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Full-Text Articles in Medicine and Health Sciences

Clinical And Demographic Characteristics Of Participants In A Hepatitis C Treatment Trial In Rural Kentucky: How Policies Around Treatment Access May Impact Elimination Efforts In The United States, Jennifer R. Havens, Brittney D. Williams, Takako Schaninger, Virginia A. Shepherd-Tackett, Michelle R. Lofwall, Michele Staton, Sharon L. Walsh, Hannah K. Knudsen Jan 2026

Clinical And Demographic Characteristics Of Participants In A Hepatitis C Treatment Trial In Rural Kentucky: How Policies Around Treatment Access May Impact Elimination Efforts In The United States, Jennifer R. Havens, Brittney D. Williams, Takako Schaninger, Virginia A. Shepherd-Tackett, Michelle R. Lofwall, Michele Staton, Sharon L. Walsh, Hannah K. Knudsen

Behavioral Science Faculty Publications

Introduction: The advent of curative direct acting antiviral (DAA) drugs to treat those actively infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) has allowed for discussion around HCV elimination. Restrictive state-by-state policies for the coverage of DAAs for Medicaid recipients may hamper elimination efforts in the United States by limiting access to these curative treatments. Methods: The purpose of the current analysis was to examine the sociodemographic, drug use and clinical characteristics of participants in the Kentucky Viral Hepatitis C Treatment (KeY Treat) study in the context of Medicaid policies in the United States. The goal of KeY Treat was to …


The Interaction Of Tobacco Retailer Density And Rurality With Tobacco Use Prevalence In Kentucky, Shyanika W. Rose, W. Jay Christian, Judy Van De Venne, Delvon T. Mattingly, Bethany Shorey Fennell, Saber Feizy, Mary Kay Rayens Jan 2026

The Interaction Of Tobacco Retailer Density And Rurality With Tobacco Use Prevalence In Kentucky, Shyanika W. Rose, W. Jay Christian, Judy Van De Venne, Delvon T. Mattingly, Bethany Shorey Fennell, Saber Feizy, Mary Kay Rayens

Behavioral Science Faculty Publications

Purpose: Tobacco retailer density is a key correlate of tobacco use prevalence in the United States, but this relationship has typically been examined in urban areas. We examined the relationship between retailer density and tobacco use across Kentucky counties, a state with high smoking rates and a substantial rural population.

Methods: We obtained a list of tobacco retailers from the 2021 Kentucky Synar program, used for minor’s access inspections. We merged these data with county-level prevalence estimates for cigarette and smokeless tobacco use for each county in Kentucky, calculated using pooled 3-year estimates (2017-2019) of Kentucky Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance …


Acceptability And Appropriateness Of Harm Reduction Vending Machines Compared To Syringe Service Programs In Appalachian Kentucky, Hannah K. Knudsen, Jennifer R. Havens, April M. Young Jan 2026

Acceptability And Appropriateness Of Harm Reduction Vending Machines Compared To Syringe Service Programs In Appalachian Kentucky, Hannah K. Knudsen, Jennifer R. Havens, April M. Young

Behavioral Science Faculty Publications

Objective:

Many rural people who inject drugs do not use syringe service programs (SSPs). In addition, people who use drugs but do not inject may perceive that SSPs are not intended for their use. Harm reduction vending machines (HRVMs) may be preferred by some individuals. This study examines attitudes and preferences regarding HRVMs to consider possibilities for enhancing the reach of harm reduction services. Method:

Structured surveys were conducted with 712 people who use drugs in two rural Appalachian counties in Kentucky. Participants rated the acceptability/appropriateness of SSPs and HRVMs; HRVM preference was the difference between the two scales. Linear …


Perceived Neighborhood Disadvantage And Current Nicotine Pouch Use Among U.S. Youth, Delvon T. Mattingly, Meman Diaby, Jing Zhang, Juhan Lee, Melinda J. Ickes Jan 2026

Perceived Neighborhood Disadvantage And Current Nicotine Pouch Use Among U.S. Youth, Delvon T. Mattingly, Meman Diaby, Jing Zhang, Juhan Lee, Melinda J. Ickes

Behavioral Science Faculty Publications

Introduction: Nicotine pouches (NPs) are emerging nicotine products that appeal to youth due to their discreet use, tobacco-free formulation, and flavor availability. However, given their recent introduction to the market, little is known about how neighborhood environments may influence US youth NP use.

