Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Culturally Informed Approaches To Support Perinatal Mental Health: Perceptions And Experiences Of Perinatal Depression And Support Systems Among Postpartum African-Born Women In The United States, Joyce O. Imafidon

ETDs from 2020-2029

Perinatal mental health (PMH) of African-born women (ABW) is underrepresented in research and practice in the United States (US) despite known consequences of poor mental wellbeing on one’s overall health, relationships and productivity. Beyond their fundamental role in family support, ABW contribute significantly to the US workforce, education sector, and economy. This three-paper dissertation enhances understanding on PMH outcomes, perception and experiences of ABW in the US. Perinatal depression (PD), one of the most common mood disorders affecting 1 in 8 women, is highlighted. The overarching question is to what extent does the US health system address PMH of ABW …

Bone Marrow Adiposity, Obesity, And Tumor Burden In Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma, Ananya Deshpande

ETDs from 2020-2029

Multiple Myeloma (MM) is the second most common hematologic malignancy in the United States. It is characterized by the accumulation of clonally expanded plasma cells in the bone marrow, which leads to end organ damage and myeloma-defining events requiring treatment. The only modifiable risk factor for MM is obesity. However, associations between obesity, bone marrow adipocytes, and tumor burden at MM diagnosis remain unclear. We evaluated associations of bone marrow adipocytes, body mass index (BMI), and clinical features of tumor burden among 168 patients with histologically confirmed newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) enrolled in the Integrative Molecular and Genetic Epidemiology …

Evaluating The Service Life Of A Respirator Cartridge When Exposed To Various Volatile Organic Compounds, Neha Murad Alwani

ETDs from 2020-2029

Inhalation is the most common exposure pathway. With the significant presence of respiratory exposure, respirator cartridges are widely used as personal protective equipment (PPE) to reduce exposure to gases, vapors, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This study evaluated the breakthrough time of respirator cartridges under various VOC environments commonly encountered in beauty salons and automotive repair shops. Breakthrough time is the duration a respirator cartridge can provide protection before contaminants can be inhaled and the respirator cartridge is no longer effective. The breakthrough time of three VOCs was examined: acetone, toluene, and m-xylene. Using a custom designed test chamber equipped …

Centralized Review Of Alzheimer's Disease And Related Dementias Biomedical Repositories And Computational Methods, Johaan Kathilankal, Kewei Chen, Chen Zhao, Lingtao Chen, Seyedamin Pouriyeh, Zongxing Xie, Yixin Xie

Faculty Articles

lzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) are neurodegenerative conditions characterized by progressive cognitive and functional decline. AD pathology is associated with extracellular amyloid-β plaques, intracellular tau neurofibrillary tangles, synaptic dysfunction, and neuronal loss. AD accounts for approximately 60–80% of dementia cases globally. In 2022, AD was the seventh leading cause of death in the United States, and the number of Americans aged 65 and older living with Alzheimer’s dementia is projected to increase substantially by 2060. Despite decades of research, AD/ADRD data resources remain fragmented across clinical, imaging, genetic, genomic, and therapeutic domains. This paper addresses that gap by providing …

Epidemiology And Outcomes Of Geriatric Trauma At Uab, Lindy Reynolds

ETDs from 2020-2029

Adults over the age of 65 are the fastest growing portion of the population and account for a growing percentage of the trauma patient volume at trauma centers around the country. Older adults experience longer length of stays, higher mortality and complication rates than their younger counterparts. As a result, there has recently been an increased focus on models of geriatric trauma care, one of which is the addition of geriatric medicine consults for older trauma patients. The primary objectives of this dissertation were to examine the effect of the consult policy on outcomes using an interrupted time series approach, …

A Retrospective Analysis Of Dental Needs Identified By Intraoral Videography In Elderly Patients With Mild To Moderate Dementia In Long-Term Care Facilities: Feasibility Of A Novel Screening Mechanism For Oral Health, Kevin Hahn

