Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Sars-Cov-2 Nsp15 Enhances Viral Virulence By Subverting Host Antiviral Defenses, Allen Caobi, Tamarand L Darling, Adrianus C M Boon, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

SARS-CoV-2 encodes numerous virulence factors, yet their precise mechanisms of action remain unknown. We provide evidence that the SARS-CoV-2 nonstructural protein 15 (nsp15) enhances viral virulence by suppressing the production of viral double-stranded (dsRNA), a potent inducer of antiviral signaling. The viral variants lacking nsp15 endoribonuclease activity elicited higher innate immune responses and exhibited reduced replication in human stem cell-derived lung alveolar type II epithelial cells, as well as in the lungs of infected hamsters. Consistently, these variants caused significantly less weight loss and mortality compared to wild-type (WT) virus in K18-hACE2 mice. Mechanistically, the cells infected with nsp15 mutants …

Environmental Screening For Multidrug Resistant (Mdr) Organisms In The Surgical Ward Of An Irish Tertiary Referral Hospital., Sinead A. Fahy, Sinéad Fahy

ORBioM (Open Research BioSciences Meeting)

The aim of the current study was to determine the prevalence of Multidrug Resistant Organisms (MDRO) colonisation on a surgical ward of an acute tertiary hospital. MDRO determination was conducted on a patient-occupied surgical ward over a 6-month period. The screen included sink, and shower drains in bathrooms and sinks of multi-bedded and single-occupied rooms. Swabs were cultured on chromogenic agar to enable detection of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Carbapenemase producing enterobacterales (CPE), Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) and Extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL). Suspect resistant organisms were confirmed using NG-Carba 5 (NG Biotech, Guipry, France) lateral flow tests, Vitek 2.0 …

Examining The Anxiolytic Effects Of Flavonoids In Passionflower: A Gut-Brain Axis Perspective, Khelen R. Walsh

PSU McNair Scholars Online Journal

This literature review investigates the influence of Passiflora incarnata on the Gut-Brain Axis, focusing on the role of flavonoids and the specific biological mechanisms involved in this process. The study aims to identify Passiflora incarnata as a practical, non-harmful, and cost-effective alternative to current modern anxiety medications. This study also emphasizes the need for further clinical trials to integrate Passiflora incarnata further into healthcare settings. Using a narrative review approach, this analysis will examine pre-existing empirical articles, all of which have been found on credible sites, are peer-reviewed, and have been published within the past twenty-five years. The data discussed …

Revealing The Role Of Saccharibacteria (Tm7) In The Oral Cavity And Its Potential Applications In Fighting Gum Disease, Tyrese Ostin-Bordeaux

PSU McNair Scholars Online Journal

This study explores the physiology of TM7, a mysterious microbe, in preventing gum disease. A literature review of 42 articles examines TM7's interactions with other microbes, deeming the microbe's behavior could help modulate pathogenic bacteria in the oral cavity as a probiotic.

Sports And Physical Activity Of Poles In The Context Of Good Health And Well-Being As A Sustainable Development Goal, Elżbieta Biernat, Monika Piątkowska, Robert Podstawski

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Investing in physical activity (PA) is vital for achieving sustainable development goals. We examine PA trends in Poland using data from Eurobarometer surveys conducted in 2013, 2017, and 2022. In 2022, 64.6% of Poles did not participate in sports, and 41.8% did not engage in non-sport PA. There is a concerning trend of increasing inactivity in sports (Chi²_2022/2017 = 34.64; p < 0.001; Chi²_2017/2013 = 56.98; p < 0.001) and non-sports PA (Chi²_2022/2017 = 18.3, p < 0.01 and Chi²_2017/2013 = 16.95, p < 0.01). Participation in sport and PA is influenced by individual, inter-personal, environmental, political, and global factors. Notably, there is an upward trend in interpersonal (e.g., club membership, volunteering), environmental (e.g., PA in parks/nature, at home), and political (e.g., dissatisfaction with local government actions) factors. Government intervention is crucial and requires: (1) establishment of an institution for leadership and advocacy of PA, (2) adoption of a cross-sectoral approach for a coordinated change, and (3) increased in-vestment in monitoring systems to track the impact of interventions. These actions are essential for fostering a more active and healthier population in Poland.

