Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

The Risk Of New-Onset Epilepsy And Refractory Epilepsy In Older Adult Stroke Survivors, Jorge G. Burneo, Tresah C. Antaya, Britney N. Allen, Andrea Belisle, Salimah Z. Shariff, Gustavo Saposnik

Neuroepidemiology Research Unit Project Summaries

Research Summary: Key Findings

• Stroke is a common cause of epilepsy in older adults, but little is known about stroke-related epilepsy or its outcomes in this population.
• 1.1% of older adult stroke survivors developed epilepsy in this study, of whom 12.9% developed refractory epilepsy, indicating that this population is particularly responsive to treatment.
• Over 85% of deaths in this population are not due to stroke or epilepsy.

Variability And Stability Of Gait In Stoke Survivors, Jemima Kennedy, Hala Osman

Undergraduate Research Posters 2019

Individuals who have survived a stroke have unstable gait due to poor balance control which jeopardizes the safety of that individual. We analyzed the stability and variability of gait before and after exercise- interventions for individuals who have survived stroke to determine the effect of these interventions on the individual as well as any correlation between measured and perceived stability. 9 randomly assigned participants participated in three exercise interventions: (a) clinical physical therapy, (b) reactive slipping, and (c) video gaming. Kinematics of the participant were obtained using motion analysis and a treadmill equipped with force plates. There was an overall …

The Right Vasopressor At The Right Time Does Early Use Of Vasopressors Decrease Morbidity And Mortality In Septic Shock, Michael Kittok

Theses and Graduate Projects

Sepsis and septic shock is a disease process that carries a high mortality rate and is responsible for a large portion of healthcare expenditures in the United States. The Surviving Sepsis Campaign has been working to decrease the mortality of sepsis since 2001. Their mission is two-fold; providing evidence based guidelines to help direct treatment, and raising awareness to healthcare providers and patients about sepsis. A main goal in treating sepsis is to reverse the hypoperfused state by giving crystalloid fluids and administering vasopressors, specifically norepinephrine, after patients have received adequate fluids. Would modifying this treatment by giving a combination …

Barriers That Prevent Initial Prescription Of Hydroxyurea In Sickle Cell Disease, Harini Halaharvi

Theses and Graduate Projects

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is one of the most common inherited red blood cell disorders, affecting millions of people worldwide. According to CDC, SCD affects approximately 100,000 Americans and is most prominent in people with ancestry from sub-Saharan Africa, Spanish- speaking regions in the Western Hemisphere (South America, the Caribbean, and Central America), Saudi Arabia, India, and Mediterranean countries such as Turkey, Greece, and Italy. 1 out of every 365 black or African-American and 1 out of every 16,300 Hispanic-American children are born with SCD.1 Approximately 6,000 Latin Americans are born with SCD annually in both US and Latin American …

Efficacy Of A Single Dose Hpv Vaccine And Its Potential Outcomes In Low-Income Countries, Brooke Schramm

Theses and Graduate Projects

Cervical cancer is a leading worldwide cause of cancer mortality in women and disproportionately burdens low-income countries. Human papillomavirus (HPV) has been proven as the primary cause of genital warts, some oropharyngeal cancers, and anogenital cancers such as cervical, vulvar, anal, and penile malignancies. HPV vaccination coupled with regular HPV screenings are major strategies for preventing HPV infections, but with high costs and infrastructure complexities associated with current vaccination and screening programs, many world regions are unable to provide protection against HPV infection and its sequalae. If unabated, cervical cancer incidence is expected to increase worldwide over the coming decades …

Physical Activity Guidelines In Patients With Hemophilia: Benefits, Barriers, And Recommendations, Chelsea Johnson

Theses and Graduate Projects

Hemophilia describes a group of genetic disorders that lead to the dysfunction of proteins involved in the clotting cascade.1 These proteins, also known as coagulation factors, are required to form clots and ultimately cessate bleeding. Although there are three distinct forms of congenital hemophilia (hemophilia A, hemophilia B, and hemophilia C), the affected proteins (factor VIII, factor IX, and factor XI, respectively), are within the same pathway leading to the formation of a clot. In condensed terms, each of these factors play a role in the ultimate activation of thrombin, which activates fibrinogen to form a fibrin clot and solidify …

