Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Integration Of Native American Medicinal Plants Into The Heber W. Youngken Jr. Garden, Emily Lyn Murray

Senior Honors Projects

Healthcare among Native American tribes was focused on all aspects of a patient’s life, such as physical, spiritual, and environmental elements. Healthy outcomes were obtained by maintaining a balance among all of these components. This “bio-psycho-socio-spiritual” approach to healthcare was thought to not only play a role in the health of a certain individual, but the health of the tribe as a whole. An illness was not only precipitated by a physical source, but by an imbalance of these components. Medicinal plants served as an integral role in direct physical healing, as well as an important element for the execution …

Nurse Led Community Health Worker Lay Leader Model, Frances J. Feltner, William M. Baker

Center of Excellence in Rural Health Presentations

In America’s Health Rankings 2018 Annual Report, Kentucky ranked 45 out of 50 in the nation’s healthiest states, signifying the poor overall health of the state.1 Additional statistics show that rural areas of Kentucky, especially the Appalachian region, face some of the highest rates of health disparities in the state and nation. Associated social, environmental, and health risk factors in this population further complicate matters, resulting in a higher prevalence of chronic diseases.

Although chronic diseases can cause serious complications, most disease risk factors can be prevented or controlled. Evidence-based self-management education models, such as the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program …

21st Century Clinical Trials: Rethinking Best Practices Challenges And Opportunities, William E Truog

Presentations

Panel discussion at the Pediatric Academic Societies 2019 annual meeting.

The Physiology And Hormonal Control Of Calcium, Phosphate And Vitamin D, Uri Alon

Presentations

Describes calcium, phophate, and vitamin D in the context of pediatric rickets.

Keeping Campuses Safe: The College Crime And Consequence Conundrum, Richard L. Bailey Jd, Kristy Mccray

Health and Sport Sciences Faculty Scholarship

Recent cases of sexual assault and violence against women proliferate in intercollegiate athletics. Despite federal mandates under Title IX, universities may struggle to appropriately respond to such incidences due to fan bias and/or difficulty in prosecuting under the criminal burden of proof. As such, this article offers up the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) as an adjudicating body, which could appoint a tribunal to ensure safety on campus and just punishment for transgressors. Using retributive justice and procedural justice as theoretical frameworks, it is argued that the NCAA is best served to investigate instances of sexual assault and violence against …

A New Prenylated Isoflavonoid From Limonium Leptophyllum, Asset Dizamatova, Kamila Zhumanova, Galiya E. Zhusupova, Aizhan I. Zhussupova, Radhakrishnan Srivedavyasasri, Mohamed A. Ibrahim, Samir A. Ross

Faculty and Student Publications

© 2019, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers 2019. Purpose: Cannabidiol (CBD), active component of plant Cannabis sativa, has anti-inflammatory properties that could potentially help treat diabetic retinopathy-induced pain and inflammation. However, CBD is a lipophilic molecule making its topical delivery to back of the eye challenging. This study aims at improving ocular penetration of CBD by means of analog derivatization. Methods: Analogs were designed using various ligands, such as amino acids (AAs) and dicarboxylic acids (DCAs) and their combinations. Select analogs were screened in vitro with respect to their stability in ocular tissue homogenates. Based on in vitro stability, analogs …

Analyzing Trends And Patterns In Adverse Birth Outcomes In Massachusetts From 2000-2014, Madeleine Haynes

Sustainability and Social Justice

This study explores spatio-temporal trends and patterns in adverse birth outcomes (ABO) in the state of Massachusetts from 2000-2014. ABO include low birth weight (< 2500 g) and preterm deliveries (gestational age < 37 weeks). This research evaluates if there are areas in Massachusetts that have experienced statistically significant increases or decreases in ABO throughout the study period. Birth data was obtained from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and only singleton, live births were included for the analysis. The data were aggregated to census tracts, and the total number of births and the number of ABOs were calculated for each census tract for each year. In total, 1478 census tracts were included in this analysis. Births to non-Hispanic black mothers and births to non-Hispanic white mothers were separated to evaluate if trends in ABO are similar regardless of race as previous literature has identified a much higher rate of ABO in births to non-Hispanic black women. Trends and patterns of ABO were evaluated using the Space Time Cube and the Mann-Kendall statistic and a multivariate regression was conducted to identify potential correlations between socioeconomic factors and prevalence of ABO. Results of this study can be used to identify areas that are experiencing an increase in ABO to potentially allow for more effective, targeted intervention methods.

