Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Communication Matters! Exploring Experiences Of Non-English Language Preferred Families In The Neonatal And Pediatric Intensive Care Units, Sana Haq, Erin Cohen, Susan Schmidt, Rochanak Moassabeb, Folasade Kehinde

St. Chris Research Day

No abstract provided.

F-Test And One-Way Anova For Medical Images Diagnosis, Jamal Kamil K. Abbas, Ali Abdulkadhum Ruhaima

Al-Nisour Journal for Medical Sciences

A new technique for impulse noise discrimination of medical MRI images is presented. Statistical F-distribution supported by Monte Carlo simulation for prediction of impulse noise location on distorted images is used. The selective noisy pixels are detected as noisy using the One-Way ANOVA hypothesis method. The statistical prediction method is applied to the test images to predict the noise location. The distorted portions in the images predicted by this structure are improved by using a proper nonlinear filter. The nonlinear median filter is showing a suitable way the replacement of degraded pixels. The filter is not applied to the not-detected …

Comparative Study Between Laparoscopic And Non-Laparoscopic Surgeries On Blood Sugar Levels Intraoperative, Mohammed Abdul Hameed Younis

Al-Nisour Journal for Medical Sciences

Main object: This study aimed to assess the impact of laparoscopic and non-laparoscopic procedures on the blood glucose levels of patients at Baghdad Hospital and Al-imam ALI Hospital in Baghdad, Iraq.

Methodology: The study was conducted from 16 November 2023 to 2 March 2024. A total of 50 patients, aged between 15 and 58 years, were included in this study. There were 25 males and 25 females, all with an American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status of either I or II. The patients were divided into two groups based on the type of operation they underwent, with each group …

Histological Changes Of Mesenteric Lymph Nodes Affected By Cadmium Chloride In Male Albino Rat: Experimental Study, Umalbaneen Hilal Hadi, Safa J. Al-Yassir, Warkaa M. Ali Alwattar

Al-Nisour Journal for Medical Sciences

Background: Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic heavy metal can be found in many sources, including cigarette smoke, e-cigarettes, batteries, contaminated water, plant-based foods, air, fertilizers, plastic toys, ceramics, soil and paints. the exposure to environmental factors may affect different body systems including lymphatic system.

Objectives: to investigate the effect of ingested cadmium chloride on mesenteric lymph nodes in rat.

Materials and Methods: twenty adult male albino rats were used in this study, which divided equally into two groups, on group served as control group administrated of tap water while the second group used as experimental group exposed to daily …

Relationship Between Renal And Liver Function With Diabetic Retinopathy In Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus In Iraq, Muataz Mohammed Al-Taee

Al-Nisour Journal for Medical Sciences

It is guessed that this study would take a gander at the connection among liver and kidney function and the predominance and severity of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in Iraqi people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). three hundred T2DM patients that were browsed Iraqi tertiary thought offices partook in a cross-sectional survey. Segmental, clinical, and biochemical information were gathered, including liver function tests (e.g., alanine aminotransferase [ALT], aspartate aminotransferase [AST], and gamma-glutamyl transferase [GGT]) and renal function tests (e.g., serum creatinine, evaluated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR], and albuminuria). Fundoscopic assessment of DR was directed to recognize proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), …

Automated Retinal Vessel Analysis: A Novel Model For Blood Vessel Detection, Segmentation, And Clinical Characteristic Quantification, Aws A. Abdulsahib, Moamin A. Mahmoud, Sally A. Al-Hasnawi, Ahmed Zeyad Almhanna, Jamal Kamil K. Abbas

Al-Nisour Journal for Medical Sciences

This research enlightens into a fully automated model for segmenting blood vessels and extracting clinical features from retinal fundus images, which is vital for diagnosing ophthalmologic and cardiovascular diseases. The model utilises contrast enhancement, noise reduction, edge detection, and a method for reconnecting blood vessel branches. It extracts properties like tortuosity, girth, and length of blood vessels. The model's performance surpasses existing approaches, achieving high accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative prediction values on DRIVE and HRF datasets. This innovation offers the potential to reduce specialists' workload, enhance diagnostic accuracy, and streamline the analysis of complex fundus images, ultimately …

Shohani Save Guard (Ssg): Dietary Supplement To Support Drug Addiction Treatment, Mohammed Mahdi Salman Ghadban, Taghreed Khudhur Mohammed

Al-Nisour Journal for Medical Sciences

Shohani Save Guard (SSG) is a scientifically formulated dietary supplement designed to aid in the recovery from drug addiction, particularly methamphetamine addiction. This study explores the biochemical and biological mechanisms through which SSG's natural ingredients, including KSM-66, Panax Ginseng, Bacopa Monnieri, Green Tea, Curcumin, and other essential vitamins and minerals, work synergistically to promote recovery. The paper also reviews recent studies supporting the efficacy of these ingredients and highlights their roles in reducing addiction symptoms and improving overall health.

