Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Genome-Wide Association Study Meta-Analysis Uncovers Novel Genetic Variants Associated With Olfactory Dysfunction, Mohammed Aslam Imtiaz, Konstantinos Melas, Adrienne Tin, Valentina Talevi, Honglei Chen, Myriam Fornage, Srishti Shrestha, Martin Gögele, David Emmert, Cristian Pattaro, Peter Pramstaller, Franz Förster, Katrin Horn, Thomas H Mosley, Christian Fuchsberger, Markus Scholz, Monique M B Breteler, N Ahmad Aziz

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Olfactory dysfunction is among the earliest signs of many age-related neurodegenerative diseases and has been associated with increased mortality in older adults; however, its genetic basis remains largely unknown. Therefore, here we aimed to elucidate its genetic architecture through a genome-wide association study meta-analysis (GWMA).

Methods: This GWMA included the participants of European ancestry (N = 22,730) enrolled in four different large population-based studies followed by a multi-ancestry GWMA including participants of African ancestry (N = 1,030). Olfactory dysfunction was assessed using a 12-item smell identification test.

Results: GWMA revealed a novel genome-wide significant locus (tagged by single nucleotide …

Obesity Severity And Cancer Screening In Us Adults, Florina Corpodean, Michael Kachmar, Shengping Yang, Michael W. Cook, Philip R. Schauer, Vance L. Albaugh

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Experiences With Social Media Social Comparison In Women Ages 18-28: A Qualitative Study, Olivia Oakley Dr.

Dissertations

This qualitative study aimed to understand young women’s experience using social media and their reported mental health connections, such as self-esteem and comparison. As inferred in recent research, a wide range of social media content is being produced and consumed, from promoting the “thin ideal” to newer campaigns advocating for body positivity (Cohen et al., 2019, Grabe et al., 2008; Groesz et al., 2002). In a time where there is so much online content to consume, it is important to continue to evaluate the lived experiences of those using social media. This phenomenological qualitative research captured the lived experiences of …

Postpartum Conversion Type 2 Diabetes In African American Women With Gestational Diabetes, Guerino Tondreau

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) remains a significant public health concern in the United States, with non-Hispanic Black women bearing a disproportionately high burden of the disease. Although this group has a lower overall prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), those who develop GDM face an increased risk of progressing to T2DM. The purpose of this quantitative, correlational study was to explore the relationship between GDM, physical activity, weight status, and T2DM development among non-Hispanic Black women. Secondary data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, collected from 2017 through March 2020, were analyzed. The health belief model served …

Interplay Between Admission And Early Postpartum Blood Pressure And Risk Of Postpartum Readmission For Hypertension, Juan C. Naranjo, J. Hunter Collins, Elizabeth F. Sutton

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Artificial Intelligence In Head And Neck Cancer: Towards Precision Medicine, Jacob Hagen, Logan Hornung, William Barham, Supratik Mukhopadhyay, Adam Bess, Kevin Contrera, Devraj Basu, Vlad Sandulache, Guillaume Spielmann, Sagar Kansara

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Over the past 20 years, the capabilities of artificial intelligence (AI) have gained significant interest. While AI has been implemented to various degrees in several disciplines, its unique applications in head and neck cancer (HNC) remain underdeveloped. This narrative review examines the existing body of literature regarding the use of AI in HNC. Studies to date have demonstrated AI’s utility across multiple phases of the HNC treatment continuum. Despite its promise, integrating AI into clinical practice faces several challenges, including concerns about system integrity, generalizability, privacy, and bias. In this review, we address these challenges and offer insights into future …

Artificial Intelligence In Head And Neck Cancer: Towards Precision Medicine, Jacob Hagen, Logan Hornung, William Barham, Supratik Mukhopadhyay, Adam Bess, Kevin Contrera, Devraj Basu, Vlad Sandulache, Guillaume Spielmann, Sagar Kansara

