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The Scoop, Vol. 10 Issue 9, December 2023, Health Sciences Library

Volume 10

Latest news and updates from the Health Sciences Library in our monthly newsletter for December 2023.

Lactation Benefits, Experiences, And Education In Bereaved Mothers: A Literature Review, Grace Davis

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Abstract

Background: Parents who lose an infant through miscarriage, elective termination, or stillbirth experience perinatal bereavement (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022). A bereaved mother’s grief could be influenced by lactation as most will still experience lactation regardless of their loss. Generally, these women are solely taught to suppress their milk production, oftentimes resulting in discomfort, leakage, clogged ducts, and even mastitis (Carroll et al., 2020). To prevent adverse effects, bereaved mothers need a comprehensive list of options and education regarding lactation including donation, expression, and suppression. Bereaved mothers' lactation experiences, education, and benefits are vital areas to be …

Antibody Banding Patterns On The Enzyme-Linked Immunoelectrotransfer Blot (Eitb) Assay Clearly Discriminate Viable Cysticercosis In Naturally Infected Pigs, Gianfranco Arroyo, Andrés G. Lescano, Cesar M. Gavidia, Maria Teresa Lopez-Urbina, Miguel Ara-Gomez, Lucho Gomez-Puerta, Seth E. O’Neal, Multiple Additional Authors

OHSU-PSU School of Public Health Faculty Publications and Presentations

Enzyme-linked immunoelectrotransfer blot (EITB) detects antibodies against seven Taenia solium larvae antigens in three protein families (GP50, T24/42, and 8-kDa) with different structures and functions. EITB banding patterns against these antigens in pigs provide information about the course of infection and may discriminate viable cysticercosis. We analyzed the banding patterns and infection outcomes (presence of viable cysts, degenerated cysts, and any cysts) of 512 rural pigs. Banding patterns were grouped into homogenous classes using latent class analysis, and relationships with infection outcomes were assessed. Four classes were identified: 1 (n = 308, EITB-negative or positive for the GP50 family), 2 …

Labrad : Vol 48, Issue 2 - December 2023, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi

LABRAD - Departments of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine and Radiology Archives

• Editorial
• Articles
• Navigating Lab Excellence in LARAD
• Lab Resilience in a Changing Climate: Sustainable Strategies for Future-Proof Clinical Laboratories
• Professional Insights from a Pioneer in Autoimmune Disease Testing: The Future of Antinuclear/Anticellular Antibody Testing
• Insights into CCHF and Other Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers
• Bombay Blood Group
• Role and Application of Cytogenetics in Multiple Myeloma
• Low-grade Nasopharyngeal Papillary Adenocarcinoma in a Deceivingly "blue" Biopsy
• Transplant Immunology – Diagnostics
• The Best of the Past
• Farewell Chronicles: Celebrating Dr Anila Rashid's Journey
• The Best of the Past
• Farewell Chronicles: Celebrating Dr Anila Rashid's Journey
• Polaroid
• Chemical Pathology
• Radiology
• Hematology
• Histopathology
• Microbiology
• Molecular Pathology
• Tests …

Quality & Patient Safety Gazette : Volume 2, Issue 4 - 2023, The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi

Quality and Patient Safety Archives

• World Quality Day 2023
• Workshop on How to conduct a Root Cause Analysis
• Blast from the Past
• Learn with Fun!
• Stay Tuned with Us…..

Super Parents: Preliminary Findings Of A Group-Based Parenting Intervention, Jens E. Jespersen, Cara D. Bosler, Ruth S. Slocum, Jennifer Hays-Grudo, Jerry Root, Laura Hubbs-Tait, Amanda Sheffield Morris

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

Super Parents is a group-based, Extension-led parenting program developed to enhance the parent-child relationship. Implemented by trained Head Start staff using the train-the-trainer model, this effort is achieved by teaching positive parenting practices, increasing parents’ knowledge of child development, instructing parents in activities and exercises for enhancing their child’s executive function skills, and encouraging the use of mindfulness techniques in parenting. The specific aims of our study were to evaluate the program's effectiveness among parents of young children ages 0 to 5 by examining changes in parenting attitudes, mindfulness, executive function, parenting efficacy, stress, and child behavior. Through the use …

