Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

The Relationship Between Community Health Worker Supply And The Rate Of Preventable Hospitalizations Of Rural Latinos With Diabetes, Danielle O. Mapp

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The ever-increasing prevalence of diabetes mellitus and its associated healthcare costs in the United States has led to our healthcare system's need for cost-effective health resources and chronic disease management. The interventions of Community Health Workers (CHWs) can cost-effectively improve population health and prevent the unnecessary utilization of some medical services especially in rural, low-income, minority populations, where there is often limited access to healthcare. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between the number of total CHWs in rural counties and the mean diabetes-related preventable hospitalization rates in Latino patients diagnosed with diabetes in those rural …

The Effects Of Roundup On The Life History, Stress Response, And Immune Function Of The Yellow Fever Mosquito, Aedes Aegypti, Lindsay E. Martin

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, vectors for many human diseases, begin life as larvae developing in water, potentially exposed to runoff with herbicides and pesticides. This study serves as a novel investigation into the transstadial effects of exposure to Roundup on A. aegypti life history, immunity, and stress response and aims to account for these effects in an R0 model for vectorborne disease transmission. Prior work has shown that Roundup negatively affects mosquito life history. I hypothesized that larval exposure to the maximum sublethal dose of Roundup (7189µg/L) would negatively impact A. aegypti life history, immunity (candidate gene approach), and stress response …

Exploring The Impact Of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Related To Sexual Behavior In College Men, Dalton J. Poe

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an effective tool for preventing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) acquisition in sexually active at-risk individuals such as men who have sex with men (MSM). The purpose of this study is to examine factors associated with intent to engage in risky sexual behavior among HIV-negative college aged (18-24) MSM who are currently adherent to PrEP or who have expressed interest in the future adoption of PrEP. A multiracial/ethnic sample of 31 men expressing interest in the adoption of PrEP and 6 men currently taking PrEP completed a quantitative survey identifying key themes regarding attitudes towards PrEP and …

The Impact Of Virtual Reality On Chronic Pain, Alexis Whitehead

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Chronic pain remains a prevalent problem across the United States. Chronic pain does not seem to have a function and relief of this symptom remains elusive for many sufferers. Virtual reality has been used as an adjunct therapy to decrease acute pain with promising results, but there is little research on whether virtual reality could be used as a successful intervention for those with chronic pain. Virtual reality has few side effects, so it warrants consideration for the treatment of chronic pain. There is growing evidence that there is potential for virtual reality to produce desired results with patients having …

Characterization Of The Physical And Chemical Effect Of Membrane Disruption And Protein Inhibiting Treatments On E. Coli, Khadijah Wright

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The increase in antibacterial resistance has placed the issue of microbial multi-drug resistance on a global stage (Gurunathan, 2019). This issue poses a threat to human and animal health as well as to the environment (Aslam et al., 2018). It affects not only the efficacy of treatment but also how those treatments are conducted (Friedman, Temkin, & Carmeli, 2016). As a result of this ongoing threat, new treatments that have potent effects on bacteria are necessary. One scientific response to this issue has been the development of multifunctional nanoparticles (NPs)(H. Wang et al., 2018). NPs have the ability to be …

Exploring The Effects Service Dogs Have On Veterans With Ptsd, Shelby E. Reeves

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental illness resulting from exposure to a traumatic event. Symptoms of PTSD vary, but those affected commonly experience nightmares, flashbacks, hypervigilance, and trouble sleeping; they may also avoid people or situations that trigger traumatic memories. It is estimated that PTSD affects about 10-30% of all United States veterans. Additionally, traditional treatment methods have an average dropout rate of 25% among military personnel. Inadequate PTSD symptom management may lead to depression, anxiety, suicidality, isolation, unstable relationships, and substance misuse. The purpose of this review is to examine the current research concerning the use of service …

Development Of A Sox9 Reporter Cell For High-Throughput Chondrogenic Assessment, Alyssa R. Mickle

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a debilitating disease caused by the deterioration of articular cartilage and is a leading cause of disability in the United States and worldwide. Much current research into improved treatment for this disease is focused on tissue engineering through the growth of cartilage sheets made by articular chondrocytes. However, as chondrocytes proliferate in vitro, they also lose their ability to produce dense extracellular matrix, a necessary component of articular cartilage conferring mechanical strength. SOX9, a transcriptional activator, increases type II collagen expression, a key articular cartilage extracellular matrix component. Thus, SOX9 promotes an articular cartilage phenotype. Therefore, …