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Over the past 20 years, the capabilities of artificial intelligence (AI) have gained significant interest. While AI has been implemented to various degrees in several disciplines, its unique applications in head and neck cancer (HNC) remain underdeveloped. This narrative review examines the existing body of literature regarding the use of AI in HNC. Studies to date have demonstrated AI’s utility across multiple phases of the HNC treatment continuum. Despite its promise, integrating AI into clinical practice faces several challenges, including concerns about system integrity, generalizability, privacy, and bias. In this review, we address these challenges and offer insights into future …

Early Definitive Fusion Versus Magnetic Growing Rods In "Tweeners": What Do Parents Prefer?, Sylvia Culpepper, Ravi Rajendra, Brett Lullo, Anthony A. Catanzano, Tyler C. Mcdonald, R Carter Clement

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

INTRODUCTION: In treating early-onset scoliosis (EOS), pediatric orthopaedic surgeons and families must often choose between growth-friendly interventions such as magnetically controlled growing rods (MCGR) and early definitive posterior spinal fusion (PSF). While each strategy has associated pros and cons, little is understood about the specific preferences of patients' families. Addressing potential nuances in these preferences is crucial for meaningful shared decision-making (SDM). To better understand the factors influencing family decisions, we conducted a choice-based conjoint (CBC) analysis to explore parents' preferences for PSF and MCGR as treatment options. METHODS: A survey was developed using Sawtooth Software (Lighthouse Studio version 9.2.0) …

Antiviral Use Among Children Hospitalized With Laboratory-Confirmed Influenza Illness: A Prospective, Multicenter Surveillance Study., James W. Antoon, Justin Z. Amarin, Olla Hamdan, Tess Stopczynski, Laura S. Stewart, Marian G. Michaels, John V. Williams, Eileen J. Klein, Janet A. Englund, Geoffrey A. Weinberg, Peter G. Szilagyi, Jennifer E. Schuster, Rangaraj Selvarangan, Christopher J. Harrison, Julie A. Boom, Leila C. Sahni, Flor M. Muñoz, Mary Allen Staat, Elizabeth P. Schlaudecker, James D. Chappell, Benjamin R. Clopper, Heidi L. Moline, Angela P. Campbell, Andrew J. Spieker, Samantha M. Olson, Natasha B. Halasa

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: Guidelines state that all hospitalized children with suspected or confirmed influenza receive prompt treatment with influenza-specific antivirals. We sought to determine the frequency of, and factors associated with, antiviral receipt among hospitalized children.

METHODS: We conducted active surveillance of children presenting with fever or respiratory symptoms from 1 December 2016 to 31 March 2020 at 7 pediatric medical centers in the New Vaccine Surveillance Network. The cohort consisted of children hospitalized with influenza A or B confirmed by clinical or research testing. The primary outcome was frequency of antiviral receipt during hospitalization. We used logistic regression to obtain adjusted …

Glucometer Cleanliness On A Neuro-Medical Intensive Care Unit, Abbey Camire

Operations Transformation

Glucometers on the Neuro-Medical ICU are being docked with visible reddish/brown residue, indicating they are not properly cleaned beforehand. This poses a risk of transmitting pathogens, endangering patient and staff safety, and violates hospital policy and regulatory standards. Proper disinfection of mobile medical equipment is essential for infection control and hospital accreditation.

Study Of Clinical And Bacteriological Profile Of Culture-Positive Neonatal Sepsis At A Tertiary Care Hospital, Qudsiya Ansari, Vaibhav Pawar, Kailas Randad, Poonam Wade

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

Background: Neonatal sepsis is a significant global health challenge, leading to substantial morbidity and mortality among neonates. Its clinical manifestations and causative agents show regional and temporal variations, necessitating localized studies to guide effective management. This study aimed to assess the clinical features, bacteriological profile, and antimicrobial resistance patterns in culture-positive neonatal sepsis at a tertiary NICU. Methods: This retrospective observational study analyzed records of 131 inborn neonates with culture-proven sepsis admitted between April 2019 and March 2020. Data on demographic characteristics, clinical presentations, causative organisms, and treatment outcomes were examined. Antibiotic susceptibility patterns were also evaluated. Results: Of the …

