Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Assessing The Reliability And Minimal Detectable Change Of Frontal Plane Projection Angles During Functional Tasks In Individuals With Patellofemoral Pain, Isabella Keefer, Derrick Smith, Brendan Yawn

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Purpose/Hypothesis: Single-limb dynamic weight-bearing tasks are frequently used to evaluate lower extremity and trunk movement patterns in individuals with patellofemoral pain (PFP). These individuals frequently exhibit abnormal frontal plane projection angles (FPPAs) at the trunk, pelvis, and lower extremities, indicative of altered movement patterns such as knee valgus, pelvic drop, and lateral trunk lean. While test-retest reliability and minimal detectable change (MDC) values for various FPPAs have been established in pain-free individuals, comprehensive data for individuals with PFP remain limited. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate test-retest reliability, as well as the standard error of measurement (SEM) …

Enhancing Psychosocial Well-Being And Quality Of Life In Parkinson’S Disease: Integrating Patient Experiences And Physical Therapists’ Expertise, Adetayo Adeoti Babarinde

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is characterized by a wide range of non-motor symptoms that often affect the quality of life of persons with Parkinson’s disease (PwPD) even more profoundly than the motor symptoms typically associated with the condition. These non-motor symptoms include olfactory and gastrointestinal dysfunction, cognitive impairments, sleep disturbances, and psychological and social concerns. Psychosocial concerns include the mental, emotional, and social impact of PD on an individual’s functioning and, overall well-being. They reflect the interplay between symptoms of the disease, psychological development and functioning, personal relationships, and environmental factors. Mental health and psychosocial concerns such as depression, anxiety, fear …

Resilience Of Orthodontic Sealants Against Degradation And Microbial Adhesion: A Comparative Study, Michelle X. Cui

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Background:

White spot lesions are one of the most common complications encountered during orthodontic treatment. These lesions begin as demineralization of enamel around the appliance due to plaque buildup, resulting in compromised aesthetics. As they continue to develop, white spot lesions progress to cavitation, potentially threatening pulpal vitality, resulting in an increased financial burden for patients. Preventative strategies include patient education, consistent oral hygiene protocols, and the use of fluoride-releasing agents. Orthodontic sealants such as Opal® Seal™ (Ultradent) (OS) and L.E.D. Pro Seal® (Reliance) (PS) have been developed to release and recharge fluoride, thereby reducing the incidence of white spot …

An Occupation-Based Protocol For Mobile-Gaming Ergonomics, Lan Doan

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The increasing prevalence of mobile gaming has introduced unique ergonomic challenges that may contribute to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and repetitive strain injuries (RSIs). The purpose of this feasibility study was to evaluate the practicality and preliminary effectiveness of an ergonomic protocol designed to improve posture, reduce pain, and maintain gaming performance among mobile gamers. A pre-post design was implemented with two participants aged 18–34 years. The six-week intervention included ergonomic education, postural training, scheduled breaks, and targeted stretching and strengthening exercises. Quantitative data on gaming performance using Call of Duty Mobile Scores, pain assessed through the Short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire …

Correlation Of Buccolingual Angulation Of Posterior Teeth And Transverse Skeletal Width In Adult Orthodontic Patients: A Retrospective Cbct Study, Anya T. Hatfield

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Objective:

Accurate evaluation of transverse skeletal relationships is essential for orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning. Dentition may compensate for skeletal discrepancies through buccolingual tipping of posterior teeth, potentially masking underlying transverse imbalance. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between transverse skeletal width and posterior tooth angulation using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).

Methods:

Sixty-six pre-orthodontic adult CBCT scans were analyzed. Maxillary and mandibular transverse skeletal widths were measured at the level of the first molar furcation using buccal cortical plate– to–buccal cortical plate landmarks. Buccolingual angulation of the first and second premolars and first and second molars …

Developing A Health Education Program For Adults Reentering The Community After Incarceration, Tiffany Ayame Kinugawa-Larsen

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Justice-impacted adults often experience challenges in confidently managing their health due to limited autonomy, disrupted health routines, and limited access to health education during incarceration. Studies have shown that incarcerated adults have a higher likelihood of developing chronic health issues, yet have limited access to resources that promote health and well-being after release from incarceration. Given that health management falls within the scope of occupational therapy (OT), the profession is positioned to promote health and well-being by applying OT principles that emphasize individualized, holistic care tailored to a justice-impacted population during community reintegration. A 5-week health education program grounded in …

The Contribution Of Psychophysiological Stress Factors On Muscle Cramp Susceptibility, Lauren D. Levine

