Digital Commons Network^™

Metabolic Reprogramming Following Mitochondrial Transfer Between Idh2-Mutant Chondrosarcoma Cells And A Normal B-Cell Line, Caleb Wyckoff, Christopher Osgood, Ellen Jing, Michael Stacey

Bioelectrics Publications

Background/Objectives: Chondrosarcoma, glioblastoma, acute myeloid leukemia, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and cholangiocarcinoma cancers all contain mutations in the gene isocitrate dehydrogenase 2 (IDH2). The mutant IDH2 enzyme metabolizes alpha-ketoglutarate (αKG) into the potent oncometabolite D-2-hydroxyglutarate (D2HG) in the mitochondria of these cancers, leading to altered cellular metabolism. Emerging evidence suggests that mitochondrial transfer between cancer and recipient cells represents an important form of intercellular communication that may influence cellular metabolism. The presence of intercellular TNTs between IDH2-mutant chondrosarcoma cells motivated an investigation into mitochondria-associated physiological changes occurring during an intercellular exchange with immune cells. A mitochondrial transfer is a two-way …

Covid And The Great Retrenchment, Samuel R. Bagenstos

Articles

The past six years have seen two dramatic shifts in federal health and benefits policy. First, during the COVID pandemic, the government dramatically expanded public benefits. These expansions had incredibly positive effects, and recipients were largely satisfied with them. But after a relatively short time, Congress rolled back nearly all of the expansion. Worse, the immediate pullback set the stage for even more significant retrenchments in the second Trump Administration. Where in 2023 the United States came closest to universal health care in its history—with a record low uninsured rate of 7.7%—the Trump Administration’s Medicaid cuts and failure to extend …

The Role Of Mscs In The Il23/17 Pathway And Their Response To Mechanical Stress, Norma Aileen Dominguez Jimenez

Honors Theses

Mechanical stress plays a central role in shaping cellular behavior within skeletal tissues. At the enthesis, where tendons and ligaments attach to bone, repeated mechanical loading is strongly associated with inflammation and the development of ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Although mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are known to contribute to tissue structure and repair at these sites, their potential role in inflammatory signaling, particularly within the I 23/IL 17 pathway, remains unclear. In this thesis I investigated whether MSCs are capable of expressing cytokines involved in this pathway and how mechanical stress and differentiation influence this expression. Using the mouse derived C3H/10T1/2 …

A Regime Of Fear: Barriers To Healthcare Access In Times Of Intensifying Anti-Immigrant Rhetoric And Immigration Enforcement, Kathryn F. Masetti

Honors Theses

The U.S. immigration regime produces the conditions that deny immigrants equitable access to healthcare. The Trump administration’s second term, characterized by aggressive immigration enforcement and anti-immigrant rhetoric, continued to intensify these conditions, contributing to a widespread decline in healthcare utilization by immigrant patients throughout the United States. This thesis investigates how policies and rhetoric from the Trump Administration, including immigration enforcement, shape the barriers that immigrants with and without status encounter when accessing healthcare services in Maine, and how the fear of surveillance, detention, or deportation influences how immigrant communities perceive and utilize healthcare services. Two in-depth semi-structured qualitative interviews …

"Mangia, You're Too Skinny": A Story Of Italian Culture, Theresa Oliveri-Montes

OTD 721: Cultural Responsiveness & Occupation

"Mangia, You're Too Skinny": A Story of Italian Culture is a personal reflection of my Italian heritage. With this zine, I sought to not only explain, but illustrate, pieces of Italian culture and traditions. Each photograph includes members of my family and our food that we prepare.

My family immigrated to the United States from San Giovanni in Fiore, which is a small village in Calabria, located in southern Italy. They did not experience the "American Dream" that is portrayed in the media. Instead, they grappled with fear, prejudice, and the pressure to assimilate, which resulted in the loss of …

The Culture Of Fast Fashion, Karli Reed

OTD 721: Cultural Responsiveness & Occupation

As a current Whitworth OTD student, I reacted this zine to educate fellow students and young adults about the impacts of fast fashion. Social media often pressures us to keep up with trends and fit a certain mold, but finding your own voice and style is far more meaningful. Exploring fashion in a more person- and environmentally-friendly way -- such as thrifting, repairing clothing, or investing in quality pieces form ethical brands -- can help reduce many of the issues highlighted in this zine.

