Digital Commons Network^™

Revitalizing Conservation And Management Of The American Crocodile (Crocodylus Acutus) In The Dominican Republic, Robert Greco

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Crocodilian populations declined globally during the 20^th century because of overhunting and habitat loss. Some crocodilian populations have recovered recently through legal protections and habitat restoration, but the status of many crocodilian populations are still unknown because of a lack of recent data. The American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) population in the Dominican Republic (DR) is one of these data-deficient populations, with country-wide surveys not carried out since the 1980s. From May through July 2021 we surveyed areas within DR where C. acutus is still likely residing. Our surveys yielded no crocodile sightings in Monte Cristi, suggesting that …

A Two-Day Virtual Workshop On The Micronutrient-Directed Nutrition-Focused Physical Exam For Ghanaian Nutrition Professionals: Examining Perceived Self-Efficacy And Innovation, Leah Anne Qubty

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Micronutrients are key components of various physiological processes. Therefore, in the setting of deficiency, poor health outcomes ensue. In Ghana, micronutrient deficiencies are common and medical resources are limited. The Ghanaian dietetics profession is growing, and this growth is propitiously timed to address micronutrient deficiencies. Biochemical markers of nutrition status are considered the gold standard to detect micronutrient deficiencies, but are costly and require specialized medical equipment. In the absence of available biochemical markers of nutrition status, the micronutrient-directed nutrition-focused physical exam is a viable tool. Nutrition professionals such as Registered Dietitians are qualified to conduct this exam, but feel …

Estimation Of 24-Hour Urinary Creatinine Excretion Through The Development Of A Model And Its Relationship To Outcomes In Hospitalized Critically Ill Veterans, Lynn Diane Hiller

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Background: Muscle mass is highly correlated with patient outcomes. Techniques to identify patients with low muscularity include computed tomography (CT) and bioelectrical impendence analysis (BIA) however disadvantages of cost, exposure to radiation and access make these measurements unavailable to the average dietitian. Urinary creatinine excretion (UCE) and estimation of creatinine height index (CHI) are strongly associated with muscularity and outcomes, however, require a 24-hour urine collection. The postulation that UCE may be predicted from patient variables, through mathematical modeling, would avoid the need for a 24-hour urine collection and may be clinically useful.

Methods: Input variables of age, …

Transitional Caregiver Support From Nicu To Early Intervention Services., Sophia Schutt

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Transitional Caregiver Support from NICU to Early Intervention Services. Sophia B. Schutt, Dr. Julie Grabanski, Department of Occupational Therapy, University of North Dakota School of Medicine & Health Sciences, 501 North Columbia Road, Grand Forks, ND 58202

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to develop an occupation-based educational product for caregivers leaving the NICU setting and transitioning into early intervention services. The project is aimed at assessing and reducing caregiver stress levels and increasing co-occupational outcomes with their infants.

Methods: A needs assessment was conducted to evaluate the gap in caregiver education during the transition in care. The educational …

Minimum Dataset And Metadata Guidelines For Soil-Test Correlation And Calibration Research, Nathan A. Slaton, Sarah E. Lyons, Deanna L. Osmond, Sylvie M. Brouder, Steve W. Culman, Gerson L. Drescher, Luciano C. Gatiboni, John Hoben, Peter J.A. Kleinman, Joshua M. Mcgrath, Robert O. Miller, Austin Pearce, Amy L. Shober, John T. Spargo, Jeff J. Volenec

Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

Soil-test correlation and calibration data are essential to modern agriculture, and their continued relevance is underscored by the expansion of precision farming and the persistence of sustainable soil management priorities. In support of transparent, science-based fertilizer recommendations, we seek to establish a core set of required and recommended information for soil-test P and K correlation and calibration studies, a minimum dataset, building on previous research. The Fertilizer Recommendation Support Tool (FRST) project team and collaborators are developing a national database that will support a soil-test-based nutrient management decision aid tool. The FRST team includes over 80 scientists from 37 land-grant …

Predictors Of Postendoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography Associated Cholangitis: A Retrospective Cohort Study, Hasan Yilmaz, Burcu Koçyi̇ği̇t

