Digital Commons Network^™

Racial And Ethnic Differences In Knowledge Of Gender-Affirming Care Among Community And Student Participants In The Bloom Transgender Health Education Program In The Paso Del Norte Region, 2022-2024, Tandra Ghosh

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND AND SIGNIFICANCE: There is a noticeable lack of training and knowledge regarding gender-affirming care (GAC) among providers and within the general community. OBJECTIVE: Assess racial and ethnic disparities in knowledge of GAC among participants in BLOOM, a quasi-experimental transgender health education program in the Paso Del Norte region. HYPOTHESES: Among community and student participants at pre-survey, assess racial and ethnic differences in sociodemographic characteristics, preparedness, attitudes, and basic knowledge regarding LGBT clients/patients and GAC. METHODS: Secondary data among community (pre: 53; post: 14) and student (pre: 29; post: 17) BLOOM participants in 2022-2024 were used. Descriptive statistics …

American Academy Of Dermatology Acne Guidelines Of Care Versus Modern Skincare Trends, Natasha Barton, Patrick Mcclain, Monika Ziogaite, Robert P. Dellavalle, Cory A. Dunnick

Student Publications

Acne vulgaris remains one of the most prevalent dermatologic conditions worldwide, yet its management has become increasingly influenced by pop culture trends and consumer marketing. This review critically compares the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) guidelines for acne treatment with the most popular skincare practices of the 2020s, including natural remedies, light therapy, and multi-step routines popularized through platforms like TikTok and Instagram. By examining the scientific evidence supporting AAD-recommended treatments, such as topical retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, and systemic therapies, and contrasting them with trending regimens that often lack clinical validation, this paper explores the widening gap between expert guidance …

Prevalence And Patterns Of Opioid Use In Chronic Pancreatitis, Anna Evans Phillips, Darwin L Conwell, Shuang Li, Jami L Saloman, Phil A Hart, Evan L Fogel, Santhi Swaroop Vege, Dana K Andersen, William E Fisher, Christopher E Forsmark, Stephen Pandol, Walter G Park, Mark D Topazian, Stephen K Van Den Eeden, Jose Serrano, Liang Li, Dhiraj Yadav

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Introduction: Opioids are used to treat pain in chronic pancreatitis (CP), but little is known about current use patterns. The aim of this study was to characterize the utilization of opioids and associations with clinical characteristics in adult patients with CP.

Methods: This cross-sectional analysis used baseline data from participants with definite CP enrolled in a cohort study in the United States (PROspective Evaluation of CP for EpidEmiologic and Translational StuDies). Data on demographics, pain medication use, healthcare utilization, disability, and pain patterns were systematically collected in case report forms while quality of life was assessed with patient-reported outcome instruments. …

Circulating Epstein-Barr Virus Antibody Levels As A Biomarker Of Socioecological Adversity In Amazonian Ecuador, Tyler M Barrett, Melissa A Liebert, Geeta N Eick, Julia G Ridgeway-Diaz, Felicia C Madimenos, Aaron D Blackwell, Tara J Cepon-Robins, Samuel S Urlacher, Lawrence S Sugiyama, J Josh Snodgrass

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Objectives: Circulating Epstein-Barr virus antibodies (EBV-Ab) are used as a biomarker of chronic stress in high-income settings, but their relevance in environments with a high burden of infectious disease, nutritional constraints, and limited resources is less clear. We investigated EBV-Ab as a biomarker of adversity in a setting where local ecology and economy may affect immune development differently than in wealthy countries.

Methods: We measured EBV-Ab in finger-prick dried blood spots collected from Indigenous Shuar (n = 433) and non-Indigenous Colonos (n = 84) ranging from < 1 to 87 years old in Amazonian Ecuador. For a subset of adults (≥ 15 years, n = 210), we collected socioeconomic information (income, education, and occupation) and assessed household-level market integration. We determined the most important predictors of EBV-Ab for adults and children using multi-model averaging of linear regression models.

