Digital Commons Network^™

Latinx Sleep Health Disparities In Primary Care: The Role Of Patient-Provider Communication, Amy L. Fraire

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Poor sleep is linked to various adverse health outcomes, and Latinx often experience shorter and poorer sleep relative to non-Hispanic whites (NHWs). Despite growing attention to racial/ethnic sleep health disparities, there is a notable dearth in the literature on patient-provider communication about sleep (Sleep Communication) during primary care visits, particularly among Latinx patients. To address this gap, this study provides initial insights into the incidence of Sleep Communication among Latinx and NHW primary care patients (N = 210), as well as if patient race/ethnicity and Sleep Communication collectively relate to patient satisfaction with their PCP or perceptions of culturally sensitive …

Assessment Of Mediterranean Diet Adherence Using The Kidmed Diet 2.0 Tool: College Student Questionnaire, Nakia Cyrice Hilton

Master's Theses

The Mediterranean Diet has garnered increasing popularity due to its multifaceted health benefits. The MedDiet enhances well-being across all age groups, emphasizing high consumption of fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, olive oil, and whole grains and moderate fish, poultry, and dairy intake. Recent research underscores the significant impact of Mediterranean diet adherence on college students' physical and mental health. The diet's emphasis on nutrient-dense foods rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants supports cognitive function, which is pivotal for academic performance. Moreover, the abundant presence of healthy fats, particularly from olive oil and fatty fish, may contribute to improved mood regulation, potentially …

Adherence To Mediterranean Diet Principles In Minority College Students, Bridgette Lorraine Barbre

Master's Theses

Every year, millions of young adults attend college. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lists heart disease and diabetes as the top health concerns for minority Americans. African American and Hispanic/Latino communities could see a reduction in illness risk by promoting physical activity and healthy eating habits such as the Mediterranean Diet. Research indicates that young adults may benefit significantly from taking charge of their eating habits at the crucial point in their transition from high school to college. By determining the dietary patterns of minority college students, as related to the Mediterranean diet principles, this study intends …

Optimizing Remote Work Engagement And Performance, Jessica Chackoria

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

Remote work prevalence continues to remain higher than pre-pandemic levels and hybrid structures are increasingly becoming the norm. Therefore, it is important for researchers and organizations to understand how to optimize important employee outcomes, such as engagement and performance, in a remote work context. In this study, I addressed this need by investigating whether factors that have been found to enhance engagement and performance in traditional contexts—specifically, job design characteristics (task identity, task significance, autonomy, skill variety, and feedback) and microbreaks or small breaks during the workday—were positively linked with better remote work engagement and performance (task and contextual). The …

Oral Nutritional Supplement Prescription And Adherence Perspectives, Kristyn Bordelon Hood

Master's Theses

Oral nutritional supplements (ONS) are nutrient-dense beverages that aid in meeting the nutrient needs of patients. Recent research has indicated that patient adherence to prescribed nutritional supplements may depend on palatability, tolerance, and taste fatigue. Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) are healthcare professionals who may prescribe these supplements directly or make recommendations to the patient’s physician for a prescription, thereby influencing patient adherence. Little research has been documented regarding taste fatigue and the influences of the RDN’s decisions on patient adherence to nutritional supplement adherence. The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of the perspectives of nutrition professionals …

A Longitudinal Study Assessing The Influence Of Salivary Cortisol, Alpha Amylase, And Interleukin-1Β Levels On Sleep And Physical Activity Among Emerging Adults, Bernardo Loiacono

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

Emerging adulthood can be marked by psychological disorders and distress. Stress exposure activates several bodily responses involving the hypothalamic pituitary axis (HPA) and autonomic nervous system (ANS). Research into these systems involves the examination of several biomarkers including cortisol and alpha amylase. Basal values of these biomarkers have been linked to well-being and health outcomes. Also, stress biomarkers have been shown to influence physical activity (PA) which is salient because it is linked to chronic illness and disease (e.g., obesity, cancer, depression, diabetes). The present study aimed to explore the bidirectional relationships between basal stress biomarkers and daily PA in …

The Joint Impact Of Parent Health Efficacy And Child Temperament On Child Health Outcomes, Emma F. Kruis

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

Children and adolescents in the United States have high rates of obesity due to several factors including low rates of physical exercise. Parents greatly impact children's short and long-term health behaviors through multiple mechanisms. The role of parental factors such as health self-efficacy in interaction with child temperament is underexplored. This present study had two primary aims: 1) to examine the main effects of parent health efficacy on child physical activity and body mass index (BMI) percentile; 2) to explore the impact of parent health efficacy as a function of child temperament and the main effects of temperament on children's …

