Digital Commons Network^™

Discovery Of Bmi-Associated Gut Microbiome Signatures In The Awi-Gen 2 Cohort, Meriem Yagoubi

Theses and Dissertations

Obesity is increasing across sub-Saharan Africa amid rapid dietary, environmental, and urbanization transitions, yet the gut microbiome features associated with adiposity in African populations remain under-characterized. This study investigated whether species-level gut microbiome composition is associated with body mass index (BMI) in the AWI-Gen 2 cohort, and whether BMI-associated microbial signals remain detectable after accounting for the dominant geographic structure of the microbiome. Gut microbiome community structure and diversity were characterized across 1,665 participants, and differential abundance analysis was used to identify taxa associated with BMI after controlling for study site. Machine learning models were then trained to assess how …

Growth In Early Infancy Drives Optimal Brain Functional Connectivity Which Predicts Cognitive Flexibility In Later Childhood, Chiara Bulgarelli, Anna Blasi, Samantha Mccann, Bosiljka Milosavljevic, Giulia Ghillia, Ebrima Mbye, Ebou Touray, Tijan Fadera, Lena Acolatse, Sophie E Moore, Sarah Lloyd-Fox, Clare E Elwell, Adam T Eggebrecht, Bright Study Team

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Functional brain network organisation, measured by functional connectivity (FC), reflects key neurodevelopmental processes for healthy development. Early exposure to adversity, for example undernutrition, affects neurodevelopment, observable via disrupted FC, and leads to poorer outcomes from preschool age onwards. We assessed longitudinally the impact of early growth trajectories on developmental FC in a rural Gambian population from age 5-24 months. To investigate how these early trajectories relate to later childhood outcomes, we assessed cognitive flexibility at 3-5 years. We observed that early physical growth before the fifth month of life drove optimal developmental trajectories of FC that in turn predicted cognitive …

Impact Of Different Light Emitting Diodes (Leds) Treatments On The Quality And Bioactive Compounds Of Cucumber (Cucumis Sativus L.) Fruit During Cold, Imad Eldin Abbas Yousif

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

Extending postharvest quality and maintaining the nutritional value of cucumber fruit requires specific storage conditions to postpone senescence and enhance marketability. The postharvest lightening environment is a main factor that influences quality preservation for harvested biomass. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of different light emitting diodes (LEDs) spectra (green, red, blue, and white LEDs) alone or in combination with 1-Methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) on postharvest quality and bioactive compounds of cucumberfruit during cold storage. For 16 days at 5°C, fruits were either exposed to white, red, blue, or green LEDs or left in the dark (control). For …

Current Status Of Anthelmintic Resistance In Meat Goats: A Comparative Efficacy Study Of Albendazole And Fenbendazole In Maha Sarakham, Thailand, Minta Pipatsakulpak, Usanisa Boonum, Kotchakorn Roongruang, Benjawan Sae-Chue, Sukanya Leethongdee, Songsak Chumpawadee, Nattaya Watwiengkam, Pongphol Pongthaisong

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

Anthelmintic resistance in gastrointestinal nematodes threatens sustainable goat production globally. While resistance is well-documented in many regions, data from Thailand remain limited. This study determined the prevalence of gastrointestinal nematodes and assessed the efficacy of albendazole and fenbendazole in meat goats in Maha Sarakham province, northeastern Thailand. A two-stage cross-sectional study was conducted on 10 meat goat farms between August 2021 and March 2022. In Stage 1, fecal samples from 150 goats were examined using simple flotation and sedimentation techniques to identify parasite morphology. In Stage 2, the McMaster technique was employed to quantify fecal egg counts (FEC). Twenty-six goats …

Exploring The Halal Perspectives On Animal Excrement And Its Renewable Energy Products, Ahmad Munjin Nasikh, Nur Faizin, Eli Hendrik Sanjaya, Achmad Sultoni, Cecep Soleh Kurniawan

Nusantara Halal Journal

Energy consumption continues to increase following the escalation of economic growth worldwide. The U.S. Energy Information Administration predicts global energy consumption will increase by 50% from 2018 to 2050, with the highest increase in Asia. But up to recently, coal and oil are still the primary sources of energy. Thus, a novel and renewable alternative energy is a necessity. Biomass is one of the most abundant renewable energy sources that come from various sources. However, the Muslim world population feels the need for an answer to the halal status of this energy source. This paper examines Islamic classical and modern …

