Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Improving Knowledge To Improve Care: Strengthening Nurse Expertise In The Emergency Management Of Diabetic Ketoacidosis, Minda Murphy

Master's Projects and Capstones

Abstract

Setting: A high acuity emergency department within a large hospital system. Problem: Nurses in the emergency department reported inconsistent understanding and utilization of the existing Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) protocol. Pre-intervention survey results showed that 84% of nurses identified the DKA order set as confusing, and only 15% reported feeling “very comfortable” with the protocol. These knowledge gaps contributed to delays in glucose monitoring, inconsistent insulin administration, uncertainty about order-set responsibilities, and variable adherence to evidence-based management. Context: DKA is a time-sensitive, high-risk emergency that requires precise, protocol-driven actions to prevent complications such as electrolyte imbalance, cerebral edema, prolonged hospitalization, …

Anexelekto (Axl)/Mer Inhibitor Tamnorzatinib In Patients With Relapsed/Refractory Acute Myeloid Leukaemia: Results From A Phase I (Monotherapy) And Phase Ii (Combination With Venetoclax) Clinical Study, Margaret T Kasner, Nigel Courtenay-Luck, Courtney Dinardo, Sean M Post, Praneeth Baratam, George N Magrath, Takaaki Nakamura, Akifumi Fujii, Sergio Prados, Naoki Honda, Mary Mcbride, Paula Edwards-Holmes, Robert Stuart

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Introduction: Relapsed/refractory (R/R) acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is a life-threatening haematological malignancy without effective treatments. Anexelekto (Axl) and Mer receptor tyrosine kinases have emerged as important therapeutic targets in AML for their crucial role in survival of AML cells. Tamnorzatinib (ONO-7475) is a potent and highly selective inhibitor of Axl/Mer. We report first-in-human study of tamnorzatinib (NCT03176277) in patients with R/R AML.

Methods: Tamnorzatinib was administered as monotherapy (n = 20) to determine an appropriate biological dose of tamnorzatinib and then in combination (n = 22) with venetoclax to evaluate safety and clinical efficacy.

Results: Tamnorzatinib was safe …

Agpat2 Acts At The Crossroads Of Lipid Biosynthesis And Drp1-Mediated Er Morphogenesis, Yoshihiro Adachi, Mauricio Torres, Allen H Hunter, Woo Jung Cho, Meixia Pan, Xianlin Han, Guangwei Du, Ling Qi, Miho Iijima, Hiromi Sesaki

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The morphology of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), characterized by central sheets and peripheral tubules, is controlled by membrane-shaping proteins. However, the role of lipids in ER morphogenesis remains elusive, despite the ER being the major site for lipid synthesis. Here, by examining the role of eighteen phosphatidic acid (PA)-generating enzymes in ER morphology, we identify lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferase 2 (AGPAT2) as a critical factor in mouse and human cells. AGPAT2 produces PA in the glycerophospholipid/triacylglycerol biosynthesis pathway, and its mutations cause congenital generalized lipodystrophy. We find that AGPAT2-generated PA drives ER tubulation through gene knockout, 3D structural analysis by FIB-SEM, …

Stromal Fibroblastic Mutant Trp53 Promotes Mammary Tumor Development Via Enhanced Secretion Of Paracrine Factors, Bin Liu, Shunbin Xiong, Abie Williams-Villalobo, Gilda Chau, Yuan Qi, Hehua Chen, Carenza Johnson, Dhruv Chachad, Joy Mcdaniel, Xiaoping Su, Adel K El-Naggar, Guillermina Lozano, Yun Zhang

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Mutations in the tumor suppressor gene TP53 have been identified in breast cancer-associated fibroblasts and are associated with poor patient prognosis. However, the functional impact of fibroblastic mutant p53 on breast cancer development remains unclear. To investigate this, we compared female mice harboring HER2-driven mammary tumors with a fibroblast-specific Trp53 mutation (NP) to those with wild-type fibroblastic Trp53 (N). NP mice exhibited significantly shorter median tumor-free survival than N mice. RNA sequencing of NP and N tumors and mammary glands revealed numerous differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between tumors and the corresponding glands in both genotypes. Notably, the NP tumors showed …

