Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

A Historical And Contemporary Literature Review Of Rejection Sensitivity In Marginalized Populations, Kellyann Garthe, Catherine E. Dingley, Michael J. Johnson

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

As healthcare research continues to uncover health disparities in marginalized populations, it is critical to work toward understanding the origin of these disparities. Rejection sensitivity (RS) is a phenomenon that may illuminate reasons that disparities continue to exist. The purpose of this paper is to review the literature on RS in marginalized populations, explore outcomes of RS as they relate to interpersonal relationships, valued life goals, and health, and identify gaps in the literature for proposing future research. Titles and abstracts were reviewed yielding 50 articles. Those 50 articles were further reduced to include select articles that focused on marginalized …

Factors Associated With Prep And Pep Uptake Among The Latinx Population, Santiago Gudiño-Rosales, Melva Thompson-Robinson, Johanna Andrews

Calvert Undergraduate Research Awards

Advanced Undergraduate Winner

Uptake of PrEP and PEP amongst LatinX population has been low, despite being a population disproportionately affected by HIV. Systemic barriers and cultural factors affect general LatinX approaches to healthcare and may impact uptake of these medications. The purpose of this study is to assess the factors that are associated with the likelihood to take PrEP and PEP in the LatinX population. In this cross-sectional study, survey data was collected from 169 LatinXs from January - March 2020. Using the Sexual Health Model as the theoretical framework, the survey examined the following four constructs to identify factors …

Brain Volumes And Dual‑Task Performance Correlates Among Individuals With Cognitive Impairment: A Retrospective Analysis, Jason K. Longhurst, Morgan A. Wise, Daniel J. Krist, Caitlin A. Moreland, Jon A. Basterrechea, Merrill R. Landers

Integrated Health Sciences Faculty Research

Cognitive impairment (CI) is a prevalent condition characterized by loss of brain volume and changes in cognition, motor function, and dual-tasking ability. To examine associations between brain volumes, dual-task performance, and gait and balance in those with CI to elucidate the mechanisms underlying loss of function. We performed a retrospective analysis of medical records of patients with CI and compared brain volumes, dual-task performance, and measures of gait and balance. Greater cognitive and combined dual-task efects (DTE) are associated with smaller brain volumes. In contrast, motor DTE is not associated with distinct pattern of brain volumes. As brain volumes decrease, …

Nevada’S Secret Killer: Opioid Deaths, Vanessa Marie Booth

Calvert Undergraduate Research Awards

Emerging Scholars Winner

Presented in this study is an analysis of the Nevada opioid crisis and how a viable solution can impact its severity. It does so in a public policy environment while synthesizing outside sources to support the presented claims. The scope of this study is to present a problem, cause, solution scenario on how to solve this policy problem. This study also takes into consideration Nevada’s current economic state amid the coronavirus (COVID-19). In addition, this analysis also addresses the history behind the opioid epidemic across the United States and how it is impacting Nevada in present times. …

Biomimetic Gold Nanoshell-Loaded Macrophage For Photothermal Biomedicine, Sung Hun Kang, Yong Kyu Lee, Il Seok Park, In-Kyu Park, Seok Min Hong, Soon Young Kwon, Young Hee Choi, Steen J. Madsen, Henry Hirschberg, Seok Jin Hong

Integrated Health Sciences Faculty Research

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of photothermal treatment (PTT) with gold nanoshell (ANS) using a macrophage-mediated delivery system in a head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cell line. To achieve this, ANS-loaded rat macrophages (ANS-MAs) were prepared via the coculture method with ANS. The human HNSCC (FaDu cell) and macrophage (rat macrophage; NR8383 cell) hybrid spheroid models were generated by the centrifugation method to determine the possibility of using ANS-MAs as a cancer therapy. These ANS-MAs were set into the tumor and macrophage hybrid spheroid model to measure PTT efficacy. Kinetic analysis of the …

Human Papillomavirus (Hpv) Vaccine Knowledge, Awareness And Acceptance Among Dental Students And Post-Graduate Dental Residents, Steve Kent Mann, Karl Kingsley

Dental Medicine Faculty Research

Introduction: The recent development of a vaccine that is highly effective against the human papillomavirus (HPV) has been met with widespread clinical and public health professional acceptance. However, social and societal barriers to vaccination may hamper public health efforts to prevent HPV-mediated diseases. Although a few studies have evaluated knowledge or awareness of HPV vaccination among dentists or dental educators, few studies have evaluated the acceptance, knowledge and awareness of HPV vaccination among dental students and post-graduate dental residents. The primary goal of this study is to evaluate survey responses regarding acceptance, knowledge and awareness of HPV vaccination among dental …