As future practitioners/members of society, we can also share these ideas with our clients and peers. …

What If I Fail...?, Benjamin Janke

OTD 721: Cultural Responsiveness & Occupation

The theme of "fear of failure" is a unique field in occupational therapy because of the power it has to completely inhibit or affirm occupational participation. Fear of failure is something that has been a struggle in my past and is still part of my life that I'm trying to work on as a person and as an aspiring occupational therapy practitioner.

Even though failing is difficult and sometimes painful, it's amazing to see what rises in its place with time. Because of how unique our fears and perceptions about failure are, we must utilize cultural humility and holistic care …

Looking Out, Looking In: Air Travel, Culture, & Occupational Justice, Ashley Compton

OTD 721: Cultural Responsiveness & Occupation

As I continue becoming an occupational therapist, I've found myself caring more deeply about accessibility, inclusion, and the different ways people experience participation in meaningful occupations. This zine gave me the opportunity to think about travel as a meaningful occupation that can be shaped by culture, identity, privilege, accessibility, and opportunity.

Travel, particularly air travel, has shaped so much of who I am, and creating this zine helped me think more deeply about what it means to participate in the world. My hope is that it encourages others to think about who may be left out and how we can …

Surgical Interventions For Treating Vesicovaginal Fistula In Women, Yoshiyuki Okada, Tomomi Matsushita, Takeshi Hasegawa, Hisashi Noma, Erika Ota, Bob Achila, Yasukuni Yoshimura

Obstetrics and Gynaecology, East Africa

Objectives This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows:

To assess the benefits and harms of surgical interventions for treating vesicovaginal fistula in women.

Digital Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Versus Education For Chronic Pain In Adults With Sickle Cell Disease: 12-Month Randomized Trial Results, Olubusola B. Oluwole, Yi-Fan Yi-Fan Chen, Christina M. Lalama, Julia A. O’Brien, Laura M. De Castro, Charles Patrick Carroll, Darla Liles, Nirmish Shah, Santosh L. Saraf, Victor R. Gordeuk, Leshana Saint Jean, Michael Debaun, Robert M. Cronin, Tonya M. Palermo, Sherif M. Badawy, Megan E. Hamm, Jennifer N. Stinson, Chitra Lalloo, Sophie Lanzkron, Cassandra Trimnell, Lakiea Bailey, Raymona H. Lawrence, Kaleab Z. Abebe, Charles R. Jonassaint

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

Background: Chronic pain affects up to 40% of adults with sickle cell disease (SCD), yet treatment options remain limited. While cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is effective in other chronic pain conditions, it is underutilized for SCD pain, and its effectiveness remains unclear. Purpose: The Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Real-time Pain Management Intervention for Sickle Cell via Mobile Applications (CaRISMA) compared digital CBT to Education for chronic SCD pain in adults. At 6 months, the primary outcome (pain interference) showed no between-group difference but both groups improved (CBT: −2.13; Education: −2.66). This report presents 12-month outcomes. Methods: A total of 359 …

Co-Designing Impact: Student-Led Prevention Messaging For The Primary Prevention Of Violence Against Women, Narelle Lemon, Lisa Holmes, Christina C. Gray, Jason Goopy

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Executive Summary:

Violence against women remains one of Western Australia's most serious and persistent social problems, and young adults aged 18–24 represent a pivotal demographic for primary prevention — the work of stopping violence before it starts. The Co-Designing Impact project, funded by the Department of Communities' Family and Domestic Violence Primary Prevention Grants Program 2024/2026 and delivered in partnership between Yourtoolkit.com and Edith Cowan University (ECU), engaged university students aged 18–24 in a six-session co-design program. Participants learned about the drivers of violence against women and the principles of primary prevention, then co-designed social media messaging intended to shift …

