Digital Commons Network^™

Long-Term Sustained Effects Of The Look Ahead Lifestyle Intervention On Body Composition Among Adults With Type 2 Diabetes, Henry Pownall, Blandine Laferrère, Ashok Balasubramanyam, Steven B Heymsfield, Thomas A Wadden, Dympna Gallagher

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Objective: The objective of the study was to test whether there are sustained effects of the Look AHEAD intensive lifestyle intervention (ILI), versus diabetes support and education (DSE), on weight and body composition 12 to 16 years after randomization.

Methods: Participants were a subset of enrollees in the Look AHEAD dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry substudy who completed the final visit, composed of men (DSE = 99; ILI = 94) and women (DSE = 134; ILI = 135) with type 2 diabetes and mean (SD) age 57.2 (6.4) years and BMI 34.9 (5.1) kg/m2 at randomization. Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry measured total and …

Anoctamin 4 Defines Glucose-Inhibited Neurons In The Ventromedial Hypothalamus

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

No abstract provided.

Associations Of Testosterone And Related Hormones With All-Cause And Cardiovascular Mortality And Incident Cardiovascular Disease In Men : Individual Participant Data Meta-Analyses, Robert J Adams, Leen Antonio, Christie M Ballantyne, Douglas C Bauer, Shalender Bhasin, Mary L Biggs, Peggy M Cawthon, David J Couper, Adrian S Dobs, Leon Flicker, David J Handelsman, Graeme J Hankey, Anke Hannemann, Robin Haring, Benjumin Hsu, Sean A Martin, Alvin M Matsumoto, Dan Mellström, Claes Ohlsson, Terence W O'Neill, Eric S Orwoll, Matteo Quartagno, Molly M Shores, Antje Steveling, Åsa Tivesten, Thomas G Travison, Dirk Vanderschueren, Gary A Wittert, Frederick C W Wu, Kevin Murray

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Whether circulating sex hormones modulate mortality and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in aging men is controversial.

Purpose: To clarify associations of sex hormones with these outcomes.

Data sources: Systematic literature review to July 2019, with bridge searches to March 2024.

Study selection: Prospective cohort studies of community-dwelling men with sex steroids measured using mass spectrometry and at least 5 years of follow-up.

Data extraction: Independent variables were testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), luteinizing hormone (LH), dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and estradiol concentrations. Primary outcomes were all-cause mortality, CVD death, and incident CVD events. Covariates included age, body mass index, marital status, …

Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy: Current State And Future Directions For Worldwide Practice, Taiki Haga, Demet Demirkol, Michael J Bell, Ayse Akcan-Arikan

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

No abstract provided.

Developing A Computational Representation Of Human Physical Activity And Exercise Using Open Ontology-Based Approach: A Tai Chi Use Case, Muhammad Tuan Amith

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Many studies have examined the impact of exercise and other physical activities in influencing the health outcomes of individuals. These physical activities entail an intricate sequence and series of physical anatomy, physiological movement, movement of the anatomy, etc. To better understand how these components interact with one another and their downstream impact on health outcomes, there needs to be an information model that conceptualizes all entities involved. In this study, we introduced our early development of an ontology model to computationally describe human physical activities and the various entities that compose each activity. We developed an open-sourced biomedical ontology called …

Water Management And Conservation In India Fostering Water Justice: Arguing For Adopting Just Sustainability In Water Governance, Gayathri D Naik Dr, Sanjay Shenoi P

Articles

The water sector is characterised by everyday water injustices where factors like social discrimination, economic disparities, and political preferences influence the determination of water resource access, allocation, and management. The increasing anthropogenic impacts on water resources and consequent threats to sustainability add to the water injustices, often impacting the poorer, socially downtrodden communities that bear the brunt of water scarcity and cannot afford alternatives. The current water governance patterns, prioritising equality over equity, fail to address the issues of water injustices created by social, political, and economic factors in water management and sideline the ecological impacts on water resources. Moving …

