Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Twenty-Seven Questions For Writers & Journalists To Consider When Writing About Covid-19 & Hiv/Aids, Alexandra Juhasz, Pato Hebert, Theodore Kerr, Diana Cage

Publications and Research

The desire to compare COVID-19 and HIV/AIDS is understandable. The response to HIV provides an inspiring road map for how to save lives. For over four decades, starting in the early 1980s, activists, scientists, politicians and cultural producers have been working alongside one another resulting in life saving developments—and goals not yet achieved. Since the late 1990s, HIV has become a manageable chronic illness for those with access to life saving medicine, housing, food, and social support. Meanwhile, stigma, discrimination, and criminalization directed at people living with HIV continue, based on social difference, access to resources and community, and an …

Surgical Management And Outcome Of Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma Without Contrast Enhancement (Low-Grade Appearance): A Report Of The Rano Resect Group, Ameya A Jategaonkar, Vivian F Kaul, Eric Lee, Eric M Genden

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The palatomaxillary structure plays critical roles in both form and function of the midface. Surgical defects of the palate and maxilla can be associated with significant morbidity and deformity. Various defect classification systems have been used to assist in reconstruction and rehabilitation. Reconstructive options include prosthetic rehabilitation, local flaps, and free tissue transfer. Here, we review the functional and surgical anatomy of the palatomaxillary complex, defect classification systems, and provide an overview of reconstructive options.

Effect Of Cigarette Smoking On Cd4 Count And Viral Load Among Hiv Patients Attending Treatment At Nebraska Medicine, Chacha Josiah Mwita

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

Background

Smoking is known to have a negative impact on both morbidity and mortality in people living with HIV (PLHIV). However, there is inconsistent information about the role of smoking on markers of HIV disease progression (CD4 count and HIV viral load). This study examined the effects of cigarette smoking on markers of HIV disease progression among PLHIV at Nebraska Medicine.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted utilizing electronic health information of 604 PLHIV who attended treatment at Nebraska Medicine between 2012 and 2020. Multiple linear regression was used to model the effects of smoking on the mean change …

Sleep Duration And The Effects On Cholesterol Levels In College Students., Jared Collier

Biological Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

Cardiovascular disease is a rising issue in the United States causing large death rates along with large medical expenses. College students are potentially at risk of CVD due to a lack of knowledge of their health, including cholesterol level. Sleep is an essential biological function which helps with the body’s repair, recovery, conservation of energy and maintains cardiovascular regulation. The purpose of this study was to see if there is a correlation between sleep duration and cholesterol levels in college students. Twenty-seven student participants were recruited from the Exercise is Medicine cohort . In-person assessments were conducted at the HPER …

Redesign And Quantitative Assessment Of An Accelerated Venous Valve Fatigue Apparatus, Megan Kueh

Biomedical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is a form of cardiovascular disease that is caused when valves in the leg become incompetent. Current treatment methods serve to manage symptoms, but there are currently no ways to treat the underlying cause of CVI. A venous valve prosthetic made from a xenograft of a bovine jugular vein is one possible treatment method currently in the research phase. Prosthetic valves must be tested with an accelerated wear tester prior to approval for clinical testing. Although such testers exist for heart valves, physiological differences between heart and venous valves restrict the use those testers on venous …

The Effects Of Zoledronate And Sleep Deprivation On The Distal Femur Trabecular Thickness Of Ovariectomized Rats: Application Of Different Statistical Methods, Erin Nolte

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

Osteoporosis is a disease that causes the degradation of bone, leading to an increased risk of fracture. 1 in 3 women over the age of 50 will be affected by Osteoporosis. This study aims to understand how bone is affected by sleep deprivation in estrogen-deficient rats, and how Zoledronate might negate the inimical effects of sleep deprivation on bone. As bone mineral density (BMD) is a crude evaluation of the architectural changes seen in Osteoporosis, trabecular thickness may serve as a better single evaluation of bone health. 31 Wistar female rats were ovariectomized and separated into 4 random groups. The …