Methods: We imputed cross-sectional data from the 2023 National Youth Tobacco Survey (n = 22,069, ages 9 + years) and developed a neighborhood risk score (range: 1–4) by averaging 10 items related to neighborhood disorder, safety, and disadvantage. To estimate associations between the risk score and current (past 30-day) NP use, we fit logistic regression models adjusted …


Beyond Weak Ties In Prison: An Investigation Of Core Support Networks Of Incarcerated Persons, Siyun Peng, Martha Tillson, Maria Rockett, Marisa Booty, Carrie B. Oser Jan 2026

Beyond Weak Ties In Prison: An Investigation Of Core Support Networks Of Incarcerated Persons, Siyun Peng, Martha Tillson, Maria Rockett, Marisa Booty, Carrie B. Oser

Behavioral Science Faculty Publications

Tie formation has been a core interest of network researchers. However, most existing research on tie formation in prisons has focused on weak ties, assuming that a core network approach is less applicable within total institutions such as prisons. Drawing on egocentric network data from 389 incarcerated individuals and 1352 named network members, this study demonstrates that relationships between incarcerated persons can be examined using a core support network framework. We find that about 20 % of participants include at least one incarcerated peer in their core support networks, with these ties providing both practical and emotional support comparable to …


Decreasing Prevalence In Youth Depressive Episodes: Evidence From The 2021-2024 National Survey On Drug Use And Health, R. Andrew Yockey, Aminul Apu, Timothy Grigsby, Jacob Bleasdale, Delvon T. Mattingly, Rachel Hoopsick Jan 2026

Decreasing Prevalence In Youth Depressive Episodes: Evidence From The 2021-2024 National Survey On Drug Use And Health, R. Andrew Yockey, Aminul Apu, Timothy Grigsby, Jacob Bleasdale, Delvon T. Mattingly, Rachel Hoopsick

Behavioral Science Faculty Publications

Background: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a leading contributor to the global burden of disease and commonly develops during adolescence. The COVID-19 pandemic was linked to significant increases in depressive symptoms among youth, but less is known about whether these increases have continued in recent years.

Objective: Using the first four consecutive years of methodologically comparable national data since the pandemic, we examined changes in past-year major depressive episode (MDE) among U.S. adolescents aged 12–17 years from 2021 to 2024 and evaluated demographic and substance use factors.

Methods: We analyzed pooled, cross-sectional data from the 2021–2024 National Survey on Drug …


Differences In The Use Of Smokeless Tobacco, Alcohol, And Co-Use Among U.S. High-School Students: Analysis Of National Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data, Ganna Kostygina, Yoonsang Kim, Alex Kresovich, Simon Page, Shyanika W. Rose, Sherry L. Emery Jan 2026

Differences In The Use Of Smokeless Tobacco, Alcohol, And Co-Use Among U.S. High-School Students: Analysis Of National Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data, Ganna Kostygina, Yoonsang Kim, Alex Kresovich, Simon Page, Shyanika W. Rose, Sherry L. Emery

Behavioral Science Faculty Publications

Introduction: This study was aimed to examine the bidirectional relationships and patterns of concurrent smokeless tobacco and alcohol use among U.S. high-school students, investigating whether demographic characteristics and behavioral factors differentially predict concurrent versus single substance use of smokeless tobacco or alcohol (referred to as either-alone use in the remaining parts of this paper).

Methods: Analysis of nationally representative Youth Risk Behavior Survey data was perfomed, combining 3 cross-sectional surveys (2019, 2021, 2023) from 39,164 students in Grades 9–12. Logistic regression examined the bidirectional smokeless tobacco–alcohol associations, whereas multinomial models compared the characteristics of concurrent users, users of smokeless tobacco …


An Exploratory Study To Determine The Feasibility And Processes Needed To Implement The Immunization Neighborhood To Increase Hpv Vaccination Among African American Adolescents And Adolescents In The General Population: A Multi-Partner Perspective, Jennifer Cunningham-Erves, Freneka Minter, Pamela C. Hull, Amanda F. Dempsey, Alexandria Demons, Mariya Chalise, Consuelo H. Wilkins Jan 2026

