Institute Of Public Health Newsletter- Volume 7, Issue 3, Institute Of Public Health (Iph)

Institute of Public Health Newsletter (IPHNL) and Other Publications

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Skeletal And Dental Treatment Effects In Class Ii Subdivision Malocclusions: A Cbct Study, Jaime Kika Masunaga

Orthodontics and Endodontics Theses

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to determine the skeletal and dental contributions in the orthodontic correction of Class II subdivision malocclusions using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) analysis. Methods: 50 Patients that completed non-surgical orthodontic treatment at the University of the Pacific Graduate Orthodontic Clinic with initial Class II subdivision malocclusions were identified. Patients were classified as growing or non-growing, and further categorized if a skeletal asymmetry was present. Final records were assessed with 3-dimensional CBCT. Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used to compare linear skeletal, angular, and dental measurement differences between pre- and post-treatment CBCTs on Class I and …

Characteristics Of Gingival Crevicular Fluid Flow During Orthodontic Treatment With Invisalign, Nina Stevens

Orthodontics and Endodontics Theses

OBJECTIVES. Studies on quantitative relationships between magnitude of force applied to a tooth root and formation of gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) biomarkers (volume, concentrations of cytokines, enzymes, etc.) in clinical settings are lacking. This study aims to answer the question: What can analysis of GCF flow dynamic characteristics inform us about orthodontic tooth movement in a patient treated by Invisalign? METHODS. In three participants, two GCF samples were collected from five maxillary and five mandibular teeth during start, middle and end of Invisalign treatment. Plaque index and pocket depths were determined. Periopaper strips (Oraflow) were used for collection of GCF, …

Cephalometric And Dental Changes Observed In Deep Overbite Correction Using Clear Aligners, Valerie Hernandez-Blouin

Orthodontics and Endodontics Theses

Introduction: The objective of this study was to investigate the cephalometric and dental changes observed in nongrowing, deep overbite patients of varying mandibular planes treated with Invisalign® (Align Technology, San Jose, CA). Methods: This retrospective study included 51 patients (27 females and 24 males, aged 33.01 ± 14.74; initial overbite of 4.6 ± 0.83 mm; average treatment period of 1.89 ± 0.85 years; average refinements of 2 ± 1.51). The sample was consecutively treated at the University of the Pacific Resident Orthodontic Clinic and one private practice from 2014-2023. The sample was further divided into 2 groups: patients with an …

Assessing Treatment Effects Of Invisalign First Compared To Maxillary Expanders And Fixed Appliances In Mixed Dentition Patients, Parisa Moravedje Torbaty

Orthodontics and Endodontics Theses

Objectives: This retrospective cohort study compared vertical and transverse changes in mixed dentition patients treated with Invisalign First System (IFS) to those treated with rapid maxillary expansion and fixed appliances (RME), as well as control groups. We also assessed the efficiency of dental arch expansion with IFS. Methods: The study included 80 mixed dentition patients, with 40 in each group (IFS and RME) and 40 controls from the AAOF Legacy Collection. We analyzed skeletal and dental vertical dimension changes from lateral cephalometric radiographs and arch width changes on study casts between pre-treatment (T1) and post-treatment (T2). Results: Age at T1, …

Class Ii Malocclusion Correction With Invisalign: A Retrospective Study, Stacey Moon

Orthodontics and Endodontics Theses

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the treatment outcome of correcting class II malocclusion with maxillary molar distalization using clear aligners in both growing and nongrowing patients. Material and Methods: Total of 42 patients (31 growing and 11 non-growing) who underwent non-extraction clear aligner therapy with maxillary molar distalization were selected and compared to 20 subjects who did not undergo orthodontic treatment were selected from American Association of Orthodontists Foundation (AAOF) legacy collection. Thirteen cephalometric measurements and molar relationships on the digital casts at pre-treatment (T1), end -of-active-treatment (T2) for the treatment group (growing and non-growing) and control group were …

3-D Automated Landmark Identification On Cone-Beam Computed Tomography Using In Vivo: Accuracy And Reliability, Young-Eun Stephanie Jung

