Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment Commons^™

Noninvasive Technique For Measuring Cardiac Output, Grace E. Kolar, Rachel Simonton, Eli Strohecker

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

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Positron Emission Tomography In Oncology And Environmental Science, Samantha Delaney

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

The last half century has played witness to the onset of molecular imaging for the clinical assessment of physiological targets. While several medical imaging modalities allow for the visualization of the functional and anatomical properties of humans and living systems, few offer accurate quantitation and the ability to detect biochemical processes with low-administered drug mass doses. This limits how physicians and scientists may diagnose and treat medical issues, such as cancer, disease, and foreign agents.

A promising alternative to extant invasive procedures and suboptimal imaging modalities to assess the nature of a biological environment is the use of positron emission …

Blunt Cerebrovascular Injury (Bcvi): Universal Cta Neck Screening At Level 2 Trauma Center, Tamine Gogel

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Blunt Cerebrovascular Injury (BCVI) refers to injuries to the vessels supplying blood to the brain, primarily carotid and vertebral arteries, and can result from trauma, resulting in stroke by vessel dissection, thrombus formation, embolization, and hemorrhage. Timely identification is crucial for effective intervention and improved outcomes. This doctoral project proposes the implementation of universal screening using Computed Tomography Angiography (CTA) of the neck during initial workup for blunt force trauma at a Level II ACS-verified trauma center. The primary objective is to mitigate potential delays in diagnosing and treating BCVI, thereby reducing the likelihood of complications. Patients ≥ 15 years …

Supporting South Korea’S Aging Population: How Ai And Iot Acceptance Connects The Young And Old, Bobby Im

Master's Projects and Capstones

In 2024, South Korea surpassed every other nation by becoming the country with the lowest fertility rate (below 0.7%). Population decline will hinder future ability to care for their aging population and although the government and private corporations are investing millions of dollars on developing Artificial Intelligence-Internet of Things (AI-IoT) devices to support the aging, the acceptance levels and the amount of family support required is undervalued. By examining AI-IoT’s current use and role in South Korea’s public health system this paper shows how intergenerational support helps optimize existing procedures and equipment, increases the level of acceptance and use, and …

Development, Validation, And Diagnostic Performance Of A Novel Radiomic Model For Predicting Prostate Cancer Recurrence, Linda M. Huynh

Theses & Dissertations

Multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging (MP-MRI)-derived radiomics have been shown to capture sub-visual patterns for the quantitative characterization of prostate cancer (PC) phenotypes. The present dissertation seeks to develop, evaluate, and compare the performance of an MRI-derived radiomic model for the prediction of PC recurrence following definitive treatment with radical prostatectomy (RP).

MP-MRI was obtained from 339 patients who had a minimum of 2 years follow-up following RP at three institutions. The prostate was manually delineated as the region of interest and 924 radiomic features were extracted. All features were evaluated for stability via intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and image normalization …

Patient-Centered Preimplant Education Session And Bi-Weekly Text Message Adherence Reminders In Patients With A Newly Implanted Cardiomems® Device: A Quality Improvement Study, Elizabeth M. Miller, Alicia Abboud, Audrey Cooper

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects: College of Nursing

Rationale

Heart failure is a deadly disease, affecting over 6.2 million individuals and costing the United States an estimated 30.7 billion dollars (Virani et al., 2020). By 2023, heart failure costs in the United States are estimated to grow to 70 billion dollars with 75-80% of these costs attributed to inpatient hospitalizations (Heidereich et al., 2022). The CardioMEMs® is a small device placed in the patient’s pulmonary artery via a minimally invasive procedure by an interventional cardiologist. The use of remote patient data from the CardioMEMs® device has been shown to reduce hospital re-admissions, facilitate tailored medication management, detect increased …

Qualitative Vs. Quantitative Train Of Four, Caleb Culbreath

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

The growing body of evidence linking residual neuromuscular blockade (NMB) to postoperative complications has underscored the need to integrate quantitative neuromuscular monitoring techniques into anesthesia practice. This study, conducted at a tertiary care center in southern Illinois, investigates the gap between current clinical practices and the latest evidence advocating for objective monitoring. The study utilized a non-experimental pretest-posttest design to evaluate an educational intervention's effectiveness in increasing anesthesia providers' knowledge of quantitative neuromuscular monitoring techniques and enhancing their awareness of the incidence and clinical implications of postoperative residual neuromuscular blockade. Analysis of the pretest and post-test responses revealed significant improvements …

