Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

The Effect Of Serratus Anterior Fatigue On Scapular Kinematics, Nathan Curtis Harrison

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Background: Shoulder pain is a common occurrence in the general population. Pain has been associated with shoulder impairments and pathology. Associations between shoulder limitations, impairments, and mechanisms of injury and altered scapular motion appear in the literature. Fatigue of the scapular stabilizing muscles resulting from repeated arm motion has been reported to alter scapular kinematics, which could result in shoulder pathology, especially impingement.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of fatigue of the serratus anterior muscle on scapular kinematics. The hypotheses were that there would be decreased posterior tilt and decreased upward rotation during arm …

Measurement Precision And Reliability Of Supraspinatus Tendon Strain Using Speckle Track Analysis Of Ultrasound Images, Gregory Alan Mcclanahan

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Introduction: Ultrasound speckle tracking is an emergent method in studying musculoskeletal physiology and disease. For a method to be effective and useful, it needs to be precise and reliable. The precision and reliability of supraspinatus tendon strain measurements have not been explored. The purpose of this study was to examine the precision and reliability of speckle tracking to measure supraspinatus tendon strain.

Methods: Forty-two (42) participants participated in this study. Five (5) ultrasound images of the participant’s right shoulder supraspinatus tendon were collected during a maximal voluntary isometric abduction contraction. Cine loop video files of the 5 imaging trials …

Mechanistic Study Of Diatrizoic Acid Induced Proximal Tubule Cytotoxicity, Dakota Blake Ward

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Radiocontrast media (RCM) are necessary for many diagnostic procedures such as arteriography, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and computed tomography. Contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) is the third most common cause of hospital-associated kidney damage accounting for 10-25% of cases worldwide. The mechanisms of contrast-induced renal impairment are not entirely known, but diminished renal hemodynamics, inflammatory responses, and direct cytotoxicity have been hypothesized. The purpose of this study was to investigate the mechanisms of direct cytotoxicity observed in HK-2 cells following treatment with diatrizoic acid (DA) and to determine the source of this damage. Mitochondrial function, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, oxidative …

Naktide Targeted To Adipocytes Ameliorates Western Diet Induced Obesity, Rebecca D. Pratt

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Obesity has become a worldwide epidemic and is a major risk factor for metabolic syndrome. It is believed that cellular oxidant stress plays a key role in both the development and maintenance of obesity as well as its associated comorbidities such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). We have previously reported that systemic administration of pNaKtide, which targets the Na/K-ATPase oxidant amplification loop was able to decrease oxidative stress and adiposity in mice fed a high fat and fructose supplemented western diet (WD). As adipocytes are believed to play an active role in the development of obesity and …

Regulation Of Na-K-Atpase By Arachidonic Acid Metabolites In Intestinal Epithelial Cells, Niraj Nepa

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The integral membrane protein sodium potassium adenosine triphosphate (Na-K-ATPase), has been extensively studied in various animal cell models. Na-K-ATPase is a multifunctional enzyme which plays a significant role in cellular physiology by regulating electrochemical potential, cell volume, pH, cytosolic calcium, and many nutrient and electrolyte transport processes. As such, it has been implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and has been shown to play a vital role in the malabsorption of nutrients and electrolytes. In this context, a significant amount of research has been done over the last two decades to understand the mechanisms of alteration of …

The Effect Of Moderate Alcohol Consumption On Sodium-Dependent Nutrient Co-Transport In Intestinal Epithelial Cells In Vitro And In Vivo, Molly Rae Butts

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Background: Alcohol consumption leads to a variety of different health consequences including cardiovascular disease, cancer and malnutrition. This malnutrition is in part due to a sub-optimal diet but also due to the malabsorption of nutrients along the small intestine. Many studies have shown that ethanol directly decreases nutrient absorption along the small intestine; however, few studies have investigated the effect of a moderate dose of ethanol on the transmembrane nutrient co-transporters that line the brush border membrane of the small intestine. The primary fuel source for the small intestine, glutamine, as well as for the entire body, glucose, are …

Interplay Between Genetic Predisposition And Diet In Advancing Obesity And Type 2 Diabetes In The Tallyho Mouse, Jacaline Parkman

