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Dietary Milk Phospholipids Increase Body Fat And Modulate Gut Permeability, Systemic Inflammation, And Lipid Metabolism In Mice, Albert Lihong Zhou, Robert E. Ward

Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Sciences Faculty Publications

The study aimed at how dietary milk polar lipids affect gut permeability, systemic inflammation, and lipid metabolism during diet-induced obesity (DIO). C57BL/6J mice (n = 6x3) were fed diets with 34% fat as energy for 15 weeks: (1) modified AIN-93G diet (CO); (2) CO with milk gangliosides (GG); (3) CO with milk phospholipids (MPL). Gut permeability was assessed by FITC-dextran and sugar absorption tests. Intestinal tight junction proteins were evaluated by Western blot. Plasma cytokines were measured by immunoassay. Body composition was assessed by magnetic resonance imaging. Tissue lipid profiles were obtained by thin layer chromatography. Hepatic expression of genes …

Development Of An Examiner-Examinee Rapport Scale For Neuropsychological Testing: The Barnett Rapport Questionnaire – 2, Jenna Moore

Clinical Psychology Dissertations

Rapport in the context of neuropsychological testing refers to the interpersonal interaction between the examinee and examiner. The purpose of this study was to improve upon the original Barnett Rapport Questionnaire. Participants consisted of college students (n = 55), middle-aged adults (n = 30), and older adults (n = 99) at a university-affiliated neuropsychology clinic, who were administered a brief neuropsychological battery. After testing, both examinees (n = 184) and examiners (n = 24) completed items regarding the nature of the interpersonal interaction. Exploratory factor analysis indicated a two-factor model consisting of 13 items found on both the examinee and …

Role Of Misogynous Rap Music On African American Married Millennials, Louisa Antwanett Parker

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This study explored the influence of misogynistic rap music on self-image and objectification within the context of African American married millennials. Grounded in exposure theory and objectification theory, the study adopted a quantitative nonexperimental design. Data were collected from a sample of 101 participants while exploring how exposure to misogynistic music might shape individuals' self-perceptions and views of their partners, potentially contributing to adverse relationship outcomes such as domestic violence and infidelity. The survey instruments encompassed the Exposure Measurement Scale, Self-Objectification Scale (SOS), Objectified Body Consciousness Scale (OBSC), Relationship Assessment Scale (RAS), Self-Image Scale (SIS-D), Music Preference Questionnaire (MPQ-R), and …

Cancer Screening For Patients With Intellectual Disability: Exploring Parent And Caregiver Perspectives, Jennifer Ryan

Theses and Dissertations

Intellectual disability (ID) is defined as a combination of deficits in cognitive and adaptive function, both of which must be present early in life. Adults with ID frequently have unique healthcare needs; however, they also require care that is routine for all adults. This includes cancer screening. The goal of this study was to evaluate whether or not adults with ID are undergoing cancer screening, understand the barriers they have faced in obtaining screening, and collect recommendations from parents and caregivers on ways to improve access to and facilitate screening for this population. We surveyed parents and caregivers of adults …

The Importance Of Sense Of Community In Recovery For Individuals Living With Serious Mental Illness, Natalia Gomez

Theses and Dissertations

People with serious mental illness face a variety of barriers to participating in community life. Some of these barriers include limits in social functioning which can then affect social relationships and life satisfaction (Sanchez et al, 2016). Devaluation based on mental health status is an important barrier to address due to its connection to stigma and relationships. The more an individual fears that they will be undervalued and discriminated against, the more they may fear interacting with others. They may hide that they are in mental health treatment or avoid social encounters that they consider as possibly rejecting. These behaviors …

Green Initiatives In Pakistani Universities: Nexus Among Human Resource Practices, Employee Environment Behavior, And Innovative Work With Mediating Role Of Work Engagement In Pakistani Universities, Kifayat Ali Larik, Marvi Mangi, Shah Imran Ahmed

