Spatial Single-Cell Identification Of Cell Layers Within Mouse Brain Using A Novel Spatially Resolved Transcriptomics Technology, Radha Swaminathan

Biomedical Engineering ETDs

Spatially resolved transcriptomics technologies investigate gene expression in the context of a tissue. While imaging-based technologies enable gene expression quantification at a single-cell level, only two NGS-based technologies are currently capable of single-cell resolution. Both Stereo-seq and Seq-Scope involve two rounds of sequencing: one to sequence the location of spatial barcodes and the other to obtain sequence of cDNA. Thus, the objective of the research study is to develop a technology that can capture transcripts from every cell of a tissue without the need for two rounds of sequencing. To this end, a capture surface or barcoded array (similar to …

The Heart And Soul Of Engagement In The Float Pool Team, Kymberly Dexter

Master's Projects and Capstones

Problem: The assistant nurse manager (ANM) role is considered an entry-level management position and is not intended as a permanent career role. The unintended consequence is that there is a high rate of organizational turnover, making it challenging to build and retain a solid, cohesive, and productive team.

Context: A new manager of a float pool team in a 166-bed community hospital found that with little financial investment, a significant impact is made by holding a safe space for listening to the ANM team and designing education and training around what is most important to frontline managers.

Interventions: A baseline …

Perinatal Exercise Effectiveness To Prevent Offspring High-Altitude Pulmonary Hypertension, Eric Leslie

Health, Exercise, and Sports Sciences ETDs

The effectiveness of perinatal exercise (i.e., exercise by mothers immediately prior to, throughout, and after pregnancy) to attenuate high-altitude pulmonary hypertension and associated health consequences in the offspring exposed to chronic hypoxia in early life was investigated. Four groups were used to compare the effects of perinatal exercise to offspring exposed to low altitude (i.e., normoxic) conditions or simulated 4500 meters of high altitude (i.e., hypoxic) as well as their respective, sedentary controls. Offspring in the hypoxic groups had lower body weights and tail lengths as well as higher hematocrits, right ventricular systolic pressures, and right heart weights. The hypoxic …

Improving Elementary Nutrition Education Curriculum In San Francisco - A Program Analysis Of The Food Education Project, Audrey N. Chang

Master's Projects and Capstones

Childhood obesity and food insecurity are problems within San Francisco, California. The purpose of this program analysis is to assess the Food Education Project (FEP), which is one of many projects addressing nutrition education and the long-term public health impact is to solve the problems of food insecurity and childhood obesity. Through primary data collection, students shared their honest feelings about food and were able to openly discuss what they know and do not know about food. A literature review was conducted through research from various databases from the University of San Francisco to identify not only current interventions but …

Integrated Multi-Omic Analysis Of Low-Grade Ovarian Serous Carcinoma Collected From Short And Long-Term Survivors, Kwong-Kwok Wong, Nicholas W Bateman, Chun Wai Ng, Yvonne T M Tsang, Charlotte S Sun, Joseph Celestino, Tri V Nguyen, Anais Malpica, R Tyler Hillman, Jianhua Zhang, P Andrew Futreal, Christine Rojas, Kelly A Conrads, Brian L Hood, Clifton L Dalgard, Matthew D Wilkerson, Neil T Phippen, Thomas P Conrads, George L Maxwell, Anil K Sood, David M Gershenson

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: Low-grade serous ovarian cancer (LGSOC) is a rare disease that occurs more frequently in younger women than those with high-grade disease. The current treatment is suboptimal and a better understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of this disease is required. In this study, we compared the proteogenomic analyses of LGSOCs from short- and long-term survivors (defined as < 40 and > 60 months, respectively). Our goal was to identify novel mutations, proteins, and mRNA transcripts that are dysregulated in LGSOC, particularly in short-term survivors.

