Digital Commons Network^™

The Efficacy Of Traditional Versus Herbal Extracts Chelating Agents On Dentin Micro-Hardness, Sara Murtadha Abdul Hussein, Raghad A. Al-Hashimi

Al-Esraa University College Journal for Medical Sciences

Aim: To evaluate and compare the effectiveness of different chelating agents including EDTA, citric acid, green tea extract (Camellia sinensis, and chitosan on dentin micro-hardness.Materials and Methods: Fifty palatal roots of maxillary first molars were instrumented using ProTaper Next system and randomly divided into five groups (n = 10) according to the final irrigation protocol: Group A (NaOCl +distilled water - Negative control), Group B (17% EDTA-Positive control), Group C (10% citric acid), Group D (green tea extract), and Group E (0.2% chitosan nanoparticles). Dentin micro-hardness was measured using Vickers hardness tester. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and …

Sport And Athletes Under The Shadow Of Covid-19 Pandemic, Abdul Razzaq Jabr Al Majidi, Rebah N. Algafari, Rehab S. Ramadhan, Rafia S. Fathi

Al-Esraa University College Journal for Medical Sciences

The end of 2019 witnessed the announcement of worldwide pandemic Covid-19 around the world that influenced every part of human life. Sports and athletes were one of these parts affected by the pandemic since many competitions and tournaments were canceled or postponed and put athletes under spotlight as an important category susceptible to infection or as they been admired and loved by the population may help in spreading infection. Following reports dealing with athletes, exercise, immunity, and severity of infection, the following points were concluded: first, moderate practicing boosts immune system and make the human less affected by Covid-19 infection …

Gamma-Ray Knife And Application Features In Medicine, Yaqoob. M. Baqer, Ayad A. Al-Taweel

Al-Esraa University College Journal for Medical Sciences

Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKR) is a sophisticated procedure that delivers a concentrated dose of ionizing radiation to a pre-identified therapeutic target. A non-invasive radiation therapy intended to address numerous disorders impacting the brain and upper spine. The inaugural GKR facility was established by Leksell in 1951, during an era when intracranial surgical interventions resulted in significant morbidity and mortality. Initially intended for the management of functional problems, it was first employed to treat a patient with a craniopharyngioma and another with a pituitary adenoma. Initially, gamma radiation from radioactive cobalt sources was used instead of proton beams and linear accelerators. …

Comprehensive Review Of Facial Asymmetry: Etiology, Diagnosis, And Management Strategies, Hiba Ammar Yahya, Sara M. Al-Mashhadany

Al-Esraa University College Journal for Medical Sciences

A certain degree of facial asymmetry is not only a normal biological variation but can also contribute positively to perceived beauty. However, delineating the precise boundary between ‘normal’ asymmetry and ‘abnormal’ asymmetry, the latter necessitating clinical intervention, remains a complex and subjective endeavor. Minor facial asymmetry is commonly observed even in individuals with aesthetically attractive faces, typically remaining indiscernible and thus not requiring any treatment. The determination of when ‘normal’ asymmetry transitions into ‘abnormal’ is frequently influenced by clinician’s aesthetic judgment and, critically, the patient’s perception of imbalance. The perceived abnormality of facial asymmetry is, therefore, highly dependent on individual …

Genetic Basis Of Diabetic Retinopathy: Uncovering Molecular Links And Risk Factors—A Review Article, Ammar Kadhim Alzubaidi

Al-Esraa University College Journal for Medical Sciences

Genetics play a major role in diabetic retinopathy DR, which is a leading cause of blindness worldwide. Although the factors such as how long a person has had diabetes and high blood sugar are important, the wide variation and progression of DR indicates to a clear genetic influence. Early studies focusing on a few candidate genes (such as VEGF) produced conflicting and population-dependent results. This confirmed the multifactorial nature of the disease and the limitations of small-scale studies. Conversely, genome wide association studies (GWAS) have provided more consistent findings in detection a new genes related to DR. For example, rs2239785 …

Relationship Between Hashimoto Thyroiditis And Some Immunogenic Markers, Amani Mahmood Tuama, Aliyaa Taresh Obaid