Business Review

This study aims to develop a model based on social exchange theory (SET) to elucidate the influence of green human resource management (GHRM) on employee on-the-job, off-the-job, and green innovative work behaviors (GIWB). Drawing from the job demand resource model and SET, the study proposes that green work engagement (GWE) mediates the relationship between GHRM work behaviors. A self-administered survey was conducted among 168 employees within higher education institutions in Pakistan to gather data. The primary statistical analysis employed partial least squares structural equation modeling to test the research hypotheses. The results indicate that GHRM significantly predicts employees' green behaviors …

Inhalational Drug Devices: Revisiting The Linchpin Of Asthma Management, Marina K Ngassa, Muhammad Adrish

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Asthma remains a prevalent condition among all age groups globally. First-line treatment requires the delivery of medications into the distal respiratory tract via inhalers. Using appropriate inhaler techniques is a significant challenge in achieving disease control. A variety of inhalers are available for treating asthma, and selecting the appropriate inhaler type for any given patient is crucial to achieving and maintaining symptomatic control. This review will discuss the anatomy and physiology behind drug delivery via inhalers, the types of inhalers currently available for use, nebulizers, and future directions in the delivery of inhaled medications for asthma.

What Is The Economic Benefit Of Annual Covid-19 Vaccination From The Adult Individual Perspective?, Sarah M Bartsch, Kelly J O'Shea, Colleen Weatherwax, Ulrich Strych, Kavya Velmurugan, Danielle C John, Maria Elena Bottazzi, Mustafa Hussein, Marie F Martinez, Kevin L Chin, Allan Ciciriello, Jessie Heneghan, Alexis Dibbs, Sheryl A Scannell, Peter J Hotez, Bruce Y Lee

Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy Staff Publications

Background: With coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination no longer mandated by many businesses/organizations, it is now up to individuals to decide whether to get any new boosters/updated vaccines going forward.

Methods: We developed a Markov model representing the potential clinical/economic outcomes from an individual perspective in the United States of getting versus not getting an annual COVID-19 vaccine.

Results: For an 18-49 year old, getting vaccinated at its current price ($60) can save the individual on average $30-$603 if the individual is uninsured and $4-$437 if the individual has private insurance, as long as the starting vaccine efficacy against severe …

Revisiting The Conceptual Terrains Of The Right To Accessibility In India: The Role Of Judicial Enforcement, Sanjay Jain, Malika Jain

Articles

The main objective of this paper is to critically reflect on the right to accessibility of persons with disabilities in India, with special focus on the context of public streets and environments. The paper draws on work carried out during the India-related part of the Inclusive Public Space Project, as well as judicial pronouncements, and the norms evolved by India as a party to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. In this paper, we briefly set out competing conceptions of accessibility and evaluate the constitutional and statutory manifestations of the principle of accessibility. Further, the …

Investigating The Potential Of Mdivi-1 In Mitigating The Harmful Effects Of Oxidized Low-Density Lipoprotein On Monocyte Functions And The Impact Of Oxldl On Monocyte Senescence Markers, Negin Mosalmanzadeh

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

Cardiovascular diseases, particularly atherosclerosis, pose significant health risks due to their association with endothelial dysfunction and chronic inflammation. Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (OxLDL) plays a pivotal role in atherosclerosis by inducing foam cell formation and promoting inflammatory responses in monocytes. This study investigates the impact of OxLDL on monocyte functions, specifically focusing on metabolic changes, inflammatory responses, and cellular senescence. Additionally, we explore the potential of Mdivi-1, a mitochondrial division inhibitor, in mitigating the detrimental effects of OxLDL. Human monocytes were treated with OxLDL, resulting in increased glycolytic activity, elevated expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and CXCL8), and significant foam cell …

Internet Of Things And Ensemble Learning-Based Mental And Physical Fatigue Monitoring For Smart Construction Sites, Bubryur Kim, Sri Preethaa K. R., Sujeen Song, R R. Lukacs, Jinwoo An, Zengshun Chen, Euijung An, Sungho Kim