Ecotoxicological Impacts Of Landfill Sites: Towards Risk Assessment, Mitigation Policies And The Role Of Artificial Intelligence, Krishna Gautam, Namrata Pandey, Dhvani Yadav, Ramakrishnan Parthasarathi, Andrew Turner, Sadasivam Anbumani, Awadhesh N. Jha

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences

Waste disposal in landfills remains a global concern. Despite technological developments, landfill leachate poses a hazard to ecosystems and human health since it acts as a secondary reservoir for legacy and emerging pollutants. This study provides a systematic and scientometric review of the nature and toxicity of pollutants generated by landfills and means of assessing their potential risks. Regarding human health, unregulated waste disposal and pathogens in leachate are the leading causes of diseases reported in local populations. Both in vitro and in vivo approaches have been employed in the ecotoxicological risk assessment of landfill leachate, with model organisms ranging …

Occurrence Of Lotmaria Passim In Africanized And European Honey Bee, Apis Mellifera, Lineages From The United States, Mary-Kate Williams, Dylan Cleary, Allen Szalanski

Entomology and Plant Pathology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Honey bee populations in the United States have been under stress for the past several decades. Several internal parasites may contribute to this, including the trypanosome Lotmaria passim. It is unknown how widespread the honey bee parasite, L. passim, is in Africanized honey bee (AHB) populations in the United States. A total of 321 feral honey bee colony samples which had been previously recorded to be of Africanized origin using molecular diagnostics from California (n=3), New Mexico (n=46), Oklahoma (n=57), Texas (n=106), and Utah (n=109) were used in this study. Of these samples, a total of 15 (4.7%) …

Functional Characterization Of Potato Arp1 Gene Encoding Auxin-Repressed Protein, Sara Ali Alneyadi

Theses

Auxin-repressed proteins (ARPs) are conserved in higher plants and are involved in plant growth and development by controlling gene expression. ARP1 has been studied for its role in biotic stress response, but its role in abiotic stress response remains unclear. In this study, transgenic Arabidopsis plants expressing potato (S. tuberosum) ARP1 were evaluated for their salinity stress response. By gradually increasing NaCl concentrations from 0 to 200mM, plants were subjected to high salinity stress. As compared to wild-type (WT) control plants under stressed conditions, the ARP1 transgenic plants demonstrated improved height and root length and higher chlorophyll content. Under …

Characteristics Of Lactobacillus Helveticus Fermentation Of Camel And Bovine Milks, Kobika Chelladhurai

Theses

In this study, the fermentation of low-fat camel milk (CM) and bovine milk (BM) with Lactobacillus helveticus was compared to fermentation with L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus, and S. thermophilus at 28°C, 35°C, and 42°C. The fermentation activities were followed by measuring bacterial counts, titratable acidity, pH, and changes in lactose, organic acids, and proteolysis for 96 hours. Although bacterial growth was comparable in CM and BM, the fermented milks showed differences in acidification and proteolysis. Negative correlations between TA (%) and pH were consistent in both CM and BM suggesting similar buffering capacities. In both milks, L. helveticus …

Salivary Microbiome Signature In Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Ghaidaa Mohammed Mesto

Theses

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a complex disorder characterized by chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). IBD mainly includes two distinct diseases, namely Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). To date, the precise etiology of these conditions is not fully elucidated, although a strong relationship between microbial dysbiosis in the GIT and IBD has been proposed. In general, limited data is available on the oral microbiome of IBD patients, despite its recognizable role in impacting gut health. There is a paucity of research on IBD in the pediatric population, although this disease is becoming more prevalent than in …

Physicochemical Properties Of Edible Cricket Oils: Implications For Use In Pharmaceutical And Food Industries, Dorothy K. Murugu, Arnold N. Onyango, Alex K. Ndiritu, Dorothy N. Nyangena, Isaac M. Osuga, Xavier Cheseto, Sevgan Subramanian, Sunday Ekesi, Chrysantus M. Tanga

