Digital Commons Network^™

Health Risk Factors Of Female African American Informal Caregivers For Alzheimer’S Disease Patients In Low-Income Communities, Rosaline Elaine Elliott

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

By 2050, 152 million people worldwide, primarily low-income populations, will have Alzheimer's disease (AD). African American (AA) women informal caregivers are primary caregivers in low-income neighborhoods, and they suffer from burnout and poor health, including physical and mental fatigue, despair, anxiety, hypertension, and stressors that can lead to heart attacks, strokes, or premature mortality. The Informal Caregiver Integrative Model (ICIM) theoretical framework was used to survey 120 participants using SurveyMonkey was administered to collect data for this cross-sectional quantitative study. The multiple hierarchical regression analyses revealed caregiving appraisal had no significant impact on burnout. A higher quality of the caregiver-care …

Using An Anti-Racist Research Framework To Design Studies Of Oral Human Papillomavirus And Oropharyngeal Cancer In San Francisco: Rationale And Protocol For The Health Equity And Oral Health In People Living With Hiv (Heohp) Qualitative Study, Alessandro Villa

All Publications

Introduction: The goal of our research programme is to develop culturally appropriate patient-specific interventions for primary and secondary prevention of human papillomavirus (HPV)-related oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) among people living with HIV (PLWH); PLWH are at a higher risk for OPC than the general population and, as with many cancers, there are disparities in OPC health outcomes by race and ethnicity. Our study incorporates an anti-racist research framework that proposes considering racism as a foundational sociocultural system that causes ill health. We expand the framework to include biases due to gender, sexual orientation, HIV status and membership in other non-dominant groups. …

Mental Health During The Covid-19 Pandemic In Trinidad: An Analysis Of Depression, Anxiety, And Stress Among Essential Workers, Bernadette Marson, Gerard A. Hutchinson

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

Research shows that some essential workers, such as healthcare workers, social workers, and first responders (including police officers, paramedics, and firefighters), are at greater risk for developing both short- and long-term mental health problems (Berger et al., 2012; Canady, 2022; Grey et al., 2020; Haugen et al., 2012; Mohamed et al., 2022; Petrie et al., 2018). The most prevalent of these include anxiety, depression, and stress, as well as other social and cognitive problems—with stress causing harmful effects on mental health and potentially resulting in anxiety and depression, which may then disrupt an individual’s social relationships, family life, and work. …

Immunity And Protective Efficacy Of A Plant-Based Tobacco Mosaic Virus-Like Nanoparticle Vaccine Against Influenza A Virus In Mice, Adthakorn Madapong, Erika M. Petro-Turnquist, Richard J. Webby, Allison A. Mccormick, Eric A. Weaver

School of Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

Background: The rapid production of influenza vaccines is crucial to meet increasing pandemic response demands. Here, we developed plant-made vaccines comprising centralized consensus influenza hemagglutinin (HA-con) proteins (H1 and H3 subtypes) conjugated to a modified plant virus, tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) nanoparticle (TMV-HA-con). Methods: We compared immune responses and protective efficacy against historical H1 or H3 influenza A virus infections among TMV-HA-con, HA-con protein combined with AddaVax™ adjuvant, and whole-inactivated virus vaccine (Fluzone®). Results: Immunogenicity studies demonstrated robust IgG, IgM, and IgA responses in the TMV-HA-con and HA-con protein vaccinated groups, with relatively low induction of interferon (IFN)-γ⁺ T-cell …

A Review Of Studies On Hiv Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis In Community Pharmacies In States With Restrictive Pharmacist Prescription Authority In The United States, Hongmei Wang, Dominique Guinn, Xavier Roshitha Ramisetty, Thomas P Giordano, Ivy O Poon

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Community pharmacies have unparalleled potential to increase access to pre-exposure prophylaxis medications (PrEP) for HIV prevention; however, only 17 out of 50 states in the United States have statewide authority for pharmacists to provide PrEP at community pharmacies. Few studies have reported on how pharmacists overcome the legislative barrier and provide PrEP services in restrictive pharmacy prescription states. The objective of this article is to identify the existing primary literature describing pharmacist PrEP services in the community in states with restrictive prescription authority. Methods: A systemic literature review was conducted to identify the primary literature that involved community pharmacy service …

Conformational Ensembles In Klebsiella Pneumoniae Fimh Impact Uropathogenesis, Edward D B Lopatto, Jerome S Pinkner, Denise A Sanick, Robert F Potter, Lily X Liu, Jesús Bazán Villicaña, Kevin O Tamadonfar, Yijun Ye, Maxwell I Zimmerman, Nathaniel C Gualberto, Karen W Dodson, James W Janetka, David A Hunstad, Scott J Hultgren

2020-Current year OA Pubs

No abstract provided.

