Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Using Scientific Inquiry To Increase Knowledge Of Vaccine Theory And Infectious Diseases, Zachary Walls, John B. Bossaer, David Cluck

ETSU Faculty Works

Background: The aim of this study was to design and evaluate a laboratory activity based on scientific inquiry to educate first-year pharmacy students in the U.S. about vaccination theory and the attributes of common pathogens. Methods: The laboratory activity had two principal sections. The first consisted of an interactive game during which students rolled a die to determine outcomes based on a set of pre-determined criteria. In the second section, students generated and tested hypotheses about vaccine theory using a computer simulation that modeled disease transmission within a large population. In each section students were asked to evaluate epidemiological data …

A Dynamical Systems Model Of Progesterone Receptor Interactions With Inflammation In Human Parturition, Douglas Brubaker, Mark R. Chance, Sam Mesiano

Faculty Scholarship

Background: Progesterone promotes uterine relaxation and is essential for the maintenance of pregnancy. Withdrawal of progesterone activity and increased inflammation within the uterine tissues are key triggers for parturition. Progesterone actions in myometrial cells are mediated by two progesterone receptor (PR) isoforms, PR-A and PR-B, that function as ligand-activated transcription factors. PR-B mediates relaxatory actions of progesterone, in part, by decreasing myometrial cell responsiveness to pro-inflammatory stimuli. These same pro-inflammatory stimuli promote the expression of PR-A which inhibits the anti-inflammatory activity of PR-B. Competitive interaction between the progesterone receptors then augments myometrial responsiveness to pro-inflammatory stimuli. The interaction between PR-B …

Polycations. 23. Antimicrobial Surfaces For Prevention Of Pathogen Transmission, Robert Engel, Karin Melkonian, Jay Ho, Jaime Lee Iolani Rizzo

Publications and Research

The continued evolution of bacterial and fungal species poses a significant difficulty for the treatment of disease of microbial origin. Given this situation, the prevention of transmission of such microbial diseases becomes of increasing importance. Efforts of this laboratory have been directed toward the destruction of microbial species on environmental surfaces as a prophylaxis toward infection, and we herein report on the efficacy of a system that demonstrates activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, as well as fungi. We report specifically herein on the use of fabric materials so activated for the destruction of these microbial species, useful for …

The Use Of Platelet Rich Fibrin In Pulpal And Periodontal Regeneration, Elisabeth L. Easley

Theses & Dissertations

Purpose: Platelet rich fibrin (PRF) has been postulated to aid in regeneration. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to evaluate the inflammatory response of PRF in vitro, and analyze clinically and histologically the effectiveness of PRF on pulpal regeneration after reimplantation.

Materials and Methods: The in vivo experiment included 18 patients (69 teeth). Teeth were extracted and apicoectomy performed. The tooth was reimplanted and splinted after PRF was condensed into the apex. Control teeth received the same treatment with the exception of the PRF. After 3-11 months, vitality was checked, teeth were extracted and analyzed histologically. For the in …

Identifying Characteristics Associated With Ileus Development Post Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery, Kara C. Hannon

Theses & Dissertations

Background: Postoperative ileus (POI) is the period of intestinal paralysis following any surgical procedure. POI is manifested by nausea, vomiting, abdominal distention, delayed tolerance of oral diet and delayed time to flatus and stool. Little is known about POI following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) as no other study has focused specifically on the incidence of POI following CABG.

Purpose: The primary objective of this study is to determine the incidence of POI post CABG. The secondary aim is to evaluate baseline characteristics associated with POI following CABG.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of 100 patients who underwent …

Synthesis And Development Of Long-Acting Abacavir Prodrug Nanoformulations, Dhirender Singh

Theses & Dissertations

Over the past decade, work from our laboratory has demonstrated the potential of targeted nanoformulated antiretroviral therapy (nanoART) to produce sustained high plasma and tissue drug concentrations for weeks following a single intramuscular (IM) administration that can suppress ongoing viral replication and mitigate dose associated viral resistance. While progress has occurred towards developing long-acting nanoformulations for protease and nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase (RT) inhibitors, development of nanoformulations of hydrophilic nucleoside RT inhibitor drugs have remained elusive. Abacavir (ABC); a hydrophilic molecule exhibited limited utilities to develop into long-acting nanoformulation platform. Furthermore, inefficient conversion of ABC to its biological active metabolites; carbovir …

The Role Of Glutaminase And Extracellular Vesicles In Macrophages And Microglia, Beiqing Wu

Theses & Dissertations

Glutamate serves as a crucial excitatory neurotransmitter that is essential for the proper functioning of the brain. However, excess levels of glutamate are neurotoxic and contribute to the pathogenesis of various neurodegenerative diseases, inducing HIV-1 associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). Glutaminase 1 (GLS1) is an important mitochondrial enzyme responsible for producing glutamate from glutamine. GLS1 is upregulated during HAND and released from mitochondria to cytosol and extracellular space. However, why and how GLS1 is released remains unknown. In chapter II, we demonstrated that extracellular vesicles (EVs) carry GLS1 as cargos from cytosol to extracellular space during HIV infection and innate immune …

