Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

The Role Of Bkca Channel Expression And Functional Regulation On The Development Of Pulmonary Hypertension In Type 2 Diabetic Individuals, Tahirah Nimi

PCOM Biomedical Studies Student Scholarship

Human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (HPASMC) maintain the vascular tone and exhibit myogenic reactivity in the pulmonary arteries. The BK_Ca channel, being the predominate K⁺ channel within the HPASMC, is important in regulating the pulmonary arterial pressure and because the BK_Ca channel’s activity can be modulated by various molecules, studies have evaluated the role that altered BK_Ca channel expression and function plays in the dysfunction of the HPASMC during type 2 diabetes (T2D). The results from those studies provided a basis for this project. In this study, cell cultures, western blot experiments, and cAMP assays …

Potential Differences In Male Versus Female Lymph Nodes, Vikas Damineni

PCOM Biomedical Studies Student Scholarship

The lymphatic system is one of the latest anatomical organ systems to have been discovered, and as a result, it can be considered the least understood. Limited research exists on the quantitative and qualitative values of lymph nodes. The pelvic and axillary region is anatomically unique for each sex. Observing if this extends to the lymph nodes themselves will create a clearer understanding of the lymphatic system for the medical community. The present study sought to establish potential differences in male and female lymph nodes. Quantitative data of male and female lymph nodes were collected through cadaver dissection. Fifty-three cadavers …

Synthesis And Characterization Of Novel Reformulated Bioactive Paclitaxel Complexes And Considerations For Administration Via Inhalation Method For Targeted Lung Cancer Treatment, Teighlor Nicole Livingston

PCOM Biomedical Studies Student Scholarship

Paclitaxel is a natural plant product derived from bark of the Pacific Yew Tree. The secondary metabolite has been extensively studied and developed as an anticancer agent for the treatment of ovarian, breast, and lung cancer. A significant issue with the drug is its low water solubility⏤ requiring the utilization of drug vehicles for effective drug administration. Two novel paclitaxel-containing drugs, Cu5Fe5PAC and (CUPAC)5GLU12DALB, are synthesized and tested against the National Cancer Institute’s sixty cell line panel for anticancer activity. The drugs are also analyzed using MALDI-TOF-MS, FT-IR, and 1H-NMR. One major concern with paclitaxel is the toxicity associated with …

Associating Infection By Chlamydia Pneumoniae And The Presence Of Amyloid-Β Plaques In The Brains Of Alzheimer’S Disease/Dementia Patients, Paul J. G. Carango

PCOM Biomedical Studies Student Scholarship

Sporadic late-onset AD (LOAD) is the most common form of dementia (Woods et al, 2020). In recent years, significant attention has been given to the role of infection in the pathogenesis of late-onset AD/dementia. The Cpn pathogen has been an organism of particular focus following the seminal study Balin et. al 1998 which found that Cpn DNA was present in 90% of brains from patients diagnosed with LOAD. Subsequent immunohistochemical studies demonstrated that Cpn antigens were present in the frontal and temporal cortices of LOAD brains and that Aβ amyloid plaques found in those regions of the brain co-localize with …

Does Preoperative Therapy Improve Function In Postoperative Patients Undergoing Total Knee Arthroplasty?, Ethan A. Carey

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not using “preoperative therapy can improve function in postoperative patients undergoing Total Knee Arthroplasty?”

Study Design: A review of three double-blinded randomized control trials (RCT) that were peered reviewed after 2014

Data Source: All articles were published in peer-reviewed journals and were researched using PubMed. Studies were selected based on their ability to answer the question posed in the objective, and if the researched outcomes were patient oriented.

Outcomes: Assessed outcomes were either from a Timed Up and Go test or Stair Climbing Test.

