Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Micro/Nanoplastics And Cancer: Focus On Gastrointestinal Malignancies - A Narrative Review, Sana Rabeeah, Priyata Dutta, Ahmad Mahdi, Alejandra Vargas, Edward C. Oldfield, David A. Johnson

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) are plastic particles smaller than 5 mm and 1 μm, respectively, and are emerging environmental pollutants with growing implications for human health. These particles stem from either 'primary sources', such as intentionally manufactured microbeads and industrial abrasives, or 'secondary sources', where larger plastic items break down into smaller fragments over time. Human exposure primarily occurs through ingestion and inhalation, with contaminated seafood and plastic-laden food packaging representing key routes of entry. Once ingested, MNPs can cross the intestinal barrier, accumulate in gastrointestinal (GI) tissues, and trigger biological responses. Mechanistic studies reveal that MNPs induce oxidative stress, …

Multisociety Guidance For Infection Prevention And Control In Nursing Homes, Lona Mody, Sonali D. Advani, Muhammad Salman Ashraf, Allison H. Bartlett, Suzanne F. Bradley, Deborah P. Burdsall, Jennifer A. Hanrahan, Susan S. Huang, Robert L.P. Jump, Lindsay Nicolle, Mary-Claire Roghmann, Patricia Stone, Rekha K. Murthy

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

This multisociety guidance was endorsed by SHEA, APIC, IDSA, PALTmed, and AGS. It provides recommendations for infection prevention and control (IPC) in the context of the complexity of nursing home care in the United States: increased medical acuity of residents, the spread of multidrug-resistant organisms, and the threat of emerging pathogens. Recommendations and implementation suggestions address IPC leadership, staffing, and resources, healthcare personnel and residents‘ adherence to precautions and effective hand hygiene, outbreak preparedness, training, occupational health, cleaning and disinfection in the care environment, and the involvement of IPC in the facility. The guidance also addresses the challenges of maintaining …

Anticodon-Edited Trna Enables Translational Readthrough Of Col4a5 Premature Termination Codons, Kohei Omachi, Joseph J. Porter, John D. Lueck, Jeffrey H. Miner

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Alport syndrome is caused by variants in COL4A3, COL4A4, or COL4A5, which encode the α3α4α5 chains of type IV collagen. These variants result in defects in the glomerular basement membrane (GBM) and impaired kidney function. Nonsense variants result in truncated proteins lacking the NC1 domain, thereby preventing proper GBM assembly and function and causing the most severe forms of the disease. Restoring full-length protein expression represents a potential therapeutic strategy for Alport syndrome and related disorders. Anticodon-edited transfer RNAs (ACE-tRNAs), which promote premature termination codon (PTC) readthrough, have shown promise in diseases such as cystic fibrosis, but their application in …

Effects Of Vagus Nerve Stimulation On Daily Function And Quality Of Life In Markedly Treatment-Resistant Major Depression: Findings From A One-Year, Randomized, Sham-Controlled Trial, A John Rush, Charles R Conway, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Depression treatments aim to minimize symptom burden and optimize quality of life (QoL) and psychosocial function.

OBJECTIVE: Compare the effects of adjunctive versus sham vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) on QoL and function in markedly treatment-resistant depression (TRD).

METHODS: In this multicenter, double-blind, sham-controlled trial, 493 adults with TRD and ≥4 adequate but unsuccessful antidepressant treatment trials (current episode) were randomized to active (n = 249) or sham (n = 244) VNS (plus treatment as usual) over a 12-month observation period. Quarterly outcomes included QoL with the Q-LES-Q, Mini-Q-LES-Q, and EQ-5D-5L, and function with the WHODAS 2.0 and Work Productivity …

Estimating Preclinical Amyloid Positivity: A Case Study Transporting Adni To Aric, Emma K Stapp, Elizabeth Rose Mayeda, Elizabeth A Stuart, Rebecca F Gottesman, Scott C Zimmerman, Dean F Wong, Thomas H Mosley, Michael E Griswold, M Maria Glymour, Melinda C Power, Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative

