Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Peptide-Mediated Targeting Of Angiogenesis For Molecular Imaging And Treatment Of Cancer, Choi-Fong Cho

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The development of screening approaches to identify novel affinity ligands has paved the way for a new generation of molecular targeted nanomedicines. To identify novel targeting ligands, several studies have demonstrated the advantages in screening one-bead-one-compound (OBOC) libraries. Conventional methods typically bias the display of the target protein to ligands during the screening process. We have developed an unbiased multiplex ‘beads on a bead’ strategy to isolate, characterize, and validate high affinity ligands from OBOC libraries. In addition, due to the advantages associated with screening OBOC libraries directly against living cells, we sought to combine cell-based screen methods with automated …

Strategies Used By Hospitals In A Southeastern State To Reduce Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infections: Comparing The Outcomes By Hospital Structure And Processes, Furnell Rife

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections are considered a clinical indicator of quality of care. A descriptive research study was conducted to identify the strategies used by hospitals to reduce or eliminate CAUTIs. Infection Control Preventionists were surveyed. In a predominately rural southeastern state, this study demonstrated that about 40% of hospitals surveyed are implementing CAUTI prevention processes.

Design And Optimization Of Four-Dimensional Cone-Beam Computed Tomography In Image-Guided Radiation Therapy, Moiz Ahmad

Dissertations & Theses (Open Access)

The influence of respiratory motion on patient anatomy poses a challenge to accurate radiation therapy, especially in lung cancer treatment. Modern radiation therapy planning uses models of tumor respiratory motion to account for target motion in targeting. The tumor motion model can be verified on a per-treatment session basis with four-dimensional cone-beam computed tomography (4D-CBCT), which acquires an image set of the dynamic target throughout the respiratory cycle during the therapy session. 4D-CBCT is undersampled if the scan time is too short. However, short scan time is desirable in clinical practice to reduce patient setup time. This dissertation presents the …

An Innovative Testing Protocol To Study Foot And Ankle Kinetics During Early Stance Phase Of Gait, Thomas E. Stewart

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

The objective of this study was to improve upon existing testing platform limitations with respect to foot and ankle mechanics in the sagittal plane during dorsiflexion and plantar flexion. The intent was to develop a multi-loading protocol that simulated aspects of early stance phase of walking gait. This data were used to evaluate the influence an Achilles load has on the kinematic profile of the ankle complex. Also, resulting kinematic profile data can be used to evaluate ligament/tendon effects, ankle arthroplasty, and various surgical techniques.

A pair of cadaveric human feet, from the same donor, 50 years of age were …

The Role Of Micrornas In Breast Cancer Migration, Invasion And Metastasis, Joy Tang, Fazlul H. Sarkar, Aamir Ahmad

Honors College Theses

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a major class of small, noncoding RNA molecules that regulate gene expression by targeting mRNAs to trigger either translational repression or mRNA degradation. They have recently been more widely investigated due to their potential role as targets for cancer therapy. Many miRNAs have been implicated in several human cancers, including breast cancer. miRNAs are known to regulate cell cycle and development, and thus may serve as useful targets for exploration in anticancer therapeutics. The link between altered miRNA signatures and breast cancer development and metastasis can be observed either through the loss of tumor suppressor miRNAs, such …

Diagnostic Validity Of Physical Examination Maneuvers And Patient Reported History For Shoulder Pathology, Lyndsay Somerville

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Shoulder pain and disability can pose a diagnostic challenge for clinicians owing to the numerous etiologies than can exist and the potential for multiple disorders to co-exist. There are an abundance of physical examination maneuvers available to clinicians to utilize in their clinical decision making. Additionally the patient history may be an important diagnostic tool in patients with shoulder pathology. The evidence in support of most clinical tests is weak or absent and only a few studies have formally assessed the measurement properties of history findings. The purpose of this study is to determine the diagnostic validity of physical examination …

