Digital Commons Network^™

Development Of Purposeful Movement Breaks And Sensory Pathways To Enhance Student Engagement And Participation, Ashlyn Houck

Capstone Projects

Children in school settings frequently spend extended periods seated in classrooms, which can make it difficult to meet their sensory and movement needs throughout the school day. When these needs are unmet, students may demonstrate behaviors that disrupt learning and limit participation in classroom activities. This capstone project addressed the need for sensory and movement opportunities within the school environment. Objectives included establishing a baseline of teacher knowledge related to the sensory systems, implementing movement breaks within daily classroom routines, and introducing sensory opportunities in hallways to support smoother transitions. The project was implemented with second- and third-grade classrooms. Outcomes …

Practical Exploration Of The Role Of Occupational Therapy In A Nature-Based School Setting, Emma Campbell

Capstone Projects

School-based occupational therapy (OT) plays a critical role in supporting children’s participation, development, and engagement in educational environments. However, non-traditional school settings often lack therapeutic supports, such as OT services. The purpose of this doctoral capstone experience (DCE) is to explore and expand the role of occupational therapy within a non-traditional academic setting, specifically a nature-based preschool program. Sunflower Farm’s preschool program provides a unique learning environment that supports children’s development through farm-based learning. While this setting offers rich opportunities for exploration and growth, additional supports are needed to facilitate students’ sensory processing, self-regulation, and participation.

The objectives of this …

Development Of Research Direction At The Hospital General De México In The Last Two Decades, Juan C. Lopez-Alvarenga, José D. Carrillo-Ruiz, Galileo Escobedo, América Guadalupe Arroyo Valerio, Miguel Fonseca-Sanchez, Gustavo Acosta-Altamirano

School of Medicine Publications

No abstract provided.

Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, Diet And Contributing Factors: A Narrative Literature Review, Rachel Joseph, Ashley Tharpe, Sherri Ann Walker

Wisdom & Compassion: The LUSON Journal

Objectives: The purpose of this narrative literature review is to explore the relationship between Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and dietary habits, and identify factors that contribute to the development, progression, and potential management of NAFLD.

Methods: Search terms such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), diet, and nutrition, including plant-based and vegetarian diets, were used to identify 45 peer-reviewed publications published within the last five years.

Results: Dietary factors, biological, environmental, obesity, mental health, and genetic factors can contribute to the development of NAFLD. This multisystem problem can have economic, social, and psychological consequences that affect a person’s quality …

Multi-Omics Systems-Guided Insights Of Withanolide And Other Bioactives Contributions To Anti-Stress And Endurance Outcomes In Withania Somnifera, Deepak Mundkinajeddu

Oxford ICSB

Conventional Ashwagandha standardization is largely focused on total withanolide quantification, without insights on the functional contribution of other phytochemical fractions. In this discovery-driven development program, orthogonal array–based model combined with predictive transcriptomics was used to delineate the relative biological roles of withanolide and other bioactive components within Withania somnifera extracts. Validated animal models showed that withanolide-enriched fractions significantly reduced serum cortisol (p< 0.05), while other bioactive-enriched fractions significantly increased run-time to exhaustion (p< 0.05), confirming anti-stress and endurance mechanisms. By linking the phytochemical profile with predicted biological pathway activity, the composition of the extract is rationally optimized for the development of a standardized extract (Ashwa.30), designed to deliver both anti-stress and endurance benefits at a dose of 30 mg. Clinical evaluation of the Ashwagandha extract demonstrated significant reductions in perceived stress scores and circulating cortisol levels, alongside measurable improvements in endurance parameters compared to placebo (p< 0.05), confirming translational alignment from preclinical discovery to human outcomes. Untargeted metabolomic profiling revealed enrichment of glycine and serine metabolism, methionine metabolism, phenylalanine and tyrosine metabolism, and homocysteine degradation pathways. These integrated metabolic changes worked together to improve energy production, support mitochondrial repair, maintain antioxidant balance, and help reset the body’s stress response system. This work presents a systems-biology–based approach to holistic Ashwagandha standardization, integrating withanolides and complementary bioactivities. It establishes a precision-driven framework for clinically validated adaptogenic efficacy.

