Digital Commons Network^™

The Great Flood: An Exploration Of Fluid Resuscitation In Sepsis, Adam Olsson

Theses and Graduate Projects

Sepsis and septic shock continue to be major causes of in-hospital mortality. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared sepsis as a global health top priority as of 2017. To combat sepsis mortality, the Surviving Sepsis Campaign (SSC) released the first set of guidelines in 2004 and continues to publish treatment guidelines, updating the guidelines every four years based on emerging evidence. The 2018 update to the 2016 guidelines contains an Hour-1 Bundle released by the SSC, which includes a rapid infusion of a 30 ml/kg fluid bolus as a strong recommendation with low quality evidence. Recently, studies have challenged this …

A Mechanistic And Genomic Analysis Of Molluscum Contagiosum Virus Immune Evasion, Ian Benjamin Harvey

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

Molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV) is a common human-specific poxvirus with a proclivity forinfecting children and the immune-compromised. A characteristic MCV infection is restricted tothe epidermal layers of the skin and can persist for weeks to years in an otherwise healthyindividual. The high clinical burden of MCV is at odds with our limited knowledge regarding howit successfully evades the human immune response, which is in part due to the lack of an animalmodel or cell line to propagate the virus. Through this dissertation, we have uncovered andcharacterized a novel mechanism by which MC80, a protein encoded by MCV, downregulateshost MHC-I surface …

Genomic Analysis Of Diverse Bacterial Pathogens, Robert Potter

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

Bacterial pathogens have been a historical scourge for the entirety of human existence but have been significantly thwarted since the 20th century due to the development of antibiotics. However, owing to the large selection pressure of antibiotics on bacterial populations, phenotypic antibiotic resistance from the development of vertically transmitted mutations and horizontally acquired antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) is increasing. The sum has produced multidrug resistant organisms (MDROs) which have extremely limited treatment options. Epidemiological studies have determined that carbapenem resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE), Acinetobacter baumannii, and vancomycin resistant Enterococcus (VRE) are some of the most problematic MDRO infections. The advent of …

Exploring How Social Networks Contribute To African Immigrants’ Ability To Procure A Sustainable Livelihood In New York City, Richmond Opoku Donyina

Capstone Collection

This research explores the effects of social networks on the ways that African immigrants in New York City secure, and sustain their livelihoods. Through lines of inquiry including social capital, livelihood resources, and economic activities, this research explores possible livelihood outcomes of Africans immigrants in New York City in relation to their social networks. By exploring themes through case studies of immigrants from different countries on the African continent, this research illustrates how becoming embedded in social networks in ones’ geographical jurisdiction widens an individual’s social capital, which in turn contributes to the probability of that individual in securing and …

Combatting Covid-19 In Hungary, Marietta Pókay

Journal of Global Awareness

2020 has witnessed an allegedly unprecedented situation by the outbreak of the new coronavirus pandemic. Some countries are hit more harshly by COVID-19 than others, but we all suffer the medical, economic, and social consequences, although to various extent. Hungary does not perform badly in managing the situation. This article briefly describes how Hungary handles the healthcare and economic issues raised by this pandemic.

Nutrition, Health, & Well-Being, Jamie Baum

Diet, Food, Exercise, and Nutrition (D-FEND)

Brief overview of how nutrition and lifestyle factors influence a person's well-being and how well-being contributes to a person's overall health. Also a brief discussion of recent research regarding well-being, how well-being is measured, and well-being is affected during COVID-19.

August 14, 2020: Covid-19 Campus Update, Kettering University

Communication Updates

The COVID-19 Response Team is currently finalizing the Fall 2020 Playbook for Our Safe Return to Campus. Please stay alert for update emails from the University; they will provide you with vital information and updates for Fall Term.

2020-08-14_Michiganoverview_Covidsymptoms, Michigan Department Of Health & Human Services

Michigan COVID-19 Syndromic Surveillance System Data

The Syndromic Surveillance System Data report was obtained from Michigan's COVID-19 dashboard, from under the link "​Coronavirus Symptoms": https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus. Data was compiled by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). The information was updated daily.