An Exploratory Study To Determine The Feasibility And Processes Needed To Implement The Immunization Neighborhood To Increase Hpv Vaccination Among African American Adolescents And Adolescents In The General Population: A Multi-Partner Perspective, Jennifer Cunningham-Erves, Freneka Minter, Pamela C. Hull, Amanda F. Dempsey, Alexandria Demons, Mariya Chalise, Consuelo H. Wilkins

Behavioral Science Faculty Publications

Limited education and healthcare access are major contributors to Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination disparities among African American adolescents. The Immunization Neighborhood (IN) involves enhanced communication and collaboration among providers to address people’s needs by expanding access points and education to increase vaccination. Because needs of immunization providers and parents to effectively collaborate are unknown, this study explored the feasibility of and processes needed for IN utilization across key partners: pediatricians, pharmacists, school nurses, health department staff, and African American parent–child dyads. We conducted a semi-structured interviews in a qualitative, descriptive study with a purposive sample of 30 African American parent–child …


Extended-Release Vs Sublingual Buprenorphine In Pregnancy Through 12 Months Post Partum: A Randomized Clinical Trial, T. John Winhusen, Michelle R. Lofwall, Frankie Kropp, Daniel Lewis, Marcela C. Smid, Jessica L. Young, Candace Hodgkins, Elizabeth E. Krans, Zachary Hansen, Elisha M. Wachman, Davida M. Schiff, Constance Guille, Vania Rudolf, Tara Chowdhury, Lawrence Leeman, Mitra Lewis, Abigail G. Matthews, Gerald Cochran, Jacquie King, Christine Wilder, Carmen Rosa Jan 2026

Extended-Release Vs Sublingual Buprenorphine In Pregnancy Through 12 Months Post Partum: A Randomized Clinical Trial, T. John Winhusen, Michelle R. Lofwall, Frankie Kropp, Daniel Lewis, Marcela C. Smid, Jessica L. Young, Candace Hodgkins, Elizabeth E. Krans, Zachary Hansen, Elisha M. Wachman, Davida M. Schiff, Constance Guille, Vania Rudolf, Tara Chowdhury, Lawrence Leeman, Mitra Lewis, Abigail G. Matthews, Gerald Cochran, Jacquie King, Christine Wilder, Carmen Rosa

Behavioral Science Faculty Publications

Importance: Treating opioid use disorder (OUD) in pregnancy with sublingual buprenorphine is an evidence-based practice, but it has disadvantages that could be addressed with an extended-release formulation.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of extended-release buprenorphine vs sublingual buprenorphine for OUD in pregnancy through 12 months post partum.

Design, Setting, and Participants: This 2-group, open-label, noninferiority, randomized clinical trial was conducted between July 2, 2020, and October 30, 2024, among adults with OUD and a singleton pregnancy of 6 to 30 weeks’ gestational age at 13 outpatient cross-disciplinary peripartum OUD treatment sites.

Interventions: Randomization to sublingual or extended-release buprenorphine …


Feeding The Family—A Food Is Medicine Intervention: Preliminary Baseline Results Of Clinical Data From Caregivers And Children, Gabriela Drucker, Christa Mayfield, Elizabeth T. Anderson Steeves, Sara Maksi, Tabitha Underwood, Julie Brown, Marissa Frick, Alison Gustafson Jan 2026

Feeding The Family—A Food Is Medicine Intervention: Preliminary Baseline Results Of Clinical Data From Caregivers And Children, Gabriela Drucker, Christa Mayfield, Elizabeth T. Anderson Steeves, Sara Maksi, Tabitha Underwood, Julie Brown, Marissa Frick, Alison Gustafson

Behavioral Science Faculty Publications

Background/Objectives: Food is Medicine (FIM) programs have been shown to be effective at addressing food and nutrition insecurity among individuals. However, more evidence is needed to determine effective interventions at the household level and their impact on child health outcomes. Feeding the Family is a randomized controlled trial which aims to determine whether the amount of food provided and the ability to select foods in FIM interventions have an incremental effect on child and caregiver clinical outcomes relative to nutrition counseling alone. The objective of this paper is to describe the population at baseline among those enrolled in Feeding the …


Frequent Police Contact And Nonfatal Overdose Among People Who Use Drugs In Rural Appalachia, Javier A. Cepeda, Talia Loeb, Zach R. Salazar, Brittney D. Williams, Brooke Hiltz, Brandon Del Pozo, Eileen V. Pitpitan, Leo Beletsky, April M. Young, Jennifer R. Havens Jan 2026

