Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Evaluation Of New Antimalarial Drug Combinations, Robert Tyrone Higginbotham

Honors Theses

Malaria is a disease that has affected people throughout the world for centuries and is still responsible for over 200 million clinical cases per year. While a number of developed countries have eradicated the disease, its prevalence in tropical regions poses a significant global health challenge. The disease is caused by the Plasmodium genus, an obligate, intracellular parasite that is carried by the female Anopheles mosquito. While there are effective antimalarial drugs in clinical use, Plasmodium's resilient nature has allowed it to develop resistance to multiple drugs. This fact makes it imperative to seek out novel drugs to combat resistant …

Prevalence Of Hla-B*5701 In A Kenyan Population With Hiv Infection, Reena Shah, H. Nabiswa, Nancy Okinda, Gunturu Revathi, Mark Hawken, Nelson M.

Internal Medicine, East Africa

We read with interest the article published in your Journal entitled “Real-world persistence with antiretroviral therapy for HIV in the United Kingdom: a multicentre retrospective cohort study”1 which concluded that treatment discontinuation attributable to toxicity profile is not an uncommon event. They also acknowledged lack of data collection on HLA-B*5701 status, which would heavily influence initial ART regimen and the choice to discontinue medication. Of the 25.6 million living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in Africa, an estimated 1.6 million people live in Kenya.2 With an HIV prevalence of 5.6%, Kenya has upscaled HIV treatment and care in the past …

Evaluation Of Alcohol Screening And Community-Based Brief Interventions In Rural Western Kenya: A Quasi-Experimental Study, Risa Takahashi, Calistus Wilunda, Karani Magutah, Wanja Mwaura-Tenambergen, Lukoye Atwoli, Usaneya Perngparn

Internal Medicine, East Africa

Aims:To assess the effectiveness of community-based alcohol brief interventions (ABI) implemented by community-health workers with and without motivational talks (MT) by former drinkers, in reducing harmful and hazardous alcohol consumption. Methods:We conducted a three-arm quasi-experimental study (one control and two intervention groups) between May and December 2015 in Kakamega County, Kenya. Participants were hazardous or harmful alcohol drinkers with an Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) score of 8–19 at baseline. One intervention group received only ABI while the other received ABI + MT. The interventions’ effects on AUDIT scores were analysed using linear mixed models. Logistic regression …

Visual Art In Medical Education, Kimberly Dao

MaineHealth Maine Medical Center

No abstract provided.

Perceptions And Attitudes Of Healthcare Students Towards Marijuana, Carrie Crosby

EWU Masters Thesis Collection

Perceptions of marijuana were studied in healthcare students at EWU. It was found that most students had an average self-reported knowledge of marijuana use. Marijuana comes in several forms such as, edibles, smoked, patches, and lotions. With its recent legalization in Washington State, sales tax alone has accumulated $400 million dollars in the past 3 years. With this increase in use an examination of healthcare students was warranted. Most students also felt there was a need for more education on marijuana and that their current knowledge level was not enough to be competent when talking with patients about use. Overall, …

Tobacco Use, Number Of Serious Smoking Cessation Attempts, And Interest In Lung Screening In A Sample Of Adult Muslims In The United States, Omar F.S. Attarabeen

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Muslims in the United States (US) exhibit higher rates of tobacco use in comparison with rest of the US population. As a result, US Muslims might be at a higher risk for negative health consequences of tobacco use such as lung cancer. Investigating factors that are associated with tobacco use, number of smoking cessation attempts, and interest in lung screening in adult US Muslims can facilitate future efforts aimed at improving health outcomes, essentially through reducing tobacco use rates and promoting preventive lung screening in this population. Therefore, the current dissertation aimed to investigate the association of Social Cognitive Theory …

Chapter Three - Neural Correlates Of Sensory Abnormalities Across Developmental Disabilities, Garrett Cardon

