Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Gain-Of-Function Tp53 Mutations Induce Non-Canonical Nf-Κb Transcriptional Targets To Promote Tumor Development, Kelsey A. Yutan

Scripps Senior Theses

Background: Gain-of-function TP53 mutations have previously been shown to induce chromosomal instability (CIN) in cancer cells, triggering the cGAS-STING innate immune response and subsequently activating the non-canonical NF-κB (NC-NF-κB) signaling pathway. This signaling cascade promotes cancer cell metastasis and an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME), significantly impacting tumor development and progression. However, the precise downstream mechanisms by which the mutp53-CIN-cGAS-STING-NC-NF-κB signaling pathway facilitates tumor development and progression remain poorly understood. Here, our objective was to identify direct downstream targets of mutp53-CIN-cGAS-STING-induced NC-NF-κB signaling that potentially impact the TME to promote the development and progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Methods …

Parental Monitoring, Latine Emerging Adult Marijuana And Alcohol Initiation, And The Relationship It Has With Marianismo And Machismo, Paola F. Ojeda

Scripps Senior Theses

The study aimed to expand the research on Latine adolescent alcohol and marijuana initiation in regard to their parent’s monitoring habits. The study investigated if parental monitoring affects the initiation of alcohol and marijuana for their adolescents. It also investigated if traditional gender roles in Latine households such as marianismo and machismo moderated the relationship. This study examined parental monitoring through asking participants about their parents monitoring habits and parents control habits during their adolescence. It also investigated Latine young adults’ substance use initiation. This study was conducted through a Qualtrics survey administered through Prolific with multiple subsections that pertain …

Contact Pathway Factors As Potential Modifiers Of Bleeding Related To Factor Xi Deficiency, Ivy R. Han, Leah Rosenfeldt, Courtney Young, Bal Krishan Phd, Rachel Cantrell Phd, Cassie Sprague, Mousa Kharnaf, William Abplanalp, Joseph Palumbo Md

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Factor XI (FXI) deficiency, also known as Hemophilia C, is characterized by mild to moderate bleeding symptoms. However, the factors that modify bleeding severity in FXI deficiency are not fully understood. In this study, we investigated whether components of the contact activation pathway can act as modifiers of bleeding in the context of FXI deficiency. Using a tail vein transection (TVT) model in rats, we assessed bleeding in four experimental groups: wild-type Sprague-Dawley rats, Prekallikrein knockout (PKK^-/-) rats, rats treated with a FXI-inhibiting antibody, and PKK-/- rats treated with the FXI antibody.

Under anesthesia, each rat underwent a …

An In-Depth Review Of Euthanasia-Related Practices, Arguments For/Against Them, And Proposed Solutions For Their Most Glaring Legal/Ethical Problems, Macon Plecha

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This paper’s goal is to cover the topic of euthanasia-related practices at great length. Terminology, history, and current programs around the world are discussed first, with the last point covering a wide geographical range: Colombia, Japan, Israel, and Africa, to name a few outside of the Western world standard. Arguments for and against euthanasia-related practices are explored. Within these arguments, several pressing legal and ethical issues arise, and the most severe of these are expanded on through the offering of potential solutions: how to handle stand-alone psychiatric cases, how to improve advanced directives and poor reporting rates, and how to …

Exploring Psychological Implications Of The Contemporary Lung Transplant, Isaac C. Machar

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Since its inception in 1963 at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, more than 50,000 lung transplant procedures have been performed. During its 50-year anniversary, 2023 saw just over 3,000 lung transplants performed in the United Sates. However, as this procedure continues to increase in execution each year, it is critical that the psychological implications of this procedure are explored. In this paper, I hope to develop an understanding of the psychological background of contemporary lung transplantation. Reviewing the lung and double lung transplant, the goal is to apply biopsychology principles to the field. Background information about transplant science is …

Medication In Early Adulthood And Long-Term Outcomes In Individuals With Adhd, Emma Deep

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The main question asked about attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is: What are the long-term consequences for adults who stay on ADHD medication after childhood? Answering that question includes looking into the medical facts surrounding an ADHD diagnosis, examining the adults and children with ADHD, the subtypes of ADHD, diagnosing ADHD, including the symptoms, and types of medications, along with the side effects. ADHD is one of the most common disorders in children and adults. Understanding ADHD, its diagnosis, and treatment options is crucial for individuals and caregivers navigating this condition. This paper examines the long-term effects of ADHD medication from …

