Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Our Anniversary, Edward F. Ansello

Director's Editorials from Age in Action

The Virginia Center on Aging celebrates 40 years.

Addressing The Spiritual Needs Of People Aging With Dementia And/Or Lifelong Disabilities, Kathy Fogg Berry

Case Studies from Age in Action

Educational Objectives

1. Present the need for spiritual care as part of holistic care for people living with dementia and/or lifelong disabilities.

2. Distinguish the difference between spirituality and religion.

3. Discuss how to assess the spiritual needs of people living with dementia and/or lifelong disabilities.

4. Show through case study examples specific ways to address the spiritual needs of people living with dementia and/or lifelong disabilities.

Gerontology Theory Communicated In The Primary Grades Through Picture Books, Edward F. Ansello

Case Studies from Age in Action

Educational Objectives

1. To recognize children’s first literature as a means of socialization to aging and older people.

2. To identify children’s books that reflect basic principles of gerontology theory.

3. To help primary school teachers, grandparents, and others interested in human development use books and activities to capture children’s attention.

4. To identify a unit of six brief, overlapping modules, each with objectives, activities, and recommended readings.

Into The Elder Law Trenches At Wake Forest University School Of Law, Kate Mewhinney

Case Studies from Age in Action

Educational Objectives:

1. Examine the benefits of a medical-legal partnership for training law students how to represent older clients.

2. Review common legal issues in the field of elder law.

3. Explore broader policy concerns facing an aging population.

Silver Saddles: An Equestrian Intervention For Older Adults With Dementia, Christine Jensen, Jessica Lyon, Tina Thomas, Rachel Scrivano

Case Studies from Age in Action

Educational Objectives

1. Demonstrate the encouraging outcomes therapeutic horseback riding programs can have for older adults with memory loss.

2. Describe the importance of trained volunteers and staff at both the riding center and the long-term care community for aiding older adults with memory loss during the therapeutic riding program.

3. Showcase the research process and pilot results.

4. Highlight lessons learned and future directions for Silver Saddles.

Prospective Longitudinal Study Of The Pregnancy Dna Methylome: The Us Pregnancy, Race, Environment, Genes (Preg) Study, Dana M. Lapato, Sara Moyer, Emily Olivares, Ananda B. Amstadter, Patricia A. Kinser, Shawn J. Latendresse, Colleen Jackson-Cook, Roxann Roberson-Nay, Jerome F. Strauss, Timothy P. York

Human and Molecular Genetics Publications

Purpose The goal of the Pregnancy, Race, Environment, Genes study was to understand how social and environmental determinants of health (SEDH), pregnancy-specific environments (PSE) and biological processes influence the timing of birth and account for the racial disparity in preterm birth. The study followed a racially diverse longitudinal cohort throughout pregnancy and included repeated measures of PSE and DNA methylation (DNAm) over the course of gestation and up to 1 year into the postpartum period.

Participants All women were between 18 and 40 years of age with singleton pregnancies and no diagnosis of diabetes or indication of assisted reproductive technology. …

Fostering Transformative Learning, Self-Reflexivity And Medical Citizenship Through Guided Tours Of Disadvantaged Neighborhoods, E. Marshall Brooks, Mary Lee Magee, Mark Ryan

Family Medicine and Population Health Publications

Background and objectives: Medical school curricula increasingly seek to promote medical students’ commitment to redressing health disparities, but traditional pedagogical approaches have fallen short of this goal. The objective of this work was to assess the value of using community-based guided tours of disadvantaged neighborhoods to fill this gap.