Faculty Publications

Abnormalities in sensory processing are a common feature of many developmental disabilities (DDs). Sensory dysfunction can contribute to deficits in brain maturation, as well as many vital functions. Unfortunately, while some patients with DD benefit from the currently available treatments for sensory dysfunction, many do not. Deficiencies in clinical practice surrounding sensory dysfunction may be related to lack of understanding of the neural mechanisms that underlie sensory abnormalities. Evidence of overlap in sensory symptoms between diagnoses suggests that there may be common neural mechanisms that mediate many aspects of sensory dysfunction. Thus, the current manuscript aims to review the extant …

Life Activity Choices By People With Aphasia: Repeated Interviews And Proxy Agreement, Tyson G. Harmon, Katarina L. Haley, Jennifer L. Womack, Karen L. Mcculloch, Richard A. Faldowski

Faculty Publications

Background: Person-centered rehabilitation requires that meaningful life activities are identified on a case-by-case basis, but the discovery process can be inaccessible for clients with aphasia. Card-sorting methodology addresses core barriers and help clients communicate their preferences.

Aims: To characterize life activities that people with aphasia want to do, to estimate consistency in selections over time, and to replicate previous findings about the ability of family members and friends to identify their loved ones’ activity preferences.

Methods & Procedures: We administered the Life Interests and Values (LIV) Cards to 26 people with aphasia, asking them which of 95 …

The Impact Of Hospital Change Of Ownership On Hospital Quality Of Care As Evidenced By Patient Satisfaction Scores And Readmission Rates, Ian Edward Mcfadden

All ETDs from UAB

THE IMPACT OF HOSPITAL CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP ON HOSPITAL QUALITY OF CARE AS EVIDENCED BY PATIENT SATISFACTION SCORES AND READMISSION RATES IAN E. MCFADDEN DOCTOR OF SCIENCE IN ADMINISTRATION-HEALTH SERVICES ABSTRACT Much of the literature on current hospital consolidation activity reveals that hospitals and health systems are experiencing an inordinate amount of increased merger and acquisition activity due to the impact of healthcare reform legislation. The implementation of the Affordable Care Act of 2010 resulted in many hospital and health system providers seeking consolidation as a means to enhance resources and capital. These efforts have resulted in many hospitals changing …

Heart Failure In A Contemporary Biracial Cohort, Matthew Mefford

All ETDs from UAB

Heart failure (HF) is the inability of the heart to meet the perfusion needs of the body. HF is a leading contributor to the burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and remains a public health concern. Hypertension is a major modifiable risk factor for the prevention and management of HF. Hypertension develops earlier, is less controlled, and has a stronger association with some CVD and renal outcomes among blacks versus whites. These disparities may extend to HF. In addition, adults with HF often have complex treatment regimens due to multimorbidity, making medication adherence an issue. The goal of this dissertation was …

Exploring The Relationship Between Social Support, Pharmacy Access And Medication Adherence, Favel Leah Mondesir

All ETDs from UAB

Barriers of medication adherence exist among people with coronary heart disease (CHD) and CHD risk factors, including, poor social support, poor pharmacy access and other patient, social/economic, therapy, condition, and health-care system/health-care team-related factors. However, there are few data on influence of these factors on medication adherence among people with CHD risk factors other than diabetes. Therefore, this dissertation aimed to investigate associations of medication adherence with social support (n=17,113) and pharmacy access (n=8,250) quantitatively using data from the REasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study (black and white adults with CHD or CHD risk factors ≥45 …

Diet, Physical Activity, And Healthy Aging In People Living With Hiv, Josh Newson Muhammad

All ETDs from UAB

As life expectancy for people living with HIV (PLWH) has increased, healthy aging in this community has become an emerging public health concern. Although the benefits of adopting healthy diets and regular physical activity are well-documented, implementing strategies for lifestyle modifications among older PLWH remains a challenge. The complex milieu of social, physiological and economic burdens encountered by PLWH exposes this population to increased risk for adverse health outcomes, especially from preventable metabolic diseases. The interaction of diet, physical activity and social determinants of health in persons who are HIV positive is an understudied area. The aim of this dissertation …

Cortactin Phosphorylation By Casein Kinase 2 Regulates Actin Related Protein 2/3 Complex Activity And Invadopodia Function, Steven Michael Markwell

