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University of Alabama at Birmingham

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Full-Text Articles in Medicine and Health Sciences

Lateral Ridge Augmentation Using Allograft Bone Particles Hydrated With Or Without Recombinant Human Platelet-Derived Growth Factor: A Clinical And Histological Randomized Controlled Trial, Lauren Miele Jan 2023

Lateral Ridge Augmentation Using Allograft Bone Particles Hydrated With Or Without Recombinant Human Platelet-Derived Growth Factor: A Clinical And Histological Randomized Controlled Trial, Lauren Miele

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Lateral ridge augmentation is a common procedure to increase the width of bone in preparation for a dental implant. A certain thickness of bone is necessary for implant health, making ridge augmentation procedures necessary for many patients. Research into the use of growth factors in ridge augmentation is ongoing, but few studies have examined the use of recombinant human platelet-derived growth factor homodimer (rhPDGF-BB) in ridge augmentation. This study examines histologic, clinical, and patient reported outcomes when horizontal ridge augmentation is completed using freeze dried bone allograft hydrated in rhPDGF-BB or saline and a resorbable crosslinked collagen membrane. Histologic results …

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Functional Analysis Of Mandibular Movements In Three Different Groups Including Patients With Total Joint Replacements, Previous Orthognathic Surgery, And A Control Group, Adriana Morales Buendia Jan 2023

Functional Analysis Of Mandibular Movements In Three Different Groups Including Patients With Total Joint Replacements, Previous Orthognathic Surgery, And A Control Group, Adriana Morales Buendia

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Purpose: To Assess mandibular movements, including mouth opening, lateral excursion, and protrusion among patients with total joint replacements and orthognathic surgery compared to healthy control participants with no known TMJ disorders. Methods: Fifty-two subjects from 18 to 66 years of age were included in this cross-sectional study, distributed in three groups: patients with total joint replacement (n = 16), patients who underwent orthognathic surgery (n=17), and healthy control subjects (n = 19) to quantitatively determine whether there is statistically significant difference among the groups regarding opening, lateral excursion, and protrusion movements. The non-invasive system SiCAT JMT+ device was used to …

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Accuracy Of "Reading" Untraced Lateral Cephalometric Radiographs Among Practicing Orthodontists, Shannon Rea Jan 2023

Accuracy Of "Reading" Untraced Lateral Cephalometric Radiographs Among Practicing Orthodontists, Shannon Rea

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Objective: To determine if orthodontic clinicians are able to ascertain diagnostic information from untraced lateral cephalometric radiographs. Materials and Methods: A survey consisting of 5 cases was presented to practicing orthodontists. Each case presented a lateral cephalometric radiograph and included ten questions requiring the respondent to make clinical judgments and approximations of the following variables: skeletal classification, maxilla and mandibular skeletal relationship, SNA, SNB, ANB, vertical skeletal classification, FMA, molar relationship, maxillary incisor proclination, and mandibular incisor proclination. 46 responses were collected and analyzed. Results: Case 3, the normodivergent, Skeletal Class I patient had the highest percentage of correct answers …

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Cd151+ T Cell Frequencies As An Immunological Clock That Identifies Premature Immunological Aging In People With Hiv, Mildred Perez Jan 2023

Cd151+ T Cell Frequencies As An Immunological Clock That Identifies Premature Immunological Aging In People With Hiv, Mildred Perez

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Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has greatly improved the life expectancy of People With HIV (PWH), but despite ART, PWH show signs of chronic immune hyperactivation (CIH), which results in the development of early-onset comorbidities, such as metabolic syndrome, diabetes, cardiovascular complications, neurodegenerative impairment, and can-cer. The underlying causes of CIH are, at best, incompletely understood, with suggested roles of microbial translocation, viral coinfections, T cell imbalances, and persistent HIV replication. Given that the CD4+ T cell population is most affected during acute HIV infec-tion, it is surprising that no T cell populations have been identified as drivers of CIH. Herein, we …

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Comparison Of Flexural Strength, Fracture Toughness, And Color Stability Of Cad/Cam 3d-Printed Denture Base Materials To Milled And Conventional Heat-Polymerized Materials: An In Vitro Study, Yamen Safadi Jan 2023

Comparison Of Flexural Strength, Fracture Toughness, And Color Stability Of Cad/Cam 3d-Printed Denture Base Materials To Milled And Conventional Heat-Polymerized Materials: An In Vitro Study, Yamen Safadi

