Digital Commons Network^™

Patient Blood Management Programs And Their Association With Patient And Organizational Outcomes, Sandra L. Lamm

Theses and Dissertations

Blood transfusions are the most common hospital procedure. However, many transfusions may be unnecessary. These unnecessary transfusion may expose patients to the potential risks of transfusion without improving patient outcomes Patient blood management (PBM) programs emphasize conserving a patient’s own blood resources and only transfusing the minimum amount needed. This study examined the organizational and environmental factors associated with a hospital having a PBM program, or having processes based on PBM, and their impact on organizational and patient outcomes potentially affected by blood transfusions.

A PBM survey was created for this study and used to gather information on hospitals having …

A Spatiotemporal Assessment Of Fish Assemblage Response To Land-Use Change And The Evaluation Of Edna Metabarcoding For Describing Diverse Fish Communities, Timothy M. Owen

Theses and Dissertations

Fish assemblages are often assessed as a biological proxy for environmental health. While humans value healthy environments for the ecosystem services and recreational opportunities they provide, it is increasingly evident that such resources can be paradoxically degraded by anthropogenic activities. In this investigation, we studied the relationship between different intensities of anthropogenic land-use change and habitat-driven fish assemblage response across multiple spatiotemporal scales. Secondarily, we explored the efficacy of eDNA metabarcoding against conventional electrofishing techniques for the purpose of describing complete fish communities. This study was conducted in the Tuckahoe Creek basin near Richmond, Virginia. This James River tributary serves …

The Impact Of Healthcare Professional Students' Racial, Hiv-Related, And Abortion-Related Biases On Recommendations For Prenatal Care, Alison J. Patev

Theses and Dissertations

Black women and HIV-positive women have increased maternal mortality rates and other negative pregnancy outcomes, in part due to disparate prenatal care. Although women who seek abortions do not have the same negative outcomes, abortion stigma exists and is normalized in healthcare. Limited work has examined prenatal care provision for women in these groups, and even less work has explored the prenatal care provision by healthcare trainees (i.e., medical, nurse practitioner, and physician assistant students). Examining the role of bias on the prioritization of prenatal care items by healthcare trainees is imperative. Healthcare education sets the stage for future practice, …

Interclass Gpcr Heteromerization Affects Localization And Trafficking, Rudy Toneatti

Theses and Dissertations

Class A serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine) 2A (5-HT_2AR) and class C metabotropic glutamate 2 receptors (mGluR2) are seven transmembrane receptors (7TMRs or G protein-coupled receptors – GPCRs) involved in multiple neuropsychiatric disorders including schizophrenia. Previous findings from our laboratory reported that 5-HT_2AR and mGluR2 are dysregulated in the prefrontal cortex of patients suffering from this psychiatric condition, although 5-HT_2AR’s expression was recovered in antipsychotic-medicated patients. Genome-wide association studies on schizophrenia reported that endosomal trafficking that regulates cell surface abundance of another 7TMR implicated in this disease (dopamine D2 receptor) can be altered. Ligand-activated receptors, including the …

The Cb1 Receptor Positive Allosteric Modulator, Zcz011, Attenuates Naloxone-Precipitated Withdrawal Signs In Oxycodone-Dependent Mice And Inhibits Small Intestinal Transit In Mice, Julien Dodu

Theses and Dissertations

The endogenous cannabinoid system tightly regulates a myriad of physiological and pathophysiological functions. Effects of cannabinoids in ameliorating opioid withdrawal signs has been known for decades. Naloxone precipitates several withdrawal signs (e.g., diarrhea, weight loss, jumps, paw flutters, and head shakes) in opioid dependent rodents. ∆⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) has been shown to ameliorate opioid withdrawal in mice through the activation of cannabinoid type-1 (CB₁) receptors. Inhibition of the endocannabinoid degradative enzymes also attenuates these withdrawal signs (i.e., diarrhea, weight loss, jumps, paw flutters, and head shakes) in opioid-dependent mice. Specifically, inhibition of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), …

Behavioral And Quantitative Electroencephalogram Alterations During The Whisker Nuisance Task Following Mild Traumatic Brain Injury In Mice, David Wildman

Theses and Dissertations

Mild traumatic brain injury (mild TBI) has been shown to cause an array of symptoms in individuals lasting up to several years. Several publications have lead researchers to believe that parvalbumin axotomy and its associated changes with gamma oscillations may be the driving force for these symptoms. Several publications have demonstrated alterations in both resting gamma and evoked gamma by way of parvalbumin dysfunction. Our research analyzed resting and evoked gamma obtained by electroencephalograms (EEG) in nine mild TBI mice and six SHAM mice by utilizing a behavioral test known as the Whisker Nuisance Task (WNT). The central fluid percussion …