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications

The construction industry substantially contributes to the economic growth of a country. However, it records a large number of workplace injuries and fatalities annually due to its hesitant adoption of automated safety monitoring systems. To address this critical concern, this study presents a real-time monitoring approach that uses the Internet of Things and ensemble learning. This study leverages wearable sensor technology, such as photoplethysmography and electroencephalography sensors, to continuously track the physiological parameters of construction workers. The sensor data is processed using an ensemble learning approach called the ChronoEnsemble Fatigue Analysis System (CEFAS), comprising deep autoregressive and temporal fusion transformer …

Molecular Dynamics Simulation Insights Into Rejuvenating Aged Asphalt With Waste Soybean Oil And Polymers, Ke Shi, Feng Ma, Zhen Fu, Jenny Liu, Ruimeng Song, Dongdong Yuan, Yujie Tang

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This study utilized molecular dynamics simulations to assess the rejuvenation of aged asphalt (AA) with waste soybean oil (WSO) and functionalized SBS polymers, focusing on: 1) constructing and validating models for virgin asphalt (VA), AA, and composite rejuvenated asphalt with WSO and polymers; 2) analyzing diffusion effects and binding abilities in these rejuvenated models; 3) evaluating interface binding and diffusion behaviors in composite rejuvenated models. The addition of functionalized SBS molecules and WSO improved the diffusion rates of various components within these models. Specifically, functionalized linear-SBS (LSBS) molecules demonstrated superior diffusion performance compared to star-SBS (SSBS) molecules. Incorporating WSO and …

Expanding Treatment Options For Patients With Her2+ Metastatic Breast Cancer With Margetuximab Plus Chemotherapy: A Case Report Series, Reshma Mahtani, Natasha Harpalani

All Publications

Background: Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 protein (HER2)-positive (+) metastatic breast cancer (MBC) is an aggressive disease and patients often undergo multiple lines of therapy following HER2 targeted therapies. The most recent National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines recommend margetuximab plus chemotherapy as fourth-line or later therapy for HER2+/hormone receptor (HR) + or negative (-) MBC. The aim of this case series is to provide information regarding margetuximab utilization in clinical practice as later-line therapy in women with HER2+ MBC.

Case summaries: Margetuximab plus chemotherapy was used as fourth- or later-line treatment in patients who had received multiple HER2-targeted …

Liz Witter Msw Portfolio, Liz Witter

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

Taking The Road Less Traveled: My Journey Toward Healing, Megan Herman

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

The following portfolio is a compilation of work spanning the entirety of my time in the Master of Social Work program. The portfolio speaks to my growth as an advanced integrated practitioner and social worker and exemplifies the process of self-reflection and evaluation. I discuss several areas of improvement and introduce completed works that provide evidence of learning and knowledge acquisition. This portfolio is a reflection of my work toward mastering the social work competencies and the core processes of the Just Practice Framework. I present specific examples from the MSW program that highlight my learning experience concerning the elements …

Msw Portfolio, Rylie Shade

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

MSW portfolio, practicing Social work in Missoula, San Francisco, and Oakland.

Yoga As A Didactic Tool For Musculoskeletal Anatomy For First Year Medical Students, Jennnifer Brueckner-Collins, Scott P. Stuckey

Journal of Wellness

Introduction: Medical education requires students to adjust their study habits. Active learning has been shown to enhance understanding, especially regarding anatomy. Wellness has become increasingly emphasized for medical professionals; thus, it is important for medical students to develop wellness habits to mitigate burnout. Yoga is commonly practiced with a focus on wellness and flow of movements. Yoga as an educational and wellness tool integrated into medical gross anatomy is a worthwhile pursuit. This study describes a series of anatomy-based yoga videos designed to meld wellness activities with musculoskeletal anatomy review for preclinical medical students.

