Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Effect Of Cigarette Smoking On Cd4 Count And Viral Load Among Hiv Patients Attending Treatment At Nebraska Medicine, Chacha Josiah Mwita

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

Background

Smoking is known to have a negative impact on both morbidity and mortality in people living with HIV (PLHIV). However, there is inconsistent information about the role of smoking on markers of HIV disease progression (CD4 count and HIV viral load). This study examined the effects of cigarette smoking on markers of HIV disease progression among PLHIV at Nebraska Medicine.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted utilizing electronic health information of 604 PLHIV who attended treatment at Nebraska Medicine between 2012 and 2020. Multiple linear regression was used to model the effects of smoking on the mean change …

A Review Of The Characteristics Of Super-Utilizers And Evidence-Based Approaches To Reduce Healthcare Utilization, Suswara Mandala Rayabandla

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

A significant fraction of health care resources in the United States of America is utilized by a comparatively small number of people. An examination of the attributes and patterns and associated evidence-based interventions for such high-utilizing patients might aid clinicians to improve interventions to address the distinctive needs of these patients, decrease their risks for numerous hospitalizations, and contribute to reducing the costs. This study aims at exploring the existing literature on the characteristics of super-utilizers and interventions to reduce avoidable use of health care among this population. The method used for this research is a comprehensive literature review. Search …

Oh, The Places You’Ll Go: A Journey Through Ohiohealth Home Care, Holly Williams

Masters Theses/Capstone Projects

This project focuses on the OhioHealth Home Care Practicum with Heather McDavid the Director of Finance and Interim Director of HME (Home Medical Equipment). OhioHealth Home Care has five business lines. These include Home Health, HME, Palliative Care, Hospice, and IV infusion.

There are multiple Home Care locations that enable access to these resources. These locations include, The David P Blom Administrative Complex (The BAC), The Preserve, The HME Warehouse, Riverside Hospital, The Westerville Medical Campus, The Marion HME Offices, The Mansfield HME Offices, and The Dublin Methodist Hospital.

The purpose of this project is to understand processes and decision …

Groveport Recreation Center - "Freedom, Fun & Fitness", Matthew Wareti

Masters Theses/Capstone Projects

The Groveport Recreation Center provides aquatics, a weight room with exercise equipment, two basketball courts, a fitness studio, a childcare area, senior center, a climbing wall, and an indoor track. Exercise classes, programs, and training sessions with personal trainers are available for members. People of all ages can find an activity that will benefit their mental and physical health.

Whether it be working with kids or adults, getting a group engaged and having fun during exercise is a large factor in getting maximum effort. Clear, open and honest communication between employees of the Recreation Center is essential to keep it …

Sleep Duration And The Effects On Cholesterol Levels In College Students., Jared Collier

Biological Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

Cardiovascular disease is a rising issue in the United States causing large death rates along with large medical expenses. College students are potentially at risk of CVD due to a lack of knowledge of their health, including cholesterol level. Sleep is an essential biological function which helps with the body’s repair, recovery, conservation of energy and maintains cardiovascular regulation. The purpose of this study was to see if there is a correlation between sleep duration and cholesterol levels in college students. Twenty-seven student participants were recruited from the Exercise is Medicine cohort . In-person assessments were conducted at the HPER …

Characterizing Statin Use Among Prediabetic Patients With Predictive Analytics, Alexandra Gentile

Industrial Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Diabetes is one of the leading causes of death in the United States and can cause severe impairments to those diagnosed. Prediabetes is a state when a patient has higher fasting plasma glucose levels than a non-diabetic person but is not quite high enough to be considered diabetes. Both diabetic and prediabetic patients are at higher risk for cardiovascular diseases (CVD), which is the leading cause of death in the United States. The primary form for prevention and treatment of CVD is through statin therapy. Statins are a class of medications used to treat and prevent CVD by limiting cholesterol …

Something To Celebrate?: Demoting Dairy In Canada's National Food Guide, Maneesha Deckha