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Digitalization of the design and manufacturing of complete dentures streamlines the clinical and laboratory processes and provides increased efficiency and enhanced denture quality.[1, 2] The two most common CAD/CAM techniques for denture base manufacturing are additive (3D-printing) and subtractive (milling) manufacturing. Milled denture bases have been proven to be comparable in their physical and mechanical properties to conventional heat-polymerized denture bases,[3-6] and in many studies found to be superior to 3D-printed denture bases.[7-13] However, 3D-printing offers many advantages over milling that appeal to both clinicians and dental technicians related to investment and operational costs, maintenance, speed of manufacturing, diversity of …

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Identifying The Factors Influencing Hiv Testing And Safe Sex Practices: An Ecological Approach, Shekwonya Evelyn Samuel Jan 2023

Identifying The Factors Influencing Hiv Testing And Safe Sex Practices: An Ecological Approach, Shekwonya Evelyn Samuel

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Introduction: HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that is still a major health issue in the United States and the world. Emerging adults are more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors such as multiple sexual partners and unprotected sex. HIV testing contributes to ending the HIV epidemic by identifying at-risk individuals and promoting early diagnosis.Methods: Secondary data analyses of the City Health II dataset were conducted to 1) identify the association between HIV testing and risky sexual behaviors among Black/African American emerging adults ages 18-25 years living in Birmingham metro area, 2) use social network …

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Comparison Of Radiological Signs To Clinical Symptoms In Children With Jia. A Pilot Study, Shubham Sharma Jan 2023

Comparison Of Radiological Signs To Clinical Symptoms In Children With Jia. A Pilot Study, Shubham Sharma

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JIA, which stands for juvenile idiopathic arthritis, is a group of chronic inflammatory joint diseases that usually occur in children under the age of 16 and last for at least six weeks1–5. It is one of the most common chronic joint diseases in childhood1 and affects up to 150 out of every 100,000 children worldwide6. This condition has no identifiable cause and is different from adult rheumatoid arthritis. Unfortunately, JIA can have a significant negative impact on the lives of these young children, causing disability and impairing their daily activities. TMJ involvement is more common than previously believed in JIA …

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Exercise-Driven Epigenetic And Transcriptomic Changes In An Experimental Model Of Temporal Lobe Epilepsy, Silvienne C. Sint Jago Jan 2023

Exercise-Driven Epigenetic And Transcriptomic Changes In An Experimental Model Of Temporal Lobe Epilepsy, Silvienne C. Sint Jago

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Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is a neurological disease marked by recurring unprovoked seizures originating from temporal lobe structures and is frequently associated with cognitive deficits. Exercise holds promise as a therapeutic approach to alleviate seizures and cognitive impairments in TLE. However, the exact cellular and molecular mechanisms by which exercise influences pathways related to seizure activity and cognition in the context of TLE still need to be understood. Neuronal network formation relies on the regulation of gene expression, which can lead to either an increase or a decrease in the production of essential proteins involved in neuronal signaling. Genes are …

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The Influence Of Proximity On Patient Outcomes For Differently Structured Ambulatory Surgery Centers, Wendy Michelle Smith Jan 2023

The Influence Of Proximity On Patient Outcomes For Differently Structured Ambulatory Surgery Centers, Wendy Michelle Smith

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THE INFLUENCE OF PROXIMITY ON PATIENT OUTCOMES FOR DIFFERENTLY STRUCTURED AMBULATORY SURGERY CENTERSWENDY SMITH HEALTH SERVICES ADMINISTRATION ABSTRACT This study examines the complication rates and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) for total hip and knee replacement surgeries conducted in one of two differently structured ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs) with varying interprofessional surgical teams. There is an ongoing shift from in-hospital total joint replacement surgeries to ASCs. Additionally, there is specialization occurring within ASCs. In this study, we compare single specialty ASCs designed to perform solely TJR surgeries with one orthopedic group and interprofessional team, with multi-specialty ASCs that perform an array …

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The Effects Of Mobile Shielding On Scatter Radiation In The Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory, Lancer Smith Jan 2023

The Effects Of Mobile Shielding On Scatter Radiation In The Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory, Lancer Smith

