Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Exploring Stem Cell-Based Approaches To Ameloblast-Like Cell Development: Progress And Limitations In Enamel Formation, Ava L. Abruzzese

Honors Scholar Theses

Enamel is one of the most critical structural components of the tooth. As the outermost layer, it serves as a protective barrier, shielding the underlying dentin and dental pulp from physical trauma and mechanical forces. The formation and mineralization of enamel are regulated by specialized cells known as ameloblasts. Once enamel maturation is complete, these cells undergo apoptosis. Consequently, enamel lacks the capacity for natural regeneration after damage or erosion, which can result from various environmental factors. When enamel is compromised, current clinical interventions focus on preventing further deterioration rather than true regeneration. These approaches include the use of remineralizing …

Implementation Of A Standardized Short Stay Pain Protocol To Reduce Pain In Short Term Care Facility, Maggie O'Brien, Kenzie Reuter, Holly Hansen, Elle Wichmann

Celebrating Scholarship and Creativity Day (2018-)

Pain is a common symptom across all areas of nursing care, yet it is often undertreated in skilled nursing facilities, particularly among residents receiving rehabilitation services. Pain in this population may result from a variety of causes, including musculoskeletal conditions, wounds and pressure injuries, neuropathic pain, and chronic illnesses. A review of Minimum Data Set (MDS) reports and resident pain reports from the short-term rehabilitation unit revealed a concern of disparity. Long-term care residents demonstrated strong quality indicator scores (9.21 out of 10), while short-term stay residents scored significantly lower (2.76 out of 10). This discrepancy raised concerns about pain …

Dental Rehabilitation Of Pediatric Patient With Ellis-Van Creveld Syndrome: Case Report, Emma Kojima Dds, Robin Onikul, Neena Patel, Jenna Sparks, Amy Burleson

Posters

Ellis-van Creveld Syndrome, also known as Chondroectodermal dysplasia, is a rare autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in the EVC and EVC2 genes4. This syndrome is characterized by polydactyly of the hands, short limbs, ectodermal dysplasia, and congenital heart defects. Because Ellis–van Creveld syndrome affects all three embryonic layers, it presents with a range of oral manifestations, including absence of the mucobuccal fold, a serrated alveolar ridge, multiple labial frenula, abnormalities in tooth morphology, and congenitally missing teeth1. This report details a 20-month-old female who presented to the Children’s Mercy Dental Clinic in May 2019 for comprehensive dental care. The …

Two Glands, One Problem: Navigating Fertility Treatment In Concurrent Nonclassic Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia And Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Paul Meram, Mary Show, Elliott Gappy, Ajaz Banka

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Background: Nonclassic congenital adrenal hyperplasia (NCCAH) caused by 21-hydroxylase deficiency is generally a milder variant of congenital adrenal hyperplasia characterized by partial enzyme activity and variable increases in adrenal androgen levels. Patients presenting with such a condition may present in adolescence or adulthood with symptoms such as acne, hirsutism, irregular menses, and infertility. These symptoms often overlap with those of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), creating challenges in differentiation and management. It is critical to differentiate between PCOS and NCCAH in females of reproductive age, as hyperandrogenism treatment depends on the underlying cause, such as adrenal, ovarian, or a combination of …

The First Cut Is The Deepest: Understanding Learner Trauma In The Emergency Medicine Clerkship, Dimitrios Papanagnou, Leela Raj, Karen E. Watkins, Xiao C. Zhang, Andres Fernandez, Md, Victoria J. Marsick

Department of Emergency Medicine Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: As third-year medical students transition into high-stakes, high-stress clinical environments like the emergency department (ED), they may experience significant personal trauma. However, little is known about how this trauma is experienced early in their training - specifically during the transition from preclinical to clinical learning environments. This study addresses that gap by exploring third-year medical students' experiences of trauma during the emergency medicine (EM) clerkship through the lens of Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) and identifies workplace factors and intersectional demographics influencing these experiences.