ETDs from 2020-2029

This retrospective analysis explores the viability of employing intraoral videography to identify dental needs among long-term care (LTC) facility residents with cognitive impairment and/or mild to moderate dementia. Inadequate oral hygiene in these individuals can lead to dental plaque buildup, oral dysbiosis, gingivitis, dental caries, and periodontitis. Such conditions can impact both oral and systemic health. However, delivering oral hygiene in LTC facilities faces challenges due to care-resistant behavior triggered during mouth care. And many individuals in residential LTC facilities do not have access to dental care outside of severe emergencies due to cost, reimbursement patterns, lack of access to …

Optimization Of Post-Curing Conditions For 3d-Printed Dental Restorations: Mechanical And Color Stability Analysis, Mohammed Hammamy

ETDs from 2020-2029

Additive manufacturing has become increasingly utilized in dentistry for the fabrication of definitive restorations and provisional prostheses. However, the performance of 3D-printed materials is highly dependent on post-processing procedures, particularly post-curing, which influences the degree of polymerization and final material properties. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of different post-curing protocols on the mechanical performance and color stability of a 3D-printed dental restorative material.Disc-shaped specimens were fabricated using a digital light processing (DLP) 3D printer and subjected to various post-curing conditions, including standard dental LED curing, nitrogen-assisted curing, glycerin immersion curing, Phrozen UV curing, VALO LED …

Toothbrush Resistance Of Resin-Based Stain And Glaze Materials Applied To 3d-Printed Denture Resins, Panisa Homyai

ETDs from 2020-2029

Background: Three-dimensionally printed (3D-printed) dentures are commonly fabricated using a single tooth-colored resin, after which surface stain and glaze coatings are applied to reproduce gingival coloration, enhance the esthetic appearance and improve clinical longevity of characterized prostheses. However, daily oral hygiene procedures such as toothbrushing degrade surface coatings, leading to discoloration, increased plaque retention, and deterioration of esthetic appearance. Objectives: To evaluate the effect of stain timing and glaze application on the surface gloss and roughness of a three-dimensionally printed denture resin before and after simulated toothbrushing Methods: 80 disc-shaped specimens (12 mm in diameter and 3 mm in thickness) …

The Role Of 14-3-3 Proteins In The Pro-Inflammatory Response Of Microglia And The Neuronal Stress Response To Trichloroethylene Exposure, William Stone

ETDs from 2020-2029

ABSTRACT This dissertation examines how 14-3-3 proteins, with a focus on the 14-3-3θ iso-form, regulate signaling pathways relevant to neurodegeneration. While tradition-ally described as molecular hubs that organize protein–protein interactions, our work reveals how 14-3-3 function is shaped by environmental insults, namely bac-terial and neurotoxicant exposures, and how its disruption contributes to disease-associated processes. Two complementary approaches were used, focusing on microglial inflammatory signaling and neuronal responses to an environmental neurotoxicant, to define a broader role for 14-3-3 proteins in disease associated pathways in the brain. Chapter I identifies 14-3-3 proteins as modulators of microglial activation. Disrup-tion of 14-3-3 interactions …

Evaluation Of Occupational Exposure To Noise And Respirable Particulate Matter In Dentistry, Kabe Fetner

ETDs from 2020-2029

Dental procedures can result in occupational exposures to both noise and particulate matter. Dental professionals routinely operate high-speed instruments and mechanical tools that may produce elevated sound levels and aerosolized particles during clinical treatment. Although these exposures are common in dental environments, limited data exist describing full-shift occupational exposure levels during routine dental procedures. The purpose of this study was to evaluate occupational exposure to noise and respirable particulate matter (RPM) during routine dental procedures in a clinical setting. Area noise monitoring and real-time aerosol monitoring were conducted over six clinical days while common dental procedures were performed, including fillings, …

Non-Tobacco Nicotine Dependence Is Associated With Increased Complications Following Clavicle Open Reduction Internal Fixation, Akin A. Adio, Rahul K. Goyal, Abby Skiena, Mohammad Daher, John G. Horneff, Hafiz F. Kassam, Brian W. Hill, Joseph A. Abboud

Rothman Institute Papers

BACKGROUND: Tobacco dependence is well established to impair bone healing and increase postoperative complications. However, the independent effects of nicotine, separate from combustion-related factors, remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of non-tobacco nicotine dependence (NTND) following open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of clavicle fractures, including midshaft and lateral fracture subtypes.

METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed using a large national database. Patients undergoing ORIF of clavicle fractures were identified using procedural and diagnostic codes. Patients with non-tobacco nicotine dependence (e.g., vaping, patches, or gum) were identified and propensity score matched to (1) patients without nicotine …

Isolated Polyhydramnios: Diagnosis Should Be Made Based On Both Elevated Afi And Elevated Mvp, Alessandro Petrecca, Vivian Nguyen, Lauren Bracken, Federica Bellussi, Suneet Chauhan, Tullio Ghi, Vincenzo Berghella

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Faculty Papers

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate which of the different sonographic definitions of isolated polyhydramnios (elevated amniotic fluid index [AFI] alone, elevated maximum vertical pocket [MVP] alone, or both elevated AFI and MVP) is best associated with adverse perinatal outcomes.

STUDY DESIGN: This retrospective case-control study included singleton pregnancies undergoing sonographic surveillance at a tertiary referral center between February 2021 and January 2026. Cases of isolated polyhydramnios identified during this time-period were compared with pregnancies with normal amniotic fluid volume from 2024. Polyhydramnios was categorized as elevated AFI only (AFI ≥24 cm), elevated MVP only (MVP ≥8 cm), or both elevated AFI and …

Fibulin-4 Expressed In Metastatic Breast Cancer Is A Target Of Peptide-Based Imaging Probes And Experimental Therapeutics, Alexes C Daquinag, Sukhen C Ghosh, Solmaz Aghaamiri, Stephen M Farmer, Sheng Zhang, Servando Hernandez Vargas, Ashwin K Ramesh, Zhiqiang An, Ali Azhdarinia, Mikhail G Kolonin

The Brown Foundation: Institute of Molecular Medicine

There is a lack of approaches to detect and kill metastatic cells. As an agent for metastasis targeting, a cyclic peptide BLMP6 has been previously characterized. As a step toward translation, we designed AZDye555-labeled BLMP6 and demonstrated its homing to metastases of human MDA-MB-231 cells in mice. We show that 68Ga-radiolabeled BLMP6 can be used for the detection of MDA-MB-231 metastases. We designed a peptide-drug conjugate consisting of monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE) and BLMP6. We show that MMAE-BLMP6 kills MDA-MB-231 cells in cell culture and in vivo. In mouse models of lung metastases, treatment with MMAE-BLMP6 suppressed metastasis growth …

Qeith: Quantifies Tumor Ecosystem Heterogeneity To Predict Cancer Progression And Treatment Benefit, Qiqi Liu, Jiangti Luo, Jiawei Wang, Bangqi Zhao, Xiaosheng Wang, Linjun You

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Intratumor heterogeneity (ITH) is a fundamental driver of therapeutic failure and disease progression. However, the complexity of the tumor ecosystem is a critical yet underexplored aspect, making its precise quantification essential for fully deciphering ITH and its clinical implications. To address this, we developed Quantifying Ecosystem Intratumor Heterogeneity (QeITH), a computational framework that applies Shannon entropy to quantify ecosystem heterogeneity by measuring the diversity and distributional entropy of cellular compositions and functional states across single-cell, bulk, and spatial transcriptomics. At the single-cell resolution, QeITH identifies elevated ITH as intrinsic markers of malignant transformation, yet enhanced sensitivity to therapy. Pan-cancer bulk …

