Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

A High-Androgen Microenvironment Inhibits Granulosa Cell Proliferation And Alters Cell Identity, Renee M. Mcfee, Sarah M. Romereim, Alexandria P. Snider, Adam F. Summers, William E. Pohlmeier, Scott G. Kurz, Robert A. Cushman, John S. Davis, Jennifer R. Wood, Andrea S. Cupp

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Faculty Publications

A naturally occurring bovine model with excess follicular fluid androstenedione (High A4), reduced fertility, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)-like characteristics has been identified. We hypothesized High A4 granulosa cells (GCs) would exhibit altered cell proliferation and/or steroidogenesis. Microarrays of Control and High A4 GCs combined with Ingenuity Pathway Analysis indicated that High A4 GCs had cell cycle inhibition and increased expression of microRNAs that inhibit cell cycle genes. Granulosa cell culture confirmed that A4 treatment decreased GC proliferation, increased anti-Müllerian hormone, and increased mRNA for CTNNBIP1. Increased CTNNBIP1 prevents CTNNB1 from interacting with members of the WNT signaling pathway thereby …

Social Distancing And Testing As Optimal Strategies Against The Spread Of Covid-19 In The Rio Grande Valley Of Texas, Kristina P. Vatcheva, Josef A. Sifuentes, Tamer Oraby, Jose E. Campo Maldonado, Timothy Huber, Cristina Villalobos

School of Mathematical & Statistical Sciences Faculty Publications

At the beginning of August 2020, the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) of Texas experienced a rapid increase of coronavirus disease 2019 (abbreviated as COVID-19) cases and deaths. This study aims to determine the optimal levels of effective social distancing and testing to slow the virus spread at the outset of the pandemic. We use an age-stratified eight compartment epidemiological model to depict COVID-19 transmission in the community and within households. With a simulated 120-day outbreak period data we obtain a post 180-days period optimal control strategy solution. Our results show that easing social distancing between adults by the end of …

Physician Wellness Interventions And Distress Assessment During The Coronavirus Pandemic, Kimberly M. Robertello, Karen M. Dahl, Raed Khoury, David Christensen

Journal of Wellness

Introduction: Physician burnout and interventions to decrease physician burnout on organizational and individual levels have been theorized and implemented. The Coronavirus pandemic has increased the need to continue physician burnout assessment and increase wellness programming. Few studies have had the opportunity to address physician wellness amidst the Coronavirus pandemic using the strategy of multi-dimensional interventions. The purpose of this study is to document interventions to reduce burnout and stress among physicians during the Coronavirus pandemic while assessing overall physician distress and well-being.

Methods: A cohort study of 304 pediatric physicians at a large healthcare organization in the United …

Structure Sparsity Of The Spot Optimization In Proton Arc Therapy, Lewei Zhao

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Radiation therapy is one of the main cancer treatments that uses radiation to kill cancer cells. Proton therapy, or proton radiotherapy, is a type of particle therapy that uses a beam of protons to irradiate tumor volume. Beaumont proton therapy center research group invented the first robust and delivery-efficient spot-scanning proton arc (SPArc) therapy in 2016. Based on our beam modeling platform, we have found that the spot switching time (SSWT) is proportional to spot numbers. We aim to develop a direct mathematical optimization method to reduce the spot numbers for SPArc based on an independent optimization method to reduce …

Decline In Amphibian Health In Local Stream, Elyse Vetter, Elise Dearment, Colton Russell, Audrey Fontes, Lee Kats

Seaver College Research And Scholarly Achievement Symposium

Many local streams of the Santa Monica Mountains are populated by the native California Newt, Taricha torosa, a species of special concern. Arroyo Sequit is one of these streams, the upper and lower portions of which are split by a culvert and the Mulholland Highway. This stream and the surrounding areas burned during the Woolsey fire of 2018. Since the fire, construction has been ongoing in and around the stream. Two years post-fire (during the summer of 2020) significantly more newts were found in the stream than years prior. A large proportion of these newts were unhealthy in appearance, …

The Influence Of Carbohydrate Ingestion On Peripheral And Central Fatigue During Exercise In Hypoxia: A Narrative Review, Erin Sinai

Seaver College Research And Scholarly Achievement Symposium

Abstract

Hypoxia impairs aerobic performance by accelerating fatiguing processes. These processes may originate from sites either distal (peripheral) or proximal (central) to the neuromuscular junction, though these are not mutually exclusive. Peripheral mechanisms include decrements in muscle glycogen or fluctuations in intramuscular metabolites, whereas central responses commonly refer to reductions in central motor drive elicited by alterations in blood glucose and neurotransmitter concentrations as well as arterial hypoxemia. Hypoxia may accelerate both peripheral and central pathways of fatigue, with the level of hypoxia strongly dictating the degree and primary locus of impairment. As more people journey to hypoxic settings for …

