Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

The Gut Microbiome In Chronic Diseases, Emily Mcdonald, Katlyn Bombei, Madelyn Weber

Celebration of Research

Cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, and various mental health conditions have been shown to be associated with gut microbiota alterations that may contribute to the development and pathogenesis of those diseases. Cardiovascular disease, inflammatory bowel disease and diabetes have been associated with a lack of butyrate- producing bacteria which are responsible for lowering blood pressure, limiting atherosclerosis, abdominal pain, and lowering insulin resistance. Medications for individuals with schizophrenia may decrease bacteria with anti-inflammatory properties. Potential research avenues may be directed at investigating the di@erences between gut microbiomes between men and women to cultivate unique and targeted treatment and prevention …

Deaths Of Despair In Rural Populations, Tirzah Wittenberg, Dr. Pam Hulstein

Celebration of Research

A literature review was conducted between August 2023-November 2023 to explore deaths of despair in rural and urban populations. The ten articles reviewed center around revealing the prevalence of substance abuse and suicide within different population densities. The purpose of examining this research is to create a foundation of understanding that can then be utilized when making changes on the micro and macro levels in access to health care resources. In this literature review, the prevalence of deaths of despair in rural populations is revealed, along with suggestions for future health care resource investments.

Tranexamic Acid, Jett Skrien, Evan Lins, Kaleb Myhrwold

Celebration of Research

TXA administration has shown promising results in reducing blood loss resulting in a potentially life-saving measure. Early TXA administration has been shown to be most effective when administered within 3 hours of the incident. After the 3-hour window has passed, its effectiveness is negligible. At this point in time, no single superior means of administration or dosage has been agreed upon. Based on the evidence presented, TXA has a notable safety profile and has been proven to be a low-cost and effective way to reduce detrimental blood loss in trauma and surgical settings.

The Adverse Health Outcomes Of Benzene In Skincare Products, Maddie Olson, Allie Walter

Celebration of Research

Benzene is a known carcinogen commonly used in daily skin care products that could have negative physiological effects on the body.

The risks associated with the use of benzene-containing products have been researched, however, current evidence has not fully differentiated whether the potential negative effects of benzene outweigh the protection that benzene products provide against the development of skin cancer.

Energy Drink Consumption In Adolescence Linked To Long Term Health Effects, Grace Eiden, Jenna Borchers, Jill Van Otterloo

Celebration of Research

Caffeine is a substance that is frequently ingested by individuals for a multitude of reasons, most often an energy boost. Recently, caffeine consumption has become popular among the adolescent population. We reviewed 15+ recent studies explaining the adverse effects of caffeine consumption among adolescents such as cognitive function, mental illness, and obesity. Numerous correlations were found including lower scores in several cognitive functions such as vocabulary comprehension, cognitive flexibility, and processing speeds, mental illnesses such as stress, anxiety, and depression, and the immense sugar-content in these beverages being linked to childhood obesity. It is important that healthcare professionals are aware …

Interventions To Reduce Risk Of Perineal Tearing, Bailey Varpness, Kylie Lyman, Sandra Muyskens

Celebration of Research

Perineal tearing is one of the most common injuries that can be sustained during vaginal delivery, it can be physically and mentally debilitating for the mother to endure. Preventing this injury can lead to an easier healing process for the mother, allowing her to have a more impactful postpartum journey. There is debate as to whether warm compresses, perineal massage, and alternative birthing positions decrease the incidence of perineal tearing. This review of literature focuses on how these interventions work and if they are effective at decreasing the risk for perineal tearing during vaginal delivery.

The Bear Surgical Technique: A Modern Approach To Acl Repair, Christopher Canu, Jay Determan, Aaron Bosch

Celebration of Research

The Bridge-Enhanced ACL Repair (BEAR) surgical technique is a procedure still in its infancy with many unknowns regarding its effectiveness and clinical outcomes. Research has shown this surgical technique is not only capable of completely healing a mid-substance ACL tear but has been shown to have improved clinical and patient-reported outcomes when compared to traditional ACL reconstruction techniques. The purpose of this article is to review the current status of the literature and clinical implications of the BEAR technique as it compares to traditional ACL reconstruction techniques.

Bedside Shift Report, Megan Kellen, Aleksa Vande Hoef, Emma Dunsbergen, Nadalie Johnson

Celebration of Research

A literature review was conducted between August 2023-November 2023 to investigate bedside shift report and its effects on nursing communication, patient safety, and patient satisfaction. Ten articles focusing on the benefits and barriers to performing nurse-to-nurse handoff reports at the bedside were analyzed. Recommendations are made based on the best practices of bedside shift report on medical-surgical units.

