Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Rock On Technology: Perspectives Of People With Neurological Conditions On Robot-Assisted Lower Limb And Gait Neurorehabilitation, Rachel G. Buckingham, Saran Chamberlain, Amanda Timler, Matthew K. Bagg, Nikki E. Bakhtazad, Taya Hamilton, Patricia Martinet, Bianca Haagman, Stuart I. Hodgetts, Barbara Singer, Ann Maree Vallence, Jodie Marquez, Eric Gaitho, Emma Gee, Jessica Nolan

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose: Explore perspectives of people living with neurological conditions in Western Australia (WA) on robot-assisted lower limb neurorehabilitation (RALLR), and implementation requirements. Materials and methods: This co-designed, qualitative descriptive study included people living with neurological conditions. In-person semi-structured focus groups (FGs) were facilitated by a person with lived experience of stroke. FGs were recorded, data were transcribed, and thematically analysed using a reflexive approach. Results: Five FGs included 24 participants (54.2% women, median age 50 years). Of these, thirteen participants had RALLR experience. Primary neurological conditions represented among participants comprised spinal cord injury (n = 11), stroke (n = 3), …

Time To Hang Up The Gloves: A Scoping Review Of Evidence On Non-Sterile Glove Use During Intravenous Antimicrobial Preparation And Administration, Natasya Raja Azlan, Debbie Massey, Lesley Andrew, Amanda Towell-Barnard, Seng Giap Marcus Ang, Carol Crevacore, Martina Costello, Aaron Alejandro, Weiting Liu, Naila Zaman, Peta Anne Zimmerman

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Aims: To systematically summarise evidence related to the use of non-sterile gloves when preparing and administering intravenous antimicrobials. Design: Scoping review. Methods: A rigorous scoping review was undertaken following Arksey and O'Malley's (2005) framework and the modified Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses extension for scoping review guidelines (2018). Five databases and grey literature were included in the search. Literature published between 2009 and 2024 was included. Data Sources: Five databases (Medline, CINAHL, EMBASE, Scopus and Web of Science) and the grey literature were searched in February 2024. Results: Three studies were included; however, none directly addressed correct …

Application Of Generative Artificial Intelligence By Nurse Academics In Higher Education: A Scoping Review, Jennifer Hamilton, Martina Costello, Lesley Barr, Simon Cooper, Martin Jones

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Aim: To systematically map existing research on nurse academics incorporation of generative artificial intelligence when developing teaching and learning resources in higher education and to identify knowledge gaps and future research. Background: Generative artificial intelligence technology is rapidly evolving in healthcare and it's use in nursing higher education is developing. However, concerns regarding its adoption in higher education relate to academic integrity and ethical considerations, including privacy, confidentiality, bias and critical thinking development. Generative artificial intelligence tools present new pedagogy possibilities in nursing higher education; however, the scope and impact of its adoption is unclear. Methods: The Joanna Briggs Institute …

Effectiveness Of Prophylactic Foam Dressings In The Prevention Of Sacral Pressure Injuries In At-Risk Hospitalised Patients (Eepoc): A Randomised Control Trial, Rachel M. Walker, Wendy Chaboyer, Lukman Thalib, Sharon Latimer, Haitham Tuffaha, Marie Cooke, Brigid M. Gillespie

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Hospital-acquired pressure injuries are a serious patient safety issue with the sacrum the most common location. Silicone foam border dressings are increasingly used in hospitalised patients, yet their clinical and cost-effectiveness in preventing pressure injuries is unclear in some patient cohorts. Objective: To determine the clinical and cost-effectiveness of a silicone foam border dressing in preventing sacral hospital acquired pressure injuries in at-risk medical-surgical patients. Methods: A prospective, multi-site, parallel group, pragmatic, superiority randomised controlled trial was conducted in Southeast Queensland, Australia. Medical-surgical adult patients (≥ 18 years) at-risk of pressure injury were recruited and randomly allocated to either …

Planning A Clinical Practice Guideline Revision For A Core Set Of Outcome Measures In Adults Undergoing Neurologic Physical Therapy, Part 1: Assessing Dissemination And Scholarly Uptake, Jennifer Moore, Jane E. Sullivan, Marghuretta D. Bland, Wendy Romney, Elizabeth Anderl, Zeynep Gulen Erkoc, Kristen Potter