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

The prevailing global market demands locally produced, sustainable oils for biomedical applications. This study focused on evaluating the quality of cricket-derived oils and meals from Scapsipedus icipe Hugel, Tanga, and Gryllus bimaculatus De Geer common delicacy in Africa, following standard methods for physicochemical properties, fatty acid composition, and phytochemicals (oxalates, phytates, tannins, and polyphenols). The cricket oils physicochemical properties aligned with Codex Alimentarius standards for edible oils, including low solidification temperature (< 2 °C), a high refractive index (1.46), and a specific gravity of 0.88. Notably, peroxide values (1.9 to 2.5 mg mEq O2/kg), acid values (1.1 to 2.2 mg KOH/g), and saponification values (234–246 mg KOH/g) all are indicative of lightness and unsaturated fatty acids. Nutritionally, cricket powder was rich in protein (56.8–56.9% -) and fat (31.7–33.5% -of dry matter), with significant amounts of essential omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Predominant saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids were palmitic (23.9–31.2 mg/100 g-) and oleic acids (10.9–11.4 mg/100 g- of oil), respectively. Antioxidant values (48.0 to 65.0 mg/100 g), inferred from total polyphenols, suggests a stable oil with long shelf-life. These results highlight the promising and sustainable potential of cricket-derived oils for applications in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Isolation And Molecular Characterization Of Acanthamoeba Spp. From Iraqi Patients With Keratitis, Muna B. Aldin, Naksheen M. Ardalan, Khudair Abbas Jassim

Baghdad Science Journal

Isolation and molecular characterization of Acanthamoeba spp. related corneal infections in Iraqi Patients. A total of 96 samples from corneal scraps and contact lenses were gathered from corneal patients for the current trial, which runs from November 2020 to May 2021. All plates were checked, classifying them as positive or negative morphologically identification of Acanthamoeba spp. where PCR analysis, which entails the targeted amplification of nucleic acids, has been carried out, and where The 18s rRNA gene's DF3 region was the focus of the isolated strains' sequences. Three patients had Acanthamoeba spp. infections, according to the findings. then the sequence …

Burnout In Healthcare, Katie Bernard Rn Bsn, Kiana Fuller Rn Adn, Ashley Rhoades Rn Bsn

Nurse Residency

In a hospital setting, are nurses who practice coping strategies at a lower risk for nurse burnout then nurses who do not?

Reduction Of Skin Breakdown With Early Indication Of Low Braden Scale Score, Robert Inniss Rn, Bsn, Kendra Sloan

Nurse Residency

In adult patients being admitted to the hospital from the emergency department, will early indication of low Braden Scale scores and the use of an air mattress help prevent skin integrity breakdown/help prevent the further breakdown of skin in patients who already are experiencing skin breakdown?

Who Calls For Action To Uphold Right To Health Amidst Inaction, Injustice And Crises

Saudi Medical Journal

No abstract provided.

Evaluation Of Candidemia Risk Factors And Candida Species Distribution In Intensive Care Units Among Patients With And Without Covid-19, Cemile Uyar, Emel Yıldız, Özlem Genç, Öznur Ak, Emel Koçak, Sevil Alkan, Canan Balcı, Pınar Korkmaz, Duru Mıstanoğlu Özatağ, Halil Aslan

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To assess the risk variables related to the types of candidemia for each patient, who was admitted into the intensive care unit regardless of the patient with or without complete diagnosis of COVID-19, during the period of March 2019 to December 2022. Methods: The evaluation comparison of demographic and clinical data of COVID-19 positive and negative patients with candidemia confirmed in blood, 113 cases were assessed. Variables such as gender, age, age of hospitalization, history of hospitalization, concurrently infection, The acute physiology and chronic health evaluation-II scores, comorbidity checking, intubation, central venous catheter use, parenteral nutrition use, steroid use, …

Digital Transformation: Two Sides Of A Coin, Tze K Koh

Research Collection College of Integrative Studies

It is of paramount importance to examine the intersection of digital transformation and sustainability. At the same time, there is a growing imbalance between digitalisation within the workforce and the pace at which sustainability awareness is picking up. Addressing this gap is crucial.

