Digital Commons Network^™

Antibiotics In Animal Agriculture, The Risks To Health, And Differences In The Us And The Eu, Li-Ting Chou

Seattle Journal of Technology, Environmental, & Innovation Law

No abstract provided.

Efficacy Of Etvax, A Vaccine Against Enterotoxigenic Escherichia Coli-Positive Diarrhoea In Gambian Children: A Double-Blind, Randomised, Placebo-Controlled, Phase 2b Trial, M Jahangir Hossain, Fatou Secka, Lady C Sanyang, Raifu Taiwo, Emmanuel C Okoh, Olubunmi A Olubiyi, Mbemba Drammeh, Emmanuel U Richard, Ahmed D Balami, Mama Drammeh, Samba Juma Jallow, Bakary Sonko, Paticia Ezedimbu-Michael, Jacinta Obiaduo, Ousman Secka, Joanna Kaim, Björn Sjöstrand, Agneta Lissmats, Nils Carlin, Umberto D'Alessandro, Ann-Mari Svennerholm, Thomas F Wierzba

Faculty and Staff Publications

Background: Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) causes 75 million diarrhoea episodes with up to 42 000 deaths annually in children. To prevent ETEC in children, we aimed to evaluate the safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy of ETVAX, an oral, inactivated, whole-cell ETEC vaccine with toxoid and double-mutant heat-labile toxin adjuvant.

Methods: In this phase 2b, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, Gambian children aged 6-18 months were recruited from four enrolment centres and block-randomised (1:1) via a computer-generated sequence, stratified by enrolment centres, to receive ETVAX or placebo on days 1, 15, and 90. Parents, staff, investigators assessing outcomes, and investigators analysing the data were …

The Daily Gamecock: February 2026, University Of South Carolina, Office Of Student Media

2026

No abstract provided.

Perceptions Of Healthcare Access Barriers Among Eritrean, Sudanese, And Somali Refugees And Asylum Seekers In Cairo., Ayan Musa Mohamed

Theses and Dissertations

As the world witnesses an increase in different displacements of individuals for various reasons, ranging from wars, civil conflicts, human rights violations, and natural disasters, refugees and asylum seekers, who are among those forcibly displaced, continue to face challenges in access to health care services in host countries. The topic of barriers to health care has been widely researched, with a large body of literature on refugees' interactions with health care systems. However, there is limited literature on the perceptions of Eritrean, Sudanese, and Somali refugees and asylum seekers' experience with healthcare access in host countries. Therefore, this thesis aims …

Assessing Knowledge, Attitudes, And Practices (Kap) Towards The One Health Approach In Governmental Officers In Egypt, Nour Elsersawy

Theses and Dissertations

Background: the one health (OH) approach emphasizes the interconnectedness among human, animal, and environmental health and requires multisectoral collaboration to address complex health challenges. Egypt faces significant threats at the human-animal-environment interface, including endemic and emerging zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), food safety challenges, and vector-borne diseases. Despite established coordination mechanisms and the launch of the One Health National strategic framework (2023-2027) of Egypt, the extent to which oh principles are understood, embraced, and practiced by governmental officers responsible for implementation remains incompletely understood. Objectives: this study assessed and evaluated the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding the one health …

Prephiral Bacterial Infectious Agent Triggers Neuroinflammatory Responses And Neurobehavioral Impairment In Wild-Type Mice, Hadeer Atalah

Theses and Dissertations

Neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, present an increasing global challenge, with chronic neuroinflammation identified as a principal factor alongside genetic, environmental, and infectious influences (Boyd et al., 2022).  Epidemiological data associate bacterial infections with a 40% heightened risk of Parkinson's disease; however, the mechanisms—especially the direct connection between peripheral sepsis and the silent onset of central nervous system pathology absent acute meningitis—are inadequately investigated (Smeyne et al., 2021), particularly concerning common pathogens like Klebsiella pneumoniae in high-burden areas such as Egyptian ICUs, where it constitutes 30% of cases (Alkompoz et al., 2023). This study filled the gap by creating …