Examining The Effectiveness Of Subjective Perception Of Collegiate Athletes, Jakob Francksen-Small, Rajat Singh

Celebration of Research

The purpose of this study was to examine how accurately collegiate athletes can perceive their level of hydration via urine color compared to the actual specific gravity of the urine. The findings will be valuable in determining if visual perception is an accurate enough method for athletes to track their hydration. Thirty-five Northwestern College wrestlers were recruited. Each wrestler was instructed to collect a sample of their urine in a paper cup. Then, they compared their urine sample to a chart, provided by the Iowa High School Athletic Association. They assigned their sample a rating, ranging from 1-8. These ratings …

Melatonin As Treatment And Prophylaxis For Alzheimer's Disease, Avery Macintosh, Kayla Larsen, Andrea Crew

Celebration of Research

Alzheimer’s is a very prevalent disease that has no true dependable and effective treatment. Through research and trials melatonin has been seen as a potential therapeutic option for both structural and behavioral changes in Alzheimer’s. Studies have shown low levels of natural melatonin in CSF are a strong indicator of Alzheimer's Disease. This suggests melatonin could be used as a prophylactic measure as well as a treatment for slowing the disease’s neuropathological changes. Results showed that melatonin improves circadian rhythm and sleep quality leading to more effective glymphatic clearing of free radicals, improving cognition, and decreasing behavioral disturbances.

A New Horizon On Knee Osteoarthritis: A Review Of Alternative Treatment Modalities, Rob Norton, Carlos Serafin-Martinez

Celebration of Research

Purpose: The purpose of this review is to determine the effectiveness and utility of alternative knee osteoarthritis treatments in order to assess their clinical applications compared to traditional NSAID and corticosteroid injection therapy. Methods: We analyzed 23 randomized control trials, systematic reviews, and meta analyses to compare the effectiveness of hyaluronic acid (HA), plasma rich protein (PRP) injections, and mesenchymal stem (MSC) cell injections. The individuals used in this study were over 18 years old, had moderate to severe knee osteoarthritis, and had failed at least 1 form of conservative treatment. Quantitative (imaging studies and ROM testing) and qualitative results …

Semaglutide Vs Bariatric Surgery Usage In Individuals Who Are Obese, Megan Carley, Quincey Bauman, Sandra Muyskens

Celebration of Research

Obesity is a complex health disease with rising prevalence. Comorbid conditions occur as a result of obesity that may be detrimental to an individual’s health. While theoretically preventable, it is a difficult condition to manage due to a wide range of causative factors and comorbidities. There are many options to help with weight loss, but two of the most effective treatments are semaglutide medication and bariatric surgery. A literature review was conducted to compare the risks and benefits of each method and identify the more beneficial intervention for weight loss in individuals with obesity. Each method is efficient for a …

Maternal Morbidity In Appalachian States: Rural Disparities And Social Determinants, Kathryn Usedom Msn, Fnp-C, Cnm, Pi-Ming Yeh Phd

Epsilon Sigma at-Large Research Conference

Purpose: Social determinants of health (SDoH) and rurality have both been shown to contribute to severe maternal morbidity (SMM). Appalachian communities often embody this compounded risk, but regional SMM is under-explored. This study’s purpose is to explore SMM in rural areas of Appalachian states.

Aims: There are two specific aims. 1) Describe the prevalence of rural SMM in Appalachian states. 2) Investigate the relationship between SMM and SDoH, specifically income, education, and care access.

Methods: An IRB exempt, descriptive correlational study was conducted. Birth data (2018-2022) were extracted from the CDC WONDER database for 12 Appalachian states. Demographic, income, and …

Nurses' Input On The Nursing Shortage, Patty Harnois-Church, Leann Horsley, Kathryn Wilhoit, Holly Wei

Epsilon Sigma at-Large Research Conference

Nurses’ Input on the Nursing Shortage

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the views of nurses regarding the nursing shortage in Tennessee.

Aim: To achieve this aim, four focus areas were examined through listening sessions with stakeholders across four regions in the state. These focus areas included addressing the nursing pipeline, developing innovative clinical and academic models, supporting nurses' well-being, and sharing data about the shortage of nurses throughout the state.

Methods: A qualitative descriptive study was conducted using focus group interviews for data collection. The study employed a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis approach …

Comparisons Of Spiritual Well-Being, Psychological Well-Being, And Suicidal Ideation Between Usa And Taiwanese College Students, Pi-Ming Yeh Associate Professor, Cheng-Huei Chiao Professor, Jennchang Liou Professor

Epsilon Sigma at-Large Research Conference

Background: In Taiwan, there were 7,038 reports of attempted suicide among people aged 24 or younger in 2018. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting 40 million adults in the United States age 18 and older.

Purpose: In this study, we compared United States (US) and Taiwanese college students’ spiritual well-being, psychological well-being, and suicidal ideation.