METHODS: Initially, targeted sequencing of 409 cancer-related genes was performed on 22 LGSOC and 6 serous borderline ovarian tumor samples. …

Research Infrastructure Core Facilities At Research Centers In Minority Institutions: Part I-Research Resources Management, Operation, And Best Practices, Paul B Tchounwou, Mohamad Malouhi, Elizabeth O Ofili, Emma Fernández-Repollet, Daniel F Sarpong, Richard Yanagihara, Renato J Aguilera, Cecilia Ayón, Xiaoxin Chen, Asok Dasmahapatra, Song Gao, Cimona V Hinton, Robert Holt, Vladimir Kolesnichenko, Michael D Powell, Fatima Merchant, Kinfe K Redda, Abiel Roche-Lima, Cecilia M Shikuma, Jacqueline J Stevens, Jose A Torres, Robert T Trotter, James Wachira, Paul Wang, Kristen J Wells, Jason White, Yanyuan Wu

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Research Centers in Minority Institutions (RCMI) Program fosters the development and implementation of innovative research aimed at improving minority health and reducing or eliminating health disparities. Currently, there are 21 RCMI Specialized (U54) Centers that share the same framework, comprising four required core components, namely the Administrative, Research Infrastructure, Investigator Development, and Community Engagement Cores. The Research Infrastructure Core (RIC) is fundamentally important for biomedical and health disparities research as a critical function domain. This paper aims to assess the research resources and services provided and evaluate the best practices in …

Registered Nurse-Led Annual Wellness Visits In Rural Health Clinics: A Program Evaluation Of A New Role, Tina Switzer

Doctors of Nursing Practice (DNP) Final Projects, 2020-current

The passage of the Patient Portability and Affordable Care Act had a goal of increasing access for preventive care. The Medicare Annual Wellness Visit (AWV) has been a free yearly, comprehensive preventive care opportunity for most Medicare beneficiaries since 2011. Because of the time intensive nature of these visits, the overall national completion rate for them has been low as providers often perceive time and resource constraints. Registered Nurses (RNs) have the skill set to complete these visits with minimal provider involvement. Rural residents often face health care access barriers and outcome disparities, and Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) are a …

Improving Access For Medicare Inpatient Psychiatric Patients: A Health Policy Analysis, Malinda B. Whitfield

Doctors of Nursing Practice (DNP) Final Projects, 2020-current

The Medicare Inpatient Psychiatric Services (IPS) policy, originally developed in the 1960s and without any significant or meaningful updates since the 1980’s, is physician specific, does not reflect the current model of care for psychiatric inpatients, and is restrictive for psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) practice. The policy is complex, consists of outdated regulations, and results in millions of dollars in compliance costs for Inpatient Psychiatric Facilities (IPFs) annually (NABH, 2019). Although clearly an important part of the inpatient psychiatric services team, PMHNPs are not identified or defined in the policy (Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services [CMS], 2019). …

Developing A Quality Improvement Process: Impacting Patient Outcomes And Achieving Ambulatory Accreditation, Colleen E. Nappi

Doctors of Nursing Practice (DNP) Final Projects, 2020-current

Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States (US) and colonoscopy is the best method for screening and detecting cancer before symptoms are present. A colonoscopies' ability to detect precancerous lesions or identify colorectal cancer (CRC) relies on patients having a high-quality bowel preparation. The US Multi Society Task Force (USMSTF) on colorectal cancer set quality standards for colonoscopy including bowel preparation quality, adenoma detection, and cecal intubation times. As a private gastroenterology practice in Northern Virginia was preparing for re-accreditation with the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) it was determined that …

Improving Glycemic Control During The Covid-19 Pandemic: A Quality Improvement Project, Megan Henderson

Doctors of Nursing Practice (DNP) Final Projects, 2020-current

Diabetes is a costly, chronic health condition. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the delivery of health care and exacerbated chronic health conditions, such as diabetes. Diabetes is one of the most significant comorbid conditions associated with poor COVID-19 outcomes (Cariou et al., 2020). Control of blood glucose levels during the COVID-19 pandemic has proved challenging to maintain. The purpose of this quality improvement project is to identify gaps in diabetic self-care and then implement a diabetic toolkit to improve self-efficacy of diabetes self-management. According to the American Diabetes Association (2022), self-management of diabetes, education, and support from providers is …

Experiences And Concerns Of Female Hotel Housekeepers In The First Stages Of The Covid-19 Lockdown In The Balearic Islands (Spain): A Qualitative Study, Xenia Chela-Alvarez, Cristian Sanchez-Rodriguez, Oana Bulilete, Mclara Vidal-Thomàs, Joan Llobera

The Qualitative Report

Strongly enforced mobility restrictions to deter the spread of COVID-19 severely impacted tourism, a pivotal economic sector of the Balearic Islands. Little is known about the experiences of the most economically affected groups, such as hotel housekeepers. This study aimed to explore the experiences and concerns of hotel housekeepers (approximately 13,000 worked in the Balearic Islands before the pandemic) during the first stages of the COVID-19 lockdown. Semi-structured interviews were conducted by telephone in April of 2020. Thematic analysis was used for interpretation. Eighteen hotel housekeepers were interviewed. Main experiences and concerns identified were: (a) distress due to employment status …