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Exercise-associated muscle cramps (EAMCs) are painful phenomenon that involves involuntary muscle spasms occurring during physical activity or directly after. 1 The landscape of the research on EAMC etiology has expanded from focusing on a single prevailing cause (e.g., hydration status) to a more holistic approach of how numerous factors contribute to the onset of neuromuscular fatigue, and the significance of each factor in those who suffer from EAMC. Following the multifactorial theory of cramp pathophysiology, this research sought to advance the knowledge of cramp susceptibility by investigating if there is a relationship between common psychophysiological factors like high anxiety, sleep …

Sense Of Belonging And Professional Identity In Acute Care Occupational Therapists: A Phenomenological Study, Shania Marion D. Novilla

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) play a crucial and demanding role in acute care, addressing complex diagnoses and facilitating safe discharge; however, the fast-paced biomedical environment often pressures them to compromise their occupation-based philosophy, potentially leading to professional burnout and low retention rates. Although professional identity (the self-perception of one's role) and a sense of belonging (feeling valued and connected) are recognized as correlated concepts vital for professional resilience, this relationship remains critically underexplored within the acute care OT population. Guided by the Occupational Adaptation Model (Schkade & Schultz, 1992), this qualitative study explores how experienced occupational therapists working in an …

Effect Of The Sava Syndemic On Hiv Viral Suppression Among People Living With Hiv In The United States: A Scoping Review And Meta-Analysis, Jacquelyn Rodriguez

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The SAVA syndemic highlights the interconnected and mutually reinforcing nature of substance use, violence victimization, and HIV/AIDS. The synergistic interaction of these conditions creates structural and behavioral barriers that disrupt the HIV care continuum and contribute to significant health inequities. Achieving a suppressed viral load is a critical clinical outcome for people living with HIV, while viral non-suppression can be an indicator of poor health, elevated transmission risk, and disease progression. Still, the association between SAVA factors and viral suppression/non-suppression outcomes within U.S. populations remains inconsistently characterized due to heterogeneous methodologies and variable inclusion of high-risk groups. This mixed-methods study …

Evaluating An Educational Intervention On Screen-Time And Behavior Change: A Pilot Study, Kayla L. Sweeney

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Background: Excessive screen time among adolescents has been associated with negative health outcomes, including sleep disturbances, anxiety, and depression. Despite growing awareness, many parents lack sufficient understanding of these risks and their impact on adolescent well-being. This project evaluated whether a brief educational intervention improved parents’ knowledge of the health effects of excessive screen time. Methods: A pre-and post-survey design was used to assess changes in parents’ understanding following an educational video intervention. The educational intervention consisted of evidence-based content highlighting the impact of screen time on mental health and sleep. The survey measured knowledge, beliefs, behavioral intentions, and strategies …

Addressing Sexual Health For Older Veterans By Healthcare Providers: A Mixed Method Study, Andrew James White

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Background: Older adults remain sexually active, yet sexual health is frequently under-discussed in healthcare settings, particularly within veteran populations. Sexual health is essential to overall quality of life, and prior studies have shown that older patients value these conversations. However, veterans often face unique factors such as military-related trauma, including military combat exposure and post-traumatic stress disorder, in addition to compounded stigma from these topics in regards to open discussions about sensitive health issues to their healthcare providers. This study is significant in its potential to uncover systemic, cultural, and interpersonal influences that shape these dynamics, with a particular emphasis …

Gut Dysbiosis And Microbial Metabolites In Atopic Dermatitis: Implications For Immune Regulation Along Gut-Skin Axis, Khushbakhat Alia, Hira Khan, Hamna Muzaffar, Nighat Perveen, Sara Alrashedi, Yusra Al Dhaheri, Yasir Waheed, Mohammed Tauqeer Alam, Muhammad Naseem, Khalid Muhammad

All Works

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a multifactorial skin disorder characterized by immune dysregulation, impaired epidermal barrier, and strong microbial imbalance. Although genetic susceptibility and environmental triggers are established AD drivers, growing evidence highlights the gut skin axis as an important but underexplored AD pathogenesis factor. Gut microbiota dysbiosis, loss of short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing bacteria, and altered metabolite profiles, such as tryptophan derivatives and secondary bile acids, have been linked to systemic immune imbalance and skin inflammation. However, the precise mechanism by which gut microbial alterations influence cutaneous immunity remains unclear. This review synthesizes recent advances from clinical and experimental studies …

Disparities Between Rural And Urban Patients With Epilepsy In Oregon From Time Of Seizure Onset To Genetic Testing And Surgical Treatment, Bahar Madani