Syndromic Surveillance System data is obtained from approximately 183 facilities participating in syndromic surveillance (132 Emergency Departments (ED), 51 Urgent Cares) across the State of Michigan. The reporting is based on individuals who present at EDs and may not be representative of the overall population. The coronavirus-like symptoms query searches visit free-text (chief complaint, triage notes, and clinical impression) for fever or …

Perceptions Of Therapy Dog Programs Among K-4 Teachers In Northeast Arkansas Public School Districts., Lauren Grace Belt

Student Theses and Dissertations

This quantitative study explored the perceptions of therapy dog programs among K-4 teachers in Northeast Arkansas public school districts. The purpose of this study was to determine perceptions of therapy dog programs among K-4 educators in Northeast Arkansas public school districts. This study also reviewed literature associated with certification, training of handlers, and policy changes to bring to light the preventative measures available to administrators, faculty, and staff to eliminate negative perceptions toward therapy dog programs. The design method chosen for this was a regional survey of K-4 teachers in Northeast Arkansas whose districts were members of Crowley’s Ridge or …

Next Generation Aryl Hydantoins As Antischistosomal Agents, Derek A. Leas

Theses & Dissertations

Schistosomiasis, also known as “snail fever,” is both an acute and chronic disease spread by trematode flukes from the tropical parasitic worm genus Schistosoma. The flukes are spread via diseased freshwater snails, which release the parasites into the water column where they find a new human host. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 99 million people were treated for schistosomiasis in 2017. The primary treatment used to combat schistosomiasis is the drug praziquantel (PZQ), but due to high drug pressure and widespread administration, its effectiveness has eroded because of rising drug resistance. Furthermore, PZQ is active against adult but …

Genomic And Transcriptomic Alterations In Metabolic Regulators And Implications For Anti-Tumoral Immune Response, Ryan J. King

Theses & Dissertations

Metabolic and immune alterations are ubiquitous hallmarks of cancer that are established during the foundational mutations and are further selected upon to generate highly aggressive tumors. Recent evidence suggests that cancer cells employ an altered metabolism to induce immune evasion. To further discover the relationship between metabolism and immunity in cancer, this thesis aimed to discover potential candidates of interest by first examining the mucin family for differences, as they exert a wide range of activities in cancer, including altered metabolism and immune alterations. Unique differences lead to further profiling in pancreatic and esophageal cancer. In pancreatic cancer, CD73 was …

Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection (Cauti) Prevention In Spinal Cord Injury Unit, Golda Nebre

Master's Projects and Capstones

PROBLEM: Hospital-acquired infections (HAI) continuous to be a safety challenge in today’s healthcare systems. Applying a lens to the most common HAIs such as Catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) in a Spinal Cord Unit calls for evidenced-based solutions and process improvement. CAUTIs are not only costly and prolongs the patient’s hospitalization, it’s a preventable harm that significantly affects the quality of life of spinal cord injury patients.

CONTEXT: Spinal Cord Injury Unit (SCIU) in VA Palo Alto is a 19-bed capacity inpatient unit where CAUTI rates have been increasing in the recent years. There is a high risk for CAUTIs …

Safety, Tolerability, And Immunogenicity Of Plasmodium Falciparum Sporozoite Vaccine Administered By Direct Venous Inoculation To Infants And Young Children: Findings From An Age De-Escalation, Dose-Escalation, Double-Blind, Randomized Controlled Study In Western Kenya, Laura C Steinhardt, Ginnie Abarbanell, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: The whole Plasmodium falciparum sporozoite (PfSPZ) vaccine is being evaluated for malaria prevention. The vaccine is administered intravenously for maximal efficacy. Direct venous inoculation (DVI) with PfSPZ vaccine has been safe, tolerable, and feasible in adults, but safety data for children and infants are limited.