Methods: A total of 50 second-year medical students participated in a guided tour of disadvantaged public housing neighborhoods in Richmond, Virginia. Students completed self-reflexive writing exercises during a post-tour debriefing session. Student writings were analyzed to assess the tour’s effect on their awareness of poverty’s impact on vulnerable populations’ health …

B1 Cell Ige Impedes Mast Cell-Mediated Enhancement Of Parasite Expulsion Through B2 Ige Blockade, Rebecca K. Martin, Sheela R. Damle, Yolander A. Valentine, Matthew P. Zellner, Briana N. James, Joseph C. Lownik, Andrea J. Luker, Elijah H. Davis, Martha M. Demeules, Laura M. Khandjian, Fred D. Finkelman, Joseph F. Urban Jr., Daniel H. Conrad

Microbiology and Immunology Publications

Helminth infection is known for generating large amounts of poly-specific IgE. Here we demonstrate that innate-like B1 cells are responsible for this IgE production during infection with the nematode parasites Nippostrongylus brasiliensis and Heligmosomoides polygyrus bakeri. In vitro analysis of B1 cell immunoglobulin class switch recombination to IgE demonstrated a requirement for anti-CD40 and IL-4 that was further enhanced when IL-5 was added or when the B1 source was helminth infected mice. An IL-25-induced upregulation of IgE in B1 cells was also demonstrated. In T cell-reconstituted RAG1^−/− mice, N. brasiliensis clearance was enhanced with the addition of B2 …

Interobserver Reliability In Describing Radiographic Lung Changes After Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy, Noah S. Kalman, Geoffrey D. Hugo, Jenna M. Kahn, Sherry S. Zhao, Nuzhat Jan, Rebecca N. Mahon, Elisabeth Weiss

Radiation Oncology Publications

Purpose
Radiographic lung changes after stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) vary widely between patients. Standardized descriptions of acute (≤6 months after treatment) and late (>6 months after treatment) benign lung changes have been proposed but the reliable application of these classification systems has not been demonstrated. Herein, we examine the interobserver reliability of classifying acute and late lung changes after SBRT.

Methods and materials
A total of 280 follow-up computed tomography scans at 3, 6, and 12 months post-treatment were analyzed in 100 patients undergoing thoracic SBRT. Standardized descriptions of acute lung changes (3- and 6-month scans) include diffuse …

Monitoring Frequency Of Intra‐Fraction Patient Motion Using The Exactrac System For Linac‐Based Srs Treatments, Benjamin C. Lewis, William J. Snyder, Siyong Kim, Taeho Kim

Radiation Oncology Publications

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the intra‐fractional patient motion using the ExacTrac system in LINAC‐based stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS).

Method: A retrospective analysis of 104 SRS patients with kilovoltage image‐guided setup (Brainlab ExacTrac) data was performed. Each patient was imaged pre‐treatment, and at two time points during treatment (1st and 2nd mid‐treatment), and bony anatomy of the skull was used to establish setup error at each time point. The datasets included the translational and rotational setup error, as well as the time period between image acquisitions. After each image acquisition, the patient was repositioned using the calculated …

A Multi-Method Scheduling Framework For Medical Staff, Wael Rashwan, John Fowler, Amr Arisha

Conference Papers

Hospital planning teams are always concerned with optimizing staffing and scheduling decisions in order to improve hospital performance, patient experience, and staff satisfaction. A multi-method approach including data analytics, modeling and simulation, machine learning, and optimization is proposed to provide a framework for smart and applicable solutions for staffing and shift scheduling. Factors regarding patients, staff, and hospitals are considered in the decision. This framework is piloted using the Emergency Department(ED) of a leading university hospital in Dublin. The optimized base staffing patterns and shift schedules actively contributed to solving ED overcrowding problem and reduced the average waiting time for …

University Of South Alabama College Of Medicine Annual Report For 2018-2019, College Of Medicine

COM Annual Reports

The 2018-2019 annual report for the University of South Alabama College of Medicine catalogues the accomplishments of our faculty, staff and students as they relate to teaching, research, scholarly and community service.

Teens As Teachers In The Garden: Cultivating A Sustainable Model For Teaching Healthy Living, Virginia Bolshakova, John Gieng, C. Sheena Sidhu, Mary Vollinger, Lorena Gimeno, Jessica Guild

Faculty Publications

School gardens are an ideal space to deliver a healthy living curriculum, such as nutrition and physical activity education, to elementary school youth. However, public schools often lack the resources and support to establish sustainable garden-based programming. We created the Healthy Living Ambassador program, a collaborative after-school garden program in low-income communities that brought together resources from schools, community programs, and University of California Cooperative Extension. This school garden program featured culturally competent teens as teachers to serve as near-peer educators and mentors to elementary school youth. The program development model incorporated lessons from sustainable community-based health program interventions and …

Effectiveness Of Tranexamic Acid Administration On Intraoperative Blood Loss In Elective Craniofacial Surgery, Kimberly Marie Vance

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine if intraoperative use of tranexamic acid (TXA) was associated with estimated blood loss in patients who underwent elective craniofacial surgery.

