Public Health Commons^™

Contraintes Thermophysiologiques Associées Aux Vêtements Individuels De Protection Des Pompiers : Impact Et Efficacité Des Membranes Barrières Et Des Designs Du Vêtement, Denis Marchand, Chantal Gauvin, Marie-Anne Landry-Duval

Rapports de recherche scientifique

Les vêtements individuels de protection (VIP) contribuent aux contraintes thermiques et physiologiques subies par les travailleurs. Or, ces contraintes constituent un problème préoccupant pour la santé et la sécurité, notamment pour les pompiers. D’ailleurs, les contraintes thermophysiologiques sont associées à un risque accru d’événements cardiovasculaires, qui représentent la cause la plus fréquente de décès chez les pompiers. L’objectif de cette étude était d’évaluer la réponse physiologique au port de VIP pour les pompiers, munis de deux membranes barrières humidifuges, dont l’une, ayant des propriétés de perméabilité à la vapeur d’eau et de transfert de chaleur améliorées. Un nouveau concept qui …

Association Between Lgb Status And Levels Of Mental Distress, Florida Brfss 2017-2019, Tammie M. Johnson, Torhonda Lee

Florida Public Health Review

Background: Poor mental health is a significant determinant of health in the US and is associated with several adverse health outcomes. Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) measures help assess the mental distress burden on individuals and populations. This study examines mental distress health disparities at and above the frequent mental distress threshold among Florida adults who identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB).

Methods: We used data from the 2017-2019 Florida Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). A total of 39,876 adults aged 18 years and older were included in the analyses. The key dependent variables used for the study …

Microplastics In Water, Their Effects On The Aquatic Ecosystem And Human Public Health, And The Proposed Solutions, Mohanad Abouserie

The Undergraduate Research Journal

We could be swallowing a credit card's weight in plastic every week. Microplastic water pollution is becoming a threat to both humans and aquatic creatures. In this research, microplastic water contamination is discussed, and divergent solutions are proposed. This paper attempts to investigate the causes and effects of such pollution and analyze the current solutions for this issue. The adopted research method is secondary research, where several studies are explored and analyzed. This study explains numerous causes for this issue like cosmetics, cleaning products, factories, and sewage. Consequently, this contamination can negatively impact the organs and metabolisms of the living …

Anti-Inflammatory And Antioxidant Effects Of Sea Urchin Spine Extract, Dina Magdy El Gamal

The Undergraduate Research Journal

Diadema savignyi spine extract in an experimental setup using L929 cell line in vitro. The cell metabolic activity of L929 cells is tested through an MTT assay. The sea urchin spine extract is applied to the cells in two concentrations: 100 μg/ml (136% viability) and 200 μg/ml (95% viability). The bioactive components of the sea urchin spine are identified via GC-MS, and the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities are evaluated using catalase assay (CAT), glutathione (GSH), and nitric oxide (NO) tests. Results show that the GC-MS identified bioactive components including the anti-inflammatory and anti-irritant bisabolol oxide and the pro-inflammatory oleic acid. …

Bisphenol-A And Phthalate Metabolism In Children With Neurodevelopmental Disorders, T Peter Stein, Margaret D Schluter, Robert A Steer, Xue Ming

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Departmental Research

BACKGROUND: The etiology of autism spectrum (ASD) and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity (ADHD) disorders are multifactorial. Epidemiological studies have shown associations with environmental pollutants, such as plasticizers. This study focused on two of these compounds, the Bisphenol-A (BPA) and Diethylhexyl Phthalate (DEHP). The major pathway for BPA and DEHP excretion is via glucuronidation. Glucuronidation makes insoluble substances more water-soluble allowing for their subsequent elimination in urine.

HYPOTHESIS: Detoxification of these two plasticizers is compromised in children with ASD and ADHD. Consequently, their tissues are more exposed to these two plasticizers.

