Diseases Commons^™

Radical Social Ecology As Deep Pragmatism: A Call To The Abolition Of Systemic Dissonance And The Minimization Of Entropic Chaos, Arielle Brender

Student Theses 2015-Present

This paper aims to shed light on the dissonance caused by the superimposition of Dominant Human Systems on Natural Systems. I highlight the synthetic nature of Dominant Human Systems as egoic and linguistic phenomenon manufactured by a mere portion of the human population, which renders them inherently oppressive unto peoples and landscapes whose wisdom were barred from the design process. In pursuing a radical pragmatic approach to mending the simultaneous oppression and destruction of the human being and the earth, I highlight the necessity of minimizing entropic chaos caused by excess energy expenditure, an essential feature of systems that aim …

Birth History As A Predictor Of Adverse Birth Outcomes: Evidence From State Vital Statistics Data, Dejun Su, Kaeli Samson, Ashvita Garg, Corrine Hanson, Ann L. Anderson Berry, Ge Lin Kan, Ming Qu

School of Public Health Faculty Research

One of the most important predictors of preterm births (PTBs) or low-birth-weight births (LBWBs) is whether a mother has had a history of these birth outcomes. This study examined how different characterizations of birth history (e.g., any previous incidence of PTBs or LBWBs, immediate previous birth that was preterm or of low birth weight, and number of previous PTBs or LBWBs) were associated with PTBs or LBWBs. Based on birth records (n = 98,776) reported to the vital statistics electronic registration system in Nebraska from 2005 to 2014, mothers with a history of PTBs or LBWBs were more likely to …

South Africa, Hiv/Aids, And Education, Katie Roberts

Master's Projects and Capstones

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) are huge problems in South Africa. HIV is a disease that attacks a person’s immune system and, if not properly treated, can lead to AIDS. While there is a treatment—antiretroviral drugs—HIV remains a highly stigmatized disease. This field project focuses on reducing stigma so people are unafraid to get tested or seek treatment. Created to benefit both teachers and their learners, the goal of this mathematics curriculum (consisting of 12 lesson plans and worksheets) is to begin HIV/AIDS awareness in school so accurate information is learned and stigma is reduced. The …

Stress Urinary Incontinence In Collegiate Female Athletes: Prevalence And Impact, Marie Bouchard

Master's Projects and Capstones

Abstract

Introduction, definition: Urinary incontinence is the involuntary leaking of urine (a few drops to a few milliliters). It can happen while exercising with no urge to urinate (stress urinary incontinence), with a sudden urge to urinate (overactive bladder or urgency urinary incontinence), or a combination of the two (mixed urinary incontinence). This issue is very common among female athletes. However, because of the reluctance to discuss this problem, it remains underdiagnosed and undertreated.

Methods:An anonymous and confidential survey was distributed to the 90 University of San Francisco female student athletes from seven different varsity sports in December 2017. …

An Active Efficient Coding Model Of The Development Of Amblyopia, Samuel Eckmann, Lukas Klimmasch, Bertram Shi, Jochen Triesch

MODVIS Workshop

No abstract provided.

Design Of A Distributed Real-Time E-Health Cyber Ecosystem With Collective Actions: Diagnosis, Dynamic Queueing, And Decision Making, Yanlin Zhou

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

In this thesis, we develop a framework for E-health Cyber Ecosystems, and look into different involved actors. The three interested parties in the ecosystem including patients, doctors, and healthcare providers are discussed in 3 different phases. In Phase 1, machine-learning based modeling and simulation analysis is performed to remotely predict a patient's risk level of having heart diseases in real time. In Phase 2, an online dynamic queueing model is devised to pair doctors with patients having high risk levels (diagnosed in Phase 1) to confirm the risk, and provide help. In Phase 3, a decision making paradigm is proposed …

Treatment Of Mci And Alzheimer's Disease, Mark A. Lovell, Bert C. Lynn

Chemistry Faculty Patents

The present invention provides, among other things, therapeutic compositions and methods that can effectively treat, slow or prevent a neurological disease (e.g., a neurodegenerative disease, e.g., mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or Alzheimer's disease (AD)), in particular, based on therapeutically effective amount of nifedipine, oxidized or nitroso nifedipine derivatives, lactam (e.g., a compound of formula (Ic) or (Ic-i), e.g., NFD-L1), thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3) and combinations thereof.

