Epidemiology Commons^™

Microbial Science Research In The Post-Covid Environment, Nguyen K Nguyen, Carey-Ann D Burnham, Arturo Casadevall, Mary K Estes, Rebecca V Ferrell, Suzanne M J Fleiszig, Speakers, Moderators, And Panelists Of The Asm Virtual Symposium: Microbial Science Research In The Post-Covid Environment

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Since early 2020, the world has witnessed the unprecedented accomplishments of the scientific community in the fight against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. In the meantime, we also learned valuable lessons and recognized the challenges that hindered our successes. In this article, we synthesize the ideas discussed at the ASM Virtual Symposium: Microbial Science Research in the Post-COVID Environment on 10 November 2020. We propose three new approaches that microbiology researchers can embrace to overcome these challenges. Moreover, we suggest broad systematic changes to focus on social impacts, teamwork, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. We believe these values are …

Plotting The Literature On Precautionary Measures Of Covid-19: A Scientometric Analysis Of Web Of Science, Muhammad Shoaib, Nusrat Ali, Abeel Naseer

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

This study attempted to evaluate the scholarly publications on COVID-19, social distance, physical distance, social isolation, and self-isolation employing the scientometric analysis technique from 2020 to 2021. The main purpose was to consolidate the published scholarship on the COVID-19 in the Web of Science indexed documents. A total of 635 publications were found. The results indicated that social distance and COVID-19 was the top topic along with the article as a type of document, and the majority were published in the English language in 2021. The name of Gimenez-Llort L was at top of the list of authors, along with …

Genetic Variation And Recurrent Haplotypes On Chromosome 6q23-25 Risk Locus In Familial Lung Cancer, Anthony M Musolf, Claire L Simpson, Bilal A Moiz, Claudio W Pikielny, Candace D Middlebrooks, Diptasri Mandal, Mariza De Andrade, Michael D Cole, Colette Gaba, Ping Yang, Ming You, Yafang Li, Elena Y Kupert, Marshall W Anderson, Ann G Schwartz, Susan M Pinney, Christopher I Amos, Joan E Bailey-Wilson

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Although lung cancer is known to be caused by environmental factors, it has also been shown to have genetic components, and the genetic etiology of lung cancer remains understudied. We previously identified a lung cancer risk locus on 6q23-25 using microsatellite data in families with a history of lung cancer. To further elucidate that signal, we performed targeted sequencing on nine of our most strongly linked families. Two-point linkage analysis of the sequencing data revealed that the signal was heterogeneous and that different families likely had different risk variants. Three specific haplotypes were shared by some of the families: 6q25.3-26 …

Research Visualization Of Different Treatment Modalities To Treat Covid-19 Infection: Bibliometric Analysis Of Pubmed Database, Abeel Naseer, Muhammad Shoaib, Nusrat Ali, Imtiaz Ahmad

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

This paper designed to examine research published in PubMed indexed journals of different treatment modalities to treat COVID -19 infection employing bibliometric analysis technique from 2020 to 2021. The purpose was to consolidate the published scholarly work in the PubMed database on different treatment modalities including vaccine, oxygen supplementation, dexamethasone or steroids, aspirin, heparin, remdesivir, zinc, vitamin c or ascorbic acid, oxygen, anti-malarial like chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine, and azithromycin or macrolides. We employed a bibliometric analysis technique and found a total of 3043 published documents. The study findings depicted that vaccine and COVID-19 top was at the top of the …

Adapting An Agent-Based Model Of Infectious Disease Spread In An Irish County To Covid-19, Elizabeth Hunter, John D. Kelleher

Articles

The dynamics that lead to the spread of an infectious disease through a population can be characterized as a complex system. One way to model such a system, in order to improve preparedness, and learn more about how an infectious disease, such as COVID-19, might spread through a population, is agent-based epidemiological modelling. When a pandemic is caused by an emerging disease, it takes time to develop a completely new model that captures the complexity of the system. In this paper, we discuss adapting an existing agent-based model for the spread of measles in Ireland to simulate the spread of …