METHODS: We measured the efficiency of glucuronidation in three groups of children, …

Epidural Hematoma Risks Associated With Ceasing Vs. Maintaining Anticoagulant And/Or Antiplatelet Medications For Cervical And Thoracic Interlaminar Epidural Steroid Injections, Michael Furman, Jesse Bernstein, Lelia Gilhool, Christopher Bednarek, Holden Caplan, Ajay Kurup, Byron Schneider

SKMC Student Presentations and Publications

Background: There is a lack of substantiated evidence to support or refute the risks of ceasing vs maintaining anticoagulant and/or antiplatelet medications (ACAP) prior to cervical and thoracic interlaminar epidural steroid injections. The ACAP medication is frequently stopped pre-procedure due to concerns for potential bleeding complications, particularly epidural hematomas (EH). This article provides evidence regarding EH incidence in this population. Methods: Data for this study was collected retrospectively on all patients from September 19, 2009–Jun 16, 2017 who were scheduled for an Interlaminar Cervical and/or Thoracic Epidural Steroid Injections (IL-CTESI) and were on an ACAP medication at the time a …

Lean Six Sigma Body Of Knowledge For Healthcare Industry Administrators: Implementation Of Lessons Learned In Applied Engineering, Mohammed Ali

Technology Faculty Publications and Presentations

The purpose of this paper is to propose a Lean Six Sigma (LSS) course curriculum for healthcare administration and management majors. It identifies the relevant opportunities and challenges for the application of LSS within the healthcare industry. The paper also discusses the cultural changes necessary to provide an appropriate climate for its long-term success. This work contains a comprehensive description of the body of knowledge in LSS, which were successful in applied engineering. Additionally, the paper describes how LSS may be applied in the hospital setting to improve processes in patient-care services. Upon successful completion of the course, the healthcare …

The Effectiveness Of Disinfection Protocols In Osteopathic Family Medicine Offices, Riley Phyu, Harrison A Patrizio, Thomas Boyle, Todd Schachter

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Departmental Research

CONTEXT: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) pose a substantial public health threat. Despite significant strides to curb HAIs in hospital environments, outpatient settings have not received the same degree of attention. Given their emphasis on holistic, patient-centered care, osteopathic family medicine offices are pivotal in both disease prevention and comprehensive patient treatment. The importance of simple yet effective disinfection protocols, such as thorough cleaning between patient appointments, cannot be overstated in these settings because they are integral to minimizing disease transmission.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to assess the effectiveness of the current disinfection protocols in osteopathic family medicine offices.

METHODS: A cross-sectional …

"I Believe More In The Ability Of The Small Person To Make Big Changes": Innovation And Social Entrepreneurship To Promote Public Health In Israel., Keren Dopelt, Nila Mordehay, Shir Goren, Aviya Cohen, Paul Barach

College of Population Health Faculty Papers

Social entrepreneurship has grown worldwide in recent decades as it attempts to create and implement innovative solutions to social and environmental issues through business strategies. The aim of this study was to explore what motivates public health social entrepreneurs to act, the challenges and barriers they face, achievements, and competencies required for success. As such, we interviewed 15 social entrepreneurs in Israel. Budget issues, regulatory barriers, and struggles against powerful companies were the frequent barriers to success. The interviewees indicated several achievements at the health policy level by positioning and becoming an authority in the field, positively influencing other people's …

Pathogen-Driven Crispr Screens Identify Trex1as A Regulator Of Dna Self-Sensing During Influenza Virus Infection, Cason R King, Yiping Liu, Katherine A Amato, Grace A Schaack, Clayton Mickelson, Autumn E Sanders, Tony Hu, Srishti Gupta, Ryan A Langlois, Judith A Smith, Andrew Mehle

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Host:pathogen interactions dictate the outcome of infection, yet the limitations of current approaches leave large regions of this interface unexplored. Here, we develop a novel fitness-based screen that queries factors important during the middle to late stages of infection. This is achieved by engineering influenza virus to direct the screen by programming dCas9 to modulate host gene expression. Our genome-wide screen for pro-viral factors identifies the cytoplasmic DNA exonuclease TREX1. TREX1 degrades cytoplasmic DNA to prevent inappropriate innate immune activation by self-DNA. We reveal that this same process aids influenza virus replication. Infection triggers release of mitochondrial DNA into the …