Unmasking Ashwagandha Controversy: Safety, Toxicity, And Adulteration, Tahir Maqbool Mir

Oxford ICSB

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is an adaptogenic shrub valued for its roots, which support systemic health. Increasing use has raised safety concerns about adulteration and hepatotoxicity. The roots of ashwagandha are primarily preferred for systemic health, while the leaves were traditionally reserved for topical applications to treat joint inflammation and promote wound healing.  Although generally considered safe, ashwagandha supplements have been linked to drug-induced liver injury, including cholestasis, jaundice, and pruritus. Reports from various organizations like LARB in the Netherlands indicate a rise in liver toxicity cases, possibly due to cytotoxic withafrin A and DNA-damaging withanone. A major concern is widespread …

Advancements In Botanical Toxicology, Characterization, And Regulatory Frameworks, Paula Brown

Oxford ICSB

No abstract provided.

Determinants Of Opioid-Relevant Exposure From 7-Hydroxymitragynine Products In The Evolving U.S. Marketplace, Igor Koturbash, Scott Alsbrook, George Pro

Oxford ICSB

Kratom’s U.S. market has rapidly evolved from largely botanical powders and capsules to products enriched in 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), a potent mu-opioid receptor agonist that is typically present only at trace levels in leaf material. To quantify downstream behavioral health burden and contextualize it with real-world signals of product diffusion, we analyzed National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) data (2021-2023) alongside public health alert trends and systematic online product surveillance. In NSDUH, 5.8% of adults met criteria for serious mental illness (SMI). SMI increased by 150% among adults with combined opioid use disorder (OUD) and kratom use between 2021 …

Naturally Derived Kratom Extracts: Toxicological Evaluation In Humans And Rodents, Sibyl Swift

Oxford ICSB

Peer-reviewed literature provides limited toxicological data on the consumption of naturally derived kratom extracts. Given the increasing use of kratom products, understanding their safety profile is critical for public health and regulatory decision-making. To address this gap, we conducted a rodent toxicology assessment and a controlled human clinical study. Human Clinical Study: Healthy male and female participants consumed specified kratom extracts daily for 14 consecutive days under controlled conditions. Clinical observations and biochemical markers were monitored throughout the study. Rodent Toxicology Study: Equivalent extract doses were administered to rodents for 90 days to evaluate subchronic exposure. Assessments included body weight, …

Medicinal Plants And One Health Drug Discovery: Plectranthus Abietanes As P-Glycoprotein Modulators, Patricia Rijo

Oxford ICSB

Cancer remains a major global health challenge, with multidrug resistance (MDR)—frequently driven by P-glycoprotein (P-gp) overexpression—significantly limiting the effectiveness of chemotherapy. Within a One Health perspective, Africa, home to five major medicinal biodiversity hotspots, represents an underexplored reservoir for natural products–based drug discovery. Among this rich flora, the genus Plectranthus (Lamiaceae) emerges as a particularly promising source of bioactive abietane diterpenes. In this work, the abietane diterpene 7α-acetoxy-6β-hydroxyroyleanone (Roy), isolated from Plectranthus grandidentatus Gürke, exhibited pronounced cytotoxic activity against several cancer cell lines. To enhance its pharmacological profile, a series of Roy ester derivatives was synthesized and evaluated for their …

Family-Based Gwas Of Cognitive Endophenotypes Reveals Genetic Architecture Of Memory And Executive Function In Alzheimer’S Disease, Kesheng Wang, Xueying Yang, Gayenell Magwood, Chun Xu, R. Osvaldo Navia, Jean Neils-Strunjas, Xiaoming Li

Health & Biomedical Sciences Faculty Publications

Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the most common cause of dementia, is characterized by progressive memory and cognitive decline. Conventional genome-wide association studies (GWAS) comparing AD cases and controls may miss genetic influences that act along a continuum of cognitive function. Using data from 3007 participants in the National Institute on Aging Late-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease Family Study (NIA-LOAD GWAS), we conducted a family-based GWAS of eight quantitative cognitive phenotypes encompassing episodic memory (Logical Memory IA and IIA), working memory (Digit Span Forward, Backward, and Ordering), and semantic fluency (Animal, Fruit and Vegetable, and Vegetable Fluency). Family-based association testing in PLINK v1.9 identified …