Journal of Food Law & Policy

In early 2019, the Canadian Government released the much-anticipated new Canada Food Guide. It is a food guide that de-emphasizes dairy products and promotes plant-based eating. Notably, in the new version, milk and milk products are de-listed as one of the previously four essential food groups. On the surface, it seems that the federal government is promoting veganism and helping to bring about a friendlier future for animals and humans harmed by being producers and consumers of dairy, as the new Guide may seriously contract the currently robust Canadian dairy industry and its powerful lobby. On closer inspection, the messaging …

Table-To-Text: Generating Descriptive Text For Scientific Tables From Randomized Controlled Trials, Qiang Wei

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Unprecedented amounts of data have been generated in the biomedical domain, and the bottleneck for biomedical research has shifted from data generation to data management, interpretation, and communication. Therefore, it is highly desirable to develop systems to assist in text generation from biomedical data, which will greatly improve the dissemination of scientific findings. However, very few studies have investigated issues of data-to-text generation in the biomedical domain. Here I present a systematic study for generating descriptive text from tables in randomized clinical trials (RCT) articles, which includes: (1) an information model for representing RCT tables; (2) annotated corpora containing pairs …

Redesign And Quantitative Assessment Of An Accelerated Venous Valve Fatigue Apparatus, Megan Kueh

Biomedical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is a form of cardiovascular disease that is caused when valves in the leg become incompetent. Current treatment methods serve to manage symptoms, but there are currently no ways to treat the underlying cause of CVI. A venous valve prosthetic made from a xenograft of a bovine jugular vein is one possible treatment method currently in the research phase. Prosthetic valves must be tested with an accelerated wear tester prior to approval for clinical testing. Although such testers exist for heart valves, physiological differences between heart and venous valves restrict the use those testers on venous …

Hexadecane Petroleum, And Biofuel Utilization In Marine Bacteria Isolated From Ballast Tanks, Alex Yashchenko

Graduate Theses

This study characterized the growth of bacteria isolated from ballast tank fluids in hexadecane, petroleum, plant, and algae-derived fuels. The study was performed to explore the capacity of ballast tank isolates to survive and grow within fuels that may be stored within ballast tanks. Results of the hexadecane analysis indicated that most isolates had higher viable cell counts in media supplemented with hexadecane. Members of Alteromonas, Pseudoalteromonas, and a single Brevundimonas species had viable cell counts that were one or several orders ofmagnitude greater than that of controls. Results offuel analysis indicated higher viable cell counts in pure JP-5 and …

Social Media And The Modern Scientist: A Research Primer For Low- And Middle-Income Countries, Junghwan Kevin Dong, Colleen Saunders, Benjamin Wachira, Brent Thoma, Teresa M. Chan

Emergency Medicine, East Africa

Social media has changed the way we communicate. Wherever you are in the world, various forms of social media are being used by individuals to share information and connect without borders. Due to its ubiquity, social media holds great promise in linking clinicians, scientists, investigators, and the public to change the way we conduct scientific discourse. In this paper, we present a step-by-step guide on optimizing your social media strategy with regards to: research/scholarly practice (discourse, collaboration, recruitment), knowledge translation, dissemination, and education. This guide also highlights key readings that provide guidance to those interested in incorporating social media into …

Smrt Sequencing Of Paramecium Bursaria Chlorella Virus-1 Reveals Diverse Methylation Stability In Adenines Targeted By Restriction Modification Systems, Samantha R. Coy, Eric R. Gann, Spiridon E. Papoulis, Michael E. Holder, Nadim J. Ajami, Joseph F. Petrosino, Erik R. Zinser, James L. Van Etten, Steven W. Wilhelm

