Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Urology Resident Associate: A Promising Alternative For The Unmatched Urology Applicant, Jayson Kemble, Grace Handleman, Chad A. Lagrange, Christopher M. Deibert

Graduate Medical Education Research Journal

Background. Demand for urology residency spots frequently outstrips supply, with unmatched urology applicants having limited options while waiting for reapplication. We aim to demonstrate our experience with a year-long Urology Resident Associate (URA) position, which merges the role of junior resident and APP with the mission to reduce resident workload and further the training of an unmatched urology applicant.

Methods. A year-long, non-Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) accredited URA position was created at our institution in 2023 and filled by an unmatched applicant to our program. The URA was given all the roles and responsibilities of a …

Improving Resident Orientation To Anesthesiology Subspecialties Using A Structured “Passport”, Ky Raymond, Adam Jackson, Angela Mcelrath, Kathryne Corrigan, Ivan Barannikov, Kayla Knuf, Kelly Ivins-O'Keefe

Graduate Medical Education Research Journal

Background. On an initial pediatric, cardiothoracic, or obstetric anesthesiology rotation, a resident faces new knowledge and procedural expectations. Lack of guidance to direct learning may lead residents to feel unprepared. The optimal way to prepare residents is unknown. This initiative included the introduction of a structured “passport” for each subspecialty specifying the knowledge and procedural goals of an introductory rotation. This intervention aimed to improve resident and attending perceptions of resident readiness on these anesthesiology subspecialty rotations, as measured using pre- and post-initiative surveys of residents and attendings.

Methods. This initiative occurred at a large anesthesiology residency with 53 residents …

Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Uptake Among U.S. Medical Residents In High-Exposure-Risk Specialties – A National Study, Madison Oxford, Christina Stetter, Arpit Dave

Graduate Medical Education Research Journal

Background. HPV vaccination is not required for the United States (U.S.) medical residents, despite their potentially high risk of iatrogenic exposure to the virus. We aim to evaluate vaccination status, patterns of HPV vaccine uptake, and perceived risk of iatrogenic infection among residents in high-exposure-risk specialties.

Methods. In spring 2023, an anonymous online survey was distributed via program directors and coordinators of all Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)-accredited Obstetrics & Gynecology, Family Medicine, Otolaryngology, and Dermatology training programs to assess residents’ vaccination status, HPV exposure, and HPV vaccine knowledge.

Results. Responses from 537 residents at programs located in …

Reliability Of T2-Weighted Mri Volumetric Measurements For Knee Effusion Assessment Following Acl Injury: An Intra-Rater And Inter-Rater Study, Reginald Chinweze, Neal Weldon, Matthew A. Tao, Melissa Manzer, Elizabeth Wellsandt

Posters and Presentations: Physical Therapy

Purpose: Knee effusion after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury and reconstruction is associated with quadriceps dysfunction and may contribute to early osteoarthritis development. This study was subsequently designed to determine the intra-rater and inter-rater reliability of our method for volumetric quantitative measurements of knee effusion using T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) after ACL injury and reconstruction.

Methods: MRIs of 10 ACL-injured knees and 10 uninjured knees from participants aged 15-35 years old were included. Exclusion criteria included previous knee injury/surgery, inflammatory disease, BMI >30 kg/m2, and concomitant grade III ligament tears. Two independent raters analyzed effusion volumes using custom MATLAB …

Microbiome And Metabolome Association Network Analysis Identifies, Jordan Hernandez, Shivdeep S. Hayer, Sophie Alvarez, Anne Fischer, Haley R. Hassenstab, Katherine Cooper, Zahraa W. Alsafwani, Andrew K. Benson, Mallory J. Suhr Van Haute, Jacques Izard, Hyun-Seob Song, Jonathan B. Clayton

Journal Articles: Internal Medicine

The common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus), a nonhuman primate species, is a model organism of great interest due to its translational value in a variety of research settings, including the field of microbiomics. While the composition of the marmoset's gut microbiome has been somewhat described in captivity, little is known about how gut microbiota interact with each other over time and how they relate to metabolite production. To help answer this, we characterized interactions in the gut microbiome of the common marmoset by calculating the Spearman correlation coefficient between 16S rDNA-derived relative genera abundance data and targeted metabolomics data …

Transcriptomic And Epigenomic Profiling Of Immune Cells Responses To Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Infection In The Brain, Xiaoke Xu

