Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

What's Happening: July 8, 2019, Maine Medical Center

What's Happening

No abstract provided.

Study Protocol For A Stepped-Wedge Randomized Cookstove Intervention In Rural Honduras: Household Air Pollution And Cardiometabolic Health, Bonnie N. Young, Jennifer L. Peel, Megan L. Benka-Coker, Sarah Rajkumar, Ethan S. Walker, Robert Brook, Tracy L. Nelson, John Volckens, Christian L'Orange, Nicholas Good, Casey Quinn, Joshua P. Keller, Zachary D. Weller, Sebastian Africano, Anibal Osorto Pinel, Maggie L. Clark

Health Sciences Faculty Publications

Growing evidence links household air pollution exposure from biomass-burning cookstoves to cardiometabolic disease risk. Few randomized controlled interventions of cookstoves (biomass or otherwise) have quantitatively characterized changes in exposure and indicators of cardiometabolic health, a growing and understudied burden in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Ideally, the solution is to transition households to clean cooking, such as with electric or liquefied petroleum gas stoves; however, those unable to afford or to access these options will continue to burn biomass for the foreseeable future. Wood-burning cookstove designs such as the Justa (incorporating an engineered combustion zone and chimney) have the potential …

Week Of July 8, 2019, New York Medical College

InTouch

• SHSP Welcomes New Vice Dean Benjamin F. Johnson, Ed.D.
• Anthony M. Sozzo, M.S.Ed., M.A., Receives NASFAA Meritorious Achievement Award
• Health Sciences Library Renovations Are Underway
• School of Medicine Hosts Gold Humanism Honor Society Student Clinician Ceremony

Efforts Targeting Factors Of Health Disparities That Impair Hiv Treatment Engagement, Graham F. Watts Sr, Heather Vaughan

Florida Public Health Review

Health disparities exist in Northeast Florida. Some locations experience morbidities at higher rates than others. Health zone 1 is a prime example. Differences in disease rates are interlaced with the social determinants of health, (SDOH). Long-standing social and structural influences of disparities are beyond the scope of Ryan White programs. However, empowerment for health promotion is a strategy for targeting health disparities. The Theory of Health Empowerment targets sense of agency and offers some leverage for helping people living with HIV/AIDS, (PLWHA) despite environments blemished by SDOH. Eclectic leadership occurring in a climate of respectful point-counter point discussions established the …

Lessons From The Field: A Systems Thinking Approach For Case Management Documentation, Graham F. Watts Sr, Angela E. Prince, Heather Vaughan, Porschia Mccray Watts, Beth Parker

Florida Public Health Review

Case management is a core HIV health service that focuses on service coordination—the seamless access to an array of integrated services. Integration aims to reduce barriers to medical care. In the busy HIV health services environment, inadequate documentation of case management activities limits the capacity of stakeholders to know what happens during care encounters. This study used theory and qualitative inquiry to uncover best practices that support optimal case management documentation. Two research questions guided the inquiry: What principles should arise in higher order cognitive functioning among case managers during client encounters? What characteristics of a system level approach to …

Doctoral Education And Preparation For Nursing Faculty Roles, Angela M. Mcnelis, Kristina Dreifuerst, Rhonda Schwindt

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Background

Despite increased enrollment in doctoral programs and the encouraging numbers of graduates intending to pursue faculty positions, lack of adequate preparedness to assume the faculty role may adversely impact retention and consequently undermine efforts to reduce the shortage.

Purpose

Understanding doctoral nursing students’ and recent graduates’ expectations of their educational experience related to preparation for an academic career is needed to inform curricular revisions and advise guidance to ensure role readiness.

Methods

A secondary analysis of 24 interviews with current PhD and doctor of nursing practice (DNP) students and recent graduates from both degree programs was performed to gain …

Integrative Analysis Of Vascular Endothelial Cell Genomic Features Identifies Aida As A Coronary Artery Disease Candidate Gene., Simon Lalonde, Valérie-Anne Codina-Fauteux, Sébastian Méric De Bellefon, Francis Leblanc, Mélissa Beaudoin, Marie-Michelle Simon, Rola Dali, Tony Kwan, Ken Sin Lo, T Pastinen, Guillaume Lettre

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified hundreds of loci associated with coronary artery disease (CAD) and blood pressure (BP) or hypertension. Many of these loci are not linked to traditional risk factors, nor do they include obvious candidate genes, complicating their functional characterization. We hypothesize that many GWAS loci associated with vascular diseases modulate endothelial functions. Endothelial cells play critical roles in regulating vascular homeostasis, such as roles in forming a selective barrier, inflammation, hemostasis, and vascular tone, and endothelial dysfunction is a hallmark of atherosclerosis and hypertension. To test this hypothesis, we generate an integrated map of gene …

