Digital Commons Network^™

Trametinib Decreased Intracerebral Hemorrhages And Endothelial-To-Mesenchymal Transition In Kras, Ohnmar Myint, Bridger Freeman, Jae Yeong Jeong, Hyejin Park, Samantha M Wilfur, Shuning Huang, Jung-Eun Park, Jakob Körbelin, Jaroslaw Aronowski, Eun S Park, Peng R Chen, Eunhee Kim

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Brain arteriovenous malformations (bAVMs) are a major risk factor for intracerebral hemorrhages in young patients. Recent clinical studies have reported that the majority of human bAVMs harbor somatic KRAS mutations. In our previous study, we confirmed the causal role of endothelial KRASG12V mutation in bAVM development in mice through hyperactivation of the MEK/ERK (extracellular signal-regulated kinase) pathway. However, the treatment efficacy of targeting MEK/ERK signaling in bAVMs, regarding clinical and biological outcomes, remains unclear.

Methods: In this study, we used the Food and Drug Administration-approved MEK inhibitor, trametinib, to treat mice with bAVMs induced by brain endothelial cell (EC)-specific …

The Role Of Dust Inputs And Sediment Phosphorus Diffusion Into Utah Lake, Utah, United States Of America, Kristen E. Smith

Theses and Dissertations

Human activities have led to excessive nutrient enrichment which is greater than lake systems can naturally assimilate. This process is known as eutrophication and it is driving significant algae growth resulting in the more common release of harmful toxins. Utah Lake, located in Utah County, UT is one such water body that even after major reductions in anthropogenic phosphorus influent, continues to experience frequent, harmful algal blooms. The extent to which natural processes, like atmospheric dust deposition and sediment recycling, contribute to the lake's phosphorus budget is still poorly understood.

To address this gap of knowledge, this study quantified phosphorus …

Evaluating Traffic Safety And Geometric Characteristics Using Machine Learning Ensemble Techniques: A Case Study Of Egyptian Rural Multi-Lane Divided Roads, Sania R. Elagamy, Ahmed N. Awaad, Usama E. Shahdah, Sherif M. El-Badawy, Marwa E. Elbany, Eman K. Ali

Mansoura Engineering Journal

Crash prediction models are essential for evaluating traffic safety by analyzing crash occurrence, frequency, or severity. Recently, machine learning techniques have gained prominence in statistical regression modeling and data analysis. This study assesses the effectiveness of machine learning in predicting crashes on Egyptian rural multi-lane divided roads using limited regional data. Supervised machine learning ensemble techniques were applied to predict crash-prone segments (classification) and estimate the total number of crashes per segment (regression). A comparative analysis aims to identify the most suitable method. The Synthetic Minority Oversampling Technique (SMOTE) addressed data imbalance, while K-means Clustering (KC) enhanced regression model accuracy, …

Mechanistic And Functional Characterization Of Abtb2 As A Novel Target For Pancreatic Cancer Therapy, Nan Lyu, Olamide T Olaoba, Qiongling Wang, Harinarayanan Janakiraman, Xinjian Liu, Ernest Ramsay Camp, Kun Cheng, Eric T Kimchi, Yi Miao, Kevin F Staveley-O'Carroll, Guangfu Li

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

BTB/POZ domain-containing proteins are increasingly recognized for their context-dependent roles in cancer, acting as either tumor suppressors or oncogenic drivers depending on the cancer type. Among them, the function of ankyrin repeat and BTB domain-containing protein 2 (ABTB2) in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), a highly lethal malignancy, has remained unexplored. In this study, we employed comprehensive functional genomics approaches—siRNA/shRNA knockdown, CRISPR-Cas9 knockout, plasmid-based overexpression, and a Cre-LoxP transgenic mouse model—to systemically modulate ABTB2 expression in human and murine PDAC cell lines, as well as in the KPC mouse model of PDAC. Our gain- and loss-of-function studies revealed that ABTB2 plays …

Life-Threatening Bradycardia In Anti-Nmda-Receptor Encephalitis And A Novel Use For Permanent Pacing, Sarah Tucker, Abhijit Das, Andres Jimenez, Areeba Basit, Yike Jiang, Emily A Smitherman, Heather Van Mater, Taylor Howard, Alexander J Sandweiss, Kristen S Fisher

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Pediatric anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis (pNMDARE) is an autoantibody-mediated disorder that can cause severe autonomic dysfunction, including symptomatic bradycardia and asystole. Dysautonomia can last for years, making it very challenging to manage.