2020-Current year OA Pubs

INTRODUCTION: Alzheimer's disease and related dementias researchers have benefited from deeply phenotyped clinical samples; however, there is a critical need for estimates that generalize to diverse, representative populations. Use of a statistical approach from causal inference, "transport," may allow generalization of findings from clinical samples to other target populations. Here we explore the feasibility and validity of extending results from a clinical sample, the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI), to a community-based target sample, the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study Positron Emission Tomography Amyloid Imaging Study (ARIC-PET) using transport estimation and a standard approach, direct standardization, which itself can be …

Impact Of Genetic Counseling And Testing In Individuals At High Risk Of Familial Alzheimer's Disease From Latin America: A Non-Randomized Controlled Trial, Pablo M Bagnati, Ellen Ziegemeier, Eric Mcdade, Randall J Bateman, Jorge J Llibre-Guerra, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

INTRODUCTION: This study involved evaluating a tailored genetic counseling and testing (GCT) protocol for families at risk of autosomal dominant Alzheimer's disease (ADAD) in Latin America (LatAm), focusing on essential cultural and regional adaptations.

METHODS: We conducted a non-randomized controlled trial among ADAD families in Colombia and Argentina. Participants were categorized based on their decision to learn their genetic status (GS), with further comparisons between mutation-positive versus mutation-negative participants who learned their status. Psychological impacts were measured using validated scales for anxiety and depression.

RESULTS: Of the 122 eligible participants, 97 completed the GCT protocol, and 87 opted to learn …

Feasibility Of Endobronchial Ultrasound Guided Miniforceps Biopsy For Pd-L1 Expression And Quantitative Tissue Analysis, Max T Wayne, Nathaniel G Moulton, Cody Weimholt, Praveen Chenna, Alexander C Chen

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Testing for targeting programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) is standard of care for patients with newly diagnosed non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) but is only approved for use with core biopsy specimens. Endobronchial ultrasound guided miniforceps biopsy (EBUS-MFB) is an approach to obtain core biopsy material but data assessing the ability of EBUS-MFB to adequately test for PD-L1 is lacking. We evaluate the feasibility of EBUS-MFB to acquire adequate tissue for PD-L1 testing and look to compare the quality of specimens between EBUS-MFB and endobronchial ultrasound guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) using a standard method of tissue analysis.

METHODS: …

Data-Driven Approach To Dynamic Resting State Functional Connectivity In Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: An Enigma-Pgc Ptsd Study, Carissa W. Tomas, Evan M. Gordon, Et Al

2020-Current year OA Pubs

No abstract provided.

Vibrotactile Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation Alters Limbic System Connectivity In Humans: A Pilot Study, Kara M. Donovan, Joshua D. Adams, Ki Yun Park, Phillip Demarest, Gansheng Tan, Jon T. Willie, Peter Brunner, Jenna L. Gorlewicz, Eric C. Leuthardt

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Vibration offers a potential alternative modality for transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS). However, mechanisms of action are not well-defined. The goal of this pilot study was to evaluate the potential of vibrotactile stimulation of the outer ear as a method for activating central brain regions similarly to established vagal nerve stimulation methods. Seven patients with intractable epilepsy undergoing stereotactic electroencephalography (sEEG) monitoring participated in the study. Vibrotactile taVNS was administered across five vibration frequencies (2, 6, 12, 20, and 40 Hz) following a randomized stimulation pattern with 30 trials per frequency. Spectral coherence during stimulation was analyzed across theta …

The Impacts Of Covid-19 Restrictions On Care-Givers Of People With Cognitive Impairment And Their Support Needs: A Mixed-Methods Systematic Review, Loretta Baldassar, Thi N. M. Nguyen, Bronte Jones, Catriona Stevens, Lukasz Krzyzowski, Silvia Lozeva, Simone Marino, Maria G. C. Du Plooy, Johanne Eldridge, Osvaldo P. Almeida, Manonita Ghosh

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing restrictions/lockdowns have caused significant physical and psychological consequences for people with cognitive impairment who are heavily dependent on their care-givers. However, little is known about the impact on care-givers, the factors that exacerbate their situation and what supports they need. The aims of this paper are threefold: (a) to examine the impact of COVID-19 physical restrictions on both formal and informal care-givers of people with cognitive impairment; (b) to identify attributing factors influencing this impact; and (c) to recognise their support needs. Further, this paper informs future research, policy and practice. Guided by the Joanna …