Understanding Suicide And Its Prevention In The Indian Context: Mental Health Perspective, Dushad Ram, Akash Mathew, Muath A Alammar

International Journal of Health and Allied Sciences

In India, suicide research has largely concentrated on the prevalence, method, psychological, and demographic risk factors. Suicide processes, paradigms, prevention strategies, and other features of suicide that are common in the West may not be applicable in India. It is vital to study potential underlying processes, various suicide prevention methods, and suicide prevention in general, as well as what more work has to be done in the Indian context. Suicide, on the other hand, is a cross-sectoral public health issue that demands collaboration across all key sectors, and its prevention should engage all stakeholders in India.

Relationships Of Academic Expectation Stress & Self-Efficacy, Efficacy For Self-Regulated Learning With Academic Performance During Covid Pandemic, Muath A Alammar, Dushad Ram, Hamad Ali Alwarthan, Fouad A. Alshubayshiri, Abdullah Mohammed Alobaidi

International Journal of Health and Allied Sciences

Background: Academic expectation stress & self-efficacy and efficacy for self-regulated learning may affect academic performance. The Covid pandemic has affected the physical and psychological well-being of all, including students. However, there is a paucity of studies examining these variables in college students in Saudi Arabia. Objectives: This study was conducted to explore the levels and relationships of academic expectation stress & self-efficacy, self-regulated learning, and its relationships with academic performance in college students of ---- University during the Covid pandemic. Material and Methods: A total of 302 students were recruited in this cross-sectional study. They were assessed with sociodemographic and …

Use Of Integrated Clinical Scenarios In Neuroanatomy Laboratory Sessions A Strategy To Foster Students’ Learning, Ahmed Yaqinuddin, Amna Siddiqui, Muhammad Faisal Ikram, Junaid Kashir

International Journal of Health and Allied Sciences

Objective: Combinations of various teaching strategies have been employed to enhance neuroanatomy teaching, to little success. Herein, we describe the use of integrated clinical scenarios in anatomy laboratory sessions as an educational strategy to improve the learning process for students undertaking neuroscience course. Methods: We assessed the perception and performance of students who utilised the integrated clinical resources in the neuroanatomy labs. We also compared the performance of the students on their neuroscience course with the performance of the previous year's students (who did not use the clinical scenarios). Results: A total of (130) 88% of the registered student both …

Racial And Ethnic Differences In The Receipt Of Metabolic Syndrome Risk Factor Screening And Treatment Among Prostate Cancer Patients Treated With Androgen Deprivation Therapy., Yazan K. Barqawi

Pharmaceutical Sciences ETDs

Background: Racial and ethnic health disparities in prostate cancer prevalence, incidence, mortality, quality of life, screening, and treatment constitute the largest of all cancer disparities. These health disparities are associated with higher morbidity and mortality rates in minority populations. Treatment with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) has been the most widely used therapeutic modality to reduce the progression of prostate cancer to a worse disease stage and relieve potential obstructive symptoms. However, ADT is associated with possible toxic metabolic and cardiovascular (CVS) adverse events that may occur within six months of ADT initiation. These adverse events include metabolic syndrome, type II …

Fertility Considerations In Prescribing Hormonal Contraceptives In Individuals With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Andrea M. Reichle, Justin Gambini

Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc)

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a highly prevalent endocrine disorder and the most common cause of infertility among females of reproductive age.1 While the name “polycystic ovary syndrome” implies people diagnosed with PCOS have numerous cysts on their ovaries, this is not always the case. Clinicians currently use the Rotterdam criteria to diagnose PCOS.2 These criteria include: irregular periods/anovulatory cycles, clinical or biochemical signs of androgen excess (acne, hirsutism, androgenic alopecia, etc.), and numerous ovarian cysts seen on imaging.2 A diagnosis of PCOS can be made when at least two of three criteria are met.2 As this has become a …

Aspirin In The Primary Prevention Of Cardiovascular Disease, Briana Stephanie Murar, Justin Gambini

Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc)