Objective: To describe outcomes of 5 pNMDARE patients with life-threatening bradycardic and/or asystolic events who were managed with permanent or semi-permanent pacemaker implantation.

Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of 5 patients from multiple institutions. We included patients with a diagnosis of pNMDARE (confirmed by positive cerebrospinal fluid and/or serum anti-NMDAR antibodies) who had a permanent or semi-permanent pacemaker placed due to symptomatic bradycardia, sinus pauses, and/or …

Acceptance And Commitment Therapy: A Treatment Option For Substance Use Disorders, Miriam N. Mukasa, Ashley Yaugher, Ty Aller

All Current Publications

There are many evidence-based treatments for individuals experiencing substance use disorders (SUDs) that support both individuals and families. Psychological treatments are effective for a wide range of SUDs, making them a key approach for helping people with differing needs. This fact sheet provides information on treatments and provides more detail about acceptance and commitment therapy as a SUD treatment support.

Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists For Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis Of Randomised Controlled Trials, Song Peng Ang, Jia Ee Chia, Bruno Bezerra Lima, Jose Iglesias, Eunseuk Lee, Chayakrit Krittanawong, Mahboob Alam, Debabrata Mukherjee

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: The role of mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs) in acute myocardial infarction (MI) remains controversial, with conflicting evidence from landmark trials. We aimed to assess the impact of MRAs on mortality and cardiovascular outcomes post-acute MI.

Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, Embase and Cochrane CENTRAL databases up to February 2025 for randomised controlled trials comparing MRAs with placebo or standard care in adults experiencing acute MI. Primary outcome was all-cause mortality; secondary outcomes included cardiovascular mortality, heart failure, recurrent MI and ventricular arrhythmia. Data were pooled using random-effects models, with heterogeneity explored via subgroup analyses and meta-regression.

Results: 15 trials …

Bystander Interventions And Their Impact On Road Injury Outcomes: A Scoping Review, Nicholas Aveyard, George Stephen Russam, Jake Gluyas-Harris, Tim Nutbeam

Peninsula Medical School

Background: Road injury remains a leading global cause of death and disability, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where emergency medical services (EMS) are often limited or incur prolonged response times. In many trauma cases, bystanders are the first to respond and may play a critical role in patient outcomes. While the importance of bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in cardiac arrest is well-established, the evidence regarding bystander interventions in trauma care, particularly following road injury, is less well defined. This scoping review systematically examined the prevalence, nature, and impact of bystander interventions following trauma, with particular emphasis on road …

Status Of Training In The Use Of Lumen-Apposing Metal Stents For Therapeutic Endoscopic Ultrasound During Advanced Endoscopy Fellowship: A Survey Questionnaire, Yasi Xiao, Maham Hayat, Abdul S. Mohammed, Abdullah Abbasi, Sagar Pathak, Saurabh Chandan, Daryl Ramai, Deepanshu Jain, Muhammad K. Hasan, Mustafa A. Arain, Kambiz K. Kadkhodayan, Natalie Cosgrove, Dennis Yang

Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Faculty Papers

Background and Aims The lumen-apposing metal stent (LAMS) has revolutionized endoscopic ultrasound (EUS). However, there is a paucity of data on the optimal approaches to training on the use of LAMSs. This survey study aimed to evaluate the status of training in LAMSs among advanced endoscopy fellowship (AEF) trainees. Methods AEF (academic year 2023-2024) trainees were invited to complete a 15-question survey on LAMS training. The questions included the following domains: demographics, exposure to LAMSs before AEF, number of observed and hands-on participation using LAMSs for EUS-guided pancreatic fluid collection drainage (EUS-PFCD), choledochoduodenostomy (EUS-CD), gallbladder drainage (EUS-GBD), and gastrojejunostomy (EUS-GJ) …

Integration Of Algae In Buildings: Challenges And Opportunities, Marwa Said Saad, Mostafa Refaat, Ashraf Nessim

Mansoura Engineering Journal

Buildings produce 40% of energy-associated CO2 emissions and 35% of worldwide energy use which makes it one of the main factors of global warming. The use of bioactive materials on building façades is a creative way to address the aforementioned problems. The biotechnical potential of microalgae architecture to achieve net-zero energy architecture while simultaneously advancing ecological sustainability and occupant well-being has drawn attention. This paper aims to analyzing and investigating techniques of integration of algae in architecture showing the challenges and opportunities of this implementation. Analytical and Comparative analytical method were used in this paper, Initially, a thorough literature review …