Landscape-Based Mutational Sensitivity Cartography And Network Community Analysis Of The Sars-Cov-2 Spike Protein Structures: Quantifying Functional Effects Of The Circulating D614g Variant, Gennady M. Verkhivker, Steve Agajanian, Deniz Yasar Oztas, Grace Gupta

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

We developed and applied a computational approach to simulate functional effects of the global circulating mutation D614G of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. All-atom molecular dynamics simulations are combined with deep mutational scanning and analysis of the residue interaction networks to investigate conformational landscapes and energetics of the SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins in different functional states of the D614G mutant. The results of conformational dynamics and analysis of collective motions demonstrated that the D614 site plays a key regulatory role in governing functional transitions between open and closed states. Using mutational scanning and sensitivity analysis of protein residues, we identified the stability …

Evidence-Based Approach To Early Outpatient Treatment Of Sars-Cov-2 (Covid-19) Infection, J Drew Payne, Kimberly Sims, Cynthia Peacock, Tanis Welch, Ruth E Berggren

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Misinformation and promotion of well-intended but disproved therapies for COVID-19 have plagued evidence-based shared decision-making throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. In times of crisis, clinicians may feel that their strong inclination to prescribe potentially harmful, unproven therapies on behalf of their patients is supported by beneficence. Clinicians should mindfully identify and avoid commission bias during this pandemic, especially as more data have accumulated to assist with clinically sound decision-making. We describe a more evidence-based approach to treatment of early outpatient COVID-19, stressing the availability of Food and Drug Administration emergency use authorization therapies and considering plausibly beneficial, nonprescription supplements that are …

Serious Mental Illness In Nursing Homes: Quality Concerns, Dylan J. Jester

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Objective: This dissertation is made of two academic papers followed by a chapter discussing policy implications of the findings. The objective of this dissertation is to better understand if high-serious mental illness (SMI) nursing homes (NHs) provide poorer quality of care (e.g., operationalized as staffing levels, NH Compare quality star ratings, and health deficiencies) and whether quality in high-SMI NHs is confounded by payer mix (e.g., the proportion of residents who are Medicaid-reimbursed). A modified Donabedian Structure, Process, Outcome (SPO) Model was used as the main theoretical framework.

Methods: Data came from the Certification and Survey Provider Enhanced Reports (CASPER) …

Can Racial Disparities In Poor Birth Outcomes Be Partially Attributed To Stress: A Mendellian Randomization Study, Madeline Travers

Dissertations and Theses

In the United States, low birth weight (LBW) is a leading cause of infant death overall, and the leading cause of death for Black infants. Understanding and preventing adverse birth outcomes is a major public health priority. Observationally, there is some evidence to support the hypothesis that maternal stress may be associated with LBW. To clarify the effect of maternal stress exposure on LBW, I conducted three separate-sample instrumental variable analyses with genetic instruments (Mendelian randomization) based on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP), from genome wide association studies, strongly (p-value < 5 × 10⁻⁶) and independently associated with neuroendocrine, vascular, and immune measures …

Serological Survey Of Leptospira Infection In Arabian Horses In Poland, Bernard Wasiński, Katarzyna Paschalis-Trela, Jan Trela, Michał Czopowicz, Jerzy Kita, Monika Żychska, Anna Cywińska, Iwona Markowska-Daniel, Craig N. Carter, Lucjan Witkowski

Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory Faculty Publications

Leptospirosis is one of the most common zoonotic infections worldwide, including in most livestock, some companion animals, horses, wildlife, and humans. Epidemiological estimation of its prevalence in all species is difficult due to the variety of clinical presentations and challenges regarding laboratory diagnosis. The purpose of this study was to measure the seroprevalence of leptospiral infection in Arabian horses kept in the largest breeding farms in Poland, representing over 15% of the Polish Arabian horse population. Leptospira antibodies were detected by MAT (cut-off 1:100) in 33.2% of serum samples (204 of 615 animals) (CI 95%: 29.6–37.0%), most frequently reacting with …