Effects Of Energy Drinks On Crayfish Physiology, Melyna Sweeney

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Energy drinks have become the drink of choice among many college students due to the rush of energy it provides via the megadose of caffeine (Vercammen et al. 2019). Because of their newfound popularity, there is much research to be done about the effects on human physiology. Energy drinks are known to increase endurance in muscles of rat subjects (Imagawa et al. 2009) and stimulate enhanced “alertness” (Smit & Rogers, 2002). The purpose of this research was to uncover the potential effects that energy drinks have on metabolic rate and/or stress responses in crayfish (Procambarus clarkii), with the …

Astrocyte Specific Enhancers In The Cortex And Striatum Of Mice, Mikaela Kottelich

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Among glial cells, astrocytes have a prevalent influence on supporting neuronal function and overall brain health. Specifically targeting this cell type for disease treatment is an existing issue. Other cell types tend to express the desired treatment, which is not always wanted and can lead to unintended, negative consequences. Astrocytes contribute largely to maintaining the blood brain barrier, which is disrupted in Parkinson’s disease. Certain genes are thought to be the reason for this disruption, so if they can be specifically targeted in astrocytes with a specific enhancer, the disruption of the disease could be reversed. In our experiment, we …

Impact Of Tetrahydrocannabinol (Thc) On Daphnia Magna Heart Rate, Ashley Cosgrave

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Marijuana (Cannabis) is currently federally illegal within the United States and classified as a Schedule I drug. This leaves a large research gap on the impacts of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) use. Daphnia magna are frequently used as a model organism for the human heart and toxicology screenings due to their myogenic heart, similarities in physiological pathways, and sensitivity to toxins. As such, in order to bridge the research gap and uncover potential use of Daphnia magna as a model organism for humans in regard to impact on heart rate, we hypothesized that if Daphnia magna possess CB1 receptors or an equivalent …

Examining The Adjustment, Acculturation, And Well-Being Of International Arab Students In The United States: Implications For Policy And Practice, Hassan A A Kh A A Arab

Wayne State University Dissertations

This paper explored Arab international students studying in the United States to see whether they face acculturation stress, adjustment, or well-being issues. I found that my sample (N=95) experienced moderately high well-being distress and acculturative stress. However, the sample showed resilience and positive adjustment in all aspects, psychological (M=34.7), social (M=38.5), and academic (M=37.4). Moreover, well-being score from a modified GHQ survey came with high SD, indicating some students were dealing with serious mental issues, while others were doing well (M=42.92, SD=5.52). The majority of my participants were males (74.7%), single (75.8%), and graduate students (50.5%). Chi-square analysis found a …

Evaluating The Acceptability Of Ptsd Treatment Among Justice-Involved Women In Kentucky With Histories Of Opioid Use, Jesse P. Mccann

Theses and Dissertations--Psychology

Rates of trauma and PTSD as well as histories of opioid use are high among justice-involved women, particularly in Kentucky. However, there are many barriers to receiving treatment. There is a pressing need for brief, trauma-focused interventions that can be more feasibly delivered in jail or prison settings as well as by community clinicians serving women on probation or parole. This study explores the acceptability of treatment for PTSD, particularly Written Exposure Therapy (WET), among justice-involved women on probation or parole with a history of illicit or nonmedical prescription opioid use. The research aims to deepen our understanding of factors …

Enhancing Faculty Self-Efficacy In Student Retention Through Teas Reading Comprehension Score Education, Katina A. Ennis

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Student retention remains a persistent challenge for Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) programs, with significant implications for the nursing workforce amid a national shortage. Faculty self-efficacy in interpreting and utilizing academic readiness data, particularly ATI TEAS reading comprehension scores, is often limited, leading to missed opportunities for early intervention. This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) quality improvement project evaluated whether a targeted educational intervention could enhance faculty self-efficacy in using TEAS reading comprehension scores to support at-risk students and improve retention strategies.

