Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Medical Recommendations And Bmi Among Black And Hispanic Adolescent Females, Dorothea Polk

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Adolescent obesity persists as a critical public health challenge in the United States, with Black and Hispanic adolescent females experiencing elevated rates. Adolescent obesity contributes to serious long-term health risks, but provider counseling may support body mass index (BMI) management. Guided by the social-ecological model, this study examined whether receiving medical recommendations to control or lose weight was associated with BMI among Black and Hispanic adolescent females aged 16–19 years and whether meal preparation habits and food security status moderated this association, controlling for age, household income, and race/ethnicity. This quantitative, cross-sectional secondary analysis used multiple linear regression analyses to …

Enhancing Surgical Team Readiness: Simulation Training For Power Failure Response In Robotic Procedures, Heather Marie Sorton

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project, I used a quality improvement design to implement and evaluate a simulation-based education aimed at improving perioperative staff knowledge related to robotic power-loss events. A practice gap was identified in staff preparedness for robotic system failures due to limited education on emergency protocols, communication, team roles, and Association of PeriOperative Registered Nurses (AORN)-aligned response processes, impacting patient safety during robotic-assisted procedures. I examined whether implementation of a simulation-based educational intervention improved staff knowledge related to robotic power-loss management. The purpose of the project was to improve staff knowledge and standardize responses to …

Uv Damage Mapping Reveals Different Impacts Of Xpd Mutations On Global Genomic And Transcription-Coupled Dna Repair, Allyson Hoag

Biomedical Sciences ETDs

Nucleotide Excision Repair (NER) is a fundamental cellular process that removes bulky and helical distorting lesions from the genome through the separate responses of its two subpathways – global genomic (GG-NER) and transcription coupled (TC-NER) DNA repair. The pathways converge with the recruitment of the TFIIH complex, a key step that is mediated by the translocase and helicase activities of  its XPD subunit. Germline mutations in XPD result in the clinical disorders, Xeroderma Pigmentosum (XP) and XP combined with Cockayne Syndrome (XP/CS). The goal of this thesis was to understand if XPD XP and XP/CS mutations differentially impact GG-NER and …

Mapping And Modeling Threat-Evoked Brain States After Early Life Adversity, Taylor W. Uselman

Biomedical Sciences ETDs

Early life adversity (ELA) increases lifelong neuropsychiatric vulnerability. Yet how ELA reorganizes brain-wide activity and circuit coordination across later experience remains unclear. This dissertation tests the hypothesis that ELA alters adult brain-wide activity and responses to threat through disrupted coordination among neural systems that regulate emotional experience, including prefrontal-limbic and monoaminergic systems. Longitudinal manganese-enhanced MRI of adult mice exposed to standard or fragmented early care, combined with computational processing and statistical modeling, quantified brain states before, during, and long after innate predator threat. These studies established that acute threat evokes large-scale, distributed brain activity that evolves over time. ELA potentiates …

Prenatal Alcohol Exposure Induces Vulnerability To Mild Stress Through Heightened Limbic Glial Activation And Cytokine Release, Justine R. Zimmerly

Biomedical Sciences ETDs

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) results from prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) and is linked to development of mood disorders, which in turn are driven by dysregulation of the sympathetic nervous system, the neuroendocrine hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, and the central nervous system (CNS) neuroimmune response to stressors. PAE alters brain glial activation and proinflammatory cytokine expression through secondary challenges such as psychological stressors. The goals of the experiments presented in this dissertation were to 1) examine peripheral glucocorticoid receptor function following mild acute stress in adult PAE offspring, 2) characterize a sensitized cytokine stress response in the hippocampus, medial prefrontal cortex, …

Benefits Of Regional Anesthesia Versus Opioids In The Management Of Postoperative Pain Following Excision Of A Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor., Duveen Nalamothu, Mauricio Arce Villalobos, Joseph D Tobias

Ambulatory and Primary Care Articles

Postoperative opioid exposure in opioid-naive patients may carry a risk of persistent opioid use. We present the case of a 16-year-old female with no significant family history who was recently diagnosed with neurofibromatosis type 1 and found to have a rapidly enlarging mass in her left upper extremity. She was scheduled for excisional biopsy. To minimize the need for postoperative opioids, analgesia via a continuous peripheral nerve catheter was employed following resection of the malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor. This case report reviews the clinical applications of multimodal analgesia via a continuous peripheral nerve catheter in pediatric patients, including placement …