Retinal Microvasculature In Relation To Central Hemodynamics In A Flemish Population, Fang-Fei Wei, Lutgarde Thijs, Cai-Guo Yu, Jesus D. Melgarejo, Zhen-Yu Zhang, Gladys E. Maestre

School of Medicine Publications

Arterial stiffness and wave reflection predict cardiovascular mortality and morbidity and are associated with renal microvascular disease. We hypothesized that the retinal microvascular traits might be associated with central hemodynamic properties. In 735 randomly recruited Flemish (mean age, 50.3 years; 47.1% women), we derived central pulse pressure and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity by applanation tonometry and calculated forward (Pf) and backward (Pb) pulse waves, using an automated pressure-based wave separation algorithm. We measured central retinal arteriolar (CRAE) and venular equivalent and their ratio, using IVAN software (Vasculomatic ala Nicola, version 1.1). Mean values for pulse wave velocity (n=554), Pf and …

Medical School Watercooler Newsletter - July 7, 2019, Lindsey Lyle

Watercooler Newsletter

This is the July 7, 2019 edition of the Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine's Newsletter - Watercooler.

Contents Include:

Boudreaux named assistant dean for graduate medical education

Nurse practitioner Nakia Rankin joins USA Health Digestive Health Center

American Heart Association recognizes University Hospital’s excellent care for heart failure patients

Register Now: Lunch and Learn about CLINIC program

Pediatric grand rounds to focus on pediatric occupational and physical therapy

Readmission Rates And Their Impact On Hospital Financial Performance: A Study Of Washington Hospitals, Soumya Upadhyay, Amber L. Stephenson, Dean G. Smith

School of Public Health Faculty Research

This longitudinal study examines whether readmission rates, made transparent through Hospital Compare, affect hospital financial performance by examining 98 hospitals in the State of Washington from 2012 to 2014. Readmission rates for acute myocardial infarction (AMI), pneumonia (PN), and heart failure (HF) were examined against operating revenues per patient, operating expenses per patient, and operating margin. Using hospital-level fixed effects regression on 276 hospital year observations, the analysis indicated that a reduction in AMI readmission rates is related with increased operating revenues as expenses associated with costly treatments related with unnecessary readmissions are avoided. Additionally, reducing readmission rates is related …

A Legacy Of Disease, Arthur L. Frank

Journal of Appalachian Health

In Appalachia, like much of America, there are important health issues that have not always been appropriately predicted or dealt with when they occur. Lifestyle issues in Appalachia lead to obesity and heart disease, not surprisingly due to extensive use of sugary drinks. The current opioid crisis could have been better predicted given the trauma of mining and the past abuse of less-potent narcotics. A continuing major problem in the whole country is inadequate support for preventive health activities.

Using Mini-Grants To Build Multi-Sector Partnerships In Rural Tennessee, Ginny Kidwell, Kristine Bowers, Taylor M. Dula, Randolph F. Wykoff

Journal of Appalachian Health

Rural counties in Tennessee, including those located in Appalachia, face some of the greatest health challenges in the nation. Unpublished data collated by the East Tennessee State University College of Public Health (ETSU) show that Tennessee’s 52 Appalachian counties vary dramatically from its 43 non-Appalachian counties in virtually all socioeconomic, behavioral, and health outcome metrics. Since 2011, the Tennessee Institute of Public Health (TNIPH) has actively encouraged local communities to address behavior change, enhance educational achievement, and improve economic conditions as essential components for improving health and well-being in rural Tennessee.

Improving Access To Addiction Recovery Care In Central Appalachia Through Organizational Collaboration, Katy Stigers

Journal of Appalachian Health

Fahe, a Network of 50+ members throughout Appalachia based in Berea KY, has brought together a coalition to finance, build, and manage several addiction recovery care centers across Kentucky and West Virginia, increase access to employment, and deploy vouchers for supportive services.

Disparities In Quality Of Life By Appalachian-Designation Among Women With Breast Cancer, Robin C. Vanderpool, Ann L. Coker, Heather M. Bush, Sarah E. Cprek

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Few studies have examined the association of geography and quality of life (QOL) among breast cancer patients, particularly differences between Appalachian and non-Appalachian Kentucky women, which is important given the cancer and socioeconomic disparities present in Appalachia.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine whether women with breast cancer residing in Appalachian Kentucky experience poorer health outcomes in regards to depression, stress, QOL, and spiritual wellbeing, relative to those living in non-Appalachian Kentucky after adjusting for demographic, socioeconomic, and health-related factors.