College Athlete Mental Health: Identifying Sources Of Support In Collegiate Athletics, Levone Lee, Lauren Beasley, Kaylee A. Palomino, Patricia M. Kelshaw, Joycelyn Kennedy, Deborah Chanan, Elinah Russell, Tarkington J. Newman

Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics

Despite having access to resources and services, college athletes continue to encounter negative mental health experiences and outcomes. Prior research has begun to identify key sources of social support within collegiate athletics, including teammates and athletic trainers. However, there is limited understanding of with whom college athletes feel most comfortable discussing their mental health. The current study aims to identify preferred sources of social support when athletes wish to discuss their mental health and, in turn, examine differences in preference among unique college athlete populations. In total, 247 college athletes participated in the study, representing eight universities within an NCAA …

Developing Nlp-Based Open-Source Tools To Improve Medication Order Interpretation In Ehr Systems, Preslie Breton

Student Scholar Symposium

Interpreting free-text medication orders in Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems is challenging due to variability, increasing the risk of errors and non-compliance with Joint Commission (TJC) standards. This research develops Natural Language Processing (NLP) tools to enhance medication order accuracy, particularly for Duplicate PRN orders. Our open-source, vendor-neutral approach ensures broad applicability across healthcare institutions while maintaining data security.

Using Python and the Natural Language Toolkit (NLTK), we implemented a four-phase methodology. First, the NLP framework was developed on Google Colab for collaborative accessibility. Next, models were trained on 10,000 anonymized synthetic free-text medication orders to detect non-compliant entries. Model …

Using Technology To Boost Grocery Shopping Skills In Students With Intellectual Disabilities, Angela Richardson, Kim Pierson, Elise Shewmaker

Student Scholar Symposium

Student Scholars Symposium

Developing Nlp-Based Open-Source Tools To Improve Titratable Infusion Order Interpretation In Ehr Systems, Benjamin Brewer, Jay Dorris

Student Scholar Symposium

This study evaluates the feasibility of using natural language processing (NLP) tools to identify errors in titratable infusion orders for Joint Commission readiness. Titratable infusions are adjusted at the bedside by nurses based on predefined parameters, such as monitoring goals, titration rate, conditions for adjustment, and maximum dose. These parameters are often documented as free text within order sets but can be inadvertently removed during the verification process. Some electronic health records (EHRs) may not prominently display this critical information, leading to potential Joint Commission violations. A synthetic dataset was generated using artificial intelligence to simulate one year’s worth of …

The Fast And The Nutritious: Rapid Lc-Ms/Ms Analysis Of Vitamin B Complex Pharmacokinetics, Anna Losher, Abigail Davis, Yusra Ahmed, Sora Ghanem, Laurel Littlefield, Matthew J. Vergne

Student Scholar Symposium

No abstract provided.

Understanding The Role Of Hd5 In Colonic Epithelial Cell Death, Maryam M. Gerges, Amanda D. Williams

Student Scholar Symposium

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an autoimmune disorder where the immune system attacks healthy tissue. IBD can occur in both adults and children, describing Ulcerative Colitis (UC) and Crohn’s Colitis (CC). Our lab studies human alpha defensin 5 (HD5), an antimicrobial peptide that normally maintains small intestinal sterility. However, in CC patients, HD5 is overexpressed in the colon. Preliminary data suggests that HD5 increases colonic cell death. This project aims to determine if HD5 induces apoptosis and its mechanisms. To this end, we will test if the suppression of caspase enzymes with a pan-caspase inhibitor reduces cell death triggered by …

Environmental, Social, And Governance (Esg) Teaching Resources For Use In Any Accounting Class, Misty Newby

Student Scholar Symposium

With current and future Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting regulations, industry pressures, and stakeholder expectations, many organizations integrate ESG goals into business strategy. To aid accounting faculty in their goal of preparing students with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to create, review, and audit ESG reports, this flexible, three-part ESG teaching module can be used in whole or in part in any accounting course. This teaching resource provides lecture files (Google Slides), lecture notes, and student assignments and can be scaled up or down to fit the lecture needs. Topics covered in the modules include Sustainability, Climate Change, and …

Investigating The Effects Of Albendazole On The Hatch Rate And Motility Of C. Elegans Eggs, Jennifer Domingo Diaz, Emma Duerson