Theses & Dissertations

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is an enveloped retrovirus that significantly impairs the human immune system. A common complication of HIV-1 infection is HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND), which, prior to the introduction of antiretroviral therapy (ART), led to considerable morbidity and mortality due to untreated neuropsychiatric manifestations. Although ART has substantially reduced the incidence of HIV-associated dementia (HAD), approximately 50% of people living with HIV (PLWH) continue to experience milder forms of HAND. The CNS is seeded by HIV during the acute phase of infection. Once in the brain, HIV targets and activates resident immune cells, primarily microglia and …

Evaluating Current Practices In Operative Nontechnical Skills Training And Feedback In General Surgery Residency: A Mixed Methods Approach, Madeline Cloonan

Theses & Dissertations

Background: Non-technical skills (NTS) are the interpersonal and cognitive abilities that are critical to accomplishing high-risk tasks. Deficiencies in NTS, including communication, teamwork, leadership, and decision-making, are linked to errors in the operating room. Structured training and feedback in NTS remain inconsistent and have not been integrated into daily training. This dissertation addresses this gap by evaluating current NTS training and feedback practices and developing a rubric to enhance the effectiveness of NTS feedback.

Methods: We conducted five complementary studies to assess current NTS training and feedback. The first was a systematic review aimed at identifying intraoperative NTS training interventions …

Colostrum Extracellular Vesicle Are Neuroprotective In The Mptp Intoxicated Mouse Model Of Parkinson's Disease, Samia Akter

Theses & Dissertations

Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder. Dopaminergic neuronal loss in the substantia nigra and the formation of Lewy bodies are the disease pathological hallmarks. We demonstrate that bovine colostrum extracellular vesicles (EVs) induce anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective activities during MPTP (methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine) intoxication. Treatment these mice with colostrum EVs reduced the extent of activated microglia and neurodegenerative activities. RNA sequencing and transcriptomic analysis revealed a significant decrease in pro- inflammatory responses, as well as reduced recruitment and activation of immunocytes in affected brain tissues. Decreased expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, as well as suppressed canonical inflammasomes, was …

Temporal Patterns Of Ectopic Pregnancy: Using The Electronic Health Record To Illuminate A Dark Corner In Women's Health, Kirsten Hepburn

Theses & Dissertations

Ectopic pregnancy remains a significant contributor to pregnancy-related morbidity and mortality, yet little is known about whether its occurrence follows discernible temporal patters that could inform prediction and prevention efforts. This dissertation aimed to explore the temporal characteristics of ectopic pregnancy through three interrelated projects: development of a new theoretical framework, a scoping review of the literature on ectopic pregnancy temporal patterns, and an empirical study using electronic health records data from a ten-year period at a single academic medical center. The Nursing Genomic and epigenomic, Environment, and Microbiome (N-GEM) situation-specific theoretical framework was introduced as a novel nursing theory …

Study Of Peptide Amphiphiles As Antimicrobial Agents, Aramis J. Pereira

Theses & Dissertations

The global antimicrobial resistance (AMR) crisis presents a severe public health threat, with drug-resistant infections now the third leading cause of mortality worldwide. This escalating problem, driven by the rapid proliferation of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) like the "ESKAPE" pathogens, severely limits treatment options and imposes substantial economic burdens. The crisis is further exacerbated by a limited pipeline of new antimicrobial agents, as most recently approved drugs are modifications of existing classes rather than novel compounds. Peptide amphiphiles (PAs) offer a promising alternative due to their membrane-targeting mechanism, which reduces the likelihood of resistance development. These molecules are amphiphilic and positively …

Restoring Translational Control With Novel Small Molecule Activators Of Pp2a In Cancer Cells, Kayla A. Jonas

Theses & Dissertations

Hyperactivation of eIF4E-dependent translation in tumor cells is required for robust expression of oncogenic proteins and maintenance of the transformed phenotype. eIF4E binds to the 7-methylguanylate structure at the 5’ end of cellular mRNAs and nucleates the formation of the translation initiation complex, eIF4F, which recruits the preinitiation complex and resolves secondary structure in the mRNA. The ability of eIF4E to promote eIF4F assembly is negatively regulated by the translational repressor, 4E-BP1, and tumorigenesis depends on functional inactivation of 4E-BP1. A major mechanism of 4E-BP1 inactivation involves inhibitory phosphorylation by mTOR which prevents eIF4E binding. Functional inactivation can also occur …

Beyond The Bruise: Understanding Injury Risk Factors Among Livestock Workers In Cattle Feedyards And Animal Handling Farms And Ranches, Rishad Ahmed