Dual Membrane-Spanning Anti-Sigma 2 Controls Omv Biogenesis And Colonization Fitness In Bacteroides Thetaiotaomicron, Evan J Pardue, Tengfei Zhong, Nichollas E Scott, Biswanath Jana, Wandy Beatty, Juan C Ortiz-Marquez, Mohammed Kaplan, Clay Jackson-Litteken, Mario F Feldman

2020-Current year OA Pubs

UNLABELLED:

IMPORTANCE: Dual membrane-spanning anti-sigma factors (Dma) are a novel class of regulatory proteins found solely among Bacteroidota. Previous studies demonstrated the importance of Dma1 in vesiculation, but the overall role of the Dma family in Bacteroides physiology remains poorly understood. Here, we show that Dma2 modulates vesiculation and the expression of select polysaccharide utilization loci (PULs) that target host-associated glycans

Hazard Vs Risk: Scientific Considerations On The Eu Clp Approach To Mocs And Whole Essential Oil Classification With Tea Tree Essential Oil As An Illustrative Example, Cecile Bascoul, Dakota Carter, Joseph Dawson, Tim Valentiner, Russell J. Osguthorpe

Oxford ICSB

The ongoing revision of the EU Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) Regulation represents a critical development for the essential oil industry. A provisional derogation has been introduced for plant-derived, non-chemically modified Multi-Constituent Substances (MOCS), including essential oils, following sustained advocacy efforts. However, the European Commission is required to deliver, by the end of 2029, a scientific report reassessing the validity of this derogation based on scientifically and regulatorily accepted safety evaluation approaches. In the absence of such a derogation, essential oils could be classified solely on the basis of individual constituents exceeding regulatory thresholds, irrespective of the whole oil safety …

Creating A Sensory-Inclusive School Environment For Children, Kendall L. Keeton, Cassandra Nelson, Justine Faghihifar

Spring 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

This mixed-methods program development capstone project aimed to assess whether structured sensory supports improve academic engagement and student behavior in the school setting. A sensory pathway, calm corner, and sensory toolkit were designed, implemented, and evaluated within an elementary school. A digital manual was also created to facilitate staff education and long-term sustainability of the program. Findings from pre- and post-surveys and observation suggest potential improvements in academic engagement, student behavior, and staff knowledge following program implementation.

The Impact Of Normothermic Regional Perfusion Compared With Cold Storage On Warm Ischemia Time In Donation After Circulatory Death Organ Transplantation: A Scoping Review, Chris Turner

Student Works

ABSTRACT

2.Structured summary:

Background: Donation after circulatory death (DCD) has expanded the donor pool but introduces an inevitable period of warm ischemia that threatens graft viability. Preservation techniques such as normothermic regional perfusion (NRP) and static cold storage (SCS) aim to minimize this injury and improve transplant outcomes.

Objective: This scoping review identifies and synthesizes published evidence comparing NRP with SCS in DCD organ transplantation, focusing on their respective effects on warm ischemia time, graft function, and early post‑transplant outcomes.

Methods: Following the PRISMA‑ScR framework [23], searches were conducted in MEDLINE, PubMed, Embase, and Scopus for English‑language studies involving DCD …

Hepatoprotective Effect Of Solanum Lycopersicum Extract Against High-Fat Diet-Induced Liver Injury In Rats, Rista Dwi Hermilasari, Harry Allan Papendang

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

Objectives: A high-fat diet (HFD) can trigger liver disease, one of which is non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This study aimed to examine the effect of Solanum lycopersicum extract on liver protection, namely macroscopic and microscopic aspects and liver weight in high-fat diet model rats. Methods: This true experimental study used male Wistar rats divided into a normal (control) group, HFD group and HFD group with S. lycopersicum extract (HFD-SL). This study was conducted from May to November 2024 at the Faculty of Dentistry Laboratory Universitas Jember, Jember, East Java, Indonesia. After the intervention, the weight of the rats' livers …

