Other Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Commons^™

Quality Improvement (Qi) Project Aimed At Reducing Unnecessary Antibiotic Usage Among Older Adult Patients By Addressing Inappropriate Antibiotic Prescribing In Primary And Long-Term Care Settings, Pamela M. Thomas

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Antibiotic overuse among older adults remains a significant patient safety and public health concern. Recent national data indicate that approximately 30%–50% of outpatient antibiotic prescriptions may be unnecessary, particularly for viral or self-limiting conditions (Chua et al., 2021). Antimicrobial resistance has been associated with more than 1.27 million deaths globally (Murray et al., 2022). This quality improvement project evaluated a multifaceted antimicrobial stewardship intervention in primary and long-term care settings. Baseline review of 167 antibiotic cases revealed 37.1% were inappropriate or questionable, and 28.7% lacked adequate diagnostic documentation. The intervention incorporated provider education, electronic health record decision-support tools, audit and …

Investigating The Effects Of Cannabichromene On Different Modalities Of Chemotherapy-Induced Neuropathic Pain, Anna F. Weimer

Honors Theses

Chemotherapy is the predominant treatment for a variety of cancers, but throughout its history of use, many side effects have been reported. One of the most common side effects is chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). This side effect subjects an estimated 60% of patients to pain for months to years following chemotherapy. This symptomology is due tothe upregulation of ion channels such as TRPV1, which leads to the release of TNF-α, causing inflammation. These changes manifest in the intraepidermal nerve fibers (IENF), in which chemotherapy damages nociceptors, leading to an overall reduction in density. Current therapeutics, historically limited to opioids or …

Evaluation Of Peptides And Peptide–Doxorubicin Conjugates Designed And Synthesized For Targeting Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Via Cell-Surface Receptors, Shih-Jing (Jane) Yao

Pharmaceutical Sciences (PhD) Dissertations

A significant problem faced in oncology is the lack of chemotherapeutic agents that are tumor site-specific, resulting in reduced therapeutic efficacy and unintended infliction of harm to surrounding healthy tissues and cells that often lead to serious side effects. Current strategies being explored to circumvent this issue aim to refine delivery of  chemotherapeutic agents specifically to tumor sites, which may be achieved via conjugation of these agents to biomarker-specific ligands. This forms the foundation of ligand-targeted drug delivery. Among different breast cancers, treatment of the triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) subtype has been particularly challenging, largely due to the absence of …

The Effects Of Antidepressant Medications On Sleep Quality In Dominican University Of California Students, Natalie L. Davis, Kenna Wohlford, Stephanie Lee

Physician Assistant Studies | Graduate Research Papers

We spend approximately one third of our life time sleeping or attempting to sleep. The quality of our sleep is equally, if not more important than the amount of sleep we get. This study assesses the effects that medications, specifically antidepressants, can have on sleep quality in Dominican University of California students. 118 participants completed a Qualtrics survey including questions regarding stress, sleep quality, medication lists, and demographics. This study utilized the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) to quantify participants’ sleep quality as the outcome. Participant stress levels were assessed with a Likert scale question asking for stress levels on …

Absolute Quantification And Identification Of Rna From Rna-Lipid Nanoparticles Using High Resolution Mass Spectrometry, Jason C. Funderburk

Theses and Dissertations

RNA therapeutics are a rising drug category with potential use for a range of conditions encompassing infectious diseases to therapies for cancer, diseases, and genetic disorders. RNA-lipid nanoparticles (RNA-LNPs) are the prominent delivery method for these therapeutics approved products include mRNA vaccines and polyneuropathy treatments. The emergency use authorizations and orphan drug status of current RNA-LNP drugs has allowed approval without finalization of the regulatory analytical procedures for quality monitoring. The objective of the study was to develop an LC-MS assay to simultaneously measure identity and concentration of two therapeutically relevant intact RNA constructs extracted from RNA-LNPs to enhance quality …

Implementing A Standardized App-Led Multidisciplinary Medication Review And Reconciliation To Improve Medication Safety Before Systemic Cancer Therapy: An Ambulatory Oncology Quality Improvement Initiative, Sarah R. Hines

DNP Projects

Background

Adult patients initiating systemic cancer therapy frequently present with pre-existing polypharmacy related to chronic comorbidities and cancer-related symptom management. The addition of anticancer therapies and supportive care medications further increases medication burden and the risk of medication-related harm. Although national organizations and institutional policies recommend comprehensive medication review before treatment initiation, implementation remains inconsistent in ambulatory oncology practice.