Measurable Imaging-Based Changes In Enhancement Of Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma After Radiotherapy Reflect Physical Mechanisms Of Response, Brian De, Prashant Dogra, Mohamed Zaid, Dalia Elganainy, Kevin Sun, Ahmed M Amer, Charles Wang, Michael K Rooney, Enoch Chang, Hyunseon C Kang, Zhihui Wang, Priya Bhosale, Bruno C Odisio, Timothy E Newhook, Ching-Wei D Tzeng, Hop S Tran Cao, Yun S Chun, Jean-Nicholas Vauthey, Sunyoung S Lee, Ahmed Kaseb, Kanwal Raghav, Milind Javle, Bruce D Minsky, Sonal S Noticewala, Emma B Holliday, Grace L Smith, Albert C Koong, Prajnan Das, Vittorio Cristini, Ethan B Ludmir, Eugene J Koay

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Escalated doses of radiotherapy associate with improved local control and overall survival (OS) in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA), but personalization remains limited because conventional size-based CT criteria correlate poorly with outcomes. We hypothesized that quantitative enhancement measurements would better predict clinical outcomes and guide individualized RT optimization. In a retrospective cohort of 154 patients, we analyzed pre- and post-RT CT scans using quantitative European Association for Study of Liver (qEASL) to derive viable tumor volumes, comparing enhancement-based metrics with size-based RECIST and linking them to outcomes via survival and mathematical modeling. Change in enhancement volume was strongly associated with OS after …

Nurses’ Voices In Prevention: Evaluating Enhanced Bedside Signage To Reduce Hospital-Acquired Pressure Injuries, Jorge Pinzon Figueroa

Master's Projects and Capstones

Abstract

Objective: Hospital-acquired pressure injuries remain a patient safety concern despite standard practice of nurses’ prevention protocols (National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel, 2022). Barriers include: inconsistent two-hour repositioning, documentation burden, inadequate staffing, lack of visual cues of patient risk level, and inconsistent compliance with the overall comprehensive prevention bundle (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 2023).

Aim: HAPIs occur within two adult medical-surgical and telemetry units at a tertiary hospital. In response, staff were surveyed on potential interventions, resulting in the production of a visual cuing system.

Methods: Pre- and post-surveys were conducted on the two medical-surgical units to assess …

Improving Dka Protocol Adherence In The Emergency Department, Anjolaoluwa Lawani

Master's Projects and Capstones

Problem There was inconsistency in implementation of the DKA protocol by nurses in the emergency department at the Hospital A. Only 58% of the nurses reported feeling comfortable following the DK protocol, and 84% of the nurses described the DKA order set as confusing. Context Hospital A is a large magnet-recognition hospital system in the Bay Area. The emergency department at Hospital A averages about 12 DKA patients per quarter. Intervention Education sessions were held during pre-shift cuddles across day and night shifts to clarify the DKA protocol and answer any questions or nurses may have. Measures Baseline surveys and …

Early Genetic Evolution Of Driver Mutations In Uveal Melanoma, James J Dollar, Kisha D Piggott, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Uveal melanoma (UM) is an aggressive eye cancer that frequently results in metastatic death despite successful primary tumor treatment. Subclinical micrometastasis is thought to occur early, when tumors are small and difficult to distinguish from benign nevi. However, the early genetic evolution of UM is poorly understood, and biomarkers for malignant transformation are lacking. Here, we perform integrated genetic profiling of 1140 primary UMs, including 131 small tumors. A clinically available 15-gene expression profile (15-GEP) prospectively validated by our group is more accurate than driver mutations for predicting patient survival. Small tumors are significantly more likely to be in earlier …

In The Mouth Or In The Gut? Innovation Through Implementing Oral And Gastrointestinal Health Science In Chronic Pain Management, Jo Nijs, Burel R Goodin, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Recent scientific advances point towards an important role for oral and gastrointestinal health in people with chronic pain. Poor oral health (e.g., periodontitis, tooth loss) is observed in subgroups of the chronic pain population, including abdominal pain, low back pain, fibromyalgia, and rheumatoid arthritis. In addition to poor oral health, studies have also revealed altered intestinal microbiota compositions in various types of chronic pain, including people with chronic low back pain, knee osteoarthritis, visceral pain, fibromyalgia, tinnitus, and migraine. While overweight/obesity contributes to the likelihood of gut dysbiosis, normal-weight individuals with chronic pain also more often present with poor gut …

Pharmacy Deserts And Health Inequities In St. Louis City: A Geospatial Analysis Of Access Disparities And Determinants, Antoine Brantley, Dominic Mosha, Bobie Williams, Quinn J Hill, Shontae Fluelen, Marcus Howard, Elvin Geng, Matifadza Hlatshwayo-Davis

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Pharmacy deserts, or areas lacking convenient access to pharmacies, can limit access to medications and reduce adherence. In U.S. cities, pharmacy deserts are disproportionately concentrated in racial/ethnic minority and low-income neighborhoods. This study examined the demographics and spatial distribution of pharmacy deserts in St. Louis City, Missouri, and their associations with sociodemographic and healthcare access determinants.

