Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Improving Remote Monitoring Compliance For Pediatric And Adult Congenital Electrophysiology Patients With Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices (Cieds), Christine Meliones

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract

Improving Remote Monitoring Compliance for Pediatric and Adult Congenital Electrophysiology Patients with Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices (CIEDs)

Purpose

The purpose of this scholarly project was to implement a quality improvement (QI) project to improve patient safety by improving cardiac implantable electronic device remote monitoring (RM) which has traditionally failed to achieve published benchmarks.

Background

The project was implemented at a healthcare institution in Houston, Texas. The practice area includes pediatric and adult patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) in an outpatient setting. Current compliance with 14-day post-implementation enrollment (44%) and ongoing compliance (60%) did not meet published benchmarks.

Methodology …

Poorly Controlled Type 2 Diabetes (T2dm) In A Rural County In Texas: A Diabetes Intervention Bundle, Roxanne Morales

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) remains a significant public health concern, particularly in rural and underserved communities where patients often face barriers to effective self-management. This quality improvement (QI) project evaluated the impact of a diabetes intervention bundle consisting of individualized diabetes education, biweekly support phone calls, and digital self-monitoring tools on glycemic control, body weight, diabetes knowledge, medication adherence, diet compliance, and physical activity. The project was implemented over an eight-week period in a rural family medicine clinic and included 18 adults with uncontrolled T2DM (HgbA1c >7%). Participant outcomes were evaluated using pre- and post-intervention clinical measures, the Diabetes …

Increasing Oral-Gut Axis Health Literacy In Underserved Communities With Community-Involved, Pantry-Accessible Nutrition Education: A Conceptual Framework And Program, Audrey Kho, Yinon Gankin, Polina Pine

Chemistry: Faculty Publications and Other Works

In metropolitan U.S. areas, health inequities caused by socioeconomic disparity continue to influence oral health, nutritional status, and the risk of chronic diseases. Diets heavy in added sugars and poor in fiber and vital micronutrients are especially harmful to the oral–gut axis, which connects diet, microbial balance, inflammation, and systemic and neurological health. Due to institutional hurdles to health literacy, limited access to preventive health education, and food poverty, these eating habits are more common among low-income individuals. Only 36% of low-income parents in Chicago report being in good health, compared to 75% of parents with better incomes, underscoring the …

Exploring Vocal Fatigue In Female Singers, Cory M. Pinto

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Vocal fatigue is a complex issue that may signal underlying vocal pathology or exist independently, especially among professional voice users such as singers, whose high vocal demands make them particularly susceptible. This dissertation investigates vocal fatigue in young adult female singers using both objective and subjective voice assessment measures during a novel vocal loading task. Key research questions addressed in this dissertation are as follows: (1) Which voice assessment measures demonstrate significant change over time in response to vocal loading? (2) which Participant Profile Characteristics most accurately predict changes in perceived vocal fatigue severity? (3) In what ways do symptom …

Risk Of Gestational Diabetes By Aerobic And Resistance Exercise During The First And Second Trimesters, Takaki Tanamoto, George Saade, Leryn J. Reynolds, Tetsuya Kawakita

Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology Faculty Publications

Objective

While some studies have shown that exercise reduces the incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), there is limited evidence on whether aerobic or resistance exercise is more beneficial. This study aimed to examine the rate of GDM according to the type of exercise during early pregnancy.

Study design

We analyzed data from the Nulliparous Pregnancy Outcomes Study: Monitoring Mothers-to-Be (nuMoM2b), a prospective cohort of individuals enrolled during the first and second trimesters. We excluded participants with pregestational diabetes or delivery < 20 weeks. The primary exposure was either aerobic or resistance exercises in the first or second trimester. For each trimester, the metabolic equivalent of task hours per week (MET-h/week) was calculated for each exercise. Participants were grouped as follows: "Aerobic exercise" (≥7.5 MET-h/week from aerobic exercises), "Resistance exercise" (≥2 times/week from resistance exercises), "Both types of exercise" (≥7.5 MET-h/week from aerobic exercise and ≥2 times/week from resistance exercises), and "Insufficient exercise" (≤7.5 MET-h/week from aerobic exercise and ≤2 times/week from resistance exercises). Our primary outcome was GDM. Adjusted relative risks (aRRs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated using modified Poisson regression, adjusting for potential confounders.