Determining The Health Literacy Skills Of Extension Audiences In Maryland, Beverly Jackey, Heejung Song, Lisa Mccoy, Virginia Brown

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

Strong health literacy skills empower people to make informed health decisions, especially those with chronic health conditions striving for positive health outcomes. Half of all people living in Maryland report having at least one chronic disease. Research examining the health literacy of Marylanders is limited. This paper reports how establishing a baseline for health literacy levels of Marylanders can identify major factors affecting the health literacy skills of Extension audiences and lays the important groundwork to develop Extension programs and explore the best delivery methods tailored to the needs of subpopulations. Using the Newest Vital Sign, a …

Self-Reflections Through A Screen: Self-Identity, Social Media, And Psychological Well-Being, Jeremy J. Serio

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

Social media use among emerging adults is assumed to be related to a variety of negative psychological outcomes and has, in recent years, become a widely studied phenomenon (Kim, 2017, Pew Research Center, 2018). Despite the widespread assumption, the results from empirical studies of the effects of social media use on mental health in this population have been inconsistent and inconclusive (Keles et al., 2020, Yang et al., 2021). Several meta-analyses (e.g., Keles et al., 2020) demonstrate these inconsistent results across studies and point to the need to consider individual difference factors when researching this issue. Different self-identity styles have …

A Novel Role Of Tgfbi In Macrophage Polarization And Macrophage-Induced Pancreatic Cancer Growth And Therapeutic Resistance, Jing Zhou, Nan Lyu, Qiongling Wanga, Ming Yang, Eric T. Kimchi, Kun Chenge, Trupti Joshi, Adama R. Tukulif, Kevin F. Staveley-O’Carroll, Guangfu Li

Biomedical Sciences

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), as a major and essential component of tumor microenvironment (TME), play a critical role in orchestrating pancreatic cancer (PaC) tumorigenesis from initiation to angiogenesis, growth, and systemic dissemination, as well as immunosuppression and resistance to chemotherapy and immunotherapy; however, the critical intrinsic factors responsible for TAMs reprograming and function remain to be identified. By performing single-cell RNA sequencing, transforming growth factor-beta-induced protein (TGFBI) was identified as TAM-producing factor in murine PaC tumors. TAMs express TGFBI in human PaC and TGFBI expression is positively related with human PaC growth. By inducing TGFBI loss-of-function in macrophage (MΦs) in vitro …

Evaluation Of Ambulatory Care Proton Pump Inhibitor Use, Jessica Offerle Pharmd, Shivani Bhakta Pharmd, Bcacp, Noah Budi Pharmd, Ashley Parrott Pharmd, Mba, Bcps, Bcacp, Sarah Pfaehler Pharmd, Mba, Bcps, Pacs

Pharmacy Residency

Presented at the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting. December 2023.

The objectives of this project were to assess appropriateness of PPI utilization and identify possible opportunities for alternative PPI or step-down therapy.

Evaluation Of Diabetic Ketoacidosis Management: Comparing The Effectiveness Of Computer Program-Directed Vs Physician-Directed Intravenous To Subcutaneous Insulin, Kendra Yarian Pharmd, Jennifer Sposito Pharmd, Bcps, Bcccp, Christina Ford Pharmd, Bcps, Zachary Crabill Pharmd, Bcps

Pharmacy Residency

Presented at the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting. December 2023.

This project compared effectiveness of computer-directed versus physician-directed intravenous (IV) to subcutaneous (SC) insulin transition in patients with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) by retrospectively reviewing blood glucose values and DKA recurrence.

Differences In Mental Health Outcomes And Services By Gender Identity Among Sexual And Gender Minorities During The First Shelter-In-Place Order Of The Covid-19 Pandemic In Texas, 2020, Mariah Victoria Alvarez Ramirez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Background: Within the United States, sexual and gender minorities (SGM), face unique barriers when seeking health services, such as uninsurance, postponing care, and lack of competent services. Within SGM, transgender and gender-expansive (TGX) individuals are more vulnerable as they have higher rates of discrimination and face more barriers to accessing healthcare services. Purpose: Identify differences in mental health outcomes and services by gender identity among sexual and gender minorities residing in Texas during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This study is a secondary data analysis of the SGM participants of the COVID-19 and You Survey study (n=1288). Descriptive statistics, bivariate associations …

