Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment Commons^™

Work Hard Play Hard: Child Life Specialists And Use Of Play In The Hospital Setting, Gabriella Rose Hess

McNair Scholars Research

Play is crucial for a child’s development, especially for children in restricted settings, such as hospitals. However, play in the hospital setting is frequently overlooked, often to the child’s detriment. A survey was distributed to child life specialists to obtain quantitative and qualitative data regarding their perceptions of the importance of play and how they implement it in the hospital setting. Eighty-three participants answered the survey. Eighty-two out of eighty-three are child life specialists. One participant was a student and seventy-nine were Certified Child Life Specialists. Responses revealed that all of the participants believed play is important in the hospital …

System Integration Of C-Arm Robotic Prototype Using Motion Capture Guidance For Accurate Repositioning, Alireza Yazdanshenas

Mechanical Engineering Theses

One of the important surgical tools in spinal surgery is the C-Arm X-ray System. The C-Arm is a large “C” shaped and manually maneuvered arm that provides surgeons and X-ray technicians the ability to take quick quality X-rays during surgery. Because of its five degrees of freedom, the C-Arm can be manually maneuvered around the patient to provide many angles and perspectives, ensuring surgical success.

This system works fine for most surgical procedures but falls short when the C-Arm must be moved out of the way for complicated surgical procedures.

The aim of this thesis is to develop an accurate …

Endovascular Management Of Free Floating Common Carotid Thrombi, Kevin Carr Md, Zachary Thwing Md, Ravishankar Shivashankar Md, Yafell Serulle Md

Radiology

• The incidence of symptomatic free-floating thrombi of the common carotid artery (CCA) is as low as 0.24-5% incidence in stroke victims. Patients are predisposed to a prothrombotic state
• Historical management options were limited to surgical and medical options both with individual attendant risk profiles
• Large thrombi can present with various degrees of clinical severity
• The endovascular approach is a viable tool to manage these patients

Community Stroke Practice Experience With Small Vessel Thrombectomy, Kevin Carr Md, Zachary Thwing Md, David Pasquale Md, Ravishankar Shivashankar Md, Yafell Serulle Md

Radiology

• Emergent endovascular revascularization is currently mainstay for patients presenting with emergent Large Vessel Occlusion (LVO) of the intracranial circulation
• Stroke symptoms affecting smaller vessels can carry significant morbidity
• Newer technologies and greater experience with the endovascular approach make treatment for small vessel occlusions increasingly more manageable
• This is more relevant in patients presenting outside the tPA window with poor collateral circulation
• We present our technical institutional experience with the endovascular management of acute occlusions of the M2-M3 MCA, A1-A2 ACA and P1-P2 PCA territories.

The Relationship Between Socioeconomic Status And White Matter Microstructure In Pre-Reading Children: A Longitudinal Investigation, Ola Ozernov-Palchik, Elizabeth S. Norton, Yingying Wang, Sara D. Beach, Jennifer Zuk, Maryanne Wolf, John D.E. Gabrieli, Nadine Gaab

Center for Brain, Biology, and Behavior: Faculty Publications

Reading is a learned skill crucial for educational attainment. Children from families of lower socioeconomic status (SES) tend to have poorer reading performance and this gap widens across years of schooling. Reading relies on the orchestration of multiple neural systems integrated via specific white-matter pathways, but there is limited understanding about whether these pathways relate differentially to reading performance depending on SES background. Kindergarten white-matter FA and second-grade reading outcomes were investigated in an SES-diverse sample of 125 children. The three left-hemisphere white-matter tracts most associated with reading, and their right-hemisphere homologs, were examined: arcuate fasciculus (AF), superior longitudinal fasciculus …

Motor-Induced Suppression Of The N100 Event-Related Potential During Motor Imagery Control Of A Speech Synthesizer Brain–Computer Interface, Jonathan S. Brumberg, Kevin M. Pitt

Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders: Faculty Publications

Purpose: Speech motor control relies on neural processes for generating sensory expectations using an efference copy mechanism to maintain accurate productions. The N100 auditory event-related potential (ERP) has been identified as a possible neural marker of the efference copy with a reduced amplitude during active listening while speaking when compared to passive listening. This study investigates N100 suppression while controlling a motor imagery speech synthesizer brain–computer interface (BCI) with instantaneous auditory feedback to determine whether similar mechanisms are used for monitoring BCI-based speech output that may both support BCI learning through existing speech motor networks and be used as a …

Identifying Depression In The National Health And Nutrition Examination Survey Data Using A Deep Learning Algorithm, Jihoon Oh, Kyongsik Yun, Uri Maoz, Tae-Suk Kim, Jeong-Ho Chae

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

Background

As depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide, large-scale surveys have been conducted to establish the occurrence and risk factors of depression. However, accurately estimating epidemiological factors leading up to depression has remained challenging. Deep-learning algorithms can be applied to assess the factors leading up to prevalence and clinical manifestations of depression.

Methods

Customized deep-neural-network and machine-learning classifiers were assessed using survey data from 19,725 participants from the NHANES database (from 1999 through 2014) and 4949 from the South Korea NHANES (K-NHANES) database in 2014.

Results

A deep-learning algorithm showed area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUCs) …

Considering Augmentative And Alternative Communication Research For Brain-Computer Interface Practice, Kevin M. Pitt, Jonathan S. Brumberg, Adrienne R. Pitt

Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders: Faculty Publications

Purpose: Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) aim to provide access to augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices via brain activity alone. However, while BCI technology is expanding in the laboratory setting, there is minimal incorporation into clinical practice. Building upon established AAC research and clinical best practices may aid the clinical translation of BCI practice, allowing advancements in both fields to be fully leveraged.

Method: A multidisciplinary team developed considerations for how BCI products, practice, and policy may build upon existing AAC research, based upon published reports of existing AAC and BCI procedures.

Outcomes/Benefits: Within each consideration, a review of BCI research …

A Microfluidics-Based Cross-Flow Filtration Platform For Rapid Processing Of Amphiphilic Biomarkers From Blood, Kiersten D. Lenz

Biomedical Engineering ETDs

Early and accurate detection of bacterial infections can help save lives, prevent the spread of disease, and decrease the overuse of antibiotics. Our team at the Los Alamos National Laboratory has developed novel assays to detect bacterial biomarkers from patient blood at the point-of-care in order to facilitate a universal diagnostic platform. However, these biomarkers are amphiphilic in nature, and this biochemical property causes them to be sequestered by high-density and low-density lipoproteins (HDL and LDL) in the host’s blood. Extraction of the bacterial biomarkers from the lipoprotein complexes is thereby required for the development and deployment of a diagnostic …

The Wet Bridge Transfer System: An Novel In Vitro Tool For Assessing Exogenous Surfactant As A Pulmonary Drug Delivery Vehicle, Brandon J. Baer

Western Research Forum

Background:

Due to its complex branching structure, direct drug delivery to the remote areas of the lung is a major challenge. Consequently, most therapies, such as those treating pulmonary infection and inflammation, must utilize large systemic dosing, with the potential for adverse side effects. A novel alternative strategy is to use exogenous surfactant, a material capable of distributing throughout the lung, as a pulmonary drug delivery vehicle.

Objective:

Utilize an in vitro transferring system to assess exogenous surfactant (BLES) as a pulmonary delivery vehicle for different therapeutics.