Introduction: Intraoperative blood loss has been shown to significantly contribute to postoperative morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing surgical procedures. It is the responsibility of the anesthesia clinician to accurately assess and actively replace ongoing blood loss, as well as employ strategies to curtail perioperative hemorrhage. While numerous methods exist to minimize surgical blood loss, such as mild hypothermia and controlled hypotensive techniques, these interventions can prove hazardous in pediatric patients …

Is Preoperative Administration Of Celecoxib And Pregabalin Associated With Decreased Intraoperative And Postoperative Opioid Consumption In Patients Undergoing Total Hip Or Knee Arthroplasty?, Cierra Treadway

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine if a preoperative dose of celecoxib and pregabalin in patients who underwent total hip arthroplasty (THA) or total knee arthroplasty (TKA) was associated with less opioid consumption intraoperatively and postoperatively compared to those who did not receive this regimen.

Introduction: THA and TKA have been associated with a high incidence of postoperative pain. Historically, this pain has been managed with opioids; however, these drugs have negative side effects associated with their use. Consequently, anesthesia providers have begun utilizing multimodal non-opioid analgesics. Recently, a specific combination has been utilized, which includes a …

Are Higher Education Institutions Addressing The Employment Needs Of Clinical Laboratories In Rural Areas?, Pamela Dawn Meadows

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Clinical laboratories across the nation are faced with a shortage of qualified Medical Laboratory Technicians (MLTs) and Medical Laboratory Scientists (MLSs). As the clinical laboratory workforce continues to shrink, it is essential that higher education institutions acknowledge the employment needs of rural laboratories to ensure quality health care in underserved areas. An aging workforce, program closures, and a general increase in demand for laboratory testing have compounded the workforce shortage for rural clinical laboratories, which often face unique challenges. The purpose of this research study was to examine the perceptions of rural clinical laboratory managers toward higher education’s response to …

Role Of N-Acetyl-Seryl-Aspartyl-Lysyl-Proline (Ac-Sdkp) And Renal Hemodynamics On Obesity Related Renal Damage, Mani Maheshwari

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Obesity is a public health problem and is associated with salt-sensitive hypertension, kidney inflammation and fibrosis. N-acetyl-seryl-aspartyl-lysyl-proline (Ac-SDKP) is a tetra-peptide with anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic properties but its effect on kidney damage in obesity is unknown. We hypothesized that high salt fed Zucker obese (ZO) rats develop renal damage, inflammation and fibrosis and that Ac-SDKP prevents these changes. Zucker lean (ZL) rats served as controls. Animals were treated with Ac-SDKP while maintained on either a normal-salt or HS diet for 8 weeks. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), albuminuria, renal inflammation and fibrosis were evaluated. HS diet increased macrophage infiltration in the …

Does Prophylactic Administration Of Ondansetron Prior To Spinal Anesthesia Decrease Spinal-Anesthesia Induced Hypotension In Obstetric And Non-Obstetric Patients?: A Literature Review, Quinnton Rees

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Introduction: Neuraxial (spinal) anesthesia is a favored modality in the care of obstetric patients undergoing a cesarean-section (C-section). Spinal anesthesia is additionally popular as an alternative method for various surgical procedures in non-obstetric patients allowing practitioners to avoid potential risks associated with the use of general anesthesia. Spinal anesthesia-induced hypotension (SAIH) is a common side effect that presents status post-initiation of spinal anesthesia. The source of the hypotension produced after the initiation of spinal anesthesia is due to inhibition of the sympathetic nervous system (sympathectomy) and bradycardia caused by stimulation of the Bezold-Jarisch Reflex. A relatively new intervention that …

Harm Reduction Programs: West Virginia Vs. United States, Morgan L. Belcher, Hannah Sayre

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Introduction: Harm reduction has been a movement for social justice built on a belief in, and respect for, the rights of people who use drugs. It has been defined as a set of practical strategies and ideas aimed at reducing negative consequences associated with drug use. The U.S. has been experiencing an opioid/heroin epidemic, with significant increases in overdose death among drug users with more than 72,000 Americans having died from drug overdoses in 2017.

