Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Diagnosing Aortic Dissections With Computed Tomography, Caroline York

Student Research Poster Presentations 2025

Aortic dissections are life-threatening conditions that require an immediate and accurate diagnosis to prevent severe complications, and in some instances death. An aortic dissection is a tear that occurs within the inner layers of the aorta. Symptoms include sudden intense chest pain, shortness of breath, and stroke-like symptoms. This research discusses the utilization of computed tomography (CT) in diagnosing aortic dissections, highlighting its advantages in speed and precision through advancing technology. Computed tomography angiography (CTA) has become a vital imaging modality in the medical imaging field. CTA uses an iodinated contrast media to enhance blood vessels by making them a …

Waldorf Education: New Perspectives On A Holistic Approach, Martyn Rawson

International Journal of Transpersonal Studies

This article outlines some of the core ideas underlying the practices of Waldorf education as re-envisioned by an experienced practitioner, as a contribution to the discussion about the educational implications of transpersonal psychology. It outlines a pedagogical anthropology that takes the spiritual dimension into account. It distinguishes between the lived body, the emergent psyche and the agentic Self as the spiritual core of being in the person. Learning is explained as a transformative process that involves the changing relationships to one’s own body, to others and to the world through which potentialities become abilities. The aim of the transformative education …

Effectiveness Of School Fluoride Delivery Programs: A Community Guide Systematic Review, Susan O. Griffin, Mei Lin, Christina Scherrer, Shillpa Naavaal, David P. Hopkins, Anita A. Jones, Tammy Alexander, Virginia A. Black, Elizabeth Clark, Lori K. Cofano, Raúl Isidro García, Anna Goddard, Jane Grover, Susan M. Kansagra, Thomas E. Kottke, Elizabeth C. Lense, Tooka Zokaie, The Community Preventive Services Task Force

Dental Public Health and Policy Publications

Introduction: Although preventable, dental caries remains highly prevalent. Many children do not receive preventive dental services routinely in clinical settings. This review examined the effectiveness of school (preschool through high school) fluoride varnish delivery programs in preventing caries.

Methods: Community Guide systematic review methods were followed. In 2024, databases were searched for studies published through December 2023 on school flouride varnish delivery program effectiveness in increasing fluoride varnish receipt and decreasing caries. Included studies had to be written in English, published in peer-reviewed journals, and conducted in upper-middle– or high-income countries. Data synthesis conducted in 2024 used median …

Improving Dental Hygiene Students' Knowledge, Attitudes, And Confidence Toward Prenatal Oral Health Through Experiential Learning, Denise C. Mckinney, Sinjini Sikdar, Shillpa Naavaal

Dental Public Health and Policy Publications

Purpose Maintaining optimal oral health is essential for maternal health as well as the health of their child. The purpose of this pilot study was to examine dental hygiene (DH) students' knowledge of prenatal oral health before and after receiving an asynchronous prenatal oral health care training (POHCT), and their attitudes and self-perceived confidence before and after receiving an experiential learning opportunity with a pregnant and/or post-partum client at a Women's Infants and Children nutrition program (WIC) clinic.

Methods A one-group pre/post-test design was used. This IRB-approved study (#2027439-4) utilized a convenience sample of DH student participants (n=37) in their …

Vonoprazan Vs. Lansoprazole In The Healing & Maintenance Phase Of Erosive Esophagitis, Sushil Rayamajhi, Syed Hasham Ali, Hareesha Bharadwaj, Ali Tariq

North Florida Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Drug Induced Sweet's Syndrome Secondary To Pegfilgrastim: A Rare Case, Renuka Mahatara, Abhi Rao, Ian Whitaker, Bradley Saylors, Charles Holladay

South Atlantic Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

From Dermis To Digestive Tract: When Skin Flaps Do More Than Expected, Supritha Chintamaneni, Bilal Ashraf, Galvin Dhaliwal, Aakriti Soni, Amandeep Kaur

Gulf Coast Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Coexisting Type A And B Aortic Dissection With Extension To Carotid Arteries Resulting In Acute Ischemic Stroke, Dung Nguyen, Jilpa Shah, Amnah Andrabi