Systematic Review On Epidemiology, Interventions And Management Of Noncommunicable Diseases In Acute And Emergency Care Settings In Kenya, Christine Ngaruiya, Annrita Kawira, Florence Mali, Faith Kambua, Beatrice Mwangi, Mbatha Wambua, Denise Hersey, Laventa Obare, Rebecca Leff, Benjamin Wachira

Emergency Medicine, East Africa

Introduction: Mortality and morbidity from Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in Africa are expected to worsen if the status quo is maintained. Emergency care settings act as a primary point of entry into the health system for a spectrum of NCD-related illnesses, however, there is a dearth of literature on this population. We conducted a systematic review assessing available evidence on epidemiology, interventions and management of NCDs in acute and emergency care settings in Kenya, the largest economy in East Africa and a medical hub for the continent.

Methods: All searches were run on July 15, 2015 and updated on December 11, …

Migration As A Determinant Of Childhood Obesity In The United States And Latin America, Mireya Vilar-Compte, Arturo V. Bustamante, Nancy López-Olmedo, Pablo Gaitán-Rossi, Jaqueline Torres, Karen E. Peterson, Graciela Teruel, Rafael Pérez-Escamilla

Department of Public Health Scholarship and Creative Works

International migration has economic and health implications. The acculturation process to the host country may be linked to childhood obesity. We use the Community Energy Balance (CEB) framework to analyze the relationship between migration and childhood obesity in Mexican households with international migrants. Using longitudinal data from the Mexican Family Life Survey (MxFLS), we examine how migrant networks affect childhood obesity in origin communities. We also review binational health programs that could be effective at tackling childhood obesity in migrant households from Mexico. Children embedded in migrant networks are at greater risk of developing overweight or obesity, suggesting a significant …

Implementation Of Childhood Obesity Prevention And Control Policies In The United States And Latin America: Lessons For Cross-Border Research And Practice, Rafael Perez-Escamilla, Mireya Vilar-Compte, Elizabeth Rhodes, Olga L. Sarmiento, Camila Corvalan, Rachel Sturke, Susan Vorkoper

Department of Public Health Scholarship and Creative Works

Progress has been made in the development and widespread implementation of effective interventions to address childhood obesity, yet important challenges remain. To understand how the United States and Latin American countries achieved success in implementing obesity policies and programs (PAPs) and identify improvement opportunities using implementation science principles. We identified three comparative case studies: (1) front-of-food package labeling (Mexico and Chile); (2) Open Streets/play streets (Colombia and the United States); and (3) the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (Brazil and the United States). Information from multiple sources (e.g., scientific and gray literature and key informant interviews) was synthesized to describe barriers, facilitators, …

Reducing Stroke Burden Through A Targeted Self-Management Intervention For Reducing Stroke Risk Factors In High-Risk Ugandans: A Protocol For A Randomized Controlled Trial, Shirley Moore, Carol Blixen, Martha Sajatovic

Faculty Scholarship

Introduction: Stroke burden is rapidly increasing globally. Modifiable risk factors offer an opportunity to intervene, and targeting hypertension is a key actionable target for stroke risk reduction in sub-Saharan Africa. This 3-site planned randomized controlled trial builds on promising preliminary data. Methods: A total of 246 Ugandan adults will be recruited randomized to experimental intervention vs. enhanced treatment control. Intervention participants will receive six weekly group-format stroke risk reduction self-management training sessions, and the controls will receive information on cardiovascular risk. The primary study outcome is systolic B.P. measured at baseline, 13-week, 24 weeks (6 months). Secondary outcomes include other …

Computational Analysis Of Protein Stability And Allosteric Interaction Networks In Distinct Conformational Forms Of The Sars Cov 2 Spike D614g Mutant: Reconciling Functional Mechanisms Through Allosteric Model Of Spike Regulation, Gennady M. Verkhivker, Steve Agajanian, Deniz Oztas, Grace Gupta

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

In this study, we used an integrative computational approach to examine molecular mechanisms underlying functional effects of the D614G mutation by exploring atomistic modeling of the SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins as allosteric regulatory machines. We combined coarse-grained simulations, protein stability and dynamic fluctuation communication analysis with network-based community analysis to examine structures of the native and mutant SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins in different functional states. Through distance fluctuations communication analysis, we probed stability and allosteric communication propensities of protein residues in the native and mutant SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins, providing evidence that the D614G mutation can enhance long-range signaling of the allosteric spike …