Differences In Cellular And Humoral Immune Responses To A Primary And Secondary Immunization With Herpesvirus Of Turkey (Hvt) Vaccine In Layer Pullets, Allie K. Bowerman, Chrysta N. Beck, Jossie M. Santamaria, Gisela F. Erf

2025 Research Poster Competition

In poultry production, chickens are routinely vaccinated with live herpesvirus vaccines for protection from lymphoma causing Marek’s disease virus. However, information on the immune responses to these vaccines is limited. This study examined cellular and antibody responses to primary and secondary vaccinations with herpesvirus of turkey (HVT). Six unvaccinated 9-wk-old, and six HVT-vaccinated (s.c. at hatch) 19-wk-old, layer pullets received a first (V1) or a second (V2) HVT vaccination, respectively, by intradermal injection of HVT-vaccine into the pulp of growing feathers (GFs; 10 µL/GF; 16 GFs/bird). GFs were collected before (0h), and at 0.25, 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, and …

Leukocyte Infiltration Profiles At The Site Of Intradermal Injection Of Silikon-1000 In Scleroderma-Prone Ucd200/206 And Healthy White Leghorn Chickens, Katee L. Johnson, Jossie M. Santamaria, Chrysta N. Beck, Gisela F. Erf

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

Intradermal injections of silicone-based fillers for the face and body may cause chronic inflammation and fibrotic reactions in some individuals. Chickens from the UCD 200/206 White Leghorn (WL) line spontaneously develop a fibrotic autoimmune disease known as scleroderma/systemic sclerosis (SSc). Using the SSc-prone UCD and healthy WL chickens, a longitudinal study was conducted to examine the cellular inflammatory responses to intradermal (i.d.) injections of sterile SILIKON-1000. Specifically, the pulp (a skin derivative) of growing feathers (GFs) was i.d. injected with sterile SILIKON-1000 or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) as injection control (8 and 3 birds/line, respectively; 10 µL/GF; 20 GFs/bird). Two GFs …

Effects Of Interventions For The Prevention And Management Of Maternal Anemia In The Advent Of The Covid-19 Pandemic: Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, John Kyalo Muthuka, Diana Kageni Mbari-Fondo, Francis Muchiri Wambura, Kelly Oluoch, Japheth Mativo Nzioki, Everlyn Musanga Nyamar, Rosemary Nabaweesi

Faculty Publications

Background:The COVID-19 pandemic presented many unknowns for pregnant women, with anemia potentially worsening pregnancy outcomes due to multiple factors.

Objective:This review aimed to determine the pooled effect of maternal anemia interventions and associated factors during the pandemic.

Methods:Eligible studies were observational and included reproductive-age women receiving anemia-related interventions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Exclusion criteria comprised non-English publications, reviews, editorials, case reports, studies with insufficient data, sample sizes below 50, and those lacking DOIs. A systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, and Google Scholar identified articles published between December 2019 and August 2022. Risk of bias was evaluated …

The Impact Of Covid-19 Pandemic On Economic Convergence Between Developed And Developing Nations, Lucile Sabas, Williams Kwasi Peprah [email protected], Carmelita Troy, Quentin Sahly

Faculty Publications

This study investigates convergence between developed and developing countries’ GDP during the pre-COVID-19 era (1960-2019) and post-COVID-19 era (2020-2023) using World Bank data and the Augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) test. For the pre-COVID period, results show no significant convergence, with an ADF statistic of −1.78 and a P = 0.39, likely due to disparities in industrialization and governance. Similarly, post-COVID results (ADF statistic −1.2, P = 0.67) also suggest no convergence, possibly exacerbated by pandemic-related challenges. The study highlights that structural barriers and the pandemic have hindered economic convergence.

Dementia Awareness Raising Forum: Improving Attitudes Towards People Living With Dementia, Sheridan T. Read, Rosemary Saunders, Matthew A. Albrecht, Ravani Duggan

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Stigma surrounding dementia is a significant issue affecting individuals and communities leading to discrimination towards those living with the condition. However, the changing paradigm in dementia support to living well with dementia can reduce this stigma and improve community attitudes. A community initiative aimed to address this evaluated the impact of a two-hour education forum involving 92 community members. Presentations from experts, including a person with dementia, addressed dementia-related human rights issues and initiatives to live well with dementia. Attendees completed the new Dementia Community Attitudes Questionnaire (DCAQ) aligned with the evolving paradigm of living well with dementia before and …