Live Cell Biomass Tracking For Basic, Translational, And Clinical Research, Graeme Murray

Theses and Dissertations

Single cell mass is tightly regulated throughout generations and the cell cycle, making it an important marker of cell health. Abnormal changes in cell size can be the first indication of dysfunction in response to environmental stimuli such as cytotoxic drugs. Described here is the further development of high-speed live cell interferometry (HSLCI) to concurrently measure the changes in single cell mass of thousands of cells over time. Critically, the high-throughput nature of HSLCI provides realistic pictures of tumor heterogeneity. This throughput enabled HSLCI to correctly predict in vivo carboplatin sensitivity of three triple negative breast cancer patient derived xenografts, …

Prolactin Drives A Dynamic Stat5a/Hdac6/Hmgn2 Cis-Regulatory Landscape Exploitable In Er+ Breast Cancer, Justin M. Craig

Theses and Dissertations

The hormone prolactin has been implicated in breast cancer pathogenesis and regulates chromatin engagement by the transcription factor, STAT5A. STAT5A is known to inducibly bind promoters and cis-regulatory elements genome-wide, though the mechanisms by which it exerts specificity and regulation of target gene expression remain enigmatic. We previously identified HDAC6 and HMGN2 as cofactors that facilitate prolactin induced, STAT5A mediated gene expression. Here, multi-condition STAT5A, HDAC6, and HMGN2 ChIP-seq with parallel condition RNA-seq are utilized to reveal the cis-regulatory landscape and cofactor dynamics underlying prolactin stimulated gene expression in breast cancer. We find that prolactin regulated genes are …

Bayesian Experimental Design For Bayesian Hierarchical Models With Differential Equations For Ecological Applications, Rebecca Atanga

Theses and Dissertations

Ecologists are interested in the composition of species in various ecosystems. Studying population dynamics can assist environmental managers in making better decisions for the environment. Traditionally, the sampling of species has been recorded on a regular time frequency. However, sampling can be an expensive process due to financial and physical constraints. In some cases the environments are threatening, and ecologists prefer to limit their time collecting data in the field. Rather than convenience sampling, a statistical approach is introduced to improve data collection methods for ecologists by studying the dynamics associated with populations of interest. Population models including the logistic …

Amixicile, A Novel Antimicrobial Agent, And Its Effect On The Salivary And Subgingival Microbiome In Rhesus Macaque Monkeys, Erin E. Block

Theses and Dissertations

Background/Purpose: Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease with a bacterial etiology in a susceptible host. A selective antibiotic with minimal systemic side effects could be a useful adjunct to traditional periodontal therapy. Amixicile is a novel antimicrobial agent that targets pyruvate: ferredoxin oxidoreductase (PFOR), an enzyme that is critical for anaerobic bacterial metabolism and has been found to have little-to-no side-effects in animal models. The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate the effect of amixicile on clinical periodontal parameters and the composition of the oral microbiome in rhesus macaque monkeys. It was hypothesized that the amixicile would reduce growth …

Targeting Transferrin Binding Protein A For Vaccine Development In Neisseria Gonorrhoeae, Ashley Greenawalt

Theses and Dissertations

Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the causative agent of the sexually-transmitted infection gonorrhea, has recently been labeled a superbug. With dwindling treatment options, there is urgent need for a gonococcal vaccine. TonB-dependent transporters (TDTs) are important gonococcal virulence factors that allow the gonococcus to pirate metals directly from host proteins. The TDTs, TbpA and TbpB, are promising vaccine targets because both proteins are expressed and highly conserved in gonococcal strains, and they are not subject to high-frequency antigenic variation. Because the Tbps bind to host protein as their natural function, our immune system does not recognize them as foreign antigens; thus, immunogenicity is …

Socio-Ecological Predictors Of Social Connection Among Older Adults, Georganna Amateau

Theses and Dissertations

Decades of research has established an unequivocal link between states of social connection and health status. Lack of social connection, whether construed as social isolation or loneliness, negatively influences health and is highly associated with cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, fall risk, and premature death. Despite extensive research on social isolation and loneliness, evidence relative to the broader construct of social connection suffers. Few studies inform practice standards for community-based organizations. This study aimed to develop a multidimensional, continuous composite variable of social connection and use the composite variable to examine predictors with a socio-ecological lens.

A secondary data analysis …

Systematic Structure-Activity Relationship Studies Of Nalfurafine, Mengchu Li

Theses and Dissertations

Today’s opioid crisis is one of the most challenging public health emergency. Two million Americans suffer opioid addiction. Over 20 million adults are affected by daily pain without non-addictive analgesics.