Psycho-Analysis Will Not Save Us: Reflections On The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis, Victor Dubitans

Middle Voices

Generation Z (born between 1997 – 2012) is characterized as having both unprecedented mental health awareness and unprecedented mental distress. An apparent contradiction with troubling implications for the mental health field: Either the response to the mounting crisis has been insufficient or the field forms part of the problem. Taking seriously Wilks’ (2023) criticism of “therapeutic overreach” of the contemporary mental health field in the lives and development of youth, this paper attempts a selfanalysis and moral inventory about the field’s potential complicity in the crisis and in the history of hysteria. Lacan’s writings on the “analyst’s discourse” are considered …

An Evaluation Of The Monospot Test To Diagnose Epstein-Barr Virus Associated Infectious Mononucleosis (Ebv-Im), Patrick Naughton

ORBioM (Open Research BioSciences Meeting)

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Abstract

Aim

To calculate the performance characteristics of the Clearview^® IM II Monospot [heterophile antibody (HA) test] to determine Infectious Mononucleosis associated with Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV-IM) in clinically suspect patients.

Methods

The laboratory results of 420 patients tested for HAs over a two-year period (2018-2019) in a single testing centre in Ireland were analysed. A novel multivariant test (reference) model was designed to determine true positive and negative EBV-IM cases. A cohort of 50 Monospot results were compared against this reference model and the test’s performance characteristics determined.

Results

The Monospot test proved reasonably specific but insensitive …

The Effect Of Finasteride On Parity Rates In Drosophila Melanogaster, Trey Bruno, Carly Turner, Michael Guildin, Carol Mitchell, Dominic Sandell, Alesha Fleming

Beyond: Undergraduate Research Journal

Finasteride has been used to treat male pattern baldness and benign prostate hyperplasia and could potentially treat female pattern baldness and polycystic ovary syndrome. The impact on reproduction in female patients who are taking or have taken finasteride is unknown. Using drosophila melanogaster as a model, this study was designed to investigate the impact of finasteride on female fly reproduction and their offspring. The female flies in this study will be fed dosage equivalents of 0.5 mg, 1 mg, and 5 mg of finasteride, along with a control group of females who consume no finasteride. The flies will be allowed …

Updates In Cryopreservation And Assisted Reproductive Techniques, Maha Abd Aljabbar Al-Sammak

BioMed Visions Journal

Cryopreservation is a crucial part of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) that has developed to maintain gametes and embryos viable for long periods of time. Recent technological developments, such as vitrification and innovative cryoprotectant that have significantly raised pregnancy success rates and enhanced embryo viability are highlighted in this review. The integration of state-of-the-art technology like single-cell sequencing is explored, and persistent issues with genetic stability and cryoinjury are addressed. The necessity for strong international regulations is emphasized in the discussion of ethical issues, especially those pertaining to the long-term storage and use of embryos. These developments are influencing the direction …

Comparative Study Between Multiple Insulin Doses Regimen Versus Twice Daily Regimen In Children And Teenagers With Type One Diabetes In Mosul City, Raghad T. Aziz, Nourhan T. Younis, Sarmad O. Rashid, Zakaria A Kassim

BioMed Visions Journal

Objectives: To evaluate the glycemic control and to identify the possible side effects of multiple insulin regimen versus twice daily regimen among diabetic patients whom visited the endocrine unit at Al Khansa’a Teaching Hospital in Mosul from the 1^st of January 2023 to the end of December 2023.

Methods: This is a cohort descriptive study. Patients case sheets were reviewed to acquire the mandatory information. The questionnaire was composed of two sections, first section included demographic information while the second covered specific diabetes Mellitus information.

