Public Health Commons^™

A Multicenter Case Control Study Of Association Of Vitamin D With Breast Cancer Among Women In Karachi, Pakistan, Uzma Shamsi, Shaista Khan, Syed Iqbal Azam, Aysha Habib, Amir Maqbool, Mohammad Hanif, Tiffany Gill, Romaina Iqbal, David Callen

Community Health Sciences

Background: The prevalence of vitamin D inadequacy and breast cancer are both high among women living in Karachi, Pakistan.
Methods: A matched case control study was conducted in two hospitals of Karachi, Pakistan to evaluate the association of vitamin D (serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D) concentrations, vitamin D supplementation and sun exposure with breast cancer among Pakistani women. A total of 411 newly diagnosed histologically confirmed primary breast cancer cases were enrolled and 784 controls, free of breast and any other cancers, were matched by age (year of birth ± 5 years), residence in the same geographic area and study site. Information …

Social Values For Health Technology Assessment In Canada: A Scoping Review Of Hepatitis C Screening, Diagnosis And Treatment, Caroline O'Keefe-Markman, Kristina Dawn Lea, Christopher Mccabe, Elaine Hyshka, Tania M. Bubela

Office of the Provost

Background: Health care system decision makers face challenges in allocating resources for screening, diagnosis and treatment of hepatitis C. Approximately 240,000 individuals are infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) in Canada. Populations most affected by HCV include Indigenous people, people who inject drugs, immigrants and homeless or incarcerated populations as well as those born between 1946 and 1965. Curative but expensive drug regimens of novel direct acting antivirals (DAAs) are available. We aim to identify social values from academic literature for inclusion in health technology assessments.
Methods: We conducted a scoping review of academic literature to identify and analyze …

A Novel Histological Index For Evaluation Of Environmental Enteric Dysfunction Identifies Geographic-Specific Features Of Enteropathy Among Children With Suboptimal Growth, Ta-Chiang Liu, Kelley Vanbuskirk, Syed Asad Ali, M. Paul Kelly, Lori R. Holtz, Omer H. Yilmaz, Kamran Sadiq, Najeeha Talat Iqbal, Beatrice Amadi, Sana Syed

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Background: A major limitation to understanding the etiopathogenesis of environmental enteric dysfunction (EED) is the lack of a comprehensive, reproducible histologic framework for characterizing the small bowel lesions. We hypothesized that the development of such a system will identify unique histology features for EED, and that some features might correlate with clinical severity.
Methods: Duodenal endoscopic biopsies from two cohorts where EED is prevalent (Pakistan, Zambia) and North American children with and without gluten sensitive enteropathy (GSE) were processed for routine hematoxylin & eosin (H&E) staining, and scanned to produce whole slide images (WSIs) which we shared among study pathologists …

Older Adults Hospitalized For Pneumonia In The United States: Incidence, Epidemiology, And Outcomes., Forest W. Arnold, Andrea Reyes-Vega, Vidyulata Salunkhe, Stephen P. Furmanek, Christian Furman, Laura Morton, Anna Johan Faul, Pam Yankeelov, Julio A. Ramirez

Faculty and Staff Scholarship

OBJECTIVES: To define the current incidence, epidemiology, and mortality of older adult patients hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in Louisville, KY and thus estimate the burden of CAP in the older adult population of the United States. To define risk factors associated with early and late outcomes. DESIGN: This was a secondary analysis of older adults (aged ≥65 years) from the University of Louisville Pneumonia Study, a prospective population-based cohort study of all hospitalized adults with CAP between June 1, 2014, and May 31, 2016. SETTING: The study took place in all nine acute care hospitals for adults in Louisville, …

Immune-Mediated Genetic Pathways Resulting In Pulmonary Function Impairment Increase Lung Cancer Susceptibility, Linda Kachuri, Mattias Johansson, Sara R. Rashkin, Rebecca E. Graff, Yohan Bossé, Venkata Manem, Neil E. Caporaso, Maria Teresa Landi, David C. Christiani, Paolo Vineis, Geoffrey Liu, Ghislaine Scelo, David Zaridze, Sanjay S Shete, Demetrius Albanes, Melinda C. Aldrich, Adonina Tardón, Gad Rennert, Chu Chen, Gary E. Goodman, Jennifer A. Doherty, Heike Bickeböller, John K. Field, Michael P Davies, M. Dawn Teare, Lambertus A. Kiemeney, Stig E. Bojesen, Aage Haugen, Shanbeh Zienolddiny, Stephen Lam, Loïc Le Marchand, Iona Cheng, Matthew B. Schabath, Eric J. Duell, Angeline S. Andrew, Jonas Manjer, Philip Lazarus, Susanne M. Arnold, James D. Mckay, Nima C. Emami, Matthew T. Warkentin, Yonathan Brhane, Ma'en Obeidat, Richard M. Martin, Caroline Relton, George Davey Smith, Philip C. Haycock, Christopher I. Amos, Paul Brennan, John S. Witte, Rayjean J. Hung