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This research evaluates the effectiveness of a Specialized Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory Shielding Device (SCCLSD) compared to traditional shielding methods in reducing occupational exposure to scattered x-rays, contributing to the ongoing enhancement of radiation safety in the cardiac catheterization laboratory (CCL) setting. The upper component of the SCCLSD comprises a mobile, transparent barrier with lead-equivalent malleable drapes designed to conform to the patient's body contours. It is height-adjustable, creating a protective shield against scatter radiation generated during CCL procedures. The lower portion of the SCCLSD replaces traditional lead-lined drapes, extending further down the table and incorporating additional shielding for staff protection.An …

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Pathophysiological Metabolic Alteration In Lung Injury And Fibrosis, Samuel Robert Smith Jan 2023

Pathophysiological Metabolic Alteration In Lung Injury And Fibrosis, Samuel Robert Smith

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Lung injury and lung repair are two sides of the same coin, for where injury occurs, repair must follow. Lung fibrosis occurs when this repair process is dysfunctional and becomes trapped in a chronically incomplete state. The studies described here examine each side of this coin to ask the question of whether metabolism has a role in the pathophysiology of acute lung damage following severe trauma or in the chronic progression of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). In the first half of this work, we investigated the impact that severe lung injury and infection exert on the flux of metabolites in …

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Neuropeptide Y Overexpression In The Presence Of P23h Rhodopsin Mutation, Jean Sun Jan 2023

Neuropeptide Y Overexpression In The Presence Of P23h Rhodopsin Mutation, Jean Sun

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Neuropeptide Y (NPY), a 36-amino acid peptide, has been found to be the most abundant neuropeptide in the central nervous system, and it is widespread across mammalian species. NPY plays a dual role as a neurotransmitter and neuromodulator in the nervous system. NPY functions as a multifaceted neuromodulator through binding NPY receptors (NPYRs). NYP interacts with NPYRs and regulates various activities, such as cell growth, neurogenesis, neuroprotection, mitochondrial behaviors, food intake, anxiety, and addiction formation. In terms of NPY’s neuroprotective potential, NPY inhibits neuronal death signaling, thus preventing apoptosis, and displays anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects. Additionally, it influences metabolism by …

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The Impact Of Diabetes On At-Fault Motor Vehicle Collisions In Older Adults: Visual Function, Medication, And Crash Characteristics, Thomas A. Swain Jan 2023

The Impact Of Diabetes On At-Fault Motor Vehicle Collisions In Older Adults: Visual Function, Medication, And Crash Characteristics, Thomas A. Swain

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Older drivers represent one of the fastest growing age groups of drivers in the United States. Crash risk among older adults, who have the highest prevalence of vision impairment, has been shown to be related to worse visual function. Diabetes mellitus is a chronic health condition affecting more than 23.1 million Americans, and one in three have pre-diabetes. Persons with diabetes are at increased risk of conditions which cause vision loss. Research indicates those with diabetes have higher rates of MVCs. Despite the increased MVC risk among each of these groups, work has yet to evaluate if diabetes modifies the …

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Social Vulnerability And Trust Associated With African American Secondary Syphilis Cases Reported In Alabama, United States, 2020-2022, Givanta Tribit Jan 2023

Social Vulnerability And Trust Associated With African American Secondary Syphilis Cases Reported In Alabama, United States, 2020-2022, Givanta Tribit

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Introduction: Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that can cause serious health problems, including neurological disorders, blindness, and fetal abnormalities. Routine STI screenings can help prevent its spread. Despite effective treatments, syphilis cases have risen sharply in the last decade, particularly among marginalized communities. Understanding the ecological and contextual factors contributing to syphilis incidence could inform prevention efforts and improve healthcare outcomes for all. Methods: Retrospective secondary data analyses, at the county level, from 2020 to 2022, were conducted to assess for mean differences among social vulnerability index (SVI) scores, SVI scores by four primary categories, Black Belt regional …

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Senior Executive Experience And The Performance Of Healthcare Organizations, John Patrick Walsh Jan 2023

Senior Executive Experience And The Performance Of Healthcare Organizations, John Patrick Walsh