Global Public Health Feasibility: Digital Dentistry In Geriatric Population, Merna Amr Saleh

Theses and Dissertations

Oral health is a critical yet often overlooked determinant of well-being among older adults in Egypt, where mobility limitations, geographic barriers, and low awareness of preventive practices exacerbate dental disparities. DentalPal, a teledentistry-based mobile application, was developed to provide older adults with remote dental consultations, oral hygiene advice, and triage guidance. The platform enables users to submit oral photographs or radiographs for assessment, seek second opinions, and initiate follow-up chats directly with the healthcare provider. This flexible design allows users to access dental consultations on demand while ensuring continuity of care The question that guided this study was how older …

Artemisinin Partial Resistance Mutations In Zanzibar And Tanzania Suggest Regional Spread And African Origins, 2023, Sean V. Connelly, Julia G. Muller, Mohamed Ali, Billy E. Ngasala, Wahida Hassan, Bakari Mohamed, Kyaw L. Thwai, Jacob M. Sadler, Jacob Marglous, Abebe A. Fola, Abdallah Zacharia, Shija J. Shija, Safia Mohammed, Dominick C. Msolo, Hamza Said, Editruda E. Peter, Melic Odas, Isaack J. Rutha, Mwanaidi Nwange, Karamoko Naire, Shazia Ruybal-Pesántez, Robert Verity, Rebecca Crudale, Varun Goel, Barbara B. Choloi, Anders Björkman, Jeffrey A. Bailey, Jessica T. Lin, Jonathan J. Juliano

Faculty Publications

Artemisinin partial resistance, driven by Plasmodium falciparum K13 mutations, threatens malaria control. Zanzibar is vulnerable to artemisinin partial resistance spread but lacks recent molecular surveillance. We sequenced samples in Zanzibar and mainland Tanzania collected from 2022 to 2024. K13 mutations were found in 2 of 1440 participants (P441L, A675V) in Zanzibar and 6 of 3762 (R561H, P441L) in mainland Tanzania. Based on whole genome sequencing data, K13 mutations appear to be of African origin with regional spread. Frequent parasite importation appears to maintain partner drug mutation frequencies similar to the mainland, where artemether-lumefantrine selects for mutations favoring artesunate-amodiaquine sensitivity. Ongoing …

Implementation Of Project Dharma And Future Directions, Francesca Piccolo, Jean Bessette, Anna Mcconnell, Zoe Brokos, Brian Townsend, Dasan Thamattoor, Kinna Thakarar

Journal of Maine Medical Center

Problem: Overdose deaths and rising rates of infectious disease in the state of Maine warrant a strong public health response, overdose prevention education, and interventions. Initiatives for community drug checking are an innovative approach to understanding the composition of the current drug supply. Drug-checking initiatives can inform people who use drugs (PWUD) what adulterants might be present in their drug supply. In partnership with 3 community organizations in Maine, Project DHARMA supports PWUD and community partners with infectious disease screening, community drug checking, and infection and overdose prevention.

Approach: Project DHARMA supports the delivery of evidence-based infection and overdose prevention …

How To Fix Everything, Heather A. Mcdonald

Creative Nonfiction Magazine

No abstract provided.

I Don’T Remember: Measuring The Frequency And Impact Of Source Recall In Misinformation Correction, Emily K. Vraga, Leticia Bode

Newhouse Impact Journal

It is broadly established that source cues matter for establishing information credibility (Pornpitakpan, 2004). Therefore, it is hardly surprising that when thinking about methods to address and correct misinformation, many scholars have pointed to the importance of source cues (Cook et al., 2017; Lewandowsky & van der Linden, 2021; Literat et al., 2021; Shen et al., 2019). But this research is plagued by inconsistent findings about which kinds of sources tend to be the most effective correctors (e.g., Berinsky, 2023; van der Meer & Jin, 2020; Vraga & Bode, 2017). We argue that research has not adequately accounted for recall …

