Other Medical Sciences Commons^™

The Role Of Resilience Among Emergency Medical Service Personnel And Its Relationship With Their Adaptive Performance In Riyadh-Saudi Arabia., Abdullah Alabdali, Majed Althagafi, Malak Alharbi, Amera Almutere, Alanoud Almawzan, Nourh Aljaber, Reem Muafa

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Healthcare workers, particularly Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel, are frequently exposed to traumatic physical and psychological events. EMS personnel regularly encounter critical incidents that challenge their resilience, adaptive performance, and overall quality of life. Understanding the factors that support resilience is essential to maintaining workforce well-being and performance. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 348 EMS personnel employed by the Saudi Red Crescent Authority (SRCA) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, between September 2020 and October 2021. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire assessing resilience, adaptive performance, coping mechanisms, and demographic variables. Results: EMS personnel demonstrated higher resilience levels …

Assessing Hpv And Hpv Vaccine Awareness And Perception Amongst Undergraduate Students, Maura Hawkins

Honors Theses

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections in the United States. Vaccination rates remain low among college-aged students despite an effective vaccine being available. This study investigates HPV and HPV vaccination-related knowledge, beliefs, and perceptions among undergraduate students to inform targeted intervention strategies. Participants included undergraduate students (n = 19) who attended one of three focus groups conducted in April 2025 at the University of South Alabama. Structured interview guides explored HPV knowledge, perceived risk and severity, attitudes towards vaccination, autonomy in health decision-making, trust in health information sources, and preferred educational strategies. Discussions were …

Biomarker-Defined Neural Injury-Risk Profiles And Maternal Plasma Small Extracellular Vesicles In Preeclampsia, Mariele Patungan, Jacqueline Parchem, Tina O. Findley, Avery Dewolf, Ximena Medina Romero

Summer Research Program Abstracts

No abstract provided.

Characterization Of Circulating Extracellular Proteome In Plasma Samples Of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Patients, Brionna Wilson

Honors Theses

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membrane-bound vesicles secreted by cells in the body that play an important role in intercellular signaling, immune modulation, and transfer of biomolecules between cells. EV s reflect the physiological state of their cells of origin, so they are being explored as potential noninvasive biomarkers for cancer detection and monitoring. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), an aggressive subtype lacking targeted therapies, is difficult to detect early and currently has no reliable prognostic biomarkers. This study aimed to quantify EV concentrations in the blood serum of TNBC patients (n=40) compared with cancer-free healthy controls (n=35) as well as determine …

The Effects Of Body Mass Index On Fertility And In Vitro Fertilization, Morgan R. Kidd

Honors College Theses

In-vitro fertilization (IVF) is the most widely used type of assisted reproductive technology for treating infertility arising from a number of conditions. As obesity rates continue to climb in the United States, infertility has been discovered to have a direct correlation. Individuals that fall below or above the healthy body mass index range are found to have disrupted regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, resulting in diminished reproductive health. Those that are diagnosed as infertile due to conditions caused by the effects of low body mass index or high body mass index may seek assisted reproductive technologies to intervene in achieving …

Unlocking Hope: Mirtazapine's Promise In Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Treatment, Rebecca K. Hicks, Iram Kingson, Jordan Gaal, Suzanne Holroyd

Marshall Journal of Medicine

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic and debilitating psychiatric condition characterized by intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions). While selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) are first-line treatments for OCD, a significant proportion of patients remain refractory to these interventions. Mirtazapine, an atypical antidepressant with unique pharmacological properties, has emerged as a potential adjunctive therapy for treatment-resistant OCD. This review synthesizes existing evidence regarding the efficacy and safety profile of mirtazapine in OCD management. We analyze clinical trials, observational studies, and case reports, distinguishing high- vs. low-quality evidence, and discuss mechanisms underlying mirtazapine's therapeutic effects. Additionally, …

Comparing Educational Pathways For Denturists To Become Maxillofacial Prosthetic Specialists In The Us And The Uk, Minseok Kim