Epidemiology And Ultrasonographic Observations Of Urogenital Schistosomiasis Related Urinary Tract Morbidity In Itilima District, Simiyu Region, Tanzania, Coletha Yohana, Bruno A. Nyundo, Jared S. Bakuza, Peter F. Rambau, Safari M. Kinung’Hi

Tanzania Journal of Science

Chronic infection of urogenital schistosomiasis in humans is a major cause of urinary tract morbidity in endemic areas. However, information on the prevalence of schistosomiasisrelated urinary tract morbidity is lacking in most endemic countries including Tanzania. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of schistosomiasis-related urinary tract morbidity in schoolchildren and adults in Itilima District. Urine samples from 682 residents were examined for Schistosoma haematobium infection using urine filtration technique. Urinary tract morbidity was examined by ultrasound. The prevalence of S. haematobium infection was 16.4% (112/682) and varied significantly between villages (range 3.2% to 29.5%, χ2 = 48.467, p < 0.001). There was no significant variation of S. haematobium infection between male and female (8.3 % vs 8.1%, χ2 = 0.679, p = 0.410). Majority (93.8%) had light infections (

When “Mild” Isn’T Minor: Return-To-Work Challenges In Post-Stroke Mild Aphasia, Maya Berro

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Return-to-work (RTW) is an important aspect of social participation and quality of life following stroke. However, limited research has explored the experiences of individuals with mild aphasia in the RTW process. This purpose of this qualitative study was to explore how individuals with post-stroke mild aphasia perceive their ability to RTW and identify factors that influence this process. Ten adults with mild or very mild aphasia participated in individual semi- structured interviews conducted via Microsoft Teams. Interview transcripts were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. Three major themes emerged: (1) Barriers to RTW, (2) Facilitators to RTW, and (3) Perceptions of …

Staff Education To Enhance Knowledge Of Blood Culture Collection Technique To Reduce Blood Culture Contamination Rates, Whitney Ducharme

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Individual Responsibility And The Limits Of U.S. Dietary Guidelines: Addressing Ultra-Processed Food Consumption Through Structural Policy, Malika Al Kattan, Lynne Alexandra Kennedy

All Works

No abstract provided.

Early Adoption Of Thyroid Radiofrequency Ablation In Canada: Physician Experiences, Barriers, And Facilitators To Implementation, Harrison Gao, David Liu, Ben B. Levy, Justin Shapiro, Kevin M. Higgins, Diana E. Khalil, Elizabeth E. Cottrill, Courtney Poon, Pabiththa Kamalraj, Justine Philteos, Antoine Eskander

Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Faculty Papers

IMPORTANCE: Thyroid radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive alternative to surgery for thyroid nodules. Despite strong international evidence, thyroid RFA was only approved by Health Canada in April 2023. Understanding the experiences of early adopters can inform the broader adoption of RFA in Canada and other healthcare systems.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the implementation experiences of early adopters of thyroid RFA in Canada and identify barriers and facilitators to adoption.

DESIGN: Multiple methods.

SETTING: All 8 listed RFA facilities in Canada.

PARTICIPANTS: Physicians performing thyroid RFA (n = 9).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Survey and semi-structured interviews.

RESULTS: Most participants reported …

Macrophages As Gatekeepers Of Glioma Progression, Cliona M Rooney, Jasia Mahdi

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

No abstract provided.

‘Latest And Greatest Findings In Aboriginal Cancer Research In Wa ’, Andrew Redfern

Talking Heads Seminar Series

In this talk we will invite the audience to walk with us along the path we have taken over the last 20 years, exploring the reasons why Aboriginal people can experience poorer outcomes when they develop cancer. From there we discuss our search for solutions; cultural, biological and medical, looking at how both improving and personalising our approach to the individual person and the services we build for them may overcome the problems uncovered.

