Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Outcomes Of Patients Hospitalized With Community-Acquired Pneumonia With Liver Disease Or Cirrhosis., Bibodh Jung Karki, Sravan K. Ponnekanti, Vidyulata Salunkhe, Nishita Tripathi, Mahder A. Tella, Stephen P. Furmanek, Forest W. Arnold

The University of Louisville Journal of Respiratory Infections

Introduction: Liver disease and cirrhosis are common causes of mortality worldwide. Community-acquired pneumonia is recognized as a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in this population of adults. There is a lack of data regarding outcomes or prognosis in patients with liver dysfunction who develop CAP. The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical characteristics, incidence, and outcomes of hospitalized patients with CAP and liver disease.

Methods: This was a secondary analysis of the University of Louisville Pneumonia Study, which was a prospective population-based cohort study of adults hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia. All patients were divided into three …

Please Share Your Covid Experience!, Peter Gavin Ferriby

University Briefings & Virtual Events

As history unfolds during the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Remembering COVID-19 Project is collecting experiences and responses from the SHU community to preserve for decades to come. Ryan Matura Library staff, in collaboration with the departments of history, sociology, theatre arts and the School of Communication, Media & the Arts, will collect and archive the content.

Reduction Of Secondary Transmission Of Sars-Cov-2 In Households By Face Mask Use, Disinfection And Social Distancing: A Cohort Study In Beijing, China, Yu Wang, Huaiyu Tian, Li Zhang, Dandan Guo, Wenting Wu, Xingxing Zhang, Ge Lin Kan, Lei Jia, Da Huo, Beiwei Liu, Xiaoli Wang, Ying Sun, Quanyi Wang, Peng Yang, C. Raina Macintyre

Environmental & Global Health Faculty Research

Introduction Transmission of COVID-19 within families and close contacts accounts for the majority of epidemic growth. Community mask wearing, hand washing and social distancing are thought to be effective but there is little evidence to inform or support community members on COVID-19 risk reduction within families. Methods: A retrospective cohort study of 335 people in 124 families and with at least one laboratory confirmed COVID-19 case was conducted from 28 February to 27 March 2020, in Beijing, China. The outcome of interest was secondary transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) within the family. Characteristics and practices of …

Ua94/6/1 My Story: Wku Basketball's Kenny Cooper, Kenny Cooper

Student/Alumni Personal Papers

My Story is a series of first-person feature articles written by WKU student-athletes. The student-athletes will be telling their own stories in their own words. This article written by basketball senior guard Kenny Cooper, who redshirted as a transfer in 2019-20 but will play his final college season this upcoming year.

Prospective Trial Of Sacroiliac Joint Fusion Using 3d-Printed Triangular Titanium Implants, Vikas Patel, Don Kovalsky, S Craig Meyer, Abhineet Chowdhary, Harry Lockstadt, Fernando Techy, Casey Langel, Robert Limoni, Philip S. Yuan, Andy Kranenburg, Daniel Cher, Gabriel Tender, Travis J. Hillen

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Background: Prior trials provide strong evidence supporting minimally invasive sacroiliac joint (SIJ) fusion using triangular titanium implants (TTI) for chronic SIJ dysfunction.

Objective: To assess the safety and effectiveness of SIJF using a 3D-printed TTI.

Methods: Fifty-one subjects with carefully diagnosed SIJ dysfunction underwent SIJF with 3D TTI. Subjects completed pain, disability and quality of life questionnaires at baseline and 3, 6 and 12 months postoperatively. Functional tests were performed in the clinic at each visit. Pelvic CT scans were independently evaluated for radiolucency, bridging bone and other endpoints.

