Lufei Young

University of North Carolina at Charlotte | UNC Charlotte · College of Health and Human Services

Background/Objectives: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs are multi-component interventions comprising structured strength and cardiovascular exercise training, psychological support, education, and therapies to promote positive lifestyle changes. This study aimed to determine if there are differences in the 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) across r...

Introduction Generative AI (GAI) is a type of artificial intelligence that is capable of learning patterns from existing data (e.g., text, images, videos) and synthesizing knowledge in seconds (Lim et al., 2023). GAI is a powerful tool in the higher education of healthcare professionals, including writing aid, personalized tutoring, creating simula...

Gait speed and timed-up-and-go (TUG) predict cognitive decline, falls, and mortality. Dual-tasks may be useful in cognitive screening among people living with dementia (PWD), but more evidence is needed. This cross-sectional study aimed to compare single- and dual-task performance and determine the influence of dementia severity on dual-task perfor...

Background: Physical activity preserves cognitive function in people without dementia, but the relationship between physical activity and cognitive domains among people living with dementia is unclear. Objective: The objective of this study was to explore the association between physical activity and cognition domains among people living with de...

In the general population, abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is synonymous with vascular disease and associated with increased mortality. Vascular disease is common in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on dialysis, but there is limited information on AAA in this population. To address this issue, we queried the United States Renal Data System f...

Dual-tasking may be a useful tool for fall-risk screening among people living with dementia (PWD), but more evidence is needed. Our aims were to compare single- and dual-task posture, gait and functional mobility; and examine the relationship between dementia severity and dual-task interference among PWD. Thirty PWD (Age:81.8±7.3years; 35% Female;...

Habitual activity preserves cognitive function in people without dementia, but the relationship between habitual activity and cognitive domains among people living with dementia is unclear. The purpose of this study was to explore the association between habitual activity and cognition domains among people living with dementia. Participants living...

Background and Objectives: Atopic dermatitis (AD), also known as eczema, is a common chronic inflammatory skin condition affecting 16.5 million adults in the United States. AD is characterized by an impaired epidermal barrier that can predispose individuals to infection. End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is also commonly complicated by infections due...

Pressure ulcers are associated with multiple comorbidities and annually affect approximately 3 million Americans, directly accounting for approximately 60,000 deaths per year. Because patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) are known to present with unique factors which impair wound healing, pressure ulcers diagnosed in ESRD patients might ind...

Background: End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is a known immunocompromising status that predisposes patients to developing infections. Disease from Listeria monocytogenes may affect any host but tends to be more severe in the immunocompromised. Methods: We used a large population of patients with ESRD to identify risk factors for listeriosis and mo...

Background: Exercise may improve executive function among people living with all-cause dementia (PWD), but more evidence is needed. The aim of this pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) is to examine whether exercise plus usual care improves the primary outcome of executive function, and secondary physiological (inflammation, metabolic aging, ep...

Purpose: Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) is a common autoimmune thyroid disorder that can disrupt thyroid function and homeostasis. As HT results from a dysregulated immune system, we hypothesized that these patients might be more susceptible to transplant failure; however, literature on this association is limited. The purpose of this study is to ex...

The African American (AA) population has a higher incidence and inferior outcomes in most hematologic malignancies when compared to the non- Hispanic White population. The AA population remains grossly underrepresented in clinical trials, yet few studies have evaluated the underrepresentation in the context of belief in research and willingness to...

Background In the general population, cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is associated with increased all-cause mortality. Transplant patients have been shown to have an increased risk of developing cSCC, and their cSCC is associated with an increased risk for mortality. In end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients, there is extensive mortality...

Non-tuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) disease has increased in prevalence in the USA, however, little is known on NTM in the population with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Thus, we investigated patients with ESRD to determine risk factors for NTM disease and mortality. We queried the United States Renal Data System from 2005 to 2015 using Internatio...

Background Previous research in non-dialysis patients suggests that the inflammatory skin disease psoriasis is associated with an increased risk of severe vascular events like myocardial infarction (MI). Thus, we determined whether psoriasis represents a significant risk factor for MI in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. Methods We queried...

Introduction The left ventricular assist device (VAD) is commonly used as the bridge-to-transplantation therapy for heart failure patients who are on waitlist of heart transplant. The caregivers’ adherence to the homecare regimen plays a vital role in patient outcomes. There is little evidence about the factors related to the caregiver adherence. T...

Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) are 8-10 times more likely to suffer from a stroke compared with the general public. Despite this risk, there are minimal data elucidating which hemodialysis modality is best for patients with ESRD following a stroke, and guidelines for their management are lacking. We retrospectively queried the US Rena...