North Texas Research Forum 2025

Coexisting Type A and B aortic dissection with extension to carotid arteries resulting in acute ischemic stroke Abstract Background: Acute aortic dissection (AAD) is a rare cause of ischemic stroke. Additionally, it is even rarer to have a combined type A and type B aortic dissection. ADD is a high-mortality disease that can lead to immediate decompensation and can be masked by stroke-like symptoms, which can result in delayed or missed diagnosis. We report a patient with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) with subsequent combined type A and type B aortic dissection. Case Report: A 47-year-old man was admitted to the …

Bucks Traction In The Emergency Departments (Ed) In North Texas Division (Ntxd), Mason Poffenbarger, Neil Werthmann, Cody Beltran, Hannah Affleck, Kristen Payne, Caleb Shin, Hans Drawbert, Hayley Buehler, James Drinan, Sanjay Sharma, Diona Johnson, John T. Riehl, Adam Green

North Texas Research Forum 2025

Implementing Buck’s traction for elderly hip fracture patients in the emergency department (ED) is often inefficient, leading to prolonged setup times, increased staff workload, and delays in patient care, ultimately impacting ED length of stay (LOS). This quality improvement project aims to streamline the process by establishing a standardized storage system for traction equipment, optimizing bed compatibility, developing a clear workflow flowchart, and providing targeted staff training. By improving organization and efficiency, we anticipate a reduction in setup time, enhanced workflow, and decreased ED LOS for hip fracture patients. Measuring pre- and post-intervention times will ensure continuous refinement, ultimately leading …

Interprofessional Neonatal Resuscitation Simulations: An In-Situ Assessment Of Pediatric Readiness At A Multi-Site Academic Center, Jessyca C. Gibson, Petru C. Nemes

South Atlantic Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Type 2 Diabetes Education And Knowledge In The Adult Hmong Community, Sheng Yang

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Type 2 Diabetes is a chronic health condition that affects many individuals, but specifically has been found to significantly affect minority population groups. There has been very limited research regarding understanding the etiology of the disease in the Hmong community that migrated to the United States from Southeast Asia. The purpose of this project was to design and implement an evidence-based, culturally appropriate educational intervention in the Hmong language to increase knowledge of Type 2 Diabetes among the adult Hmong community in Burke County and Catawba County, NC areas. The intervention was delivered to a total of 30 participants who …

Knowledge Is Power: Educating The Community About The Dangers Of Vaping, Heather B. Hector

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background: The purpose of this quality improvement (QI) project was to increase knowledge among parents, coaches, teachers, nurses, community leaders, and members about the dangers of e-cigarette use among adolescents by implementing a community-based education session vital to protecting the health and well-being of adolescents in the target community. Education and preventative measures have been proven to decrease the use of tobacco cigarettes, and the same needs to be done with e-cigarettes and vaping, especially among adolescents, to protect the future of their health. Education and prevention programs are not only targeted at adolescents but also at adults who …

Affecting Test Anxiety In Nursing Students, Michelle S. Porterfield

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Nursing students often face significant test-taking anxiety, which negatively impacts both their academic performance and overall well-being (Samuel et al., 2022). This project aims to explore the effects of mindfulness coloring with mandalas on reducing pre-test anxiety among pre-licensure nursing students. The intervention, spanning one semester, will assess changes in anxiety levels and student academic test performance. The anticipated outcome is a reduction in pre-test anxiety, leading to improved academic performance and enhanced mental well-being. The findings will provide valuable insights into non-pharmacological strategies for managing anxiety in students.

Stress To Success: The Impact Of Aromatherapy On Nursing Students With Test Anxiety, Patricia A. Mullens

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Test anxiety has been identified as a significant problem in pre-licensure nursing students. This project aims to investigate how aromatherapy can alleviate the stress and anxiety associated with lower test scores and the emotional and psychological impacts it has on students' overall well-being. A literature review supported that students who experience test anxiety characteristically scored lower on high-stakes nursing exams than students who did not experience the same stress. The potential results of this project are multifaceted and include improved test scores, enhanced students’ psychological well-being, and completion of their nursing degree.

