Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Green Tea Mouthwash And The Prevention Of Porphyromonas Gingivalis: Reducing The Risk Of Developing Alzheimer's Disease, Kaeli Luong

AUCTUS: The Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship

Alzheimer’s disease causes 10% of all deaths in the United States, while severe periodontitis affects 10% of the population worldwide. Although seemingly unrelated, researchers exploring the connection between the two suggest that oral hygiene is necessary to decrease periodontitis that could possibly lead to Alzheimer’s disease. A notable oral pathogen, Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis), has been identified in the connection between Alzheimer’s and periodontitis. In this study, green tea mouthwash is being analyzed to find out if the mouthwash can reduce the periodontitis mechanisms of P. gingivalis to reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s. Green tea mouthwash contains the catechins, …

Trauma In Weird Literature: Weird Experiences And Neuropsychiatric Conditions, Mijin Cho

AUCTUS: The Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship

This study aims to explore the element of trauma or shock in weird fiction using H. P. Lovecraft’s “The Colour out of Space” as the focal text. I am interested in the cognitive estrangement and body disfigurement following encounters with the weird, which in this case would be the meteorite’s Colour, on the characters experiencing it in the story, including the Gardners and Ammi. The goal is to investigate our reactions to being pushed past our thresholds as human beings using analysis of characters, diction, and rhetoric in weird fiction stories and non-fiction patient narratives to better understand how weird …

A Three-Dimensional In Vitro Model Of Disease That Improves Preclinical Research By Incorporating Genetic Diversity And Increasing Physiological Accuracy, Akash Jagdeesh

AUCTUS: The Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship

Biomedical research is essential for the discovery of new medications and treatments, and is built upon the cooperation of preclinical (in vitro/vivo) research and clinical trials. However, 85% of treatments successful in vitro/vivo fail in clinical trials, suggesting that in vitro models are poor indicators of clinical success. The issue lies in conventional “two-dimensional” in vitro models containing genetically identical cells grown on a flat plate, which lack the variety of cell types and cooperation/structure found in real tissue. Moreover, 2D in vitro models do not simulate humans’ genotypic variability, which affects both pathophysiology and treatment effectiveness. In contrast, 3D …

Catecholamine Signaling In Ca1 Correlates With Novelty, Movement, And Sleep State, Meenakshi Kakani

AUCTUS: The Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship

Norepinephrine (NE) and dopamine (DA) signaling in the hippocampus are important for normal learning and memory. Genetically-encoded fluorescent indicators of catecholamine binding allow for imaging real-time neurotransmitter dynamics. Previous microdialysis studies have found an increase in hippocampal catecholamines in response to novel environmental exposure or exercise. Since animals move in response to contextual novelty, it is unknown whether the changes in transmitter release are due to novelty or other changes in behavior or arousal. Outside of the hippocampus, arousal, novelty detection, reward, and sleep state are all related to catecholamine signaling. In this study, we use the fluorescent indicators GRAB-DA …

Improving Medication-Enhanced Psychotherapy Options For Ptsd: The Potential Of Oxytocin As A Treatment For Hypervigilance In Women With A History Of Childhood Sexual Abuse And Related Ptsd, Elianna Bavuso

AUCTUS: The Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship

Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is a notable public health concern, affecting a significant proportion of girls in high-income countries. A considerable number of CSA survivors develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) by adolescence, which is often considered to be a lifelong disorder with severe emotional and social consequences. Women with CSA-related PTSD display hypervigilance, which is characterized by significantly increased fear network activity and poor top-down control over the amygdala. This meta-analysis examines the potential of intranasal oxytocin (OT) as a treatment for hypervigilance symptoms in women with CSA-related PTSD. The evidence reviewed suggests that intranasal oxytocin can help normalize the …

Examining Effects Of Perceived Discrimination And Loneliness On Overall Health Outcomes In Black Americans, Apoorva Saravanan

AUCTUS: The Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship

On average, Black Americans suffer more from a wide range of diseases when compared to White Americans. The national mortality rate for Black Americans is also 24% higher than their White counterparts. Although there are multiple factors contributing to such disparities, one line of research provides strong evidence that negative health outcomes are more likely to occur in Black Americans who experience racial discrimination than those who experience no discrimination. A separate line of research also provides evidence that loneliness is a major health risk factor. In fact, prior research indicates that the experience of discrimination and loneliness are both …

