Digital Commons Network^™

Time-Lapse Imagery Of Peruvian Boobies Sula Variegata Reveals Nest Abandonment Caused By Tick Hyperinfestation, Cristina Burga-Domínguez, Diego D. Gonzales-Delcarpio, Carlos B. Zavalaga

Marine Ornithology

Severe tick infestation in seabird colonies causes discomfort in reproductive adults, offspring mortality, and nest abandonment. This study used time-lapse cameras to examine the relationship between Ornithodoros amblus tick infestation and Peruvian Booby Sula variegata nest abandonment in four locations along the Peruvian coast between August 2016 and November 2018. The percent occurrence of discomfort in nesting birds (preening and standing on the nest) recorded by the cameras was used as an indicator of tick infestation. The tick density inside and outside the abandoned colonies was also evaluated. In five of the six colonies, complete nest abandonment occurred over an …

Activity Of Ampicillin-Sulbactam, Sulbactam-Durlobactam, And Comparators Against Acinetobacter Baumannii-Calcoaceticus Complex Strains Isolated From Respiratory And Bloodstream Sources: Results From Acnbio Study, Ecem Buyukyanbolu, Jill Argotsinger, Eric T. Beck, Robin R. Chamberland, Andrew E. Clark, Anne R. Daniels, Rachael Liesman, Mark Fisher, Philip Gialanella, Jonathan Hand, Amanda T. Harrington, Romney M. Humphries, Holly Huse, Robert Hamilton-Seth, Julia D. Hankins, Wesley D. Kufel, Scott W. Riddell, Jamie Marino, Lars F. Westblade, Brian Mochon, Navaneeth Narayanan, Thomas J. Kirn, Virginia M. Pierce, Raghava Potula, Tsigereda Tekle, Patricia J. Simner, Robert J. Tibbetts, Christine Vu, Lilian M. Abbo, Octavio Martinez, Rebekah E. Dumm, David P. Nicolau, Tomefa E. Asempa, Acinetobacter Baumannii Complex National Biorepository (Acnbio) Study Group

Pharmacy Faculty Scholarship

Infections caused by carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii-calcoaceticus complex (ABC) are associated with high mortality rates and limited treatment options. This study aims to evaluate the in vitro activity of clinically utilized antimicrobials against a contemporary collection of ABC isolates with a predominant carbapenem-resistant phenotype. Geographically dispersed US medical centers (n =22) provided non-duplicate respiratory and bloodstream ABC isolates for surveillance testing. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was conducted by broth microdilution and interpreted according to Clinical & Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) breakpoints. ABC isolates (n = 523) from respiratory tract (74.4%) and blood (25.6%) sources were recovered …

Utility Of The Us Preventive Services Task Force For Preeclampsia Risk Assessment And Aspirin Prophylaxis, Thomas Mcelrath, Arun Jeyabalan, Arkady Khodursky, Alison Moe, Manfred Lee, Maneesh Jain, Laura Goetzl, Elizabeth Sutton, Pamela Simmons, George Saade, Antonio Saad, Luis Pacheco, Esther Park-Hwang, Antonina Frolova, Ebony Carter, Ai-Ris Collier, Daniel Kiefer, Vincenzo Berghella, Rupsa Boelig, Michal Elovitz, Cynthia Gyamfi-Bannerman, Joseph Biggio, Kara Rood, William Grobman, Carrie Haverty, Morten Rasmussen

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Faculty Papers

IMPORTANCE: The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) guidelines on preeclampsia risk assessment and aspirin prophylaxis (AP) have not been evaluated for clinical utility.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate which characteristics in the USPSTF guidelines identify risk status and the association of preeclampsia risk with AP recommendations.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This observational cohort study enrolled from July 2020 to March 2023 with data analysis performed from October to December 2024. Enrollment occurred at 11 centers throughout the US or via direct-to-participant recruitment. Pregnant participants aged 18 years or older with a singleton pregnancy less than 22 weeks' gestation were selected via …

Tailoring Hiv/Aids Communication To The Cultural Contexts Of The Borana Pastoral Community In Ethiopia, Dano Olana, Sabihah Moola