Home-Based Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program For Patients With Post-Covid-19 Persistent Dyspnea, Sandra P. Morgan, Constance Visovsky, Bini Thomas

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

Purpose: Post-COVID-19 symptoms vary widely and can be persistent without intervention. The prevalence of post-COVID-19 dyspnea is reported to range from 26%-41%. Radiologic evidence of lung fibrosis, pulmonary scarring, and interstitial changes have been associated in some individuals with persistent dyspnea in the post-COVID-19 population. Recent studies hypothesize that the COVID-19 infection may specifically cause damage and result in weakness to the respiratory musculature. Respiratory muscle strength training has been used to reduce persistent dyspnea in other respiratory diseases, thus, it may be a viable option for individuals with persistent dyspnea with post-COVID-19. The primary aim of this study is …

Evaluation Of Colonization With Multidrug-Resistant Microorganisms And The Incidence Of Attributable Infections In Patients Undergoing Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Burcu Çalişkan Demi̇rkiran, Gülşen İskender, İpek Mumcuoğlu, Duygu Mert, Si̇nan Dal, Tuba Dal, Semra Tunçbi̇lek, Mustafa Ertek, Fevzi̇ Altuntaş

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: The global rise in multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) has led to an increased incidence of MDRO infections following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), particularly during the preengraftment period. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between pretransplant colonization by MDROs or carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) and the occurrence of infections caused by phenotypically similar microorganisms during the preengraftment period, as well as to assess the clinical outcomes of patients colonized with MDROs prior to transplantation.

Materials and methods: This prospective cohort study included patients diagnosed with hematological malignancies who underwent HSCT at the bone marrow transplant unit of …

Cd20 Molecule Deficiency And Carrier Frequency: A Village-Based Screening Study, Ebru Sümen, Mehmet Ali̇ Karaselek, Serkan Küççüktürk, Tuğçe Duran, Büşra Yüksel, Mustafa Gençeli̇, Ayşe Sümeyra Engi̇n, Muhammed Furkan Erden, Tuğba Esra Pekcandanoğlu, Bi̇lal Bostan, Mahmut Esad Yurtseven, Nazi̇re Nur Onat, Şükrü Nai̇l Güner, Sevgi̇ Keleş, İsmai̇l Rei̇sli̇

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: CD20 deficiency is an autosomal recessive inborn error of immunity (IEI), and the only known affected individual worldwide has been under follow-up in our clinic. Because the consanguineous parents of the index patient are putative carriers, we hypothesized that additional individuals with reduced CD20 expression might exist within their village population. This study aimed to evaluate clinical features associated with IEI and to identify individuals displaying CD20 mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) patterns consistent with putative carrier status, while also providing appropriate genetic counseling.

Materials and methods: This cross-sectional screening study was conducted in December 2024 in Çukurbağ village. Participants …

The Impact Of Covid-19 On Healthcare Workers: Risk Factors, Sources Of Infection, And Sickness Absenteeism, Ezgi̇ Gülten, Güle Çinar, İrem Akdemi̇r, Eli̇f Muki̇me Saricaoğlu, İlkay Taşdan, Emi̇ne Atmaca, Si̇bel Kaymakçi, Fatma Şanal, Di̇lek Sevi̇m Akdaş, Arzu Büyüm, Gülşah Kocaali̇, Safi̇ye Tarakçi, Ati̇lla Hali̇l Elhan, Mehmet Serhat Bi̇rengel, Kemal Osman Memi̇koğlu, Alpay Azap

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Healthcare workers (HCWs) face increased risks of COVID-19 infection due to occupational exposure. Understanding infection sources, risk factors, and workforce losses is crucial for mitigating these impacts in future pandemics. This study aimed to evaluate the risk factors, infection sources, and sickness absenteeism among HCWs diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection, providing insights to enhance infection control strategies.