East Marshall Street Well Project: Reparative Work And The Policy For Human Remains, Rome Kamarouthu

East Marshall Street Well Project Symposium Posters

This poster introduces the public to the history of medical exploitation tied to the East Marshall Street Well in the 19 th century, as well as the reparative efforts of the East Marshall Street Well Project, a partnership between VCU and a community group known as the Family Representative Council. It stresses that the Family Representative Council has called upon VCU to bury the remains found in the well, as well as to support research and memorialization efforts. The poster highlights the work of student fellows in fulfilling those recommendations, specifically in conducting and processing oral history interviews, and in …

Variability In Perceptions Of Complementary Health Approaches Among Graduate Student Trainees, Delaney C. Bilodeau

Theses and Dissertations

Complementary Health Approaches (CHAs) encompass a diverse range of practices which are often used both independently and alongside conventional medical treatments. Understanding how graduate students training in different fields perceive CHAs is important because these professional trainees will go on to occupy roles as healthcare practitioners, researchers, policy makers, and consumers. This study used sequential rank agreement methods (Ekstrøm, Gerds, & Jensen, 2019) to investigate variations in perceptions of CHAs in a sample of graduate students (N = 416) from 140 possible training programs. Ratings of CHA familiarity, perceptions of CHA legitimacy, and willingness to recommend CHAs were compared …

Investigation Of Brain Function And Structural Development As Risk Factors Of Suicidal Thoughts And Behaviors, Yi Zhou

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Identifying risk factors for suicidal thoughts and behaviors, especially causal ones, will be imperative to improving screening and treatment interventions. To identify replicable brain-based risk factors, there is increasing evidence indicating the need for large sample sizes, in the hundreds to thousands, in order to achieve a sufficient level of statistical power to detect them. Furthermore, longitudinal studies of brain and behavioral factors will be essential to understanding how suicide develops, especially the transition from suicide ideation to attempt. While experimental studies may not be feasible or ethical, genetically informed methods for testing evidence for causation are an alternative …

Prosthetic Attention In Upper Limb Loss: User Experiences, Clinical Perceptions, And Developing Candidate Items, Tanu Bhargava

Theses and Dissertations

The human hand is a powerful tool essential for performing a range of tasks from simple to complex, and it plays a crucial role in social interactions and environmental engagement. Upper limb (UL) loss disrupts these functions and significantly impacts daily life. Prosthetic devices can partially restore these abilities and improve quality of life, but they lack the intuitive control and sensory feedback of natural hands. Consequently, operating a UL prosthesis requires substantial attentional demands, a factor that potentially contributes to high rates of device dissatisfaction and disuse. For UL prosthesis users, managing attentional resources is critical to efficiently controlling …

The Role Of Hdac6 In Periodontal Inflammation, Hannah S. Lohner

Theses and Dissertations

Periodontal disease is a polymicrobial infection-induced chronic inflammatory disease and results in irreversible tissue damage and bone loss. While bacteria play a large role in the initiation of this disease, excessive and prolonged inflammatory immune responses are fundamental for its progression, making host directed therapy (HDT) a possible and potentially valuable treatment. Histone Deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) is an enzyme that removes acetyl groups from both histone and non-histone proteins, giving it a potential role in regulating inflammation initiated by pathogenic oral bacteria. Previous studies indicated that HDACs act as a bivalent regulator in inflammatory responses; however, the role that HDAC6 …

The Effect Of Local Anesthesia When Used In Dental Restorative Cases Under General Anesthesia On Control Of Postoperative Comfort, Elizabeth S. Kleefisch Dds

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose:

To determine the effect of local anesthesia on postoperative comfort in patients undergoing dental care under general anesthesia.

Methods:

This study was modeled as a double-blinded randomized control trial. Patients included healthy children under the age of 6 years scheduled for restorative dental treatment under general anesthesia (GA). Patient behavior was evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively using the Faces, Legs, Activity, Cry and Consolability (FLACC) or other pain score and postoperatively using the Parent’s Postoperative Pain Measure (PPPM). Intraoperatively, participants followed a standardized general anesthesia protocol and were given either local anesthetic (LA) infiltration using 2% Lidocaine 1:100,000 Epinephrine by …

An Examination Of Hiring Practices And Employee Retention Today Compared With Pre-Pandemic Characteristics In Orthodontics, Logan Passey

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: Evaluate current hiring practices and employee retention characteristics in orthodontic private practices.

