Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Novel Targeting Approaches Of Nanoparticles For Anticancers Drug Delivery: A Focused Review, Yatri S. Patel, Nandita Das, Sudip Das

Scholarship and Professional Work – COPHS

Nanoparticles have presented a new paradigm in anticancer drug delivery to reduce adverse effects and improve therapeutic outcomes. Nanoparticle surface properties and morphology significantly affect the drug delivery to tumors while passive targeting. Conjugations with hyaluronic acid, transferrin and aptamers have shown to be effective in active targeting of anticancer drugs to tumor tissues. This review presents an overview of some credible techniques of passive and active drug delivery to tumors.

Resident Physicians’ Perceptions Of Ambulatory Care Pharmacy, Ashley Meredith, Darin Ramsey, Andrew Schmelz, Rachel Berglund

Scholarship and Professional Work – COPHS

Background: Physicians' acceptance of clinical pharmacy services is dependent on exposure to those services, with use increasing as resident physicians progress through their training. Resident physicians train within environments that have a multidisciplinary teaching and clinical care approach, working closely with other healthcare professionals. Ambulatory care pharmacists are increasingly working with resident physicians in clinic settings as part of the multidisciplinary team, and identification of resident physicians’ perceptions may influence future collaboration.

Objective: The objective of this research is to evaluate the perception of ambulatory care clinical pharmacy services from the perspective of resident physicians.

Methods: A statewide network of …

Statistical Distributions Of Consonant Variants In Infant-Directed Speech: Evidence That /T/ May Be Exceptional, Tonya Bergeson-Dana, Laura Dilley, Jessica Gamache, Yuanyuan Wang, Derek M. Houston

Scholarship and Professional Work - LAS

Statistical distributions of phonetic variants in spoken language influence speech perception for both language learners and mature users. We theorized that patterns of phonetic variant processing of consonants demonstrated by adults might stem in part from patterns of early exposure to statistics of phonetic variants in infant-directed (ID) speech. In particular, we hypothesized that ID speech might involve greater proportions of canonical /t/ pronunciations compared to adult-directed (AD) speech in at least some phonological contexts. This possibility was tested using a corpus of spontaneous speech of mothers speaking to other adults, or to their typically-developing infant. Tokens of word-final alveolar …

Exploring A Mechanism Underlying Stereotype Threat In Adhd, Alexandra Gabor, Matt Klem

Butler Journal of Undergraduate Research

No abstract provided.

Extended Infusions Of Meropenem For Febrile Neutropenia, Daniel J. Przybylski, Pharmd, David J. Reeves, Pharmd, Bcop

BU Well

Background: Neutropenic fever is an oncologic emergency that requires quick intervention with anti-pseudomonal beta-lactam antibiotics, such as meropenem. Previous literature suggests that extended infusions of beta-lactam antibiotics may improve clinical outcomes. To date, there are 3 prior studies utilizing an extended infusion beta-lactam in this population; however, there is only one previous study investigating the use of extended infusion meropenem in patients with febrile neutropenia.

Objective: To describe the outcomes of eight patients receiving extended infusions of meropenem for the treatment of febrile neutropenia.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was completed including adult patients admitted to a community teaching hospital …

The Physiological Basis For Vitamin C As A Potential Treatment For Sepsis, Jennifer Johnston

BU Well

Accounting for one third of all hospital patient deaths in America, sepsis remains one of the most deadly and complicated conditions that healthcare providers treat. Septic shock, a progressed form of sepsis, is even more troublesome, as mortality rates typically fall between 50-72%. It has been proposed that administration of high doses of vitamin C could be an effective treatment for the condition due to the nutrient’s anti-stress and anti-shock properties. This investigation of the physiological reasoning for administering high doses of vitamin C evaluates the viability of its use in patients with septic shock.

