Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Self-Blame Associated With Sexual Maltreatment, Jessica Castillo, Mallory Constantine

Undergraduate Research Symposium Posters

Sexually maltreated youth are at increased risk for developing thoughts of self-blame associated with their traumatic experiences (Melville et al., 2014). Self-blame increases risk of maladaptive emotion regulation strategies and self-harming behaviors (Gorgi et al., 2019). Self-blame can cause negative side effects in development and adulthood, changing the trajectory of the child who was affected by sexual assault (Ullman et al., 2014). Recent studies suggest we must continue to investigate the role in shame in producing meaning making progress, and how it affects other emotions, cognitive learning, and emotion regulating strategies (McElvaney et al., 2022). In order to continue to …

Sociodemographic Factors Associated With Breastfeeding Information Provided During Prenatal Care Visits In Clark County, Nevada, Alexandra Maria Acosta, Smriti Neupane

Undergraduate Research Symposium Posters

Breastfeeding information during prenatal care visits is associated with maternal race/ethnicity and maternal educational level. Black/African American race and college-level education are associated with increased breastfeeding information provided during prenatal care visits of Nevadan mothers.

You're So Harsh On Me: Meanness In Psychopathy And Perceived Family Criticism, Jordan E. Hayes, Kayla Mcginty

Undergraduate Research Symposium Posters

Overall, the lack of research on percieved criticism, especially within populations that display meanness, show a need for research because just like mood, percieved criticism may change throughout the day. Understanding the relationship between psychopathic meanness and momentary patterns of percieved criticism among family members could provide helpful insight into social interactions and elucidating patterns of family dysfunction involved in the most antagonistic features of psychopathy.

Influenza And Wastewater Surveillance, Tiffany Familara, Hayley Baker, Anthony Harrington, Ching-Lan Chang

Undergraduate Research Symposium Lightning Talks

Quantitative PCR led to identification of influenza A viral RNA at three schools in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Predicting The Next Pandemic: Utilizing Wastewater-Based Epidemiology As A Novel Technique For Detecting Mpox Dna, Austin Tang, Michael Moshi, Hayley Baker, Ching-Lan Chang

Undergraduate Research Symposium Lightning Talks

Mpox cases are trending downward in Las Vegas, aligning with national trends. The study demonstrates that it is possible to extract mpox DNA directly from wastewater and quantify the genetic material using qPCR. This research indicates that WBE can be utilized to give a relative abundance of virual nucleic acids in wastewater, giving opportunities for early-warning systems and other public health interventions. Mpox remains a global threat to public health, continued surveillance of MPXV using wastewater is necessary to ensure that we can detect unusual spike in viral DNA level. Mpox detected in the wastewater samples will be sequences to …

Quantification Of Sars-Cov-2 Prevalence Using Wastewater Surveillance, Moonis Ghani, Hayley Baker, Nabih Ghani, Anthony Harrington, Ching-Lan Chang

Undergraduate Research Symposium Lightning Talks

SARS-CoV-2 RNA was successfully detected in the wastewater samples. PMMoV concentrations varied little, meaning it was a valid control. The diversity of SARS-CoV-2 concentrations indicated varying levels of infection within different parts of the community. PCR and WGS can help determine viral load and identify variants.

A Multi-Method Exploration Of Health Disparities And Covid-19 Incidence And Mortality In The United States, S M Asger Ali

Theses and Dissertations

The 21^st century experienced several health crises, especially in the form of infectious disease outbreaks such as the SARS outbreak in 2003, the H1N1 in 2009, and Ebola outbreaks in 2013. However, none has produced a worldwide socio-economic and health impact compared to the recent pandemic, known as COVID-19. As of October 4, 2022, more than 614 million cases with 6 million deaths have been reported worldwide. The United States is currently in the leading position with more than 98 million cases and 1 million deaths. The pandemic, however, did not impact the entire region similarly, and the infections …

Decreasing Sudden Unexpected Infant Death, Carey B. Acosta, Kristal Brown, Judy E. Bowling

