Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

High Energy Blue Light Induces Oxidative Stress And Retinal Cell Apoptosis, Jessica Malinsky

Capstone Showcase

Blue light (BL) is a high energy, short wavelength spanning 400 to 500 nm. Found in technological and environmental forms, BL has been shown to induce photochemical damage of the retina by reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Excess ROS leads to oxidative stress, which disrupts retinal mitochondrial structure and function. As mitochondria amply occupy photoreceptors, they also contribute to oxidative stress due to their selectively significant absorption of BL at 400 to 500 nm. ROS generation that induces oxidative stress subsequently promotes retinal mitochondrial apoptosis. BL filtering and preventative mechanisms have been suggested to improve or repair BL-induced retinal damage, …

Management Of Adult Growth Hormone Deficiency Related To Hypopituitarism, Kellie Jamin

Capstone Showcase

The treatment of growth hormone deficiency (GHD) is well-established in childhood but less understood in adults, given the more complex role that growth hormone (GH) assumes in this population. Decreased functionality of the pituitary gland, otherwise known as hypopituitarism, can present with an isolated GHD in adulthood, which may result from a number of factors including neoplasm, ischemia, infection, traumatic injury, or systemic disease. Adult GHD may be definitively diagnosed with a stimulation test, the insulin tolerance test (ITT) being the study of choice. With a positive ITT, the disorder can be treated with growth hormone replacement therapy (GHRT), which …

Safety, Efficacy, And Reversibility Of Novel Male Contraceptives For Improved Pregnancy Prevention, Danielle Anton

Capstone Showcase

Unintended pregnancy is a global issue that can result from contraceptive failure or from a lack of contraceptive use. A literature search was conducted to explore novel methods of male contraceptives being developed for improved pregnancy prevention. Seven articles were selected, reporting on either oral contraceptive pills, transdermal gel, injectable hormonal, or bilateral intravas deferens polymer injection. The most common adverse events reported across all studies include changes in libido, mood, weight gain, acne, and headache. After reaching hormone and sperm concentration levels sufficient for pregnancy prevention, authors reported complete reversibility of contraceptive effects. Four studies described changes in various …

Therapeutical Studies Of The Disrupted Cftr Gene In Affected Sheep And Rabbit Models Produced By Genome Editor Crispr/Cas9, Nicole Teberio

Capstone Showcase

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a life-threatening, autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. Patients with CF have a decreased lifespan due to complications with lung infections/disease, decreased airway function, and persistent cough with phlegm. Over the past few decades, scientists have contributed to CF research by using animal models to understand the pathology of the disease. The models selected have similar pathogenesis to humans, so they are key insights for understanding the effects of CFTR gene malfunctions. More recently, animal models, such as CRISPR generated sheep and rabbits used in the two current …

Naloxone/Buprenorphine, Methadone, Naltrexone And Their Role In Medication Assisted Treatment, Robert Barrett

Capstone Showcase

Abstract

Opioid use disorder (OUD) is an increasingly common diagnosis that has drastically increased in the last 5 years. Though multiple treatment modalities exist for treating OUD (naltrexone, buprenorphine, methadone), few studies have compared treatment outcomes in adults on long term therapy. This is an important topic to understand as providers as we will undoubtedly come into contact with patients either actively abusing opioid antagonists or in recovery from opioid abuse. Since the introduction of Oxycontin and subsequent over prescription of opioid analgesics, opioid overdoses have increased by over twelve-fold. Once providers began to realize a widespread pattern of abuse, …

The Role Of Cannabidiol In The Treatment Of Pediatric Patients With Refractory Epilepsy, Evan Chidley

Capstone Showcase

THE ROLE OF CANNABIDIOL IN THE TREATMENT OF PEDIATRIC PATIENTS WITH REFRACTORY EPILEPSY

Author(s) and affiliations: Evan Chidley¹, MMS (c), MPH (c)

¹Arcadia University; echidley@arcadia.edu; (515) 201-6901

Introduction: Intractable epilepsy in children can significantly impair quality of life and anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) do not adequately reduce seizures for all pediatric patients. Recently, cannabidiol (CBD), one of the main compounds of marijuana, has shown promise as a potential treatment for uncontrolled seizure activity. This paper poses the following question: In pediatric patients with drug-resistant epilepsy, is cannabidiol (CBD) more effective in reducing seizure activity than traditional anti-epileptic drugs …

Oral Contraceptives As Possible Acl Injury Prevention Method, Haley Schweizer

Capstone Showcase

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injuries are an upsetting setback for many athletes that require a long and costly recovery process. The injury rates are four times greater in women than men. Preventative measures that help to prevent ACL injuries are limited to stretching and strengthening. Therefore, this review aims to investigate if oral contraceptive [I] usage provides a possible new avenue for prevention of ACL injury [O] in young female athletes (ages 18-30) [P] compared to those that do not take oral contraceptives [C].

Methods: A literature review was performed though PubMed, Google Scholar, SCOPUS Database, and ClinicalKey …

Does Enhancing Epidermal Barrier Function With Moisturizing Topical Products Improve Acne Vulgaris In Adult Patients Compared To Non-Moisturizing Products Or Non-Intervention?, Aziza Jadallah

Capstone Showcase

Introduction: Acne is a common skin disorder with multifactorial causes that can persist beyond adolescence or appear for the first time in adulthood. Treatments of varying potency exist, ranging from over-the-counter face washes and creams to prescription topical and oral treatments. Current treatment guidelines target sebum production, exfoliation of excess skin cells, and the bacteria Propionibacterium acnes. Research as early as 1995 suggests dysfunctions of the skin barrier, such as abnormal ceramide levels and increased water loss, play a role in the pathophysiology of acne and are not addressed by current treatments. This review analyzes the role of moisturizing …

Alternatives To Red Blood Cell Transfusions, Julia Prosser

Capstone Showcase

Abstract

Introduction: Allogenic red blood cell (RBC) transfusions are used for a number of different reasons. As with any medical procedure, allogenic RBC transfusions are not risk-free. Since the first recorded blood transfusion in 1655, the process has remained relatively unchanged. ABO incompatibility and contamination with infectious diseases are two major complications associated with RBC transfusions. Furthermore, traditional allogenic RBC transfusions have supply and demand issues. These issues, plus several more, could be alleviated with the use of artificial blood. This paper addresses the important clinical question: In patients who require RBC transfusions (P), is there a viable artificial blood …