METHODS: We conducted an age de-escalation, dose-escalation randomized controlled trial in Siaya County, western Kenya. Children and infants (aged 5-9 years, 13-59 months, and 5-12 months) were enrolled into 13 age-dose cohorts of 12 participants and randomized 2:1 to vaccine or normal saline placebo in escalating doses: 1.35 × 105, 2.7 × 105, 4.5 …

Examining The Intersection Of Environmental Justice, Chronic Disease, And Pandemics; How A Mobile Health App Could Improve Health Outcomes And Inform Policy, Jessica Snow

Master's Projects and Capstones

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the intersection of environmental justice, chronic disease and illness, and pandemics. The inequitable distribution of polluting factories, landfills, and hazardous waste sites have been a long-standing concern in the field of environmental justice. Local zoning codes and land use policies have been tools for segregating people and concentrating pollution in low-income communities and communities of color. Many studies have found that pollution varies among racial and minority groups, and the burden of pollution is not one that is evenly shared. Communities of color and low income communities are disproportionately affected by air …

Is It Safe To Perform Lung Surgery During The Coronavirus Pandemic?, Max Jackson, Thomas Genuit

All Publications

Background: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients are rapidly growing in our community. Patients with compromised lungs and older age are supposedly at high risk of poor outcomes with COVID-19. We aimed to evaluate the COVID-19 impact on lung surgery during this pandemic at our hospital.

Methodology: This is a retrospective study of all lung surgery patients at our hospital in Boca Raton over three months (February to April 2020). All patients who remained for at least one-day inpatient post-lung surgery were assessed to see if they had an increased incidence of coronavirus infection during the hospital stay or at the follow-up …

Understanding Covid-19: From Origin To Potential Therapeutics, Muhammad Moazzam, Muhammad Imran Sajid, Hamza Shahid, Jahanzaib Butt, Irfan Bashir, Muhammad Jamshaid, Amir Nasrolahi Shirazi, Rakesh Kumar Tiwari

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Currently, a global pandemic era of public health concerns is going on with the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). The first case of COVID-19 was reported from Wuhan’s Huanan seafood market in China late December 2019. Bats, pangolins, and snakes have been nominated as salient carriers of the virus. Thanks to its high pathogenicity, it can cause severe respiratory infections. Fever, dry cough, sore throat, pneumonia, septic shock, and ground-glass opacities are the foremost clinical manifestations of COVID-19. Immunocompromised patients are at high risk for COVID-19 infection and may lead to …

Comparison Of Repeated Doses Of Ivermectin Versus Ivermectin Plus Albendazole For The Treatment Of Onchocerciasis: A Randomized, Open-Label, Clinical Trial, Linda Batsa Debrah, Kerstin Fischer, Gary Weil, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Improved treatment for onchocerciasis is needed to accelerate onchocerciasis elimination in Africa. Aiming to better exploit registered drugs, this study was undertaken to determine whether annual or semiannual treatment with ivermectin (IVM; 200 µg/kg) plus albendazole (ALB; 800 mg single dose) is superior to IVM alone.

METHODS: This trial was performed in Ghana and included 272 participants with microfilariae (MF), who were randomly assigned to 4 treatment arms: (1) IVM annually at 0, 12, and 24 months; (2) IVM semiannually at 0, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months; (3) IVM+ALB annually; or (4) IVM+ALB semiannually. Microfiladermia was determined pretreatment …

Gut Microbiota Features Associated With Campylobacter Burden And Postnatal Linear Growth Deficits In A Peruvian Birth Cohort, Saba Rouhani, Nicholas W Griffin, Pablo Peñataro Yori, Maribel Paredes Olortegui, Mery Siguas Salas, Dixner Rengifo Trigoso, Lawrence H Moulton, Eric R Houpt, Michael J Barratt, Margaret N Kosek, Jeffrey I Gordon

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Campylobacter infection is associated with impaired growth of children, even in the absence of symptoms. To examine the underlying mechanisms, we evaluated associations between Campylobacter infection, linear growth, and fecal microbial community features in a prospective birth cohort of 271 children with a high burden of diarrhea and stunting in the Amazonian lowlands of Peru.