Climate Change And Dengue Fever: Are They Connected?, Chelsey Rilatos

Theses and Graduate Projects

Dengue virus is the most common mosquito born disease worldwide and is an endemic infection in many tropical and subtropical habitats, especially areas where poor public health infrastructure makes it difficult to control. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the dengue virus is a leading cause of febrile illness among travelers returning from Latin America. The dengue virus is a member of the family Flaviviridae and is transmitted to humans by the vector Aedes mosquitos, most frequently the Aedes aegypti mosquito, and secondarily by Aedes albopictus. Dengue infection results in a spectrum of clinical disease, ranging …

Development Of Luminescent Tools For Use In The Study Of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis, Krista A. Moore

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), the causative agent of tuberculosis, is a growing problem worldwide due to the emergence of multi-drug resistant and extensively-drug resistant strains of the bacteria. A key to combatting the spread of these strains lies in the understanding of gene expression occurring in Mtb. This study focuses on the development and optimization of a luciferase-based bioluminescent transcriptional reporter that can be used to monitor gene expression in Mtb. The luminescent signal emitted from the reporter can be measured and correlated with the level of transcription of certain genes. This study focuses specifically on a gene called whiB7 which …

Effect Of Propionic Acid-Derivative Ibuprofen On Neural Stem Call Differentiation; A Potential Link To Autism Spectrum Disorder, Aseelia Samsam

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Propionic acid (PPA) is a short chain fatty acid that is produced by the human gut microbiome. Propionate, butyrate and acetates are the end products of the fermentation of the complex carbohydrates by human gut friendly microbiome and are being used as sources of energy in our body. PPA is used as a food preservative against molds in various daily products and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of autism. In a recent study we showed that PPA in human neuronal stem cell (NSC) culture increases the astrocyte population and decreases the neuronal number and increases the inflammatory cytokines. In …

Role Of Amyloid Precursor Protein In Neuroregeneration On An In Vitro Model In Alzheimer's Patient-Specific Cell Lines, Lina S. Bedoya Martinez

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Alzheimer's disease (AD) leads to neurodegeneration resulting in cognitive and physical impairments. AD is denoted by accumulation of intracellular neurofibrillary tangles, known as tau, and extracellular plaques of the amyloid beta protein (Aβ). Aβ results from the proteolytic cleavage of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) by β- and gamma-secretases in the amyloidogenic pathway. Although, Aβ has been widely studied for neurodegeneration, the role of APP in both, the healthy and diseased conditions, has not yet been entirely understood. The function that APP has in neural stem cell (NSC) proliferation, differentiation, and migration during adult neurogenesis has been previously studied. Additionally, …

The Envelope Stress Response In Sedimentation-Resistant Escherichia Coli, Neel K. Shah

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Previous research discovered the existence of sedimentation-resistant mutants of E. coli. Genomic studies revealed that these mutants resisted sedimentation due to independent modifications to genes that influenced the Rcs signal transduction pathway, causing increased secretion of an exopolysaccharide capsule comprised primarily of colanic acid. The Rcs system is responsible for detecting envelope stressors; consequently, ampicillin and osmotic stress were used to perturb the cellular envelope and study the response of the mutants compared to wild-type cells. It was found that the overproduction of colanic acid in the mutants confers some resistance to envelope stress; however, the mutants still behaved …

Utility Of Point-Of-Care Beta-Hydroxybutyrate Testing For Predicting Diabetic Ketoacidosis In The Pediatric Emergency Department, Michelle Knoll, Kelsee Halpin, Ryan Mcdonough

Posters

The objective of our investigation was to describe the diagnostic characteristics of point-of-care capillary beta-hydroxybutyrate (BOHB) testing to predict diabetic ketoacidosis among pediatric patients presenting with hyperglycemia in the pediatric emergency department.

Heart To Heart: Educating Allied Healthcare Students And Professionals About Heart Failure, Samantha M. Barefoot

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Heart failure (HF) is a health problem which providing necessary education to healthcare professionals who serve individuals with HF allows for continuity of care and the promotion of disease management for this population. The intent of this research was to determine if providing an educational in-service to allied healthcare students and practitioners increased their knowledge of OT’s role with HF clients and about HF itself as a condition interfering with occupation. The design of this study involved collecting pre/post survey data to evaluate the knowledge of the participants about the HF population and gathering participant satisfaction data regarding the in-service. …

A Population-Based Analysis Of Patient Age And Other Disparities In The Treatment Of Ovarian Cancer In Central Appalachia And Kentucky, Robert Ore

Theses and Dissertations--Clinical Research Design

Objectives: Adherence to National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines for ovarian cancer treatment improves patient outcomes. The aim of this study was to assess disparities associated with ovarian cancer treatment in the state of Kentucky and central Appalachia.