Starting with improved cancer prevention, the talk will move to screening issues and their possible remedies, then on to optimising cure in people with early cancer …

Independent Living Skills For The Aging Population Of Adults With Disabilities, Sara K. Fetter Otd, Otr, Jennifer L. Martin Otd, Otr, Cht, Clt, Michele L. Mccarroll Phd, Faacvpr, Acsm-Ccep, Ccrp, Lssbb

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

Adults with intellectual disability (ID) are living longer and increasingly outlive family caregivers. Strengthening independent living and vocational skills has therefore become a critical public-health priority. Occupational therapy (OT) can address this need through person-centered, community-based programming. This paper describes the co-design, delivery, and preliminary outcomes of a short occupation-based curriculum intended to enhance autonomy and work readiness in aging adults with ID. In partnership with a Dallas, Texas nonprofit, the authors conducted a needs assessment and created an 8-session course rooted in the Independent Living Model and the Occupational Competence Model. The curriculum addressed four domains (physical health, financial …

Hypovitaminosis A - Associated Neurologic Syndrome With Concurrent Babesiosis In A Captive African Lion Cub (Panthera Leo), Kano, Nigeria, Shaarani Habibu Musa, Aminu Bello Hanga, Auwal Usman Nagoma, Caleb Ayuba Kudi, Paul Ayuba Abdu, Musa Ibrahim Waziri, Haruna Baba Galadima, Yusuf Aminu Yusuf, Muhammed Mikail

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

Neurological disorders in captive wild felids presents diagnostic and therapeutic challenges, particularly in juveniles animals maintained under suboptimal nutritional transitions. This case report describes the synergistic effects of dietary deficiencies and a concurrent hemoparasitic infection in a seven-month-old male African lion cub (Panthera leo) weighing 30 kg, housed at Audu Bako Zoological Garden in Kano, Nigeria. Following premature weaning onto an unsupplemented muscle-meat diet, the cub exhibited progressive neurological symptoms, including ataxia, hindlimb paresis, star-gazing, and opisthotonos. Hematological analysis revealed a mild normocytic, normochromic anemia (packed cell volume; 23%) and the presence of erythrocytes rouleaux formation, while Giemsa-stained …

Effects Of Acepromazine On Intraocular Pressure, Anterior Chamber Depth In Horses: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Study, Abdelhaleem Elkasapy, Magdy Elgioushy, Mohamed Marzok, Sayed Elhawari, Adel Almubarak, Mohamed Rizk, Sabry El-Khodery, Adel Al-Akraa

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of acepromazine on intraocular pressure (IOP), anterior chamber depth (ACD), cardiovascular and respiratory rates in horses. In a prospective, randomized, controlled trial, twelve horses were equally allocated randomly into two groups: treatment and control (n = 6 each). Horses of the treatment group received 0.1 mg/kg body weight (bwt) of acepromazine intravenously, while those in the control group received 0.4 mL/100 kg bwt of 0.9% sodium chloride intravenously. IOP, ACD, heart rate, and respiratory rate were recorded before (T0) and then at T10, T20, T30, T40, T50, T60, T70, T80, and T120 min …

Twenty-First-Century Readiness Of Thai Doctor Of Veterinary Medicine Curricula: A Documentary Analysis Using The Competency-Based Veterinary Education 2.0 Framework, Pongphol Pongthaisong, Manakant Intrakamhaeng

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

Twenty-first-century veterinary practice demands graduates who combine clinical expertise with professional competencies including communication, financial literacy, evidence-based practice, and One Health awareness. Whether Thai Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) curricula systematically develop these competencies has not been evaluated across the full national cohort. This study assessed the 21st-century readiness of all 11 accredited Thai DVM programs using the Competency-Based Veterinary Education 2.0 (CBVE 2.0) framework (AAVMC Council, 2024). Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) and course specifications from Thai Qualifications Framework curriculum specification documents (TQF-2; มคอ.2) were analyzed using deductive content analysis against all 9 CBVE 2.0 domains, with inter-rater reliability established …

