Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

The Human Side Of Healing: A Qualitative Study Of The Holistic Benefits When Integrating Dog Training Into Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Recovery, Michelle J. Nordstrom

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Introduction: Posttraumatic stress and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are highly prevalent among Servicemembers and veterans. Many of those with PTSD also struggle with moral injury and co-occurring health complications. This combination results in poor outcomes with current evidence-based practices. However, a series of recent studies examined the efficacy of a service dog training program (SDTP) which demonstrated improvements in symptoms.

Methods: A privatized archival dataset of redacted transcripts was used. The interviews were collected during a broader mixed methods study and maintained for a phenomenological, thematic analysis. There were 119 transcripts from 84 of the original 117 participants who engaged …

Oral Insulin Nanoparticles In Animal Models Of Diabetes: A Systematic Review Of Recent Studies, Dhea Rahmania, Shaum Shiyan, Yulianto Kusnadi, Subandrate Subandrate, Juliana Palungan, Ayeshah Augusta Rosdah

Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research

Oral insulin has long been explored as a potential alternative to injectable insulin therapy. However, the development remains challenging due to enzymatic degradation in the gastrointestinal tract and limited intestinal absorption. Nanoparticle-based delivery systems have also been proposed as a strategy to protect insulin and improve uptake after oral administration. Therefore, this systematic review aimed to summarize recent preclinical studies investigating oral insulin nanoparticles in diabetic animal models and examine the reported pharmacological outcomes. Relevant studies were identified through database searches in PubMed, SpringerLink, and ScienceDirect using predefined keywords related to oral insulin, nanoparticles, diabetes, and animal models. Articles published …

Prevalence And Correlates Of Digital Burnout Among Liberty University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study, Shaira Neupane

Masters Theses

Background: Digital burnout, characterized by chronic psychological and physiological fatigue from persistent digital engagement, is an emerging public health concern among university students. It is conceptually related to but distinct from academic burnout, and few U.S. studies have examined both constructs together using validated instruments.

Objective: To describe digital burnout among Liberty University students, identify its sociodemographic and behavioral correlates, assess its relationship with academic burnout, and evaluate student awareness of campus digital-wellness resources.

Methods: This cross-sectional study surveyed 336 Liberty University students during Summer 2026 using the Digital Burnout Scale (DBS) and the Academic Burnout Scale (ABS). Hierarchical linear …

Investigating Neuromuscular Coordination And Adaptations From Kafo-Assisted Gait Training In Post-Stroke Individuals, Matthew De Guzman

Summer Research Program Abstracts

No abstract provided.

Diabetes Mortality In Georgia: Disparities, Social Determinants, And Rural-Urban Differences (2019-2021), Gwendolyn H. Cattledge, Temilola N. Luwoye, Gloria Elizabeth B. Ogionwo, Nyshanti B. Ross, Zachary M. Bremmer

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Diabetes mellitus remains a significant public health challenge globally and, in the U.S., notably impacts mortality. Georgia specifically faces a substantial burden, with disparities observed across populations and counties. Understanding the patterns and underlying drivers of diabetes-related deaths statewide is crucial for effective public health intervention.

Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed age-adjusted diabetes mortality rates in Georgia from 2019-2021, using data from the Georgia Department of Public Health's OASIS and the CDC's Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) 2020. The study aimed to detail the distribution of mortality rates across counties, explore the role of social determinants of health, and analyze …

Effects Of A 12-Week Tai Chi And Qigong Training Program On Neuromuscular Function And Postural Stability In Elderly Men With Sarcopenia, Muthanna Harith Ekrayyem, Ali Fawzi Ahmed, Saif Rasheed Ghanim

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: Sarcopenia is associated with progressive declines in neuromuscular function, balance, and increased systemic inflammation in older adults. This study investigated the effects of a 12-week Tai Chi and Qigong training program in elderly Iraqi men with sarcopenia. Materials and Methods: Thirty men aged 60–65 years with sarcopenia were randomly assigned to an intervention group (n = 15) or a control group (n = 15). Neuromuscular performance, postural stability, gait speed, electromyographic amplitude, IGF-1, and CRP-hs were assessed before and after the intervention. Results: The intervention group showed significant improvements in reaction time, electromyographic amplitude, postural stability, gait …

Beyond Screening In Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Domain-Standardized, Measure-Flexible Framework For Comprehensive Neuropsychological Assessment, Etiane Navarro