Investigation Of The Optimal Length Of Discharge Summaries In Care Transitions: A Cross-Sectional Study, Taku Harada, Shintaro Kosaka, Aki Morishima, Seitaro Iguchi

Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives

Introduction

Discharge summaries are essential documents that support continuity of care during patient transitions between inpatient and outpatient settings. They help ensure that crucial clinical information is conveyed accurately and completely. However, while their clinical significance is well established, there is little consensus on the optimal format, particularly in terms of length and structural clarity. Excessively brief summaries may omit key details, while overly lengthy ones can hinder efficient information transfer. Despite varied suggestions in the literature—ranging from half a page to four pages—empirical data on physician preferences are limited.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional, web-based survey among physicians who …

Role Of Addiction Medicine Consultation Service In A Community Hospital: Evaluation Of The Novel Service, Srikrishna Varun Malayala, Wesley Cervantes Perez, Rukshar Thapa, Archie Madan, Kushagar Singla, Pragyat Singh, Pelash Kumar, Akshay Thaper

Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives

Objectives: Fewer than 2,500 physicians nationwide are certified in addiction medicine. Inpatient addiction hospitalist services have been shown to improve patient outcomes, but their capabilities and impact are underexplored in community hospitals. This study evaluates the role of an addiction medicine hospitalist service in enhancing patient outcomes in two community-based hospitals.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted on patients who received care from addiction medicine service in two hospitals. The data were collected within the first 120 days of the establishment of service. The reason for consultation, substances used, types of management, impact on transition of care, readmissions and …

Inovasi Aplikasi Adhimukti Brata Care Stunting Berbasis Appsheet Untuk Pendataan Status Gizi Anak Di Kabupaten Banggai, Moh. Saputra Tambora, Imelda Hutasoit

Jurnal Biostatistik, Kependudukan, dan Informatika Kesehatan

Stunting merupakan masalah kesehatan serius di Indonesia, termasuk di Kabupaten Banggai dengan prevalensi 29,1% pada tahun 2023. Keterlambatan intervensi sering terjadi akibat keterbatasan data gizi anak yang akurat, terbaru, dan mudah diakses. Penelitian ini bertujuan mendeskripsikan pengembangan Aplikasi Adhimukti Brata Care Stunting berbasis AppSheet sebagai solusi pendataan gizi anak secara real-time. Metode yang digunakan adalah research and development (R&D) dengan model prototyping, meliputi tahap analisis kebutuhan, perancangan, implementasi, uji coba teknis, dan penyempurnaan. Data diperoleh dari hasil uji coba aplikasi, observasi proses input, serta masukan pengguna awal yaitu petugas DP2KBP3A, PKB, dan kader posyandu. Hasil pengembangan menunjukkan aplikasi …

In-Hospital Exposure And Opioids Prescribed After Total Knee Arthroplasty, Clifton Daigle, Robert Branstetter, Leland Van Deventer, Ravi Rajendra, Claudia Leonardi, Amy Bronstone, Vinod Dasa

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Opioids are frequently used intraoperatively and during postanesthesia care unit care in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) cases and are commonly prescribed after surgery despite known adverse effects. This study examined whether in-hospital opioid exposure is related to postoperative opioid prescribing in opioid-naïve TKA patients. METHODS: This retrospective study included opioid-naïve patients (no opioid prescriptions filled during the three months before TKA) who had unilateral primary TKA between May 1, 2020, and November 30, 2023, performed by an orthopaedic surgeon. All patients were treated using the same multimodal pain protocol. Opioid prescriptions filled by patients during the three months following …

Optimization Of Spinal Cord Perfusion Pressure For Improvement Of Neurological Outcome In Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Gabrielle E. Hovis, Brandon Sherrod, Nitin Agarwal, Berje H. Shammassian, Anthony M. Digiorgio, Ramesh Grandhi, Bryce Picton