Physical Therapy Faculty Publications

Introduction

Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) facilitate evidence-based decision-making and standardising care, yet their dissemination and scholarly uptake vary widely. The Core Set of Outcome Measures for Adults With Neurologic Conditions Undergoing Rehabilitation CPG (Core Set) has been broadly referenced within neurologic physical therapy. As the next revision approaches, understanding its scholarly influence, citation patterns, and published feedback is essential. This study evaluated the dissemination and use of the Core Set across the peer-reviewed literature and identified areas for refinement.

Methods

A medical librarian conducted comprehensive searches of Web of Science, CINAHL, and Scopus to identify peer-reviewed English-language articles citing the …

Infected Intra-Abdominal Hematoma Post-Laparoscopic One-Anastomosis Mini Gastric Bypass: Case Report And Literature Review, Musa Machibya, Hellen Mram, Jackline Gabone, Ally Mwanga, Tanseer Asghar, Authar Ali

General Surgery, East Africa

Introduction: Laparoscopic one-anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB) is a widely performed bariatric procedure with favorable outcomes; however, it carries a risk of postoperative complications. An infected intra-abdominal hematoma is a rare but potentially serious complication, often presenting with nonspecific features that can delay diagnosis.

Case presentation: A 29-year-old female with class II obesity (BMI 36 kg/m2 ) underwent elective laparoscopic OAGB. The immediate postoperative course was uneventful, and she was discharged in stable condition. Eleven days later, she presented with fever and systemic symptoms without significant abdominal findings. Laboratory investigations suggested sepsis. Imaging revealed a large perigastric collection consistent with …

Planning A Clinical Practice Guideline Revision For A Core Set Of Outcome Measures In Adults Undergoing Neurologic Physical Therapy, Part 2: Determining Stakeholders' Uptake And Recommendations, Jane E. Sullivan, Kristen Potter, Marghuretta D. Bland, Elizabeth Anderl, Wendy Romney, Zeynep Gulen Erkoc, Jennifer Moore

Physical Therapy Faculty Publications

Objective: To determine the uptake and recommendations for revision of the 2018 Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG): Core Set Outcome Measures for Adults with Neurologic Conditions Undergoing Rehabilitation.

Design: Online Survey

Setting: Online with participants from multiple settings.

Participants: Licensed physical therapists (PT) or physical therapist assistants (PTA) or a non-PT supervisor of PTs and/or PTAs.

Interventions: N/A.

Main Outcome Measures:  An online survey was developed to determine respondents' knowledge, perceived benefits, challenges, gaps, and modifications made to the 2018 CPG as well as to ascertain respondents' recommendations for the CPG revision. Data were analyzed descriptively by respondent role (clinician, educator/researcher, …

Reversible Hemi-Parkinsonism Syndrome Secondary To Bilateral Subdural Hematomas: Case Report And Literature Review, Musa Machibya, Godlove Mlay, Kelvin Sawe, Zainab Ali, Mugisha Clement, Philip Adebayo

General Surgery, East Africa

Introduction: Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is a rare but reversible cause of secondary parkinsonism. Bilateral CSDH presenting with unilateral parkinsonian features is exceptionally uncommon.

Case presentation: A 61-year-old male from Comoros developed a right-hand tremor, intermittent dystonia, and mild right-sided motor deficits months after a motor vehicle accident. Medical therapy was ineffective. Imaging revealed bilateral frontoparietal subdural collections with a right hematoma causing a midline shift. Bilateral burr-hole evacuation led to marked improvement, with the UPDRS Part III score improving from approximately 7 to 1–2 points and near-complete hematoma resolution on follow-up.

Discussion: This case demonstrates the variable …

Clinical Subtypes Of Co-Morbid Insomnia And Obstructive Sleep Apnea (Comisa): Results Of A Cluster Analysis, Yuan Shi, Xujun Feng, Fengyi Hao, Yuru Nie, Yihui Zhang, Zhaohua Chen, Siqi Guan, Larry D. Sanford, Michael V. Vitiello, Xiangdong Tang

Department of Pathology & Anatomy Faculty Publications

Background

Variations in the bidirectional relationship between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and insomnia in co-morbid insomnia and OSA (COMISA) may form distinct subtypes of COMISA, which have not been previously characterized. This study aims to identify and characterize subtypes of COMISA.