Orthodontics and Endodontics Theses

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy and reliability of a fully automated landmark identification (ALI) system in automatically locating landmarks, in comparison to assessments made by human judges. Materials and Methods: We collected a total of 76 cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images. Following a calibration process, two human judges utilized In Vivo7 Software (Anatomage, San Jose, California) to locate 31 landmarks in the x, y, and z coordinate planes on the CBCT images. A ground truth dataset was created by averaging the landmark coordinates identified by the two human judges for each landmark. The accuracy …

Clinicians’ Judgment To Recommend Phase I Mixed Dentition Treatment, Yidi Liu

Orthodontics and Endodontics Theses

The timing and necessity of Phase I mixed dentition treatment in orthodontics have long been subjects of debate. This study aims to explore the level of agreement among clinicians in recommending Phase I treatment, the rationales behind such decisions, and the implications for Phase II treatment. MATERIALS and METHODS: A series of three surveys were administered to faculty members at the University of the Pacific, focusing on various aspects of Phase I and Phase II treatments. RESULTS: The study found a mild level of agreement among clinicians in recommending Phase I treatment, with transverse issues being the most cited reason. …

Medical Marijuana Knowledge And Attitudes: A Survey Of Dental And Dental Hygiene Faculty And Students, Dara Szyliowicz, Andrew Young, Yesha Golwala

Eberhardt School of Business Faculty Datasets

Background:

Medical Marijuana (MM) use is increasing, requiring healthcare professionals, such as dentists, to possess a working knowledge of MM. Previous studies have indicated that MM education is lacking in current healthcare education.

Methods:

A 50-question survey was created to assess, in detail, dental and dental hygiene faculty and students knowledge, practice, and attitudes toward MM, and to identify possible correlations between responses. The survey was modeled after a previous survey conducted amongst practicing pharmacists. All faculty dentists, faculty dental hygienists, students and residents at the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, University of the Pacific, were invited by email …

Pharmacology For National Board Examination, Krina Shah

Dugoni School of Dentistry Student Scholarly Works

This pharmacology study guide is designed to provide students preparing for the National Boards exam with a clear and concise visual aid in the form of systemic flow charts. Each flow chart is organized by drug class and includes information on the mechanism of action, indications, contraindications, dosages, and common adverse effects for each drug within the class. By using this study guide, students can easily navigate through the complex world of pharmacology and feel confident in their ability to succeed on the pharmacology section of the National Board exam. The study guide for pharmacology is significant in several ways. …

Nanomaterials-Based Biosensors For The Detection Of Prostate Cancer Biomarkers: Recent Trends And Future Perspective, Baljit Singh, Shiliang Ma, Tony O. Hara, Sargun Singh

Articles

Cancer is among the leading causes of death and an important barrier to improving life expectancy globally. Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men worldwide. The detection of biomarkers in body fluids is the key topic for the diagnosis and prognosis of prostate cancer. Despite advances in prostate cancer detection methods, therapeutic agents and new biomarkers, prostate cancer remains a serious challenge. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is widely recognized as an important biomarker for the diagnosis of prostate cancer although researchers have also investigated the use of alternative biomarkers. Design and development of novel biosensors for prostate cancer …

The Development Of Leadership Qualities In A Management Team: Some Key Principles Of Team Leadership, Andrey Cherkassky, Roksolana Vynnychuk, Svitlana Heiko, Kateryna Slyusarenko, Anastasiya Bilousova

Khazar Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

This research focuses on the principles of team leadership in the context of modern business. The methodology employed includes analyzing literature, conducting empirical analysis, interviewing experienced leaders, and observing team processes. The findings highlight key principles of team leadership, such as establishing a shared purpose, distributing responsibility, promoting communication and collaboration, developing emotional intelligence and conflict management skills, and stimulating team development and learning. The results have practical implications for leaders, enabling them to understand and apply team leadership principles to achieve more effective results with their teams. Effective team leadership significantly impacts team success, with shared purpose and task …

Quantifying Metal Interactions With The Antimicrobial Peptide Calcitermin, Maria G. Aviles-Sandoval, Michael Stevenson