Results: Joaquin Calatayud …

Is Tranexamic Acid Effective In Reducing Postoperative Blood Loss In Adult Patients With Lumbar Degenerative Disease Who Are Undergoing Posterior Lumbar Spinal Fusion Surgery?, Natalie L. Cervelli

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not “Is tranexamic acid effective in reducing postoperative blood loss in adult patients with lumbar degenerative disease who are undergoing posterior lumbar spinal fusion surgery?”

STUDY DESIGN: A review of two double-blinded randomized controlled trials (RCT) and one RCT.

DATA SOURCES: All articles were peer-reviewed and published in English between 2017-2020. They were found through PubMed and chosen based on ability to answer the objective.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: The outcome measured in all articles was the objective amount of blood loss in mL contained in drainage output through …

Does Music Therapy Reduce Distress In Pediatric Oncology Patients?, Kathryn E. Bagnardi

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not “Does music therapy reduce distress in pediatric oncology patients?”

STUDY DESIGN: A systematic review of three randomized controlled trials (RCTs). All studies were published in English between 2010 and 2017.

DATA SOURCES: Three RCTs were obtained from PubMed and published in peer reviewed journals. The studies were chosen based on their relevance to the clinical question and their inclusion of patient-oriented outcomes (POEMS).

OUTCOMES MEASURED: In all of the articles used for this review, the main outcome measured was distress reduction. The participants’ level of distress …

Is The Use Of A Port As Opposed To A Picc More Effective In Improving Quality Of Life In Patients Receiving Chemotherapy?, Nicholas Coia

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not “Is the use of a PORT as opposed to a PICC more effective in improving quality of life in patients receiving chemotherapy?”

Study Design: Review of three randomized control trials (RCTs) including one monocentric RCT, one two-centre RCT, and one multi-centered RCT.

Data Sources: All articles were published in English and taken from peer-reviewed journals using PubMed. All articles were published between 2014-2020 and chosen based on their relevance to the clinical question.

Outcome Measured: The outcome measured was quality of life (QoL). The studies used …

Does Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate (Vyvanse) Reduce The Weekly Incidence Of Binge Eating In Adults With Binge Eating Disorder?, Krista L. Helveston

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not “Does lisdexamfetamine dimesylate (Vyvanse) reduce the weekly incidence of binge eating in adults with binge eating disorder?”

Study Design: A systematic review of three double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trials published between 2015 and 2017.

Data Sources: All articles were obtained from PubMed and were published in peer-reviewed journals, in the English language. They were selected based on their applicability to the clinical question, credibility, and if the researched outcomes were patient oriented.

Outcomes Measured: The number of binge eating days per week was the outcome measured, with …

Does The Use Of Aromatherapy Massage Reduce Agitation In Elderly Patients With Dementia?, Nicole A. Frinzi

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not “Does the Use of Aromatherapy Massage Reduce Agitation in Elderly Patients with Dementia?”

Study Design: A systematic review of two randomized controlled trials (RCTs), and one cohort study published between 2010 and 2020.

Data Sources: All studies were discovered using PubMed. The articles were published in English in peer-reviewed journals and selected based on relevance to the clinical question.

Outcome Measured: The outcome measured was a reduction in agitation symptoms. Outcomes were measured through the Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory (CMAI). A similar scale was used among all …

Does Dancing Reduce Pain During The First Stage Of Labor?, Mattea M. Krasicky

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective evidence-based medicine (EBM) review is to determine whether or not “Does dancing reduce pain during the first stage of labor?”

STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review of one randomized controlled trial (RCT), one single-blind RCT, and one cohort study.

DATA SOURCES: All articles were published in English in peer-reviewed journals between 2014-2020. The articles were obtained via PubMed, Academic Search Premier, AMED, CINHAL Plus, Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition, and MEDLINE.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: The outcome measured in all three studies was pain severity during labor. Outcomes were measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) of 0 (no …

Is The Use Of A Sustained-Release Intracanalicular Dexamethasone Depot An Effective Treatment For Pain Reduction Following Cataract Surgery?, Camille D. Montgomery

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not “Is the use of a sustained-release intracanalicular dexamethasone depot an effective treatment for pain reduction following cataract surgery?”