Methods

From a community-recruited COMISA cohort 256 individuals who met diagnosis for COMISA were used to identify subtypes using a two-step clustering methodology. Demographics and multidimension clinical characteristics were collected and compared among obtained subtypes. Logistic models were used to evaluate whether these subtypes were associated with cardiometabolic and mental disorders. A clinical cohort of 1816 COMISA patients was …

The Rna-Binding Protein Pumilio Limits Polymodal Noiception In Drosophila Larvae, Sara Palega, Hannah Davenport, Rebeccah K. Stewart, Jessica Horton, Andrew Bellemer

Microbiology & Molecular Cell Biology Faculty Publications

Nociception is the process by which the nervous system detects and processes information about potentially harmful environmental stimuli to generate behavioral and physiological responses. The process of nociception undergoes plasticity in response to injury, inflammation, and infection to shape the sensitivity of nociceptive circuits and the behavioral responses they control. We are increasingly aware that post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression shapes the sensitivity and plasticity of nociceptive sensory neurons and nociceptive behavior. In Drosophila, the Pumilio RNA-binding protein interacts with diverse target mRNAs to regulate their abundance and translation in a wide range of contexts including the establishment of …

Does Performing Partial Repetitions Beyond Momentary Failure Enhance Muscle Hypertrophy In Volume-Load-Equated Calf-Raise Resistance Training?, Amirali Goli, Parsa Attarieh, João Pedro Nunes, Saman Nehegadar, Saaed Khani, Mohmad Fashi, Sajjad Ahmadizad

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The aim of this study was to determine whether extending traditional calf-raise resistance training sets with partial-range-of-motion (ROM) repetitions in the more dorsiflexed ROM enhances muscular hypertrophy. Sixteen untrained men (25.0±1.7y) completed 10 weeks of unilateral standing calf-raise training (2×/wk) in a within-subject design: one leg performed traditional 10-14RM sets to full-ROM momentary failure (MF; 4-6 sets/session) and the other leg performed half as many sets to full-ROM failure followed by partial-ROM repetitions to a second failure in the more dorsiflexed ROM (PBF; 2-3 sets/session). Total volume-load was equated between conditions; repetitions were counted the same way regardless of the …

Cohort Profile: The Resilient Minds National Study Of Mental Health And Cognitive Resilience In Community Dwelling Adults Aged 18 To 93, Kaarin J. Anstey, Brooke Brady, Lidan Zheng, Jana Koch, Md Hamidul Huque, Michelle K. Lupton, Ralph Martins, Daniel Ashworth, Erin Goddard, Nikki Anne Wilson, Claudia M. Hillenbrand, Ralf B. Loeffler, Maria Markoulli, Arun V. Krishnan, Tanya Layton, Ranmalee Eramudugolla

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose: The Resilient Minds (ReMind) cohort was established to investigate cognitive and mental health resilience across the life course, addressing a gap in longitudinal evidence about resilience. The study collected data on traditional medical and lifestyle risk factors for chronic disease, genetics, and a range of mental health and cognitive outcomes. It also aimed to explore contemporary contextual influences on resilience, including internet use, social engagement, environmental exposures, and life course adversities such as perceived discrimination. Participants: The cohort included 1,640 adults aged 18–93 years, recruited through social media and community groups, to participate in a fully remote, two-year health …

You Can Only Take Your Clients As Far As You’Ve Been Yourself: Examining The Intersections Between Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy, Lived-Living Experience, And Clinical Practice, Jordan J. Negrine, Stephen J. Bright, Monica J. Barratt, Matthew Pennell, Anthony Barnett, James Bennett-Levy, Timothy Piatkowski