Frequent Police Contact And Nonfatal Overdose Among People Who Use Drugs In Rural Appalachia, Javier A. Cepeda, Talia Loeb, Zach R. Salazar, Brittney D. Williams, Brooke Hiltz, Brandon Del Pozo, Eileen V. Pitpitan, Leo Beletsky, April M. Young, Jennifer R. Havens

Behavioral Science Faculty Publications

Introduction: Police contact shapes subsequent health practices and outcomes among people who use drugs (PWUD). However, the relationship between police encounters with overdose remains under-researched. We evaluated how police stop-and-search was associated with nonfatal overdose and identified correlates of frequent police contact among PWUD in rural Kentucky.

Methods: From May 2023– April 2024, 774 PWUD were enrolled in the Social Networks of Appalachian People and KyOSK studies. The exposure of interest was self-reported police stop-and-search in the past 6 months (0, 1–3, ≥4 times). The primary outcome was self-reported nonfatal overdose in the past 6 months. We evaluated the association …


The Receipt Of Psychological Services And Acceptability Of Local Follow- Up Care For Childhood Cancer Survivors: Are There Rural Vs. Urban Differences?, Tyrone F. Borders, Abigayle Feather, Jerod L. Stapleton, John A. D’Orazio, Eric B. Durbin Jan 2026

The Receipt Of Psychological Services And Acceptability Of Local Follow- Up Care For Childhood Cancer Survivors: Are There Rural Vs. Urban Differences?, Tyrone F. Borders, Abigayle Feather, Jerod L. Stapleton, John A. D’Orazio, Eric B. Durbin

Psychology Faculty Publications

Purpose This study examined rural and urban parents’ reports of their children’s receipt of general follow-up care and psychological services, ratings of the acceptability of common sources of follow-up care, and ratings of local/nearby follow-up care access and effectiveness.

Methods A cross-sectional, quantitative survey was conducted among 238 (139 urban, 46 rural adjacent, and 53 rural non-adjacent) parents of childhood cancer survivors (ages 2–17 and at least 2 years since cancer diagnosis) recruited through the Kentucky Cancer Registry. Bivariate analyses and multivariable logistic regressions adjusting for predisposing, enabling, and need factors tested for differences across residence in urban counties, rural …


A Ubiquitous Organophosphate Flame Retardant Disrupts Energy And Glucose Homeostasis In Mice, Krystal M. Sewell, Kelly Oriakhi, Sara Y. Ngo Tenlep, Megan L. Weaver, Mansura Shahad Bawa, Se-Hyung Park, Shubh Saraswat, Xiaohua D. Zhang, Robert N. Helsley, Samir Softic, Cetewayo S. Rashid Jan 2026

A Ubiquitous Organophosphate Flame Retardant Disrupts Energy And Glucose Homeostasis In Mice, Krystal M. Sewell, Kelly Oriakhi, Sara Y. Ngo Tenlep, Megan L. Weaver, Mansura Shahad Bawa, Se-Hyung Park, Shubh Saraswat, Xiaohua D. Zhang, Robert N. Helsley, Samir Softic, Cetewayo S. Rashid

Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences Faculty Publications

Organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) are used in many consumer products, and their presence in our environment raises concerns about potential health dangers. In humans, exposure to OPFRs, such as tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCPP) is associated with metabolic disorders such as obesity, hyperglycemia, and insulin resistance. Our current study seeks to determine how TDCPP exposure affects body composition, glucose homeostasis, and energy balance in a rodent model. C57Bl/6 J mice were divided into two weight-matched groups and fed purified low phytoestrogen diets containing either 0.1 % DMSO (control) or TDCPP 415 mg/kg resulting in an approximate exposure of 50 mg/kg/day. Both male …


Contribution Of Metabolism-Independent Glucose Sensing To Metabolic Homeostasis, Nadia Rashid, Kavaljit H. Chhabra Jan 2026

Contribution Of Metabolism-Independent Glucose Sensing To Metabolic Homeostasis, Nadia Rashid, Kavaljit H. Chhabra

Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences Faculty Publications

Glucose sensing and signaling are central to cellular metabolic machinery for the regulation of metabolic homeostasis. Glucose sensing has been almost always assumed to be coupled with glucose metabolism; however, recent findings have unraveled metabolism-independent sensing mechanisms. Here, we discuss whether glucose transporters (GLUTs) and sodium-glucose co-transporters (SGLTs) may also function as glucose sensors independent of their roles in transporting glucose. Moreover, we review the emerging roles of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) in sensing glucose and, consequently, initiating its signaling pathways in a cell-specific manner. Altogether, this review offers insights into the newly identified glucose sensing mechanisms and highlights the …


Anatomical Atlas Of Kinase Responsiveness To Weight Gain: Adipose Depot Reprogramming In Diet-Induced Adiposity, Wang-Hsin Lee, Zachary A. Kipp, Sally N. Pauss, Genesee J. Martinez, Mei Xu, Terry D. Hinds, Jr. Jan 2026

Anatomical Atlas Of Kinase Responsiveness To Weight Gain: Adipose Depot Reprogramming In Diet-Induced Adiposity, Wang-Hsin Lee, Zachary A. Kipp, Sally N. Pauss, Genesee J. Martinez, Mei Xu, Terry D. Hinds, Jr.

Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences Faculty Publications

Background/Objectives: Adipose tissue depots located at different anatomical sites exert differential functions in response to adiposity and glucose intolerance. These fat depots exhibit distinct metabolic signaling patterns that may influence pathological fat accumulation, thereby affecting the efficacy of anti-obesity interventions. Nonetheless, the mechanisms underpinning depot-specific signaling and pathway responsiveness remain insufficiently understood.

Methods: Kinase activity was characterized during the progression of adiposity across five adipose tissue depots in obese versus lean mice using the advanced PamGene kinome technology. Furthermore, kinase pathways in human preadipocytes and mouse 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were analyzed and compared with those in their differentiated, mature adipocytes. The …


Social Engagement Moderates The Relationship Between Cognitive Functioning, Depressive Symptoms, And Restless Sleep In Older Black Adults, Sunkanmi Folorunsho, Olufunmilola Abraham, Darlingtina K. Esiaka Jan 2026

Social Engagement Moderates The Relationship Between Cognitive Functioning, Depressive Symptoms, And Restless Sleep In Older Black Adults, Sunkanmi Folorunsho, Olufunmilola Abraham, Darlingtina K. Esiaka

Pharmacy Practice and Science Faculty Publications

INTRODUCTION: Older Black adults face higher dementia risk, but it is unclear whether social engagement offsets the effects of depression and restless sleep.

METHODS: We analyzed 1,905 Black adults aged 50+ from the 2016-2020 Health and Retirement Study (HRS). Linear mixed-effects models tested how depressive symptoms, restless sleep, and social engagement predicted baseline cognition and cognitive decline.

RESULTS: Higher depressive symptoms and restless sleep were associated with lower baseline cognition (about 0.2 and 0.5 points lower) and faster decline (β×time ≈ −0.07 and −0.05). Greater social engagement predicted higher baseline cognition (about 0.6 points higher) and slower decline (β×time ≈ …


A Deimplementation Framework For Curricular Hoarding In Pharmacy Education, Mary E. Fredrickson, Ashleigh Barrickman, Krista L. Donohoe, Angela L. Goodhart, Caroline Lindsay Ko, Daniel R. Malcom, Frank Romanelli, Marissa C. Salvo Jan 2026

A Deimplementation Framework For Curricular Hoarding In Pharmacy Education, Mary E. Fredrickson, Ashleigh Barrickman, Krista L. Donohoe, Angela L. Goodhart, Caroline Lindsay Ko, Daniel R. Malcom, Frank Romanelli, Marissa C. Salvo

Pharmacy Practice and Science Faculty Publications

Objective: To propose a holistic approach to managing curricular transformation that addresses various curricular obligations, incorporates the emotional component of curricular overload, and utilizes deimplementation science to reframe curricular change decisions. Findings: Given the need to codify processes and interventions that continually seek to ensure curricula are modernized, contemporary, and free of outdated teaching materials, we have developed a systematic deimplementation approach to address curricular overload. Its intent is to free space for more impactful learning and practices within pharmacy curricula that can lead to measurable improvements in workload, satisfaction, and learning outcomes for both students and faculty. Summary: By …