Student Scholar Symposium

Over 1.5 billion individuals a year are infected with soil-transmitted helminths (STH) such as whipworm, hookworm, and Ascaris. These infections have detrimental effects on human growth, nutrition, and cognition leading to a cycle of poverty. Currently, The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes four drugs to treat STH for mass drug administration which consist of two mechanisms of action. These fall into two classes, nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonists and benzimidazoles. Albendazole, the drug of choice, is a beta-tubulin inhibitor that induces the immobilization and death of STH (Malik and Dua, 2023). The widespread use of these drugs and the limited mechanism …

Importance Of Sustainability Within Children’S Hospitals, Ashley Newby

Student Scholar Symposium

Author: Ashley Newby

Presentation Type: Poster

Faculty Mentor: G. Dodd Galbreath

Discipline: Sustainability and Pediatric Nursing

Importance of Sustainability within Children’s Hospitals

Sustainability is an important aspect of every environment that one encounters. For pediatric patients entering a children’s hospital, it is probably not something that is important and at the top of their list when looking for healthcare. However, sustainable children’s hospitals have not only their patients as their first priority, but they also take the earth into account. Some might not realize that they are walking into a sustainable children’s hospital unless someone tells them.

Topics include:

-Look …

Heavy Metal Thunder: Nashville's Lakes And Streams Bring The Noise, Deron Young, Leila Ais, Leah Jacob, Matthew J. Vergne

Student Scholar Symposium

Surface water bodies, including lakes and rivers, can contain naturally occurring and pollution-derived chemicals and metals that may pose risks to public health. This study aimed to identify and quantify metal concentrations in water samples from the Cumberland River in Nashville and Clarksville, as well as Radnor Lake, to assess potential health risks for water sports participants and those using the water for drinking or agricultural purposes.

Seven water samples were collected and analyzed using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES), a highly sensitive technique for detecting trace elements. The samples were prepared by adding nitric acid and analyzed …

Investigation Of Aldehyde Oxidase Inhibition By Clopidogrel And Its Thiol Metabolite, Rachel Crouch, Merna Kamal, Hilina Woldeamanuel

Student Scholar Symposium

Aldehyde oxidase (AO) is an enzyme that metabolizes drugs containing aromatic azaheterocycles. Small thiol-containing molecules have been reported to inactivate AO. Clopidogrel is an antiplatelet agent used to treat cardiovascular diseases. Clopidogrel is a prodrug that is bioactivated in vivo by cytochrome P450 enzymes CYP3A4 and CYP2C19 into a thiol metabolite. Our research aims to explore whether the clopidogrel thiol metabolite can inhibit AO, leading to potential drug-drug interactions when co-administered with other drugs that are metabolized by AO. In order to determine whether the prodrug clopidogrel and/or its thiol metabolite inhibit AO, O6-benzylguanine (AO substrate) was incubated with human …

Understanding Urban Homelessness: A Comparative Analysis Of Nyc, La, And Seattle, Mia Gregory

Student Scholar Symposium

Homelessness remains a persistent crisis in America’s largest and most diverse cities, despite differences in housing strategies, policy, and economic conditions. This research examines why major U.S. cities continue to experience high levels of homelessness by analyzing New York City, Los Angeles, and Seattle—three cities that consistently rank among the highest in homeless populations. According to USA Facts (2024), these cities account for roughly 33.5% of the nation’s homeless population, underscoring the urgency of this issue.

This study investigates factors contributing to the differences in homelessness rates among these cities, including housing affordability, policy effectiveness, and social services and resources. …

Pediatric Glioblastoma Molecular Mechanisms, Ariana Trabachino, Joshua Owens

Student Scholar Symposium

Powerpoint presentation

Functionality Of The Ryanodine Receptor Type 1 (Ryr1) In The Development Of Malignant Hyperthermia (Mh), Cesar Medina, Joshua Owens

Student Scholar Symposium

Malignant Hyperthermia (MH) is a rare but potentially lethal pharmacogenetic disorder, affecting roughly 1 in 30,000 children and 1 in 100,000 adults undergoing surgery. MH can be triggered by agents used for general anesthesia. These may include volatile anesthetics such as sevoflurane, isoflurane, desflurane, halothane or depolarizing neuromuscular blockers such as succinylcholine. Upon administration of a trigger, an MH susceptible (MHS) patient can develop a hypermetabolic state during the intraoperative or postoperative periods. If not treated quickly, an MH episode could result in organ dysfunction or death. The primary mechanisms involved in the development of an MH crisis include the …