Theses & Dissertations

Cattle feeding and livestock production are central to U.S. agriculture and represent some of the most hazardous occupational environments. Workers in feedyards and on cattle farms and ranches face elevated risks of injury due to physically demanding labor, frequent animal handling, and exposure to environmental and ergonomic hazards. Many feedyard workers are Hispanic/Latino immigrants who may experience additional barriers related to language, healthcare access, and job security. Similarly, injury risks among cattle producers are compounded by seasonal workload fluctuations, limited rest opportunities, and psychosocial stressors. Beyond individual impacts, agricultural injuries also pose a substantial economic burden. Recent estimates indicate that …

Analyzing Food Access: An Investigation Of Food Insecurity Amongst Latinos In Rural Nebraska, Natalia Santos

Theses & Dissertations

Background: Food insecurity is a public health issue in the United States, with disproportionately higher rates among Latino/Hispanic households. Rural communities face unique geographical, socioeconomic, and systemic barriers that often exacerbate food access disparities. Despite the growing Latino population in rural areas, particularly in Midwestern states like Nebraska, there remains a critical gap in comprehensive research that integrates both objective and subjective understandings of their food environments. Understanding these multifaceted influences is crucial for developing effective, culturally sensitive interventions.

Problem Statement: This dissertation aims to answer the central question: How does food access and food insecurity manifest amongst Latinos in …

Symptom Clusters And Their Association With Health-Related Quality Of Life In Pediatric Cancer Survivors After Treatment Completion, Krishtee Napit

Theses & Dissertations

A critical area of cancer research, symptom management, has evolved from focusing on individual symptoms to recognizing the complexity of co-occurring symptoms, commonly referred to as symptom clusters. However, most studies on pediatric cancer symptom clusters have focused primarily on the treatment phase or long-term survivorship, overlooking the early post-treatment period. This dissertation examines the prevalence of multiple symptoms and symptom clusters in pediatric cancer survivors post-treatment; factors associated with the total number of symptoms and symptom clusters; and the association of the total number of symptoms and symptom clusters with health-related quality of life (HRQoL). We developed and tested …

The Relationship Between Total Serum Cholesterol And Hypertensive Outcomes Among Women 50-60 Years Old: Findings From The Framingham Heart Study, Sierra Smith

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

Objective: To assess whether total serum cholesterol (TSC) among middle-aged women is associated with subsequent hypertension while accounting for potential confounders.

Methods: A sample of 853 adults who identify as women, aged 50-60, from the Framingham Heart Study 1948-1972 cohort was selected for this study. Participants' TSC was measured at baseline, and they were followed for 24 years for cardiovascular disease outcomes or death. The outcome of interest in this study was hypertension. A multivariable logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between TSC and hypertension while controlling for age, glucose, systolic, and diastolic blood pressure.

Results: Compared to …

Analysis Of The Clinical, Socioeconomic, And Sociodemographic Characteristics Of Virally Unsuppressed Children Aged 2-14 Living With Hiv/Aids In The Region Of Abidjan 2 – Côte D’Ivoire (Region Supported By Usaid), Maman Fathim Kamagate

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

Background: Viral suppression among children living with HIV (CLHIV) remains suboptimal in Côte d’Ivoire. This study assessed clinical, socioeconomic, and demographic characteristics associated with viral non-suppression among CLHIV aged 2–14 years in Abidjan 2 to inform targeted interventions under the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)-supported Reaching Impact, Saturation, and Epidemic Control (RISE) project.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted using routine program data from 1,203 CLHIV across 73 health facilities. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate analyses were performed to examine associations with viral load suppression status. Findings guided the development of a multi-level implementation plan using Kotter’s Change Management Framework, …

Evaluation Of The Zanesville-Muskingum County Ohio’S Mosquito And Tick Disease Vector Control Program, Samantha Wantz

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

This project aimed to evaluate the Zanesville – Muskingum County Health Department’s (ZMCHD) Vector Control Program based on performance measures, program indicators, and customer satisfaction. A secondary goal of the project is to evaluate and revise the existing policies and procedures of the program in regards specifically to the safety of the intern. Based on information from the Ohio Department of Health infectious disease dashboard, in the last 10 years (2014-2024) Muskingum County has reported 12 total cases of La Crosse virus, one case of West Nile Virus, and one case of Malaria (Ohio Department of Health, 2024a). ZMCHD has …

Supporting Autistic Students' Mental Wellness: A Community Readiness Model Approach, Cady Walker

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

Autism spectrum disorder or difference (ASD) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental disability, usually identified during childhood. However, many adults miss the opportunity for diagnosis during childhood due to previous misunderstandings about autism presentation, camouflaging behaviors, and misdiagnoses. While current diagnostic tools for assessing autism in children are more robust, similar measures are lacking for adults who were not diagnosed in childhood. This gap poses risks for poor mental health outcomes among adults who missed a timely ASD diagnosis, which can be especially challenging for autistic college students. Although some higher education institutions offer support programs for autistic students, most do not, …