Results: Sixty-nine children with type 1 diabetes were included in the study, with …

In Silico Screening For Computational Exploration Of Interactions, Synthesis, And Comparative Evaluation Of Novel Furan-2-Quinolone Derivatives As Potent Anticoagulants, Karm A. Khalaf, Noor A. Majeed, Adnan O. Omar

BioMed Visions Journal

There is an urgent need for the design and development of new and safer drugs for the treatment of (Blood coagulation). New derivatives of furan-2-qoinoline as anti-coagulation drug bearing furan, quinolone, were synthesized with the aim of developing new drug inhibitors (Factor Xa enzyme) respectively. In our study, synthesis of the new organic compounds derived from Furo-2-quinolone substituted by treated with ammonia derivatives like hydrazine, give K6, and (1-Amino-4,6-dimethyl furo[3,2-g] quinoline-2-one) K6 then react with Formaldehyde to form K6a. And evaluated their effects on coagulation in the docking (MCULE). then compared this compound, with the Rivaroxaban. compound give the result …

Public Acceptance, Attitude And Perception Toward Covid-19 Vaccination In Mosul City; Iraq, Nadia Hazem Saied

BioMed Visions Journal

Background: No doubt the recent coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic represents the most serious health and life threats globally. Vaccination against the disease is considered the cornerstone for controlling the disease.

Aim of the study is to explore public attitudes, perception toward vaccination against COVID-19 infection.

Material and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted by using a modified questionnaire form which was translated into Arabic language and transformed into a Google form. The form was disseminated to the population online using different platforms in Mosul City over a period of one month during November 2021 and the participants were volunteered for …

Top Ten Types Of Childhood Cancer In Nineveh Governorate 2018–2022: A Time Series Analysis, Marab Younis Abdullah Al-Fathy, Ahmed Asaad Hussein, Hiba Farooq Mohamed Ameen, Maan Younis Al-Fathi

BioMed Visions Journal

Background: Childhood cancer incidence and deaths reflects the low health status, which can be prevented by setting upstrategies with help of different sectors in community.

Aim: To describe the childhood cancer in Nineveh governorate during 2018–2022.

Methods: A Biometry study used to review 646 a cancer registration form for five years 2018–2022, using Can-Rej 5 inquiryforms adopted by Ministry of Health measuring [sex ratio, sex and cause specific death rate, the incidence rate, the case fatalityrate, the proportion mortality rate and trend of (occurrences and death)].

Results: The total number of participants was 646, the commonest childhood cancer was among …

The Relation Between Carpal Tunnel Syndrome And Ulnar Nerve Entrapment: An Electrophysiological Study, Mohammed Issa Suleiman

BioMed Visions Journal

Entrapment of the median nerve; carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), is a common neuropathy that result from compression, ischemia or repetitive movement of the wrist. Ulnar nerve entrapment (UNE) frequency come after the median nerve syndrome, it occurs at the wrist and at the elbow. The neurological finding of median and ulnar nerves compression are presented as a sensory or motor or both.

Aim of the study: To investigate the frequency of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and ulnar nerve entrapment (UNE).

Material and method: Fifty patients were included in this study suffering from CTS. The patients with the CTS diagnosis through; …

Tomoxifen Mono-Therapy For Breast Cancer In Elderly Women, Shahbaa A Al-Bayati, Taha H Al-Siagh, Faris A Ahmed

BioMed Visions Journal

Background: Tamoxifen is an estrogen antagonist used as neo-adjuvant drug for breast cancer treatment in women.

Objective: To evaluate tamoxifen monotherapy on breast cancer for elderly women with estrogen positive, progesterone positive, and Her2/neu negative.

