Epidemiology Commons^™

Texas Medicaid Factors Associated With Childhood Vaccination Nonadherence: A Regression-Based Statistical Analysis With Moderation, Terry Hartley

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Impact Of Child/Parent Characteristics On Ultra-Processed Food Intake In Preschool-Aged Children, A Latent Class Analysis Of Obesity-Related Factors And Obesity Risk, And The Qualitative Impact Of 9-11 Year Old's Perception Of Unhealthy Food Marketing, Jennifer E. Carroll

Doctoral Dissertations

Childhood overweight/obesity is an epidemic in the US. Modifiable risk factors, such as intake of foods that are highly processed, are heavily marketed to children. Exposure to food advertisements, along with home environment factors, family meal styles, and digital media habits shapes children’s preferences, tastes, and habits. Predictors of ultra-processed food (UPF) intake in children are unclear and the potential effect of ad exposure on UPF intake is unknown. It is also unknown if there are distinct response patterns among a collection of potentially obesity-related factors, and if distinct groups affect child BMI. Additionally, more qualitative research is needed to …

Factors Contributing To Late Identification Of Deaf/Hard Of Hearing Children In Louisiana, Danielle D. Mercer, Tri Tran, Dawne Mccabe, Terri Ibieta, Dana Hubbard

Journal of Early Hearing Detection and Intervention

To ensure children who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing (D/HH) receive supports they need to reach their full potential, it is imperative that they be identified as early as possible. Early Hearing Detection and Intervention benchmarks stipulate children who are D/HH be enrolled in early intervention no later than 6 months of age. A major barrier to early enrollment is late identification. We reviewed records of children identified as D/HH in Louisiana after 6 months of age for 2015-2020 birth cohorts to determine factors contributing to the late identification. Cases were examined in-depth after it was determined that a diagnosis was …

Long-Acting Cabotegravir And The Emergence Of Drug-Resistant Hiv, Katharine Gurski

Annual Symposium on Biomathematics and Ecology Education and Research

No abstract provided.

Integrating Spatial-Temporal Dynamics And Graph Embedding In Pde-Based Models For Predicting Covid-19 Spread, Nao Yamamoto

Annual Symposium on Biomathematics and Ecology Education and Research

No abstract provided.

Modeling, Analysis, And Simulation Of High School Student Mental Health Using Compartmental Models And Physics Informed Neural Networks, Sashwat Ravishankar, Padmanabhan Seshaiyer

Annual Symposium on Biomathematics and Ecology Education and Research

No abstract provided.

Impacts On Malaria Transmission Of Altered Biogenic Amine Levels In {\It Anopheles} Mosquitoes: Insights From A Mathematical Model, Michael Robert

Annual Symposium on Biomathematics and Ecology Education and Research

No abstract provided.

Impact On The Volume Of Pathology Reports Before And During The Covid-19 Pandemic In Seer Cancer Registries, Amina Chtourou, Pamela V. Sanchez, Todd Golden, Huann Sheng Chen, Stephen M. Schwartz, Xiao Cheng Wu, Brenda Y. Hernandez, Jovanka N. Harrison, Lynne Penberthy, Serban Negoita

School of Public Health Faculty Publications

Introduction: Health care procedures including cancer screening and diagnosis were interrupted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The extent of this impact on cancer care in the United States is not fully understood. We investigated pathology report volume as a reflection of trends in oncology services pre-pandemic and during the pandemic. Methods: Electronic pathology reports were obtained from 11 U.S. central cancer registries from NCI’s SEER Program. The reports were sorted by cancer site and document type using a validated algorithm. Joinpoint regression was used to model temporal trends from January 2018 to February 2020, project expected counts from March 2020 …

Screening For Lung Cancer: 2023 Guideline Update From The American Cancer Society, Andrew M. D. Wolf, Kevin C. Oeffinger, Tina Ya-Chen Shih, Louise C. Walter, Timothy R. Church, Elizabeth T. H. Fontham, Elena B. Elkin, Ruth D. Etzioni, Carmen E. Guerra, Rebecca B. Perkins, Karli K. Kondo, Tyler B. Kratzer, Deanna Manassaram-Baptiste, William L. Dahut, Robert A. Smith