Methods: A total of 661 college students (481 from the US and 180 from Taiwan) were recruited to complete the survey study. This was a cross-sectional comparative research design. SPSS 28.0 was used to do the data analysis. Chi-square …

Recipe For Research Success: Mentorship & Organization, Kristen Montgomery

Epsilon Sigma at-Large Research Conference

Kristen S. Montgomery, PhD, CNM is an Assistant Professor at East Tennessee State University College of Nursing in Johnson City, TN. She received her PhD in Nursing from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH, her MSN in perinatal nursing from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, and her BSN from Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan. She received a post-master’s certificate in nurse-midwifery from East Carolina University and completed a Post-Doctoral Program in Health Promotion and Risk Reduction Interventions at the University of Michigan.

Promoting The Use For Sugammadex In Robotic- Assisted Surgeries:, Amr Ali

Scholars Week

No abstract provided.

Prevalence And Severity Of Adhd Among Children With Second-Hand Smoke Exposure – A Us Population-Based Study, Saral R. Desai, Edward Lin

Tower Health Research Day

No abstract provided.

Predictors Of Treatment Admissions For Hallucinogen Use In The United States, Saral R. Desai, Hayden Sando, Edward Lin

Tower Health Research Day

No abstract provided.

Typhlitis In A Neutropenic Patient, Alice He Bs, Wern Lynn Ng Md, Lay She Ng Md, Si Yuan Khor Md, Chandi Garg Md

Tower Health Research Day

No abstract provided.

Cocoa Polyphenols Modulate The Gut Microbiome In A Site-Specific Manner In Mice, Marcus Hayden

Student Research Symposium

Gut Health and the Microbiome

• Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most prevalent cancers in the United States; early-onset CRC is also on the rise [1].
• Colitis-associated CRC is defined as CRC that arises from inflammation of the colon.
• A Western-type diet has been shown to exacerbate colitis.
• Metabolites of the gut microbiome contain anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties [2].
• Diet is a key factor in the gut microbiome composition.
• Polyphenols in cocoa may restore the gut microbiome composition from pre-existing dysbiosis.
• More research is needed to study how dietary cocoa supplementation modulates the microbiome across several sites of the …

Li-Fraumeni Syndrome And The Benefits Of Annual Comprehensive Screening: A Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Case, Alice He Bs, Wern Lynn Ng Md, Faith Seltun Do, Lay She Ng Md, Si Yuan Khor Md, Elham Nasrollahi Md, Chandi Garg Md, Rong Rong Ge Md

Tower Health Research Day

No abstract provided.

The Financial Impact Of Correct Status Within Health Systems, Davin Evanson, Arveen Asghar, Eugene York, Michael S. Weingarten, Walter Bohnenblust

Tower Health Research Day

No abstract provided.

Enhancing Neurovestibular Care Using Machine Learning And Motion Analysis: A Systematic Review Of Diagnostic Approaches, Christopher Yam, Munib Ali, Mariam Kabalan, Katie De Champlain, Justin K. Chau

Tower Health Research Day

No abstract provided.

The Effect Of The Glucocorticoid Receptor Modulator, Safit, On Acute Stress Reactivity In A Rat Model Of Abusive Head Trauma, Brielle Coe

Tower Health Research Day

No abstract provided.

Evaluation Of Intraoperative And Postoperative Metrics After Preoperative Administration Of Ketorolac For Analgesia In Acute Appendicitis, Luke Rovenstine, Jahan Aslami, John Lemoine, Tan Tran, Kate Brod, Mia Baringer, Adam Sigal, Katherine Yurick, Traci Deaner

Tower Health Research Day

No abstract provided.

Metronidazole-Induced Acute Pancreatitis In A Young Female, Tan Tran, Raesham Bukhari, Mahmood Danishwar, Tahminah Kausar, Syed Jaleel

Tower Health Research Day

No abstract provided.

Standardizing Care For Zone 1 Fifth Metatarsal Base Fractures At The University Of Wisconsin Department Of Orthopedics, Mallory Rongstad, Richard Behlmer, Kevin Condit, Jarod Moyer, Kurt Rongstad

Tower Health Research Day

No abstract provided.

Sickle-Cell Trait As A Risk Factor For Unprovoked Venous Thromboembolism: A Case Report, James Cross, Brendan Mackey, Umme Yasmin

Tower Health Research Day

No abstract provided.

The Importance Of Serial 12-Lead Ecgs In The Prehospital Setting: A Case Of Transient St Elevation Myocardial Infarction (Tstemi), Zachary J. Blickley Nrp, Fp-C, Matthew E. Kent Nrp, Fp-C, Benjamin J. Lawner Do, Emt-P

Tower Health Research Day

No abstract provided.