“Flowing Along The Wall”: Anarcha-Feminist Bioethics And Resistance In Octavia E. Butler’S Dawn 2019., Theresa Mendez

Master's Theses

Science fiction (sf) texts conversant with the temporal play between past, present, and future push readers to imagine the extremes of human and environmental existence, interaction, and potential. Simultaneously, despite the sf genre’s tendency to traffic in extremes, these texts provoke readers to consider the ways in which these imagined worlds are grounded in history as well as in the contemporary social moment. As Donna Haraway has argued, “the boundary between science fiction and social reality is an optical illusion” (306). This illusory boundary must continue to be traversed in order to consider how sf literatures, particularly those which imagine …

Validation Of A Scale To Measure Phonological And Morphological Knowledge And Skill Of Speech-Language Pathologists And Elementary Teachers, Susan S. Perry

Dissertations

Phonological and morphological skills are crucial to the process of reading. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) have received advanced trained in these basic foundations of language and could be an untapped resource in our school systems for teaching beginning reading skills. The purposes of this research were to examine SLPs’ and general education elementary (K-6) teachers’ attitudes toward SLPs taking part in reading instruction, to compare the differences in phonological and morphological knowledge and skill among SLPs and teachers, and to assess the performance of the Revised Basic Language Constructs Surveywhen administered to SLPs and teachers.

Results indicated that, although fewer …

Resilience And Coping In Mothers Of Children With Sickle Cell Disease, Holly Carter

Dissertations

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a prominent chronic illness in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2016) estimated that one child out of every 365 African-American births will have SCD, affecting approximately 100,000 Americans. Supporting and promoting the integrity of the family and its’ members when a child has SCD is important for each family member’s well-being. Specific family characteristics, such as resilience and coping are important to understand because they can mitigate stress and create positive family outcomes (Brown et al., 1993; Cousino & Hazen, 2013; Hildenbrand, Barakat, Alderfer, & Marsac, 2015; O’Hanlon, Camic, & …

Attitudes Of New Graduate Rns Regarding Their Readiness For Practice Before And After Hospital Orientation, Diane Young

Dissertations

The acuity level of patients continues to increase making it more vital than ever that new graduate Registered Nurses (RNs) be prepared to give safe, quality care when leaving their hospital’s orientation program (Spector et al., 2015). Today, new graduate RNs need orientation programs that will ensure a smooth transition into nursing practice. This involves the ability to apply higher-level knowledge and skills in everyday practice situations, thereby, maintaining quality care (Henderson, Ossenberg, & Tyler, 2015).

The purpose of this study was to identify differences between new graduate RNs’ opinions on readiness for practice, as measured by the Casey-Fink Readiness …

Mississippi Registered Nurse Perceptions When Communicating With Limited-English-Speaking And Non-English-Speaking Patients, Mary Pipper Widdig

Dissertations

Communication serves as the foundation for safe and effective healthcare practice. Effective nurse-patient communication is the cornerstone of the nurse-patient relationship and is vital for the delivery of safe and effective healthcare. Research has shown patients who are communication impaired are at a greater risk of medical error and poorer health outcomes. A review of the literature revealed various nurse perceptions of barriers when providing care for limited-English-speaking patients and non-English-speaking patients. LEP and NEP patients also identified similar perceived barriers when receiving care. Both nurses and patients revealed a distrust for interpreters and interpreter services. The literature review revealed …

Simulation As Replacement For Traditional Clinical In Pre-Licensure Nursing Education: Outcomes Of Different Ratios Of Replacement Time For Traditional Clinical With Simulation, Tiffany Zyniewicz

Dissertations

The use of simulation in nursing education has grown over the last 30 years. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing National Simulation Study indicated that up to 50% of traditional clinical hours can be replaced with simulation at a 1:1 replacement ratio and produce the same outcomes. A review of the literature indicated that there is no standard replacement ratio for simulation time to traditional clinical time being used in pre-licensure nursing education in the United States. The purpose of this study was to explore the outcomes of utilizing a 1:1 simulation-to-traditional clinical time replacement ratio and a …

Himmelfarb Headlines - May/June 2019, George Washington University, Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library

Himmelfarb Headlines (2009 - present)

News and information about Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library of interest to users.