Hiv Mortality Difference Between Black And White Women, Carlos O. Nesbeth, Rajiv Kandala, Syed Najeeb, Ruksana Nazneen, Banglore Murthy

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

OBJECTIVE

In the United States, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) continues to be among the top 10 leading causes of mortality for black women between the ages of 20 and 54¹, but does not rank among the top 10 leading causes of death for white women amongst all age groups^². This study describes the HIV mortality difference between black and white women and formulate hypotheses that may reduce or eliminate disparities.

METHODS

Information was accessed through public data, the US Census, and the US Compressed Mortality File.

RESULTS

In these descriptive data from 1987 through 2015, including reliable HIV …

Food Insecurity And Pre-Hypertension, Pre-Diabetes In Adult Women: Results From The 2007-2010 National Health And Nutrition Examination Survey, Michelle L. Redmond, Phd, Ms, Fanglong Dong, Phd, Philip Twumasi-Ankrah, Phd, Robert B. Hines, Phd, Mph, Lisette T. Jacobson, Phd, Mpa, Ma, Elizabeth Ablah, Phd, Mph, Judy Johnston, Ms, Rd/Ld, Tracie C. Collins, Md, Mph, Mhcds

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Background

Being food insecure is generally defined as the limited or uncertain availability of safe and nutritious foods and is linked to poor nutrition and fully progressed diet-sensitive chronic diseases. However, little is known about the association between food insecurity and pre-clinical disease such as pre-hypertension and pre-diabetes. This study sought to examine the associations between food insecurity and pre-clinical disease among a racially/ethnically diverse population of women.

Methods

Using data from 2007-2010 NHANES, we examined associations between food security and pre-clinical disease among women 18-65 years. Chi-square tests were used to examine differences in demographic variables. Bivariate and multivariable …

Psychological Well-Being And Restorative Biological Processes: Hdl-C In Older English Adults, Jackie Soo, Laura D. Kubzansky, Ying Chen, Emily S. Zevon, Julia K. Boehm

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

Rationale

Psychological well-being is associated with better cardiovascular health, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear.

Objective

This study investigates one possible mechanism by examining psychological well-being's prospective association with lipid levels, focusing on high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C).

Methods

Participants were 4757 healthy men and women ages ≥50 from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing with clinical data from three times, three to five years apart. Psychological well-being was assessed at baseline using the Control, Autonomy, Satisfaction, and Pleasure scale; HDL-C, triglycerides, and total cholesterol were assayed from blood samples. Descriptive statistics and linear mixed models were used to examine associations …

Schistosomiasis In The Wild: A Transcriptomics Perspective On Field-Derived Biomphalaria Pfeifferi And Schistosoma Mansoni, And Their Interactions, Sarah K. Buddenborg

Biology ETDs

Schistosomiasis, caused by trematodes in the genus Schistosoma, is a widespread neglected tropical disease with the species S. mansoni infecting over 100 million people. We aimed to better understand the snail host and parasite responses during intramolluscan stages of infection by performing dual RNA-Seq on field-collected snails with natural infections from western Kenya. We collected uninfected Biomphalaria pfeifferi, B. pfeifferi with a patent cercariae-producing S. mansoni infection, and B. pfeifferi exposed to field-collected S. mansoni at 1 and 3d (days post infection).

We first created a high-quality B. pfeifferi transcriptome to identify the snail response to S. mansoni infection. …

Ebola: Africa, James Goodwin

Global Issues in Public Health

In this paper, I talk about the Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever. Ebola is a rare virus that spreads through the immune system and can be fatal. Ebola is a pathogen from Africa, specifically West Africa. There has been almost 32,000 cases since 1976. Symptoms include, Fever, Headache, Muscle pain, Fatigue, Diarrhea, Vomiting, Stomach pain, and Bleeding/Bruising. Transmission happens during close or direct contact. World Health Organization has been making efforts to handle outbreaks such as the outbreak in 2014. World Health Organization mobilized and set up relief efforts. Education is a key idea for my thoughts on how we can intervene …

Melatonin-Micronutrients Osteopenia Treatment Study (Mots): A Translational Study Assessing The Effects Of Melatonin, Strontium Citrate, Vitamin D3 And Vitamin K2 On Bone Density, Bone Turnover Markers And Health-Related Quality Of Life In Postmenopausal Osteopenic Women Following A One-Year Double-Blind Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial And On Osteoblast-Osteoclast Co-Cultures, Sifat Maria

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess if a novel combination of melatonin and three other natural bone-aiding micronutrients: strontium citrate, vitamins D₃ and K₂ (MSDK) could improve bone health by modulating the activity of osteoblasts and osteoclasts in favor of balanced bone remodeling and by improving the overall health-related quality of life in postmenopausal osteopenic women.