Integration Of Endemic Economic Cereal And Legume Crops In Jazan, Saudi Arabia Based On Pathogenic Fungi As A Taxonomic Study, A. El-Shabasy

The Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Science

This review evaluates the relation between fungal disease of the most important economic plants at Jazan region, Saudi Arabia and phylogenetic plant taxonomic values. This study provides the full information on the status of fungal diseases with comparative analysis among different species related to the same families. The review highlights on environmental impacts on fungal disease dispersion, virulence and pathogenicity besides the plant morphological characters. It refers to the adaptation of plants at their habitats as well as the status of fungal biodiversity among studied plant species.

Potential Protective Effects Of Okra (Abelmoschus Esculentus) Seed Oil Against Cadmium-Induced Oxidative Lipid Damage In Male Rats, Amani Ahmad Rifai Filimban, Nada Abdulkareem Batais

The Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Science

Objectives: To investigate the protective effect of okra seed oil against cadmium-induced toxicity in male Wistar rats.

Methods: Twenty-four male Wistar rats (8-weeks old, average 120g) were divided into four groups (n=6): Control/ Received deionized water. Cadmium/ Received 5 mg/kg/day of cadmium chloride (CdCl₂) orally. Okra Seed Oil/ Treated with 800 mg/kg/day of okra seed oil. Okra Seed Oil + Cadmium/ Received okra seed oil followed three hours later by CdCl₂. Treatments were given daily. Lipid profiles and antioxidant markers were measured to assess metabolic effects.

Results: Cadmium exposure caused significant dyslipidemia, characterized by elevated levels …

Ziziphus Oxyphylla Edgew. A New Record In Arabian Peninsula From South-Western Mountains Of Saudi Arabia, Tawfiq Alfaifi, Lamiaa F. Shalabi

The Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Science

For the first time, the current study identifies Zizphus oxyphylla Edgew. plant collected from southwestern mountains of Saudi Arabia, Al Hashr and Faifa. Complete morphological description for the plant, taxonomic notes, location and distribution maps, photographs for plant parts, habitats and population data are included. Data collected from published literature, formal taxonomic websites, geographical affinities, ecological similarities were reported as strong evidences which confirmed the identification of Ziziphus oxyphylla plant as a new addition to the flora of Saudi Arabia and Arabian Peninsula.

Heavy Metal Contamination In Red Sea Hamour Fish: Bioaccumulation Patterns, Toxicological Impacts, And Microbial Community Disruption, Haifa O. Aljuhani, Osamah A. Ahmad, Ashwaq R. Almohammadi

The Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Science

Red Sea heavy metal pollution lately poses a serious threat to human health and ecological integrity. The present research review examines the several effects of heavy metal contamination on the economically important Hamour fish (Epinephelus spp.), a major bioindicator species because of its benthic feeding habit and great bioaccumulation potential. Where the industrial activities, hydrocarbon exploration, desalination effluent, and coastal urbanization have produced continuous pollution vectors, promoting bioaccumulation via gill absorption, food intake, and dermal absorption in Hamour tissues. Our work demonstrates complicated toxicological effect comprising oxidative stress, hematological malfunction, immunosuppression, neurotoxicity, reproductive impairment, and genotoxic damage. Consequently, heavy …

“Subjugated Knowledge And Narrative Justice”: An Interview With Grace M. Cho, Anupama Arora, Yuni Kim

Journal of Feminist Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Differential Gene Expression Profiling Of Drought-Tolerant And Sensitive Rice Genotypes Identifies Key Regulatory Networks And Metabolic Pathways, Najla Bint Saud Al-Saud

The Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Science

Drought stress represents a critical constraint to rice productivity worldwide, necessitating a comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying stress tolerance. This study employed RNA sequencing to investigate drought-responsive transcriptional networks in root tissues of two contrasting rice genotypes: Azucena (drought-tolerant) and IR64 (drought-sensitive). Twenty-day-old seedlings were subjected to 14-day drought stress treatment, and transcriptomic profiles were analyzed using high-throughput sequencing. Quality-filtered reads achieved >95% Q30 scores with alignment rates of 94.48–96.55% to the reference genome. Differential expression analysis identified 30,419–31,052 differentially expressed genes across four comparison groups, with the drought-sensitive IR64 exhibiting approximately 15% more differentially expressed genes (DEGs) …