Results

In both the first and second trimesters, analyses included 9049 individuals. In the first trimester, individuals who performed …

Prevalence And Outcome Of Splenic Injury Among Pediatric Trauma Patients, Omar Emad El-Din Bedair Hassan El-Nekity, Magdy Basheer, Amir A. Fikry, Mohamed Shetiwy

Mansoura Medical Journal

Background Pediatric trauma represents a critical public health issue, being the leading contributor of death and long-term disability in this age group. Blunt abdominal trauma is particularly common, with the spleen identified as the most frequently injured organ due to children's distinct anatomical traits. This study aims to detect morbidity, mortality, and complications resulting from splenic injuries in the pediatric population. Patients and methods This observational cross-sectional study was conducted at Mansoura University Emergency Hospital from September 2024 to September 2025. It included 104 pediatric patients with splenic injury out of 3600 pediatric trauma patients. Results The prevalence of splenic …

Current Active U.S. Patents Held By Sop Inventors - Updated 3/19/26, Soumyajit Majumdar

U. S. Patents, School of Pharmacy

List of current active U.S. Patents held by the School of Pharmacy Inventors - updated 3/19/26

Intra-Amniotic Infection (Iai) Prevention, Shelbie Clement, Deanna Conley

Articles, Abstracts, and Reports

No abstract provided.

Improving Compliance Via Barcode Scanning With Rover App, Jeni Varghese, Lilia Preston

Articles, Abstracts, and Reports

Purpose: The purpose of the project was to increase compliance with interoperability workflows through implementation of barcode scanning using the Rover app. The goal was to streamline electronic medical record (EMR) programming and overcome workflow challenges.

Background: Infusion interoperability links EMR systems with smart infusion pumps to streamline programming and monitoring. Orders are sent directly from the EMR to the pump, nurses verify settings, and infusion data is relayed back for documentation, reducing manual input and enhancing patient safety by minimizing errors. Current interoperability workflow includes the use of handheld scanners located on computers.

Hospital benchmark for interoperability …

Z Variant Heterozygosity In Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency: Disease Risk And Treatment Implications, Craig P. Hersh, Jeffrey H. Teckman, Pavel Strnad, Aaron Hakim, Tomás P. Carroll, Ian P. Hall, Auyon J. Ghosh, Igor Barjaktarevic, Noel G. Mcelvaney, Joseph E. Kaserman, David A. Lomas, Charlie Strange, M Bradley Drummond, Stephen I. Rennard, Kathi E. Hanna, Virginia C. Clark, Monica P. Goldklang, Peg Iverson, Andrew A. Wilson

Journal Articles: Pulmonary & Critical Care Med

BACKGROUND: Individuals heterozygous for alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) have one copy of the normal "M" allele and one copy of an abnormal allele ("Z", "S", or another variant) in the SERPINA1 gene. Historically, evidence has been lacking to support the concept that heterozygotes are at increased risk for liver and/or lung complications compared to individuals homozygous for the M allele. However, growing evidence suggests that inheritance of a single Z allele increases the risk of disease in some individuals. The Alpha-1 Foundation convened a workshop on October 27, 2023, in Bethesda, Maryland that included stakeholders from the research, pharmaceutical, and …

An Evidence-Based Approach To Standardizing Occupational Therapy Services For Functional Neurological Disorder: Protocol Development And Provider Education, Kimberly Yuen