Approach: Six novel yoga …

Developing Tools To Study The Effect Of The Mechanical Environment On Plant Cell Growth And Morphogenesis, Ryan Calcutt

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

Mechanical forces are omnipresent in life on Earth and responses to force can be found across all three domains of life. The colonization of land by plants approximately 500 million years ago, an event that shaped life on Earth as we know it, involved adaptation from a relatively homogeneous fluid mechanical environment to a highly heterogeneous and mechanically diverse terrestrial environment. Evolution of multicellularity would present new mechanical challenges for land plants, not only from externally generated forces, but also from mechanical linkage to neighboring cells through the cell wall. Coordination of cell growth and an indeterminate body plan requires …

Island Hopping In The Tropics: Conservation Genetics, Speciation, And Biogeography In The Iconic Flowering Plant Group Hibiscus Sect. Lilibiscus, Brock Mashburn

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

Islands have played a crucial role in evolutionary biology, providing key insights for both Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace in formulating their theories of evolution. The development of Island Biogeography Theory and the General Dynamic Model of oceanic island biogeography have formed the theoretical foundation of island studies over the last sixty years, leading to substantial advancements in our understanding of biodiversity evolution. Despite their critical value for evolutionary theory, islands face unprecedented ecological collapse, with species on islands facing significantly higher extinction rates than on continents. The island extinction crisis highlights the need for integrating conservation perspectives into …

Human-Human Vs Human-Ai Therapy: An Empirical Study, Mohammad Amin Kuhail, Nazik Alturki, Justin Thomas, Amal K. Alkhalifa, Amal Alshardan

All Works

In many nations, demand for mental health services currently outstrips supply, especially in the area of talk-based psychological interventions. Within this context, chatbots (software applications designed to simulate conversations with human users) are increasingly explored as potential adjuncts to traditional mental healthcare service delivery with a view to improving accessibility and reducing waiting times. However, the effectiveness and acceptability of such chatbots remains under-researched. This study evaluates mental health professionals’ perceptions of Pi, a relational Artificial Intelligence (AI) chatbot, in the early stages of the psychotherapeutic process (problem exploration). We asked 63 therapists to assess therapy transcripts between a human …

Newborn Screening For Spinal Muscular Atrophy: Variations In Practice And Early Management Of Infants With Spinal Muscular Atrophy In The United States, Craig M Zaidman, Cameron D Crockett, Ethan Wedge, Grace Tabatabai, Natalie Goedeker

2020-Current year OA Pubs

In the United States (U.S.), newborn screening (NBS) for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is implemented by individual states. There is likely variation in the practice patterns of state NBS programs and among the providers caring for newborns with SMA. This is a prospective, descriptive, observational study that seeks to quantify and describe practice patterns and heterogeneities in state NBS programs and provider practices in the U.S. We surveyed U.S. state NBS programs and care providers of newborns with SMA. Thirty states and 41 practitioners responded. NBS program practices vary by state. Most (74%) state programs provide results to both primary …

Experimental Determination Of The Unusual Ch Stretch Frequency Of Protonated Fullerenes, Laura Finazzi, Vincent J. Esposito, Julianna Palotás, Jonathan Martens, Els Peeters, Jan Cami, Giel Berden, Jos Oomens

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

We report experimental values for the CH stretch frequencies of the protonated fullerenes C₆₀H⁺ and C₇₀H⁺. Anharmonic frequency calculations at the B3LYP/6-31G level of theory, which are independent of empirical scaling factors, reproduce the experimental values to within approximately 5 cm⁻¹. Scaling theoretical harmonic frequencies by applying factors derived for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons deviate significantly from the experimentally measured frequency. We attribute this deviation to the unusual hydrocarbon structure that affects the degree of anharmonicity of the CH stretch. This result allows us to propose an original, specific scaling factor of …

Monitoring Response To Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy In Triple Negative Breast Cancer Using Circulating Tumor Dna, Jennifer H Chen, Sridevi Addanki, Dhruvajyoti Roy, Roland Bassett, Ekaterina Kalashnikova, Henry M Kuerer, Vanessa N Sarli, Anil Korkut, Jason B White, Gaiane M Rauch, Debu Tripathy, Banu K Arun, Carlos H Barcenas, Clinton Yam, Himanshu Sethi, Angel A Rodriguez, Minetta C Liu, Stacy L Moulder, Anthony Lucci

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype with poor prognosis. We aimed to determine whether circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and circulating tumor cell (CTC) could predict response and long-term outcomes to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC).