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

The optimal hemodynamic management of traumatic spinal cord injury (tSCI) is not well established. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of patients with acute tSCI to assess the role of lumbar cerebrospinal fluid drainage (CSFD) and to identify factors predictive of neurological improvement. Three studies involving 46 patients with acute tSCI, lumbar drain placement with CSFD, and available pre- and post-intervention American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale or International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury (ISNCSCI) motor scores were identified. One study was analyzed separately (Cohort A) using ASIA grade because post-intervention ISNCSCI motor scores were …

Radio And Television Media And Health-Seeking Behavior Among Women In Rural Northern Nigeria, Olufolake Akeju

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Poor maternal health-seeking behavior (MHSB) has contributed to persistently high maternal mortality in rural northern Nigeria. Despite increasing access to health information via media platforms, little is known about the association between media exposure and MHSB in this region. In this study, the association between mass media exposure (radio and television) and MHSB was investigated using institutional delivery as a proxy. The health belief model was applied as the theoretical framework for this study and sought to answer two key questions focused on whether there is an association between media exposure and MHSB in rural northern Nigeria and what the …

Spatial-Temporal Variation Of Diarrhea Among Children Under 5 Years Old Between 2010-2020 In Rwanda, Amans Ntakarutimana Dr., Patrick A. Tschida Dr., Elias Nyandwi Dr.

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

We used secondary data from the Rwanda Demographic and Health Surveys of 2010, 2015, and 2020 to assess the spatial-temporal variation of diarrhea among children under 5 years old between the years 2010 and 2020 in Rwanda. Stratified descriptive statistics, pairwise comparisons, and logistic regression designs were used for data analysis in SPSS. A statistically significant variation of diarrhea among children under 5 years old was observed across districts, regions, and urban–rural areas but not at the national level between 2010–2020. Some districts of the Western region, including Nyabihu (OR = 2.5), Ngororero (OR = 2.3), and Karongi …

Access To Care, Structural Barriers, And Recovery Identity In Mental Health And Substance Use Disorder Treatment, Yahya Alnashri

All ETDs from UAB

Substance use disorders (SUDs) remain one of the most pressing public health and economic challenges in the United States, with growing recognition that recovery is a multidimensional process shaped by clinical, social, and structural factors. This dissertation explores recovery at the levels of health policy, population, and experiential levels to assess gaps in access to recovery support services, identify patterns and predictors of recovery identity, and highlight the lived experiences of individuals with opioid use disorder. First, we evaluated whether state Medicaid expansion under the ACA (2010–2019) was associated with changes in the availability of consumer-run peer support services in …

Turn On, Tune In, Drop Shame: Exploring The Unique Therapeutic Potential Of Psychedelics For Sexual And Gender Minority Populations, Nicholas Carlisle

All ETDs from UAB

Sexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals face significant disparities in mental and physical health compared to their heterosexual and cisgender counterparts, due in part to chronic exposure to distal and proximal minority stressors. Shame – a self-focused characterized by a global sense of personal deficiency or unworthiness – has emerged as a key intrapersonal mechanism linking minority stressors to adverse health outcomes. This dissertation explores the role of shame in SGM health inequities and investigates the emerging potential of psychedelics to reduce shame and improve health and wellbeing in these populations. This three-paper dissertation begins with a scoping review (Paper …

Barriers And Timely Postoperative Radiation Therapy In Head And Neck Cancer, Megan T Nguyen, Emily Kistner-Griffin, Reid Demass, Bhisham S Chera, Chanita Hughes Halbert, Katherine R Sterba, Elizabeth G Hill, Brian Nussenbaum, Anthony J Alberg, Vlad C Sandulache, David J Hernandez, Ryan S Jackson, Sidharth V Puram, Russel Kahmke, Nosayaba Osazuwa-Peters, Gail Jackson, Sue S Yom, Evan M Graboyes

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Importance: Initiation of postoperative radiation therapy (PORT) within 6 weeks of surgery is associated with improved outcomes among patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. However, the relationship of barriers to care with timely PORT is unknown.