Non-Pharmacological Approaches To Stress Reduction And The Treatment Of Migraines, Megan O'Connell

Senior Honors Projects

Migraines are a disabling neurological medical condition that affects about 12% of the population. Traditionally, migraines are managed with medication however many patients still experience migraines even while on medication. Stress reduction methods such as meditation, deep breathing, reiki, yoga and hypnosis can help with the treatment of a variety of diseases. This study examines the effects of these non-pharmacological treatments on migraines. First, a systematic literature review was completed to explore the effectiveness of alternative treatment approaches. Twenty-four studies were included in the review and the literature concluded patients with migraines can benefit from psychological interventions. Second, a qualitative …

Hear Me Out: Communication And Peer Support For Adults With Hearing Loss, Emma Furness

Senior Honors Projects

Progressive hearing loss is a natural part of aging. It can take adults an average of seven years between the time they perceive they have a hearing loss and they see an audiologist for testing, diagnosis, and treatment. Dealing with hearing loss can be extremely stressful and confusing for both the patient and the family. After receiving the diagnosis of hearing loss, the patient’s next step is to discuss all options with theaudiologist including hearing aids and assistive listening devices. Being fit with hearing aids is a great start, but patients can benefit from further education and support not always …

Food Is Medicine: A Low-Cost, Plant-Based Cooking Class Series For Food Pantry Users, Carolyn Ellis

Senior Honors Projects

Food insecurity, defined as the limited or uncertain access to nutritionally adequate, safe, and acceptable food, is a major public health concern. In 2017, 15 million US households were at one point food insecure. Food insecure adults typically have poorer diet quality than food secure adults independent of poverty. Both food insecurity and poor diet quality are associated with diet sensitive chronic diseases including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. People who rely on food pantries are a subgroup of concern due to their limited ability to purchase food. As meat, poultry, and seafood are the most expensive items …

'Holy Seeing' From The Art Of The Saint John's Bible, Barbara Sutton

School of Theology and Seminary Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

London-Surgeon-Clinches-National-Award-For-Military-Tours-Of-Duty, Jennifer Bieman

Data and Test Instruments

No abstract provided.

The Effect Of Antihypertensive Dosing On Hypertension In Children With Chronic Kidney Disease, Benjamin A. Matta, Uri S. Alon, Tarak Srivastava, Bradley A. Warady, Darcy Weidemann

Posters

This study's objective was to determine the effect of antihypertensive dose on hypertension status in children with chronic kidney disease. This was the first quantitative analysis of antihypertensive dose expressed as a newly developed measure, cDDI, and is relationship with hypertension status in children with CKD.

Improving Diabetic Foot Exams And Education In A Primary Care Clinic, Haley Duff

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing DNP Capstone Projects

Diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases worldwide. The persistent nature of the disease increases the risk of complications, including blindness, kidney failure, lower limb amputation, and cardiovascular disorders. In the United States, there were a total of 7.2 million hospital discharges in 2014, with diabetes as the diagnosis. It was estimated that 108,000 of those discharges were for a lower-extremity amputation (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2017). The American Diabetes Association recommends that all adults with diabetes should undergo a comprehensive foot evaluation at least annually, and daily foot care education should be provided. Preventive …

“Greening” Worcester: Municipal Best Practices For Sustainability, Erin Mckeon, Charline Kirongozi, Jared Duval, Antannia Greene, Qianshu Sun, Zewei Yao

School of Professional Studies

In response to the urgent threat posed by climate change, more and more cities, including Worcester, are attempting to become more environmentally responsible and sustainable. Worcester is attempting to develop ways to become more sustainable; both to strengthen their communities and to protect the planet. The Green Worcester Working Group (GWWG) tasked the Clark Capstone Team with researching best practices for municipal sustainability. The GWWG has set the following priorities: climate change mitigation, resilience, open spaces, sustainable resource management, education and awareness. Taking these into account, the Clark Capstone Team researched the sustainability practices of cities in New England, across …

Using A Faculty Community Of Practice To Support College Students With Mental Health Needs, Rebecca L. Simon

Health & Wellness Department Faculty Publications and Research

The purpose of this qualitative study was to better understand how a community of practice for faculty in higher education might improve interaction and understanding between faculty and students with disabilities, therefore supporting engagement and retention. In this context, a community of practice is defined as a group of individuals who will come together to learn and support one another regarding use of accommodations for students under the current Americans with Disabilities Act (Section 504) and resources for students with mental health disorders. Research has shown there is an increase of students who have mental health disorders in higher education. …

