Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Delayed Umbilical Cord Clamping: A State Of The Science, Landynn E. Ouellette

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

The purpose of this paper is to explore the state of the science related to delayed versus early umbilical cord clamping. This interprofessional change in practice and protocol needs to take place within obstetric practice, which can be made up of obstetricians, midwives, nurse practitioners, and nurses. Patients must be educated by their providers so that they can better understand the care being performed. A search of the literature published through PubMed was conducted using the key phrases delayed umbilical cord clamping (DUCC), benefits of delayed cord clamping, and umbilical cord protocols. The search yielded 133 titles, which was limited …

The Hemostatic Effects Of Acute Exposure To Colored Cornstarch Powder During A 5k Run, Robert C. Allsbrook

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

PURPOSE: To examine the acute hemostatic effects of particulate matter (PM) in the form of colored corn starch powder during a 5 kilometer race. METHODS: 10 recreationally active adults completed two 5k runs, one with color and one without color. 10 mL blood samples were taken 6 hours prior to the trial and immediately following the trial. PAI-1 activity, FVIII antigen, and tPA activity were measured using an ELISA. RESULTS: No significant main effects or interaction effects (P<0.05) were observed among any of the variables although a trend (P = 0.082) was observed for increased PAI-1 activity during exercise in the color condition. CONCLUSIONS: There is a trend towards increased PAI-1 activity levels during exercise during color runs that could be due to increased inflammation. Furthermore, the lack of increased FVIII:ag and tPA activity suggests that the intensity of the exercise may not have been adequate and further research should be conducted in this area.

A Systematic Review Of Complimentary Therapies To Treat Symptoms Of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder In The Aftermath Of Domestic Abuse, Jordan A. Meeks, Saida Byrami

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

Objectives: Explore the impact of intimate partner violence (IPV) on the health of female survivors. Identify complementary therapies that alleviate symptoms of psychological health impacts of IPV on women’s health.

Method: An exhaustive search of published, peer reviewed literature on complementary therapies and IPV was conducted. Databases included PubMed and CINAHL. Each article reviewed was published between the years of 2002 and 2016. The initial search produced 112 articles, abstracts of all studies were reviewed and studies were included if they addressed; a) complementary and alternative therapies, b) post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression and, c) the impact of IPV …

Caffeine Mouth Rinsing In The Fed State Does Not Enhance 3-Km Cycling Performance In The Morning Or Evening, Kayla Sweeney

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

PURPOSE: To assess the effect of a caffeine mouth rinse on performance at different times of day. METHODS: 12 recreational cyclists completed a simulated 3-km time trial and 4 sets of 5 leg extension repetitions, twice in the morning and twice in the evening. 25 ml of 1.14% caffeine, or placebo solution was mouth rinsed before sets 3 and 4 of the leg extension and before the time trial. Treatments include: caffeine + morning, placebo + morning, caffeine + evening, and placebo + evening. RESULTS: The caffeine rinse had a negative impact on time trial performance in both the morning …

Examining The Implementation Of The Patient-Centered Recovery Model In Psychiatric Nursing, Nicole K. Rossi

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

The Recovery Care Model is the recommended evidence-based model for delivering holistic, patient-centered care for mental health clients. The model is a more therapeutic approach than the traditional medical model and upholds the ideas that psychiatric clients are more than just their illness, should be respected as unique individuals, and provided with hope and empowerment in their care while being given the opportunity for informed and autonomous decision-making. Although research has shown support for the Recovery Care Model, its implementation has not been fully accomplished in all psychiatric facilities. Of all of the members of the health care team, nurses …

Hemostatic Responses To Exercise In A Polycythemia Vera Patient, Allison M. Huschke