Background : Psoriasis is a common chronic inflammatory skin disease associated with an increased risk for acute infections. Because chronic kidney disease is a risk factor for pneumonia, end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients with psoriasis may have an increased risk for acquiring pneumonia. Methods : A retrospective cohort analysis was performe...

PGD2 released from immune cells or other cell types activates its receptors, DP1 and DP2, to promote inflammatory responses in allergic and lung diseases. Prostaglandin-mediated inflammation may also contribute to vascular diseases such as abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA). However, the role of DP receptors in the pathogenesis of AAA has not been sy...

Introduction: Within the hospital setting, analgesics are prescribed for use with specific parameters of pain; often labeled as (a) mild, (b) moderate, (c) severe, or (d) breakthrough. These subjective parameters are utilized casually. From a clinician perspective, analgesic regimens are discussed collaboratively, though there is a question about t...

Renal transplant patients are immunosuppressed and are at increased risk of opportunistic infections, including Nocardia infection. In renal transplant patients, information on the incidence and risk factors associated with nocardiosis is limited. To address the incidence and risk factors associated with nocardiosis in a large renal transplant popu...

The concept of breakthrough pain (BTP) is examined through the development of a conceptual model with a long-term goal of positively impacting the management of chronic pain patients who experience BTP when hospitalized. The model is based on a 2008 Health Economic Model of Breakthrough Pain developed by Abernethy, Wheeler, and Fortner, which will...

Studies have suggested that handgrip strength might be a marker for cardiometabolic risk (CMR), but it has not been studied in Hispanic/Latino farmworker population. This study aimed to characterize absolute and relative handgrip strength in Hispanic/Latino farmworkers, and investigate the sex-specific association between handgrip strength and CMR...

Purpose We explored caregiving variables that may significantly affect treatment outcomes in patients with left-ventricular assist devices (LVAD) post-hospital discharge. Specific aims were to examine the pattern and change of caregivers’ self-efficacy (ie, self-confidence) and adherence to support patients with LVAD care over 6 months. Methods Th...

Background Psoriasis impairs the quality of life of approximately 7.5 million Americans and is associated with serious comorbidities. Because of chronic vascular access and epidermal dysfunction, end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients with psoriasis may be at greater risk for infection, and psoriasis treatment could affect this risk. Methods A re...

Introduction: Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) are characterized by localized inflammation, extracellular matrix degradation, and apoptosis of smooth muscle cells, which together lead to progressive and irreversible aortic dilation. Major risk factors for AAA include smoking and aging, both of which prominently alter gene expression via epigenetic...

Intraocular pressure was found to be significantly correlated with body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in a farmworker population located in the southeast Georgia, USA. BMI was correlated with intraocular pressure, independent of systemic blood pressures. Purpose: Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) is a...

Background Spinal epidural abscess (SEA) is an uncommon and highly morbid infection of the epidural space. End-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients are known to be at increased risk of developing SEA; however, there are no studies that have described the risk factors and outcomes of SEA in ESRD patients utilizing the United States Renal Data System...

Although cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is clearly beneficial to improving patients' physical functioning and reducing heart disease progression, significant proportions of patients do not complete CR programs. To evaluate the prevalence and predictors of completion of a center-based CR program in eligible cardiac patients, existing data collected fro...

Social determinants of health that have been examined in relation to myocardial infarction incidence and survival include socioeconomic status (income, education), neighbourhood disadvantage, immigration status, social support, and social network. Other social determinants of health include geographic factors such as neighborhood access to health s...

Background Resuming participation in society is an important goal of post-stroke rehabilitation. Exercise-based interventions have been shown to be effective non-pharmacological methods for improving social participation in post-stroke survivors, however it is unclear what the most effective types of exercise interventions are. Objective To assess...

Background: For those living with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), failing to engage in self-management behaviors leads to poor glycemic control. Social cognitive theory (SCT) has been shown to improve health behaviors by altering cognitive processes and increasing an individual's belief in their ability to accomplish a task. Objective: We aim t...

Human papillomavirus (HPV) causes the majority of cervical, anal/rectal, and oropharyngeal cancers in women. End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is also associated with an increased risk of malignancy, but the incidence of and risk factors for HPV-associated cancers in US dialysis patients are not defined. We queried the US Renal Data System for women w...

Objectives Compare the daily calories and protein intake of hemodialysis patients by plant- vs. animal-based food consumption. Methods A retrospective, secondary analysis of baseline data from food frequency questionnaire and laboratory testing data of the Dialysis survey (CDS) study was performed. The CDS survey was conducted in hemodialysis pati...