Methods: The Melatonin-micronutrients Osteopenia Treatment Study (MOTS) is a translational research study that used both clinical and in vitro approaches to assess the efficacy of MSDK on bone health in women and to identify potential mechanisms for its effects. …

Exacerbation Recovery Patterns In Newly Diagnosed Or Maintenance Treatment-Naïve Patients With Copd: Secondary Analyses Of Ticari 1 Trial Data, David M. Mannino, Emmanuelle M. Clerisme-Beaty, Joanne Franceschina, Naitee Ting, Nancy K. Leidy

Preventive Medicine and Environmental Health Faculty Publications

Background: Little is known about the recovery patterns from acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) in newly diagnosed or maintenance treatment-naïve patients with COPD. This study describes the course of AECOPD in these patients at the time of treatment for the symptoms of acute respiratory tract infection (RTI).

Methods: This study was a secondary analysis of data from a 12-week, randomized clinical trial (TICARI 1) testing the efficacy and safety of once-daily tiotropium 18 µg maintenance therapy versus placebo in newly diagnosed or maintenance treatment-naïve COPD patients with acute RTI symptoms for ≤7 days. Patients received standard care …

Assistive Utensil: A Spork For Hand Tremors And Spatial Awareness, Ana Font Hernandez, Jacob Kabariti, Troy Taylor

Publications and Research

In this poster, we present a 3D printed solution for hand tremors and special awareness. Our spork is an assistive device designed and 3D printed for patients suffering from scleroderma, systemic sclerosis, Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis, drug withdrawal, etc. The scale-based handle will act as a counterweight to offset the contents on the other end and reduce shakiness. The larger grip allows an easy and comfortable hold. The product will be 3D printed for a customizable fit and at an affordable price. Lastly, the product will include a haptic feedback sensor to assist the visually impaired in locating food contents on …

Protocol For A Randomised Trial Of Higher Versus Lower Intensity Patient-Provider Communication Interventions To Reduce Antibiotic Misuse In Two Paediatric Ambulatory Clinics In The Usa., Kathy Goggin, Andrea Bradley-Ewing, Angela Myers, Brian R. Lee, Emily A. Hurley, Kirsten B. Delay, Sarah Schlachter, Areli Ramphal, Kimberly Pina, David Yu, Kirsten Weltmer, Sebastian Linnemayr, Christopher C. Butler, Jason G. Newland

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

INTRODUCTION: Children with acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs) are prescribed up to 11.4 million unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions annually. Inadequate parent-provider communication is a chief contributor, yet efforts to reduce overprescribing have only indirectly targeted communication or been impractical. This paper describes our multisite, parallel group, cluster randomised trial comparing two feasible interventions for enhancing parent-provider communication on the rate of inappropriate antibiotic prescribing (primary outcome) and revisits, adverse drug reactions and parent-rated quality of shared decision-making, parent-provider communication and visit satisfaction (secondary outcomes).

METHODS/ANALYSIS: We will attempt to recruit all eligible paediatricians and nurse practitioners (currently 47) at an academic …

Barriers To Pregnancy Spacing In Women Living With Hiv: A Series Of Informational Interviews, Rachel K. Scott, Piyapa Praditpan, Patricia Tanjutco, Elizabeth Laidlaw, Regina Zopf, Manon M. Schladen

The Qualitative Report

For reproductive-age women living with HIV, birth spacing allows for optimization of maternal health and viral suppression to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV. We conducted semi-structured informational interviews to explore use of contraception for birth spacing. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed. Audio files were reviewed to capture non-explicit data. We interviewed 18 multiparous HIV positive women. All described experiences with at least one contraceptive method. Six themes emerged: Burden of contraception, Failure of birth control, Impact of youth and lack of life experience, Community beliefs about birth control, Lack of partner cooperation, and Altruism. Women viewed birth spacing favorably. Young …