Methods: Orthodontists (n=1000) were surveyed regarding their hiring methods and outcomes. Responses were summarized with descriptive statistics. Chi-square tests were used to compare hiring practices and perceptions. Nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis tests were utilized in analysis of retention thresholds.

Results: Survey response rate was 7.2% (72 responses). When comparing thresholds previous to, and after the COVID-19 pandemic, there was an increase in open clinical positions compared with non-clinical and managerial positions (p=.0008). 68% of orthodontists reported a decrease in qualified applications for clinical positions compared with non-clinical and managerial …

A Retrospective Chart Review Of Avulsion Injuries Treated At Virginia Commonwealth University., Ryan Hediger

Theses and Dissertations

A RETROSPECTIVE CHART REVIEW OF AVULSION INJURIES TREATED AT VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY. By: Ryan Hediger, DMD

Objective: Outcomes related to healing following an avulsion injury are multifactorial. However, contemporary literature suggests that tooth survival can be enhanced after such injuries by promptly replanting the tooth and adhering to proper management guidelines. Despite the abundance of resources available, the actions taken immediately after the avulsion injury play a pivotal role in determining the fate of an avulsed tooth. The primary objective of the current investigation is to unveil prognostic factors associated with the survival of avulsed teeth.

Methods: A chart review …

Exploring Drivers Of Sex-Based Disparities In Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis, Stephanie K. Buxhoeveden

Theses and Dissertations

Females are three times more susceptible to relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS) and males typically have more severe disease, but the molecular underpinnings of these sex-based disease disparities are unknown and represent a critical knowledge gap.Subject Population: Blood samples from a demographically homogenous group of treatment naïve males and females with relapsing-MS and healthy controls. Research Design: Cross-sectional combinatorial omics pilot study. Instruments: Whole transcriptomic analysis with messenger RNA (mRNA) expression profiling using next generation sequencing (RNA-seq) and micro-RNA (miRNA) expression using NanoString technology. Aim 1) Identify and compare the actively expressed mRNAs in the transcriptome of males and …

The Splice Index As A Prognostic Biomarker Of Strength And Function In Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1, Marina Provenzano

Theses and Dissertations

Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is a slowly progressive, multisystem disorder caused by a CTG repeat expansion in the DMPK 3’UTR that leads to global dysregulation of alternative splicing. The resulting decline in physical function is slow, and no reliable biomarkers exist for predicting disease progression; however, an RNA mis-splicing biomarker associated with weakness may have utility in predicting functional outcomes. Here we validate the Splice Index (SI) as a potential biomarker of DM1-associated strength and function. Muscle biopsies of the tibialis anterior were collected from DM1-affected individuals at baseline (n = 46) and 3-months (n = 34), along with …

The Role Of Notch1 Signaling In Regulating Neurogenesis In The Olfactory Bulb Following Traumatic Brain Injury, Sarah A. Baig

Theses and Dissertations

In the United States, more than 20.5 million adults over the age of 40 suffer from olfactory dysfunction, with TBI attributing to 5-17% of all olfactory dysfunction cases. Although often initially undetected and less conspicuous than other cognitive and behavioral impairments, olfactory dysfunction may have a significant negative impact on patients' quality of life and ability to accomplish activities of daily living, therefore the pathophysiology of these disorders should be understood. The production of neural stem cells enhances the repair and regeneration of the injured brain following a TBI. One of the primary endogenous neural stem cell generation sites in …

Intersectionality, Racial Discrimination And Oral Healthcare Utilization Among Black Adults In Baltimore City, Maryland, Briona M. Phillips

Theses and Dissertations

INTRODUCTION: Oral health is essential for overall well-being, yet disparities persist, particularly among marginalized populations including Black adults. Limited access to and underutilization of oral healthcare services exacerbate these disparities. Discrimination, both individual and systemic, acts as a significant barrier to accessing care, contributing to disparities in oral health outcomes. Individuals facing discrimination experience mistrust and fear within oral healthcare settings, leading to delayed or avoided care. Therefore, investigating and addressing discrimination among Black adults is essential for promoting equitable access to oral healthcare, improving overall oral health outcomes, and lessening existing disparities.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this dissertation was …

Determining Effective Treatment Regimens For Breast Cancer Using Combined Immunotherapy And Chemotherapy In Vivo, Akhila Kunuthuru