Al-Esraa University College Journal for Medical Sciences

Hashimoto thyroiditis (HT) is a common autoimmune disorder, affecting women 7–10 times more often than men, that develops because of genetic susceptibility, X chromosome inactivation patterns modulated by environmental factors as well as micro biome composition, and leads to an imbalance in self-tolerance mechanisms. The consequential thyroid infiltration by lymphocytes, potentiated by antibody-mediated autoimmune response through the antibodies against thyroid peroxidase (TPO Abs), leads to a destruction of thyrocytes. The presence of TPO Abs is associated with a 2 to 4-fold increase in the risk of recurrent miscarriages and preterm birth in pregnant women. Aim: The aim of the study …

Wettability Assessment Of Room-Temperature Soft Liners Incorporated With Strontium Titanate Nanoparticles, Zakaria Azzam Alabed, Aseel Mohammed Al-Khafaji

Al-Esraa University College Journal for Medical Sciences

Background: Soft denture liners are widely used in prosthodontics for their ability to cushion masticatory forces and enhance comfort in patients with compromised oral mucosa. However, conventional liners often exhibit limitations such as poor adhesion to the denture base, microbial colonization, and inadequate mechanical stability. Materials and Methods: Strontium titanate (SrTiO₃) nanoparticles were incorporated into a self-cured soft denture liner. Three equal groups of fifteen specimens were created, each of which contained 0%, 1%, and 1.5% SrTiO₃ by weight. All procedures were conducted under simulated intraoral temperature, following manufacturer guidelines. Results: The analysis revealed statistically significant differences …

Gpbb And Tg/Hdl Ratio As Emerging Indicators In Iraqi Patients Diagnosed With Acute Coronary Syndrome, Alzahraa Ahmed Ammash, Walaa Ismael Jassim, Mohammed Mezher Hussien

Al-Esraa University College Journal for Medical Sciences

Background: ACS is one of the most critical health challenge worldwide. It consists of several conditions resulting from a sudden reduction in blood flow to the heart muscle. The early diagnosis is essential to improve the diagnostic accuracy and risk stratification. This relies on finding early, sensitive and specific biomarkers. Among these biomarkers are GPBB (glycogen phosphorylase isoenzyme BB), also referred to as the brain-type isoform (PYGB), which is primarily expressed in the brain and heart tissues and the triglyceride-to-HDL cholesterol ratio (TG/HDL). GPBB has recently gained interest as a potential early marker for myocardial ischemia with high novelty, whereas …

The Effect Of VItex Agnus-Castus L. Medium On In Vitro Oocyte Maturation Rate, Nabaa Al-Nawab

Al-Esraa University College Journal for Medical Sciences

In vitro maturation (IVM) of oocytes offers a possible alternative to traditional in vitro fertilization (IVF) for individuals susceptible to ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). The use of plant-derived bioactive composites as supplements in culture media has attracted attention for their potential to enhance oocyte developmental competence in the absence of synthetic hormones. This investigation aims to examine the effect of Vitex agnus-castus L. (VAC) aqueous extract on the in vitro maturation rate of murine oocytes. A total of 16 mature female mice were divided into two groups, 8 animals in each group. Immature oocytes were collected and cultivated for …

Detection Of Uropathogenic Bacteria In The Samples Of Iraqi Male Patients, Marwa M. Al-Attar

Al-Esraa University College Journal for Medical Sciences

Prostate disease is found in elderly persons, the prostate is a male reproduction organ. It is approximately the size of a plum that may be found near the bladder’s base. It is the primary cause of the three commonest diseases: prostatitis, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and prostate cancer (PC). This study designed to identify the uropathogenic bacteria that caused prostate disorders in Iraqi male samples. A current study included 180 subjects from the Iraqi population, 135 patients were divided into three groups (prostate cancer, benign prostate hyperplasia and prostatitis), according to signs, symptoms and diagnosis by the physician each group …

Prevalence Of Aminoglycoside Resistance Genes Among Esβl Producer P. Aeruginosa In Burn Cases, Yasser Rabee Ibraheem, Majida Malik Alshammari