METHODS: This qualitative study used the critical incident technique to explore emotionally-significant events encountered by third-year medical …

Exploring Policy Change To Support Early Diagnosis Of Congenital Heart Disease (Chd) In New Mexico, Kelsey Carson Leibenhaut

Doctor of Nursing Practice Posters and Presentations

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is not a new or rare problem; it has likely always been a leading cause of childhood morbidity and mortality and clocks in today as the most frequently occurring birth defect, affecting an estimated 1 in 100 newborns (CDC, 2025). Prior to the middle of the 20th century, there was little to be done about CHD, as no treatments existed. Everything changed with the advancement of options for surgical repair of CHDs, significantly prolonging lifespans and improving quality of life for affected individuals. Despite these incredible advancements, babies are born with CHD every day, leading to …

Preclinical Animal Modeling To Investigate Redox-Mediated Molecular Dysfunction In Traumatic Brain Injury, Brandon Z. Mcdonald

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Impacts associated with traumatic brain injury (TBI) induce a multitude of neurological morbidities mediated by a spread of biochemical dysfunction. Redox stress is a significant contributor to TBI pathophysiology and several redox stress markers have substantial evidence to support their role in diagnosing preclinical and clinical TBI. However, there is a critical need to verify their translational utility through correlations with behavioral, imaging, and molecular modalities. In chapter two, we examined the therapeutic efficacy of an antioxidant treatment (NPC3) using a controlled cortical impact (CCI) mouse model of TBI. NPC3 alleviated glial expression and reactivity while influencing the expression of …

Hidden Word Treasure Hunt: Design Of Dyslexia Game-Based Intervention, Olivia N. Epp

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

For this creative project, a literacy intervention board game entitled Hidden Word Treasure Hunt was designed for elementary students with dyslexia. Developmental Dyslexia is a neurodevelopmental learning disability which causes reading and writing difficulties. The goal of the intervention is to provide a fun and engaging way for students with dyslexia to practice skills like spelling, phonemic awareness, rhyming, and more. The game includes multiple choice question cards (treasure cards) and challenge spelling cards (key cards), and the student also has the opportunity to practice spelling the words with a whiteboard and marker. The student and SLP can play their …

Engineering Silicone Magnetic Fluids For Localized Radiation Attenuation During Ocular Melanoma Brachytherapy, Zachary L. Caprow

All Dissertations

Ocular melanoma is commonly treated using plaque brachytherapy; however, radiation-induced damage to healthy ocular tissues frequently results in partial or complete vision loss. This work investigates the development of an injectable, magnetically responsive silicone magnetic fluid designed to localize adjacent to the tumor and attenuate low-energy gamma radiation during treatment.

The material system consists of iron oxide nanoparticles surface-functionalized with a siloxane polymer, in which the nanoparticles provide magnetic responsiveness and radiation attenuation, while the polymer coating ensures colloidal stability, injectability, and biocompatibility. A one-pot synthetic approach was developed wherein a functionalized siloxane polymer containing iron-affinitive groups was reacted with …

Three Essays On Veterinary Drug Maximum Residue Limits, Akinbode Okunola

Department of Agricultural Economics: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

This dissertation consists of three essays: the first examines the prevalence of veterinary drug maximum residue limits (MRLs), the regulatory behavior of countries in setting these MRLs, and the degree of country-level compliance with international standards of Codex Alimentarius (Codex). The second evaluates the extent to which compliance with international standards across countries can help to manage potential transmission of resistant bacterial from animals to humans through consumption of contaminated meat, dairy and aquaculture products. The third focuses on how differences in regulatory standards across countries can impact international trade in the global beef, pork, and poultry markets.

The first …

Right Atrial Thrombosis In Behcet's Disease Presenting With Tricuspid Inflow Obstruction, Famta Basher Bisher, Thekrayat M. Asad, Sireen Shehadah

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Introduction Behçet’s disease (BD) is a chronic multisystem vasculitis characterized by recurrent mucocutaneous, ocular, vascular, and neurologic manifestations. Cardiac involvement is rare but can be severe, with intracardiac thrombosis representing an uncommon and potentially life-threatening complication. Management is challenging, as first-line medical therapy may be limited by bleeding risk or hemodynamic compromise. Case Presentation A 26-year-old woman with a 9-year history of Behçet’s disease presented with two weeks of progressive dyspnea, palpitations, fever, fatigue, and cough. She denied chest pain, or syncope, or lower extremity swelling. One year prior, she had been hospitalized for pulmonary embolism and was found to …

Igg4-Related Aortitis Presenting As Intramural Hematoma Of The Descending Thoracic Aorta, Sarah Ibrahim, Tejasvini Khanna, Lark Steafo, Ioannis Karageorgiou, Judith Bateman