Barriers To Food Security In Supportive Housing Sites In Scc, Olivia Reifschneider, Addison Lewis, Will Jaspen

Environmental Studies and Sciences Senior Capstone

Using a community-engaged mixed-methods research study, we sought to determine the extent to which supportive housing residents in Santa Clara County (SCC) are food insecure, as well as the possible causes, and how this can be addressed by the County and connected non-profits. Through interviews and surveys, we found that 84.62% of the residents surveyed were food insecure, and 62% did not agree that their food insecurity had improved while being in supportive housing. These findings highlight the importance of understanding the cause of food insecurity, as many housing sites provide meals to their residents multiple times a day. We …

Risk Management Strategies To Reduce Pressure Injuries In Skilled Nursing Homes In Florida, Teresa Latoya Desir

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Limitations And Alternative Applications Of Carbohydrate Fatty Acid Esters As Food Antimicrobials: A Review, Valeria Rodríguez Monge, Namhyeon Park

Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Science Student Research

Carbohydrate fatty acid esters (CFAs) are nontoxic food additives with reported antimicrobial activity and growing interest as a potential safer alternative to conventional preservatives. However, their translation into real food systems remains limited. This review examined the main factors that restrict the antimicrobial performance of CFAs in foods and evaluated emerging alternative applications, particularly edible coatings, antibiofilm strategies, and synergistic combinations with other cleaning agents or processing techniques. Overall, the available evidence indicates that the antimicrobial efficacy of CFAs is often reduced in real food matrices compared with in vitro conditions. This loss of activity has been mainly associated with …

Global Burden Of Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis In Children: A Systematic Analysis For The Global Burden Of Disease Study, Xuhui Liu, Peierdun Mijiti, Lu Xia, Sylvia M Lacourse, Wulan Talafuhan, Alexander W Kay, Yang Yang, Huarui Liu, Dan Ye, Leonardo Martinez, Shuihua Lu, Adong Shen, Anna M Mandalakas, Feng Li, Christoph Lange, Zhen Huang

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Paediatric tuberculosis (TB), particularly drug-resistant TB (DR-TB), is associated with significant mortality. However, the global burden of childhood TB remains poorly understood.

Methods: We analysed incident cases, deaths, and age-standardised incidence and mortality rates among children (0-14 years) with multidrug-resistant/rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (MDR/RR-TB) and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB) using the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 database. Data were stratified by age, sex, region, country, and HIV/AIDS status. Annual and average annual percentage changes were assessed using joinpoint regression analysis. Secondary analyses compared adult and paediatric TB trends in the End TB era and evaluated the potential impact of the …

Development Of Gelatin From Halal And Alternative Sources: A Review, Farhani Ahmad, Musfirah Azmi, Nurhamieza Md Huzir, Norhidayu Muhamad Zain

Nusantara Halal Journal

Gelatin is a common ingredient used in various industrial sectors including food and beverage, cosmetic, pharmaceutical as well as biomedical. Due to inexpensive processing cost and shorter processing time, porcine becomes the main source of gelatin. Thus, the application of this ingredient creates several problems especially issues related to its halal status among Muslim community. The present study aims at reviewing the development of gelatin from halal sources and their potential as alternatives to substitute the sources of non-halal gelatins. The applications of gelatin in food industry and the current issues on halal gelatin have been discussed in detail. The …

National Agricultural Library (Nal) Search., Leah Everitt, Sonya Lemke

Publications

SEARCH is the USDA National Agricultural Library (NAL)'s main discovery platform that provides integrated access to the NAL Digital Collections, Special Collections, PubAg and AGRICOLA. NAL SEARCH is a valuable tool for health science librarians, students, and professionals seeking veterinary science, nutrition, or animal experiment alternatives. This article aims to give users a comprehensive overview of this resource.