Featured Student Work

Antimicrobial Peptides (AMPs) are novel therapeutic agents that play important roles in the innate immune system with its ability to kill gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Antibiotics are losing their efficacy, thus requiring a larger dose of medicine for treatment resulting in the increase of antibiotic resistance. AMPs are an attractive approach for exploration due to their broad-spectrum activity and ease of synthesis. Furthermore, fewer bacteria have developed resistance to AMPs. Several AMPs have demonstrated increased antimicrobial activity with metal ions, like Zn(II) and Cu(II) binding to the peptide. In this study, we performed the purification of Calcitermin through high-performance liquid …

Higher Sexual Excitation Is Associated With An Increase In Sex-Linked Substance Use In Women With A History Of Unwanted Sexual Contact, Harper R. Jones, Tierney K. Lorenz

Center for Brain, Biology, and Behavior: Faculty Publications

Survivors of unwanted sexual contact have an increased likelihood of using substances in sexual situations, which puts them at heightened risk for intoxication-related harms. Separately, research has indicated that women may intentionally use substances in sexual situations to either enhance pleasure (i.e., increase sexual excitation) and/or reduce sexual anxiety or shame (i.e., reduce sexual inhibition), a phenomenon termed sex-linked substance use (SLSU). A predominant assumption in the literature is that women with unwanted sex histories are more likely to disengage during sex, suggesting greater inhibition-related SLSU; however, there is little prior research directly examining if women who have unwanted sex …

Pre–Post Intervention Exploring Cognitive Function And Relationships With Weight Loss, Intervention Adherence And Dropout, Amanda N. Szabo-Reed, Laura E. Martin, Cary R. Savage, Richard A. Washburn, Joseph E. Donnelley

Center for Brain, Biology, and Behavior: Faculty Publications

Objective: To evaluate the association between baseline cognitive function, intervention dropout, adherence and 3-month weight loss (WL) when controlling for confounding demographic variables.

Methods: 107 (Mage = 40.9 yrs.), BMI in the overweight and obese range (BMI = 35.6 kg/m2), men (N = 17) and women (N = 90) completed a 3-month WL intervention. Participants attended weekly behavioral sessions, comply with a reduced calorie diet, and complete 100 min of physical activity (PA)/wk. Cognitive function tasks at baseline included Flanker (attention), Stroop (executive control) and working memory, demographics, body weight and cardiovascular fitness were assessed at baseline. Session attendance, adherence …

Concussion-Related Disruptions To Hub Connectivity In The Default Mode Network Are Related To Symptoms And Cognition, Heather C. Bouchard, Kate L. Higgins, Grace Amadon, Julia M. Laing-Young, Arthur C. Maerlender, Seima Al-Momani, Maital Neta, Cary R. Savage, Douglas H. Schultz

Center for Brain, Biology, and Behavior: Faculty Publications

Concussions present with a myriad of symptomatic and cognitive concerns; however, the relationship between these functional disruptions and the underlying changes in the brain are not yet well understood. Hubs, or brain regions that are connected to many different functional networks, may be specifically disrupted after concussion. Given the implications in concussion research, we quantified hub disruption within the default mode network (DMN) and between the DMN and other brain networks. We collected resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data from collegiate student-athletes (n = 44) at three timepoints: baseline (prior to beginning their athletic season), acute post-injury (approximately 48 hours …

Dead Reckoning: A Multiteam System Approach To Commentaries On The Drake-S Equation For Survival, James Houran, Adam J. Rock, Brian Laythe, Patrizio E. Tressoldi

International Journal of Transpersonal Studies

We used a multiteam system approach (MTS) to map the critical and constructive feedback from four invited Commentaries on Rock et al.’s (2023) probabilistic analysis of purported evidence for postmortem survival. The goal was to mine actionable insights to guide future research with the potential for important learnings or breakthroughs about the nature or limits of human consciousness and their relation to transpersonal psychology. The commentators’ input identified only a few measurable variables or empirical tactics that conceivably challenge or refine our latest Drake-S Equation for survival. However, a review of these suggestions using logical and statistical criteria revealed that …

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International Journal of Transpersonal Studies

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Continuities Of Consciousness, Life-Worlds, And Numinous Experience: Cognitive-Phenomenological Foundations For An Empirical Neo-Shamanism, Harry T. Hunt