For decades, people have prophylactically used aspirin (ASA), or acetylsalicylic acid, to mitigate their risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). The role of ASA as a means of secondary prevention for CVD is well established, however there are conflicting schools of thought as to whether or not it should be used as primary prophylaxis. While this indication has been studied for more than 30-years, questions remain pertaining to the risk of bleeding that is associated with ASA usage, which ranges from mild epistaxis to life threatening hemorrhage.1 Lifestyle and behavioral factors play a large role in a person’s CVD risk, however …

Engaging Rural Providers About The Potential Of Low-Earth Orbit Internet Satellite Supported Rural Telehealth Programs, Joshua M. Cleary

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Abstract

This paper describes a DNP project that was designed to address the issue of rural mental telehealth implementation barriers. One of the main barriers to rural telehealth programs has been a technical infrastructure incapable of adequately hosting the telehealth programs. Low-Earth orbit (LEO) internet technology has emerged as a way to solve the rural telehealth conundrum by offering an improved rural technical infrastructure. An integrated review was completed based on the following PICOT question: In rural providers, how does an educational outreach compared to no educational outreach affect provider adoption of new technologies? The evidence showed educational sessions as …

Play Your Aces: Clinical Practice Change For Adverse Childhood Experiences, Jordan Lefevers

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Project

The study included an educational module provided to healthcare providers in order to evaluate whether an increase in knowledge occurred based on responses to questions specific to Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). The study assessed the providers’ baseline knowledge on ACEs based on pretest data. This study aims to evaluate if there was increased knowledge after review of educational materials. Following the educational module, a follow-up posttest survey was provided via web link to assess the providers’ knowledge specific to this topic after receiving additional education. The study measured if providers lacked general awareness on ACEs, and if there was an …

Special Topics In Neuroendocrinology Allopregnanolone: Pathophysiology, Effects On Mood, Emerging Treatments, Sarah Jane Lance, Justin Gambini

Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc)

KEY POINTS

● Allopregnanolone is a neurosteroid and metabolite of progesterone that has been shown to play a role in mood regulation.

● Low levels and rapid declines in this neurosteroid are associated with mood disorders such as those within the menstrual cycle, postpartum depression, chronic stress, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and major depression. Studies have also linked it to moodrelated aspects of addiction.

● Medications that increase allopregnanolone, such as serotonin reuptake inhibitors and Brexanolone, are correlated with improved symptoms. These medications represent established and newly developed drugs that increase its level and are currently used for treatments of …

Multiplex Immunofluorescence-Guided Laser Capture Microdissection For Spatial Transcriptomics Of Metastatic Melanoma Tissues., Jan Martinek, Te-Chia Wu, Lili Sun, Jianan Lin, Kyung In Kim, Florentina Marches, Paul Robson, Joshy George, Karolina Palucka

Faculty Research 2022

We describe a pipeline for optimized and streamlined multiplexed immunofluorescence-guided laser capture microdissection allowing the harvest of individual cells based on their phenotype and tissue localization for transcriptomic analysis with next-generation RNA sequencing. Here, we analyze transcriptomes of CD3+ T cells, CD14+ monocytes/macrophages, and melanoma cells in non-dissociated metastatic melanoma tissue. While this protocol is described for melanoma tissues, we successfully applied it to human tonsil, skin, and breast cancer tissues as well as mouse lung tissues. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Martinek et al. (2022).

Extrachromosomal Dna (Ecdna): An Origin Of Tumor Heterogeneity, Genomic Remodeling, And Drug Resistance., Lauren T Pecorino, Roel G W Verhaak, Anton Henssen, Paul S Mischel

Faculty Research 2022

The genome of cancer cells contains circular extrachromosomal DNA (ecDNA) elements not found in normal cells. Analysis of clinical samples reveal they are common in most cancers and their presence indicates poor prognosis. They often contain enhancers and driver oncogenes that are highly expressed. The circular ecDNA topology leads to an open chromatin conformation and generates new gene regulatory interactions, including with distal enhancers. The absence of centromeres leads to random distribution of ecDNAs during cell division and genes encoded on them are transmitted in a non-mendelian manner. ecDNA can integrate into and exit from chromosomal DNA. The numbers of …

The Association Of Lower Medication Adherence And Increased Medical Spending, Ryan A. Fuchs

Capstone: Master of Health Administration

Medical prescribing is a common occurrence in daily clinical practice. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2015-2016 45.8% of the U.S. population used prescription drugs in the past 30 days. (CDC, 2019) Although drug therapy can be effective in treating disease, full benefits are often not realized because many patients do not take their medications as prescribed. There is quite a bit of research out there about non-adherence to medication. Some studies focus on the financial impacts of non-adherence, but most of the studies examine the reasons for medication non-adherence. A gap exists in research about …

