Digital Commons Network^™

Development Of Ultrafast Protein Digestion And Standards Free Quantitation Methods For Mass Spectrometric Analysis, Praneeth Ivan Joel Fnu

Dissertations

A wide variety of biologically important molecules, such as enzymes, antibodies, hormones, transporters and receptors are proteins by composition and they play key roles in biological functions such as cellular regulation, communication, metabolism and physiological function. Protein dysfunctions and abnormalities are associated with numerous diseases, making proteins critical targets for understanding disease mechanisms and developing therapeutic interventions. Protein-based therapeutics such as monoclonal antibodies, hormones and vaccines gained popularity due to their high specificity, efficacy, and ability to treat complex diseases that are often difficult to address with small-molecule drugs.

Given the important role of proteins in a variety of biological …

Tracking Towards Zero: Implementing A Picc Team Tracker To Prevent Clabsis, Carolina Maria Gerodias Cayetano

Master's Projects and Capstones

Background: Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) remain among the most serious and costly healthcare-associated infections in acute care settings, with each event associated with significant excess mortality, prolonged hospital stays, and avoidable healthcare costs. At Hospital A, a 239-bed acute care facility, two of six total CLABSI events over a 12-month period were associated with peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs), representing 33% of all facility CLABSIs and exposing a critical gap in standardized PICC line surveillance and maintenance bundle monitoring.

Problem: The PICC team lacked a systematic, real-time tracking mechanism to monitor central line maintenance bundle adherence across seven adult …

Association Between Athletic Trainers And Frequency Of Pediatric Orthopedic Visits, Abaigeal Field, James M. Mensch, Courtney Meyer, Susan W. Yeargin

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Context: There is sparse research on the relationship between athletic trainer (AT) employment and the number of athletes presenting to orthopedic clinics with sports-related injuries. The purpose of this study is to determine if athletic training services are associated with the frequency of first-time orthopedic office visits for sports-related injuries.

Methods: A retrospective chart review collected injuries between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2020 from the electronic health records system for a hospital network in the Southeast United States with 6 orthopedic clinics and included 48 high schools hosting 20 sports with at least 1 AT per school. Patients …

Tracking Toward Zero: Implementing A Picc Team Tracker To Prevent Clabsis, Christian Justin Carreon

Master's Projects and Capstones

Problem: Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) remain a significant and preventable patient safety concern in acute care settings, contributing to increased morbidity, mortality, prolonged hospitalization, and substantial healthcare costs.

Context: At Hospital A, a tertiary referral center in Northern California, six adult CLABSIs were identified between June and December 2025 following an eight-month CLABSI-free period. Four events occurred in adult medical surgical telemetry. All peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) line CLABSIs were attributed to gaps in maintenance bundle adherence and the lack of a standardized, real-time tracking mechanism for the PICC Team.

Interventions: A PICC Team Tracker was implemented as …

Cultural Responsiveness: Examining Assessments Of Therapists For Ethical And Clinical Outcomes (Create Clout), Tsotso T. Ablorh

Graduate Doctoral Dissertations

The Multicultural Counseling Competencies (MCC) and Multicultural and Social Justice Counseling Competencies (MSJCC) are well-researched and supported counseling practices for decreasing microaggressions in therapy and consequent attrition, lack of satisfaction, and maltreatment (Ratts et al., 2016; Sue et al., 1982). However, scholars critique existing methods for measuring therapists’ cultural responsiveness for being disconnected from therapeutic process and outcomes (Hays, 2020; Wilcox et al., 2020). This study examined which MSJCC measures associated with variables clinically and ethically relevant to better treatment outcomes and lower microaggressive, neglectful, and stereotypical treatment for hypothetical Black, female clients by White therapists. 62 White psychologists in …

