Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

In Vitro And In Vivo Evaluation Of The Effect Of A Commercial-Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product As Quorum Sensing Inhibitors Of Salmonella Enterica Typhimurium, Ileana Loeza

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the present research was to evaluate Enterococcus faecium fermentation peptides (EFP) for antibacterial activity, inhibition of biofilm formation, and anti-quorum sensing properties against Salmonella Typhimurium (ST) in in vitro trials and individual body weight and ST organ colonization in therapeutic and prophylactic models in broiler chickens. Ninety-six day-of-hatch Cobb 500 broiler chickens were randomized and assigned to one of four treatments: NC) Negative Control, no EFP treatment and no ST challenge; NC+EFP) Negative Control, EFP treatment and no ST; PC) Positive Control, no EFP treatment and ST challenge, and PC+EFP) EFP treated and ST challenged. Independent trials …

Evaluating Bone Fracture Healing In A Rabbit Model Using Doppler Imaging Modes, Shear Wave Elastography, X-Ray, And Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry, Priscilla Machado, Rachel Blackman, Ji-Bin Liu, Collleen Dempsey, Flemming Forsberg, Traci Fox

Department of Radiology Faculty Papers

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated methods of evaluating the bone fracture healing process using superb microvascular imaging (SMI; two modes color SMI [cSMI] and monochromeSMI [mSMI]), and shear wave elastography (SWE), relative to X-ray, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule 1 (PECAM-1) also know as cluster of differentiation 31 (CD-31) staining in a rabbit model.

METHODS: This IACUC-approved study involved eight rabbits that underwent a bilateral fibula osteotomy and were followed for 7 or 21 days (Groups 1 and 2 with 4 rabbits in each). Ultrasound examinations using cSMI, mSMI, and SWE were performed on Days 0, …

Planning For Scale: Analysis Of Adaptations And Contextual Factors Influencing Scale-Up Of The Quali-Dec Intervention To Optimize Caesarean Section Use, Soha El-Halabi, Claudia Hanson, Alexandre Dumont, Amanda Cleeve, Helle Mölsted Alvesson, Charles Kaboré, Guillermo Carroli, Pisake Lumbiganon, Quoc Nhu Hung Mac, Ana Pilar Betran

Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health

Background: Researchers are encouraged to plan for scale through purposeful and guided assessment of scalability of an intervention. This study analysed factors potentially influencing scale-up and synthesised early adaptations of the QUALI-DEC intervention aiming to improve the appropriate use of caesarean section. The intervention consists of opinion leader engagement, audit and feedback for caesarean section, a tool to help women make an informed decision on the mode of birth, and labour companionship.

Methods: We conducted a framework analysis, which was guided by the scalability assessment framework by Zamboni et al., a 34-item checklist with a three-point scale. We used data …

Pregnancy Care Integrating Translational Science, Everywhere (Precise): A Prospective Cohort Study Of African Pregnant And Non-Pregnant Women To Investigate Placental Disorders – Cohort Profile, Rachel Craik, Joseph Akuze, Marie-Laure Volvert, Hannah Blencowe, Moses Mukhanya, Angela Koech, Grace Mwashigadi, Marleen Temmerman, Marvin Ochieng, Emily Mwadime

Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health

Purpose: The Pregnancies' Care Integrating translational Science, Everywhere Network was established to investigate specific placental disorders (pregnancy hypertension, preterm birth, fetal growth restriction and stillbirth) in sub-Saharan Africa. We created a repository of clinical and social data with associated biological samples from pregnant and non-pregnant women. Alongside this, local infrastructure and expertise in the field of maternal and child health research were enhanced.

Participants: Pregnant women were recruited in participating health facilities in The Gambia, Kenya and Mozambique at their first antenatal visit or at the time a placental disorder was diagnosed (Kenya and The Gambia only). Follow-up study …

Strategizing Towards The Future Hospital: A Systems Thinking Approach, Ashish Kumar, Sean Shao Wei Lam, Sze Ling Chan, Yingqi Xu, Yao Ge, Geoffrey Kah Tack Gui, Hiang Khoon Tan

