Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Role Of Atp1a1 In Skeletal Muscle Growth And Metabolism, Laura C. Kutz

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Skeletal muscle comprises approximately 30% of total body mass, and loss of muscle mass and dysfunctional muscle metabolism are implicated in multiple disease states, including type 2 diabetes, heart failure, and septic shock. As such, understanding the mechanisms of skeletal muscle growth and atrophy, including pharmaceutical targets that may prove safe and effective, is therefore an important goal of current research on skeletal muscle physiology. One potential target in skeletal muscle development and function that has not been fully explored is the Na/KATPase (NKA), especially the α1 isoform. This isoform has a unique signaling function that has previously been shown …

United States Medicaid And Pharmacy Fraud: An Unintended Consequence Of The Affordable Care Act, Sean Mcdaniel, Drew Blakely

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Introduction: The Affordable Care Act (ACA) increased access to health insurance throughout the United States. To date, an estimated 20 million previously uninsured individuals have gained access to coverage since the expansion. As a result, the number of fraudulent schemes reported has been on the rise. Among the many fraudulent activities in the healthcare sector, abuse of pharmacy benefits has been the most prevalent. The misuse and abuse of opioids, and opioid related overdoses has created a widespread epidemic throughout the country, thus extending opportunities for potential fraud within the pharmaceutical industry.

Purpose of the Study: The purpose …

Pediatric Opioid Endemic, Olivia Maynard, Molly Watson

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Introduction: As of 2017, 54 out of every 1,000 children born in West Virginia were affected by opioid use. NAS Centers provided care to infants who have been diagnosed with, or have been vulnerable to develop, NAS. The purpose of this research study reviewed the Pediatric Opioid Endemic happening in West Virginia and determined if NAS programs and prenatal opioid maintenance therapy would increase access to NAS patients and decrease the cost of treatments.

Methodology: The methodology was a literature review. Thirty-nine sources were referenced for this literature from 2010-2020.

Results: This review examined sources of the Pediatric Opioid Endemic …

Opioid Epidemic In West Virginia, Brianna Cole

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Introduction: One of West Virginia’s most prominent public health issues and concerns has been the opioid crisis. The opioid epidemic has taken the lives of so many of the West Virginia population. The purpose of this research study was to determine if the opioid epidemic had caused an increase of Hepatitis C among the West Virginia population and access treatment options.

Methodology: The methodology was a literature review. Twenty-five sources were referenced for this literature review from 2007-2020.

Results: This literature review has examined several sources of the Opioid Epidemic in West Virginia. The Opioid Epidemic in West Virginia have …

Medical Tourism: The Impact Of Cost And Wait Time In Relation To Cardiac Surgeries Among Individuals In The United States, Karen Eberechukwu

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Introduction: Medical tourism has been defined as consumer movement whereby individuals travel abroad to get treatment, incur out-of-pocket and third-party payments. As American health care continues to face extraordinary increases in cost and long wait time. Medical tourism has made it possible for cardiac patients to do their surgeries at a more affordable rate with shorter wait times while achieving quality care.

Methodology: The methodology of this study was a literature review used to examine the research. 5 electronic databases and government websites were utilized, with Only 42 sources referenced in the literature review.

Results: The research …

The Scope Of Telepsychiatry On Health Care Services In The United States, Abdulmajeed Alropaish, Itzamna Kukulkan Castaneda Medina

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Background and purpose: A fifth of the U.S. population suffers from some mental illness, and their need for attention is increasing, new technologies have permitted telepsychiatry to allow remote attention to this population. This study explores the impact of telepsychiatry on the cost and access of community patients to mental health services.

Methods: A review of the literature in different electronic databases such MEDLINE, PubMed and ScienceDirect was carried out to investigate the scope of telepsychiatry in the community care of patients with mental illness, identifying 479 related articles, of which 35 were included in this study. The …

Utilization Of Telepsychiatry To Combat The Opioid Crisis In The United States, Haley Tallarico

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Introduction: In the past five years, the United States (U.S.) has experienced an unprecedented epidemic of opioid misuse, abuse and overdose related death, leading to a national public health crisis. Telepsychiatry along with medication-assisted treatment has been proposed as a viable solution. The purpose of this research was to examine the field of telepsychiatry as a practical means to combat the rapidly increasing opioid epidemic facing America and to determine the effect of telepsychiatry utilization on access to treatment received in an outpatient medical setting.

Methodology: The methodology for this study was a literature review including the use of …

Faculty Perceptions And Teaching Practices For Transformative Change: Culturally Responsive Teaching In Pharmacy Education, Nicole Rockich Winston

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Cultural diversity training in pharmacy education has evolved from standalone lectures to longitudinal courses, service-learning initiatives, rotation experiences, and global health opportunities. This mixed methods study explored the perceptions, attitudes, and pedagogies of pharmacy educators who have incorporated culture diversity into their classrooms and clinic sites. First, 91 online surveys incorporating items from the Teaching Multicultural Attitudes Survey and the Multicultural Competency Teaching Scale were distributed to a random sample of pharmacy faculty who interface with cultural diversity. In total, 36 completed surveys were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, and stepwise linear regressions. Following the survey, seven pharmacy faculty …

Future Trends Of Nursing Homes, Thomas Wade Martin, Kristopher Clark

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Introduction: Nursing homes are a major part of the long term care sector and have provided services to elders and the disabled population for years. Regulation change and new demands from the market have forced nursing homes to adapt. The purpose of this literature review was to analyze current regulation in place in the nursing home sector and determine how nursing homes will adapt and continue to provide quality care to patients in the future.