The project employed a quantitative pre- and post-intervention design using the validated Teacher’s Sense of Efficacy Scale (TSES) …

Language Barriers In Clinical Trials: Exploring Impacts On Continuity And Participants’ Engagement And Effective Mitigation Strategies, Harsha Ani Das

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Clinical trials are crucial for advancing medical knowledge and developing new treatments. However, language barriers can pose significant challenges for participants, particularly in understanding trial procedures, risks, and benefits. Existing policies, guidelines, and studies from 2020 to 2024 identify key challenges in recruiting and retaining non-English-speaking participants. The lack of data on dropout rates highlights the need for improved language services and culturally sensitive communication methods. Findings demonstrate the importance of addressing linguistic disparities to enhance trial inclusivity and success. Innovative strategies to overcome language-related hurdles include the use of professional interpreters, translated materials, and community engagement initiatives. By addressing …

Neuropsychological Assessment Accuracy In Diagnosing Early-Onset Alzheimer’S Disease, Elise Thomas

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Early-onset Alzheimer’s disease (EOAD), a progressive neurological condition, is often difficult to diagnose before substantial neuronal damage. Neuropsychological assessments offer a more cost-effective and accessible method for detecting early cognitive decline, yet limited research exists on optimal combinations for EOAD identification. This study analyzed data from 24 clinical studies to determine the diagnostic accuracy of FDA-approved EOAD assessments used in combination. No single combination was found to be superior across all diagnostic metrics. MMSE + MoCA + ADAS-Cog showed the highest sensitivity, MMSE + MoCA + RBANS the highest specificity, MMSE + RBANS the highest AUC value, and MMSE + …

Quality Improvement Project: Implementing A Standardized, Structured Preceptor Program For Licensed Nurses In The Ambulatory Care Setting To Improve Preceptor Competence Level, Sibil J. Blee

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Ambulatory care settings demand diverse nursing skills, making effective preceptorship crucial for successful new nurse transitions. However, many preceptors lack formal preceptor training. This quality improvement project implemented and evaluated a structured preceptor training program for licensed nurses in a large metropolitan healthcare system in Southeast Texas, addressing this critical gap. The project, informed by best practices from acute care and the American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing’s Preceptor Guide, explored the impact of structured training on ambulatory care nurse competence within eight weeks, compared to no training. Fourteen nurses voluntarily participated, with twelve (85.7%) completing pre- and post-intervention surveys. …

Quality Improvement Project: Empowering Nursing Instructors For Effective Simulation Facilitation, Brittany N. Hilson

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Simulation-based education is vital in nursing education, enhancing clinical skills and decision-making in a controlled environment. The DNP Quality Improvement (QI) project aimed to increase nursing faculty self-efficacy in facilitating simulation-based education by providing targeted training in high-fidelity simulation technology. A needs assessment at the school of nursing project site revealed that the faculty lacked sufficient experience and confidence in using simulation equipment. The impact of the simulation-based intervention was evaluated by applying a paired sample t-test, utilizing pre- and post-assessment data. Following a four-week intervention, the results demonstrated that 69.2% of participants showed a significant increase in self-efficacy, with …

Introducing A Paper Communication Alternative For Emergency Department Nurse-Technician Delegation To Promote Workflow Efficiency: A Quality Improvement Project, Grant Quinn

Master's Theses and Capstones

Background: Efficient and high quality communication is paramount in the emergency department setting, especially between registered nurses (RNs) and emergency department technicians. In a fluid and high-octane microsystem, poor communication can lead to missed or delayed delegated tasks, which harm teamwork and patient safety and outcomes.

Purpose: By introducing a low-cost, paper-based communication alternative to this microsystem into the workflow it is expected that perceived ease of use and communication quality will both increase when surveying department staff. This intervention offers an alternative means of communicating with the goal of improving communication overall in the microsystem.

Methods: Through use of …

A Quality Improvement Initiative To Reinforce Education To Increase Nurses’ Knowledge And Confidence In Patient-Centered Labor Positioning, Larkyn Baum

Master's Theses and Capstones

Background: Cesarean section (CS) delivery is an important and necessary intervention, yet comes with increased risks to the patient and fetus compared to vaginal birth. CS rates have been increasing globally, and implementing interventions to promote vaginal birth, especially for nulliparous, term, singleton, vertex (NTSV) patients is of interest to patients, providers, and institutions.