Location And Extent Of Cavernous Transformation Of The Portal Vein Dictates Different Visceral Side Revascularization In Meso-Rex Bypass, Rui Tang, Guangdong Wu, Qiang Yu, Xuan Tong, Xiangfei Meng, Yucheng Hou, Xin Huang, Abudusalamu Aini, Lihan Yu, Weidong Duan, Qian Lu, Jun Yan

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: As an emerging standard of care for portal vein cavernous transformation (PVCT), Meso-Rex bypass (MRB) has been complicated and variated. The study aim was to propose a new classification of PVCT to guide MRB operations.

METHODS: Demographic data, the extent of extrahepatic PVCT, surgical methods for visceral side revascularization, intraoperative blood loss, operating time, changes in visceral venous pressure before and after MRB, postoperative complications and the condition of bypass vessels after MRB were extracted retrospectively from the medical records of 19 patients.

RESULTS: The median age of the patients (13 males and 6 females) was 32.5 years, while …

The Impact Of Online Education On Families During Covid-19, Meghal Shah, Duaa Zahid, Heather Butts

Discovery Day

In the year 2020, the whole world was hit by a pandemic name COVID-19. It resulted in school closures across the world, which has impacted millions of children’s education. As a result, education has transitioned online via digital platforms. For many families, these transformations to online education have been difficult. For low-income families, people couldn’t afford or may not have had access to supplies needed for online education like high-speed internet and a computer. National Education Association (NEA) reports that 13.5 million children aged 5-7 years have no access to these technologies. It can be difficult for parents to understand …

The Effect Of Long Covid Syndrome On Physical Activity, Patrisha Hanna Villarmea

Master of Science in Kinesiology

Long covid syndrome is a condition where individuals experience persistent symptoms and functional limitations that can last about three months to two years after the initial Covid-19 infection. While long-term health consequences of Covid-19 have garnered significant attention,the impact of long covid syndrome symptoms is poorly understood. The purpose of the study is to explore the effect of long covid syndrome symptoms to an individual’s physical activity. Furthermore, this research aims to provide an overview of the existing literature on the effect of long covid syndrome symptoms on physical activity. The research would invite participants to answer two surveys that …

Public Health Ai Assignment, Amber Lyon-Colbert

AI Assignment Library

This assignment utilizes course foundational knowledge: Explain the social, political and economic determinants of health and how they contribute to population health and health inequities. This assignment addresses and strengthens our CEPH Competency #5 D2-11 Select methods to evaluate public health programs.

Innovations In Health-Care Service Delivery During The Pandemic, Taryn Vian, Ankita Meghani Phd

Nursing and Health Professions Faculty Research and Publications

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted health service delivery as countries implemented lockdowns and issued stay-at-home orders. Despite attempts to make essential health services available throughout, the pandemic strained health systems and resulted in rampant shortages of health commodities, beds and health-care staff. There were concomitant declines in tuberculosis screening, HIV testing, and maternal and child health services.2 However, the global pandemic also accelerated the pace of innovation. Some initiatives served as stopgap measures implemented to maintain health services, whereas others helped leapfrog progress in the areas of health information systems, telemedicine, and regulatory policy, bringing efficiencies that could be applied even …

Perceptions Of Facilitators And Barriers To Smoking Cessation Among Patients And Providers In A Cancer Center: A Single Institution Qualitative Exploratory Study, Luke M. Shenton, Udara Perera, Amy Leader, Ann C. Klassen

College of Population Health Faculty Papers

PURPOSE: Cancer patients who remain tobacco users have poorer outcomes, including increased mortality and decreased treatment tolerance; however, cessation post-diagnosis is challenging. Our formative research explored cessation-related perspectives among patients and staff at one National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center, to inform improving cessation services within oncology care.