A Meta-Analysis For Laboratory Diagnostics For Coccidioidomycosis, Mary C. Cowen

Biological Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

Coccidioidomycosis, commonly referred to as Valley Fever, is a fungal infection found in arid regions of the southwestern United States and Mexico. Infection occurs through inhalation of airborne spores from Coccidioides species, Coccidioides immitis and/or Coccidioides posadasii, and proceeds in both pulmonary and disseminated fashions. Approximately 60% of patients with coccidioidomycosis remain asymptomatic, while 40% will experience symptoms. Within the literature, there are no papers that summarize sensitivity and specificity values between different tests; therefore, this paper presents sensitivity and specificity results across different tests and companies (Meridian, IMMY, and MiraVista).

Photobiomodulation Of Bovine Oocytes During Maturation Increases Atp Content And Enhances Subsequent Embryonic Development, Kendall Richey

All Theses

Bovine in-vitro production(IVP) of embryos is a growing field for producing offspring with desirable genetics in the cattle industries. While IVP is effective, oocyte cytoplasmic maturation is compromised, and bovine oocytes matured in-vitro have reduced metabolic activity than those matured in-vivo. Mitochondria are the central unit of oocyte metabolism, producing ATP through OXPHOS. Photobiomodulation is a light treatment reported to improve metabolic activity. In five experiments, we measured the effects of photobiomodulation treatment with red LED at 16-(L-16) and 20 h(L-20) of bovine oocyte in-vitro maturation on subsequent embryonic development, mitochondrial activity and nuclear progression. Bovine COCs were aspirated …

A Comprehensive Examination Of Age-Related Lower Limb Muscle Function Asymmetries Across A Variety Of Muscle Contraction Types, Kylee Heap

All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present

Previous research has found that lower limb muscle asymmetries increase with age and are linked to fall and injury risks. However, past studies lacked a wide variety of muscle function modes and measures as well as comparison to a comparable young aged group. The purpose of this study was to examine age-related lower limb muscle function asymmetries across a variety of muscle contraction types and velocities in young and old adults. Lower limb muscle balance, strength, power, and velocity were evaluated with concentric, isometric, isotonic, and eccentric muscle actions during a single-leg stance test and on single- and multi-joint dynamometers …

Education Of The Effects Of Obesity Medications And A Stepwise Approach To Mitigate Prevalence And Encourage Lifestyle Medicine For Primary Care Physicians, Kiely M. Curran

Department of Nutrition Student Projects

My Capstone project is an Educational Manual that emphasizes a healthcare team approach to the treatment and management of obesity. The Educational Manual consists of a standardized protocol in management of obesity in patients and a document with summarized references for primary care providers; and a simplified document for patient education. There is a growing interest in the usage of obesity medications. The purpose of my Capstone project is to provide a simplified manual for the primary care provider to reference to make knowledgeable and patient-centered decisions in the prescription of obesity medications and decisions in weight-management. My methodology included …

Development And Implementation Of An Evidence Based Practice Guideline Related To The Management Of Adult Angioedema, Megan Przybysz

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

Angioedema (AE) is a potentially life-threatening medical condition that occurs with a higher frequency than medical providers may expect, with the emergency department (ED) serving as the usual first point of medical contact for patients. Any hesitation in recognizing AE or inconsideration of the disease process in differential diagnoses may lead to a dangerous delay of care. Due to the potential rapid progression of airway obstruction in AE, inexperienced providers should not attempt intubation, instead deferring to providers experienced in alternative airway techniques (i.e., anesthesia providers). The primary goal of this project is to develop an evidencebased practice guideline for …

Best Screening: Introducing The Neonatal Assessment Visual European Grid To Nicus In Tennessee, Gabrielle Sledge