Study Design: A systematic review of three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) all published between 2015 and 2019.

Data Sources: Two RCTs were discovered using PubMed, and one RCT was discovered using Semantic Scholar. The articles were published in peer-reviewed journals in the English language and selected based on relevance to the clinical question.

Outcome Measured: Absence of pain at day 8 following cataract surgery was a primary outcome …

Is Extended-Release Amantadine Effective At Treating Levodopa- Induced Dyskinesia In Parkinson’S Disease Patients?, Maegan M. Mendoza

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: "The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine "Is extended-release amantadine efficacious in treating levodopa-induced dyskinesia in Parkinson's disease patients?”

Study Design: A systematic review of three randomized controlled trials (RCT's) that were peer-reviewed and published in English after 2010.

Data Sources: All data sources were discovered in PubMed, NLM Catalog, EMBASE, and CINAHL. All articles were published in English in peer-reviewed journals and selected based on applicability to the clinical question and whether the outcomes were patient-oriented.

Outcome Measured: The primary outcome measure was a change from baseline in the Unified Dyskinesia Rating Scale total scores …

Is Rimegepant An Effective Treatment For Acute Migraine Pain In Adults?, Hanson S. Wright

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not “Is rimegepant an effective treatment for acute migraine pain in adults?”

STUDY DESIGN: A systematic review of three, peer-reviewed randomized placebo-controlled trials (RCT’s).

DATA SOURCES: All studies were obtained from PubMed and were published in English in peer-reviewed journals between 2014-2019. The articles were selected based on their relevance to the clinical question posed in the objective and their inclusion of patient oriented outcomes.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: The main outcome being assessed in all articles was freedom from pain. The absence/presence of pain was self-reported by patients …

Is Phentermine/Topiramate Er With Lifestyle Modifications Effective In Achieving Weight Loss In Obese Patients With Comorbidities?, Elizabeth A. Stubbs

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not “Is phentermine/topiramate ER with lifestyle modifications effective in achieving weight loss in obese patients with comorbidities?”

Study Design: A systematic review of three placebo-controlled randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in English in 2012 or after.

Data Sources: All three studies were found by searching PubMed and were published in peer-reviewed journals. The articles were selected based on ability to answer the proposed question.

Outcome Measured: Percent weight loss was the outcome measured in all three studies. This was measured based on mean percent weight loss from …

Does Gua Sha Therapy Reduce Pain Intensity In Patients With Chronic Back Pain?, Anh Y. Cao

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine “Does Gua shatherapy reduce pain intensity in patients with chronic back pain?”

STUDY DESIGN: A systematic review of three randomized controlled trials/studies published in English between 2013-2019.

DATA SOURCES: All articles were published in peer-reviewed journals and obtained from PubMed. The studies were selected based on their applicability to the topic listed above.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: A common outcome measured across all three articles included pain intensity. Each study used the 100 mm Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Participants were asked to rate their pain before and after therapeutic interventions. A …

Does Endometrial Scratching Increase Live Birth Rates For Women Undergoing Ivf?, Caitlyn Kratzer

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not “Endometrial Scratching Increases Live Birth Rates for Women Undergoing IVF?”

STUDY DESIGN: A systematic review of three randomized control trials (RCTs) published between 2010 and 2017.

DATA SOURCES: All three RCTs were discovered using PubMed. Studies were published in English in peer-reviewed journals and selected based on applicability to the clinical question.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: In all three articles, the main outcome that will be reviewed is live birth rate. This was measured by the number of live births per embryos transferred divided by the total number …

Is S-Adenosylmethionine (Same) An Effective Drug To Help Treat Patients With Depression?, Cassidy M. Flanigan

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of the selective EBM review is to determine whether or not “Is Sadenosylmethionine (SAMe) an Effective Drug to Help Treat Patients with Depression?”

Study Design: A systematic review of three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published between 2016-2020.