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Post-ERCP cholangitis (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography) and associated sepsis can be life- threatening. Despite the wealth of studies on post-ERCP pancreatitis risk factors, there is limited data on post-ERCP cholangitis. This study aimed to investigate the rates, predictors, and outcomes of post-ERCP cholangitis. Materials and methods: A retrospective review of 452 ERCP cases performed by a single endoscopist at a tertiary center between March 2019 and February 2021 was performed. Patient-related, organizational and periprocedural factors that could affect post-ERCP cholangitis were evaluated. Predictors of post-ERCP cholangitis were determined by multivariable analysis. Results: The post-ERCP cholangitis rate was 19.5%. Cholangiocarcinoma (OR …

Bio-Clinical Evaluation Of Collateral Score In Acute Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion, Esra Demi̇r, Hesna Bektaş, Hasan Bayindir, Oğuzhan Kurşun

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is characterized as a neurological deficit owing to an acute focal damage to the brain by cerebral infarction. A collateral score is the most significant factor evaluating the prognosis of AIS, its relationship with demographic data, serum biochemical parameters, and clinical disability in this field. Materials and methods: We conducted a single-center retrospective study with 100 patients with AIS within the first 6 h of ischemic stroke. Data for consecutive AIS patients were collected from February 2019 to May 2020. The collateral score was assessed by using developed scoring systems defined by Maas et al. …

Modulatory Effect Of Resveratrol And Melatonin On Natural Killer Cell Activity And Adrenomedullin In Diabetic Rats, Fati̇h Özçeli̇k, Fati̇h Hacimustafaoğlu, Alpaslan Tanoğlu

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Epidemiological evidence suggests that diabetes poses a high risk for many chronic diseases, especially cardiovascular diseases, and cancer by stimulating many inflammatory and immunological pathogenic mediators and affecting natural killer (NK)-cell activity. In this study, the effects of melatonin and resveratrol on IL-6, TNF-alpha, oxidant/antioxidant capacity, NK-cell activity, and mid-regional proadrenomedullin (MR-proADM) levels of diabetic rats were investigated. Materials and methods: In the study, 28 Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into the control group (group I) and 3 streptozotocin- induced diabetes mellitus (DM) groups (group II, III, and IV), each group consisting of 7 rats. Five mg/kg/day melatonin …

Blueprint For Success In College And Career: Oregon Edition, Dave Dillon, Linnea Angelica Spitzer, Norma Cárdenas

PDXOpen: Open Educational Resources

Blueprint for Success in College and Career, Oregon Edition is a students' guide for classroom and career success. This text, designed to show how to be successful in college and in career preparation, focuses on study skills, time management, career exploration, health, and financial literacy.

Coaches' Attitudes Toward Transgender Athletes, Danielle Sample

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

Transgender athletes face discrimination based on negative societal attitudes in many life arenas; they particularly confront prejudice in the arena of sport. This study examined the attitudes of some of the most influential people in an athlete’s life, coaches. The study examined coach gender, conformity to masculinity norms (particularly hegemonic masculinity norms of power over women and heterosexual self-presentation), and level of physical contact in sport as related to negative attitudes toward transgender athletes. In light of the recent spate of anti-transgender legislation focusing on transwomen athletes, attitudes toward directionality of transition within transgender athletes were also investigated. Data were …

Dyadic Differences In The Perception Of Stress-Related Reactions Among Black Youth With High Body Weights, Kaytryn Doreese Campbell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

Black youth with high body weights (BYHW; BMI ≥ 95th percentile) endure unique stressors that may contribute to psychopathology, but more research is needed on factors associated with fewer stress-related reactions among these youth. Utilizing linear regression modeling and controlling for youth BMIz scores, the current study examined how resilience and weight-related quality of life were associated with stress-related reactions as reported by 32 treatment-seeking BYHW (Mage = 14.19; MBMIZ = 2.59) and one of their primary caregivers (N = 64). Findings showed that dyadic differences exist in what BYHW and their caregivers perceive as associated with youth stress-related reactions. …

An Ethnographic Study Of Homelessness In Memphis During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Tharwa Bilbeisi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

Abstract This dissertation is an ethnographic study that examines the health beliefs of persons experiencing homelessness in Mid-town Memphis. It considers participants' social practices and environmental circumstances and analyzes how the global pandemic may have informed their health beliefs. Social determinants such as neighborhood safety, unemployment, racism, and transportation exacerbate issues of absenteeism, poor dietary/health-related habits, and further mistrust in health systems and public aid. Low “compliance,” a term used in health care to describe patient behaviors of non-adherence to prescribed medical treatments, is problematic in its connotation of intent or deliberateness without consideration of socioeconomics and other sociocultural matters. …