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Malregulation of the actin cytoskeleton enhances tumor cell motility and invasion. The actin-binding protein cortactin facilitates branched actin network formation through activation of the actin-related protein (Arp) 2/3 complex. Arp2/3 complex activation is responsible for driving increased migration and extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation by governing invadopodia formation and activity. While cortactin-mediated activation of Arp2/3 complex and invadopodia regulation has been well established, signaling pathways responsible for governing cortactin binding to Arp2/3 are unknown. In this dissertation we identify casein kinase (CK) 2α phosphorylation of cortactin as a negative regulator of Arp2/3 binding. CK2α directly phosphorylates cortactin at a conserved threonine …

Flexor Dysfunction Following Unilateral Transient Ischemic Brain Injury Is Associated With Impaired Locomotor Rhythmicity, Kiril Tuntevski

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Functional motor deficits in hemiplegia after stroke are predominately associated with flexor muscle impairments in animal models of ischemic brain injury, as well as in clinical findings. Rehabilitative interventions often employ various means of retraining a maladapted central pattern generator for locomotion. Yet, holistic modeling of the central pattern generator, as well as applications of such studies, are currently scarce. Most modeling studies rely on cellular neural models of the intrinsic spinal connectivity governing ipsilateral flexor-extensor, as well as contralateral coupling inherent in the spinal cord. Models that attempt to capture the general behavior of motor neuronal populations, as well …

Association Of Diet Quality And Body Mass Index With Serum Ceramides In Middle-Aged Adults, Margaret Ann Drazba

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the leading causes of death worldwide and identifying CVD risk is important for determining and implementing appropriate intervention strategies. Ceramides are a class of sphingolipids that are implicated in the pathogenesis of obesity and CVD. However, their relationship to diet quality, a modifiable risk factor for CVD, is largely unknown. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to determine the association of an a priori diet quality index and body mass index (BMI) with circulating ceramides in middle-aged adults (n=96). Dietary intake was assessed using three 24-hour recalls and Nutrition Data System for Research …

Arl2bp, A Novel Ciliopathy Protein, Is Required For Cilia Microtubule Formation, Abigail Ruth Moye

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Cilia are specialized organelles essential for cellular function. Not surprisingly, mutations in cilia- related genes are linked to multi-syndromic diseases termed ciliopathies. These include blinding diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa (RP). One such novel gene is ARL2BP (ARL2-binding protein) and is linked to RP and situs inversus (organ reversal) in humans, a phenotype produced by defects in the nodal cilia of developing embryos. Defects in photoreceptor cilia, as well as situs inversus in human patients, suggest that ARL2BP plays an invaluable role in the structure and function of cilia. However little is known about the role for this protein in …

The Effect Of Asymmetry On Pregnancy-Related Pain In The Postpartum Period, Krista G. Meder

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Nearly 50% of women experience back pain and other lower extremity pain during pregnancy, with many reporting lasting pain postpartum. Pregnant women experience changes to their pelvis and lower extremities that do not always return to pre-pregnancy baseline. Not much is known of the lingering effects of pregnancy related asymmetry and its relationship to pain. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess asymmetries of the pelvis and lower extremities to determine whether malalignment is related to areas of pain at the low back, hip, thigh, knee, leg, and foot/ankle. Methods: Seventeen postpartum women and seven nulliparous controls were …

The Microvascular And Systemic Effects Of Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticle Exposure: A Physiological Perspective, Alaeddin Bashir Abukabda

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (nano-TiO₂) are one of the most widely used engineered nanomaterials (ENM). Their ubiquitous inclusion warrants a more thorough understanding of their toxicity, particularly in sensitive populations such as pregnant women and the developing fetus.

