Last data update: Jan 27, 2025. (Total: 48650 publications since 2009)
Records 1-11 (of 11 Records) |
Query Trace: Blough S[original query] |
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Lessons learnt from the applying the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) evaluation framework to the Measles Incident Management System response, USA, 2020-2021
Jacenko S , Blough S , Grant G , Tohme R , McFarland J , Hatcher C , Goodson JL , Papania M , Pella DG , Li X , Yee SL . BMJ Glob Health 2023 8 (3) The functionality and performance of public health programmes at all levels of government play a critical role in preventing, detecting, mitigating and responding to public health threats, including infectious disease outbreaks. Multiple and concurrent outbreaks in recent years, such as COVID-19, Ebola and Zika, have highlighted the importance of documenting lessons learnt from public health responses of national and global agencies. In February 2020, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Center for Global Health (CGH) activated the Measles Incident Management System (MIMS) to accelerate the ability to detect, mitigate and respond to measles outbreaks globally and advance progress towards regional measles elimination goals. The activation was triggered by a global resurgence in reported measles cases during 2018-2019 and supported emergency response activities conducted by partner organisations and countries. MIMS leadership decided early in the response to form an evaluation team to design and implement an evaluation approach for producing real-time data to document progress of response activities and inform timely decision-making. In this manuscript, we describe how establishing an evaluation unit within MIMS, and engaging MIMS leadership and subject matter experts in the evaluation activities, was critical to monitor progress and document lessons learnt to inform decision making. We also explain the CDC's Framework for Evaluation in Public Health Practice applied to evaluate the dynamic events throughout the MIMS response. Evaluators supporting emergency response should use a flexible framework that can be adaptable in dynamic contexts and document response activities in real-time. |
Effects of COVID-19 on vaccine-preventable disease surveillance systems in the World Health Organization African Region, 2020
Bigouette JP , Callaghan AW , Donadel M , Porter AM , Rosencrans L , Lickness JS , Blough S , Li X , Perry RT , Williams AJ , Scobie HM , Dahl BA , McFarland J , Murrill CS . Emerg Infect Dis 2022 28 (13) S203-s207 Global emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 curtailed vaccine-preventable disease (VPD) surveillance activities, but little is known about which surveillance components were most affected. In May 2021, we surveyed 214 STOP (originally Stop Transmission of Polio) Program consultants to determine how VPD surveillance activities were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic throughout 2020, primarily in low- and middle-income countries, where program consultants are deployed. Our report highlights the responses from 154 (96%) of the 160 consultants deployed to the World Health Organization African Region, which comprises 75% (160/214) of all STOP Program consultants deployed globally in early 2021. Most survey respondents observed that VPD surveillance activities were somewhat or severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Reprioritization of surveillance staff and changes in health-seeking behaviors were factors commonly perceived to decrease VPD surveillance activities. Our findings suggest the need for strategies to restore VPD surveillance to prepandemic levels. |
Implementing Mitigation Strategies in Early Care and Education Settings for Prevention of SARS-CoV-2 Transmission - Eight States, September-October 2020.