Myeloid Mmp14 Couples Extracellular Proteolysis To Inflammatory And Metabolic Remodeling During Obesity, Long J Shao, Fathima Elizondo, Feng Gao, Elizabeth L Lieu, Bharati Reddi, Maryam Elizondo, Iqbal Mahmud, Kristin Eckel-Mahan, Philipp E Scherer, Xin Ge, Huaizhu Wu, Sean Hartig, Kai Sun

The Brown Foundation: Institute of Molecular Medicine

Macrophages orchestrate tissue remodeling, inflammation, and metabolic dysfunction in obesity, but the role of macrophage-intrinsic extracellular proteolysis in immunometabolic regulation remains unclear. Matrix metalloproteinase-14 (MMP14), a membrane-bound protease, is strongly induced during monocyte-to-macrophage differentiation and further elevated in adipose tissue macrophages from high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice. Pharmacological inhibition or myeloid-specific deletion of Mmp14 impaired macrophage differentiation, proliferation, migration, phagocytosis, and inflammatory activation in response to obesity-associated adipose tissue signals. Mechanistically, MMP14 promoted inflammatory programming by increasing endotrophin generation and enhancing TLR4-NFκB signaling. MMP14 also reprogrammed macrophage lipid metabolism by suppressing lipolysis and promoting lipid accumulation, altering metabolic communication with neighboring …

Naturalistic Aided Language Intervention For Children Who Have Multiple Disabilities Including Visual Impairment, Naomi Nattress

Speech and Hearing Sciences ETDs

ABSTRACT

This dissertation examined aided AAC interventions for individuals with multiple disabilities, including visual impairment, across three original studies. Chapter 2, a meta-analysis, found limited rigorous research for this population while showing that individuals at early symbolic stages with diverse visual profiles can successfully engage with AAC when appropriate adaptations are provided. The pilot study in Chapter 3 indicated that caregivers and graduate student clinicians can learn and implement naturalistic AAC techniques and VI accommodations with high fidelity through structured coaching. The mixed methods study in Chapter 4 introduced the ImPAACT-VI program, showing strong outcomes in educator performance, students’ symbolic …

The Dental Hygienist Perspective On Laser Use For Nonsurgical Periodontal Therapy, Tammie A. Nyce Mrs.

Dental Hygiene ETDs

The purpose of this study was to assess the perceptions, attitudes, and experiences of dental hygienists regarding the use of lasers in the non-surgical treatment of periodontal disease.  A descriptive survey was distributed via email to current active and inactive members of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association. The sample consisted of practicing dental hygienists who had received training in laser use and lived in states that allowed laser use by dental hygienists.   Those dental hygienists who are not practicing clinically, who are not trained in the use of lasers, and who do not have experience using lasers in the treatment …

Technology Platform (Peer Plus) Supporting The Work Of Peer Recovery Coaches And The Communication Needs Of Individuals In Recovery From Substance Use Disorder: Protocol For An R21 Development And Usability Trial., Amanda Coupe, Jessica Pater, Rachel Pfafman, Victor P Cornet, Elisabeth Andrews, Mindy Flanagan, Dana Albright, Abhinay Balasani, Christopher Becker, Brian Parise, Erik Hess, Tammy Toscos

Health Services and Informatics Research

BACKGROUND: Substance use disorder (SUD) represents a significant public health concern in the United States. SUD recovery is complex and individualized, and support provided by peer recovery coaches (PRCs) can improve outcomes. The PRC-client relationship requires bidirectional mediated communication that is often informal but should be trackable, efficient, and aligned with health care privacy and security regulations. Current workflows and available apps do not meet these needs, illustrating the opportunity for client-centered technology tools. We have developed Peer PLUS (People Leveraging Urgent Support; Parkview Health System, Inc), a HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act)-compliant mobile app and client management …

Tic-Related Functional Impairment Drives The Relationship Between Tics And Depression In Youth With Tourette Syndrome, Benjamin J Mitchell, Emily I Braley, Erika S Trent, Steve Barash, Mark F Gordon, Jordan Stiede, Eric A Storch

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Although many youth with Tourette syndrome (TS) have at least 1 comorbid psychiatric condition (eg, obsessive-compulsive disorder), the extent to which TS is associated with depression remains unclear. This cross-sectional study examined relationships among tic severity, tic-related functional impairment, and depressive symptoms in 277 youth with TS. Tic-related impairment, but not tic severity, was associated with both self- and parent-reported depressive symptoms. An age × sex interaction emerged, such that among younger participants, females reported higher depressive symptoms than males; however, this effect was observed only for self-report, not parent report. Additionally, both depressive symptoms and tic severity were associated …

