Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

A Comprehensive Covid-19 Response—The Need For Economic Evaluation, Govind C. Persad, Ankur Pandya

Sturm College of Law: Faculty Scholarship

Recently, the World Health Organization has exhorted countries to fight the Covid-19 pandemic with other interventions in addition to vaccines. But for countries to mount a comprehensive and effective response, more than exhortation is needed. Policymakers must understand the benefits and burdens associated with various policy options. They also have to be equipped to rigorously and systematically compare these benefits and burdens, both when evaluating individual policies and when determining which policies to include in a legislative or regulatory package.

Dose Optimisation And Scarce Resource Allocation: Two Sides Of The Same Coin, Garth Strohbehn, Govind C. Persad, William F. Parker, Srinivas Murthy

Sturm College of Law: Faculty Scholarship

Objective: A deep understanding of the relationship between a scarce drug's dose and clinical response is necessary to appropriately distribute a supply-constrained drug along these lines.

Summary of key data: The vast majority of drug development and repurposing during the COVID-19 pandemic – an event that has made clear the ever-present scarcity in health care systems –has been ignorant of scarcity and dose optimisation's ability to help address it.

Conclusions: Future pandemic clinical trials systems should obtain dose optimisation data, as these appear necessary to enable appropriate scarce resource allocation according to societal values.

Use Of Electron Beam Therapy In The Treatment Of Basal Cell Carcinoma, Amanda Smith

Medical Imaging Senior Posters

No abstract provided.

Use Of Ct To Diagnose Subcutaneous Emphysema (Se), Emily Paciga

Medical Imaging Senior Posters

Subcutaneous emphysema is a follow up symptom to a traumatic event, surgery, or nose-blowing. In addition subcutaneous emphysema is considered benign and self limiting. Computed tomography (CT) is the imaging modality of choice for diagnosing subcutaneous emphysema. CT is preferred because of its sensitivity to tissue densities. A CT will demonstrate dark air pockets within the subcutaneous layer of the skin. Furthermore, upon palpation of the the skin a crepitus crackling sound is demonstrated. Moreover, listening to the skin with a stethoscope will emit a high-frequency acoustic sound. Nevertheless, extensive subcutaneous emphysema may require medical assistance. Typically, orbital subcutaneous emphysema …

Imaging Aortic Pathologies In Computed Tomography (Ct), Hailey Clark

Medical Imaging Senior Posters

Computed tomography (CT) is an increasingly important imaging modality to visualization of aortic pathologies. The aorta is the largest vessel in the body and gives rise to several important arteries that supply surrounding organs, so pathologies of this vessel can prove dangerous. The two main pathologies that affect the aorta are aneurysms and dissections, each of which can rupture and quickly become fatal. Symptoms for these pathologies can vary widely but primarily include pain localized to the area of the aorta that is affected, with risk factors encompassing several heart conditions as well as genetic factors. The prognosis for aortic …

Mri Guided Neuroblate Laser Ablations, Sarah Bielfeld

Medical Imaging Senior Posters

This project explains how magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is used for neuroblate laser ablations, or laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT). LITT therapy involves the usage of heat to treat intracranial pathologies such as glioblastomas. Laser therapy is an non-invasive alternative to open resection and craniotomy procedures in which a surgical opening of the skull and brain tissue are necessary. Ablations are considered a safer alternative because patients showed no signs of declining cognitive functions post surgery. Magnetic resonance scanners are used in conjunction with laser systems. The two types of systems are Visualase (Visualase, INC.) and NeuroBlate (Monteris Medical, Inc.) …

Developmental Language Disorder: A Literature Review, Laura M. Gaudette

The Graduate Review

Developmental language disorder (DLD) is a life-long language condition characterized by difficulty using, learning, and understanding language across modalities (speaking, writing, reading) despite average cognitive and intellectual skills. There is no single cause of DLD, though research suggests a genetic component and environmental factors act as possible predictors. Although there is an incidence rate of around 2-3 students in each class of 30, DLD has very little awareness and is significantly under-researched. There are many factors contributing to this. Most notably, DLD is considered a hidden disability as many people learn to mask their symptoms pretty early in life through …

A Comparative Analysis Of Covid-19 Vaccine Distribution Efforts In India And Mongolia Through Data Visualization, Paridhi Latawa, Sadhana Kumar, Udeshna Srimal, Rachana Tanksali, Edward Ning '23, Ajay Macherla, Haily Nguyen, Kristina Lian, Joy Jiang, Julia Ding, Daniel Stewart

