Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Beyond The Surface: Understanding The “Blurred Lines” Of Sexual Dynamics And Consent In Trinity College's Hookup Scene, Zoe Kon

Senior Theses and Projects

This thesis explores the complex interplay of sexual behaviors, consent, and campus culture at Trinity College through qualitative ethnographic research. Delving into the nuances of hookup culture, a prevalent social phenomenon, the research examines how it often blurs the boundaries between consensual and non-consensual sexual interactions. Thirty in-depth interviews with Trinity College students reveal the intricate dynamics of consent communication and understanding within this context. The findings highlight significant gaps in students' communication about boundaries and consent, driven by the pressures of social capital and the normalization of alcohol-fueled encounters. The theme of blurred lines emerges as a central issue, …

The Influence Of Preventive Dental Care And Its Role On The Patient-Provider Relationship, Maria Figueroa

Senior Theses and Projects

No abstract provided.

Design And Validation Of Eco-Friendly Chemometric-Assisted Spectrophotometric Methods For The Simultaneous Determination Of Chlorzoxazone, Paracetamol, And Aceclofenac In The Presence Of Their Main Impurities, Ayoub N. Mozayad, Marwa A. Fouad, Ehab F. Elkady

Bulletin of Faculty of Pharmacy Cairo University

Objective: The goal of this work is to develop and validate eco-friendly spectrophotometric methods for the simultaneous determination of chlorzoxazone (CHZ), paracetamol (PAR), and aceclofenac (ACF) in the presence of their major impurities, specifically 2-amino-4-chlorophenol (ACP), 4-aminophenol (4-AP), and diclofenac (DCF), in commercially available tablet dosage forms using chemometric techniques. Method: Six chemometric models, namely classical least squares (CLS), partial least squares (PLS) regression, and principal component regression (PCR), in addition to feed-forward back-propagation artificial neural networks (FFBP-ANN), cascade-forward back-propagation artificial neural networks (CFBP-ANN), and radial basis function artificial neural networks (RBF-ANN), were employed to analyze the synthetic mixtures, which …

Association Between Psychiatric Diagnosis And Academic Major In College Students, Maryam Ali, Ambika Menon, Amani Carson, Larry Tupler

Research Day

Introduction: Prior literature has highlighted the high prevalence of psychiatric diagnoses amongst college students. We propose that developmental influences that shape the emergence of psychiatric disorders amongst individuals are reflected in early intellectual pursuits. Furthermore, we propose that collegiate institutional stressors relating to these pursuits can further the declaration of a disorder in students with a psychiatric diathesis. Methods: We acquired data anonymously from 1,133 colleges via a Web-based survey of 17,425 students who were ≤ 22 years old. We report the association between psychiatric disorder and choice of academic major in the first collegiate year to illuminate early developmental …

Eating Disorders In Hispanic Females Living In The Us: A Review Of Literature, Yesenia P. Stephens, Natalia Miles

Research Day

INTRODUCTION: According to the United States Census, Hispanics make up 19.1% of the total population, making it the nation’s largest racial or ethnic minority. Of interest, nearly 22% of Hispanic adults report having a mental illness, yet only 36% receive mental health services compared to non-Hispanic Whites (52%).2

OBJECTIVES: There is limited research on diagnosing eating disorders in Hispanic females living in the US. To understand this disparity, the aims of this study are to 1) gain understanding of what psychological constructs are unique to the experience of Hispanic females living in the US and 2) determine the risk factors …

Exploring The Potentials Of Pulmonary Malignancy As A Contributing Factor To Pulmonary Edema, Mykala C. Jackson, Kenyot’A C. Russell, Evelyn O. Orusa, Joshua Owolabi

Research Day

The goal of this study is to investigate the cause of pulmonary edema as a result of pulmonary malignancy. The first phase of investigation occurred with a dissection of gross anatomy. When opening the thoracic cavity, the left lung was grazed and copious amounts of fluid seeped from the lung. Upon the initial observation of gross anatomy, both lungs appeared to be enlarged and exhibited an abnormal color. During the dissection, the left lung was noticeably larger than the right lung which could have compressed the heart. Upon palpation of the right lung, a large mass could be felt in …

