Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Assessment Of Suicide Risk In Emergency Department Settings For Adults In Nepal: Validation Of The Nepali Ask Suicide-Screening Questions, Pei Wang

Public Health Theses

Objectives: Suicide is a severe public health crisis around the globe. Low-middle-income countries (LMICs) bear 77% of the global suicide burden. Screening is a significant component of suicide prevention, but there is a dearth of suicide screening tools, especially in LMICs. This study focused on validating the Ask Suicide-Screening Questions (ASQ) within an adult Emergency Department (ED) population in Nepal. Although the validation occurred in an ED setting, the Nepali ASQ is designed with the flexibility to be useful in a variety of healthcare contexts, extending its applicability beyond just emergency care.Methods: We systematically translated and adapted the 4-item ASQ, …

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis Of Alternative Infant And Neonatal Rotavirus Vaccination Schedules In Malawi, Catherine Wenger

Public Health Theses

Rotavirus is the leading cause of cases and deaths related to diarrhea-related hospitalizations among children under five worldwide, especially in low- and middle- income countries. Although vaccination is proven to be the best strategy for preventing rotavirus, its impact has been suboptimal in LMICs.

The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of and cost- effectiveness of the current Rotarix rotavirus vaccine, two alternative vaccine delivery schedules, and the next-generation vaccine (RV3-BB) in Malawi.

The cost-effectiveness of rotavirus vaccine strategies in Malawi was evaluated using moderate-to-severe and non-severe rotavirus cases derived from a mathematical model ofrotavirus transmission …

Randomized Trial Of Exercise Vs. Usual Care On Inflammatory And Metabolic Biomarkers In Women With Breast Cancer Taking Aromatase Inhibitors, Lingxiao Zhang

Public Health Theses

ABSTRACT

Background: The Hormones and Physical Exercise (HOPE) study demonstrated efficacy of exercise in reducing AI-associated arthralgia in breast cancer survivors. Yet, the underlying mechanism for this relationship remains unclear. Prior research among breast cancer survivors highlights improvements in metabolic and inflammatory biomarkers related to exercise. This secondary analysis of HOPE examined the potential role of metabolic and inflammatory biomarkers in mediating the effect of exercise vs. usual care on AI-associated arthralgia.

Methods: Our analysis included 80 participants (42 exercise arm, 38 usual care) enrolled in the HOPE study. The intervention was a year-long exercise program that included both supervised …

Do Rental Assistance Programs Relieve Overcrowding In U.S. Children?, Frank Zhu

Public Health Theses

Introduction: Crowded living conditions are associated with many negative health outcomes, with significant implications for children, as they are particularly shaped by their home environment and more likely to live in crowded conditions, given their larger household size. How rental assistance programs may shape and improve household crowding has not been previously explored. Methods: This study leveraged data from NHANES linked with HUD administrative rental assistance records. We examined changes in crowding measures in U.S. children using linear and logistic regression models stratified by different rental assistance program types. Results: There was a statistically significant 40 percentage point reduction in …

The Menstrual Cycle In Psychotherapy: Interventions, Therapist Engagement, And Blind Spots, Rozita Alaluf

Dissertations and Theses

There is a dearth of literature on psychotherapy and menstruation, except for the treatment and diagnosis of issues associated with premenstrual distress. This study aimed to bridge this gap by investigating the frequency and context of discussions about the menstrual cycle, the factors influencing therapists’ engagement with this topic, and the therapeutic approaches utilized to address the menstrual cycle within psychotherapy.

In phase 1, 118 psychotherapists from various theoretical backgrounds completed a survey on menstruation in clinical practice. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. In phase 2, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 7 psychotherapists, primarily identifying their theoretical orientation …

The Shadow Of Grief: Understanding Grief Among Ethnoracially Diverse Young Adults, Rona R. Tarazi

Dissertations and Theses

Background: Complicated grief, characterized by prolonged and intense mourning, presents unique challenges for individuals grappling with loss, as it is shaped by a multitude of factors influencing the grieving and mourning processes. While the literature has identified several factors that significantly impact complicated grief, such as post-loss symptom severity, stigmatization, the quality of the relationship to the deceased, and grief-related avoidance, this two-part study aimed to expand on existing findings by shedding light on the landscape of grief among a sample of ethnoracially diverse young adults. Part 1 of the study examined whether previously identified factors remain significant in this …