Methods:

An in vitro technique was developed to simultaneously study surfactant delivery and …

Cell-Free Dna Release During Programmed Cell Death In Ischemia Reperfusion Injury, Alexander Dionne, Anthony M. Jevnikar, Zhu-Xu Zhang

Western Research Forum

Transplantation is invariably associated with acute allograft injury caused by ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI). This injury causes cells of the allograft to undergo various forms of programmed cell death including apoptosis and necroptosis. During programmed cell death, immunogenic molecules are released from cells, one of which is cell-free DNA (cfDNA). We hypothesize that cfDNA is released by microvascular endothelial cells (MVECs) during programmed cell death of IRI and that cfDNA acts as both a biomarker for cellular injury as well as a biologically active molecule capable of amplifying inflammation and organ injury.

Our results indicate that cfDNA is released by …

Marketing Channel Effectiveness Of New Medications/Medical Technology, Hadley Mccormick

Celebration of Learning

This research project will study what marketing platforms/channels are most effective in the dissemination of new medical product news. Many people like myself have an illness/disease that requires daily medication, or require the daily use of a medical device. Due to the increasing influence of Direct to Consumer advertising of pharmaceuticals and the constant development of new medications and devices, patients may now more often go to the doctor with perceptions of what they should do to manage their illness/disease. This study aims to look at how the developers of these medications/medical devices promote their products currently and how certain …

Near Infrared Gumbos And Nanogumbos For Biomedical Applications, Mi Chen

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Recent advances in development of nanomaterials have provided great opportunities for cancer research. In this dissertation, nanoGUMBOS derived from a group of uniform materials based on organic salts (GUMBOS) were investigated for several biomedical applications including chemotherapy, photothermal therapy (PTT), and drug delivery. GUMBOS are solid-phase organic salts consisting of bulky cations and anions. Similar to ionic liquids, GUMBOS display highly tunable properties with counter-ions variation, but with a defined melting point range of 25–250 °C. Nanomaterials derived from GUMBOS, i.e. nanoGUMBOS, display enhanced properties at the nanoscale level. This dissertation focuses on development of near infrared IR780 nanoGUMBOS for …

Paraoxonase 1, Hdl Subclasses And Post Surgery Acute Inflammation: A Pilot Study., Yasmin Bains, Russell Caccavello, Kazuhiko Kotani, Alejandro Gugliucci

Faculty Publications & Research of the TUC College of Osteopathic Medicine

High density lipoproteins (HDL) structure and function studies are needed to better understand the heterogeneous nature of the HDL particle, and its interaction with associated proteins such as apolipoprotein A-1 (ApoA-1), paraoxonase 1 (PON1) and the environment. Our study assesses the effects of acute inflammation on PON1 and HDL subclasses in post-surgical colorectal cancer patients. PON1 was measured kinetically through its arylesterase and lactonase activity and HDL sub-classes were measured using Quantimetrix Lipoprint^® System. White blood cells (WBC) counts, c-reactive protein (CRP) and serum amyloid A (SAA) levels were also analyzed using standard techniques. Our findings show that baseline …

Postoperative Pain: Factors And Tools To Improve Pain Management In Children, Mai M. Makhlouf, Eric Robles Garibay, Brooke N. Jenkins, Zeev N. Kain, Michelle Fortier

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

Outpatient surgery has made it increasingly common for parents to manage pain in the home setting. Studies have shown that parents often under treat pain, leaving children vulnerable to the negative side effects of suboptimal pain management. Multiple factors affect pain management like child’s age and developmental stage, language, cultural values like stoicism, parental beliefs about medication, biological differences among groups, etc. Understanding all the factors involved can help healthcare providers and parents better understand pain and contribute to optimal pain management. Multiple tools and technological interventions have been created to help create a better understanding of pain and a …

In Vitro Evaluation Of Ovarian Cancer Tumorigenesis As A Function Of Quinone Oxidoreducatse-1 And Cell Phenotype, Milcah S. Jackson

