Messiah College
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Repurposing the Calcium Biosensor Twitch-2B: Creating Transition Metal Detection Proteins Through Fluorescent Analysis
Get PDFMetal ions are key in regulating many biological functions, but their accumulation is associated with neurological diseases. Cellular metal ion concentrations are often detected through exogenous fluorescent dyes, but less invasive and more specific detection can be done using genetically encoded FRET-enabled metal-binding proteins, such as Twitch-2B. Twitch-2B and other ratiometric proteins change conformation when a calcium ion is bound to the active site, initiating an energy transfer between two fluorescent peptides that can be quantified through fluorescent spectroscopy. Previous analyses have demonstrated that wild-type calcium binding can be accurately detected via this method for concentrations from 10 uM to 85 mM. These detectable calcium concentrations are within the limits of calcium found in the human body, demonstrating that Twitch-2B is a viable in vivo detection method. By mutating the calcium binding site to preferentially bind alternate metal ions zinc, copper, nickel, iron, or manganese while retaining or increasing the sensitivity of the binding and fluorescent energy transfer, a simple detection method for transition metals could be produced. Through a screening process of the wild-type proteins against each of the five metal ions with and without calcium present, it was determined that wild-type Twitch-2B has slight active site affinity for manganese, copper, nickel, and zinc. Kinetic analyses with calcium present indicated that there are also some additional allosteric inhibitions that could impact screening, especially with zinc ions. A library containing 1024 combinations of cysteine and histidine residues at ten different key residues was designed, amplified, and purified to maximize transformation efficiency. After a long troubleshooting process, the mutant plasmid was successfully recombined using NEBuilder and transformed into T7 Express E. coli cells using electroporation with a transformation efficiency sufficient for complete library production. Ongoing high throughout fluorescent screening of the 1500+ existing colonies will be done to identify and sequence specific mutants with the greatest affinity for each of the metal ions
Long-Term Effects of HVLA and Exercise vs. Exercise Alone for Adults with Chronic LBP
Get PDFIntroduction & Purpose
Chronic low back pain is among the leading causes of disability globally and continues to have a high reoccurrence rate within the first year of treatment.
The treatment cost of low back pain has become an increased burden on the healthcare system and patients at an estimated $100 billion per year.
With incidence and economic burden of LBP on the rise, physical therapy has been shown to be an efficient and costeffective treatment.
Previous research shows improvements to pain and function following HVLA mobilization and exercise in short-term outcomes (\u3c 3 months), but there is limited evidence showing the long-term effects (\u3e 6 months.)
PICO: In adults with chronic low back pain, is HVLA mobilization combined with exercise more effective than exercise alone to improve pain and function in the longterm
Implementing Point-of-Care Tools to Increase Advance Care Planning Discussions Among Older Adults
Get PDFBackground: The adult population 65 years of age and older is increasing, but a lack of advance care planning discussions has led to poor completion of advance directives. Advance directives express one’s medical wishes once they are not able to make their own decisions and are approaching the end of their life. Advance directives prevent futile care that patients do not want.
Problem: Lack of knowledge, lack of time, and unwillingness to discuss advance directives prevent providers from including advance care planning in their current workflow. Advance directives are important to provide in the long-term care setting, as these patients often have multiple comorbidities and are at higher risk for hospital readmission.
Methods: Participants included patients aged 65 and older who are residents of a skilled nursing and rehab facility. They must be admitted for at least one week and be able to make their own medical decisions.
Intervention: The DNP project leader initiated advance care discussions using the PREPARE conversation guide. Patients received an advance care discussion guide published by PREPARE and reviewed it with the DNP project leader and family members. Completion of the advance directive was measured at the time of and one week after the intervention.
Results: There was a statistically significant increase in post-implementation advanced directive completion scores compared to baseline completion scores (p = .006)
Conclusion: The PREPARE point-of-care tools improved completion of advance directives and aided in advance care planning discussions in older adults
Reducing Falls and Fall-Related Hospital Transfers in Geriatric Assisted Living Residents
Get PDFBackground: Falls among older adults are frequent, rendering significant costs to both the individual and the healthcare system, and are preventable. In 2021, fall-related deaths in adults over the age of 65 were calculated at a rate of 78.0 per 100,000 people, and nonfatal falls were reported at 28% of all older adults (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2023). In Pennsylvania, approximately 27.9% of older adults fell in 2020 (CDC, 2023). A multifactorial approach to reducing falls can be achieved through the implementation of fall risk screening tools and intervention bundles (Beato et al., 2019; Burland et al., 2013; Francis-Coad et al., 2018; Hewitt et al., 2017; McGibbon et al., 2019; Montero-Odasso et al., 2021; Moyer et al., 2017; Norman & Hirdes, 2020; Nunan et al., 2018; Sherington et al., 2017).
Problem: Assisted living facilities do not have the tools to decrease the incidence of falls. Falls and fall-related hospital transfers can be decreased by implementing fall risk assessment tools and exercise interventions.
Methods: The use of fall risk assessment tools and exercise interventions to reduce falls were supported by a thorough review of the literature. This project applied a convenience sample of residents from an assisted living facility and applied the plan, do, study, act (PDSA) translation model.
Intervention: Participants voluntarily engaged in an 8-week exercise intervention focusing on strength, balance, and ambulation training.
Results: Results of the project revealed a reduction in the risk of falls through descriptive statistics and the Wilcoxon ranked-sign test of pre- and post-project implementation data analysis.
Conclusion: Implementation of fall risk assessment tools and exercise interventions reduces the fall risk gait, balance, and total fall risk scores
College Girls
Get PDFi wanna be like the girls in college dorms in polaroids facial features blurred, but soft smiles and short skirts crystal clear
Tablecloth Artist
Get PDFAfter six years of repeating the same, steady day, I sit in bed this morning, waiting for the pitter patter of little feet on the floor, but no sound breaks in. Eyebrows creased, I make my way to my son’s bedroom, separated from mine by a thin wall, and open the door to see him buttoning up his good shirt - the one reserved for Sundays and other special occasions. With sleep-dappled eyes and a mess of blonde curls, Andy looks up at me proudly..
Last Moments
Get PDFWait for me, as I sit down at the Ocean’s side, and wait for the waves to kiss my blistered hands, touching them with cool reassurance, reminding my body what reality is
Daddy\u27s Boots
Get PDFI wore Daddy’s boots for the first time the day we buried my best friend Three sizes too big, steel-toed and heavy, they made it hard to walk Brown and worn, they’d done lots of things.