University Honors Theses

Drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) is associated with significant morbidity and worsened outcomes when access to specialized epilepsy care is delayed. Rural populations may face additional barriers to neurological evaluation, genetic testing, and epilepsy surgery due to geographic and healthcare access limitations. This retrospective cohort study evaluated disparities in epilepsy care timelines among rural and urban patients treated at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), one of Oregon's two Level 4 epilepsy centers. Electronic health record data were reviewed for 110 patients, including 80 urban and 30 rural patients. Variables included age at seizure onset, age at genetic testing, age at epilepsy …

Subclinical Neuropsychiatric Trait Variation In Parents Of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Cohort Study, Lindsay J Mullin, Carolyn Lasch, Natasha Marrus, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Many neuropsychiatric conditions share overlapping features underpinned by shared genetics. In this study, we examined the co-aggregation of sub-threshold variation in neuropsychiatric phenotypes in biological parents of autistic children to provide insights into the intergenerational transmission of genetic liability for autism.

METHODS: Autistic, neuropsychiatric (i.e., anxiety, depression, ADHD), and cognitive traits were characterized in biological parents of children enrolled in a longitudinal developmental study: 189 families of autistic children and 100 families with no autistic children were included. Families were further characterized as having only one (simplex) or more than one (multiplex) autistic child. Maternal and paternal traits were …

Exploring Bidirectionality In Global Health Partnerships: Perspectives From U.S. Pediatric Residency Programs., Anik Patel, Pauline Kamau, Justus Simba, Ashley Combs, Adelaide Barnes, Kathy Ferrer, Heather Haq, Duncan K. Hau, Lee Morris, Brittany Murray, Amy Rule, Reena P. Tam, Lisa Umphrey, Megan S. Mchenry

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Introduction Despite growing interest, little guidance exists to re-evaluate global health partnerships (GHPs) through promoting bidirectionality. This study aims to understand the perspectives of United States (U.S.) pediatric global health (GH) faculty on institutional bidirectional practices to inform future discussions with international collaborators. Methods An internally, iteratively developed REDCap-based online survey (REDCap, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN), by our diverse author group, collected qualitative data from January 18 to February 20, 2023. Free-text responses were reviewed and coded inductively, with findings framed to generate themes for subsequent engagement with international partners. Results Of the 88 U.S. programs that identify as having …

Multiscale Modeling Of Chemoattractant-Guided Collective Cell Migration In The Drosophila Egg Chamber, Lara Scott, Bradford E. Peercy, Meghan Kwon, Michelle Starz-Gaiano

Biology and Medicine Through Mathematics Conference

No abstract provided.

Impact Of Innate, Adaptive, And Cellular Immunity On Viral Reproductive Cycle: A Stochastic Extinction Analysis, Rahnuma Islam, David Swigon

Biology and Medicine Through Mathematics Conference

No abstract provided.

Modeling Epidemic Dynamics With Renewal Processes And General Lifetime Distributions, Divine Wanduku, Divine Wanduku

Biology and Medicine Through Mathematics Conference

No abstract provided.

Stochastic Invasion And Extinction In Environmentally Transmitted Diseases, Mahmudul Bari Hridoy, Lauren M. Childs

Biology and Medicine Through Mathematics Conference

No abstract provided.

The Making Of An Extremist: How Do We Become Someone Else’S Nightmare?, María Paula Morales

The Confluence

This article explores how ordinary people can be pulled into extremist movements and what psychological forces drive that process. It looks at three perspectives: social identity theory, which explains how group belonging shapes behavior, identity development, which shows how people searching for meaning may find it in extremist causes; and social neuroscience, which connects radicalization to brain activity linked to fear, loyalty, and moral judgement. Together, these approaches show that radicalization is not simply about ideology but about identity, emotion, and belonging. By understanding these dynamics, we can find better ways to prevent extremism and promote healthier, more inclusive communities.

A New Framework For Studying Transient Reactivity In Two-Dimensional Linear Systems., Mary Lou Zeeman, Alanna Haslam-Hyde, James Broda

Biology and Medicine Through Mathematics Conference

No abstract provided.

Modeling Psychological And Demographic Predictors Of Analog Astronaut Mission Participation, Christian Yeara Herrero, Frányerson R. López Ochoa, Mackenzie Thomas, Phoebe Fleshman

Student Research Symposium (SRS)

As plans accelerate to send humans into orbit and to other celestial bodies, whether to lunar outposts, Mars bases, or commercial space stations, it becomes increasingly important to understand how to maintain healthy, cohesive, and productive crews in confined, isolated environments. A practical way to study human adaptation to these conditions is through analog astronaut missions on Earth. Although imperfect, these facilities provide the closest Earth-based simulation of space mission conditions. Currently, over ten analog research centers are operating worldwide, including NASA’s Human Exploration Research Analog (HERA) and the Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog (CHAPEA) habitats. Selecting and recruiting …

Dynamic Homeostasis In Relaxation And Bursting Oscillations, Christopher J. Ryzowicz

Biology and Medicine Through Mathematics Conference

No abstract provided.