Vaginal And Rectal Microbiome Changes Following Administration Of A Multi-Species Antenatal Probiotic: A Randomized Control Trial, Emily Malloy, Ashley Kates, Jonah Dixon, Colleen Riley, Nasia Safdar, Lisa Hanson

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

The gut and vaginal microbiome undergo changes during pregnancy which may be protective or harmful to the birthing person. Probiotics have been found to cause protective changes to the gut and vaginal microbiomes, with the potential to improve perinatal outcomes. This randomized control trial compares the vaginal and rectal microbiomes before and after an antenatal probiotic or placebo intervention, with a diverse group of pregnant people and a special focus on racial disparities. The vaginal and rectal microbiomes reveal non-significant increased Lactobacillus in the probiotics group, with a greater increase in participants who identified as Black. Potential implications and future …

Feasibility And Acceptability Of Studying Full-Time Nurse Faculty Salaries, Kathryn J. Malin, Jessica L. Zemlak, Jacqueline Christianson, Jessica Leiberg, Lisa M. Grabert

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Background

The nursing shortage is driven, in part, by the critical shortage of nursing faculty. Consequently, qualified potential nursing students are being turned away from nursing schools each year. The preeminent issue influencing the United States nurse faculty workforce shortage is salary; financial compensation is higher in clinical and private-sector settings than educational settings. The purpose of this study is to describe current full-time nurse faculty salary, sources of income, and perceived need for more income, as well as the feasibility and acceptability of research focused on full-time nurse faculty salaries, so to guide future nursing faculty workforce research.

Methods …

Generational Differences In Moral Injury, Resilience, And Well-Being Among Nurses: Predictors Of Intention To Leave Position And Profession, Minjin Kim, Jin Jun, Joshua Lambert, Henry Ofori Duah, Sharon J. Tucker, Dónal P. O’Mathúna, Grant Pignatiello, Joyce J. Fitzpatrick

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Background:

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the negative impact of moral injury on nurses’ well-being. However, there is a lack of research about generational differences among nurses, particularly on newer nurses who have been identified as having a higher rate of intention to leave.

Objective:

This study examines generational differences among nurses on moral injury, well-being, resilience, and intention to leave their nursing position and profession.

Methods:

This is a secondary analysis of cross-sectional data from registered nurses in clinical practice in Ohio between July and August 2021. Data on demographics, moral injury, resilience, and well-being were collected using an online …

Childhood Obesity Interventions Need To Address Groups Experiencing Inequities, Marilyn Frenn

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

No abstract provided.

Process Of Maintaining Self In Individuals Living With Systemic Sclerosis: A Grounded Theory Study Of American Women, Donald D. Miller, Jennifer J. Doering

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Background: People with chronic illnesses may struggle to adapt psychologically to the illness experience and have feelings of identity loss, self-diminishment, and biographical disruption. This may limit people’s ability to engage in optimal selfmanagement. Systemic sclerosis is a debilitating, stigmatizing, and life-limiting progressive chronic illness with significant disfiguring effects. Little is known about the identity management process in people with disfiguring and debilitating conditions such as systemic sclerosis.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to generate a grounded theory explicating the process of maintaining a sense of self in people living with systemic sclerosis.

Methods: Fifteen women with systemic …

Harnessing Antagonistic Pleiotropy: Tolc-Dependent Coliphages Can Drive Reduced Antibiotic Resistance In E. Coli, Cooper Mckenna

CMC Senior Theses

The rise of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial pathogens has been a growing concern in healthcare around the world, and bacteriophage (phage) therapy is a promising method to combat MDR infections. One defense mechanism of E. coli against antibiotics is the TolC-AcrAB efflux pump. At the same time, some phages use TolC as a surface receptor to infect the cell. This puts TolC at a crossroads in which it is beneficial to the bacteria to protect against antibiotics but harmful by allowing phage infection, creating the potential for evolutionary trade-offs. Previous research has identified only three TolC-dependent phages and shown phage-resistant E. …