Secular Trends In Underweight, Overweight, And Physical Fitness Of Girls And Boys Aged 16–18 In Eastern Poland From 2006 To 2016–2021, Agnieszka Wasiluk, Jerzy Saczuk

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Introduction: Significant changes in the nutrition and physical fitness of children and adolescents have been observed in many countries around the world. The purpose of this study is to determine the changes in the prevalence of underweight, normal BMI, and overweight, as well as in the physical fitness of girls and boys from eastern Poland. Materials and methods: The study was conducted over the years 2006–2021. BMI was calculated, and physical fitness was assessed using the EUROFIT test. The results were statistically analyzed. Results: Minor changes in underweight were observed, and even a re-duction in its prevalence among girls was …

Bethel Winnsboro Church Council Minutes 2019-2023, Bethel United Methodist Church, Winnsboro

Methodist Local Church Records

No abstract provided.

Impact Of Body Mass Index And Vo2 Max On Symptoms, Physical Activity, And Physical Function In A Multinational Sample Of People With Hiv, Christine Horvat Davey, Deepesh Duwadi

Faculty Scholarship

People with HIV (PWH) are at increased risk for metabolic disorders affecting body mass index (BMI), chronic symptoms, and impaired physical function and capacity. Although physical activity improves health and well-being, PWH often do not meet activity recommendations necessary to achieve these benefits. Despite the known impact of symptoms, physical activity, and physical function on health, little is known about the relationships and interactions between these variables and BMI and maximum oxygen consumption during exercise (VO2 max) in a multinational population of PWH. We examined the relationship of BMI with PROMIS-29 measures, physical activity, strength, flexibility, and VO2 max in …

Mta-Cooperative Prmt5 Inhibitors Enhance T Cell-Mediated Antitumor Activity In Mtap-Loss Tumors, Si Chen, Jiakai Hou, Roshni Jaffery, Ashley Guerrero, Rongjie Fu, Leilei Shi, Ningbo Zheng, Ritu Bohat, Nicholas A Egan, Chengtai Yu, Sana Sharif, Yue Lu, Wei He, Shuyue Wang, Donjeta Gjuka, Everett M Stone, Pooja Anil Shah, Jordi Rodon Ahnert, Taiping Chen, Xinli Liu, Mark T Bedford, Han Xu, Weiyi Peng

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: Hyperactivated protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs) are implicated in human cancers. Inhibiting tumor intrinsic PRMT5 was reported to potentiate antitumor immune responses, highlighting the possibility of combining PRMT5 inhibitors (PRMT5i) with cancer immunotherapy. However, global suppression of PRMT5 activity impairs the effector functions of immune cells. Here, we sought to identify strategies to specifically inhibit PRMT5 activity in tumor tissues and develop effective PRMT5i-based immuno-oncology (IO) combinations for cancer treatment, particularly for methylthioadenosine phosphorylase (MTAP)-loss cancer.

METHODS: Isogeneic tumor lines with and without MTAP loss were generated by CRISPR/Cas9 knockout. The effects of two PRMT5 inhibitors (GSK3326595 and MRTX1719) were …

Contaminant Exposure And Liver And Kidney Lesions In North American River Otters In The Indian River Lagoon, Florida, Ami Krasner, Megan Stolen, David Rotstein, Spencer Fire

Ocean Engineering and Marine Sciences Student Publications

The harmful algal bloom (HAB) liver toxin microcystin (MC) and trace element biomagnification were previously detected in organisms in the Indian River Lagoon (IRL), Florida. Since there are no routine screening programs for these contaminants, liver tissue from North American river otters (Lontra canadensis), an important sentinel species in the IRL, was screened for MC via enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA), followed by confirmatory analyses via liquid-chromatography/mass spectrometry methods (LC-MS/MS). Liver and kidney samples were evaluated for trace element (As, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Mo, Pb, Se, Tl, and Zn) bioaccumulation via inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Histopathologic evaluation …

Reviews, Mississippi Kite

Mississippi Kite

No abstract provided.

Medical School Watercooler Newsletter - September 20, 2024, Lindsay Hughes

Watercooler Newsletter

This is the Friday, September 20, 2024 edition of the Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine's newsletter -- Watercooler. 