Al-Esraa University College Journal for Medical Sciences

Pseudomonas aeruginosa recurrently develops resistant towards aminoglycosides by gaining of aminoglycoside modifying enzyme (AME) genes. The study aimed to assess the antibiotic susceptibility profile of P. aeruginosa isolated from burn infections in hospitals in Baquba, AL Najaf and Karbala. Detection of genes that mediate the production of AMEs. 175 Burn swab (110 males and 65 females) were collected then cultured on MacConkey‘s and Blood agar for primary culture, and Cetrimide agar was used to isolate and purify the bacteria and incubated aerobically at 37°C for 24 hours. Then, Vitek 2 system to validate the results. Results revealed that 70 (40%) …

Antimicrobial Resistance Trends And Sccmec Typing Among Mrsa-Infected Diabetic Foot Cases In The Al-Najaf Community, Zahraa Hashim Abd Zaid Al-Sharoofi, Majida Malik Alshammari, Mohammed Abdzaid Akool

Al-Esraa University College Journal for Medical Sciences

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major cause of healthcare-associated infections worldwide, often linked to multidrug resistance and limited treatment options. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the molecular characteristics and antimicrobial resistance profiles of MRSA isolates recovered from diabetic foot ulcers in Al-Najaf Governorate, Iraq. A total of 76 S. aureus isolates were collected from patients attending three major hospitals. Identification was conducted using conventional microbiological methods, and methicillin resistance was confirmed phenotypically via cefoxitin disc diffusion and genotypically through PCR amplification of the mecA gene. SCCmec typing was performed using multiplex PCR. The findings revealed that 92.1% of …

Staff Education For Effective Patient Handoff, Kaylonn Amundson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This staff education project was initiated to address the lack of standardized handoff procedures which was found to have contributed to an adverse outcome for a hospitalized patient. The purpose of this project was to address the question: Will an interactive education program on a standardized handoff tool increase nursing staffs’ knowledge and self-confidence regarding its use? The project involved educating 20 inpatient nurses and care staff about the structure of the SIGNOUT? handoff tool using a PowerPoint presentation with a follow-up practice simulation. Handoff sheets and visuals were distributed to aid in the learning process. Pre- and post-education surveys …

Joyful Nursing By Leading With Heart In Perinatal Loss Care And Staff Wellness, Kelli Griffiths, Holly Puckett, Bruce Slagle

Montview Journal of Research & Scholarship

This quasi-experimental study evaluates if providing individualized follow-up care through self-care bags, follow-up phone calls, open communication for debriefing, and tailored mental health resources enhances support for obstetric staff and improves their ability to care for patients experiencing perinatal loss. Interventions were implemented from February 2024 to August 2024. A total of 103 self-care bags were distributed throughout the designated hospital systems’ two labor and delivery departments. A five question post-intervention survey was conducted and found the following question to be statistically significant, “I feel the joy in nursing would be restored, to a degree, if obstetric staff were more …

Sleep Menus: A Personalized Approach To Enhancing Patient Rest And Improving Sleep Quality, Justin W. Dorman

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Manuscripts

Sleep disruptions among hospitalized patients can negatively impact healing, recovery, and patient satisfaction. Hospital noise remains a persistent barrier to restful sleep, yet previous hospital-based noise reduction strategies have shown limited sustained success. This quality improvement project aimed to enhance patient-perceived sleep quality by implementing a patient-centered Sleep Menu offering patients earplugs or sound machines. A pre-post design was employed, using the Richard-Campbell Sleep Questionnaire (RCSQ) to assess patients' sleep quality before and after the Sleep Menu intervention. Sixty patients were approached; 25 chose earplugs, and 7 selected the sound machine. Despite environmental decibel levels remaining above the WHO recommendations …

Staff Education To Improve Patient Medication Adherence For Schizophrenia Using Long-Acting Injectables, Adela Ghogomu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This doctoral project was conducted as a staff education initiative based on a comprehensive literature review that emphasized the importance of staff education in improving healthcare outcomes. The practice problem identified was a lack of staff knowledge and education regarding long-acting injectables (LAIs) in clients with schizophrenia, which contributed to inconsistent support for client medication adherence. It was essential to address this issue because nurses play a crucial role in medication management, patient education, and adherence support. The practice-focused question explored was: Will staff education regarding the use of long-acting injectables in clients with schizophrenia to enhance medication adherence improve …

Enhancing Readiness Of Novice Nurse Educators To Use Concept Mapping As An Active Learning Strategy, Kaitlyn Dutch

MSN Student Capstones

No abstract provided.