James Van Etten Publications

Chloroviruses (family Phycodnaviridae) infect eukaryotic, freshwater, unicellular green algae. A unique feature of these viruses is an abundance of DNA methyltransferases, with isolates dedicating up to 4.5% of their protein coding potential to these genes. This diversity highlights just one of the long-standing values of the chlorovirus model system; where group-wide epigenomic characterization might begin to elucidate the function(s) of DNA methylation in large dsDNA viruses. We characterized DNA modifications in the prototype chlorovirus, PBCV-1, using single-molecule real time (SMRT) sequencing (aka PacBio). Results were compared to total available sites predicted in silico based on DNA sequence alone. SMRT-software detected …

Resiliency Against Stressful Life Events And The Progression Of Depression From Adolescence, Neil V. Sen

PCOM Capstone Projects

Major depression is the second most impactful condition on overall health in the United States, affecting approximately 9 million commercially insured Americans. Depression rates are increasing as time goes on, especially in adolescents (12-17). From 2013, the rates of teen depression has risen 63 percent (47 percent for boys and 65 percent for girls). Depression is a complicated condition and there are many factors that play into the progression of the disease, including environmental, genetic, and psychological factors. Adolescence is a developmentally critical period of brain development for plasticity and maturation of stress systems. Studies have suggested that there may …

Facilitating Firearm Safety Counseling In Pediatric Primary Care To Decrease Gun Deaths In Children And Teens In Philadelphia, Bianca Lacay

PCOM Capstone Projects

Gun violence is a public health epidemic that affects the lives of children. The United States has the highest firearm deaths in children and adolescents among other high-income countries (University of Michigan, 2019). The Second Amendment ratified in 1791 protects the rights of citizens to keep and bear arms. This policy made by the founding fathers underlie controversial debates in the present day, resulting in different federal, state, and local gun laws. Due to the varying gun policies, firearm homicide rates of children and adolescents are climbing like never before. Firearms suicide is even more frequent than homicide and is …

Prenatal Counseling From Obstetricians As A Potential Point Of Intervention To Increase Childhood Vaccination Rates In Pennsylvania, Kaitlyn Davis

PCOM Capstone Projects

Vaccine hesitancy is a major public health concern in Pennsylvania, and the reasons for it vary from religious to philosophical. One subgroup of vaccine hesitant parents chooses not to vaccinate because they are misinformed and uneducated about the significance and the safety of vaccines. The objective of this study is to consider the use of an infographic to encourage pregnant women to ask their obstetricians about the importance and safety of vaccines as a way of increasing childhood vaccination rates.

Finding points of intervention to increase childhood vaccination rates is important. In order for a population to maintain herd immunity, …

Sleep Disorders In The Pediatric Population: Outcomes Resulting In Physiological, Developmental, And Behavioral Manifestations, Tera Egan

PCOM Capstone Projects

Sleep disorders are a growing concern in the pediatric population, especially because of their potentially detrimental effects on a child’s development. Sleep is critical for the health of a child. Accordingly, disruptions in sleep can lead to impairments in cognition, behavior, and various other physiological and psychological manifestations. Certain sleep disturbances and disorders are preventable and even treatable, especially when they are properly diagnosed. When a child is diagnosed with a sleep disorder, they must receive the proper medical attention and treatment plans to effectively dissipate their symptoms and mitigate the detrimental consequences of their condition. To understand the appropriate …

A Proposal To Implement A Must-Use Mandate For Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs In Philadelphia, Anugraha Kutty

PCOM Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

Effect Of Maternal Microbiome On Offspring Neurodevelopment: A Review, Zoe Beausoleil

PCOM Capstone Projects

The purpose of this paper is to delve into the maternal influence on the offspring microbiome, and how maternal lifestyle factors and choices; mode of birth, feeding method, stress and the interventions used to alleviate said stress, maternal age, substance use, exercise, and nutrition, alter the microbiome and therefore affect the neurodevelopment of the offspring. The human microbiome is composed of billions of bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and viruses that occupy the gut, skin and other areas of the body. Numerous studies have illustrated the importance of the microbiome in healthy human physiologic processes including energy metabolism, gut health, immune function …