The Association Between Early Enteral Nutrition And Various Outcomes In Patients Undergoing Ecmo Therapy At Loma Linda University Medical Center, Torrey Mitsunga, Lauren Wheeler

Loma Linda University Research Reports

Introduction:

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) therapy is a life-saving option for critically ill patients who require either pulmonary and hemodynamic support. ECMO has only been widely adapted for usage in adults over the last few years, and recently at higher rates due to Covid-19. Though ECMO has the potential to save lives, it presents many challenges related to feeding and nourishment of the patients. Currently, data is lacking on how enteral nutrition during ECMO affects outcomes such as the duration of hospitalization, ability to meet calorie and protein goals, and patient survival.

The Efficacy Of Probiotics On Overall Quality Of Life By Gender, Melissa Kalman, Kirsten Soderblom

Loma Linda University Research Reports

Introduction:

In the 1950s, German scientist Werner Kollath coined the term probiotic, which is Latin for, “for life”. To be considered a probiotic, a product must consist of live microorganisms and provide health benefits to the host when ingested in sufficient amounts. The microorganisms in probiotics provide numerous health benefits through immunologic mechanisms. Recent research shows probiotics may provide benefits to those experiencing stress, including general anxiety and stressors, as well as improve human immunity and overall quality of life. There is a lack of research concerning probiotics and the differences in physiological responses comparing males and females.

The Effect Of A Four Week Nutrition Education Program On Knowledge & Behavioral Changes In The East La/Boyle Heights Community, Manuel Rodriquez, Santiago Melendez

Loma Linda University Research Reports

Introduction:

Over the past three decades, obesity rates in the United States have doubled among adults and tripled amongst children. According to a Los Angeles County Public Health report, overweight and obesity cases account for 3.43 billion dollars annually of county expenses. Despite all this capital being spent on obesity, preventative plans, obesity rates continue to rise. The most affected areas in Los Angeles County are Compton, La Puente, and East Los Angeles. This is where most African American and Latino communities reside. Of the obese population in LA County, Latinos make up the largest percentage with 29.4% .

Consistency Of Noncommercial Based Thickening Agents On Llumc Dysphagia Menu Items, Andreena Lopez, Briana Tran, Janelle Tse

Loma Linda University Research Reports

Introduction:

More than 60% of the population 60 years and above experience some level of dysphagia. Patients with a medical history such as stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, autoimmune diseases, and gastroesophageal reflux may also have an increased risk for dysphagia. The International Dysphagia Diet Standardization Initiative (IDDSI) is a framework covering the global standards for dysphagia modified food texture descriptions. Current literature related to food thickeners in dysphagia management observe the suitability of various thickeners on all levels of dysphagia. However, many of these studies may or may not compare their findings with the current IDDSI guidelines.

Comparison Of Student Dietary Patterns In The School Of Allied Health Professions' Departments, Randy Song, Sonya Fargo, Jaime Scolastico

Loma Linda University Research Reports

Introduction:

Dietary habits influence many risk factors for cardiometabolic health, including heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes, which collectively pose substantial health and economic burdens. College students may struggle to get access to or understand how to prepare healthy foods. Students with more nutritional knowledge consume less unhealthful fats and cholesterol, but as independence increases, students are continuously challenged to make healthful food choices. Assessing dietary patterns can be complex and time consuming, though it is a worthwhile endeavor as it sheds light on diet quality and areas of excess and deficiency.

