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55-Word Stories: Insight into Healthcare
Full text linkNarrative medicine and health humanities focus on arts, ethics, and clinical practice. Many health education programs incorporate creative activities to facilitate learner self-awareness and insight. We include them to address programmatic themes of professional growth and translational science
Treatment and Interventions for Sexual Assault in Humanitarian Contexts: Addressing Gaps in Refugee and IDP Camp Care in Myanmar
No full textSexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) remains a pervasive yet under-addressed issue in humanitarian settings. Refugee and internally displaced person (IDP) camps along the Thai– Myanmar border represent a complex nexus of protracted displacement, ethnic conflict, and limited access to medical and psychosocial care. Although the prevalence of sexual assault in these contexts is well-documented, there is a critical gap in the literature regarding effective, context-specific treatment and intervention strategies. This capstone project conducts a comprehensive review of existing research on sexual assault care in humanitarian crises worldwide and assesses its applicability to displaced ethnic minorities from Myanmar. The analysis considers peer-reviewed studies and applies an equity-focused, trauma-informed lens to assess gaps in current practices. Particular attention is paid to culturally specific barriers to care, the role of gender norms and stigma, and the limitations faced by international aid organizations operating in politically sensitive environments. By identifying key limitations in existing models of care worldwide and highlighting promising community-based approaches, this project seeks to inform the development of more effective and culturally appropriate responses to SGBV in protracted crisis settings
Mucin 5ac Modulates Cancer-Associated Fibroblast Heterogeneity through Epigenetic Reprogramming of Precursor Cells
No full textPancreatic cancer (PC) is characterized by extensive desmoplasia, with heterogeneous cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) as a major component. However, the contribution of distinct precursor cells to CAF heterogeneity remains poorly defined. This study investigated the role of Muc5ac in modulating CAF heterogeneity by maturing precursor cells, including adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AD-MSCs), bone marrow-derived MSCs (BM-MSCs), and pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs), into different CAF subsets. RNA sequencing of precursor cells treated with conditioned media from Muc5ac-proficient or -deficient cancer cells revealed distinct transcriptional profiles. Muc5ac significantly modulated the expression of Dnmts and Tets in AD-MSCs, promoting the acquisition of extracellular matrix production, cytokine signaling, and antigen presentation programs, characteristic of both inflammatory (iCAF) and myofibroblastic (myCAF) CAF phenotypes. In PSCs, Muc5ac increased H3K27 acetylation independent of its interactome, which was validated in autochthonous murine models. Transcriptome analysis demonstrated that AD-MSCs contributed 44.4% to the CAF population, followed by PSCs (31.5%) and BM-MSCs (21.6%). Gene Ontology (GO) and KEGG analyses revealed distinct functional programs for each precursor population contributing to CAF heterogeneity. An age-dependent signature in AD-MSC maturation was identified, with a significant positive correlation between serum INHBA and MUC5AC from younger (≤55 yr, n = 20) compared with older (≥75 yr, n = 20) patients.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF) heterogeneity limits effective stromal targeting in pancreatic cancer (PC). This study shows that adipose- and bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells and pancreatic stellate cells intrinsically mature into distinct CAF subtypes. Muc5ac modulates the expression of epigenetic regulators and drives adipose-derived cells to dominate the CAF population. Defining precursor cell-specific CAF programs provides a framework to selectively target tumor-promoting CAFs, offering a potential strategy to improve stroma-targeted therapies in PC
A Program Evaluation of a Family-Based Healthy Weight Program for Overweight and Obese Children and Their Families
Full text linkThis project’s purpose was to complete a program evaluation of the Building Healthy Families (BHF) program to determine its effect on children and their families’ health outcomes. The specific aims of success were 1) an improved perception of health-related quality of life for children and parents and 2) decreased body mass index (BMI) percentiles for age and sex in children from baseline measurements and scores compared to measurements and scores at 3 months and 6 months of program completion. The project was completed in a community setting on the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s Western Nebraska campus, and the population included families from Gering and Scottsbluff Nebraska. Data collected included participant heights, weights, BMI percentiles, and health-related quality of life based on Kid-KINDL and Kid-KINDL Parent questionnaire responses obtained throughout the program. Results were limited to descriptive information on child and parent participant ages, BMIs, and KINDL scores due to low enrollment and poor retention. Mean child and parent BMI values showed a slightly downward trend from baseline through 6 months after program start, and KINDL scores remained consistent. However, enrollment was low, and attrition was high, which impacted the planned analysis of results
Plan to Develop a Theory-Based Diabetes Social Media Campaign for Spanish-speaking Adults in Finney County, KS: Integration of a Promotora, Focused Discussion Groups, and Community Feedback to Ensure Cultural Appropriateness
No full textThe 2025 Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) shows that over 11% of adults in Finney County, Kansas, have diabetes, which surpasses both state and national averages. Census data from 2016-2020 indicate that 42.6% of residents ages five and older speak a language other than English at home, and 36.1% speak Spanish (United States Census Bureau, n.d.). The CHNA further highlights concerns about language and cultural barriers to care, especially among the Spanish-speaking population. Notably, 21.74% of residents have limited English proficiency—much higher than the state’s 12.1% (CHNA, 2025).
This capstone will develop a theory-based social media campaign plan to support diabetes self-management education for Spanish-speaking adults in Finney County and supplement the CommonSpirit St. Catherine Hospital health strategy. The campaign will incorporate situational analysis, bilingual messaging, and community input to ensure relevant and effective educational materials.