Nursing Interventions That Address Barriers In The United States That Impact Neonatal Mortality, Victoria D. Sullivan, Ashton J. White

Anna Vaughn School of Nursing Undergraduate Work

In 2016, four out of every 1000 babies born in the US died within one month of age. This systematic research review explored nursing interventions that addressed barriers that impact neonatal mortality. The most significant barriers nurses faced in reducing and preventing NM were maternal access to healthcare and education during pregnancy, which can be influenced by maternal age, low socioeconomic status, lack of familial support, poor health literacy, and geographic location. The articles examined included nursing interventions that were evidence-based and addressed barriers relating to NM. Interventions promoting the reduction of NM included education of women’s health and prenatal …

Managing The Effects Of Poor Sleep Quality In Nurses, Emily Huene, Sarah Rausch, Georgia Vasiu, Hannah Lopez, Rachael Valentz, Msn, Rn, Ccrn

Anna Vaughn School of Nursing Undergraduate Work

Staffing shortages, high turnover rates, and prolonged work shifts has caused decreased sleep quality in nurses due to fatigue. The fatigued nurse causes concern for safety, coordination and agility, patient avoidance, lack of compassion, impaired cognitive function, risk for chronic diseases, and patient care errors. This systematic research review was designed to identify evidence-based practice nursing interventions currently being used to manage the effects of reduced sleep quality. Methods for performing this systematic research review were to search multiple databases using keywords, scanning article titles and abstracts, and critiquing for relevance and quality. Findings from this systematic review found multiple …

Progression Magazine, 2019 Spring, Coastal Carolina University

Progression Magazine

Magazine of the College of Science at Coastal Carolina University.

New Dentist News (May 2019), Ada Committee On The New Dentist

New Dentist News

New Dentist News offers timely information on scientific, social, educational, political and economic developments affecting new dentists. This collection is historical and items may not reflect current standards. For up-to-date information contact the ADA. The New Dentist News was alternately titled ADA Lifeline, 1997-June 2001.

Enhancing Face Validity Of Mouse Models Of Alzheimer's Disease With Natural Genetic Variation., Kristen D Onos, Asli Uyar, Kelly J Keezer, Harriet M Jackson, Christoph Preuss, Casey J Acklin, Rita O'Rourke, Rebecca Buchanan, Travis L Cossette, Stacey J Sukoff Rizzo, Ileana Soto Reyes, Gregory W Carter, Gareth R Howell

College of Science & Mathematics Departmental Research

Classical laboratory strains show limited genetic diversity and do not harness natural genetic variation. Mouse models relevant to Alzheimer's disease (AD) have largely been developed using these classical laboratory strains, such as C57BL/6J (B6), and this has likely contributed to the failure of translation of findings from mice to the clinic. Therefore, here we test the potential for natural genetic variation to enhance the translatability of AD mouse models. Two widely used AD-relevant transgenes, APPswe and PS1de9 (APP/PS1), were backcrossed from B6 to three wild-derived strains CAST/EiJ, WSB/EiJ, PWK/PhJ, representative of three Mus musculus subspecies. These new AD strains were …

Strictinin, A Novel Ror1-Inhibitor, Represses Triple Negative Breast Cancer Survival And Migration Via Modulation Of Pi3k/Akt/Gsk3ss Activity., Norman Fultang, Abhinav Illendula, Brian Chen, Chun Wu, Subash C. Jonnalagadda, Nathan Baird, Zachary Klase, Bela Peethambaran

College of Science & Mathematics Departmental Research

Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC), the most aggressive subtype of breast cancer, is characterized by the absence of hormone receptors usually targeted by hormone therapies like Tamoxifen. Because therapy success and survival rates for TNBC lag far behind other breast cancer subtypes, there is significant interest in developing novel anti-TNBC agents that can target TNBC specifically, with minimal effects on non-malignant tissue. To this aim, our study describes the anti-TNBC effect of strictinin, an ellagitanin previously isolated from Myrothamnus flabellifolius. Using various in silico and molecular techniques, we characterized the mechanism of action of strictinin in TNBC. Our results suggest …

The Effect Of Antihypertensive Dose On Blood Pressure Control In Children With Chronic Kidney Disease, Benjamin A. Matta

Presentations

This presentation describes a study to determine the effect of antihypertensive dosing on blood pressure control in children with chronic kidney disease. The original version of this presentation is a prezi show at https://prezi.com/view/4qluDL1gMKFELOf1nLVA/