Muc13-Associated Molecular Interactome In Pancreatic Cancer, Anupam Dhasmana, Swati Dhasmana, Rajasekhar Baru, Abigail Gomez, Shafiul Haque, Sheema Khan, Murali Yallapu, Subhash Chauhan

School of Medicine Publications

Mucin-13 (MUC13) has emerged as a critical molecular player involved in tumorigenesis, cancer progression, metastasis, and evasion of immune surveillance, including in pancreatic cancer. In this report, we identified MUC13 molecular interactome using an integrated immunoprecipitation and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (accession no. of protein data JPST004189) approach combined with systems network biology to determine its plausible functional protein–protein interaction network and associated oncogenic mechanisms. This study reveals a total of 54 key MUC13 interactor proteins (including cyclin-dependent kinase 1, catenin delta 1, Caludin-1, ErbB3-binding protein 1, basic transcription factor 3, tight junction protein 1, etc.). Interestingly, the majority of these …

Centralizing Communication Intake To Improve Workflow Visibility And Engagement: A Quality Improvement Project In A Cancer Center's Education Division, Menatalla El-Sharkawi, Mohamed Ait Aiss

Advances in Cancer Education and Quality Improvement

Background: In large or complex organizations, multiple teams may be charged with managing different components of a project, initiative, or administrative assignment. When these teams have overlapping needs for information, the absence of a structured intake and tracking process can limit transparency, reduce efficiency, and hinder coordination across communication channels.

Methods: Drawing on principles of strategic communications and project management, we created a structured and centralized information sharing process for teams within the education division of a comprehensive cancer center. The intervention included workflow redesign, development of a standardized intake system, and use of real-time dashboard analytics to support operation …

Ginsenoside-Based Theranostic Agents For Alzheimer's Disease: Implications For Brain Penetration, Cellular Uptake, And Anti-Aging Effects, Hak Soo Choi

Oxford ICSB

Red ginseng and its bioactive constituents, ginsenosides, have long been associated with neuroprotection and anti-aging effects, yet their limited ability to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and poorly characterized biodistribution have hindered therapeutic translation. To address this, we developed a library of “ginsenoprobes” by conjugating major red ginseng components (Rg1, Rg3, Rb1, Rh2, Rk1, Rg5) and red ginseng extract (RGE) to a zwitterionic near-infrared (NIR) fluorophore (ZW800-1C), enabling real-time tracking of their fate in vitro and in vivo. All ginsenoprobes were purified to >95% homogeneity via preparative HPLC and rigorously characterized for optical properties, including molar extinction coefficients and dye-to-ginsenoside …

Effects Of Animal-Assisted Therapy In Inpatient Rehabilitation: A Reflective Study And Outline For Practice​, Anna Rosenberger

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was completed in partnership with Vanderbilt Stallworth Rehabilitation Hospital. The project aimed to collect patient feedback and preliminary qualitative data on the implementation of animal-assisted therapy (AAT) interventions within an inpatient rehabilitation setting. Project activities included a comprehensive literature review, examination of current AAT practices, collaboration with therapy dog teams regarding their work and certification processes, implementation of AAT-based occupational therapy interventions, and administration of patient surveys following sessions. Outcomes of the project included the development of a practical guidebook to support the implementation of animal-assisted therapy in clinical settings, as well as the collection of …

Iron-Based Nanoparticles As Delivery Tools, Keykavous Parang, Rajesh Vadlapatla, Ajoy Koomer, Victoria Moran, Lanie Jackson, Amir Nasrolahi Shirazi

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Iron-based nanoparticles, particularly iron oxide nanostructures (IONPs), have emerged as versatile and clinically relevant platforms for drug delivery and theranostic applications. Among these, superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs), including magnetite (Fe₃O₄) and maghemite (γ-Fe₂O₃), are the most extensively investigated due to their biocompatibility, magnetic responsiveness, and established safety profiles. Their unique superparamagnetic behavior enables external magnetic-field-guided targeting, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast enhancement, and magnetically triggered hyperthermia, enabling simultaneous diagnosis and therapy. Surface functionalization with polymers, silica, lipids, peptides, and biomolecules further improves colloidal stability, circulation time, targeting specificity, and controlled drug …