METHODS: Patients with TNBC were enrolled between 2017-2021 at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (Houston, TX). Serial plasma samples were collected at four timepoints: pre-NAC (baseline), 12-weeks after NAC (mid-NAC), after NAC/prior to surgery (post-NAC), and one-year after surgery. ctDNA was quantified using a tumor-informed ctDNA assay (Signatera

RESULTS: In total, 37 patients were enrolled. The mean age was 50 …

A Thalamic Nucleus Reuniens-Lateral Septum-Lateral Hypothalamus Circuit For Comorbid Anxiety-Like Behaviors In Chronic Itch, Yan-Jiao Wu, Jian-Cheng Xie, Dehua Wu, Qin Jiang, Ying Li, Xuan Zhao, Michael X Zhu, Tian-Le Xu, Ming-Gang Liu

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Chronic itch often clinically coexists with anxiety symptoms, creating a vicious cycle of itch-anxiety comorbidities that are difficult to treat. However, the neuronal circuit mechanisms underlying the comorbidity of anxiety in chronic itch remain elusive. Here, we report anxiety-like behaviors in mouse models of chronic itch and identify γ-aminobutyric acid-releasing (GABAergic) neurons in the lateral septum (LS) as the key player in chronic itch-induced anxiety. In addition, chronic itch is accompanied with enhanced activity and synaptic plasticity of excitatory projections from the thalamic nucleus reuniens (Re) onto LS GABAergic neurons. Selective chemogenetic inhibition of the Re → LS circuit notably …

Patient And Family Contributions To Improve The Diagnostic Process Through The Ourdx Electronic Health Record Tool: A Mixed Method Analysis, Nicholas J Hart, Fabienne C Bourgeois

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Accurate and timely diagnosis relies on sharing perspectives among team members and avoiding information asymmetries. Patients/Families hold unique diagnostic process (DxP) information, including knowledge of diagnostic safety blindspots-information that patients/families know, but may be invisible to clinicians. To improve information sharing, we co-developed with patients/families an online tool called 'Our Diagnosis (OurDX)'. We aimed to characterise patient/family contributions in OurDX and how they differed between individuals with and without diagnostic concerns.

Method: We implemented OurDX in two academic organisations serving patients/families living with chronic conditions in three subspecialty clinics and one primary care clinic. Prior to each visit, patients/families …

Biological And Procedural Predictors Of Outcome In The Stroke Preclinical Assessment Network (Span) Trial, Ligia Boisserand, Karisma Nagarkatti, Marcio A Diniz, Mariia Kumskova, Nirav Dhanesha, Pradip K Kamat, Mohammad Badruzzaman Khan, Krishnan M Dhandapani, Rakesh B Patel, Brijesh Sutariya, Yanrong Shi, Klaus Van Leyen, W Taylor Kimberly, David C Hess, Jaroslaw Aronowski, Enrique C Leira, Raymond C Koehler, Anil K Chauhan, Lauren H Sansing, Patrick D Lyden, Cenk Ayata

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: The SPAN trial (Stroke Preclinical Assessment Network) is the largest preclinical study testing acute stroke interventions in experimental focal cerebral ischemia using endovascular filament middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo). Besides testing interventions against controls, the prospective design captured numerous biological and procedural variables, highlighting the enormous heterogeneity introduced by the multicenter structure that might influence stroke outcomes. Here, we leveraged the unprecedented sample size achieved by the SPAN trial and the prospective design to identify the biological and procedural variables that affect experimental stroke outcomes in transient endovascular filament MCAo.