Traditional Chinese Medicine: Employing Integrative Medicine As An Approach To Treat Cancer, Jade Hudson

CMC Senior Theses

This thesis explores the history of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) through its depiction in the four classics of TCM and examines the evolution of the field to date. The five categories of TCM treatments analyzed in this paper include acupuncture, dietary therapy, herbal medicine, moxibustion, and physical exercise. Research highlights significant positive outcomes in cancer patients who incorporate TCM alongside modern cancer treatments, such as reduced nausea, vomiting, fatigue, anorexia, pain, and improvements in quality of life and overall well-being. However, notable risks associated with TCM herbal medicine and moxibustion underscore the need for further research into these practices before …

Gut Dysbiosis Correlates With Covid-19 Severity, Ednita Escobar

CMC Senior Theses

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) impacts not only respiratory but also gut and oral microbiomes, influencing the manifestations of COVID-19. Each person’s unique microbiome consists of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses, some of which are symbiotic and others potentially harmful. Alterations in the gut microbiome, specifically, can affect the severity and symptoms of COVID-19. A review of studies indicate a pattern of gut dysbiosis in COVID-19 patients characterized by a decrease in beneficial microbiota and/or an increase in opportunistic pathogens. This gut imbalance correlates with disease severity, suggesting that the gut microbiome plays a significant role …

Sex Differences In The Effects Of Cortisol On Muscle Characteristics: A Meta-Analysis, Natalie Bitetti

CMC Senior Theses

Background: Cortisol plays a central role in both muscle breakdown and growth. These effects are highly dependent on dose and interactions with other hormones. It is known that men and women show considerable differences in their muscle structure and physiology, which are largely driven by hormonal differences. Cortisol release patterns may also vary between the sexes, with current research showing considerable disagreement. The interplay between cortisol and muscle, two highly variable and sexually dimorphic factors, may prove to have different effects in males versus females.

Objective: This meta-analysis integrates existing research on sex differences in cortisol-muscle physiology with existing research …

Driven By Change: The Impact Of Macroeconomic Shifts And Covid-19 On New Vehicle Sales, Jackson Aldrich

CMC Senior Theses

This paper examines the impact of macroeconomic factors and the COVID-19 pandemic on new vehicle sales. In order to address these two topics, a two-pronged approach was used with separate regression models. The macroeconomic variables include monthly supply of new homes, CPI for urban public transportation, unemployment rate, disposable personal income, inflation expectation, consumer sentiment, average gas prices, and total vehicle miles traveled which were regressed on total vehicle sales from 1978-2022. The regression results confirmed and supported current literature and highlighted the importance of the housing market and unemployment rate on new vehicle sales. The COVID-19 pandemic model variables …

The Emergence Of Aedes Aegypti In California: Implications For Ecosystems And Public Health, Jose Ruiz

CMC Senior Theses

This literature review delves into the emergence and impact of Aedes aegypti, the yellow fever mosquito, in Southern California. My investigation begins with an exploration of the physical characteristics, historical background, and its significance as a vector. Notably, Aedes aegypti's historical role as a vector for yellow fever during the 19th century shapes the foundation for understanding its effectiveness in disease transmission and demonstrates the potential of its negative impact on Southern California residents. I examined the habitat preferences and behaviors of Aedes aegypti, emphasizing its adaptability to urban environments and its effect as a daytime feeder with a limited …

Effect Of Dopamine-2-Receptor Manipulation On Social Interaction And Social Decision-Making In Juvenile Fish, Kiren Kanazawa

CMC Senior Theses

Animals interact in intricate social networks. Social behavior is imperative in shaping relationships, in communication, and adapting to changing environments. Despite its profound effects on individual fitness and health, neural-molecular mechanisms behind social behavior and social decision-making continue to be identified. In the present study, we focused on the regulation of social behavior by the Dopamine-2-Receptor (D2R), based on its role in context-dependent social behavior. We used juvenile African cichlid fish, Astatotilapia burtoni, to investigate the effect of dopamine signaling manipulation on their aggressive, territorial, and affiliative behaviors. We hypothesize that D2R manipulation affects social decision-making in juvenile A. burtoni. …