Vitamin D–Amp Axis In Host Defense Against Fungal Infections, Nuraly S. Akimbekov, Ilya Digel, Svetlana K. Sakhanova, Kuanysh Tastambek, Dinara K. Sherelkhan, Mohammed S. Razzaque

School of Medicine Publications

Vitamin D–mediated regulation of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) is an important focus in innate immunology and is aimed at elucidating the role of vitamin D in enhancing antimicrobial defense. AMPs are short protein chains that serve as a first line of defense against invading pathogens, including fungi, bacteria and viruses. Unlike conventional antibiotics, AMPs are produced endogenously and are less likely to induce antimicrobial resistance, making them promising candidates for treating infections caused by drug-resistant pathogens. Studies indicate that optimal vitamin D levels are essential for activating antimicrobial pathways and regulating AMPs that target multiple fungal pathogens. This article summarizes recent …

The Relationship Between Psychological Stress And Sars-Cov-2 Nucleocapsid-Antibody Response Following Natural Infection: Longitudinal Findings From The Aegis Study, Erika T Beidelman, Ashley Judge, David B Allison, Stephanie Dickinson, Lilian Golzarri Arroyo, Anna L M Macagno, Michael J Ricciardi, Jon Macy, Stanley Perlman, Christina Ludema, Kevin C Maki, Molly Rosenberg

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Psychological stress can cause diminished immune response to infectious challenges. The extent this holds true during severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and the modifying effect of vaccination status is untested. We explored these relationships in a non-random sample standardized to the US adult population. Across 2178 participants in the Aegis study (2021-2022), we identified 507 eligible laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infections. We estimated the natural log of nucleocapsid-binding antibody absorbance (N-antibody) at study visits up to 225 days following a positive SARS-CoV-2 test. Linear mixed effects models were fit to estimate the association of baseline perceived stress and, separately, …

Napier Grass (Pennisetum Purpureum) Meal Modulates Growth Efficiency, Gut Morphology, And Systemic Health In Broiler Chickens, Eric Lim Teik Chung, Yee Lyn Ong, Nazri Nayan, Muhamad Faris Ab Aziz, Faez Firdaus Abdullah Jesse, Faizal Andri, Arissara Sopawong

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

Grass and leaf meals, which include vital phytocompounds, have the potential to be a natural and safe alternative to antibiotics in the poultry industry. Therefore, this study aims to assess Pennisetum purpureum leaf meal and its phytocompounds on the health performances of colored-broilers. A total of 216 unsexed Sasso chicks were assigned to six diet groups. The negative control (T1) received a commercial basal diet without antibiotics, while the positive control (T2) received the same diet with oxytetracycline (100 mg/kg). Groups T3 to T6 received no antibiotics and included P. purpureum meal at 1.25, 2.50, 3.75, or 5.00 grams per …

Sulfur Nutrient Deficiencies And Elevated Carbon Dioxide Impacts On Lunularia Cruciata And Dicranum Tauricum: How Bryophytes Could Fare Under Climate Change Conditions And Their Possible Capabilities As Carbon Sequesters, Solana R. Dicus Breen

SUURJ: Seattle University Undergraduate Research Journal

As climate change worsens, atmospheric carbon dioxide levels continue to increase. Plants absorb carbon dioxide through photosynthesis and should be explored as a possible method of carbon sequestration. Additionally, nutrient levels will continue to decrease in the atmosphere and soil. There is little understanding of how bryophytes will respond to climate change, especially to the combination of poor nutrient availability and elevated carbon dioxide. Using a lab experiment where bryophytes were grown in differing sulfur and carbon dioxide levels, this study assessed the impacts of sulfur nutrient starvation and elevated carbon dioxide on two bryophyte species: Dicranum tauricum and Lunularia …

An Exploratory Study: The Presence Of Imposter Syndrome In New Graduate Allied Health Professionals And Its Relationship To Location Of Practice, Samantha J. Barber, Carol A. Flavell Dr, Moira Smith Dr

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Imposter syndrome (IS) explores the feelings of fraudulence within personal and professional settings. Commonly IS results in impaired self-confidence, and self-perceptions of one’s own abilities, their mental health, and places them at a higher risk of burnout. Imposterism is linked to transitionary periods, such as being newly graduated, and while IS addressed amongst the medical community [doctors and nurses], there is a gap in literature relating to IS amongst allied health professionals (AHPs). Additionally, there is no known literature in which IS presence or severity is explored in relation to an individual’s geographic location. The aim of this study …

Exploration Of Maryland African American Veterans’ Experiences Utilizing Information On Federal Benefits And Services, Shontrea Bazemore

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Evaluating The Impact Of Invasive Carp On Atchafalaya River Zooplankton Community Structure, Bryce Lavergne

Masters Theses

Invasive carp (Hypopthalmichthys spp.) is a generalist filter feeder that has established itself across the Mississippi Watershed of the United States and caused harm to native fish species through depletion of a shared resource, causing a decline in zooplankton density and body size. This study analyzes the impact of larval invasive carp on zooplankton community structure between drought and non-drought years and an environmental gradient in the Atchafalaya River Basin. Larval carp and zooplankton density and size were sampled using net tows and correlated with environmental parameters measured in 2023 and 2024. Results showed that zooplankton density and size were …

June 2, 2026 Ereporter, University Of Alabama At Birmingham

eReporter (campus newsletter)

No abstract provided.