Cystic Fibrosis In Context: A Look Into Patient Advocacy, Race, Genetics, And Big Pharma, Kayla Sloan

Annual Undergraduate Conference on Health and Society

Despite more people having Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), the Cystic Fibrosis (CF) community receives more private funding, venture capital contributions, and access to participation in political discussions. This divide makes sense given the racial disparities between the mostly black SCD community and the predominately white group of patients with CF. In this paper, I look at how advocacy organizations and scientists build relationships with patients, the impact of race on the history of these advocacy groups, and how conversations about future biotech initiatives differ due to disparities in disposable capital between the two groups. SCD patients have had to combat …

The Impact Of Infographics For Health Education On A Short-Term Medical Service Trip To The Dominican Republic, Patricia Devine Pharmd, Lauren Wathen Pharmd

BU Well

This study evaluated the impact of an infographic on patient recall of health information during a medical service trip. During two service trips in May 2018 and May 2019, patients with a history of high blood pressure from an underserved community in the Dominican Republic received an anonymous four-question pre assessment evaluating their knowledge of high blood pressure prevention and treatment. The provider then educated the patients about high blood pressure prevention and treatment using an infographic. The patients received an identical post-assessment. The median total scores for 2018 and 2019 were 75% on the pre-assessment versus 87.5% on the …

Evaluating Patient's Knowledge Regarding Opioid Prescriptions In An Independent Community Pharmacy: A Pilot Study, Lauren Chars Pharmd, Patricia Devine Pharmd, Tyler Girton Pharmd

BU Well

This study evaluated patients’ knowledge regarding their opioid prescriptions and identified what resources were used to educate patients on their opioid prescriptions. Patients receiving an opioid prescription from an independent pharmacy were given a link to complete a nine-question anonymous survey about their awareness of their prescription being an opioid, how and what education they received, and from whom. The authors hope that the findings of this research will help to better understand effective ways to combat the opioid epidemic and promote patient safety through effective opioid education.

A Workout A Day Keeps Depression Away, Hannah Voss

BU Well

The issue of mental health in adolescent females is vastly growing in America, especially depression. Depression is largely treated by pharmacologic therapy, but that can result in many side effects and is associated with a harsh stigma that can deter the patient from continuing their medication regimen. With this said, it remains important to look at other means to treat depression, and one of the best alternative solutions right now is exercise. This article presents research that shows how exercise can greatly improve and prevent depressive symptoms, while also decreasing the stigma associated with treating depression, particularly among adolescent females.

Healthcare For All Colors: Anti-Racism In Medical Professions, Elise Wang

BU Well

Racism in the United States' healthcare system has a longstanding history and exists at both the macro and microlevel. Medical professionals have a responsibility to be anti-racist in their practices. Healthcare providers and organizations can create a more equitable and beneficial medical experience for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) patients through anti racism praxis, increasing the health literacy of patients, and shifting power to patients to equalize the provider-patient dynamic. While these initiatives cannot bring the systemic change needed to fully eradicate racism from medicine, it will join providers and patients together in the fight against interpersonal, and …

The Future Electronic Pharmaceutical Brain, Steve Varghese

BU Well

With the rise of technology in the healthcare setting, it is important to consider which form of technology will make the most beneficial change. The technology that can make that change is artificial intelligence. Artificial intelligence is being implemented more and more in our world, so it is the time for pharmacy to consider integrating it into its own field.

Percs Of Being An Athlete: Athlete Use And Misuse Of Opioids, Mel Sturgill

BU Well

The opioid crisis has plagued this country for decades and athletes are not exempt from this statement. This paper discusses the prevalence of opioid use and misuse among adolescent and professional athletes. This results in an immense opportunity for healthcare professionals to come together and educate teams and players to provide alternative pain management therapies for acute and chronic pain.

Sex Ed 101: A Case For Sex Education As Part Of The First-Year Student Experience, Ansleigh Seaver, Pa-S, Mpas-2

BU Well

Many students do not receive any, much less comprehensive, sex education during their high school years. Universities should prioritize integrating sex education curriculum into their first-year student experience. Promoting sex-positive dialogues will foster a campus community of communication and acceptance.