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

Impaired lung function is often caused by cigarette smoking, making it challenging to disentangle its role in lung cancer susceptibility. Investigation of the shared genetic basis of these phenotypes in the UK Biobank and International Lung Cancer Consortium (29,266 cases, 56,450 controls) shows that lung cancer is genetically correlated with reduced forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV₁: r_g = 0.098, p = 2.3 × 10^-8) and the ratio of FEV₁ to forced vital capacity (FEV₁/FVC: r_g = 0.137, p = 2.0 × 10^-12). Mendelian randomization analyses demonstrate that …

Injection Drug Use And Care Charges For Infective Endocarditis, Verity N. Ramirez, Jenny L. Carwile, Kristina Rokas, Wendy Craig, Kinna Thakarar

Journal of Maine Medical Center

No abstract provided.

Prenatal Choline Supplementation During High-Fat Feeding Improves Long-Term Blood Glucose Control In Male Mouse Offspring, Hunter W. Korsmo, Kaydine Edwards, Bhoomi Dave, Chauntelle Jack-Roberts, Huanling Yu, Anjana Saxena, Marie Salvador, Moshe Dembitzer, Jaskomal Phagoora, Xinyin Jiang

Publications and Research

Maternal obesity increases the risk of metabolic dysregulation in rodent offspring, especially when offspring are exposed to a high-fat (HF), obesogenic diet later in life. We previously demonstrated that maternal choline supplementation (MCS) in HF-fed mouse dams during gestation prevents fetal overgrowth and excess adiposity. In this study, we examined the long-term metabolic influence of MCS. C57BL/6J mice were fed a HF diet with or without choline supplementation prior to and during gestation. After weaning, their pups were exposed to either a HF or control diet for 6 weeks before measurements. Prenatal and post-weaning dietary treatments led to sexually dimorphic …

Sé Un Héroe Tú También, Samantha S. Rohe, Sophie Cemaj

Books: Pediatrics

This children's book explains COVID-19 and how to decrease the incidence of transmissions.

Associations Between Oncogenic Risk Markers And Clinical Outcomes Among Black And White Colorectal Cancer Patients, Victoria B. Starks, Edith P. Mitchell, Md, Facp

Phase 1

Introduction: Blacks have a 25% higher incidence of colorectal cancer compared to their white societal counterparts. Additionally, the overall mortality rate among black colorectal cancer patients is 50% higher than that of whites. However, little is known about the biomarkers prevalent among blacks and their possible correlation to treatment response and patient outcomes.

Objective: The objective of this study is to explore disease trends that may unveil a correlation between molecular markers and poor clinical outcomes among black colorectal cancer patients.

Methods: De-identified patient data was obtained from The Oncology Data Services Department (Cancer Registry) of TJUH. The population cohort …

Prenatal Perception Of Wic Breastfeeding Recommendation Affects First Month Postpartum Breastfeeding Outcomes, Qi Zhang, Lamichhane Rajan, Joanne Guthrie

Community & Environmental Health Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Medical Student Knowledge Of Narcolepsy, Alyssa Sinko, Karl Doghramji, Md

Phase 1

Background: Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder, whose main symptoms include daytime sleepiness, cataplexy, sleep paralysis, disturbed sleep, and hypnagogic hallucinations. The disorder is poorly identified in medical settings. We hypothesized that lack of knowledge of narcolepsy and its hallmark symptoms are a cause for the low levels of identification of this disorder. This was a pilot study into medical student knowledge of narcolepsy at Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University (SKMC).

Methods: Two groups of SKMC students, years 1 and 2 (before sleep medicine education) and years 3 and 4 (after sleep medicine education) were the subjects of …

Examining Israeli Emergency Medical Preparedness In The Context Of Jefferson And Affiliates Practices, Jamie D. Garden, Amit S. Padaki

Phase 1

Introduction: Recent domestic disasters have demonstrated the challenges and vulnerabilities in the US health care disaster preparedness framework, challenges that extend to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital System (TJUH), in Philadelphia, PA. As Israel serves as a global leader in civilian defense and disaster preparedness, this study examines best practices in response to a mass casualty event at Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem, Israel, and compares them with existing protocol at TJUH. The list of best practices generated from this research allows for a greater understanding of standards that are feasibly employable at TJUH.