METHODS: The study cohort included all mice enrolled and …

Tirzepatide Protects Against Hepatic Oxidative Stress In High-Fat Induced Obesity In Male Rats, Ashraf Jameel Alathary, Zahraa Jawad Kadhim

Maaen Journal for Medical Sciences

Background

Obesity is a prevalent health issue that affects people of all ages at a high rate. Tirzepatide (TZP) is a hypoglycemic medication that acts as a dual antagonist for both the GIP-1 and GIP receptors. Previous reports have shown that TZP treatment demonstrated substantial weight reduction as well as lipid-modulating effects in obese and overweight individuals.

Objective

The aim from this study is to examine the potential protective effect of TZP on oxidative stress status and HFD induced obesity in male rats.

Methods

This research employed a total of 28 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. Normal control group involved seven …

Hypogenic Caves Of Syracuse Area, Sicily (Italy): Geomorphological Evidence Of Co2 Degassing, Fresh-Salt Water Mixing, And Late Condensation Corrosion, Philippe Audra, Jean-Yves Bigot, Didier Cailhol, Pierre Camps, Ilenia M. D'Angeli, Hai Cheng, R. Lawrence Edwards, Fernando Gàzquez-Sanchez, Gabriella Koltai, Giuliana Madonia, Jean-Claude Nobécourt, Marjan Temovski, Marco Vattano, Jo De Waele

International Journal of Speleology

Many caves in Sicily have been shown to have a sulfuric acid or other hypogenic origin. We studied three caves (Palombara, Scrivilleri, Monello) near Syracuse (eastern Sicily), in an area that was strongly uplifted and faulted, creating multiple Pleistocene marine terraces. Mineralogy, stable isotopes and dating methods (paleomagnetism, U/Th) were used to characterize cave sediments, some of which were related to the initial hypogenic phase (Fe and Mn oxides, calcite spar), others were introduced by surface runoff later. Many other sediments are the result of in situ weathering, such as lime sands produced by condensation-corrosion processes on the calcarenite walls. …

The Relationships Between Upper And Lower Extremity Muscle Strength, Rate Of Force Development, And Fatigue In Adults, Matthew Langford, Kyle J. Hackney, Sarah Andrew, Joshua Batesole, Maren Berntson, Kennedy Black, Tyler Hoang, Lukus Klawitter, William J. Kraemer, Ryan Mcgrath

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 17(4): 1155-1166, 2024. Electronic handgrip dynamometry allows for multiple muscle function aspects to be feasibly measured, yet their relationship with lower extremity muscle function is unknown. We sought to determine the relationships between upper and lower extremity mechanical isometric muscle strength, rate of force development (RFD), and endurance by limb dominance in resistance trained adults. The analytic sample included 30 adults aged 32.1 ± 13.5 years. An electronic handgrip dynamometer ascertained upper extremity strength capacity, RFD, and endurance. Lower extremity strength, RFD, and endurance were collected with the isometric feature on an isokinetic knee dynamometer. …

Do Surrogate Markers Of Cardiorespiratory Fitness Predict Individual Changes In Vo2peak? A Randomized Controlled Trial, John R.M. Renwick, Nicholas Preobrazenski, Michael Del Giudice, Brendon J. Gurd

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 17(4): 1134-1154, 2024. The purpose of the current study was to test the hypothesis that individual response classification for surrogate markers of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) will agree with response classification for VO_2peak. Surrogate markers of CRF were time to fatigue on treadmill test (TTF), time trial performance (3kTT), resting heart rate (RHR), submaximal heart rate (SubmaxHR), and submaximal ratings of perceived exertion (SubmaxRPE). Twenty-five participants were randomized into a high-intensity interval training (HIIT: n = 14) group or non-exercise control group (CTL: n = 11). Training consisted of four weeks of high-intensity interval …