METHODS: Pharmacy deserts were defined as census tract block groups whose centroids were more than 1 mile from a pharmacy, or more than a half mile and located within a tract where at least 20% of households lacked vehicle access. Demographic and socioeconomic …

Evolutionarily Convergent Mechanism Of Formin Regulation Coordinates Actin Polymerization In Apicomplexan Parasites, Pengge Qian, Yong Fu, Jianwei Zeng, Michael J Naldrett, Rui Zhang, L David Sibley

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Apicomplexan parasites rely on actin-based motility for host cell invasion and for their dissemination. Although previous studies implicate formin 1 (FRM1) in governing this process in

Conservation Of Cis-Regulatory Codes Over Half A Billion Years Of Evolution, Yohey Ogawa, Yu Liu, Connie A Myers, Ala Morshedian, Gordon L Fain, Alapakkam P Sampath, Joseph C Corbo

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Identifying homologous cell types across species is essential for understanding cell type evolution. The retina is ideal for comparative analysis because its six major cell classes have persisted since the origin of vertebrates more than half a billion years ago. Here, we show that the retina's conserved cellular architecture is mirrored by deep conservation of the cis-regulatory codes that govern gene expression. Through single-cell chromatin accessibility analysis of lamprey, fish, bird, and mammalian retinas, we demonstrate cross-species conservation of cis-regulatory codes in all retinal cell classes despite extensive turnover of cis-regulatory regions. Conservation manifests as clustering of high-affinity transcription factor …

A Qualitative Exploration Of Patient And Clinician Needs And Preferences For A Physical Activity Intervention During Breast Cancer Chemotherapy, D Carolina Andrade, Loni Parrish, Courtney Harriss, Lindsay L Peterson, Ryan P Duncan, Jingqin Luo, Maura M Kepper, Christine Marx, Mary C Politi, Elizabeth A Salerno

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Early intervention with physical activity (PA) during active cancer treatment is critical for improved health outcomes, but often difficult to deliver. We assessed patients' and clinicians' needs and preferences for a PA intervention during chemotherapy via semi-structured interviews.

METHODS: We conducted virtual semi-structured interviews from May 2022 to May 2023 with patients with stage I-III breast cancer and oncology clinicians recruited from a Midwestern comprehensive cancer center and community settings. We identified themes using deductive and inductive thematic analysis informed by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research.

RESULTS: Patients (n = 16) were mostly White, non-Hispanic (93.8%) females (100%) …

Knee Injury Prevention Program In An Early Pubertal Female Athlete During A Recreational Softball Season, Doug W. Dendy, Toby Brooks, C Roger James, Micah Lierly

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology Volume 6: Issue 1, Article 12, 2025. This case study was intended to analyze the impact of a knee injury prevention program (KIPP) for a young female athlete in a short recreational softball season. It was hypothesized that initiating a KIPP early within a recreational sports season would positively alter lower extremity biomechanics, subsequently reducing the risk of knee injuries during and after skeletal development. During a recreational softball season, a 13-year-old female athlete completed a preliminary biomechanical test, the drop vertical jump battery (DVJB_pre), underwent a 7-week in-season KIPP, then was …

Neuroqueering The Australian Workplace, Myfan Jordan

Ought: The Journal of Autistic Culture

Neuroqueering the Australian Workplace

Artist’s Statement

The typical (Australian) workplace is hierarchical, heteronormative and neurotypical. It is focused on productivity and efficiency, priorities which denote specific ways of working as superior. For autistic and ADHD workers, who approach the world differently, ‘fitting in’ at work can often only be achieved with significant ‘accommodations’, appreciation of neurodiversity, and where a genuine sense belonging at work is encouraged. With around 80% of neurodivergent Australians experiencing unemployment, and studies indicating vulnerability to workplace bullying for up to 70%, this artwork depicts how hierarchies of value isolate and marginalise difference, resulting in barriers not …