Evaluating Chemical Security And Safety Levels In Tanning Factories At The General Company For Textile And Leather Industries/Leather Factory In Iraq, Fatima Khudhur Mohammed, Taghreed Khudhur Mohammed, Salwa Hameed Naser Al-Rubae’I

Al-Nisour Journal for Medical Sciences

Most of the chemicals produced and used today are beneficial, but some also have the potential to damage human health and the environment. To achieve the goal of allowing the use of chemicals for companies and factories, safety and security tools were used in the laboratories, and workers were trained on the dangers of chemicals. We studied worker exposure to hazardous chemicals and determined the prevalence of occupational skin diseases. As well as examining the availability of personal protective equipment. A questionnaire was used to determine the chemicals used, the ages of the employees, their educational level, and the extent …

The Digital Dilemma: How Social Media Is Affecting Our Emotional Well-Being, Jasim Aymen Khaleefah, Ban Yousif Yaaqoob

Al-Nisour Journal for Medical Sciences

Internet and Social media have become an essential part of our daily routine, allowing us to connect and be close with others, share information, and engage in various activities. Nevertheless, the extensive use of social media has raised many questions about its influence on our health and emotional well-being. The purpose of this review is to provide an in-depth analysis of the literature on how social media distresses our emotional well-being. Current review was conducted by investigating existing literature, the works was obtained through searches on academic databases, including PubMed, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar. The literature found that social networking …

Comparative Study On Nephrin, Transforming Growth Factor-Β And Some Biochemical Markers For Predicting Type 2 Diabetic Nephropathy, Alyaa Kadhim Hliel, Huda Farhan Ahmed, Hiba Abdul-Hussein

Al-Nisour Journal for Medical Sciences

Background: Diabetic Nephropathy (DN), is a microvascular complication of the diabetes mellitus type 1 or 2 and the major reason of end-stage kidney disease, which is distinguished by an increase in urine albumin excretion (microalbuminuria) and/or a decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR) or both. Microalbuminuria has limited diagnostic role in early-stage diabetic nephropathy, because renal damage usually occurs before proteinuria. Therefore, more sensitive and specific biomarkers are needed for early detection of Diabetic Nephropathy.

Materials and Methods: A case-control study involved 180 participants aged 40-≥70 years, 60 individuals were healthy, and 120 had type 2 DM. The participants were divided …

Strengthening Addiction Recovery In Adults Through Mindfulness, Sara Christenson

Theses and Graduate Projects

Addiction is a significant health issue that affects millions of people. Individuals experiencing addiction face challenges in their everyday lives which often results in health issues, financial and/or legal issues, and broken relationships with family and friends. Additionally, there are often many barriers to seeking treatment which ultimately prevents recovery from substance use disorder. Throughout history, addiction has often been misunderstood, however, it is now recognized as a chronic illness that permanently changes the way the brain functions. Mindfulness is an intervention that promotes a nonjudgmental, nonreactive awareness that can strengthen the recovery process by acceptance of the craving response …

Integrating Positive Psychology And Spirituality To Foster Meaning And Well-Being In Older Adults, Crystal Morris

Adultspan Journal

This perspective article explores the integration of positive psychology interventions (PPIs) and spirituality in therapy to foster meaning and well-being in older adults. It highlights exercises such as the positive introduction, positive legacy, character strengths, mindfulness, mindful-based yoga, and a manifestation prayer journaling. The interventions presented are tools to support older adults that may experience depression, difficult life transitions, and the search for renewed meaning. Therapists who integrate PPIs and spirituality into therapy can promote a holistic, non-pathological approach to treatment.