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

The HIV/AIDS health communication approach in sub-Saharan Africa has often overlooked sociocultural specificities. The current approach follows a generalist notion that does not consider the specific contextual domains accordingly. Similarly, the cultural appropriateness of HIV/AIDS health communication among the Borana pastoral community in Ethiopia is not clear. In this study, we aimed to explore whether HIV/AIDS communication among the Borana pastoral community was tailored to the cultural contexts of the community. A qualitative case study was used to unpack the cultural communication contexts for HIV/AIDS. We collected data using three methods, namely, in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and document analysis …

Diverse Diagnostic And Management Approaches For Acute Rheumatic Fever In Australia And New Zealand: Findings Of A Prospective Clinical Study, Ruwani Peiris, Rachel Webb, Julie Bennett, Jennifer Yan, Joshua Reginald Francis, Bo Remenyi, Florina Chan Mow, Rachel Burgess, Nigel J. Wilson, Alicia Stanley, Laura Francis, Rhonda Holloway, Roxanne Westbury, Shirley Lawrence, Yolanda Hernandez-Gomez, David Broadhurst, Nicole J. Moreland, Reuben Mcgregor, Caroline Motteram, Glenn Pearson, Mark Mayo, Anna P. Ralph, Jonathan R. Carapetis

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Objectives To describe diagnostic and management characteristics of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) among participants in the € Searching for a Technology-Driven Acute Rheumatic Fever Test' study, in order to answer clinical questions and determine epidemiological and practice differences in different settings. Design Multisite, prospective cohort study. Setting One hospital in northern Australia and two hospitals in New Zealand, 2018-2021. Participants 143 episodes of definite, probable or possible ARF among 141 participants (median age 10 years, range 5-23; 98% Indigenous). Primary and secondary outcome measures Participant characteristics, clinical, biochemical and echocardiographic data were explored using descriptive data. Associations with length of …

Ldt Fda Ruling: A Conundrum For Laboratories Across The Usa, Charma Henry

MSMLS Capstone Projects

Abstract

In the article “The Future of Laboratory Medicine Understanding the New Pressures," author Mauro Panteghini expresses that the clinical laboratory has always undergone significant changes due to technological advances and external economic pressures. “Laboratories are indeed an easy target for economic restrictions and limitations due to their technological characteristics.” (Panteghini, 2004, pg. 205) Though these words were written over 20 years ago, no more valid words have been spoken in light of the newest pressure all laboratories face with the new LDT regulation set by the FDA.

This regulation places drastic economic pressure on laboratories to pay the FDA …

Childhood Skeletal Lesions Common In Prehistory Are Present In Living Forager-Farmers And Predict Adult Markers Of Immune Function, Amy S. Anderson, Aaron Blackwell, M. Linda Sutherland, Thomas Kraft, James Sutherland, Bret Beheim, Daniel K. Cummings, Suhail Ghafoor, Paul L. Hooper, Daniel Eid Rodriguez, Andrei Irimia, Margaret Gatz, Wendy Mack, Chris Rowan, Michael Miyamoto, Kenneth Buetow, Caleb Finch, L. Samuel Wann, Adel Allam, Randall C. Thompson, Gregory Thomas, Hillard Kaplan, Jonathan Stieglitz, Benjamin Trumble, Michael D. Gurven

ESI Publications

Porous cranial lesions (cribra cranii and cribra orbitalia) are widely used by archaeologists as skeletal markers of poor child health. However, their use has not been validated with systematic data from contemporary populations, where there has been little evidence of these lesions or their health relevance. Using 375 in vivo computed tomography scans from a cohort-representative sample of adults aged 40+ years from the Bolivian Amazon, among food-limited, high-mortality forager-farmers, we identified cribra cranii on 46 (12.3%) and cribra orbitalia on 23 (6%). Cribra orbitalia was associated with several hallmarks of compromised immune function, including fewer B cells, fewer naïve …

Global Scale Assessment Of The Human-Induced Extinction Crisis Of Terrestrial Carnivores., Erik Joaquín Torres-Romero, Timothy M. Eppley, William J. Ripple, Thomas M. Newsome, Miha Krofel, Neil H. Carter, Andrés Ordiz, Tadeu G. De Oliveira, Nuria Selva, Vincenzo Penteriani