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Obesity is a global epidemic, affecting all ages. It is one of the leading causes of preventable death, as it increases the risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D), hypertension, cardiovascular disease, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and some cancers. Obesity is a complex disease that is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors such as diets high in fat and sedentary life style. Despite our increased knowledge of obesity development and progression, current obesity treatments have not stopped the rise in obesity rates. There are still many unknowns related to the underlying mechanisms of obesity that need to be …

Role Of Cytochrome P450 2b6 Polymorphisms In Unexpected Methadone Death, Taha Ahmad

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Methadone is a synthetic, long-acting opioid prescribed as an analgesic for chronic pain. It has a single chiral center forming two enantiomers, (R)-methadone and (S)-methadone, each having specific pharmacological actions. Concentrations of (R)- and (S)-methadone above therapeutic levels have the ability to cause serious, life-threatening, and fatal side effects. Cardiotoxicity is caused by elevated (S)-methadone levels by prolonging the QT interval of the heart’s electrical cycle. In 2014, methadone accounted for only 1% of all opioids prescribed for pain, but was responsible for 3,400 of the 14,838 individuals (~23%) who died in the United States from overdoses due to prescription …

The Effectiveness Of Nutrition Education: Comparing Registered Dietitian Educators With Dietetic Interns, Amy Gannon

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The Department of Dietetics at Marshall University is a subcontracting agency with the West Virginia University Extension Service for the purposes of delivering nutrition education to children in low-income schools in a six-county radius in southwestern West Virginia through the Marshall University Nutrition Education Program (NEP). The method of lesson delivery includes an educational model that utilizes both registered dietitians (RD) and dietetic interns. The NEP is evaluated through several methods, including pre-/post-tests, teacher focus groups, and parental feedback surveys. To date, no evaluation has been completed to determine the effectiveness of dietetic interns’ delivery of nutrition education lessons compared …

Potential Applications Of Capsaicinoids In Small Cell Lung Cancer Therapy, Jamie Rae Friedman

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Lung cancer continues to be the leading cause of cancer related mortality worldwide. Lung cancer is not a single disease but an umbrella that encompasses two major classifications, nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC). SCLC represents about 15- 20% of all lung cancer cases and is almost exclusively diagnosed in smokers. Typically, patients will respond very well to first line treatment, but face inevitable relapse. The fact that SCLC still carries a grim 5-year survival rate of less than 5% highlights the lack of advancement in treatment options to effectively improve patient response and survival. …

Experiential Learning In Dietetics: Can Diabetes Camp Make A Difference?, Mallory Jean Mount

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

This longitudinal qualitative case study explored the knowledge, perceptions, confidence, and empathy gained by dietetics students during experiential learning at a residential diabetes camp. Qualitative research methods were used to explore and understand participants’ experience of hands-on involvement with type one diabetes, and what they learned at camp that cannot be learned in a classroom. Data were collected over two years at Camp Kno-Koma, the diabetes camp of West Virginia. This study suggests that experiential learning at diabetes camp can make an important contribution to the overall education of dietetics students. One year of experiential learning was beneficial to participating …

From Darkness To Light: An Exploration Of Self-Discovery And Healing Through Collaborative Recovery Expressive Writing, Leighann Justice Davidson

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

This participatory action research project was developed to explore the participants’ experiences during a collaborative recovery expressive writing (CREW) workshop while in long-term treatment from substance use disorders (SUDs). This workshop featured the primary components of the James W. Pennebaker model, but adapted the technique to create a safe environment for the participants to share their writings. This qualitative study conducted at Recovery Point West Virginia began by exploring how ten women sharing their emotions within a supportive environment used collaborative writing to continue their recovery journey through self-discovery and healing. Following the CREW workshop, the project continued with focus …

Charge Master And The Effects On Hospitals, Whitney Layton, Katie Lemmon

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Introduction: The hospital charge master, has been the heart of the healthcare revenue cycle, as it has served as the hospitals’ starting point for billing patients and payers. The CDM was made as an extensive breakdown of the cost of the care provided and in order for a hospital to correctly bill a patient for care received as every chargeable item in the hospital must be included in the master.