Nursing & Health Sciences Research Journal

Background: Sleep-related sudden unexpected infant death (SUID) is an alarming, potentially preventable event with over 3,500 annual occurrences in the United States (US). In response to sleep-related SUIDs, the American Academy of Pediatrics and National Institutes of Health advocate for safe sleep practices to promote establishment of safe sleep environments for infants through the Safe to Sleep initiative. However, research evidence shows that lack of knowledge in hospital staff and community members (parents/caregivers) and cultural barriers/biases are factors associated with the inability or resistance to adopting safe sleep practices for infants.

Methods: In 2017, internal evidence within a local …

Exploring Workplace Incivility And Bullying In Healthcare Workers In A South Florida Community Hospital, Nada Wakim, Natalie Bermudez, Claudia C. Sabogal-Rodriguez

Nursing & Health Sciences Research Journal

Introduction: Workplace incivility and bullying are concerning issues in healthcare with detrimental consequences for healthcare workers (HCW) and healthcare organizations. Organizational leaders’ recognition of incivility/bullying within healthcare organizations, and their sources, is imperative to prevent and/or address issues by creating “zero tolerance” work environments. The purpose of this cross-sectional, descriptive study was to explore HCWs’ experiences with incivility and bullying at a South Florida community hospital.

Methods: A convenience sample of HCWs at a South Florida community hospital were recruited to voluntarily complete the Nursing Incivility Scale.

Results: A sample of 325 HCWs responded to the survey. The results showed …

Letter From The Editor: Coming Together As A Resilient Workforce, Nohemi Sadule Rios

Nursing & Health Sciences Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Economics Of Artificial Intelligence In Healthcare: Diagnosis Vs. Treatment., Narendra N Khanna, Mahesh A Maindarkar, Vijay Viswanathan, Jose Fernandes E Fernandes, Sudip Paul, Mrinalini Bhagawati, Puneet Ahluwalia, Zoltan Ruzsa, Aditya Sharma, Raghu Kolluri, Inder M Singh, John R Laird, Mostafa Fatemi, Azra Alizad, Luca Saba, Vikas Agarwal, Aman Sharma, Jagjit S Teji, Mustafa Al-Maini, Vijay Rathore, Subbaram Naidu, Kiera Liblik, Amer M Johri, Monika Turk, Lopamudra Mohanty, David W Sobel, Martin Miner, Klaudija Viskovic, George Tsoulfas, Athanasios D Protogerou, George D Kitas, Mostafa M Fouda, Seemant Chaturvedi, Mannudeep K Kalra, Jasjit S Suri

Medical Education Articles

Motivation: The price of medical treatment continues to rise due to (i) an increasing population; (ii) an aging human growth; (iii) disease prevalence; (iv) a rise in the frequency of patients that utilize health care services; and (v) increase in the price. Objective: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is already well-known for its superiority in various healthcare applications, including the segmentation of lesions in images, speech recognition, smartphone personal assistants, navigation, ride-sharing apps, and many more. Our study is based on two hypotheses: (i) AI offers more economic solutions compared to conventional methods; (ii) AI treatment offers stronger economics compared to …

Asecret Charting And Sensory Processing Disorder - A Tool For Parents And Teachers, Taylor Lerman

Honors Theses

When considering the results of research from this study, the reader should note this specifically applies to elementary school aged students but could be applicable outside of this study for the purpose of added ages. The cumulative ASECRET charts do not explicitly apply to that of a typical child and added disabilities to consider are discussed within the discussion section of research. Conditions left unmentioned should not be considered inapplicable, but for the purpose of this research, discussion points focus on sensory processing and conditions with higher rates of comorbidity to sensory processing compared to others. The purpose of this …

High-Resolution Cryo-Em Structure Of The Shigella Virus Sf6 Genome Delivery Tail Machine, Fenglin Li, Chun-Feng David Hou, Ruoyu Yang, Richard Whitehead, Carolyn M. Teschke, Gino Cingolani

Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Faculty Papers

Sf6 is a bacterial virus that infects the human pathogen Shigella flexneri. Here, we describe the cryo–electron microscopy structure of the Sf6 tail machine before DNA ejection, which we determined at a 2.7-angstrom resolution. We built de novo structures of all tail components and resolved four symmetry-mismatched interfaces. Unexpectedly, we found that the tail exists in two conformations, rotated by ~6° with respect to the capsid. The two tail conformers are identical in structure but differ solely in how the portal and head-to-tail adaptor carboxyl termini bond with the capsid at the fivefold vertex, similar to a diamond held over …

The Effects Of Holistic Modalities On Stress Reduction In Nursing Students Attending School During The Pandemic, Rachel Kamp

Honors Theses

Nursing students tend to experience high levels of stress due to the pressures and demands of nursing school, including exams, clinical, and interactions with professors and preceptors (Labrague et al., 2017). Recently, the COVID-19 Pandemic has created additional stressors. Both mind and body modalities (yoga, meditation, deep breathing etc.) and exercise modalities (running, walking, etc.) are some of many health promoting, stress reducing activities that were proven to be effective in reducing stress in nursing students prior to the pandemic. This study aims to determine if these modalities are still effective now, and how nursing faculty supports stress reduction in …

Comprehensive Identification And Expression Analyses Of The Snrk Gene Family In Casuarina Equisetifolia In Response To Salt Stress, Di Ai, Yujiao Wang, Yongcheng Wei, Jie Zhang, Jingxiang Meng, Yong Zhang

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background

Sucrose nonfermenting-1 (SNF1)-related protein kinases (SnRKs) play crucial roles in plant signaling pathways and stress adaptive responses by activating protein phosphorylation pathways. However, there have been no comprehensive studies of the SnRK gene family in the widely planted salt-tolerant tree species Casuarina equisetifolia. Here, we comprehensively analyze this gene family in C. equisetifolia using genome-wide identification, characterization, and profiling of expression changes in response to salt stress.

Results

A total of 26 CeqSnRK genes were identified, which were divided into three subfamilies (SnRK1, SnRK2, and SnRK3). The intron–exon structures and protein‑motif compositions were similar within each subgroup but …

Phenol Neurolysis In People With Spinal Cord Injury: A Descriptive Study, Radha Korupolu, Aila Malik, Erin Pemberton, Argyrios Stampas, Sheng Li

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive study.

OBJECTIVES: The study's main objective was to describe the common targets of phenol neurolysis and review the safety and efficacy of the dose used for this spasticity management procedure in people with spinal cord injury (SCI).

SETTING: An acute rehabilitation hospital.

METHODS: Data from people with SCI who underwent phenol neurolysis procedures for spasticity management between April 2017 and August 2018 were included in this study. We collected demographics and phenol neurolysis procedure-related information.

RESULTS: A total of 66 people with SCI and spasticity underwent phenol neurolysis of 303 nerves over 102 encounters. During these encounters, …

Human Rabies - Texas, 2021, Dawn Blackburn, Faisal S Minhaj, Roukaya Al Hammoud, Lillian Orciari, Jael Miller, Trevor Maness, Jon Stewart, Brittany Singletary, Elvia Ledezma, Misti Ellsworth, Andrea Carlo-Angleró, Michael Niezgoda, Crystal M Gigante, Agam K Rao, Panayampalli S Satheshkumar, Gloria P Heresi, Amanda Kieffer, Ryan M Wallace

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

In late August 2021, a boy aged 7 years was bitten by a bat while he was playing outside his apartment home in Medina County, Texas. He informed his parents; however, no rabies postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) was sought because there were no visible bite marks, and the family was unaware that contact with a bat, including in the absence of visible bite marks, might cause rabies. Approximately 2 months later, the child was hospitalized for altered mental status, seizures, and hypersalivation and ultimately received a diagnosis of rabies. Experimental therapies were attempted; however, the child died 22 days after symptom …