A Qualitative Exploration Of Future Health Professionals' Dementia Knowledge And Perceptions Of Dementia-Related Technology Support, Helen M. Haydon, Melissa Taylor, Annie Banbury, Cindy Jones, Georgina R. Chelberg, Louise Horstmanshof, Richard Hicks, Centaine L. Snoswell, Melissa Carey

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction: This research aimed to explore healthcare professional (HCP) students' dementia knowledge, perceptions of older adults' digital literacy, and perceived usefulness of digital health interventions for people living with dementia and their caregivers.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore HCP student perceptions of cognitive ageing and their understandings of the relationship between technology and healthcare practice. Researchers also explored students' knowledge of dementia and their contemporary educational experiences.

Results: Findings revealed a lack of formal education regarding the use of technology in cognitive care associated with ageing populations. Students also reported limited experience with the use of technology in …

It's The Most Diverse Job I’Ve Ever Had: What Do Registered Nurses Working In Australian Schools Do?, Anita Moyes

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Although nurses have been working in Australian schools for many decades, research has focused primarily on narrow aspects of clinical practice or service delivery in specific regions. The aim of this study was to identify the domains of practice registered nurses report in a typical working day in Australian schools, using interview data from a national sample. Forty-five nurses working in government and nongovernment schools in every state and territory of Australia participated. Interviews were analyzed using inductive content analysis ( Elo & Kyngas, 2008). Six distinct domains of practice characterized nursing work in Australian schools: (i) responding to diverse …

An Exploratory Survey Of The Application Of Accentuated Eccentric Loading In Resistance Training, Jiahao Yang, Comfort, Kristina Kendall, G. Gregory Haff

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The aim of this study was to investigate how accentuated eccentric loading (AEL) is currently utilised by strength and conditioning (S&C) coaches. The survey consisted of closed- and open-ended questions divided into 3 key areas of focus (1-Coach and Athlete Demographic, 2-Perceptions of AEL, and 3-Program Design) was administered to S&C coaches. Response frequencies for sections 1 and 2 were calculated as percentages of total respondents, whereas frequencies in Section 3 were calculated relative to respondents who selected each specific training purpose. A thematic analysis was conducted for the responses to an open-ended question. A total of 38 respondents met …

Lived Experience Of Secondary Vicarious Trauma Among The Tegaru Australian Diaspora In The Postwar Context Of Tigray, Hailay Abrha Gesesew, Fauk, Kiflu Gebremicael Tesfamicael, Gebremeskel Mamu Werid, Lillian Mwanri, Amanuel Gebremedhin, Kidane Gebremariam, Semira Hailu, Kalayu Brhane Mruts, Michael Musker, Fisaha Haile Tesfay, Azeb Gebresilassie Tesema, Paul Ward

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: The war in Tigray has caused humanitarian and public health crises in North Ethiopia in addition to a high prevalence of mental health symptoms among the Tegaru (people from Tigray) diaspora in Australia. To date, there have been no studies that have explored mechanisms of vicarious mental health and resilience among Tegaru diasporas in Australia. Methods: We conducted 14 in-depth interviews with Tegaru people living in South Australia from September 2023 to June 2024. Data analysis involved an initial stage of open coding, followed by conceptual coding. We also applied “interanalyst validity” to validate the code of framework. Results: …

Rapid Decentralized Prostate Cancer Risk Stratification By Portable Liquid Biopsy Analysis Within A Clinical Biosensor Validation Framework, Kevin M. Koo, Grant Phillips, Sriganesh Srihari, Áine Farrell, Binny Jaradi, Kira J. Fitzpatrick, John W. Yaxley, Hemamali Samaratunga, Paul N. Mainwaring, Ke-Lin Ru, Darren J. Korbie, Scott A. Tomlins, Matthew J. Roberts, Robert A. Gardiner, Matt Trau