Effects Of Pregnancy And Lactation Prebiotics Supplementation On Infant Allergic Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial, Debra J. Palmer, Alana R. Cuthbert, Thomas R. Sullivan, Rachelle A. Pretorius, Johan Garssen, Kristina Rueter, Maria C. Jenmalm, Jeffrey A. Keelan, Desiree Silva, Susan L. Prescott

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Ingestion of prebiotics during pregnancy and lactation may have immunomodulatory benefits for the developing fetal and infant immune system and provide a potential dietary strategy to reduce the risk of allergic diseases. Objective: We sought to determine whether maternal supplementation with dietary prebiotics reduces the risk of allergic outcomes in infants with hereditary risk. Methods: We undertook a double-blind randomized controlled trial in which pregnant women were allocated to consume prebiotics (14.2 g daily of galacto-oligosaccharides and fructo-oligosaccharides in the ratio 9:1) or placebo (8.7 g daily of maltodextrin) powder from less than 21 weeks’ gestation until 6 months …

Epidemiological Principles In Claims Of Causality: An Enquiry Into Repetitive Head Impacts (Rhi) And Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (Cte), Lauren V. Fortington, J. David Cassidy, Rudolph J. Castellani, Andrew J. Gardner, Andrew S. Mcintosh, Michael Austen, Zachary Yukio Kerr, Kenneth L. Quarrie

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Determining whether repetitive head impacts (RHI) cause the development of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE)-neuropathological change (NC) and whether pathological changes cause clinical syndromes are topics of considerable interest to the global sports medicine community. In 2022, an article was published that used the Bradford Hill criteria to evaluate the claim that RHI cause CTE. The publication garnered international media attention and has since been promoted as definitive proof that causality has been established. Our counterpoint presents an appraisal of the published article in terms of the claims made and the scientific literature used in developing those claims. We conclude that …

Exercise In Cancer Care For People With Lung Cancer: A Narrative Synthesis, Kellie Toohey, David Mizrahi, Nicolas H. Hart, Ben Singh, Pedro Lopez, Maddison Hunter, Robert U. Newton, Kathryn H. Schmitz, Diana Adams, Lara Edbrooke, Sandi Hayes

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Objectives: Lung cancer is the second most common cancer diagnosed worldwide, resulting in significant physical and psychological consequences. In this narrative review, we explore the role of exercise as an adjunct therapy to counteract health issues experienced by people before, during and after treatment for lung cancer, and offer recommendations for exercise prescription and future research. Design: Narrative cornerstone review. Methods: A narrative review was conducted to explore the role of exercise in cancer care for people diagnosed with lung cancer. Results: Improvements in fitness, strength and quality of life have been demonstrated in people with lung cancer following participation …

The Development Of A Family-Led Novel Intervention For Delirium Prevention And Management In The Adult Intensive Care Unit: A Co-Design Qualitative Study, Gideon U. Johnson, Amanda Towell-Barnard, Christopher Mclean, Beverley Ewens

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Aim: The aim of this study was to codesign a Family Members’ Voice Reorientation Intervention (FAMVR) for delirium prevention and management in critically ill adult patients through collaborative process with previous patients, families, and clinical staff. Background: Delirium is a common consequence of intensive care admission, and there is limited evidence to support family-led interventions to prevent or minimise delirium in intensive care. People with lived experience of intensive care are seldom involved in codesigning delirium prevention and management interventions despite the identified benefits of their involvement in delirium care. Design: Codesign qualitative study. Methods: The process of co-designing was …

Post-Stroke Lateropulsion In Australia And New Zealand: A Survey Investigating Current Knowledge, Priorities And Practice, Jessica Nolan, Angela Jacques, Barbara Singer

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Post-stroke lateropulsion is prevalent and associated with poor rehabilitation outcomes, but evidence to guide rehabilitation of affected stroke survivors is limited. Current post-stroke lateropulsion rehabilitation practice across Australia and New Zealand has not been previously described. Objectives: This study aimed to describe lateropulsion rehabilitation practice in Australia and New Zealand, determine clinicians,’ educators’ and researchers’ opinions about the need for educational resources to guide best-practice, and to identify current barriers to, and enablers of, optimal rehabilitation delivery. Methods: This cross-sectional survey was distributed to stroke rehabilitation clinicians, educators and researchers across Australia and New Zealand using Qualtrics. Data were …

