Digital Commons Network^™

The Crucial Role Of The Ahr-Ilc3-Il22 Pathway In I3c-Mediated Protection Against Colitis And Associated Microbial Dysbiosis, Chandani Mitchell

Theses and Dissertations

Colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease characterized by dysregulation of the immune system that results in chronic inflammation and dysbiosis. Previously we showed that a naturally sourced aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) ligand, indole-3-carbinol (I3C), was effective in the reduction of colitis-associated disease severity through innate lymphoid type 3 cells (ILC3s) in an interleukin-22 (IL-22) dependent manner. In one of our studies, we used single cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) analysis of colonic lamina propria cells from colitis models treated with I3C. Our results indicated that there were changes in the expressions of genes integral to IL-22 signaling when I3C was used …

The Delicate Situation Of Childhood Vaccination: On The Dispreferredness Of Soliciting Parents' Intent To Vaccinate, Robert Prettner, Hedwig Te Molder, Jeffrey D. Robinson

Communication Faculty Publications and Presentations

In the Netherlands, parents of newborns typically participate in two-, four-, and eight-week medical consultations to monitor their children’s development and discuss vaccinations, which will not be administered before eight weeks. During these visits, healthcare professionals routinely ask parents if they intend to vaccinate their children (i.e. to participate in the National Immunization Program). Using Conversation Analysis, we examine 62 videotaped consultations and present two lines of evidence to argue that the sequence initiated by professionals wherein they solicit parents’ intent to vaccinate is dispreferred. First, this action is routinely deferred by preliminary sequences. Second, when professionals eventually initiate this …

Analysis Of The Effect Of Vaccination, Efficient Surveillance And Treatment On The Transmission Dynamics Of Cholera, Loyinmi Adedapo Chris, Ajala Adebisi Shukurat, Alani L. Ijaola

Al-Bahir

In this study, we presented a modified SIR-SI model to investigate the dynamics and potential controls for cholera transmission, with an incident rate equipped with a saturation factor to investigate the combined impact of three vital measures which include effective surveillance, vaccination campaign and proper treatment in case severity. We established among other things, the qualitative analysis of the model to validate the results. Furthermore, the reproduction number (R0) was found to be less than unity (1), through the stability analysis. Additionally, finite different scheme was utilized in solving the differential equations of the model. MATLAB software was used for …

Design, Synthesis, And Evaluation Of Oleyl-Wrh Peptides For Sirna Delivery, Mrigank Shekhar Rai, Muhammad Imran Sajid, Jonathan Moreno, Keykavous Parang, Rakesh Kumar Tiwari

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Delivering nucleic acid therapeutics across cell membranes is a significant challenge. Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) containing arginine (R), tryptophan (W), and histidine (H) show promise for siRNA delivery. To improve siRNA delivery and silence a model STAT3 gene, we hypothesized that oleyl acylation to CPPs, specifically (WRH)n, would enhance STAT3 silencing efficiency in breast and ovarian cancer cells. Using Fmoc/tBu solid-phase peptide chemistry, we synthesized, purified, and characterized the oleyl-conjugated (WRH)n (n = 1–4) peptides. The peptide/siRNA complexes were non-cytotoxic at N/P 40 (~20 μM) against MDA-MB-231, MCF-7, SK-OV-3, and HEK-293 cells after 72 h incubation. All peptide/siRNA complexes showed serum …

Exploring The Covid-19 Infodemic In Alaska, Emily Maxwell

Interdisciplinary Studies

The onset of the COVID-19 global health crisis coincided with an unprecedented rise in health misinformation and false narratives related to the disease. This simultaneous spread of accurate and inaccurate information, referred to as an infodemic, has had observable impacts on the trajectory of the pandemic and the future of public health. While health misinformation has been a factor in previous outbreaks, the increased prominence of social media as an information platform allowed misinformation to spread more widely and rapidly than ever before. This investigation aims to assess the impacts of COVID-19 misinformation in Alaska using a mixed methods approach. …

Research Update - August 2024, Office Of Research

Research Update

No abstract provided.

Germline Genetic Determinates Of Cancer And Pre-Malignant Conditions, Jie Liu

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

Cancer is a genetic disease stemming from a combination of inherited and acquired mutations. In my thesis, we sought to characterize how germline genetic variation affects acquired clonal expansions in normal tissues and its progression to malignancy. In Chapter 2, we studied the impact of germline genetic variation on clonal hematopoiesis (CH) in 731,835 individuals. We identified 22 novel CH predisposition genes, most of which predispose to CH driven by specific mutational events. CH predisposition genes contribute to unique somatic landscapes reflecting the influence of germline genetic backdrop on gene-specific CH fitness. Correspondingly, somatic-germline interactions influence the risk of CH …

A Fraud Filled “Fork In The Road?”: Preserving Benefits Of Telehealth Despite Fraud Risks Through Appropriate Preventative Measures, Matthew S. Andrade

Health Law Outlook

No abstract provided.