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Clinical liquid biopsy (e.g., blood or urine) specimens, as a minimally invasive source of crucial molecular information, continue to grow in importance for efficacious targeted cancer treatment. Yet, current molecular profiling technologies are still confined to centralized laboratory testing, which escalates testing costs, result turnaround time, and patient anxiety. Crucially, there is also a scarcity of purposeful clinical validation studies to rigorously evaluate emerging liquid biopsy technologies from research settings to facilitate clinical translation. Here, we report liquid biopsy biosensor advancements in achieving rapid, accurate, and decentralized molecular profiling of a clinically accredited prostate cancer (PCa) urinary circulating RNA biomarker …

Co-Design Of An Online Mindfulness Program For Informal Carers Of People Living With Dementia: A Qualitative Study Of Co-Designers’ Experience, Charunya A.K.R. Abeysinghe Mudiyanselage, Seng Giap Marcus Ang, Aisling Smyth, Joanne M. Dickson, Beverley Ewens

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction: Informal carers face significant challenges related to care provision for people living with dementia. Participating in a mindfulness-based stress reduction program could improve the wellbeing of informal carers. However, engaging in these programs can be difficult for informal carers due to the needs of their care recipients. Purpose: This study aimed to co-design an online mindfulness program in collaboration with a range of stakeholders and those with lived experience as carers. Methods: This co-design study adopted an interpretive descriptive qualitative approach to the development of the program. The stakeholders (co-designers) included people with lived experience as informal carers and …

Cultured Ex Vivo Human Brain Tissue Maintains Cell-Type Transcriptional Identities, J P Mcginnis, Sai Mallannagari, Maria Camila Guevara, Joshua Ortiz-Guzman, Benjamin D W Belfort, Suyang Bao, Snigdha Srivastava, Maria Morkas, Emily Ji, Kalman A Katlowitz, Angela Addison, Evelyne K Tantry, Carrie A Mohila, Melissa M Blessing, Nisha Gadgil, Samuel G Mcclugage, David F Bauer, William E Whitehead, Guillermo Aldave, Omar Tanweer, Naser Jaleel, Ali Jalali, Akash J Patel, Sameer A Sheth, Howard L Weiner, Shankar Gopinath, Ganesh Rao, Akdes Serin Harmanci, Daniel Curry, Benjamin R Arenkiel

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

There is growing recognition of the need for human-based models of the nervous system and its diseases. Studies have investigated the electrophysiological properties of neurons in ex vivo human brain tissue, but the maintenance of other cell types remains unclear. We therefore used single-nucleus RNA sequencing of six patient samples to determine how well various cell types maintain their transcriptional identities over two weeks in organotypic slice culture (day 0, with 83 501 nuclei, and day 14, with 45 738). For each patient sample (two pediatric temporal lobectomies, one adult frontal cortex, two glioblastomas, and one medulloblastoma), we generated correlations …

The Untold Art History Of Grillz: An Introduction Exhibition At The Ica, Helena Opuama

MA in Fine and Decorative Art and Design Dissertations

The Untold Art History of Grillz: An Introduction Exhibition at the ICA is a prompt multisensory exhibition scheduled to open 15th April 2028 in celebration of World Art Day, at the Institute of Contemporary Arts, in London, UK. The exhibition critically utilises postcolonial frameworks to explore the dismissed decorative history of dental adornment and its influence on contemporary grill design today.

Through a limited chronological selection of physical objects, holographic projections, archival photographs, oral histories, and social media contributions; the exhibition co-narrates the history of dental adornment across four historical periods. These periods include Precolonial Traditions (14th-15th century); Colonial Evolutions …

Video Instructions For Pre And Post Procedure Care: Evidence-Based Quality Improvement Project, Lynn V. Wojton

DNP Projects

Background: Patient adherence to pre- and post-procedure instructions is essential to ensuring optimal outcomes and patient satisfaction in cosmetic dermatology. However, patients frequently overlook or misunderstand written instructions, leading to suboptimal preparation and recovery experiences.