A Disease Of Isolation: Alcohol Use Disorder And The Covid-19 Pandemic, Hollyann Sanangelo

BU Well

Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is a chronic brain disorder that results in adverse social, mental, and physical effects. Many people with AUD rely on 12-step abstinence programs to provide them the structure and support they rely on to stay sober. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, patients with AUD have undergone long stretches without connection to friends and loved ones or the rigidity of a school/work schedule. This article examines the negative impacts of the pandemic on Americans with AUD, what measures are currently being taken to assist them, and what more research needs to be done.

Materialism To Minimalism, Tial Par

BU Well

In the modern era, happiness is often measured in terms of wealth, possession, and abundance. However, contrary to what the current capitalist, consumerist society wants its members to believe, less is actually more. The ubiquitous culture of materialism places human beings in a constant state of competition with one another, which overrides mindfulness of oneself and one’s relationships. There is only one way to break free from the competitive cycle: minimalism. This article defines minimalism, exhibits the modalities by which minimalism combats materialism, and provides helpful tips on integrating minimalism into one’s life.

Animals On Drugs: The Role Of Pharmacists In Veterinary Medicine, Kylie Kelley

BU Well

With medication errors and unpreparedness of pharmacists in handling pet prescriptions becoming more prevalent, to compensate the deficiency there should be an increase in education and interprofessional collaboration. By providing pharmacists with a thorough education of animal pharmacology, pharmacists would more effectively thrive within their scope of practice and improve pet safety and collaboration with other veterinary healthcare providers. Whether a student pharmacist wants to specialize in veterinary pharmacy or retail pharmacy, it is important for the animal’s well-being that someone who verifies the prescriptions does so correctly and with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions for animal patients.

Better Together: An Exploration Of Interfaith Ideologies, Meet Patel, Hannah Beaven, James Ewing, Daniel Meyers

BU Well

In a world full of polarizing agents that function to divide society, the binding nature of interfaith ideologies serves to develop meaningful relationships between individuals, groups, and communities that subscribe to various religious or secular belief systems. Interfaith dialogue and cooperation encapsulate one’s ability to genuinely listen, share stories, and embrace growth and learning, not despite but because of differences. This article explores the influence of interfaith work on college campuses, within urban communities, and throughout the fields of medicine and global health. These are all specific aspects of a society that has the potential, now more than ever before, …

Through The Frames: Public Opinion On Medicare-For-All, Yingting (Jenny) Chen

Annual Undergraduate Conference on Health and Society

In the midst of a once in a lifetime global pandemic and the concurring 2020 elections, proponents of Medicare-For-All are offering a solution to the crises at hand: public opinion research reveals that Americans worry a great deal about healthcare access and affordability, and the public are becoming both increasingly dissatisfied with the current system and increasingly convinced that it is the responsibility of the government to provide healthcare. But Medicare-For-All currently stands on a public opinion precipice. While the public appears open to consideration of a full universal healthcare system, consensus is deeply contingent upon issue framing. I researched …

Domestic Violence In The World Of Athletics, Abbigayle L. Gesler

ONU Student Research Colloquium

There is an ongoing debate whether athletics is linked to domestic violence in professional athletes or individuals who were athletes for a long period of time. The purpose of this research is to see if being an athlete leads to domestic violence, and if so, to find ways to decrease the numbers. Professional athletes with a history of domestic violence will be researched and this could help determine if there is a link between the two. To get an idea on aggression levels in athletes, the Buss & Perry Survey was sent out via email to all Ohio Northern students, …

Improving Cough And Cold Otc Medication Use For Children In Hardin County, Kelly M. Kern, Molly Lipson

ONU Student Research Colloquium

Background: Ohio struggles with high infant mortality rates. This project was designed to combat incorrect use of cough and cold over-the-counter (OTC) medications. Parents or caregivers, especially those with low health literacy, often use these medications incorrectly in infants, sometimes leading to a fatal outcome.

Methods: Utilizing a three-pronged approach, this IRB-approved project addresses the issue of incorrect cough and cold OTC medications use for infants in Hardin County. Passive education was provided to community members via social media/flyers, educational interventions were performed with community members (virtual or in-person), and continuing professional development (CPD) was provided to pharmacists and pharmacy …

Classification Of Student Developed Annual Goals, Han Pham, John Mullin

ONU Student Research Colloquium

Objective: This study categorizes goals (personal vs professional and long vs short-term) of student pharmacists. An increase in the proportion of long-term, professional goals is expected as students advance through the program.