Coronado F , Blough S , Bergeron D , Proia K , Sauber-Schatz E , Beltran M , Rau KT , McMichael A , Fortin T , Lackey M , Rohs J , Sparrow T , Baldwin G . MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2020 69 (49) 1868-1872 The Head Start program, including Head Start for children aged 3-5 years and Early Head Start for infants, toddlers, and pregnant women, promotes early learning and healthy development among children aged 0-5 years whose families meet the annually adjusted Federal Poverty Guidelines* throughout the United States.(†) These programs are funded by grants administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Administration for Children and Families (ACF). In March 2020, Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act,(§) which appropriated $750 million for Head Start, equating to approximately $875 in CARES Act funds per enrolled child. In response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, most states required all schools (K-12) to close or transition to virtual learning. The Office of Head Start gave its local programs that remained open the flexibility to use CARES Act funds to implement CDC-recommended guidance (1) and other ancillary measures to provide in-person services in the early phases of community transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, in April and May 2020, when many similar programs remained closed. Guidance included information on masks, other personal protective equipment, physical setup, supplies necessary for maintaining healthy environments and operations, and the need for additional staff members to ensure small class sizes. Head Start programs successfully implemented CDC-recommended mitigation strategies and supported other practices that helped to prevent SARS-CoV-2 transmission among children and staff members. CDC conducted a mixed-methods analysis to document these approaches and inform implementation of mitigation strategies in other child care settings. Implementing and monitoring adherence to recommended mitigation strategies reduces risk for COVID-19 transmission in child care settings. These approaches could be applied to other early care and education settings that remain open for in-person learning and potentially reduce SARS-CoV-2 transmission. |
Exposure to cerium oxide nanoparticles is associated with activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases signaling and apoptosis in rat lungs
Rice KM , Nalabotu SK , Manne ND , Kolli MB , Nandyala G , Arvapalli R , Ma JY , Blough ER . J Prev Med Public Health 2015 48 (3) 132-41 OBJECTIVES: With recent advances in nanoparticle manufacturing and applications, potential exposure to nanoparticles in various settings is becoming increasing likely. No investigation has yet been performed to assess whether respiratory tract exposure to cerium oxide (CeO2) nanoparticles is associated with alterations in protein signaling, inflammation, and apoptosis in rat lungs. METHODS: Specific-pathogen-free male Sprague-Dawley rats were instilled with either vehicle (saline) or CeO2 nanoparticles at a dosage of 7.0 mg/kg and euthanized 1, 3, 14, 28, 56, or 90 days after exposure. Lung tissues were collected and evaluated for the expression of proteins associated with inflammation and cellular apoptosis. RESULTS: No change in lung weight was detected over the course of the study; however, cerium accumulation in the lungs, gross histological changes, an increased Bax to Bcl-2 ratio, elevated cleaved caspase-3 protein levels, increased phosphorylation of p38 MAPK, and diminished phosphorylation of ERK-1/2-MAPK were detected after CeO2 instillation (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, these data suggest that high-dose respiratory exposure to CeO2 nanoparticles is associated with lung inflammation, the activation of signaling protein kinases, and cellular apoptosis, which may be indicative of a long-term localized inflammatory response. |
Lipopolysaccharide induced MAP kinase activation in RAW 264.7 cells attenuated by cerium oxide nanoparticles
Selvaraj V , Nepal N , Rogers S , Manne NDPK , Arvapalli R , Rice KM , Asano S , Fankenhanel E , Ma JY , Shokuhfar T , Maheshwari M , Blough ER . Data Brief 2015 4 96-99 High mortality rates are associated with the life threatening disease of sepsis. Improvements in septic patient survivability have failed to materialize with currently available treatments. This article represents data regarding a study published in biomaterials (Vellaisamy et al., Biomaterials, 2015, in press). with the purpose of evaluating whether severe sepsis mortality and associated hepatic dysfunction induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) can be prevented by cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO2NPs) treatment in male Sprague Dawley rats. Here we provide the information about the method and processing of raw data related to our study publish in Biomaterials and Data in Brief (Vellaisamy et al., Biomaterials, 2015, in press; Vellaisamy et al., Data in Brief, 2015, in press.). The data contained in this article evaluates the contribution of MAPK signaling in LPS induced sepsis. Macrophage cells (RAW 264.7) were treated with a range of cerium oxide nanoparticle concentration in the presence and absence of LPS. Immunoblotting was performed on the cell lysates to evaluate the effect of cerium oxide nanoparticle treatment on LPS induced changes in Mitogen Activated Protein Kinases (MAPK) p-38, ERK 1/2, and SAPK/JNK phosphorylation. |