Catalyzing Communities Of Research Rigour Champions, Audrey C Brumback, William X Q Ngiam, Dana M Lapato, David B Allison, Christin L Daniels, Michael Dougherty, Haley F Hazlett, Kara L Kerr, Susan Pusek, Naomi Schrag

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

The biomedical sciences must maintain and enhance a research culture that prioritizes rigour and transparency. The US National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke convened a workshop entitled 'Catalyzing Communities of Research Rigor Champions' that brought together a diverse group of leaders in promoting research rigour and transparency (identified as 'rigour champions') to discuss strategies, barriers and resources for catalyzing technical, cultural and educational changes in the biomedical sciences. This article summarizes 2 days of panels and discussions and provides an overview of critical barriers to research rigour, perspectives behind reform initiatives and considerations for stakeholders across science. Additionally, we …

A Deadly Case Of Encephalopathy, Brenna Ostertag, Md, Gita D Gelfer, Do, Andrea Roast, Md

Poster Presentations

No abstract provided.

The Differential Expands: Ataxia From Paraneoplastic Cerebellar Degeneration, Dominic Thomas, Md, Amy Dechet, Md

Poster Presentations

No abstract provided.

A Comprehensive Review Of Advances In Hepatocyte Microencapsulation: Selecting Materials And Preserving Cell Viability, Hailian Wang, Lebin Wen, Fengdi Jiang, Pengyu Ren, Yixin Yang, Siyuan Song, Zhengteng Yang, Yi Wang

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Liver failure represents a critical medical condition with a traditionally grim prognosis, where treatment options have been notably limited. Historically, liver transplantation has stood as the sole definitive cure, yet the stark disparity between the limited availability of liver donations and the high demand for such organs has significantly hampered its feasibility. This discrepancy has necessitated the exploration of hepatocyte transplantation as a temporary, supportive intervention. In light of this, our review delves into the burgeoning field of hepatocyte transplantation, with a focus on the latest advancements in maintaining hepatocyte function, co-microencapsulation techniques, xenogeneic hepatocyte transplantation, and the selection of …

Sustainability Via Active Garden Education (Sage): The Process Of Incorporating Watering Into Structured Preschool Curriculum, Rebecca E Lee, Anel Arriola, Elizabeth Lorenzo, Erica G Soltero, Jacob Szeszuski

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

School gardens provide rich outdoor learning opportunities for young children. Practical considerations about garden maintenance, in particular, watering, can impeed success. This manuscript chronicles the development of garden maintenance strategies in Sustainability via Active Garden Education (SAGE). SAGE installed raised-bed gardens and provided a complete curriculum focused on increasing children's active time and improving healthy eating habits while fostering garden stewardship. SAGE was implemented by trained research personnel in four early care and education (ECE) facilities in Houston, Texas (SAGE 1, Summer, 2013), one ECE facility in Phoenix, Arizona (SAGE 2, Spring, 2017), and 24 ECE facilities in Phoenix, Arizona …

Adjusting For Covariates Representing Potential Confounders, Mediators, Or Competing Predictors In The Presence Of Measurement Error: Dispelling A Potential Misapprehension And Insights For Optimal Study Design With Nutritional Epidemiology Examples, Roger S Zoh, Diana M Thomas, Carmen D Tekwe, Xiaoxin Yu, Colby J Vorland, Nikhil V Dhurandhar, David M Klurfeld, David B Allison

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Background: Variables such as dietary intake are measured with error yet frequently used in observational epidemiology. Although this limitation is sometimes noted, these variables are still often modeled as covariates without formal correction or sincere dialogue about measurement unreliability potentially weakening the validity of statistical conclusions. Further, larger sample sizes increase power (bias) to detect spurious correlations. Counterintuitively, recent work suggested a non-monotonic relationship between confounder unreliability and how much controlling for the confounder reduces (or induces) bias when testing for an exposure-outcome association. If true, such non-monotonicity would be especially concerning for applications such as nutrition, where measurement reliability …

Investigation Of Setmelanotide, An Mc4r Agonist, For Obesity In Individuals With Smith-Magenis Syndrome, Julia Lazareva, Stephanie R Sisley, Sheila M Brady, Ann C M Smith, Sarah H Elsea, Jeremy J Pomeroy, Christian L Roth, Jennifer E Sprague, Martin Wabitsch, Jill Garrison, Jack A Yanovski

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Background: Smith Magenis Syndrome (SMS) is a rare genetic disorder caused by RAI1 haploinsufficiency. Obesity in people with SMS is believed partially due to dysfunction of the proximal melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) pathway. We therefore studied effects of treatment with the MC4R agonist setmelanotide on obesity and hunger, as well as metabolic, cardiac and safety, in individuals with SMS.