Differences Between Current And Former Cigarette Smokers: Comparisons Among Individuals With And Without A Cancer Diagnosis, Kinsey Pebley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

Smoking is dangerous to health in general, but poses increased unique risks to the health of individuals diagnosed with cancer. Despite numerous trials aimed at increasing smoking cessation among individuals with cancer, few have been successful and cessation rates remain low. The current study aimed to assess differences between former and continued smokers with and without cancer to identify unique considerations to be addressed in future cessation interventions with individuals diagnosed with cancer. Participants (N = 203) completed an online survey about demographic characteristics, cigarette use, depression, anxiety, social support, barriers to quitting, and cessation resource use (e.g., nicotine patches). …

Social Recognition Memory In Meadow Voles, Microtus Pennsylvanicus, Depends On Sex And Familiarity, Kelsey Elizabeth Clark

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

Proper social interactions between animals require that an individual discriminate, recognize, and remember the unique cues from conspecifics. Many aspects of social behavior, such as individual recognition, mate recognition and parent-offspring recognition, may be based on such capabilities. To test social recognition over time, subjects are often repeatedly presented with scent from an individual or have prolonged associations with those individuals and then, later, they are simultaneously exposed to familiar and novel individuals or their scents. If the subject can discriminate between the two and recognize the familiar individual’s characteristics, they should investigate the novel stimulus significantly more than the …

Multi-Tissue Time-Domain Nmr Metabolomics For Robust And Accurate Assessment Of Dietary Effects, Hayden Johnson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is a quantitative, non-destructive analytical technique for identifying and quantifying metabolites. Conventional quantitative NMR analysis involves processing the recorded time-domain signal into a frequency-domain spectrum along with user-dependent processing and resonance characterization steps which may introduce bias and error. This study implements a Bayesian approach for data analysis in the time-domain to bypass these drawbacks and increase automation in metabolite quantification. The time-domain workflow is first assessed using metabolite reference standards to validate accurate resonance identification and quantification before profiling metabolites in liver, heart, and white adipose tissue of a diurnal animal model, the Nile …

T Cell Changes Induced By Dietary/Weight Change, Aljowhara Aljeraiwi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

Obesity is a condition that affects many people and is associated with numerous health issues and chronic diseases, including viral infections. For example, during the SARS-CoV2 epidemic, obesity emerged as a major risk for severe COVID 19. Obesity has been shown to increase T cell exhaustion resulting in loss of CD8+ T cell functions and reducing the immune system's capacity to fight infectious diseases. Exhausted T cells can be identified by the increased expression of the membrane protein Programmed Cell Death 1 (PD-1). While many studies demonstrate that a high-fat diet and an increase in weight can affect the immune …

The Association Between Physical Fitness, Chronic Disease And Mortality In Childhood Cancer Survivors: A Report From The St. Jude Lifetime Cohort, Matthew Wogksch

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

Childhood cancer survivors (CCS) are at an increased risk of chronic cardiovascular disease, pulmonary disease and all-cause mortality compared to their cancer free cohorts. Increasing physical fitness in the cancer free population can decrease the risk of chronic disease. However, increasing physical fitness among CCS is difficult, possibly due to prior treatment. This may be due to survivor’s difficulty performing submaximal tasks. Also, survivors develop pulmonary disease quickly, increasing their risk for mortality. Therefore, this dissertation seeks to examine the associations of physical fitness, cardiovascular disease, and all-cause mortality in CCS, as well as determine the associations between physiological cost …

The Effects Of Probiotic Supplementation On Endurance Athletes: Influences On Gut Dysfunction, Microbiome, And Gut Discomfort, Sarah Lennon

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

This study was a randomized placebo-controlled, double-blinded crossover study elucidating the effects of the probiotic on endurance athletes who experienced GI discomfort and dysfunction. Athletes were recruited to participate if they met multiple criteria involving their running habits. Multiple metrics were utilized to analyze the degree to which the probiotic altered the microbiome and reduced GI Discomfort and Dysfunction within endurance athletes. Markers of intestinal permeability collected were Zonulin, IFABP, and LBP. GI Discomfort was measured via participant self-reporting of symptoms as well as through the Borg Scale. Microbiome changes were measured looking at alpha and beta diversity changes and …

Lactate Suppresses Immunometabolic And Inflammatory Responses In Monocytes, Kierstin Lynn Davis

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

Many diseases are preventable through regular exercise. However, high-intensity exercise can transiently suppress immune function. Lactate can decrease inflammatory responses through epigenetic modifications such as histone lactylation, inhibiting inflammatory genes while promoting anti-inflammatory genes. Human blood monocytes were isolated from 10 healthy males and females ranging from 23to 37 years old and pre-treated with either media or sodium lactate (10mM) for 6 hrs. An additional experiment tested if the flavonoid quercetin was able to decrease lactates’ immunosuppressive effects. Extracellular acidification rate (ECAR), oxygen consumption rate (OCR), lactyllysine levels were measured as well as expression of IL10 and TNF. ECAR and …