Behavioral And Transcriptomic Markers Of Susceptibility To Escalate Fentanyl Intake, Jack V. Keady, Richard Charnigo, Jakob D. Shaykin, Emily Prantzalos, Mengfan Xia, Emily D. Denehy, Cody Bumgardner, Justin Miller, Pavel I. Ortinski, Michael Thomas Bardo, Jill R. Turner Jan 2026

Behavioral And Transcriptomic Markers Of Susceptibility To Escalate Fentanyl Intake, Jack V. Keady, Richard Charnigo, Jakob D. Shaykin, Emily Prantzalos, Mengfan Xia, Emily D. Denehy, Cody Bumgardner, Justin Miller, Pavel I. Ortinski, Michael Thomas Bardo, Jill R. Turner

Pharmacy Practice and Science Faculty Publications

The “loss of control” over drug consumption, known as escalation of intake in opioid use disorder (OUD), is well-established in preclinical rodent models. However, little is known about how antecedent behavioral characteristics, such as valuation of hedonic reinforcers prior to drug use, influence fentanyl intake trajectories. Moreover, it is unclear if distinct escalation phenotypes are driven by transcriptomic markers predictive of OUD susceptibility. Male and female Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 72) were trained in a sucrose reinforcement task using a progressive ratio schedule. Individual differences in responsivity to sucrose were hypothesized to predict escalation of fentanyl intake. Rats underwent daily …


Comparative Evaluation Of R134a And Hfo‐1234ze Cryogen Spray Cooling Using A Mouse Model With Controllable Epidermal Pigmentation, Wangcun Jia, Yurie Jeong, Crystal Huynh, Oswald Lai, Emily Nguyen, Grant Swajian, Jade Niu, Ayana Kashikar, Joshua Khaw, Hong Pu, Bernard Choi, John August D'Orazio, J. Stuart Nelson, Bahman Anvari Jan 2026

Comparative Evaluation Of R134a And Hfo‐1234ze Cryogen Spray Cooling Using A Mouse Model With Controllable Epidermal Pigmentation, Wangcun Jia, Yurie Jeong, Crystal Huynh, Oswald Lai, Emily Nguyen, Grant Swajian, Jade Niu, Ayana Kashikar, Joshua Khaw, Hong Pu, Bernard Choi, John August D'Orazio, J. Stuart Nelson, Bahman Anvari

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

Objectives: Cryogen spray cooling (CSC) is critical for protecting the epidermis during laser dermatologic procedures. The widely used cryogen, R134a, has a high global warming potential (GWP), motivating interest in environmentally favorable alternatives such as HFO-1234ze. This study evaluated whether HFO-1234ze provides epidermal protection comparable to R134a during laser exposure and investigated the mechanistic basis underlying any differences in cooling performance.

Methods: Laser-induced epidermal injury in conjunction with two cryogens was assessed in K14-SCF Mc1re/e mice with pharmacologically controllable interfollicular epidermal pigmentation. Laser treatment sites were assigned fluences relative to baseline skin lightness (L*) to span subthreshold …


A Painful Diffuse Rash, Bruce M. Lo, Melanie Shoemaker, Kiersten Potter, Katherine Schaffer Jan 2026

A Painful Diffuse Rash, Bruce M. Lo, Melanie Shoemaker, Kiersten Potter, Katherine Schaffer

Department of Emergency Medicine Faculty Publications

[Patient presentation]

A 41-year-old male with no past medical history presented with 1 week of ulcers to the left side of his face, followed by several days of a painful rash to the trunk and back after a sexual encounter. The patient denies any fever or previous rash and any illicit drug use. Initial vital signs included a temperature of 97 °F, a heart rate of 89 beats per minute, and blood pressure of 135/79 mm Hg. Physical examination revealed a macular papular rash across his trunk and back (Fig 1) and facial ulcerations with eschar (Fig 2) at the …


Advanced Practice Workforce: ​Drivers Of Satisfaction & Retention​, Stephanie Bork, Amber Balzer, Sally Russell, R. K. Elswick Jr., Terry Jone, Kimberlee Ketchersid, Joseph Deranieri Jan 2026

Advanced Practice Workforce: ​Drivers Of Satisfaction & Retention​, Stephanie Bork, Amber Balzer, Sally Russell, R. K. Elswick Jr., Terry Jone, Kimberlee Ketchersid, Joseph Deranieri

School of Nursing Publications

Problem

The turnover of advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) is costly for institutions and creates gaps in care for organizations. The aims of this study are to describe the characteristics of the APRN and PA workforce in a large, integrated academic medical center and examine relationships between APRN and PA workforce characteristics and organizational outcomes.