Virtual Cellphilming With Gbtq Pups: Towards Participant-Driven Research As Activism, Kinda Wassef, Olivia Bonardi, Olivier Ferlatte, Megan Aston, Phillip Joy

The Qualitative Report

In the present paper, we draw upon our research, entitled Puppy Philms, to guide researchers who are interested in queering cellphilming methodologies. In this context, “queering” refers to the process of challenging and disrupting heteronormative roles and perspectives within research practices. We argue that taking a queer poststructural approach to virtual cellphilming helped us shift this project away from typical academic relations of power, towards participant-driven research as activism. In emphasizing flexibility, reflexivity, a desire for partnership and community building, we found queer communication to be a mechanism through which we could shift power and drive levels of engagement. In …

Health Literacy Among Chronic Kidney Disease Patients: Disparities In Information Seeking, Educational Needs, And The Role Of Healthcare Professionals, Fitri Mailani, Rahmi Muthia, Emil Huriani, Rika Sarfika

The Qualitative Report

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a complex disease that poses various challenges to patients. Health Literacy (HL) is considered essential for the effective management of CKD. This phenomenological study explored health literacy in 12 patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis in Padang, Indonesia. Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted, and the data were analysed and interpreted using the hermeneutical phenomenological approach of Diekelmann. We found six themes: sources of information and knowledge, differences in patient attitudes and behaviors as health information seekers, learning needs for successful treatment and care, effective learning and education methods, experiences with alternative treatments, and positive …

Akt Disruption Leads To Non-Canonical Apical Constriction In Drosophila Embryos, Vincent Brown

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Akt/mTOR pathway (Akt pathway) has largely been examined in terms of its role as the primary nutrient sensing pathway due to its ability to recognize nutrient availability within a cell, particularly amino acids and glucose. Among its nutrient sensing characteristics, this pathway also contributes to a large variety of other cell functions such as cell growth, proliferation, protein synthesis, and cell survival via anti-apoptotic signaling. Although many aspects of this pathway have been carefully studied, the extent to which it regulates embryonic development remains unclear. Here, I examine Akt function in the early Drosophila embryo and demonstrate that Akt …

Turkey Tail Mushroom (Trametes Versicolor): An Edible Macrofungi With Immense Medicinal Properties, Olaide Olaide Ajibola, Cirilo Nolasco-Hipolito, Octavio Carvajal-Zarrabal, Shanti F. Salleh, Gbadebo C. Adeyinka, Stephen A. Adefegha, Mirja K. Ahmmed, Kazi Sumaiya, Raymond Thomas

Biology Publications

Macrofungi, commonly known as mushrooms, are not only considered functional foods for supplying essential nutritional ingredients but also a good source of physiologically beneficial medicines. Trametes versicolor, referred to as turkey tail’s Mushroom or Yun Zhi in China, is an edible mushroom that has extensive historical usage in conventional and traditional Chinese medicine. This mushroom contains an abundance of physiologically bioactive compounds, most notably β-glucan polysaccharides, which are responsible for antioxidant, neuroprotection, hypolipidemic effects, immune-modulating effects, and anticancer effects. Trametes versicolor has also been revealed to have wound healing, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, antifibrotic, neurotrophic, and …

An Accidental Discovery Of Ductal Adenocarcinoma Of The Pancreas In An Adult Horse With Severe Abdominal Pain, Thita Wonghanchao, Kanokpan Sanigavatee, Chanoknun Poochipakorn, Onjira Huangsaksri, Phudit Maneesaay, Rungrueang Yodsheewan, Metha Chanda

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

A native pony, eight years old and male, was tentatively diagnosed with abdominal pain and treated immediately. Sequential hematological profiles revealed increased levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and creatinine, as well as reduced albumin. After the pony's death, which occurred eight days after treatment began, a necropsy was performed. The liver's external surface showed small foci, but no gross lesion was observed in the pancreas, which was enlarged. Haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining of the liver showed multifocal inflammation in the hepatic parenchyma, coinciding with bile duct hyperplasia. The pancreas H&E staining showed well-differentiated tubular glands with …

A Preliminary Study Of Lasia Spinosa Thw. Feed Supplementation Improving Semen Quality Of Subfertile Purebred Boars, Supitcha Kaewma, Junpen Suwimonteerabutr, Nutthee Am-In, Saritvich Panyaboriban, Mongkol Techakumphu, Theerawat Swangchan-Uthai