Results: Male children (< 15 years) had lower EBV-Ab than female children (model averaged β [SE]: -0.238 [0.066]). For adults, Shuar had higher EBV-Ab than Colonos (model averaged β [SE]: 0.235 [0.113]), and high systolic blood pressure was an important predictor of elevated EBV-Ab (model averaged β [SE]: 0.088 [0.047]). Individuals who reported unpaid domestic work as their primary occupation had higher EBV-Ab than agricultural workers (model averaged β [SE]: 0.302 [0.113]). Individuals living in houses with more market-sourced infrastructure had lower EBV-Ab (model averaged β [SE]: -0.088 [0.068]).

Conclusions: Circulating EBV-Ab may capture context-specific aspects of socioecological adversity …

Multidisciplinary Care In Body Contouring: An Integrative Approach To Enhancing Outcomes, Jacob Dinis, Sofia C Perez Otero, Diego M Quirarte, Winston R Owens, Sebastian J Winocour

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Body contouring procedures have become increasingly common to meet the growing demand for aesthetic surgery, particularly in the context of bariatrics. Massive weight loss (MWL) patients are complex and often require extensive management of comorbidities, malnutrition status, physical debilitation, and psychological sequelae. Patient optimization prior to body contouring surgery in addition to strict postoperative maintenance are crucial to achieve favorable and sustainable outcomes. Surgical candidates should be screened thoroughly, and in the MWL patient population specifically, multidisciplinary care is needed for proper evaluation and support. Notable specialists that routinely contribute in MWL and body contouring patient care include plastic surgeons, …

Dental Utilization Pre- And Post-Covid-19 Pandemic Shutdown Across Different Birth Cohorts, Anirudh Agaram, Jeff Johnston Dds, Ms, Stephen A. Eklund Drph, Dds, Mhsa

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Given the disruptions to dental practice because of COVID-19 in 2020, the question arose as to how dental patients would return to dental care in the following years, and if treatment patterns would be different, or would return to the previous patterns. Further, it was desired to understand whether patients of different ages would return to dental practices and use dental services differently. In order to assess these questions, utilization patterns among commercial enrollees within Delta Dental of Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana were explored. The analysis, spanning from 2018 to 2023, focused on diagnostic, preventative, and restorative procedures across diverse …

Initial Impacts Of Different Fertilizers On Improved East Texas Equine Pastures, Carolina De Leon, Brian Oswald, Leland Thompson, Candis Scallan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

ABSTRACT

In Texas, approximately 1.6 million acres support an equine population exceeding 748,000 horses. This study assessed the effects of organic and inorganic fertilizer treatments on improved Bermudagrass (BG) and other vegetation (OTH) in overgrazed equine pastures at the Stephen F. Austin State University Equine Center. Treatments included equine manure (H), broiler poultry litter (P), and a commercial 13-13-13 fertilizer (C), with application rates based on pasture requirements.

Initial vegetation cover was evaluated using the Daubenmire cover class method in September 2024, followed by a 60-day undisturbed growing period. Final biomass (g/2ft² converted to lbs/ac) and percent cover measurements were …

Polyphenol-Protein Interactions In Pigmented Cereals – A Clean-Label Approach To Tailor Starch Viscosity, Annegret Jannasch

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Viscosity plays an important role in the food industry as it affects the quality, processing stability, and shelf-life of food and impacts physiological responses such as satiation and satiety. Greater viscosity reduces food intake by increasing the perception of satiety, primarily by delaying gastric emptying and increasing tactile stimulation. Starch is commonly added to food products as a viscosifying ingredient, which often involves chemically modifying the starch via cross-linking, to enhance its resistance to high shear, temperature and acidity. However, chemically modified starches are not “clean-label” ingredients due to the use of toxic chemicals. Therefore, further exploration is needed to …

Identifying Microbial Complexities And Control Strategies At Pre-Harvest Poultry Production, Tolulope Tiwa Ogundipe