Anthropology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Human impacts on carnivores are a persistent conservation challenge worldwide. We present a global analysis showing the overlap of conservation lands and the cumulative impact of humans on the distribution ranges of 257 terrestrial carnivore species. Our findings reveal that 64% of carnivore ranges overlap with areas characterized by high human pressures. We found that Indigenous peoples' lands emerge as crucial for carnivore population viability, potentially safeguarding 26% of carnivore ranges globally, while protected and wilderness areas cover roughly 10 and 16% of carnivore ranges, respectively. These three areas combined cover 35% of the global range of carnivores. Reducing human …

The People's Rivers: Early Environmental Regulation And The Oregon State Sanitary Authority, Avery Morgan Fischer

Dissertations and Theses

The environmental movement in Oregon can trace its origins to the turn of the twentieth century, where citizen activism and initiative led to the creation of an early environmental regulatory agency, the Oregon State Sanitary Authority. This creation established that the State of Oregon had a duty to preserve, not just the navigability or usability of rivers and waterways, but the quality and purity of its water. The Oregon State Sanitary Authority played an active role in maintaining and protecting the environment as a mandate of the people, and throughout its thirty-year existence battling industrial polluters, reluctant municipalities, and disinterested …

Elimination Of Hiv Reservoirs Harboring Intact Proviruses, Min Li, Khanghy Truong, Suman Sharma, Baichao Sun, Min Chen, Jason T Kimata, Jin Wang

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) establishes persistent infection by integrating its proviral DNA into the host genome. While most integrated proviruses are defective, a small portion of proviruses are intact that represent a major obstacle to achieving an HIV cure. We have designed an approach for selective elimination of host cells harboring replication-competent HIV (SECH), through inhibition of autophagy and anti-apoptotic molecules during viral reactivation. However, the effects of SECH on the dynamics of intact and defective HIV provirus remain unclear.

Methods: We isolated DNA from HIV-infected samples after SECH treatments. We analyzed HIV-1 proviruses in these samples by intact …

Absence Of Coronavirus In Terns In The Western Indian Ocean?, Camille Lebarbenchon, Chris Feare, Christine Larose, Marie-Alice Simbi, Solenn Boucher, Audrey Jaeger, Matthieu Le Corre

Marine Ornithology

We investigated coronavirus circulation in three tern species on four islands of the Western Indian Ocean (Bird, Reunion, Europa, Juan de Nova). None of the 2019 samples tested positive by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. We discuss the implications of these findings in terms of host-species range, ecological drivers of virus transmission, and diagnostic tools.

Nanoporous Gold Nanoparticles And Model Membrane Systems Applied To The Study Of Lipopolysaccharide (Lps), Dhanbir Lingden

Dissertations

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a key structural component of Gram-negative bacteria, is a major trigger of sepsis and septic shock, the systemic inflammatory conditions responsible for millions of deaths annually. Even at concentrations as low as 1 ng/mL, LPS can activate the immune system and initiate inflammatory cascades. According to the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017, sepsis accounted for 48.9 million cases globally, with 11 million deaths, emphasizing the urgent need for improved diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

Accurate and rapid detection of LPS is vital for early intervention and improved clinical outcomes. While traditional detection methods are still widely used, modern …

Effects Of Extraction Methods On The Composition And Immunological Activities Of Yeast Mannoproteins, Haibo Zhang, Yongjun Xia, Guangqiang Wang, Ning Peng, Zhixian Chen, Lianzhong Ai

Journal of Food Science and Biotechnology

[Objective ] The extraction efficiency of different methods and the effects of these methods on the composition of mannoproteins extracted from yeast cell walls were compared.Furthermore,the anti-inflammatory activities of the extracted mannoprotein were evaluated.[Method ] Three yeast mannoproteins (MP-W,MP-B,and MP-E ) were extracted via high-temperature water,alkali,and enzyme-assisted extraction methods and purified via ethanol precipitation.The identification of monosaccharide composition and amino acid composition,distribution of relative molecular mass,and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were employed to analyze the composition and chemical structures of yeast mannoproteins.A cell experiment was carried out to examine the anti-inflammatory activity.[Result ] The yields of yeast mannoproteins extracted by …

