Epidemiology Commons^™

The Inflammatory Potential Of Diet And Its Relationship With Metabolic, Mental, And Cardiovascular Health Among Childhood Cancer Survivors: The St. Jude Lifetime Cohort Study (Sjlife), Christian Ricardo Alvarado

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Diet is now known to play an important role in the process of inflammation and subsequent chronic health events, such as cancer, metabolic syndrome (MetS), anxiety, depression, and cardiovascular disease (CVD). The Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII®) and energy-adjusted DII (E-DIITM) are tools that can estimate the inflammatory potential of diet of individuals. Previous research has focused predominantly on diet-associated inflammation and adverse health effects in populations that were not composed of cancer survivors. As of the time of this dissertation, none have focused on childhood cancer survivors. Childhood cancer survivors are at an elevated risk of suffering from an …

The Current State Of Health Care Facility Preparedness, Health Care Utilization, And Covid-19 Knowledge Amidst The Covid-19 Pandemic In The Malaria-Endemic Setting Of Manicaland Province, Zimbabwe, Julia Grace Scott

Theses and Dissertations

The impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been felt worldwide, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). With fractured health systems, disrupted supply chains, limited resources, and continued fighting of endemic diseases such as malaria, SSA is at risk for greater impact. Manicaland Province has the highest incidence rate of malaria in Zimbabwe, and a higher malaria mortality rate than the national average. Manicaland also has the third highest number of COVID-19 cases and deaths in Zimbabwe. In this study, health care facilities and households throughout Makoni, Mutare, and Buhera districts in Manicaland Province were administered cross-sectional surveys. We …

A Multilevel And Spatial Analysis Of Oral And Pharyngeal Cancer In South Carolina, Deborah M. Hurley

Theses and Dissertations

Objective: Disparities in the distribution of oral and pharyngeal cancer exist worldwide. This is also true in the United States and in South Carolina. Differences exist in oral and pharyngeal cancer stage and survival by race and sex, with higher incidence rates for Whites but higher proportions of late-stage cancer and lower survival for Blacks. This study was conducted to evaluate whether any differences exist in the spatial distribution of oral and pharyngeal cancer stage at diagnosis and survival, and to evaluate the association of income inequality, material deprivation and other measures of social determinants of health (contextual risk factors) …

Neurodevelopment Correlates With Gut Microbiota In A Cross-Sectional Analysis Of Children At 3 Years Of Age In Rural China, Sarah E. Rothenberg, Qiurong Chen, Yanfen Nong, Hua Nong, Eva P. Trinh, Fred J. Biasini, Jihong Liu, Xiaoyun Zeng, Yunfeng Zou, Fengxiu Ouyang, Susan A. Korrick

Faculty Publications

We investigated cross-sectional associations between children’s neurodevelopment and their gut microbiota composition. Study children (36 months of age) lived in rural China (n = 46). Neurodevelopment was assessed using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development, 2nd Edition, yielding the Mental Developmental Index (MDI) and Psychomotor Developmental Index (PDI). Children's gut microbiota was assessed using 16S rRNA gene profiling. Microbial diversity was characterized using alpha diversity patterns. Additionally, 3 coabundance factors were determined for the 25 most abundant taxa. Multivariable linear regression models were constructed to examine the relationships between Bayley scores (MDI and PDI) and children's gut microbiota. In adjusted …

Perceived Discrimination And Racism On The Treatment And Medication Adherence Of Hypertension In African Americans, Ifeoluwa Kayode, Daisy Tovar, Logan Cowan

Biostatistics, Epidemiology & Environmental Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Performance And Determinants Of Serum Creatinine And Cystatin C-Based Gfr Estimating Equations In South Asians, Yeli Wang, Andrew S. Levey, Lesley A. Inker, Saleem Jessani, Rasool Bux, Zainab Samad, Ali Raza Khan, Amy B. Karger, John C. Allen, Tazeen H. Jafar

Community Health Sciences

Introduction: The creatinine-based Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) equation was calibrated for the general Pakistan population (eGFRcr-PK) to eliminate bias and improve accuracy. Cystatin C-based CKD-EPI equations (eGFRcys and eGFRcr-cys) have not been assessed in this population, and non-GFR determinants of cystatin C are unknown.
Methods: We assessed eGFRcys, eGFRcr-cys, and non-GFR determinants of cystatin C in a cross-sectional study of 557 participants (≥40 years of age) from Pakistan. We compared bias (median difference in measured GFR [mGFR] and eGFR), precision (interquartile range [IQR] of differences), accuracy (percentage of eGFR within 30% of mGFR), …

International Respiratory Infections Society Covid Research Conversations: Podcast 3 With Dr. Antoni Torres, Julio A. Ramirez, Antoni Torres