A World Between Worlds: The Hidden Disconnect Of Chinese Autistic Individuals, Joy Lu

Ought: The Journal of Autistic Culture

This paper examines the complex challenges faced by Chinese autistic individuals navigating both Western autism communities and broader Chinese cultural contexts. Drawing on personal experience, community observation, and cultural analysis, it explores how language barriers, cultural stigma, and differing values create a unique form of disconnection for the Chinese autistic community. This paper argues that current neurodiversity discourse is dominated by Western frameworks that often fail to account for this disconnect, resulting in the exclusion of entire groups. By centring Chinese perspectives, it calls for a more culturally responsive approach to autism advocacy: one that bridges linguistic, cultural, and historical …

My Ministry As A Therapy Dog: Bringing Joy And Healing, Linda F. Garner

International Journal of Faith Community Nursing

This article describes the journey of a small dog as she is trained to be a therapy dog. Requirements for training and regulations to be a therapy dog are discussed. After training, the dog describes her therapy skills in a variety of settings that enriches the lives of patients and families in hospice settings and rehabilitation. Research on animal assisted therapy is included.

Community Health Nursing And The Spiritual Domain: Clinical Rotations In Faith-Based Residential Communities For Prelicensure Nursing Students, Paulette D. Slowinski, Amy Sweeney

International Journal of Faith Community Nursing

Contextualized spiritual education in undergraduate nursing programs is often limited. Community-based clinical rotations present an opportunity to introduce nursing students to professional practice in faith-based communities. Junior and senior undergraduate nursing students from a state university worked with the wellness nurses at a residential community for older adults funded by the county Catholic diocese. In this unique environment, students participated in nursing care focusing on health promotion and disease prevention and management. This learning opportunity allowed students to have meaningful interactions with residents while gaining insight into faith-based nursing practice and the value of spiritually focused care for vulnerable populations.

Faith Community Nursing: Home Care Delivery Model, Deborah J. Ziebarth

International Journal of Faith Community Nursing

Faith community nurses (FCNs) perform home visits as part of their scope of practice. The FCN does home visits based solely on the assessed needs of patients, regardless of insurance or prescriber orders. A historical review describes the practice gap leading to the development of the Faith Community Nursing: Home Care Delivery Model provided in the booklet: Visitation Guidelines for Faith Community Nurses. Through a review of literature, alignment, and diagram, key components are defined. A wholistic screening exemplary (Congestive Heart Failure) is shared. The model’s key components are screening/assessment for specific disease risk (pre-diagnosed and diagnosed), education (patient and …

Evaluating The Effect Of A Rest Team Tea Cart On Nurse-Reported Comfort, Healing, And Empathy, Danielle A. Lisiecki Edd, Msn, Rn, Barbara A. Kilbride Ms, Bsn, Rn

International Journal of Faith Community Nursing

Abstract

In response to the increasing emotional and physical demands placed on healthcare professionals, a not-for-profit health system in Southwest Florida implemented a wellness initiative, focusing on the intentional care of the spirit through its Spiritual Services, Resilience Education Support Team (REST), and its area Faith Community Nurses (FCN), called the REST Tea Cart service. Initially, the REST Tea Cart was designed to promote emotional well-being by providing staff members with complimentary tea, cookies, and inspirational note cards, aiming to create moments of peace and respite during the workday. It would grow much more, expanding beyond the hospital’s walls and …

Conservative Anabaptists Descriptions Of Delay, Comfort In Connectedness, And Ease In Cultural Tension When Seeking And Responding To Healthcare, Matthew D. Hottle

International Journal of Faith Community Nursing

Introduction: Conservative Anabaptists are a large ethnic religious population that continues to grow in the United States. These groups are known to experience adverse health-related outcomes. Therefore, the concept of transcending health values has been developed to better understand how conservative anabaptists describe seeking and responding to healthcare. The purpose of this study is to (1) gather empirical evidence about the concept of transcending health values and (2) use the evidence to contribute to the body of knowledge of nursing.

Method: The study used qualitative-directed content analysis guided by the core qualities of transcending health values: delay in health-seeking behaviors, …

Practice Matters: Measles, Maria E. Main, Melissa K. Travelsted, Maire M. Blankenship

International Journal of Faith Community Nursing

Measles has re-emerged as a significant public health concern, with an estimated 10.3 million global cases and more than 100,000 deaths in 2023, primarily among young children. In the United States, measles incidence has risen sharply due to declining vaccination rates and increased international travel, resulting in a growing number of locally transmitted outbreaks. Faith community nurses, who play key roles in health education, advocacy, and illness prevention, are uniquely positioned to support community-level efforts that reduce measles transmission. This article addresses key aspects of measles epidemiology, clinical presentation, and complications, emphasizing the virus’s high communicability and potential for severe …

Membership Information

International Journal of Faith Community Nursing

No abstract provided.

