Young Han, Savannah Powles, Madeline Paczynski, Beau M Ances, J William Campbell

2020-Current year OA Pubs

INTRODUCTION: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) therapies now support survival into advanced ages by suppressing HIV replication and preserving immune function. Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common neurologic degenerative condition, may now be treated with anti-amyloid therapies (AAT). HIV was an exclusionary criterion in clinical trials for AAT, leaving the safety and efficacy of these medications unknown in this setting.

METHODS: We report the development of AD supported by careful evaluations and biomarkers over a 10-year period in a person living with well-controlled HIV infection.

RESULTS: AD was diagnosed with consistent clinical and biomarker evidence. AAT was successfully administered without complications. …

Characteristics Of Cerebral Palsy In The Midwestern Us, Susie Kim, Kelsey Steffen, Lauren Gottschalk-Henneberry, Jennifer Miros, Amy Robichaux-Viehoever, Karen Taca, Bhooma R Aravamuthan

2020-Current year OA Pubs

OBJECTIVE: Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common lifelong motor disability worldwide. Yet, data is limited on how CP manifests in the US. Our objective was to characterize and determine factors affecting functional outcomes in a large population of young people with CP in the Midwestern US.

METHODS: We integrated caregiver and clinician-facing standardized data entry into routine clinical care at a tertiary care CP center (https://bit.ly/CP-Intake-Methodology). We extracted this data for people with an ICD10 diagnosis of CP seen between March 22, 2023 and December 28, 2023 and used it to describe CP characteristics and determine factors affecting the …

Multi-Omic Characterization Of Immune And Metabolic Responses To Inflammatory Challenges In Sheep, Samanthia Raceine Johnson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

To meet the demands of the growing population, it is imperative to develop sustainable and applicable ways to improve animal health and productivity. The first step in doing so is understanding the mechanisms that govern health and immune response and find ways to appropriately modulate them to improve animal health and productivity. The objective of this study is to use multi-omic techniques to understand breed-specific immune responses in sheep that may contribute to their resistance and susceptibility to parasites and to a greater extent, immunocompetence. Known parasite-resistant breed, St. Croix (STC) were compared to parasite susceptible Suffolk (SUF) sheep for …

Improving Access To Care And Utilization Of Telehealth In Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients Through Scheduling Interventions: A Quality Improvement Project, Sarah R. Bergstrom

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Abstract

Improving Access to Care and Utilization of Telehealth in Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients Through Scheduling Interventions: A Quality Improvement Project

Sarah Bergstrom

Introduction/Background. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) tends to affect pediatric patients with a more severe, aggressive phenotype as compared to adults. Following closely with a pediatric gastroenterologist (GI) is best practice to manage pediatric IBD. However, pediatric subspecialty clinics are generally located within academic institutions in urban areas. Patients in rural areas often have limited access to pediatric GI care, and poor access to care is associated with increased risk of poor disease control. Telehealth subspecialty …

Genetics Of Mycangial Development And Host Colonization Within The Ambrosia Symbiosis, Mckeon James Laws

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Ambrosia beetles, a polyphyletic group of weevils, utilize pouch-like structures at various locations on the body to transport for their sole food source, their fungal partner. Ambrosia fungi are known to originate from multiple unrelated fungal lineages with no consensus of traits required to become a fungal cultivar. While the biology and ecology of both partners is in many cases well understood, the genetic underpinnings of this fascinating mutualism remain a mystery. The aim of this dissertation is to add to the understanding of the ambrosia symbiosis by providing insights into its molecular and genetic underpinnings through RNA sequencing data, …

Personal Narratives Of Young Adults With Epilepsy: Exploring The Transition To Adulthood Amidst Stigma And Disclosure Fears, Kirby-Estar Gilene Laguerre

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Navigating the transition to adulthood presents unique challenges for young adults with epilepsy, particularly concerning stigma and the fear of disease disclosure. While significant social difficulties, such as increased unemployment rates and decreased relationship satisfaction, are prevalent among individuals with epilepsy, current transition programs often fail to address these psychological and social aspects that are vital for an independent adult life. Instead, the majority of the attention for young adults transitioning into adulthood is focused on the shift to adult-oriented healthcare systems. Consequently, there is a critical need for research that goes beyond a healthcare focus and explores the social …

Managing The Legacy Of Historical Land Use In Central Appalachia: Soil Health, Carbon Storage, And Restoration Across Disturbed Ecosystems, Kyra R. Dukich

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Historical mining, intensive timber harvesting, agriculture, and atmospheric acid deposition have left lasting impacts on soil health throughout the Central Appalachian region, reducing soil productivity, carbon storage, and ecosystem resilience. This thesis evaluated restoration strategies across two long-term research systems in West Virginia to determine how land-use history and soil amendments influence soil health, carbon dynamics, and ecosystem recovery. The first study examined reclaimed mine lands and marginal agricultural soils planted with switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) or willow (Salix spp.) and treated with biochar or inorganic fertilizer. Soil greenhouse gas production, aggregate stability, total soil C:N, pH, and soil organic matter …