The University of Louisville Journal of Respiratory Infections

Section(s) Topics

1–4 Introductions

5 “Spanish” influenza

6–9 Dr. Torres’ personal thoughts and experiences

10 COVID-19 hospitalizations in Barcelona

11 A threatening phone call

12–13 Origin of the CIBERESUCICOVID project

14 Baseline characteristics

15 Bloodwork at hospital admission; ICU admission vs. day 3

16 Treatments

17 Complications

18 Outcomes related to interventions

19 Viral RNA load in plasma associated with critical illness and dysregulated response

20 Follow-up with health care workers

21 Medical education

22 Conclusions

23–26 Interleukin 6

27–29 Ventilatory approach

30–33 Post-COVID syndrome

34–38 Impact on health care workers

39–41 Holidays and COVID-19 infection

42–43 New paradigm for …

A New Chapter In The Life Of The Journal, Julio A. Ramirez

The University of Louisville Journal of Respiratory Infections

No abstract provided.

Mechanisms And Mitigation: Effects Of Light Pollution On West Nile Virus Dynamics, Meredith E. Kernbach

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Light pollution, or the presence of unnatural light at night, is a pervasive and growing problem across the globe. While often pictured in urban centers, light pollution is far reaching and can affect seemingly safe and minimally developed environments. For example, agricultural communities with artificial lighting near facilities can generate such light pollution in rural areas. Further, streetlights and illuminated billboards along roads and highways can generate light pollution far from cities. Given how pervasive this anthropogenic stressor is, it is surprising that not much is known about how artificial light at night, or ALAN, affects humans or wildlife, especially …

A Transition Of Uljri Leadership, Forest W. Arnold, Jose Bordon

The University of Louisville Journal of Respiratory Infections

No abstract provided.

Slowing The Spread Of Covid-19: Review Of “Social Distancing” Interventions Deployed By Public Transit In The United States And Canada, Camille Kamga, Penny Eickemeyer

Publications and Research

This paper presents a review of social distancing measures deployed by transit agencies in the United States and Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic and discusses how specific operators across the two countries have implemented changes. Challenges and impacts on their operations are also provided.

Social distancing is one of the community mitigation measures traditionally implemented during influenza pandemics and the novel coronavirus pandemic. Research has shown that social distancing is effective in containing the spread of disease. This is applicable to the current situation with the novel coronavirus, given the lack of effective vaccines and treatments in the United States …

Mental Health Of Children And Adolescents Amidst Covid-19 And Past Pandemics: A Rapid Systematic Review, Salima Meherali, Neelam Punjani, Samantha Louie-Poon, Komal Abdul Rahim, Jai K. Das, Rehana A. Salam, Zohra S. Lassi

School of Nursing & Midwifery

Background: The COVID‑19 pandemic and associated public health measures have disrupted the lives of people around the world. It is already evident that the direct and indirect psychological and social effects of the COVID‑19 pandemic are insidious and affect the mental health of young children and adolescents now and will in the future. The aim and objectives of this knowledge-synthesis study were to identify the impact of the pandemic on children's and adolescent's mental health and to evaluate the effectiveness of different interventions employed during previous and the current pandemic to promote children's and adolescents' mental health.
Methodology: We conducted …

Facial Mask Use And Covid-19 Protection Measures In Jefferson County, Kentucky: Results From An Observational Survey, November 5−11, 2020, Seyed M. Karimi, Sonali S. Salunkhe, Kelsey B. White, Sahal A. Alzahrani, Bert Little, William P. Mckinney, Natalie Dupre, Riten Mitra, Yuting Chen, Martha M Popescu, Emily R. Adkins, Julia A. Barclay, Emmanuel Ezekekwu, Caleb.He X. He, Dylan M Hurst, Aravindreddy Kothagadi, Shaminul H. Shakib, Devin N. Swinney, David A. Johnson, Rebecca Hollenbach, Sarah Moyer

The University of Louisville Journal of Respiratory Infections

Introduction: The transmission of respiratory infectious diseases such as COVID-19 can significantly decrease by mask-wearing. However, accurate information about the extent and proper use of the facial mask is scarce. This study’s main objective was to observe and analyze mask-wearing behavior and the level of COVID-19 protection measures in indoor public areas (PAs) of Jefferson County, Kentucky.

Methods: For conducting the observational survey study, targets were indoor PAs, and zip codes were defined as surveying clusters. The number of selected PAs in each zip code was proportional to the population and the total number of PAs in that zip code. …

The Impact Of Covid-19 On Disability Services And Systems: Perspectives From The Field, Ronda Jenson, John Tschida

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

No abstract provided.