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

While significant progress has been made in post-harvest control of Salmonella in the poultry industry, the development of effective pre-harvest intervention strategies remains critical for reducing foodborne pathogens. Environmental reservoirs such as poultry litter and drinking water systems (DWS) are potential harborage sites for Salmonella and other microbial communities. Understanding the microbiota of these environments, including biofilms within water lines, is essential to identifying factors contributing to Salmonella colonization and improving pre-harvest control approaches. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence and quantity of Salmonella in poultry litter and water lines, characterize the microbial populations in these environments, and assess …

Conservation Agriculture Practice Effects On Greenhouse Gas Emissions From Fine-Textured Soils In Arkansas, Lauren Gwaltney

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Biochar application and reduced tillage (RT) are both practices within the conservation agriculture framework, but specific impacts of these practices on direct greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions still require investigation in varied agricultural systems. This research aimed to evaluate the effects of biochar source (i.e., powder- and pellet-sized) and application rate (i.e., 0, 2.5, and 5 Mg ha^-1) on GHG production in simulated furrow-irrigated rice (Oryza sativa) in a greenhouse experiment, and to evaluate the effects of RT relative to conventional tillage (CT) on GHG production in soybean (Glycine max) in southeast Arkansas. Both studies …

Crispr-Cas9 Integration Of Salmon Elovl2 In Zebrafish Enhances Lc-Pufa Biosynthesis And Growth Across Diets, Waleed Sami J. Al-Bachry

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Fish are a rich source of EPA and DHA, which are well-known long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs). The sustainable production of these essential fatty acids poses significant challenges, mainly due to our dependence on marine fish and certain nuts. CRISPR-Cas system was utilized to insert the elongation of long-chain fatty acids-like2 (Elovl2) gene from Salmo salar into Danio rerio. Elovl2 was introduced at 10-15-minute post-fertilization, and successful integration confirmed by PCR genotyping, sequencing and expression of EGFP. Approximately 67% of injected embryos successfully exhibited EGFP and sequence results verified the gene integration of Salmo salar Elovl2 at the first start …

Variation In Stress Response Regulation Across Natural Isolates Of Saccharomyces Cerevisiae, Crystal Christine Crook

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The stress response of Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a valuable area of study for understanding cellular adaptation mechanisms that govern survival in fluctuating environments. This dissertation investigates stress response regulation in yeast through the roles of Hog1 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and the post-transcriptional regulator Mkt1, a key post-transcriptional regulator, in diverse wild yeast isolates. Hog1 is traditionally known for its central role in osmotic stress regulation in the high-osmolarity glycerol (HOG) pathway. This study expands the functional scope of Hog1 to include oxidative and ethanol-induced stress responses.

In parallel, we investigate post-transcriptional regulation of stress responses by the Mkt1 interactome, …

Fixed-Time Artificial Insemination Protocols Using Pre-Synchronization In Suckled Beef Cows, Wyatt Eugene Weber

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Adoption of artificial insemination by beef producers has been limited within the United States. Estrous synchronization (ES) for fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) has been one of the most effective ways to implement artificial insemination into beef production systems, but its efficiency has primarily been restrained by the dependency on the effectiveness of the initial gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) injection in many FTAI protocols. The hypotheses of these studies were to determine practical methods of pre-synchronization to improve current FTAI protocols, ultimately increasing beef herd reproductive performance. The objective was to evaluate the use of prostaglandin F2α (PGF) and progesterone (P4) …

Bacterial Chondronecrosis With Osteomyelitis In Broiler Chickens: Experimental Lameness And Additive Probiotic Treatments, Amanda Anthney

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

With the global population already surpassing 8.2 billion and expected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050, the poultry industry has seen a surge in demand due to its unmatched efficiency and affordability for consumers across the globe. Selective breeding and quality nutrition developments since the industry's commercialization have allowed producers to grow broilers up to 7 pounds by market age. While this extraordinarily efficient process has allowed quality poultry products to be available worldwide, the modern-day broiler has developed a multitude of musculoskeletal issues. Due to the lack of integral skeletal development to match the rapid production of muscle tissue, …