A Review Of A Ketogenic Diet In The Treatment Of Autism Spectrum Disorder, Eugene Reznik

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Autism Spectrum Disorder effects millions of people every year, however pharmacological and behavioral treatments remain limited. The need for adjunctive therapies such as diet invervention [sic] that target autism spectrum disorder symptoms Is [sic] needed now more than ever. A connection between a ketogenic diet, which is high in fat and low in carbohydrates, and autism spectrum disorder can be made as the diet has shown potential in ameleriotating [sic] common comorbidities within the autism spectrum disorder population such as metabolic dysfunction, gut-microbiome dysfunction, medication resistant epilepsy, and various psychiatric disorders. Hence, this review focuses on the results and methods …

Event-Free Survival Of Maralixibat-Treated Patients With Alagille Syndrome Compared To A Real-World Cohort From Gala., Bettina E. Hansen, Shannon M. Vandriel, Pamela Vig, Will Garner, Douglas B. Mogul, Kathleen M. Loomes, David A. Piccoli, Elizabeth B. Rand, Irena Jankowska, Piotr Czubkowski, Dorota Gliwicz-Miedzińska, Emmanuel M. Gonzales, Emmanuel Jacquemin, Jérôme Bouligand, Lorenzo D'Antiga, Emanuele Nicastro, Henrik Arnell, Björn Fischler, Étienne Sokal, Tanguy Demaret, Susan Siew, Michael Stormon, Saul J. Karpen, Rene Romero, Noelle H. Ebel, Jeffrey A. Feinstein, Amin J. Roberts, Helen M. Evans, Shikha S. Sundaram, Alexander Chaidez, Winita Hardikar, Sahana Shankar, Ryan T. Fischer, Florence Lacaille, Dominique Debray, Henry C. Lin, M Kyle Jensen, Catalina Jaramillo, Palaniswamy Karthikeyan, Giuseppe Indolfi, Henkjan J. Verkade, Catherine Larson-Nath, Ruben E. Quiros-Tejeira, Pamela L. Valentino, Maria Rogalidou, Antal Dezsőfi, James E. Squires, Kathleen Schwarz, Pier Luigi Calvo, Jesus Quintero Bernabeu, Andréanne N Zizzo, Gabriella Nebbia, Pinar Bulut, Ermelinda Santos-Silva, Rima Fawaz, Silvia Nastasio, Wikrom Karnsakul, María Legarda Tamara, Cristina Molera Busoms, Deirdre A. Kelly, Thomas Damgaard Sandahl, Carolina Jimenez-Rivera, Jesus M. Banales, Quais Mujawar, Li-Ting Li, Huiyu She, Jian-She Wang, Kyung Mo Kim, Seak Hee Oh, Maria Camila Sanchez, Maria Lorena Cavalieri, Way Seah Lee, Christina Hajinicolaou, Chatmanee Lertudomphonwanit, Orith Waisbourd-Zinman, Cigdem Arikan, Seema Alam, Elisa Carvalho, Melina Melere, John Eshun, Zerrin Önal, Dev M. Desai, Sabina Wiecek, Raquel Borges Pinto, Victorien M. Wolters, Jennifer Garcia, Marisa Beretta, Nanda Kerkar, Jernej Brecelj, Nathalie Rock, Eberhard Lurz, Niviann Blondet, Uzma Shah, Richard J. Thompson, Binita M. Kamath, Global Alagille Alliance (Gala) Study Group

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Alagille syndrome (ALGS) is characterized by chronic cholestasis with associated pruritus and extrahepatic anomalies. Maralixibat, an ileal bile acid transporter inhibitor, is an approved pharmacologic therapy for cholestatic pruritus in ALGS. Since long-term placebo-controlled studies are not feasible or ethical in children with rare diseases, a novel approach was taken comparing 6-year outcomes from maralixibat trials with an aligned and harmonized natural history cohort from the G lobal AL agille A lliance (GALA) study.