Research Collection School Of Economics

Background: The complex systemic nature of Future Hospital design in the rapidly ageing city-state of Singapore calls for systems thinking. We apply this approach to answer two research questions: (i) What are the variables that drive the present and future dynamics of the Future Hospital system? (ii) How are these driving variables related? Methods: Causal loop diagrams (CLDs) were developed collaboratively by a cross-functional system modelling team through group modelling discussions and reviews, totalling 20 sessions. Network analysis of the resulting CLDs was used to identify dominant variables. Results: Seven interlocking CLDs (national view, cluster view, and study hospital top …

Statin Effects On The Lipidome: Predicting Statin Usage And Implications For Cardiovascular Risk Prediction, Changyu Yi, Kevin Huynh, Yvette Schooneveldt, Gavriel Olshansky, Amy Liang, Tingting Wang, Habtamu B. Beyene, Aleksandar Dakic, Joanne E. Curran, John Blangero

School of Medicine Publications

Statin therapy is a highly successful and cost-effective strategy for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Adjusting for statin usage is crucial when exploring the association of the lipidome with CVD to avoid erroneous conclusions. However, practical challenges arise in real-world scenarios due to the frequent absence of statin usage information. To address this limitation, we demonstrate that statin usage can be accurately predicted using lipidomic data. Using three large population datasets and a longitudinal clinical study, we show that lipidomic-based statin prediction models exhibit high prediction accuracy in external validation. Furthermore, we introduce a re-weighted model, designed …

Effects Of Different Blue Light Conditions On Saos-2 Cell Viability, Differentiation, And Mineralization, Jamielyn Alcantara Jarvis

Theses and Dissertations

Photobiomodulation (PBM) is a low-intensity light therapy that uses non-ionizing forms of energy to induce a directed cellular response. Prior work has investigated the effects of blue light exposure at energy densities ranging from 1 J/cm2 to 10 J/cm2 on osteogenic differentiation of human gingival mesenchymal stem cells (hGMSCs), human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs), and stem cells from the apical papilla (SCAPs) and shown promising outcomes at 4 J/cm2 and then having a detrimental impact at higher energy densities. One key caveat in prior studies is that the blue light energy density was modulated by changing the light exposure …

Examining The Impact Of The Executive Healthcare Leadership Institute On Faculty Readiness To Lead, Blythe Eggleston

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Americans living in rural communities face significantly poorer health outcomes compared to those in urban areas. Academic medical centers (AMCs), such as the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), play a critical role in addressing these disparities by incorporating rural health improvement into their mission. UAMS has committed to mitigating adverse health outcomes through targeted initiatives. However, AMCs operate within highly complex environments, balancing their tripartite mission of teaching, research, and clinical care, which demands exceptional leadership. These institutions also face unique organizational and economic challenges, compounded by personal and professional pressures on faculty members. To enhance leadership capacity …

The Efficacy Of Incorporating Artificial Intelligence (Ai) Chatbots In Brief Gratitude And Self-Affirmation Interventions: Evidence From Two Exploratory Experiments, Jing Wen Hung, Andree Hartanto, Adalia Y.H. Goh, Zoey K.Y. Eun, K. T. A. Sandeeshwara Kasturiratna, Zhi Xuan Lee, Nadyanna M. Majeed

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

Numerous studies have demonstrated that positive psychology interventions, including brief interventions, can significantly improve well-being outcomes. These findings are particularly important given that many of these interventions are brief and self-administered, making them both accessible and scalable for large populations. However, the efficacy of positive psychology interventions is often constrained by small effect sizes. In light of advancements in generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), this study explored whether integrating AI chatbots into positive psychology interventions could enhance their efficacy compared to traditional self-administered approaches. Study 1 examined the efficacy of a gratitude intervention delivered through Snapchat's My AI, while Study 2 …

Investigating The Role Of The Hypocretin/Orexin System In A Novel Model Of Polysubstance Dependence, Tyler Zarin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Substance use disorders (SUD) in the United States are steadily increasing. Potent and dangerous substances such as methamphetamine (MA) and fentanyl (FEN) are often co-used as a polysubstance (POLY), either intentionally or unknowingly as FEN is a common adulterant. SUD is characterized by physiological and psychological dependence involving the negative reinforcement of anhedonia and withdrawal which drive hypermotivated drug-taking behaviors. Current theory suggests that recruitment of hypocretin/orexin (HCRT) neuropeptide in reward and stress associated brain regions contributes to drug dependence. Despite strong evidence for HCRT’s role in mono-drug dependence, a relevant model for POLY dependence has yet to be developed, …

Bridging Theory And Practice: Aquatic Occupational Therapy For Functional Rehabilitation In Parkinson’S Disease, Chelsea L. Tate

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

The purpose of the Doctoral Capstone Experience and Project is to develop a theoretical framework and supporting program to guide the application of aquatic interventions specific to Parkinson’s disease treatment, while highlighting the therapeutic benefits that can be integrated into occupational therapy practice. The framework and program focus on improving overall physicality, cognitive, and functional performance for individuals with Parkinson’s disease.