High Supervised Resistance Training In Elderly Women: The Role Of Supervision Ratio, Denis Cesar Leite Vieira, Dahan Da Cunha Nascimento, Vitor Tajra, Tatiane Gomes Teixeira, Darlan Lopes De Farias, Ramires Tibana, Alessandro Oliveira Silva, Thiago Santos Rosa, Milton Rocha Moraes, Fabrício Azevedo Voltarelli, James W. Navalta, Jonato Prestes

Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences Faculty Research

The objective of this study was to compare the effects of very high supervision (VHS-RT) versus high supervision (HS-RT) ratio resistance training (RT) on irisin, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BNDF), muscle strength, functional capacity, and body composition in elderly women. Participants performed daily undulating periodized RT over 16 weeks with two different supervision ratios: VHS-RT at 1:2 (supervisor/subject) or HS-RT at 1:5. Serum was used to analyze brain derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) and irisin by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Body composition was evaluated by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, while functional capacity was evaluated using the Six-minute walk test, and Timed Up and …

Covid-19: Hospital And Intensive Care Unit (Icu) Bed Capacity In The Mountain West, Ember Smith, Kaylie Pattni, Caitlin Saladino, William E. Brown

Health

Utilizing the Harvard Global Health Institute’s (HGHI) COVID-19 projections, this fact sheet examines the potential hospital and ICU bed shortages in the Mountain West region: Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, and Utah.

Polybrominated Diphenyl Ether (Pbde) And Poly- And Perfluoroalkyl Substance (Pfas) Exposures During Pregnancy And Maternal Depression, Ann M. Vuong, Kimberly Yolton, Joseph M. Braun, Andreas Sjodin, Antonia M. Calafat, Yingying Xu, Kim N. Dietrich, Bruce P. Lanphear, Aimin Chen

Environmental & Global Health Faculty Research

Background: Experimental studies in rodents suggest that polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) may contribute to depressive symptoms. Few studies have examined the impact of these chemicals on depression in adults. Objective: To examine the associations between serum PBDE and PFAS concentrations during pregnancy and repeated measures of depressive symptoms in women assessed from pregnancy to 8 years postpartum. Methods: This study was based on 377 women from the Health Outcomes and Measures of the Environment Study, a birth cohort in Cincinnati, OH (USA). PBDEs (BDE-28, -47, -99, -100, -153, and ∑PBDEs) and PFAS (perfluorooctanoate [PFOA], …

Altered Achilles Tendon Morphology In Individuals With Chronic Post-Stroke Hemiparesis: A Case Report, Jing Nong Liang, Kai-Yu Ho

Physical Therapy Faculty Research

Background: Individuals post-stroke walk slowly and with more effort, which puts them at higher risks for falls. The slow walking speed results from insufficient propulsive forces generated by the paretic leg. Current rehabilitative efforts to improve walking function target increasing propulsive forces, but overlook the muscle-tendon unit. Case presentations: Two individuals with chronic post-stroke hemiparesis are presented. In both individuals post-stroke, paretic ankle plantarflexors presented with increased muscle tone. Gait kinetics revealed asymmetric propulsive forces, specifically, insufficient propulsive forces by the paretic legs, consistent with previous literature. Sonography revealed increased thickness of paretic Achilles tendon at the calcaneal insertion, in …

Altered Achilles Tendon Morphology In An Individual With Chronic Post-Stroke Hemiparesis: A Case Report, Jing Nong Liang, Kai-Yu Ho

Physical Therapy Faculty Research

Background: Individuals post-stroke walk slowly and with more effort, which puts them at higher risks for falls. The slow walking speed results from insufficient propulsive forces generated by the paretic leg. Current rehabilitative efforts to improve walking function target increasing propulsive forces, but overlook the muscle-tendon unit. Case presentations: Two individuals with chronic post-stroke hemiparesis are presented. In both individuals poststroke, paretic ankle plantarflexors presented with increased muscle tone. Gait kinetics revealed asymmetric propulsive forces, specifically, insufficient propulsive forces by the paretic legs, consistent with previous literature. Sonography revealed increased thickness of paretic Achilles tendon at the calcaneal insertion, in …

Temporal Trend Of Research Related To Gun Violence From 1981 To 2018 In The United States: A Bibliometric Analysis, Lung-Chang Chien, Maxim Gakh, Courtney Coughenour, Ro-Ting Lin