Archives of Assessment Psychology

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a multisystem neurodegenerative disorder in which cognitive, behavioral, language, and social-cognitive changes may occur across clinical phenotypes, including the ALS-frontotemporal spectrum. Neuropsychological assessment is important for characterizing nonmotor manifestations and identifying changes relevant to autonomy, everyday functioning, and clinical management. This systematic review examined literature identified through APA PsycINFO, PubMed, Google Scholar, and supplementary searching to characterize neuropsychological domains, measures, phenotype-related findings, and disease-specific limitations relevant to comprehensive assessment. Two hundred records underwent title and abstract screening, 150 reports were reviewed in full text, and 61 resources were retained for synthesis. ALS-specific screening instruments, including …

Engaging The Nurse’S Voice: Committee Alignment In The Unit Practice Council, Kris Noel

EBP Fellowship

Practice Problem: In this multi-site hospital system, unit committees were meeting outside of the Unit Practice Council (UPC) but were not consistently returning to the council to share information, request input, or seek decisions. This created a disconnect between committee work and nursing priorities. To address this problem, an evidence-based practice project was initiated using the PICO(T) question: Does the practice of having all unit committees report to their Unit Practice Council (UPC) to share information and for decision-making improve nurse engagement compared to the current practice of multiple committees meeting outside of their UPC within a three-month pilot period? …

Case Report: Beyond The Initial Diagnosis: A Case Of Wilson's Disease Presenting As Acute Decompensated Cirrhosis, Aun Bangash, Muhammad Ali Bangash, Chloe Harris, Veronica O'Brien, Learsi R. De Hoyos, Jose Campo Maldonado

School of Medicine Publications

Wilson disease is a rare inherited disorder of copper metabolism that can cause progressive hepatic injury, cirrhosis, and, in severe cases, acute liver failure. Its variable presentation can overlap with more common causes of liver disease and delay recognition. We present a 28-year-old patient with one week of worsening jaundice, right upper quadrant abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, and marked hyperbilirubinemia. Given a history of heavy alcohol use and a Maddrey Discriminant Function score of 73, severe alcohol-associated hepatitis was initially suspected. However, several months of reported alcohol abstinence, a strong maternal family history of early-onset cirrhosis, imaging evidence of …

Building Resilience: The Role Of Extension In Enhancing Mental Health And Well-Being Through Preventive Approaches, Lakshmi Mahadevan

Journal of Extension

In 2023, 58.7 million U.S. adults experienced a mental illness, yet nearly half did not receive treatment (SAMHSA, 2023). Building Resilience is a single-session, evidence-informed program delivered through Cooperative Extension to address mental well-being using practical, nonclinical strategies. Grounded in Antonovsky's (1979) Sense of Coherence framework, the program centers on self-awareness, emotional regulation, and stress management within each participant's lived experience. Evaluation data from 347 participants showed high satisfaction, with 88% planning to apply strategies and 77% anticipating improved well-being. A 2-hour facilitator training supports national scalability, positioning Extension as a key partner in resilience-based mental health promotion.

Clinic White Paper: Usd Tele-Mental Health Training Clinic, Nicholas Boyd, Lauren Bruaski

Community Engagement

California is home to over 1.8 million veterans and 18,000 National Guard members, representing one of the largest military-connected populations in the United States. Despite substantial demand, over 50% of veterans experiencing mental health symptoms do not seek treatment, while those seeking care within federal systems frequently face significant wait times. This academic white paper evaluates the operational framework, clinical effectiveness, and workforce expansion model of the University of San Diego (USD) Tele-Mental Health Training Clinic – Veterans Initiative. Utilizing a secure, HIPAA-compliant telehealth model paired with a tiered supervision structure, the clinic provides evidence-based psychotherapies (EBPs) at no cost …

Using Advanced Ai To Identify Social Adversity Factors In Acute Heart Failure Exacerbation, Alexa Cumming

Summer Research Program Abstracts

No abstract provided.

Bioactive Resin-Based Composites For Direct Posterior Restorations: A Contemporary Narrative Review, Ruaa Neamah Muslim, Ghadeer Shakir Shabaa, Wasan Abdulridha Hasan

Maaen Journal for Medical Sciences

Background and Rationale: Failure of dental restorations due to secondary caries remains one of the common problems in restorative dentistry. In order to solve the shortcomings of conventional bioinert materials, bioactive composite resins have recently been developed, allowing fluoride, calcium, and phosphate ion delivery as well as reducing the acidic activity of biofilm.