OTD Capstones

Functional Neurological Disorder is a complex neurological condition that continues to be misinterpreted and stigmatized by healthcare practitioners. Occupational therapists play a vital role in the care team for an individual with FND, as their scope of practice helps to empower individuals with this condition to return to daily, meaningful occupations. However, there remains a lack of evidence-based protocols and resources for occupational therapists to utilize when treating functional neurological disorder (FND), resulting in minimized confidence and understanding of how to treat this population. This capstone project addressed these concerns through the creation of multiple deliverables to help improve clinician …

Preparing For Change: Supporting Dementia Transitions Through Occupational Therapy And Caregiver Education, Kelly Ann Mooney

OTD Capstones

This capstone project focused primarily on supporting caregivers of individuals living with dementia within a continuing care retirement community (CCRC). Caregivers of spouses with dementia often experience increased burden, stress, and difficulty navigating the transition from independent living to higher levels of care. Guided by principles of occupational therapy, this project aimed to enhance caregiver knowledge, confidence, and overall well-being through the development and implementation of targeted educational resources and support strategies. 

Interventions included the creation of evidence-based educational handouts addressing common challenges for caregivers such as activities of daily living (ADLs), sleep, mealtime, and behavioral changes. Additionally, a structured …

Effectiveness Of Aromatherapy And Non-Pharmacological Interventions, Madison Irfan North

Covenant Nurses Week 2026

No abstract provided.

Effect Of Lifestyle And Medication Adherence On Type 2 Diabetes Management In Hospital Patients, Mohammed Irfan Lari

Covenant Nurses Week 2026

No abstract provided.

The Utilization Of Uv-C Devices To Improve Cleaning And Disinfection In The Operating Room For Reduction Of Infection Rates: An Integrative Research Review (Irr), Kathrina Joyce L. Manalo

Covenant Nurses Week 2026

No abstract provided.

Teamwork Enhanced With Digital Technology To Augment Bedside Shift Report: An Integrative Research Review (Irr), Daniel Everard Hronek

Covenant Nurses Week 2026

No abstract provided.

The Functional Significance Of Plk1 Phosphorylation Of Nrf2 In Prostate Cancer Progression, Maria Nur

Theses and Dissertations--Toxicology and Cancer Biology

Prostate cancer progression and therapeutic resistance are closely linked to alterations in redox homeostasis and cell cycle regulation. Nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (NRF2) is a master regulator of antioxidant responses, yet the mechanisms integrating cell cycle signaling with NRF2 activity in prostate cancer remain poorly defined. In this study, we identify polo‑like kinase 1 (PLK1) as a novel regulator of NRF2 through direct phosphorylation at serine 253 (S253). Using bioinformatic prediction, mass spectrometry, in vitro kinase assays, and cell‑based analyses, we demonstrate that PLK1 phosphorylates NRF2 at S253 in a cell cycle–dependent manner, with maximal phosphorylation during mitosis. …

Teaching Equity Early: The Role Of Undergraduate Education In Improving Lgbtqia2s+ Medical Care, Arthur Morris

Honors Capstone Projects

Due to persistent barriers in the medical system, LGBTQIA2S+ people in America face harmful healthcare disparities. Healthcare providers’ ability to work with LGBTQIA2S+ patients is a critical component of mitigating this harm. While forms of provider education have begun to address the need for culturally compassionate LGBTQIA2S+ medical care, there appears to be an underutilized opportunity to introduce these concepts in undergraduate settings. By providing an early introduction to LGBTQIA2S+ compassionate care, undergraduate institutions can better equip aspiring medical students to serve people with diverse sexualities and gender identities, improving provider competency and contributing to a more equitable healthcare system. …

The Effects Of Strong Parental Support And Societal Support Compared To Low Or Absent Support In Lgbtqia+ Youth, Kassandra Bautista

Nursing | Senior Theses

Background: LGBTQIA+ youth with unsupportive backgrounds face negative outcomes in their mental health. Past studies share that LGBTQIA+ youth have increased symptoms of mental illness including depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts and behaviors related to unsupportive environments among parents, peers, and society. Objective: By advocating for this minority group through education and culturally competent care, healthcare providers can reduce negative outcomes in the mental and physical well-being of the youth. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to address the impact of parental and societal support in LGBTQIA+ mental health, and to implement interventions and increase awareness of this issue. …