It is essential to have an effective care process to promote colorectal cancer (CRC) screening particularly in rural areas. Primary care health care providers may have a significant impact on improving CRC screening rates among rural residents through systematic screening processes in their clinics. In this qualitative study, we aimed to explore th...

Background: Arthritis is one of the most common comorbidities in heart failure (HF) patients, and is associated with decreased activity levels. Few studies have examined sedentary behavior (SB) in HF patients with arthritis, and little is known about the factors that may influence SB in this population. Methods: This is a retrospective, secondar...

Objective To determine the sources of protein and phosphorus levels from the food consumed by patients on dialysis. Design and Methods This is a retrospective, secondary data analysis of the Comprehensive Dialysis Survey study participants who had a baseline food frequency questionnaire and baseline lab data (N = 358). We examined intake of protei...

Background Patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or end-stage renal disease receiving dialysis have an increased risk of developing malignancies, but few data are available on cancer in patients with both conditions. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine the incidence of selected malignancies and identify their potential ris...

BACKGROUND For those living with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), failing to engage in self-management behaviors leads to poor glycemic control. Social cognitive theory (SCT) has been shown to improve health behaviors by altering cognitive processes and increasing an individual’s belief in their ability to accomplish a task. OBJECTIVE We aim to pr...

Background: Nonactionable alarms comprise over 70% of alarms and contribute a threat to patient safety. Few studies have reported approaches to translate and sustain these interventions in clinical settings. Purpose: This study tested whether an interprofessional team-based approach can translate and implement effective alarm reduction intervent...

Background: Increasing efforts have been made in primary care settings to screen for a broad array of social determinants of health including inadequate food and nutrition, lack of education, unemployment, and inadequate housing, and to refer patients to community resources. Core tenets of primary care include integration with community resources....

It is essential to have an effective care process to promote colorectal cancer (CRC) screening particularly in rural areas. Primary care health care providers may have a significant impact on improving CRC screening rates among rural residents through systematic screening processes in their clinics. In this qualitative study, we aimed to explore th...

ABSTRACT To compare the effectiveness of different non-pharmacological interventions on pain relief in older adults with osteoarthritis (OA), literature databases, bibliographies, and other relevant sources were searched. No language limitations were applied. Thirty-two trials published from 1997 to 2017 were included in the systematic review and n...

Although they have been widely studied, important questions remain about the impact of breast cancer survivorship care plans on improving health outcomes. The goal of this article was to review published studies on the impact of cancer survivorship care plans on health outcomes and health care delivery among breast cancer survivors. A total of 111...

Group-based physiotherapy-led behavioral psychological interventions (GPBPIs) are an emerging treatment for chronic low back pain (CLBP), but the efficacy of these interventions is uncertain. A review of relevant randomized controlled trials and a meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of GPBPIs on pain relief in adults with CLBP...

Background: Caring for individuals with progressive, disabling forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) presents ongoing, complex challenges in health care delivery, especially access to care. While limitations in mobility represent a major hurdle to accessing comprehensive and coordinated care,7 fragmentation in current models of health care delivery magn...

The purpose of this updated meta-analysis was to investigate the effect of nitric oxide synthase-3 (NOS3) G894T polymorphisms, air pollution and their interaction on ischemic heart disease (IHD) risk across populations worldwide. Recursive partition trees, nonlinear association curve fit and geographic information system maps were incorporated to v...

Objective: To identify patient, provider, and delivery system-level factors associated with colorectal cancer (CRC) screening and validate findings across multiple data sets. Design: A concurrent mixed-methods design using electronic health records, provider survey, and provider interview. Setting: Eight primary care accountable care organizat...

Many Veterans Affairs (VA) patients with the complications of cardiometabolic syndrome (CMS) use both VA and community providers and facilities outside of VA. Although dual health care systems increase care options, dual use also increases coordination needs. The fragmentation and duplication of health care due to the use of multiple facilities and...

Ischemic heart disease (IHD) is among the leading causes of death worldwide. Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) polymorphisms have been associated with IHD risk, but the findings presented with heterogeneity. The purpose of the present meta-analysis was to provide an updated evaluation by integrating machine-learning based analytics to exa...

The fragmentation and lack of coordination of health care may result in less efficient and more costly care and lead to poorer outcomes. There has been increasing interest in examining cancer outcomes among persons who are dually enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid. Previous studies have identified disparities in the quality of cancer treatment accor...