Efficacy Of Cabozantinib In Metastatic Mit Family Translocation Renal Cell Carcinomas, Jonathan Thouvenin, Omar Alhalabi, Maria Carlo, Lucia Carril-Ajuria, Laure Hirsch, Nieves Martinez-Chanza, Sylvie Négrier, Luca Campedel, Dylan Martini, Delphine Borchiellini, Jad Chahoud, Massimo Lodi, Philippe Barthélémy, Elshad Hasanov, Andrew W Hahn, Thierry Gil, Srinivas R Viswanathan, Ziad Bakouny, Pavlos Msaouel, Mehmet Asim Bilen, Toni K Choueiri, Laurence Albiges, Nizar M Tannir, Gabriel G Malouf

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: MiT family translocation renal cell carcinoma (TRCC) is a rare and aggressive subgroup of renal cell carcinoma harboring high expression of c-MET. While TRCC response rates to VEGF receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and immune checkpoint inhibitors are limited, efficacy of cabozantinib (a VEGFR, MET, and AXL inhibitor) in this subgroup is unclear.

Methods: We performed a multicenter, retrospective, international cohort study of patients with TRCC treated with cabozantinib. The main objectives were to estimate response rate according to RECIST 1.1 and to analyze progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS).

Results: Fifty-two patients with metastatic TRCC treated in …

Inhibition Of The Phosphatidylinositol-3 Kinase Pathway Using Bimiralisib In Loss-Of-Function Notch1-Mutant Head And Neck Cancer, Faye M Johnson, Filip Janku, Mohamed A Gouda, Hai T Tran, Jitesh D Kawedia, Debora Schmitz, Hendrik Streefkerk, J Jack Lee, Clark R Andersen, Defeng Deng, Seema Rawal, Pooja A Shah, Adel K El-Naggar, Jason M Johnson, Mitchell J Frederick

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: PI3K/mTOR inhibition leads to apoptosis of NOTCH1-mutant head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cells. We tested the efficacy of the PI3K/mTOR inhibitor bimiralisib in patients with NOTCH1-mutant HNSCC.

METHODS: Patients with recurrent/metastatic NOTCH1-mutant HNSCC who had progressed during chemotherapy and immunotherapy received bimiralisib until unacceptable toxicity or progression. To assess whether NOTCH1 mutations can be detected in blood, we measured circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA). To assess activated NOTCH1 protein levels, we quantitated cleaved NOTCH1 (cl-NOTCH) by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS: Eight patients were treated, and 6 were evaluable for response. The objective response rate was 17%. For all 8 patients, …

Evaluation Of Anti-Factor Xa Level Usage For Low Molecular Weight Heparin In A Healthcare System, Natalie Quesep, Lourdes R. Menendez, Erika Dittmar, Radhan B. Gopalani, Payal Patel, Srikanth Nagalla

Nursing & Health Sciences Research Journal

Background: Low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) is a commonly used anticoagulant for treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Routine monitoring of therapeutic effects through anti-Xa levels is not recommended but may be beneficial in patients with altered pharmacokinetics.^1,2 Inappropriate monitoring leads to excessive testing and premature dose adjustments, compromising safety and efficacy. The purpose of this project was to assess appropriateness of monitoring LMWH anti-Xa levels and identify opportunities to optimize utilization within a community health system.

Methods: A random-sample, retrospective chart review at a multi-site hospital system was conducted over a 3-year period. Inclusion criteria were adults admitted with …

A Concept Analysis Of Moral Comfort In Nursing, Natalie Bermudez

Nursing & Health Sciences Research Journal

Introduction: Nurses are the most trusted professional group in the United States. As such, examination and exploration of concepts or phenomena, either positively or negatively affecting nurses’ ethical decision-making and moral actions, are needed. While nursing literature is abundant on moral distress and its negative impact, literature on moral comfort (a positive phenomenon) is sparsely available. The purpose of this concept analysis is to explore MC within nursing literature and other disciplines to identify moral comfort’s defining attributes, antecedents, consequences, and empirical referents.