A key limitation is that secondary data broadly categorize the population as Hispanic, even though not all Hispanic individuals speak Spanish. To address this, the capstone uses community-based initiatives like Focus Discussion Groups and community feedback to assess local needs, tailor interventions to the community’s language and culture, and set SMART objectives and an evaluation framework for culturally relevant implementation
Restoring Translational Control with Novel Small Molecule Activators of PP2A in Cancer Cells
No full textHyperactivation of eIF4E-dependent translation in tumor cells is required for robust expression of oncogenic proteins and maintenance of the transformed phenotype. eIF4E binds to the 7-methylguanylate structure at the 5’ end of cellular mRNAs and nucleates the formation of the translation initiation complex, eIF4F, which recruits the preinitiation complex and resolves secondary structure in the mRNA. The ability of eIF4E to promote eIF4F assembly is negatively regulated by the translational repressor, 4E-BP1, and tumorigenesis depends on functional inactivation of 4E-BP1. A major mechanism of 4E-BP1 inactivation involves inhibitory phosphorylation by mTOR which prevents eIF4E binding. Functional inactivation can also occur by overwhelming the binding capacity of 4E-BP1 through upregulation of eIF4E or suppression of 4E-BP1 expression. Previous studies have determined that 4E-BP1 can be activated by PP2A. PP2A is heterotrimeric phosphatase consisting of a catalytic subunit, a scaffolding subunit, and one of numerous regulatory subunits which dictate substrate specificity. Novel Small Molecule Activators of PP2A (SMAPs) selectively activate PP2A heterotrimers containing B56α, B56β or B56ε regulatory subunits. Use of SMAPs led to the discovery that B56-PP2A activation not only induces dephosphorylation of 4E-BP1 but also increases its expression by transcriptional induction of the EIF4EBP1 gene. SMAP-treatment led to transcriptional upregulation of ATF4, which was required for B56-PP2A-mediated 4E-BP1 upregulation. Upstream, B56PP2A activation induced dephosphorylation and nuclear translocation of TFEB and TFE3 iii to induce ATF4 transcription. Together, these studies identified a novel B56-PP2ATFEB/TFE3ATF44E-BP1 signaling axis that negatively regulates eIF4Edependent translation initiation. Analysis of 4E-BP1 modulators also determined that B56PP2A induces proteasomal degradation of Snail, a master regulator of the epithelial-tomesenchymal transition (EMT) and metastasis. PP2A-induced Snail degradation did not involve the GSK3β- or PKD1-mediated canonical mechanisms for proteasomal targeting of Snail and thus represents a previously unknown regulatory pathway. SMAPs have promising pharmacological properties and display potent antitumor activity in animal models. The identification of B56-PP2A mediated effects on eIF4E-dependent translation and Snail expression supports further clinical development of these compounds
Enhancing Diversity in Occupational Therapy Through a High School Internship Program
Full text linkAbstract
The United States (US) is projected to become an increasingly diverse nation over the decades ahead, but there is a lack of racial, ethnic, and gender diversity in occupational therapy (OT). While the job outlook for occupational therapy practitioners continues to be strong and is expected to rise, OT education programs are facing enrollment crises nationally. It is crucial for academic programs to develop and implement innovative and methodical strategies to recruit and retain a diverse student body to promote diversity, inclusion, and equity within the profession. To promote diversity, inclusion, and equity in occupational therapy, a university partnership was developed with a high school to establish an internship program with the OT education program. A logic model was used to outline the program development process, which includes a review of inputs, activities, outputs, and outcomes. Two internship structures were created and implemented in partnership with an occupational therapy department and local magnet school. The internship program provided an opportunity to advocate for the profession, educate high school (HS) students on the OT profession, and engage HS students in career exploration through participating in the on-campus pro-bono OT clinic. Embedding an internship model within health care education programs may be a viable and feasible strategic method in recruiting and educating a diverse population of students who may someday make up the healthcare workforce.
Plain Language Summary
The US is becoming more diverse, but occupational therapy (OT) lacks racial, ethnic, and gender diversity. Despite a positive employment outlook, OT education programs continue to encounter enrollment challenges. To address this, a university partnered with a high school (HS) to create internship programs within its OT department. These internships aimed to educate and engage diverse HS students in the OT profession through participation in an on-campus pro-bono clinic. This approach may be an effective strategy for recruiting a more diverse healthcare workforce, promoting inclusion and equity within OT. By exposing students to the field early, these programs could help increase diversity in OT education and ultimately in the profession itself
Colostrum Extracellular Vesicle are Neuroprotective in the MPTP Intoxicated Mouse Model of Parkinson\u27s Disease
No full textParkinson’s Disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder. Dopaminergic neuronal loss in the substantia nigra and the formation of Lewy bodies are the disease pathological hallmarks. We demonstrate that bovine colostrum extracellular vesicles (EVs) induce anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective activities during MPTP (methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine) intoxication. Treatment these mice with colostrum EVs reduced the extent of activated microglia and neurodegenerative activities. RNA sequencing and transcriptomic analysis revealed a significant decrease in pro- inflammatory responses, as well as reduced recruitment and activation of immunocytes in affected brain tissues. Decreased expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, as well as suppressed canonical inflammasomes, was also observed by EV treatment. All these changes were associated with downregulation of key immune- regulatory transcription factors, proteins, and receptors related to neuroinflammation. All factors highlight the therapeutic potential of colostrum EVs for the treatment of Parkinson\u27s Disease
An Innovative Approach to Operating Room Simulation with Dental Hygiene Student Preparedness and Awareness: An iEXCEL Interprofessional Pilot Project
Full text linkThis is an abstract from the Spotlight on Scholarship event in 2025