The Opioid Epidemic: Long Term Implications, Sana Abbas

PCOM Capstone Projects

The use of opioid medications is a rapidly growing problem in the United States. Although these medications are effective for short term pain relief, their long-term implications on the brain and interactions with other substances are still unknown. Despite the gaps in knowledge of the long-term implications or efficacy of opioids, there are still more than 200 million prescriptions written annually for opioid analgesics (Semenkovich et al., 2014). In addition to the overuse of these medications, they can cause interactions with other substances, some of which can cause severe cases of poly-intoxication. As the use of these medications continues to …

Noise-Induced Hearing Loss In Pediatric Patients, Kimberly Townsend

PCOM Capstone Projects

The purpose of this study is to examine the hearing tests that are done in the schools in the Philadelphia School District; it will examine the frequencies that are tested, the follow-up procedures for a poor performance in the exam, what barriers exist to follow-up, and educational methods used to prevent excessive noise-level. A previous literature review found that excessive noise was a major cause of hearing loss among school-aged children, and hearing impairment is increasing as a result of voluntary exposure to loud noise (Henderson, Testa, & Hartnick, 2011). Karper (2014) found that teenagers are not being tested at …

Quality Improvement With The Breast Center, Hannah Seelye

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

I spent the summer of 2019 interning at The Breast Center under Audra Flammang. She has a degree in communications and holds the position of Quality Assurance Administrator. She primarily works to ensure Joint Commission Quality Indicators are met and proper documentation of these indicators takes place. She communicates with the staff in weekly meetings about their ideas for quality improvement projects and necessary indicators for ongoing or upcoming projects. Her job also includes preparing case briefings for the weekly Breast Conference that occurs at Washington Regional.

During my internship, I was fortunate to learn a lot about radiology and …

Determining Racial And Ethnic Disparities In Breastfeeding In The United States, Summer Coker

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

The benefits of breastfeeding have been thoroughly studied and researched, with the majority of healthcare providers, health organizations and policies, and professionals in health all recommending the practice. Breastfeeding has protective factors for the newborn against infection and mortality. Other benefits for breastfed children include reduced risk of obesity, asthma, and ear infections; enhanced chance of having a higher income; and a stronger immune system that can follow them throughout adulthood (World Health Organization [WHO] 2020). For mothers who breastfeed, there is a reduced risk of developing ovarian and breast cancer, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes (Centers for …

Complications And Management In Pediatric Heart Surgery, Hannah Berndt

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

The purpose of this literature review is to evaluate current research surrounding management of pediatric patients after cardiac surgery. Acute kidney injury (AKI) and neurodevelopmental deficits are the main discussion topics. This review analyzes the causes, risk factors, and effects of AKI. The diagnostic and management methods surrounding AKI are compared, and diagnostic approaches such as serum Cystatin C and fibroblast growth factor 23 are analyzed as potential future replacements to serum creatinine. The modality of renal replacement therapy is evaluated, and early initiation of peritoneal dialysis is preferred. This review discusses the most common causes, effects, and management of …

Implementing Tiny Tusks: Breastfeeding And Infant Support Tent, Madeline Wiche

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Tiny Tusks: Breastfeeding and Infant Support Tent provided the first designated clean, private area to nurse, pump or change an infant’s diaper at University of Arkansas home athletic events. Tiny Tusks offered comfortable rocking chairs, changing tables, bottled water, and engaging projects for siblings and young children at a wide variety of University of Arkansas home athletic events, including football games, men’s basketball games, and women’s gymnastics meets. The project was created and designed by two Eleanor Mann School of Nursing professors, Dr. Allison Scott and Dr. Kelly Vowell-Johnson, in collaboration with the University of Arkansas Athletic Department. Women’s Giving …

The Management Of Cancer Pain: Should Interventional Therapies Be Approached As First-Line Treatment Along With Beginning An Opioid Regimen?, Sarah Holmes