Implementing Community Health Workers To Improve The Management Of Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases In Children, Julia L. Newell

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background: Childhood obesity, asthma, and untreated mental health conditions are three examples of chronic non-communicable diseases (CNDs) that pose a host of negative consequences later in life. Minority children from low-income families, especially those with environmental disadvantages, face additional risk factors for the development of these diseases. Community health workers (CHWs) are in a unique position to help address these negative health externalities by being attuned with the linguistic, cultural, and socioemotional needs of members of their communities. Research has demonstrated success in CHW-led interventions curtailing the negative impacts associated with these diseases in low-income, minority communities.

Methods: A literature …

Implementation Of A Protocol To Improve The Intake Assessment And Treatment With Suboxone Among Patients’ Dependent On Opioids On Two Mental Health Crisis Units, Maeghan Dillon

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

Abstract

Background: In 2021,106,699 people died from a drug overdose and of these deaths, over 75% were related to illicit or prescription opioids (Centers for Disease Control, 2023). At two in-patient community crisis stabilization units for psychiatric care, many patients have a comorbid diagnosis of a substance use disorder and another mental illness. Treatment with Buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone) is associated with decreased opioid overdoses and related deaths; however, Suboxone inductions have not been a part of admission treatment.

Methods: This quality improvement (QI) project initiated a Suboxone protocol for eligible patients on two crisis in-patient stabilization units. The outcomes …

Government Applications Of Digital Health (Telehealth) In Multi-Sectoral Settings: Participatory Action Research With Key Stakeholders, Irina Gelman

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Osteoarthritis Disease Severity In The Temporomandibular Joint And The Knee Joint: A Comparative Cadaveric Study, Jessica A Immonen, Jason Ciccotelli, Linh M Nguyen, Lesley Gilmer, Landen Broadhead, Mackenzie Kitchen, Conner Paul, Jeremy James

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the level of disease severity in a pilot cohort of temporomandibular joints (TMJs) and compare them to the pathology findings previously characterized in cadaveric knee joints.

DESIGN: Thirty-one intact TMJs from 17 cadaveric donors were harvested and arthritic lesioning seen in the knee joint was investigated on the condyle and the fossa of the TMJ. Prevalence of gross alterations was equated and disease severity was determined for sex- and age-based donor pools using a validated, osteoarthritis (OA) disease severity scale (DSS). Knee joint DSS scores were also compared to the TMJ …

Predicting In-Hospital Mortality After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Using Administrative Data And Machine Learning, Theyab Alhwiti, Summer Aldrugh, Fadel M. Megahed

School of Business

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is the gold standard treatment for patients with symptomatic aortic stenosis. The utility of existing risk prediction tools for in-hospital mortality post-TAVR is limited due to two major factors: (a) the predictive accuracy of these tools is insufficient when only preoperative variables are incorporated, and (b) their efficacy is also compromised when solely postoperative variables are employed, subsequently constraining their application in preoperative decision support. This study examined whether statistical/machine learning models trained with solely preoperative information encoded in the administrative National Inpatient Sample database could accurately predict in-hospital outcomes (death/survival) post-TAVR. Fifteen popular binary …

Anxiety Severity And Prescription Medication Utilization In First-Time Medical Marijuana Users, Karen L. Dugosh, Megan M. Short, Paulina Syracuse, Thomas R. Mccalmont, Michelle R. Lent

PCOM Scholarly Works

Background

Anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are qualifying psychiatric conditions for medical marijuana (MM) treatment in Pennsylvania. This study examined baseline prevalence and changes in prescription anxiety medication use three months following MM treatment initiation among individuals with these qualifying conditions.