Histories Of Stress: A Life Course Approach To Population Health In Late Medieval And Early Modern Berlin, Emily Brennan

Theses and Dissertations

Given our current climate crisis and urban population increases, researchers are increasingly interested in the health outcomes at the intersection of climate change and urbanization. Since climate change and urbanization affects human health in a variety of ways, more work is needed in diverse cultural contexts to understand temporal and geographic variations of such phenomena more fully. Using skeletal individuals from 13^th – 18^th century Berlin (n = 387), this project analyses demographic and health trends from the founding of the city in the late medieval period (c. 1200 – 1500) to the early modern period, when the …

Impacts Of Covid-19 And Taliban Takeover On U.S. Afghan Refugee Women’S Mental Health: A Socio-Ecological Approach To Resilience Resources, Atefeh Aghaei

Theses and Dissertations

In response to the escalating global refugee crisis, intensified by ongoing conflicts and environmental changes, this dissertation research focuses on the mental health of Afghan refugee women in the United States (U.S.), particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2021 Taliban takeover. With over 114 million people displaced globally, Afghan refugees, notably women, encounter heightened mental health risks due to violence, deprivation, systemic persecution, and the challenges of migration. This vulnerability is exacerbated by recent mass traumatic events, including the pandemic and political upheaval in Afghanistan. Our study, conducted through semi-structured interviews with Afghan refugee women and …

Erlang-Distributed Seir Epidemic Models With Cross-Diffusion, Victoria Chebotaeva

Theses and Dissertations

We examine the effects of cross-diffusion dynamics in epidemiological models. Using reaction-diffusion dynamics to model the spread of infectious diseases, we focus on situations in which the movement of individuals is affected by the concentration of individuals of other categories. In particular, we present a model where susceptible individuals move away from large concentrations of infected and infectious individuals.

Our results show that accounting for this cross-diffusion dynamics leads to a noticeable effect on epidemic dynamics. It is noteworthy that this leads to a delay in the onset of epidemics and an increase in the total number of people infected. …

A Click Chemistry Amplified Nanopore Assay For High Performance Testing Of Protein Biomarkers In Diseases, Xiaoqin Wang

Theses and Dissertations

Nanopore detection technology enables nanometer-scale single-molecule detection, yielding valuable insights into analyte molecules' properties such as size, shape, charge, and concentration. Due to its label-free nature, high sensitivity, and real-time capabilities, it finds widespread application in genomics, proteomics, drug discovery, and environmental monitoring. Click chemistry, encompassing the attachment of a probe or substrate to a biomolecule, termed bioconjugation, features the copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition as a quintessential reaction, forming a 5-membered heteroatom ring. This study harnesses this reaction to craft single-strand DNA probes for nanopore testing, leveraging copper's catalytic properties for signal amplification. Host-guest reaction, a noncovalent bond between molecules, specifically …

Structural Determination Of The Nudix Hydrolase Rv2985, A Potential Antibiotic Target In Mycobacterium Tuberculosis, Aidan Lynch

Theses

M. tuberculosis contains around a dozen potential Nudix hydrolases, and we are characterizing several of these enzymes as potential novel antibiotic targets. The diadenosine polyphosphatases (ApnAases) / mRNA decapping enzymes are a family of enzymes within the Nudix hydrolase superfamily. In M. tuberculosis there is a primary Nudix ApnAase and a secondary Nudix ApnAase. The diadenosine polyphosphatases from Legionella pneumophilia and Bartonella bacilliformis have been found to be important in each pathogen's ability to invade human host cells. We are interested in whether these enzymes act in the same way in M. tuberculosis. If they are found to be involved …

What Is The Economic Benefit Of Annual Covid-19 Vaccination From The Adult Individual Perspective?, Sarah M Bartsch, Kelly J O'Shea, Colleen Weatherwax, Ulrich Strych, Kavya Velmurugan, Danielle C John, Maria Elena Bottazzi, Mustafa Hussein, Marie F Martinez, Kevin L Chin, Allan Ciciriello, Jessie Heneghan, Alexis Dibbs, Sheryl A Scannell, Peter J Hotez, Bruce Y Lee

Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy Staff Publications

Background: With coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination no longer mandated by many businesses/organizations, it is now up to individuals to decide whether to get any new boosters/updated vaccines going forward.