Kappa opioid receptor (KOR) is one of the most studied new pain targets void of abuse liability. KOR agonists have shown potent analgesia and also potential in alleviating opioid addiction. The only approved KOR agonist in clinic is nalfurafine (NFU). Though not leading to addiction, the analgesic effects of NFU are accompanied by sedative side effects. Therefore, we designed a systematical structure-activity relationship study of NFU for developing non-addictive analgesics. …

Treatment Outcome Of Perforation Repair With Bio-Ceramic Based Materials: A Retrospective Study, Lolwa Alyahya

Theses and Dissertations

INTRODUCTION:

The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to assess the treatment outcome of orthograde perforation repair using bio-ceramic based materials.

METHODs:

Data from the VCU graduate endodontic practice were analyzed retrospectively. Treatment had been conducted by VCU endodontic residents under the supervision of qualified endodontists during the period from August 2014-December 2020. All cases in which a bio-ceramic based material had been used as a perforation repair material were included. Bio-ceramic based materials included MTA, EndoSequence Root Repair Material Putty and Paste (ERRM), and iRoot BP Plus Root Repair Material (BP-RRM). Perforation repair was performed using a dental …

Detrimental Role Of Irf1 In Myeloid Cells During Influenza Infection, Bianca L. Baum

Theses and Dissertations

The influenza virus is constantly evolving new ways to overcome both innate and vaccine-induced host defenses, making the innate immune response a critical therapeutic target for minimizing morbidity and mortality caused by infection. Here we examined the role that interferon regulatory factor 1 (IRF1) plays in regulating host innate immune responses in myeloid cells. We found that knocking out IRF1 from myeloid cells in mice (IRF1^DMy) led to a partial protection during IAV infection. Interestingly, recruitment of bone marrow derived myeloid cells as well as NLRP3 inflammasome expression were decreased in the lungs of IRF1^DMy mice, whereas …

Il-36g Cytokine Induction In Oral Epithelial Cells Triggered By Treponema Denticola And Their Role In Chronic Periodontitis, Christopher Blake

Theses and Dissertations

Periodontal disease is a polymicrobial disease affecting 10-15% of the population. Periodontal disease affects the quality of life by reducing mastication and potentially causing tooth loss. Periodontal disease is also linked to more severe, systemic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and rheumatoid arthritis. Development of the diseased state occurs when the plaque biofilm shifts from healthy to dysbiotic. The shift to a dysbiotic biome brings with it a shift in bacterial presence, specifically an increase in gram-negative bacteria, such as T. denticola. T. denticola is a gram-negative, anaerobic spirochete whose relationship with oral epithelial cells is poorly understood. Preliminary data …

Hamburger Helper Recipes, John Alex Goss

Theses and Dissertations

Hamburger Helper Recipes is a collection of essays and public addresses that aim to recuperate castoff and misfit material surrounding industries and tools which produce science-fiction fantasies, specifically videogames and television shows. The following essays confront the normative violence of capitalism, whiteness, and hetero-patriarchy that socially and technologically haunt these imaginary worlds and build hegemonic idealogy into their audiences. This collection takes industrial materials and software from their intended commercial purposes of production and “success” into places of abjection and quiet breakdown. The author’s own proximity to masculine and often toxic "work cultures'' within industrial spaces of coding and manufacturing …

Virtual Reality Tool For Visualizing The Oral Microbiome, Alexus M. Harris

Theses and Dissertations

There are limited teaching tools for helping both students and patients understand the oral microbiome. It is important to understand the oral microbiome as it heavily influences the health of your oral cavity and the dysbiosis of disease. The oral microbiome influences other aspects of health and serves as an indicator for health. With a greater understanding of the oral microbiome, patients can make healthier lifestyle changes and dentists can better educate their patients. For that reason, the goal of this project was to create a virtual reality tool for visualizing the oral microbiome. The assets for the VR tool …

Molecular Basis Of Cross-Sensitization In Colonic Inflammation-Induced Somatic Hypersensitivity, Parshva K. Mehta

Theses and Dissertations

A major portion of pain experienced by patients with an Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD) or Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) can be attributed to visceral hypersensitivity. Visceral stimuli transmitted through primary afferent neurons in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) induce a nociceptive response. Notably, a subset of patients has also experienced the development of somatic pain, such as leg pain, after diagnosis of a bowel disorder. The aim of this investigation is to ascertain which biochemical mediators are involved in the development of such viscerosomatic cross-sensitization. Initially, the Von Frey Test was used to find behavioral evidence of somatic referred pain; …

Modulation In Nmda Receptor Function Alleviates Safety Learning Deficit In Females Who Experienced Chronic Stress During Adolescence, Zuby C. Okafor

Theses and Dissertations

Anxiety disorders disproportionately impact women and are more prevalent in people with a history of chronic stress. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a type of stress and trauma-related disorder that is largely characterized by hyperarousal to fear-based cues. The inability to dissociate the fear-response from a non-threatening cue is known as impaired safety learning. Given that N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors are key mediators of learning behaviors, we examined the role of NMDAr function in deficient safety learning. Previous studies have shown that female rats with a history of stress have altered NMDAr gene expression and altered glutamatergic signaling; therefore, we hypothesized …

The Effect Of Local Anesthesia When Used In Dental Restorative Cases Under General Anesthesia On Control Of Intraoperative Physiologic Parameters And Post-Operative Comfort, Kathryn S. Skarda

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose:

To determine the effect of local anesthesia on post-operative pain and physiologic parameters intraoperatively in patients undergoing dental care under general anesthesia.