• Sign up for spring 2025 cohort of Academic Medicine Coach Training Program
• Now online: Read the new issue of USA Health magazine
• Custodio recognized at American Academy of Pediatricians Alabama Chapter meeting
• Surgeon with interest in weight-loss procedures joins faculty
• USA receives $5 million gift for Whiddon College of Medicine building

O U T Of Stigma: An Evaluation Of A Harm Reduction Program In Connecticut, Rossy Fuentes Md, Mph

Integrative Learning Experience (ILE) Theses

The alarming rise in opioid use and misuse despite several efforts to control it, has resulted in a significant public health crisis around the world. Besides increasing the number of opioid-related deaths, it increases homelessness, joblessness, scholar absenteeism, and family disruption.

This study evaluated the Harm Reduction program's reach, implementation, and development. The main goal of this evaluation was to identify strengths, barriers, and areas where the program could improve and provide recommendations for allocating resources under new grant funding.

Uncovering The Complexity Of Perinatal Polysubstance Use Disclosure Patterns On X: Mixed Methods Study, Dezhi Wu, Hannah Shead, Yang Ren, Phyllis Raynor Phd, Aprn, Pmhnp-Bc, Youyou Tao, Harvey Villanueva, Peiyin Hung, Xiaoming Li, Robert G. Brookshire, Kacey Eichelberger, Constance Guille, Alain H. Litwin, Bankole Olatosi Ph.D.

Publications

BACKGROUND: According to the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, polysubstance use among pregnant women is prevalent, with 38.2% of those who consume alcohol also engaging in the use of one or more additional substances. However, the underlying mechanisms, contexts, and experiences of polysubstance use are unclear. Organic information is abundant on social media such as X (formerly Twitter). Traditional quantitative and qualitative methods, as well as natural language processing techniques, can be jointly used to derive insights into public opinions, sentiments, and clinical and public health policy implications. OBJECTIVE: Based on perinatal polysubstance use (PPU) data that we extracted on …

Fatal Disseminated Toxoplasmosis In Captive Red Kangaroo (Macropus Rufus) And Parma Wallaby (Macropus Parma): Pathological And Immunohistochemical Investigations, Sawang Kesdangsakonwut

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

Abstract

Toxoplasmosis is a protozoan zoonosis caused by Toxoplasma gondii. Marsupials are considered a susceptible intermediate host. T. gondii is mainly transmitted to intermediate hosts via the fecal-oral route. A captive red kangaroo was diagnosed with disseminated toxoplasmosis based on clinicopathological and immunohistochemical (IHC) investigations. Two years later, a five-year-old Parma wallaby was kept in the same area as the red kangaroo and showed clinical signs of depression, withdrawal from the troop, and weakness. The wallaby died within two days after showing the clinical signs. Pathological findings in this wallaby were compatible with disseminated toxoplasmosis. Tachyzoites and tissue cysts …

Determinants Of Quality Antenatal Care Use In Kenya: Insights From The 2022 Kenya Demographic And Health Survey, John Baptist Asiimwe, Angella Namulem, Quraish Sserwanja, Joseph Kawuki, Mathius Amperiize, Earnest Amwiine, Lilian Nuwabaine

School of Nursing & Midwifery, East Africa

Provision of quality antenatal care (ANC) is important to reduce maternal and newborn fatalities worldwide. However, the use of quality ANC by women of reproductive age and associated factors remain unclear in many developing countries. Therefore, this study aimed to determine factors associated with receiving quality ANC in Kenya among women of reproductive age. We analyzed secondary data from the 2022 Kenya Demographic Health Survey, which included 11,863 women. Participants were selected using two-stage stratified sampling. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to analyze the data. Of the 11,863 participating women, 61.2% (95% confidence interval (CI): 59.7%–62.6%) received …

The Hcv-Melanoma Paradox: First Multi-Cohort And Molecular Net-Work Analysis Reveals Lower Incidence But Worse Outcomes—Integrating Clinical, Real-World, And In Silico Data, Essam Al Ageeli, Jawaher A. Abdulhakim, Mohammad H. Hussein, Maryam M. Alnoman, Samia S. Alkhalil, Peter P. Issa, Nader A. Nemr, Ahmed Abdelmaksoud, Dhaifallah A. Alenizi, Manal S. Fawzy, Eman A. Toraih