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Following Australia’s landmark 2023 decision to approve psilocybin and MDMA for clinical use, psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) is beginning to emerge within regulated mental health settings. This study investigates psychologists’ views on the relevance of psychedelic therapists’ lived-living experience (LLE) with psychedelics. While discussion around LLE is growing, little is known about how psychologists perceive its role in clinical preparedness for PAT. Methods: Twenty Australian psychologists were recruited through purposive and snowball sampling. Semi-structured interviews explored perceptions of LLE in therapist training and practice. Data were coded and thematically analyzed to identify patterns in how experiential knowledge is valued within …

Clinician-Led, Single-Blind, Randomised Controlled Trial Evaluating The Efficacy Of A High-Intensity Resistance And Impact Training Intervention For Improving Health-Related Quality Of Life In People With Multiple Sclerosis: Protocol For Strong-Ms, Lisa Grech, Beck, David Scott, Marc Sim, Jakub Mesinovic, Paul Jansons, Fernanda Rodrigues Fonseca, Julie Abimanyi-Ochom, Michelle Allan, Stefan Blum, Ernest Butler, William Carroll, Nigel Caswell, Peter Ebeling, Vanessa Gan, Alan Herschtal, Nevin John, Allan Kermode, Linh Le-Kavanagh, Shalika Bohingamu Mudiyanselage, Lynne Elizabeth Ohman, Mia Poposka, Alison Reece, Phoebe Sansom, Charlotte Scroggie, Christopher Todaro

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction: People with multiple sclerosis (MS) engage in less physical activity and experience higher rates of osteoporosis, falls and fractures than the general population, contributing to reduced health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and increased healthcare costs. High-intensity resistance and impact training (HiRIT) has beneficial effects on bone, muscle and physical function in other populations, but its effectiveness in people with MS is unclear. Methods and analysis: STRONG-MS is a codesigned, clinician-led, single-blind, randomised controlled trial evaluating the effect of a HiRIT programme, ONERO, on HRQoL for people with MS. Secondary aims include assessing changes in bone mineral density, body composition, …

Non-Pharmacological Sleep Interventions For Dementia Caregivers: A Systematic Review Of Randomized Controlled Trials, Aisling Smyth, Lambert, Mark Jenkins, Adugnaw Zeleke Alem, Misganaw Gebrie Worku, Sujatha Shanmugasundaram

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Caregivers of people living with dementia frequently report poor sleep. This systematic review describes evidence from randomised controlled trials of non-pharmacological sleep interventions for dementia carers. Methods: A systematic search of major databases was undertaken. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane ROB 2.0 tool. Narrative synthesis followed Synthesis Without Meta-analysis (SWiM) guidelines due to substantial heterogeneity. Findings: Eighteen articles were included. Risk of Bias analyses revealed most studies had high overall risk of bias, primarily from selection of reported result bias. Interventions comprised of five categories: sleep-promoting, carer well-being, exercise, technology-based and complementary therapy. High variability between …

Social Threat, Negative Beliefs, And Altered Social Learning Underpin Paranoia In Adolescents, Jessica L. Kingston, Ellett, Linda Richards, Henry Burgess, Joseph M. Barnby

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Adolescent social adversity (discrimination, bullying) enhances paranoia—the perception others want to harm or upset you. In this preregistered study (AsPredicted No. 154322), we tested the impact of prior social adversity and current social exclusion on paranoia, self/other beliefs, and latent social-learning processes in UK mid-adolescents (15-17 years, N = 502). In an experimental design, participants completed baseline social-adversity measures before random allocation to a social inclusion/exclusion manipulation (Cyberball), after which the Intentions Game assessed cognitive flexibility. We tested (a) whether adversity and exclusion interact to increase paranoia (b) via (mediated) negative self/other beliefs and (c) if this was moderated by …

Associations Between Modifiable Lifestyle Risk Factors And Abdominal Aortic Calcification In The Uk Biobank Imaging Study, Nicola P. Bondonno, Abadi K. Gebre, Benjamin H. Parmenter, Jonathan Hodgson, Lauren C. Blekkenhorst, Catherine P. Bondonno, Richard Woodman, John P. Kemp, James Webster, Carl Schultz, Cassandra Smith, Afsah Saleem, Syed Zulqarnain Gilani, Emma L. Duncan, Joseph Hung, Wai H. Lim, Parminder Raina, John T. Schousboe, Nicholas C. Harvey, Marc Sim, Joshua R. Lewis