Metastatic Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma: A Rare Cause Of Hypopituitarism, Smriti Nair, Taskeen Ahmed, Jessica Watari

Division of Internal Medicine Faculty Papers & Presentations

Pituitary metastases from pulmonary large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) are exceedingly rare but should be considered in patients presenting with arginine vasopressin deficiency and panhypopituitarism in the context of known or suspected metastatic lung cancer. Early recognition and prompt initiation of hormonal replacement therapy are essential to prevent life-threatening endocrine crises and to improve symptom burden. We describe a case of a 43-year-old male who presented with dyspnea, weight loss, and weakness who was found to have metastatic LCNEC involving the liver. Endocrine evaluation revealed central hypothyroidism, central adrenal insufficiency, and later arginine vasopressin deficiency manifested by polyuria and hypernatremia. …

Dnp Final Report: Improving Rehospitalization Rates And Caregiver Quality Of Life In Outpatient Hospice, Carrie M. Judd

DNP Final Reports

Background: Hospital readmissions among home hospice patients disrupt continuity of care, increase healthcare costs, and may compromise end-of-life preferences.

Purpose: This quality improvement project evaluated the feasibility of implementing a telehealth communication intervention in an outpatient hospice organization. Project aims were to reduce Type I live hospice discharges by at least 2.5% and improve caregiver quality of life (QOL).

Methods: Zoom for Healthcare® video visits and three-way telephone communication supplemented standard nurse practitioner hospice visits during a three-month implementation period. Type I live discharge rates were compared with the organization's baseline quality metrics. Caregiver QOL was measured pre- and post-intervention …

Study On The Accuracy Of Varian Eclipse Mlc Modeling When Mlcs Are Open Beyond The Jaw In Breast Cancer Patient Planning Using Aaa And Acuros With Both Dual-Isocentric Technique And Mono-Isocentric Technique., Amy Rogers

Masters Projects

Accurate dose delivery at the chest wall-supraclavicular (CW-SCV) junction remains an important challenge in breast irradiation, especially when multileaf collimator (MLC) leaves are intentionally opened beyond the collimator jaws to improve junction coverage. This study evaluated the dosimetric accuracy of the Varian Eclipse treatment planning system (TPS) at the CW-SCV junction using the Anisotropic Analytical Algorithm (AAA) and Acuros XB calculation algorithms with mono-isocentric and dual-isocentric treatment techniques. A prospective phantom-based study was performed using a solid water phantom and a Varian TrueBeam linear accelerator. Twenty-four unique three-dimensional conformal treatment plan configurations were created using combinations of beam energy (6 …

Exercise Self-Efficacy And Physical Wellness In A Worksite Wellness Program: Exploring Factor Structure And Perceptions, Micah B. Mcglathery

Dissertations

Exploring Perceptions of Exercise Self-Efficacy and Physical Wellness in a Worksite Wellness Program

Abstract

Worksite wellness programs are increasingly adopted to address insufficient exercise participation and other health-related behaviors that put employees at risk of chronic disease. Although quantitative outcomes are well-documented, there is limited research exploring how employees perceive these programs' impact on personal behavior change, particularly in relation to exercise self-efficacy. Guided by the Social Cognitive Theory and the Exercise is Medicine initiative, this study qualitatively investigates employee perceptions of a worksite wellness program’s influence on physical wellness and confidence to exercise. A phenomenological approach using semi-structured interviews …