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Background and Objectives: The relationship between hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and melanoma remains poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the association between HCV and melanoma, assess outcomes in patients with both conditions, and explore potential molecular mechanisms connecting the two diseases. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 142 melanoma patients, including 29 with HCV-related cirrhosis, and analyzed their clinical outcomes. For external validation, we used the TriNetX Global Collaborative Network database, comprising 219,960 propensity-matched patients per group. An in silico analysis was performed to identify the molecular pathways linking HCV and melanoma. Results: In …

Humoral Immunity And Antibody Responses Against Diphtheria, Tetanus, And Pneumococcus After Immune Effector Cell Therapies: A Prospective Study, Georgios Angelidakis, Roy F Chemaly, Pranoti V Sahasrabhojane, Oscar Morado-Aramburo, Ying Jiang, Micah M Bhatti, Elizabeth Shpall, Chitra Hosing, Preetesh Jain, Kris Michael Mahadeo, Fareed Khawaja, Peter Elhajj, Jennifer A Wargo, Robert R Jenq, Nadim J Ajami, Partow Kebriaei, Ella J Ariza-Heredia

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Patients undergoing immune effector cell therapy (IECT) are at high risk for infections. We assessed seropositivity against pneumococcus, tetanus, and diphtheria in patients before and after IECT and the patients' response to vaccination. We enrolled patients who underwent IECT from January 2020 to March 2022. Antibody levels for diphtheria, tetanus, and pneumococcus were measured before IECT, at 1 month, and 3-6 months after. Eligible patients were vaccinated after IECT. In non-seroprotected patients, we discontinued testing. Before IECT, most patients had seroprotective antibody levels against tetanus (68/69, 99%) and diphtheria (65/69, 94%), but fewer did against pneumococcus (24/67, 36%). After IECT, …

Structural Changes Likely Cause Chemical Differences Between Empty And Full Aav Capsids, Caryn Heldt, Molly A. Skinner, Ganesh S. Anand

Michigan Tech Publications

Due to the success of adeno associated viruses (AAVs) in treating single-gene diseases, improved manufacturing technology is now needed to meet their demand. The largest challenge is creating a process to separate empty and full capsids. Patients received larger capsid doses than necessary due to the presence of empty capsids. By enabling the better separation of empty and full capsids, patients would receive the greatest therapeutic benefit with the least amount of virus capsids, thus limiting potential side effects from empty capsids. The two most common empty/full separation methods used in downstream processing are ultracentrifugation and anion exchange chromatography. Both …

Effects Of The Covid-19 Vaccine Mandate On Healthcare Workers’ Decisions To Refuse Vaccination And Quit Their Jobs From Canadian Hospitals, Henry Bwang Ewane

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

COVID-19 vaccine uptake and compliance implementation challenges exist among some Canadian healthcare workers (HCWs), including hospital administrators, despite free vaccination as a preventive measure to control the spread. Earlier studies have examined COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and refusal among Canadian HCWs, but not how the -19 vaccine and vaccine mandates may have influenced their decisions to refuse vaccination and quit their jobs. This qualitative phenomenological study involved exploring how Canadian hospital HCWs’ lived experiences with the COVID-19 vaccine and vaccine mandates affected their decisions to refuse COVID-19 vaccination and quit their jobs. The theory of reasoned action was used to guide …

Ecology Of Tetrodotoxin Toxicity And Ectoparasite Burden Of Hong Kong Newt Populations, Wing Yan Yip

Lingnan Theses (MPhil & PhD)

Many amphibians have defensive chemicals in their skin. Newts from the family Salamandridae possess a potent neurotoxin - tetrodotoxin (TTX). TTX toxicity has been studied intensively, with the aim of revealing the function and origin of TTX in this family. Research has found within- and between-population variations in North American newts like Taricha, possibly related to co-evolution with its predator, symbiotic bacteria, or several life history traits (e.g., sex and life stage). However, our knowledge about TTX ecology in the Asian newt clade is relatively limited. Additionally, a group of water mites, Lurchibates, specifically parasitizes Asian newts, but …

An Exploration Of Turnover Intentions Of Substance Abuse Treatment Rns During The Covid-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study, Ciara Patrice Jones

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected nurses working in many different settings. As they were frequently the last personnel left at the frontline during COVID-19, nurses’ experiences provide distinctive narratives in the alcohol and other drug treatment workforce. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, nurses working in a substance abuse treatment setting have experienced significantly increased stressors, including fear and anxiety, the lack of personal protective equipment (PPE), and a lack of workforce sustainability. Therefore, this generic qualitative study explored the perceptions and experiences of nurses working in a substance abuse treatment program on the barriers in their workforce that influence their turnover …