Aim of the Review: This literature review evaluates chemistry, mechanisms of action, clinical effectiveness, and physical handling properties of resin-based bioactive materials used for direct posterior restoration in permanent dentition.

Material Categories Examined: This literature review includes such material categories as resin-modified glass ionomers, S-PRG-giomers …

Pre-Procedural State Anxiety In Patients Scheduled For Colonoscopy, Zahraa Kareem Mansoor Al-Saady, Mohammed Hakim Shamran Al-Hchaim

Maaen Journal for Medical Sciences

Background: Anxiety is a common issue among patients undergoing invasive medical procedures such as colonoscopy because of concerns regarding the procedure itself and its possible results. High levels of anxiety can negatively affect patient readiness and cooperation during the examination, thereby influencing the quality and outcome of the procedure.

Study objective: To assess the prevalence and severity of pre-procedural anxiety among patients scheduled for colonoscopy and examine the association between socio-demographic and clinical characteristics and anxiety levels.

Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was employed to collect data from patients undergoing colonoscopy. A validated and comprehensive questionnaire tailored for individuals …

Role Of Perceived Control Over Falls In Older Adults, Kanjanaporn Tantrongphak, Kanthee Anantapong, Duangporn Suriyaamarit

Chulalongkorn Medical Journal

Falls among older adults constitute a significant public health challenge, often leading to severe physical injuries, reduced independence, and a diminished quality of life. Perceived control, a critical psychological construct, plays a significant role in sustaining physical health, cognitive function, and overall life satisfaction and is strongly associated with positive health outcomes. This review aims to examine the role of perceived control in fall risk among older adults. Concern about falling (CaF) is a prevalent psychological factor that influences fall risk by impacting behaviors linked to physical activity, balance, and adaptive responses. Perceived control theory provides a framework for understanding …

Antibiotic Resistance Genes In Diabetic Foot Ulcer Microbiomes: Molecular Mechanisms And Clinical Management Strategies, Fitra Adi Prayogo

Chulalongkorn Medical Journal

Background: Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) affect 19-34% of diabetic patients lifetime, representing a major global health burden with over 18 million cases annually. The polymicrobial nature of DFU infections, combined with emerging antibiotic resistance genes, poses unprecedented clinical management challenges. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) prevalence reaches 84% and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing Enterobacteriaceae exceeds 50% in some regions, creating urgent therapeutic concerns.

Objective(s): This comprehensive review examines current understanding of microbial communities in diabetic foot ulcers and their associated resistome, analyzing molecular mechanisms underlying antibiotic resistance and clinical implications to identify evidence-based management strategies.

Methods: A narrative review approach was …

Incidental Leftward Displacement Of The Appendix Due To Redundant Sigmoid Colon: A Case Report Of Anatomical Variation, Sony Sutrisno, Ronny Ronny

Chulalongkorn Medical Journal

A left-sided appendix is an uncommon clinical entity, often attributed to congenital anomalies such as situs inversus or intestinal malrotation; however, it can also result from anatomical displacement by other organs. We report a case of a 22-year-old woman presenting to the emergency department with right lower quadrant pain which was initially suspected as appendicitis. A non-contrast computed tomography (CT) scan identified a right kidney stone as the source of pain, alongside an incidentally discovered, non-inflamed appendix displaced entirely into the mid-left lower quadrant. A radiological review was done to exclude congenital causes of the presentation, such as non-rotation. The …

Pre-Excited Atrial Fibrillation In A Woman With Minimal Pre-Excitation: A Case Report, Komsing Methavigul

Chulalongkorn Medical Journal

Introduction: A 46-year-old Thai woman presented with palpitation. A 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) showed rapid rate of preexcited atrial fibrillation (AF). The subsequent ECG after electrical cardioversion demonstrated minimal preexcitation with short PR interval, and apparently small delta waves only in leads II, III, V₄, and V₅. An electrophysiologic study was performed and showed sinus rhythm with short H-V interval compatible with preexcitation. A programmed electrical stimulation showed orthodromic atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia utilizing left lateral accessory pathway. The catheter ablation was successfully performed via retrograde aortic approach to left lateral accessory pathway. There was no recurrence of …

Covid-19 Vaccination Is Associated With Lower Mortality And Intensive Care Unit Admission Among Hospitalized Patients With Covid-19: A Retrospective Cohort Study, Julian Madrid

Chulalongkorn Medical Journal

Background:

The development of vaccines has played a significant role in managing the pandemic of COVID-19. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of COVID-19 vaccination on mortality and intensive care unit (ICU) admissions.