One-On-One Vs. Group Health Coaching: Impact On Weight, Knowledge And Well-Being., Julie Nelson

Nursing Capstones

This DNP scholarly project completed a retrospective review, comparing the effectiveness of one-on-one versus group-based health and wellness coaching in improving outcomes related to weight loss, health knowledge, and participant perceptions of well-being. The project reviewed existing, de-identified data from adults who previously completed a coaching program focused on healthy behavior change. Coaching was delivered in either a group or one-on-one format, and outcome measures included changes in weight, knowledge of healthy behaviors, and participant reported impressions of overall health and wellness. The aim of the project was to determine if the delivery method of coaching impacts outcomes, thus informing …

Life-Stage Specific Predatory Efficiency Of 2 Generalist Predators Of Bemisia Tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), Itohan Aigbedion-Atalor, Abdelmutalab G. Azrag, Alvin M. Simmons, Jason M. Schmidt

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) is an economically damaging invasive pest to global vegetable production. Current management strategies rely heavily on insecticides, but increasing levels of resistance raise sustainability concerns. Therefore, strengthening integrated pest management (IPM) programs requires enhancing biocontrol through improved predator-pest interactions. Despite the well-established relevance of functional response modulation by multiple environmental factors, limited research has explored how plant traits and prey life stages interact to influence the efficiency of generalist predators in vegetable systems. To address this gap, we evaluated the functional responses of 2 adult generalist predators, Hippodamia convergens (Guérin-Méneville) and Geocoris punctipes (Say), against 3 nymphal …

Evaluating Outcomes Of Alternative Pathologic Terminology In High-Grade Dysplastic Colorectal Lesions, Shaman Dalal, Aakash Desai, Nahel Tunio, Jacqueline Khalil, Devereaux Sellers, Marc Landsman

Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Faculty Papers

Background Pathologists occasionally classify colorectal adenomas with dysplastic mucosal invasion as intramucosal carcinoma (IMC), or carcinoma in situ (CIS), instead of high-grade dysplasia (HGD), potentially leading to earlier surveillance colonoscopies and inappropriate surgical referrals. We aimed to analyze differences in the management of patients with these diagnoses, and examined the factors that may lead to inappropriate early interval (IEI) follow-up recommendations for surveillance.

Methods We reviewed 870 colonoscopy and pathology reports from 2015-2022, excluding cases of colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, and lesions not amenable to endoscopic resection. Surveillance appropriateness was defined in accordance with the 2020 US Multi Society …

Academic Senate - Agenda, 06/02/2026, Academic Senate

Academic Senate Agendas

No abstract provided.

Effects Of L-Baiba Supplementation With And Without Grains Of Paradise On Changes In Resting Metabolic Rate, Body Composition, And Cardiometabolic Risk Factors, Leah E. Allen, Paige J. Sutton, Alex Schrautemeier, Kevin Holley, Connor J. Gaige, Joesi M. Krieger, Anthony M. Hagele, Karenina Antequera Gutierrez, Petey Mumford, Chad Kerksick

Faculty Symposium

To evaluate the impact of 56 days of supplementing with L-BAIBA or L-BAIBA + GOP (BGOP) on resting metabolic rate, body composition, perceptual indicators of mood and affect, and cardiometabolic markers in overweight and obese men and women.

METHODS: Healthy men and women (43.2±11.4 years, 169.4±7.6 cm, 90.3±15.6 kg, 31.4±4.4 kg∙m-2) completed a weekly exercise program and followed a calorierestrictive diet and were randomly assigned in a double-blind and blocked manner according to sex and DXA lean mass to consume daily either a placebo (PLA) (n=12 [11F, 1M]), 500 mg L-BAIBA (L-BAIBA: MitoBurn™, NNB Nutrition) (n=13 [9F, 4M]), or …