Methods: This study examined hospital staff response practices …

The Utility Of Performing Cervical Length Follow-Up In Lower Risk Singleton, Varsha Kripalu, Rupsa Boelig, Md

Phase 1

Introduction: Short cervical length (<25 mm) during pregnancy is known to be an increased risk factor for preterm birth (<37 weeks). While interventions exist for women who have had prior preterm births, it is important to investigate the cost effectiveness of screening low risk women with an intermediate cervical length (26-29 mm).

Objective: To quantify the association between change in cervical length on follow up and the incidence of preterm birth in otherwise low risk women with an initial intermediate cervical length.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted, reviewing 108 charts of women who had an initial screening between 26 and 29 mm. Charts were reviewed for whether or not a follow-up ultrasound was recommended, whether or not the follow-up was performed, and the outcome of their deliveries.

Results: 93.5% (N=101) of women were recommended to get a follow-up ultrasound and 84% (N=85) completed their follow-up. …

Lgbt Elder Initiative Thrivers Program Evaluation, Darcy Curtis, David Griffiths

Phase 1

Introduction: Aging with HIV is a critical area of study, especially as the generation that was initially affected by the disease grows older. The LGBT Elder Initiative (LGBT EI) is an organization in Philadelphia that supports and advocates for older members in the LGBT community. The LGBT EI Thrivers program is a community group that meets monthly to discuss what it means to “thrive” with HIV. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the LGBT EI’s Thrivers program and determine what motivates older individual with HIV to become involved in this program and identify the impact of the program. …

Intravenous Lidocaine As A Non-Opioid Adjunct Analgesic For Traumatic Rib Fractures., Jeff Choi, Kirellos Zamary, Nicolas B Barreto, Lakshika Tennakoon, Kristen M Davis, Amber W Trickey, David A Spain

Articles, Abstracts, and Reports

INTRODUCTION: Pain management is the pillar of caring for patients with traumatic rib fractures. Intravenous lidocaine (IVL) is a well-established non-opioid analgesic for post-operative pain, yet its efficacy has yet to be investigated in trauma patients. We hypothesized that IVL is associated with decreased inpatient opioid requirements among patients with rib fractures.

METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated adult patients presenting to our Level 1 trauma center with isolated chest wall injuries. After 1:1 propensity score matching patients who received vs did not receive IVL, we compared the two groups' average daily opioid use, opioid use in the last 24 hours of …

Persistent Reduction In The Age Adjusted Mortality Rate From Aortic Valve Surgery In The United State With Elimination Of Gender Gap In Recent Years., Mohammad Reza Movahed, Sara Etemad, Mehrnoosh Hashemzadeh, Mehrtash Hashemzadeh

Articles, Abstracts, and Reports

BACKGROUND: Advancement in the surgical techniques should translate into better outcome. The goal of this study was to evaluate mortality trends from aortic valve surgery in the United State using large inpatient database.

METHOD: The Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) database was used to calculate the age-adjusted mortality rate from aortic valve surgery from 1988 to 2011 in the United State using ICD-9 coding for aortic valve surgery.

RESULTS: We found that age adjusted mortality rate from aortic valve surgery gradually decreased from 1988 until end of study in 2011 to the lowest level with elimination of gender gap that was …

Prophylaxis Of Food Allergen Sensitivity, Dustin Gottfeld

Physician Assistant Studies | Student Authored Articles

Food allergies can have a severe and drastic effect on a person’s lifestyle, while prevention of allergic disease can help to ensure others do not have to live with this burden. There are a variety of differing hypotheses that offer explanations for the early development of food allergies, particularly peanut allergies. Two of the foremost hypotheses are the Hygiene Hypothesis and the Dual-Allergen Hypothesis. The Hygiene Hypothesis claims that the diversity of a child’s microbiota creates a beneficial balance of microorganisms which can help prevent the development of allergic disease. Alternatively, the Dual-Allergen Hypothesis states that early environmental exposure to …

Predictors Of Acne Vulgaris Among Adolescents In Kuwait, Mona Aikhabbaz, Abdullah Al-Taiar, Marwa Saeed, Reem Al-Sabah, Ahmed N. Albatineh

Community & Environmental Health Faculty Publications

Objectives: The prevalence of acne vulgaris (AV) among adolescents in Kuwait has remained mostly unknown. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of AV and its predictors among adolescents in Kuwait.

Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 714 participants who were randomly selected from public schools using multistage cluster random sampling. The presence or absence of AV, as well as severity of AV, were assessed using the Global Acne Grading Scale. Data on risk factors and potential confounders were collected from the parents through a self-administered questionnaire, and from the adolescents by face-to-face interview. Weight and height …

Anaphylaxis Diagnosis And Management In The Emergency Department Of A Tertiary Hospital In The Philippines, Michelle Joy De Vera, Iris Conela Tagaro

Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health Publications

Background:
In the Emergency Department (ED), diagnosis and management of anaphylaxis are challenging with at least 50% of anaphylaxis episodes misdiagnosed when the diagnostic criteria of current guidelines are not used.

