Other Medical Specialties Commons^™

Relationship Between Maternal Plasma Retinol And Provitamin A Carotenoids With Fetal And Infant Kidney Development, Anum Akbar

Theses & Dissertations

Vitamin A plays a critical role in fetal organ development. Studies suggest that maternal vitamin A deficiency affects fetal nephron numbers, potentially leading to smaller kidney sizes and an increased risk of chronic kidney disease later in life. However, human studies exploring maternal vitamin A's impact on fetal kidney development lack longitudinal data and within-cohort comparisons. Furthermore, the influence of provitamin A carotenoids (α-carotene, β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin) on kidney size remains unexplored. This dissertation addresses these gaps by analyzing relationships between maternal and cord plasma retinol and provitamin A carotenoid concentrations with fetal and infant kidney sizes. Our prospective cohort …

Standardizing Patient Education For Living Kidney Donors, Diana Thompson

Doctoral Scholarly Projects & Capstones

Living kidney donation occurs when a person voluntarily donates a functioning kidney to another individual in need. The kidney donation process is lengthy, complex, and can be overwhelming for many potential donors. A gap was identified in the patient education process at the project site as evidenced by frequent postoperative questions and concerns expressed by living donors and their caregivers. A literature review suggested this was a national problem, yet a standardized education process for living kidney donors has yet to be developed. The purpose of this scholarly project was to develop a standardized process for living kidney donor education …

Bridging The Gap Between Knowledge And Practices Pertaining To Naloxone Use: A Single-Institution Experience In North Carolina, Michael S. Argenyi, Gisele Bailey, Christopher J. Mclouth, Erin Barnes, Candice J. Mcneil

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Naloxone is a life-saving medication for opioid overdose, which claims many lives annually. This study investigated provider attitudes about, beliefs about, and barriers to naloxone use to inform an increase in provider prescription of naloxone. The survey took place at a large Southern tertiary health center. An adapted REDCap survey utilizing validated questions was distributed via institutional e-mail listservs. The results (N = 181) were analyzed using descriptive and chi-square statistics. While 90.9% of the providers had heard of the strategy of prescribing naloxone to prevent overdose, only 72.1% of providers would have considered prescribing naloxone. Providers reported implementing treatment …

A Space-Occupying Lesion Manifesting As Unilateral Optic Disc Edema, Len V. Koh Od, Phd, Anna Wells Od, Lindsay Jansen Od

Optometric Clinical Practice

Background: Primary and secondary orbital diseases can arise from different tissues in the periorbital regions as space-occupying lesion leading to ophthalmic symptoms. Therefore, eye care providers are often the first encounter for these patients.

Case report: A 54-year-old Caucasian male presented as a new patient at the eye clinic with an incidental finding of edema of the left optic disc. After a thorough optometric evaluation, a referral was made to a local ear-nose-throat (ENT) specialist who confirmed a diagnosis of cavernous hemangioma by further neuroimaging. Surgical removal eventuated in resolution of disc edema with restoration of vision.

Conclusion: An insidious …

A Life Course Approach To Understanding Preserved Cognition In Late Life, Cassidy E. Doyle

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Some level of cognitive decline is generally expected with advanced age. However, a subgroup of individuals – commonly labeled as ‘SuperAgers’ – maintain youthful memory abilities into their 80s and beyond. Relatively little is known about factors across the life course related to this phenotype. This dissertation used population-based data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) to investigate lifestyle factors related to the most youthful cognitive trajectory in the United States and assess how their cognition fares over time. Three research questions were addressed: (1) Can samples of youthful cognitive agers be identified longitudinally in a population-based dataset? (2) …

Perceived Relevance Of Planetary Health For Medical Students In Italy: Results From A Mixed-Methods Analysis, L. Nachira, P. Arcaro, F. Pattavina, E. Campo, C. Castagna, R. Frasso, C. Cadeddu, S. Bruno

College of Population Health Faculty Papers

Objectives: To address the growing hazards to human health caused by the anthropogenic environmental catastrophe, academic curricula at all levels and disciplines, particularly medical education, should incorporate Planetary Health Education. This study aims to examine medical students' expectations and feedback on a Planetary Health elective in an Italian University.

Study design: Cross-sectional study, employing a convergent parallel mixed-methods design. Methods: Attendees were invited to take part in a mixed-methods written survey, integrating both quantitative and qualitative methodologies. A statistical and a thematic analysis were conducted to assess responses to questions of a quantitative and qualitative nature, respectively.