Methods: Women, aged 18–79, recruited from the Kentucky Cancer Registry between 2009 and 2013 with an …

Social Media Use Among Nonprofit Organizations In Rural Appalachia, Mckenzie Liegel, Jodi L. Southerland, Katie Baker

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Social media have changed the landscape of health communication for nonprofit organizations (NPOs). Yet, adoption and use of social media lag among NPOs in rural Appalachia due largely to limited infrastructure development.

Methods: Semi-structured phone interviews were conducted in January–March 2018 with 21 NPO representatives in an 8-county region of rural Appalachian Tennessee. NPO representatives were asked questions pertaining to social media use and message content, effective communication strategies, and best practices in social media use. Transcripts were analyzed in April–May 2018 using thematic analysis.

Results: The majority of NPOs had a Facebook page and recognized its …

Barriers To Healthy Eating Among High School Youth In Rural Southern Appalachia, Jodi L. Southerland, Taylor M. Dula, Deborah L. Slawson

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Diet and nutrition play an important role in a child’s health and reduce the risk of numerous health problems including obesity. Dietary habits can be difficult to modify in children, particularly in Appalachia, where access to affordable, healthy foods is limited.

Purpose: To examine barriers to healthy eating among Appalachian youth.

Methods: In 2013–2014, data were gathered via focus groups and interviews from parents, school personnel, and adolescents (N=99) in six counties across southern Appalachia. Data were analyzed using thematic network analysis. Analysis was completed in 2015.

Results: Participants identified multiple barriers to healthy eating among adolescents. Barriers comprised …

West Virginia’S Sugary Drink Tax: Examining Print Media Frames In Local News Sources, Lauri Andress, Ogaga Urhie, Christine Compton

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Framing is an important aspect of the policy process that helps the public and decision makers sort through and resolve highly charged claims about an issue. Through slight changes in the presentation of issues, a framing effect may alter public support. The way a proposed sugary drink tax is discussed in public discourse and by the media significantly influences policy acceptance. Given the public health significance of obesity and diabetes in West Virginia (WV) the study of media frames employed to represent a sugary drink tax policy is useful.

Methods: Using quantitative content analysis, this study assessed news articles—published …

Investigating The Impact Of The Diseases Of Despair In Appalachia, Michael Meit, Megan Heffernan, Erin Tanenbaum

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Appalachia is one of the regions most significantly impacted by the opioid crisis. This study investigated mortality due to diseases of despair within the Appalachian Region, with an additional focus on deaths attributable to opioid overdose.

Methods: Diseases of despair include: alcohol, prescription drug and illegal drug overdose, suicide, and alcoholic liver disease/cirrhosis of the liver. Mortality data from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) National Vital Statistics System (NVSS) Multiple Cause of Death database were analyzed for this study, focusing on individuals aged 15–64.

Results: Over the past two decades, the mortality rate due to diseases of …

Root Causes Of Appalachia’S Deaths Of Despair, F. Douglas Scutchfield Md

Journal of Appalachian Health

The U.S. is experiencing a decline in life expectancy, particularly among rural white males in their most productive years. Appalachia is disproportionally represented in mortality rates, accounting for 30% of the U.S. population, but 50% of the excess mortality attributed to the “deaths of despair”: drug overdose, suicide, and alcoholic cirrhosis. A substantial proportion of that excess mortality is related to the current opioid crisis we are experiencing. We have data on evidence-based solutions to the treatment of addiction, but little information on prevention of addiction as well as the other deaths of despair, likely with the same etiologic agent. …

Scurvy Presenting With Limp And Weakness: A Case Report., Robin M. Lund, Mara L. Becker, Steven Shapiro, Tyler Allison, Julia G. Harris

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: Scurvy is one of the oldest diseases known to mankind. Although presently rare in the developed world, scurvy was a common potentially fatal disease. In recent times, the most common risk factors for scurvy include alcoholism, low socioeconomic status, and severely poor nutrition or dietary restriction secondary to psychiatric illness or developmental disorders. Our case demonstrates the importance of having a high index of clinical suspicion of an uncommon disease in developed countries and emphasizes the necessity of a dietary screening that could potentially reduce extensive work-up in patients with nonspecific complaints.

CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of …

Myc-Mediated Transcriptional Regulation Of The Mitochondrial Chaperone Trap1 Controls Primary And Metastatic Tumor Growth., Ekta Agarwal, Brian J. Altman, Jae Ho Seo, Jagadish C. Ghosh, Andrew V Kossenkov, Hsin-Yao Tang, Shiv Ram Krishn, Lucia R. Languino, Dmitry I. Gabrilovich, David W. Speicher, Chi V. Dang, Dario C. Altieri

Department of Cancer Biology Faculty Papers

The role of mitochondria in cancer continues to be debated, and whether exploitation of mitochondrial functions is a general hallmark of malignancy or a tumor- or context-specific response is still unknown. Using a variety of cancer cell lines and several technical approaches, including siRNA-mediated gene silencing, ChIP assays, global metabolomics and focused metabolite analyses, bioenergetics, and cell viability assays, we show that two oncogenic Myc proteins, c-Myc and N-Myc, transcriptionally control the expression of the mitochondrial chaperone TNFR-associated protein- 1 (TRAP1) in cancer. In turn, this Myc-mediated regulation preserved the folding and function of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) complex II …

‘I’M Here To Save My Life’: A Qualitative Study Of Experiences Navigating A Cryotherapy Referral System For Human Papillomavirus-Positive Women In Western Kenya, Megan Huchko, Konyin Adewumi, Sandra Oketch, Ibrahim Saduma, Elizabeth Bukusi

Obstetrics and Gynaecology, East Africa

Background: We sought to understand the beliefs, social norms and logistical factors that affect human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive women’s uptake of cryotherapy treatment as part of a two-part cervical cancer screening strategy in rural Kenya.

Methods: In-depth interviews within a parent cluster-randomised trial.

Setting: Government-run county hospital in western Kenya.

Participants: 273 of 372 (73.4%) HPV-positive women who underwent cryotherapy

Results: Many women feared that an HPV infection meant they would develop cancer. Almost all women reported initial fear of the treatment procedure, followed by a more positive experience than anticipated. Lacking funds for transportation to the treatment site was the …

Sickle Cell Disease Complications: Prevalence And Resource Utilization, Nirmish Shah, Menaka Bhor, Lin Xi, Jincy Paulose, Huseyin Yuce

Publications and Research

Objectives: This study evaluated the prevalence rate of vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) episodes, rates of uncomplicated and complicated VOC episodes, and the primary reasons for emergency room (ER) visits and inpatient admissions for sickle cell disease (SCD) patients.

Methods: The Medicaid Analytic extracts database was used to identify adult SCD patients using claims from 01JUL2009-31DEC2012. The date of the first observed SCD claim was designated as the index date. Patients were required to have continuous medical and pharmacy benefits for .6 months baseline and .12 months follow-up period. Patient demographics, baseline clinical characteristics, the rate of uncomplicated and complicated VOC (VOC …

Antibiotic Resistance And Molecular Characterization Of Bacteremia Escherichia Coli Isolates From Newborns In The United States., Bryan K. Cole, Marko Ilikj, Cindy B. Mccloskey, Susana Chavez-Bueno

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: Escherichia coli is a major cause of neonatal sepsis. Contemporary antibiotic resistance data and molecular characterization of neonatal E. coli bacteremia isolates in the US are limited.

METHODS: E. coli blood isolates, antibiotic susceptibility data, and clinical characteristics were obtained from prospectively identified newborns from 2006 to 2016. The E. coli isolates were classified using an updated phylogrouping method and multi-locus sequence typing. The presence of several virulence traits was also determined.

RESULTS: Forty-three newborns with E. coli bacteremia were identified. Mean gestational age was 32.3 (SD±5.4) weeks. Median age was 7 days (interquartile range 0-10). Mortality (28%) occurred …

Mitigating Barriers To Chronic Disease Risk Factor Prevention And Management In Disadvantaged Communities, Krys M. Johnson

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Background: The incidence and prevalence of chronic disease (CD) has increased in recent decades due to the advent of CD management and life-extending technologies. To address this burden on the population and healthcare system, evidence-based CD prevention programs have been developed to reduce the incidence and therefore the prevalence of these diseases. Despite the development and dissemination of effective interventions, African-Americans and Hispanics have disproportionately higher prevalence of CD and associated risk factors and disproportionately lower participation in CD prevention programs. Overweight/obesity and CDs may have intergenerational effects, with overweight adults being more likely to have overweight children who are …

Attitudes And Barriers To Physical Activity In Hemodialysis Patients: Could Intradialytic Exercise Modify These Factors?, Nada Salhab, Jeroen Kooman, Enrico Fiaccadori, Harith Aljubori, Mirey Karavetian

All Works

Introduction: This study pioneers in determining the impact of Intradialytic Exercise (IDE) on attitudes and barriers to Physical Activity (PA) in Hemodialysis (HD) patients in the United Arab Emirates, a non-western country with different cultural backgrounds.