Impaired Dnajb2 Response To Heat Shock In Fibroblasts From A Neuropathy Patient With Dnajb2/Hsj1 Mutation: Cystamine As A Potential Therapeutic Intervention, Raj K. Pradhan, Nikolas G. Kinney, Brigid K. Jensen, Hristelina Ilieva

Farber Institute for Neuroscience Faculty Papers

Background and Objectives: Neuropathy is a debilitating disorder characterized by peripheral nerve dysfunction and damage to sensory, motor, and autonomic neurons and their axons. While homozygous mutations in DNAJB2/HSJ1 have been linked to early-onset neuropathy, a heterozygous DNAJB2 c.823+6C>T was discovered in an adult patient with severe sensory–motor polyneuropathy. This mutation is predicted to affect both isoforms of the protein. DNAJB2 (HSP40), a key member of the heat shock protein family, plays a critical role in cellular protection and stress, including response to heat shock. DNAJB2 traffics unfolded proteins to another heat shock protein, HSP70, and activates its ATPase …

A Systematic Review Of Neutrophilic Alopecias Of The Scalp In The Pediatric Population, Nesreen Shahrour, Layan Shahrour, Rahib K. Islam, Yoseph Dalia

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Neutrophilic alopecias of the scalp - including dissecting cellulitis of the scalp, folliculitis decalvans, and Acne Keloidalis Nuchae - are rare, scarring, inflammatory disorders with overlapping clinical and histopathologic features that present unique diagnostic and therapeutic challenges in pediatric populations. This systematic review synthesizes findings from 35 eligible studies identified through a search of Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online, Excerpta Medica Database, Central Cochrane Medical Database, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and Web of Science, focusing on treatment modalities and outcomes in children. Patients with dissecting cellulitis of the scalp often present with erythematous, tender …

Biomarkers That Could Explain Parasite-Induced Behavioral Alterations In The Golden Shiner (Notemigonus Crysoleucas) – Posthodiplostomum System, Laura D. Nicolas

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

Trophically transmitted parasites require an intermediate host to be consumed and often manipulate host phenotype (i.e., morphology, physiology, and/or behavior) to increase predation risk by definitive hosts. Posthodiplostomum is a trematode with a complex life cycle involving snails as first hosts, fish as second intermediate hosts, and piscivorous birds as definitive hosts. In fish hosts, Posthodiplostomum infection has been linked to increased predation, suggesting suppression of antipredator behaviors. However, the specific physiological pathways remained unexplored and changes in the host’s neural, endocrine, and immune systems could be involved. Thus, I examined whether Posthodiplostomum infection intensity was associated with brain serotonin …

The Impact Of Motivational Interviewing On African-American Men With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Jamekia Kitchens

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Translational and Clinical Research Projects

African-American men with type 2 diabetes face an immense health disparity in the United States, with alarming mortality rates compared to their counterparts. This pilot study examined the impact of motivational interviewing on African-American Men with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The researcher conducted motivational interview sessions using the components of the Diabetes Management Self-Efficacy Scale to guide the meetings. Pre- and post-confidence levels and pre- and post-hemoglobin A1c levels were collected and analyzed. After the completion of three motivational interview sessions, participants displayed significantly higher self-efficacy scores with significantly decreased A1c levels. The results suggest that motivational interviewing has a …

Psychoeducational Training For Community Health Workers To Improve Confidence In Providing Mental Health Services To Migrants, Nimota M. Akintoye

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Translational and Clinical Research Projects

There is a higher prevalence of mental health illnesses among migrants. This minority group is faced with challenges in accessing healthcare due to poverty, stigmatization, and fear of discrimination. Research has shown that community health workers (CHWs) bridge the gap between the health and social service sectors and the patients by improving patient access to care and healthcare outcomes. A translational project was implemented to evaluate how psychoeducational training improved the CHWs’ confidence and knowledge level in providing mental health support to the patients and community members. Sister Calista Roy’s Adaptation Model was used to guide the study by incorporating …

Synthesis, Structural Characterization, And In-Vitro Cytotoxicity Of Zinc-Levofloxacin Ligand, Khalid Ibrahim Adwan, Falah M. K. Al-Rekabi

Al-Nisour Journal for Medical Sciences

Background: This study aimed to modify levofloxacin and evaluate its cytotoxicity as well as the synthesis, characterization and physical evaluation of mixed ligand zinc complex with the third generation quinolones’ representative, levofloxacin. Levofloxacin coupled to zinc through one pyridone and one carboxylate oxygen as well as with two nitrogen atoms from the heteroligand, as demonstrated by the complexation of zinc (II) metal ion with the deprotonated ligand and heteroligand. The identification of the complex structure was carried out using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Hydrogen-Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, melting point, and UV–visible spectrophotometry.

