Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia: Pathophysiology And The Effects Of The Microbiome, Anjali Jacob

Senior Honors Theses

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a chronic neonatal lung disease that occurs in over 50% of premature infants. BPD is characterized by damage to the alveoli and bronchioles and improper vasculature formation. It is primarily caused by overexposure to oxygen through mechanical ventilation, but there are other risk factors that make infants more susceptible to BPD. Microbial composition impacts risk for developing BPD, and research is ongoing about the effects of the microbiome on BPD pathogenesis; this information is also valuable for preventative treatment. This paper reviews the normal function of the lungs, pathogenesis of BPD and how it affects normal …

Simulation And Self-Efficacy In The Student Registered Nurse Anesthetist: A Quantitative, Causal-Comparative Study, Joseph Craig Kiesznowski

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, causal-comparative study was to determine if simulation training causes a significant increase in clinical self-efficacy in Student Registered Nurse Anesthetists. Simulation training in healthcare has been found to improve patient safety and has become a major tenet of nurse anesthetist education. Self-efficacy has been shown to correlate with improved clinical performance. This study builds on the research involving simulation training and clinical self-efficacy in the SRNA population. A convenience sample of SRNAs was taken from 49 different graduate nurse anesthesia programs across 13 different states. The Schwarzer and Jerusalem General Self-efficacy scale was used to …

The Implications Of Ferroptosis In Antibiotic Resistance, Marysol Hohl

Senior Honors Theses

Bacterial infections in the United States are becoming increasingly resistant to existing antibiotic treatments. Due to projected increases in resistance and the recent decrease in novel antibacterials, experts have determined that the United States is in the “post-antibiotic era.” The scientific community has failed to resolve resistance despite the continual discovery of new antibiotic compounds. In the past decade, a novel form of cell death called ferroptosis has been implicated in antibiotic treatment by employing the use of nanotechnology. This literature review will describe the problem of bacterial resistance and demonstrate how current research is pioneering a new age of …

Health Consequences Of Low Energy Availability In Females And Their Underlying Physiological Mechanisms, Grace Parry

Senior Honors Theses

Low energy availability (LEA) is a state in which energy intake is insufficient to support energy expenditure while maintaining energy balance, which has been shown to result in gastrointestinal distress, immunosuppression, reduced metabolic rate, menstrual dysfunction, diminished bone health, and impaired cardiovascular function in females. Alterations to the microbiome and mucosal lining may propagate gastrointestinal complaints and compromised immune function associated with LEA. The pathophysiology of LEA is otherwise largely driven by hormonal adaptations. Diminished production of thyroid hormones is known to contribute to reduced metabolic rate. Decreases in leptin and insulin and increases in ghrelin disrupt reproductive function through …

Efficacy Of Kidney Reperfusion Treatments Relative To Function And Survival Rates After Transplantation, Mitchell Rohr

Senior Honors Theses

Donor kidneys are damaged upon circulatory death before being preserved with machine perfusion until transplantation. During machine perfusion, blood is pumped back into the vasculature of the kidney, causing damage called ischemic reperfusion injury. The two forms of machine perfusion are hypothermic machine perfusion and normothermic machine perfusion. Different methods of treatment can be used during either hypothermic machine perfusion or normothermic machine perfusion to prevent ischemic reperfusion injury. Each of the treatment methods that were reviewed showed potential for preventing ischemic reperfusion injury, with hypothermic treatments having higher average levels of feasibility than normothermic treatments. The effect of the …

Nursing Considerations For Post-Traumatic Amnesia After A Traumatic Brain Injury, Hannah Grant

Senior Honors Theses

A period known as post-traumatic amnesia (PTA) often follows a traumatic brain injury (TBI). PTA is characterized by anterograde and retrograde amnesia, confusion, disorientation, and agitation. The duration and severity of PTA is a key indicator of the long-term prognosis after a TBI, so proper assessment and nursing care of a PTA patient is crucial. TBIs range from mild to severe, but primarily affect the fronto-temporal lobes. In PTA, both neural lesions and white matter damage within the parahippocampal region can cause PTA. A nurse must perform a thorough assessment of a TBI patient, but, since PTA is a key …