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

PURPOSE: To assess the hemostatic responses to exercise in a patient with Polycythemia Vera (PV). METHODS: Six female runners (≥15 miles/week) completed a maximal treadmill test. One subject had PV while the other five subjects made up the comparison group. Blood samples were taken before and within two minutes after exercise. VO2max was also recorded. RESULTS: Pre-exercise Factor VIII and tPA-antigen were similar in the PV subject and comparison group. Factor VIII and tPA-antigen increased dramatically in the PV subject (+100%, +1000%) in relation to the comparison group (+22.9 ± 8.7%, +108 ± 78%) after exercise. Pre-exercise PAI-1 was lower …

The Effect Of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease On Swallowing, Jessica R. Torres

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

This work is composed of a literature review, research review, and self-reflective essay. The anatomy and physiology of normal swallowing and respiration are reviewed. Additionally, the effect of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) on these processes is discussed. The research goal was to determine how lung volume changes adapt the physiology of swallowing in individuals with COPD. The research project was designed and conducted by Teresa Drulia, M.S., CCC-SLP. COPD participants (n=9, mean age=72, 6 male) were compared to older healthy individuals (n=10, mean age= 59, 3 male). Participants completed swallows of 20cc of water at four lung volume conditions: …

Cancer Perceptions And Health Behaviors In Tazewell County, Virginia, Sarah E. Waddle

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

Tazewell County is a community the citizens feel is plagued by cancer. This concern was so great the county officials requested a study be done by a local university, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech), to explore potential external factors causing these perceived high rates of cancer within the community. The results of the Virginia Tech study found the rates of cancer were no higher in Tazewell County than elsewhere in the state of Virginia. The purpose of the current study was to explore the idea of perceptions and the effect they may have on the health behaviors …

The Effect Of Depression On Bone Mineral Density In College-Aged Females, Caitlin A. Cadematori

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

Research regarding the relationship between depression and bone mineral density (BMD) has produced very inconsistent and limited results, especially in younger females. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between depression scores and BMD in college-aged female students. Forty-six participants, ages 18-24 (+/-1.0368) completed a 24-hour dietary recall, medical history, Beck’s Depression Inventory and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS) and had their femur and sacral vertebrae BMD, z-score, and t-score measured in the Dual X-Ray Absorptiometry (DXA) machine. Participant demographics were analyzed with descriptive statistics and potential variable correlations were analyzed by partial and bipartial …

The Effect Of Simulations On Nursing Students’ Ethical Reasoning Confidence In Disasters: A Pilot Study, Sara E. Greco

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

This study measured the effect of a disaster nursing simulation and debriefing session on senior BSN students’ perceived ethical reasoning confidence and their belief in the importance of ethical reasoning. Using a quasi-experimental design, this study compared participants’ responses before and after the interventional activities using the Survey of Ethical Reasoning. Post-test results demonstrated an increase in students’ perceived ethical reasoning confidence, perceived importance of ethical reasoning, and utilization of James Madison University’s Eight Key Questions Ethical Reasoning Framework.

Type And Location Of Speech Disruptions In Adolescents With And Without Specific Language Impairment, Katherine E. Davies

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

This research project analyzed the types and locations of speech disruptions in adolescents with and without Specific Language Impairment (SLI). The narrative samples of 12 adolescents with SLI and 12 typically developing (TD) adolescents were analyzed. Using Schwalbe’s (2012) classification system, the speech disruptions in the 24 narratives were coded for the type and reason for disruption. The broad category of speech disruptions were classified under revisions, repetitions, filled pauses and orphans, and silent pauses. The reason for the disruption was coded as the part of speech of the word that was determined to have caused the disruption. Comparisons were …

Clinical Study Of Canine Tear Lacritin As A Treatment For Dry Eye, Katherine E. Kelly

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), the deficiency of tears also known as dry eye, is a prevalent disease that affects both humans and canines. The current treatment for dye eye, cyclosporine (Restatis®), only provides temporary relief, is often associated with discomfort and is inconsistently effective. Lacritin is a naturally occurring tear glycoprotein secreted from the human and canine lacrimal glands. It has been shown that lacritin stimulates basal tearing in rabbits when applied topically. This study characterized the amount and form of lacritin found in the tears of dogs with healthy and dry eyes—information which may be applied to the development of …

