Public Health Commons^™

Roles Of A Bradykinin Storm And A Cytokine Storm In Covid-19 Cases, Nouha H. Odeh

Honors College Theses

In the light of recent events, it is imperative to understand the key inflammatory response elements that appear to be the source of more severe ailments resulting from a SARS-CoV-2 viral infection known as Covid-19 The more severe cases of Covid-19 are characterized by a severe inflammatory response resulting in tissue damage. My research proposal aims to investigate the two possible culprits of this response: a bradykinin (BK) storm and an interleukin-6 (IL-6) mediated cytokine storm. In both systems respectively, the excess release of these signals subsequently signals the production of even more of the same response element, resulting in …

Nutrition And Health Status Of Hemodialysis Patients In Dhaka, Bangladesh, Tanjina Rahman

Wayne State University Dissertations

Methods to identify patients at risk for End stage renal disease (ESRD) are a high priority in Bangladesh, where kidney transplants/dialysis options are limited and costly. Every year, 35,000 to 40,000 people reach ESRD in Bangladesh, but currently available facilities can hardly accommodate only 9000 to 10,000 new patients with twice weekly dialysis and the remaining 66% have no access to any kind of renal replacement therapy (RRT) in the form of dialysis or transplantation. Nutrition is an important factor in maintaining good health of hemodialysis patients. However, data on nutritional status of Bangladeshi dialysis patients is limited and is …

Clinicopathology And Molecular Determinants Underlying Benign Breast And Breast Cancer Lesions, Andreana Holowatyj Holowatyj

Wayne State University Dissertations

Despite converging incidence rates for breast cancers by race, disparities in mortality persist where black women suffer from poorer prognosis compared to white counterparts. To understand the clinical, demographic, and molecular characteristics underlying these disparities, we examined differences among patients with breast cancer to understand the role of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status, age, and race/ethnicity among women diagnosed with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, and disparities in surgical therapy among female patients with early stage young-onset breast cancer. Benign breast disease, another known risk factor for breast cancer, includes a histological spectrum of lesions, could contribute to …

Metabolic Syndrome In Obese African American Adolescents, Yulyu Yeh

Wayne State University Dissertations

Limited research regarding metabolic syndrome (MetS) has been conducted in obese African American adolescents (OAAA) using the International Diabetes Federation IDF criteria. MetS is a constellation of risk factors that increase the risk for chronic diseases and is defined as presence of any 3 or more of the 5 criteria: fasting glucose 100mg/dl, waist circumference 90th percentile, triglycerides 150 mg/dl, blood pressure (BP) 130/85 mmHg and HDL < 40mg/dl. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of MetS in OAAA by using the IDF criteria and the relationship with diet, fast food consumption, nutrition knowledge, home food environment (HFE), and serum calcium, leptin, 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D (1, 25 D3) levels. One hundred and fifty one OAAA (mean age: 14.3 ± 1.4 years, 65.6% girls, mean BMI: 37.4±7.2 kg/m2) in a metropolitan area took part in this study. Anthropometric data and fasting blood samples were collected. Participants completed a set of questionnaires regarding diet, fast food consumption, and nutrition knowledge. HFE was completed by the care givers. The MetS rate for OAAA was 61.6% and boys had higher MetS than girls (73.1%, 55.6% respectively). OAAA without MetS had higher serum calcium and 1,25 D3 level but no significant difference were found in food consumption, nutrition knowledge, and HFE. Total cholesterol /HDL ratio and Insulin resistance increased the odds of MetS by 55% and 10% and 1,25 D3 decrease the odds of MetS by 2%. Even though high fast food consumption, lack of nutrition knowledge and poor food environment were negatively associated with obesity, they didn't contribute to MetS. Increase serum vitamin D and calcium level might be beneficial to reduce MetS in OAAA population.

Saudi Arabian Students In Detroit Use Natural Health Products More So Than Other University Students In Detroit, Samiah Naji Alqahtani

Wayne State University Theses

Natural Health Products (NHP), are defined as products that derive from organisms and may include supplements and herbal/traditional remedies. Prior research indicates that females use NHP more than males. We have unpublished data to show that students use NHP for health maintenance with significantly different use of NHP by Native/Aboriginal students vs. other students. Less is known about Saudi students. We hypothesize that: (1) There are gender differences in NHP used; and (2) There are geo-ethnic differences in NHP used. We also determine the predictor variables that influence NHP use by students. Students from Wayne State University (n=560; 193 …

Proximate And Evolutionary Insights Into The Epigenetics Of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Levent Sipahi

Wayne State University Dissertations

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an important medical and social condition. Although the vast majority of individuals are exposed to traumatic events within their lifetime, a minority subsequently develop diagnosable PTSD. What underlies differential risk and resiliency in the face of trauma is an ongoing research and clinical question with implications for prevention and treatment. Recent work has revealed a putative role of epigenetic variation and modification - most notably DNA methylation - in the etiology of PTSD. That DNA methylation is stable, yet modifiable in response to lived experiences, makes it a strong candidate to mechanistically explain the ontogeny …

Characterization Of Antimicrobial-Resistant Staphylococcus Spp. In Food Animals And Retail Meat, Kanika Bhargava

Wayne State University Dissertations

Antimicrobial resistance in Staphylococcus spp. is a worldwide epidemic concern in hospital and community settings. Food animals and retail meat are important reservoirs of these pathogens that can pose potential threat to humans. In this dissertation, we aimed to investigate the molecular epidemiology of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and methicillin-resistant Coagulase-negative Staphylococci (MRCoNS) in food animals and retail meat to provide insight into the role of agricultural environment in transmitting bacteria of human clinical significance. Furthermore, the potential application of phytochemicals as antimicrobials and antimicrobial adjuvants to control MRSA infections was explored.

CoNS recovered from food animals were characterized by …