Social Stigma, Public Health, And Addiction In Albania, Ediola Malkouari

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Drug use is considered in many countries the plague of today's society. Researchers from medical, psychological and sociological fields, as well as lawmakers, are interested in finding more answers to this widespread phenomenon. All over the world there are known conflicts related to drug producing, transportation routes and distribution, that harm the economy and social standing of the involved communities or countries. Policies towards drug use vary from country to country, but this research focuses on how stigma affects the lives of individuals suffering from substance use disorder (SUD) in Albania. Substance use disorder is not often considered a disease, …

The Association Between Testicular Cancer And Female Reproductive Cancers: A Systematic Review, Alyssa Church

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The most common neoplasm found in young to middle-aged men is testicular cancer (TCa). This disease not only poses a risk of early death, but can also affect a male's fertility and testosterone levels and can diminish one's mental health and/or quality of life. One particular line of research that is emerging in the field is a possible genetic association of TCa with female reproductive cancers. We employed a systematic review to assess the methodological quality of articles that met the inclusionary criteria. To be selected for this review, articles had to go through a primary, secondary, and tertiary screening …

Promotion Of Neuronal Regeneration: Upregulation Of Intrinsic Neuronal Growth Capacity Versus Microtubule Stabilization, Cathy Le

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Central Nervous System (CNS) injury may lead to irreversible damage to cognitive and motor abilities when injured. This is due to the inability of axons to regenerate. This thesis focuses on two methods of promoting axonal regeneration: microtubule stabilization and upregulation of the intrinsic growth capacity of the neuron via the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway. Both have shown promising results in potentially being a therapeutic treatment for CNS trauma. This research seeks to (1) test a combinatorial method of axonal regeneration utilizing both methods simultaneously and (2) compare microtubule stabilization and upregulation of the mTOR pathway as neuronal …

Detection Of Point Mutations Conferring Gentamicin Resistance In Escherichia Coli Using A Split-G4 Probe, Michael J. Greenberg

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The objective of this project was to develop a DNA hybridization sensor that can detect the presence of E. coli and reveal its resistance to the drug gentamicin. This probe will enable rapid and user-friendly diagnostics of E. coli infections and analysis of bacterial gentamicin-susceptibility profile by interrogation of a fragment of E. coli 16S rRNA bearing a substitution in the gentamicin-resistant cells. The sensor is promising for the point-of-care use to provide a timely UTI diagnostic solution. A quick diagnosis of E. coli infection and antibiotic resistance is crucial for treatment. To design a hybridization probe, we proposed a …

The Relationship Between Parent And Child Health Behaviors In Youth With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Elise M. Arnold

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Previous studies found that children with ASD tend to participate in lower amounts of physical activity (PA), accumulate greater hours of screen time (ST), and have poorer sleep quality (SQ), compared to typically developing (TD) youth. Unfortunately, these poor health behaviors put youth with ASD at a high risk for developing obesity, as well as other obesity-related conditions (e.g. Type 2 diabetes). In order to reduce this risk, it is critical to understand the factors that affect activity levels and sleep in youth with ASD. Several studies have demonstrated that parents may have a large influence on social behaviors in …

Perceptions Of Oral Health Access Among Foreign-Born College Students, Rahema Khan

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Oral health plays an integral role in our general health, wellbeing, and quality of life. Practicing evidence-based oral hygiene behaviors prevent oral diseases and improve systemic health. The burden of preventable oral diseases persists worldwide and weighs particularly heavy on specific population groups. While many studies have explored oral health among those of advanced age, children, and minority groups, there are a very few exploring the oral health care needs of postsecondary students, specifically those born outside of the United States (U.S.). Recognizing this gap in the literature, this study sought to gain a better understanding of oral health access …

Nanopore-Based Metagenomic Comparison Of Airway Colonizers Between Cystic Fibrosis Patients And Healthy Individuals, Anita Samadabadi

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder involving a mutation in the CF transmembrane conductance regulator protein (CFTR), which causes dysfunctional transport of chloride ions across cell membranes. CF affects multiple body systems and a few of its symptoms include chronic cough, difficulty breathing, obstructive airway disease, bacterial pulmonary infections, maldigestion, malabsorption, pancreatitis, and male infertility. Until recently, treatment options have been limited to alleviating symptoms, but a new classification of drugs, CFTR modulators, provide an opportunity to slow the progression of the disease and improve clinical outcomes. The effect of CFTR modulators may be attributed to the …

Left Ventricular Strains During Late Filling In A Preclinical Model, Saar Peles

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Understanding the mechanisms governing left ventricular function and dysfunction is critical to analyze cardiovascular disorders and gaining insights into possible therapies. Left ventricular function can be evaluated using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Cardiac displacements and corresponding strains are then computed from the imaging data. In measuring and assessing the left ventricle’s motion, images are taken either in the short axis (top-down) or long axis (side) views. In this project, we will use DENSE MRI data, which measures the displacements of individual tissue voxels during the cardiac cycle.