Methodology: The methodology for this study utilized a literature review. It consisted of academic sources, five electronic databases, academic journals, and government websites. Thirty- six sources were referenced for this …

Endogenous Antioxidant Overexpression As An Adjuvant To Diet Or Exercise Intervention As Therapy To Counteract Obesity And Beneficially Shift The Gut Microbiome, Deborah Lynn Amos

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Oxidative stress plays a key role in metabolic syndrome which includes obesity and cardiometabolic diseases. It is implicated that oxygen-derived free radicals generated during the mitochondrial electron transport chain alter the function of specific biological components, thus activating obesogenic pathways such as glucose and lipid signaling. Research on this topic is of vital importance as obesity is a high-risk factor in the development and progression of severe, debilitating, life-threatening maladies such as cardiometabolic diseases, chronic inflammatory pathologies, and cancer. Furthermore, there is no universal effective therapy to combat the rising rates of obesity with over 1.9 billion (39%) adults classified …

Understanding Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Alginate Regulation And Its Link To Chronic Lung Infections In Cystic Fibrosis Patients, Roy Al Ahmar

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder caused by mutations in the gene encoding Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR). This disorder results in thick lung secretions which compromise the patient’s immune system. Chronic lung infections with Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms is a major factor that contributes to poor outcome for clinical treatment. The overall hypothesis of this dissertation is that small colony variant and pyrimidine biosynthesis are linked with biofilm formation, alginate production is dependent on MucA proteolysis, rifaximin can be repurposed to treat biofilm infection and multiplex PCR can be used to rapidly measure the bacterial cell density in …

Rural Hospital Health In The United States, Stephanie Cole, Kathleen Lanham

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Introduction: Rural hospitals experienced both challenges and opportunities in providing healthcare to the community. As these facilities were one of the largest employers in the area, their impact was significant. Additionally, accessibility to necessary medical services was essential. Thus, sustainability of rural hospitals was vital. In order to assess sustainability, exploration into financial and quality outcomes could help support their ability to thrive.

Purpose of the Study: The purpose of this study was to determine the sustainability of rural hospitals in the U.S. by examining variables that affect these institutions such as accessibility, availability of services, quality outcomes, and …

The Utilization Of Telehealth/ Telemedicine In Cardiology In Rural Areas, Sophia Noplis, Jocelyn Stout

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Introduction: Telecardiology has been defined as a way of practicing cardiology through the utilization of telecommunications and a more cost-effective way to deliver cardiac care. As a subset of telemedicine, telecardiology has functioned to bring providers to underserved communities through technological mechanisms. Rural regions have turned to telemedicine and tapped into a network of clinical institutions exchanging practitioners and patients to emphasize value-based instead of volume-based care.

Methodology: The methodology of this qualitative study was a literature review having used mixed methodologies. Five electronic databases and government websites were utilized, and one semi-structured interview with an expert in …

The Implementation And Effects Of Computerized Physician Order Entry In Healthcare Settings, Bojing Wang, Xiaoying Liu

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Introduction: In the United States, medication errors has been a big problem and was the number three cause of death in 2016. Computerize Physician Order Entry (CPOE), also known as Computerized Provider Order Entry, is the process of physicians or providers entering treatment instructions or radiology, laboratory, and medication orders via computer rather than paper, and has led to a decrease in medication errors. The purpose of this study was to examine whether CPOE system could help hospitals to reduce medical errors and costs, as well as examine the new problems resulted by the use of CPOE in the …

Perceived Exertion And The Increase In Risk Of Injury In Rotc Cadets, Courtney D. Chiaramonte

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Context: Musculoskeletal injury in military personnel creates problems due to economic losses, and decreased training. The repetitive motions associated with military training and the daily physical training sessions can lead to the development of fatigue. Fatigue has been shown to contribute to 18% - 26% of musculoskeletal injuries. [7] Several studies have explored fatigue as a risk of injury during occupation. Fatigue has been shown to increase the perceived effort during physical exercise. The purpose of this study was to characterize the perception of effort during physical training sessions and injury rates in ROTC cadets throughout an academic year.

Methods …