Background: Simulation plays a vital role in nursing education, however, modifiable factors influencing students' simulation performance have not been sufficiently examined. The purpose of this study was examine relationships among anxiety, self-efficacy, nursing knowledge, and performance during simulation. Methods: The study used a mixed-methods...

Background: High mortality in dialysis patients may be associated with protein-energy wasting (PEW) syndrome characterized by progressively depleted protein and energy stores. While early diagnosis and treatment of PEW can reduce mortality, clinically practical measures for its detection are lacking. Poor dietary protein intake (DPI) is associated...

Background: There has been increasing interest in the use of web portals by patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Studies of web portal use by patients with pre-diabetes have not been reported. To plan studies of web portal use by adult clinic patients seen for pre-diabetes and T2DM at an academic medical center, we examined characteristic...

Background Patient portals and other Internet-based technologies have been increasingly used to improve cancer care coordination. Patient portals may introduce special considerations in oncology populations where longitudinal outpatient care is often more intensive than in most other specialties. Methods This article, which is based upon bibliogra...

BACKGROUND: Antipsychotic-associated obesity is prevalent, causing significant non-adherence and development of cardiovascular. To make matters worse, the antipsychotic related weight gain is heterogeneous with large inter-individual variability. Much of the inter-individual variability is due to genetic factors. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this s...

1) Background: Physical inactivity is prevalent in rural heart failure (HF) patients. To evaluate the effectiveness of interventions aimed at improving physical activity (PA), we need an accurate, reliable PA assessment tool that is feasible and acceptable to HF patients. The purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility of using an accelero...

Colorectal Cancer (CRC) screening is vital to reduce CRC motility rate and primary care providers (PCP) play an essential role in promoting CRC screening. This study examines the CRC screening barriers perceived by PCPs and their associations with provider characteristics and practice features using data collected through a survey administered in f...

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to validate methyl donor intakes between 30-day food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and 24-hour food record (FR) in a colorectal cancer study. Background: Dietary methyl donors play pivotal roles in cancer prevention by promoting adequate metabolism and DNA methylation. The FFQ and 24-hour FR are the most commo...

Purpose: The purpose of this new ground-breaking project is to identify different methylation patterns across human genome for oncogenes and genes in the methylation pathways for cancer prevention. Background: Chronic health conditions can lead to cancer with altered epigenetics cardiovascular phenotypes including differential methylation and gene...

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to validate methyl donor intakes between 30-day food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and 24-hour food record (FR) in a colorectal cancer study. Background: Dietary methyl donors play pivotal roles in cancer prevention by promoting adequate metabolism and DNA methylation. The FFQ and 24-hour FR are the most commo...

Introduction: Despite the known benefits of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening, rural areas have consistently reported lower screening rates than their urban counterparts. Alternative healthcare delivery models, such as accountable care organizations (ACOs), have the potential to increase CRC rates through collaboration among healthcare providers w...

Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a significant public health issue. AD has been linked with methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T polymorphism, but findings have been inconsistent. The purpose of this meta-predictive analysis is to examine the associations between MTHFR polymorphisms and epigenetic factors including air pollution...

Background: Self-management (SM) is an essential component of heart failure (HF) management. The mechanisms to improve SM behaviors are unclear. Objective: The objective of this study is to examine whether patient activation mediates the effect of self-efficacy on SM behaviors in rural HF patients. Methods: A secondary analysis was conducted u...

The major objective of this study was to examine the association between Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (MTHFR) polymorphisms and the risk of various types of leukemias across the lifespans of children and adults by using the meta-predictive techniques. The secondary objective was to examine the interactions among epigenetic risk factors (incl...

Using the meta-predictive techniques, the major objective of this study was to examine the association between Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (MTHFR) polymorphisms and the risk of various types of leukemias across lifespan of children and adults. And, the secondary objective was to examine the interactions between epigenetic risk factors inclu...

Background: CBPC programs have potential to deliver improved quality of life & cost-effective health outcomes for a vulnerable population. Research in the development & evaluation of CBPC programs is scant. Lack of evidence has significant implications for a population in need of cost-effective care solutions that promote QoL, &drive quality health...

Background: Delayed admission to palliative and hospice services is prevalent and, especially in rural areas, contributing to poor quality of care, caregiver stress and burden, reducing patients’ and their caregivers' quality of life and increasing healthcare costs. A reliable and sensitive screening tool would help clinicians identify patients in...

Heart failure (HF) is one of the most common chronic and disabling illnesses, resulting in high morbidity and mortality. Readmission rate, one key indicator of healthcare quality and healthcare utilization, is prevalent in HF patients. Inconsistent evidences exist about the impact of rural health disparities on HF patients’ readmission. The purpose...