Objective: To categorize barriers to timely PORT, evaluate the association of barriers to care with initiation of timely PORT, and describe the primary reason for delay among patients without timely PORT.

Design, setting, and participants: This prospective cohort study at a US academic medical center included adults with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma undergoing curative-intent surgery with an indication for PORT. …

The Cost Of Malnutrition In Older Adults In The Mountain West, 2020, Taylor Volk, Anirudh Polagani, Olivia K. Cheche, Kristian Thymianos, Caitlin J. Saladino, William E. Brown Jr.

Health

This fact sheet presents 2020 data on the annual costs of disease-associated malnutrition for adults aged 65 years and older across the five Mountain West states of Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah. The data are sourced from “Advancing Policies for Quality Malnutrition Care in Older Adults: A Toolkit for State Legislators,” a report published by Defeat Malnutrition Today and Women in Government.

Health Systems Responsiveness In Low And Middle-Income Countries (L&Mics): Revisiting Its Scope, Meesha Iqbal, Robert Morgan, Cici Bauer, Cecilia Ganduglia Cazaban, Sameen Siddiqi

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Introduction: Health systems responsiveness (HSR) addresses the legitimate non-health expectations of the population and plays a vital role in strengthening health systems and enhancing population health. Identifying specific constructs or domains within HSR is particularly important in the context of low and middle-income countries (L&MICs) to facilitate targeted improvement. Following a comprehensive systematic review of the literature, we developed a conceptual framework for HSR. This study was designed to validate our proposed framework through a Delphi process.

Methods: Global HSR experts were contacted via email to participate in the study, and a copy of the proposed framework (12 domains, 53 …

The "Secret Of Seven Stones": Short-Term Efficacy Of An Online Intergenerational Sexual Health Education Game For Early Adolescents And Their Parents, Ross Shegog, Christine Markham, Melissa Peskin, Robert C Addy, Sara Dube, Diane Santa Maria, Susan Tortolero Emery, Johnny M Wilkerson, Elizabeth Baumler, Laura Armistead, Pooja Chaudhary, Hsing-Yi Song, Angela Spencer, Jeffery Mclaughlin

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objectives: Intergenerational games offer a potential channel to impact parent-youth sexual health communication. The "Secret of Seven Stones" (SSS) is an 18-level online adventure game and parent website designed to engage parents and youth (11-14 years) in conversations about healthy dating relationships and sexual behavior and to provide sexual health skills training to youth. Study hypotheses were that SSS exposure would increase sexual health parent-child communication, increase youth intentions to delay sexual debut, and reduce youth exposure to situations that promote sexual activity.

Materials and Methods: SSS was evaluated in the homes of parent-youth dyads randomly assigned to intervention ( …

Neurobehavioral Symptom Profiles For The Behavioral Assessment Screening Tool In Chronic Traumatic Brain Injury, Shannon B Juengst, Brittany Wright, Annalyn Demello, Leia Vos, Fedora Biney, Luis Leon Novelo, Michael Williams

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objective: To identify neurobehavioral symptom profiles among persons with chronic traumatic brain injury (TBI) using the Behavioral Assessment Screening Tool (BAST) and to consider participant characteristics that differ between profile groups.

Setting: Community.

Participants: Participants (n = 615) were English-speaking adults (≥18) and had a self-reported history of at least one TBI of any severity.

Design: Secondary analysis of cross-sectional data.

Main measures: The BAST measures neurobehavioral symptoms in the domains of Negative Affect, Fatigue, Executive Dysfunction, Impulsivity, and Substance Misuse.