School of Public Health Faculty Research

Background: We aimed to evaluate the variation in gun violence-related research in the US over time to determine if there are meaningful changes in frequency of research at certain time points. Related publications were searched from the Web of Science. Methods: We searched articles from Web of Science to collect publication data of gun violence research in three disciplines (clinical sciences, life sciences, and social behavior sciences) from 1981 to 2018. The joinpoint regression approach was applied to evaluate the trend of publication ratio. We also adopted the generalized additive mixed model to compare the publication ratio among the three …

Mob Family Proteins: Regulatory Partners In Hippo And Hippo-Like Intracellular Signaling Pathways, Juan Carlos Duhart, Laurel A. Raftery

Life Sciences Faculty Research

Studies in yeast first delineated the function of Mob proteins in kinase pathways that regulate cell division and shape; in multicellular eukaryotes Mobs regulate tissue growth and morphogenesis. In animals, Mobs are adaptors in Hippo signaling, an intracellular signal-transduction pathway that restricts growth, impacting the development and homeostasis of animal organs. Central to Hippo signaling are the Nuclear Dbf2-Related (NDR) kinases, Warts and LATS1 and LATS2, in flies and mammals, respectively. A second Hippo-like signaling pathway has been uncovered in animals, which regulates cell and tissue morphogenesis. Central to this emergent pathway are the NDR kinases, Tricornered, STK38, and STK38L. …

How To Stop Touching Your Face To Minimize Spread Of Coronavirus And Other Germs, Stephen D. Benning, Brian Labus, Kimberly Barchard

Psychology Faculty Research

Public health officials consistently promote hand-washing as a way for people to protect themselves from the COVID-19 coronavirus. However, this virus can live on metal and plastic for days, so simply adjusting your eyeglasses with unwashed hands may be enough to infect yourself. Thus, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization have been telling people to stop touching their faces.

An Actigraphy-Based Validation Study Of The Sleep Disorder Inventory In The Nursing Home, Gunnhild J. Hjetland, Inger Hilde Nordhus, Ståle Pallesen, Jeffrey Cummings, Rochelle E. Tractenberg, Eirunn Thun, Eirin Kolberg, Elisabeth Flo

School of Medicine Faculty Research

Background: Disrupted sleep is common among nursing home patients with dementia and is associated with increased agitation, depression, and cognitive impairment. Detecting and treating sleep problems in this population are therefore of great importance, albeit challenging. Systematic observation and objective recordings of sleep are time-consuming and resource intensive and self-report is often unreliable. Commonly used proxy-rated scales contain few sleep items, which affects the reliability of the raters' reports. The present study aimed to adapt the proxy-rated Sleep Disorder Inventory (SDI) to a nursing home context and validate it against actigraphy. Methods: Cross-sectional study of 69 nursing home patients, 68% …

If I Get Sick With Coronavirus, Can Donald Trump Make Me Stay Home?, Brian Labus

Environmental & Global Health Faculty Research

President Donald Trump recently appointed Vice President Mike Pence to lead the government’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak and control public statements by government health officials about the crisis. In the days since, health departments throughout the country have investigated potential cases, announced new cases and declared public health emergencies, all without the approval of the vice president. So who really is in charge of the outbreak response? As with most things in American government, the answer is complicated.

Love In The Time Of The Coronavirus: Do You Turn Your Back When Someone Offers You A Hand, A Kiss Or A Hug?, Brian Labus

Environmental & Global Health Faculty Research

We are exposed to numerous viruses from our day-to-day interactions with other people all the time. However, our risk of being infected by a simple greeting usually isn’t in the forefront of our minds. The spread of COVID-19 has changed that. Conferences have banned handshakes, churches have changed their worship services, and even politicians have changed the way they greet each other. But what’s the risk in a simple hug or a handshake?