The Anxiolytic Effects Of Aromatherapy On Preprocedural Anxiety: An Integrated Review, Rebekah Smith

Senior Honors Theses

Anxiety before procedures can negatively impact patients by increasing cortisol levels which delays wound healing and increases infection risk, increasing pain and sedation medication needs, and increasing hospitalization time. This review was conducted to find how inhaled essential oils affect pre-procedural anxiety of adults in acute care settings. Nine databases and some gray literature were searched within the past ten years, and documented using the PRISMA flow chart. Ten articles fitting the inclusion criteria were retrieved. Nine of the articles found a significant difference between the aromatherapy group and control group and pre- and post- intervention anxiety scores, and none …

T Cell Therapy: Underlying Mechanisms And Current Advancements, Griffin Mccloy

Senior Honors Theses

As the second leading cause of death in 2016, cancer is one of the most serious diseases facing the world today. T cell therapy is a current area of research attempting to address the disease with two primary division: CAR-T and TCR-T cell therapy. The immune system naturally produces T lymphocytes to aid in the recognition and removal of cells infected with viruses or transformed into cancer. Under normal circumstances, T lymphocytes identify and destroy cancerous cells; however, some cancerous cell types can evade this system. With the use of genetic editing technology, T lymphocytes can gain the ability to …

A Proposed Treatment Of Mixed Connective Tissue Disease By Competitive Inhibition Of Autoantibodies, Thomas Russell

Senior Honors Theses

Mixed Connective Tissue Disease is an autoimmune disease characterized by Raynaud’s phenomenon and arthritis among other symptoms. It is primarily caused by antibodies that target the U1-RNP 70K peptide. The treatment proposed in this paper uses competitive inhibition to prevent the binding of the anti-U1-RNP 70K antibodies with the U1-RNP 70K peptide. A method for testing the designed treatment in silico is proposed using AutoDock Vina docking software.

Communicating Comfort In Crisis: A Literature Review On Overcoming The Emergency Room Environment To Foster The Nurse-Patient Relationship, Faith G. Davenport

Senior Honors Theses

The average emergency room patient is not receiving the compassionate nurse-patient communication that patients experience on other hospital floors. Fewer positive nurse-patient interactions prompt patients to state that they feel uncomforted and dissatisfied on hospital exit surveys, inciting hospital management to investigate how to reverse this trend to retain their federal funding. Emergency room nurses cite multiple barriers inherent in their work environment that prevent them from building rapport with their patients, including a layout not conducive to private conversations, strict time constraints, and a fluctuating workload. Working for a prolonged period under these conditions is driving many nurses to …

Prenatal Drug Exposure And Its Effects On Fetal Development: Clinical And Health Education Implications, Johanna Marie Olo Tapangan

Senior Honors Theses

Prenatal drug exposure is a common clinical phenomenon in pregnancy cases. Pregnancy is a fragile period of time for both the mother and the fetus. Therefore, strict drug regulation is important to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the developing fetus. Certain drugs, once thought to be safe, have been found to have detrimental effects on the normal development of functioning organ systems in the fetus. Current research has identified drugs that when taken during pregnancy can result in the onset of fetal physical abnormalities, impaired brain development, and disrupted organogenesis and organ function. Thalidomide, losartan, opioids, alcohol, and caffeine …

Understanding Blue Light Retinal Damages And The Methods Of Prevention, Amelia Lee

Senior Honors Theses

Light emitting diode (LED) lights that comprise television screens, phone displays, laptops, and tablets have been studied by scientists in order to understand the implications of blue light radiation and the effects that it has on the human body—especially the retina of the eye. The retina is comprised of highly metabolic cells, and when those cells are placed under oxidative stress, death occurs causing ocular disease. Additionally, excess blue light exposure causes shifts in biological rhythms that govern patterns of alertness and sleep. Recently scientists began studying the methods of blue light prevention. Some studies show that blue light radiation …

Transcatheter Mitral Valve Replacement And Repair Technology, Joel Thomas

Senior Honors Theses

The mitral valve is a two-cusp valve that is located between the left atrium and left ventricle of the heart. As blood flows from the lungs and enters the atrium, it must pass through this valve in one direction to enter the ventricle and be pumped out to the systemic circuit.