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

Poor semen quality is a significant issue among imported purebred boars in Thailand, affecting both semen quality itself and reducing productivity at AI stations. The present study investigated the effects of dietary supplementation with Lasia spinosa Thw. (LST) on improving boar semen quality. A group of boars experiencing poor semen quality were monitored, and three were selected due to their persistent low semen profiles for the supplementation experiment. Dried LST powder was prepared in small bags at a dosage of 4 g per 100 kg body weight and added to the regular feed for daily oral administration over an 8-week …

Effect Of Heat Stress And Feed Type On Trimethylamine Concentration And Fishy Odor Of Duck Eggs, Pachara Pearodwong, Winai Kaewlamun, Sarawanee Khunmanee, Thuwanon Boonkerd, Thananon Junsuri, Kajohn Nitiwararak, Pantira Hempattarasuwan, Pattrarat Chanchaithong

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

We investigated the effect of heat stress and feed type on the trimethylamine (TMA) concentration and the fishy odor of duck eggs (Study 1) and the relationship between the TMA level in serum and egg content (Study 2). In Study 1, pooled egg samples (n = 75) were divided by feed type (CP12, n = 24; CP18, n = 27; CP20, n = 24) and heat stress (no, n = 49; moderate, n = 15; severe, n = 11). The collected samples were obtained for TMA analysis and sensory testing. In Study 2, a total of 15 egg and 15 …

Southern Adventist University Commencement Program Summer 2024, Southern Adventist University

Commencement Programs

Program for Southern Adventist University Summer 2024 graduation. The commencement service occurred on August 23, 2024 at 10 am in Iles Physical Education Center.

Accessible Dietary Interventions For The Prevention And Management Of Common Menstrual Disorders: A Systematic Review, Ella R. Motzko

Theses and Graduate Projects

Objective: This systematic review aims to provide healthcare providers with evidence-based dietary recommendations that can be easily implemented by patients across diverse populations to address a critical gap in the management of common menstrual disorders like premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and primary dysmenorrhea (PD).

Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted using UpToDate, American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) Green Journal, Google Scholar, and PubMed electronic databases to identify randomized-controlled trials (RCTs) that investigated the effects of specific essential nutrients or diet-related behavioral or educational interventions on PMS or PD symptoms.

Results: Following the PRISMA guidelines, the identification process began with …

Exploration Of Positive Deviance In Prevention Of Underweight In The Under-Five: A Qualitative Study On Low-Income Urban Families, Irwan Budiono, Lukman Fauzi, Dewi Sari Rochmayani

Kesmas

Children under the age of five (the under-five) from low-income families are more vulnerable to experience underweight. This nutritional vulnerability is evident in the preliminary study, where 35.1% of the under-five experience underweight, and 28.48% are low-income families. This study aimed to explore Positive Deviance (PD) behaviors in preventing underweight among the under-five. The study applied a qualitative approach with a case study design. Data collection took place in July-August 2022, focusing on low-income families in the Gunung Brintik area. Data were collected through two focus group discussions, seven in-depth interviews, and five key informant interviews. Coding, subtheme, and theme …

Anatolian Medicinal Plants As Potential Antiviral Agents: Bridging Traditional Knowledge And Modern Science In The Fight Against Covid-19 And Related Viral Infections, Engi̇n Ti̇lkat, Israt Jahan, Ayşe Hoşer, Alevcan Kaplan, Oğuzhan Özdemi̇r, Ahmet Onay

Turkish Journal of Biology

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the cause of the worldwide coronavirus illness 2019 (COVID-19), often known as the coronavirus pandemic. Since December 2020 however, COVID-19 vaccines have been extensively administered in numerous countries. In addition to new antiviral medications, the treatment regimen also encompasses symptom management. In spite of sustained research efforts, the outbreak remains uncontrolled, with affected patients still lacking proper treatment. Consequently, this review serves as a valuable asset for researchers and practitioners aiming to delve into the yet unexplored potential of Anatolian flora in the fight against COVID-19 and other viral infections. Numerous …

Optogenetic Control Of Bacterial Dormancy, Yousr Dhaouadi Khattab

Dissertations - ALL

The presence of persister cells makes it difficult to eradicate chronic bacterial infections as these dormant subpopulations arise with exposure to stressors and are capable of surviving antimicrobials that target active cells. Persisters can also revert back to normal growing cells when stressors are removed thus reestablishing the infection. It is therefore important to understand the underlying mechanisms of persister formation, as well as wake-up, and target these systems in order to treat chronic bacterial infections. The formation of persisters, however, remains elusive as there is not yet a clear relationship between the various stages of dormancy. Persister cells can …