Comparing Nurse-Led Holistic Pain Relief Strategies And Sole Pharmacological Use In Enhancing Maternal Satisfaction, Reducing Pain, And Lowering Obstetric Interventions During Childbirth, Jessica C. Moore

Nursing | Senior Theses

Background: Childbirth has become heavily reliant on pharmacological management and obstetric interventions such as epidural use, labor induction, and cesarean deliveries (C-sections) even among low-risk pregnancies. While necessary in some cases, excessive reliance on pharmacological interventions can negatively impact the experience of birthing as a whole. Non-pharmacological interventions (NPIs) such as breathing techniques, positioning, hydrotherapy, massage, aromatherapy and continuous support have shown to be effective in reducing pain and supporting physiologic labor. The gaps in education and lack of standard implementation result in inconsistent application in practice. Purpose: This research proposal aims to evaluate the effectiveness of nurse-led NPIs compared …

How Social Media And Cyberbullying Correlate To Eating Disorders In Adolescents, Nicoli A. Panelo

Nursing | Senior Theses

Background: Social media is very prevalent in today’s society, particularly in adolescents. This time period is crucial for this age group in terms of developing a sense of purpose and identity. Although social media may keep many of our children entertained, they also can create negative impacts on them and ultimately hinder their overall development both mentally and physically through negative body image and unrealistic self-expectations. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to find the correlation between social media use and the rise of eating disorders in adolescents. Doing so would allow us to find ways to lower the …

Supporting New Graduate Nurses: Residency, Mindfulness, And Simulation, Shaianne Kaye S. Intal

Nursing | Senior Theses

The purpose of this research proposal is to examine the effectiveness of support systems in helping new graduate nurses bridge the potential gap between nursing education and clinical practice. It aims to address the inconsistencies in nursing education and clinical practice, and how these strategies can better support new graduate nurses. This study will focus on new graduate nurses within their first 2 years of practice in an inpatient setting. A mixed-methods convergent parallel design approach will be used by combining quantitative questionnaires with qualitative interviews at the same time. This will evaluate the effectiveness of nurse residency programs, mindfulness-based …

Bridging The Language Gap: The Impact Of In-Person Versus Remote Interpreter Services On Medication Adherence And Patient Safety In Adult Spanish-Speaking Patients, Ashley E. Alarcon Martinez, Jocelyn N. Lopez Maradiaga

Nursing | Senior Theses

Background: Significant health inequities are caused by language barriers between patients and health care staff, resulting in miscommunication among adult Hispanic patients with low English proficiency, reducing medication adherence, impairing patient safety, and raising the possibility of medical errors. To address this issue, interpreter services, both in-person and remote translation, have been introduced in healthcare settings to enhance communication. Objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate the differences in patient safety and medication adherence between in-person and remote translation services for adult Hispanic individuals with limited English proficiency in healthcare settings. Methods: The proposed research involves five local …

The Impact Of Parental Mental Health On Infant Outcomes In The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: Length Of Stay, Feeding, Bonding, And Developmental Progress, Andee L. Plaskett

Nursing | Senior Theses

Background: The neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) can be a highly stressful environment for both infants and their parents. Poorer infant outcomes, including longer hospital stays, feeding difficulties, and delayed developmental progress can all be a reflection and outcome of elevated parental distress. Currently, mental health distress and infant screening tools are used in most NICUs but are not seen in all practices, it is also important to provide interventions based on the screening results. Screening tools are used to identify a problem but interventions should be implemented to try to alleviate the problem. Objective: By implementing a standardized screening …

Health Disparities In Cardiovascular Care: The Impact Of Diabetes Education And Post-Discharge Interventions For African American Adults At Risk For And After Myocardial Infarction, Trinity L. Billingsley