Applying The Social Cognitive Theory To The Hookup Culture Embodied In The Undergraduate Students Of James Madison University, Jacqueline M. Crawford

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

The hookup culture on college campuses is creating a social shift away from traditional dating. The social influence of this culture could potentially be explained through the use of the Social Cognitive Theory (SCT). The SCT examines the effects of peer influence, environmental influence, and personal beliefs on individual behavior. The current study applied the SCT to the hookup culture embodied in the undergraduate student body at James Madison University. Research found that many students may be influenced by their peers and environment to participate in this culture and students misperceive the hookup behavior of their peers. These results can …

Role Of Interleukin-3 In An Experimental Model Of Mouse Cerebral Malaria Caused By Plasmodium Berghei Anka, Brendon R. Perry

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

Malaria is a life-threatening mosquito-borne disease caused by parasites of the genus Plasmodium, with about 200 million new cases reported each year. In rodent models of malaria, a variety of immune proteins called cytokines have been noted to either promote or suppress protective immunity. While the cytokine interleukin-3 (IL-3) clearly promotes host defense against some intestinal nematode parasites, few studies have reported a similar function for IL-3 in the pathophysiology of malaria. In this study, we investigated the role of IL-3 in a mouse model of cerebral malaria caused by Plasmodium berghei ANKA. We infected wild-type (WT) and IL-3 …

Reflection: Effect Of Age On Auditory Brainstem Responses In Mice With Epha4 Mutations, Erica L. Hoogerland

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

Presbycusis, or age-related hearing loss is a condition that affects approximately 40% of the population over 65 years of age (Gates & Mills, 2005). Studying the effects of EphA4 mutations (wild type, heterozygous, and homozygous) mice is fundamental in understanding the relationship between onset of age-related hearing loss, in both the mammalian population and the human population. In order to further understanding of age-related hearing loss, the researchers evaluated thirty-six mice in a preliminary study from two months to nine months of age. Following data analysis, the researchers confirmed the results by continuing a second round of testing. The hearing …

Parents Of Children With Arthritis-Related Diseases: An Examination Of Knowledge Of And Participation In Select Support Programs And Services Offered By The Arthritis Foundation, Margo B. Deihl

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

The purpose of this pilot study was to identify the knowledge of and participation in select Arthritis Foundation support programs and services among parents of children with arthritis-related diseases. Parents attending the 2014 Juvenile Arthritis National Conference in Keystone, Colorado completed an online survey that asked about their knowledge of and participation in these programs. The data collected for the study was quantitative and qualitative. Respondents were given the opportunity to add comments to some survey items, and these items were analyzed by grouping them according to common themes. Results indicated that the parents were more knowledgeable about the Juvenile …

Macronutrient Supplementation For Endurance Athletes, Jonathan B. Hurst

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

Purpose: The present study addressed two questions related to macronutrient supplementation during endurance exercise. Firstly, the effects of carbohydrate and protein co-ingestion on time trial (TT) performance were compared to carbohydrate alone. Secondly, the effects of isolated protein ingestion on TT performance were compared to a placebo.

Methods: Six trained cyclists (Age: 22 ± 1 years; Height: 167 ± 12 cm; Weight: 60 ± 10 kg; VO_2max: 62 ± 7 ml/kg/min) completed four experimental trials, consisting of constant-load cycling for two hours (55% W_max) immediately followed by a 30-km simulated time trial. During the trials, subjects …

Effective Communication Of School Health Screening Information: A Pilot Study Evaluating The Effect Of Electronic Communication Of Bmi Screening Information In Elementary Schools, Kara Elizabeth Carter