Complications And Management In Pediatric Heart Surgery, Hannah Berndt

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

The purpose of this literature review is to evaluate current research surrounding management of pediatric patients after cardiac surgery. Acute kidney injury (AKI) and neurodevelopmental deficits are the main discussion topics. This review analyzes the causes, risk factors, and effects of AKI. The diagnostic and management methods surrounding AKI are compared, and diagnostic approaches such as serum Cystatin C and fibroblast growth factor 23 are analyzed as potential future replacements to serum creatinine. The modality of renal replacement therapy is evaluated, and early initiation of peritoneal dialysis is preferred. This review discusses the most common causes, effects, and management of …

How Nutrition Can Help To Fight Against Covid-19 Pandemic, Faseeha Aman, Sadia Masood

Section of Internal Medicine

Currently Covid-19 pandemic is a leading challenge across the globe. It is mandatory to attain and maintain good nutritional status to fight against virus. Nutritional status of individual is affected by several factors such as age, sex, health status, life style and medications. Nutritional status of individuals has been used as resilience towards destabilization during this COVID-19 pandemic. Optimal nutrition and dietary nutrient intake impact the immune system, therefore the only sustainable way to survive in current context is to strengthen the immune system. There is no evidence found that supplement can cure the immune system except Vit C, which …

Can Technology Help Improve Diarrhoea Management?, Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhutta

Woman and Child Health

No abstract provided.

Teriparatide And Its Bone Healing Power, Aneeta J. Joseph, Jesus L. Penabad, Antonio Pinero-Pilona

West Florida Division GME Research Day 2020

Teriparatide, a parathyroid hormone analog, is an important anabolic agent approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to increase bone mineral density in osteoporotic patients. Parathyroid hormone (PTH) regulates calcium, phosphate, and active vitamin-D metabolites. The amino terminal peptide fragments of PTH has been known to increase bone mass and are being used in clinical practice for osteoporosis management.3 Teriparatide increases bone density of lumbar spine and femoral neck, and decreases the risk of vertebral and non-vertebral fractures both in postmenopausal women and men. It is also known to prevent fractures in patients with osteoporosis and promote healing of …

A Case Of Babesiosis Seen Outside Of Its Endemic Area And Outside Of Its Incubation Period, Kiran Tirumalasetty, Jinal K. Patel, Gauthier L. Stepman, Bassem Zeidan, K V. Sundaresh, Parth R. Desai, Johnathan Frunzi

West Florida Division GME Research Day 2020

Babesiosis Microti is a parasitic alveolate that is usually transmitted by Ixodes scapularis ticks. In the United States, the endemic areas of Babesiosis include the Northeast and Upper Midwestern regions [1]. Symptoms include fever, malaise, fatigue, vomiting, and jaundice [1]. Current therapy primarily consists of a combination of azithromycin and atovaquone. Clindamycin and quinine may be administered in severe cases. For its emerging health risk worldwide, clinicians must be aware of the several presenting manifestations of babesiosis. Since 2017, the Centers Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has deemed Babesiosis is a reportable disease. This case focuses on the importance of …

A Case Of Medication-Induced Diffuse Alveolar Hemorrhage In Neurofibromatosis Type 1, Ashar Mahmood, Liz Palmer, Rebecca Schuyler, Svitlana Sharpovalova, Bilal Nadeem, Mukesh Mehta, Salman Muddassir, Nikolay Mitzov, Monicka S. Felix

West Florida Division GME Research Day 2020

• Amiodarone, an antiarrhythmic and apixaban, an anticoagulant have been associated with diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH).
• Cases have been documented demonstrating DAH in the setting of amiodarone and apixabantreatment, however there are few cases examining DAH in combination therapy.
• We present a case of diffuse alveolar hemorrhage in the setting of amiodarone and apixaban treatment for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.
• NF1 is know to have higher risk for major bleeds due to their friable vasculature.