Life Skills Workshops For Young Adults With Histories Of Trauma At Crossroads Campus, Perrin G. Shuler

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was completed through a partnership with Crossroads Campus, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides career training in animal-related fields, offers affordable housing, and gives comprehensive support services to help young adults overcome housing and employment challenges. The purpose of this project was to address gaps in daily life skills among young adults with a history of trauma. Key outcomes included facilitating life skills workshops, developing a comprehensive workshop manual for future participants, and designing pre- and post-assessments to evaluate changes in life skills competency.

Flip For Function Professional Development Workshop Curriculum & Staff Education Resource, Danielle R. Olsen

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was completed in collaboration with Flip for Function, an adaptive gymnastics program that promotes confidence, participation, and inclusion for children with diverse developmental needs. A needs assessment identified a gap in consistent, evidence-informed training resources to support instructors in understanding how various diagnoses impact movement, regulation, sensory processing, and participation. The purpose of this project was to develop a comprehensive professional development guidebook and staff training resource grounded in occupational therapy principles. Deliverables included diagnosis-specific content (e.g. ADHD, Autism, Down syndrome, and sensory processing differences), activity adaptations, coaching strategies, and family education handouts to support home …

Deep Learning And Experimental Validation Of Brca1-Associated Protein-1 Missense Variant Pathogenicity In Uveal Melanoma, Nikhil Davé, David J. Taylor Gonzalez, Mak B. Djulbegovic, Linda A. Cernichiaro-Espinosa, Benjamin A. King, Carol L. Shields, Matthew W. Wilson

Wills Eye Hospital Papers

OBJECTIVE: To benchmark the pathogenicity predictions of AlphaMissense, a deep learning model, against high-throughput functional scores from saturation genome editing (SGE) for all experimentally tested BRCA1-associated protein-1 (BAP1) missense variants in uveal melanoma (UM).

DESIGN: Cross-sectional analytical study comparing computational predictions with experimentally derived functional classifications and clinical annotations.

SUBJECTS PARTICIPANTS AND/OR CONTROLS:  ClusteredAll 4619 BAP1 single amino acid substitutions profiled in a published Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats-Cas9 SGE viability assay. No separate control cohort was required. Clinical Variant Database (ClinVar)-annotated variants within this set served as an independent reference.

METHODS: Saturation genome editing log₂-fitness …

Using Geospatial Environmental And Income Variables As Predictors Of Diabetes In Appalachia, John Kunicki Huth

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Diabetes remains disproportionately prevalent in Appalachia, and macroenvironmental contributors remain poorly understood. Guided by spatial epidemiology, this quantitative, cross-sectional ecological study examined whether county-level environmental factors including distance to mine, distance to landfill, distance to water, mean annual precipitation, mean annual temperature, forest classification, distance to impervious surface, and median income were independently and collectively associated with diabetes cases per capita in West Virginia, used as a surrogate for Appalachia. Research questions addressed environmental predictors of diabetes cases per capita with and without controlling for median income. Publicly available county-level data from 53 West Virginia counties representing adults aged 20 …

Functional Requirement For Dicer Helicase Arginine Methylation In 26 G Sirna Biogenesis And Oocyte Meiotic Program, Nick Newkirk, Shin-Yu Chen, Tokiko Furuta, Kenneth A Trimmer, Leilei Shi, Sabrina Stratton, Hongyuan Li, Xiaodong Cheng, Mark T Bedford, Swathi Arur

The Brown Foundation: Institute of Molecular Medicine

Spatiotemporal regulation of Dicer is essential for small RNA biogenesis and fertility, yet how its helicase domain is controlled remains unclear. Using Caenorhabditis elegans, we identify a regulatory role for the arginine-rich GRARR motif within helicase domain motif VI of DCR-1. Mutating conserved arginines in this sequence disrupts maternal 26 G endo-siRNA production, impairs oocyte meiosis I and II, and reduces fertility. Biochemically, an asymmetrically dimethylated DCR-1 GRA[R495*]R peptide enhances interaction with ERI-5, a tandem-Tudor protein in the ERIC complex, while loss of DCR-1(R495) diminishes this interaction in vivo. Genetically, eri-5 deletion phenocopies the dcr-1 R495K mutant, supporting a functional …