Risk Factors For Cognitive Impairment In Adult Population Of Coastal Area: A Cross-Sectional Study In Maringkik Island, Indonesia, Herpan Syafii Harahap, Arina Windri Rivarti, Nurhidayati Nurhidayati, Fitriannisa Faradina Zubaidi, Dini Suryani, Legis Ocktaviana Saputri, Yanna Indrayana, Athalita Andhera, Muhammad Hilam, Abiyyu Didar Haq

Kesmas

Cognitive impairment is a medical condition commonly found in elderly populations, which can be due to vascular risk factors in patients. There remains limited data on risk factors for cognitive impairment among coastal region populations. This study aimed to investigate risk factors for cognitive impairment in the adult population of Maringkik Island, West Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia. Data collected were age, sex, education level, hypertension, antihypertensive treatment, diabetes mellitus, cigarette smoking, and body mass index status. A total of 114 participants were recruited using a consecutive sampling method. The participants’ cognitive function assessment used the Mini-Cog instrument. The cognitive impairment …

Exploring Informal Caregivers’ Perspectives On Oral Care For Stroke Patients, Haslina Rani, Saidatul Najibah Muhammad Zamzuri, Ezzah Omar, Tuti Ningseh Mohd-Dom, Aznida Firzah Abdul Aziz, Mohd Fairuz Ali

Kesmas

Stroke often results in physical disability and functional impairment, which may severely limit patients' ability to care for personal hygiene, including oral care. This study aimed to identify the challenges faced by informal caregivers in managing the oral health of stroke patients. This study conducted semi-structured individual interviews with eight home-based caregivers of stroke patients recruited from a community-based clinic facility of a public university in Malaysia. The interviews took 30-45 minutes to complete and were transcribed verbatim. Transcripts were analyzed thematically using a phenomenological approach. Relevant themes that emerged were variations in oral hygiene care, caregivers’ concerns in providing …

Three Essays On Administrative Burden And The Social Safety Net, William Clay Fannin

Dissertations - ALL

In this dissertation, I investigate how administrative burdens in the social safety net affect payment accuracy, benefit levels, multiple program participation, and benefit redemption. In the first chapter, I study simplified reporting, a policy that allowed states to reduce the amount of information Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients must report between certifications. I leverage the fact that simplified reporting affects only some households and in certain months to estimate its impact on the share of SNAP benefits issued in error and SNAP benefit amounts. Using administrative data from the federal SNAP Quality Control system, I find that simplified reporting …

The Incretin Response To Lifestyle Interventions In Young Adults And Youth With Obesity, Jared Rosenberg

Dissertations - ALL

Over the past few decades, the rates of type 2 diabetes (T2D) have seen a sharp rise in youth and young adults. Gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), the two known incretin hormones, have recently gained attention as pharmacological agents to treat T2D in both youth and young adults. Despite the efficacy of these pharmacological agents to treat T2D, lifestyle interventions are still the first-line treatment for youth and young adults at heightened risk of T2D. Therefore, we sought to assess the incretin response to lifestyle interventions in youth and young adults through separate longitudinal studies in each …

A New Hobbesian Constructivism, Stacy Lynn Kohls

Dissertations - ALL

Constructivism in metaethics asserts that moral truths are constructed from human attitudes and reasons rather than existing independently of them. “Why should I be moral?” is a philosophical question that is often taken for granted, but answering it is paramount in our society. This question, coined by Christine Korsgaard as the normative question, is one of the central projects of constructivists and moral philosophers in general. One long-standing but controversial answer is that there is a self-interested benefit to being moral. One of the best known proponents of this idea in the history of political philosophy was Thomas Hobbes. This …

The Occupational, Psychosocial, Biobehavioral Lifestyle, And Physiological Determinants Of Hypertension Risk Among Military Veterans, Jacob Paul Deblois

Dissertations - ALL

Military veterans may be at increased risk over non-veterans for the development of hypertension, potentially due to the consequences of their unique military stressors; however, research has not consistently shown this. We sought to interrogate nationwide datasets to determine the impact of different military service experiences on the risk for hypertension diagnosis and explore the impact of military occupational stressors on hypertension risk factors via the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) and National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). Study 1 assessed hypertension diagnoses in the context of combat exposure and the presence of psychiatric disorders (PD) and/or traumatic brain injury …