External Student Research Opportunities

COVID-19 vaccine allocation efforts have posed challenges and offered opportunities to alleviate the ongoing pandemic. Nations have employed varying approaches for COVID-19 vaccine distribution; in particular, Mongolia and India have differed in approaches to vaccine allocation efforts. As of June 2021, Mongolia has vaccinated more than 60% of its population, whereas India has only vaccinated about 7.5%. This disparity highlights the need for the present study, which utilizes a mixed-method approach to examine the two countries' vaccine distribution strategies and COVID-19 containment policies from January to July 2021. The study has three major components: 1) policy analysis to highlight core …

Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma Staging May Influence Management In Users: A Survey Study., Vishal A. Patel, Catherine Mccullum, Andrew D. Sparks, Chrysalyne D Schmults, Sarah T Arron, Anokhi Jambusaria-Pahlajani

Dermatology Faculty Publications

PURPOSE: This study aims to determine whether there is consensus regarding staging and management of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) across the various specialties that manage this disease.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A survey regarding CSCC high-risk features, staging, and management was created and emailed to cutaneous oncology experts including dermatology, head and neck surgery/surgical oncology, radiation oncology, and medical oncology.

RESULTS: One hundred fifty-six (46%) of 357 invited physicians completed the survey. Depth of invasion (92%), perineural invasion (99%), histologic differentiation (85%), and patient immunosuppression (90%) achieved consensus (>80%) as high-risk features of CSCC. Dermatologists were more likely to …

Longitudinal Physical Performance And Blood Pressure Changes In Older Women: Findings Form The Women's Health Initiative., Deepika R Laddu, Michael J Lamonte, Bernhard Haring, Hajwa Kim, Peggy Cawthon, Jennifer W Bea, Hailey Banack, Jane A Cauley, Matthew A Allison, Lisa Warsinger Martin, Meryl S Leboff, Marcia L Stefanick, Shane A Phillips, Jun Ma

Medicine Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Community Resilience: A Dynamic Model For Public Health 3.0., Wendy Ellis, William H. Dietz, Kuan-Lung Daniel Chen

Health Sciences Education Research

OBJECTIVE: To establish a model for Public Health 3.0 in order to define and measure community resilience (CR) as a method to measure equity, address structural racism, and improve population health.

DESIGN: To develop the CR model, we conducted a literature review in medicine, psychology, early childhood development, neurobiology, and disaster preparedness and response and applied system dynamics modeling to analyze the complex interactions between public systems, policies, and community.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The CR model focuses on community and population health outcomes associated with the policies and practices of the housing, public education, law enforcement, and criminal justice sectors …

The Importance Of Protein Context In Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 3, Sean Luis Johnson

Wayne State University Dissertations

Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 3 (SCA3) is a member of the family of polyglutamine (polyQ) neurodegenerative disorders that includes Huntington's Disease and several other SCAs. SCA3, the most common dominant ataxia in the world, is caused by polyQ tract expansion in the protein, ataxin-3. How SCA3 occurs and how to treat it remain unresolved issues. The primary culprit of toxicity in all polyQ diseases is the glutamine repeat: its abnormal expansion leads to neuronal dysfunction and death. With that said, there is indisputable evidence that the way polyQ-dependent toxicity presents—areas impacted, cellular processes perturbed—is predicated in large part on regions outside …

One Cell’S Trash Is Another Cell’S Treasure: The Role Of Exosomes In Stress Physiology Of The Brown Anole (Anolis Sagrei), Anna Kaza

Honors Program Theses

Exosomes are a type of extracellular vesicle that is produced by cells through an endosomal pathway and secreted into bodily fluids. Exosomes deliver bioactive cargo from their parent cells to target cells as a form of intercellular communication. While most research has studied exosomes in the context of disease, less is known about their role in normal physiology when disease is absent. Using the brown anole (Anolis sagrei) as a model organism, we investigated how stress exposure affects exosome concentrations in the plasma of anoles, and whether exosome release is necessary for the response to stress. We hypothesized that stress …

Evaluation Of A Shortened Redon Fit Test Protocol For Half-Mask Respirators, Olivia Dawson, Riley Duncan, Leshan J. Kimbrough

Scholar's Day

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether a shortened REDON method is as effective and accurate compared to the reference method when measuring respirator fit for elastomeric half-mask respirators using the Quantifit® CNP instrument.

Analysis Of Pelvic Alignment Patterns Utilizing The Postural Restoration Institution Approach, Marisa Mills

West Chester University Master’s Theses

Background: Low back pain is a common problem that can include injury to the sacroiliac joint (SIJ) with 15-30% of cases arising from LBP. Treatment for SIJ includes muscle energy. A newer approach from Postural Restoration Institution (PRI) centered around pelvic patterns alignment has also been used. There’s limited research found describing the prevalence of pelvic patterns within populations with PRI method.