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background and aims: Abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) reflects subclinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), but its lifestyle determinants remain uncertain. We investigated how a Healthy Lifestyle Score (HLS) relates to AAC and whether AAC mediates the HLS-ASCVD association. Methods and results: Participants from the UK Biobank Imaging study were assessed for AAC from DXA images. A Healthy Lifestyle Score (HLS), based on smoking, physical activity, diet quality, alcohol consumption, sleep, and BMI was developed, and categorised as low, moderate and high. Cross-sectional associations with (i) any AAC (AAC≥1) and (ii) high AAC (AAC≥6) were analysed using multivariable-adjusted logistic regression models. The …

Dose–Response Association Between Systemic And Dermatologic Glucocorticoid Use And Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Nationwide Case–Control Study, David Vadsholt, Annika V. Kvist, Chano Sandiramoorthy, Joshua R. Lewis, Peter Vestergaard, Johan Røikjer, Nicklas H. Rasmussen

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Aims: To investigate the association and dose–response between systemic and topical glucocorticoids and odds of Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Materials and Methods: We conducted a nationwide case–control study using Danish registry data from 2013 to 2021. People aged 40 years or older with incident type 2 diabetes mellitus (n = 149 113) were matched 1:3 with controls (n = 447 339) by age, sex and weighted Charlson Comorbidity Index. Glucocorticoid exposure was defined as ≥ 1 prescription within 1 year before the date of diagnosis and ≥ 2 within 3 years and classified as systemic or topical. Conditional logistic regression …

Attitudes And Expectations Towards Acupuncture For Primary Dysmenorrhoea: Findings From A Cross-Sectional Survey In Australia, Weiting Liu, Amanda Towell-Barnard, Khui Hung Lee, Timothy Leen Kang

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Objective: To describe attitudes towards acupuncture and expectations regarding potential treatment outcomes among women with self-reported primary dysmenorrhoea (PD) residing in Australia. Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive online survey was conducted to assess attitudes and treatment expectancy using an adapted version of previously published complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) attitude scale and a validated acupuncture expectancy scale (AES). Data were analysed descriptively, with exploratory analysis conducted to support the interpretation of response patterns. Ethical approval was obtained from the Edith Cowan University Human Research Ethics Committee (2023-04471-LIU) and participants provided electronic informed consent. Results: A total of 247 responses were received. …

Protective Effect Of Lower Limb Strength On Lower Limb Injuries Within International Sixes Lacrosse Players: A Nine-Month Prospective Study, Nicholas Joel Ripley, Matthew Collier, Jack T. Fahey, Paul Comfort

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Abstract – Ripley, NJ, Collier, M, Fahey, JT, and Comfort, P. Protective effect of lower limb strength on lower limb injuries within international sixes lacrosse players: A nine-month prospective study. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000–000, 2026—The aim of this study was to prospectively determine whether lower limb strength, assessed through the isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP), offers a protective effect to future lower limb injury in international men's sixes lacrosse players. Nineteen elite nonprofessional men's sixes lacrosse players from the British Men's Lacrosse team (25.4 ± 4.1 years, 1.8 ± 0.1 m, 88.9 ± 6.8 kg) performed 3 trials of …

Tall Orders: A Comparison Of Resident Food Behaviours By Dwelling Type And Apartment Characteristics In Australia, Joelie Mandzufas, Siobhan Hickling, Kevin Murray, Sarah Foster, Gina S.A. Trapp

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

To accommodate population growth, Australian cities are becoming denser, with more Australians living in apartments. However, there is little understanding of whether this shift towards apartment living raises any potential short- and long-term implications for dietary health. Using an Australian nationally representative household survey, this cross-sectional study compared meal-purchasing frequency and fruit and vegetable intake by dwelling type, apartment block height, and number of bedrooms in the apartment. Adjusted mean differences were derived from linear regressions, adjusting for socio-demographic characteristics. Apartment residents purchased 0.72 more meals out each week than house residents (p < 0.001, 95% CI [0.599,0.831]) and consumed 0.10 fewer daily serves of vegetables (p = 0.002, 95% CI [0.038,0.163]). Among apartment residents, those in high-rise blocks purchased 0.80 more meals out each week than low-rise residents (p = 0.012, 95% CI [0.250,1.348]), and residents of one-bedroom or studio apartments ate 0.25 fewer serves of fruit per day than residents in apartments with at least three bedrooms (p = 0.003, 95% CI [0.038,0.163]). These findings provide important evidence to inform policy and targeted interventions that promote healthy food behaviours in apartment-living populations.