Materials and methods: Seventeen breast cancer women were examined. The age range of the patients was between 73 and 87 years (mean ± SD: 79.2 ± 3.8 years). The patients were examined and diagnosed by a surgeon, and histopathologic examination. The patients included in the study were estrogen positive, progesterone positive, and Her2/neu negative. The patients were treated with tamoxifen monotherapy 20 mg/day orally during …

Management Of Severe Gingival Recession Using A Double Papilla Connective Tissue Graft: A 2-Year Follow-Up Case Study, Dimitris N. Tatakis

Faculty Scholarship

Gum recession is a common condition where the gum tissue pulls away from the teeth, exposing the roots and making them more prone to damage. This report describes the treatment of a 30-year-old woman who had severe gum recession on her lower left canine tooth, caused by her long-term habit of scratching the gums with her fingernail. To restore the lost tissue and protect the tooth, a double papilla flap (a surgical technique that moves nearby tissue) along with a connective tissue graft (transplanted tissue from the roof of the mouth) was used. Over 2 years, the recession was reduced …

Vitamin D And Cognition: Demographic Disparities In Memory Recall And Word Intrusion In A Multiethnic Cohort, Juan Lopez-Alvarenga, Isabel Omaña-Guzmán, Oscar Rosas-Carrasco, Jose E. Cavazos, Michael C. Mahaney, Gladys E. Maestre

School of Medicine Publications

Background

Vitamin D3 is essential for calcium metabolism and exerts pleiotropic effects, including neuroprotective activities in cognition. Its insufficiency has been linked to dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and cognitive impairments. The association between vitamin D3 and particular cognitive functions, including memory recall and word intrusion, remains imprecise, particularly among diverse ethnic and socioeconomic groups.

Objective

To examine the relationship between vitamin D3 levels with memory recall and word intrusion in individuals aged 60 and above, emphasizing demographic differences.

Methods

Data was collected from 2759 individuals in the NHANES 2011–2014 surveys. Cognitive performance was evaluated with the CERAD Word Learning, Animal Fluency, …

Understanding The Challenges And Needs Of Postpartum Soldiers In Fitness Training, Sarah Elizabeth Eaton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Postpartum females are consistently faced with unique challenges within the military setting. Prior studies have illustrated increased risks of musculoskeletal injury and psychological distress in military postpartum females due to insufficient recovery time and inconsistent unit support (Acton, 2021; Armitage et al. 2014; Darroch et al., 2023). The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of Army postpartum females, aged 18-45, who have delivered over 36 weeks, either vaginal or cesarean, who have given birth within the last two years, as they navigate the physical and psychological challenges of preparing for the Army Combat Fitness Test …

Culture Wars In The Icu: When Medicine And Religion Collide, Ami Darby

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The overarching aim of this dissertation is to contribute to the research gap by investigating the experiences of Christian SDMs by asking two core questions: (1) Do covariates (Gender, Age, Education) and Religion predict satisfaction with care? and (2) Do covariates (Gender, Age, Education) and Religion predict satisfaction with decision making? This study contributes to the academic literature by addressing the gap in literature regarding the ICU experiences of Christian SDMs, and it extends John Kingdon’s Multiple Streams Theory (MST) to include its limitations in its failure to capture the political landscape within healthcare systems and the effect of institutional …

Improving New Graduate Nurse Clinical Judgment By Training Preceptors On The Use Of The Tanner Model, Denise E. Carr

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

New graduate nurses (NGNs) often enter the workforce with deficits in clinical judgment, which has been further exacerbated by pandemic-related limitations in clinical education. This project aimed to improve NGN clinical judgment by training preceptors to use the Tanner Clinical Judgment Model (TCJM) and Lasater Clinical Judgment Rubric (LCJR). A quasi-experimental evaluation design was used to compare outcomes between two groups of preceptor–preceptee pairs. Half of the preceptor participants received training on the TCJM and LCJR, while the other half did not. Clinical judgment development was measured using the LCJR pre- and post-orientation. Additional preceptor feedback regarding the implementation and …