Materials and methods: The study included 2153 HCWs diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 between March 2020 and February 2023 at a tertiary care hospital in Türkiye. Demographic, clinical, and professional characteristics, personal protective equipment (PPE) usage, infection sources, and vaccination data were analyzed. Statistical analyses …

Preventing Spinal Muscular Atrophy Through The National Premarital Screening Program In Türkiye: An Economic Comparison With Treatment Costs, Gamze Dur, Gülcan Teci̇rli̇, Nurullah Okumuş

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a severe neuromuscular disorder with high treatment costs and significant psychosocial burden. In 2021, Türkiye launched a national premarital SMA carrier screening program integrated with in vitro fertilization (IVF) with preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) services for couples identified as carriers. This study aimed to compare the costs associated with the carrier screening and prevention program versus a no-screening (treatment-only) scenario.

Materials and methods: A cost comparison model was developed using data from the Turkish Statistical Institute, the Ministry of Health, and the Social Security Institution. The annual costs of SMA treatment (with nusinersen and …

A Rare And Challenging Polymicrobial Pleural Infection Involving Cupriavidus Pauculus In A Patient With Rheumatoid Arthritis And Multiple Complications, Moiz Ahmed Khan, Syeda Samiya Kamal, Muhammad Muneeb, Summaya Zafar

The University of Louisville Journal of Respiratory Infections

A 58-year-old female with a 15-year history of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and a history of treatment consisting of methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine, leflunomide, and chronic prednisolone therapy, presented with fever, productive cough, dyspnea, and left leg cellulitis. She developed septic shock complicated by tension pneumothorax requiring emergency thoracostomy and non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). Pleural fluid culture grew Cupriavidus pauculus, a rare environmental gram-negative bacillus, alongside Burkholderia cepacia and Candida parapsilosis, indicating polymicrobial infection which was most likely predisposed by patient's immunosuppressed state from RA and prolonged steroid use. Treatment consisted of trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, meropenem, fluconazole, and cardiopulmonary support, and culminated in …

Prevalence And Factors Associated With Delayed Surgery Among Children With Wilms Tumor At Mulago Hospital: A Mixed-Method Study, Lule Daniel, Shamim Nabidda, Abraham Muhwezi, Ronald Naitala, Anne Akullo, Enid Kawala Kagoya, Ruth Namazzi, Nasser Kakembo, Joan N. Kalyango

School of Nursing & Midwifery, East Africa

Introduction:  Wilms tumor (WT) is a highly treatable form of childhood cancer, with five-year survival rates greater than 90% in high-income countries. In low- and middle-income countries, survival is still low. Delayed surgery is one of the leading factors for poor survival, as it leads to tumor complications, making subsequent treatment more complex. However, there is a paucity of information in Uganda on the prevalence and factors associated with delayed surgery. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with delayed surgery, and to explore the barriers and facilitators of timely surgery among children with WT at …

Fitness Cost And Biofilm Formation In Fosfomycin-Resistant Clinical Escherichia Coli And Klebsiella Pneumoniae Isolates, Mustafa Ökeer, Sabi̇re Şöhret Aydemi̇r, Bayri Eraç

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Fosfomycin has regained importance owing to its unique mechanism of action and effectiveness against extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Gram-negative bacteria. This study aimed to evaluate the biological fitness cost associated with fosfomycin resistance and its impact on biofilm formation in clinical Enterobacteriaceae isolates.

Materials and methods: A total of 78 Escherichia coli and 34 Klebsiella pneumoniae strains isolated from urine samples at Ege University Hospital were analyzed. Fosfomycin minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined using the reference agar dilution method. Resistance was induced by exposing two K. pneumoniae strains with a fosfomycin MIC of 4 μg/mL and two E. coli strains …

Cytotoxic And Antimicrobial Effects Of Plant-Derived Compounds Used In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Amanda Ly, Diane Sun, Shelbi Salinas, Victor M. Jimenez

Annual Research Symposium

No abstract provided.