Oral Health

Abstract

In the absence of formal training, licensure, and professionalism, this scientific literature review will seek to include denturists in the American maxillofacial prosthetics industry. Denturists are oral health professionals who perform oral examination, design, manufacture, and place removable oral prostheses. In other regions of the world, they are also known as clinical dental technologists and dental prosthetists. This practice is not widespread in the US. The review can also be assessed on the model mediated by PRISMA, which is concentrated on the experiences of international education in the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, where the concentration further revolves around …

Impact Of Senescence On Breast Cancer Outcomes, Gracie Sous

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Cellular senescence is a biological process in which damaged cells exit the cell cycle while remaining metabolically active and accumulating within tissues. Senescence plays a complex role in breast cancer progression, largely through the secretion of senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) factors. These factors include a broad range of inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and signaling molecules that can influence the tumor microenvironment.

Studies suggest that senescence may significantly promote cancer metastasis. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the genes involved in cancer progression and to improve understanding of how SASP is regulated, which is critical for improving breast cancer outcomes. The central …

Evaluating The Impact Of Telemedicine-Based Medication Education On Glycemic Control In Adult Male Veterans With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Megan N. Calter

West Chester University Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Final Projects

Veterans experience disproportionately high rates of type 2 diabetes mellitus (20.5% vs 11.6% nationally), driven by military-related factors such as PTSD, deployment-related obesity, and service-connected disabilities. At a large urban primary care clinic, 28% (40/141) of veterans with type 2 diabetes mellitus had persistently elevated HbA1c levels of ≥8%, indicating a high risk for diabetes-related complications. This quality improvement project aimed to reduce the proportion of veterans with HbA1c of ≥8% by implementing tailored telemedicine-based medication education, leveraging underutilized virtual care infrastructure to address access barriers and improve diabetes self-management. Participants received two 30-minute telemedicine medication and disease management education …

Dual-Task Interaction Between Vestibular Function And Cognitive Processing Using The P300 Event-Related Potential, Laurel Elise Money-Nolan

Graduate Theses and Dissertations (2019 - present)

Previous research has established links between vestibular function and cognitive processing, aging and cognitive function, and aging and vestibular function. Theories of cognitive resource allocation discuss how cognitive resources, such as attention, are devoted towards and divided between tasks when multitasking. This dual-task study, utilizing a balance task and a listening/cognitive task, across the young- and middle-aged adult age range, aimed to evaluate potential relationships between vestibular function, cognition, and age, and to examine how cognitive resources might be allocated under dual-task conditions.

The dual-task protocol in this study utilized an oddball paradigm with tonal stimuli to measure the P300 …

Development Of A Longitudinal, Small-Group Pocus Curriculum For Internal Medicine Residents, Shah N. Mahmud Do, Ammar W. Bhatti Do, Ariq Rahman Md, Omar Al Qassab Md, Fraser Mackay Md

The Lahey Journal

Development of a Longitudinal, Small-Group POCUS Curriculum for Internal Medicine Residents

Introduction

Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) is integral for clinicians to enhance their diagnostic and procedural skills. Unlike Emergency Medicine or Anesthesia training programs, Internal Medicine programs often lack a structured and standardized curriculum. We thus developed a longitudinal and multi-pronged POCUS curriculum aimed at building trainee competency when utilizing ultrasound for diagnostic and procedural work-up.

Methods

The curriculum encompasses the following: basics of ultrasound, ultrasound-guided procedures, thoracic ultrasound/Bed Lung Ultrasound in Emergency (BLUE), and cardiac ultrasound/Focus-Assessed Transthoracic Echocardiography (FATE). These modules were integrated into the residents’ clinic blocks. We utilized …

The Science Of Sound: Studying The Cognitive, Emotional, And Physiological Effects Of Frequency, Genre, And Music, Jett Yarborough

Senior Honors Theses

Music influences emotion, physiology, and cognition, yet little is known about how the frequency it is tuned to affects these influences. Prior research has shown that music tuned to 432 Hz can reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and improve sleep. My colleagues and I conducted two studies to investigate this. Our research found that music tuned to 432 Hz promotes a significant increase in memory retention and induces a state of focus and relaxation. These results suggest that shifting from the standard tuning frequency of 440 Hz to 432 Hz could have a profoundly positive impact on our daily lives. …