Care For The Carer: A Program For Caregivers & Their Loved One, Luke Allen

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

The purpose of the Doctoral Capstone Project is to reduce the burden experienced by dementia caregivers due to unmet physical, mental, and social needs. To meet this objective, CAREpackages with resources pertinent to dementia caregiving, with accompanying Dementia Difficulty educational videos will be delivered to families from low socio-economic backgrounds in the Northeast Arkansas community.

Bridging The Gap Between Occupational Therapy & Animal-Assisted Therapy (Aat), Aspen Campbell Smith

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

The Doctoral Capstone Project involves developing advocacy resources to support occupational therapy practitioners in the ethical, safe, and effective integration of animal-assisted therapy (AAT) into clinical practice. The tools aim to increase practitioner awareness, support ethical decision-making, and promote client-centered, evidence-based animal-assisted therapy services.

Roadwell: An Occupational Therapy-Based Telehealth Platform To Improve Wellness Among Over-The-Road Truck Drivers, Phylecia G. Mason

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

This doctoral capstone project aimed to design and implement RoadWell, a mobile wellness platform usingthe Person–Environment–Occupation–Performance (PEOP) model, to improve occupational performance and well-being. RoadWell addresses the interaction between the person, environment, and occupation by delivering real-time, evidence-informed strategies that meet drivers where they are—in their real work environments, doing real work.

Rooted In Play: Empowering Development Through Nature-Based Occupational Therapy, Nicole Roper

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

The doctoral capstone project included advocating for the use of outdoor play by identifying and emphasizing the benefits of occupational therapy (OT) involvement within nature-based therapy for pediatric patients and creating nature-based therapy recourses for caregivers and occupational therapists.

Impaired Mental Health In Adolescents: Socioeconomically Challenged Geographic Locations, Brittany E. Kunkel

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

This capstone project aligns occupational therapy strategies with the environmental, social, and institutional contexts that shape adolescent mental health, enabling holistic and culturally responsive interventions that address not only individual needs but also broader systemic influences.

More Than A Crown: Creating Leaders And Connecting Communities, Grace Addison Ross

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

More than a Crown is a doctoral capstone experience (DCE) that promotes community integration for girls with intellectual disabilities by enhancing their leadership skills. Participants engage in a six-week leadership program that focuses on developing the following skills: confidence, poise, creativity, self-exploration, conversation, and active listening.

Utilizing Animal-Assisted Therapy To Address Pyschosocial Implications Of The Geriatric Population In A Residential Facility, Blaire Kennon Bassham

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

Older adults in residential care frequently experience psychosocial challenges such as isolation, depression, and reduced engagement in meaningful activity. Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT), when integrated into occupational therapy, offers a powerful, evidence-based means to address these concerns by promoting emotional well-being, social connection, and purposeful interaction. This capstone project leveraged AAT as a therapeutic intervention specifically designed to meet psychosocial needs.

#Helpplz: Mental Health Representation In Theatre For Young Audiences, Kate Elizabeth Dirrigl

Theses and Dissertations

#HELPPLZ is a play for young theater audiences that depicts four teenagers with various mental health challenges. It’s target audience is for children ages ten to fifteen and should be performed by actors of similar ages. #HELPPLZ is an immersive theatre experience, as a audience members watch four actors perform from four different lifestyles and point of views, all while broadcast on screens behind the actors. Every seat is a good seat in the house. This play follows a shift in trends of mental health depiction in contemporary theatre. No longer demonized and much more accessible, plays such as Dear …

Insights Into The Role Of The Glymphatic System In The Pathogenesis Of Post-Hemorrhagic Hydrocephalus, Ahmed T Massoud, Dillon A Noltensmeyer, Jenifer Juranek, Charles S Cox, Fred Christian Velasquez, Banghe Zhu, Eva M Sevick-Muraca, Manish N Shah