Purpose

To implement and evaluate a standardized Advanced Practice Provider (APP)-led multidisciplinary medication review and reconciliation process designed to identify medication medication-related safety risks before initiation of systemic cancer therapy in adult oncology patients receiving care in an ambulatory infusion center. …

Electronic Cigarettes Increase Blood-Brain And Blood-Tumor Barrier Drug Efflux In A Preclinical Lung Cancer Model Of Brain Metastasis, Cullen Parker Wolford

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This dissertation (a) provided a comprehensive review of the known therapeutic challenges in nicotine delivery system users with lung cancer and (b) investigated the impact of electronic cigarettes on blood-brain/blood-tumor barrier function and efficacy of small molecule KRAS inhibitors in a syngeneic lung cancer brain metastasis model. The blood-brain barrier is a physiochemical barrier that limits systemic delivery of therapeutics into brain. When tumors invade the central nervous system, the blood-brain barrier is disrupted and subsequently forms a blood-tumor barrier. Despite the inherent leakiness and variable permeability of the blood-tumor barrier, it continues to restrict anti-cancer drugs from accumulating at …

Assessment Of Polymeric Chloroquine Formulations For Targeted Therapy Of Ulcerative Colitis And Metastatic Colorectal Cancer, Neha Kumari

Theses & Dissertations

Effective targeted drug delivery is a critical unmet need in the management of both ulcerative colitis and metastatic colorectal cancer, where conventional systemic therapies may be hindered by suboptimal efficacy and significant side effects. This thesis explores the development and preclinical assessment of polymeric chloroquine (PCQ)-based nanotherapeutics, leveraging stimuli-responsive designs for disease-specific delivery and action.

For ulcerative colitis, a reactive oxygen species (ROS)-responsive nanogel system was engineered to release PCQ, a macromolecular derivative of hydroxychloroquine, specifically in the inflamed areas within the colon. Nanogels with well-defined size and positive surface charge were synthesized via reversible fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization …

From Incomplete To Impactful—Finalizing Unfinished Nursing Projects In Nart And Polypharmacy For Lasting Improvement, Paula Thanh Nhat Pham, Armine Lianna Chamichyan, Anastasia Yerofeyeva, Stelene Alexis Tragus

Master's Projects and Capstones

This quality improvement project addressed the problem of incomplete or unsustained clinical initiatives at a long-term care facility by introducing Kotter’s Change Model, an evidence-based framework designed to support and sustain lasting improvements in clinical practice. Within the context of a religious-based residential community for older adults with complex chronic needs, the objective was to strengthen the facility’s capacity to implement and sustain change more effectively. By using two previously unfinished initiatives, the NaRT triage tool and Polypharmacy management process, the project applied Kotter’s model to evaluate how structured change strategies can improve staff engagement, leadership alignment, and long-term project …

Identifying Barriers For Community Pharmacies As Vaccines For Children (Vfc) Providers In Rural Alabama: Opportunities For Solutions, Myra Bajwa

Honors Theses

Significant Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination disparities exist between rural and urban areas in the US. A primary contributor is low access to preventive care in rural areas. Among the most promising strategies to overcome this is increasing access through offering HPV vaccination in non-traditional, convenient health settings such as pharmacies. In rural areas, community pharmacies are trusted, convenient pillars of the community. In Alabama, community pharmacies are eligible for enrollment in the Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program, a federally-funded program that provides free vaccines to children and adolescents under 18 years old who are uninsured, underinsured, American Indian, or Alaska …

Assessing The Role Of Social Media As A Complementary Source In Pharmacovigilance: Insights From Faers, X (Formerly Twitter), And Askapatient Data Across Multiple Drug Classes, Nwanneka Okere

Dissertations

Background: Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) pose significant public health challenges yet remain substantially underreported in traditional pharmacovigilance systems. Social media platforms and patient-reported outcome forums have emerged as potential complementary sources for capturing real-time patient experiences with medications, but their integration with established surveillance systems remains underexplored.

Purpose: This study examined ADR reporting patterns across FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), X (formerly Twitter), and Askapatient to evaluate whether patient-generated digital data can complement traditional pharmacovigilance systems for enhanced drug safety monitoring.