The Prevalence Of Dysphonia: A Comparison Of Indoor And Outdoor Athletic Coaches, Keelyn Peacock

Student Theses and Dissertations

This investigation was conducted to assess the Prevalence of Dysphonia, while comparing indoor and outdoor athletic coaches. This investigation also looked at the prevalence of self-perceived vocal dysphonia symptoms within collegiate athletic coaches. This study was conducted by distributing a survey to the Division I athletic coaches in the state of Arkansas. The survey consisted of demographic questions, a questionnaire that explored the self-perceived vocal symptoms, clinician perspective vocal ratings, and acoustic parameters of voice recordings. The data collected revealed that there were vocal symptoms that were identified as an effect of occupational voice demand during the current season of …

Breaking Bread And Barriers: Interprofessional Strategies To Improve Mental And Nutritional Health In Family Caregivers, Candy Ratliff

The Journal of the Research Association of Minority Professors

Family caregivers provide essential unpaid support to individuals with chronic illness, disability, dementia, and age-related decline; however, caregiving responsibilities often place caregivers at increased risk for psychological, physical, nutritional, and social challenges. This literature review examines the mental health and nutritional implications of family caregiving and explores barriers that contribute to declining caregiver wellness. Findings reveal elevated rates of depression, anxiety, emotional exhaustion, social isolation, food insecurity, sleep disturbances, financial strain, and chronic stress among caregivers. The literature further highlights the interconnected relationship between mental health, nutrition, and overall quality of life. Given the multidimensional nature of caregiver burden, interprofessional …

Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin (Ngal) And Urine Albumin-To-Creatinine Ratio (Uacr) In Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study, Nurul Annisa Yunus, Puspa Wardhani, Yessy Puspitasari, Satriyo Dwi Suryantoro, Zulfian Armah

Folia Medica Indonesiana

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains a major global health burden with an increasing prevalence and a substantial risk of progression to end-stage renal disease. Urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (uACR) is widely used as a conventional biomarker reflecting glomerular injury in CKD, whereas neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) has been proposed as a biomarker associated with tubular injury and inflammatory processes. This study aimed to determine the correlation between serum NGAL levels and uACR in patients with CKD. The authors conducted an analytical observational study with a cross-sectional design on 32 CKD patients at Universitas Airlangga Hospital. Serum NGAL levels were measured using …

Histopathological Evidence Of Irreversible Testicular Injury And Spermatogenesis Disruption In A Continuous Scrotal Hyperthermia- Induced Azoospermia Rat Model, Ageng Brahmadhi, Norina Agatri, Andi Muh. Maulana, Rahmadita Cahya Maharani, Dyanti Arisa Nurrizki

Folia Medica Indonesiana

Non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) is a cause of male infertility characterized by impaired spermatogenesis. NOA remains a challenge for both research and treatment development. Reliable animal models are essential for better understanding its pathophysiology and evaluating therapeutic approaches. Scrotal hyperthermia induction is a cost-effective and technically feasible method for inducing NOA. However, the impact of different exposure patterns remains unsolved. In this study, a total of 30 adult male Rattus norvegicus were randomly assigned to control, discontinuous hyperthermia (every other day), and continuous hyperthermia (daily) groups. This study applied the heat exposure by immersing the scrotum in a 45°C water bath …

Lived Experiences Of Polysubstance Use And Co-Occurring Mental Health Disorders: A Phenomenological Inquiry, Candee Dione Rillon

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of individuals with co-occurring substance use disorders (SUD) and mental health disorders (MHD), with particular attention to the transition into polysubstance use. The purpose of the study was to understand how individuals experience and make meaning of these co-occurring conditions and the factors influencing substance use patterns. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with participants who reported both mental health challenges and substance use histories. Thematic analysis revealed that participants experienced SUD and MHD as deeply interconnected and mutually reinforcing, often functioning within a cyclical pattern of distress and temporary relief. Substance use …