Evolution On High: A Comparison Of The Physiology And Narrative Representation Of Two Native High Altitude Populations, Taylor Shay Harman

Dissertations - ALL

Abstract This dissertation is an interdisciplinary study of human adaptation to high altitude. High altitude environments are known for being very difficult places for humans to live, for several reasons, but especially because they are characterized by low ambient oxygen tension, i.e., hypoxia. In spite of these challenges, there are several human populations that have lived at high altitude for tens of thousands of years. The two best-characterized highland populations, Andeans and Tibetans, have both been shown to perform better at high altitude than their lowland counterparts. This is thought to be due to a series of adaptations that have …

Turkish Adaptation Of The Neonatal Eating Assessment Tool–Bottle-Feeding In Preterm Infants Discharged To Home, Burcu Aykanat Gi̇rgi̇n, Duygu Gözen, Sabi̇ha Çağlayan, Bri̇tt Pados

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Preterm infants often continue to have feeding difficulties after hospital discharge. Parental use of assessment tools and collaboration with health professionals are important for the early diagnosis of post-discharge feeding difficulties. This methodological study examined the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the Neonatal Eating Assessment Tool (NeoEAT)–Bottle-feeding in post-discharge preterm infants in Turkey.Materials and methods: A Turkish version of the NeoEAT–Bottle-feeding was developed and applied to 321 mothers of preterm infants younger than seven months of corrected age between August 2021 and December 2022. Cronbach’s α, exploratory factor, confirmatory factor, item-total correlation, test-retest, and known-groups validity …

Prevalence And General Characteristics Of Dementia: A Nationwide Population-Based Study Of Electronic Health Records In Türkiye, Merve Güner, Meltem Koca, Serdar Ceylan, Arzu Okyar Baş, Ayşe Di̇kmeer, Mert Eşme, Osman Çeli̇k, Mustafa Okan Ayvali, Murat Çağlayan, Mustafa Mahi̇r Ülgü, Gülni̇hal Gökçe Ünal, Cafer Balci, Nai̇m Ata, Mustafa Cankurtaran, Burcu Balam Doğu, Şuayi̇p Bi̇ri̇nci̇

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Türkiye is a country with an increasing life expectancy and an older adult population in parallel with the rest of the world. Several national small-scale studies were performed regarding the prevalence and characteristics of dementia in Türkiye, and the results of these studies differ from each other. We aimed to determine the prevalence of dementia in Türkiye to present the demographic characteristics, the frequency of use of health services, and the management of dementia.Materials and methods: Patients aged 65 years and over with a diagnosis of any type of dementia between January 1, 2019, and December 31, 2020, were …

Prediction Of Inherited Metabolic Disorders Using Tandem Mass Spectrometry Data With The Help Of Artificial Neural Networks, Pembe Soylu Üstkoyunciu, Nuretti̇n Üstkoyuncu

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Tandem mass spectrometry is helpful in diagnosing amino acid metabolism disorders, organic acidemias, and fatty acid oxidation disorders and can provide rapid and accurate diagnosis for inborn errors of metabolism. The aim of this study was to predict inborn errors of metabolism in children with the help of artificial neural networks using tandem mass spectrometry data.Materials and methods: Forty-seven and 13 parameters of tandem mass spectrometry datasets obtained from 2938 different patients were respectively taken into account to train and test the artificial neural networks. Different artificial neural network models were established to obtain better prediction performances. The obtained …

Serum Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Has Diagnostic And Prognostic Significiances In Ulcerative Colitis, Musa Salmanoğlu, İrfan Küçük, Başak Çakir Güney, Betül Doğanteki̇n, Nurgül Tükel, Zeli̇ha Seri̇ndağ, Habi̇p Yilmaz, Mustafa Kaplan

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: In ulcerative colitis (UC), serum vascular endothelial growth factor (sVEGF) concentrations are elevated and there are conflicting results about serum calprotectin (SCP) and sVEGF as biomarkers. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between sVEGF and SCP levels in UC patients, and the associations of these molecules and the phenotypes of UC. Materials and methods: This prospective case-control study included 60 UC patients and 30 healthy controls. The Mayo Clinical Scoring System (MCS) was used for patients' clinical and endoscopic features (MES). Truelove and Richard's method was applied to the histology activity index (HAI). The human VEGF (Cat.E0080Hu) and the …