Results: Ninety percent had 12-month follow-up. Dysfunction due to pain (Oswestry …

Nanoparticle-Mediated Drug Delivery For The Treatment Of Cardiovascular Diseases, Rajasekharreddy Pala, Vt Anju, Madhu Dyavaiah, Siddhardha Busi, Surya M. Nauli

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are one of the foremost causes of high morbidity and mortality globally. Preventive, diagnostic, and treatment measures available for CVDs are not very useful, which demands promising alternative methods. Nanoscience and nanotechnology open a new window in the area of CVDs with an opportunity to achieve effective treatment, better prognosis, and less adverse effects on non-target tissues. The application of nanoparticles and nanocarriers in the area of cardiology has gathered much attention due to the properties such as passive and active targeting to the cardiac tissues, improved target specificity, and sensitivity. It has reported that more than …

Combined Effects Of Gender Affirmation And Economic Hardship On Vulnerability To Hiv: A Qualitative Analysis Among U.S. Adult Transgender Women., Larissa Jennings Mayo-Wilson, Eric G. Benotsch, Sheila R. Grigsby, Sarah Wagner, Fatmata Timbo, Tonia Poteat, Lauretta Cathers, Ashlee N. Sawyer, Shelby A. Smout, Rick S. Zimmerman

School of Nursing Faculty Publications

Background: Transgender women ("trans women"), particularly African-American and Latina trans women, have disproportionately high prevalence of HIV in the United States (U.S.). In order to decrease gender dysphoria and overcome discrimination, trans women affirm their gender through social and medical transition, often in contexts of economic hardship and sexual risk. This study qualitatively examined how gender-affirming behaviors enhance or diminish vulnerability to HIV in light of structural and economic barriers to gender transition.Methods: We conducted individual interviews with 19 adult trans women in two U.S. cities (Richmond, VA and St. Louis, MO) who reported one or more sexual risk behaviors …

Rapamycin Treatment Correlates Changes In Primary Cilia Expression With Cell Cycle Regulation In Epithelial Cells, Maha Jamal, Ane C.F. Nunes, Nosratola D. Vaziri, Ramani Ramchandran, Robert L. Bacallao, Andromeda M. Nauli, Surya M. Nauli

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Primary cilia are sensory organelles that regulate cell cycle and signaling pathways. In addition to its association with cancer, dysfunction of primary cilia is responsible for the pathogenesis of polycystic kidney disease (PKD) and other ciliopathies. Because the association between cilia formation or length and cell cycle or division is poorly understood, we here evaluated their correlation in this study. Using Spectral Karyotyping (SKY) technique, we showed that PKD and the cancer/tumorigenic epithelial cells PC3, DU145, and NL20-TA were associated with abnormal ploidy. We also showed that PKD and the cancer epithelia were highly proliferative. Importantly, the cancer epithelial cells …

Managing Acute Pain In Hiv+/Aids Patients: Knowledge And Practice Trends Among Emergency Physicians Of Major Tertiary Care Centers Of A Developing Country, Aliya Ahmed, Gauhar Afshan, Robyna Irshad Khan, Badar Afzal Khan, Seemin Jamali, Nighat Farooq, Sarosh Saleem, Rubaba Naeem, Uzma R. Khan

Department of Anaesthesia

Objective: To assess knowledge and practice trends in managing acute pain in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV+) or having acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) among emergency physicians of four tertiary care hospitals. Acute pain management in such patients is complex because of multiple concomitant painful conditions related to their disease. After obtaining ethical approval and written informed consent, emergency physicians were requested to fill out a questionnaire.
Results: Out of 84 physicians who participated, 49 had managed HIV+/AIDS patients during the preceding year. Out of the 49, 30 (61.2%) physicians stated that they used a combination of analgesics for …

Mild Acute Inflammation Does Not Impair Maintenance Of Blood Pressure During A Hypotensive Stimulus, Elizabeth C. Schroeder, Thessa I.M. Hilgenkamp, Wesley K. Lefferts, Bo Fernhall

Physical Therapy Faculty Research

Severe acute inflammation, such as sepsis, disrupts autonomic nervous system function and jeopardizes blood pressure regulation [1]. Acute hypotension under normal conditions stimulates baroreceptors to restore blood pressure by activating the sympathetic nervous system to increase heart rate and vasoconstrict peripheral vasculature. Severe acute experimental inflammation (endotoxin) blunts baroreflex-mediated increases in muscle sympathetic nerve activity during reductions in blood pressure and uncouples baroreflex control of heart rate [2]. Whether mild acute inflammation alters the ability to maintain blood pressure during a hypotensive challenge is less clear.