Methods

The study sample was comprised of 108 adults with anxiety or PTSD as a referring condition; they were enrolled in a longitudinal study evaluating biopsychosocial outcomes in new MM patients. Consenting participants completed an assessment battery at baseline and Month 3 (n = 94, 87 % follow-up rate) that included a measure of anxiety severity and …

Associations Between Maternal Alcohol Consumption During Pregnancy And Selected Musculoskeletal Birth Defects Among Offspring In The National Birth Defects Prevention Study, Sarah Fisher

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy is known to be associated with poor pregnancy outcomes, including fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. However, evidence for associations between alcohol consumption during pregnancy and some major structural birth defects among offspring is conflicting or inconclusive. This dissertation used data from the National Birth Defects Prevention Study (NBDPS), a multi-site, population-based case-control study, to examine associations between maternal alcohol consumption and risk of three major musculoskeletal birth defects: gastroschisis, omphalocele, and craniosynostosis. Our analyses built upon previous analyses of these associations using NBDPS data, including larger sample sizes and more robust analytic methods to explore issues …

Prescription Opioid Misuse Among High School Students In The United States, By Sex And Race/Ethnicity, In 2019 And 2021, Deepika Reddy Kandhi

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Background: Drug overdose deaths in the U.S. have been increasing and are primarily related to opioid use. In 2019, an estimated 7.2% of US high school students reported misusing prescription opioids in the past 30 days. Prescription opioid misuse in adolescents may lead to development of a substance use disorder, overdose, or other serious harms. Some researchers have observed sex and race differences in prescription opioid use. This study aimed to identify patterns of prescription opioid misuse among adolescent subgroups categorized by both sex and race/ethnicity, to provide insight into intervention development and targeting.Methods: We analyzed data from the Youth …

Postpartum Visitation Policies, Jenna B. Holderman, Morgan E. Matthews

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Background: Continual support for the birthing person during labor improves delivery outcomes and overall childbirth experiences. How many support people are present and their relation to the birthing person varies based on individual preference, family dynamics, and sociocultural expectations. During the Covid-19 pandemic, many hospitals implemented a one-visitor policy for deliveries. With these new guidelines in place, the length of hospital stays significantly decreased, and there were a variety of opinions towards these restrictions.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore birthing persons’ overall sentiment towards visitors in the immediate postpartum period.

Methods: The current study analyzed …

Moral Distress In Critical Care Nursing: A Literature Review, Anna Tindell

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Moral distress is a pressing concern in the healthcare field with significant implications for all areas of nursing and patient outcomes. However, those within the specialty of critical care nursing experience moral distress more frequently than those in other specialties. It arises from the complex ethical dilemmas nurses in critical intensive care units face as they work in these high-pressure environments. The purpose of this literature review is to discuss moral distress in critical care nursing and how it affects a nurse’s ability to provide quality care. Furthermore, this review will determine factors contributing to moral distress and potential interventions …

Breastfeeding In Public: A Review Of Literature And Service Learning Experience, Taylor Jehlik, Makenzie Carney

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

This article explores the perceptions and beliefs of first-time expectant mothers, their family members, and their social network about breastfeeding in public places. We used experience through Tiny Tusks and reviewed literature to get a better understanding of what social factors play a role in mothers' decisions to breastfeed in public.

Evaluation Of Caring Behaviors In High-Fidelity Simulation Following A Caring Concept Educational Intervention, Debra Ann Mcwilliams

Theses & Dissertations

Background.

Simulation has created a new paradigm in nursing education. Behaviors that demonstrate caring are important aspects of quality nursing practice. Nursing education needs to integrate opportunities to teach caring, and simulation is an ideal environment to do this. Faculty must assist nursing students to establish competence in psychomotor, cognitive, and the affective domains of learning. Many of the widely used, standardized scenarios in simulation predominantly focus on critical-thinking skills while marginalizing the demonstration of caring behaviors.

Purpose.

The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the effect of a caring concept educational intervention (CCEI) in students’ self-reported confidence …

Factors Influencing The Delivery Of Preconception Care Services Among Nursing And Midwifery Students At Aga Khan University, Kenya, Levy Mukolwe

MSc in Advanced Practice Midwifery

Preconception care (PCC) encompasses a range of biomedical, behavioural, and social interventions to improve pregnancy outcomes. However, the effective implementation of PCC services, particularly in developing countries, faces multifaceted challenges. This cross-sectional quantitative descriptive study was conducted among 104 nursing and midwifery students at Aga Khan University and selected through simple random sampling. Data was collected using semi-structured self-administered questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS version 25.0. 69.9% of the respondents were nurses, while 30.1% were midwives. 28.8% of participants knew the definition of PCC. The importance of various PCC components, such as nutritional deficiency screening, genetic risk assessment, environmental hazard …