Genetic Associations With Pulmonary Embolism Among Those With A Deep Vein Thrombosis: The International Network Against Venous Thrombosis Consortium, Susana Lozano-Esparza, Gabrielle E Shakt, Jennifer A Brody, Angel Martinez-Perez, Matthew P Conomos, Marine Germain, Katharine R Clapham, Maris Teder-Laving, Astrid Van Hylckama Vlieg, Anni Kauko, Florian Thibord, Ohanna C L Bezerra, Girish N Nadkarni, Gaëlle Munsch, Therese Haugdahl Nøst, Ellen L Goode, Yuekai Ji, Daniel I Chasman, Alexander P Reiner, Constance Turman, Kerri L Wiggins, Colleen M Sitlani, Juan Carlos Souto, Pamela L Lutsey, Tiffany Bellomo, Estonian Biobank, Million Veteran Program, Ruifang Li-Gao, Aleksi Kristian Winstén, Ming-Huei Chen, Ron Do, Lénaick Gourhant, Kristian Hveem, Sebastian M Armasu, Noémie Saut, Nathan Pankratz, Franco Giulianini, Jeffrey Haessler, Mingyang Song, Robert Olaso, Eric Boerwinkle, Daniel Dochtermann, Jose Manuel Soria, Stephen S Rich, David Smadja, Satoshi Koyama, Frits R Rosendaal, Teemu Niiranen, France Gagnon, Ha My T Vy, Neil Zakai, Catherine Lemarie, Anne Heidi Skogholt, Jean-François Deleuze, James S Pankow, Paul M Ridker, Yuxi Liu, Kenneth M Rice, Saiju Pyarajan, Mary Cushman, Jospeh Emmerich, Bruce M Psaty, Pradeep Natarajan, Andrew D Johnson, Marc A Rodger, Pierre Suchon, Francis Couturaud, Pierre-Emmanuel Morange, Weihong Tang, Charles Kooperberg, Christopher Kabrhel, Maria Sabater-Lleal, David-Alexandre Trégouët, Alisa S Wolberg, Scott M Damrauer, Nicholas L Smith

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Background: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) includes deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), the latter of which often originates from DVT and can be fatal.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify causal genetic factors that alter risk of PE among those with a presumed DVT.

Methods: Using a case-only design of VTE, we conducted meta-analyses of genome-wide association studies (GWASs) in the International Network Against Venous Thrombosis Consortium. Among participants diagnosed with VTE, each study identified those who had a clinically reported PE, with or without a clinically reported DVT; those remaining had isolated DVT. Logistic regression …

Feasibility Of An Onboarding Program To Facilitate The Transition From Practitioner To Educator, Jennifer R. Washko, Nancy E. Krusen

Innovations in Health Sciences Education Journal

The study examined the feasibility of a faculty onboarding program to support the transition from practitioner to educator. Researchers applied Orsmond’s feasibility objectives (2015). We applied the theoretical model of Occupational Adaptation to analyze program data using Relative Mastery Scale (RMS) scores and satisfaction surveys (n=11). Evaluation suggested program processes were feasible, with outcomes indicating statistically significant change (p < .05) in participants’ perceived effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction. Evaluating feasibility supports the implementation of onboarding programs. We recommend additional study to consider the usefulness of onboarding for health or social service professionals transitioning to faculty roles.

Intouch Week Of July 27, 2026, New York Medical College

InTouch

• NYMC Receives $2.7 Million HECap Award
• The Inquiring Minds of Student Research
• Grasslands Garden Blooms into a Community Gathering Space
• Incoming M.D. Students Celebrate Completion of Pre-Matriculation Program
• White Plains Youth Bureau Explore Health Care Careers at NYMC
• Hispanics with Met-ALD Face Higher Rates of Serious Liver Complications
• TCDM Welcomes Class of 2030
• Faculty Spotlight: Jin Li, M.D., Ph.D. ’01: A Lifetime Dedicated to Neurology, Education, and Community Service

The Role Of Social Emotional Learning In Utah’S Implementation Of Essa, Sharon Walles

Transforming Communities

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), as a policy, offers an additional tool to address the escalating adolescent mental health crisis. By acknowledging the critical link between student well-being, academic success, and evidence-based practices, this policy analysis explores how funding from ESSA can be leveraged to integrate Social Emotional Learning (SEL) within Utah’s schools. Experts, educators, and parents can be voices to combat misinformation surrounding the recent politicization of SEL and its implementation. This analysis connects Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Theory, which highlights the interconnectedness of the environment, with the importance of prioritizing mental health within schools to help adolescents with issues …

The Biological Response Of Human Np Cells To Soluble Collagen Vi, Jonathan Dalton, Srikanth N. Divi, Yasmine Eichbaum, Panya Luksanapruksa, Mitchell K. Ng, Rachel Huang, Alan S. Hilibrand, Alex R. Vaccaro, Dessislava Z. Markova, Christopher K. Kepler

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Faculty Papers

Extracellular matrix (ECM) dysregulation plays a significant role in the development of intervertebral disc disease (IVDD). The ECM around the chondrocytes in the nucleus pulposus (NP) is unique in that it contains ColVI. While linked to chondrocyte proliferation in cartilage, ColVI's specific role in IVD degeneration is less clear. Our aim was to determine the expression of ColVI in NP cells from degenerative IVDs, along with the effects of soluble ColVI on NP cells. Thus, we compared the expression levels of ColVI in human degenerated IVD samples, along with the effect of soluble ColVI on primary human NP cells. A …