The aim of the first study was to determine the most sensitive segments of the vasculature to pulmonary ENM exposure. Macrovascular function was investigated in the thoracic aorta, common femoral artery and 3^rd order mesenteric arterioles using wire myography. Microvascular function was assessed in 4^th and 5^th order mesenteric arterioles via pressure myography. Nano-TiO₂ exposure induced impairments …

Factors Related To The Career Intentions Of Senior Athletic Training Students Approaching Graduation, Rae Lee Emrick

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This research inquiry examined the factors that influence soon-to-be graduating senior athletic training major’s decisions on their career intentions. Two research questions guided this study: What are the factors, experiences, and/or circumstances that contribute to senior athletic training students approaching graduation planning to persist in or pursue the athletic training profession? and What are the factors, experiences, and circumstances that contribute to senior athletic training students approaching graduation leading to displacement and students not planning to seek employment in the athletic training profession? Qualitative research methods employed a multiple case approach examining four different CAATE accredited athletic training programs …

The Impact Of Comorbidities On Diabetes And Hypertension Co-Management And Healthcare Expenditures, Rashmi Goyat

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Hypertension and type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are among the most prevalent chronic conditions that often co-exist. Their co-existence increases the risk for comorbidities due to their impact on other organs such as blood vessels (leading to vasoconstriction/hypertension); brain (resulting in increased caloric intake); pancreas (decreased in beta-cell mass and glucose sensing); bone (possibly decreasing bone mass and strength). Occurrence of comorbidities can complicate the already complex care of diabetes and hypertension. It increases the risk of poor patient outcomes such as preventable hospitalization, adverse drug events and mortality. However, different comorbidities can affect the co-management differently. We identified the types …

Database Searching Tips, Roy E. Brown

VCU Libraries Faculty and Staff Publications

This is a handout that is used as a reference for those who are learning to more effectively search databases for assignments and evidence-based practice projects.

Please contact the author for a version that can be reused and rebranded.

Molecular Modulation Of Osteoblasts And Osteoclasts In Type 2 Diabetes, Selvalakshmi Rathinavelu, Crissy Guidry-Elizondo, Jameela Banu

Health & Biomedical Sciences Faculty Publications

Diabetes is a common disease affecting majority of populations worldwide. Since 1980, there has been an increase in the number of people diagnosed as prediabetic and diabetic. Diabetes is characterized by high levels of circulating glucose and leads to most microvascular and macrovascular complications such as retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy, stroke, and myocardial infarction. Bone marrow vascular disruption and increased adiposity are also linked to various complications in type II diabetes mellitus. In addition to these complications, type 2 diabetic patients also have fragile bones caused by faulty mineralization mainly due to increased adiposity among diabetic patients that affects both osteoblast …

Analysis Of Ptprk Polymorphisms In Association With Risk And Age At Onset Of Alzheimer’S Disease, Cancer Risk, And Cholesterol, Yang Chen, Chun Xu, Sam Harirforoosh, Xingguang Luo, Ke-Sheng Wang

Health & Biomedical Sciences Faculty Publications

The human receptor-type protein-tyrosine phosphatase kappa (PTPRK) gene is highly expressed in human brain and is previously associated with neuropsychiatric disorders and cancer. This study investigated the association of 52 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the PTPRK with the risk and age at onset (AAO) of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in 791 AD patients and 782 controls. Five SNPs (top SNP rs4895829 with p=0.0125) were associated with the risk of AD based on a multiple logistic regression (p

Neuropeptide Y Cells Regulate Anxiety Behavior, Katelynn Corder

All ETDs from UAB

Dysregulation of the GABAergic system has long been implicated in anxiety disorders. Classic anxiolytic drugs, such as benzodiazepines, increase GABAergic transmission by modulating GABA¬A receptors, relieving anxiety symptoms. However, these treatments are not always effective and are often accompanied by negative side effects. Glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) is the enzyme responsible for producing GABA. Recent studies have shown that when the isoform GAD67 is reduced in specific brain regions or GABAergic subtypes, differential anxiety effects were found. These studies suggest that targeting specific GABAergic cell subtypes may provide a more effective treatment for anxiety disorders. Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is an abundant …