Reducing The Use Of Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents In Hemodialysis Patients, Myriamme Neree

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This Doctor of Nursing Practice project was a quality improvement (QI) initiative. Nephrologists were inconsistent in ordering iron studies and sometimes delayed the initiation of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) on admission to the inpatient site. These delays often led to suboptimal outcomes. The practice-focused question guiding the project asked whether a nurse-driven iron protocol would improve adherence to anemia management guidelines. The project’s purpose was to evaluate the impact of the evidence-based nurse-driven protocol. I used descriptive and inferential statistics for data analysis. Findings demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in the timely completion of iron studies and in intravenous (IV) iron …

Workplace Violence: A Paradigm Shift, Ann Marie Hutchens

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Workplace violence (WPV) has reached epidemic proportions. WPV poses devastating results on the healthcare industry: affecting quality of care and patient outcomes, contribute to the development of physical and psychological conditions for nurses, and reduce the healthcare teams’ level of job satisfaction and organizational commitment. The United States is already facing a nursing shortage due to baby boomers retiring and an increase chronic disease and the elder population. Although strongly prevalent, WPV is significantly underreported. It is believed that the low rate of reporting is a consequence of apathy that violence is an occupational hazard, and that nothing will change. …

A Clinical Practice Guideline For Screening For Insomnia In College Students, Ashly Bliss

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Insomnia and sleep deprivation are highly prevalent issues among the U.S. college student population, contributing to a significant health care gap due to the inconsistent performance of routine clinical screening. This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project sought to determine the rigor and applicability of a Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG) designed for the early identification of insomnia in college students using a best-evidence screening tool within a rural health clinic. The primary practice-focused question was: In a rural health clinic, will a CPG for implementation of a screening tool based on best evidence for early identification of insomnia in college …

Impact Of Staff Education To Clinical Documentation Integrity Team, Leyna Belcher

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The doctoral project investigates the impact of education on Clinical Documentation Integrity (CDI) nurses in enhancing the accuracy and quality of clinical documentation within healthcare organizations. Clinical documentation plays a crucial role in accurately reflecting patient care and is essential for capturing proper diagnoses, coding, and reimbursement. In contrast, inaccurate or incomplete documentation can lead to misdiagnoses, poor patient outcomes, and financial deficits. Due to frequent updates in clinical guidelines and coding standards, CDI professionals require continuous, specialized training to stay informed with ever-changing medical terminology, disease processes, and coding regulations. By enhancing the CDI education, the aim is to …

Transition-To-Practice Program For Aprn Msn Graduates, Jennifer Nneoma Nwosu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The transition from graduate education to clinical practice marks a pivotal point in the professional journey of advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). Despite rigorous preparation, many APRN MSN graduates struggle to adapt to the complex expectations of autonomous practice. The lack of structured mentorship, inconsistent orientation processes, and unclear performance expectations contribute to high stress, role confusion, and early turnover. This Doctor of Nursing Practice Executive Leadership project addressed this critical issue by evaluating whether an interprofessional team could achieve consensus on developing a best practice program to guide APRN MSN graduates’ transition to independent clinical practice. This initiative was …

Staff Education To Improve Knowledge Of Probiotic Use And Benefits For Best Patient Outcomes, Rebecca M. Hoover

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Abstract The staff education project to improve knowledge of probiotic use and benefits with antibiotic use, has shown to improve patient recovery and outcome. The post-implementation impact of the project is increased awareness of probiotic use and their benefits to prevent Antibiotic. Associated Diarrhea at the project site organization. I identified no limitations in the project. Staff education can be used worldwide to prevent digestive diseases with the use of probiotics supplements or probiotic food. Probiotics use is to improve patient outcomes by maintaining gut microbiome and digestive health. The evidence-based practice solution of a staff education on probiotic use …

A Competency Based Pressure Injury Management Program, Madina Qadir

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This project aims to implement a simulation-based wound management program to address critical gaps in nurses’ competencies for managing pressure injuries (PIs). The initiative seeks to enhance nurses’ knowledge, clinical skills, and confidence in wound assessment and advanced therapies, fostering evidence-based practice and consistent care delivery. Effective PI management is vital for improving patient outcomes, reducing healing times, and minimizing complications. Yet, nursing education and competency gaps often lead to inconsistent care and increased healthcare costs. A structured competency-based pressure injury management (CB PIM) program integrates evidence-based didactic lectures and interactive simulation-based skills stations to cover essential topics, including wound …