Nurse By Numbers: The Impact Of Early Warning Systems On Nurses' Higher-Order Thinking, A Quantitative Study, Marie Danielle Le Lagadec, Deb Massey, Amy Louise Byrne, Justine Connor, Tracy Flenady

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Aim: To evaluate registered nurses' perceptions of whether the mandated use of the early warning system vital signs tool impacts the development of nurses' higher-order thinking skills. Design: A concurrent mixed methods study design. Method: Using an online survey, registered nurses' perceptions were elucidated on whether early warning system algorithmic tools affected the development of their higher-order thinking. Likert-type matrix questions with additional qualitative fields were used to obtain information on nurse's perceptions of the tool's usefulness, clinical confidence in using the tool, compliance with escalation protocols, work environment and perceived compliance barriers. Results: Most of the 305 (91%) participants …

The Anatomy Of Body Shaming In Sports Coaching, Valeria Varea, Robert S. Primus, Natalie Barker-Ruchti, Mikael Quennerstedt

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Stories of body shaming in sports coaching are becoming widespread, and can intentionally, unintentionally, or inadvertently be used in different sports coaching practices. These practices do not necessarily intend to harm athletes. The aim of this paper is to explore body critical and body sensitive sport coaching practices that have the potential to be shaming, or as we call it in the title, the ‘anatomy’ of body shaming. The study used photo elicitation interviews including vignettes for data generation with 12 coaches from nine different sports. The results demonstrate that body criticality and body sensitivity function in different subtle ways …

S-Methyl Cysteine Sulfoxide And Its Potential Role In Human Health: A Scoping Review, Caroline R. Hill, Alex Haoci Liu, Lyn Mccahon, Liezhou Zhong, Armaghan Shafaei, Lois Balmer, Joshua R. Lewis, Jonathan M. Hodgson, Lauren C. Blekkenhorst

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Higher intakes of cruciferous and allium vegetables are associated with a lower risk of cardiometabolic-related outcomes in observational studies. Whilst acknowledging the many healthy compounds within these vegetables, animal studies indicate that some of these beneficial effects may be partially mediated by S-methyl cysteine sulfoxide (SMCSO), a sulfur-rich, non-protein, amino acid found almost exclusively within cruciferous and alliums. This scoping review explores evidence for SMCSO, its potential roles in human health and possible mechanistic action. After systematically searching several databases (EMBASE, MEDLINE, SCOPUS, CINAHL Plus Full Text, Agricultural Science), we identified 21 original research articles meeting our inclusion criteria. These …

Exercise And Sports Science Australia Updated Position Statement On Exercise For Preventing Falls In Older People Living In The Community, Anne Tiedemann, Daina L. Sturnieks, Elissa Burton, Jeannette M. Thom, Stephen R. Lord, Stacey Scott, Catherine Sherrington

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Backgrounds: Falls affect a significant number of older Australians and present a major challenge to health care providers and health systems with over 380 older Australians hospitalised for a fall each day.

Objectives: This statement seeks to inform and guide exercise practitioners and health professionals in safe and effective prescription of exercise to prevent falls amongst community-dwelling older people.

Exercise prescription to prevent falls: Exercise is crucial for preventing falls in older age. Research evidence has identified that programmes which include functional balance and muscle strength training are the most effective in preventing falls. It is also important for exercise …

Impact Of Rurality On Health Care Utilization Among Australian Residents From 2009 To 2021, Engida Yisma, Martin Jones, Lee San Pauh, Sandra Walsh, Sara Jones, Esther May, Marianne Gillam

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose: In Australia, there is limited research regarding the effect of rurality on health care utilization using longitudinal data.