Diagnostic Utility Of Cerebrospinal Fluid Biomarkers In Patients With Rapidly Progressive Dementia, Lindsey A. Kuchenbecker, Philip W. Tipton, Yuka Martens, Matthew R. Brier, Nihal Satyadev, Richard S. Dunham, Evelyn B. Lazar, Maxwell V. Dacquel, Rachel L. Henson, Guojun Bu, Michael D. Geschwind, John C. Morris, Suzanne E. Schindler, Elizabeth Herries, Neill R. Graff-Radford, Gregory S. Day

Research Day

Objective:This study was undertaken to apply established and emerging cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers to improve diagnostic accuracy in patients with rapidly progressive dementia (RPD). Overlap in clinical presentation and results of diagnostic tests confounds etiologic diagnosis in patients with RPD. Objective measures are needed to improve diagnostic accuracy and to recognize patients with potentially treatment-responsive causes of RPD.

Methods: Biomarkers of Alzheimer disease neuropathology (amyloid-β42/40 ratio, phosphorylated tau [p-tau181,p-tau231]), neuroaxonal/neuronal injury (neurofilament light chain [NfL], visinin-like protein-1 [VILIP-1], total tau), neuro-inflammation (chitinase-3-like protein [YKL-40], soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 [sTREM2],glialfibrillary acidic protein [GFAP], monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 [MCP-1]), …

Rare Presentation Of Aberrant Renal Vessels, A Case Report, Diamond Alexander, Ralph W. Brown, Hannah K. Da Cruz, Justin T. Nguyen, Stephanie Suarez, Joshua Owolabi

Research Day

Introduction

Aberrant renal arteries can be due to abnormal ascension or rotation of the fetal kidney. Aberrant arteries from the inferior pole are only seen in 3% of dissected cadavers, providing an opportunity to understand the rare variation and its effects on physiological and histological findings1. These anomalies can be asymptomatic or lead to impaired urine flow through the ureter, leading to hydronephrosis.

Methods

A 76-year-old male donor cadaver was dissected in the PCOM South Georgia anatomy lab in accordance with the first year curriculum for abdominal and kidney dissection. Observations and measurements were noted.

Results

The left kidney presented …

Actions Speak Louder Than Words: The Assertive Community Treatment Program In Rural South Georgia, Maryam Ali, Anthony Cimmino, Janai Groves, Brandon Krout

Research Day

Introduction: The Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) program offers patient-centered mental-health treatment to those in need with mental illness, addictions, and/or developmental disabilities. The ACT program is unique in providing mental health services in non-restrictive milieus that facilitate patient independence within their natural environment. These services include a variety of multi-disciplinary interventions, such as behavioral health assessments, behavioral health crisis units, family/individual/group counseling, crisis intervention, and various community support services. Our ACT team in rural South Georgia specifically covers Colquitt, Decatur, Grady, Mitchell, Thomas, and Seminole counties.

Case Presentation: Herein, we present the case of a 51-year old African American male …

Successful Treatment Of Primary Melanoma Of The Ascending Colon: A Case Report And Literature Review, Maryam Ali, Mailyn Cruz, Wenhui Zhu

Research Day

Introduction: Malignant melanoma typically originates from the skin. Gastrointestinal melanomas are rare, representing 1-3% of neoplasms of the gastrointestinal tract. Cases of primary melanoma originating de-novo from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract are exceptionally rare. Of those cases originating from the GI tract, only 37 cases of primary colonic melanoma have been reported to date.

Case Presentation: Herein, we present the case of a 66-year-old Caucasian male presenting with Stage IV metastatic primary malignant melanoma of the ascending colon found on routine surveillance colonoscopy. The patient’s past medical history was significant for hypertension, dyslipidemia, and pulmonary embolism. Upon initial presentation, the …

Trends In Substance Use And Mental Health Among Adolescents In Georgia, 2002-2022, Saumya S. Palipudi, Bangaru Talli Palipudi, Murty Komanduri

Georgia Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Conference

Background: While substance use and absence of mental health disorders among youth in the United States (US) have declined over the past two decades, post COVID-19 pandemic, these conditions have increased significantly with notable disparities, and witnessed a crisis in public health. In 2022, 24.7% or 6.1 million adolescents aged 12 to 17 in the US had either Major Depressive Episodes (MDE) or Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and 3.7 percent had both in the prior year². Increased stress, lack of peer connections, parental abuse, and poor mental health conditions were attributed to this increase in substance use^{3-7 …}

Maternal And Child Health Tracking System: A Remote Monitoring Tool, Swathika Kothmiri, Pranavi Yerram, Hema Surya, Teja Bhargavi

Bryant University Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies

No abstract provided.