Predictors Of Complete Obliteration And Favourable Outcome After Single-Modality Treatment For Low-Grade Arteriovenous Malformations: A Multicentre Study, Angelica Fuentes, Salem Tos, Natasha Ironside, Georgios Mantziaris, Yuki Shinya, Basel Musmar, Hamza Adel Salim, Nimer Adeeb, Christopher Ogilvy, Douglas Kondziolka, Ali Alaraj, Min Park, Adam Dmytriw, Hussein Zeineddine, Finn Mccarthy, Hussam Abou-Al-Shaar, Ahmed Abdelsalam, Mustafa Baskaya, Cagdas Ataoglu, Anthony Sanchez-Forteza, Muhammed Amir Essibayi, Abdullah Keles, Sandeep Muram, Howard Riina, Arwin Rezai, Sahin Hanalioglu, Ufuk Erginoglu, Johannes Pöppe, Davide Simonato, Yan-Lin Li, Sandeep Kandregula, Dhairya Lakhani, Christoph Griessenauer, Rahim Abo Kasem, Alejandro Spiotta, Ajit Puri, Jasmeet Singh, Anna Luisa Kuhn, Jan Karl Burkhardt, Robert Starke, Laligam Sekhar, Michael Levitt, David Altschul, Neil Haranhalli, Malia Mcavoy, Paul Foreman, Osama Zaidat, Mohammad Almajali, Hakeem Shakir, Alfred Pokmeng See, Adib Abla, Aashay Patel, Andrew Nguyen, Matthew Koch, Visish Srinivasan, Peng Roc Chen, Spiros Blackburn, Ketan Bulsara, Peter Kan, Louis Kim, Omar Choudhri, Stavropoula Tjoumakaris, Pascal Jabbour, Amey Savardekar, Hugo Cuellar, Michael Lawton, Bharat Guthikonda, Jacques Morcos, Jason Sheehan

Department of Neurology Faculty Papers

INTRODUCTION: Patient and arteriovenous malformation (AVM) characteristics that portend success after treatment for low-grade brain AVMs remain unknown.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: We utilised the MISTA multicentre registry to identify patients with Spetzler-Martin (SM) grade I or II AVMs treated with stand-alone curative-intent intervention (resection, stereotactic radiosurgery [SRS] or endovascular embolisation). Bivariate and multivariable analyses were performed to identify patient and AVM characteristics predictive of complete obliteration or favourable outcome (complete obliteration without new permanent deficit or post-treatment haemorrhage).

RESULTS: A total of 522 patients were included (292 microsurgery, 152 SRS, 78 embolisation). Complete obliteration rates differed between microsurgery (95.9%), SRS …

Searching The Druggable Genome Using Large Language Models, Lars Schimmelpfennig, Matthew Cannon, Quentin Cody, Joshua Mcmichael, Adam C Coffman, Susanna Kiwala, Kilannin Krysiak, Alex H Wagner, Malachi Griffith, Obi L Griffith

2020-Current year OA Pubs

SUMMARY: The druggable genome encompasses the genes that are known or predicted to interact with drugs. The Drug-Gene Interaction Database (DGIdb) provides an integrated resource for discovering and contextualizing these interactions, supporting a broad range of research and clinical applications. DGIdb is currently accessed through structured web interfaces and API calls, requiring users to translate natural-language questions into database-specific query patterns. To allow for the use of DGIdb through natural language, we developed the DGIdb Model Context Protocol (MCP) server, which allows large language models (LLMs) access to up-to-date information through the DGIdb API. We demonstrate that the MCP server …

Genomic Characterization Of Er-Positive Primary Tumors And Corresponding Relapses Identifies Potentially Targetable Alterations, Caroline Schagerholm Stanev, Stephanie Robertson, Hosein Toosi, Emmanouil G. Sifakis, Jens Lagergren, Johan Hartman

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

The majority of breast cancer patients have tumors expressing estrogen receptor α (ER) and receive endocrine therapy. However, around one-third relapse in their disease, predominantly with retained ER expression. Molecular alterations are proposed to be contributors to the resistance mechanisms. Patients with ER-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative primary breast cancer with an ER-positive relapse <  5 years of ongoing endocrine therapy were retrospectively assessed. Extracted DNA was analyzed through panel sequencing, and RNA by microarray, from patients’ primary (n = 58), and paired relapse tumors (n = 54), and tumor-free lymph nodes (DNA germline controls, n = 62). Several single-nucleotide variations and copy number variations showed nominal exploratory associations with worse overall survival. Copy number correlations with intrinsic subtypes and …