Results: Interest in …

Evaluating Medical Usage And Injury Prevalence At The 2024 College World Series, Roarick Schollmeyer, Jd Gregerson, Benjamin Stevens, Katie Weaver, Joseph Lippert

EMET Projects

Large-scale events such as the College World Series (CWS) pose unique challenges for medical services due to high crowd density, prolonged event durations, and variable environmental conditions. This study aimed to assess the medical usage rate (MUR) and injury prevalence at the 2024 CWS to inform future event planning and emergency medical preparedness. A retrospective analysis was conducted using patient encounter data collected between June 14 and June 24, 2024. Data sources included Union Medical event services, which documented on-site treatments and dispositions, and Omaha Fire Department EMS records detailing prehospital care. The MUR was calculated as the number of …

Understanding The Coping Mechanisms Used By Older Formerly Incarcerated Persons During Reentry, Sayla Victores

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The current study investigated the coping mechanisms employed by older formerly incarcerated individuals during reentry. While there is research on the reentry experiences of older formerly incarcerated individuals, less is known about how they cope with the strains of reentry. As such, this study fills this gap in the literature by exploring both adaptive and maladaptive coping mechanisms employed by this population during reentry. Using in-depth interviews with 20 older, formerly incarcerated individuals, I found that older formerly incarcerated persons experienced challenges related to securing stable housing, finding employment and economic security, community supervision, stigma and judgment, and overall reintegration. …

Utilidad De La Combinación De Los Biomarcadores: Procalcitonina, Proteína C Reactiva Y Volumen Plaquetario Medio En El Diagnóstico Temprano De Sepsis Neonatal [Usefulness Of The Combination Of Biomarkers: Procalcitonin, C-Reactive Protein And Mean Platelet Volume In The Early Diagnosis Of Neonatal Sepsis], Oscar Manuel Berlanga Bolado Jr, Patricia Rivera Vazquez, Arely Socorro Hernández García, Angelica Lizbeth Martinez Ortiz

Research Symposium

Introducción: La sepsis neonatal es una causa frecuente de morbilidad y mortalidad infantil. Se le ha definido como un síndrome clínico caracterizado por signos sistémicos de infección, acompañado de bacteriemia en el primer mes de vida. Por lo tanto, el diagnóstico temprano es fundamental.

Objetivo: Conocer la sensibilidad y especificidad de la combinación de biomarcadores séricos como procalcitonina, proteína C reactiva y volumen plaquetario medio en el diagnóstico temprano de sepsis neonatal.

Material y métodos: Estudio clínico, de tipo prospectivo, predictivo, observacional, analítico, longitudinal y conveniencia. Se analizaron los biomarcadores como PCT, PCR, VPM para diagnosticar sepsis neonatal. Se incluyeron …

Preserving Privacy In Senior Care At Home Monitoring Systems, Sam Russel, Ryan Benton, Amy Campbell, Scott Sittig

Shelby Hall Graduate Research Forum Posters

Many seniors prefer to live at home which necessitates research into the application of technologies to provide a safer environment with less caregiver resources. However, the application of home health care (HHC) monitoring for seniors is still in an evolutionary stage. Present HHC systems are produced by private companies with general regulatory guidelines lacking specific care of the elderly. As such, each company that produces such a system claims to have better safety, privacy, and security that their competitors. A pressing issues is devising and applying a general framework for the application of technologies that delivers safety while preserving privacy. …

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 …

Endovascular Repair Of A Superior Mesenteric Arteriovenous Fistula And Pseudoaneurysm After A Single Gunshot Wound To The Abdomen, Robert Ringersen Iii, Michael Shockley, Sanjiv Gray, Tracy Bilski, Julio Calderin, Philip Kondylis

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Background

Traumatic arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) are rare entities, especially when referring to visceral arterioportal AVFs. Currently, there are no large epidemiological studies looking specifically at traumatic visceral AVFs. When traumatic AVFs have been discussed in the literature, it is in the form of case reports or case series and focused on peripheral AVFs. The following case is a presentation of a traumatic arterioportal AVF and its management with an endovascular approach.

Case Presentation

A 16-year-old adolescent boy presented tachycardic and hypotensive with a single gunshot wound in his left abdomen. Multiple operations were required. His intensive care unit course was …

Perceived Patient-Centered Care In Marching Band Artists, A L. Merrill, Z K. Winkelmann, N A. Uriegas

Bakerman Student Research Awards

Objective: Approximately 27,000 college marching band (MB) artists in the United States could benefit from access to healthcare services and patient-centered clinicians. The purpose of this study was to explore HCPs MB artists have access to and their perceptions of patient-centered care (PCC). Methods: We used a cross-sectional web-based survey of MB artists (n=751, age=20±8 years). MB directors from 242 colleges were emailed a survey link to forward to MB artists. Participants indicated which HCPs they could access. Those who reported no access or unsure were prompted to describe what they would do if an injury or illness occurred. Participants …

Queering Pa School: An Audit Of Augsburg University’S Physician Assistant Program Regarding Lgbtq+ Related Health Topics, Annika Kuchar