Mitral valve disease occurs when normal mitral valve function is impaired. Many different repair and replacement options exist. These options are contingent upon age and risk factors for patients. This paper focuses on the four main transcatheter mitral valve replacement devices that have limited human trials. It concludes that …

Causes Of Color Blindness: Function And Failure Of The Genes That Detect Color, Dylan Taylor

Senior Honors Theses

Color blindness affects nearly 10% of the entire population, with multiple types of color blindness from various genetic mutations. In the following sections, the nature of light and how the human eye perceives light will be discussed. Afterward, the major forms of color blindness and their genetic causes will be considered. Once these genetic causes have been established, the current method for diagnosing color blindness will be investigated, followed by a discussion of the current treatments available to those with color blindness. Finally, a brief discussion will address possible future work for color blindness with the hope of finding better …

Contraceptive Methods In The United States: The Question Of Abortive Mechanisms, Tara Ferenczy

Senior Honors Theses

This thesis reviews the many methods of contraception available in the United States. Although society’s understanding of women’s health has become a major topic, there is still a significant deficit of information regarding how the accessible methods affect women’s bodies, specifically reproductive tissue. The thesis analyzes numerous contraceptive options focusing specifically on the mechanisms of action to determine whether options have abortifacient properties so that readers may develop educated opinions regarding medical and ethical uses. Information involving strengths and limitations of each technique and the effects on both the female body and the reproductive material assist in understanding the process …

Adverse Aftereffects Of Methotrexate As Chemotherapy On Cognitive Deficits In Rat Models, Jubin Kang

Senior Honors Theses

Patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia have a high five-year survival rate thanks to methotrexate (MTX). However, cognitive side effects are reported, characterized as chemo brain. The study investigated if impulsiveness is part of the aberrant cognitive functions after being exposed to MTX in the early stage of physical development. Adolescent rats were injected with either phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) or MTX. The novel object recognition (NOR) task was conducted a month after the injections to measure the memory deficits. The discounting task was performed after the rats completed training on a fixed-ratio one schedule for both levers. The NOR test showed …

Genetic Relationships And Therapeutic Options For Relapsed Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, Hailie Shertzer

Senior Honors Theses

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common form of cancer among children and can be lethal to the adult population. Though 80% of patients with ALL reach complete remission after treatment, about 20% of those diagnosed fail to remain cancer-free. Genetic rearrangements are the hallmark of relapsed ALL, but the mechanism by which these rearrangements occur is still unclear. Recent research suggests these mutations may be detectable during initial diagnosis. If researchers are able to accurately assess the probability of relapse during diagnosis by analyzing the genome of the leukemic cells, the likelihood of administering effective therapy would increase. …

An Investigation Into Differences In The Infant Intestinal Microbiome Based On Method Of Delivery, Savannah Whitney

Senior Honors Theses

The infant intestinal microbiome is greatly influenced by method of delivery in relation to bacterial composition, diversity, and richness. The intestinal tracts of cesarean delivered infants are more likely to be colonized with skin microbiota like Clostridium, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and Corynebacterium, and have less bacterial diversity and richness than their vaginally delivered counterparts, who are more likely to be colonized with Bacteroides, Bifidobacterium, and Lactobacillus, which are common vaginal bacteria. These microbial differences make cesarean delivered infants more likely to develop allergies, asthma, eczema, gastrointestinal conditions, obesity, and diabetes, among other diseases. Though vaginal seeding has been proposed …

Alzheimer's And Amyloid Beta: Amyloidogenicity And Tauopathy Via Dyshomeostatic Interactions Of Amyloid Beta, Jordan Tillinghast