Inhibitors Angptl3 And Their Effects To Hyperlipidemia And Atherosclerosis, Wanee Plengpanich

Chulalongkorn Medical Journal

Angiopoietin-like protein 3 (ANGPTL3) has emerged as important regulators of lipid metabolism. Current innovative therapeutic options using monoclonal antibodies, antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) or vaccine approaches to block this protein may minimize the risk of atherosclerosis in dyslipidemic individuals. The purpose of this review is to discuss the effectiveness of these new ANGPTL3 inhibitors.

Physical Activity In Underserved Preadolescents: Characterization Of Accumulation And Patterns, Alma I. Behar, Matthew T. Mahar, Gregory Norman, John P. Elder, Michael Pratt, Patricia Dionicio, Noe C. Crespo

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Objectives: The increasing rates of physical inactivity and sedentary behaviors among youth are a significant public health concern. The greatest disparities in physical activity (PA) are experienced by underserved (racial/ethnic minority, low-income) youth. This study aimed to characterize accelerometer-measured PA behaviors in a sample of low-income, predominantly Latino, preadolescents. Methods: Participants wore wrist worn GENEActiv accelerometers for 7 days. PA levels were classified as sedentary (< 50 mg), light (50-150 mg), moderate (> 150-500 mg), vigorous (> 500 mg), and MVPA (≥ 150 mg). Time spent in PA levels and sedentary time (ST), prevalence of meeting MVPA guidelines, and PA volume were estimated from accelerometer data. Three-way …

With Love, ; An Interdisciplinary And Intersectional Look At Why Creativity Is Essential, Theo Starr Gardner

Whittier Scholars Program

My Whittier Scholars Program self-designed major, Teaching Creativity, is a mixture of Art, Literature, and Education classes. My research and praxis classes have been focused on the ‘how?’s and 'why?’s of creativity, so it felt only right that my project should be a constructivist, generative project. The project I have been working on throughout my time at Whittier, and that has just fully come to fruition on April 11th, 2024, was a solo art gallery/open mic event entitled ‘With Love,’. With Love, was conceptually inspired by the research I’ve conducted on creativity and creative arts education over the past few …

Brains Over Bronze, Natalia L. Williams

Whittier Scholars Program

While we as a society have made great strides in rewarding and praising athletes for the shows of great physical display, there is a lack of support or awareness of the mental health aspects of competition, especially at the college and professional level. This project illuminates the dire need for mental health resources and training. Athletes undergo a number of pressures and challenges in their work life as well as their personal development. Through literature review, this symposium aims to offer insight on the experiences of college and professional athletes, then providing mental health and psychological skills training resources that …

Estrogen Replacement Therapy To Reduce Neurodegeneration And Socio-Cognitive Deficits In A Female Sprague Dawley Rat Model Of Early-Onset Alzheimer’S Disease, Miriam Kirylo

Senior Theses and Projects

No abstract provided.

Best Practices In The Care Of Older Adults During An Unplanned Acute Observation Stay, Jonny Macias Tejada, Michael Malone

Journal of Geriatric Emergency Medicine

No abstract provided.

Integrating Health-Related Quality Of Life And Evidence-Based Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Management: A Quality Improvement Initiative, Kami Beveridge Wast

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Manuscripts

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent endocrine disorder affecting approximately 10% of women of reproductive age, characterized by symptoms such as irregular menstrual cycles, infertility, and metabolic issues (Fatemeh et al., 2021). Despite its prevalence, the management of PCOS remains challenging due to its manifestations and impact on quality of life. Current treatment paradigms often fail to adequately address the comprehensive needs of this patient population, highlighting a substantial gap in care.