Methodology: The methodology of this research was a literature review. Overall, there were 4 databases used to gather research and 35 sources were used …

Examination Of Student Learning Outcomes During A Musculoskeletal Spine Assessment Course: Hybrid Blended Model Versus Traditional Classroom Delivery In A Doctor Of Physical Therapy Program, David J. Denton

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

This study explored content delivery comparisons concerning a hybrid blended model versus a traditional lecture model in a Doctor of Physical Therapy Program. There is a gap in the physical therapy literature describing the intricacies of distance, online, and hybrid models used in doctoral education. Thirty students were randomly selected out of a hat to be placed into one of two groups with an n=15. The course chosen in the study was a clinical decision-making segment based on assessment and examination of level of the spine. Group 1 was instructed only using traditional methods of live in person lecture and …

Dysfunctional Mitochondrial Biogenesis: A Potential Underlying Cause For Metabolic Diseases, Caroline Ann Hunter

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Mitochondria are essential organelles that play crucial roles in many aspects of cellular homeostasis. More importantly, the mitochondria are home to the majority of the metabolic pathways within the cell and are responsible for producing most of the cell’s useable energy in the form of adenine triphosphate (ATP) through oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). In mammals, the majority of OXPHOS complex subunits are encoded by nuclear deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA); however, 13 core subunits essential for the function of OXPHOS complexes I, III, IV, and V are encoded in the mitochondrial (mt) DNA (mtDNA) and are synthesized within the mitochondria by its own …

Mechanisms Of Dopamine-Induced Methamphetamine Neurotoxicity, Melinda L. Asbury

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Methamphetamine (MA) neurotoxicity is particularly evident in the striatum where it causes extensive dopamine (DA) release and results in neurodegeneration. To identify specific signaling pathways and macromolecules involved in postsynaptic DA-induced striatal toxicity we used a SK-N-MC cell model that mimics postsynaptic D1 receptor-expressing striatal neurons. The cells were treated for 6-24 h with 0-50 µM DA. The concentration was chosen to impart physiological relevance to the study as it mirrors [DA] found within the striatum following MA exposure. We show that 25-50 µM DA resulted in protein changes consistent with nitro(oxidative) stress as well as enhanced cleavage of caspase …

Financial Consequences Of Covid-19 For U.S. Hospitals, Laura Petty, Trevor Mullins

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Introduction: The coronavirus pandemic has caused many financial issues for many businesses including putting a substantial strain on hospitals in the U.S. The impact of COVID-19 on the financial well-being of hospitals has been evaluated and the severity is still being measured as the pandemic is ongoing. The purpose of this research was to assess the financial consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic for hospitals in the United States.

Methodology: A literature review with a semi-structured interview with an expert from a local hospital was used for the methodology of this qualitative study. Five government websites and five databases …

340b Program Utilization In Rural Us Clinics, William Finley, Heather M. Kruel

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Introduction: The 340B program was an effective strategy in reaching more potential patients, providing more comprehensive services, and limiting the gap between affordability and healthcare. The uninsured and underprivileged often are unable to receive medications at the high market price due to the financial situation they face and inflation. The 340B program seeked to mend this issue to help the public and healthcare organizations. The main purpose of this research was to search and evaluate if the 340B program lived up to its purpose of decreasing the cost of medications in rural based clinics.

Methodology: The research strategy developed …

Impact On Hospital Profitability Due To Covid Safety Guidelines, Khaja Umair Shariff, Anna Noel Franklin

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Introduction: The pandemic of COVID 19 presented a unique challenge to hospitals and healthcare systems that they have been struggling to function in. Operating costs had increased with new protocols, planning, operating space, supplies, and staffing. This coupled with the loss of revenue has led to approximately 10% - 20% salary reductions, furloughs, and loss of benefits such as PTO and vacation days to employees. Hospital’s cash reserves are being depleted due to increased operations costs and reduced revenue. Government funding, such as the CARES Act provided by the sanction of the Department of Health and Human Services Office, …

Impact In Hospitalization Of Mental Health Patients With Dual Diagnosis As It Pertains To Medicaid And Treatment With Mat Services, Amanda Akmentins

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Introduction

About 17.5 million Americans over the age of 18 have been diagnosed with a mental illness, and about 4 million of those individuals have also been diagnosed with a substance use disorder. Medicaid requirements made to those receiving Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) services provide access to quality care to reduce re-hospitalization by focusing on behavioral changes and accountability. The purpose of this research was to analyze the impact of hospitalization rates to determine unmet needs and barriers to receiving treatment for those that have a dual diagnosis.

Methodology

The methodology was a literature review. Thirty-two sources were referenced for …