Methods: Annual student goals were classified into categories (personal vs professional and long vs short term). Definitions were developed and a beta-test was conducted to confirm interpretations were consistent between raters. Multiple one-tail Z-tests with Bonferroni correction were used to compare the proportion of personal/professional and short-term/long-term goals for P1 students to the proportion of each of the classes of P2-P5 for the years of 2018 and 2019, …

Implementation Of A Clinical Journal Club To Improve Student Knowledge, Christian J. Stang

ONU Student Research Colloquium

Evidence-based medicine is a crucial component of pharmacy practice that is utilized to ensure the best possible outcomes for patients. It is a concept that ensures clinical guidelines are constantly analyzed for quality improvement with therapeutic practices enhanced for the highest standards for patient care. At the heart of incorporating evidence-based medicine is literature review and analysis, a practice conducted not only by healthcare professionals but also students in healthcare programs. The implementation of literature review into these healthcare programs better prepares students to critically evaluate and review medical literature with the ultimate purpose to improve patient care in their …

The Impact Of Social Media Use On Well-Being And Stress In Adolescents And Young Adults, Elisabeth Moeller

ONU Student Research Colloquium

Over the past couple of decades, as technology has become more readily available to individuals, social media sites such as Facebook and Instagram have had an impact on how adolescents and young adults communicate with peers. There has been much debate on whether social media usage negatively impacts the lives of adolescents and adults or not. The present literary review examines findings from 20 studies that investigated the effect of social media usage on the well-being and stress levels of adolescents and young adults. The conclusion of this literary review is that there are many mixed findings in studies examining …

Honors Capstone: Healthcare Disparities In Pharmacy Curriculum, Molly Ryan

ONU Student Research Colloquium

Due to the prevalence of disparities within the United States healthcare system, this Honors Program Pharmacy Capstone project is filling the opportunity to enhance the curriculum. The project is focused on improving the educational opportunities for the Raabe College of Pharmacy related to health disparities relevant to the profession of pharmacy. This information will include the history of healthcare abuses to minority groups throughout United States history. The American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy includes academic goals for pharmacy curricula regarding health disparities. The pharmacy accreditation body (ACPE) sets standards that include educating student pharmacists about health disparities. Congruent with …

Coagulation Cascade And Hemostatis, Bhagyalakshmi K

Faculty work

No abstract provided.

Identification And Mitigation Of Environmental Hazards In Psychiatric Patient Suicide Prevention: A Review, Alan Le

DNP Qualifying Manuscripts

Background: Environmental hazards are a factor in the bulk of inpatient suicide cases, which disproportionately impact psychiatric patients. Current measures to minimize suicide risk include process-oriented solutions and environmental safeguards such as breakaway structures.

Aims: To perform a review of the literature that identifies environmental suicide hazards and interventions implemented to abate hazards and reduce suicide risk.

Methods: Electronic databases were searched using relevant keywords. Inclusion criteria consisted of articles published 2009-2020 that identified environmental suicide hazards or examined efficacy of interventions implemented to abate hazards. The Johns Hopkins Research and Non-Research Evidence Appraisal Tools were used for critical appraisal. …

Scholarly Manuscript: Deficiencies In Memory And Effective Education Of De-Escalation Techniques In Mental Health Settings, Balraj Bajwa

DNP Qualifying Manuscripts

Objective: To appraise and evaluate evidence recognizing the lack of effective staff education on de-escalation techniques, the impact that this creates on nursing practice, and staff perceptions on de-escalation methods and techniques in acute care inpatient and/or outpatient mental health settings.

Methods: Three databases were searched (CINAHL, PubMed, and PsycINFO) to identify articles/reviews which focused on de-escalation techniques and training. Additionally, five journals were also reviewed to help with the search process. Specific inclusion criteria were used to streamline the search process and to help identify articles/reviews which were primarily focused on the desired objective. Five different articles …

Proteomics Analysis Of Asymptomatic Alzheimer's Disease, Rebecca Hatcher

Celebration of Scholarship 2021

This project involved proteomics analysis of public data comparing the abundance of significantly changing proteins in Asymptomatic Alzheimer's versus control brains to interrogate Alzheimer's disease progression.

2021-04-23_Michiganoverview_Covidsymptoms, Michigan Department Of Health & Human Services

Michigan COVID-19 Syndromic Surveillance System Data

The Syndromic Surveillance System Data report was obtained from Michigan's COVID-19 dashboard, from under the link "​Coronavirus Symptoms": https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus. Data was compiled by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). The information was updated daily.

Syndromic Surveillance System data is obtained from approximately 183 facilities participating in syndromic surveillance (132 Emergency Departments (ED), 51 Urgent Cares) across the State of Michigan. The reporting is based on individuals who present at EDs and may not be representative of the overall population. The coronavirus-like symptoms query searches visit free-text (chief complaint, triage notes, and clinical impression) for fever or …