Utilizing the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) methodology, this quality improvement (QI) project aimed to enhance the management of PCOS and improve the quality of life for patients in a …

Improving Pneumococcal Vaccination Rates In Immunosuppressed Pediatric Patients With Rheumatic Disease., Julia G. Harris, Jordan T. Jones, Leslie Favier, Emily Fox, Michael J. Holland, Amy Ivy, Cara M. Hoffart, Maria Ibarra, Ashley M. Cooper

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: Patients with rheumatic diseases are at a high risk of invasive pneumococcal disease due to immunosuppression. We conducted a quality improvement project, and the first aim was to increase the percentage of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and mixed connective tissue disease that is up to date on pneumococcal vaccinations from 9.6% to 80% within one year. Subsequently, the second aim was to increase the percentage of patients on immunosuppression with systemic lupus erythematosus, mixed connective tissue disease, juvenile dermatomyositis and systemic vasculitis that is up to date on pneumococcal vaccinations from 62.6% to 80% within one year.

METHODS: …

Forgotten Clientele: A Systematic Review Of Patient-Centered Pathology Reports, Eric Steimetz, Elmira Mostafidi, Carolina Castagna, Raavi Gupta, Rosemary Frasso

College of Population Health Faculty Papers

CONTEXT: Patient portals, designed to give ready access to medical records, have led to important improvements in patient care. However, there is a downside: much of the information available on portals is not designed for lay people. Pathology reports are no exception. Access to complex reports often leaves patients confused, concerned and stressed. We conducted a systematic review to explore recommendations and guidelines designed to promote a patient centered approach to pathology reporting.

DESIGN: In consultation with a research librarian, a search strategy was developed to identify literature regarding patient-centered pathology reports (PCPR). Terms such as "pathology reports," "patient-centered," and …

Effect Of Methyl Jasmonate And Ga3 On Canola (Brassica Napus L.) Growth, Antioxidants Activity, And Nutrient Concentration Cultivated In Salt-Affected Soils, Subhan Danish, Sundas Sana, Muhammad Baqir Hussain, Khadim Dawar, Hesham S Almoallim, Mohammad Javed Ansari, Misbah Hareem, Rahul Datta

Journal Articles

Salinity stress is a significant challenge in agricultural production. When soil contains high salts, it can adversely affect plant growth and productivity due to the high concentration of soluble salts in the soil water. To overcome this issue, foliar applications of methyl jasmonate (MJ) and gibberellic acid (GA3) can be productive amendments. Both can potentially improve the plant's growth attributes and flowering, which are imperative in improving growth and yield. However, limited literature is available on their combined use in canola to mitigate salinity stress. That's why the current study investigates the impact of different levels of MJ (at concentrations …

Analyzing Pre-Operative Hospital Stay And Incidence Of Hospital Acquired Infection: A Retrospective Study, Maria Costantino, Ornella Piazza, Enrico Coscioni, Emilia Anna Vozzella, Walter Longanella, Francesco De Caro

Translational Medicine @ UniSa

Background: Healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) pose a significant challenge, impacting patient safety and treatment effectiveness. This retrospective study investigates the correlation between preoperative hospital stays and HCAIs in ICU cardiac surgery patients. Methods: Medical records of 35 patients who died post-cardiac surgery in the ICU were analyzed, focusing on the duration of preoperative hospitalization. Results: Prolonged preoperative stays strongly correlate (r=0.993) with increased HCAIs, indicating a critical risk factor. Conclusions: The duration of preoperative hospital stays is pivotal in HCAI risk. Prospective multicenter studies are needed for validation, which is crucial for enhancing patient safety and treatment efficacy.

Invasive And Non-Invasive Assessment Of Non-Culprit Coronary Lesions In Patients With St-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction, Germano Junior Ferruzzi, Michele Bellino, Angelo Silverio, Marco Di Maio, Mariagiovanna Vassallo, Carmine Vecchione, Gennaro Galasso

Translational Medicine @ UniSa

The angiographic evidence of coronary multivessel disease (MVD) increases significantly the risk of recurrent ischemic events in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Recent evidence suggests that a complete revascularization strategy should be considered the standard of care in these patients and performed for significant non-culprit lesions (NCLs) after careful assessment of the individual risk-benefit ratio. However, the optimal timing and the modality for the assessment of NCLs is not fully standardized. This brief review aims to summarise the management of MVD in patients with STEMI and to provide an overview of the principal techniques used to guide revascularisation …

Mindspace: A Multi-Media Art Exhibition On C-Ptsd Awareness, Emma Wallace

Student Research Symposium

"Mindspace" is an autobiographical art exhibition aimed at raising awareness about Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD) through a multi-sensory experience. The exhibition combines sculpture, lights, sound, and video projection to immerse viewers in the intricate emotional landscape of C-PTSD. Through a series of sculptural installations and carefully curated lighting and audio, visitors are invited to explore the internal world of an artist affected by C-PTSD and learn how it differs from PTSD and other types of mental health issues.