Theses and Graduate Projects

Background: Historically LGBTQ+ people have encountered discrimination in the world of medicine, and often providers are sometimes unaware of how to manage medical issues of these patients. In order to best serve queer and trans patients, a more coherent, consistent curriculum needs to be established so that all medical professions are capable of giving high quality treatment to these patients. Physician assistants (PAs) are advanced practice providers who take care of LGBTQ+ patients on a daily basis and are trained under a similar model as physicians. PA programs must also be up to date on the most culturally sensitive ways …

The Effects Of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation On Pain And Function In Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis: A Critically Appraised Topic, P. Drake Short, Rileigh T. Ricken, Jennifer L. Volberding

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a common condition that impacts upwards of 40% of patients over the age of 70, and transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TENS) is a common treatment protocol. To date, there is no consensus on the effectiveness of TENS as a modality for knee OA. Thus, this critically appraised topic (CAT) aims to determine the impact of TENS on the pain and functional outcome of patients with knee OA. Methods: To assess the therapeutic efficacy of TENS, a systematic search of the available literature was conducted, focusing on pain and function in knee osteoarthritis. Online databases were searched …

Identifying Overdose Risk Factors For People Hospitalized With Injection Drug Use-Associated Infections In Maine, Melanie Mait, Kim Murray, Tania D. Strout, Kinna Thakarar

Journal of Maine Medical Center

Introduction: The overdose crisis continues to be a significant problem, particularly in rural states such as Maine. The objectives of this study were to: 1) describe demographic and health characteristics and 2) identify overdose risk factors among people in Maine hospitalized with injection drug use (IDU)-associated infections.

Methods: We performed descriptive analysis of demographics, health characteristics, and injection practices, stratified by lifetime history of overdose. We conducted an exploratory logistic regression analysis, controlling for gender, homelessness, having experienced an emergency department (ED) visit in the past 3-months, and endorsement of injecting alone in the past 30 days to examine …

Let’S Go! 2022-2023 Educational Programs: Developing A Standardized Obesity Medicine Curriculum Through A Realist Evaluation, Isaac Stickney, Peter Amann, Victoria Rogers, Austin Steward, Kayla Bronzo, Alec Luro, Robert Bing-You

Journal of Maine Medical Center

Problem: Obesity is linked to more than 200 chronic conditions, lower quality of life, and worse outcomes for patients. Let’s Go! is a community engagement initiative that works with communities to create environments that support healthy behaviors that impact obesity. Let’s Go! provides educational programming for all medical learners and providers throughout Maine and Carroll County, New Hampshire. The goal of Let’s Go! is to address the health outcomes of obesity and the stigma associated with it, including its impact on patients’ mental health and clinicians’ unconscious biases.

Approach: We used a realist evaluation, a framework in which the social …

The Joint Effects Of Sleep And Pain, And Moderations By Work Characteristics, Christina Xuong Mu

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Reactivity describes interindividual differences in the physiological or emotional responses following an antecedent stressor. For instance, higher stressor reactivity to shorter sleep (i.e., those who report greater stressor severity following shorter-than-usual sleep) and higher negative affective reactivity to stressors (i.e., those who report more negative affect following a stressful event) have worse mental and physical health. Pain reactivity to shorter sleep is a novel concept that describes differences in pain responses following a night of shorter-than-usual sleep. Higher pain reactivity to shorter sleep means that individuals report more pain locations or higher pain severity following shorter-than-usual sleep the previous night, …

Creating Capacity To Accommodate Additional Cardiac Catheterization Procedures, Kristin Anthony

Operations Transformation

Patient access to diagnostic outpatient (OP) cardiac catheterization is limited by a perceived lack of capacity. Outpatient cardiac cath pts flow through the ACU for pre/post procedure care. Current schedule limits pts that may be scheduled through the ACU to two OP procedures/day. Cardiologists request the ability to schedule beyond the two procedures/day allowed. Significant variation in pre/postoperative care orders exist amongst cardiologists resulting in variability in length of stay. Cardiac procedures are booked either as 60/90/120 minutes – Epic case averaging technology is not active in the cath lab. As a result, the case minutes in the cath lab …

Community Healthcare Workers (Chw) High-Risk Stabilization Study: Does The Ability Of Chws At Mobile Covid Clinics To Link Patients With Uncontrolled Diabetes To A Physician Improve Short Term Outcomes?, Mo Hadaya, Venkateswar Venkataraman, Jaimy D. Jabon, Kenneth W. Stagliano, Richard T. Jermyn

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Uncontrolled diabetes may cause preventable but significant effects. One major preventative measure is early screening; there are hopes that community healthcare workers can increase awareness and screening availability, especially in underserved populations. We hosted and recorded logs of patients at mobile COVID health clinics, educating those with uncontrolled diabetes and connecting them to healthcare. We then looked to see if any patients had improvements in blood glucose to non-diabetic levels. 378 patients were logged, but only 138 were in events that had a significant amount of repeat visits. Twenty-five of them had blood sugar indicative of uncontrolled diabetes. Out of …