International Journal of Transpersonal Studies

Numinous experience—as the felt sense of the sacred—evokes feelings of allone unity, communality, humility, and healing. Its schematization in the absolutes of traditional religion can also be seen as all-encompassing symbolic unifications of an otherwise fragmented human life-world—as more analytically depicted in the life-world phenomenologies of Husserl and Heidegger. In both feeling and concept the numinous would be the semantic amplification of the more concrete organism-surround nonduality of non symbolic organisms—as reflected in a primary consciousness shared across Uexkuell’s sentient animal umwelten and Gibson’s “envelopes of flow.” H usserl’s phenomenology of passive synthesis and James on pure experience can be …

Bacteria Commonly Associated With Central Nervous System Catheter Infections Elicit Distinct Csf Proteome Signatures, Matthew K. Beaver, Dragana Noe, Ishwor Thapa, Hesham Ali, Jessica Snowden, Tammy Kielian, Gwenn Skar

Journal Articles: Pathology and Microbiology

Background: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunt infection is a common and devastating complication of the treatment of hydrocephalus. Timely and accurate diagnosis is essential as these infections can lead to long-term neurologic consequences including seizures, decreased intelligence quotient (IQ) and impaired school performance in children. Currently the diagnosis of shunt infection relies on bacterial culture; however, culture is not always accurate since these infections are frequently caused by bacteria capable of forming biofilms, such as Staphylococcus epidermidis, Cutibacterium acnes, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa resulting in few planktonic bacteria detectable in the CSF. Therefore, there is a critical need to identify a …

Psychology Or Religion? Bridge-Building In The Translation History Of The Tibetan Book Of The Dead, Erin Prophet

International Journal of Transpersonal Studies

The Tibetan Book of the Dead is one of the most popular Eastern scriptures in the West, in part because it has been framed outside of religion, as a kind of psychology. And yet its translators have also used it to stake claims in the debate about the relationship between psychology and religion, generally Buddhism, but also Theosophy, a religious and philosophical system founded in 1875, which tried to unify all religions. The first major English translation of the Book of the Dead was published in 1927, by W. Y. Evans-Wentz, who was a Theosophist, with the assistance of Kazi …

Elevated Crp And Tnf-Α Levels Are Associated With Blunted Neural Oscillations Serving Fluid Intelligence, Sarah M. Dietz, Mikki Schantell, Rachel K. Spooner, Megan E. Sandal, Amirsalar Mansouri, Yasra Arif, Hannah J. Okelberry, Jason A. John, Ryan Glesinger, Pamela E. May, Elizabeth Heinrichs-Graham, Adam J. Case, Matthew C. Zimmerman, Tony W. Wilson

Journal Articles: Cellular & Integrative Physiology

INTRODUCTION: Inflammatory processes help protect the body from potential threats such as bacterial or viral invasions. However, when such inflammatory processes become chronically engaged, synaptic impairments and neuronal cell death may occur. In particular, persistently high levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) have been linked to deficits in cognition and several psychiatric disorders. Higher-order cognitive processes such as fluid intelligence (Gf) are thought to be particularly vulnerable to persistent inflammation. Herein, we investigated the relationship between elevated CRP and TNF-α and the neural oscillatory dynamics serving Gf.

METHODS: Seventy adults between the ages of 20-66 years …

Soil-Transmitted Helminthiases And Deworming Response In School-Aged Children In Retalhuleu, Guatemala, Rebeca Esther Vergara Greeno

Yale Medicine Thesis Digital Library

Background: Soil-transmitted helminthiases (STH) are amongst the most common diseases of poverty worldwide despite mass deworming campaigns. However, widespread use of benzimidazole anthelminthics in these campaigns has been associated with variable efficacy against three of the most common STHs, thus raising concerns regarding emerging resistance. Albendazole, in particular, has been shown to be least effective against Trichuris trichiura.