Results: Binding of the zinc on the two donor …

Human Monkeypox Virus; New Possible Viral Pandemic, Lamiaa Mohammed, Alyaa Jabbar Qasim, Ayat Majeed Zeadan

Al-Nisour Journal for Medical Sciences

The unexpected monkeypox outbreak and global increase have drawn attention due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. With 3340 confirmed cases worldwide as of June 22, 2022, this is the biggest and most pervasive monkeypox outbreak outside of Africa. In addition to vertical transmission from mother to child, MPXV can spread from person to person through direct contact with infectious skin or mucosal skin lesions, respiratory droplets, or indirect contact with contaminated objects or materials. Additionally, it is most likely sexually transmitted through vaginal fluid or semen, and community transmission is a possibility. MPXV, an envelope, linear, double-stranded DNA virus that …

A Retrospective Study Of Childhood Meningitis And Its Risk Factors In Diyala Province, Zainab Mohamed Mahmmod

Al-Nisour Journal for Medical Sciences

Background: Viral agents are the primary cause of meningitis, a worldwide public health concern that primarily affects newborns and children. It is self-limiting and goes away in 7-10 days. With 85% of cases, enterovirus is the most prevalent etiologic agent. Summer is the peak season, and warm weather facilitates its spread. Most cases of meningitis occur in people under 30.

Aim: This study intends to assess the risk factor of meningitis in different age groups in Diyala Hospital (the Governorate of Diyala - Iraq) and identify the relation of demographical characteristics with the risk factor.

Methods: A …

The Contribution Of Catholic Compromise Principles In Global Health, Scott N. Helstad

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Roman Catholic tradition has developed comprehensive ethical principles to address complex practical scenarios that encounter foundational value compromises. These are referred to as compromise principles and they have both a narrow and a broad focus. Narrowly, these compromise principles are critical for Catholic healthcare organizations in the United States with regard to the guidelines of the US Bishops in their Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services. More broadly, these compromise principles are relevant in the secular realm regarding global health. This dissertation examines these varying perspectives, hence its title, “The Contribution of Catholic Compromise Principles …

Hospital Organizations’ Obligation To Promote Spiritual Well-Being Among Nurses: Development Of A Normative Ethical Argument, Michael Jordan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation presents an innovative strategy to promote the support of nurses' spirituality within hospital organizations. By focusing on the spiritual well-being of nurses by hospital organizations, with a natural extension into nursing schools, the approach aims to enhance nurse’s ability to protect their own spirituality, provide comprehensive spiritual care to patients, and increase nurse moral resilience. By investing in nurses' spirituality and spiritual growth, hospitals can potentially increase job satisfaction among nursing staff, improve patient care outcomes, and create a more holistic healing environment for both nurses and patients. As the nursing shortage continues and the number of nurses …

The Menstrual Cycle And Exercise Performance: A Literature Review, Reagan E. Burchill

Honors Thesis

This literature review will examine the current research investigating the relationship between the female menstrual cycle, exercise performance, and exercise instruction. The menstrual cycle is a physiological series of events that includes specific hormones at each stage. These hormones may play a role in how females recover from exercise. This is particularly significant when considering the hormonal fluctuations across the female menstrual cycle, which influence recovery, injury risk, and exercise performance. This could indicate that the suggestions doctors and exercise trainers present to females may not be as beneficial for their health because the research is not specifically tailored to …

How Does Snap Access Prior To Pregnancy Affect Maternal And Infant Health Outcomes?, Sarah Hamersma, Mitch Mcfarlane

Center for Policy Research

Consistent access to healthy food even before pregnancy can play a role in maternal and child health. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides food assistance to low-income individuals, including those who do not yet have children (often classified as Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents, or ABAWDs). Our study uses ABAWD work requirement waivers – which vary within and across counties over a 15-year-period – as a measure of SNAP access for childless women. We use this variation to investigate pre-pregnancy SNAP access and the health of mothers and their infants. Using rich, population-wide Vital Statistics data combined with county-level SNAP …

A Qualitative Evaluation Of Diabetes Solutions Telehealth Coaching Services, Caroline Brock

Honors Theses

Diabetes remains a growing public health concern, particularly in underserved regions such as rural Mississippi, where barriers to healthcare access and diabetes education contribute to poor disease management. This qualitative study explores the lived experiences of 27 participants enrolled in Diabetes Solutions, a telehealth-based diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES/T) program offered by the Mississippi Diabetes Network. Using a phenomenological approach and structured interviews, the study identifies four major themes: structural benefits of the program, knowledge gained, common changes by participants, and quality of life outcomes. Participants consistently emphasized the value of personalized coaching, emotional encouragement, and practical education on …

Household Point-Of-Use Faucet Filters For Lead Removal: Field Performance And User Experiences, Jeannie M. Purchase, Chantaly Villalona, Adrienne Katner, Kelsey Pieper, Marc Edwards