Development Of A Survey To Examine The Association Between Relationship Status And Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Behavior, Ansley Waters

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

Literature: HPV is the most prevalent STI in the United States. Although a vaccine to prevent HPV infection exists, only 49.5% of females were up-to-date on the recommended vaccination HPV vaccination series in 2016. Though recommended for younger individuals, there is a catch-up period for females ages 18-26, which shows consistent under-participation. One potential risk factor for non-vaccination may be relationship status. Unlike other sexual health issues where monogamous, long-term relationships serve as a protective factor, such relationships may negatively impact HPV infection risk perception. Building from previous qualitative research, this study examined the quantitative association between relationship status and …

Characterization Of Isolates And Whole Samples From Turkeys Infected With Bordetellosis, Alexandra Lovrinic

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

Bordetellosis is a disease in turkeys attributed to the Gram-negative bacterium, Bordetella avium. The closely related species, B. hinzii, is known to colonize in turkeys as well but was not thought to cause disease. However, over the past few years, B. hinzii has been isolated from turkeys diagnosed with bordetellosis. The presumed identification of isolates obtained from Butterball farms in different locations was conducted through standard identification tests, including hemagglutination, PCR of B. avium specific genes, 16s rDNA PCR, carbohydrate utilization tests, and complete genome sequencing of a few strains. Out of ~100 isolates tested, 14 yielded contradictory …

Electrophysiological Biomarkers Of Chemotherapy-Related Cognitive Impairment In Hematological Malignancy Patients, David E. Anderson

Theses & Dissertations

Multiple cancer populations frequently report cognitive impairment following treatment with chemotherapy agents (“chemo-brain”). Impaired neuropsychological performance is commonly reported in cognitive domains of attention and executive function. Understanding neural mechanisms underlying cognitive impairments is essential to developing prevention and rehabilitation strategies. Brain imaging studies frequently show chemotherapy-related impairments within the attentional control network, which is comprised of a constellation of cortical regions that govern reportedly impaired cognitive functions. In the current dissertation research, I developed a novel electrophysiology battery aimed at recording near-instantaneous neural activity within the attentional control network during cognitive task performance. Cancer patients diagnosed with hematological malignancy …

Sun Prevention Fun (Spf): A Multicomponent Sun Prevention Program For Children In Kindergarten And First Grade, Sarah Gouker

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Skin cancer is an important topic in the United States due to the recent increase in cost and mortality. The purpose of this evidence-based practice (EBP) project was to determine if the early implementation of a multicomponent sun prevention program positively impacted kindergarten and first grade students’ knowledge and behavioral intentions to practice safe sun techniques after a one week period. Kotter’s Model of Change and the ACE Star model were utilized to guide this EBP project. An exhaustive review of the literature yielded 12 articles which were used to develop best practices for education on sun safety. The quality …

The Effect Of Dust Mite Extract On Esophageal Tight Junctions In Eosinophilic Esophagitis, Kyle Hinz

Theses & Dissertations

Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EE) is a chronic inflammatory disease that effects individuals of all ages. EE is mediated by an allergen response, causing the release of thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), and subsequent inflammation and eosinophil migration and infiltration of the esophagus through the activation of the JAK/STAT pathway and CD4+ T-cells. EE has typically been associated with food allergies, but studies have shown that aeroallergens can cause EE as well. Current treatments of EE have primarily focused on nonspecific methods, though anti-TSLP is beginning to be tested as a possible treatment for EE. The aim of this study was to see …

Elucidation Of The Functions Of Neuropilin 2 In Osteoclasts In Promoting Prostate Cancer Bone Metastasis., Navatha S. Polavaram

Theses & Dissertations

Bone metastasis is one of the major clinical concerns that causes skeletal related malignancies and increased mortality. Bone is one of the preferred sites for metastatic prostate cancer. The metastatic prostate cancer cells interact with bone cells (osteoblasts and osteoclasts) resulting in an imbalance in the bone homeostasis leading to increased activation of osteoblasts over osteoclasts. Our preliminary data indicated a non-tyrosine kinase receptor Neuropilin 2 (NRP2) is expressed in osteoclasts induced by metastatic prostate cancer cells and acts as a negative regulator of osteoclast differentiation and function. We hypothesize that prostate cancer -induced NRP2 expression in osteoclasts is necessary …