Nanomedicine For The Treatment Of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, Tanvi Gandhi, B.Pharm

BU Well

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, or NHL, is the predominant category of lymphoma. NHL is a type of lymphoid hematopoietic malignancy which approximately 70,000 Americans are diagnosed with annually, with the number of diagnoses growing annually. For decades, chemotherapy was the standard treatment of care, but since the discovery in 1997, monoclonal antibodies are increasingly used as an alternate form of therapy. Nonetheless, almost 20,000 Americans succumb to NHL annually, which highlights the translational gap between preclinical research and the market. Although a lot of progress has been made in therapy options by immunotherapy and combination chemotherapy, the ingenuity of nanomedicine may bridge …

The Ketogenic Diet: An Answer For Autism?, Anne Perez

BU Well

Lacking substantial evidence regarding its genetic identity, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a remarkably misunderstood condition with limited options for effective treatment. As the prevalence of patients with ASD increases, medical professionals continue to search for a solution. Could the ketogenic diet, a high fat, low carbohydrate nutrition plan, provide the relief that ASD patients are searching for?

Butting Heads: Tackling Football Concussion And Prevention, Mandy Mcdaniel

BU Well

Hundreds of thousands of sports concussions occur each year in the United States, and almost half of them are the result of a football injury. Even though they may not initially appear serious, concussions can lead to extreme cognitive impairments in those affected. This article highlights the importance of treating concussions properly and educating coaches, parents, and athletes on the value of allowing young athletes to take the time they need to fully recover.

The Misuse Of Over-The-Counter Nsaids, Sara Hudson

BU Well

Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are some of the most frequently used analgesics. The misuse of these medications occurs frequently and often without the patient’s realization. Inappropriate use can cause acute NSAID overdoses or contribute to serious adverse effects. Health care providers continue to play an important role in emphasizing the safe use of these medications. This article examines the impacts of NSAID misuse in our society and how health care professionals can help address these issues.

Prescribing Exercise For Chronic Pain Management, Katie Hettinger

BU Well

In light of the opioid crisis, practitioners are looking for alternative ways to effectively treat pain. Utilizing exercise modalities as a method of pain management is becoming increasingly popular and more research is being done in this area than ever before. This article analyzes different research regarding exercise therapy for pain management, as well as what type of exercise has been found to be most beneficial for patients in pain.

Visual Habituation In Deaf And Hearing Infants, Claire Monroy, Carissa Shafto, Irina Castellanos, Tonya Bergeson, Derek Houston

Scholarship and Professional Work - Communication

Early cognitive development relies on the sensory experiences that infants acquire as they explore their environment. Atypical experience in one sensory modality from birth may result in fundamental differences in general cognitive abilities. The primary aim of the current study was to compare visual habituation in infants with profound hearing loss, prior to receiving cochlear implants (CIs), and age-matched peers with typical hearing. Two complementary measures of cognitive function and attention maintenance were assessed: the length of time to habituate to a visual stimulus, and look-away rate during habituation. Findings revealed that deaf infants were slower to habituate to a …

Characteristics Of Patients Experiencing Extrapyramidal Symptoms Or Other Movement Disorders Related To Dopamine Receptor Blocking Agent Therapy, Shaina Musco, Laura Ruekert, Jaclyn Myers, Dennis Anderson, Michael Welling, Elizabeth Ann Cunningham

Scholarship and Professional Work – COPHS

Purpose/background: Dopamine receptor blocking agents (DRBAs), also known as antipsychotics, are medications widely used to treat a growing number of mental health diagnoses. However, their utility is limited by the potential to cause serious adverse movement reactions. Akathisia, dystonia, parkinsonism, and tardive dyskinesia (collectively known as extrapyramidal symptoms or EPSs) are associated with reduced social and occupational functioning, negative patient attitudes toward treatment, and nonadherence to pharmacotherapy. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome is a life-threatening reaction that can result from DRBA use and cause musculoskeletal dysfunction. The aim of this study is to profile patients who have developed DRBA-related movement adverse effects …

Comparison Of Patient Outcomes In A Pharmacist-Led Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy Program, Zachary Howe

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

Purpose: Outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) is a therapeutic option meant to conserve healthcare resources when treating infections requiring the administration of IV antibiotics over a prolonged treatment course. In November 2016 at Franciscan Alliance Indianapolis, a dedicated pharmacist was hired to build a formal OPAT program for all patients discharged on IV antimicrobials under the care of the infectious disease physician group. The number of “good catch” events observed since the program’s formal inception has encouraged the creation of this study designed to examine the impact of this program on patient outcomes and antimicrobial stewardship.