OTD Capstone Projects

Blind Early Services Tennessee (BEST) is an early intervention agency that serves children ages 0-5 with visual impairments across Tennessee. BEST serves over 200 children and families across the state offering early intervention (BEST Start), parent empowerment (BEST Advocate), and family support (BEST Together) programming. The purpose of this project was to assist in the implementation of an early identification initiative (BEST Screening) using the Neonatal Assessment Visual European Grid (NAVEG). The NAVEG is a newborn vision screening shown to identify neurological risk for visual impairments. The long-term goal of this program is to promote the screening and early identification …

Neuromodulation Of Mouse Auditory Cortex Using Focused Ultrasound, Jacob Hehir

NYMC Student Theses and Dissertations

Neurological diseases impose a large health and financial burden for nations worldwide. Current treatments for many conditions are limited to pharmacological or invasive surgical approaches. Neuromodulation is an alternative therapy wherein electrical currents, magnetic fields, or electromagnetic waves are used to noninvasively modify brain function. Focused ultrasound (FUS) has been shown to alter neural activity, theoretically with much higher spatial resolution than other neuromodulation techniques. However, these predictions assume that neuromodulatory effects are constrained to the acoustic focus. Given that the architecture of neural circuitry in the cerebral cortex supports delicately balanced lateral processing on spatial scales that may exceed …

Motivations Behind The Rise And Success Of Homeopathy In India, Kavya Patchipulusu

Senior Theses

Homeopathy is a form of medicine that is incredibly controversial and is often labeled as a fraudulent, placebo effect drug, that can have potentially dangerous side effects. This is the picture that is painted of homeopathy in the United States and many other countries in which these medicines are banned in distribution or highly unregulated. In contrast, India has popularized and well-integrated homeopathy into their medical systems with government backing and consistent funding towards accredited homeopathic institutions and funding hospital systems. This paper will explore the circumstances and health care dynamics of India that allowed homeopathy to gain the level …

A Comparison Of Health Outcomes In Bare-Metal Stenting Versus Drug-Eluting Stenting, Ryan Hill

Senior Theses

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is an epidemic in the United States and around the world, with millions falling victim to CAD and other forms of heart disease annually. There are both many causes and many treatments to these aforementioned heart diseases. Some of these causes and comorbidities include the usual suspects: obesity, diabetes and smoking. However, the component I am more interested in is the multitude of different procedures and technologies that can serve to treat cases of CAD.

The inspiration for choosing the topic of CAD treatment for my senior thesis derives from my interest in the field of …

Decoding Implant-Related Sickness: Unraveling The Complexities Of Breast Implant Illness, Madison M. Stewart

Senior Theses

This thesis investigates the phenomenon of breast implant illness (BII), examining its potential correlation with individual factors such as obesity and poor lifestyle habits. BII, characterized by nonspecific symptoms, is often self-diagnosed by patients influenced by social media and internet sources, leading to requests for implant removal. Conducting a comprehensive meta-analysis, the study scrutinizes existing literature to evaluate the association between BII, obesity, and lifestyle choices. Employing inclusion criteria, peer-reviewed publications are analyzed through systematic review methodology to offer insights into the interplay between BII and adiposity, exploring inflammatory mechanisms and patient behaviors like exercise and smoking. The research aims …

The Impact Of Covid-19 On The Utilization Of Early Magnetic Resonance Imaging (Emri) In The Assessment Of Acute Uncomplicated Low Back Pain (Lbp) And The Subsequent Effect On Health Care Service Utilization And Patient Outcomes, Kimberly Radcliffe

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

OBJECTIVES: To examine changes in MRI rates between Pre-COVID-19 period (Feb-April 2019) and COVID-19 period (Feb-April 2020) among commercially insured patients aged 18-60 with a diagnosis of acute LBP, and to analyze differences in patient characteristics and outcomes between the time periods. Additionally, to examine the impact of eMRI on patient outcomes and health care costs for patients in the COVID-19 period.

DESIGN/METHODS: Using IBM® MarketScan® Commercial Database (MarketScan) we performed a quantitative pre-post comparative retrospective observational study of 117,150 total patients to examine adjusted differences in patient characteristics and rates of MRIs between time periods. We analyzed 49,020 patients …

Hand Tremor Stabilizer, Krishna Sai Bathini, Ryan Herrmann, Madeleine A. Beaupre

Biomedical Engineering

The Hand Tremor Stabilizer project represents a significant advancement in assistive device technology, aimed at improving the lives of individuals affected by hand tremors due to conditions such as essential tremor or Parkinson's disease. Throughout the design process, our team engaged in a comprehensive approach that included rapid prototyping, iterative testing, and direct feedback collection from potential users. This process was instrumental in refining the device to meet specific user needs effectively.