Changes In Student Behaviors And Policy Opinion Regarding E-Cigarettes At A Kentucky University From 2014 To 2018, Jason W. Marion, Alina Strand, Elliott Baldridge

EKU Faculty and Staff Scholarship

The behaviors and opinions regarding e-cigarette use and campus policies prohibiting vaping vary greatly among college students nationally. Kentucky is one of the four U.S. states with the highest tobacco use prevalence, and characterizing e-cigarette use, trends and policy opinions among Kentucky undergraduates may inform interventions. To characterize population-level differences in e-cigarette-related behaviors and policy opinions among undergraduates from 2014 to 2018, results from two cross-sectional surveys (2014 and 2018) from a public regional university in south-central Kentucky were analyzed. Students from randomly selected undergraduate general studies courses completed a 5-minute in-class survey. Data were obtained from 514 and 519 …

Timing Of Surgery Following Sars-Cov-2 Infection: An International Prospective Cohort Study, Covidsurg Collaborative, Globalsurg Collaborative

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Peri-operative SARS-CoV-2 infection increases postoperative mortality. The aim of this study was to determine the optimal duration of planned delay before surgery in patients who have had SARS-CoV-2 infection. This international, multicentre, prospective cohort study included patients undergoing elective or emergency surgery during October 2020. Surgical patients with pre-operative SARS-CoV-2 infection were compared with those without previous SARS-CoV-2 infection. The primary outcome measure was 30-day postoperative mortality. Logistic regression models were used to calculate adjusted 30-day mortality rates stratified by time from diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection to surgery. Among 140,231 patients (116 countries), 3127 patients (2.2%) had a pre-operative SARS-CoV-2 …

The Essence Of Telemedicine For Bridging The Gap In Health Services, Budi Wiweko, Sarah Chairani Zakirah, Atha Luthfi

Kesmas

This study aimed to review the essence of telemedicine in this modern era of technology and innovation, especially in developing countries. It also investigated the regulation aspect as the main component for healthcare services. There were five main categories of telemedicine: revenue stream and technology literacy, health facilities, human resources, data authorization and security, and health protocol. Furthermore, when combined with wearable devices, it enhanced healthcare delivery opportunities. There were two major components of global electronic health, namely telehealth and health informatics, based one-commerce and e-learning systems. The World Health Organization (WHO) has been able to describe the roles of …

The Determinants Of Stunting For Children Aged 24-59 Months In Kulon Progo District 2019, Chatrine Aprilia Hendraswari, Yuliasti Eka Purnamaningrum, Tri Maryani, Yani Widyastuti, Sakinah Harith

Kesmas

This study pertains to stunting in children in Indonesian with z-scores of less than -2 Standard Deviation (SD) and less than -3 SD. The preliminary study results showed the highest prevalence of stunting to be 22.6%, at the Temon II Primary Health Care in Kulon Progo District. The study aimed to assess the determinants of stunting children aged 24–59 months. This study was conducted from September 2018–May 2019. The design of this study was analytical observational with study design case-control. The sample was 60 children aged 24–59 months. The method utilized proportional sampling, whereas the data analysis applied chi-square and …

A Path Analysis Model For Explaining The Factors Influencing Wearing A Mask Among Commuting Workers Using Commuter Line Bogor-Jakarta, David Kusmawan, Shofi Andari, Ira Gustina, Indri Hapsari Susilowati, Mufti Wirawan

Kesmas

Jakarta is one of the most air-polluted cities in the world, which can increase the health risk of commuting workers exposed to pollutants. This study aimed to determine the factors that directly and indirectly affect healthy behavior (wearing a mask) for commuters using the Bogor-Jakarta Commuter Line. Furthermore, a total of 155 respondents participated and the data collected were analyzed using descriptive and path analysis. The commuters aware of the hazard potential related to air pollution during commuting were 137 people (88.4%). While 104 people (67.1%) were aware of the good perception of pollution and 125 uses masks during commuting …