Transforming Health Care Through Research: Highlights From The 2025 Annual Conference Of The Health Care Systems Research Network, Michael A. Horberg, Suzanne Simons

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

During this unprecedented time of uncertainty and disruption, the 2025 Annual Conference of the Health Care Systems Research Network (HCSRN) took place on April 8 to 10, 2025, in St. Louis, Missouri, at the Marriott St. Louis Grand. Nearly 265 participants from 19 HCSRN member institutions came together to network, collaborate, and connect at the conference, which featured the theme, “Optimizing Collaborations to Advance Health in a Dynamic Research Landscape.”

Abstracts From The 2025 Health Care Systems Research Network (Hcsrn) Annual Conference, St. Louis, Missouri, Health Care Systems Research Network

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

The Health Care Systems Research Network (HCSRN) comprises 19 learning health systems with integrated care delivery and embedded research units. The network’s annual conference serves as a forum for research teams from member institutions to disseminate project findings, explore scientific collaborations, and share insights about population-based research practices that can measurably improve health and health care for all. The theme of this year’s conference was “Optimizing Collaborations to Advance Health in a Dynamic Research Landscape.” Abstracts presented at HCSRN 2025 are published in this issue supplement of the Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews, the journal of record for …

Correction: Bid-Induced Release Of Aif/Endog From Mitochondria Causes Apoptosis Of Macrophages During Infection With Leptospira Interrogans (Frontiers In Cellular And Infection Microbiology, (2017), 7, (471), 10.3389/Fcimb.2017.00471), Wei-Lin Hu, Hai-Yan Dong, Yang Li, David M. Ojcius, Shi-Jun Li, Jie Yan

Pacific Faculty Work

In the published article, there was an error in Figure 1E as published. The representative flow dot plots were misplaced. The corrected Figure 1 appears below. Apoptosis, pathological changes, and MMP decrease in leptospire-infected macrophages. (A) Apoptosis of macrophages infected with L. interrogans strain Lai at the optimal apoptosis-causing time for different MOIs. J774A.1 and THP-1 cells were infected with leptospires at 4 h. Bars show the mean ± SD of three independent experiments. Five thousand cells were analyzed in each specimen. *p < 0.05 vs. apoptotic ratios in leptospire-infected macrophages with an MOI of 10, 50, 100, or 500. (B) Apoptosis of macrophages infected with L. interrogans strain Lai at the optimal apoptosis-causing MOI for different times. J774A.1 and THP-1 cells were infected at an MOI of 100. Bars show the mean ± SD of three independent experiments. Five thousand cells were analyzed in each specimen. *p < 0.05 vs. apoptotic ratios in each macrophage type before infection. (C) The representative pathological changes in the nucleus and mitochondria in macrophages infected with L. interrogans strain Lai (MOI 100) for 4 h. a: healthly cells showed normal cellular morphology, b: chromatin margination in leptospire-infected macrophages crescent, c: mitochondrial shape in healthly macrophages, d: disappearance of mitochondrial cristae in leptospire-infected macrophages. (D) The representative MMP changes in macrophages during infection with L. interrogans strain Lai for the indicated times determined by fluorescence microscopy. The red cells have a high MMP while the green cells have a low MMP. (E) The representative MMP changes in macrophages during infection with L. interrogans strain Lai for the indicated times determined by flow cytometry. The FL2 channel indicates high MMP (red) while the FL1 channel shows low MMP (green). (F) Statistical summary of MMP changes by flow cytometry in leptospire-infected macrophages. Statistical data from experiments such as shown in (E). Bars show the mean ± SD of three independent experiments. The values at “0” h show the MMP values before infection. Five thousand cells were analyzed in each specimen. *p < 0.05 vs. MMP value of the macrophages before infection. (G) CSA blockage of the apoptosis in macrophages infected with L. interrogans strain Lai. Bars show the mean ± SD of three independent experiments. Five thousand cells were analyzed in each specimen. *p < 0.05 vs. apoptotic ratios in each macrophage type unpretreated with CSA infected with the spirochetes. The authors apologize for this error and state that this does not change the scientific conclusions of the article in any way. The original article has been updated.