Senior Honors Theses

This paper reviews functions of Amyloid-β (Aβ) in healthy individuals compared to the consequences of aberrant Aβ in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). As extraneuronal Aβ accumulation and plaque formation are characteristics of AD, it is reasonable to infer a pivotal role for Aβ in AD pathogenesis. Establishing progress of the disease as well as the mechanism of neurodegeneration from AD have proven difficult (Selkoe, 1994). This thesis provides evidence suggesting the pathogenesis of AD is due to dysfunctional neuronal processes involving Aβ’s synaptic malfunction, abnormal interaction with tau, and disruption of neuronal homeostasis. Significant evidence demonstrates that AD symptoms are partially …

The Essential Role Of Carbon Metabolism In The Virulence Of Cryptococcus Neoformans, Mara Weigner

Senior Honors Theses

Cryptococcus neoformans infections are a major cause of meningoencephalitis in immunosuppressed patients worldwide. Inhaled as spores or desiccated yeast cells, C. neoformans can undergo metabolic changes in response to the new host environment that allow it to cross the blood brain barrier and cause deadly central nervous system (CNS) infections. Nutrient acquisition, and specifically carbon metabolism, is critical for survival and proliferation within the host. Notably, efficient carbon metabolism is necessary to produce the polysaccharide capsule, which is arguably C. neoformans’ most important and well-studied virulence factor. As such, a better understanding of carbon acquisition and regulation is essential for …

An Analysis Of Major Issues For Culturally-Minded Professionals In Women's Health Care, Victoria Clark

Senior Honors Theses

Women's health care professionals, such as general physicians, obstetricians and gynecologists, midwives, nurses, and doulas, in the US need to be aware of cultural issues and disparities. Minorities and migrant women experience cultural challenges and disparities when receiving health care in the US. Without cultural sensitivity, patient care is compromised. Pregnancy and childbirth practices vary widely by culture, and potential differences in perspectives, beliefs, and treatment of these are critical issues for women’s health care professionals to study. Female genital cutting (FGC), obstetric fistulas (OF), and female cancer are also discussed in this paper.

Periodontitis And The Elderly: An Overview Of The Disease And Its Impact On An Aging Population, Nicole Grace Weissenfluh

Senior Honors Theses

Periodontitis affects millions of Americans each year, and is especially prevalent among the elderly. Since periodontitis is a chronic, progressive condition, uninterrupted disease progression leads to irreversible oral damage; therefore, periodontitis often reduces the oral health-related quality of life. Furthermore, research strongly suggests a correlation between periodontitis and other systemic diseases (e.g., cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus), highlighting the importance of understanding, treating, and preventing periodontitis. This thesis explores the pathology and etiology of periodontitis, with special focus given to the prevalence and impact of the disease in the elderly population. Additionally, the connection between periodontitis and other systemic diseases …

Health Effects Of A Vegan Diet And Pediatric Cancer Prevention, Lindsay Wisehart

Senior Honors Theses

Veganism is a diet which excludes consumption of all animal products. With proper planning and vitamin supplementation to ensure adequate intake of protein, fat, calcium, zinc, iron, and vitamins D and B12, a vegan diet is widely accepted as suitable for growing and developing children. The decreased levels of dairy, red and processed meats, fat, and protein, and increased levels of fruits and vegetables characteristic of a vegan diet have been shown to reduce risk of mortality and a number of diseases including adult and childhood cancer. Childhood cancer is the second leading cause of childhood death in Western society. …

Infections Not Fought: Antibiotic Resistance In Underserved Communities, Derek Lillestolen

Senior Honors Theses

In 1928, the profound effects of penicillin were discovered and antibiotic treatments became extremely popular. Broad-spectrum antibiotics, like tetracyclines, have been since branded as cure-all prescriptions and used profusely in the Western World and abroad. Due to ignorance of specific biochemical mechanisms and the misuse of antibiotics these drugs inadvertently allowed the rise in prevalence of antibiotic resistant strains of certain bacteria as the century progressed. Now, the specific genetic causes and mechanisms of antibiotic resistance are being understood, but the fight against antimicrobial resistance is far from over. In the United States, thousands of fatalities are caused annually by …