Key customer requirements that guided the design of the Hand Tremor Stabilizer included ease of use, portability, washability, accuracy of motion control, comfortable grip, breathability, a natural feel …

The Impact Of Simulated Image Acquisition Time Reduction On Image Quality And Parameters Of Myocardial Perfusion Imaging Using A Dedicated Cardiac Camera, Alireza Khatami

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Heart disease is the second leading cause of death in Canada, highlighting the crucial role of early diagnosis in disease management. Myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI), is widely employed for this purpose, involves injecting a radiopharmaceutical into the body, imaging its distribution with a gamma camera, and revealing cardiac blood flow patterns. A significant challenge in MPI is the lengthy 8 to 10 minutes required for stress and rest imaging, potentially causing patient discomfort and compromising image quality due to movement. In a clinical study with 26 patients, post-processed data manipulation simulated a reduction in MPI imaging time. The findings indicated …

Non-Invasive Monitoring Device For Early Detection Of Breast Cancer Related Lymphedema, Amy Prendergast

Honors Theses and Capstones

Breast Cancer Related Lymphedema (BCRL) is a common co-morbidity in cancer survivors following neoadjuvant therapies such as chemotherapy, radiation, and/or surgery. It is brought about by the disruption in the lymphatic system (think lymph node biopsy) that leads to a buildup of lymphatic fluid in the arm. Current diagnostic strategies for this condition are merely retroactive, and fairly limited in the parameters that are examined to ensure patient well-being long term. We hypothesize that with an approach that mimics bioimpedance spectroscopy analysis, we will be able to provide a clinical support tool that would better determine early stages of lymphedema …

Sprtn Metalloprotease As A Target To Sensitize Cancer Cells To Crosslinking Chemotherapy, Cole J. Turner

Honors Theses

Bifunctional alkylating agents have demonstrated high clinical utility as a chemotherapeutic strategy against cancer. These compounds have been well-characterized for their capacity to exert cytotoxicity via interstrand DNA crosslinking. However, the same electrophilic chemistry can also form DNA-protein crosslinks (DPCs) whose contributions to these drugs’ antitumor effects have been less well-defined. Recently, the metalloprotease SPRTN has been implicated as a predominant mediator of DPC repair in mammalian cells. Previous work has demonstrated that SPRTN deficiency increases the sensitivity of cancer cells to DPC-inducing agents such as formaldehyde and cisplatin, but these findings have yet to be translated more broadly across …

Implementation Of A Non-Pharmacological Cognitive Stimulation Therapeutic Activities Protocol As A Delirium Prevention Method For Adults, Jada Hieb

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Practice Innovation Projects

Background/Purpose: Delirium is a complex clinical syndrome comprising a constellation of symptoms, including acute onset, inattention, altered level of consciousness, and disorganized thinking or cognitive dysfunction. Delirium is a common complication often unrecognized, expensive, and preventable. This project's focus was further exploring non-pharmacological delirium prevention strategies (NDPS).
Methods: A NDPS program using a therapeutic activity book (TAB) was implemented in a Midwestern acute care hospital measuring the impact on the number of positive delirium screens, the number of delirium diagnoses, and hospital length of stay (LOS).
Results: A causative relationship or association between the TAB and outcomes could not be …

From Heel To Toe: Investigating Plantar Fasciitis Causes, Diagnosis, And Treatment Strategies, Breanna Littlejohn

Undergraduate Honors Theses

This presentation informs plantar fasciitis patients. The cause of plantar fasciitis is multifactorial but most cases result from overuse stress. The cause of plantar fasciitis is multifactorial but most cases result from overuse stress. The classic presentation is of sharp localized pain at the heel. In some cases, a heel spur may be found. This presentation explains how exercise can improve plantar fasciitis. Reviewing risk factors will help you identify and manage plantar fasciitis when undergoing treatment. Understanding plantar fasciitis is crucial as it is a common and painful condition affecting the bottom of the foot. This inflammation of the …