A Study Of Acoustically Activated Nanodroplets, Songita Choudhury

Theses & Dissertations

Current treatment of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), which is the main pathophysiological event leading to death in the United States, has advanced considerably with the introduction of emergent percutaneous interventions, but there remains an urgent need for novel techniques to rapidly and accurately detect infarcted or ischemic tissue that results from AMI. Ultrasound contrast agents, also known as microbubbles (MB), have become commonplace in echocardiography. However, MBs are purely intravascular tracers and unable to cross endothelial barriers due to size. The limitations of MBs, namely size and short circulation times within the human body, led to the development of phase-change …

Muc4 Based Immunotherapy For Pancreatic Cancer, Kasturi Banerjee

Theses & Dissertations

Pancreatic Cancer (PC) is a lethal disease claiming approximately 45000 lives in the US in 2018, and it establishes an elaborate immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment that aids in disease pathogenesis. Immunotherapy has emerged as a strategy to target tumor cells by reprogramming patient’s immune system. Challenges present in PC immunotherapy are: i) identifying a tumor-associated antigen that could be targeted, ii) identifying adjuvants that could efficiently deliver antigens, iii) eliciting robust anti-tumor responses and iv) overcoming peripheral tolerance and immunosuppression elicited by the tumor.

Firstly, we detected circulating autoantibodies to MUC4 present in PC patients and observed that IgM autoantibodies to …

Interlace: Designing An Inclusionary Architecture For Alzheimer's Sufferers, Alexander Fashinasi

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

This thesis intends to address the increasing challenges the Alzheimer’s disease poses for our growing American population. The research begins by looking at the brain as a combination of components which make up the individual. Following this, the research compiles information on the Alzheimer’s disease and its symptoms, followed by an analysis of the built environments effects on the condition.

Through analysis of precedent cases and the combined Alzheimer’s research, I chose to propose an experimental community in which those with Alzheimer’s can live a life with greater autonomy while simultaneously slowing the progression of the disease. I place this …

A New Perspective On The Outcomes Of Children With Cleft Lip And Palate: Application Of The Icf-Cy, Brenda Louw

ETSU Faculty Works

Learner Outcomes:

• Acknowledge the application value of the ICF to individuals with CLP.
• Integrate the ICF framework into the assessment of individuals with CLP.
• Formulate intervention goals that go beyond speech production skills to include functional communication outcomes in a variety of life situations.
• Include improvement and changes in communication participation in everyday functioning in assessment and progress reports.

Transition Of Care For The Young Adult With Cleft Palate: Stuck Between Goodbye To The Pediatric Team And Hello To Adult-Centered Care, Linda Vallino, Brenda Louw

ETSU Faculty Works

Participants will be able to:

• Describe the characteristics and needs of young adults with CLP.
• Discuss the model of transition of care for the young adult with CLP.
• Extrapolate strategies that teams could use to improve the care of young adults with CLP.

The Behavioral Response Of Mosquitoes To Different Snake Odors, Caitlyn E. Hicks

Honors College Theses

Due to it causing high mortality rates, Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEEV) is considered to be one of the most medically important encephalitic viruses in the Eastern United States. In order to be able to control the transmission of this virus, understanding of vector behavior and feeding preferences is necessary. In this study, the response of Culex nigripalpus to different snake skin odors was tested to determine if this species of mosquito responded to particular snake species. Culex nigripalpus showed the greatest response to Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix) and Cottonmouth (A. piscivorus) snakes, as compared to other venomous …

Fatal Case Of Ttp In Patient With Underlying Pulmonary Aspergillosis, Shimool A. Rabbani, Ankit Shah, Joan Wiley, Jay Kirkham

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

A 70-year- old Caucasian male with history of renal transplant on tacrolimus presented with 5-days of fevers, productive cough, and confusion. Patient was initially diagnosed with pneumonia, presumed bacterial, but soon noted to have worsening neurologic status, renal failure, and respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation. He further developed thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA); TMA along with the other clinical findings led to diagnosis of Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP). Despite aggressive treatment of TTP with plasmapheresis, patient expired on day five of his hospitalization. Fungal cultures from a bronchoscope performed on day three of hospitalization that resulted postmortem grew many aspergillus flavus and …