Evaluating The Impact Of The Occupation-Centered Intervention Assessment On Client-Centered Care In Inpatient Brain Injury Rehabilitation: A Pilot Study, Vanessa D. Jewell, Katherine Lally, Melinda Schultze, Yongyue Qi, Kendra Schnack, Madeline Mcgill, Rachel Vaughn

Translational Science in Occupation

Background: Occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) recognize the value of evidence-based practice, however, incorporation of client-centered practice as a component of evidence-based practice is challenging, despite the known advantages. This pilot study evaluated the use of the Occupation Centered Intervention Assessment (OCIA) in increasing practitioner ability to provide client-centered care in inpatient rehabilitation facilities with adults with an acquired brain injury (ABI).

Method: A mixed methods design was employed, using four forms of data collection (OCIA, The Measure of Processes of Care for Service Providers [MPOC], MPOC- Service Providers [MPOC-SP], and interviews) to determine changes in observed and perceived …

Development Of An Occupational Therapy-Specific Clinical Guide For Use Of Electrical Stimulation With Spinal Cord Injury: A Modified Delphi Approach Protocol, Timothy P. Dionne, James Allen Lenker, Sue Ann Sisto

Translational Science in Occupation

Objective: To establish a method for the development and validation of a clinical guide for the use of electrical stimulation (ES) in occupational therapy for individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI).

Design: A modified Delphi Approach

Participants: 5 geographically dispersed occupational therapists with advanced expertise in use of ES with SCI.

Outcome Measures: Participants rated sections of a draft guide across three rounds, focusing on clarity, accuracy, and clinical relevance. Additionally, p Participants provided suggestions regarding specific revisions to content that were incorporated in subsequent iterations of the guide across all three rounds. Additionally, post-Delphi process participants completed a survey …

Developing A Curriculum Audit Tool For Justice, Equity, Diversity, And Inclusion In Occupational Therapy Education, Whitney M. Cranna, Sarah Mckinnon

Translational Science in Occupation

Background: The OT profession is calling for intentional pedagogy that builds future practitioners’ capacity for embodying justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion (JEDI) values; however, the interpretation and application of this mission remain subjective and nebulous. Developing a theory-driven audit tool may help standardize and clarify JEDI pedagogy needs to enhance OT preparation and practice.

Objective: Using a culturally responsive, justice-based theoretical lens, this paper describes the development of a JEDI Curriculum Audit Tool for a Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy (PP-OTD) program.

Design: Quantitative systematic evaluation of curricular alignment with JEDI principles, including a 3-prong retroactive self-evaluation approach.

Setting: Curriculum …

Enhancing Diversity In Occupational Therapy Through A High School Internship Program, Alexis M. F. Morin, Brittany Adams, Vianni Gomez

Translational Science in Occupation

Abstract

The United States (US) is projected to become an increasingly diverse nation over the decades ahead, but there is a lack of racial, ethnic, and gender diversity in occupational therapy (OT). While the job outlook for occupational therapy practitioners continues to be strong and is expected to rise, OT education programs are facing enrollment crises nationally. It is crucial for academic programs to develop and implement innovative and methodical strategies to recruit and retain a diverse student body to promote diversity, inclusion, and equity within the profession. To promote diversity, inclusion, and equity in occupational therapy, a university partnership …

Technical Quality Of Cta Chest Pulmonary Embolism Protocol: Can We Do Better?, Sai Mandava

Graduate Medical Education Research Journal

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Presentation And Management Of Pinch-Off Syndrome: A Rare Complication Of Subclavian Venous Catheters, Neal Kucera

Graduate Medical Education Research Journal

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Giant Cell Myocarditis In The Setting Of Ischemic Cardiomyopathy, Chukwuebuka Ubochi

Graduate Medical Education Research Journal

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Midtown Clinic Buprenorphine Quality Improvement Project, Andrew Regoli

Graduate Medical Education Research Journal

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4 Weeks Of Dyspnea In Immunocompromised Woman: Presenting Symptom Of Disseminated Histoplasma Capsulatum, Cristina Torres

Graduate Medical Education Research Journal

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Facilitating Living Kidney Donation: Retrospective Evaluation Of Weight Loss Interventions To Support Kidney Donation, Julia Dumitrescu

Graduate Medical Education Research Journal

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Characteristics Of Anxiety And Stress-Triggered Inducible Laryngeal Obstruction, Jacob Middleton

Graduate Medical Education Research Journal

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Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome In Adults (Mis-A) Leading To Shock In A Previously Healthy Male, Zachary Brodie

Graduate Medical Education Research Journal

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