APPROACH AND RESULTS: Maralixibat trials comprise 84 patients with ALGS with up to 6 years of treatment. GALA contains retrospective data from 1438 …

Impact Of Insomnia On Ovarian Cancer Risk And Survival: A Mendelian Randomization Study., Heming Wang, Brett M. Reid, Rebecca C. Richmond, Jacqueline M. Lane, Richa Saxena, Brian D. Gonzalez, Brooke L. Fridley, Susan Redline, Shelley S. Tworoger, Xuefeng Wang

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: Insomnia is the most common sleep disorder in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). We investigated the causal association between genetically predicted insomnia and EOC risk and survival through a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study.

METHODS: Insomnia was proxied using genetic variants identified in a genome-wide association study (GWAS) meta-analysis of UK Biobank and 23andMe. Using genetic associations with EOC risk and overall survival from the Ovarian Cancer Association Consortium (OCAC) GWAS in 66,450 women (over 11,000 cases with clinical follow-up), we performed Iterative Mendelian Randomization and Pleiotropy (IMRP) analysis followed by a set of sensitivity analyses. Genetic associations …

Insights From Targeted Fecal Metabolomic Analysis Reveal Altered Metabolic Pathways In Treatment-Naive Pediatric Subjects With Crohn's Disease, Nadia Ashrafi, Ali Yilmaz, Nicolette Monacelli, Rose E. Callahan, Ilyas Ustun, Nathan M. Novotny, J W. Rattray, Kypros Nicolaides, Stewart Graham

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Crohn’s disease (CD) is a heterogeneous and multifactorial inflammatory bowel disease with a significant global health impact. Genetic and lifestyle factors contribute to its etiology, emphasizing dysregulation of intestinal and dietary habits. Our study aimed to identify fecal metabolites from treatment-naïve, pediatric sufferers of CD, which allowed us to investigate the underlying biochemical perturbations associated with the disease, highlighting potential, translational targets. Using a Waters Acquity UPLC coupled with a Xevo-TQ-S mass spectrometer, we quantified >500 metabolites in fecal samples (n=72) of pediatric CD sufferers. We developed diagnostic tests capable of accurately discriminating between children with CD and healthy individuals …

Postural Control In Adults With Age-Related Hearing Loss, Elizabeth Tobener

Alternative Theses and Dissertations (AETDs)

The present study investigated postural control measures in adults with age-related hearing loss (ARHL). Individuals between the age of 50 and 70 were recruited (10 with normal hearing, 32 with ARHL) and evaluated using pure-tone audiometry, vestibular function assessments, and postural control measures. Results of this study revealed significant correlations between ARHL and cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMPs) and ocular VEMPs. As ARHL increased, amplitude of cervical VEMPs and ocular VEMPs decreased. There were no significant correlations for ARHL and video head impulse test (vHIT) gain. Single leg stance with head tilt was significantly associated with ARHL. As ARHL …

The Role Of Skeletal Muscle Ampk/Mtorc1 Signaling In Disrupted Metabolism During Chemotherapy Treatment And Recovery, Jessica L. Halle

Alternative Theses and Dissertations (AETDs)

Colorectal cancer patient survival rate has increased over the past decade due to improved screening and treatment options. The clinically relevant FOLFOX (5-fluorouracil [5-FU], oxaliplatin, leucovorin) chemotherapy regimen is a mainstay treatment option, despite the development of severe side-effects that can occur acutely or develop as a late effect after treatment cessation. Cancer and chemotherapy can promote systemic metabolic dysfunction; consequently, patients will likely experience debilitating weakness and fatigue, and these symptoms are often accompanied by excessive fat and muscle loss. Although studies have established chemotherapy effects on the tumor, few have investigated mechanisms underlying the metabolic complications associated with …

Unveiling The Impact Of Jkn: Easing Financial Burdens For Pregnant Women In Indonesia, Januar Sulaeman, Riatu Mariatul Qibthiyyah

Economics and Finance in Indonesia

Indonesia’s maternal mortality rate is the second highest in the ASEAN, partly due to financial barriers preventing adequate care during pregnancy and childbirth. The National Health Insurance (JKN) scheme, which is the embodiment of universal health coverage (UHC), was designed by the Indonesian government to reduce the financial risk of its participants. However, its impact on out-of-pocket health spending for pregnant women is under-researched. Using propensity score matching (PSM) and 2019 SUSENAS data, this study found that JKN membership significantly reduced out-of-pocket health spending for pregnant women—especially in eastern Indonesia, where poverty and healthcare access represent critical issues.