Conference Presentation Abstracts

IgG4-related aortitis is a rare manifestation of IgG4-related disease and can closely mimic acute aortic syndromes, including intramural hematoma (IMH), on imaging. Isolated involvement of the descending thoracic aorta is particularly uncommon, and misdiagnosis may lead to unnecessary surgical or endovascular intervention. A 68-year-old man with extensive cardiovascular disease, including prior coronary artery bypass grafting, recent percutaneous coronary intervention with drug-eluting stent placement, permanent pacemaker implantation for complete heart block, and recent pulmonary embolism, presented with three days of chest pain, shortness of breath, and left lower quadrant abdominal pain. At presentation, he was receiving apixaban, aspirin, and clopidogrel. Computed …

Chit-Chat With Hats: Addressing Mental Health Decline Through Art Therapy And Community Engagement, Zoe G. Mendez-Sosa

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This capstone addresses the prominent social issue of mental health decline in Central Pacific California driven by lack of support systems for individuals. In partnership with Health Advocacy Team Support (HATS), “Chit-Chat with HATS was developed as a peer to peer group with art therapy techniques to promote emotional resilience and community connection. The primary objective of the program was to provide individuals struggling with mental health with tools to help them manage their feelings and thoughts.

The program was structured with check-ins, mindfulness techniques, and opportunities of creative expression through art therapy techniques to help participants with processing complex …

The Birthing Ground Podcast: Assessing The Impact Of Shared Doula Experiences On New Doula Confidence, Arrieanna D. Martinez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

There are too few confident, experienced doulas available in Monterey County to meet the needs of birthing families. Community-based maternal health programs face challenges related to limited confidence and experience among newly trained doulas, which affect the quality and consistency of care provided to families. This project addressed the needs of new doulas serving Medi-Cal–eligible families in Monterey County. The purpose of this capstone project was to increase confidence and preparedness among new doulas through a mentorship-based learning intervention. The project was implemented at the Parenting Connection of Monterey County and included new doulas and experienced mentor doulas. Key activities …

Evidence-Based Practice In Speech-Language Pathology: Creating Effective Therapy Materials, Avalee Dunkley

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Evidence-based practice is a fairly new topic in speech-language pathology, gaining traction among professionals in the field in the last twenty years. Evidence-based practice is the integration of high-quality research, patient cultural and social values, and clinician expertise to treat a patient. Patients are more likely to progress when these three factors are combined. This paper explores four areas of speech-language pathology that are commonly treated in school-aged children: speech sound disorders, language disorders, social communication disorders, and the use of augmentative and alternative communication. Each section gives a summary of the disorder and how the disorder can be treated …

Applying Evidence-Based Practice To Guide Occupational Therapy In The Nicu And Outpatient-Based Early Intervention Settings, Brooke A. Wilson

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

Infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) are at increased risk for feeding difficulties, developmental delays, and sensory processing challenges due to prematurity and complex medical needs. These effects often persist into the first years of a child’s life, and many receive early intervention or outpatient therapies. Occupational therapy plays a critical role in addressing these concerns while supporting caregivers in building knowledge and confidence. The purpose of this capstone project was to develop in-depth clinical skills in the NICU and outpatient early intervention settings, educate caregivers, and complete continuing education courses related to neonatal and pediatric therapeutic …

Addressing The Motor And Non-Motor Symptoms Of Parkinson’S Disease Through Integration Of Clinical Skills And Community Educational Resources, Alison C. Lee

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

Individuals with Parkinson’s Disease (PD) face many challenges to their daily life including various motor and non-motor symptoms that affects their participation in meaningful occupations. Non-motor symptoms like decreased social participation, sleep disturbances, fatigue, and decline in cognition often go unnoticed and undertreated. Limited resources are available to clinicians and individuals with PD regarding tangible ways to address these concerns. Occupational therapy (OT) has a unique role in addressing both motor and non-motor symptoms through evidence-based resources, education, and general awareness. This project bridged this gap in care regarding non-motor symptoms of PD through the creation of easily accessible handouts, …

Establishing Caenorhabditis Elegans As A Platform For Bioaccumulation And Selectivity Screening Of Anthelmintic Compounds, Jiarui Li

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

To address the cuticular barrier in anthelmintic discovery, this study establishes a bifurcated framework in Caenorhabditis elegans. First, HPLC-based quantification of 14 PIM inhibitors revealed that cuticular penetrance is primarily dictated by phylogenetic lineage (Clade V) rather than ecological niche. Specifically, C. elegans demonstrated a significant pharmacokinetic correlation with the hookworm Ancylostoma ceylanicum (Clade V) but not the whipworm Trichuris muris (Clade I), validating it as a superior surrogate model for hookworm bioaccumulation. Within this small molecule inhibitor library, SGI-12was identified as a lead candidate with superior potency against C. elegans and bioaccumulation. Second, target validation using a C. …

Injury Patterns And Early Outcomes Of Traumatic Obturator Hip Dislocation: A Preliminary Case Series, Robert J. Zamen, Jonathan G. Eastman

Summer Research Program Abstracts

No abstract provided.