METHODS: Using a descriptive phenomenological approach, a purposive sample of current cancer patients (n = 13) and cancer center physicians and cessation program staff (n = 9) were recruited to complete one-on-one audio-recorded in-depth qualitative interviews, to explore experiences providing or receiving cessation support, and perspectives on patients' readiness and needs regarding cessation. …

Social Inequalities And The Adoption Of Health Misinformation In Cameroon: Implications On Health Behaviour, Eugene Nche Che

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Public health restrictions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in an increase in the reliance on social media for peer interactions. This resulted in the proliferation of medical misinformation and conspiracy theories that undermined public support for disease control measures, and influenced negative health attitudes such as vaccine denial. The aim of this study was to determine how social inequalities influence the adoption of health related misinformation, and the extent to which the adoption of health misinformation results in poor health behaviours. The study employed an exploratory survey design, and relied on both quantitative and qualitative methods to collect …

Sars-Cov-2 Niches In Human Placenta Revealed By Spatial Transcriptomics, Enrico R Barrozo, Maxim D Seferovic, Eumenia C C Castro, Angela M Major, David N Moorshead, Michael D Jochum, Ricardo Ferral Rojas, Cynthia D Shope, Kjersti M Aagaard

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

BACKGROUND: Functional placental niches are presumed to spatially separate maternal-fetal antigens and restrict the vertical transmission of pathogens. We hypothesized a high-resolution map of placental transcription could provide direct evidence for niche microenvironments with unique functions and transcription profiles.

METHODS: We utilized Visium Spatial Transcriptomics paired with H&E staining to generate 17,927 spatial transcriptomes. By integrating these spatial transcriptomes with 273,944 placental single-cell and single-nuclei transcriptomes, we generated an atlas composed of at least 22 subpopulations in the maternal decidua, fetal chorionic villi, and chorioamniotic membranes.

FINDINGS: Comparisons of placentae from uninfected healthy controls (n = 4) with COVID-19 asymptomatic …

An Evolutionary Pathway For Coping With Emerging Infectious Disease, Scott Lyell Gardner, Daniel R. Brooks, Walter A. Boeger, Eric P. Hoberg

Zea E-Books Collection

Emerging infectious disease (EID) represents an existential threat to humanity. EIDs are increasing in frequency and impact because of climate change and other human activities. We are losing the battle against EIDs because of improper assessment of the risk of EID. This stems from adherence to a failed paradigm of pathogen-host associations that suggests EIDs ought to be both unpredictable and rare. That, in turn, leads to policies suggesting that crisis response is the best we can do. Real-time and phylogenetic assessments show EIDs to be neither rare nor unpredictable—this is the parasite paradox that shows the failures of the …

The Public Health Impact Of Paxlovid Covid-19 Treatment In The United States, Yuan Bai, Zhanwei Du, Lin Wang, Eric H. Y. Lau, Isaac Fung, Petter Holme, Ben Cowling, Alison Galvani, Robert Krug, Lauren Ancel Meyers

Biostatistics, Epidemiology & Environmental Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

The antiviral drug Paxlovid has been shown to rapidly reduce viral load. Coupled with vaccination, timely administration of safe and effective antivirals could provide a path towards managing COVID-19 without restrictive non-pharmaceutical measures. Here, we estimate the population-level impacts of expanding treatment with Paxlovid in the US using a multi-scale mathematical model of SARS-CoV-2 transmission that incorporates the within-host viral load dynamics of the Omicron variant. We find that, under a low transmission scenario (Re∼1.2) treating 20% of symptomatic cases would be life and cost saving, leading to an estimated 0.26 (95% CrI: 0.03, 0.59) million hospitalizations averted, 30.61 (95% …

Nutrition-Related Experiences Of Women With Perinatal Depression During The Covid-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study, Dahlia Stott, Cynthia Klobodu, Lisa A. Chiarello, Bobbie Posmontier, Mona Egohail, Pamela A. Geller, June Andrews Horowitz, Brandy-Joe Milliron

College of Nursing Faculty Papers & Presentations

Women with perinatal depression are at a high risk for unhealthy dietary behaviors but whether the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has exacerbated this risk is unknown. Here we report the findings of a qualitative study exploring the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on nutrition-related experiences of women with perinatal depression. Using a qualitative descriptive approach, in-depth interviews were conducted with 18 women with a history of perinatal depression and 10 healthcare providers. A semistructured format elicited how food and nutrition-related behaviors of women with perinatal depression were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Thematic analysis identified 4 themes related to …