AUCTUS: The Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship

Breast cancer has the highest incidence rate of all cancers globally in women, and those of African descent, especially West African females, face higher rates of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), a more aggressive form of breast cancer. Immunotherapy for breast cancer is a relatively new treatment option, and research is ongoing to identify the best combination treatments for increasing survival of those diagnosed with TNBC. Eganelisib (IPI-549: a PI3K-gamma inhibitor that works to shift M2 macrophages to M1 to augment T cell function) with other combinatory treatments has shown promising results in reducing tumor growth and increasing survival in mice. …

Solutions To Period Poverty In The United States, Sanya Surya

AUCTUS: The Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship

Many women around the world lack access to menstrual hygiene products and hygienic, private sanitation facilities: an issue commonly known as “period poverty”. Women who experience this phenomenon often resort to unhealthy alternatives, putting them at higher risk for infections. Period poverty also causes many women to miss significant amounts of school and/or work, resulting in school drop-outs and adverse career outcomes. Menstrual inequities have recently come under greater study in low- to middle-income countries, but evidence suggests that women in the United States are adversely affected by period poverty as well. With this in mind, I set out to …

Cardiometabolic Genomics And Pharmacogenomics In Filipino Americans: A Cross-Sectional Study, Khalifa Y. Alrajeh

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Heart disease remains a leading cause of death in the country, with significant ethnic disparities. Filipino Americans (FAs), the third-largest Asian subgroup in U.S., face an elevated burden of dyslipidemia, a primary modifiable risk factor for heart disease. Objectives: This community-based study addresses critical knowledge gaps by characterizing the cardiometabolic and genetic factors contributing to dyslipidemia among FAs and implications for personalized cardiovascular drug therapies, particularly statin pharmacogenomics (PGx). Methods: We characterized dyslipidemia prevalence in FAs and major ethnic subgroups using nationally representative NHANES data. We examined associations between uric acid (UA) levels and lipid profiles, …

Utilizing Ai Integrated Neuroimaging Technology To Expand Upon Machine Learning In Positron Emission Tomography Technology With The Aim Of Detecting Amyloid Beta Biomarkers Early In The Onset Of Alzheimer's., Ethan S. Terman

Undergraduate Research Posters

Early intervention in Alzheimer's is vital for treatment. The earlier a professional can detect symptoms and make a diagnosis the earlier a prognosis can be implemented. With the prevalence of data in our day-to-day world combined with Artificial intelligence (AI), utilizing both for machine learning can pave the way for more accurate and efficient detection of Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases. AI combined with Machine learning (ML) increases diagnostic efficiency and reduces human errors, making it a valuable resource for physicians and clinicians alike. With the increasing amount of data processing and image interpretation required, the ability to use AI …

Outcomes Of Anterior Crossbite Correction On Alveolar Bone Morphology In Patients With Cleft Lip And Palate, Katherine J. Hayes

Theses and Dissertations

Objective: To determine if patients with cleft lip and/or cleft palate (CLP) with dental correction of the anterior crossbite during growth display differences in alveolar bone thickness around the maxillary central incisors compared to patients without crossbite correction.

Methods: This retrospective study evaluated post-treatment cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images of growing patients with CLP with anterior crossbites who underwent Phase I orthodontic treatment (n=32). CBCTs were sorted by whether the crossbite was corrected (n=16) or not corrected (n=16) during Phase I. Alveolar bone thickness was measured on the buccal and palatal aspects of the central incisors at 3 mm, …

The Effect Of Experienced Compassion At Work On Nursing Home Certified Nursing Assistants' Well-Being And Turnover Intentions, Kristin M. Macdonald

Theses and Dissertations

Statement of problem and objectives: Could experienced compassion at work alleviate nursing home certified nursing assistant (CNA) burnout? This study investigates whether experienced compassion at work predicts higher well-being (meaningfulness of work, psychological vitality, and resilience) for CNAs, and if well-being predicts lower turnover intentions.