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SENIOR EXECUTIVE EXPERIENCE AND THE PERFORMANCE OF HEALTHCARE ORGANIZATIONS JOHN P. WALSH HEALTH SERVICES ADMINISTRATION ABSTRACT The healthcare industry has become increasingly complex over the past two decades causing concern for stakeholders of hospitals and health systems regarding the future viability. Given the tumultuous times, understanding who is best suited to lead these organizations is essential. While some work has been done studying certain characteristics of the Senior Leaders of these organizations, none have looked at the relationship between the Senior Leader’s work experience comparing those with for-profit experience and those without and performance. Using Upper Echelon’s Theory as a …

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A Qualitative Descriptive Study Exploring Infertility Help-Seeking Among African American Women, Andrea G. Wells Jan 2023

A Qualitative Descriptive Study Exploring Infertility Help-Seeking Among African American Women, Andrea G. Wells

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BACKGROUND: Failure to achieve pregnancy (infertility) affects over 6 million women ages 15–44 in the United States. African American women have more difficulty getting pregnant than White women but are less likely to seek help for infertility. According to the current research, there are several factors (cost, insurance coverage, etc.) that create difficulty for women to seek help to get pregnant. However, little is known about the factors that influence or impede infertility help-seeking among African American women. The purpose of this study was to explore the barriers and facilitators to infertility help-seeking among African American women.METHODS: Factors affecting infertility …

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Select Lipid Signaling. Derived From T-Cells Is An Important Contributor To Type 1 Diabetes Development, Tayleur White Jan 2023

Select Lipid Signaling. Derived From T-Cells Is An Important Contributor To Type 1 Diabetes Development, Tayleur White

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We reported that Ca2+-independent phospholipase A2β (iPLA2) contributes to type 1 diabetes (T1D) development; however, the impact of lipid signaling from T-cells is unknown. To address this, we first administered splenocytes from NOD, NOD.iPLA2+/- (NOD.HET), or NOD.iPLA2-/- (NOD.KO) mice to 4-week-old NOD.scid recipients. As expected, T1D onset was rapid in NOD cell recipients and 100% by 12 weeks. However, onset was delayed by 1-3 weeks in NOD.HET or NOD.KO cell recipients and only 60% became diabetic, suggesting a role for T-cell iPLA2. Next, to establish importance of iPLA2 in CD4 or CD8 cells, purified cells were administered to NOD.scid mice. …

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Neighborhood Disadvantage, Sleep Quality, And Shift Work: The Reasons For Geographic And Racial Differences In Stroke (Regards) Study, Rebecca Williams Jan 2023

Neighborhood Disadvantage, Sleep Quality, And Shift Work: The Reasons For Geographic And Racial Differences In Stroke (Regards) Study, Rebecca Williams

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The first study used data (n=14,609) from the REasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) to test the associations among Area Deprivation Index (ADI) and self-reported total sleep time (TST), sleep efficiency (SE), and number of restless nights within the last week. The second study (n=12,496) tested the associations among ADI, shift work status, and restlessness.Regression models were fit to examine associations between ADI and SE or TST or restlessness, as well as assess the relation between ADI and SE in clinically meaningful categories. Moderation analyses indicated whether sex or race impact the association between ADI and sleep. …

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Understanding The Impact Of Hospital Price Transparency Initiatives On Consumer Decision-Making To Purchase Healthcare Services, Neel Pathak Jan 2023

Understanding The Impact Of Hospital Price Transparency Initiatives On Consumer Decision-Making To Purchase Healthcare Services, Neel Pathak

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This study examined the influence of hospital list price information on individuals' decision-making to purchase healthcare services. The study collected quantitative data from 550 individuals by administering a hospital price transparency survey. Findings indicate that awareness of hospital list prices and quality outcomes metrics was high, but utilization rates were relatively low among survey participants. Demographic variations were explored with respect to the awareness and utilization of hospital list prices. Quality outcomes and recommendations from friends, family, and physicians emerged as the most important attributes influencing decision-making to purchase healthcare services whereas hospital list prices and social media had a …

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Assessing Visual Function In Young And Medically Complex Children With Cerebral Visual Impairment, Kathleen Mary Weden Jan 2023

Assessing Visual Function In Young And Medically Complex Children With Cerebral Visual Impairment, Kathleen Mary Weden

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Cerebral Visual impairment (CVI) has become the leading cause of vision impairment in children worldwide. Early identification of CVI has been shown to improve visual function outcomes and improve developmental outcomes and quality of life. However, children with CVI are difficult to identify and assess because the medical conditions that cause CVI can also cause impairment across domains of function. A scoping review was first conducted on interventions and outcome measures used for children with CVI. The sources identified (n=20) were grouped into five types of interventions. The review confirmed the need for quantitative, standardized methods for measuring visual function …