Zinc Promotes Mitochondrial Health Through Pgc-1alpha Enhancing Bacterial Clearance In Macrophages Infected With Mycobacterium Avium Complex, Ruxana Sadikot, Prabagaran Narayanasamy, Zhihong Yuan, Deandra R. Smith, Daren L. Knoell

Journal Articles: Pulmonary & Critical Care Med

Mitochondria are increasingly recognized as important contributors to immune function, in addition to energy production. They exert this influence through modulation of various signaling pathways that regulate cellular metabolism and immune function in response to pathogens. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) coactivator 1 alpha (PGC-1α) is the primary transcription factor and regulator involved in mitochondrial biogenesis. Long known to be involved in immune function, zinc (Zn) is also required for proper mitochondrial function. It is increasingly recognized that many cellular immunometabolic activities are also Zn-dependent. Taken together, we investigated the role of Zn deficiency, both dietary and genetically induced, and Zn …

Implementing A Pressure Injury Prevention Bundle On A Medical Surgical Unit: A Quality Improvement Project, Katrina Daye-Whitehead

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPIs) continue to be one of the biggest challenges healthcare facilities face which has required increased attention on prevention. The national cost of treating HAPIs ranges from approximately $3 billion to $22 billion annually and as a result, hospitals have faced a tremendous financial burden, which has led hospitals to strengthen reduction strategies (Padula & Delarmente, 2019). The aim of this evidence-based project was to increase nurses’ knowledge about HAPI prevention bundles and increase the compliance with a HAPI prevention bundle implemented within 8 hours of admission or transfer to the unit. The preventative HAPI bundle consists …

Breastfeeding Education In Peripartum Women, Kristen Chassner

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Breastfeeding is nature’s medicine. Though it is considered a natural experience between a mother and a child, it does not always come easy. Education is imperative for peripartum women to learn more about breastfeeding in general, its benefits to the mother and the child, identifying improper latching, and resources to seek help. The purpose of this project was to provide introductory breastfeeding education to peripartum women at a government-funded public health facility in Cleveland County, North Carolina, to increase breastfeeding knowledge, self-efficacy, and the intention to breastfeed for the baby’s first 6-months of life in 100% of the participants. Though …

Recovery Capital Among Students In Collegiate Recovery Programs At Two-Year And Four-Year Higher Education Institutions In West Virginia, Amy M. Saunders

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Collegiate Recovery Programs (CRPs) have been around for decades, supporting higher education students by offering supports, resources, and a community. However, most existing research focuses on four-year institutions, and there is limited data on recovery supports at twoyear institutions, as well as limited research on recovery capital among this population. This study explores differences in recovery capital, a measure of internal and external resources supporting recovery, among students in CRPs at two-year versus four-year institutions in West Virginia by answering the following questions: 1.) Are there differences between students’ reported recovery capital index (RCI) scores based on institution type? 2.) …

Exosomes And Encapsulated Exomirs In Breast Cancer: Theragnostic Applications And Clinical Implications, Muhammad Imran Sajid, Shafia Bukhari, Hamid Ilyas, Rubina Malik, Minahil Fatima, Rakesh Kumar Tiwari, Surya M. Nauli, Khawaja Husnain Haider

Pharmacy Faculty Books and Book Chapters

Exosomes, released by cells, are small vesicles that have emerged as critical theranostic tools in breast cancer due to their unique ability to transport diverse biomolecules such as proteins, lipids, and RNAs, including microRNAs (ExomiRs). These vesicles are critical in modulating the tumor microenvironment, driving processes like cancer proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and drug resistance. Exosomal microRNAs such as ExomiR-21, ExomiR-1246, and ExomiR-155, with their profound influence on the gene expressions in the recipient cells, are the unsung heroes in tumor progression and immune modulation. This chapter delves into exosome's dual diagnostic and therapeutic potential in breast cancer. It highlights their …