Synthesis And Evaluation Of Amidoximes As Potential Pharmaceuticals Against Antimicrobial-Resistant Bacteria, Prudence Mange

Honors Theses

The rise of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in the healthcare industry has led to devastating effects in recent years, ranging from increased risks associated with hospital treatment to longer illness duration, which may eventually lead to increased death rates (Naghavi, Mohsen et al, 2024). To combat this ongoing challenge, this project aims to synthesize amidoximes, which are organic derivatives of carboxylic acids with an oxime and an amino acid group. Amidoximes have been utilized in various clinical applications, including antituberculosis medication, hypotensives, antiarrhythmics, antibacterials, and antifungals (J. Chil et al., 2011). -- The focus of this project was to test their antibacterial …

Cv: Jennifer Beese (Radiography), Jennifer Beese

Rehabilitation and Health Sciences Department Faculty Curricula Vitae

No abstract provided.

Twinkle Lights & Tiny Hazards: Your Holiday Safety Guide, Michael Smith, Beth Markley, Laura Kemerling

Parent-ish Podcast

The holidays are full of sparkle, warmth, and... let’s be real, a few sneaky safety risks. In this episode, we chat with safety experts about how to keep your home festive and kid-friendly. From fire-safe tree tips to light-string sanity and candle caution, we’ve got the hacks you need to celebrate without worry. Because nothing says “holiday magic” like peace of mind.

Click here to stream the podcast episode.

Matrescence: An Emerging Concept For Birth Worker Practice, Kelsey B. Green

DNP Qualifying Manuscripts

The maternal mental health (MMH) crisis, affecting up to 25% of birthing individuals, is exacerbated by significant gaps in perinatal support. While birth workers are uniquely positioned to provide care, they often lack specialized training beyond basic screening checklists to address the complex transition to motherhood, defined as matrescence. This clinical innovation proposal outlines a matrescence-informed educational curriculum, guided by the Comprehensive Model of Mental Health during the Perinatal Period. The intervention is designed to build tangible, implementable skills, training birth workers to: (1) operationalize matrescence as a psychoeducational tool to normalize distress; (2) use clinical differentiation to distinguish the …

Effects Of Maternal Knowledge And Attitudes On The Incidence Of Pneumonia In Fully Immunized Toddlers, Ayik Mirayanti Mandagi, Ahmad Yuda Prayogi, Vidia Nuria Rahman, Nahdhiah Khoirun Nisa, Melati Octavia Febriana, Uyun Loveni Parenti

Preventia: The Indonesian Journal of Public Health

In toddlers, pneumonia still a leading cause of illness and death. It may be affected by maternal and environmental factors, for instance maternal knowledge and attitude towards family members who smoke. This study examined the correlated of mothers’ knowledge and attitudes regarding family members’ smoking with pneumonia in toddlers who had received complete immunization. A cross-sectional design was applied in June 2023 at three community health centers in Banyuwangi Regency. The respondents were 71 mothers of children aged ≥9 months with a history of or currently experiencing pneumonia and who had completed basic immunizations. The chi-square test was applied to …

Cv: Jennifer Beese (Radiography), Jennifer Beese

Health Sciences Department Curricula Vitae

No abstract provided.

A Review Of Cutaneous Viral Infections And Their Potential Role In Neurologic Diseases, Valeria Duque-Clavijo, Hung Q Doan, Stephen K Tyring

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Cutaneous viral infections, defined as viral pathogens that either primarily affect the skin (e.g., herpesviruses, enteroviruses) or frequently produce dermatologic manifestations despite systemic tropism (e.g., HIV, SARS-CoV-2), can trigger systemic inflammatory and neurotropic responses that extend their impact to the nervous system. A growing body of evidence suggests that viruses with dermatologic manifestations may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of neurologic disorders.

Summary: Although individual viruses have been studied in isolation, the skin-brain axis in viral infections remains incompletely characterized. This review synthesizes existing knowledge and highlights gaps in understanding the mechanisms linking cutaneous viral infections to …