Diaphragmatic Paralysis: A Presentation Of Spontaneous Chest Pain And Shortness Of Breath, Donna Dorriz, Hilary Lois, Candace Wise, Brady Dehart

Capital Division GME Virtual Research Day 2020

Chest pain accounts for approximately 7.6 million annual visits to emergency departments (ED) in the United States and can include a broad differential1. The workup warranted includes extensive testing with the goal of demonstrating a reassuring cardiopulmonary status. When preliminary chest pain workup is negative, the subtle features of common primary symptoms can provide insight into other less common etiologies. This case looks to highlight the rare presentation of a relatively healthy middle age male with complaint of chest pain and shortness of breath, worsened with exertion and supine position. When standard cardiopulmonary workup was negative, further specialty testing was …

A Rare Cause Of Pneumoperitoneum, Robert Zusman, George Michael, Anna E. Augustin, My Myers, Dudith Pierre-Victor

West Florida Division GME Research Day 2020

Pneumoperitoneum is most commonly associated with a perforated viscus. When free air is seen on imaging, the most common course of action is an emergent exploratory laparotomy. However, pneumoperitoneum may not always be indicative of a perforated bowel. In the case described below, we will discuss a patient who developed acute peritonitis and pneumoperitoneum after undergoing chest compressions during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and positive pressure mechanical ventilation.

The Efficacy Of Extended-Release Eprinomectin For The Reduction Of Horn Flies, Face Flies, And Fecal Egg Counts Of Parasitic Nematodes In Replacement Beef Heifers, Sophia F. Landers

Animal Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of extended-release eprinomectin against horn flies, face flies, and fecal egg counts of parasitic nematodes in crossbreed replacement beef heifers. Fifty-four heifers were randomly placed into three treatment groups (N=18 heifers/treatment). Group 1 was administered the labeled dosage of extended-release eprinomectin on day 0. Group 2 acted as the negative control. Group 3 received the anthelmintic injection once a quarter of the heifers in the group reached the threshold treatment level for horn flies (N=200 flies/animal; day 41). Nematode infections were measured via fecal egg counts while horn and face …

Synthesis, Cytotoxicity And Apoptosis Studies On Nickel And Zinc Derivatives Of Testosterone-N4-Substituted-Thiosemicarbazones, Mok Piew Heng

Student Works (2020-2029)

The side effects of cisplatin such as toxicities are mainly due to the lack of selectivity of this chemotherapeutic agent. In order to increase the selectivity of an anticancer agent, hormone molecule that targets a specific receptor may be utilized. This research aimed to prepare cytotoxic Schiff base compounds (and their nickel and zinc complexes) with testosterone and derivatives of thiosemicarbazide, which are potentially selective towards cancerous cells. Three Schiff base ligands (TM, TF, and TP) were made from the conjugation of testosterone with three derivatives of thiosemicarbazide (N4= methyl, fluorophenyl, and ethylphenyl) and their respective nickel (NM, NF, and …

Antioxidating Effect Of Ampelocissus Sp. (Isi Nyaru) On Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats, Zamri Elly Zulaikha

Student Works (2020-2029)

The Ampelocissus sp. locally known as Isi Nyaru has been traditionally used by native Malaysian for medical purpose. The tuber was extracted with hexane, petroleum-ether, chloroform, methanol and water solvents. The seperation and detection of bioactive compounds were done using Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) and Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GCMS) methods. The TLC results showed the presence of phenolic acids, flavonoids and terpenoids. While in GCMS has revealed the presence of hydrocarbon groups such as alkene, ester and ether, amino acid groups, dicarboxylic acid and cyclic aromatic compound. The total phenol content and total flavonoid content were highest in methanolic …

In Vitro Bioactivities Of Single Or Combined Extracts From Three Selected Asian Vegetables, Mahmud Norfaizah

Student Works (2020-2029)