Differences In Special Education Teachers' Applied Behavior Analysis Scores: A Causal-Comparative Study, Delilah Mae Fernandez

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative, causal-comparative study aimed to determine if there was a difference in applied behavior analysis scores from the applied behavior analysis test between traditional and non-traditionally certified teachers and veteran and new teachers. This research also aimed to identify if there was an interaction effect between experience level and type of certification when considering understanding of applied behavior analysis. This study is important as the findings contribute to the education system within the central Texas area as it uncovered the level of knowledge specific special education teachers in self-contained classrooms have and determined if educators are implementing the best …

Type D Personality, Stressful Lifestyle, Coping Styles, And Social Support In Military Undergraduates, Thomas Richard Rabon

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Type D personality, characterized by negative affectivity and social inhibition, has been shown to predict the prognosis of patients with heart disease. Type D personality has also been shown to have health-compromising effects on patients with other diseases and on the physical and psychological health of otherwise healthy individuals in the general population. The purpose of this study was to examine the extent to which a problem-focused coping, emotion-focused coping, dysfunctional or maladaptive coping, perceived stressful lifestyle, and perceived level of social support predict Type D personality in 203 individuals who maintain the dual roles of an active-duty enlisted member …

Novel Hamster Models Of Chikungunya Viral Arthritis, Tian Wang, Zhongde Wang

Funded Research Records

No abstract provided.

Air Quality And Mental Illness: Role Of Bioaerosols, Causal Mechanisms And Research Priorities, Kamaldeep Bhui, Marcella Ucci, Prashant Kumar, Simon K. Jackson, Corinne Whitby, Ian Colbeck, Christian Pfrang, Zaheer A. Nasir, Frederic Coulon

School of Biomedical Sciences

BACKGROUND: Poor air quality can both trigger and aggravate lung and heart conditions, as well as affecting child development. It can even lead to neurological and mental health problems. However, the precise mechanisms by which air pollution affect human health are not well understood.

AIMS: To promote interdisciplinary dialogue and better research based on a critical summary of evidence on air quality and health, with an emphasis on mental health, and to do so with a special focus on bioaerosols as a common but neglected air constituent.

METHOD: A rapid narrative review and interdisciplinary expert consultation, as is recommended for …

Exploring The Correlation Between Climate Change And Influenza Activity In The Northeast United States, 2003-2023, Emily M. Posadas

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The influenza virus is influenced by a myriad of complex interactions with human and environmental factors, with changing climate patterns having significant effects on the health status of a population. This study investigates the correlation between climate change and influenza activity in the northeast United States from 2003 to 2023, providing insight and understanding into the interaction between the two variables. The anthropogenic factors that have contributed to climate change are recognized, and circulating seasonal and avian influenza viruses are discussed within the context of climate change. The investigation of the correlation between climate change and influenza activity across this …

Climate Change And Perceived Vulnerability: Gender, Heritage, And Religion Predict Risk Perception And Knowledge Of Climate Change In Hawaii, Kevin Showalter, David López-Carr, Daniel Ervin

The Geographical Bulletin

This study explores climate change related risk perception among residents of the ‘Big Island’ of Hawaii, an environmentally vulnerable region. Adapting established instruments, we investigated potential links among socio-demographic variables, risk perception, and perceived preparedness and knowledge, as they relate to climate change. Results reveal relationships between risk perceptions for climate change and gender, with females significantly more aware of the risks posed by climate change, but less prepared than men. Additionally, indigenous and native respondents felt that climate change events posed more risk and felt less prepared compared to non-indigenous. Results suggest that an understanding of how risk perceptions …

Can An Equine-Assisted Learning Course Improve Emotional Intelligence In Undergraduate Students?, Danielle Y. Clark, Julia M. Mack, Kenneth G. Mccurdy

People and Animals: The International Journal of Research and Practice

Background: Emotional intelligence, a construct that many experts consider an essential component of life success, is moving in a concerning direction among American college students. Equine-assisted interventions may be an innovative modality for influencing these skills. Purpose: This study explores the effectiveness of a 15-week equine-assisted experiential learning course on emotional intelligence among undergraduate college students. Methodology/Approach: The intervention group consisted of 18 students who participated in a three-credit psychology course entitled Horses for Interpersonal Skills, which involved classroom instruction and an equine-assisted learning (EAL) component. This group was compared to a no intervention sample of 26 students enrolled in …