Subjects and Methods: Forty-one adult HD patients from Al-Qassimi Hospital were recruited for a quasi-experimental intervention with pre-post evaluation. IDE patients trained for 45 minutes per HD session, 2-3 times per week, for 6 months on a static bicycle. Exercise intensity was assessed using the Borg Scale. Participants were educated on the importance of exercise.

Results: 30 patients completed the study. The percentage of …

Telepsychiatry Therapy As New Media For People With Mental Disorders Treatment (Case Study Of The People With Mental Disorders Health Workers To Reach Out Far Patients), Sri Wahyuningsih

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Introduction. There are weak economic conditions of patients, such as costs, distance, transportation and supported by a minimal number of psychiatrists at Lawang Mental Hospital, the best alternative for Lawang Mental Hospital is offering innovation namely providing telepsychiatry therapy services to mental patients in Wonorejo Village, Singosari District Malang, which was allegedly by Ardimulyo Public Health Center staff in Singosari Subdistrict, that the presence of patients with the most mental disorders was 37 in the village of Wonorejo. The purpose of this study was to explore and analyze Telepsychiatry Therapy as a New Media For People With Mental Disorders …

Edb-Fn Targeted Peptide–Drug Conjugates For Use Against Prostate Cancer, Shang Eun Park, Kiumars Shamloo, Timothy A. Kristedja, Shaban Darwish, Marco Bisoffi, Keykavous Parang, Rakesh Tiwari

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common malignancy in men and is the leading cause of cancer-related male mortality. A disulfide cyclic peptide ligand [CTVRTSADC] 1 has been previously found to target extra domain B of fibronectin (EDB-FN) in the extracellular matrix that can dierentiate aggressive PCa from benign prostatic hyperplasia. We synthesized and optimized the stability of ligand 1 by amide cyclization to obtain [KTVRTSADE] 8 using Fmoc/tBu solid-phase chemistry. Optimized targeting ligand 8 was found to be stable in phosphate buered saline (PBS, pH 6.5, 7.0, and 7.5) and under redox conditions, with a half-life longer than 8 …

Correction To: Toward A Comprehensive View Of Cancer Immune Responsiveness: A Synopsis From The Sitc Workshop., Davide Bedognetti, Michele Ceccarelli, Lorenzo Galluzzi, Rongze Lu, Karolina Palucka, Josue Samayoa, Stefani Spranger, Sarah Warren, Kwok-Kin Wong, Elad Ziv, Diego Chowell, Lisa M Coussens, Daniel D De Carvalho, David G Denardo, Jérôme Galon, Howard L Kaufman, Tomas Kirchhoff, Michael T Lotze, Jason J Luke, Andy J Minn, Katerina Politi, Leonard D Shultz, Richard Simon, Vésteinn Thorsson, Joanne B Weidhaas, Maria Libera Ascierto, Paolo Antonio Ascierto, James M Barnes, Valentin Barsan, Praveen K Bommareddy, Adrian Bot, Sarah E Church, Gennaro Ciliberto, Andrea De Maria, Dobrin Draganov, Winson S Ho, Heather M Mcgee, Anne Monette, Joseph F Murphy, Paola Nisticò, Wungki Park, Maulik Patel, Michael Quigley, Laszlo Radvanyi, Harry Raftopoulos, Nils-Petter Rudqvist, Alexandra Snyder, Randy F Sweis, Sara Valpione, Roberta Zappasodi, Lisa H Butterfield, Mary L Disis, Bernard A Fox, Alessandra Cesano, Francesco M Marincola

Articles, Abstracts, and Reports

Following publication of the original article [1], the author reported that an author name, Roberta Zappasodi, was missed in the authorship list.

A Mediterranean Diet With Fresh, Lean Pork Improves Processing Speed And Mood: Cognitive Findings From The Medpork Randomised Controlled Trial, Alexandra T. Wade, Courtney R. Davis, Kathryn A. Dyer, Jonathan M. Hodgson, Richard J. Woodman, Hannah A. D. Keage, Karen J. Murphy

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background: The Mediterranean diet may be capable of improving cognitive function. However, the red meat restrictions of the diet could impact long-term adherence in Western populations. The current study therefore examined the cognitive effects of a Mediterranean diet with additional red meat. Methods: A 24-week parallel crossover design compared a Mediterranean diet with 2–3 weekly servings of fresh, lean pork (MedPork) and a low-fat (LF) control diet. Thirty-five participants aged between 45 and 80 years and at risk of cardiovascular disease followed each intervention for 8 weeks, separated by an 8-week washout period. Cognitive function was assessed using the Cambridge …