Three underutilized folklore oriental-based vegetables Acalypha indica (AI), Centella asiatica (CA), and Sesbania grandiflora (SG) have been investigated for pharmacological activities relevant to wound healing process and synergistic actions. Single and combination of aqueous (A) and methanol (M) extracts of the three vegetables namely AI-A, CA-A, SG-A, AI-M, CA-M, SG-M, AI-A+CA-A, AI-A+SG-A, CA-A+SG-A, AI-M+CA-M, AI-M+SG-M, and CA-M+SG-M were assessed for stimulation of wound closure by normal human dermal fibroblast (NHDF) cells, antioxidant, protection against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), stimulation of nitric oxide (NO) from RAW264.7 macrophages and antimicrobial activities. The combined vegetable extracts AI-A+CA-A (90.76%) showed the highest percentage of wound …

A Replication And Extension Of A Prediction Tool Identifying Need For Treatment Among Opioid Exposed Infants, Loni Parrish

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The incidences of maternal opioid use and neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS) have increased by nearly 400% over the past decade. Isemann and colleagues (2017) developed prediction tools (TiTE/TiTE²) to differentiate, within the first two days of life, between infants who will require pharmacotherapy for NOWS from those infants who will not require pharmacotherapy for NOWS. The goal of the current experiment was to replicate and extend their prediction model. The present experiments successfully replicated Isemann et al., (2017) results and also established alternative cutoff values for requiring treatment that provide better balance between all four metrics. Moreover, …

Filifactor Alocis: Resilience And Manipulation Against Neutrophil Effector Functions In A Dysbiotic Oral Environment., Max N. Rogers

College of Arts & Sciences Senior Theses

Periodontitis is a multifactorial chronic inflammatory infectious disease that affects around 50% of the adult population in the USA. Neutrophils, which are the primary immune cells recruited to restore health at sites of infection, are profuse in the gingival space during oral infections. In a community-wide effort, pathogenic oral bacteria hijack neutrophil effector functions to evade killing, resulting in an uncontrollable inflammatory loop that leads into inflammation-mediated tissue injury. One of these harmful emerging oral pathogens, Filifactor alocis, has been shown to evade neutrophil killing and contribute to disease progression. The purpose of this study is to gain a …

New Horizons: Covid-19 And The Burden Of Neuropsychiatric Illness In Pakistan, Ali M. Hashmi, Haider Ali Saleem

Medical College Documents

This manuscript reviews the current state of knowledge about the burden of mental illness and assesses the impact of COVID-19 illness on mental health in Pakistan. For this we analyzed secondary data obtained from the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation. The Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study draws from a wide range of data sources to quantify global and regional effects of a disease. We also did a literature search on the effects of COVID-19 illness on mental health and the psychosocial effects of COVID-19 and other Corona virus related illnesses such as SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV. Data from the …

Serpinb1 Effects On Human Pancreatic Ductal Cells, Praneeth Goli

College of Arts & Sciences Senior Theses

Rebuilding or expanding the body’s ability to regulate blood glucose levels by restoring or increasing the body’s ability to produce insulin, long-term, would be a major advancement in diabetes (type-1 and type-2) treatment and could serve as a potential cure [1]. Therefore, the holy grail of diabetes treatment and cure research is to regenerate or increase the insulin producing cells in diabetic individuals (type-1 and type-2) [1, 2]. SerpinB1 has been implicated as a biomolecular signal that stimulates an increase in insulin cell mass in murine and zebrafish models that exhibit physiologically normal compensatory islet hyperplasia. In humans, SerpinB1 is …

Functional Analysis Of A Critical Glycine (Glycine 12) In Beta-Type Connexins Of Human Skin, Rasheed Bailey

Biology Theses

At least five beta-type connexins are expressed in various layers of the skin (Cx26, Cx30, Cx30.3, Cx31, and Cx32) and all include a glycine residue at position 12. Glycine12 (G12) is located about halfway through the cytoplasmic amino terminus and has been the focus of several studies related to connexin diseases and gap junction channel structure. The importance of this residue is evident in the severity and diversity of diseases associated with amino acid substitutions at G12 including hereditary forms of skin disease, deafness and neuropathy. This study uses bioinformatic analysis in combination with mutational analysis and electrophysiology to better …