Rapid Detection Of Streptococcus Mutans In Saliva, Catherine E. Holtman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Documentation exists that mothers can pass the cariogenic bacteria Streptococcus mutans to their infants. The newest technology to identify Streptococcus mutans is a rapid detection saliva test. Two hundred patients above the age of 18 were targeted using random selection in a Louisville, Kentucky dental office. Patients signed an informed consent form and were given a qualifying questionnaire. Patients received 2 bitewing x-rays and a charted DMFT index and were administered the saliva test. While the null hypothesis was rejected using the chi square test, the results were inconclusive due to expected values. However, other chi square results revealed that …

Modeling The Adoption Of Identification Standards Within The Healthcare Supply Chain, Angelica Burbano

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The adoption of identification standards and its associated technology in the healthcare supply chain has been slow over the past twenty five years, despite the evidence of the benefits that can be achieved. The widespread use of identification standards in the form of barcode labeled medical products can contribute to the reduction of point of care errors and can increase the efficiency of healthcare supply chain related processes. This research is focused on the analysis of the adoption of identification standards in the healthcare supply chain with a particular focus on the healthcare provider adoption challenges. The research is divided …

Autoimmune-Mediated Beta-Cell Death & Dysfunction: Potential Role Of Signaling Through The Fas Receptor, Carlie Joelle Frydman

Masters Theses

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is an endocrine disorder that continues to afflict a growing proportion of the U.S. population. Characterized by an autoimmune attack on the pancreatic [beta] cells that leads to their destruction, T1DM develops from absolute insulin deficiency resulting in chronic hyperglycemia. Although the disease requires lifelong insulin therapy and confers enhanced risk for long-term complications, the mechanism of [beta] cell death remains unclear. Fas receptor signaling is critical among cells of hematopoietic origin for its role in immune homeostasis and mediation of target cell death. Fas receptor-ligand interactions might also have a role in [beta] cell …

Evaluating The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (Moca) And The Mini Mental State Exam (Mmse) For Cognitive Impairment Post Stroke: A Validation Study Against The Cognistat, Lauren Friedman

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Objective. To identify the better of two commonly used screening tools for detecting probable cognitive impairment in stroke patients in a large regional rehabilitation hospital (ParkwoodHospital,London,Ontario). This was a validation study of the Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), using the Cognistat, as the criterion or ‘gold standard’. It was hypothesized that the MoCA is a superior screening instrument to the MMSE for the detection of cognitive impairment in stroke patients.

Methods. The MMSE and the MoCA were administered by occupational therapists and the Cognistat was administered by the student investigator. A second Cognistat was administered …

Evaluation Of A Surgical Intervention To Experimentally Compare Co2 Laser To Scalpel Incisions, Added Growth Factor, And Suture Material To Reduce Cutaneous Scarring, Rhian E. Davies

PCOM Biomedical Studies Student Scholarship

Introduction The goal of this study was to determine if the repair of full thickness skin incisions in an animal model could be improved by using a CO2 laser vs. scalpel, commercial vs. swine intestinal submucosa (SIS) sutures, and addition of exogenous nerve growth factor (NGF).

Materials and Methods A rat model was used to evaluate the following tissue components: prevalence of mast cell granules, thickness of epidermis, organization of collagen, infiltration of tissue into SIS, neutrophil presence around suture holes, and granulation tissue production around suture holes.

Results Added NGF led to a significant decrease in the number of …

A Consensus Model For Electroencephalogram Data Via The S-Transform, Andrew Coady Young

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A consensus model combines statistical methods with signal processing to create a better picture of the family of related signals. In this thesis, we will consider 32 signals produced by a single electroencephalogram (EEG) recording session. The consensus model will be produced by using the S-Transform of the individual signals and then normalized to unit energy. A bootstrapping process is used to produce a consensus spectrum. This leads to the consensus model via the inverse S-Transform of the consensus spectrum. The method will be applied to both a control and experimental EEG to show how the results can be used …

The Effect Of Progesterone Only Contraception On The Accuracy Of Cervical Cytologic Interpretation, Michelle Reneé Collins