Combining Exercise Training And Testosterone Therapy In Older Women After Hip Fracture: The Step-Hi Randomized Clinical Trial, Ellen F Binder, Peter M Doré, Camelia Guild, Kelly M Monroe, Dominic Reeds, Kenneth B Schechtman, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

IMPORTANCE: Despite receiving postacute rehabilitation services, many older women with a recent hip fracture repair are unable to return to their prefracture level of function. Whether testosterone therapy can enhance recovery after hip fracture in older women with persistent mobility impairments has not been fully examined.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of a supervised exercise program combined with topical testosterone therapy on functional outcomes in older women with a recent hip fracture.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This phase 3 double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial, Starting a Testosterone and Exercise Program After Hip Injury (STEP-HI), was conducted at 8 US sites …

Encapsulation Of Lactobacillus Reuteri Dsm 17938 In W/O/W Emulsion: Influence Of Oil Type On Viability And Oxidative Stability, Nora Mohamed Alantali

Theses

Probiotics, known for their wide range of health benefits, have been gaining recognition on their effects on the gut-brain axis. This axis, operated via various pathways, can be modulated by the type and functions of probiotics found in the gut microflora. However, probiotics face several stress factors before reaching the gut which hinders them from being functional. The main objective of this thesis was to construct a stable double-emulsion-based delivery system for probiotics, which can act as a barrier against the harsh conditions of the digestive system. Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 was loaded in a water-in-oil-in-water Pickering double emulsion system, …

Origins: Nutritional Profile Of Children Aged One Year In A Longitudinal Birth Cohort, Sarah Whalan, Poonam K. Pannu, Rachelle A. Pretorius, Alexander J.J. Scherini, Sonia Gregory, Susan L. Prescott, Desiree Silva

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Dietary intake during the first year of life is a key determinant of a child’s growth and development. ORIGINS is a longitudinal birth cohort study investigating factors that contribute to a ‘healthy start to life’ and the prevention of non-communicable diseases. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study aims to describe the dietary intakes of one-year-old children participating in ORIGINS and compare these to the Australian Dietary Guidelines and Nutrient Reference Values (NRVs). Between 2020 and 2023, dietary intake data were collected on 779 one-year-old children using a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). The analysis explored milk intake (breastmilk, infant formula, and …

Open-Label Randomized Controlled Trial And Feasibility Study Of An Oral Probiotic Intervention To Reduce Group B Streptococcus Colonization In Pregnant People By The Time Of Birth, Katrina Nardini, Lisa Hanson, Noelle Borders, Maharaj Singh, Anna Shields, Victoria Y. Trujillo, Robyn Lawton, Emily Malloy

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Introduction

The purpose of this midwife-led study was to determine the feasibility of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of probiotics to reduce group B Streptococcus (GBS) colonization by the time of birth in healthy, GBS-positive, pregnant adults.

Methods

An open-label randomized clinical trial comparing Florajen Digestion, a commercially available combination oral probiotic, with usual care (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04721912) was conducted in a midwifery practice serving a racially and ethnically diverse population. Eligible patients who tested positive for GBS at routine third-trimester screening were offered informed consent and participation. The primary outcome was feasibility for a larger RCT, including feasibility of probiotic …

Maternal-Fetal Surgery For Myelomeningocele Longitudinal Follow-Up Model: Mitigation Of Care Fragmentation Through Care Coordination And Outcomes Reporting, Jonathan Castillo, Mary M Locastro, Romain Corroenne, Anjali Malhotra, Alexander Van Speybroeck, Grace Lai, Michael A Belfort, Magdalena Sanz Cortes, Heidi Castillo

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Purpose

Methods

Results

Changes In Adequacy Of Splanchnic Oxygen Delivery And Splanchnic Artery Doppler After Bolus Feedings In Infants: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Rohit S Loomba, Saloni P Sheth, Joshua Wong, Megan Davis, Juan S Farias, Enrique G Villarreal, Saul Flores

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Current practice regarding timing of feed initiation and feed tolerance largely relies on anecdotal practice and protocols. This study aims to provide an objective measure to guide clinical practice by analyzing changes in splanchnic regional oxygen saturation and Doppler patterns with feeds.