In Vitro And In Vivo Effects Of Flavonoids On Peripheral Neuropathic Pain, Paramita Basu, Arpita Basu

Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences Faculty Research

Neuropathic pain is a common symptom and is associated with an impaired quality of life. It is caused by the lesion or disease of the somatosensory system. Neuropathic pain syndromes can be subdivided into two categories: central and peripheral neuropathic pain. The present review highlights the peripheral neuropathic models, including spared nerve injury, spinal nerve ligation, partial sciatic nerve injury, diabetes-induced neuropathy, chemotherapy-induced neuropathy, chronic constriction injury, and related conditions. The drugs which are currently used to attenuate peripheral neuropathy, such as antidepressants, anticonvulsants, baclofen, and clonidine, are associated with adverse side effects. These negative side effects necessitate the investigation …

What Really Works To Keep Coronavirus Away? 4 Questions Answered By A Public Health Professional, Brian Labus

Environmental & Global Health Faculty Research

Editor’s note: The World Health Organization has declared that COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, has a higher fatality rate than the flu. As of March 4, 2020, nine deaths have been reported in the U.S. Brian Labus, a professor of public health, provides essential safety information for you, from disinfectants to storing food and supplies.

Learning From Transmasculine Experiences With Health Care: Tangible Inlets For Reducing Health Disparities Through Patient-Provider Relationships, Nickolas H. Lambrou, Katherine M. Cochran, Samantha Everhart, Jason D. Flatt, Megan Zuelsdorff, John B. O'Hara, Lance Weinhardt, Susan Flowers Benton, Carey E. Gleason

School of Public Health Faculty Research

Purpose: We examined health care experiences of transmasculine young adults to clarify factors contributing to mistrust in the health care system and identify tangible and modifiable means to address health disparities through improved patient-provider interactions. Thematic analysis highlights patterns within historical relationships between medical models and transmasculine embodiment, and provides guidance for health care clinicians, researchers, and policy makers to deliver competent services for transgender and gender diverse (TGD) individuals. Methods: The study team used qualitative methodology guided by interpretive phenomenological analysis. Semistructured interviews with 12 participants who self-identified as transmasculine were conducted, transcribed, and coded thematically. Results: Participants were …

Relationship Between Oral Health And Clinical Osteoporosis Among Hospitalized Patients With And Without Diabetes, Kenneth Izoura, Gayle Allenback, Amber Champion, Civon Gewelber, Michael Neubauer

School of Medicine Faculty Research

Objective: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with poor oral health and osteoporosis (OP). The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between OP, periodontal disease (PD), and other dental and health outcomes in a cohort of hospitalized patients with and without DM. Method: Using a cross-sectional study design, we enrolled consecutive hospitalized patients. We administered a questionnaire to gather demographic information, oral health history, smoking history, and history of OP. We inspected their dentition and reviewed their charts. Data were analyzed using t-tests, chi-square tests, and logistic regression models. Result: Out of 301 patients enrolled, 275 had PD, …

Factors Associated With Referring Close Contacts To An App With Individually-Tailored Vaccine Information, Matthew Z. Dudley, Rupali J. Limaye, Saad B. Omer, Sean T. O'Leary, Mallory K. Ellingson, Christine I. Spina, Sarah E. Brewer, Allison T. Chamberlain, Robert A. Bednarczyk, Fauzia Malik, Paula M. Frew, Daniel A. Salmon

School of Public Health Faculty Research

Background: Infants too young to be fully vaccinated are vulnerable to potentially deadly influenza and pertussis infections. The cocooning strategy limits this risk by vaccinating those likely to interact with the infant and mother during this vulnerable time, such as close friends and family members. Distribution of accurate and accessible vaccine information through existing social networks could be an important tool in increasing vaccine confidence and coverage. Methods: We surveyed 1095 pregnant women from diverse prenatal care practices in Georgia and Colorado. These women were surveyed through a mobile app to assess vaccine intentions, attitudes, beliefs, norms, and levels of …

Comparison Of Signaling Profiles In The Low Dose Range Following Low And High Let Radiation, Deepa M. Sridharan, Lung-Chang Chien, Francis A. Cucinotta, Janice M. Pluth

Environmental & Global Health Faculty Research

During space travel astronauts will be exposed to a very low, mixed field of radiation containing different high LET particles of varying energies, over an extended period. Thus, defining how human cells respond to these complex low dose exposures is important in ascertaining risk. In the current study, we have chosen to investigate how low doses of three different ion's at various energies uniquely change the kinetics of three different phospho-proteins. A normal hTERT immortalized fibroblast cell line, 82–6, was exposed to a range of lower doses (0.05–0.5 Gy) of radiation of different qualities and energies (Si 1000 MeV/u, Si …

Characterizing The Vaccine Knowledge, Attitudes, Beliefs, And Intentions Of Pregnant Women In Georgia And Colorado, Matthew Z. Dudley, Rupali J. Limaye, Saad B. Omer, Sean T. O’Leary, Mallory K. Ellingson, Christine I. Spina, Sarah E. Brewer, Allison T. Chamberlain, Robert A. Bednarczyk, Fauzia Malik, Paula M. Frew, Daniel A. Salmon