Dosimetric Comparisons For Determining Optimal Arc Geometry In Multi Target Thoracic Vmat Sbrt Treatment Plans For Patients With Locally Advanced Inoperable Nsclc, Alexandrea M. Reeves

Masters Projects

Non-coplanar beam arrangements have been used for many years in radiation treatment planning. Their use has been known to show an increase in target conformity and gradient index. However, by using non-coplanar beam arrangements, the treatment planning time as well as the treatment delivery time can increase. Despite the increase in treatment planning and delivery complexity and time, previous studies have shown a decrease in OAR doses resulting in a desire to use non-coplanar beams. Previous studies have looked at various body sites and target locations, though no research has been found specifically studying non-coplanar beam arrangement in multi-target treatment …

Transforming Primary Care: Innovative Post Graduate Pa Training For Real-World Solutions, Kenneth Botelho, James Ali

Lynchburg Journal of Medical Science

The ongoing crisis in primary care demands innovative and scalable strategies to prepare and retain advanced practice providers. This article introduces the Primary Care Practitioner (PCP) Program, a conceptual postgraduate training model designed for certified physician associates/assistants (PAs) who aim to serve in underserved and rural communities. The program integrates advanced clinical training, leadership development, telehealth competencies, VR-enhanced simulation, and evidence-based strategies to promote provider resilience. Rooted in systems-based thinking and real-world applicability, the PCP Program culminates in capstone projects that encourage innovation in care delivery and population health.

Aligned with national frameworks such as the HRSA Primary Care Training …

The Impact Of An Iron-Rich Diet On Fatigue In Menstruating Women With Non-Anemic Iron Deficiency, Meagan Seraydar, Lauren Latimer, Sam Miragliatto

Department of Nutrition Student Projects

Fatigue without diagnosed anemia is prevalent in menstruating women, with iron deficiency being a potential contributor. While iron supplementation is a standard intervention, dietary sources of iron may offer a sustainable alternative. This study aims to assess the impact of an iron-rich diet on fatigue levels in menstruating women. A 12-week randomized controlled trial (RCT) will be conducted, assigning participants to either an iron-rich diet group or a control group following their usual diet without specific iron recommendations. Fatigue will be measured using the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) at baseline, six weeks, and twelve weeks, alongside iron status biomarkers, including …

Health Literacy: Impact And Interventions, Elizabeth Simpson

Lynchburg Journal of Medical Science

The objectives of this paper are to examine the connection between health literacy level and patient outcome, identify contributing factors of low health literacy, and identify ways in which providers and health literacy programs can promote health literacy on an individual and community level. I conducted a literature search using PubMed and Google Scholar in order to lend evidence to these objectives.

The results demonstrated a clear correlation between low health literacy levels and poor patient outcomes. Low health literacy is also correlated with reduced medication adherence, improper use of medication, more emergency department visits, and unhealthy habits during pregnancy …

Role Of Psychiatric Factors Hindering Physical Rehabilitation After Acl Reconstructive Surgery, Malak Rafik, Davian Caraballo, James Fini Jr., Nathan Barnhurst

Annual Research Symposium

No abstract provided.

A Systematic Review Of Persisting Tissue Health Challenges Amid Insulin Delivery System Advancements: Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion (Csii) And Lipohypertrophy In Diabetic Patients, Marlena Muszynska, Emily Awdish

Annual Research Symposium

No abstract provided.

Unraveling Physiologic Mechanisms In Passive And Active Mechanoreceptor Stimulation, Halah Khan, Braden Ashcraft

Annual Research Symposium

No abstract provided.