Structural And Functional Characterization Of Mitochondria With Trna Mutations, Brooke Henry

Biological Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

Mitochondrial encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) is one of the most common disorders associated with mitochondrial tRNA mutations. One of the most common causes of MELAS is mutation in the MT-TL1 gene which codes for mitochondrial tRNA Leucine (UUR). Mutation in MT-TE gene, another mitochondrial gene which encodes for mitochondrial tRNA Glutamate (GAA/G), has been implicated in various mitochondrial related myopathies. It remains unclear how point mutations in these tRNA genes result in disease onset and progression. Here, we report an early comparative analysis of fibroblast cell lines derived from patients carrying two different tRNA mutations: m.3243A>G …

Modified Stent Design For A Coronary Bifurcation Lesion, Abigail Nowell

Biological Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

Currently, 18.2 million adults aged 20 and older are diagnosed with Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) (Benjamin et al., 2019). Stenosis is the most common intervention. However, when a patient has a bifurcated artery, treatment becomes more difficult and is often unsuccessful. This project created a new stent and balloon complex that was tested in vitro using a gel phantom artery model. Two separate prototypes have been created and tested so far, with improvements made upon each. Testing is still underway with Prototype 2.

The Relationship Between Glucose Levels And Physical Activity, Rebecca Eberle

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Undergraduate Honors Theses

Abstract: Background/Introduction: Elevated glucose levels can increase the risk of diseases, such as metabolic syndrome and Type 2 Diabetes. Thus, knowing glucose levels is important to indicate the likelihood of future health complications. Unfortunately, many young adults do not know their glucose levels. Purpose: The purpose of this research study was to complete a cross- sectional study and determine associations between fasting glucose with physical activity, and fitness. I hypothesized more physical activity, and higher fitness, will result in a lower, fasting glucose level. Methodology: This study examined 26 participants aged 18-25. The participants completed an 8-hour fasted glucose measurement, …

Covid-19 Pandemic & Skin Care Guidelines For Health Care Professionals, Sadia Masood, Saadia Tabassum, Shaheen Naveed, Palwasha Jalil

Section of Internal Medicine

The Novel corona virus is bringing multiple challenges for health care professionals. Skin is the biggest organ and the first line of defense against different infections and external factors. Being the front line warriors, health care professionals are susceptible to various skin conditions due to prolonged use of personal protective equipment. These adverse skin conditions are redness, irritation, itching, contact dermatitis, and aggravation of underlying skin conditions like seborrheic dermatitis and acne vulgaris. In the current global situation, the potential incidence of such adverse dermatological effects does not in any manner cause the HCPs to deviate from the strict specific …

“Disbelieving Black Women To Death”; The “Double Jeopardy”: Racism And Sexism Affects Black Women’S Access To And Quality Of Care During Pregnancy, Birth, And Postpartum, Madeline St. Clair

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

This paper explores possible reasons why Black women in the United States experience a higher maternal mortality rate than their white counterparts. Using books, articles, journals, documentaries, personal experiences and stories of Black women and mothers, I argue that barriers from the societal to the individual level create health and medical disparities for Black mothers in pregnancy, during delivery, and the postpartum period. The paper concludes with a multifaceted solution and call to action.

Food Safety Risk In An Indoor Microgreen Cultivation System, Gina Marie Misra

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Microgreens are immature sprouts of edible plants, sharing some similarities with sprouted seeds and petite leafy greens. Since they are most often grown in containers in buildings or greenhouses, they present a new area for food safety research at the intersection of the built environment and produce farming. Contamination by human pathogens has been extensively studied in other types of produce typically eaten raw, including sprouted seeds, which have been implicated in numerous outbreaks of salmonellosis over the last several decades. There is a paucity of knowledge about the microgreen sector of the fresh-cut industry; thus, it was determined that …

Shanti's "The Recovery Mama Guide To Your Eating Disorder Recovery In Pregnancy And Postpartum" (Book Review), Elizabeth A. Nolan

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.