Do Perceived Social Support And Positive Religious Coping Moderate Any Relationship Between Post-Intensive Care Syndrome–Family Symptoms And Quality Of Life In Informal Caregivers Of Intensive Care Unit Survivors?, Carol R. Hirschkorn

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Family members and close friends often act as informal caregivers (CGs) for survivors of critical illness, assisting with activities of daily living, ongoing care needs, and adjustment to life after critical illness. These CGs simultaneously cope with their own mental, physical, and social sequelae, including significant changes (to roles and responsibilities) in everyday life. Qualitative researchers have examined this constellation of CG symptoms, which constitute post-intensive care syndrome–family (PICS-F), to understand the experiences, needs, and coping of CGs of intensive care unit (ICU) survivors. None have looked at the impact of religious coping and perceived social support on PICS-F and …

Motivational Peer Influence On Behavior Change In Undergraduates: A Phenomenological Study, Heather A. Mina

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore how peer testimonies from former students who successfully completed a Behavior Change Project (BCP) influenced motivation and anxiety in 148 undergraduate health and exercise science students preparing to begin their own BCP. The study was guided by the Transtheoretical Model (Prochaska & Velicer, 1997) and Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory (1986), both of which emphasize self-efficacy, observational learning, and readiness for behavior change. Research was conducted at a public university in western North Carolina with students enrolled in a required health and wellness course. Data collection included pre-BCP surveys, four weeks of …

Increasing Behavior-Specific Praise Use And Variability With Secondary Education Teachers Using Behavioral Skills Training, Tactile Prompts, And Multiple Exemplars, Cecilia Pannone

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Teachers often receive minimal training in classroom management strategies, leading to punitive-based teacher-student interactions. Negative interactions (e.g., reprimands) may decrease behaviors momentarily but do not yield lasting behavior change. Behavior-specific praise (BSP) is a low-response effort classroom management strategy that positively impacts students’ behaviors and academic performance. However, training does not guarantee that BSP will be used throughout the academic years or across student cohorts, leading teachers to revert to negative interactions to manage classroom behaviors. Limited research has investigated the components of praise that increase effectiveness and saliency. This study aimed to increase teachers’ use of BSP using tactile …

Quality Improvement Project: Perioperative Recruitment Process Improvement Through Nursing Student Clinical Experience, Traci Boren

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Perioperative nursing is experiencing greater shortages than any other specialty and has been largely removed from undergraduate education. This DNP quality improvement project aimed to impact the recruitment of perioperative nurses through undergraduate nursing clinical exposure and experience. The project addressed the lack of clinical nursing student opportunities in the perioperative department at the partner site to increase interest in perioperative nursing and recruit core staff nurses from the pool of new graduates. Kotter’s Eight-Step Change Model and the Social Career Cognitive Theory framed the project’s design and implementation for two cycles, between January and March 2024 and 2025. Using …

Implementing An Antibiotic Stewardship Program For Acute Respiratory Tract Infections In Urgent Care, John Childree

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Antibiotic overprescription for acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs) remains a persistent challenge in urgent care, contributing to antimicrobial resistance and increased healthcare costs. This quality improvement project evaluated whether a structured educational intervention an Antibiotic Stewardship Program (ASP) could improve providers’ knowledge and self-efficacy in evidence-based prescribing. A quasi-experimental, single-group pre-post design was used with seven urgent care clinicians. Data were collected through a custom Antibiotic Stewardship Questionnaire and a Self-Efficacy Survey administered before and after the intervention. Results demonstrated a 17% increase in knowledge scores (from 9.3 to 10.6 out of 11) and a statistically significant improvement in self-efficacy …

Quality Improvement Project Education And Implementation Of I-Pass Handoff Between Critical Care Clinicians And Anesthesia Staff, Kimberly Woody