Methods: People with SMS received once-daily setmelanotide injections, with the dose titrated bi-weekly to a maximum of 3 mg over ∼1 month; and a full-dose treatment duration of 3mo. The primary outcome was percent change in body weight. Secondary outcomes included …

Objective Assessment Of Shared Plate Eating Using A Wearable Camera In Urban And Rural Households In Ghana, Christabel A Domfe, Megan A Mccrory, Edward Sazonov, Tonmoy Ghosh, Viprav Raju, Gary Frost, Matilda Steiner-Asiedu, Mingui Sun, Wenyan Jia, Tom Baranowski, Benny Lo, Alex K Anderson

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Background: Shared plate eating (SPE), defined as two or more individuals eating directly from the same plate or bowl, is a common household food consumption practice in many Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs). Examination of household engagement in SPE remains largely unexplored, highlighting a gap in research when interpreting dietary information obtained from these settings. The dearth of research into SPE can be attributed to the inherent limitations of traditional dietary assessment methods which constrain their usability in settings where SPE is common.

Objective: In this expository narrative, we describe what SPE is when it is practiced in an LMIC …

Combinatorial Atoh1, Gfi1, Pou4f3, And Six1 Gene Transfer Induces Hair Cell Regeneration In The Flat Epithelium Of Mature Guinea Pigs, Yujie Liu, Lin Yang, Sunita Singh, Lisa A Beyer, Diane M Prieskorn, Donald L Swiderski, Andrew K Groves, Yehoash Raphael

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Flat epithelium (FE) is a condition characterized by the loss of both hair cells (HCs) and supporting cells and the transformation of the organ of Corti into a simple flat or cuboidal epithelium, which can occur after severe cochlear insults. The transcription factors Gfi1, Atoh1, Pou4f3, and Six1 (GAPS) play key roles in HC differentiation and survival in normal ears. Previous work using a single transcription factor, Atoh1, to induce HC regeneration in mature ears in vivo usually produced very few cells and failed to produce HCs in severely damaged organs of Corti, especially those with FE. Studies in vitro …

Advancing Kidney Xenotransplantation With Anesthesia And Surgery – Bridging Preclinical And Clinical Frontiers Challenges And Prospects, Xiaojian Zhang, Hailian Wang, Qin Xie, Yang Zhang, Yixin Yang, Man Yuan, Yuqi Cui, Si-Yuan Song, Jianzhen Lv, Yi Wang

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Xenotransplantation is emerging as a vital solution to the critical shortage of organs available for transplantation, significantly propelled by advancements in genetic engineering and the development of sophisticated immunosuppressive treatments. Specifically, the transplantation of kidneys from genetically engineered pigs into human patients has made significant progress, offering a potential clinical solution to the shortage of human kidney supply. Recent trials involving the transplantation of these modified porcine kidneys into deceased human bodies have underscored the practicality of this approach, advancing the field towards potential clinical applications. However, numerous challenges remain, especially in the domains of identifying suitable donor-recipient matches and …

Promoting Trustworthiness Of Science: Reproducing And Verifying Agarwal Et Al's (2022) Findings Through Collaborative Endeavors, Yasaman Jamshidi-Naeini, Nicolas Escobar Velasquez, Lilian Golzarri-Arroyo, Sumayyah Ali, Luke R Howard, Stephanie Dickinson, David B Allison

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

No abstract provided.

The 2018 World Cancer Research Fund (Wcrf)/American Institute For Cancer Research (Aicr) Score And Diabetes Risk In The Diabetes Prevention Program Outcomes Study (Dppos), Danny Ramzy, Nicholas Ray

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

No abstract provided.