Methods: Data on patients diagnosed as having ovarian cancer from 2007 through 2011 were extracted from administrative claims-linked Kentucky Cancer Registry data. NCCN compliance was defined by stage, grade, surgical procedure, and chemotherapy. Selection criteria were reviewed carefully to ensure data quality and accuracy. Descriptive analysis, logistic regression, and Cox regression analyses were performed to examine factors associated with guidelines compliance and …

White Matter Hyperintensities In Vascular Contributions To Cognitive Impairment And Dementia (Vcid): Knowledge Gaps And Opportunities, Jessica Alber, Suvarna Alladi, Hee-Joon Bae, David A. Barton, Laurel A. Beckett, Joanne M. Bell, Sara E. Berman, Geert Jan Biessels, Sandra E. Black, Isabelle Bos, Gene L. Bowman, Emanuele Brai, Adam M. Brickman, Brandy L. Callahan, Roderick A. Corriveau, Silvia Fossati, Rebecca F. Gottesman, Deborah R. Gustafson, Vladimir Hachinski, Kathleen M. Hayden, Alex M. Helman, Timothy M. Hughes, Jeremy D. Isaacs, Angela L. Jefferson, Sterling C. Johnson, Alifiya Kapasi, Silke Kern, Jay C. Kwon, Juraj Kukolja, Athene Lee, Brittani R. Price, Donna M. Wilcock

Sanders-Brown Center on Aging Faculty Publications

White matter hyperintensities (WMHs) are frequently seen on brain magnetic resonance imaging scans of older people. Usually interpreted clinically as a surrogate for cerebral small vessel disease, WMHs are associated with increased likelihood of cognitive impairment and dementia (including Alzheimer's disease [AD]). WMHs are also seen in cognitively healthy people. In this collaboration of academic, clinical, and pharmaceutical industry perspectives, we identify outstanding questions about WMHs and their relation to cognition, dementia, and AD. What molecular and cellular changes underlie WMHs? What are the neuropathological correlates of WMHs? To what extent are demyelination and inflammation present? Is it helpful to …

Mathematical Modeling Of Type 1 Diabetes, Gianna Wu

HMC Senior Theses

Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease where the pancreas produces little to no insulin, which is a hormone that regulates blood glucose levels. This happens because the immune system attacks (and kills) the beta cells of the pancreas, which are responsible for insulin production. Higher levels of glucose in the blood could have very negative, long term effects such as organ damage and blindness.

To date, T1D does not have a defined cause nor cure, and research for this disease is slow and difficult due to the invasive nature of T1D experimentation. Mathematical modeling provides an alternative approach …

Human Islet Response To Selected Type 1 Diabetes-Associated Bacteria: A Transcriptome-Based Study, Ahmed M. Abdellatif, Heather Jensen Smith, Robert Z. Harms, Nora Sarvetnick

Journal Articles: Eppley Institute

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a chronic autoimmune disease that results from destruction of pancreatic β-cells. T1D subjects were recently shown to harbor distinct intestinal microbiome profiles. Based on these findings, the role of gut bacteria in T1D is being intensively investigated. The mechanism connecting intestinal microbial homeostasis with the development of T1D is unknown. Specific gut bacteria such as Bacteroides dorei (BD) and Ruminococcus gnavus (RG) show markedly increased abundance prior to the development of autoimmunity. One hypothesis is that these bacteria might traverse the damaged gut barrier, and their constituents elicit a response from human islets that causes …

A Meta-Analysis Of Neuromyelitis Optica Epidemiology In Latin American Nations, Brittany M. Zengotita

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO) is a rare, autoimmune, neurodegenerative disease selectively affecting the optic nerves and spinal cord. Relapsing NMO is nine times more prevalent in women than in men and approximately one-quarter of NMO patients have symptoms of another autoimmune disorder (National Institute of Health, 2019). NMO has not been linked to any genetic mutations and the cause of the disorder is unknown beyond the general understanding that the body produces anti-aquaporin-4 antibodies (AQP4) which mistakenly attack cells in the nervous system. NMO affects roughly one percent of that of Multiple Sclerosis (4000-8000 patients total) in the United States, but …

The Effect Of Extensible And Non-Extensible Lumbar Belts On Trunk Postural Balance In Subjects With Low Back Pain And Healthy Controls, Ali Shahvarpour, Richard Preuss, Christian Larivière

Études primaires

Background

Previous findings suggest that wearing a lumbar belt may benefit some patients with low back pain; however, the mechanisms of action are not yet fully understood.