Data Sources: All three RCTs were discovered using PubMed. The articles were published in English in peer-reviewed journals and selected based on applicability to the clinical question.

Outcome Measured: A reduction in depressive symptoms was the outcome measured in all three studies using the Montgomery-Asbery Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). The mean change in baseline was calculated once intervention was received. …

Does Exercise Decrease The Level Of Anxiety In Adults?, Alexa N. Wister

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not “Does exercise decrease the level of anxiety in adults?”

Study Design: A systematic review of three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that were peer reviewed and published between 2016 and 2020.

Data Sources: All articles were published in peer-reviewed journals. Two of the RCTs were researched using Pubmed and one RCT was found using Academic Search Premier, AMED. All studies were selected based on applicability to the clinical question presented in the objective, and if the researched outcomes were patient oriented.

Outcome Measured: A reduction in anxiety …

Is Exercise Effective In Improving The Cognitive And Behavioral Executive Functions In Children Diagnosed With Adhd?, Cara Scatena

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine “Is exercise effective in improving the cognitive and behavioral functions in children diagnosed with ADHD?”

Study Design: A systematic review of three randomized control trials (RCTs). All three of these studies were published between 2011 and 2016.

Data Sources: All three of the RCTs were found using PubMed. All of the studies were published in English in peer-reviewed journals and selected based on their relevance to the clinical question.

Outcome Measured: The outcome measured in these studies is the measurable improvement in executive functions related to the effects of …

Is Acupuncture Effective In Improving Pain In Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis?, Despina Lianidis

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not “Is acupuncture effective in improving pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis?”

Study design: A systematic review of three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in between 2015-2018.

Data sources: All three RCTs were discovered using PubMed. The articles were published in English in peer-reviewed journals and selected based on applicability to the clinical question.

Outcome measured: Based on the studies done by Lin et al. and Chen et al., using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), a self-reported measure of lower extremity pain, stiffness, …

Does The Use Of Docosahexaenoic Acid (Dha) Supplementation Decrease The Rate Of Cognitive Decline, As Measured By The Adas-Cog Scale, For Patients With Alzheimer’S Disease?, Erin C. Nakamura

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not “Does the use of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplementation decrease the rate of cognitive decline, as measured by the ADAS-Cog scale, for patients with Alzheimer’s Disease?”

Study Design: A systematic review of three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published between 2010 and 2018.

Data Sources: All three RCTs were published in English into peer reviewed journals and discovered via PubMed. The studies were selected based on relevance and ability to answer the clinical question.

Outcome Measured: Cognitive function is the outcome measured using the Alzheimer Disease Assessment Scale- …

Are Quarterly Fremanezumab Injections As Effective As Monthly Fremanezumab Injections At Reducing The Number Of Migraine Days Per Month In Adults With Chronic Migraines?, Elaine Mellinger

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this systematic EBM review is to determine “Are quarterly fremanezumabinjections as effective as monthly fremanezumab injections at reducing the number of migraine days per month in adults with chronic migraines?”

STUDY DESIGN: A systematic review of three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that were peer reviewed and published in English after 2015 comparing quarterly versus monthly fremanezumab injections in adults 18-70 with chronic migraines.

DATA SOURCE: Three RCTs were obtained from PubMed and selected based on their relevance to the clinical question and if the RCTs addressed patient oriented outcomes.

OUTCOMES: The three selected RCTs for review, …

Is Perioperative Intravenous Lidocaine A Sufficient Adjunct To Traditional Opioid Therapy At Decreasing Post-Operative Pain In Male And Female Patients Ages 18-75 Following A Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy?, Desiree Malacusky

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this systematic review is to determine “Is perioperative intravenous lidocaine a sufficient adjunct to traditional opioid therapy at decreasing post operative pain in male and female patients ages 18-75 following a laparoscopic cholecystectomy?”

STUDY DESIGN: A review of three randomized control trials (RCTs) that were peer reviewed and published in English after 2015.