School of Public Health Faculty Publications

Lung cancer is the leading cause of mortality and person-years of life lost from cancer among US men and women. Early detection has been shown to be associated with reduced lung cancer mortality. Our objective was to update the American Cancer Society (ACS) 2013 lung cancer screening (LCS) guideline for adults at high risk for lung cancer. The guideline is intended to provide guidance for screening to health care providers and their patients who are at high risk for lung cancer due to a history of smoking. The ACS Guideline Development Group (GDG) utilized a systematic review of the LCS …

Building Up A Genomic Surveillance Platform For Sars-Cov-2 In The Middle Of A Pandemic: A True North-South Collaboration, Waqasuddin Khan, Furqan Kabir, Samiah Kanwar, Fatima Aziz, Sahrish Muneer, Adil Kalam, Mehdia Ali, Nadia Ansari, Fyezah Jehan, Muhammad Imran Nisar

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Next-generation sequencing technology has revolutionised pathogen surveillance over the last two decades. However, the benefits are not equitably distributed, with developing countries lagging far behind in acquiring the required technology and analytical capacity. Recent declines in the cost associated with sequencing-equipment and running consumables have created an opportunity for broader adoption. During the COVID-19 pandemic, rapid diagnostics development and DNA sequencing revolutionised the ability to diagnose and sequence SARS-CoV-2 rapidly. Socioeconomic inequalities substantially impact the ability to sequence SARS-CoV-2 strains and undermine a developing country's pandemic preparedness. Low- and middle-income countries face additional challenges in establishing, maintaining and expanding genomic …

The Use Of Alcohol Impregnated Port Catheters For Decreasing Central Line Infections In Acute Care, Shana M. Coons

Student Scholarly Projects

Practice Problem: Lack of proper sterile protocol for central lines was noted as a problem in the acute care units, causing CLASBI rates to be higher than the national average at the hospital in question.

PICOT: In hospitalized acute care adult patients 18 years of age and older with central lines, how does the use of alcohol impregnated port protectors (AIPPs) compared to current central line sanitation practices affect central-line associated infections (CLASBI) within 10 weeks?

Evidence: The literature evidence suggests that Alcohol Impregnated Port Protectors (AIPPs) decrease CLASBI rates and provide better outcomes for acute care patients with central …

Call For Emergency Action To Restore Dietary Diversity And Protect Global Food Systems In Times Of Covid-19 And Beyond: Results From A Cross-Sectional Study In 38 Countries, Maha Hoteit, Reem Hoteit, Ayoub Aljawaldeh, Kathleen Van Royen, Sara Pabian, Paulien Decorte, Isabelle Cuykx, Lauranna Teunissen, Charlotte De Backer, Ina Bergheim, Raphaela Staltner, Amanda Devine, Ros Sambell, Ruth Wallace, Sabika S. Allehdan, Tariq A. Alalwan, Mariam A. Al-Mannai, Gaëlle Ouvrein, Karolien Poels, Heidi Vandebosch, Katrien Maldoy, Christophe Matthys, Tim Smits, Jules Vrinten, Ann Desmet, Nelleke Teughels, Maggie Geuens, Iris Vermeir, Viktor Proesmans, Liselot Hudders, Marcia D. De Barcellos, Cristina Ostermann, Ana L. Brock, Cynthia Favieiro, Rafaela Trizotto, Isadora Stangherlin, Anthonieta L. Mafra, Marco A. C. Varella, Jaroslava V. Valentova, Maryanne L. Fisher, Melanie Maceacheron, Katherine White, Rishad Habib, David S. Dobson, Berta Schnettler, Ligia Orellana, Edgardo Miranda-Zapata, Angela W. Y. Chang, Wen Jiao, Matthew T. Liu, Klaus G. Grunert, Rikke N. Christensen, Lucia Reisch, Meike Janssen, Victoria Abril-Ulloa, Lorena Encalada, Iman Kamel, Annukka Vainio, Mari Niva, Laura Salmivaara, Johanna Mäkelä, Kaisa Torkkeli, Robert Mai, Pamela K. Risch, Efthymios Altsitsiadis, Angelos Stamos, Andreas Antronikidis, Maeve Henchion, Sinead Mccarthy, Mary Mccarthy, Alessandra Micalizzi, Peter J. Schulz, Manuela Farisnosi, Hidenori Komatsu, Nobuyuki Tanaka, Hiromi Kubota, Reema Tayyem, Narmeen J. Al-Awwad, Nahla Al-Bayyari, Mohammed O. Ibrahim, Fadwa Hammouh, Somaia Dashti, Basma Dashti, Dhuha Alkharaif, Amani Alshatti, Maryam Al Mazedi, Rania Mansour, Elissa Naim, Hussein Mortada, Yareni Y. G. Gomez, Kelly Geyskens, Caroline Goukens, Rajshri Roy, Victoria Egli, Lisa T. Morenga, Mostafa Waly, Radwan Qasrawi, Motasem Hamdan, Rania A. Sier, Diala A. A. Halawa, Hazem Agha, María R. L. Domínguez, Lita Palomares, Grazyna Wasowicz, Hiba Bawadi, Manal Othman, Jaafar Pakari, Allam A. Farha, Rasha Abu-El-Ruz, Dacinia C. Petrescu, Ruxandra M. P. Mag, Felix Arion, Stefan C. Vesa, Majid M. Alkhalaf, Khlood Bookari, Jamila Arrish, Zackaria Rahim, Roy Kheng, Yandisa Ngqangashe, Zandile J. R. Mchiza, Marcela Gonzalez-Gross, Lisset Pantoja-Arévalo, Eva Gesteiro, Yolanda Ríos, Peter Yiga, Patrick Ogwok, Denis Ocen, Michael Bamuwamye, Haleama A. Sabbah, Zainab Taha, Leila C. Ismail, Ayesha Aldhaheri, Elisa Pineda, Marisa Miraldo, Dawn L. Holford, Hilde Van Den Bulck, The Corona Cooking Survey Study Group