Rhesus Macaques With An Opa1 Mutation Demonstrate Features Of Autosomal Dominant Optic Atrophy, Tracy N Jaggers, Ana Ripolles-Garcia, Ala Moshiri, Brett D Story, Jun Wang, Rui Chen, Lucy G Moore, Leandro B C Teixeira, Jaeho Shim, Ana C Raposo, Maria Isabel Casanova, Sophie M Le, Sangwan Park, Laura J Young, Soohyun Kim, Karolina P Roszak, Vanessa Ureno, Paige M Karpinen, Nayeli Echeverria, Monica Ardon, Brian C Leonard, Marguerite Knipe, Eliza Bliss-Moreau, Brad Fortune, J Timothy Stout, Jeffrey Rogers, Nicholas Marsh-Armstrong, Sara M Thomasy

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Autosomal dominant optic atrophy (ADOA) is an inherited optic neuropathy primarily caused by mutations in OPA1. We identified and defined a spontaneous nonhuman primate (NHP) model of ADOA using rhesus macaques heterozygous for a missense mutation (OPA1A8S). With ocular examinations, ophthalmic imaging, electroretinography, histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), we documented retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thinning, retinal ganglion cell (RGC) loss and dysfunction, OPA1 mislocalization, and reduced axonal mitochondrial density in affected macaques. Our investigation revealed substantial phenotypic variability among affected macaques, shedding light on the pathogenesis of ADOA. The retinas were evaluated using techniques …

Construction And Characterization Of Novel Mycobacterium Tuberculosis-Derived Triple And Quadruple Knockout Vaccines Against Tuberculosis, Omar Garnica, Raja Veerapandian, Kishore Das, Abhishek Mishra, Varsha Rawat, Areanna Carmona, Vivek Chauhan, Rakesh Kumar, Jessica Chacon, Shrikanth S. Gadad, Subramanian Dhandayuthapani

School of Medicine Publications

Tuberculosis (TB) is a deadly disease that claims the lives of over a million people each year worldwide. The Bacille Calmette-Guérin vaccine has long been used to protect against TB, but it produces variable effects across different populations and fails to protect against adult pulmonary TB. Therefore, there is an urgent need for alternative vaccines that can offer better protection. We have developed a strategy for the rational deletion of virulence-related genes in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) to create hyperattenuation that also enhances immunogenicity. Previously, we generated both single (∆fbpA) and double knockout (DKO) (∆fbpA-∆sapM) mutants of …

Enhancing Inference Of Differential Gene Expression In Metatranscriptomes From Human Microbial Communities, Evan M Lee, Nathan P Mcnulty, Matthew C Hibberd, Jiye Cheng, Kazi Ahsan, Hao-Wei Chang, Barak A Cohen, Jeffrey I Gordon

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Metatranscriptomic (MTX) sequencing quantifies gene expression from the collective genomes of microbial communities (microbiomes), enabling assessment of functional activity rather than functional potential. While differential expression testing is essential for RNA-sequencing analysis, current metatranscriptomic approaches have only been benchmarked on simulated data, resulting in a lack of standard practices for analysis of real datasets. Here, we use mock communities (defined mixtures of microbial cells with known properties) to quantitatively assess robustness and susceptibility of current approaches to various confounders including organisms' low relative abundance, differential abundance, low prevalence, global transcriptional output changes, and compositional effects. We show that no current …

Swosu Research And Scholarly Activity Fair 2026, Swosu Office Of Sponsored Programs

SWOSU Research and Scholarly Activity Fair Programs

On behalf of the University Research and Scholarly Activity Committee (URSAC) and the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) at Southwestern Oklahoma State University, we are pleased to welcome you to the Thirty-Fourth SWOSU Research and Scholarly Activity Fair.