Resilience And Reality: Exploring The Lived Experiences Of People Living With Hiv In Texas During The Covid-19 Pandemic – A Qualitative Study., Ahmed F. Alanazi

Social Work Dissertations - Archive

This study investigated the lived experiences of individuals living with HIV (PLWH) in the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) area of Texas during the COVID-19 pandemic, using an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) framework. The research examined the intersection of health, social dynamics, and psychological resilience among PLWH, who faced compounded vulnerabilities due to systemic inequities and the dual public health crises of HIV and COVID-19. Through semi-structured interviews with ten participants from diverse backgrounds, the study captured the profound impacts of disrupted healthcare systems, heightened stigma, and social isolation on this marginalized population. The findings reveal that the pandemic exacerbated existing inequities …

The Impact Of State-Mandated Certification Of Surgical Technologists On Surgical Site Infection Rates: Evaluating Policy, Practice, And Patient Outcomes, Katherine E. Geiger

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Abstract

Chairperson: Matthew Schertz, Ph.D.

Committee Member: Morgen J Alwell, Ph.D.

Committee Member: Jill Davis, M.Ed.

As a surgical technology instructor, I have witnessed firsthand the impact that certified surgical technologists (CSTs) have on patient safety, particularly in the prevention of surgical site infections (SSIs). This professional paper investigates the relationship between state-mandated certification of surgical technologists and SSI rates, with a focus on how standardized education and credentialing influence clinical outcomes. SSIs remain a significant concern in surgical environments, contributing to increased morbidity, longer hospital stays, and greater healthcare costs. The research presented here examines certification requirements across various …

Reassessing Hourly Neurological Assessments: A Quality Improvement Initiative, Haley Lynne Johnson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

ABSTRACT

Reassessing Hourly Neurological Assessments: A Quality Improvement Initiative

Haley Lynne Johnson, BSN, RN

Background: Stroke and brain injuries remain among the leading causes of mortality in the United States, accounting for 162,890 deaths in 2021 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2021). Although frequent neurological assessments are essential for monitoring patient status, limited evidence supports the prolonged use of hourly neuro-checks (LaBuzetta et al., 2022). Excessive neuro-check frequency has been linked to sleep deprivation, an increased risk of delirium, and inefficient resource utilization (Kishore et al., 2021).

Purpose: This project aimed to assess the impact of …

The Impact Of Pdcd4, A Translation Inhibitor, On Drug Resistance, Qing Wang, Hsin-Sheng Yang

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

Programmed cell death 4 (Pdcd4) is a tumor suppressor, which has been demonstrated to efficiently suppress tumorigenesis. Biochemically, Pdcd4 binds with translation initiation factor 4A and represses protein translation. Beyond its role in tumor suppression, growing evidence suggests that Pdcd4 enhances the chemosensitivity of several anticancer drugs. To date, numerous translational targets of Pdcd4 have been identified. These targets govern important signal transduction pathways, and their attenuation may improve chemosensitivity or overcome drug resistance. This review will discuss the signal transduction pathways regulated by Pdcd4 and the potential mechanisms through which Pdcd4 enhances chemosensitivity or counteracts drug resistance.

A Dosimetric Comparison Of Treatment Techniques For Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy For Pancreatic Patients, Kameron Lemley

Masters Projects

Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is utilized in radiation therapy to deliver ablative radiation doses to tumor volumes while achieving high conformity and minimal dose to surrounding critical structures. This treatment technique allows for faster dose fall-off which allows tighter treatment margins. SBRT for pancreatic cancer has been investigated for its efficacy and has proven to be an effective treatment choice for neoadjuvant radiation therapy. Since pancreatic cancer is extremely aggressive with a high mortality rate, it is important to have a treatment option that can reduce cost and increase convenience for the patient while simultaneously providing a conformal treatment plan. …

Comparative Plan Analysis: Helical Tomotherapy Vs. Linac Vmat For Lower Extremity Sarcomas, Marie E. Dibona

Masters Projects

Abstract

Introduction

Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) affect about 13,500 people annually in the United States, and those in the lower extremities present unique challenges in radiation therapy due to the wide variability in tumor sizes, sometimes exceeding 30cm. Traditional treatment involves C-Arm linear accelerators using Volumetric Modulated Radiation Therapy (VMAT), which provides precise targeting while sparing nearby organs. Helical Tomotherapy (HT) is another option, delivering radiation in a helical pattern with a binary MLC for a uniform dose distribution. However, no studies have compared VMAT and HT for lower extremity sarcomas of different sizes. This study aims to compare these …