Determining The Genetic Control Of Neural Tube Malformation Through Genetic Interactions With Idgf3, Elli N. Fox

Honors Projects

Genetic mutations disrupting human neural tube formation can lead to birth defects such as spina bifida and anencephaly. Defects can result in lack of neural tube closure in either the caudal (spina bifida) or cranial (anencephaly) regions. Little is known about the genes that cause these malformations. Researchers have been using the model organism Drosophila melanogaster in an attempt to determine genes responsible for neural tube malformations. Recently, an ortholog of human chitin-like protein, imaginal disc growth factor 3 (Idgf3), has been identified as important in the proper formation of Drosophila egg dorsal appendages. However, the molecular mechanism responsible for …

Faqs For Administrators And Leaders At Community- And Faith-Based Organizations, Centers For Disease Control And Prevention

Pandemic Response and Religion in the USA: Health

This is the Frequently Asked Questions webpage from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention designed to help places of worship prevent the spread of COVID-19 in their congregations. The FAQ page includes prevention strategies, community outreach strategies, and how to decide if services should be in person or virtual. Issues such as discrimination and marginalized populations are discussed on the FAQ page.

Community And Faith-Based Organizations: Plan, Prepare, And Respond, Centers For Disease Control And Prevention

Pandemic Response and Religion in the USA: Law and Public Policy

No abstract provided.

Interim Guidance For Communities Of Faith, Centers For Disease Control And Prevention

Pandemic Response and Religion in the USA: Health

This article from the CDC offers guidelines for religious groups and organizations that are beginning to reopen and hold in-person services as stay-at-home orders are lifted. Guidelines include hygiene tips, disinfecting practices, the use of face masks, and other safe practices designed to keep houses of worship safe as they reopen. Other guidelines include policies for houses of worship to put in place for their congregants upon reopening, such as the use of worship materials.

Implementing A Basal-Bolus Insulin Regimen Via A Manual Insulin Pump Device, Helen Stearns

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Manuscripts

Abstract

Purpose:The purpose of this evidence-based practice project is to decrease glycated hemoglobin (HgbA1C) levelsby initiating use of a manual insulin pump in patients with Type II Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) with poor glycemic control who are on multiple daily insulin injections (MDII).

Background: Uncontrolled hyperglycemia is associated with a myriad of complications and co-morbidities that are generally associated with vascular changes that include nephropathy, neuropathy, blindness, stroke, and heart disease (Winter et al., 2015). Coronary artery disease and cerebrovascular disease alone accounts for approximately 65% of the deaths in diabetic patients (Molinaro & Dauscher, 2017). Achieving and maintaining therapeutic …

Coronavirus Update 5-22-2020, The Coronavirus Planning Team

University Briefings & Virtual Events

Last weekend, we gave you a broad overview of the SHU-Flex model and the University’s plans and protocols for on-campus, face-to-face learning in the fall. Our plans must be consistent with the guidelines set forth by the State of CT and the CDC, which continue to evolve. Since last week’s message, we have received several questions from you that we will address below. We thank you for your continued patience. In an ideal world, we would not be making any changes at all, but we must adapt our usual way of functioning to maximize the health and safety of the …

Reviewing The Potential Link Between Grain-Free Diets And Dilated Cardiomyopathy In Canines, Larissa J. Webster

University Honors Theses

Grain-free diets for dogs are becoming increasingly popular, but concerns are emerging following the FDA's recent investigation that there might be a link between grain-free diets and Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs with no known genetic predisposition. Contrary to the majority of the public thought, dogs do nutritionally require grains, and there is rarely a medical reason to switch to a grain-free diet. Not all cases of DCM are linked to diet, and many dogs who are fed grain-free diets do not develop the disease; the extent of this issue therefore is not entirely known. This review aims to explore …

Change In Patient Meld-Na And Albumin Level From The Time Of Celiac Disease Diagnosis To Six Months Later After Gluten-Free Diet., Rajesh Essrani Md, Andrea Berger

Department of Medicine

Background & aims Celiac disease (CD) is a multisystem disorder triggered by dietary gluten in genetically predisposed individuals that may affect any organ system, including the liver. We evaluated a change in patient model for end-stage liver disease (MELD)-Na and albumin level from the time of celiac disease diagnosis to six months later, after implementing a gluten-free diet. Methods A retrospective study was conducted from January 1, 2006, to June 30, 2018. CD was diagnosed based on celiac antibodies and/or histopathological data. MELD-Na and albumin were calculated at the start of the gluten-free diet and six months later. Additional variables …

In The Pandemic, We Need To Rediscover Patience And Grasp Our Responsibility, Kenneth P. Serbin

At Risk for Huntington's Disease

No abstract provided.