The Effects Of Added Xanthan Gum On The Acceptability Of Gluten-Free Shortcake, Samuel Garrett, Seth Beach, Maiya Zepeda

Student Scholar Symposium

The Effects of Added Xanthan Gum on the Acceptability of Gluten-Free Shortcake

Introduction: The incidence of celiac disease and gluten sensitivity has increased, driving demand for gluten-free (GF) baked goods. However, replicating the texture and structure provided by gluten remains a challenge. Xanthan gum, a common additive in GF baking, may improve texture and overall product acceptability. This study evaluates whether adding xanthan gum to a homemade GF flour blend improves the quality of GF shortcake.

Methods: A control shortcake made with all-purpose flour was compared to three GF versions: 1) commercial GF flour, 2) homemade GF flour blend (white …

The Decline Of Public Trust In The Federal Government: Causes, Consequences & Restoration, Shythaly Herrera

Student Scholar Symposium

Public trust in the United States federal government has significantly declined over the past several decades, reaching historic lows in recent years. A 2024 study by the Pew Research Center indicates that only 22% of Americans trust the federal government to do what is right most of the time, which is a drastic decline from 55% in 2001. This paper aims to explore the root causes of this decline and the implications this has for the American public. By examining research and empirical data that observes political, social, and economic factors. Political polarization, government corruption, and inefficiency are some of …

Exploring Mental Health And Spirituality, Eden Lathem, Olivia Blakey

Student Scholar Symposium

This proposed literature review aims to explore the current literature regarding the relationship between the presence or absence of a supportive Christian religious community and its impact on the mental health of individuals with mental health disorders. Many mental health professionals now view mental illness from a biopsychosocial model, but the field still lacks a common ground on the role of spirituality for individuals experiencing mental health issues. The current research has hypothesized that the presence of a supportive religious community may have a significant effect on the mental health outcomes of individuals with mental health issues. The findings are …

Prosperity Gospel Orientation Interacts With Life Stress To Impact Religious Doubt And Psychological Well-Being, Ellie Stork, Grace Henry, Haley Rose Wills, Joanna Jernigan, Peyton Smith, Josephine Magar, Rachel Russell, Jonathan Miller

Student Scholar Symposium

Prosperity gospel beliefs (PGB) assert God wants believers to prosper on earth and will reward the faithful with health and financial success. Wilkinson and Biondolillo (2021) developed the Prosperity Gospel Belief Scale, finding relationships with religiosity, prayer, attachment to God, materialism, greed, and entitlement. This study examines whether PGB and stress interact to increase religious doubts (RD) and decrease psychological well-being (PWB), measured by life satisfaction (LS), positive affect (PA), and negative affect (NA). Participants were recruited from psychology courses and completed study questionnaires using an online platform, with all procedures approved by the Lipscomb University IRB. Seventy-nine participants (Mage …

Trauma Severity And Religious Detachment In Women Who Have Experienced Intimate Partner Violence Within A Religious Context, Trevor Hulan, Trevor Glenn Hulan

Student Scholar Symposium

Intimate partner violence is often a traumatic experience that impacts all aspects of a person’s life, including their spiritual well-being. The goal of this research is to study the intersection of psychology and religion. This study assesses the severity of trauma and religious detachment in women who have experienced intimate partner violence within a religious context. The study utilizes the PTSD Checklist (PCL-5) and the Spiritual Harm and Abuse Scale (SHAS) to examine the relationship between PTSD severity and religious detachment in participants. It is hypothesized that women who have experienced intimate partner violence within a religious context will score …

Sisterhood: Fostering Solidarity, Well-Being, And Advocacy For Women, Mallory Syvertson, Ann Sowell, Y'Alexia Robinson, Monroe Mccoury

Student Scholar Symposium

Abstract

Women’s health, safety, and empowerment remain critical global issues, often hindered by limited access to resources and societal barriers. The Sisterhood PR Campaign is a strategic public relations initiative designed to foster solidarity, well-being, and advocacy for women by providing essential resources and support. Through partnerships with brands such as Always and Tampax, the campaign promotes education on mental health, personal safety, and self-care, ensuring that women have the knowledge and tools necessary to thrive. A key component of the campaign is #SisterhoodStrong, a digital movement encouraging women to share personal stories of empowerment and resilience.

This …