Methods: This was a …

Evaluation Of An Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy Program In A Specialty Clinic Setting, Elizabeth Hauk

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

Introduction: Outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) has gained popularity since its first description in 1974. At Community Health Network (CHN), the OPAT clinic was developed three years ago by an ambulatory care clinical pharmacist and includes pharmacist driven monitoring for all patients receiving OPAT. The pharmacist ensures labs are drawn weekly to assess for renal or hepatic function changes, medication levels are drawn and adjusted as needed, and repeat labs and levels are ordered to continue assessing therapy. There have not been any studies to date to investigate CHN’s OPAT program both demographically and clinically.

Objectives: The primary objective of …

The Motivations And Perceived Benefits Of Student Participation In Dance Marathon, Emily Nettesheim

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

The Children’s Miracle Network Dance Marathon movement has attracted over one million college students nationwide and fundraised over $38 million in 2017. The objective of this study was to determine student motivations and perceptions of the benefits of participation in Dance Marathon. This was a quantitative and qualitative cross-sectional study administered using an online survey software. Undergraduate students from three different Indiana programs were invited to participate. The survey consisted of 20 questions divided into four categories: demographics, what is Dance Marathon participation, motivations, and perceived benefits from DM involvement. There were 161 respondents out of 1492 recipients for an …

Addressing Drug Misuse On A College Campus: An Academic And Resource Driven Approach, Deborah Ebbinghaus

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

In recent years, the United States has experienced an epidemic of drug misuse. Many studies have indicated those in the typical college age demographic of eighteen to twenty-five years of age are particularly at risk. This research examines prescription drug misuse on college campuses, with the aim of proposing additional resources for the University. It has three components: a literature analysis, a policy, procedure, and resource review, and new resource development. The literature review will examine journal articles published after January 1, 2010 related to prescription misuse in collegians. It also examines state and university specific data. The policy, procedure, …

Parent Interaction Between An Infant With A Cochlear Implant And Additional Disabilities, Lillian Southern

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

Pediatric hearing loss has many spoken language learning issues that can impact parent-infant interaction. Moreover, additional disabilities are likely to increase stress, which could have cascading effects on communication. The purpose of the study was to examine interactions between mother- and father-child dyads with and without hearing loss and/or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Cytomegalovirus (CMV), and global delay. Recordings of the parents speaking with six infants in the study were analyzed: an infant with cochlear implants and ASD (low socioeconomic status, SES), two infants with cochlear implants and normal development (high SES and low SES), one infant with a cochlear …

Effect Of Rurality On Diabetes-Related Hospitalizations In A Small Acute Care Hospital In Jackson County, Indiana, Lindsey Ridlen

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

Patient access to healthcare can be a potentially significant barrier to overall health outcomes, especially when paired with a costly and complex disease state such as diabetes. The purpose of this study was to determine if patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus living in rural areas of Jackson County experience greater health disparity and more diabetes-related hospitalizations than those living in non-rural areas. The study was conducted at Schneck Medical Center in Seymour, Indiana. A total of 164 patients were included in the final analysis based on the presence of a diabetes-related diagnosis code in the patient’s chart; of these, …

Nonword Repetition And Word Learning In Children With Specific Language Impairment, Kerianne Schoff

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

Children with specific language impairment (SLI) are notorious for inconsistent use of grammatical morphemes, as well as a small vocabulary. This lack of vocabulary is linked to their difficulty in learning new words, which requires a strong phonological memory. Tasks of nonword repetition call upon this same skill. This overlap in skills suggests a strong relationship between the two tasks. The current study explores the relationship between nonword repetition performance and novel word learning abilities in preschool-aged children with SLI as compared to their typically developing (TD) age-matched peers. Nine children with SLI and nine TD children completed a nonword …

Assessment And Analysis Of H.Pylori Infection Treatment Strategies Of St. Vincent Hospital's Family And Internal Medicine Clinics, Rebecca Orr

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

Helicobacter pylori is a gram-negative bacteria that is responsible for causing chronic gastritis, ulcers in the stomach and intestine, and eventually even gastric lymphoma or cancer. Multiple treatment options have been recommended for treating an H. pylori infection based on kidney function, previous antibiotic exposure, and whether or not the infection is recurrent. The most common regimens used at St. Vincent's primary care centers closely mimic the American College of Gastroenterology's clinical guidelines. However, these medications (clarithromycin and levofloxacin) have been associated with high rates of resistance in other countries. The United States has very limited data on H. pylori's …