Methods: An explanatory sequential mixed-methods design analyzed 107,753 reports representing 289,740 individual ADR occurrences for …

Specificity Of Interaction Of Antimicrobial Peptide With Cell Membrane, Srishhti Kumar Jha

Pharmaceutical Sciences (MS) Theses

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an increasing global health threat due to its rising incidence worldwide. Resistant microbial infections have become difficult to treat and pose serious risks to patients. In 2019, AMR was responsible for approximately 1.27 million deaths globally, with numbers continuing to rise. The World Health Organization (WHO) has highlighted the urgent need for new antibiotics with novel mechanisms of action and low toxicity to combat this issue. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) represent a promising solution. These peptides exhibit broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity and rapid killing kinetics, reducing the likelihood of resistance development. AMPs primarily target bacterial cell membranes. Their …

The Influence Of Perioperative Education On Postoperative Digestive Restoration, Christian Cedeno

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Project

The human body often needs encouragement to return to its natural state of functioning following intraoperative and postoperative drug therapy. Anesthesia can sedate the gastrointestinal tract and frequently requires medical and physical interventions to allow the body to return to full functionality. There are several methods thought to be beneficial in overcoming of this condition, and some have proven their significance more so than other methods. This project seeks to measure the power-of-knowledge methodology via a chart review of individuals specifically educated on what they can expect in the postoperative phase of care compared to those that receive routine education. …

Schistosoma Haematobium Infection In Ethiopian Children: Evaluating Praziquantel Efficacy, Nutritional Effects, And Diagnosis Using Flukecatcher, Louis Fok

Theses & Dissertations

Urogenital schistosomiasis continues to impact the wellbeing of hundreds of millions of people worldwide and remains a significant public health challenge across Ethiopia. Despite existing knowledge on the disease, there remain significant unanswered questions with regard to its treatment and diagnosis. This dissertation evaluated the efficacy of praziquantel at treating urogenital schistosomiasis, improving nutritional parameters among children and the performance of FlukeCatcher at detecting and determining the intensity of infection. In effecting this, a total of 977 children aged 5 through 15 from the Afar and Gambella regions of Ethiopia were screened for S. haematobium infection using urine filtration microscopy …

Evaluating The Therapeutic Potential Of Geranylgeranyl Diphosphate Synthase Inhibitor, Ram2061, In Myeloma Bone Disease, Molly Muehlebach

Theses & Dissertations

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a hematological malignancy of the plasma cells which often results in lytic bone disease. Myeloma bone disease (MBD), characterized by diffuse osteopenia, bone lesions, or pathological fracture, results from MM mediated promotion of osteoclast resorption and dual inhibition of bone formation, drastically reducing bone strength and integrity. Development of MBD is known to significantly impact patient quality of life and increase risk of mortality. Considering that up to 80-95% of MM patients are expected to develop bone disease post-initial MM diagnosis, there is a significant need within this population for therapeutics which address both MM disease …

Functional Characterization Of The C-Terminal Cholinesterase-Like (Chel) Domain Of The Thyroid Hormone Precursor Protein, Berenice Morales-Rodriguez

Pharmaceutical Sciences (MS) Theses

Vertebrate life is unsustainable without thyroid hormones. The only known precursor for thyroid hormone synthesis is thyroglobulin (Tg), composed of upstream regions I-II-III and a C-terminal cholinesterase-like (ChEL) domain, which bears 47% similarity to acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Mutations in Tg cause congenital hypothyroidism, the most common congenital endocrinopathy affecting 1 in 2,000-4,000 newborns, with a varying degree of phenotypic manifestations. Tg protein, regulated by TSH, is secreted to the lumen of thyroid follicles, where thyroxine (T₄) is formed primarily at the N-terminus, and triiodothyronine (T₃) is formed primarily in the ChEL domain. Previous in vitro studies indicated …

Preliminary Evaluation Of Bahamian Botanicals For Tropical Applications, Michelle Antoinette Outten

Selected Full-Text Master Theses 2021-

This thesis explores the phytochemical composition and cosmetic potential of three Bahamian botanicals- Mosiera longipes (MLE), Tabebuia bahamensis (TBE), and Momordica charantia (MCE)---traditionally used in local bush medicine. Methanolic and aqueous extracts were prepared and incorporated into topical cream formulations. While HPLC-DAD analysis was performed, no compounds were definitively identified due to hardware limitations; chromatographic data remain preliminary, providing a foundation for future validation. Formulations were assessed for stability under centrifugation, thermal cycling, and long-term storage. All samples demonstrated acceptable initial pH values within the skin-compatible range (4.5-5.5): BWE (5.63 ± 0.04), TBE (5.47 ± 0.02), MLE (5.72 ± 0.04), …

Using Hyperactive Shp-2 Mutants, A Phosphatase, To Identify Interactions With The Rna Helicase Ddx3, Devin Montgomery

Theses and Dissertations--Pharmacy

Protein-protein interactions are critical in cellular signaling pathways. This project investigates binding interactions between SHP-2, a tyrosine phosphatase, and DDX3, an RNA helicase. There is a specific focus on the impact that gain-of-function SHP-2 mutations may impact binding to DDX3 via conformational change. Using immunoprecipitation protocols as well as western blotting we were able to provide insights into SHP-2 molecular mechanisms and subsequent binding to DDX3.

