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Misoprostol Vaginal Insert versus Dinoprostone Vaginal Insert in the Induction of Labor
No full textProblem: There is a continuous debate regarding the most efficient vaginal insert to use during induction of labor. Thus far, neither method has been shown to be more optimal than the other. The ideal method of how best to induce labor and ripen the cervix has yet to be identified.
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to compare effectiveness of misoprostol vaginal insert and dinoprostone vaginal insert in the induction of labor.
Methods: This project will be a retrospective quantitative analysis. Womens\u27 charts who have received either the misoprostol vaginal insert or the dinoprostone vaginal insert will be reviewed. Outcomes such as induction delivery interval, occurrence of tachysystole, cost-effectiveness, additional oxytocin use, and cesarean section likelihood will be compared.
Conclusion: Most research supports both misoprostol and dinoprostone because they have similar safety profiles. Increased risk of cesarean section and tachysystole when using vaginal misoprostol was found in some studies. However, studies also show that misoprostol is more effective in cervical ripening, maternal satisfaction, shortening delivery time, reducing need for oxytocin, and cost-effective when compared to dinoprostone
Attempt to Method Validate the Multiport Internal Calibration (MPIC) Procedure and a Constructive Analysis of Potential Error
No full textIn an ever-evolving world, different variants or new concoctions of drugs have become widespread at a rapid rate. Multi-Point Internal Calibration (MPIC) is a method created to allows for a reduced time for batch runs due to the technique’s lack of external calibrators, matrix effects, need to aid in stability and ion suppression and or enhancement often associated with LC-MS instrumentation. Since the technique and protocols have already been established, the objective was to validate the protocols using methamphetamine based upon the American Academy of Forensics Sciences ANSI/ASB Standard 036. To accomplish this, methamphetamine, a potent stimulant that is immensely addictive, was selected to be the focus drug of this method validation. On a molecular level, Methamphetamine has an ion [M+H]+ of 150. In order to construct the curve to allow for quantification, five different isotopologues of methamphetamine, those being D5 [M+H]+ of 155, D8 [M+H]+ of 158, D9 [M+H]+ of 159, D11 [M+H]+ of 161 and D14 [M+H]+ of 164, were added to a single sample at various concentrations to establish the quantity of the drug in the same sample when spiked with the methamphetamine. Although previous results prove to be promising, further testing is required as the results produced in this attempt to validate the method were not compatible with the original projection, which suggests an issue with the protocols or most likely human error due to the techniques unique nature
Optimizing Sudoku
No full textSudoku puzzles have long intrigued enthusiasts and mathematicians alike due to their unique combination of logic and pattern recognition. In this presentation, I explore a novel approach to solving Sudoku puzzles using optimization techniques implemented with the PyMOO library in Python.
I frame the Sudoku puzzle as a matrix and leverage linear algebra operations to efficiently check for solutions. My methodology focuses on optimizing the process of puzzle-solving, aiming to minimize computational complexity while ensuring accurate results. Through the utilization of PyMOO\u27s powerful optimization capabilities, I demonstrate how our approach can efficiently tackle Sudoku puzzles of varying difficulties
Effects of kappa opioid receptor manipulation on methamphetamine-induced behavioral sensitization in adolescent male and female rats
Get PDFMethamphetamine abuse amongst adolescents has been on the rise in the United States. In this study, we assessed the effects of manipulation of KORs on methamphetamine-induced behavioral sensitization in adolescent male and female rats. Methamphetamine-induced behavioral sensitization is an animal model to study methamphetamine addiction. Behavioral sensitization usually occurs in animals who have been treated with methamphetamine followed by a period of withdrawal. It is hypothesized that brain circuits are altered during the period of withdrawal after methamphetamine exposure resulting in sensitized (increased) responses to methamphetamine at the end of the withdrawal period. The experiment was conducted over 28 days. Animals were exposed to methamphetamine (1 mg/kg) for 6 days (Days 3-8) followed by withdrawal of methamphetamine from Days 9-27. KORs were manipulated during methamphetamine exposure using the KOR agonist (U50488; 1.5 & 6 mg/kg) and antagonist (NorBNI; 15 mg/kg). Blockade of the KORs during methamphetamine exposure resulted in significantly increased methamphetamine-induced locomotor sensitization in adolescent male rats, but not female rats, compared to respective saline controls. However, activation of KORs during methamphetamine exposure did not influence methamphetamine-induced locomotor sensitization compared to saline controls irrespective of sex. Based on the data, we hypothesize a sex-dependent underlying inhibitory role of the KORs in methamphetamine-induced locomotor sensitization in adolescent animals, which was unmasked by blockade of KORs in male, but not female rats. Although more work is required, the present data suggests that KORs can serve as potential target for the treatment of methamphetamine addiction.