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Regulating Cancer Cell Metabolism During Hypoxia-Reoxygenation: Examing The Interplay Of Gasotransmitters And Glutaminolysis, Dianna L. Xing Jan 2023

Regulating Cancer Cell Metabolism During Hypoxia-Reoxygenation: Examing The Interplay Of Gasotransmitters And Glutaminolysis, Dianna L. Xing

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Oxidative phosphorylation is an oxygen-dependent metabolic process that provides the majority of ATP used to support essential cellular functions. However, in cancer, limitations in oxygen availability occur during the development and metastasis of tumors. To compensate for the demands of rapidly proliferating cells, many cancers exhibit an increased demand for glycolysis, the TCA cycle, and glutaminolysis. In this thesis, extracellular flux technology and metabolomics were applied in a hypoxia-reoxygenation model to investigate the metabolic adaptations that occur in dynamic changes in oxygen and nutrient availability in cancer cells. We show the significance of glutaminolysis and its substrates in regulating cancer …

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Navigating Missed Visits In Hiv Primary Care: Exploring Risk Factors Associated With Missed Visits, Jiaying Hao Jan 2023

Navigating Missed Visits In Hiv Primary Care: Exploring Risk Factors Associated With Missed Visits, Jiaying Hao

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The HIV care continuum is a public health model that outlines the steps or stages people with HIV go through from diagnosis to achieving and maintaining viral suppression. Retention in care, a key component of the HIV care continuum, is critical in achieving good health outcomes for people with HIV (PWH) and preventing HIV transmission. Consistent HIV care is essential for the health of PWH as a part of retention in care. De-spite no standard measure for retention in care to PWH, the missed (no-show) vis-its/appointments is one of the most commonly used methods for evaluating retention in HIV care. …

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The Genetic Epidemiology Of Complex Lung Diseases, Ava Claire Wilson Jan 2023

The Genetic Epidemiology Of Complex Lung Diseases, Ava Claire Wilson

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This research utilizes precision medicine techniques to advance our understanding of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) with the overall goal of improving the etiology of and identifying molecular targets and pathways in COPD and IPF to help improve patient outcomes. We aimed to 1) identify novel drug targets and uncover potential mechanisms by which pirfenidone and nintedanib attenuate fibrosis by performing an integrative ‘omics analysis of transcriptomics and proteomic responses to TGFb1-stimulated lung fibroblasts; 2) define a skeletal muscle fiber shift phenotype in both males and females with COPD and begin to disentangle underlying mechanisms …

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An Exploration Of The Mental Health Experiences Of Young Women With Diminished Ovarian Reserve, Brittany M. Woods Jan 2023

An Exploration Of The Mental Health Experiences Of Young Women With Diminished Ovarian Reserve, Brittany M. Woods

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Infertility is a reproductive disease resulting in the inability to conceive. One in six individuals will experience infertility in their lifetime. Diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) reduces the quantity and/or quality of a female's oocyte pool and is a known cause of infertility. Although this occurs during normal ovarian aging in the late 30s and early 40s, DOR can also impact younger women, increasing their risk for psychological distress from an unexpected diagnosis. The purpose of this dissertation is to develop a deeper understanding of the mental health experiences of young women with DOR through the generation of three manuscripts. Manuscript …

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Evaluation Of A Hospital Pdmp Ehr-Integration Implementation: A Mixed, Heather D. Martin Jan 2023

Evaluation Of A Hospital Pdmp Ehr-Integration Implementation: A Mixed, Heather D. Martin

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Background: Many providers continue to over prescribe opioids for pain, and Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMP) can be used as a tool to assist with appropriate opioid prescribing decisions. Despite mandates requiring opioid prescribers to review patients’ prescribing history in their state’s PDMP, barriers to PDMP success still exist such as a difficult PDMP logon process and having to log on to a separate PDMP system, which can cause access, workflow, time commitment, and ease of use issues and deter providers from using the PDMP. Some health care organizations have implemented PDMP electronic health record (EHR) integration (PDMP EHR-integration) to …

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Patient-Driven Payment Model And The Covid-19 Pandemic External Environment Impact On Nursing Home Industry In The Last 5 Years, Gregory N. Orewa Jan 2023