How Human Behavior Shapes Epidemic Dynamics, Leah Lejeune, Navid Ghaffarzadegan, Lauren M. Childs, Omar Saucedo

Biology and Medicine Through Mathematics Conference

No abstract provided.

Dynamics For Complex Quadratic Networks, Templates And Mutations, Anca R. Radulescu, Eva Kaslik, Alexander Fikl, Sarah Muldoon, Johan Nakuci, Mark Comerford

Biology and Medicine Through Mathematics Conference

No abstract provided.

Delineating Differences In Firing Rate Estimates Of Healthy And Parkinsonian Single-Unit Basal Ganglia Recordings, Richard R. Foster, Cheng Ly

Biology and Medicine Through Mathematics Conference

No abstract provided.

Artificial Photosynthesis To Overcome Oxygen Deprivation During Respiratory Disease Crisis-A Mini Review, Devadass Jessy Mercy Ms, Harini Rm Ms, Agnishwar Girigoswami Prof, Koyeli Girigoswami Prof

Chulalongkorn Medical Journal

Respiratory diseases are mainly treated using several symptomatic treatments, supported by oxygen for the patients. During the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, oxygen concentrators were in high demand, and even after that, many patients lost their lives to this pandemic due to a shortage of oxygen cylinders. This crisis instigated many entrepreneurs to open oxygen plants, which needed a large scale set up. The articles were searched using Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science using appropriate keywords to write this review article. In this review, we have summarized the need for oxygen that can be overcome using artificial photosynthesis. …

Imaging Of The Centromedian Thalamic Nucleus Using 3d Fast Gray Matter Acquisition T1 Inversion Recovery Sequence In 3t Mri In Epilepsy, Tunchanok Paprad, Thanyachat Yutthakasaemsan, Supada Prakkamakul

Chulalongkorn Medical Journal

Background:

The centromedian thalamic nucleus (CM) is an emerging deep brain stimulation (DBS) target for neurological disorders, including drug-resistant epilepsy. Traditional DBS localization relies on predefined stereotactic coordinates, which may be imprecise. Novel MRI sequences enhance gray-white matter contrast, potentially allowing direct CM visualization, improving accuracy in DBS planning and targeting.

Objective:

This study evaluates the 3D Fast Gray Matter Acquisition T1 Inversion Recovery (FGATIR) MRI sequence for the visualization of the CM in epilepsy patients.

Methods:

This prospective IRB-approved descriptive study included adult epilepsy patients who underwent 3D FGATIR MRI sequence at 3 Tesla. Two neuroradiologists independently assessed CM …

Association Of Mirnas As Biomarkers For Severe Liver Dysfunction In Severe Dengue Infection, Napat Pas-Arj, Nattachai Srisawat, Umaporn Limothai, Sasipha Tachaboon, Janejira Dinhuzen

Chulalongkorn Medical Journal

Background: Identification early biomarkers for predicting severe liver dysfunction in severe dengue patients is essential. Currently, there is no any data on circulating microRNAs to predict this important complication.

Objectives: This study aimed to explore the role of circulating microRNAs in prediction severe liver dysfunction in dengue infection by identifying and validating predictive microRNAs via Nanostring and RT-qPCR.

Methods: On the initial day of admission, serum samples were gathered from patients with dengue infection. These patients were monitored for 14 days post-admission to ascertain their final diagnosis. Following the WHO 2009 criteria, participants were categorized into severe liver dysfunction and …

Psychosocial Predictors Of Depression And Anxiety In Thai Stroke Caregivers, Chanatip Tongyonk, Sorawit Wainipitapong, Chavit Tunvirachaisakul, Aurauma Chutinet, Michael Maes, Thitiporn Supasitthumrong

Chulalongkorn Medical Journal

Background: Caregivers of stroke survivors often face significant psychological challenges, yet limited research in Thailand has explored how patient and caregiver characteristics jointly influence caregiver mental health outcomes.

Objective: To identify characteristics of ischemic stroke patients and their caregivers that may predict distress, sadness, and anxiety symptoms in the caregivers.

Method: To measure caregivers' burden, stress, depression, and anxiety symptoms, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Zarit Burden Interview (22-item ZBI), and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) were utilized. To define a multi-step mediation model, we used partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM).

Result: 97 stroke patients and their …