The Brown Foundation: Institute of Molecular Medicine

Recently, it has been well-established that the glymphatic or glial-lymphatic system plays a vital role in the pathophysiology of various neurological compromise, especially hydrocephalus (HCP). Till now, the complete pathway is not yet fully understood, and little evidence is available from the literature that links hydrocephalus to disorders of the glymphatic system. Most published molecular studies and animal research have shown that, in models with hydrocephalus, the drainage of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) via the glymphatic system is disrupted. This is strongly observed in normal pressure and post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus cases. A thorough search of the literature to date yields scarce evidence …

The Perception Of Waiting Times On Patient Satisfaction And Patient Care: A Cross-Sectional Study At A Tertiary Health Care Institution In Kenya, Soud Seif, Jasmit Shah, Ali Chandani, Sayed Karar

Internal Medicine, East Africa

Introduction: Patients often spend significant time waiting for care, which influences patient satisfaction, perceived quality, access to care, and utilization of various health care services. Waiting time and resulting implications remain understudied in low- and middle-income countries like Kenya. This study aimed to describe the impact on the perception of waiting times on patient satisfaction and care at a tertiary healthcare institution in Kenya.

Method: We conducted a prospective cross-sectional study between the first of April 2023 and the thirty-first of August 2023 at the Emergency Room (ER) at Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi. Data was collected through a structured …

A Psychometric Evaluation Of The Intentionality Bias Task, David Willard

Graduate Theses and Dissertations (2019 - present)

Intentionality Bias Task (IBT) provides quick and easy assessment of the tendency to overattribute intentionality to the behaviors of others. The IBT has been used repeatedly in research that has attempted to connect intentionality bias to a wide range of disorders and socio-emotional abilities, including schizophrenia spectrum disorder, autism spectrum disorder, and cognitive empathy. To date, however, there has been no systematic examination of the IBT’s psychometric properties. The present study attempts to fill this gap by testing whether the IBT possesses a reliable factor structure. Specifically, the 34 items of the IBT were written to reflect two types of …

Improving Glycemic Management Of The Inpatient Adult With Diabetes Mellitus Through The Development Of A Bedside Decision Support Tool For The Medical-Surgical Floor Nurse, Robin Deville Guidry

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract

Background: Uncontrolled blood sugar can lead to adverse events in the adult perioperative inpatient population. Hyperglycemia can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), infection, delayed wound healing, increased hospital lengths of stay (LOS), and even mortality. Uncontrolled hypoglycemia can result in confusion, seizures, and even coma.

Purpose: This single-PDSA-cycle quality improvement project aimed to prevent and/or minimize the duration of uncontrolled blood sugar in the peri-operative adult inpatient. The primary objective was to reduce the incidence of hyperglycemia defined as >180 mg/dL by at least 10% from baseline with a goal rate of less than 25%, while also reducing the incidence …

Survival In Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis And Recently Diagnosed Early-Stage Colorectal, Lung, Or Prostate Cancer Receiving Tumour Necrosis Factor Inhibitors: A Retrospective Cohort Study, Juan I Ruiz, Xiudong Lei, Sharon H Giordano, Hui Zhao, Suja S Rajan, Heather Lin, Maria E Suarez-Almazor

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors could impair tumoural immunity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and cancer. We aimed to investigate the association between survival and TNF inhibitor treatment during the first 3 years after a diagnosis of colorectal, lung, or prostate cancer in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Methods: In this cohort study, we conducted a secondary data analysis of the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Medicare-linked dataset. We included patients aged 66 years and older with rheumatoid arthritis diagnosed with colorectal, lung, or prostate cancer between Jan 1, 2008, and Dec 31, 2019, using ICD-O-3 site and histology codes. …

An Updated Systematic Review And Consensus Definitions For Standardised Endpoints In Perioperative Medicine: Patient Comfort And Pain Relief, Paul S Myles, Sophie Wallace, Oliver Boney, Mari Botti, Frances Chung, Allan M Cyna, Tong J Gan, Michael P W Grocott, Mark P Jensen, Henrik Kehlet, Andrea Kurz, Maxime Leger, Ulrica Nilsson, Phillip Peyton, Daniel I Sessler, Martin R Tramèr, Christopher L Wu, Alfred Health Patient Experience And Consumer Engagement Group

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Improving comfort during and after surgery is a key concern for anaesthetists and other clinicians. With the inclusion of patient and public involvement, we undertook a Delphi consensus process to update previously recommended endpoints to be used in clinical trials evaluating treatments aiming to improve patient comfort after surgery.