DATA SOURCE: All articles were published in peer reviewed journals and were researched using PubMed and EBSCO databases. Studies were selected based on their ability to answer the question posed in the objective, and if the researched outcomes were patient oriented.

OUTCOMES: The …

Is Aquatic Therapy An Effective Treatment For Reducing Fatigue In Adult Females Living With Ms?, Hanna L. Ozarski

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine, “Is aquatic therapy an effective treatment for reducing fatigue in adult females living with MS?”

Study Design: A systematic review of three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published between 2015 and 2018.

Data Sources: All three RCTs were published in English peer reviewed journals and were discovered on PubMed using selective search criteria. Studies were chosen based on their relevance and competency to answer the clinical question proposed.

Outcome Measured: The main outcome of focus in each of the articles selected for this review was fatigue reduction. Outcomes were measured …

Does The Application Of Kt Tape Decrease Pain In Chronic Low Back Pain?, Jordan Vitelli

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine “Does the application of KT tape decrease pain in chronic low back pain?”

Study Design: A systematic review of three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published between 2018 and 2019.

Data Sources: The three RCTs were published in English in peer reviewed journals and obtained from PubMed. The studies were selected based on their relevance to the clinical question.

Outcome Measured: The outcome measured within all three RCTs was pain intensity using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). The VAS scoring ranges from 0 to 10, defining 0 as no pain …

Is Cryoanalgesia An Effective Supplemental Method Of Post-Thoracotomy Pain Management?, Jency Boyce

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this EBM review is to determine if cryoanalgesia is an effective addition to pain management protocols for patients post-thoracotomy.

Study Design: This EBM review examines three randomized controlled trials.

Data Sources: Data was gathered from the three studies found on PubMed and EBSCOhost. Each study was published in a peer reviewed journal, in English between 2010 and 2021.

Outcome Measured: The outcome measured was pain reported by patients using a visual analag scale (VAS). Two studies utilized a 0-10 scale and the third a 0-100mm scale.

Results: In the study by Sepsas et al. it was …

Does The Use Of Blinatumomab Improve The Overall Survival Rate In Adults With Relapsed/Refractory Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia?, Julia Colangeli

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review paper is to determine whether or not, “Does the use of blinatumomab improve the overall survival rate in adults with relapsed/refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia?”

Study Design: A systematic review of two RCTs and one case-based series were utilized. All studies were published between 2014-2019.

Data Sources: The two RCTs were found through PubMed and the case-based series was obtained through CINAHL Plus. All the studies were published in peer-reviewed journals.

Outcomes Measured: The main outcome measured in all the studies was overall survival. Both RCTs defined overall survival as the time from …

Does High-Flow Oxygen Therapy Decrease The Length Of Hospital Stay In Pediatric Patients With Bronchiolitis When Compared To Standard Oxygen Therapy?, Liann N. Tran

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine, “Does high-flow oxygen therapy decrease the length of hospital stay in pediatric patients with bronchiolitis when compared to standard oxygen therapy?”

STUDY DESIGN: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). All studies were published in the English language after 2014.

DATA SOURCES: All articles were found using PubMed, CINAHL, Alt HealthWatch, AMED. All articles were published in peer-reviewed journals.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: A reduction in length of hospital stay, in terms of the number of days, was the outcome measured in all three studies. This is defined as the …

Do Probiotics Decrease Depressive Symptoms In Patients With Low Mood?, Kaitlyn Talt

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine, “Do probiotics decrease depressive symptoms in patients with low mood?”

Study Design: A systematic review of three double blind, randomized control trials (RCTs) published between 2016 and 2019.

Data Sources: All three RCTs were found using PubMed and published in English in peer-reviewed journals. The articles were chosen based on their attention to patient-oriented evidence that matters (POEMS) and their relevance to the clinical question.

Outcome Measured: All three articles utilized either the Beck Depression Index (BDI) and/or the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS) to measure the severity of …