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed the fragility of the global food system, sending shockwaves across countries' societies and economy. This has presented formidable challenges to sustaining a healthy and resilient lifestyle. The objective of this study is to examine the food consumption patterns and assess diet diversity indicators, primarily focusing on the food consumption score (FCS), among households in 38 countries both before and during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional study with 37 207 participants (mean age: 36.70 ± 14.79, with 77 % women) was conducted in 38 countries through an online survey administered …

Gender Differences In Episodic Memory In Later Life: The Mediating Role Of Education, Sara Robinson

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In the United States (U.S.), 14 million individuals aged 65+ are expected to be diagnosed with dementia by 2060, and women are nearly twice as likely to be diagnosed. Low education is a well-established risk factor for dementia and is hypothesized to partly explain the gender differences in late-life cognition. However, few studies have investigated education as a mediator of these gender differences. This study aims to investigate education as a mediator of gender differences in episodic memory using longitudinal data from the U.S. Health and Retirement Study (HRS). I used a sample of 35,721 respondents (20,190 women and 15,531 …

Developing An Online Questionnaire To Investigate The Covid-19 Pandemic’S Impacts On Social Isolation And Health In Older Adults Living With Multimorbidity: A Pilot Study, Patricia Nistor

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Introduction. Social restrictions preventing the spread of COVID-19 possibly increased social isolation and loneliness. The validity and reliability of a questionnaire assessing the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on social isolation and loneliness in community dwelling older adults with multimorbidity was investigated.

Methods. A conceptual framework was developed to guide questionnaire construction. Participants were recruited through professional networks, comprising a convenience sample. Feedback interviews assessed usability and face validity. Content validity was assessed using a Content Validity Matrix, and construct validity through tests of association. Reliability of validated scales was assessed using Cronbach’s ⍺. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were computed. …

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

Research Colloquium

Introduction: Chronic liver disease is the 6^th and 7^th leading cause of death in Hispanic men and Hispanics, respectively.¹ In contrast to other causes of liver disease, the prevalence of nonalcoholic liver disease has been growing as is diabetes and obesity.²

Objective: There is a paucity of data regarding the prevalence of cirrhosis for Mexican Americans in South Texas. The aim of this evidence synthesis is to investigate the prevalence of cirrhosis in Hispanic populations and its relationship with obesity.