Key words: sensitization, methamphetamine, opioid receptors, agonist, antagonist, sex, adolescent, stereotypy, abuse, addictio
Synthesis and Characterization of Nanoparticles as Delivery Platforms for Therapeutic Applications
No full textNanoparticles have great potential in aiding efforts to treat cancer using targeted alpha therapy. In targeted alpha therapy, cytotoxic levels of radiation are delivered to tumor cells by alpha particles produced during radioactive decay. Stabilizing the parent radionuclide and containing its decay daughters near the tumor cells is key to minimize cytotoxicity to healthy tissues. Nanoparticles have been studied as an alternative to stabilize, deliver, and prevent the relocation of radionuclides from the tumor cells. Nanoparticles can improve the retention of radionuclides by incorporating them into their structure, which acts as a physical barrier. This study aims to explore silica (SiO2) and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles as radionuclide delivery platforms. Nanoparticles were synthesized using two different methods: batch nanoprecipitation and flash nanoprecipitation using a confined impingement jet mixer (CIJM). Nanoparticles were characterized using dynamic light scattering, ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Various labeling techniques were explored and compared to enhance the fraction of surrogate metal ions and radionuclides within nanoparticles. Surrogate studies were performed to optimize radiolabeling conditions. Nanoparticle concentration and reaction pH had a significant effect on the labeling yield of SiO2. Successful labeling of PLGA nanoparticles was achieved after functionalization with octadecyl acyclopa. The ratio between PLGA nanoparticles and octadecyl acyclopa influenced the labeling yield. These results showed that the development and optimization of nanoparticles as radionuclide delivery platforms is required to achieve high radiolabeling yields required for targeted alpha therapy
Math Quest
No full textOur research this fall focuses on Math Quest, an innovative and cost-effective game controller designed to teach elementary students basic arithmetic including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. This development of this project has quite the history, originally stemming from a Foundations of Design 2 project which was a calculator, continuing on to become a quiz game for our Maker Engineering Project. By the end of the spring, we felt like we had a solid start to our project, but needed more time to fix some of the issues we were having. Determined to address these issues, our team assembled this semester to refine Math Quest and bring our vision to fruition. The device features two dials for user input and an ESP32 screen to display the math problems. Math Quest is specifically designed to reach underfunded schools, enabling them to integrate technology into their curriculum without exceeding their budgets. By gamifying math education, Math Quest seeks to enhance student engagement and improve basic arithmetic skills. This fall, we tackled key hardware and software issues from our original prototype, including fixing the board to ensure the encoders work for providing input, improving the code to create a more intuitive interface, and shrinking the overall casing for a better feel. These advancements bring Math Quest a long way and have made the device become closer to being a practical, scalable solution for affordable math education. This Summer we plan on attending the FYEE conference in Baltimore, Maryland where we will be showcasing our product to judges. Math Quest demonstrates how a group of engineers determined to solve a problem can make impactful solutions to real world problems
Hardware implementation of Extended Euclid Algorithm
No full textEncryption algorithms become increasingly important in the world as computers continue to dominate more areas. Many public key encryption algorithms, such as RSA, use Bezout’s identity. It has become apparent that software applications of these algorithms are limited in their use, especially when it comes to encryption using incredibly large numbers. Due to this, I have begun work on a hardware implementation of the Extended Euclid Algorithm which uses Bezout’s identity in order to find modular inverses of coprime numbers. The goal of this is to find how good a hardware implementation of the Extended Euclid Algorithm is in areas such as speed and power usage
High-Resolution & High-Dynamic Range Two-Level Adjustable Flash ADC for Sensor Systems
No full textThroughout the history of computing, the battle between high resolution, low hardware cost, and low processing time has always been an issue. The proposed analog-to-digital converter promises a two-level solution that utilizes a coarse (3-bit) and fine (10-bit) ADC as a hybrid alternative to maximize hardware cost while minimizing the processing time. The circuit employs the coarse ADC to decide the region of the signal and the MSBs of the output. A set of eight differential op-amps signal conditions the input, whose output is chosen based on an eight-to-one multiplexer with selected bits of the coarse ADC. The solution creates a 13-bit input with a high dynamic range of around 80 dB. Furthermore, a novel NMOS-based active pixel sensor (APS) is described as one that utilizes a logarithmic step signal to control the desaturation of the capacitor and improve the dynamic range of the input. Together, both the suggested sensor and the multi-level Flash ADC can be combined and used in either the medical industry or in modern camera technology
Addressing Over-the-Counter Proton Pump Inhibitor Overuse: Strategies for Pharmacists to Enhance Patient Care
Get PDFProton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are among the most commonly prescribed and widely used medications for the treatment of gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. PPIs irreversibly inhibit the H+/K+-ATPase enzyme, effectively reducing gastric acid secretion and providing sustained relief for acid-related conditions. With the approval of over-the-counter (OTC) PPIs, the number of individuals taking these medications for prolonged periods of time without routine monitoring for the appropriateness of therapy has increased. The overuse of OTC PPIs can be attributed to a number of factors, including ease of access, perceived safety, inadequate understanding of OTC PPI treatment intervals, and a lack of awareness regarding the consequences of long-term therapy. An increasing number of studies are revealing the detrimental effects of long-term PPI use: vitamin and mineral deficiencies, osteoporosis, exacerbation of kidney disease, and increased risk of Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) infection. As the number of patients utilizing these medications increases, the role of pharmacists in mitigating the risks associated with long-term PPI use is paramount for patient safety. Pharmacists are positioned to provide patient-centered care and can play pivotal roles in educating patients about the safe use of OTC PPIs and collaborating with prescribers to identify candidates for PPI deprescribing