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

In vitro multicellular spheroids are attractive model systems for assessing genetic and epigenetic changes that occur in diseased tissues. Understanding how such alterations in gene and subsequent protein expression affect disease progression and metastasis, drug resistance, and recurrence is of great interest in cancer research. In this regard, examining expression and activity of proteins, such as those with cytoprotective ability that are overexpressed in cancer cells, in addition to cell phenotype (i.e., stem-like, epithelial, mesenchymal, or mixed), are two ways to evaluate genetic and epigenetic changes. Moreover, determining the impact that cytoprotective proteins and cell phenotype have on tumor formation …

Neurostimulator With Waveforms Inspired By Nature For Wearable Electro-Acupuncture, Jose Aquiles Parodi Amaya

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The work presented here has 3 goals: establish the need for novel neurostimulation waveform solutions through a literature review, develop a neurostimulation pulse generator, and verify the operation of the device for neurostimulation applications.

The literature review discusses the importance of stimulation waveforms on the outcomes of neurostimulation, and proposes new directions for neurostimulation research that would help in improving the reproducibility and comparability between studies.

The pulse generator circuit is then described that generates signals inspired by the shape of excitatory or inhibitory post-synaptic potentials (EPSP, IPSP). The circuit analytical equations are presented, and the effects of the circuit …

A Rapid Viability And Drug‑Susceptibility Assay Utilizing Mycobacteriophage As An Indicator Of Drug Susceptibilities Of Anti‑Tb Drugs Against Mycobacterium Smegmatis Mc2 155, Gillian Catherine Crowley, Jim O'Mahony, Aidan Coffey, Riona G. Sayers, Paul D. Cotter

Department of Biological Sciences Publications

Background: A rapid in-house TM4 mycobacteriophage-based assay, to identify multidrug resistance against various anti-tuberculosis drugs, using the fast-growing Mycobacterium smegmatis mc² 155 in a microtiter plate format was evaluated, based on phage viability assays. Methods: A variety of parameters were optimized before the study including the minimum incubation time for the drugs, phage and M. smegmatis mc² 155 to be in contact. An increase in phage numbers over 2 h was indicative that M. smegmatis mc² 155 is resistant to the drugs under investigation, however when phage numbers remained static, M. smegmatis mc² 155 found to …

Alterations In Cortical Activation Among Individuals With Chronic Ankle Instability During Single-Limb Postural Control, Adam B. Rosen, Jennifer M. Yentes, Melanie L. Mcgrath, Arthur C. Maerlender, Sara A. Myers, Mukul Mukherjee

Center for Brain, Biology, and Behavior: Faculty Publications

Context: Chronic ankle instability (CAI) is characterized by repetitive ankle sprains and perceived instability. Whereas the underlying cause of CAI is disputed, alterations in cortical motor functioning may contribute to the perceived dysfunction.

Objective: To assess differences in cortical activity during single-limb stance among control, coper, and CAI groups.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Biomechanics laboratory.

Patients or Other Participants: A total of 31 individuals (10 men, 21 women; age = 22.3 ± 2.4 years, height = 169.6 ± 9.7 cm, mass = 70.6 ± 11.6 kg), who were classified into control (n = 13), coper (n = 7), and CAI …

Use Of Clinical Test Clusters Versus Advanced Imaging Studies In The Management Of Patients With A Suspected Slap Tear, Richard C. Clark, Chasiti C. Chandler, Andrew C. Fuqua, Kelly N. Glymph, Grayson C. Lambert, Katherine J. Rigney

Physical Therapy Faculty Research

Background and Purpose

The Magnetic Resonance Arthrogram (MRA) has served as the gold standard for identifying patients with possible Superior Labrum Anterior-Posterior (SLAP) lesions and are often required by orthopaedic surgeons prior to clinical evaluation. However, as the literature shows MRA sensitivity as 0.65-0.98, and specificity between 0.80-1.00, there is still room for misinterpretation of the imaging study, and potential mismanagement of a patient who may or may not exhibit a true SLAP lesion. It is proposed that by grouping a series of clinical special tests it may be possible to develop greater sensitivity in identifying a SLAP lesion, resulting …