Background

APRNs encompass a diverse group of licensed clinicians and are integral to healthcare delivery. As APRNs roles expand to support healthcare needs, turnover is costly and adversely affects patient care. The APRN role remains constrained in many healthcare institutions, contributing to burnout and job …


Atrial Fibrillation Detection From At-Rest Ppg Signals Using An Sdof-Tf Method, Mamun Hasan, Zhili Hao Jan 2026

Atrial Fibrillation Detection From At-Rest Ppg Signals Using An Sdof-Tf Method, Mamun Hasan, Zhili Hao

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Faculty Publications

At-rest PPG signals have been explored for detecting atrial fibrillation (AF), yet current signal-processing techniques do not achieve perfect accuracy even under low-motion artifact (MA) conditions. This study evaluates the effectiveness of a single-degree-of-freedom time–frequency (SDOF-TF) method in analyzing at-rest PPG signals for AF detection. The method leverages the influence of MA on the instant parameters of each harmonic, which is identified using an SDOF model in which the tissue–contact–sensor (TCS) stack is treated as an SDOF system. In this model, MA induces baseline drift and time-varying system parameters. The SDOF-TF method enables the quantification and removal of MA and …


Simulating Social Attitudes With Llms: Accuracy, Demographic Effects, And Refusal Behavior In The Sensitive Domain Of Suicide Prevention, Cristina J. Perez, Michael P. Vasquez Jr., Philippe J. Giabbanelli, Patrick Y. Wu Jan 2026

Simulating Social Attitudes With Llms: Accuracy, Demographic Effects, And Refusal Behavior In The Sensitive Domain Of Suicide Prevention, Cristina J. Perez, Michael P. Vasquez Jr., Philippe J. Giabbanelli, Patrick Y. Wu

VMASC Publications

Large language models (LLMs) are increasingly used to simulate public opinion, yet their validity in sensitive policy domains remains underexplored. We evaluate whether LLMs can reproduce attitudes toward suicide prevention policies using 32 questions drawn from seven nationally representative U.S. surveys (2023-2025). We systematically vary demographic conditioning (race/ethnicity, gender, age, education, income, party), prompt framing (direct elicitation, respondent embodiment, specialist embodiment), and model architecture (GPT-5 Nano, DeepSeek V3.2, Meta Llama 3.1 8B, Mistral Small 24B). Across 811,560 prompts, the mean absolute error—the average gap between predicted and human response distributions—is 23 percentage points. We also find that LLM responses to …


Dual Regulation Of Osteogenesis And Inflammation By Pomegranate (Punica Granatum L.) Extract In Periodontal Ligament-Derived Stem Cells: Implications For Regenerative Medicine, Mai Hafez Jan 2026

Dual Regulation Of Osteogenesis And Inflammation By Pomegranate (Punica Granatum L.) Extract In Periodontal Ligament-Derived Stem Cells: Implications For Regenerative Medicine, Mai Hafez

Dentistry

Objectives

This article aims to compare the osteogenic along with anti-inflammatory activity of different concentrations of pomegranate extract (PG) on human periodontal ligament-derived stem cells (hPDLSCs) in vitro.

Materials and Methods

hPDLSCs were acquired from the root surface of removed molars, cultured, and then distinguished by flow cytometry analysis and several lineage differentiation potentials. To identify the effect of PG on hPDLSCs' viability, an MTT assay was performed. hPDLSCs were maintained in osteogenic induction medium with varying concentrations of PG. At the end of the induction period, osteogenesis was assessed using Alizarin Red staining, ALP assay, and qRT-PCR to determine …


Cytocompatibility, Osteogenic Potential, Antibacterial And Antibiofilm Efficacy Of A Calcium-Silicate-Based Intracanal Medication, Shehabeldin Mohamed Saber Prof.Dr. Jan 2026

Cytocompatibility, Osteogenic Potential, Antibacterial And Antibiofilm Efficacy Of A Calcium-Silicate-Based Intracanal Medication, Shehabeldin Mohamed Saber Prof.Dr.