Cardiac Implantable Electronic Device Infections In Saudi Arabia: Incidence, Timing, Causative Organisms, And Outcomes – A Multicenter Study, Saad Albogami, Wael Alqarawi, Ahmed Alfagih, Hiatham Alenzi, Mohammad Alshehri, Mossab Aljuaid, Saeed Alqahtani, Norah Alswaidan, Mohammad Alharbi, Norah Alkaltham, Lama Alasmri, Rghd Sadkh, Muna Albashari, Nour Alhouda, Imad Tleyjeh

Journal of the Saudi Heart Association

Background: Cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) substantially improve outcomes in cardiac patients, but device-related infection can negate these benefits. Data on the epidemiology of CIED infections in Saudi Arabia are limited. Methods: We performed a multicenter retrospective cohort study of consecutive patients receiving CIEDs (pacemakers [PPM], implantable cardioverter-defibrillators [ICD], and cardiac resynchronization devices [CRT]) at three tertiary hospitals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from January 2017 through December 2021. Patients were followed for at least one year post-implantation. Data collected included patient demographics, device type (new implant, replacement, revision), infection timing and microbiology, management (device extraction vs conservative treatment), and outcomes. …

Mycobacteria Infection Induced Cascade Of Epigenetic Alterations Promote Training In Bystander Macrophages, Shah E. Jahan Gulzar Mr

Theses and Dissertations

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) remodels host cell functions to support its intracellular persistence. While the effects of Mtb infection on infected macrophages are well characterized, responses of uninfected bystander cells in the same microenvironment remain poorly understood. Here, we show that Mtb infection triggers widespread epigenetic reprogramming not only in infected macrophages but also in neighbouring bystander cells. These bystander macrophages acquire active chromatin marks, exhibit distinct transcriptional changes, and display enhanced immune responsiveness, thereby increasing resistance to both homologous and heterologous infections. We identify interleukin-1 beta secreted by infected cells as a key mediator of this process. Functionally, trained bystander …

Treatment Outcomes And Factors Associated With Treatment Failure Among Mild-Moderate Covid-19 Patients Receiving Five-Days Oral Molnupiravir Vs Three-Days Intravenous Remdesivir In A Real-World Practice, Sarawut Kittikasemsook, Pattama Torvorapanit, Chotirat Nakaranurack

Chulalongkorn Medical Journal

Background: The initiation of antiviral treatment for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is based on the patient's risk of developing severe symptoms. Molnupiravir and remdesivir are new antiviral agents with limited data in real-world practice, especially in Thailand.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the treatment outcomes, adverse drug reactions (ADRs), and factors associated with treatment failure in mild-moderate symptoms of adult COVID-19 who received molnupiravir or three days- intravenous remdesivir at the initiation of treatment.

Methods: This retrospective study was conducted at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society. The inclusion criteria were mild-moderate symptoms of COVID-19 patients …

Hyperdensity On Head Ct—An Imaging Review, Ramsis Benjamin, Christian Menard, Erik Larson

School of Medicine Publications

The 3D images derived from non-contrast Computed Tomography (NCCT) scans provide a glimpse into the intra- and extracranial structures, based on the ability of electromagnetic X-rays to penetrate through various tissue densities. The gray matter, for example, possesses a higher density than the white matter, absorbs more X-rays, allows less penetration (attenuation), and thus has larger Hounsfield units (HU), the mathematical value of attenuation coefficient. The CT scanner’s wide availability and ease of use allow for quick assessment of acute neurosurgical abnormalities, such as hemorrhages, mass effect, hydrocephalus, and traumatic injuries. An attenuation value of +60 to +90 HU generally …

Heme And Hemozoin Induce Platelet Cell Death Through Upr-Induced Apoptosis And Ferroptosis In Vivax Malaria, Milena Tavares Gomes, Robert A Campbell, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Malaria is a highly prevalent infectious disease caused by Plasmodium parasites. Plasmodium intraerythrocytic replication leads to hemolysis-driven intermittent febrile crises in patients. In addition, the lysis of unparasitized red blood cells contributes to anemia and endotoxemia. Because thrombocytopenia is an important feature of vivax and severe falciparum malaria, we hypothesized that increased hemolysis in malaria contributes to severe thrombocytopenia by releasing endogenous and parasite toxins (ie, heme and hemozoin) capable of inducing programmed cell death in platelets. Using complementary biochemical, ultrastructural, pharmacological, and molecular approaches, we examined response to stress and cell death pathways that were elevated in the transcriptome …

A Demographic Analysis Of Shaker Mortality Trends, John E. Murray

Communal Societies

No abstract provided.