After extracting the myocardial tissue by segmenting the MR images, strains are computed …

Systematic Literature Review Of Cognitive Behavioral Treatments For Patients With Classical, Secondary, And Idiopathic Trigeminal Neuralgia, Linnea B. Herzog

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Trigeminal neuralgia is a painful neuralgia with a complicated pathology that is not clearly understood. Due to the ambiguity of the condition, patients often have to search for medical providers that specialize in trigeminal neuralgia, and even with the guidance of a specialist, some patients do not respond well to treatment.¹ Despite the uncertainty surrounding the specifics of the disease, there are treatments available that can provide some level of pain relief for patients suffering from this disorder. When a patient does not respond well to medical therapy, surgery can be the next appropriate step in patient care management. …

What Is Scannable? An Mri Safety Guide, Michael Burcescu, Ravi Patel, Robert Hessemer, Peter Lore, Sriharsha Kota, Guarav Kumar

West Florida Division GME Research Day 2020

Supernumerary MRI protocols and recommendations exist to guide physicians at the forefront of patient care. While urgent imaging may be necessary for critical patients, inadvertent imaging of implantable devices can incur serious morbidity and mortality[11]. The American College of Radiology published a 30-page manual in 2013[1] on MRI safe practices and releases yearly updates with critical information separately[2]. There is increased utilization of advanced imaging modalities, especially among academic institutions[3]. Physicians are hard pressed to maximize efficiency; uncertainty delays imaging. Moreover, inappropriate orders delay appropriate management. We present pertinent and often questioned considerations in a comprehensible format along with devices …

Sexual Identity And Alcohol, Cigarette, And E-Cigarette Use, Zoe H. Webster, Elizabeth K. Do Phd, Mph

IRBEH/Spit for Science Publications and Presentations

No abstract provided.

The Effects Of Emotional Distress On Substance Use In First Generation And Continuing Generation College Students, E. Noelle Rogers, Karen G. Chartier Phd, Msw

IRBEH/Spit for Science Publications and Presentations

No abstract provided.

The Association Between Frequency Of Alcohol Consumption And Sensation Seeking In College Freshmen, Anna Lee, Elizabeth Prom-Wormley Mph, Phd

IRBEH/Spit for Science Publications and Presentations

No abstract provided.

Spiraling: Do Parents Help Lighten The Blow Of Trauma, Ruth Laryea, Marcia Winter Phd

IRBEH/Spit for Science Publications and Presentations

No abstract provided.

Worried About Being Un-Masked By Booze? Associations Between Psychopathy And The Fear Of Behavioral Disinhibition During Alcohol Misuse, Jenely J. Villegas, David S. Chester Phd

IRBEH/Spit for Science Publications and Presentations

No abstract provided.

Portrait Of A Novice Medical Family Therapist, Working In A Medical Setting With Head And Neck Cancer Patients Observed Through A Bowen Family Systems Theory’S Lens, Venetia Bennett

Department of Family Therapy Dissertations and Applied Clinical Projects

Each year, approximately 43,000 people in the United States, receive a diagnosis of cancer of the head and neck (American Cancer Society 2019). A diagnosis of cancer, regardless of its location can be overwhelming for patients, their caregivers, and their family system. Receiving such a diagnosis causes a reaction of heightened emotions and anxiety. With that, there is a growing need for medical familytherapists. Medical family therapy has been documented as an effective approach for aiding medical providers to increase the quality of care for patients. Traditionally, medical family therapy is associated withgeneral practitioners, pediatricians, and such medical environments. This …

Awareness Of The Use Of Self In Therapy: An Autoethnographic Inquiry Into The Training Experiences Of A Black, Single, Female Mft Doctoral Student, Phyllis Days

Department of Family Therapy Dissertations and Applied Clinical Projects

The "self" of the therapist is an essential factor in the therapeutic process (Baldwin, 2000) and is impacted by intersections of identities and prejudicial treatment, which creates unjust conditions for Black women in society and academia. Nonmembers of the predominant culture can find difficulties in navigating the "self" of the therapist, which reflects personal and social experiences. In academia, the Black woman's identity continues to face problems of exclusion and oppressive related situations, which can complicate the learning process (Ong, Wright, Espinosa, & Orfield, 2011). Several studies have explored the challenges ofAfrican-American students and faculty, in MFT graduate programs, who …