Employing A Machine Learning Approach In Precision Oncology To Predict Pik3ca Functional Status And Identify Phenocopying Variants Of Deleterious Pik3ca Mutations, Javier Castillo

CMC Senior Theses

The following proposal describes a modular machine learning approach that detects malfunctioning genes and pathways in cancer using the transcriptome of cancer patients. The transcriptome is underused in precision oncology and, combined with machine learning, can aid in the identification of hidden responders. Applied to the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, this method can be used to predict PIK3CA functional status and identify phenocopying variants of deleterious PIK3CA mutations. The classifier will do this by integrating RNA-seq, copy number, and mutation data from tumors to determine the functional status of PIK3CA using a set of learned gene-specific weights. The classifier will then be …

Using Noninvasive Calibrated Cuff Plethysmography To Observe The Effects Of Cold-Water Immersion On Arterial Compliance, Rita M. Grigorian

Biomedical Engineering: Graduate Reports and Projects

As the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases continues to exponentially grow in populations across the globe, the necessity of determining underlying factors, effective methods of diagnoses, and universally available preventive measures also grows. Early detection of endothelial dysfunction, a proven precursor of cardiovascular diseases, can be extremely impactful in encouraging preventative measures and early intervention before medical conditions become chronic. In recent years, ice plunging, a form of cryotherapy involving full body immersion in cold water, has gained popularity within circles of fitness and health practitioners, gaining the interest of people of all backgrounds. Certain parallels observed between the human physiological …

Validity And Test-Retest Reliability Of A Digital Dynamic Visual Acuity Test Of Vestibular Function, Lydia F. Grunstra, Courtney D. Hall, Kara D. Stressman

Undergraduate Honors Theses

The vestibular system senses head motion and facilitates gaze stabilization, allowing for clear vision during movement. The vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) causes the eyes to move opposite head motion, thus maintaining focus on a target. Consequently, uncompensated loss of vestibular function leads to reduced VOR function resulting in dizziness, nausea, and visual disturbance. Different testing methods have been developed to measure VOR loss. These tests generally require bulky, expensive equipment, and must be performed by a trained examiner. A newly developed digital form of the dynamic visual acuity (DVA) test requires less equipment, is cost-effective, and may be performed at home …

Assessing Virtual Versus In-Person Experiential Learning And Medical High-Fidelity Simulation In Medical Student Pediatric Clerkship Training, Andrew Mitchell Berry

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Simulation and experiential training have been incorporated into medical school training for decades. The utilization of medical simulations has become an invaluable tool in healthcare education and training. However, circumstances such as limited resources, geographical constraints, or global health crises may hinder the feasibility of conducting in-person medical simulations. In these scenarios, virtual medical simulations emerge as a compelling alternative. While there are many ways to accomplish experiential-based learning, many faculty and students feel Socratic learning styles provide the best learning experience.

As medical students had just finished a predominantly virtual preclinical year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the research …

Art Of Aging – A Portraiture Study, Alaina Mann

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

The process of aging can be viewed through different lenses within our society. In the past, scientists and medical professionals performed various studies to better understand and analyze different facets of aging, medicine, and health in general. Historically the arts have reflected multiple aspects of medicine and treatments while more recently, the arts have been used in a research capacity to provide different ways to represent illness, suffering, and care. This study used art-based research methods and portraiture to gather qualitative observations on the older populations within our community. Data collected included drawings, a field journal, and interviews. This study …

Dietary Analysis For Hashimoto’S Thyroiditis: An Integrative Review, Evan Thompson, Alison Hultquist

Master of Science in Nursing Final Projects

Abstract

Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis (HT) is the leading cause of primary hypothyroidism in the United States. In HT, there is an infiltration by lymphocytes which leads to the production of autoantibodies against the thyroid gland. Throughout this integrative review, the aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of micronutrient supplementation and dietary management as adjunct treatments in HT. The purpose was to assist primary care providers in the development of a more holistic plan of care. Literature published within the past seven years was gathered and reviewed from PubMed, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library. Findings indicate that many patients with HT may benefit …