Local Problem: In 2024, the CS rate within the microsystem was 32%, more than double the WHO-recommended benchmark of 10–15%. Of all CS deliveries in 2024, 31% were nulliparous, term, singleton, vertex (NTSV) patients, who are considered optimal candidates for vaginal delivery. Given the elevated rate …

A Quality Improvement Initiative: Enhancing Knowledge And Confidence In Effective Eclamptic Seizure Management Among Maternity Nurses, Emma C. Donigian

Master's Theses and Capstones

Background: Preeclampsia and eclampsia (PE/E) are leading contributors to maternal morbidity and mortality rates globally. Timely recognition and intervention are essential for improving maternal outcomes. However, evidence indicates that healthcare professionals often lack sufficient knowledge and confidence in managing these conditions, highlighting a critical need for ongoing education to ensure safe, effective care.

Local Problem: At a small maternity unit in Northern New England, nurses expressed concern about their preparedness to manage eclamptic seizures, a rare but high-risk obstetric emergency. Although preeclampsia is commonly encountered, eclampsia occurs infrequently, limiting staff exposure and hands-on experience. This combination of low frequency and …

Analysis Of The Utilization Of Vegfinhibitors In Rhode Island And In Medicare Part B Nationally, Kevin Izzio

Open Access Master's Theses

Statement of the Problem: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic retinopathy (DR) are leading causes of blindness and low vision in the United States. In 2019, approximately 19.8 million Americans were living with AMD, which is classified into dry (non-neovascular) and wet (neovascular) forms, with the latter being more severe. DR, a complication of diabetes, affected an estimated 9.6 million Americans in 2021, with progression leading to proliferative DR (PDR) and diabetic macular edema (DME), both of which can cause vision loss. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors are the standard treatment for these retinal diseases, targeting abnormal angiogenesis …

Associations Between Dietary Sodium And Potassium Intakes, Urinary Sodium And Potassium Excretion And Blood Pressure Among Adult Females In Oromia Region, Ethiopia, Fred Baffour Addo

Open Access Master's Theses

Introduction: Accurate assessment of sodium (Na) and potassium (K) intake is essential for population level monitoring of salt intake as part of global strategies to reduce salt consumption to control the increasing prevalence of high blood pressure (BP). Thus, a simple, cost-effective, and low-burden method is particularly valuable in resource-limited settings for population level monitoring of Na and K intake. This study aimed to compare the reliability of various methods of Na and K intake assessment, and their associations with blood pressure measurements.

Methods: This secondary analysis was based on a cross-sectional study of 100 non-pregnant women of …

Healthcare Providers’ Lived Experiences During Pivotal Change, Lisa Raynelle Shelley

Dissertations

This phenomenological study examined healthcare providers’ lived experiences of psychological safety and administrative leader behaviors that influenced those experiences during pivotal change. While much research addressed psychological safety among frontline healthcare staff, a gap was noticed concerning providers. This study aimed to investigate the impact of psychological safety and administrative support on provider engagement, emotional response, and retention during periods of significant change. Data were collected via a survey containing multiple-choice and open-ended questions, followed by semi-structured interviews. Four findings emerged. First, the providers’ pivotal events generated themes of “workplace power dynamics,” “systemic and organizational change,” “transformational crisis,” and “physical …

To Be Or Not To Be Controlled: The Making Of Thespians In Nineteenth-Century Asylums, Olivia Kurylo

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Throughout the 1800s, superintendents of insane asylums incorporated the works of Shakespeare into their medical practices. Shakespearean plays became a conduit of power for the asylum superintendents, providing them with a literary model of sanity that they imposed on patients while simultaneously becoming a mode of communication for asylum patients to perform as ‘sane’ in accordance to the superintendents’ definitions. While the superintendents imposed a Shakespearean model of social normalcy onto the patients, the asylum patients used Shakespeare’s plays as a conduit for verbal expression. Essentially, asylums became Shakespearean plays as both the medical staff and the asylum patients employed …

Smart Goal-Setting On Behaviors To Enhance Intrinsic Motivation For Exercise: A Pilot Study With Orangetheory Fitness Participants, Adam Relitz