Implicit Racial Bias In Physicians: Racial Disparity In Opioid Prescriptions In United States Emergency Departments, Anjali Ta

AUCTUS: The Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship

Over the past 30 years, a documented racial disparity in opioid prescriptions in U.S. emergency care departments has persisted despite overall prescription trends fluctuating throughout the rise and fall of the early 2000’s opioid epidemic. Consistently, Blacks and other minorities receive lower levels of opioid analgesics when presenting with conditions or characterizing pain levels similar to white patients. This study focuses on identifying the mechanisms of implicit racial bias, quantified by scores on the Implicit Bias Association Test (IAT), that influences physicians’ abilities to equitably assess and treat pain of racially diverse patient populations. Research has shown that physicians with …

Frequency And Perceived Authenticity Of Social Determinants Of Health Discussion By Medical Trainees, Priyadarshini Chandrashekhar, Emily J. Noonan, Laura A. Weingartner

Undergraduate Arts and Research Showcase

Introduction

Social determinants of health (SDOH)—the conditions in which people live, learn, and work—play a vital, but often neglected role in shaping a community’s health. SDOH influence risk factors for disease and access to healthcare, consequently promoting health inequities among different populations. Examining how providers discuss SDOH with patients can identify opportunities to better integrate social context into care.

Methods

We analyzed standardized patient (SP) encounters of rising UofL M3 trainees to 1) determine whether SDOH are integrated into healthcare conversations, and 2) investigate what constitutes an authentic conversation to identify how trainees can better express interest in a patient. …

Screening For E-Cigarette And Tobacco Use In Standardized Patient Encounters, Michael A. Schmidt, Emily J. Noonan, Laura A. Weingartner

Undergraduate Arts and Research Showcase

E-cigarette usage has grown significantly in recent years, with over 5 million US middle and high school students reporting recent usage. The long-term health consequences of these devices are still being investigated, but it is known that e-cigarette aerosol could contain harmful substances including nicotine, heavy metals, and carcinogens. Therefore, it is important for physicians to ask patients about e-cigarette usage specifically, as this may contribute to future health problems. The goal of this study was to investigate if and how medical students screen for e-cigarette usage. Screening language was reviewed in standardized patient encounters, which are a type of …

A Qualitative Descriptive Analysis Of Erowid Gabapentinoid Forum Posts, Haylee E Figg Rn Bsn Student, Rachel Vickers-Smith Phd, Mph

Undergraduate Arts and Research Showcase

Purpose/Background: With increased controls on opioid prescribing, the CDC has suggested prescribing gabapentinoids as a first-line alternative to opioids for pain. However, there have been an increasing number of reports of gabapentinoid misuse. Drug use forums are online spaces where individuals can anonymously post about their drug use experiences and may provide insight on gabapentinoid misuse. The purpose of this study was to extract and analyze posts from the drug use forum, Erowid, to examine reports of gabapentinoid misuse.

Methods: Data for the study was drawn from 53 pregabalin forum posts and 89 gabapentin forum posts by unique usernames. In …

The Role Of Female Headed Households Caring For Children And No Spouse In Gentrification In Los Angeles, Jovita Murillo

CGU Theses & Dissertations

Gentrification is the “in-migration of a relatively well-off, middle- and upper-middle-class population” into historically marginalized communities (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); Matsuoka et al. 2017). Literature has repeatedly shown that gentrification is placing cost and rent-burdened residents at risk of displacement due to the hike in housing prices and rents. Most cost and rent burdened households are female-headed households caring for children without a spouse (FHHCCNS) (Colburn and Allen, 2018). Given there is a lack of literature describing the role of gender in gentrification, this descriptive study aims to describe the gentrification profile in Los Angeles using multiple …

A Multinational Study Of The Etiology And Clinical Teleology Of Moral Evaluations Of Patient Behaviors, Anna Yu Lee

CGU Theses & Dissertations

This dissertation is a collection of four studies which collectively explore a hypothesized construct of ‘moral evaluation of patient behaviors’ (MEPB) as a driver of health professionals’ readiness to interact humanistically with their patients. In these studies, ‘humanistic interactions’ refer to the non-technical, intangible skills and factors of clinical competence; the factors specifically explored in these studies were compassion toward patients, self-efficacy for treating patients, and optimism toward patient treatment. For the purpose of specificity, all factors were examined as they pertained to patients with substance use disorders. Survey data from a convenience sample of 524 health professionals (i.e. physicians, …