Methods: Our aim was to determine baseline prevalence and intensity of STH infections in rural school children living in Retalhuleu, Guatemala, and to evaluate the efficacy of single dose albendazole in infected children. We conducted a cross-sectional study with 557 children ages …

Addressing The Barriers To Mammography Screening In Rural And Urban Ohio Counties, Carly Perkowski, Isabelle Fox

Scholarship in Medicine - All Papers

Mammography screenings have the potential to protect individuals from the burden of cancer and can even save lives. However, in Ohio, many women are not receiving regular screenings. Recent research indicates that social determinants of health, such as income and education, can impact an individual’s ability to access mammography. Yet, we lack a comprehensive understanding of how these factors hinder an individual's ability to obtain mammography screenings, particularly in urban and rural areas of Ohio. The introduction of mammography has facilitated early detection of breast cancer in women. By identifying gaps in access to mammography and implementing changes to improve …

Utilizing An Educational Intervention To Increase Advance Directive Completion Rates For African Americans In A Family Practice Clinic In Louisiana, Nicole N. Richards

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

Abstract

Advance care planning (ACP) is a process that allows for an individual to document ahead of time the medical treatment they want if they are unable to communicate after an unexpected life-threatening situation. The legal forms used to document these wishes are called advance directives (ADs). Since African Americans (AAs) develop chronic disease at younger ages and often experience shorter lifespans than other racial groups, it is imperative that they have a clear understanding of the pros and cons of ACP. Regrettably, because AAs seldom complete ADs, more aggressive, and often, ineffective medical care is provided at the end …

Infant Safe Sleep Initiative, Heather Kuisle

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

Abstract

Background: Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID), which includes sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), is one of the leading causes of infant deaths in the United States and a significant health issue. Although there has not been a distinct single cause found for SIDS, it has been determined that there are several risk factors identified that increase the risk of an infant dying from SIDS. Infant Safe Sleep Education as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics is essential for healthcare professionals to educate new families on infant safe sleep.

Objective: The objective of this project was to create and …

The Epidemic Of Opioid Usage In West Virginia, Kendra Lester, Carrington Hatfield

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The opioid epidemic in West Virginia is a complex interplay of factors, including poverty, low education, and high unemployment rates, which contribute to higher rates of substance use and opioid-related deaths. The number of people injecting drugs has risen from 36% in 2005 to 54% in 2015. WV recorded 871 overdose deaths from all drugs in 2019 with 76.8% involving at least one opioid. The purpose of this qualitative research study was to investigate and analyze the circumstances that contributed to West Virginia's opioid epidemic to determine if sociocultural factors, such as lifestyle, education, and demographics, influenced the epidemic as …

Understanding Hospital Chargemasters : Impact On Healthcare Finance, Alesia Moorman

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Introduction: This research delves into the critical examination of hospital chargemasters, exploring their intricate role in the complex landscape of healthcare finance. As the healthcare industry grapples with the challenges of balancing medical care and fiscal responsibility, the hospital chargemaster emerges as a dynamic entity, reflecting the interplay between healthcare providers, insurers, and patients. Beyond being a mere ledger of prices, the chargemaster influences the entire Revenue Cycle Management (RCM), impacting financial stability, patient satisfaction, and the effectiveness of healthcare delivery. Originating from the necessity to navigate reimbursement complexities, the chargemaster has become central to hospitals' financial strategies, shaping and …

Impact Of Medicaid Expansion On Substance Abuse Treatment, Kyle Chapman

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Introduction: The Medicaid expansion has insured millions of Americans since the passage of the Affordable Care Act in 2010. Among this newly insured population, many of the enrollees have been diagnosed with a substance abuse disorder. Patients who have a substance use disorder diagnosis typically have multiple conditions that are treated simultaneously. When these patients have to seek healthcare services they are often uninsured. Unfortunately, since the patients are uninsured, the most frequent healthcare access points have been through admissions to more expensive areas of healthcare delivery such as the emergency department and subsequent inpatient services. The goals of the …

The Impact Of Big Data Utilization On Quality Improvement In Inpatient Facilities, Lakyn Hare

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Introduction: Poor quality in healthcare has resulted in avoidable patient complications, including readmission rates. Big data in healthcare can be analyzed and built into a tools, with machine learning, to aid in reduced readmission rates and overall positive patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study: The intention of this study was to evaluate the ways that big data can be analyzed to improve healthcare, specifically readmissions, patient outcomes, and show cost savings. This study examined different ways that big data could be used in concordance with machine learning, including predictive analysis, to make these improvements.

Methodology: The hypothesis was the …