Cerium oxide nanoparticles inhibit lipopolysaccharide induced MAP kinase/NF-kB mediated severe sepsis
Selvaraj V , Nepal N , Rogers S , Manne NDPK , Arvapalli R , Rice KM , Asano S , Fankenhanel E , Ma JY , Shokuhfar T , Maheshwari M , Blough ER . Data Brief 2015 4 105-115 The life threatening disease of sepsis is associated with high mortality. Septic patient survivability with currently available treatments has failed to improve. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced sepsis mortality and associated hepatic dysfunction can be prevented by cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO2NPs) treatment in male Sprague Dawley rats. Here we provide the information about the methods processing of raw data related to our study published in Biomaterials (Selvaraj et al., Biomaterials. , 2015, In press) and Data in Brief (Selvaraj et al., Data in Brief, 2015, In Press). The data present here provides confirmation of cerium oxide nanoparticle treatments ability to prevent the LPS induced sepsis associated changes in physiological, blood cell count, inflammatory protein and growth factors in vivo. In vitro assays investigation the treated of macrophages cells with different concentrations of cerium oxide nanoparticle demonstrate that concentration of cerium oxide nanoparticles below 1 microg/ml did not significantly influence cell survival as determined by the MTT assay. |
Inhibition of MAP kinase/NF-kB mediated signaling and attenuation of lipopolysaccharide induced severe sepsis by cerium oxide nanoparticles
Selvaraj V , Nepal N , Rogers S , Manne ND , Arvapalli R , Rice KM , Asano S , Fankhanel E , Ma JJ , Shokuhfar T , Maheshwari M , Blough ER . Biomaterials 2015 59 160-171 Sepsis is a life threatening disease that is associated with high mortality. Existing treatments have failed to improve survivability in septic patients. The purpose of this present study is to evaluate whether cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO2NPs) can prevent lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced severe sepsis mortality by preventing hepatic dysfunction in male Sprague Dawley rats. Administration of a single dose (0.5 mg/kg) of CeO2NPs intravenously to septic rats significantly improved survival rates and functioned to restore body temperature, respiratory rate and blood pressure towards baseline. Treatment-induced increases in animal survivability were associated with decreased hepatic damage along with reductions in serum cytokines/chemokines, and diminished inflammatory related signaling. Kupffer cells and macrophage cells exposed to CeO2NPs exhibited decreases in LPS-induced cytokine release (TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, HMGB1) which were associated with diminished cellular ROS, reduced levels of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), and decreased nuclear factor-kappa light chain enhancer of activated B cells (NF-kB) transcriptional activity. The findings of this study indicate that CeO2NPs may be useful as a therapeutic agent for sepsis. |
Cerium oxide nanoparticles attenuate monocrotaline induced right ventricular hypertrophy following pulmonary arterial hypertension
Kolli MB , Manne ND , Para R , Nalabotu SK , Nandyala G , Shokuhfar T , He K , Hamlekhan A , Ma JY , Wehner PS , Dornon L , Arvapalli R , Rice KM , Blough ER . Biomaterials 2014 35 (37) 9951-9962 Cerium oxide (CeO2) nanoparticles have been posited to exhibit potent anti-oxidant activity which may allow for the use of these materials in biomedical applications. Herein, we investigate whether CeO2 nanoparticle administration can diminish right ventricular (RV) hypertrophy following four weeks of monocrotaline (MCT)-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: control, MCT only (60 mg/kg), or MCT + CeO2 nanoparticle treatment (60 mg/kg; 0.1 mg/kg). Compared to the control group, the RV weight to body weight ratio was 45% and 22% higher in the MCT and MCT + CeO2 groups, respectively (p < 0.05). Doppler echocardiography demonstrated that CeO2 nanoparticle treatment attenuated monocrotaline-induced changes in pulmonary flow and RV wall thickness. Paralleling these changes in cardiac function, CeO2 nanoparticle treatment also diminished MCT-induced increases in right ventricular (RV) cardiomyocyte cross sectional area, beta-myosin heavy chain, fibronectin expression, protein nitrosylation, protein carbonylation and cardiac superoxide levels. These changes with treatment were accompanied by a decrease in the ratio of Bax/Bcl2, diminished caspase-3 activation and reduction in serum inflammatory markers. Taken together, these data suggest that CeO2 nanoparticle administration may attenuate the hypertrophic response of the heart following PAH. |
Impact of prostate cancer on sexual relationships: a longitudinal perspective on intimate partners' experiences