Culture Care Values And Beliefs Of Puerto Rican Adults Related To Suicide: An Ethnonursing Study, Griselle Estrada

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

BACKGROUND: Suicide is a public health issue among the growing U.S. Latinx population; however, Latinx subgroups are diverse and represent different cultural backgrounds. Puerto Ricans are the second largest Latinx subgroup in the nation. Although research points to possible mental health vulnerabilities among Puerto Ricans when compared to other Latinx subgroups, there is a dearth of research exploring cultural influences that can impact suicide prevention efforts for Puerto Ricans living in the U.S. mainland. AIMS: This study aimed to explore the culture care values, beliefs, and needs of Puerto Rican adults pertaining to suicide and its prevention. METHODS: The …

The Usability And Feasibility Of A Nursing Evidence-Based Comorbidity Educational Website For An Urban Mental Health Assertive Community Treatment (Act) Program, Andrea Brudigan, Laurie Sewell-Muller, Kokuvi Sena Tsogbevi

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects: College of Nursing

Objective: Serious mental illness (SMI) causes an increased risk for comorbidities like heart disease, obesity, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes. Many times, these comorbidities are due to side effects of antipsychotics and poor self-management from low insight and other symptoms of mental illness. This project aims to enhance client care enrolled in an Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) program by providing evidence-based resources tailored to clients with SMI, providing ACT team members with support to promote healthy behaviors in clients.

Methods: A website was developed that provides printable, easy-to-read, evidence-based resources that address physical comorbidities. The ACT team integrated these resources into …

2022-12-16_Michiganoverview_Covidbedppe, Michigan Department Of Health & Human Services

Michigan COVID-19 Hospital Data

Contains the tables Statewide Hospital Capacity Report for COVID-19, COVID-19 Metrics, Statewide Hospital Available PPE Tracking for COVID-19, as well as the tables PPE Days On Hand and Patient Census.

Diabetes Prevention And Management Education For Punjabi-Sikh Older Adults, Mandeep K. Gill

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Abstract

Background: South Asians from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and India have a higher prevalence of diabetes than the general global population and are also more susceptible to developing diabetes due to biological and lifestyle factors. The South Asian diet is high in refined grains and monounsaturated fatty acids, increasing the risk of diabetes.

Local Problem: Congregants of a Sikh gurdwara (place of worship) lacked knowledge of diet and lifestyle in relation to preventing and managing diabetes. Many senior congregants have been diagnosed with diabetes or are at high risk of developing the disease.

Methods: Knowledge of diabetes prevention and management were …

Oleoresin Capsicum Gel: Enhancing Safety For The Home Health Clinician, Lilly Dickens

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Problem: Home health clinicians (HHC) are at high risk for workplace violence. Providing necessary health care alone in unpredictable and remote environments are associated with poor outcomes from physical violence. Background: Pepper spray is known for its active ingredient, oleoresin capsicum (OC), as a self-defense tool. OC gel is used worldwide as a non-lethal incapacitating agent. There is an opportunity to expand workplace violence prevention (WPV) in home health by training and allowing HHCs to carry OC gel. Intervention: This DNP QI project implemented a safety intervention for HHCs, including nurses, aides, medical social workers, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and …

Death Doulas And The Changing Face Of Passing On In America, Uvie M. Bikomo

Capstones

This project examines the damages of the current death culture in the country and the ways in which it is evolving to a more communal thing. It focuses on death doulas and how they are changing death in America.

Link to capstone project:https://ubikomo.github.io/doula/

Decreasing Intent To Leave In Nurse Residents (Nr) With The Addition Of Wellness Interventions: A Quality Improvement Project, Susan Eckman

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Manuscripts

The US nursing workforce decreased 1.8 percent between 2019 and 2021, marking the largest drop seen in four decades. New nurses or nurse residents NRs) are included in this loss. Many nurses, but particularly new nurses, experience burnout. If workplace stress is not managed, it can become chronic. The first year of employment as a nurse has been shown to be a very vulnerable time. Within the first 2 years of nurses’ employment, there is a reduction in commitment along with increased stress. New graduate nurses’ lack of life experiences, along with the recent pandemic have contributed to more than …