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Cancer produces many symptoms, and pain is one of them. When a person is having pain due to cancer, many aspects of the person’s life may be altered or inhibited; for example, activities of daily living may be difficult to perform, their psychological state may be altered, their social lives may be changed, and their overall physical function may be affected in a way that the person may need to modify what they typically do in a normal day. The pain a person experiences depends on the type of cancer, how far the cancer has progressed, and the treatment being …

Self Perception Of Dental Esthetics And Its Impact Among Adults Self Esteem In Sonoma And Marin County, Carolina Camacho

Global Public Health | Senior Theses

Background

One out of four American adults refrain from smiling attributable to the condition of their dentofacial area. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between self-perception of dental esthetics and individual self-esteem among Sonoma and Marin County adults. Analytical concepts and processes were utilized to determine and describe the statistical significance of this plausible association.

Methods

In order to assess the interconnection of this relationship from an analytical approach, an observational study design method was utilized consisting of both a quantitative and qualitative analysis. A total of 163 participants consensually responded to an online questionnaire containing …

Fatal & Non-Fatal Opioid Overdoses In Marin County: Using Ems And County Data To Locate The Presence Of Fentanyl, Naloxone Distribution, Repeated Overdoses, And Demographics, Josette Rojo

Global Public Health | Senior Theses

Background. In recent years, the United States has been greatly affected by prescription drug overdose deaths, 68% of which are caused by opioids. Like many communities nationwide, Marin County in California is deeply affected by the opioid epidemic with accidental overdose being one of the leading causes of injury-related death. This study examines how fatal and non-fatal opioid overdoses in Marin County are associated with factors such as suspected fentanyl involvement, naloxone administration (EMS), and repeat overdose events.

Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted by Marin County’s Health and Human Services using data collected from EMS dispatch calls and vital …

A Review Of Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Sophie Silver

Senior Honors Theses

Human immunodeficiency virus, also referred to as HIV, is a devastating virus which has infected millions. Characterized as a retrovirus, HIV has an RNA genome, which is reverse transcribed into DNA upon entry into the host cell. HIV primarily affects CD4⁺ T cells and is diagnosed by the significant reduction of CD4⁺ T cells. While no cure has been discovered yet, antiretroviral therapy (ART) has been demonstrated as an effective treatment option. In the progression of HIV, additional HIV-associated diseases may arise, including HIV-associated psoriasis and sensory neuropathy. In addition to the use of ART, clinicians often prescribe …

Creating A Patient Handout For Venting Gastrostomy Catheter: A Quality Improvement Project, Sally A. Mathews

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

At the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC), approximately 200 patients undergo placement of a venting gastrostomy catheter annually (venting G-catheter). About 10% of these patients are later seen in the emergency room (ER) for complications related to venting G-catheters. These complications include leakage, infection, skin irritation, and dislocation that require interventions ranging from topical management to exchange of the catheter. The purpose of this project was to create an MDACC-designed patient education handout regarding the care of venting G-catheters as a means of improving patient care and reinforcing these concepts for clinical nurses, thus improving their knowledge. …

Cytopenia Among Cml Patients On Imatinib In Kenya: Types, Grades, And Time Course, Angela Mcligeyo, Jamilla Rajab, Mohammed Ezzi, Peter Oyiro, Yatich Bett, Andrew Odhiambo, Matilda Ong’Ondi, Sitna Mwanzi, Mercy Gatua, Naothieno Abinya

Internal Medicine, East Africa

Background: Imatinib mesylate is the gold standard for the treatment of all phases of Philadelphia-positive chronic myeloid leukemia. Patients on imatinib treatment may develop cytopenia due to drug toxicity. This study aimed to determine the types, grades, and time course of cytopenia in CML patients on imatinib at a Nairobi hospital.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study of adult patients aged ≥18 years followed up at the Glivec International Patient Access Program (GIPAP) clinic from 2007 to 2015. Patients who developed cytopenia within 12 months of initiating imatinib were eligible. Clinical and hematologic data were retrieved from the patients’ …