Methods: We developed a Markov model representing the potential clinical/economic outcomes from an individual perspective in the United States of getting versus not getting an annual COVID-19 vaccine.

Results: For an 18-49 year old, getting vaccinated at its current price ($60) can save the individual on average $30-$603 if the individual is uninsured and $4-$437 if the individual has private insurance, as long as the starting vaccine efficacy against severe …

Pre-Existing Immunocompromising Conditions And Outcomes Of Acute Covid-19 Patients Admitted For Pediatric Intensive Care, Courtney M Rowan, Brenna Labere, Cameron C Young, Laura D Zambrano, Margaret M Newhams, Suden Kucukak, Elizabeth R Mcnamara, Elizabeth H Mack, Julie C Fitzgerald, Katherine Irby, Aline B Maddux, Jennifer E Schuster, Michele Kong, Heda Dapul, Stephanie P Schwartz, Melania M Bembea, Laura L Loftis, Amanda R Kolmar, Christopher J Babbitt, Ryan A Nofziger, Mark W Hall, Shira J Gertz, Natalie Z Cvijanovich, Matt S Zinter, Natasha B Halasa, Tamara T Bradford, Gwenn E Mclaughlin, Aalok R Singh, Charlotte V Hobbs, Kari Wellnitz, Mary A Staat, Bria M Coates, Hillary R Crandall, Mia Maamari, Kevin M Havlin, Adam J Schwarz, Christopher L Carroll, Emily R Levy, Kristin L Moffitt, Angela P Campbell, Adrienne G Randolph, Janet Chou

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

BACKGROUND: We aimed to determine if pre-existing immunocompromising conditions (ICCs) were associated with the presentation or outcome of patients with acute coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) admitted for pediatric intensive care.

METHODS: Fifty-five hospitals in 30 US states reported cases through the Overcoming COVID-19 public health surveillance registry. Patients(PICU) or high-acuity unit for acute COVID-19 were included.

RESULTS: Of 1274 patients, 105 (8.2%) had an ICC, including 33 (31.4%) hematologic malignancies, 24 (22.9%) primary immunodeficiencies and disorders of hematopoietic cells, 19 (18.1%) nonmalignant organ failure with solid-organ transplantation, 16 (15.2%) solid tumors, and 13 (12.4%) autoimmune disorders. Patients with ICCs were …

The Experience Of Homelessness And Its Effects On Gut Eubiosis, Kamerin Villagomez

University Honors Theses

Microorganisms which populate the human gastrointestinal tract (GIT) have a profound effect on overall human health. The relationship between host health and eubiosis, or balance, of the GIT microbiome is symbiotic and can have reciprocal relationships with quality of sleep, quality of diet, stress and mental health, and the experience of pain. These specific aspects of health are unique in populations experiencing homelessness due to the multi-dimensional and complex nature of their lived experience. Very few studies explore populations experiencing homelessness, with even fewer investigating the intersection between this population and the human GIT microbiome. It is important to do …

Seroprevalence Of Lawsonia Intracellularis Antibodies Among Large-Scale Swine Farming Systems In Thailand, Thanh Che Nguyen, Chairani Ridha Maghfira, Nathaya Young, Kanokwan Samatiwat, Chaiyan Kaewpaluk, Apisak Laothanakit, Pawarisa Mungprasittichai, Roongroje Thanawongnuwech, Yaowalak Panyasing

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

Gastrointestinal infectious diseases caused by bacteria have been a major problem in the swine industry, including Thailand. Porcine proliferative enteropathy (PPE), also known as porcine ileitis, is an enteric infectious disease caused by Lawsonia intracellularis – an obligate intracellular bacterium. PPE has been an economic threat to the global pork production system due to various types of diarrheas. Serological diagnosis can be applied to the seroprevalence of pathogen-antibodies and the timing of L. intracellularis infection when introduced to the herd. This present study showed the current serological status and the seroprevalence of antibodies against L. intracellularis in large-scale Thai swine …

Preventive Effects Of Quercetin On The Leaky Gut By Suppression Of Il-1beta-Induced Transcription Factors Involved In An Inflammatory Pathway In Colonic Epithelial Cells, Wannaporn Chayalak, Sumpun Thammacharoen, Chatsri Deachapunya, Sutthasinee Poonyachoti