Methods: We undertook a systematic review to identify domains and outcome measures of patient comfort used in perioperative studies. Focus groups, workshops, and a multi-round Delphi consensus process that included clinician-researchers and a patient experience and consumer group updated a recommended list of standardised endpoints focused on patient comfort. Consensus …

Associations Between The Timing Of 24 H Physical Activity And Diabetes Mellitus: Results From A Nationally Representative Sample Of The Us Population, Qian Xiao, Qiuyu Feng, Martin K Rutter, Gali Albalak, Heming Wang, Raymond Noordam

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Aims/hypothesis: Growing evidence suggests that timing may be an important aspect of physical activity that influences cardiometabolic health. However, the current literature is inconclusive regarding the time of day that physical activity offers the greatest metabolic advantages. We investigated associations between hourly physical activity levels and diabetes mellitus and glycaemic biomarkers in a cross-sectional and nationally representative sample of US adults.

Methods: We studied 7074 adults (mean age 48 years; 52% women) from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2011-2014). Physical activity was measured by actigraphy. A monitor-independent movement summary (MIMS) unit was used to derive the total activity …

Comparison Of Risk Assessment Tools' Prediction Of Outcomes For Penetrating Trauma, Jeffrey Santos, Catherine M Kuza, Xi Luo, Tiffany Moon, Thomas Shoultz, Anne Feeler, Roman Dudaryk, Jose Navas, Georgia Vasileiou, Kazuhide Matsushima, Matthew Forestiere, Tiffany Lian, Areg Grigorian, Joni Ricks-Oddie, Jeffry Nahmias

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Introduction: The Trauma and Injury Severity Score (TRISS) uses anatomic and/or physiologic variables to predict mortality; however, Injury Severity Score is less reliable for penetrating trauma. National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Surgical Risk Calculator (NSQIP-SRC) and American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status (ASA-PS) include functional status and comorbidities. This study evaluates the accuracy of these tools in predicting mortality, length of stay (LOS), and complications for operative penetrating trauma.

Methods: Adult penetrating trauma patients (≥18 y) who underwent surgery within 24 h of admission were included in this subgroup analysis of a prospective observational study at four trauma centers. The …

May 2025, Swosu Bulldog Wellness Committee

SWOSU BULLDOG WELLNESS

May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month

REMINDER - SWOSU Swimming Pool OPEN TO ALL SWOSU EMPLOYEES and their FAMILY! (see hours p.2)

May Day Crossword Puzzle

Newsletter brought to you by the Bulldog Wellness Committee

Measured And Self-Reported Hypertension Among Women Of Reproductive Age, Gambia, Kenya, Mozambique, Laura Magee, Esperanca Sevene, Anne Rerimoi, Rachel Craik, Ashley Muteti, Marleen Temmerman, Marianne Vidler, Umberto D’Alessandro, Anna Roca, Jeffrey Bone

Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health

Problem In sub-Saharan Africa, hypertension prevalence is usually estimated from participant recall. We assessed the accuracy of self-reported hypertension in women of reproductive age.

Approach In PRECISE (PREgnancy Care Integrating translational Science, Everywhere), an observational prospective cohort study, we recruited 1825 non-pregnant women of reproductive age, 610 in the Gambia, 609 in Kenya and 606 in Mozambique. We compared self-reported and measured hypertension (systolic blood pressure ≥ 140mmHg or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90mmHg). We adjusted hypertension prevalence for age, body mass index, education, parity, and antihypertensive medicine and oral contraceptive use.

Local setting PRECISE was conducted in both urban …

Improving Nurse Confidence Around Communication With Physician Partners Through The Caritas Processes, Deborah M. Yracheta

Doctoral Projects

Nurses are the eyes and ears at the bedside during a patient’s hospital stay. They are responsible for communicating significant changes in a patient’s health status, mainly to their physician partners. Unfortunately, good communication between nurses and doctors is a shortcoming of the nursing profession. Seven thousand reviewed malpractice lawsuits were directly related to poor provider communication, resulting in $1.7 billion in malpractice cases and 2,000 preventable deaths. These communication errors also lead to prolonged hospital delays in care, underscoring the need for improved communication. These poor outcomes compromise patients’ lives, safety, and well-being and decrease patient satisfaction scores, ultimately …