Early-Life Dietary Habits And Parental Support Among Female Collegiate Soccer Athletes, Christina Uribe, Kate Alvarez, Ryan Harding

Loma Linda University Research Reports

This study examined the relationship between early-life dietary habits, perceived parental support, and collegiate competition level among female soccer athletes. Current and former NCAA Division I, II, III, and junior college athletes completed an anonymous retrospective survey assessing dietary behaviors, meal patterns, parental nutrition support, and sport-related factors. Of the 112 surveys received, 81 complete responses were included in the analysis. Participants had a mean age of 23.0 ± 3.8 years. Higher levels of collegiate competition were associated with more supportive home nutrition environments during childhood and adolescence. Significant associations were identified for parental encouragement to eat full meals before …

Assessing The Scope Of Knowledge And Decision-Making Patterns Regarding Healthy Eating During Pregnancy In Pregnant Female Adults In Southern California, Raegan Soffel

Loma Linda University Research Reports

While recognizing the link between prenatal nutrition and maternal-fetal health, this investigator-initiated study seeks to identify pregnant women's understanding of prenatal nutrition guidelines and the influences on their dietary choices. Thirty-eight eligible women completed an online, anonymous surveying assessing the scope of knowledge and decision-making patterns of healthy eating during pregnancy. The average knowledge score among the participants was 6.05/14. There was no significant difference in the knowledge scores among pregnancy periods or among total number of pregnancies. Perceptions of nutrition guidance in prenatal care, factors influencing eating behaviors, and primary sources of nutrition information were explored. The findings may …

Comparing Perceived Ideal Protein Intake In Plant-Based Versus Meat-Based Diet Consumers, Gysel Avendano, Saya Iwanaga

Loma Linda University Research Reports

High-protein diets have gained significant popularity in both social media and public discussion and more recently, a significant rise in protein consumption has been observed. Existing research has reported differences in actual protein intake across dietary patterns, with animal-based diets generally associated with higher total protein intake compared to plant-based diets. This growing focus on protein raises important questions about perceived ideal protein intake and the factors that shape it.

The primary objective is to compare perceived ideal protein intake among Southern California adults consuming meat-based versus plant-based diets. Additionally, we explored the influence of protein-related knowledge, beliefs, values, information …

Exploring The Relationship Between Bmi Classification And Levels Of Food Noise, Edmarie Billosillo

Loma Linda University Research Reports

Rising rates of obesity in the United States necessitates an understanding of the multitude of factors that contribute to it. Recently, “food noise” has emerged as a topic of interest in this space. The current survey-based observational study aimed to understand the relationship between Body Mass Index (BMI) and levels of food noise. The results indicate a significant association between BMI and food noise levels and a connection between a history of disordered eating and food noise levels. Additionally scores on the Food Noise Questionnaire (FNQ) and the Food Cravings Questionnaire - Trait – reduced (FCQ-R-r) were found to be …

Dual Orexin Receptor Antagonism With Lemborexant Enhances Microglial Clearance Of Β-Amyloid In Mice, Ashish Sharma, Emiko Segawa, Xiaoying Chen, Sohui Park, Shoutang Wang, Riley E. Irmen, Nicholas J. Constantino, Chanung Wang, Michael F. Kanan, Marco Colonna, Shannon L. Macauley, Jocelyn Y. Cheng, Ken Hatanaka, Margaret Moline, Erik S. Musiek

Sanders-Brown Center on Aging Faculty Publications

Background: Sleep disturbances elevate brain amyloid-beta (Aβ) levels and represent a modifiable risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The orexin/hypocretin system regulates sleep–wake behavior and has emerged as a therapeutic target in AD; however, the effects of FDA-approved dual orexin receptor antagonists (DORAs) on amyloid pathology remain unclear. We compared lemborexant, an FDA-approved DORA, to doxepin, an antihistaminergic sleep medication, on amyloid pathology and microglial responses in PSAPP mice.