Method: Walker and Avant’s eight-step concept analysis approach was used.

Results: Six articles were included in this …

Consistency Of Efficacy Results Across Various Clinical Measures And Statistical Methods In The Lecanemab Phase 2 Trial Of Early Alzheimer’S Disease, Shobha Dhadda, Michio Kanekiyo, David Li, Chad J Swanson, Michael Irizarry, Scott Berry, Lynn D Kramer, Donald A Berry

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: Lecanemab (BAN2401) is a humanized IgG1 monoclonal antibody that preferentially targets soluble aggregated Aβ species (protofibrils) with activity at insoluble fibrils and slowed clinical decline in an 18-month phase 2 proof-of-concept study (Study 201; ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01767311) in 856 subjects with early Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this trial, subjects were randomized to five lecanemab dose regimens or placebo. The primary efficacy endpoint was change from baseline in the Alzheimer's Disease Composite Score (ADCOMS) at 12 months with Bayesian analyses. The key secondary endpoints were ADCOMS at 18 months and Clinical Dementia Rating-Sum-of-Boxes (CDR-SB) and Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale (ADAS-Cog14) …

A General Catalyst Controlled Route To Prostaglandin F2a, Laura Cunningham, Sourabh Mishra, Leon Matthews, Stephen P Fletcher

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

We report a general, catalyst-controlled route to prostaglandin F2_α and its analogues. The approach uses a Rh-catalyzed dynamic kinetic asymmetric Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reaction between a racemic bicyclic allyl chloride and alkenyl boronic esters bearing chiral alcohols to give cyclopentyl intermediates bearing 3 contiguous stereocenters. The route provides advanced intermediates in 99% ee as a single diastereoisomer in all cases examined, with the absolute stereochemistry of the cyclopentane core controlled by the ligand. Intermediates that could be used to produce prostaglandin analogues such as bimatoprost, latanoprost, fluprostenol, and cloprostenol were synthesized. The final two stereocenters were installed via Pd-catalyzed Tsuji–Trost …

G-Rich Motifs Within Phosphorothioate-Based Antisense Oligonucleotides (Asos) Drive Activation Of Fxn Expression Through Indirect Effects, Feng Wang, Ezequiel Calvo-Roitberg, Julia M Rembetsy-Brown, Minggang Fang, Jacquelyn Sousa, Zachary J Kartje, Pranathi Meda Krishnamurthy, Jonathan Lee, Michael R Green, Athma A Pai, Jonathan K Watts

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Friedreich's ataxia is an incurable disease caused by frataxin (FXN) protein deficiency, which is mostly induced by GAA repeat expansion in intron 1 of the FXN gene. Here, we identified antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), complementary to two regions within the first intron of FXN pre-mRNA, which could increase FXN mRNA by ∼2-fold in patient fibroblasts. The increase in FXN mRNA was confirmed by the identification of multiple overlapping FXN-activating ASOs at each region, two independent RNA quantification assays, and normalization by multiple housekeeping genes. Experiments on cells with the ASO-binding sites deleted indicate that the ASO-induced FXN activation was driven by …

Ways To Decrease Risk Of Postpartum Hemorrhage, Madison Holcomb

Honors Theses

Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is the leading preventable cause of maternal mortality (Jena et al., 2022). In fact, it accounts for 25% of maternal deaths globally (Cooper et al., 2022). There is a tremendous need for education to the pregnant population There are methods to decrease the risk that needs to be taught to patients. The education on risk factors should be provided in the in the preconception period and throughout pregnancy. There are several components of educational practice that may improve the knowledge of pregnant individuals. The educational components can be divided into implementations during the antenatal period and the …