Black Women Survive Breast Cancer With Community-Based Care, Shelley I. White-Means, Jill Dapremont, Barbara D. Davis, Tronlyn Thompson

Faculty Presentations

PURPOSE Community-based breast cancer support agencies who address non-medical, social determinants of health needs that serve as barriers to maximizing breast health outcomes may play a vital role in mitigating breast cancer mortality. They share a common emphasis on addressing social, economic, and psychological needs of breast cancer survivors and those at risk of breast cancer. This paper is third in a series of papers exploring why the rate of breast cancer mortality is two times higher for African American women than white women in Memphis. We sought insights from community-based breast cancer support agencies because they have a close-up …

Ua94/6/1 My Story: Wku Football's Malik Staples, Malik Staples

Student/Alumni Personal Papers

My Story is a series of first-person feature articles written by WKU student-athletes. The student-athletes will be telling their own stories in their own words. This article written by football graduate senior Malik Staples, who – along with his teammates – has navigated through a different type of Spring Ball over the past two months.

An Elvitegravir Nanoformulation Crosses The Blood–Brain Barrier And Suppresses Hiv-1 Replication In Microglia, Yuqing Gong, Kaining Zhi, Prashanth K.B. Nagesh, Namita Sinha, Pallabita Chowdhury, Hao Chen, Santhi Gorantla, Murali M. Yallapu, Santosh Kumar

School of Medicine Publications

Even with an efficient combination of antiretroviral therapy (ART), which significantly decreases viral load in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-positive individuals, the occurrence of HIV-1-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) still exists. Microglia have been shown to have a significant role in HIV-1 replication in the brain and in subsequent HAND pathogenesis. However, due to the limited ability of ART drugs to cross the blood–brain barrier (BBB) after systemic administration, in addition to efflux transporter expression on microglia, the efficacy of ART drugs for viral suppression in microglia is suboptimal. Previously, we developed novel poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA)-based elvitegravir nanoparticles (PLGA-EVG …

Pandemic 2020 In Myndsight, Shawn D. Denny

Reflections, Poetry, Photos, and other Writings

A poem, or rhapsodic reflection if you like, on the experience of being isolated due to the stay-at-home restrictions invoked by the pandemic. As my context is largely influenced by my involvement as a faculty and community member of Taylor University, the thoughts encapsulated also reflect that context.

Efficacy Of Convalescent Plasma And Short Course Of Corticosteroids In Patients With Covid-19, Srikanth Ramachandruni, Po-Yang Tsou, D.C. Benetez, Gayathri Evani, Smitha Gudipati, Ramakrishna Chakilam, Polly Mock, Bharat Narasimhan, Dhanunjay Lakkireddy, Shekhar Raj

The University of Louisville Journal of Respiratory Infections

This study reported the efficacy of short-course corticosteroids and convalescent plasma (CP) transfusion in treating five patients with severe COVID-19 disease. Five adults (mean±standard deviation age: 70±9 years) with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 and severe hypoxemia (PaO₂/FiO₂ [P/F]<100) requiring invasive mechanical ventilation received five days methylprednisolone (40 mg intravenously every 12 hours) and subsequent CP transfusion (250–400 ml). Compared with the baseline, P/F ratios increased by 46% and by 28% after short course corticosteroids and CP transfusion, respectively. Four patients survived. Short-course corticosteroids and CP transfusion may improve hypoxemia in patients with severe COVID-19 disease.