Research question

The effect of wearing two flexible (extensible and non-extensible) lumbar belts on trunk postural control was investigated during an unstable sitting task.

Methods

Healthy subjects and subjects with LBP sat on a wobbling chair, with and without the lumbar belts. Chair rotation was measured in the sagittal and frontal planes, and 10 linear and nonlinear measures of balance were computed to assess the quantity (3 measures) and quality (7 measures) of …

Global Health Experience In Botswana, Sarah Bieser

Posters

Describes experience providing care at the Botswana-Baylor Children's Center of Excellence in Gabarone, Botswana and the Princess Marina Hospital.

Senecavirus A: Pathogenicity And Interactions With Host Cell Death Pathway, Maureen Hoch Vieira Fernandes

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Senecavirus A (SVA) is a positive sense single-strand RNA virus of the genus Senecavirus, family Picornaviridae. Senecavirus A is an emerging picornavirus of swine, which causes vesicular disease (VD) in pigs that is clinically indistinguishable from footand- mouth disease and other high consequence VDs of swine. There is evidence that SVA has been circulating in the US swine population since the late eighty’s, however, recently the virus emerged worldwide, and it has been associated with several VD outbreaks in pigs in many of the major swine producing countries. Despite the recent surge in the number of cases of …

Effectiveness Of Digital Media Technologybased Interventions On Hiv & Sti Risk Reduction Among Young People: A Metaanalysis, Paul Sherwin O. Tarnate, Keith Roger R. Serrano, Vanessa-Maria F. Torres-Ticzon, Kathlynne Anne A. Senen

Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health Publications

Background: Prevention strategies delivered through digital media technology (DMT) have been developed to reduce HIV incidence among young people. However, no best-practice DMT intervention strategies exist in handling HIV prevention programs among young people. Objectives: To determine the effectiveness of DMT-based interventions in reducing risk-taking behaviours among young people that may predispose them to acquiring HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. Subjects and Selection Criteria: Randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies with rigorous controls comparing DMT-based interventions and controls on reducing risk-taking behaviors among young people aged 10-24 years were included. Data Collection: Search methods were done on the following: …

Conformational Flexibility In The Enterovirus Rna Replication Platform, Meghan S. Warden, Kai Cai, Gabriel Cornilescu, Jordan E. Burke, Komala Ponniah, Samuel E. Butcher, Steven M. Pascal

Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty Publications

A presumed RNA cloverleaf (5′CL), located at the 5′-most end of the noncoding region of the enterovirus genome, is the primary established site for initiation of genomic replication. Stem–loop B (SLB) and stem–loop D (SLD), the two largest stem–loops within the 5′CL, serve as recognition sites for protein interactions that are essential for replication. Here we present the solution structure of rhinovirus serotype 14 5′CL using a combination of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and small-angle X-ray scattering. In the absence of magnesium, the structure adopts an open, somewhat extended conformation. In the presence of magnesium, the structure compacts, bringing SLB …

Waist Circumference And The Relation To Aerobic Exercise And Perception Of Illness In Adults With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Bailey J. Huebner

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to observe the relationship between waist circumference (WC), amount of aerobic exercise performed weekly and overall Health Belief Model (HBM) score in adults with diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Members from a local Midwest adult fitness program (n = 5) who had been diagnosed T2DM participated in this study. Participants ranged in age from 70 to 80 years with an average age of 74 years. Four of the participants were female and one participant was male. The questions included in this study were 1 .) in those with diagnosed T2DM, was a low …

Dysmenorrhea Among High-School Students And It's Associated Factors In Kuwait, Sharefah Al-Matouq, Hessah Al-Mutairi, Ohood Al-Mutairi, Fatima Abdulaziz, Dana Al-Basri, Mona Al-Enzi, Abdullah Al-Taiar

Community & Environmental Health Faculty Publications

Background

Although dysmenorrhea is not a life-threatening condition, it can cause a substantial burden on individuals and communities. There is no data on the prevalence of dysmenorrhea in Kuwait. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of dysmenorrhea among female public high-school students in Kuwait and investigate factors associated with dysmenorrhea.