Ehd1 As A Positive Regulator Of Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor-1 Receptor, Luke R. Cypher

Theses & Dissertations

The master regulator of the macrophage development, differentiation, proliferation, survival, phagocytosis, cytokine secretion, motility, adhesion, migration, and spreading is the receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) colony stimulating factor-1 receptor (CSF-1R). Aberrant CSF-1R signaling is present amongst a variety of highly prevalent and devastating human diseases in the United States such as atherosclerosis, cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, arthritis, and neuro-demyelination/neuro-degeneration. A better understanding of basic mechanisms that govern macrophage development and function is of vital importance in treating patients afflicted with these conditions/diseases. CSF-1R presentation on the macrophage cell surface is a required precursor for CSF1- induced RTK dimerization (activation) and downstream …

The Development Of Transforming Growth Factor-Beta 1 Associated Fibrosis In The Gastrocnemius Of Peripheral Artery Disease Patients And Response To Revascularization And Supervised Exercise Therapies, Duy M. Ha

Theses & Dissertations

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) affects over 200 million people worldwide with a 5-year mortality rate as high as 30%. Atherosclerotic blockages impair blood flow to the lower limbs, causing ischemic leg pain and dysfunction upon exercise that later progresses to ulcerations and gangrene and often requires amputation. The standard therapies, revascularization and exercise, allow patients to walk further and longer but are at best maintained short-term. One explanation may be the development of myopathic changes in the limb that progress despite improved hemodynamics—a paradigm shift in the classic view of PAD pathophysiology as solely a mismatch between blood supply and …

To Lift Or Not To Lift: Studying The Benefits And Implementation Of Mechanical Ceiling Lifts, Melanie J. Benner Bsn, Rn, Rachelle Dambman Bsn, Rn

Patient Care Services / Nursing

No abstract provided.

Clostridium Difficile (C. Diff) And Personal Protective Equipment, Jacquelin J. Mcnamara Bsn, Rn, Alisha A. Wilcox Bsn, Rn, Meghan E. Carr Bsn, Rn, Alicia D. Palmentera Bsn, Rn

Patient Care Services / Nursing

No abstract provided.

Psychological Aspects Of Head And Neck Cancer, Katherine Rieke

Theses & Dissertations

Patients with head and neck cancer may be at increased risk for depression diagnosis when compared to other cancer sites, both before and after their cancer diagnosis. Behavioral risk factors for head and neck cancers, including tobacco and alcohol use, may be indicative of depression before cancer diagnosis. Further, head and neck cancers and their treatments can cause serious morbidity among patients, including physical disfigurement and loss of function. Additionally, these cancers are often accompanied by social stigma, personal shame, and guilt. While there is a significant body of research examining depression in this cancer population, there are still several …

Role Of B Cell And Hematopoietic Cell Intrinsic Actions Of Erα In Lupus Pathogenesis, Dana E. Tabor

Theses & Dissertations

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by the presence of autoimmune B and T cells and the production of pathogenic antibodies against nuclear antigens. Lupus predominately affects women between menarche and menopause. There are both genetic and environmental risk factors which affect an individuals’ risk of developing lupus. Estrogens are a risk factor for developing lupus and are thought to contribute significantly to the initiation and progression of disease. In lupus-prone mice, genetic knockout of a receptor for estrogen, estrogen receptor alpha (ERα), causes significant attenuation of lupus. Previous studies have not identified the cell type or …

Mutations Affecting Epigenetic Regulators And Their Role In Peripheral T-Cell Lymphomas, Chao Wang

Theses & Dissertations

Peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) is a heterogeneous group of generally aggressive lymphoid malignancies, accounting for 10-15% of all non-Hodgkin lymphomas. Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL) represents approximately 20% of all PTCLs and is recognized as a distinct entity. Accurate diagnosis and classification of PTCL remain challenging. With the exception of ALK+ ALCL, patients with PTCL generally have a poor prognosis with standard chemotherapy and even with the availability of many novel drugs, including HDAC inhibitor (romidepsin and belinostat), gemcitabine, and bortezomib. Therefore, deciphering the pathogenesis of this group of diseases is needed to identify novel treatable targets for better therapeutic intervention. …

Psychometric Properties Of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Screening Measures In Patients Referred To A Sleep Clinic, Jennifer N. Miller

Theses & Dissertations

Background: Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) contributes to all-cause and cardiac mortality. There are no current guidelines for OSA screening in outpatient settings. An American Academy of Sleep Medicine task force is focusing on improving detection and categorization of OSA symptoms and severity to promote screening, assessment, and diagnosis of the disorder. The purpose of this study was to identify the psychometric properties of three self-report OSA screening measures (Berlin, Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), STOP Bang) and an objective portable sleep monitor (PSM) compared to apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) levels (≥5, ≥ 15, and ≥ 30) from polysomnogram (PSG).