Purpose: To examine prevalence of pelvic patterns and investigate a relationship of low back pain. Furthermore, to explore the specific patterns closely and the ability to re-align pelvic patterns by utilizing PRI repositioning exercises.

Study Design: Cross …

Comparison Of Landing Biomechanics Between Different Competitive Levels Of Irish Dance, Jade Shields

West Chester University Master’s Theses

Abstract

Objectives: To determine differences in lower limb landing biomechanics and lower extremity function scale scores between champion levels, in young female Irish dancers.

Design: Cross-sectional.

Setting: McDade-Cara School of Irish Dance

Participants: 12 Open Champion (OC) level female Irish dancers (11.9 ± 3.37 years) and 9 Preliminary Champion (PC) Irish dancers (13.5 ± 3.37 years) performed the landing error scoring system test (LESS), and completed the lower extremity functional scale (LEFS) and a descriptive data questionnaire

Main outcome measures: LESS scoring sheet and LEFS PRO

Results: No significant differences found between OC and PC levels on …

The Innovator - Winter 2022/2023, Matthew Hamel

Faculty Affairs & Research Newsletters - The Innovator

Newsletter published by the Offices of Faculty Affairs & Research

Baystate Medical Center Nursing Report - 2022, Joanne Miller Rn

Baystate Medical Center Nursing Report

Baystate Medical Center Nursing Report - 2022

A Preliminary Investigation On Patterns Of Physical Activity In Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy And Immunotherapy In Relation To Quality Of Life And Depression Rates, Pranav Seshadri

Holster Scholar Projects

Abstract of project: Introduction: Patients undergoing chemotherapy or immunotherapy for cancer tend to remain sedentary following diagnosis. They also suffer from low quality of life (QoL) and increased rates of depression/depressive symptomology. Recent studies indicate that physical activity (PA) may improve QoL and reduce depression rates. The exact patterns of PA in this subject population are unknown. This study investigates patterns of PA in cancer patients receiving treatment to understand how level of PA and types of PA relate to QoL and depressive symptomology. Methods: A cross-sectional survey study was conducted between June and July 2022 at the UConn Health …

Relationship Between Diabetic Status And Levels Of Salivary Statherin, Nikhil Malhan, David Ojcius, Scott Davis

Orthodontics and Endodontics Theses

Aim: The aim of this study is to determine the varying levels of salivary statherin production in patients with varying levels of risk for diabetes. The goal is to identify a causal relationship and thus, statherin could be used as a preliminary biomarker for identifying patients with diabetes. Materials and Methods: Saliva from 47 participants were collected in order to quantify the levels of statherin production via western blot analysis. Participants were also asked to fill out self-reported questionnaires regarding risk factors for type 2 diabetes. The questionnaire consisted of 7 questions regarding age, sex, history of diabetes, hypertension, level …

Nutritional Considerations In The Care Of Transgender And Gender-Diverse Individuals: Exploring The Knowledge, Attitudes, Beliefs, And Roles Of Registered Dietitian Nutritionists And Nutrition Professionals, Jennifer Madeleine Waters

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Within the past few years, various nutrition-relevant considerations related to the care of transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) individuals have been emphasized. However, the preparedness of registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) to provide nutrition care to this highly marginalized group with unique health concerns is unknown. Available research on the knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs of RDNs as it relates to the care of the TGD community is scarce. It is unknown how frequently transgender-specific health and nutrition topics are being taught to emerging RDNs and nutrition professionals. Further, the potential barriers that nutrition and dietetics educators perceive or face as it relates …

Disparities In Awareness Of And Willingness To Participate In Cancer Clinical Trials Between African American And White Cancer Survivors, Gaurav Kumar, Jungyoon Kim, Paraskevi A. Farazi, Hongmei Wang, Dejun Su

Journal Articles: Epidemiology

BACKGROUND: Cancer clinical trials (CCTs) are essential for cancer care, yet the evidence is scarce when it comes to racial disparities in CCT participation among cancer survivors in the Midwest. This study aimed to 1) assess disparities in the awareness of and willingness to participate in CCTs between African American and White cancer survivors; and 2) compare perceptions about CCTs between the two racial groups.