Optimization Of Wash-Dr And Rwanda Ceramic Hwts Systems, Hamza Zeini

Honors Program Theses

Access to safe drinking water remains a global challenge, affecting over 2 billion people. Fecal coliform contamination poses serious health risks, particularly in developing regions like the Dominican Republic and Rwanda. Rollins College professors have implemented Field Studies to support water filter distribution in these areas. This study evaluates the optimization of Household Water Treatment and Safe Storage (HWTS) systems used in the WASH-DR and Rwanda-Rural Education Field Studies, focusing on Dr. Bernal’s chlorination and filtration system and Rwanda’s ceramic filters. A key innovation is the integration of the MadiDrop+, a silver-impregnated ceramic tablet that releases antimicrobial silver ions, as …

An Asthma Patient Education Pilot: Utilizing A Hand-Held Tablet To Enhance Self-Management Knowledge, Stephanie Bork, Dana L. Ladd, Li Liu, Rami Hawila, Ashley Reluzco, Le Kang, Farrukh Abbas

VCU Health Nursing

Purpose:

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of pre-recorded educational videos on a hand-held tablet for improving asthma self-management knowledge. Content focused on disease processes, medication management, and medical device usage in an adult asthma clinic at an academic medical center.

Methods:

Pre-recorded asthma education videos were created by study personnel and uploaded to the institutional research electronic data capture (REDCap) platform. Adult participants (≥18 years, English-speaking, with a new or existing asthma diagnosis) were enrolled at an outpatient asthma clinic. The Asthma Self-Management Questionnaire, a validated and reliable tool, was administered before and after participants watched five 1-minute …

All About Euthanasia, Bhavna Bangalore

STEM for Success Showcase

The infographic details the practice of euthanasia. It explains euthanasia's history, legality, and process. The infographic also mentions way to support terminally ill patients that choose to undergo the procedure.

Every Blessing Crafts, Alan Frausto

OT Doctoral Capstones

Depression is highly prevalent among residents in Long-Term Care Settings (LTCS), approximately up to 50% reported in studies (Matos Quieros et al., 2021; Shrestha et al., 2020; Ulbricht et al., 2019). Occupational Injustice (OI) such as occupational deprivation is a risk factor for residents in LTCS developing depression (Janssen & Grabanski, 2023). Additionally, Causey-Upton (2015) identified occupational marginalization, occupational imbalance, and occupational deprivation as specific forms of OI that residents face.

The field of occupational therapy (OT) has utilized arts and crafts as one of the first interventions since the beginning of the profession (Christiansen & Haertl, 2019, p. 129). …

Holistic Support Toolkit: Integrating Occupational Therapy In Trauma-Informed Parenting For Adoptive And Foster Families, Zenyacy Ortega Rojero

OT Doctoral Capstones

Objective: Adoptive families often face challenges related to early childhood trauma, impacting emotional regulation and daily routines.

Methodology: A bilingual, trauma-informed toolkit was created using feedback from foster/adoptive parents and CASA staff. A pre/post questionnaire assessed the impact on staff knowledge and confidence.

Results: The toolkit significantly increased staff understanding of trauma, OT’s role, sensory processing, and caregiver support (p < .05 across all ten indicators).

Discussion: Findings highlight OT’s contribution to trauma-informed care and the importance of interdisciplinary education for those supporting foster and adoptive families.

Conclusion: The toolkit promoted caregiver confidence and trauma-responsive approaches and has potential for long-term sustainability at CASA and beyond

Enhancing Developmental Care In The Nicu: A Program Evaluation And Roadmap For Trauma- Informed Practice, Roberto Conner

OT Doctoral Capstones

This capstone evaluated the current state of trauma-informed developmental care practices in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at El Paso Children’s Hospital to identify barriers and inform sustainable improvement strategies. The capstone student shadowed across multiple disciplines, including occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, nursing, and lactation consultants. The capstone student surveyed NICU team members and interviewed unit leadership to assess staff knowledge, confidence, and feedback mechanisms. The capstone student found that staff expressed moderate confidence in delivering developmental care but faced barriers, including communication gaps between disciplines, limited leadership prioritization, and knowledge gaps. The capstone student developed a roadmap specific to …