Methodology: The methodology for this study was a literature review with a semi structured interview with Tina Rameriz of the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department …

The Anatomy Of The Carpal Tunnel And Hand Function Of Musicians, Emily Ann Lorenzen

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Musicians spend hours perfecting their trade, often leading to overuse injuries of the hand; of specific concern to musicians is carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). This study evaluated the median nerve cross-sectional area and hand function of musicians and non-musicians. Patients completed the upper extremity and CTS specific function questionnaires. The median nerve cross-sectional area, and the width of the carpal tunnel were measured on ultrasound image. The median nerve cross-sectional area was greater in musicians than the non-musician group. The width of the carpal tunnel did not differ between the groups. Musicians showed higher levels of hand dysfunction than the …

Targeted Limb Heating Augments The Actions Of Igf1 In The Growth Plate And Increases Bone Elongation In Growing Mice, Holly Lyn Racine

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Bone elongation disorders can lead to painful musculoskeletal disabilities in adulthood. Existing treatment options to correct left-right asymmetry in limb length include invasive surgeries and/or drug regimens. These are often only partially effective. Previous studies in weanling mice have shown that a daily application of mild heat (40°C) to limbs on one side of the body could be used to noninvasively enhance bone elongation. However, the impact of heat-treatment on bone at the cellular level remains elusive. The epiphyseal growth plate, the band of cartilage located at each end of long bones, is the main site of longitudinal growth and …

Approach To Developing Basic And Scientific Writing Competency In Dnp Students At Samuel Merritt University, Michelle Hampton

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

The Effect Of Individualized Nurse Report Cards And Unit Case Reports On The Awareness And Attitudes Of Nurses Towards Clabsi Contributing Factors, Shannon K. Hawkins

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

This DNP project examined the effect of unit case reports and individualized nurse report cards on nurses’ awareness of and attitudes toward central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) contributing factors. This project also sought to determine whether CLABSI incidences differed across units and if that was affected by nurses’ awareness of and attitudes toward CLABSI contributing factors. A convenience sample of registered nurses (RNs) across four medical units was included in this project. Of the 79 RNs who participated in providing feedback on this project, 48 RNs completed pre-implementation surveys, resulting in a response rate of 61%, and 53 completed post-implementation …

Exploring Patterns Of Health-Promoting Lifestyles Of Academic Nurse Educators, Tracy Campbell

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

Participating in health-promoting behaviors is essential for maintaining optimal physical and mental well-being. Nurses play a significant role in supporting the nation’s health, however, nursing shortages impact the ability to meet the complex health demands in a growing population. Guided by Nola J. Pender's health promotion model, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the self-perceived health-promoting lifestyle behaviors of faculty nurse educators. A convenience sample of 13 faculty nurses were studied using a descriptive, non-experimental research design. The 52-item Health-Promoting Lifestyle II (HPLP II) survey was used to evaluate the six dimensions of: health responsibility, interpersonal relations, nutrition, …

Student Perception Of Blended Course Activities, Valerie Bailey

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

The flipped classroom has been implemented within the nursing curricula to promote increased student classroom satisfaction, student engagement in the classroom, and improve retention of complex nursing concepts. This research study evaluated how the implementation of the flipped classroom contributed to the overall perception of a new instructional model of teaching within an Associate degree program for a summer nursing course. A variety of research articles were reviewed to assist in the construction of this instructional approach for this nursing course. The research articles reviewed revealed through statistical analysis that overall satisfaction of the flipped classroom approach was successful in …