Methods: …

Leisure Time Physical Activity Preferences, Behaviors, And Hypertension: Evidence From The China Health & Nutrition Survey, 2004-2011, Junmin Zhou

Theses & Dissertations

Background: Physical activity has been continuously declining in China. At the same time, prevalence of hypertension has dramatically increased. The associations between leisure time physical activity preference, behavior, and development of hypertension in Chinese adults remained not fully understood and few studies have examined these associations using longitudinal data.

Objectives: This dissertation examined the interrelationships among leisure time activity preference, behavior, and the incidence of hypertension using longitudinal data from 2004 to 2011 in the China Health and Nutrition Survey. It also assessed the urban-rural disparities.

Methods: A total of 2,687 adults were included in the analysis. Multivariate logistic regressions …

Aldehyde Adducts And Lung Injury, Muna Sapkota

Theses & Dissertations

From the time of discovery, people have used both alcohol and tobacco in various forms all around the world. Alcohol abuse and cigarette smoking causes thousands of preventable deaths in the US each year. Several lung diseases such as COPD, asthma, respiratory infections, pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, cancer of neck, throat, mouth and lung are associated with smoking and drinking. Even though some studies have examined the role of alcohol and cigarette smoke in lung diseases, only a few studies have focused on the role of reactive aldehydes generated in the lungs of those who abuse alcohol and smoke …

Surveillance Of Non-Fatal Agricultural Injuries Among Farm Operators In The Central States Region Of The United States, Ketki Patel

Theses & Dissertations

Agriculture is a major industry in the U.S. with high rates of fatal and non-fatal occupational injuries. The dynamic nature of the U.S. agriculture industry, regional variations in farming practices, and the diverse workforce make surveillance of injuries challenging. A recent National Academies (U.S.) evaluation reported that data for non-fatal agricultural injury are scarce, and mainly available through national surveys. Limited data are available for employees in the agriculture sector, especially farm owners and operators. The objectives of this study were to- 1) review and evaluate existing survey-based systems for surveillance of non-fatal agricultural injuries on U.S. farms, and 2) …

Use Of Pain Management Diary As An Intervention To Reduce Pain In Post-Operative Residents On The Transitional Skilled Unit, Stephanie M. Robert Bsn, Rn, Madeline M. Svrcek Bsn, Rn

Patient Care Services / Nursing

No abstract provided.

Standardized Handoff Report, Charley Patricia-Ortiz Viebrock Bsn, Rn, Amanda L. Kemeter Bsn, Rn, Vanessa V. Mcwhite Bsn, Rn

Patient Care Services / Nursing

No abstract provided.

Reducing The Occurrence Of Moisture Associated Skin Damage Among Neurological Incontinent Patients, Jennifer Photiades Bsn, Rn, Devon Redilla Bsn, Rn, Kelly Turzanski Bsn, Rn

Patient Care Services / Nursing

No abstract provided.

Intentional Rounding, Monica A. Fallon Bsn, Rn, Kortney A. Graff Bsn, Rn

Patient Care Services / Nursing

No abstract provided.

Improving Nursing Knowledge Of Comfort Modalities For Patients Receiving Hospice Care, Ashley L. D'Andrea Bsn, Rn, Gabriela Depaulo Bsn, Rn

Patient Care Services / Nursing

No abstract provided.

Accuracy Of Temporal Thermometer, Jennifer A. Hartman Bsn, Rn, Sallie J. Rosenberger Bsn, Rn, Melissa L. Wessner Bsn, Rn

Patient Care Services / Nursing

No abstract provided.

Strategies For Taking The H.E.A.T- Turning An Oops Into An Opportunity, Kacie Killeen Bsn, Rn, Gina Lemoncelli Bsn, Rn, Constance A. Wildonger Bsn, Rn, Melissa S. Perri Bsn, Rn, Mackenzie R. Ortona Bsn, Rn, Laura A. Martinowich Bsn, Rn

Patient Care Services / Nursing

No abstract provided.

Verification Of Proper Nasogastric Tube Placement, Michelle L. Burgess Bsn, Rn, Nicole L. Klees Bsn, Rn, Tracy Wenrich Bsn, Rn, Kelly A. Zirnheld Bsn, Rn

Patient Care Services / Nursing

No abstract provided.

Educating 5b Nurses On Comfort Care, Rebecca R. Shepley Bsn, Rn, Elizabeth M. Ngugi Bsn, Rn, Melissa L. Smith Bsn, Rn

Patient Care Services / Nursing

No abstract provided.

Caring For Agitated Patients Using Nurse Managed Protocol, Valeria S. Mease Bsn, Rn, Jessica N. Pisano Bsn, Rn

Patient Care Services / Nursing

No abstract provided.

Cervical Collar Awareness And Safety Through Rn Initiated Patient Education, Abigail E. Moore Bs, Bsn, Rn, Danielle A. O'Connor Bsn, Rn, Kelly R. Shoener Bsn, Rn, Ian E. Sullivan Bsn, Rn, Courtney L. Werley Bsn, Rn

Patient Care Services / Nursing

No abstract provided.

Pressure Ulcers And Nutrition, Sara J. Behle Bsn, Rn, Lea Silfies Bsn, Rn, Shanna J. Truscott Bsn, Rn

Patient Care Services / Nursing

No abstract provided.