The Vipeholm Experiments: A Case Study Of Unethical Dental Research, Lainie Ross Md, Phd

Journal of the American College of Dentists

Modern-day research ethics training often begins with a discussion of the medical research atrocities committed by Nazi health care professionals and the resulting 10-principle Nuremberg Code, which is often considered to be the beginning of modern-day medical research regulations. It is occasionally mentioned that Nazi dentists also conducted unethical research in the concentration camps, and a few were brought to trial. In this manuscript, I compare two studies (one medical and one dental) conducted after World War II that violated the Nuremberg Code.

I describe and compare the well-known Willowbrook Hepatitis studies conducted by infectious disease doctors on vulnerable institutionalized …

Discovery And Characterization Of A Novel Pseudomonas Phage Of A New Genus, Paul Nicholls, Justin R Clark, Anthony Maresso

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Bacteriophages exhibit great diversity and are classically divided into lytic and temperate lifestyles. Commonly, bioinformatics is used to predict the temperate lifestyle. As the nosocomial pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa is common in freshwater, this biome represents an ideal location for the discovery of Pseudomonas phages.

Materials and methods: We characterized a genetically distinct species of Pseudomonas phage using next-generation sequencing and conventional microbiological methods. We characterized its lifestyle by purifying infected colonies and identifying persistent phage production.

Results: Genetics revealed a phage of a novel genus. Characterization showed a narrow host range and bioinformatics suggested a lytic lifestyle. Experimental data …

Preliminary Development Of Visual And Real-Time Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification Assays For Megalocytivirus Detection In Betta Fish (Betta Splendens), Kitikarn Sakuna, Supaporn Noochu, Kittichon U-Taynapun, Nion Chirapongsathonkul, Saransiri Nuanmanee

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

This study developed rapid detection of Megalocytivirus using visual and real-time loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assays. The primer was designed with the major capsid protein gene of Megalocytivirus, including red sea bream iridovirus (RSIV), infectious spleen and kidney necrosis virus (ISKNV), and turbot reddish body iridovirus (TRBIV). The visual and real-time LAMP assays were evaluated using DNA extracted from symptomatic betta fish that tested negative for Megalocytivirus by the broad-range PCR assay, as well as a chemically synthesized Megalocytivirus DNA template. Visual LAMP was found sensitive enough to detect up to 10 pg per reaction of the target DNA …

A Retrospective Review Of Antimicrobial Usage And Indications At End-Of-Life For Oncology Patients In A Tertiary Cancer Center In Saudi Arabia, Nabil A. Almouaalamy, Lama A. Banjar, Hattan A. Hassani, Ahmed A. Alqerafi, Abdulrahman I. Ezzi, Bader K. Alaslab, Abdulaziz K. Allhybi, Abdulaziz N. Aljohani, Nora N. Almouaalamy, Hassan A. Almarhabi

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To investigate antimicrobial usage patterns, indications, and outcomes in end-of-life (EOL) oncology patients at Princess Noorah Oncology Center (PNOC), King Abdulaziz Medical City, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The use of antimicrobials in oncology patients in EOL care has raised concerns about their appropriateness and the increasing issue of antimicrobial resistance.

Methods: The study is a retrospective chart review of cancer patients treated at the PNOC from January 1, 2017, to January 31, 2022. The inclusion criteria included cancer patients ≥18 years who died during their admission. The exclusion criteria included subjects who did not meet the inclusion criteria.

Results: Among …