Post-Transcriptional Regulation Of Myeloid Cell Leukemia 1 In Cancers, Jia Cui

All ETDs from UAB

Apoptosis, a highly regulated process of programmed cell death, is essential for maintaining normal tissue homeostasis. Myeloid cell leukemia 1 (MCL1), an anti-apoptotic BCL-2 family protein, lies at the center of apoptosis regulation. Overexpression of MCL1 has been identified as a key contributor to tumorigenesis and further enables resistance to anti-cancer chemotherapies and radiation. Due to the critical roles of MCL1 in cancer, it is essential to understand the regulatory mechanisms of MCL1 expression in cells. Previous studies have detailed how MCL1 expression is controlled by multiple mechanisms. However, characterization of the post-transcriptional regulation of MCL1 mRNA has been poorly …

Psychological Well-Being And Smoking Cessation, Christopher Thorne

All ETDs from UAB

Introduction: The substantial death toll from smoking combined with the low success rates of current treatment approaches warrants further investigation into mechanisms that promote cessation. While the role of negative affect has been studied extensively in relationship to smoking cessation, the role of psychological well-being (PWB; e.g., life satisfaction, optimism, positive affect, purpose in life, resilience) has received little attention. Treatment outcomes might improve with a better understanding of PWB’s role in smoking cessation. Methods: Relationships between smoking and PWB were examined in three studies. First, using panel data from the biennial, longitudinal Health and Retirement Study, I developed separate …

Reaching Consensus On Global Health Nursing Competencies For Baccalaureate Nursing Education In The United States: A Delphi Method Study, Herica Maria Torres-Alzate

All ETDs from UAB

The purpose of this study was to reach consensus among experts on global health competencies for baccalaureate nursing students in the United States. A Nursing Global Health Competencies Framework (NGHCF) was created to guide identification of the domains and competencies for BSN nursing education. A three-round modified Delphi study intersected with a mixed methods research approach to reach consensus from experts in global health on essential global health competencies in nursing. The first phase revised the original list of competencies based on: (a) qualitative responses to the surveys conducted by Wilson et al. (2012), Ventura et al. (2014), and Warren …

Novel Insights Into Neurofibromin Function And Human Neurofibromatosis Type 1 Mutations Using Genetically Engineered Mouse Models, Ashley Nicole Turner

All ETDs from UAB

Loss of NF1 in different developmental and cellular contexts leads to unique physiological outcomes due to loss of neurofibromin function, including embryonic lethality, sporadic cancers, and the genetic disorder NF1. Neurofibromin acts as a tumor suppressor by modulation of RAS signaling, with other functions of this multi-domain protein being less clear. Even within the monogenic disorder of NF1, the clinical heterogeneity and mutational spectrum are immense, revealing the complexity underlying this disorder. There is a huge urgency and need for NF1 therapeutic treatments, and the same urgency to develop in vivo models to better understand NF1 that can be utilized …

Synaptic Mechanisms Underlying The Integration Of Adult-Generated Neurons In The Dentate Gyrus, Ryan Vaden

All ETDs from UAB

The dentate gyrus is a region in the adult brain where new neurons continue to be generated throughout life. While most adult-generated neurons undergo apoptosis within the first few weeks of maturation, a fraction survives and integrates into the existing circuit. It is well established that γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor-mediated mechanisms contribute to the activity-dependent regulation of adult-neurogenesis. GABAergic interneurons regulate stem cell quiescence, progenitor proliferation, and the synaptic integration of newborn neurons, however the synaptic interactions underlying integration are not fully understood. Furthermore, the impact of adult-generated neurons integrating into the existing circuit is not completely known. The collective …

Clinical And Histomorphometric Outcomes Following The Use Of Small Versus Large Particle Sized Bone Allografts In Ridge Preservation Procedures: A Randomized Clinical Trial, Gentiane Valiquette

All ETDs from UAB

Alveolar ridge preservation at the time of tooth extraction is a commonly performed procedure as it significantly minimizes ridge resorption and allows for more optimal implant placement. The amount of new vital bone has been shown to vary with the use of different types of bone replacement grafts, however, the effect of bone graft particle size on the outcomes following ridge preservation has not been elucidated in the scientific literature. The present randomized clinical trial compared clinically, radiographically and histomorphometrically the use of small- (0.25-1.0mm) versus large- (1.0- 2.0mm) sized particle mineralized cortico-cancellous bone freeze-dried bone allografts (FDBAs) in ridge …