Mitochondrial Trna-Derived Fragments As Candidate Metastasis-Modifying Rna, Katy L. Swancutt, R. Mckinnon Walsh, Sydney Quijano, Emily Schueddig, Devin C. Koestler, Adam D. Scheid, Tony Vanden Bush, Yi Jing, Isidore Rigoutsos, Danny R. Welch

Computational Medicine Center Faculty Papers

UNLABELLED: How mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) polymorphisms influence complex phenotypes remains poorly understood. Using mitochondrial-nuclear exchange mice, we previously showed that mtDNA single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) modify metastasis, cardiovascular disease, and epigenetic marks independently of metabolic differences. The only mtDNA SNP correlating with these phenotypes resides in the gene encoding mitochondrial transfer RNA (tRNA)-arginine [mt-tRNAArg (UCG), mt-TR], suggesting a role for non-protein-coding loci. In this study, we identify and preliminarily characterize previously undescribed tRNA-derived fragments (tRF) generated from mt-TRs. Northern blotting revealed distinct tRF that are differentially expressed among mtDNA SNPs, between lung and liver, and between sexes. Surprisingly, small RNA sequencing …

Independent Associations With Research Productivity Among U.S. Academic Ophthalmologists Using The Us-Aofd, Brenton T. Bicknell, Josephine Rudd Zhong Manis, Yejin Heo, Haley Chishom, Lance Dzubinski, Taylor L. Aaserud, Alvina Liang, Shayan Massoumi, Thanushri Srikantha, John Stoffer, Guihua Zhai, Basil K. Williams Jr, Steven E. Brooks, Robert Tauscher

Journal of Academic Ophthalmology

Background: Scholarly productivity is a key marker of achievement in academic ophthalmology, influencing promotion, research support, and leadership opportunities. Prior studies have reported variation by gender, subspecialty, and rank, but few applied regression methods to identify independent predictors.

Purpose: To evaluate demographic, academic, and subspecialty factors associated with research productivity among U.S. academic ophthalmologists and to identify independent predictors through multivariable regression.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 4,028 ophthalmologists across 126 accredited U.S. residency programs using the U.S. Academic Ophthalmology Faculty Database (US-AOFD). Faculty demographics and academic information were obtained from institutional websites, and bibliometric data (publications, …

Contextualizing Second Language Anxiety In Multilingual Higher Education: Classroom Conditions And Clinical Settings, Busayo O. Ige

International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education

In South African universities, multilingual students whose first language is not English face distinct challenges that impact academic participation and success. This qualitative study examines how second language (L2) anxiety shapes first-year students’ classroom and clinical experiences at the University of Cape Town. Drawing on open-ended survey data, the study reveals that fear of negative evaluation, communicative apprehension, and prevailing language ideologies contribute to students’ reluctance to speak, feelings of invisibility, and withdrawal from engagement. Although anxiety tends to lessen over time, it rarely disappears completely. Notably, students experienced anxiety differently across settings: classroom discussions elicited greater fear and self-censorship, …

Staff Education To Strengthen Patient Counseling For Recurrent Uti Prevention In Middle-Aged And Older Women In A Low-Income Community Clinic, Linda Osamede Isidienu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This doctor of nursing practice (DNP) project was a practice-focused quality improvement (QI) staff education initiative designed to address recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) among middle-aged and older women receiving care in a low-income community clinic. Recurrent UTIs are associated with increased antibiotic use, antimicrobial resistance, and reduced quality of life. The purpose of this project was to evaluate whether a structured staff education program could improve provider knowledge related to patient counseling on UTI prevention. Twenty nurses and medical assistants participated in the intervention, which included education on evidence-based prevention strategies, counseling techniques for low health literacy populations, and …

An Annotated Walkthrough Of Dental And Dental Hygiene Professional Oaths

Journal IDA

Most of the information contained in this article was taken using AI search engines. It is meant to be a refresher for dentists and dental hygienists as it relates to the oaths we took when we graduated from our training programs. It is also meant to be an opportunity for practitioners to reflect on their journeys since graduation as to have true they stayed to the oaths that they took. Dental assistants are not required to take a professional oath in Indiana.