Nursing | Senior Theses

Background: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, affecting African American adults at higher rates compared to other racial and ethnic groups. Diabetes as a comorbidity is one of the risk factors of experiencing a myocardial infarction, remaining one of the leading causes of death among individuals with diabetes. Objective: To examine the effectiveness of structured diabetes education tailored to African American adults who are at risk for and after a myocardial infarction. Additionally assessing the complications of a myocardial infarction, the outcomes associated with structured education will be compared to the outcomes of …

Human Milk Feeding And Its Impact On The Incidence Of Necrotizing Enterocolitis, Maya C. Kern

Nursing | Senior Theses

One of the leading causes of morbidity and death for preterm and very low birth weight (VLBW) newborns is still necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Existing literature consistently shows that the bioactive, anti-inflammatory, and microbiome-supporting components of human breast milk, including donor human milk, significantly lower the incidence of NEC. However, a lot of infants are forced to rely on formula and nutrient fortifiers because they cannot obtain maternal or donor milk. A critical gap persists regarding whether human milk derived fortifiers offer greater NEC protection than bovine derived fortifiers in infants who must receive formula. This thesis examines three interconnected themes; …

Blister Packaging Versus Bottles: Caregiver Accuracy And Child Safety In Pediatric Medication Gummy Administration, Paolo Olimpiada

Nursing | Senior Theses

The safety of medication in pediatric settings has become an increasing concern as gummy-formulated medications have gained popularity in children’s care. Gummy-formulated medications have a close resemblance to candy, and this may mislead children to ingest additional doses or more than what was prescribed. Children also depend a lot on their caregivers for medications. Therefore, the design of packaging would be impactful in supporting medication dosing accuracy. And studies have evaluated safety features of packaging related to adherence, misuse, and unintended administration. However, limited studies have examined the influence of medication packaging on the dosing accuracy at the time of …

Silver Nanoparticle-Induced Disruption Of Astrocytic Morphology And Synaptic Microarchitecture In Rat Brain, Elli Williams

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are widely incorporated into consumer and medical products due to their antibacterial properties, increasing the potential for chronic exposure. AgNPs can be released into the environment, enter the body through ingestion or inhalation, cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB), and bioaccumulate in brain tissue. Previous in vitro studies demonstrate that AgNP exposure disrupts cytoskeletal organization and induces neurite collapse in neural cells, suggesting vulnerability of cytoskeleton-dependent structures in vivo. Astrocytes, through their perisynaptic astrocytic processes (PAPs) and perivascular endfeet, play critical roles in maintaining synaptic and neurovascular architecture, both of which rely heavily on cytoskeletal integrity. This …

Using Genetically Diverse Mice To Examine The Effects Of Environmental Enrichment Of The Transcriptome, Michael Richard Leonardo

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Environmental impoverishment is a model of early life stress with direct consequences across a wide range of neurological and physiological conditions. Neuron morphology and density as well as anxiety disorders and addiction have shown to have significant relationships with environmental impoverishment models. Conversely, environmental enrichment confers therapeutic benefits that are protective across these conditions. There is an observed spectrum of resistance or vulnerability to the effects of housing conditions across populations, indicating genetics as an influential factor. Understanding this interaction is critical for deepening our knowledge of how genes and environment interact in ways that confer resistance or vulnerability, and …

If I Only Had The Words (To Tell You): Billy Joel Lyrics In Legal And Medical Scholarship, Seuli Bose Brill, Christian H. Brill

Touro Law Review

Law and medicine are often considered to be among the least accessible professions, partly because of the heavy use of non colloquial jargon. This article examines more than 150 instances in which Billy Joel’s lyrics have been used to improve the accessibility of legal and medical scholarship. Legal and medical professionals have used the words of the “Piano Man” to discuss a variety of topics—everything from civil procedure to property rights and the COVID-19 pandemic to colorectal surgery. Nontraditional communications techniques of this type do not just contribute to the body of legal and medical scholarship; they also help professionals …