Postoperative Stomach Volvulus And Pancreatitis Following A Sleeve Gastrectomy., Shane B Devine, Sam J King, Bradley J Chatterton, Kurt D Knepley

Internal Medicine Resident Research

The laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is the most common bariatric surgery performed to promote weight loss and improve obesity-related comorbidities. As the number of patients undergoing sleeve gastrectomy increases, so does the prevalence of complications. It is crucial to recognize both common and unusual complications of sleeve gastrectomy to properly diagnose and manage them. We present a unique case of gastric outlet obstruction not visualized on initial imaging and acute pancreatitis following a sleeve gastrectomy. We recommend performing an endoscopy and ordering serum lipase levels in a patient with negative CT scans but persistent postoperative nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. The …

The Use Of Deception In Dementia-Care Robots: Should Robots Tell "White Lies" To Limit Emotional Distress?, Samuel R. Cox, Grace Cheong, Wei Tsang Ooi

ROSA Journal Articles and Publications

With projections of ageing populations and increasing rates of dementia, there is need for professional caregivers. Assistive robots have been proposed as a solution to this, as they can assist people both physically and socially. However, caregivers often need to use acts of deception (such as misdirection or white lies) in order to ensure necessary care is provided while limiting negative impacts on the cared-for such as emotional distress or loss of dignity. We discuss such use of deception, and contextualise their use within robotics.

Relationship Between Arm Path, Ball Velocity, And Elbow Varus Torque In Professional Baseball Pitchers, Brittany Dowling, Alexander Hodakowski, Bjorn Olmanson, Matthew Cohn, Patrick Pauley, Nikhil Verma, Gregory Nicholson, Grant Garrigues

Rothman Institute Papers

BACKGROUND: Currently, most pitching instructors suggest a shorter arm path-the total distance the arm travels during pitching. Theoretically, this combination allows for better body segment sequencing, a more efficient energy transfer through the kinetic chain, and increased ball velocity, while limiting elbow varus torque.

HYPOTHESIS: Shorter arm paths would be associated with increased ball velocity and decreased elbow varus torque.

STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive laboratory study.

METHODS: A total of 182 professional pitchers threw 8 to 12 fastball pitches while evaluated by 3-dimensional motion capture (480 Hz). The arm path was calculated as the total distance the hand marker traveled during …

A Gold-Based Inhibitor Of Oxidative Phosphorylation Is Effective Against Triple Negative Breast Cancer, R. Tyler Mertens, Jong Hyun Kim, Samuel Ofori, Chibuzor Ngozi Olelewe, Paul J. Kamitsuka, Gunnar F. Kwakye, Samuel G. Awuah

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is associated with metabolic heterogeneity and poor prognosis with limited treatment options. New treatment paradigms for TNBC remains an unmet need. Thus, therapeutics that target metabolism are particularly attractive approaches. We previously designed organometallic Au(III) compounds capable of modulating mitochondrial respiration by ligand tuning with high anticancer potency in vitro and in vivo. Here, we show that an efficacious Au(III) dithiocarbamate (AuDTC) compound induce mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative damage in cancer cells. Efficacy of AuDTC in TNBC mouse models harboring mito- chondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) dependence and metabolic heterogeneity establishes its thera- peutic potential following systemic …

Cell Aggregation Activates Small Gtpase Rac1 And Induces Cd44 Cleavage By Maintaining Lipid Raft Integrity, Dong Li, Younhee Park, Hami Hemati, Xia Liu

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

Lipid rafts are highly ordered membrane domains that are enriched in cholesterol and glycosphingolipids and serve as major platforms for signal transduction. Cell detachment from the extracellular matrix (ECM) triggers lipid raft disruption and anoikis, which is a barrier for cancer cells to metastasize. Compared to single circulating tumor cells (CTCs), our recent studies have demonstrated that CD44-mediatd cell aggregation enhances the stemness, survival and metastatic ability of aggregated cells. Here, we investigated whether and how lipid rafts are involved in CD44-mediated cell aggregation. We found that cell detachment, which mimics the condition when tumor cells detach from the ECM …