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Abstract Introduction: Papanicolaou screening is the standard of care for the detection of abnormal cervical cells. Early detection and treatment of cervical neoplasia depends on the accurate interpretation of the cytologic sample. Diagnosis of dysplasia is made by histology interpretation to confirm the results of cytology screening. Cervical cells are susceptible to change as a result of hormonal exposure, and this has the potential to affect cytologic interpretation. Cervical cells may be exposed to exogenous progesterone if the woman uses injectable depot medroxyprogesterone acetate or a progesterone intrauterine device. Previous study results have been inconsistent regarding the effect of progesterone …

A Modular Framework For Home Healthcare Monitoring, Blake Puryear

Computer Science and Computer Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Many patients with chronic health problems have multiple ailments but different patients may have different such ailments. Home monitoring systems for individual ailments exist but a patient may have multiple of these, all designed independently. There are no standard architectures so this leads to unmanageable diversity which causes problems for patients in having to learn to use a variety of monitors and for physicians in trying to monitor many patients. The purpose of this project was to design and prototype a next generation modular remote healthcare monitoring system capable of monitoring multiple ailments and extensible to new ailments in order …

Novel Use Of Dual Anti-Inflammatory Therapy To Overcome Drug Resistance And Improve Functional Recovery Following Spinal Cord Injury, Jennifer Dulin

Dissertations & Theses (Open Access)

Over 1.2 million Americans are currently living with a traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI). Despite the need for effective therapies, there are currently no proven effective treatments that can improve recovery of function in SCI patients. Many therapeutic compounds have shown promise in preclinical models of SCI, but all of these have fallen short in clinical trials.

P-glycoprotein (Pgp) is an active transporter expressed on capillary endothelial cell membranes at the blood-spinal cord barrier (BSCB). Pgp limits passive diffusion of blood-borne drugs into the CNS, by actively extruding drugs from the endothelial cell membrane. Pgp can become pathologically up-regulated, thus …

Kinesio Taping On Short-Term Changes In Shoulder Strength In Healthy Adults: A Randomized Clinical Trial, Dario A. Callegari, Cristobal E. Cordova, Julia R. Dunievitz

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Study Type: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Introduction:

Kinesio tape is an elastic tape used in various settings and it is purported to assist in strengthening weakened muscles. The mechanism behind this claim is neuromuscular facilitation. The purpose of this study was to determine if the claims of Kinesio tape would be supported in its role in strength enhancing properties.

Methods:

Twenty-nine healthy, untrained male and female college-aged individuals participated in this study. Two baseline measurements assessing shoulder external rotation (ER) strength were collected using isokinetic dynamometry. Subjects were then randomized into two groups, Kinesio tape with ER strengthening (KT-Ex) and …

Coherent Scatter Computed Tomography For Core Composition Analysis Of Intact Kidney Stones - Prospective Clinical Study, Cristian Dihel

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Urolithiasis is the presence of urinary calculi (urinary stones) at any level along the excretory system. Establishing accurate and complete mineral composition of the stones is one of the main factors in deciding the best steps for therapy and recurrence prevention.

Currently, infrared spectroscopy (IRS) and x-ray diffractometry (XRD) provide bulk composition results of urinary calculi in powdered form. Clinicians use the results to prescribe medical and dietary measures to restore the physiologic chemical balance of urine or rather alter it for the purpose of decreasing the crystallization rate of single or multiple minerals. As current methods have been shown …

Design And Fatigue Study Of Intravascular Coronary Stent Using Finite Element Analysis, Jared May

Morehead State Theses and Dissertations

A thesis presented to the faculty of the College of Science & Technology at Morehead State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science by Jared May on March 15, 2012.