Methods: PubMed was used to perform a thorough literature search on September10, 2020. The terms “liver …

Comparative Analysis Of Conformational Dynamics And Systematic Characterization Of Cryptic Pockets In The Sars-Cov-2 Omicron Ba.2, Ba.2.75 And Xbb.1 Spike Complexes With The Ace2 Host Receptor: Confluence Of Binding And Structural Plasticity In Mediating Networks Of Conserved Allosteric Sites, Mohammed Alshahrani, Grace Gupta, Sian Xiao, Peng Tao, Gennady M. Verkhivker

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

In the current study, we explore coarse-grained simulations and atomistic molecular dynamics together with binding energetics scanning and cryptic pocket detection in a comparative examination of conformational landscapes and systematic characterization of allosteric binding sites in the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.2, BA.2.75 and XBB.1 spike full-length trimer complexes with the host receptor ACE2. Microsecond simulations, Markov state models and mutational scanning of binding energies of the SARS-CoV-2 BA.2 and BA.2.75 receptor binding domain complexes revealed the increased thermodynamic stabilization of the BA.2.75 variant and significant dynamic differences between these Omicron variants. Molecular simulations of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron spike full-length trimer complexes …

Ut Health Rgv Covid-19 Testing Report, Jefferson T. R. Chandler, Beatriz Tapia

Research Colloquium

Purpose: This health surveillance project's goal was to organize de-identified data received from UT Health RGV with the intent to provide timely reporting to testing sites and health affairs directors. We aimed to explore how testing rates differ between counties, testing sites and age groups from March 30 through August 7, 2020. We looked at different demographics and compared the positivity rates for each testing site. For this report, we will detail information for the pediatric population (ages 0-18).

Materials and Methods: A codebook and database were created with information about COVID-19 test data to formulate reports to the testing …

Epidemiological Algorithm And Early Molecular Testing To Prevent Covid-19 Outbreaks In A Mexican Oncologic Center, Moises González-Escamilla, Diana C. Peréz-Ibave, Carlos H. Burciaga-Flores, Vanessa N. Ortiz-Murillo, Genaro A. Ramírez-Correa, Patricia Rodríguez-Niño, Rafael Piñeiro-Retif, Hazyadee F. Rodríguez-Gutiérrez, Orlando D. Solis-Coronado, Juan F. González-Guerrero, Oscar Vidal-Gutiérrez, María Lourdes Garza-Rodríguez

Research Symposium

Introduction: Prevention strategies and detection of latent COVID-19 infections in oncology staff and oncologic patients are essential to prevent outbreaks in a cancer center. In this study, we used two statistical predictive models in oncology staff and patients from the radiotherapy area to prevent outbreaks and detect COVID-19 cases.

Methods: Staff and patients answered a questionnaire (electronic and paper surveys, respectively) with clinical and epidemiological information. The data was collected through two online survey tools: Real-Time Tracking (R-Track) and Summary of Factors (S-Facts). According to the algorithm's models, cut-off values were established. SARS-CoV-2 qRT-PCR tests confirmed the algorithm's positive individuals. …

Childhood Cancer Survival In The Highly Vulnerable Population Of South Texas: Persistent Challenges For Adolescents And Hispanic Ethnicity, Shenghui Wu, Y. N. Liu, M. Williams, C. Aguilar, A. G. Ramirez, R. Mesa, G. E. Tomlinson

Research Symposium

Background: This study examines childhood cancer survival rates and prognostic factors related to survival in the majority Hispanic population of South Texas (STX), whereas most other population studies in childhood cancer survival focus on populations with relatively few Hispanics.

Methods: The population-based cohort study used Texas Cancer Registry data (1995-2017) to examine survival and prognostic factors.

Results: The 5-year relative survival rate for STX cancer patients diagnosed at 0–19 years was 80.3% for all races/ethnicity. Hispanics had statistically significant lower 5-year relative survival rates than non-Hispanic Whites (NHW) for male and female together diagnosed at age ≥ 5 years. When …

Characterization Of Oral Cavity And Oropharyngeal Cancer In The Texas Rio Grande Valley, Jared A. Sperling, Rachel Giese

Research Symposium

Background: Cancers of the oral cavity (OC) and oropharynx (OP) account for 3% of cancers diagnosed in the United States each year. A primary cause of death among the Hispanic population in the United States is cancer, accounting for 20% of annual mortality. The Rio Grande Valley (RGV) is a medically-underserved area of South Texas with a large Hispanic population facing health disparities. In this study, we examine the incidence and mortality of OC and OP cancer in the RGV.

Methods: CDC population-level incidence and mortality rate per 100,000 of OC/OP cancer among patients in the RGV counties of Hidalgo …