Ramsey SD , Zeliadt SB , Blough DK , Moinpour CM , Hall IJ , Smith JL , Ekwueme DU , Fedorenko CR , Fairweather ME , Koepl LM , Thompson IM , Keane TE , Penson DF . J Sex Med 2013 10 (12) 3135-43 INTRODUCTION: In this prospective study of localized prostate cancer patients and their partners, we analyzed how partner issues evolve over time, focusing on satisfaction with care, influence of cancer treatment, and its impact on relationship with patient, cancer worry, and personal activities. AIMS: Our study aims were twofold: (i) to determine whether the impact of treatment on patients and partners moderate over time and (ii) if receiving surgery (i.e., radical prostatectomy) influences partner issues more than other treatments. METHODS: Patients newly diagnosed with localized prostate cancer and their female partners were recruited from three states to complete surveys by mail at three time points over 12 months. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The four primary outcomes assessed in the partner analysis included satisfaction with treatment, cancer worry, and the influence of cancer and its treatment on their relationship (both general relationship and sexual relationship). RESULTS: This analysis included 88 patient-partner pairs. At 6 months, partners reported that cancer had a negative impact on their sexual relationship (39%-somewhat negative and 12%-very negative). At 12 months, this proportion increased substantially (42%-somewhat negative and 29%-very negative). Partners were significantly more likely to report that their sexual relationship was worse when the patient reported having surgery (P = 0.0045, odds ratio = 9.8025, 95% confidence interval 2.076-46.296). A minority of partners reported significant negative impacts in other areas involving their personal activities (16% at 6 months and 25% at 12 months) or work life (6% at 6 months, which increased to 12% at 12 months). CONCLUSION: From partners' perspectives, prostate cancer therapy has negative impact on sexual relationships and appears to worsen over time. |
Provider and partner interactions in the treatment decision-making process for newly diagnosed localized prostate cancer
Zeliadt SB , Penson DF , Moinpour CM , Blough DK , Fedorenko CR , Hall IJ , Smith JL , Ekwueme DU , Thompson IM , Keane TE , Ramsey SD . BJU Int 2011 108 (6) 851-6; discussion 856-7 OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the degree to which the partners of prostate cancer patients participate in the shared decision-making process with the patients' providers during the time between diagnosis and initiating treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We recruited patients with newly diagnosed local-stage prostate cancer and their partners to complete take-home surveys after biopsy but before initiating treatment at urology practices in three states. We asked partners to describe their roles in the decision-making process, including participation in clinic visits, and perceptions of encouragement from providers to participate in the treatment decision-making process. We also asked partners to rate their satisfaction with the patients' providers. RESULTS: Family members of 80% of newly diagnosed patients agreed to participate; most (93%) were partners (i.e. spouses or significant others). Most partners (93%) had direct contact with the patients' physicians. Among the partners who had contact with providers, most (67%) were very satisfied with the patients' providers and 80% indicated that the doctor encouraged them to participate in the treatment decision. Overall, 91% of partners reported very frequent discussions with their loved one about the pending treatment decision, and 69% reported that their role was to help the patient make a decision. In multivariate models, provider encouragement of partner participation was associated with higher partner satisfaction (odds ratio 3.4, 95% CI 1.4-8.4) and an increased likelihood of partners reporting very frequent discussions with their loved one (odds ratio 6.1, 95% CI 1.3-27.7). CONCLUSIONS: Partners often attended clinic visits and were very involved in discussions about treatment options with both loved ones and providers. Provider encouragement of participation by partners greatly facilitates shared decision-making between patients and partners. |
Discontinuation of radiation treatment among medicaid-enrolled women with local and regional stage breast cancer
Ramsey SD , Zeliadt SB , Richardson LC , Pollack LA , Linden H , Blough DK , Cheteri MK , Tock L , Nagy K , Anderson N . Breast J 2010 16 (1) 20-27 For women with nonmetastatic breast cancer, radiation therapy is recommended as a necessary component of the breast conserving surgery (BCS) treatment option. The degree to which Medicaid-enrolled women complete recommended radiation therapy protocols is not known. We evaluate radiation treatment completion rates for Medicaid enrollees aged 18-64 diagnosed with breast cancer. We determine clinical and socio-demographic factors associated with not starting treatment, and with interruptions or not completing radiation treatment. Using data from the Washington State Cancer Registry linked to Medicaid enrollment and claims records, we identified Medicaid enrollees diagnosed with breast cancer from 1997 to 2003 who received BCS. Among the 402 women who met inclusion criteria, 105 (26%) did not receive any radiation. Factors significantly associated with not receiving radiation included in situ disease and non-English as a primary language. Among those who received at least one radiation treatment, 65 (22%) failed to complete therapy and 71 (24%) patients had at least one 5 to 30 day gap in treatment. We found no significant predictors of interruptions in treatment or early discontinuation. A substantial proportion of Medicaid-insured women who are eligible for radiation therapy following BCS either fail to receive any treatment, experience significant interruptions during therapy, or do not complete a minimum course of treatment. More effort is needed to ensure this vulnerable population receives adequate radiation following BCS. copyright 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., 1075-122X/09. |
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