Integrating Participant Feedback And Concerns To Improve Community And Individual Level Chemical Exposure Assessment Reports, Samantha M Samon, Michael Barton, Kim Anderson, Abiodun Oluyomi, Melissa Bondy, Georgina Armstrong, Diana Rohlman

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

BACKGROUND: As exposure assessment has shifted towards community-engaged research there has been an increasing trend towards reporting results to participants. Reports aim to increase environmental health literacy, but this can be challenging due to the many unknowns regarding chemical exposure and human health effects. This includes when reports encompass a wide-range of chemicals, limited reference or health standards exist for those chemicals, and/or incompatibility of data generated from exposure assessment tools with published reference values (e.g., comparing a wristband concentration to an oral reference dose).

METHODS: Houston Hurricane Harvey Health (Houston-3H) participants wore silicone wristbands that were analyzed for 1,530 …

A Pre-Medical Student’S Reconciliation Of Feminist Narratives Regarding Women’S Health: A Consideration Of Perspectives On Childbirth In The U.S., Laura Clayton

sprinkle: an undergraduate journal of feminist and queer studies

Many feminists argue that one major negative aspect of reproductive healthcare in the U.S. is the common over-medicalization of women during childbirth, including potentially unnecessary procedures such as cesarean-section and episiotomy. As a solution, they advocate for increased involvement of midwives in childbirth practices, as midwives allow women to give birth at home with minimal medical intervention. This paper analyzes the benefits of midwifery as well as the current increased risk associated with homebirth in the U.S. Additionally, it questions the damaging stigma associated with assumptions of cesarean-section as a suboptimal outcome. A false dichotomy has developed in our culture …

Hospitalizations For Hepatitis C In Mississippi, 2014-2018 – A Hidden Epidemic, Manuela Staneva Md, Mph, Thomas Dobbs Md, Mph, Paul Byers Md, Meg Pearson Pharmd, Ms, Jonathan Hubanks Pharmd

Journal of Public Health in the Deep South

Goal: Utilizing Mississippi’s hospital discharge data (HDD), we examined trends, demographics, comorbidities, in-hospital deaths, and hospital charges for hospitalizations with diagnoses for hepatitis C virus (HCV).Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of hospitalizations with primary or secondary HCV diagnoses. We performed descriptive and inferential statistical analyses using SAS 9.4. We compared categorical variables with chi-square tests and continuous variables with t-tests.Results: Between 2014 and 2018, patients hospitalized with an HCV diagnosis were more likely to have coexisting intravenous drug use (IDU) diagnoses compared to all other hospitalized patients (20.3% versus 3.3%, p < 0.001). From 2014 to 2018, hepatitis C infections associated with IDU spiked by 53.8%, fueling the overall increase in the number of hepatitis C hospitalizations in Mississippi. Almost one-third (31.8%) of all hepatitis C stays had a severe liver condition and 48.2% had nicotine dependence. The average charges for stays with coexisting HCV and decompensated cirrhosis were $65,975.Conclusions: In Mississippi, there has been a rapid increase in HCV hospitalizations associated with IDU. In addition, HCV hospitalizations were associated with severe morbidity burden and high economic expense. These findings underscore the need for measures aimed at containing the spread of this dangerous but preventable infection.

Prevalence Of Probable Hoarding And Associated Consequences At The Scene Of Mississippi Fires, 2009-2019, Mary E. Dozier Phd, Ben Porter Phd

Journal of Public Health in the Deep South

Background: Increased risk for fire is an often-discussed consequence of hoarding disorder; however, the source of this association has been largely through clinicians’ accounts or hoarding patients’ self-reports.Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between probable hoarding and incidence of fires using archival data from Mississippi.Methods: Incidents of residential fires from 2009-2019 were provided by the Mississippi State Fire Marshal’s Office. Fires that were classified as having “a significant amount of fire load present” were classified as probable hoarding fires for analysis.Results: Of the 5,194 unique residential fires identified across the study period, 96 fires (1.9% …