Patient-Driven Payment Model And The Covid-19 Pandemic External Environment Impact On Nursing Home Industry In The Last 5 Years, Gregory N. Orewa

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Nursing homes face an ever-changing environment and must adapt to achieve organizational success. Recent events such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the implementation of the Patient-Driven Payment Model (PDPM) reimbursement policy have disrupted nursing homes. PDPM put pressure on nursing homes to change their operations and billing practices. The reimbursement policy changed from Resource Utilization Group (RUG) under the Prospective Payment Model (PPS), to PDPM. PDPM, which encourages more value in skilled nursing facility (SNF) spending, has been explored by various studies with respect to nursing home’s reaction in reducing therapy staffing. Three studies follow that examine PDPM and COVID-19 …

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A Study To Examine The Relationship Between Ceo Characteristics And Organizational Performance In The Us Pharmaceutical And Biopharmaceutical Industries, Wafick K. Mohamed Jan 2023

A Study To Examine The Relationship Between Ceo Characteristics And Organizational Performance In The Us Pharmaceutical And Biopharmaceutical Industries, Wafick K. Mohamed

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This study examined the relationship between CEO tenure, sex, level of education, and organizational performance across 229 U.S. publicly traded pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical companies. The Upper Echelons Theory was used to guide this research on how CEO characteristics could impact organizational performance. Fifteen hypotheses were developed and tested to evaluate the statistically significant relationship between CEO tenure, sex, level of education, and the organizational performance demonstrated in the abnormal stock return valuation and the number of FDA-approved drug products in clinical trial phases (phases 1, 2, and 3) for each company. This quantitative, non-experimental, and cross-sectional study was completed by …

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Perceptionf Of Multipurpose Prevention Technologies Aimed At Hiv/Sti/Unintended Pregnancy Among African American Women In The Deep South, Kristina Wilbekin Walker Jan 2023

Perceptionf Of Multipurpose Prevention Technologies Aimed At Hiv/Sti/Unintended Pregnancy Among African American Women In The Deep South, Kristina Wilbekin Walker

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Sexual and reproductive health (SRH) needs for women are not being met globally. In addition to efforts towards providing widespread access to currently available contraceptives and sexually transmitted infection (STI) treatment or prevention products, another focus is the development of multipurpose prevention technologies (MPTs). These MPTs are combination methods that prevent pregnancy, and protect against HIV and/or additional STIs. The objective of this dissertation research was to assess factors related to sexual and reproductive decision-making that may influence interest in MPTs and inform MPT implementation strategies for African and African American (AA) women. The first aim of this research, I …

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The Effects Of Cannabidiol On Brain Temperature In Treatment-Resistant Epilepsy, Ayushe A. Sharma Jan 2023

The Effects Of Cannabidiol On Brain Temperature In Treatment-Resistant Epilepsy, Ayushe A. Sharma

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Epilepsy affects over 70 million people worldwide with a global incidence of 2.4 million new cases per year. In many of these patients, neuroinflammation (NI) is a key pathological contributor to focal seizure generation and maintenance. Sustained NI degrades the blood–brain barrier, leads to neuronal death, and ultimately decreases seizure threshold. Finding ways to image and treat NI is especially important for the >30% of patients with treatment-resistant epilepsy (TRE) who cannot achieve seizure freedom with standard antiseizure medications. Cannabidiol (CBD) effectively reduces seizure frequency and severity in many TRE patients, although its antiepileptic effects remain poorly understood. Atypically high …

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Interactions Between Pseudomonas Aeruginosa And The Oral Commensal Streptococcus Salivarius, Sara Noelle Stoner Jan 2023

Interactions Between Pseudomonas Aeruginosa And The Oral Commensal Streptococcus Salivarius, Sara Noelle Stoner

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The cystic fibrosis airway is a polymicrobial environment often dominated by opportunistic pathogens such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a leading cause of lung function decline and mortality in persons with CF. Commensal streptococcal colonization has been associated with stable CF lung function in multiple studies. However, few studies have examined interactions between P. aeruginosa and commensals as well as their impact on P. aeruginosa airway infections. In the first half of this work, we studied interactions between P. aeruginosa and the oral commensal Streptococcus salivarius within a biofilm setting. We found that S. salivarius biofilm formation is promoted by the non-mucoid …

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