Using Fecal Diagnostic Tests To Assess The Prevalence Of Fasciola Hepatica In The United States Sheep Population, Brooke A. Delcambre

LSU Master's Theses

Fasciola hepatica, the common liver fluke, is endemic in the Pacific Northwest and Gulf Coast of the United States. To provide updated information on F. hepatica prevalence, as part of the USDA National Animal Health Monitoring System Sheep 2024 study, sheep operations in the top 30 sheep-producing states were identified, and producers were invited to participate. For each operation, feces were collected from at least eight sheep and pooled to form a single composite sample. Two methods were used to identify sheep infected with F. hepatica: fecal sedimentation and indirect sandwich ELISA. At the national level, across 318 operations, 7.1 …

Implementation Of A Perioperative Normothermia Bundle To Improve Temperature Maintenance In Adult Colorectal And Hysterectomy Surgical Patients: A Quality Improvement Project, Jessica L. Salisbury

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract

Purpose

This quality improvement project evaluated the effectiveness of an evidence based perioperative normothermia bundle in improving maintenance of normothermia among adult colorectal and hysterectomy surgical patients at a community hospital. The project aimed to reduce perioperative hypothermia through standardized warming interventions while improving compliance with evidence based practice.

Background

Preventable perioperative hypothermia increases postoperative complications, prompting implementation of an evidence based warming bundle to maintain intraoperative temperatures 36 Celsius or greater.

Methodology

Using the Iowa Model, an interdisciplinary team implemented an evidence based perioperative normothermia bundle incorporating multimodal warming, temperature monitoring, and staff education. Compliance and temperature outcomes were …

Walking The Talk For Dementia: Building Social Networks And Collaborations, Walter D. Dawson, Jenn Reed, Fernando Aguzzoli-Peres, Kate Irving, Sherril B. Gelmon

OHSU-PSU School of Public Health Faculty Publications and Presentations

Background: Dementia is one of the greatest global health challenges requiring multimodal efforts to address its impact on people and societies. Walking the Talk for Dementia (WTD) is a unique global initiative designed to challenge the stigma that surrounds dementia, foster intergenerational dialogue, build a community, and inspire a renewed sense of purpose among participants. A social network analysis (SNA) was conducted to provide greater detail and contextualization of the connections made during WTD and insights into the collaborations that arose from this immersive event which may influence dementia policy, care, and services. Methods A robust, comprehensive, and minimally intrusive …

Evaluating The Effectiveness Of Crr Programs On Decreasing Hospitalizations And Improving Client Stability While In The Crr Program, Grace Yoshioka, Megan Messa Lpc, Nicholas Waxmonsky Lpc

Research Scholars

Yoshioka, G., Messa, M., & Waxmonsky, N. (2026, July). Evaluating the Effectiveness of CRR Programs on Decreasing Hospitalizations and Improving Client Stability while in the CRR Program. Presented at Research Scholar Presentation, Lehigh Valley Health Network, Center for Healthcare Education, Center Valley, PA.

Treatment Patterns And Survival Of Triple Negative Breast Cancer Patients Seen At Lehigh Valley Health Network, Part Of Jefferson Health (Lvhn) From 2017-2022, Swarna Rishika Suresh, Savitri Skandan Md, Melissa Kratz Rn, Msn, Aocn

Research Scholars

No abstract provided.

Connecting To The Community Through The Lehigh Valley Practice And Community-Based Research Network, Rachel Rose, Nicole M. Burgess Bs, Autumn Kieber-Emmons Md, Mph, Ashwini Kamath Mulki Md, Mbbs, Mph, Angela Colistra Lpc, Phd, Ms, Roya Hamadani Mph

Research Scholars

No abstract provided.

To Be Understood: The Impact Of Professional Medical Interpreters On Patient Satisfaction, Kassia Kuczynski, Joumana De Santiago

Research Scholars

No abstract provided.

Reducing Emergency Department Length Of Stay Through Split-Flow Optimization, Jessica Lee, Matthew Souchak Bsn, Rn, Ccrn

Research Scholars

No abstract provided.

Common Factors And Conditions Affecting Cabg Readmissions, Jonathan Nelson, Vaughn Mccain, Kelly Lu, Grace Perez, Bryan D. Nelson Mba, Cphq, Nrp, James K. Wu Md

Research Scholars

No abstract provided.

From Awareness To Ownership: A Framework For Values & Habits Adoption, Mariuxi Coyago, Gerald Mcglinn M.A., Acc

Research Scholars

No abstract provided.