Assessment Of Knowledge And Attitudes Toward Determinants Of Infant Mortality In Head Start Teachers, Teacher Aides, Caregivers, And Family Support Workers, Susan Mayfield-Johnson Phd, Mches, Danielle Fastring Phd, Stephanie T. Mcleod Mph

Journal of Public Health in the Deep South

IMR (11.9 infant deaths per 1,000 live births) almost twice the rate observed in (6.2 infant deaths per 1,000 live births). Objectives. The purpose of this project was to assess Head Start teachers’, teacher aides’, caregivers’, and family support workers’ perceptions, knowledge, attitudes, values and beliefs on topics (nutrition, exercise, breastfeeding, safe sleep, smoking, stress, postpartum depression, and mental health) related to infant mortality prevention in a Mississippi Gulf Coast Head Start consortium. Methods. A 47-item questionnaire was developed that focused on areas associated with primary prevention of infant mortality. Results. Participants (n=82) ages were 25 to 44 years of …

Factors Associated With History Of Unintended Pregnancy Among Mothers In Mississippi, Stephanie T. Mcleod Mph, Morgan Bradwell, Lei Zhang, Olivia Hogan Ismail, Eden Blackwell, Tanya Funchess, Jerome R. Kolbo

Journal of Public Health in the Deep South

Background: Mississippi has the highest rate of unintended pregnancy in the nation. Accessibility, availability, and affordability of women’s health services and effective contraceptive methods are key in preventing unintended pregnancies. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify factors associated with history of unintended pregnancy among parous women of childbearing age in Mississippi in order to improve understanding of these relationships and to fill a gap in literature about the state. Methods: Through a multi-stage, probability sample, mothers of students in childcare facilities were selected to participate in a survey about health care and contraceptive use. Chi-square tests of …

Adaptability In Community-Based Participatory Research: Comparisons Of Coalitions In The Deep South, Candace Forbes Bright Phd

Journal of Public Health in the Deep South

Background: Health inequities in the Gulf states are complex issues to resolve, and no single solution or strategy can improve the health rankings in each state. Yet, using grassroots approaches and building community partnerships are promising strategies to identify important health issues and opportunities for policy change. Purpose: This paper illustrates how the Gulf States Health Policy Center coalitions in four different locations used the same community-based participatory research model, but with distinct differences in processes, across nine projects to address issues that negatively affected population health. Methods: Recognizing that communities have unique needs, resources, and complementary health efforts, we …

Ocular Biomarkers Of Disease: Employing Routine Eye Exams To Promote Better Health Surveillance, Dawn S. Mclendon, Kenneth R. Butler Phd, Michael A. Welsch Phd, Facsm

Journal of Public Health in the Deep South

America’s burden of vision impairment, Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD), and cardiovascular disease will continue to rise over the next 40 years. The burden of these diseases will be greater for women, Hispanics, African-Americans, and those from lower socio-economic regions. A key challenge is to develop strategies to deny the organization of the pathologies that eventually lead to the manifestation of the disease. An important feature within this battle is the development of appropriate tools and biomarkers for early reconnaissance of the enemy. Recent advances in Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (OCTA) present a unique opportunity to examine physiological features …

Rural Medical Scholars Program: Filling The Gap For Health-Care And Public Health Leaders In Mississippi, Ann Sansing, David R. Buys, Marion W. Evans Phd, Mches, Laura Downey, Jasmine Harris-Speight

Journal of Public Health in the Deep South

The Rural Medical & Science Scholars program aims to help rising high school seniors determine if they want to pursue health-related careers. The program shapes students’ interest in and understanding of medicine, health-related disciplines, and other science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. The program combines didactic, observational, and practical learning during a summer semester. Participants earn seven college credits to jumpstart a health or STEM career. We report on descriptive statistics since the program’s inception in 1998. The program has matriculated 401 students, of whom approximately 71% have chosen health-related careers in nursing, physical or occupational therapy, dentistry, pharmacy, …