METHODS: Campylobacter was identified using a broadly reactive, genus-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. 16S rRNA-based analyses were used to identify bacterial taxa in fecal samples at ages 6, 12, 18, and 24 months (N = 928). Associations between infection, growth, and gut microbial community composition …

Diarrhea As A Potential Cause And Consequence Of Reduced Gut Microbial Diversity Among Undernourished Children In Peru, Saba Rouhani, Nicholas W Griffin, Pablo Peñataro Yori, Jeanette L Gehrig, Maribel Paredes Olortegui, Mery Siguas Salas, Dixner Rengifo Trigoso, Lawrence H Moulton, Eric R Houpt, Michael J Barratt, Margaret N Kosek, Jeffrey I Gordon

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Detrimental effects of diarrhea on child growth and survival are well documented, but details of the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Recent evidence demonstrates that perturbations to normal development of the gut microbiota in early life may contribute to growth faltering and susceptibility to related childhood diseases. We assessed associations between diarrhea, gut microbiota configuration, and childhood growth in the Peruvian Amazon.

METHODS: Growth, diarrhea incidence, illness, pathogen infection, and antibiotic exposure were assessed monthly in a birth cohort of 271 children aged 0-24 months. Gut bacterial diversity and abundances of specific bacterial taxa were quantified by sequencing 16S …

Personal Hand Safety Monitoring System, Anonymous

Defensive Publications Series

Techniques for monitoring user hand health and safety, estimating risks associated with user hand activity, and generation of suitable user alerts based on the estimated risk are described. With user permission, wearable devices such as AR headsets are utilized to determine a state of health of a user’s hands based on user activities and the user’s interactions with their environment. Actions such as hand washing, disinfecting, cleansing, etc. are identified. Machine learning models are utilized to identify the user practices based on observed user behavior. Protective hand wear use is identified, and surfaces, objects, and/or people touched by a user …

2020-08-13_Michiganoverview_Covidsymptoms, Michigan Department Of Health & Human Services

Michigan COVID-19 Syndromic Surveillance System Data

The Syndromic Surveillance System Data report was obtained from Michigan's COVID-19 dashboard, from under the link "​Coronavirus Symptoms": https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus. Data was compiled by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). The information was updated daily.

Syndromic Surveillance System data is obtained from approximately 183 facilities participating in syndromic surveillance (132 Emergency Departments (ED), 51 Urgent Cares) across the State of Michigan. The reporting is based on individuals who present at EDs and may not be representative of the overall population. The coronavirus-like symptoms query searches visit free-text (chief complaint, triage notes, and clinical impression) for fever or …

Analysis Of Risks Transmission And Control In Subway Construction, Qingjun Guo, Hongyu Yan, Bosen Li

Journal of System Simulation

Abstract: The process of the transmission and control of hidden dangers in subway construction is very similar to that of infectious diseases. Based on an engineering example, the characteristics of the complex system in the subway construction site are analyzed, and a simulation method using the propagation dynamics model to describe the interaction and propagation of various elements is proposed. Hazard source and hidden danger data of a section of Qingdao metro line 4 from march to August 2017 are selected as the original state, using by MATLAB R2014a simulation calculation, the densities of different elements are gotten, the process …

2020-August-13-Etsus First Major Covid-19 Research Grant To Explore Diseases Impact On Diabetes, University Marketing And Communication, East Tennessee State University

ETSU News

JOHNSON CITY (Aug. 13, 2020) – East Tennessee State University’s Dr. Zhi Q. Yao was recently awarded a $100,000 grant from the American Diabetes Association (ADA) to explore the impact of diabetes on COVID-19 and the impact of COVID-19 on diabetes and related complications.

The grant is ETSU’s first major funding for COVID-19-specific research.

COVID-19 Research Grant

The ADA states that “recent clinical results have shown that people with diabetes are at higher risk of death from COVID-19 and that COVID-19 drives an increased risk …

Pediatric Sjs-Ten: Where Are We Now?, Michele Ramien, Jennifer Goldman

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis are rare severe blistering skin reactions triggered by medications or infections. Over the last 5 to 10 years, a number of important publications have advanced understanding of these diseases and their response to treatment. Importantly, a subset of patients with disease triggered by infection has been identified as having Mycoplasma pneumoniae-induced rash and mucositis, suggesting a reconsideration of the diagnostic paradigm. We present an update on pediatric Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis in the broader context of cutaneous adverse drug reactions and focus on challenges and recent advances in diagnosis, management, and prevention.