Methods: A systematic review was performed. Inclusion criteria were: 1) patients under 1 year of age; 2) splanchnic regional oxygen saturation with near infrared spectroscopy before and after feeds or mesenteric Doppler findings before and after feeds; and 3) clinical parameters must have been presented as either mean and standard deviation or median and range. Endpoints of …

Bile Acid And Microbiome Interactions In The Developing Child, Mary Elizabeth M Tessier, Benjamin L Shneider, Joseph F Petrosino, Geoffrey A Preidis

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Interactions between the gut microbiome and bile acids are complex and are linked to outcomes in pediatric liver disease by mechanisms that are incompletely understood. In adults, primary bile acids are synthesized in the liver and secreted into the intestine, where complex communities of gut microbes deconjugate, oxidize, epimerize, and 7α-dehydroxylate bile acids into a diverse array of unconjugated, secondary, allo-, iso-, and oxo-bile acids. In contrast, the infant gut microbiota contains a simple, Bifidobacterium-dominant community that transitions to a more diverse, adult-like community as additional microbes colonize the gut. This microbial succession gradually confers deconjugation, oxidation, epimerization, and 7α-dehydroxylation …

The Small Gtpase Rap1 In Pomc Neurons Regulates Leptin Actions And Glucose Metabolism, Kentaro Kaneko, Weisheng Lu, Yong Xu, Alexei Morozov, Makoto Fukuda

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

The hypothalamic leptin-proopiomelanocortin (POMC) pathway is critical for regulating metabolism. POMC neurons in the arcuate nucleus respond to leptin and play a pivotal role in mediating energy and glucose balance. However, during diet-induced obesity (DIO), these neurons often develop resistance to exogenous leptin. Recently, the small GTPase Rap1 has been implicated as an inhibitor of neuronal leptin signaling; however, its specific role within POMC neurons remains unexplored. We generated tamoxifen-inducible, POMC neuron-specific Rap1 knockout mice to selectively delete both Rap1a and Rap1b isoforms in POMC neurons. By analyzing these mice through metabolic phenotyping, immunohistochemistry, and biochemical assays, we show that …

Impact Of Temperature And Microbial Infection On The Honey Bee Hemocytes, Michael E. Oeth

Master's Theses

Introduction

Honey bees (Apis mellifera) rely on hemocytes for immunity, wound healing, and hemolymph homeostasis. While 32°C reflects optimal hive conditions, suboptimal temperatures (22°C) and stressors like pathogens (Varroa destructor, bacteria) or pesticides impair hemocyte function. Using clodronate liposomes (CLD) to deplete hemocytes, we assessed how immune suppression interacts with these stressors.

Methods

Newly emerged (5-day-old) and older (15-day-old) bees were assigned to: CLD, control liposomes (LP), PBS, injection wound, or no treatment. Cohorts were exposed to 32°C (optimal) or 22°C (stressful for non-immunosuppressed bees). Fifteen-day-old bees were challenged with Escherichia coli or Staphylococcus aureus. Survival, hemolymph volume, and hemocyte …

Jump Strategy Changes In Collegiate Women Soccer Players, Madeline Klubertanz

Master's Theses

Countermovement jumps (CMJ) are often utilized to monitor athletes because of their sensitivity to neuromuscular fatigue, which can be seen through assessing jump strategies. The current literature has reported conflicting views on how jump performance is impacted over acute and longitudinal testing. This is likely due to insufficient analyses regarding the impact of fatigue on jump strategy. This study aimed to investigate how the integration of jump strategy metrics and single-subject analysis could provide a better representation of the presence of fatigue among collegiate women soccer players. Eighteen participants were utilized in this study. Participants were required to complete three …