Procedure followed: This is a prospective, observational, survey-based study with three timepoint data collection. Convenience sampling of Kansas and Virginia NHs was conducted (n=13). All CNAs working at the NHs were study eligible. CNAs received gift cards with laddered incentives for ongoing participation. There was in-person administration of a CNA survey at each timepoint. …

Role Of Human Intermediate Form Prl Receptor I-Tail In The Pathogenesis Of Breast Cancer, Shanwei Shen

Theses and Dissertations

Breast cancer continues to be the second most common cancer in women in the United States. The neuroendocrine hormone human prolactin (hPRL) plays an important role in normal mammary gland development and growth, stimulating normal breast tissue proliferation and differentiation. Considerable evidence has shown that hPRL is involved in the malignant transformation of human breast tissue. hPRL enhances viability, invasiveness, and proliferation of breast cancer cells in vitro. Evidence from epidemiologic and genetic studies also implicates role of hPRL in the pathogenesis of breast cancer. Its cognate receptor the human prolactin receptor (hPRLr) is required for the action of hPRL. …

The Development And Evaluation Of A Method For Complete Collagenase I Digestion Of Bos Taurus Bone Samples, Reilly Price

Master of Science in Forensic Science Directed Research Projects

Current methods for processing aged forensic bone samples for DNA analysis involve pulverization and organic extraction, which further destroys already degraded DNA and uses large amounts of limited samples. Additionally, the success rates for this type of analysis vary widely as homogenization incorporates PCR inhibitors into the sample. Little research has explored how pulverization results in DNA damage in profiles obtained from skeletal remains. This study proposes an enzymatic digestion method to separate osteocytes from PCR inhibitors in the extracellular bone matrix to improve the quality and quantity of DNA isolated from aged bone samples. The technique described here used …

Opioid System's Potential Involvement In Ketamine's Cognitive And Antidepressant-Like Effects In Rats, Fan Zhang

Theses and Dissertations

Depression stands as one of the most pervasive mental health challenges worldwide, including the United States. Conventional antidepressants typically display a delayed onset of therapeutic action (4-8 weeks) and lack efficacy in a substantial portion of patients (over 40% of depressed patients are treatment-resistant). The dissociative anesthetic ketamine, which is a glutamatergic N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist, has emerged as a promising novel treatment due to its rapid and prolonged antidepressant effects, and it is especially beneficial for treatment-resistant depression. Nevertheless, the precise neurochemical mechanisms underlying ketamine’s antidepressant properties remain elusive, hampering the development of safer and more efficacious treatments. The present …

Qualitative Study Of Hiv-Related Stigma In The Dental Care Setting, Sania A. Pullen, Dr. Dina T. Garcia

Undergraduate Research Posters

Objectives: People living with HIV (PLWH) are susceptible to developing a variety of oral conditions that if left untreated can lead to sore gums, painful chewing, and tooth loss as well as compromise HIV management and viral suppression. Despite the increased risk of developing oral conditions, it is estimated that up to 58% of PLH do not receive regular dental care. This study aimed to examine HIV-related stigma and discrimination in the dental care setting.

Methods: Adults living with HIV who receive care through the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program at the VCU Infectious Disease (ID) clinic were recruited to participate. …

Racial Disparities In Hpv Vaccine Uptake Among Adult Black And White Latinx Cisgender Men In The United States: Behavioral Risk Factors Surveillance System 2014-2022, Nixon R. Arauz, M.A., Dina T. Garcia, Ph.D., M.P.H., M.Ed.

Graduate Research Posters

Background: Latinx men are more likely to get human papillomavirus (HPV) and cancers caused by HPV compared non-Latinx whites. Despite a national vaccination rate of 59%, only 25% of adult Latinx men are vaccinated. Notably, Latinx individuals can belong to any race. Existing research often overlooks nuances like experiences with structural racism in healthcare settings when examining HPV vaccine uptake among Latinx individuals. This study addresses this gap by investigating HPV vaccination factors among Latinx adults, with a focus on racial disparities.

Methods: Using data from the 2014-2022 Behavioral Risk Factors Surveillance System, this study examined HPV vaccine uptake among …

Exploring Factors That Influence Prosthetic Attention In Upper And Lower Limb Prosthesis Users, Tanu Bhargava, Cody L. Mcdonald, Elizabeth G. Halsne, Brian J. Hafner, Benjamin J. Darter

Graduate Research Posters

Background: Prosthetic limbs often lack the innate control and sensory feedback capabilities of natural limbs, requiring more cognitive effort or attention during motor tasks. While a conceptual model of prosthetic attention exists for lower limb (LL) users, its applicability to upper limb (UL) remains unclear. This study aimed to explore how LL and UL users experience prosthetic attention, and explore factors that influence the existing model.

Methods: Twenty five UL users and thirty LL users with at or above wrist or ankle-level limb loss participated. Focus groups (FG), guided by open-ended questions, delved into user’s lived experiences with prosthetic attention. …