Methods:

This study was modeled as a double-blinded randomized control trial. Patients included healthy children under the age of six scheduled for restorative dental treatment under general anesthesia. Patient behavior was evaluated pre and post-operatively using the FLACC score and post-operatively using the Parental Pain Score Measure. Intraoperatively, all participants followed a standardized general anesthesia protocol and were given either local anesthetic infiltration by the dental surgeon performing the surgery or no anesthesia was utilized. Intraoperatively physiologic …

Pushing The Limits: Increasing The Speed And Specificity Of Sars-Cov-2 Testing, Grayson Way

Theses and Dissertations

The prevalence and spread of the current COVID-19 pandemic have highlighted the importance of continual improvements upon current microbiological testing methods. Rapid and accurate testing can help mitigate spread by improving on the time to quarantine and quarantine duration required. As of the writing of this thesis, COVID-19 has been responsible for more than 500,000 deaths in the United States of America, and greater than 2 million deaths globally. The work done in this thesis has shown improvements in the current SARS-CoV-2 testing methodology by reducing the time it takes for patient testing while maintaining accuracy and the sensitivity required …

The Role Of Glt-1 Signaling In Oligodendrocytes During Development And Myelin Repair, Elizabeth Thomason

Theses and Dissertations

The differentiation of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) into myelinating oligodendrocytes (OLGs) requires an increase in the complexity of process morphology, alterations in membrane trafficking, and the production of myelin proteins. Branching and process extension have already been shown to follow glutamate signaling through OLG-expressed excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs), mostly via GLT-1. It is of note that glutamate homeostasis often goes awry in multiple sclerosis (MS), the main demyelinating disease in humans. Thus, we have sought to gain an understanding of the role that GLT-1 plays under the myelination and remyelination conditions that arise during natural development of OLGs and …

Founding Monsters, Maggie Colangelo, Bernard Means

Founding Monsters

The Founding Monsters comic book was created as a science-friendly graphical storytelling framework that tells the story of the Founding Fathers and their obsession with prehistoric megafauna, especially mastodons and giant ground sloths. Founding Monsters combines sequential art (e.g. comic book style) with historical and scientific data. The first mastodon (Mammut americanum) fossils were found in New York in the early 18th century. Later in the 18th century, Thomas Jefferson was sent fossils from what is now West Virginia for what were eventually identified as bones from a giant ground sloth (Megalonyx jeffersoni). The founding fathers, …

Founding Monsters Tales, Maggie Colangelo, Bernard Means

Founding Monsters

The creative team behind the Founding Monsters comic book—Maggie Colangelo and Dr. Bernard K. Means—bring you Founding Monsters Tales. Founding Monsters Tales features all-new art by Maggie and explores and expands on themes in Founding Monsters. Meet again Moses Williams, an enslaved servant of the Peale family who not only helped reconstruct the first mastodon skeleton, but was an unheralded artist in his own right. Find out whether mastodons were meat eaters, and how they differed from mammoths. Learn whether Thomas Jefferson was correct in his interpretation of what he called “the great claw.” Discover what Jefferson thought …

Commonwealth Times 2020-11-18

Commonwealth Times, 1969-

No abstract provided.

Commonwealth Times 2020-11-11

Commonwealth Times, 1969-

No abstract provided.

Commonwealth Times 2020-10-21

Commonwealth Times, 1969-

No abstract provided.

Learning From The Outcomes Of Existing Prison Parenting Education Programs For Women Experiencing Incarceration: A Scoping Review, Belinda J. Lovell, Angela Brown, Adrian Esterman, Mary Steen

Journal of Prison Education and Reentry (2014-2023)

This scoping review addresses the question, what are the outcomes of existing prison parenting education programs for women experiencing incarceration and what can we learn? The framework used was based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). Significant positive changes were identified after attending prison parenting programs and women generally provided positive feedback about their experiences however, there were also insights into the distress caused. The content covered in the programs is also explored. In conclusion, prison can be an opportunity for parenting education and support although currently the best way to …

Commonwealth Times 2020-09-30

Commonwealth Times, 1969-

No abstract provided.