Anxiolytic Intervention: Modulation Of Cell Types Due To Nicotine Withdrawal, Taylor Elder

Theses and Dissertations--Pharmacy

Nicotine use disorder (NUD) remains a leading cause of preventable disease, yet the neurobiological mechanisms underlying nicotine withdrawal are incompletely understood. Emerging evidence implicates neuroimmune signaling and astrocytic regulation of glutamate in shaping the withdrawal-associated affective phenotype. This dissertation investigated these processes using multiple nicotine administration paradigms including osmotic minipump implant, cigarette smoke exposure, and nicotine vapor inhalation to model diverse routes of human nicotine intake.

Chapter 2 examines the effects of these three modes of administration on neuroinflammation and validation of nicotine delivery. Nicotine exposure was confirmed through receptor [³H]Epibatidine nAChR binding assay and serum cotinine measurements. …

Leveraging Transcriptomics And Behavior To Investigate Potential Neuronal And Glial Drivers Of Substance Use Disorder Endophenotypes, Jack V. Keady

Theses and Dissertations--Pharmacy

Over 54 million Americans needed substance use treatment in 2023. While there are many facets of substance use disorder, two major issues of interest are the negative reinforcing aspects of substances of abuse, manifesting in part as withdrawal symptomologies, and why a subset of people who use substances of abuse escalate to a use disorder. Nicotine exposure models were used to investigate the mechanisms of withdrawal endophenotypes, as smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, and a fentanyl self-administration model was used to probe individual differences in escalation phenotypes, as 80% of overdose deaths in …

The Impact Of Maternal Environmental Exposures On The Immune Landscape Of The Maternal-Fetal Interface, Heather E. True

Theses and Dissertations--Pharmacy

Maternal environmental exposures and inflammation are known to impact fetal development in utero as well as increase the risk for chronic diseases later in life. Therefore, it is essential that we understand how the maternal environment alters placental structure and immune function.

Therefore, we isolated fetal (chorionic villous) tissues from the placentas of healthy pregnant participants (control) and those with inflammatory conditions, including SARS-COV-2 infection, pregravid obesity, and opioid use disorder. Isolated placental leukocytes were subjected to a series of assays to uncover the phenotypic, functional, and transcriptional (single-cell RNA-sequencing) landscape of placental immune cells. Additional placental tissues were subjected …

Investigating Antimicrobial Efficacy Of Turmeric And Rosemary Oil Against Staphylococcus Aureus, Aishwarya Tripathi

Selected Full-Text Master Theses 2021-

This study investigates the antimicrobial efficacy of turmeric (Curcuma longa) and rosemary essential oil (Rosmarinus officinalis) against Streptococcus aureus, with a comparative analysis to phenoxyethanol, a widely used synthetic preservative. The growing consumer demand for natural cosmetic formulations have intensified the search for plant-derived alternatives to synthetic preservatives. Turmeric and rosemary oil were selected based on their documented antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. The objective of this research was to evaluate whether these natural agents can serve as effective preservatives in topical gel formulations, either individually or in combination, and how their efficacy compares to phenoxyethanol.

Eight gel-based formulations were …

Immersive Medical Practice And Clinical Training: Virtual And Mixed Reality In Pharmacy And Orthopedic Surgery, Silas Semprini De Toledo Contaifer

Theses and Dissertations

Extended‑reality (XR) technologies including virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality (MR) offer new ways to improve training and surgical precision. This thesis evaluates their educational and clinical impact through two complementary studies.

Specific Aim 1 compared an immersive 360° video VR module with conventional training for teaching USP < 797> sterile‑compounding skills to second‑year PharmD students (N = 36). VR trainees raised their knowledge from 6.14 ± 1.55 to 8.69 ± 1.07, yet the overall post‑test advantage versus control was not statistically significant (U = 71.50, p = 0.21). Item‑level McNemar testing showed significant VR‑exclusive gains on three critical questions (K5, K6, …

Advancing Continuous Manufacturing: The Role Of Process Analytical Technology In Process Development, Samuel R. Henson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The pharmaceutical industry is actively pursuing technologies which improve manufacturing processes with the goal of producing high-quality pharmaceutical products for patients, manifesting in an industry-wide investment in continuous manufacturing (CM). Process analytical technology (PAT) has been recognized for its successful monitoring of critical quality attributes during routine production and is often cited alongside CM due to its ability to make timely, in-line measurements of intermediate materials. Various PAT tools are valuable in process development, particularly as continuous wet granulation processes are developed for use within pharmaceutical manufacturing. This work applied PAT and chemometric modeling during CM process development to enhance …