Goal Attainment After Treatment With Abobotulinumtoxina And A Tailored Home Therapy Programme In Children With Upper Limb Spasticity: Descriptive, Exploratory Analysis Of A Large Randomized, Controlled Studya, Jorge Carranza-Del Río, Nigar Dursun, Cigdem Cekmece, Marcin Bonikowski, Weronika Pyrzanowska, Edward Dabrowski, Ann Tilton, Joyce Oleszek, Magali Volteau, Simon Page, Angela Shierk, Mauricio R. Delgado

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

OBJECTIVE: This exploratory analysis of a large, randomized, double-blind study (NCT02106351) describes the effect of treatment with abobotulinumtoxinA followed by a tailored home exercises therapy programme in enabling children with upper limb spasticity due to cerebral palsy to achieve their functional goals using goal attainment scaling (GAS). METHODS: Children with cerebral palsy and spasticity in ≥ 1 upper limb received up to 4 injection cycles of abobotulinumtoxinA (2 U/kg (cycle 1 only), 8U/kg and 16U/kg) into the elbow and wrist flexors and other upper limb muscles selected to support individual treatment goals. Children followed a home exercises therapy programme, which …

The Influence Of Taste Sensitivity To 6-N-Propylthiouracil (Prop) On Anthropometric Measurements, Body Composition, And Eating Behaviors Among Female College Students, Abeer Mohammedsharief Alardawi

Theses and Dissertations

Taste is one of the crucial factors that contributes to shaping eating behaviors and is also one of the leading reasons that affects our preferences to like or dislike some foods that mainly have a bitter taste. Variation in bitter phenotype (tasters and non-tasters) could influence diet quality and in turn body weight, which overall influenced health outcomes. The objective of this study was to identify whether bitter taste phenotype status influences anthropometric measurements, body fat percentage, and eating behaviors (liking and intake) in female college students. In this cross-sectional study (n = 86), female college students aged 18 to …

Combined Effects Of Cyclosporine And Prednisone On T-Cell Cytokine Production In Healthy Dogs, Brittany Moore-Henderson

Theses and Dissertations

Cyclosporine and prednisone are immunosuppressive drugs that are commonly used in combination for the treatment of immune-mediated diseases, and have been shown to individually cause significant suppression of IL-2. Currently, no studies have been performed to determine how a combination of the two drugs would impact suppression of IL-2, and if an additive or synergistic effect on cytokine production could be demonstrated, as in studies of other species. An additive effect of immunosuppression associated with this drug combination could allow clinicians to decrease dosages of drugs, thereby reducing drug costs and minimizing adverse drug side effects. In a cross-over study …

Parent-Child Relationships And Parental Distress As Moderators Between Chronic Illness And Psychological Problems In Emerging Adults., Abigail Kukay

Theses and Dissertations

The current study aimed to better understand how parental functioning and parent-child relationships might moderate the effects of chronic illness on psychological problems in emerging adulthood. Three hypotheses were made: (1) the presence and severity of chronic illness would associate positively with emerging adult psychological problems, (2) parental distress would moderate the effects between chronic illness presence/severity and emerging adulthood psychological problems, and (3) parent-child relationship quality would moderate the effects between chronic illness presence/severity and emerging adult psychological problems. Data analysis consisted of testing interaction effects, pairwise parameter comparisons, and multiple group analysis. The three-way interaction between endorsing a …

The Effect Of Childhood Maltreatment On Psychotherapy Effectiveness In Adulthood: Implications For Counselors, Michael Hillerman

Theses and Dissertations

Recent gains in understanding the effects of childhood maltreatment on the development of the brain and nervous system, combined with the revelation that nearly all psychiatric neuroimaging studies have had an unrecognized confound in childhood maltreatment, imply the possibility that psychotherapy treatment effectiveness studies have been similarly confounded by childhood maltreatment. This study examines whether treatment-seeking adults exposed to childhood maltreatment respond differently to psychotherapy than do individuals who report no history of childhood maltreatment. Response to therapy is conceptualized in this study as reduction in symptom measures pre- and post- treatment, as well as client dropout. It is hypothesized …