Objective:
Objective of our study was to assess anaphylaxis diagnosis and management in patients presenting to the ED.

Methods:
Retrospective chart review conducted on patients presenting to The Medical City Hospital ED, the Philippines from 2013–2015 was done. Cases were identified based on International Statistical Classification of Diseases, 10th revision coding for either anaphylaxis or other allergic related diagnosis. Cases fitting the definition of anaphylaxis as identified by the …

Defining Current Gaps In Quality Measures For Cancer Immunotherapy: Consensus Report From The Society For Immunotherapy Of Cancer (Sitc) 2019 Quality Summit, Sara Pai, David Blaisdell, Rachel Brodie, Robert G. Carlson, Heidi Finnes, Michele Galioto, Roxanne E. Jensen, Tom Valuck, Antonia R. Sepulveda, Howard L. Kaufman

Population and Public Health Sciences Faculty Publications

Background Quality measures are important because they can help improve and standardize the delivery of cancer care among healthcare providers and across tumor types. In an environment characterized by a rapidly shifting immunotherapeutic landscape and lack of associated long-term outcome data, defining quality measures for cancer immunotherapy is a high priority yet fraught with many challenges. Methods Thus, the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer convened a multistakeholder expert panel to, first, identify the current gaps in measures of quality cancer care delivery as it relates to immunotherapy and to, second, advance priority concepts surrounding quality measures that could be developed …

The Va Mission Act Of 2018: A Potential Game Changer For Rural Gme Expansion And Veteran Health Care, Anne Victoria Neale, Phil Lupo, Marjorie A. Bowman, Dean A. Seehusen

Population and Public Health Sciences Faculty Publications

The Veterans Healthcare Administration (VHA) is the largest health care delivery system in the United States. It includes 172 medical centers (VAMCs), with over 1,100 Community Based Outpatient Centers (CBOCs) and various other sites of care. In addition to training physicians to care for veterans and active duty service members, the VHA is also directed to assist in supplying health care personnel to the nation.Through its Office of Academic Affiliations (OAA), VHA develops partnerships with Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)/American Osteopathic Association (AOA) accredited residency program sponsoring institutions. These collaborations include 144 out of 152 allopathic medical schools …

Be Covid Safe, Opeyemi Akinrinsola, Abigail Corkum, Karyn Furcolo, Christina Gareis, Dorothy Tang

Foundations of Public Health - Infographics

No abstract provided.

Guide To Mask Wearing 101, Laiquannah Hason, Jeremiah Kinsey, Kevin O'Connor

Foundations of Public Health - Infographics

No abstract provided.

"I Don't Like Wearing A Mask", Priyanka Bhatt, Devesh Dajee, Neha Jha, Ruhi Shah

Foundations of Public Health - Infographics

No abstract provided.

The 3 W'S To Staying Safe On & Off Campus During Covid-19, Amanda Guth, Matthew Kermitz, Kate Minke, Raya Patel

Foundations of Public Health - Infographics

No abstract provided.

Controlling The Waves Of Covid-19, Joseph M. Callaghan, Emily Mcdermott, Sofia Mitro, Christopher Stuever

Foundations of Public Health - Infographics

No abstract provided.

Spread Holiday Cheer, Not Covid-19, Sameh Gomaa, Sana Khalid, Michelle St. Omer Roy

Foundations of Public Health - Infographics

No abstract provided.

It's Your Responsibility, Simon Chen, Devanshi Dash, Jaime Nassur

Foundations of Public Health - Infographics

No abstract provided.

Incidence Of Female Breast Cancer In The United States By Race And Region, Tiffany Le

Scholarship in Medicine - All Papers

Objective: Assess the distribution and incidence of female breast cancer in the United States in different races and regions of the United States. Methods: Collect and analyze CDC WONDER data from the Center for Disease and Control to see if there are varying rates of female breast cancer incidence between races and in different regions of the United States. Results: The results are expected to show a significant difference in female breast cancer incidence between races and a non-significant difference in female breast cancer incidence among different regions of the United States.

Utilization Of A Community Pharmacy-Based Service For The Treatment Of Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections In Scotland, Robert Borchardt

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

Introduction: In November 2013, Scotland piloted a program in Grampian for the treatment of Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) in community pharmacies, increasing health access for patients and reducing general practitioner workload. This program became known as ‘Pharmacy First’ and was later implemented nationwide in November 2017. This paper seeks to understand utilization of the Pharmacy First program across Scotland by patients and potential barriers to access.

Methods: Using data from the Prescribing Information System collected by the National Health Service of Scotland from July 2013 to April 2019, orders for uncomplicated UTIs were gathered by examining all nitrofurantoin and trimethoprim …