Methods:

This retrospective, single-center cohort study included hospitalized COVID-19 patients with confirmed vaccination status from July 2021 to February 2022. Outcomes such as mortality and ICU admission were evaluated using clinical data. We used logistic regression and advanced statistical methods, including LASSO regression, to analyze differences in hospitalized COVID-19 patients based on vaccination status.

Results:

The study encompassed 167 patients (69% male, mean …

Association Of Vegf Gene Polymorphisms And Breast Cancer Susceptibility: An Updated Systemic Review And Meta-Analysis, Dr.Santhosh Kumar Y, Sushma Sree Kintali, Vignesh N

Chulalongkorn Medical Journal

Breast cancer is among the most common malignancies in women worldwide with genetic predispositions and environmental factors and identified low-penetrance genes such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 with implications in breast cancer susceptibility. Vascular endothelial growth factor polymorphisms of VEGF coding for VEGF protein that plays an important part in carcinogenesis through angiogenesis required for tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis. There are five polymorphisms associated with the VEGF gene; 936 C > T, 2578 C > A, 634 G > C, 460 T > C, and 405 C > G which have been linked to altered risks in cancer. Despite inconsistency in many results ascribed to …

Epidemiological Analysis Of Scorpion Sting Cases In Qeshm County, Hormozgan Province, Iran: A Four-Year Retrospective Study (2021-2024), Hassan Nasirian, Seyed Mohsen Mohebi Nodez, Abbas Poudat

Chulalongkorn Medical Journal

Background: Scorpion stings are a major public health issue in tropical and subtropical regions of Iran, especially in Hormozgan Province, which has a high incidence rate. This study aims to analyze the epidemiological, clinical, and therapeutic aspects of scorpion sting cases in Qeshm County over a four-year period (2021-2024).

Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study analyzed hospital records of 408 scorpion sting cases. Information on demographic, temporal, geographical, clinical, and treatment factors was collected. Descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean ± SD) and analytical tests (Chi-square for categorical variables) were employed for analysis.

Results: The majority of victims were male (63.7% ± …

Assessing The Responses Of Mirna-200b And Mirna-429 In Cyanide Poisoning Cases, Pagparpat Varrathyarom, Nattachai Thangsiriskul, Wikanda Worrapitirungsi, Tikumphorn Sathirapatya, Poonyapat Sukawutthiya, Kornkiat Vongpaisarnsin

Chulalongkorn Medical Journal

Introduction: Cyanide toxicity disrupts cellular respiration by inhibiting mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase a3, resulting in cellular hypoxia. The cellular response to hypoxia is mediated by hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) and associated microRNAs (hypoxamiRs). Among these, miR-429 and miR-200b have been implicated in HIF regulation and are reported to be upregulated during acute hypoxic conditions. However, their specific roles in cyanide-induced hypoxia remain poorly understood. This study aimed to evaluate the expression of miR-429 and miR-200b in postmortem peripheral blood from cyanide poisoning cases. Methods: Postmortem blood was obtained from five cyanide poisoning cases and five non-asphyxial controls (PMI < 24 h). Total RNA was extracted, and 10 ng was used for cDNA synthesis with MultiScribe™ Reverse Transcriptase. Expression of miR-429 and miR-200b was quantified using TaqMan™ MicroRNA Assays on a QuantStudio™ 5 system. Relative expression was calculated by the 2^−ΔΔCT method and compared using the Mann–Whitney U test. One cyanide case was excluded due to low RNA quality. Results: Toxicological screening confirmed …

Acute Treatment Response Among Patients With Migraine Subtypes: A Real-World Study In Thailand, Thanin Asawavichienjinda

Chulalongkorn Medical Journal

Background: Migraine with and without aura may have distinct etiologies. Aura can vary in complexity (simple to complex), possibly reflecting differences in cortical involvement and influencing acute treatment response.