Targeted Intracellular Therapeutic Delivery Using Liposomes Formulated With Multifunctional Fast Proteins, Rae L. Nesbitt

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Prostate cancer is the most common malignancy in North American men and there is no treatment currently available which offers a clear survival advantage to patients with prostate cancer. We studied liposomes formulated with the fusion-associated small transmembrane (FAST) protein, p14. In this study, we hypothesized that therapeutics delivered in molecular targeted fusogenic liposomes will increase intracellular delivery and specificity for prostate cancer. We demonstrated that liposomes formulated with p14-bombesin significantly increased the delivery of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) into human prostate cancer (PC-3) cells compared to either standard liposomes or non-targeted fusogenic liposomes. Delivery of FITC to benign prostate hyperplasia …

Design And Experimental Validation Of Continuous Dna Separation Using Itp-Based Microfluidic Device, Nora C. M. Goscinski, Mary E. Rosa, Elizabeth K. Wheeler, Maxim Shusteff

Chemistry and Biochemistry

We have demonstrated a chip-based microfluidic device suitable for rapid and high-throughput DNA separation and purification for downstream analysis. The glass-based device incorporates a transverse free-flow isotachophoresis (tFF-ITP) that overcomes the volume limitations of CE approaches, and allows continuous sample processing in contrast to batch-mode solid-phase extraction (SPE). The device is able to focus DNA at flow rates up to 100 uL/min, and sample conductivity up to 2 mS/cm. Downstream of the chip, 30-40% of DNA from the input sample is recovered as a result of ITP focusing, and preliminary results indicate that this design is able to purify DNA …

Does Mucosal Or Serosal Side Approximation Affect The Efficacy Of Native Small Intestinal Submucosa Graft Repair Of Neurotmesis?, Ferro Nguyen

PCOM Biomedical Studies Student Scholarship

FDA approved, commercial, modified porcine small intestinal submucosa (SIS) is utilized clinically for peripheral nerve repair. However, if measures can be put in place to insure its safety, native SIS prepared from locally available porcine resources would provide easy access to an inexpensive alternative. Both forms of this material lack antigenicity, have inherit properties which provides a favorable growth environment, and have been successfully used experimentally as a natural conduit in peripheral nerve repair. Successful recovery from a peripheral nerve injury is dependent on the efficiency and speed of axonal regeneration to the point of distal interruption of the nerve. …

Is Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation Of High-Risk Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (All) Patients More Effective In Preventing Future Relapses Of Disease And/ Or Mortality In Comparison With Chemotherapeutic Regimens Alone?, Patricia A. Ajizadeh

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not allogeneic SCT of HR pediatric ALL patients is more effective in preventing future relapses of disease and/or mortality in comparison with chemotherapeutic regimens alone.

STUDY DESIGN: Review of three English language primary randomized controlled trial studies published between 1996 and the present.

DATA SOURCES: Randomized controlled trial studies were found using PubMed.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: Each of the three studies evaluated the incidence of recurrent disease and/or mortality in high-risk pediatric ALL patients. These outcomes were analyzed according to the following categories: duration of event-free survival …

Does Pre-Hospital Therapeutic Hypothermia Improve The Functional And Survival Status Of Patients Post Cardiac Arrest?, Stephanie Corsi

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not prehospital therapeutic hypothermia improves the functional and survival status of post cardiac arrest patients.

STUDY DESIGN: Review of three English language primary studies, two of which were published in 2007 and one in 2010.

DATA SOURCES: Two randomized, controlled, clinical trials and one cohort study comparing pre-hospital therapeutic hypothermia to induction of therapeutic hypothermia upon hospital admission, and to standard normothermic post cardiac arrest care. All were found using Medline, OVID, and Cochrane Systematic databases.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: An outcome measured was functional status at hospital discharge, …

Does Whole Body Vibration (Wbv) Therapy Positively Affect The Motor Skills Of Patients Who Have Been Diagnosed With Parkinson’S Disease?, Courtney Forsyth

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this systematic review is to determine whether Whole Body Vibration (WBV) therapy positively affects the motor skills of patients who have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

STUDY DESIGN: Review of 3 English language primary studies. All three were randomized control trials; one was rater blinded and one double blinded with a placebo.