More Than A Mesh: Gastrocnemius Flap Augmentation In Extensor Mechanism Reconstruction, Jered Wilson

Summer Research Program Abstracts

No abstract provided.

Neuropsychological Functioning And Coping Strategy Intervention Approaches In Youth With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Kalliopi Megari, Dimitra V. Katsarou, Georgios A. Kougioumtzis, Evangelos Mantsos, Maria Sofologi, Agathi Argyriadi, Alexandros Argyriadis, Efthymia Efthymiou

All Works

Background: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in ages 3–18 is associated with disturbances in attention, working memory, processing speed, and executive control, as well as persistent difficulties in affect regulation. These neuropsychological vulnerabilities might interfere with learning, peer relationships, and the consolidation of age-appropriate developmental skills. Methods: We conducted a narrative review informed by a structured literature search in PubMed, Scopus, PsycINFO, Embase, EBSCOhost, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. English-language publications from 1990 to 2025 were considered if they examined (1) neuropsychological outcomes of trauma exposure or PTSD in youth and/or (2) interventions with potential to modify neurocognitive or affective …

Public Health Responsible Ai Capability (Ph-Raic) Framework: A Conceptual Model For Integrating Ai Into Public Health Agencies, Arnob Zahid, Ravishankar Sharma, Rezwan Ahmed

All Works

Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) is transitioning from experimental pilots to core public health functions such as disease surveillance, resource planning, and analysis of social and structural determinants of health. Yet, health data collection and stewardship remain fragmented across the globe; some jurisdictions still rely on paper-based systems, while others operate noninteroperable digital systems that can exacerbate inequities. Treating health data as a global good therefore requires governance that enables innovation while protecting rights, safety, and trust. This study aims to develop a conceptual meso-level capability framework that translates responsible AI principles into organizational practices for public health agencies. Methods: We …

Safety And Efficacy Of Individualised Exercise And Nad+ Precursor Supplementation In Patients With Friedreich’S Ataxia In The Usa: A Single-Centre, 2 × 2 Factorial, Randomised Controlled Trial, Kimberly Lin, Anna Bucha, Kara Mcsweeney, Kristin Wade, Antoneta Karaj, Jaclyn Tamaroff, Shannon O'Malley, Nicole Chung, Nicolette Cilenti, Julianne Wanner, Gabriel Adzika, Clementina Mesaros, Ian Blair, Teerapat Rojsajjakul, Suraj Serai, Jennifer Farmer, Kyle Bryant, Yingying Lu, Michael Harhay, David Weber, Stephen Paridon, Erin Seifert, Mary Putt, Payman Zamani, Joseph Baur, David Lynch, Shana Mccormack

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND:Friedreich's ataxia is a rare, chronic, progressive, neurodegenerative condition affecting multiple organ systems, including neurological, musculoskeletal, cardiac, and endocrine systems, and is marked by low cardiopulmonary fitness. We tested the effect of exercise and NAD⁺ precursor supplementation with nicotinamide riboside, which have each shown benefits in animal and early clinical studies, on cardiopulmonary fitness in individuals with Friedreich's ataxia.

METHODS: This 12-week, outpatient, phase 2, single-site (Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA), randomised, 2 × 2 factorial clinical trial recruited individuals aged 10–40 years with an ejection fraction of 45% or greater who were able to exercise. A …

Population Pharmacokinetics And Dosing Simulations Of Pentobarbital In The Pediatric Population, Victoria Etges Helfer, Lorena Medina-Aymerich, William J. Muller, Marisa Meyer, Amira Al-Uzri, Russell Mcculloh, Chi D. Hornik, Stephen J. Balevic, Rachel G. Greenberg, Daniel K. Benjamin, Sarah G. Anderson, Daniel Gonzalez

Department of Pediatrics Faculty Papers

Pentobarbital is a barbiturate with sedative and anticonvulsant properties, occasionally used in pediatric patients for preoperative sedation, deep sedation during mechanical ventilation, and seizure control. Despite its long-standing clinical use, age-appropriate dosing remains challenging due to variability across studies and limited pediatric pharmacokinetic (PK) data. This study (NCT01431326) aimed to characterize the population pharmacokinetics of pentobarbital in pediatric patients (birth to 21 years) and evaluate dosing strategies using model-based simulations. A two-compartment population PK model, allometrically scaled to total body weight, adequately described pentobarbital plasma concentrations, with no additional covariates identified as significant. Simulations were conducted across four age groups: …