“Mindspace" incorporates specially composed soundscapes that offer an intimate look into the artist’s thoughts and memories, which range from spoken word …

Impact Of Intersecting Vulnerabilities On Functional Outcome And Health-Related Quality Of Life After Traumatic Brain Injury: A Prospective Cohort Study, Rekesh Subedi, Tatiana Hoyos-Gomez, Luis Tinoco-Garcia, John Cervantes Cervantes

Student Research Symposium

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a critical public health issue that disproportionately affects select vulnerable populations, including race/ethnic minorities, low-income individuals, and those without health insurance. Despite high incidences of TBI and its considerable impact on morbidity and mortality, research is limited in addressing how the intersectionality of vulnerabilities contributes to outcomes post-TBI. This literature review aims to synthesize existing knowledge regarding Social determinants of health (SDH) on TBI outcomes, focusing on functional recovery and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). This study will use a prospective cohort research design where TBI patients at Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) will …

Interpersonal Experiential Learning And Cancer Research Training Designed To Enhance The Motivation Of Participating Interns Utilizing Self-Determination Theory: A Longitudinal Study With Photovoice Methodology, Alex Vazquez-Cortes, Dierdre Mckay, Connie Tran, Bridget Bugla, Tiffany Bui, Kaisa Holt, Anthony Phan, Clare Hansen, Amy Lin, Amanda Braley, Lisa Marriott Phd

Student Research Symposium

Historically, the underrepresentation of individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, disabled, and diverse racial/ethnic groups in STEM fields is prevalent. Equity in stem fields allows for different perspectives and knowledge backgrounds allows for the cognitive diversity needed to tackle complex research topics. The Knight Scholars Program (KSP) aims to support underrepresented and disadvantaged high school and undergraduate students pursuing a research career by teaching them the tools they need to succeed. Spanning over three summers, KSP utilized the Self-Determination Theory (SDT) of motivation to create an inclusive learning environment and to strengthen the high schoolers' motivation to pursue research careers focusing on …

Evaluation Of Sleep Outcomes After Traumatic Brain Injury In Children Using Questionnaires And Actigraphy, Connie Tran, Sydney Weese, Cydni Williams Md

Student Research Symposium

Traumatic brain injuries are the result of a sudden external blunt force to the brain and can result in long-term complications or death. In pediatrics, it is the leading cause of acute and chronic sleep wake disturbances, as well as cognitive deficits, which can lead to a reduction in the quality of life. These impairments can later result in lowered performance in work and school settings or decreased psychosocial function. Although there is sufficient evidence that traumatic brain injuries contribute to is that it is unknown whether or not sleep wake disturbances contribute to an increase in the mentioned cognitive …

Hide & Cru-Seq: Investigating Potential Crucivirus Hosts With Fluorescently Labeled Protein, Marcell Devaune Richard, Nacho De La Higuera, Jono Abshier, Ken Stedman

Student Research Symposium

Cruciviruses are DNA viruses that contain a capsid protein that shares striking similarities to capsid proteins from RNA viruses. Formerly known as “RNA-DNA hybrid viruses”, this novel type of viruses suggest gene exchange between unrelated RNA and DNA viruses. However, the hosts of cruciviruses remain unknown. To investigate this groundbreaking virus genome further, utilization of the predicted viral host recognition domain (P-domain) fused to a thermal green protein and a histidine tag, allows investigation of crucivirus hosts in environments where these viruses have been discovered. Using cruciviruses that have been found in soil samples on the PSU campus, along with …

S100b As A Protein Marker For Intracranial Hemorrhages, Anthony Phan

Student Research Symposium

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of S100B as a protein marker for patients that are clinically diagnosed with an Intracranial Hemorrhage (ICH). This study enrolled patients that present to the hospital as a trauma activation consistent with a traumatic brain injury (either a blunt or penetrating traumatic mechanism) who are 15 or older, GCS of 12 or lower, and received the placebo arm of the TXA drug. The S100B level of patients will be measured through an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). After the data collection, a statistical test will be conducted to determine the level of significance for …