Project Purpose: The purpose of this quality improvement initiative was to evaluate whether the implementation of short, accessible video-based instructions could improve patient understanding, adherence, and satisfaction compared to standard written instructions alone.

Methods: The project was conducted in a high-volume cosmetic dermatology practice in the Northeastern United States. A HIPAA-compliant platform using a video-based educational intervention was developed and implemented to supplement or replace …

College Student Perceptions Of A Pilot Cooking And Nutrition Education Workshop Through The Lens Of The Social Cognitive Theory: A Qualitative Study, Emma Watras, Amelia Sullivan, Emalee Harrington, Mona Therrien-Genes, Kathryn Yerxa, Makenzie Barr-Porter, Jade Mcnamara

Dietetics and Human Nutrition Faculty Publications

This study qualitatively examined college students' perceptions of a pilot cooking and nutrition workshop, College Cooking Connection (CCC), through the Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) framework. Undergraduate students who attended at least one CCC workshop (N = 29) were invited to a 30 min virtual focus group. A trained moderator guided the discussion to gather perceptions of the program. Themes were identified using thematic analysis with a directive and deductive approach based on SCT. Focus groups revealed eight major themes across the SCT. Cognitive themes included: (1) improved nutrition literacy, (2) understanding the nutrition-mental health connection, and (3) increased awareness of …

Purchasing A Healthier Future: A Nutrition-Focused, Community-Centered Approach To Reduce Obesity And Diabetes In Graves County, Kentucky, Marissa Stephens

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

Obesity and type 2 diabetes are among the most significant public health challenges in the United States, with Kentucky consistently ranking among the states with the highest prevalence of both conditions. Together, these conditions contribute to reduced quality of life, rising healthcare costs, and increased morbidity and mortality, underscoring the need for targeted, community-centered interventions. The disease burden of obesity and diabetes is particularly pronounced in rural areas, including the state’s westernmost region, the Jackson Purchase. Among rural populations, chronic disease risk is driven by a combination of factors, including low socioeconomic status, limited access to healthcare/supermarket options, and food …

Anchoring Roots And Spreading Branches: The Growth And Regulation Of Art Therapy In Singapore, Christine Phang

Art Therapy | Doctoral Dissertations

The development of art therapy in Singapore has advanced rapidly over the last two decades. Yet, to date, there has not been a comprehensive overview of art therapy in Singapore. Additionally, more research is needed to understand how the complex component of regulation can benefit the profession of art therapy. This study therefore set out to paint a picture of art therapy in Singapore, capture the art therapy community’s thoughts and opinions concerning regulation, and identify actionable ways to advance the profession. A mixed method design was employed which utilized a survey and interviews to gather quantitative, qualitative, and arts-informed …

Creativity In A Flash: Exploring The Perceived Therapeutic Effects Of Combining Creative Arts Therapies And Flash Technique, Celia J. Gagnon

Art Therapy | Doctoral Dissertations

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, research has revealed a significant strain on mental healthcare systems and healthcare professionals. Concurrently, there has been a rapid escalation in the prevalence of anxiety, depression, loneliness, and adolescent suicide rates, all of which have reached critical levels (World Health Organization, 2025; World Health Organization, 2022; Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, 2025; American Psychiatric Association, 2024). Post-pandemic, these statistics continue to rise across all nations and socioeconomic groups (WHO, 2025). Consequently, there is an urgent need to intensify research that supports the enhancement of mental health services globally (Institute for Health Metrics …

How Autistic Children Define Novel And Real Words, Henry James Tomiser

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Word knowledge is highly valuable to Autistic individuals, and although much research has characterized Autistic children’s vocabulary breadth (i.e., the number of lexical entries), less attention has been paid to vocabulary depth (i.e., the richness with which one understands a given word). In this exploratory post-hoc study, 11 Autistic children (one assigned female at birth) participated in novel and real word learning paradigms in which child-friendly referents were paired with CVCV word forms. Participants were then asked to provide open-ended definitions of the words. Definitions were parsed into meaningful subunits, or semantic features. Semantic features were coded by type of …