School of Public Health Faculty Publications

Lead certified point of use (POU) faucet filters were field tested in two Louisiana cities in a total of 21 occupied homes during normal use and in two unoccupied homes with very high risk of water lead (Pb) contamination. In an unoccupied home with a 28 m lead service line (LSL) with average lead of 17 μg/L in flushed water, treatment by POU filters generally produced water with < 5 μg/L Pb even when tested to 200% of rated capacity. In the unoccupied home with a disturbed LSL, the water had erratic influent particulate lead of 9-3053 μg/L, and the POUs did not consistently produce water with < 10 μg/L Pb despite very high percentage removals. When testing POUs in occupied homes known to occasionally have lead over 5 μg/L, POUs always reduced lead to < 1 μg/L. In addition, POUs were also effectively removing high levels of iron and manganese present in the water of one city, but this also caused clogging before reaching half of their rated capacity. Laboratory experiments confirmed POU susceptibility to iron clogging.

Enhancing Endodontic Outcomes With The Synergistic Microbicidal And Activated Root-Cleansing Technique (Smart): A Novel Approach To Root Canal Irrigation, Max Foroughi, Sara Abolmaali, Hamid Abedi, Theodore Ravenel

Pacific Faculty Work

Background and Objectives: Successful endodontic treatment requires thorough disinfection and removal of the smear layer to prevent reinfection. However, conventional irrigants like sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) can compromise dentin integrity. This study assessed the efficacy of the Synergistic Microbicidal and Ablative Root canal Technique (SMART), which integrates AromaRoot, a biocompatible irrigation solution based on quaternary ammonium compounds, with 980 nm diode laser activation, to enhance bacterial reduction and smear layer removal. Materials and Methods: Sixty extracted single-rooted human teeth were inoculated with Enterococcus faecalis and divided into four treatment groups using NaOCl, AromaRoot, and 980 nm laser, …

Evaluating Algorithmic Bias On Biomarker Classification Of Breast Cancer Pathology Reports, Jordan Tschida, Mayanka Chandrashekar, Alina Peluso, Zachary Fox, Patrycja Krawczuk, Dakota Murdock, Xiao-Cheng Wu, John Gounley, Heidi A. Hanson

School of Public Health Faculty Publications

OBJECTIVES: This work evaluated algorithmic bias in biomarkers classification using electronic pathology reports from female breast cancer cases. Bias was assessed across 5 subgroups: cancer registry, race, Hispanic ethnicity, age at diagnosis, and socioeconomic status. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We utilized 594 875 electronic pathology reports from 178 121 tumors diagnosed in Kentucky, Louisiana, New Jersey, New Mexico, Seattle, and Utah to train 2 deep-learning algorithms to classify breast cancer patients using their biomarkers test results. We used balanced error rate (BER), demographic parity (DP), equalized odds (EOD), and equal opportunity (EOP) to assess bias. RESULTS: We found differences in predictive …

Characterizing Spatial Epidemiology In A Heterogeneous Transmission Landscape Using The Spatial Transmission Count Statistic, Leke Lyu, Gabriella Veytsel, Guppy Stott, Spencer Fox, Cody Dailey, Lambodhar Damodaran, Kayo Fujimoto, Pamela Brown, Roger Sealy, Armand Brown, Magdy Alabady, Justin Bahl

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Viral genomes contain records of geographic movements and cross-scale transmission dynamics. However, the impact of regional heterogeneity, particularly among rural and urban centers, on viral spread and epidemic trajectory has been less explored due to limited data availability. Intensive and widespread efforts to collect and sequence SARS-CoV-2 viral samples have enabled the development of comparative genomic approaches to reconstruct spatial transmission history and understand viral transmission across different scales.

Methods: We proposed the spatial transmission count statistic that efficiently summarizes the geographic transmission patterns imprinted in viral phylogenies. Guided by a time-scaled tree with ancestral trait states, we identified …

Investigating Neural, Neurovascular, And Vascular Function: Insights From Imaging 5-Ht2ar Compounds, Optogenetic Motor Mapping, And Cross-Modal Functional Mapping, Jonah Aryeh Padawer-Curry

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

Understanding how brain activity relates to behavior and cognition remains a central challenge in neuroscience. Brain function emerges from interactions between electrical, chemical, and blood dynamics across multiple spatial and temporal scales. Capturing this complexity requires methods that assess both large-scale neurophysiological activity and precise, cell-type-specific processes. Widefield optical imaging (WFOI) enables high-resolution monitoring of cortical function by simultaneously measuring hemodynamic and calcium dynamics. WFOI is particularly valuable for studying psychedelics, which show therapeutic potential but may alter neurovascular coupling, complicating the interpretation of hemodynamic signals. Using WFOI, we examined the hallucinogenic 5-HT2A receptor agonist DOI in awake mice, revealing …