Spinal Cord Trauma: An Overview Of Normal Structure And Function, Primary And Secondary Mechanisms Of Injury, And Emerging Treatment Modalities, Daniel Morin

Senior Honors Theses

The structures of the spinal cord and vertebral column are designed to provide flexibility, while still providing ample protection for the spinal cord deep within. While it does offer remarkable protection against most routine trauma, the spinal cord is still vulnerable to high-force etiologies of trauma and may become damaged as a result. These events are referred to as primary injury. Following the initial injury, the body’s own physiological responses cause a cascade of deleterious effects, known as secondary injury. Secondary injury is a major therapeutic target in mitigating the effects of spinal cord injury (SCI), and much research is …

Herpes Zoster Patient Education: A Coloring Book Approach, Sophia Charuhas

Senior Honors Theses

Shingles, the disease caused by the herpes zoster virus, is a widespread and widely misunderstood illness in the United States. It is preventable, but many at-risk patients do not know what measures they may take to prevent it. Clear communication from physician to patient is crucial for patient understanding of diseases. Many patient education materials on herpes zoster currently available are often unused. It is therefore beneficial to public health to disseminate new mediums of medical communication, and one way of accomplishing this is through adult coloring books. The pathophysiology of herpes zoster virus is here explored and the idea …

Pediatric Type Ii Diabetes Mellitus: Examining The Upward Trend, Allison Foering

Senior Honors Theses

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in pediatric onset of type II diabetes. This paper will examine elements contributing to this trend. Type II diabetes will be discussed, including related pathophysiology, manifestations, diagnosis, and complications, with differentiation between adult and pediatric onset. Possible prevention and treatment methods appropriate for pediatric patients will also be discussed, along with possible outcomes in pediatric patients that could result from this disease. Overall, this paper will provide insight on the causes of this growing trend, and ways to improve the risks imposed on pediatric patients.

The Impact Of An Educational Intervention To Enhance Self-Management In Type 2 Diabetes Patients, Demetria Bates

Doctoral Dissertations and Scholarly Projects

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a chronic health condition that requires patients to be engaged in their health care. Knowledge of the disease and self-management skills are key components to improving health and outcomes in diabetes patients. Due to the lack of self-management skills, diabetes patients are at risk for diabetes-related health complications. Hemoglobin A1c is a measure that demonstrates the average blood glucose level, which is an indicator of diabetes control. Medical treatments and education are continuously improving and readily for type 2 diabetes. The purpose of this project was to enhance knowledge and self-management skills among chronic care …

Cerebrovascular Accident Survival: Strategies Of Flight Nursing And Aeromedical Transport, Alexis Caudle

Senior Honors Theses

Cerebrovascular accidents (CVA), known as strokes, are a leading cause of death worldwide. The delivery and timing of treatment for CVAs is a critical factor in restoring health to the patient. One of the variables in recovery is the method of transport used in bringing the patient to a health care facility. Aeromedical transport remains a valuable resource to achieve full recovery in stroke patients. An ongoing debate of risk versus benefit of helicopter emergency services will be included as well as examination of variables including location, time, physiology of the flight, and the patient’s condition to be scrutinized. In …

The Effects Of Iron Deficiency Anemia And Iron Supplementation In Pregnancy, Anna J. Cox

Senior Honors Theses

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a condition that occurs in both underdeveloped and developed countries worldwide. This disorder is diagnosed in an individual who presents the common signs and symptoms of anemia along with consistently low clinical markers of stored iron. Iron deficiency (ID) usually precedes a diagnosis of IDA as the insufficient amount of iron often goes undetected until one’s quality of life is diminished. Certain populations, such as women who are pregnant or of reproductive age, are particularly at risk for ID and the development of IDA. During pregnancy, the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for iron is greater …