Methods

A cross-sectional study using multistage cluster sampling with probability proportional to size method was conducted on 763 twelfth grade female public high-school students (aged 16–21 years). We used face-to-face interview with a structured questionnaire to collect data on dysmenorrhea and presumed risk factors. Weight and height of the …

A 3d Bioprinter Platform For Mechanistic Analysis Of Tumoroids And Chimeric Mammary Organoids, John A. Reid, Xavier-Lewis Palmer, Peter A. Mollica, Nicole Northam, Patrick C. Sachs, Robert D. Bruno

School of Medical Diagnostics & Translational Sciences Publications

The normal mammary microenvironment can suppress tumorigenesis and redirect cancer cells to adopt a normal mammary epithelial cell fate in vivo. Understanding of this phenomenon offers great promise for novel treatment and detection strategies in cancer, but current model systems make mechanistic insights into the process difficult. We have recently described a low-cost bioprinting platform designed to be accessible for basic cell biology laboratories. Here we report the use of this system for the study of tumorigenesis and microenvironmental redirection of breast cancer cells. We show our bioprinter significantly increases tumoroid formation in 3D collagen gels and allows for precise …

Recent Advances In The Vibrational Spectroscopic Diagnosis Of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, Declan O'Dea, Fiona Lyng, Siobhan Nicholson, Finbar O'Connell, Aoife Maguire, Alison Malkin

Articles

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide accounting for 1.69 million deaths in 2015. Studies have indicated a 5 year survival rate of 8%–15% in western countries, although a survival rate as low as 1% has been demonstrated for late stage diagnosis. With the advent of targeted therapies, it is imperative to accurately differentiate non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) subtypes in order to ensure efficacy of treatment for patients. Immunohistochemistry and molecular techniques for the diagnosis of NSCLC are increasingly part of the diagnostic algorithm and clinical work-up of lung cancer patients, however due to the limitation …

Myopia Outcome Study Of Atropine In Children (Mosaic): Design And Methodology, Saoirse Mccrann, Daniel Ian Flitcroft, John Butler, James Loughman

Articles

Purpose

The Myopia Outcome Study of Atropine in Children (MOSAIC) aims to explore the efficacy, safety, acceptability and mechanisms of action of 0.01% atropine for myopia control in a European population.

Methods

MOSAIC is an investigator-led, double-masked, placebo-controlled, randomised clinical trial investigating the efficacy, safety and mechanisms of action of 0.01% atropine eyedrops in myopic progression management. During phase 1 of the trial, 250 children aged 6-16 years with progressive myopia apply eye drops once nightly in both eyes from randomisation to month 24. No treatment is given during phase 2 from month 24 to 36 (washout period) for those …

Comparison Of Rivaroxaban And Warfarin In The Prevention Of Recurrent Venous Thromboembolism, Philip J. Heiden

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

The purpose of this systematic literature review is to determine the efficacy and safety of rivaroxaban (Xarelto) compared to warfarin (Coumadin), for the long term prophylaxis of recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE). Rivaroxaban was chosen as the primary representative of factor Xa inhibitors because of its simplistic once a day dosing regimen. The PubMed database was extensively searched, using a variety of key terms, from September 10 to November 30, 2018. Works chosen include propensity-matched cohorts, retrospective studies, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses. All of which were published within the last 10 years; sources dated prior to 10 years were excluded. Studies …

Early Aggressive Insulin Therapy In Type 2 Diabetes, Bryan Johnson

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

Metformin has been proven beneficial for the first-line treatment of type 2 diabetic mellitus (T2DM) due to its efficacy and low adverse effect profile. Current US guidelines do not address the use of early intensive insulin use in T2DM. Treatment plans are slowly adjusted over the months until the A1C goal is met. Insulin is initiated several years after the time of T2DM diagnosis and utilized as second-line therapy. Dual therapy of insulin and metformin have shown regression of T2DM in certain patient populations. However, the linear relationship between diabetes and cardiovascular disease does not show greater improvement with dual …