How Is Our Mobility Affected As We Age? Findings From A 934 Users Field Study Of Older Adults Conducted In An Urban Asian City, Yi Zhen Tan, Ngoc Doan Thu Tran, Sapphire Lin, Fang Zhao, Yee Sien Ng, Dong Ma, Jeonggil Ko, Rajesh Krishna Balan

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

In this paper, we analyze the results of a large study involving 934 older adults living in an urban Asian city that collected their mobility patterns, in the form of logged GPS data, along with a multitude of demographic and health data. We show that mobility, in terms of average distance travelled per day, is greatly affected by age and by employment status. In addition, other factors such as type of day, household size, physical and financial conditions and the onset of retirement also play a significant role in determining the mobility of an individual. These results will have high …

Pharmacogenomic Biomarkers Of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors (Aceis) Induced Cough Among Healthy Emiratis And Multi-Ethnic Hypertensive Patients, Sahar Mohammad Altoum

Theses

Pharmacogenomics (PGx) is an emerging field that merges genetics with pharmacology. It focuses on how an individual's genetic makeup influences their response to specific medications. This relatively new area of medicine seeks to understand the genetic factors that affect drug efficacy and safety. One practical application of PGx is in the context of treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs), which are widely used medications for managing hypertension. However, ACEIs are often associated with cough as a side effect, leading to drug discontinuation and the adoption of alternative medications like Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs). The prevalence of ACEIs-induced cough varies …

Using Self-Assessment Tools And Complementary Alternative Therapy For Chronic Migraines In Menopausal Women, Krystal Rachelle Bridwell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

Migraine headaches are ranked as one of the highest disabling conditions in the United States. Women who are in the perimenopausal transition phase have a higher prevalence of disabling migraines that can result in a decreased quality of life, loss of income, decreased productivity, and a higher risk for emotional difficulties. The gap in practice is the lack of education on complementary alternative medicine (CAM) and the use of a migraine diary to recognize individual symptoms as a substitute or cotherapy with pharmacologic treatments. The purpose of this scholarly project was to improve clinical practice and outcomes for perimenopausal …

Relationship Between Parents’ Feeding Styles, Nutrition Practices And Risk Of Obesity Among 3-5 Years Old Children In The United Arab Emirates, Reem Mohamed Alkarbi

Theses

Previous studies suggest that parental feeding practices shape preschool eating and physical activity habits, ultimately influencing children's weight status. Despite the high obesity rate in UAE youth, preschoolers’ nutrition habits and their links to parental feeding styles are explored. This study aims to describe parental feeding styles: Emotional (E), Instrumental (I), Prompting and Encouragement (PE), Control Over Eating (COE)), and their associations with nutrition practices, socio-demographic factors, and obesity in UAE preschoolers. Using an online questionnaire, a cross-sectional study surveyed Emirati families with 3-5-year-old children. Data was analyzed using SPSS v.29. 70 preschool Emirati children living in Abu Dhabi participated. …

Evaluation Of Body Mass Index (Bmi): A Risk Factor For Stroke Among Pakistani Youth, Shafaq Saleem, Safia Awan, Ibrar Rafique, Kashif Hafeez

Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS)

Background and objective: Body Mass Index (BMI) has been recognized as a significant risk factor for stroke, especially among younger populations in South Asia. Rising obesity rates contribute to non-communicable diseases, with increased stroke incidences being observed in younger adults. The objective of this study was to assess BMI distribution among Pakistani youth across various educational levels, providing insight into obesity trends and potential health risks.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted through an online platform, surveying 2,223 respondents across 38 cities in Pakistan. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered, covering 600 educational institutions. Participants were categorized by BMI using WHO …