Sleep Diagnoses And Low Back Pain In U.S. Military Veterans, Kenneth A. Taylor

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Low back pain (LBP) is a common problem that is the primary contributor to years lived with disability worldwide. In the U.S. LBP is disproportionately experienced by military veterans. In recent years interest has grown in the impact of sleep and sleep-related diagnoses on musculoskeletal pain complaints (including LBP) and despite growth in the scientific literature investigating this, gaps in our understanding of how sleep diagnoses impact LBP remain. To that end, this dissertation uses administrative electronic health record data from veterans seeking care through the Veterans Health Administration in three manuscripts to address the following specific aims: (1) investigate …

Prevalence Of Liver Cirrhosis And Its Association With Obesity Among Hispanics And Mexican Americans: An Evidence Synthesis, Alexa Perlick, Abaigeal Thompson, Colton Wayne, Angel Rendon, Jose Campo Maldonado

MEDI 9331 Scholarly Activities Clinical Years

INTRODUCTION

The obesity epidemic is a growing public health concern. In addition to the already known complications and comorbidities associated with obesity, data suggest that obesity is an independent risk factor for the development of liver disease.^1,2 However, there is a paucity of data regarding the clinical correlation of obesity and cirrhosis in a predominantly Hispanic population of South Texas. The aim of this systematic literature review is to investigate the prevalence of cirrhosis stratified by obesity in Hispanic populations.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

PubMed was used to perform a thorough literature search. The terms liver cirrhosis and obesity were …

Sars-Cov-2 Transmission In Alberta, British Columbia, And Ontario, Canada, December 25, 2019, To December 1, 2020, Isaac Chun-Hai Fung, Yuen Wai Hung, Sylvia Ofori, Kamalich Muniz-Rodriguez, Po-Ying Lai, Gerardo Chowell

Biostatistics, Epidemiology & Environmental Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

Objective:

This study aimed to investigate coronavirus disease (COVID-19) epidemiology in Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario, Canada.

Methods:

Using data through December 1, 2020, we estimated time-varying reproduction number, R t , using EpiEstim package in R, and calculated incidence rate ratios (IRR) across the 3 provinces.

Results:

In Ontario, 76% (92 745/121 745) of cases were in Toronto, Peel, York, Ottawa, and Durham; in Alberta, 82% (49 878/61 169) in Calgary and Edmonton; in British Columbia, 90% (31 142/34 699) in Fraser and Vancouver Coastal. Across 3 provinces, R t dropped to ≤ 1 after April. …

International Respiratory Infections Society Covid Research Conversations: Podcast 2 With Dr. Michael S. Niederman And Dr. Edward J. Schenck, Julio A. Ramirez, Michael S. Niederman, Edward J. Schenck

The University of Louisville Journal of Respiratory Infections

Section(s) Topics

1–4 Introductions

5 COVID-19 in New York City

6–7 Telemedicine, long-term sequelae

8 Development of a multi-disciplinary ICU team

9–10 Treatment of ARDS, COVID-19 pathogenesis

11–12 Prioritizing treatment at research

13 Challenges in tracing the natural history of severe COVID-19

14–15 Experience with mechanically ventilated patients; non-pulmonary organ failure

16–17 Mapping COVID-19 trajectories by SOFA score

18–20 Findings: additive organ dysfunction, improving vs. worsening trajectory

21 ARDS therapeutic approaches

22 Clinical trials involving Cornell

23–25 Lessons learned: patient care, research, education, caring for critical care workers

26–30 2021 predictions: improved therapies and research, endemic COVID-19, vaccines

31–33 Prioritizing …

Characterization, Bio-Uptake And Toxicity Of Polymer-Coated Silver Nanoparticles And Their Interaction With Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells, Sahar Pourhoseini, Reilly T. Enos, Angela E. Murphy, Bo Cai Ph.D., Jamie Lead

Faculty Publications

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are widely used in medical applications due to their antibacterial and antiviral properties. Despite the extensive study of AgNPs, their toxicity and their effect on human health is poorly understood, as a result of issues such as poor control of NP properties and lack of proper characterization. The aim of this study was to investigate the combined characterization, bio-uptake, and toxicity of well-characterized polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-coated AgNPs in exposure media during exposure time using primary human cells (peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs)). AgNPs were synthesized in-house and characterized using a multimethod approach. Results indicated the transformation of NPs …

Examining The Impact Of Socioeconomic Variables On Covid-19 Death Rates At The State Level, James L. Doti

Economics Faculty Articles and Research

This study uses a step-wise regression model to identify the socioeconomic variables most significant in explaining COVID-19 death rates on a state-level basis. The regression tests cover the 1/1/2020 to 12/1/2020 period as well as the first and second halves of 2020. This study also uses the Oxford stringency index to measure more precisely the efficacy of governmental mandates at the state level. The results in this study rigorously showed that while the density variables were the most significant explanatory variables during the first half of the year, their significance fell during the second half. Use of the Oxford stringency …