Dfend: A Nutrition Education Intervention To Improve Food Budgeting, Shopping, And Meal Preparation Skills Among Adults In Arkansas, Samantha K. Edwards

Human Nutrition and Hospitality Management Undergraduate Honors Theses

Preventive strategies targeting modifiable lifestyle factors related to food, nutrition, and health are needed as chronic health conditions continue to rise. Nutrition literacy refers to having the knowledge and skills needed to obtain, understand, and apply nutrition information to make informed dietary decisions. Without adequate nutrition education and food security, vulnerable populations are at risk of malnutrition and poor dietary behaviors. Educational interventions that increase food literacy can help improve dietary choices and food selection skills.

The purpose of this creative project was to develop a nutrition education toolkit for Extension agents to implement among rural populations with low health …

Exploring The Effects Of Protein Intake On Mood And Sleep Quality In Post-Menopausal Women, Deborah Crouch

General Human Environmental Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

 Background: Menopause is a phase of life that roughly half of the world’s population will go through. Although research looking into how the body changes and is impacted by menopause, studies relating to how diet can affect the aging body of post-menopausal women is limited. The objective of this study was to gain insight into how mood and sleep are affected by increasing protein intake in the diet.

Methods: 29 participants were assigned to either a control group (n=20) or a treatment group (n=9). The treatment group was assigned to consume 1.6 g/kg/day of protein, including 7 servings of beef …

Relationship Between Disordered Eating Behaviors And Sport In Female Collegiate Athletes, Elizabeth Files

General Human Environmental Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

Disordered eating behaviors and body image concerns remain prevalent among collegiate athletes, yet the role of sport type and sport-related environmental factors, such as uniforms, is not fully understood. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between sport type, uniform perception, and disordered eating behaviors among female collegiate athletes at the University of Arkansas. A quantitative, non-experimental design was used, with 36 athletes completing an anonymous Qualtrics survey incorporating demographic questions, uniform perception items, and the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire Short Form (EDE-QS).

Descriptive analyses indicated a predominantly young (ages 18–21), White, and underclassman sample. Chi-square analyses …

The Impact Of Glucose Exposure On Organic Cation Transporters (Oct) Function In A Corneal Epithelial Cell Line, David A. Garza

Theses & Dissertations

Organic cation transporters (OCT) facilitate the movement of neurochemicals and medications, contribute to the removal of cellular waste, and facilitate neuronal communication. Three subtypes of these high-capacity, low-affinity transporters (OCT1, OCT2, and OCT3) are differently expressed in peripheral tissues such as the liver, kidneys, as well as the central nervous system. OCTs are also expressed in ocular tissues. Chronic hyperglycemia is a complication commonly associated with diabetes that can lead to ocular diseases such as diabetic keratopathy, which affects the cornea. In this project, we expose immortalized human corneal epithelial cells (HCE-S) to various glucose concentrations to study their impact …

Chemical Variability In The Unregulated Opioid Supply In The South Bronx, Yeireline Rodriguez

Student Theses

The unregulated drug supply in the United States has become increasingly unpredictable, contributing to persistently high overdose mortality, particularly in structurally marginalized communities such as the South Bronx. While drug adulteration has long been present in illicit markets, the number and pharmacological diversity of adulterants remained limited for much of the twentieth century. Over the past decade, however, the drug supply has undergone a significant transformation marked by the proliferation of potent synthetic opioids such as fentanyl and its analogues, frequently combined with novel sedatives and chemically diverse adulterants. These shifts have introduced increasing chemical complexity into the street drug …

The Effect Of Fall Prevention Programs With Hourly Rounding On Fall Rates Among Adults Patients In Neurological Unit, Oyinlola A. Ogundeji

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this QI project was to evaluate the effect of a structured hourly rounding program on patient fall rates in an adult neurological inpatient unit.

Background

Patient falls remain a major safety concern in acute care, particularly among hospitalized neurological patients with impairments in mobility, cognition, and balance. In an adult neurological unit within a Magnet-designated hospital, fall rates exceeded national benchmarks, underscoring the need for a targeted quality-improvement

Methodology

A pre–post QI design, guided by the Plan-Do-Study-Act framework, was implemented over 12 weeks in a 28-bed neurological unit. This intervention featured structured hourly rounding using the …