School of Public Health Faculty Research

Vaccine coverage for maternal vaccines is suboptimal; only about half of pregnant women received influenza and Tdap vaccines in 2018. We explored knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, intentions, and trust regarding maternal and infant vaccines among pregnant women. Between June 2017 and July 2018, we surveyed 2196 pregnant women recruited from geographically and socio-demographically diverse prenatal care practices in Georgia and Colorado (56% response rate). Fifty-six percent of pregnant women intended to receive both influenza and Tdap vaccines during pregnancy and 68% intended to vaccinate their baby with all recommended vaccines on time. Attitudinal constructs associated with intention to vaccinate include confidence …

Symptom Severity, Self-Efficacy And Treatment-Seeking For Mental Health Among Us Iraq/Afghanistan Military Veterans, Mary Keeling, Nicholas Barr, Hazel Atuel, Carl A. Castro

Social Work Faculty Research

Military veterans have high rates of mental health problems, yet the majority do not seek treatment. Understanding treatment-seeking in this population is important. This study investigated if symptom severity and self-efficacy are associated with treatment-seeking among US Iraq/Afghanistan veterans. Survey data from 525 veterans meeting clinical criteria for PTSD and depression were included of which, 54.4% had sought treatment in the past 12 months. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that high symptom severity was associated with treatment seeking, whereas high self-efficacy was associated with a decreased likelihood to seek treatment. Self-efficacy could be an underlying mechanism of treatment seeking decisions.

Hemodynamic And Clinical Effects Of Selexipag In Children With Pulmonary Hypertension, Abraham Rothman, Gabriel Cruz, William N. Evans, Humberto Restrepo

School of Medicine Faculty Research

Selexipag is an oral prostacyclin receptor agonist; it was recently approved for use in adults with pulmonary arterial hypertension. The safety and efficacy of selexipag has not yet been determined in the pediatric population. We describe short-term hemodynamic and clinical data with selexipag therapy in four pediatric patients with pulmonary hypertension. We reviewed clinical, echocardiographic, and hemodynamic data. One patient was transitioned from subcutaneous treprostinil to selexipag, and in three patients, selexipag was added as a third agent. Drug dosing was attained empirically based on patient body size. A follow-up catheterization was performed 12–18 months after initiation of selexipag therapy. …

Opioids In The Las Vegas Metro, Elia Del Carmen Solano-Patricio, Caitlin Saladino, William E. Brown

Health

In 2014, Nevada was one of 7 states selected to participate in a national policy coalition to reduce prescription drug abuse. As a result, the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD) created a data dashboard to track opioid prescriptions and opioid-involved overdose incidents. This Fact Sheet synthesizes state-level data from the Nevada Opioid Overdose Surveillance Dashboard and focuses on the Las Vegas Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). The data track opioid prescription rates as they correlate to opioid-involved overdose deaths, emergency room visits, and hospitalizations.

Opioids In Nevada, Peter Grema, Caitlin Saladino, William E. Brown

Health

This Fact Sheet presents data from the Washington Post’s Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) database on opioid shipments in the United States and provides information pertaining to Nevada and each of its 17 regions (16 counties and one independent city). This Fact Sheet compares the Washington Post’s opioid shipment data with opioid prescription rates relative to Nevada’s population in 2010.

Hypertension In Adults With Intellectual Disability: Prevalence And Risk Factors, Elizabeth C. Schroeder, Lindsay Dubois, Molly Sadowsky, Thessa I.M. Hilgenkamp

Physical Therapy Faculty Research

No abstract provided.

Non-Traditional And Non-Invasive Approaches In Facial Rejuvenation: A Brief Review, Abigail M. Smith, Taylor Ferris, Vinayak K. Nahar, Manoj Sharma

Environmental & Global Health Faculty Research

While injectables, lasers, and surgical interventions have traditionally been used to reverse the changes associated with facial aging, other alternative therapies such as facial acupuncture and facial exercises are now being studied for facial rejuvenation. In this paper, we both summarize the concepts of facial acupuncture and facial exercises, and review seven studies that evaluate the efficacy of these modalities. Data from these studies suggest that both facial acupuncture and facial exercises have the potential to improve the skin laxity, wrinkle length, muscle thickness, and pigmentary changes associated with aging. Patients frequently reported improvement and experienced very few side effects. …