Defining Prescriptive Supervision And Delegation In Indiana: The Essential Roles Of The Dental Hygienist And The Dental Assistant On The Dental Team

Journal IDA

According to the 2025 Bowen Policy Snapshot: Indiana Dental Workforce in Context, Indiana faces ongoing dental workforce shortages, with 63 of 92 counties (68 percent) designated as Dental Health Professional Shortage Areas (a federal designation indicating insufficient dental providers). This shortage presents growing challenges for licensed dentists in recruiting and retaining qualified dental assistants and hygienists, roles essential to patient care and practice efficiency. In Indiana, the practice of dentistry and dental hygiene are governed by statutes in the Indiana Code (IC) and administrative rules in the Indiana Administrative Code (IAC). Statutes are laws enacted by the legislature; rules are …

Guided Tissue Regeneration Of Localized Deep Combined 2-To-3- Wall Angular Defects: A Clinical Case Report With 15-Month Follow-Up

Journal IDA

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting nearly 50 percent of U.S. adults. It is characterized by the irreversible destruction of the alveolar bone, periodontal ligament, and gingival tissues supporting the teeth. Periodontal breakdown results from a dysbiotic relationship between the plaque bacteria and host-immune response. Initiated by the bacterial plaque biofilm, the once normal and homeostatic host defenses intended to contain the subgingival inflammation become dysregulated and hyperactive. A diagnosis of an infrabony defect, also known as intrabony, vertical, or angular defects, is made when the base of the pocket is apical to the alveolar crest. It has been …

Role Of Microsurgery In The Evolution Of Periodontal Surgery

Journal IDA

Microscopes and microsurgery techniques have revolutionized the field of periodontology, offering enhanced visualization, precision, and improved clinical outcomes. This review explores the role of magnification in periodontal treatments, the benefits of microsurgical techniques, and their impact on patient recovery and procedural success. It examines how these advancements align with evolving surgical principles and addresses their implications for clinical practice and patient outcomes. By integrating microsurgery into periodontics, clinicians can achieve minimally invasive procedures with superior aesthetic and functional results. This paper also discusses the challenges and future directions of microsurgical applications in periodontics, emphasizing the importance of continual advancements and …

The Tortuous Path Of A Bill: From Conception To Implementation

Journal IDA

In dentistry, the process for a resolution to become a rule or policy, is driven by professional associations like the Indiana Dental Association at the state level and nationally by the American Dental Association (ADA). A proposal goes through committee review and debate before being voted on by the Association’s House of Delegates. A resolution passed by the House of Delegates becomes an official policy that governs members, but it does not carry the force of law without further action at the state level.

Journal Ida 2025 104 4

Journal IDA

In the Fall 2025 issue, the reader will find the following feature articles:

• 12 What If There Was No IDA or ADA? Would You Be Able to Practice the Same Way As You Do Today?
• Is it True? Rumors and Misinformation Surrounding Dentists, the ADA and the IDA
• The Tortuous Path of a Bill: From Conception to Implementation
• Introduction to the FrIDAy Events: An Inspired IDA Initiative
• A View from the Podium: Preparation for the IDA House of Delegates
• Health Insurance Options for Dentists and Employees

This issue also includes regular columns from the editor, the executive director as well …

Journal Ida 2025 104 3

Journal IDA

In the Summer 2025 issue, the reader will find the following feature articles:

• Dental Sticky Situations
• Defining Prescriptive Supervision and Delegation in Indiana: The Essential Roles of the Dental Hygienist and the Dental Assistant on the Dental Team
• Safeguarding Ethics: The Work of the Indiana State Board of Dentistry
• Dental Treatment: Who Has the Final Say on Oral Health Care?
• Overview of Indiana Health Records Law
• Ethical Considerations in Cosmetic Dentistry
• Protecting Dentistry’s Ethics: IDA’s Peer Review Program
• An Annotated Walkthrough of Dental and Dental Hygiene Professional Oaths Using AI Search Engines
• Radiation Safety in Dental Offices: Where Do We …

Journal Ida 2025 104 1

Journal IDA

The Journal IDA is a peer-reviewed, scientific periodical owned and published by the Indiana Dental Association, a constituent of the American Dental Association.