Mind Matters: Addressing Food Insecurities As A Mental Health Barrier, Nicholas Thomas Guerra

OT Doctoral Capstones

Food insecurity (FI)—the limited or uncertain access to adequate food—is a growing concern among college students and is linked to increased stress, poor mental health, and reduced occupational engagement. Nationally, 41% of college students report experiencing FI, with higher rates among marginalized groups (Nickolaus et al., 2020). At the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), 61% of students are affected, a figure influenced by financial strain, limited access to aid, and unique border-related barriers such as immigration status and language (El Pasoans Fighting Hunger, 2022; Weigel et al., 2007). This capstone project, grounded in the Person-Environment- Occupation (PEO) model, …

Heart Rate Variability Following Blood Flow Restriction Resistance Exercise And Traditional Resistance Exercise In Trained Men And Women, Michael R. Perlet, Lauren I. Mendonça, Peter A. Hosick, Nicholas Licameli, Evan L. Matthews

Research Data

Autonomic nervous system responses are attenuated following blood flow restriction (BFR) resistance exercise vs traditional resistance exercise (TRE) in men, but women’s responses are unknown. The purpose of this investigation is to compare the effects of a single BFR vs TRE session on HRV. Thirty-nine adults (M=20, W=19, age: 23±4yrs, body mass: 72.3±13.2kg, height: 169±9cm) participated in the study. Barbell back squat 1 repetition maximum (1RM) testing was performed followed by two randomized and counterbalanced exercise visits ≥48hrs apart (BFR: 4 sets, 30-15-15-15 repetitions, 30% 1RM, 60s rest; TRE: 4 sets x 10 repetitions, 70% 1RM, 60s rest). Pre- and …

Hdr Brachytherapy Treatment For Basal Cell Carcinoma​, Makayla L. Kester

Student Research Poster Presentations 2025

This research explains basal cell carcinoma (BCC), the most common form of skin cancer, and the role radiation therapy can play in treating patients with the disease. General information about BCC, common locations of occurrence, diagnosis methods, treatment options, side effects, and expected outcomes are discussed. BCC most often appears on sun-exposed areas such as the face, ears, and neck. For patients who are not good surgical candidates or when surgery could result in disfigurement, radiation therapy offers an effective, non-invasive alternative. One advanced technique is high-dose-rate (HDR) surface brachytherapy, which uses detailed imaging and customized applicators to deliver targeted …

Investigating The Potential Of Broccoli Seed Extract To Attenuate Morphine Tolerance, Atharv Ashwin Battu, Minho Kang, Hamid Akbarali

Pharmacology and Toxicology Publications

Opioids remain one of the most effective treatment strategies for managing severe and persistent pain. However, its long-term use leads to pharmacological tolerance, requiring progressively higher doses to achieve analgesia. This dose escalation increases the risk of life-threatening side effects and dependence, underscoring the urgent need for safe adjuncts to preserve opioid efficacy. Emerging evidence suggests that morphine tolerance is linked to intestinal inflammation and disruption of gut barrier integrity. Broccoli Seed Extract (BSE), rich in the bioactive compound sulforaphane, exhibits antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that may protect against these effects. We hypothesized that BSE could prevent the development of …

Validating Search Strategies For Healthy People 2030’S Leading Health Indicators: An Update On The Ph/Ha Caucus’S Structured Evidence Queries Project, Samantha Guss, Anita Kuiken, Erin Wentz, Dani Lapreze, Erin Reardon, Laura Zeigen, Courtney Pyche

VCU Libraries Faculty and Staff Presentations

The Public Health/Health Administration (PH/HA) Caucus’s work in developing Structured Evidence Queries (SEQs) for Healthy People 2030’s leading health indicators, an initiative from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) aimed at improving the nation’s health in measurable ways highlights their search validation strategy and plans for outreach and assessment as the project nears completion. The SEQs, developed for PubMed, are designed to measure progress toward specified health outcomes while addressing health disparities and promoting health equity. The team collaboratively developed and peer-reviewed these SEQs, refining criteria and creating a validation strategy using resources from HHS. Plans for …