Methods: We analyzed data from four annual waves (2009, 2013, 2017, and 2021) of the longitudinal Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey to examine changes in the health care utilization over time among urban and rural residents. Poisson regression models estimated adjusted incidence rate ratios (aIRR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for rural versus urban residents, accounting for a range of health-related and sociodemographic characteristics. Health care utilization was measured using four key indicators: visits to family doctor …

People With Hip Osteoarthritis Have Reduced Quadriceps Voluntary Activation And Altered Motor Cortex Function, Myles C. Murphy, Molly Coventry, Janet L. Taylor, Ebonie K. Rio, Andrea B. Mosler, Jackie L. Whittaker, Christopher Latella

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Aims: Compare quadriceps voluntary activation, corticospinal and intracortical excitability between people with and without hip osteoarthritis (OA). Exploratory objectives include quantifying the association of corticospinal/intracortical excitability with voluntary activation, corticospinal/intracortical excitability with hip related pain, and motor threshold with motor cortex inhibition and facilitation. Methods: Case-control study including participants with clinically and radiologically confirmed hip OA and non-OA controls. Quadriceps voluntary activation was assessed using twitch interpolation via femoral nerve stimulation. Single- and paired-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation over the motor cortex assessed resting motor threshold (RMT), active motor threshold (AMT), short-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI), intracortical facilitation (ICF) and silent period. …

Application Of Additive Manufacturing In The Development Of Polymeric Bioresorbable Cardiovascular Stents: A Review, Farhana Yasmin, Ana Vafadar, Majid Tolouei-Rad

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Polymeric vascular bioresorbable stents (BRSs) have been widely used for the treatment of coronary artery diseases. While additive manufacturing (AM) is changing the landscape of the healthcare sector by enabling the realization of patient-specific stents with highly complex structures. There are, however, challenges associated with the use of polymeric BRS, particularly in-stent restenosis (ISR), related to its poor mechanical properties. Therefore, the aim of this review is to provide an overview of recent advancements in the development of polymeric BRSs designed to meet both mechanical and biological requirements. First, biopolymers as well as shape memory polymers (SMPs) that are suitable …

Delayed Tooth Eruption As An Early Clinical Indicator Of Genetical Tooth Agenesis: A Family-Based Study Of Cases With Whole-Exome Sequencing, Yu-Chen Jeng, I-Ting Chen, Hui-Ching Cheng, Hsin-Yu Huang, Chao-Kai Hsu, Yu-Fen Yen

Journal of Dental Sciences

Delayed tooth eruption is frequently considered a benign developmental variation but may represent an early sign of genetically driven tooth agenesis. We evaluated a 22-month-old female presenting with markedly delayed eruption (only eight primary teeth) and a positive family history of ectodermal features. Given the inconclusive early radiographic findings, whole-exome sequencing (WES) was utilized. WES revealed the proband carried a heterozygous EDARADD variant (NM_080738:c.328G>T; p.Asp110Tyr). Subsequent familial segregation analysis identified an additional heterozygous WNT10A variant (NM_025216:c.637G>A; p.Gly213Ser) within the broader family. The EDARADD variant alone was associated with varying presentations from normal dentition to delayed eruption. Furthermore, the …

Precision Haptics For Rehabilitation: Quantifying Directional Bias And Force Threshold Effects On Motor Learning, Conor J. Nolan

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Hand rehabilitation represents a critical challenge in modern physical therapy, with significant implications for patients' quality of life and functional independence. Despite technological advancements across healthcare, traditional hand assessment methods often rely on subjective measures or lack task-specific biomechanical assessment capabilities. This thesis investigates the effects of haptic force feedback, handedness, and rotation direction on circle-tracing task completion using a within-subjects factorial design with 20 university participants examining varying resistance levels (0.0N, 0.5N, 1.2N) across different movement configurations using a 3D Systems Touch X haptic device with 0.023mm precision. Results demonstrate that moderate haptic force (0.5N) significantly enhanced spatial accuracy …

Parental Sources Of Nutrition Information And Their Knowledge, Attitudes, And Behaviors: Impact On Children's Dietary Intake In Ages 2-5 – A Cross-Sectional Study, Mara O. Fiorio

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Objectives: Nutrition in early childhood is critical to long-term health outcomes and parents play a key role in shaping children’s eating habits. This study examined where U.S. parents of children aged 2–5 obtain nutrition information, source credibility, and how parental nutrition knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors (KAB) relate to children’s dietary intake.

Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was completed by 126 parents, recruited via social media and community networks using convenience sampling. The survey assessed parental sources of nutrition information, perceived trustworthiness, nutrition knowledge, feeding attitudes and behaviors, and child dietary intake. Descriptive statistics summarized demographic characteristics and source utilization. Chi-square …