METHODS: The study was based on cross-sectional data from the survey "Minority Patient Participation in Cancer Clinical Trials" that collected information from 147 Black and White cancer survivors from Nebraska between 2015 and 2016. Chi-square …

Low Dose Ct Scanning For Lung Cancer, Patrick Strouse

Medical Imaging Senior Posters

Low Dose CT scanning for Lung Cancer

Patrick Strouse

Lynn Blazaskie M.S.,R.T.(R)(ARRT)

Abstract

Computed Tomography (CT) is the imaging of patients in a cross-sectional plane using x-ray. CT is used to diagnose diseases and is producing more efficient ways of this by making radiation dose lower, this leads to Low Dose CT and its abilities in diagnosing lung cancer. The research portrayed in this project provides points across the different aspects of Low Dose Computed Tomography (CT) and its relation to lung cancer to explain the growing new scan of Low Dose CT. Lung cancer is described as a cancer …

Balloon-Occluded Retrograde Transvenous Obliteration (Brto) For Gastric Varices (Gv) In Interventional Radiology (Ir), Lauren Wiest

Medical Imaging Senior Posters

Balloon-Occluded Retrograde Transvenous Obliteration (BRTO) for Gastric Varices in Interventional Radiology (IR)

Lauren Wiest

Dr. Elaine Halesey, Ed.D., R. T. (R) (QM)

Abstract

This project explains gastric varices and the role the BRTO procedure has in treating gastric variceal bleeding. Statistics regarding gastric varices and the modified techniques of the procedure are discussed. Gastric varices are dilated veins that can rupture at any time and the main cause of gastric varices is portal hypertension. Gastric varices develop in approximately 20% of patients with portal hypertension. Portal hypertension is the result of liver disease or cirrhosis. The BRTO procedure has the …

Mri Guided Breast Biopsy, Rachel Roccograndi

Medical Imaging Senior Posters

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a non-invasive technique that produces computer-generated cross-sectional images. The images produced contain anatomic and physiologic information. Using non-ionizing radiation, MRI creates images through the interaction of magnetic fields and radio frequency energy on biologic tissue. The specificity present in the images produced is the main reason MRI is a popular choice of diagnostic testing. MRI is used to evaluate organs, tissues, and skeletal systems and different sequences are used depending on what the main focus of the test is. MRI images are more complex because they contain information about different properties of tissue-proton density, relaxation …

Graduate Medical Education Annual Report 2021-2022, Children's Mercy Kansas City

GME Annual Reports

Annual report of the Children's Mercy Hospital Graduate Medical Education department, including pediatric residency, internal medicine/pediatrics residency, fellowship programs, medical students, continuing medical education, and library services.

I-Bid Handoff Tool, Francisco Guido-Sanz

Nursing Handouts, Tools, and Other Documents

No abstract provided.

Enhancing The Accuracy And Effectiveness Of The National Institute Of Health Stroke Scale In A Rural Emergency Departmennt, Emily Nicole Addington

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

A rural facility in the foothills of North Carolina found a need for process improvement regarding the emergency department and completion of the NIHSS. The DNP student and the Stroke Coordinator along with the Quality Improvement Coordinator agreed with the need for education of staff concerning accurate assessment and documentation of the NIHSS. The DNP project implemented additional training for the emergency department nurses and paramedics in the form of face-to-face classes with a PowerPoint. A pre-and post-survey was conducted to gauge the comfort level of staff with the NIHSS and stroke processes of the rural emergency department. The Stroke …

Superwoman Schema: Fighting Back With Holistic Therapy, Chavonne Good

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

For decades, Black women have upheld the stereotype of being consistently strong, capable, tenacious, and unwavering throughout life’s many challenges. Unfortunately, while being resolute in their desire to succeed against all odds, many Black women have unknowingly embraced the characteristics of a phenomenon known as Superwoman Schema. Superwoman Schema consists of five characteristics that are not inherently negative. However, when Black women consistently embody these traits which include the determination to succeed and to be strong, and an obligation to help others; they may neglect their own self-care needs. Subsequently, while neglecting themselves, focusing on others, and continuously trying to …

Enhancing Knowledge And Confidence In A Retail Clinic Setting Of Practitioners In Treating Primary And Secondary Hypertension, Ravon Mckoy

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Many adult and adolescent patients in primary care settings are diagnosed with primary hypertension, however the workup often does not include an evaluation of secondary causes. The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project was to improve the diagnosis and treatment of hypertension for patients seeking health care in a retail clinic setting. The PICOT question was, what is the effect of an educational offering on hypertension standards of care in enhancing knowledge and confidence for providers working in a retail health clinic setting? The sampling frame was 40 Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants employed at CVS Minute …