Nsd3::Nutm1 Fusion Sarcoma Mimicking Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor With Prolonged Survival, Jing Di, Ali M. Alhaidary, Chi Wang, Jinge Liu, Sainan Wei, Joseph Valentino, Therese J. Bocklage

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

Nuclear Protein in Testis (NUT)-rearranged tumors comprise predominantly NUT car- cinoma but also include certain lymphomas, leukemias, skin appendage tumors, and sarcomas. Although histologically diverse, all are genetically identified by oncogenic rearrangement in the NUTM1 gene. Many fusion partners occur, and NSD3 is NUT carcinoma’s third most common partner. Herein, we present a case of a 26-year-old man with an NSD3::NUTM1 fusion sarcoma. The patient presented at the age of 13 months with a scalp nodule. Over the next 24 years, he experienced five local recurrences and ultimately expired of a rapidly progressive recurrence. His treatment included surgical resections, radiation, …

An Investigation Into Aetiology, Detection And Treatment Of Neonatal Alloimmune Thrombocytopenia, Mairead Horan

International Undergraduate Journal of Health Sciences

NAIT is a rare disorder with a similar aetiology to HDN, however unlike its erythrocyte counterpart, thrombocyte immunisation can occur within the first pregnancy. (Giouleka et al., 2023). The most common antibodies implicated are HLA-1a. (Winkelhorst et al., 2017). 2.5% of the Caucasian population are HPA-1a negative, of this population 33% are HLA-DR-B3*0101 positive increasing the risk of producing an alloantibody upon encountering the HPA-1a antigen. The maternal system becomes alloimmunised to the foreign paternal antigens of the foetus/neonate, which cross the placenta causing low platelets of the foetus. (Giouleka et al., 2023).

A third of antigen-positive neonates born to …

Travel-Time Disparities In Access To Proton Beam Therapy For Cancer Treatment, Todd Burus, Alexander D. Vanhelene, Michael K. Rooney, Krystle A. Lang Kuhs, W. Jay Christian, Christopher Mcnair, Sanjay Mishra, Arnold C. Paulino, Grace L. Smith, Steven J. Frank, Jeremy L. Warner

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

IMPORTANCE Proton beam therapy is an emerging radiotherapy treatment for patients with cancer that may produce similar outcomes as traditional photon-based therapy for many cancers while delivering lower amounts of toxic radiation to surrounding tissue. Geographic proximity to a proton facility is a critical component of ensuring equitable access both for indicated diagnoses and ongoing clinical trials.

OBJECTIVE To characterize the distribution of proton facilities in the US, quantify drive-time access for the population, and investigate the likelihood of long commutes for certain population subgroups.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This population-based cross-sectional study analyzed travel times to proton facilities in …

Development, Validation, And Diagnostic Performance Of A Novel Radiomic Model For Predicting Prostate Cancer Recurrence, Linda M. Huynh

Theses & Dissertations

Multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging (MP-MRI)-derived radiomics have been shown to capture sub-visual patterns for the quantitative characterization of prostate cancer (PC) phenotypes. The present dissertation seeks to develop, evaluate, and compare the performance of an MRI-derived radiomic model for the prediction of PC recurrence following definitive treatment with radical prostatectomy (RP).

MP-MRI was obtained from 339 patients who had a minimum of 2 years follow-up following RP at three institutions. The prostate was manually delineated as the region of interest and 924 radiomic features were extracted. All features were evaluated for stability via intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and image normalization …

Sex And Age Differences In Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Responses And The Resulting Influences On Cognition, Miranda K. Traylor

Graduate Theses and Dissertations (2019 - present)

Vascular dysfunction is the earliest known marker of neurodegeneration. However, limited research has been conducted to determine if changes in peripheral vascular function track differences in brain health. Therefore, the purpose was to determine if previously reported sex differences in near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) vascular occlusion test (VOT) parameters persist across the lifespan and if these differences track age- and sex-related differences in a cognitive task. Ninety-nine healthy, cognitively intact adults (50 women, 49 men) across the adult lifespan (19-81 yrs) were used for analysis. The combination of NIRS-VOT was used to quantify microvascular function. Cognition was defined as the time …