Patient Information Needs During Ambulatory Medication Changes: A Qualitative Study, Elaine Giletta, Vanessa B. Hurley, Yushi Yang, Jessica L. Schwartz, Rabia Jalalzai, Nicole L. Mollenkopf, Raquel Mayne, Samantha I. Pitts

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Purpose: We performed interviews with patients and caregivers to explore whole-person, whole-regimen information needs at times of routine outpatient medication changes. We categorized information needs in this relatively unstudied context and identified which needs were commonly recognized as insufficiently met.

Methods: We explored the content of the semi-structured interviews, which involved nine patients and two caregivers of pediatric patients, all of whom experienced a recent medication change in the outpatient setting of a large urban academic healthcare system. We used inductive thematic analysis to organize information needs into categories to identify key information gaps.

Results: We identified five categories of …

Effect Of Vitamin  C As An Iron-Supporting Supplement In Adolescents With Suspected Iron Deficiency Anemia: Is It Effective For Increasing Hemoglobin Levels?, Ryan Pramana Putra, Nany Hairunisa, Refia Putri Restiana, Husnun Amalia, Emad Yousif

Iraqi National Journal of Medicine

Background: Anemia is a global health problem that affects adolescents, adults, and children in both developed and developing countries. Anemia in adolescent girls (10–19 years of age) is defined as a hemoglobin level in the blood of <12 g/dL. In Indonesia, the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia in adolescent girls reaches 48.9%. Iron supplementation can be enhanced with vitamin C as a companion supplement. Vitamin C increases iron absorption in the body by reducing Fe3+ to Fe2+, which requires an acidic environment for optimal dissolution and absorption. Aim: This study aims to assess the comparative effectiveness of iron supplementation with or without vitamin C in increasing hemoglobin levels. Methodology: An experimental design with consecutive sampling was conducted in September 2023 at Junior High School 1 Prambon, Nganjuk, East Java. The total sample consisted of 52 girls aged 12–13 years with anemia. The first group received iron and vitamin C, while the second group received iron only. Hemoglobin levels were  by the fingerstick method. Results: There were 32 samples (53.33%) aged 13 years. The average change in hemoglobin levels before and after intervention in group 1 was 2.238 g/dL with < 0.05, while in group 2 it was 0.661 g/dL with <0.05. The average difference in changes in hemoglobin levels between groups 1 and 2 after intervention was 1.303 g/dL with <0.05. Conclusion: Iron supplementation with vitamin C results in more significant increases in hemoglobin levels.

Mothers’ Plan To Protect Their Children From Covid-19 And Other Viral Illnesses, Miami Kadhum Yossif, Rehab Abdulwehab Jaafer

Iraqi National Journal of Medicine

Background: Mothers play a critical role in safeguarding the health and well-being of their children—a vulnerable population—particularly during outbreaks of infectious diseases. Aim: This study investigated the strategies employed by mothers to protect their children from COVID-19 and other viral illnesses. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the outpatient pediatric clinics of Basra Maternity and Children Hospital and Almawani Teaching Hospital, 118 mothers were enrolled from diverse backgrounds. Data was collected through structured interviews and a standardized questionnaire designed to assess maternal practices, attitudes, and experiences concerning the protection of their children. The key areas explored included hygiene practices, …

Self-Reported Post-Covid-19 Vaccine Signs, Symptoms Among Vaccinated Medical Staff: Types, Severity, And Associated Factors, Ali Khalid Saeed, Yousif Abdul Raheem

Iraqi National Journal of Medicine

Background: Vaccines against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection vary in mechanisms, side effects, and effectiveness. Health care professionals have shown high vaccine coverage rates. Aim: This study aims to assess the prevalence of self-reported clinical signs and symptoms of COVID-19 infection among health care professionals in Iraq and determine the type and severity of COVID-19 vaccine-related symptoms. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from January 1st to July 1st, 2023, using an online questionnaire disseminated through social media platforms. Results: Among 770 participants, common symptoms included body aches (36.9%), malaise (34%), headache (22%), and fever (20%), with chest …