Methods: PSAPP mice received lemborexant (10 or 30 mg/kg/day), doxepin (35 mg/kg/day), or vehicle for 6 weeks beginning prior to plaque onset or 4 weeks after established pathology. Sleep was assessed …

The Effects Of Vestibular Dysfunction On Cognition, Sai Puneeth Kothuru

Honors Theses

Virtual Reality (VR) systems are being used more in education, entertainment, and research, but can produce motion sickness that could temporarily disrupt cognitive functioning. This study examined whether exposure to a VR roller coaster experience leads to short-term changes in cognitive flexibility, attention, spatial orientation awareness, and anxiety compared to a control condition. Participants were randomly assigned to a VR condition or a computer-based 2D viewing condition with identical roller coaster visual content. Participants completed three testing blocks: baseline, after exposure, and after a 10-minute recovery period. Cognitive flexibility and attention were assessed using the Trail Making Test (TMT), and …

Microgravity-Induced Alterations In Left Atrial Hemodynamics And Thrombogenic Risk: Insights From Healthy And Atrial Fibrillation Models, Grace M. Hoeppner

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Background: Microgravity exposure alters cardiovascular loading, yet its impact on left atrial flow dynamics and thrombotic risk remains poorly understood. This study investigates how spaceflight-relevant microgravity-induced changes in cardiac outflow affect left atrial hemodynamics in healthy individuals and patients with atrial fibrillation.

Methods: Patient-specific left atrial models were generated for three healthy individuals and three AF patients. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were performed using each patient’s baseline mitral outflow waveform and two modified waveforms representing short- and long-duration post-flight cardiac loading changes derived from echocardiographic observations. Hemodynamic metrics included left atrial velocity, time averaged wall shear stress, oscillatory shear …

Effect Of Canagliflozin Pretreatment On The Efficacy Of Insulin Therapy To Rescue Type 1 Diabetes-Related Bone Fragility In Male Mice, Jeffry S. Nyman, R. Clay Bunn, Sasidhar Uppuganti, Elizabeth M. Hennen, Plaban Mishra, Philip D. Ray, Anthony Garcia Mendez, Evangelia Kalaitzoglou, John L. Fowlkes

Barnstable Brown Diabetes Center Faculty Publications

Humans with type 1 diabetes (T1D) have a higher-than-expected fracture risk, and bone is weak in mouse models of T1D. Since hyperglycemia is thought to deleteriously affect tissue-level sensitivity of insulin action, we hypothesized that glucose-lowering by canagliflozin (Cana) improves the ability of insulin treatment to rescue the T1D-related decrease in bone strength. To test this hypothesis, male DBA/2 mice with and without streptozotocin (STZ)-induced hyperglycemia at 8 weeks of age were fed a diet with and without Cana (50 ppm) at 10 weeks of age and then the T1D mice, regardless of placebo diet or Cana diet, were treated …

Emergency Department-Initiated Standard Versus High-Dose Buprenorphine Induction (Envision): A Randomised Clinical Trial Protocol, Kathryn Hawk, Andrew Herring, Marek Chawarski, Erik S. Anderson, Michael Baumann, Alyrene Dorey, August F. Holtyn, Christopher Jones, Shara Martel, Patricia Owens, Kaitlin Kmiecik, Tania D. Strout, Peter Taillac, Michelle R. Lofwall, Sharon L. Walsh, Gail D’Onofrio

Center on Drug and Alcohol Research Faculty Publications

Introduction: The initiation of buprenorphine for patients with opioid use disorder (OUD) in the emergency department (ED) has been associated with improved outcomes including reduced ED visits and increased treatment engagement. Though both standard-dose (8 mg buprenorphine equivalent) and high-dose (24 mg buprenorphine equivalent) strategies to initiate buprenorphine have been used in the ED, no prospective trials comparing outcomes among patients receiving these treatments have been reported.

Methods and analysis: This multisite randomised clinical trial is a multisite double-blind, double-dummy, randomised clinical trial enrolling 360 emergency department patients with moderate-to-severe OUD. Enrolled patients will be randomised to one of two …