Telehealth Education And Training For School Nurses, Billie C. Walker

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

Telehealth, as a healthcare delivery model, is quickly integrating into various healthcare fields. School health is one area of nursing that is preparing for this integration. This study explored through literature review, the previous studies conducted on this type of service. Evidence found more research was needed on this topic. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate an increase in school nurse’s confidence and commitment level to implementation of telehealth. A purposeful sample was used in the selection of participants for this study. This project was conducted in a small rural county school system located in the North West …

The Impact A Nurse's Work Environment Has On Breastfeeding, Ashley Dawn Hull

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

Breastfeeding is a global health initiative, as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO), because of its numerous health benefits to mothers and infants. Despite breast milk’s documented benefits to mothers and babies, many women are not choosing to breastfeed their infants. A lack of paid maternity leave policy within the United States influences postpartum responsibilities, physically, and psychologically. This paper presents nurses’ responses to the Workplace Breastfeeding Support Scale survey regarding their workplace environment support of breastfeeding. Nurses providing direct patient care for more than 50% of their shifts revealed 45.5% disagreed in some variance with their comfort in …

Building Resilience Among Orphaned And Vulnerable Children Through The Memory Book Intervention, Barbara J. Braband, Tamara Faris, Kaye Wilson-Anderson

Faculty Publications - College of Nursing

Children who are orphaned and vulnerable due to poverty, war, or disease (HIV/AIDS) may experience childhood traumatic grief. A qualitative phenomenological approach was implemented to explore and compare the lived experiences of orphaned children, adolescents, and caregivers who had used the Memory Book intervention at six children’s homes in India, Kenya, and South Africa. Study findings revealed similar themes between the countries, with primary themes of identity and relationships, and secondary themes of coping, hope, and emotion. Findings suggest the value of Memory Book resources to encourage the preservation of a child’s story and grief recovery that can be used …

Reduction Of Endothelial Nitric Oxide Increases The Adhesiveness Of Constitutive Endothelial Membrane Icam-1 Through Src-Mediated Phosphorylation, Feng Gao, Brandon P. Lucke-Wold, Xiang Li, Aric F. Logsdon, Li-Chong Xu, Sulei Xu, Kyle B. Lapenna, Huaqi Wang, M.A. Hassan Talukder, Christopher A. Siedlecki, Jason D. Huber, Charles L. Rosen, Pingnian He

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

Nitric oxide (NO) is a known anti-adhesive molecule that prevents platelet aggregation and leukocyte adhesion to endothelial cells (ECs). The mechanism has been attributed to its role in the regulation of adhesion molecules on leukocytes and the adhesive properties of platelets. Our previous study conducted in rat venules found that reduction of EC basal NO synthesis caused EC ICAM-1-mediated firm adhesion of leukocytes within 10–30min. This quick response occurred in the absence of alterations of adhesion molecules on leukocytes and also opposes the classical pattern of ICAM-1-mediated leukocyte adhesion that requires protein synthesis and occurs hours after stimulation. The objective …

Bordetella Pertussis Whole Cell Immunization, Unlike Acellular Immunization, Mimics Naïve Infection By Driving Hematopoietic Stem And Progenitor Cell Expansion In Mice, Melinda E. Varney, Dylan T. Boehm, Katherine Deroos, Evan S. Nowak, Ting Y. Wong, Emel Sen-Kilic, Shebly D. Bradford, Cody Elkins, Matthew S. Epperly, William T. Witt, Mariette Barbier, F. Heath Damron

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

Hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell (HSPC) compartments are altered to direct immune responses to infection. Their roles during immunization are not well-described. To elucidate mechanisms for waning immunity following immunization with acellular vaccines (ACVs) against Bordetella pertussis (Bp), we tested the hypothesis that immunization with Bp ACVs and whole cell vaccines (WCVs) differ in directing the HSPC characteristics and immune cell development patterns that ultimately contribute to the types and quantities of cells produced to fight infection. Our data demonstrate that compared to control and ACV-immunized CD-1 mice, immunization with an efficacious WCV drives expansion of hematopoietic multipotent progenitor cells …