A Comparative Analysis Of Multidrug-Resistant Escherichia Coli In Urinary Tract Infections Among Males And Females (2022–2023), Hussein Abd Ali Mohammed Sadeq Al Her, Ekhlas Abdulameer Hameed Alazzawi, Yehia Ali Hadi Al-Qhadi

Iraqi National Journal of Medicine

Background: Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) is a primary cause of urinary tract infections (UTIs) globally. The increasing antibiotic resistance of UPEC strains poses a significant challenge for treatment in countries like Iraq. Aim: The study aims to evaluate antimicrobial resistance patterns of Escherichia coli (E. coli) among UTI patients, considering age and sex, and to compare these findings with data from other geographical locations. Methods: Our study investigated antibiotic resistance patterns among E. coli strains responsible for UTIs in patients at Karbala Teaching Hospital for Children, Iraq. We specifically examined age and sex differences. Data on 144 E. coli isolates …

Cancer Vaccination And Immune-Based Approaches In Pancreatic Cancer, Matthew D. Bloom, Ali Raza Shaikh, Zhengyang Sun, Babar Bashir, Adam E. Snook

Department of Medical Oncology Faculty Papers

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive malignancy with high recurrence rates even after curative resection and adjuvant chemotherapy. Although immunotherapeutic approaches, such as immune checkpoint blockade (ICB), have revolutionized the treatment of some solid tumor malignancies, this has not been the case for PDAC. Several characteristics of PDAC, including its distinctive desmoplastic tumor microenvironment (TME), intratumor heterogeneity, and poor antigenicity and immune cell infiltration, contribute to its dismal immunotherapeutic landscape. Cancer vaccines offer one approach to overcoming these barriers, particularly in the resectable or borderline resectable settings, where tumor burden is low and immunosuppression is less pronounced. Various vaccination …

Effects Of Staphylococcal Superantigen-Like Protein 11 (Ssl11) On The Host Immune Response During Lung Infection, Sajani Ghaju

LSU Master's Theses

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is an opportunistic pathogen that produces numerous immune evasion molecules that target various components of the host immune defense to cause infection. One of these is a family of virulence factors, Staphylococcal superantigen-like proteins (SSLs) with 14 members that exhibit host immune-evasion functions. SSL11 has been reported to inhibit neutrophil migration, preventing its recruitment to sites of infection. However, its role in vivo and effect on neutrophil phagocytosis have not been known. This thesis focuses on studying the effect of recombinant SSL11 protein in an in vivo S. aureus-induced pneumonia model and in vitro …

The Effectiveness Of Botulinum Toxin Injections To The Extremities In The Pediatric Population With Severe Cerebral Palsy: A Systematic Review, Debra A. Sala, Eduardo Del Rosario

Journal of Pediatric Neurology

The purpose of this review was to examine the effectiveness of botulinum toxin injections to the upper and lower extremities reported in studies of pediatric participants with severe cerebral palsy on improving ease of care, pain and motor function. PubMed, CINAHL, and Web of Science were searched using combinations of cerebral palsy and various types and abbreviations of botulinum toxin. Additionally, reference lists and citations of reviewed studies were searched. The results of 25 studies were reviewed: three randomized controlled trials (RCT), and 22 non-randomized studies of interventions involving only a botulinum toxin-treated group. Seven studies focused solely on the …

Vitamin K And Women's Health: A Review, Sharifa Alblooshi

All Works

Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin essential in various physiological functions such as blood coagulation, bone metabolism, cardiovascular health, glucose regulation, immune function, neuroprotection, and vascular health. In this narrative review, studies from databases including PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and the institutional database of Zayed University were selected. The role of vitamin K in women's health, with a focus on osteoporosis, postmenopausal health, cardiovascular health, diabetes, cancer, kidney health, brain health, vascular health, and pregnancy were explored. The role of vitamin K in activating vitamin K-dependent proteins is essential for many of its functions. Vitamin K-dependent proteins such as osteocalcin …