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

Obesity is a growing concern surrounding today’s youth. School-based health screenings are promoted as a public health strategy to identify obese children and those at high risk for becoming obese. Despite numerous programs, data is lacking in effective school to parent communication of health related information. The purpose of this research is to determine the effect of electronic communication of health screening outcomes, including parents’ understanding of screening information, utilization of informational resources, and decision to seek physician follow-up. Screenings for body mass index, acanthosis nigricans and blood pressure were conducted during school hours among children in kindergarten and third …

The Impact Of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury On Romantic Relationships, Rylie K. Power

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

Well-documented symptoms of traumatic brain injury (TBI) include acute symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, nausea, and memory loss. However, many TBI survivors also experience changes in cognition, behavior, personality, and mood that challenge interpersonal relationships. These invisible, neurobehavioral symptoms are uniquely challenging for survivors and caregivers of mild TBIs that lack physical, daily reminders that can accompany more severe injuries. The present study focused on the effects of survivors’ mild TBIs on their romantic relationships and the potential for a deteriorating support system. A convergent parallel mixed methods approach quantitatively assessed the environment of romantic relationships after …

Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor Response During Endurance Cycle Training: Impact Of Carbohydrate And Protein Supplementation, Jordan L. Parker

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

Purpose: Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) is part of the superfamily of neurotrophins including: nerve growth factor (NGF), neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) and neurotrophin-4 (NT-4). Recent evidence suggests that aerobic activity can increase BDNF levels both during and following exercise. Likewise, dietary habits have been shown to alter BDNF levels. However, nothing is known about the effect of BDNF levels during aerobic activity under specific dietary interventions. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of specific macronutrient supplementation on BDNF levels during aerobic exercise. Methods: We had the opportunity to determine BDNF levels in blood samples obtained from two …

Examination Of The Effects Of Language And Cultural Barriers On Spanish-Speaking Patients In Health Settings As Observed By Medical Spanish Interpreters, Sarah J. Kraska

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

This study aimed to investigate how the Spanish language and culture affects treatment, access to healthcare and perceptions of medical visits within the Hispanic population. This was examined through the viewpoint of medical Spanish interpreters in the Harrisonburg community. Quantitative data served to provide descriptive statistics regarding these interpreters, while qualitative data was used to gather data about themes and subthemes that were developed regarding this topic. Language was found to not be a significant barrier, but culture did have a significant affect. It was found that these barriers affected access to care because of lack of information, education levels …

Assessing Understanding Of Sexual Assault Resources And Response Among Health Sciences Students, Michelle M. Pappalardo

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

Background: The widely published statistic of 1 in 5 represents the number of women on college campuses who have been sexually assaulted (White House Office of the Press Secretary, 2014). Many colleges and universities have been attempting to address the sensitive topic of sexual assault for quite some time; however, sexual violence still remains prevalent on campuses throughout the United States (Allen, Ridgeway, & Swan, 2015). Many of the roadblocks an institution faces in its efforts may stem from a lack of understanding of the true nature of student attitudes surrounding the topic of sexual assault. The specific needs of …

The Effect Of Stress On Bone Mineral Density In College Aged Females, Grace C. Berardini

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

The relationship between psychological variables and bone mineral density (BMD) has been increasingly studied in the past few years, with research suggesting that decreased mood may play a role in decreased BMD. The purpose of this study was to determine if stress in college aged females on the James Madison University campus was related to decreased BMD. This study included 46 females between the ages of 18-24, who were currently enrolled in the Fall of 2015. All participants completed a medical questionnaire, 24-hour dietary recall, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS). Participants’ BMD …

The Synthesis Of 1,3-Difluoro-2-Methyl-4-Phenylbenzene From A One-Pot Reaction Of Difluorocarbene And 1-Phenyl-2-Methylcyclobutene, Ruth Felicitas Menger

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

Previous studies show that 1,2-disubstituted cyclobutenes can be used in reaction with difluorocarbene to produce 1,3-difluorobenzenes. A pathway to the synthesis of these types of compounds is of interest due to their presence in fluoroquinolone antibacterials, resins, and insecticides. The synthesis is unique because the fluorine atoms from the difluorocarbene are not adjacent to each other when the ring expands to a benzene ring. This study focuses on the reaction of difluorocarbene with 1-phenyl-2-methylcyclobutene, which was synthesized in one-pot in 4 steps starting from 1-phenyl-1-propyne and zirconocene dichloride.