Ronald E. Mcnair Scholars Program Profiles And Abstracts 2020, Mcnair Scholars Program

McNair Symposium

This is the complete event program and provides presentation abstracts and biographies of McNair scholars and their mentors.

We Are...Marshall, August 12, 2020, Office Of Marshall University Communications

We Are ... Marshall: the Newsletter for Marshall University 1999-2023

No abstract provided.

University Of Nebraska Five-Year Strategy, Revised August 12, 2020, Ted Carter, Trev Alberts, Bob Bartee, Anne Bowen, Andrew Burival, Lori Byrne, Brenda Eschenbrenner, Doug Ewald, John Falconer, Laura Grams, Kevin Hanrahan, Ken Hansen, Abi Javier, Stancia Jenkins, Emily Johnson, Chris Kabourek, Mary Lagrange, Peter Longo, Martha Mamo, Richard Moberly, Ashley Mueller, Keith Ozanne, Lance Perez, Juliann Sebastian, Susan Sheridan, Will Thomas, Barb Weitz, Bob Wilhelm

University of Nebraska Board of Regents: Policies, Acts, and Other Materials

The University of Nebraska Five-Year Strategy: Trust, Predictability, and Positive Outcomes for Nebraskans

In February 2020, the newly named president of the University of Nebraska system, Ted Carter, gathered a diverse 28-member team of students, faculty, staff, and administrators to help chart the path forward for Nebraska’s public university. The team’s goal: At a time of great change in higher education, lay out a vision for what the future should look like for the University of Nebraska.

Broad themes quickly emerged, including student access and success, excellence in teaching and research, diversity and inclusion, partnerships, and fiscal effectiveness. Then COVID-19 …

Large Face Shield, Michael Stieven, Dylan Huddleston, Timothy Bragg

Washington University / UMSL Mechanical Engineering Design Project JME 4110

The large face shield is designed to help stop the spread of COVID-19 Coronavirus in occupational environments where close contact is necessary.

Testing The Impact Of A Single Nucleotide Polymorphism In A Plasmodium Berghei Apiap2 Transcription Factor On Experimental Cerebral Malaria In Mice, Munir Akkaya, Abhisheka Bansal, Patrick W Sheehan, Mirna Pena, Clare K Cimperman, Chen Feng Qi, Takele Yazew, Thomas D Otto, Oliver Billker, Louis H Miller, Susan K Pierce

Open Access Publications

Cerebral malaria (CM) is the deadliest form of severe Plasmodium infections. Currently, we have limited understanding of the mechanisms by which Plasmodium parasites induce CM. The mouse model of CM, experimental CM (ECM), induced by infection with the rodent parasite, Plasmodium berghei ANKA (PbANKA) has been extensively used to study the pathophysiology of CM. Recent genomic analyses revealed that the coding regions of PbANKA and the closely related Plasmodium berghei NK65 (PbNK65), that does not cause ECM, differ in only 21 single nucleotide polymorphysims (SNPs). Thus, the SNP-containing genes might contribute to the pathogenesis of ECM. Although the majority of …

2020-08-11_Michiganoverview_Covidsymptoms, Michigan Department Of Health & Human Services

Michigan COVID-19 Syndromic Surveillance System Data

The Syndromic Surveillance System Data report was obtained from Michigan's COVID-19 dashboard, from under the link "​Coronavirus Symptoms": https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus. Data was compiled by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). The information was updated daily.

Syndromic Surveillance System data is obtained from approximately 183 facilities participating in syndromic surveillance (132 Emergency Departments (ED), 51 Urgent Cares) across the State of Michigan. The reporting is based on individuals who present at EDs and may not be representative of the overall population. The coronavirus-like symptoms query searches visit free-text (chief complaint, triage notes, and clinical impression) for fever or …