Molecular Epidemiology And Clinical Characterization Of Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacter Species From An International Cohort, Jianping Jiang, Lauren Komarow, Carol Hill, Angelique E Boutzoukas, Blake Hanson, Cesar A Arias, Robert A Bonomo, Scott Evans, Yohei Doi, Michael J Satlin, Gregory Weston, Eric Cober, Sandra Liliana Valderrama-Beltran, Soraya Salcedo Mendoza, Zhengyin Liu, Bettina C Fries, Paul Ananth Tambyah, Henry F Chambers, Vance G Fowler, David Van Duin, Barry N Kreiswirth, Liang Chen

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Despite the global public health threat posed by carbapenem-resistant Enterobacter spp, clinical and molecular epidemiological studies on international isolates remain scarce. Historically, the taxonomy of Enterobacter has been challenging, limiting our understanding of the clinical characteristics and outcomes of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacter spp infections.

Methods: Hospitalized patients enrolled in the CRACKLE-2 study (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03646227) from 2016 to 2018 with cultures positive for carbapenemase-producing Enterobacter spp were included. Clinical and microbiologic data were collected from health records. Whole genome sequencing was performed, and the population structures of selected predominant clones were analyzed.

Results: We enrolled 136 hospitalized patients with carbapenemase-producing …

Hepatitis Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery: A Single-Center Retrospective Study, Jin-Long Ju, Yun-Tai Yao, Jun Li, Zhi Cheng, Ling-Ling Fan, Yu-Long Zhong

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

This study aimed to investigate whether there is difference among various clinical variables, especially blood loss and total drainage volume, among patients with different types of hepatitis undergoing cardiac surgery. A retrospective study was performed on 150 hepatitis patients (127 hepatitis B and 23 hepatitis C) who underwent cardiac surgery at a single cardiovascular center in 2020. Data on their preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative variables were collected and statistically analyzed to assess the inter-group differences in the following variables: intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage volume, proportion of patients treated with blood transfusion, proportion of patients treated with vasoactive drugs, and …

Antibiotic Use In Rural Kenyan Livestock: Navigating Misuse, Experience Gaps And Amr Risks, Lucy Obolensky, Esbon Wambugu, Edna Kubai, Iain Doig, Miriam Beattie, Michael Dillon

Peninsula Medical School

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an escalating global health threat, with the greatest risk observed in low- to middle-income countries, particularly in the global south. The World Health Organization advocates for a One Health approach to address AMR, promoting collaboration across sectors, including in agriculture. This study aims to enhance understanding of antimicrobial use and stewardship in livestock within pastoralist communities in northern Kenya, where there is limited information. The study employed a qualitative approach, using semi-structured interviews to gather data on farming practices and antibiotic use. Interviews were conducted by trained volunteers proficient in Swahili and Ma (a Maasai language), …

Impact Of Sanitation System Types On Residential And Environmental Presence Of Human Waste And Parasites In Alabama, Brandon Hunter, Catherine Coleman Flowers, Rojelio Mejia, Marc Arnold Deshusses

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Lowndes County is a predominantly Black rural county in Alabama, in the United States, which has a historical and current legacy of racial discrimination, creating inequitable infrastructure access and adverse health impacts. Over 80% rely on on-site sanitation infrastructure and most are failing. A community assessment of exposure to untreated sewage was conducted using samples from residential drinking water, surface swabs, and soil combined with environmental water and soil samples using culture-based and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) methods. Testing varied slightly across samples, due to difficulty of access or availability. Of 43 households, 68% and 55% of houses had …

Rapid High-Sensitivity Detection Of Antibodies To Trypanosoma Cruzi With A Recombinant Tc24 Antigen-Based Magneto-Immunoassay: A Pilot Study, Kavya L Singampalli, Bin Zhan, Rojelio Mejia, Peter B Lillehoj

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

The diagnosis of chronic Chagas disease is challenging due to the wide genetic diversity of Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease, and low levels of parasitemia, resulting in low sensitivity and accuracy with existing diagnostics. We report a magneto-immunoassay that employs dually labeled magnetic beads incorporating a recombinant Tc24 antigen, which is homologous across multiple discrete typing units of T cruzi. In this pilot study, 102 serum samples from 7 endemic countries were tested by this magneto-immunoassay, revealing its ability to distinguish Chagas-positive from Chagas-negative cases more accurately and faster than a standard Tc24-based immunoassay.