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Medical errors, specifically communication errors, cause adverse patient outcomes, death, and an estimated annual cost to institutions of over two million dollars. Despite numerous studies highlighting the need for standardized communication during patient transfers and recommendations from regulatory bodies such as the Joint Commission, the gaps in standardized handoffs remain. The Doctor of Nursing Practice's (DNP's) quality improvement project aimed to increase knowledge of the intensive care unit (ICU) and anesthesia clinicians through interprofessional education (IPE) about the illness severity, patient summary, action plan, situational awareness/contingency plan, synthesis by receiver (I-PASS) handoff tool to promote consistent, complete tool use during …

Proceedings Of The Cuny Games Conference 11.0, Robert O. Duncan, Grace Axler-Diperte, Joe Bisz, Christina Boyle, Devorah Kletenik, Carolyn Stallard

Publications and Research

The CUNY Games Conference combines workshops, idea exchanges, interactive participant presentations, playtesting, and playing tabletop games into a one-day online event to promote and discuss game-based learning. The conference focuses on creative pedagogy, such as playful learning activities or games, that teachers can use in the classroom every day. The conference is online and features interactive presentations by attendees, informal idea exchange sessions, and workshops by the conference organizers.

Respectful Patient-Provider Communication And Patient Portal Usage In Pregnant People Of Color, Amy H. Goh, Christopher Lee, Chisolum Nkenke, Joyce K. Edmonds

College of Health Professions Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Patient-provider communication (PPC) increasingly occurs in online patient portals. Variations in portal usage might worsen communication inequities for pregnant people of color (POC), widening the digital divide. The objective of this study was to examine the relationships between respectful PPC, patient portal usage, and digital health literacy (DHL) in pregnant POC.

METHODS: A multimethod cross-sectional survey design was used. Ordered logistic regression was performed to determine the relationship between PPC and portal use, controlling for trimester prenatal care was initiated, insurance type, age, gestational age, and parity. The moderating effect of Digital Health Literacy Instrument (DHLI) was tested on …

Brivaracetam For Spinal Cord Injury-Related Neuropathic Pain: Results Of A Pilot Double-Blinded, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial, Leslie R. Morse, Ricardo A. Battaglino, Nguyen Nguyen, Brian Devries, Abigail Welch, Ana Lucia Battaglino, Clas Linnman, Michael Stillman, Robert Wudlick, Joda Glossner, Grant Anderton, Richard Goldstein, Scott P. Falci

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

OBJECTIVE: Assess feasibility, safety, and tolerability of 3 months of oral brivaracetam for severe (9-10/10) spinal cord injury-related neuropathic pain.

METHODS: We conducted a multisite pilot study where adults were randomized to 3 months of brivaracetam (100 mg BID) or placebo. Pain was assessed via the Brief Pain Inventory, the International Spinal Cord Injury Pain Basic Dataset (version 2.0), and a daily pain diary.

RESULTS: We enrolled 24 participants across 2 sites and 14 participants were included in the final analysis (n = 8 placebo, n = 6 brivaracetam). The drug was tolerated with expected, nonserious side effects (nausea if …

“Are You Worried About Going Into Withdrawal Today?” Retrospective Analysis Of Single-Question, Patient-Centered Screen For Substance Use And Care Linkage, Kory S. London, Beth Hurwitz, Jennifer Davis, Tareva Warrick-Stone, Alan Cherney, Frederick Randolph, Bernice Bradley-O'Toole, Kate Deis, Karen Alexander

Department of Emergency Medicine Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Emergency Department (ED) screening for substance use disorder (SUD) is limited by a lack of standardization and challenging clinical environments. Existing tools may be focused on informing clinicians rather than supporting patients. This study assessed a novel single-question screening tool to identify patients at risk of withdrawal and link those with opioid use disorder (OUD) to standardized treatment.

METHODS: A cross-sectional, retrospective study was conducted at two urban EDs in Philadelphia, PA, using electronic health record data between November 8, 2022, and February 28, 2025. Patients were included in the study if they arrived ambulatory to the emergency department, …