DATA SOURCES: All of the articles were Randomized Control Trials found using the PubMed database.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: Each of the three studies looked at the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease patients before and after Whole Body Vibration Therapy. Each study used the Unified Parkinson’s Disease …

Is Low-Level Laser Therapy An Effective Treatment For Patients With Primary Raynaud’S Phenomenon?, Adriana S. Ruiz

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not low-level laser therapy is an effective treatment for patients with primary Raynaud’s Phenomenon.

STUDY DESIGN: Review of three randomized, double blind, placebo controlled trials, published between 2002-2004.

DATA SOURCES: Randomized, double blind clinical trials comparing low-level laser therapy with a placebo treatment were found using the Cochrane databases, and PubMed.

OUTCOME MEASURED: Reduction in frequency and severity of Raynaud’s attacks. Outcomes were measured and recorded with daily diaries of attacks before and after the intervention, and thermographic studies.

RESULTS: Three RCTs were included in this review. …

Is Rivastigmine Effective In The Treatment Of Alzheimer’S Disease?, Beena Patel

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not rivastigmine is effective for the treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease.

STUDY DESIGN: Review of two trials in the English language published in 2007 and 2010, and an open-label, singlearm, multi-center study from 2008.

DATA SOURCES: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials comparing rivastigmine to a visually-matched capsule (placebo) was found using PubMed and Cochrane databases.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: Overall global performance using the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale (ADAS-cog), ability to perform activities of daily living, cognitive function using the mini mental status exam (MMSE), and neuropsychiatric symptoms using BEHAVE-AD.

RESULTS: …

Is There A Benefit To Suturing Vs. Stapling In Cesarean Section Closure When Comparing Postoperative Pain And Patient Satisfaction?, Jennifer Pilchman

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE:The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not there is a benefit to suturing vs stapling in cesarean section closure when comparing postoperative pain and patient satisfaction.

STUDY DESIGN: Review of three English language primary studies published in 2009 and 2010.

DATA SOURCES: Three randomized control trials (RCTs) comparing the surgical closures for cesarean section delivery. All RCTs were found by the author using MEDLINE, PUBMED, and COCHRANE databases. They are all published articles written in English.

OUTCOME MEASURED: Outcomes were measured by assessing patient satisfaction, postoperative pain, cosmetic appearance and wound complications. Rousseau …

Will The Use Of Fiber Be As Effective As Laxatives In Relieving Constipation In The Geriatric Population?, Saunders Batunkyi

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not the use of fiber can be as effective as laxatives in relieving constipation in the geriatric population.

STUDY DESIGN: Review of three journals published in English in peer-reviewed journals.

DATA SOURCES: Two randomized controlled trials and one parallel interventional trial investigating the effectiveness of supplemental dietary fiber in managing constipation in elderly populations that are presently reliant on prescription laxatives.

OUTCOMES (S) MEASURED: The outcomes were measured by the frequency of defecation, ease of bowel movement, patient discomfort, patient well being, and undesired effects …

Development And Implementation Of Acoustic Feedback Control For Scanning Probe Microscopy, Rodolfo Fernandez Rodriguez

Dissertations and Theses

A remote-sensing acoustic method for implementing position control feedback in Scanning Probe Microscopy (SPM) is presented. The capabilities of this feedback control using the new Whispering Gallery Acoustic Sensing (WGAS) method is demonstrated in a Shear-force Scanning Probe Microscope that uses a sharp probe attached to a piezoelectric Quartz Tuning Fork (QTF) firmly mounted on the microscope's frame. As the QTF is electrically driven its mechanical response reaches the SPM frame which then acts as a resonant cavity producing acoustic modes measured with an acoustic sensor strategically placed on the SPM head. The novelty of the WGAS resides in using …

Effectiveness Of Insulin Pump Use In Controlling Blood Glucose In Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus Patients, Nadia M. Saad

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

No abstract provided.