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

Flavonol quercetin (Q), found in vegetables and fruits, demonstrates the most potent anti-inflammatory effect. The preventive effect and cellular mechanisms of Q (Q1, Q10, and Q100 µM) on IL-1β induced leaky gut via the signaling molecules of inflammatory pathway, NF-κB p65-iκB/or p38/ERK1/2/MLCK/phospho(p)-MLC were investigated in Caco-2 cells. The cytotoxic effect of Q was initially determined by MTT assay. Transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) and apical-to-basolateral fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled dextran (FD-4) flux were used to determine paracellular permeability. The protein expression of signaling molecules was examined by Western blot analysis, and their target MLCK mRNA expression was determined using real-time PCR. All Q …

Declined Lawsonia Intracellularis In Feces By Phytogenic Feed Additive Supplementation In Fattening Pigs In Different Herds System, Morakot Nuntapaitoon

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

The objective of the present study was to determine the efficacy of phytogenic feed additives on the number of L. intracellularis in feces and incidence of diarrhea in fattening pigs in different herds system. The present study was carried out in two commercial swine farms located in the northern (Herd A) and western (Herd B) parts of Thailand. In total, 80 fattening pigs (12-week-olds) were randomly allocated into two groups, including the Control group (n=40) and the Treatment group (n=40). The pigs in each group were fed with a conventional diet (Control) and the same diet supplemented with 2 kg/ton …

A Case Of Conjunctivitis Due To Mdr-Mr Staphylococcus Pseudintermedius In A Dog, Hazel Tamakan Yesi̇lovali, Hali̇t Sukur

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

A young male Dachshund dog who came to the animal hospital was diagnosed with conjunctivitis on clinical examination. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius was identified as a result of culture and bacteriological examination of the conjunctival swab, and then antimicrobial susceptibility test. Methicillin resistant S. pseudintermedius identified with the VITEK-II Compact device was also confirmed by molecular methods so that susceptible antibiotics were selected for the treatment of the patient and reported. In accordance with the antimicrobial susceptibility results, the patient was treated with an eye drop preparation containing neomycin. This is the first report of a canine conjunctivitis caused by multidrug-methicillin …

Detection Of Mycoplasma Synoviae Antibodies In Day-Old Chicks Using Rapid Serum Agglutination Assay And Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay, Kriengwich Limpavithayakul, Somsak Pakpinyo

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

Mycoplasma synoviae antibodies detection using rapid serum agglutination (RSA) assay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is considered as the suitable screening tool in chicken flocks. Both RSA assay and ELISA have performed an ability to detect an antibody formation during mycoplasma infection due to their sensitivity in detecting both IgM and IgY. However, the IgY is the major antibody isotype transferred from the hen to the newly hatched broiler chick via egg yolk. The amount of maternal IgY circulating in the chicks’ serum is approximately 30% of the IgY level present in the hen’s bloodstream. This study was conducted to …

Molecular Characterization And Antibiogram Of Riemerella Anatipestifer In Ducklings In Upper Egypt, Mohamed Sabry Ahmed, Amal Abd El-Ghani Batahi, Ahmed Ibrahim Ahmed, Nabila Osman

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

Riemerella anatipestifer infection represents a great threat to the duck industry worldwide and it is considered the major cause of death in the backyard rearing system of ducks in Egypt. The disease is characterized by diarrhea, respiratory signs and loss of weight. The present study was conducted during the period between July 2019 and January 2021 to examine the prevalence rate, the antibiogram patterns of the different antibiotics and the pathogenicity of R. anatipestifer in Qena province. One-hundred samples were collected from diseased and freshly dead backyard ducklings. A tentative characterization of R. anatipestifer was done depending on the phenotypic …

Characteristics Of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (Esbl)- Producing Escherichia Coli Associated With Antimicrobial Use In Captive Wild Animals, Montira Yossapol, Jinnapat Imidom, Kannarun Sakhorn, Pimpatcha Thanomwat, Sarawut Sonrit, Siraphop Labmala, Tarid Purisotayo, Natapol Pumipuntu, Justice Opare Odoi, Adithep Konputtar

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

Antimicrobial agents are a cause of the increase in antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) bacteria. We investigated the prevalence and characteristics of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing bacteria in captive wild animals before and after exposure to antimicrobial agents. Sixty-six fecal samples were collected from captive animals (spotted deer, Rusa deer, geese, chickens, rabbits, and guinea pigs) at the Mahasarakham University Mini Zoo in Thailand on three sampling occasions: October 2021, January 2022, and April 2022. Using MacConkey agar supplemented with cefotaxime, ESBL-producing Escherichia coli (ESBL-Ec) was isolated and subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility tests and genetic analysis. The results showed a high prevalence of ESBL-Ec …