Modulation Of Nitric Oxide Synthase I Transcription By Tau And Alpha-Synuclein And Its Relevance To Alzheimer's And Parkinson's Diseases, Taelor A. Weaver, Alexandra L. Deal

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and Parkinson's Disease (PD) are both progressive neurodegenerative disorders that affect millions of Americans and for which there are no cures. AD can significantly impair the ability to think, remember, communicate, and carry out daily activities, while PD can affect motor functions such as balance, coordination, and the ability to speak. Intracellular protein aggregation is a hallmark of both diseases, with AD being characterized by the build up of neurofibrillary tangles composed of misfolded tau protein and PD being characterized by Lewy bodies composed of alpha-synuclein. Both normal tau and alpha-synuclein can localize to the nucleus; however, …

Adolescent Grief: The Nurse's Role In Promoting Healthy Coping Mechanisms And Preventing Future Hospitalizations, Erica C. Reighard

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

Age and developmental stage directly influence the grieving individual's ability to understand and process death. Adolescents are especially vulnerable to developing negative coping skills such as substance abuse, self-destructive behaviors, and eating disorders. After a loss occurs, nurses can use their role as a caregiver who is neither a parent nor a peer to provide adolescents with an opportunity to express their grief. Nurses can educate grieving adolescents on the differences between positive and negative coping skills and can therefore reduce the number of future hospitalizations related to ineffective coping mechanisms.

Evaluation Of Interleukin-3 In Blood-Stage Immunity Against Murine Malaria Plasmodium Yoelii, Haley E. Davis

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

Malaria is a mosquito-borne infection caused by the parasitic protozoan Plasmodium. This disease infects over 200-300 million people and causes nearly 400,000 deaths every year. Our laboratory previously examined malarial infection caused by Plasmodium berghei NK65, a lethal rodent strain that induces symptoms similar to those observed in humans. The results of this previous study indicated that the hematopoietic growth factor and immunoregulatory cytokine interleukin-3 (IL-3) suppressed protective immunity against infection with P. berghei NK65. However, the extent to which IL-3 contributes to host defense against blood-stage malaria infection caused by other Plasmodium species remains to be determined. In …

Investigating The Use Of Chloroquine As Antineoplastic Therapy, Catherine E. Herron, Alexandra E. Mason

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

Chloroquine (CQ) is an oral lysosomotropic agent routinely used as an anti-malarial drug (Espina & Liotta, 2013). In recent years, it has been discovered that CQ also possesses anticancer effects, potentially due to the drug’s inhibition of autophagy (Kimura, Takabatake, Takahashi, & Isaka, 2012). Autophagy is a normal cellular pathway that allows for the degradation of cytoplasmic contents. In cancer cells autophagy can also serve as a pro-survival pathway under stressful metabolic conditions, ultimately promoting the survival of malignant cells (Sui et al., 2013). Therefore, in recent years CQ has been speculated as a potential antineoplastic therapy. When administered in …

Build-Up Effect Of Auditory Stream Segregation Using Amplitude-Modulated Narrowband Noise, Harley J. Wheeler

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

Recent psychoacoustic experiments (Böckmann-Barthel et al., 2014; Deike et al., 2012) have re-examined research regarding stream segregation and the build-up effect. Stream segregation is the ability to discern auditory objects within a stream of information, such as distinguishing one voice amongst background noise or an instrument within an orchestra. Initial works examining this topic proposed that auditory information is not immediately distinguished as various streams, but rather that differences accumulate over time, allowing listeners to segregate information following a period of build-up (i.e., the build-up effect); whereas more current findings indicate a build-up period is unnecessary for segregation. This experiment’s …