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Abstract

PURPOSE: Sustaining long-term motivation for exercise remains a challenge within health and fitness, particularly when extrinsic factors like weight loss dominate motivational strategies. This study investigates the role of behavioral SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goal-setting in fostering intrinsic motivation, a self-driven form of engagement, among participants in a structured fitness program. The primary aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of a SMART goal-setting curriculum in promoting intrinsic motivation and behavior-based goals over external outcomes like losing weight. METHODS: Participants (N = 24) were recruited from a fitness challenge program and selected one behavioral SMART goal from a …

Skinrisk Ai, Spencer Simms

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

SkinRisk AI is an exploration of the opportunities for implementing machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) in the medical technology field, specifically in the early detection of skin cancer. This project presents the design, development, and evaluation of a mobile application that allows users to capture images of skin lesions and receive a machine learning assisted risk assessment. The system combines a convolutional neural network (CNN) for image analysis with an intuitive mobile app built using Flutter, FastAPI, and Supabase to deliver real time screening.

Motivated by the rising skin cancer rates and importance of early detection, SkinRisk AI …

A Form-Fitting Model For The Simulation Of Traumatic Brain Injury In Zebrafish, Abigail Armstrong

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Developing a model to study traumatic brain injury (TBI) is important as it allows for the better understanding of mechanisms underlying the disease to develop effective treatments and other strategies. Creating a realistic simulation of TBI, permits the research of different types of impacts and severities that can be seen in brain function and structure. The simulation is also valuable for monitoring progression of injuries over time and developing personalized treatment plans. Zebrafish, in particular, are prime candidates given their status as model organisms, affordability, and ease of direct observation in the research setting. Overall, efficient and accurate TBI models …

Exploring Familial Lymphoma And Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, Rhea Mahajan

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This project aims to investigate the familial incidence of lymphoma and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) within the patient population at Gabrail Cancer Center (GCC). Using the Electronic Medical Record from the past ten years, patients with current or historical diagnoses of lymphoma or CLL will be identified and surveyed (along with using patient records, including consult notes, hospital notes, MD notes, etc.) to extract any family history of these cancers. The project will analyze clinical outcomes in these cases, and analyze whether there were multiple family members to have been affected by lymphoma or CLL (or other cancers), and see …

Indirect Calorimetry: The Effects Of Overfeeding And Underfeeding Mechanically Ventilated Patients, Hailee Schirm

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This research focuses on the effects of overfeeding and underfeeding mechanically ventilated patients in the ICU and how indirect calorimetry plays a role in improving patient outcomes. Research was pulled from eight peer reviewed sources written within the last ten years to support this statement. It includes multiple types of studies including but not limited to a retrospective cohort study, meta-analysis, review, and deterministic cost-sequences analysis. Indirect calorimetry measures carbon dioxide production and oxygen consumption to calculate energy expenditure and determine the number of calories needed to sustain one’s body. This allows us to determine the number of calories a …

Cochlear Electrode Insertion Training Model, Sarah Powell, Kaelyn E. Kraley, Nathan J. Smith

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Cochlear implant surgery is a delicate procedure performed by Otolaryngologists (ENTs) to implant an electronic device into the inner ear to provide a sense of sound for people who are profoundly deaf or hard of hearing. The current practices of training involve cadavers and 3D-printed models. Cadavers are commonly used but are expensive, single-use, and do not provide visual and haptic feedback, which are essential for medical students. 3D printed models are less commonly used and are hard to fabricate and not as realistic. If medical students are not properly trained for this delicate procedure, then risks are significantly increased …

Positive Coping Within The Nicu, Abrielle Kautza, Allison Garrett, Manaar Muhammad

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The focus of this paper is how nursing staff can cultivate positive coping strategies for both the parents and babies in the neonatal intensive care unit. This was done by analyzing four specific nursing interventions: music therapy, baby cuddling, spirituality, family centered care. The purpose of researching these interventions is because knowledge on their benefits allows for positive coping in both the parents and their baby. The articles chosen were retrieved from EbscoHost, Pubmed, and Wiley Online Library. The articles are primarily levels four and five on the hierarchy of evidence. Family centered care implementation showed a positive effect on …