The Characterization And Pathogenicity Of Morganella Morganii Strains Isolated From Beef Cattle In Sichuan Province, China, Dongjie Cai, Bin Tian, Xiao Liu, Jianzhu Liu, David Ranucci, Xiaoping Ma, Ya Wang, Liuhong Shen, Zhijun Zhong, Zhicai Zuo

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

Morganella morganii (M. morganii) is a member of the genera Morganella in the Enterobacteriaceae family. We tried to better understand the prevalence and characterization of M. morganii strains in cattle. A total of 191 nasal swab samples from beef cattle in Guang'an, Yibin, and Ziyang, Sichuan province, China were collected. The presence of M. morganii in the swabs was determined by PCR. Then positive swabs were processed using bacterial isolation and identification. The M. morganii isolates were assayed for antimicrobial susceptibility and pathogenicity using a mouse model. The prevalence of M. morganii in three cities was 10.5% (20/191). …

Clinical Investigation Of Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease, Pathogenic Bacteria And Their Antibiotic Sensitivity At University Veterinary Hospital, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Delna Mazda, Seng Fong Lau, Sharina Omar

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

This study describes the clinical manifestation, bacterial pathogens and antibiotic sensitivity in cats diagnosed with Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD). A total of 61 cats diagnosed with FLUTD from 2018 to 2019 were included in this study. Medical records were reviewed and rational antibiotic therapy was calculated from the data collected on antibiotic sensitivity. Most cats in this study belonged to indoor multi-cat households with shared facilities. Thirty-two cats (52.45%) had positive urine cultures and were diagnosed with urinary tract infections. Staphylococcus species (23.2%), Enterococcus species (17.9%) and Escherichia coli (16.1%) were the most isolated bacteria. Escherichia coli demonstrated …

Alternative Approaches To Live Attenuated Oral Rotavirus Vaccines, Makoye Mhozya Kanyema, Junhong Wang, Gui-Lian Yang, Xin Cao, Chunfeng Wang

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

Oral attenuated rotavirus vaccine is safe and effective in developed countries but, however, it is less effective in low income countries such as African and Asian countries. Low vaccine effectiveness in low-income countries is arising from a variety of sources such as maternal antibodies, chronic enteropathy and other enteric diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and parasitic diseases, as well as the microbiota. There is increasingly evidence related to the risk of intussusception for the oral vaccine. The development of effective and safer rotavirus vaccines, particularly, non-living candidates, is critical. The aim of this review therefore is to explore some of …

Protective Immunity Of The Pore-Forming Domains Of Actinobacillus Pleuropneumoniae Apx Toxins In A Mouse Model, Kamonpun Chuekwon, Li-Ting Cheng, Chun-Yen Chu

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

The hemolytic/leukolytic toxins ApxI, II, and III play a central role in the pathogenicity of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae and may serve as effective vaccine antigens. However, since these toxins are large in size, we aimed to determine whether only the pore-forming domain of the toxins may be sufficient for protective immunity. Mice were vaccinated with the pore-forming domains for immune response analysis and challenge test. Significant antibody response was observed for the ApxI and II vaccine groups. For cellular immune response, CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cell expansion was observed for ApxI. Pro-inflammatory cytokine (IL-1b, IL-6) and T_H2-type …

Discovery Of Chicken Proventricular Necrosis Virus From Transmissible Viral Proventriculitis Outbreak In Broilers, Thailand, ์Nantaporn Wandee, Preeda Lertwatchrasarakul, Thaweesak Songserm

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

Transmissible viral proventriculitis (TVP) is an infectious disease-causing retarded growth in chickens. In Thailand, many stunted chickens have been found on commercial broiler farms since 2017. Significant post-mortem lesions are found only in the proventriculus. This study aims to investigate the causative agents of TVP outbreaks focusing on chicken proventricular necrosis virus (CPNV), the possible significant cause of TVP. CPNV was reproduced in specific pathogen-free (SPF) chickens. Affected chickens that have undergone proventriculitis are CPNV-positive by RT-PCR and nucleotide sequencing followed by phylogenetic analysis. The result showed that proventriculitis could be experimentally reproduced by inoculation of proventricular homogenate obtained from …

Medical School Watercooler Newsletter - August 15, 2024, Lindsay Hughes

Watercooler Newsletter

This is the August 15, 2024 edition of the Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine’s newsletter - Watercooler.

Contents Include

• Escobar joins the MCI as medical oncologist and hematologist
• USA Health welcomes new urogynecologist

• Medical students recognized for excellence in summer research

• BMS graduate students join lab 'matches': Part 2

• Goodloe follows family path to emergency medicine

The Current - Volume 35 Issue 1 (Including Special Section On Sports), Nova Southeastern University

Student Newspapers

No abstract provided.