Costing Of Actions To Safeguard Vulnerable Mexican Households With Young Children From The Consequences Of Covid-19 Social Distancing Measures, Mireya Vilar-Compte, Víctor Pérez, Graciela Teruel, Aranzazu Alonso, Rafael Pérez-Escamilla

Department of Public Health Scholarship and Creative Works

COVID-19 has imposed unprecedented challenges to society. As the pandemic evolves, the social distancing measures that have been globally enforced, while essential, are having undesirable socioeconomic side effects particularly among vulnerable populations. In Mexico, families who depend upon informal employment face increased threats to their wellbeing, and households who in addition have young children may face long-term consequences. The Mexican government has not yet taken actions, but a coalition of non-governmental organizations is advocating in partnership with academic institutions for social protection actions such as a cash transfer and basic services subsidies for families with young children, subsisting from the …

A Role For Retinoids In The Treatment Of Covid-19?, Steven E. Trasino

Publications and Research

The 2020 global outbreak of the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19) is a serious threat to international health, and thus, there is an urgent need for discoverynof novel therapies or use of repurposed drugs that can make a significant impact on slowing the spread of the virus. Type 1 interferons (IFN-I) are a family cytokines of the early innate immune response to viruses that are being tested against SARSCoV- 2. However, coronaviruses similar to SARS-CoV-2 can suppress host IFN-I antiviral responses. Retinoids are a family molecules related to vitamin A that possess robust immune-modulating properties, including the ability to increase …

Cumulative Burden Of Financial Hardship From Medical Bills Across The Spectrum Of Diabetes Mellitus And Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Among Non-Elderly Adults In The United States, Reed Mszar, Gowtham R. Grandhi, Javier Valero-Elizondo, César Caraballo, Rohan Khera, Nihar Desai, Salim S. Virani, Ron Blankstein, Michael J. Blaha, Khurram Nasir

Office of the Provost

Background: Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) has a strong association with diabetes mellitus (DM), accounting for approximately two thirds of deaths in this patient population. Many individuals with ASCVD and DM are vulnerable to financial hardship associated with treatment‐related expenses. Therefore, we examined the burden of financial hardship from medical bills across the spectrum of ASCVD status with and without DM.
Methods and Results: Using data from the National Health Interview Survey from 2013 to 2017, we used logistic regression analysis to examine the association of ASCVD and DM status with financial hardship and an inability to pay medical bills from …

Long-Term Functional Effects Of Medulloblastoma Treatments, Serena Khiantani, Pamela Ponce, Bailey Diprima, Sarika Maymoundok, Leah Murray

Master of Occupational Therapy Student Critically Appraised Topics

All studies relate directly to components of the evidence-based practice question and were used to understand the possible long-term effects of treatment for clients diagnosed with medulloblastoma cancer. This Critically Appraised Topic (CAT) contains 6 research articles from both national and international journals. Study designs include two cohort studies with a control group, 1 cross sectional study with a control group, 1 retrospective cohort study without a control group, 1 descriptive report on a Randomized Control Trial (RCT), and 1 descriptive study. Through these studies, we found that radiation treatment is associated with impaired IQ and academic achievement and that …

The Last Mile, Michael Hammond

Reflections, Poetry, Photos, and other Writings

My desire was to encourage the community as we head into Finals Week.

Comparative Antiviral Activity Of Remdesivir And Anti-Hiv Nucleoside Analogs Against Human Coronavirus 229e (Hcov-229e), Keykavous Parang, Naglaa Salem El-Sayed, Assad J. Kazeminy, Rakesh Tiwari

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Remdesivir is a nucleotide prodrug that is currently undergoing extensive clinical trials for the treatment of COVID-19. The prodrug is metabolized to its active triphosphate form and interferes with the action of RNA-dependent RNA polymerase of SARS-COV-2. Herein, we report the antiviral activity of remdesivir against human coronavirus 229E (HCoV-229E) compared to known anti-HIV agents. These agents included tenofovir (TFV), 4′-ethynyl-2-fluoro-2′-deoxyadenosine (EFdA), alovudine (FLT), lamivudine (3TC), and emtricitabine (FTC), known as nucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), and a number of 5′-O-fatty acylated anti-HIV nucleoside conjugates. The anti-HIV nucleosides interfere with HIV RNA-dependent DNA polymerase and/or act as chain terminators. …