Specifically Targeting Muc16 For Fluorescence-Guided Surgery Of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma, Kathryn M. Muilenburg

Theses & Dissertations

Pancreatic cancer is a lethal disease with a low 5-year survival rate and a high rate of resection recurrence. However, surgery remains the only treatment with curative potential for pancreatic cancer. Many factors such as high desmoplasia, a lack of intraoperative imaging, and micrometastatic disease contribute to the high rate of incomplete resections in pancreatic cancer. Fluorescence-guided surgery (FGS) is a potential intraoperative tool for application in surgical resection. FGS works through passive or active targeting of a free dye or dye-containing moiety (e.g. antibody, peptide, and nanoparticles) to specifically fluoresce the tumor compared to the surrounding normal, fibrotic, and …

Formulation And Characterization Of Biologics – From Sirna To Monoclonal Antibodies, Chinmay M. Jogdeo

Theses & Dissertations

Biologics are a rapidly growing class of therapeutics, encompassing a wide range of modalities, with gene therapy products and monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) constituting the majority. Proper formulation and characterization of these complex therapeutics is crucial to ensure their safety and therapeutic efficacy.

This dissertation focuses on two main areas: the development of a novel renal-targeted siRNA delivery system and the assessment of structural and conformational stability of mAbs in a simulated subcutaneous (SC) environment.

The first part of this dissertation presents the synthesis and characterization of a novel renal-targeted polymer for selective siRNA delivery to injured kidneys. Inulin was modified …

Synthesis Of Photocleavable Molecules For Neurological Applications, Nishal Madujith Egodawaththa Arachchilage Don

Theses and Dissertations

In recent biomedical research, the precise control of molecular dynamics through light activation has emerged as a powerful tool, particularly in the field of neurobiology. This approach involves the use of photocleavable cages or photoprotective groups (PPGs) that are chemically tethered to biologically active molecules such as neurotransmitters or calcium chelators. These cages remain inert until exposed to specific wavelengths of light, typically in the visible range, triggering the release of the active compound with high spatiotemporal precision.

For neurotransmitter systems, such as glutamate (Glu), which plays a critical role in synaptic transmission and memory formation, researchers have developed novel …

Perceptions Of Virtual Reality In Cardiac Pharmacy Education, Morgan E. Mendes

Senior Theses

Background: The reformation of how educational content is portrayed is not a new phenomenon. However, the world of pharmacy has been slow to adapt, particularly considering higher education’s declining attendance rates and less engaging lectures. XR can be a great addition to learners’ curriculum, particularly VR, with various applications including adjunctive pharmacotherapy, patient counseling, pharmacist training, and pharmacological modeling. Despite the various barriers VR integration faces, the benefits of VR necessitate its future implementation into our COP curriculum as an augmentative form of learning.

Methods: An independent study of 11 students at the UofSC COP was conducted in the Spring …

Central Nervous System Antiviral Pharmacology, Sean N. Avedissian

Theses & Dissertations

Soon after viral infection, viruses like Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and SARS-CoV-2 can disseminate throughout the body and establish reservoirs in the central nervous system (CNS). The persistence of viruses in cells of these reservoirs is a major obstacle to virus eradication. This is due to the abundance of cells/receptors that these viruses utilize to gain entry into cells found at these various reservoir sites. Consequently, these same anatomical sites also may be pharmacologic sanctuaries, as evidenced by concentrations of antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) and antivirals (AVs) that are lower in reservoirs than those in peripheral blood; in some cases, these …

Pharmacokinetics And Tissue Distribution Of A Lipid-Based Extended-Release Nano-Formulation Of Mo-Oh-Nap Tropolone To Enhance Pulmonary Delivery For The Treatment Of Pulmonary Metastatic Osteosarcoma, Wafaa N. Aldhafiri

Theses & Dissertations

Osteosarcoma is the most common primary bone tumor in children and adolescents. Metastasis is prevalent in 25% of patients, at diagnosis, with the lungs being the most common metastatic site. Pulmonary metastatic osteosarcoma is a significant therapeutic challenge with a 5-year survival rate of ≤30%. Patients with pulmonary metastatic disease at diagnosis receive the same standard of care as patients with local disease, which hasn’t changed over the past 30 years. The treatment and prevention of pulmonary metastatic osteosarcoma represents a significant critical and unmet need.

MO-OH-Nap tropolone is a novel small molecule with cytotoxic activity across multiple human osteosarcoma …