Dentistry

This study assessed the biological and antimicrobial properties of a calcium silicate-based material and calcium hydroxide (CH) when used as intracanal medications. MTT assay, osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal stem cells (hPDLSCs), cell mineralization-assay, and determination of ALP activity were assessed to investigate the biological properties. While the agar well diffusion, crystal violet (CRV) assay and LIVE/DEAD staining of dentin slices infected with a mature E. faecalis biofilm were used to assess the antimicrobial properties. Normally distributed data were analyzed using one and two-way ANOVA and post hoc Tukey test, while for non-normally distributed data Kruskal Wallis and Dunn's tests …


Automatic Teeth Segmentation In Panoramic Radiographs Using Attention U-Net, Shehabeldin Mohamed Saber Prof.Dr. Jan 2026

Automatic Teeth Segmentation In Panoramic Radiographs Using Attention U-Net, Shehabeldin Mohamed Saber Prof.Dr.

Dentistry

Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of the Attention U-Net architecture for teeth segmentation in panoramic dental images. By exploring the potential of Attention U-Net, the study aims to contribute to the development of more precise and automated dental imaging analysis, which could enhance diagnosis, treatment planning, and computer-aided dental systems. Subjects and methods: The TUFTS University dataset consisting of 1000 de-identified panoramic radiographs was used for training and testing an Attention U-Net architecture with 10-fold cross-validation. These scores surpass those of all other networks implemented on the same dataset. using a newly available benchmark …


Enhancing Severely Compromised Premolar Strength: Role Of Cusp Reduction Design In Cad/Cam Composite Restorations, Shehabeldin Mohamed Saber Prof.Dr. Jan 2026

Enhancing Severely Compromised Premolar Strength: Role Of Cusp Reduction Design In Cad/Cam Composite Restorations, Shehabeldin Mohamed Saber Prof.Dr.

Dentistry

The objective of this study was to assess the effect of different designs and depths of cusp reduction on fracture resistance of maxillary permanent premolars restored with CAD/CAM composite restorations. A total of 42 sound maxillary premolars were used. Standardized MOD cavities were prepared in all specimens. Teeth were randomly divided according to form of cusp reduction into three main groups (n = 14); G1:MOD cavities restored with inlays with no cusp reduction, G2:MOD cavities restored with overlays with buccal and palatal anatomical cusps reduction, G3; MOD cavities restored with overlays with buccal and palatal flat cusps reduction. Groups 2 …


Effect Of Caries Removal Techniques On Micro-Tensile Bond Strength Of Cad/Cam Composite Blocks To Dentine (In-Vitro Study), Hend Sayed Ahmed, Mohamed Fouad Haridy, Hoda Fouda, Basma Khalifa, Youssef M. Haridy Jan 2026

Effect Of Caries Removal Techniques On Micro-Tensile Bond Strength Of Cad/Cam Composite Blocks To Dentine (In-Vitro Study), Hend Sayed Ahmed, Mohamed Fouad Haridy, Hoda Fouda, Basma Khalifa, Youssef M. Haridy

Dentistry

No abstract provided.


Clinical Evaluation Of The Remineralizing Potential Of Biomimetic Scaffolds On Enamel White Spot Lesions: A 12-Month Randomized Controlled Trial, Eman Soliman, Wegdan Abdelfattah, Doaa Ragai M Ahmed, Dina Nagui, Ahmed Holiel Jan 2026

Clinical Evaluation Of The Remineralizing Potential Of Biomimetic Scaffolds On Enamel White Spot Lesions: A 12-Month Randomized Controlled Trial, Eman Soliman, Wegdan Abdelfattah, Doaa Ragai M Ahmed, Dina Nagui, Ahmed Holiel

Dentistry

No abstract provided.


The Effects Of Cigarette Smoke And Heated-Tobacco Aerosol On Streptococcus Mutans Adhesion And Surface Topography Of Dental Hard Tissues In Vitro, Mahmoud Bakr, Mohamed Shamel, Mahmoud Al Ankily Jan 2026

The Effects Of Cigarette Smoke And Heated-Tobacco Aerosol On Streptococcus Mutans Adhesion And Surface Topography Of Dental Hard Tissues In Vitro, Mahmoud Bakr, Mohamed Shamel, Mahmoud Al Ankily

Dentistry

No abstract provided.