Effect Of Implementing Safety Nursing Measures For Maintaining Fluid And Electrolyte Balance Among Critically Ill Patients With Acute Pancreatitis, Marwa Abdo

Nursing

Acute pancreatitis is a severe inflammatory condition that affects the pancreas and causes multiple organ failure. High rates of morbidity and mortality are caused by acute pancreatitis. Early fluid resuscitation, within the first 48 hrs., remains the hallmark for acute pancreatitis management. It lowers the incidence of pancreatic necrosis. Therefore, the foundation of treating acute pancreatitis in its early stages is safe fluid resuscitation. Aim: This study aims to evaluate the effect of implementing safety nursing measures for maintaining fluid and electrolyte balance among patients. Study design: A quasi-experimental research design was utilized in this study. Setting: This study was …

Integrating The Five As Framework To Enhance Person-Centered Care For Adults Living With Obesity, Alexandra Charles

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

Obesity has adverse effects on physical health, emotional well-being, and mental functioning. To effectively address this highly prevalent and multifaceted condition, the use of a structured, evidence-informed framework is essential to support providers in delivering consistent, person-centered care for individuals living with obesity. The Five As is a powerful yet not commonly implemented framework in many primary care practices. The Five As framework (Ask, Assess, Advise, Agree, Assist) offers a structured model to guide clinicians in delivering consistent, supportive, and transformative care for individuals with obesity.

The goal of the project was to implement a timely and cost-effective protocol/tool that …

Early Depression Screening In Adults With Opioid Use Disorder, Ekaterina Versace

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Abstract This Doctor of Nursing Practice project involved the development and quality appraisal of a clinical practice guideline (CPG) for early depression screening in adults with opioid use disorder (OUD), addressing the absence of standardized, evidence-based screening protocols in addiction treatment settings. Guided by the practice-focused question of whether existing evidence supports the development and evaluation of such a guideline using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II (AGREE II) instrument, a systematic synthesis of 35 research articles was conducted, with 15 high-level studies informing guideline development. A multidisciplinary panel of four experts evaluated the CPG using the …

Pediatric Anesthesia And Virtual Reality: Managing Perioperative Pain And Anxiety– A Scoping Review, Moneer Sharafi, Mason Pham, Alec Wiscombe

Doctoral Projects

Pediatric surgery is common, but it often causes considerable anxiety and pain. A staggering percentage of children experience preoperative anxiety, which can heighten pain, delay recovery, and contribute to complications such as emergence delirium and longer-term behavioral issues (Fortier & Kain, 2015). Virtual reality (VR), which immerses users in computer-generated environments, has been proposed as a distraction technique to reduce these challenges. This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project conducted a scoping review to examine the effectiveness of VR in reducing perioperative pain and anxiety in pediatric patients. The review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses …

A Program Evaluation Of Universal Screening For Depression In The Primary Care Setting, Samantha W. Burns

Doctoral Projects

Depression is a chronic condition affecting millions of Americans annually and is often associated with poor clinical outcomes, multiple co-morbidities, a negative economic impact, and an increased mortality rate. Many primary care settings have implemented universal depression screening programs following the recommendations of governing healthcare entities such as the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) and Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Due to positive benefit, universal depression screenings have now been included as a quality measure in the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) to increase organizational reimbursement. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) is a widely used screening …

Nurses' Comfort Toward Caring For The Dying: A Cross-Sectional Descriptive Study, Candies Warren

ATU Theses and Dissertations 2021 - Present

The purpose of this quantitative cross-sectional descriptive research study was to explore nurses’ comfort levels toward caring for dying patients and what factors influence the bedside nurses’ comfort levels in providing end-of-life care in an acute care hospital setting. A convenience sample (N=63) of RNs voluntarily participated in an online survey from January 2025 to March 2025 that provided direct patient care. Data was collected through Question Pro. Data collected included sociodemographic questions, questions about current comfort level, factors that influence nurses’ comfort level, and selected items from the Frommelt Attitude Toward Care of the Dying Patient (FATCOD) scale. Institutional …