Photovoice Exploration Of Afghan Refugee Background Women's Food-Related Well-Being, Eileen C. Lindemann

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

More than 117,000 Afghans have been relocated to the United States following the U.S. military withdrawal in August 2021. Research indicates that Afghan refugees resettled in the U.S. are at increased risk of psychological distress, with Afghan women particularly susceptible compared with Afghan men, and diet-related chronic disease. However, research also shows that traditional food and eating customs foster cultural identity, social support, integration, and well-being. The purpose of this study was to collaboratively explore the food-related well-being and daily life contexts of resettled refugee participants through the photovoice method, a participatory research strategy in which participants photograph aspects of …

Formal And Informal Digital Health In Tanzania: Healthcare Workforce, Regulatory And Trust Implications Of E-Patients And Virtual Care And The Development Of The Trust Framework, Kahabi Isangula, Judith Keebisilo Leo, James Tumaini Kengia

School of Nursing & Midwifery, East Africa

Digital health and virtual care are increasingly reshaping how healthcare is organized, delivered, and experienced. In Tanzania, digital transformation is evident in national commitments to digital health governance, health information exchange, hospital information systems, digital referral and emergency transportation, telemedicine, and emerging diagnostic applications supported by artificial intelligence. At the same time, patients are increasingly using social media, mobile platforms, and other digital channels to seek health information, consultations, diagnoses, and medicines, creating new forms of digitally mediated care that often operate alongside formal healthcare systems. Using a narrative synthesis design informed by a practice-based perspective, this study reviewed policy …

Aging With A Chronic Illness: Symptom Burden, Everyday Challenges, And Quality Of Life Among Older Adults With Multiple Sclerosis, Swasati Handique

Social Work Dissertations

This three-article study examined the quality of life and everyday lived experience of older adults living with multiple sclerosis (MS). The first article is a scoping review of 14 peer-reviewed studies published between 2012 and 2025, conducted in accordance with Arksey and O’Malley’s five-stage framework and the PRISMA checklist. The second article is a cross-sectional study using the Aging Concerns, Challenges, and Everyday Solution Strategies (ACCESS) Phase II data set of 60 older adults living with MS. Multiple linear regression and moderation analysis was conducted to examine the association between physical symptom burden and quality of life, and whether participation …

Effect Of Biodentine And Treated Dentine Matrix On Viability And Proliferation Of Human Dental Pulp Stem Cells, Nada Barakat, Rana El-Qashty, Mohamad E. Helal

Mansoura Journal of Dentistry

Objective: The present study aimed to assess the dose-dependent effect of Biodentine (BD) and human-treated dentin matrix (hTDM) on the proliferation of human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs).

Materials and methods: hTDM was prepared and characterized. The concentration of proteins released from BD and hTDM extracts were quantified using the bicinchoninic acid (BCA) assay after 3 and 7 days. hDPSCs were successfully isolated and characterized, then treated with various concentrations of BD extracts (20, 2, and 0.2 mg/mL) and hTDM extracts (100%, 80%, 60%, 40%, 20%, and 10%). Cell viability was determined after 7 days of incubation using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium …

An Attempt For In Situ Bio-Root Regeneration By Using Treated Dentin Matrix And Dental Pulp Stem Cells In Albino Rats, Amani Mohamad, Ahmad A. Emam, Eman Hany, Mohamed Abdulrahman

Mansoura Journal of Dentistry

Objectives: This study was conducted to prepare and characterize root-shaped treated dentin matrix (TDM) scaffolds, and to evaluate their efficacy together with seeded dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) as potential bio-roots in extraction sockets of rat models.

Materials and Methods: Root-shaped TDM specimens were prepared and characterized. Following extraction of maxillary incisors, the alveolar sockets were implanted with TDM segments measuring 8 mm in length, either alone (TDM group) or seeded with dental pulp stem cells (TDM/DPSCs group). Animals were euthanized at two and six weeks post-implantation, specimens were processed for histological, histochemical and immunohistochemical analyses.

Results: TDM group at …