Results: Using latent profile analysis (LPA), we identified 3 different neurobehavioral profiles. Overall symptom frequency and differences in the …

Debunking Myths: Sickle Cell Trait, Crises & Sudden Death, Michael R. Debaun, Corey J. Hebert, Yvette Marie Miller

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Exploring The Relative Effects Of Natural Gas And Biogas Cooking On Indoor Air Quality In Residential Kitchens, Wande Benka-Coker, Kailey Sipe, Dinela Dedic, Alexander Jones, Bramley Hawkins, Emily Lyons, Matt Steiman, Megan L. Benka-Coker

Health Sciences Faculty Publications

Indoor air pollution from gas stove combustion remains a public health concern, given links to adverse cardiorespiratory health effects, yet few studies have characterized or compared the air quality impacts of different gas-based cooking fuels. We investigated kitchen-level concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations in four homes in Central Pennsylvania that used natural gas and/or biogas fueled stoves. We conducted time-resolved kitchen monitoring and assessed pollutant concentrations during cooking and non-cooking periods. We applied linear mixed-effect regression models with kitchen-level random effects and time-varying covariates to estimate the influence of fuel type on indoor air …

Geographic Disparities In Birth Outcomes: County-Level Investigation On Pm2.5 And Low Birth Weight In The United States, Eunice Y. Park, Ranju Mainali

Department of Public Health Scholarship and Creative Works

Exposure to air pollution adversely affects health and is highly associated with birth outcomes. This study analyzes the relationship between air pollution and low birth weight (LBW; less than 2,500 g at birth) at the county level in the United States. Using the latest publicly available data from the County Health Rankings and Roadmaps across 3,027 counties and equivalents, simple and quantile regression analyses were conducted to test the association between the average daily density of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and LBW. The LBW data were from 2016 to 2022 from the National Center for Health Statistics and PM2.5 data …

Sleep Architecture And Dementia Risk In Adults: An Analysis Of 5 Cohorts From The Sleep And Dementia Consortium, Stephanie Yiallourou, Andree-Ann Baril, Crystal Wiedner, Jeffrey R Misialek, Christopher E Kline, Stephanie Harrison, Ethan Cannon, Qiong Yang, Rebecca Bernal, Alycia Bisson, Dibya Himali, Marina Cavuoto, Antoine Weihs, Alexa Beiser, Rebecca F Gottesman, Yue Leng, Oscar Lopez, Pamela L Lutsey, Shaun M Purcell, Susan Redline, Sudha Seshadri, Katie L Stone, Kristine Yaffe, Sonia Ancoli-Israel, Qian Xiao, Eleni Okeanis Vaou, Jayandra J Himali, Matthew P Pase

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Study objectives: Poor sleep may play a role in the risk of dementia. However, few studies have investigated the association between polysomnography (PSG)-derived sleep architecture and dementia incidence. We examined the relationship between sleep architecture and dementia incidence across five US-based cohort studies from the Sleep and Dementia Consortium.

Methods: Percent of time spent in stages of sleep (N1, N2, N3, rapid eye movement sleep), wake after sleep onset, sleep maintenance efficiency, apnea-hypopnea index, and relative delta power were derived from a single night home-based PSG. Dementia was ascertained in each cohort using its cohort-specific criteria. Each cohort performed Cox …

Fetal Body Composition And Organ Growth In Pregnancies Complicated By First-Trimester Vaginal Bleeding Status: Nichd Fetal 3d Study, Alexandra Jean-Louis, Jessica L Gleason, Zhen Chen, Kathryn A Wagner, Dian He, Roger Newman, William A Grobman, Robert Gore-Langton, Seth Sherman, Magdalena Sanz Cortes, Edward K Chien, Luis F Goncalves, Jagteshwar Grewal, Katherine L Grantz

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Objective

This study aimed to explore associations between self-reported first-trimester vaginal bleeding status and fetal body composition and organ volumes measured by three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound across pregnancy.

Study Design

The NICHD Fetal 3D Study (2015–2019) included individuals with singleton pregnancies at low risk for fetal growth abnormalities (n = 2,634). Fetal body composition measures of arm, abdomen, and thigh, and organ volumes including cerebellum, lung, kidney, and liver, were measured up to five times between 15 and 40 weeks using 3D ultrasound. Women were grouped by cumulative days of self-reported first-trimester vaginal bleeding: 0 (no bleeding, reference), 1, or …