Journal IDA concentrates on the clinical aspects of dentistry, including case studies and research; practice management and business aspects of dentistry, from start up to transition; and also includes special and regular feature articles.

Journal Ida 2024 103 4

Journal IDA

The Journal IDA is a peer-reviewed, scientific periodical owned and published by the Indiana Dental Association, a constituent of the American Dental Association.

Journal IDA concentrates on the clinical aspects of dentistry, including case studies and research; practice management and business aspects of dentistry, from start up to transition; and also includes special and regular feature articles.

Journal Ida 2023 102 1

Journal IDA

The Journal IDA is a peer-reviewed, scientific periodical owned and published by the Indiana Dental Association, a constituent of the American Dental Association.

Journal IDA concentrates on the clinical aspects of dentistry, including case studies and research; practice management and business aspects of dentistry, from start up to transition; and also includes special and regular feature articles.

Journal Ida 2022 101 4

Journal IDA

The Journal IDA is a peer-reviewed, scientific periodical owned and published by the Indiana Dental Association, a constituent of the American Dental Association.

Journal IDA concentrates on the clinical aspects of dentistry, including case studies and research; practice management and business aspects of dentistry, from start up to transition; and also includes special and regular feature articles.

Journal Ida 2022 101 2

Journal IDA

The Journal IDA is a peer-reviewed, scientific periodical owned and published by the Indiana Dental Association, a constituent of the American Dental Association.

Journal IDA concentrates on the clinical aspects of dentistry, including case studies and research; practice management and business aspects of dentistry, from start up to transition; and also includes special and regular feature articles.

Journal Ida 2022 101 1

Journal IDA

The Journal IDA is a peer-reviewed, scientific periodical owned and published by the Indiana Dental Association, a constituent of the American Dental Association.

Journal IDA concentrates on the clinical aspects of dentistry, including case studies and research; practice management and business aspects of dentistry, from start up to transition; and also includes special and regular feature articles.

Journal Ida 2021 100 4

Journal IDA

The Journal IDA is a peer-reviewed, scientific periodical owned and published by the Indiana Dental Association, a constituent of the American Dental Association.

Journal IDA concentrates on the clinical aspects of dentistry, including case studies and research; practice management and business aspects of dentistry, from start up to transition; and also includes special and regular feature articles.

Journal Ida 2021 100 3

Journal IDA

The Journal IDA is a peer-reviewed, scientific periodical owned and published by the Indiana Dental Association, a constituent of the American Dental Association.

Journal IDA concentrates on the clinical aspects of dentistry, including case studies and research; practice management and business aspects of dentistry, from start up to transition; and also includes special and regular feature articles.

Journal Ida 2021 100 2

Journal IDA

The Journal IDA is a peer-reviewed, scientific periodical owned and published by the Indiana Dental Association, a constituent of the American Dental Association.

Journal IDA concentrates on the clinical aspects of dentistry, including case studies and research; practice management and business aspects of dentistry, from start up to transition; and also includes special and regular feature articles.

Journal Ida 2021 100 1

Journal IDA

The Journal IDA is a peer-reviewed, scientific periodical owned and published by the Indiana Dental Association, a constituent of the American Dental Association.

Journal IDA concentrates on the clinical aspects of dentistry, including case studies and research; practice management and business aspects of dentistry, from start up to transition; and also includes special and regular feature articles.

Journal Ida 2020 99 4

Journal IDA

The Journal IDA is a peer-reviewed, scientific periodical owned and published by the Indiana Dental Association, a constituent of the American Dental Association.

Journal IDA concentrates on the clinical aspects of dentistry, including case studies and research; practice management and business aspects of dentistry, from start up to transition; and also includes special and regular feature articles.