Rectosigmoid Intussusception Due To A Nonmalignant Etiology: An Extremely Rare Cause Of Acute Lower Gastrointestinal Bleeding In An Elderly Patient, Kashif Ali, Samra Sohail, Grecia Dominguez Rivera, Valeska Balderas

School of Medicine Publications

An intussusception at the rectosigmoid junction with acute gastrointestinal bleeding is exceedingly rare. We present a case of an 88-year-old man who presented in the emergency department with bilateral lower quadrant abdominal pain and frank rectal bleeding for 2 days. A computed tomography abdomen pelvis angiogram with contrast showed a target sign, and a flexible sigmoidoscopy showed congested bowel, ischemia, frank blood, and intussusception at the rectosigmoid junction. He underwent an exploratory laparotomy with the removal of the affected part. The pathology and the peritoneal fluid cytology results came out negative for dysplasia and malignancy.

Providing Care For The Geriatric Population, Asma Nayyar Md

Marshall Journal of Medicine

No abstract provided.

The Impact Of Interactive Food Demonstration On Nutrition Education And Dietary Habits, Danielle Mikaliunas, Yachana Panchal, Kruti Patel, Zainab Rehman, Michael B. Roberts, Farzaneh Daghigh

Research Day

Introduction: Around 60 percent of American adults have at least one chronic disease that could mostly be managed by nutrition. The Mediterranean diet has been linked to reducing the risk of numerous health conditions, including hypertension, coronary artery disease, and other cardiovascular diseases that have high prevalence in the city of Philadelphia. This diet is known for scaling back on salt and red meats along with having an increased focus on whole grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes, olive oil, and healthy fats. With its ability to provide satiety and variation based on individual palate preferences, Mediterranean cuisine has been shown to …

Nourish Chicago: Cultivating Health And Sustainability In Low-Income Communities Through Accessible Education And Engaging Activities, Audrey Kho

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

“Nourish Chicago: Cultivating Health and Sustainability in Low-Income Communities through Accessible Education and Engaging Activities” seeks to improve nutritional literacy and sustainable food choices by educating communities on natural food dyes as healthier alternatives to artificial colorants. Participants learn about the chemical characteristics, health advantages, and culinary uses of plant-based pigments like turmeric, hibiscus, beetroot, and butterfly pea flower through engaging food science workshops and demonstrations. Practical tests demonstrate food preparation, color stability, and pH sensitivity, enabling people to make educated nutritional decisions. This project promotes lifelong scientific literacy and improved eating habits by increasing awareness of food color substitutes.

Assessing The Molecular Conservation Of The Gene Mipp2 Across Drosophila Species, Mya Abuzir

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

The primary objective of this project is to assess the molecular and structural conservation of Mipp2 within the insulin signaling pathway, across various Drosophila species. We mapped the location of Mipp2 in D. arizonae and annotated its coding sequences. The annotation displayed poor conservation of Mipp2 between D. melanogaster and D. arizonae, showing divergence in all coding exons. We have since annotated Mipp2 across additional Drosophila species and have found that more closely related species exhibit higher conservation of the gene region and the protein coding sequence.

Ai-Powered Image To Recipe Generator, Rohit Malik, Manisha Kumari, Md Abdullah Al Hafiz Khan

Symposium of Student Scholars

In recent years, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has transformed various aspects of food technology, including automated recipe generation. This paper introduces an AI-powered Image-to-Recipe Generator, a system that extracts ingredient details from an image and generates a structured recipe with cooking instructions. Utilizing computer vision (CNNs, Vision Transformers) for ingredient detection and natural language processing (NLP) for recipe formulation, this system enhances the culinary experience by enabling users to derive recipes from food images effortlessly. The model integrates deep learning-based image recognition, NLP-driven text generation, and a recommendation engine to provide

personalized recipes based on dietary preferences and nutritional constraints. This …