Objective: To compare acute treatment responses between migraine patients with and without aura, and across aura complexity levels in Thailand.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted from January 3, 2007, to June 30, 2022, at the Chulalongkorn Comprehensive Headache Center, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society. Baseline data were retrieved from baseline case-record forms, while clinical data were obtained from paper headache diaries and follow-up case-record form. The …

Aid Me! Introducing Health Literate Insulin Pump Training Materials Into Patient, Katherine Hamilton Doyle

EBP Fellowship

Practice Problem: Automated Insulin Delivery (AID) systems are insulin pumps that communicate with continuous glucose monitors to administer insulin at set intervals to alter one’s blood glucose to a preset target. AID systems have been proven to lower patients’ Hemoglobin A1Cs, but successful operation of the AID system can be complicated for patients and their families. This can lead to diabetes-related emergency room visits and hospital admissions. In a review of 164 patients started on an AID system over a period of six months, 27 patients visited the emergency department for a diabetes-related reason and 18 of those patients were …

Glutaraldehyde-Crosslinked Chitosan And Zinc Oxide Coating Reinforced With Polysulfone On Copper As A Platform For Electrochemical Formaldehyde Sensing, Anceu Murniati Anm, Rahmat Saputra Rs, Arie Hardian Ah, Manty Aldilani Ikaningsih Mai, Moh Haifan Haifan

Chimica et Natura Acta

Formaldehyde monitoring requires electrochemical platforms with stable structures and reliable interfacial responses. This study aimed to prepare and characterize a Cu|CS–GLA/ZnO–PSf composite film on a copper substrate as a platform for further formaldehyde-sensing development. The film was characterized using FTIR, SEM–EDX, XRD, and cyclic voltammetry. FTIR supported the presence of features associated with chitosan, imine, polysulfone, and Zn–O, while SEM–EDX revealed a heterogeneous polymer-rich coating with Zn- and O-containing domains distributed non-uniformly. XRD indicated a predominantly amorphous or poorly crystalline structure. Cyclic voltammetry showed scan-rate-dependent peak separations, with ΔEp increasing from 0.632 to 0.777 V in citrate buffer and from …

Editorial: Innovations In Dementia Policies And Services, Walter D. Dawson, Alison J. Canty, Joaquín Migeot, Laura O'Philbin, Sherril B. Gelmon

Institute on Aging Publications

There is an increasing global consensus that dementia is a significant public health issue (Chapman et al., 2006; Jackson et al., 2023; World Health Organization, 2017). As the global population ages and the number of people living with dementia increases, dementia will continue to grow in salience (Nichols, E., and GBD 2019 Dementia Forecasting Collaborators, 2022). The complexities associated with dementia require innovative approaches to the provision of care and support as well as to the design of service systems at local and national levels across the globe that can truly meet the unique needs of people living with dementia …

Pioglitazone And Atheroglitatide As Modulators Of Fibroblast Placitiy In Pulmonary Fibrosis, Sean M. Crain

Summer Research Program Abstracts

No abstract provided.

Investigating The Effect Of Oral Probiotic Capsules On Postpartum Sleep Quality In Primiparous Women: A Triple-Blind Randomised Controlled Trial, Maryam Rastegar, Nahid Jahani Shoorab, Roshanak Salari, Sedigheh Rastaghi

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

Objectives: Quality of sleep is an important indicator of health. Sleep disturbance and daytime fatigue is one of the most common problems in the postpartum period. Early postpartum (first 4 weeks) is when sleep is most disturbed. The gut microbiota may affect sleep quality and affect host health through the production of metabolites and compounds. This study aimed to determine the effect of oral probiotic capsule on the quality of sleep after delivery in primiparous women. Method: This triple-blind randomised controlled trial study was conducted in August to November 2023 with eligible primiparous women who gave birth at Health Centers …

Intouch Week Of October 12, 2026, New York Medical College

InTouch

• $10 Million Department of Defense Award Fuels Effort to Advance Civilian and Military Tactical Medicine and Prolonged Casualty Care
• Advancing Knowledge, One Publication at a Time
• NYMC Expands Emergency Preparedness Training to More Than 300 Yonkers Public School Staff
• New Automated Staining Systems Enhance Histopathology and Imaging Core
• Graduate Student Leaders Step Forward to Shape the Year Ahead
• SMHW Hosts Together in Wellness Fair
• Strengthening GME Leadership Through Shared Learning
• Minimally Invasive Procedure Halves Risk of Recurrent Brain Bleeds

Multiple Insights Into Affective Sentience, Jon Mallatt, Todd E. Feinberg

Animal Sentience

We discuss some of the many valuable insights into affective sentience from Birch’s The Edge of Sentience, such as its eight criteria for determining which entities have sentience (e.g., emotions) and its insights into the difficulty of testing whether an Artificial Intelligence system has attained sentience. We add our own perspectives on why the eight criteria are valid, on the difficulty of using behavioral trade-offs to determine whether an animal has sentience, and why evolutionary theory says consciousness is not an epiphenomenon.