Childhood Food Insecurity: A Program Impact And Evaluation Study Of The Meals On Wheels For Kids Program, Claudia Rivero

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In America, millions of families and children face hunger and food insecurity every day. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, more than thirty-eight million people experienced hunger in 2020. As many as 13 million children in the United States live in food-insecure homes. Many households that experience food insecurity do not qualify for federal nutrition programs. While valuable, barriers to these programs can block food-insecure households with children and prevent access to healthy food. The impact of adverse health and nutritional consequences, of a food-insecure household, will continue to plague our communities until efficient programming connects to those …

Interprofessional Education Activities And New Practitioner Competence: Implications For Practice In Nutrition And Dietetics Education, Stephanie N. Petrosky

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Interprofessional education (IPE) and interprofessional collaborative practice (IPCP) are associated with improved perception, values, attitudes towards collaborative practice, and therefore benefits patients, practitioners, and health care systems. Notable organizations have long promoted standardized guidelines for best practices in interdisciplinary team-based learning to improve patient safety and health outcomes. The state of IPE in nutrition and dietetics practice was recently addressed by the Nutrition and Dietetic Educators and Preceptors (NDEP) practice group of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The authors generated a call to action to engage in IPCP while pushing the boundaries of leadership in teaching, research, and practice. …

Knowledge, Attitudes And Practices Of Us-Based Registered Dietitians Regarding Vitamin D As A Key Nutrient In Public Health, Karen S. Basedow

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the knowledge, attitude and behavior influences of Registered Dietitians (RDNs) regarding Vitamin D (VD). An electronic questionnaire served as the data collection tool developed using previously validated questions and supplemented with behavior construct questions. Content and face validity was assessed by an expert panel; internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach’s Alpha. Scores were assessed for knowledge to determine dietitian awareness and competency about VD, attitudes of RDNs regarding importance and practices around VD, and influences on RDN behavior including by other healthcare providers (HCP). Relationships between scales for knowledge, attitude and …

Exploring The Health Outcomes And Patient’S Viewpoint Of Pediatric Patients Receiving Medical Nutrition Therapy Visits With In-Person, Telephonic, And Tele-Video Modalities At A Rural Community Health Center, Valerie L. Muehleman

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The Covid-19 pandemic advanced telephonic (TP) and tele-video (TV) visits for medical nutrition therapy (MNT). This study explored the health outcomes and patient’s viewpoints of MNT by modalities in a community health center (CHC). Participants ranged in age from 1-18 years, diagnosed with overweight/obesity, and received MNT from a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) from January 1, 2019 to August 31, 2021. Health outcomes measured were health goal achievement, BMI percentile, pre/post lipid panel, and A1C%. Show/no-show rates and demographic characteristics of gender, age, race, insurance, county, language, and ethnicity were also compared by the visit modality. Ten interviews in the …

Implementation Of A Transitions Of Care Nutrition Intervention For Malnourished Patients, Nina Rocca

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The topic of Transitions of Care (TOC) has been investigated by physician and nursing professions for years, while only more recently by nutrition professionals. Registered Dietitians are not always involved in TOC planning. RDs can play an important role in TOC by communicating patients’ nutrition information across health care settings, especially for patients with malnutrition. The primary aim was to use a CDC based process evaluation to evaluate if a case management, nursing focused care transitions framework, adapted for a TOC nutrition intervention, can result in a successful intervention implementation. The secondary aim was to use a CDC outcomes evaluation, …

The Effects Of Fermented Vegetables On The Gut Microbiota For Prevention Of Cardiovascular Disease, Melissa Baron

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the impact of regular consumption of fermented vegetables on markers of inflammation and the composition of the gut microbiota in adults at increased risk for cardiovascular disease. Eighty-seven adults ages 35-64 were randomized into a Fermented Vegetable (FV) (100g fermented vegetables daily at least 5x/wk), or a Usual Diet (UD) group. Blood and stool samples were obtained before and after the intervention for measurement of C-Reactive Protein, interleukin-6, angiopoietin-like protein 4, trimethylamine oxide, and lipopolysaccharide binding protein. Next-generation sequencing of the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene isolated from stool samples was performed on the Illumina …