11549 research outputs found
Sort by
Low Cost Surgical Simulation Models
No full textWhat if a surgeon’s first attempt was on you? Surgical residency lives up to every stereotype of being an extreme challenge, even for the brightest of doctors. Fresh out of medical school, their medical education is still far from over and they must grapple with the challenge of tests turning from paper and pencil to scalpel and skin. Residents will see hundreds of different surgeries, needing to assist and understand all of them in detail. Drinking information from the proverbial fire hydrant is nothing new, but now real patients are involved, and each mistake is costly. It is one thing to learn when making a mistake only results in a poor grade, but in this case, each mistake the residents make could be life threatening to their patients. With stakes this high, it begs the question of how can we improve the training of surgical residents while still keeping costs affordable for medical schools. The Brody School of Medicine has allowed us the opportunity to implement our low cost surgical simulation models into the surgical curriculum, allowing us to give residents training that correlates with what they are learning and seeing
Senior Art Show: The Times
No full textThis thesis discusses the intersection of immigration policy, corporate greed, and the human cost of systemic exploitation through the lens of visual art. Drawing from personal experiences, political critique, and historical context, the work demonstrates how harmful narratives and profit-driven agendas dehumanize migrants, perpetuate cycles of displacement and vulnerability, and how harmful capitalist ideals seep into feminism rendering it performative. By using symbolism and metaphor, the artwork encourages viewers to face uncomfortable truths about the structures that shape society. This project aims to evoke empathy and understanding but also call for action to the injustices that are both: headliners and underrepresented
Novel GPCR Mechanisms of Phenotypic Control in Vascular Smooth Muscle
No full textCardiovascular disease (CVD) is a significant global health concern and the number one cause of morbidity and mortality in the US and worldwide. Ischemia and resulting tissue hypoxia and acidosis are important contributors to CVD development and progression. G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are seven transmembrane receptors with established functions in cardiovascular (patho)physiology. Phenotypic switching of vascular smooth muscle (VSM) from a contractile, quiescent state to a noncontractile, proliferative state is a common feature of CVD. Two GPCRs, protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR2) and GPR68, have capacity to control cell proliferation in various tissues, but their role(s) in VSM cell proliferation and phenotypic control remain unclear. The purpose of this project was to determine how PAR2 and GPR68 independently control VSM cell growth and phenotype. Findings revealed that PAR2 controls VSM cell growth in a PKA/MEK1/2 and phenotype-dependent manner, while GPR68 inhibits VSM cell growth through Rap1A. Proteomics analysis revealed wide-ranging effects of GPR68 on VSM phenotype including modulation of extracellular matrix, actin-binding, and contractile proteins. Our findings highlight novel mechanisms of PAR2 and GPR68 in VSM cell growth and phenotypic control and offer evidence that they might be important targets for treatment of deleterious phenotypic switching of VSM in CVD
Investigating the coordination of germline stem cell fate by ecdysone signaling and BMP signaling in the Drosophila ovary
No full textGermline stem cells (GSCs) receive multiple secreted signals that regulate their fate. How these signals are integrated to balance self-renewal with differentiation are not well understood. Here, we use the Drosophila ovary as a model to understand how signal convergence is achieved. Ecdysone signaling and Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP) signaling are well-known signals that promote GSC self-renewal. Over-expression of Ecdysone Receptor (EcR), knock-down of bag of marbles (bam), or over-expression of constitutively active thickveins (tkv) in all germ cells results in germ cell tumors at similar stages of differentiation. This suggests that ecdysone signaling and BMP signaling converge on a common point of regulation. We perfomed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) to assess the potential transcriptomic differences between the three tumor genotypes. UMAP distribution and differential gene expression show that the over-expression of EcR.B1 and constitutively active tkv (TkvACT) yield undifferentiated cells that are more similar to each other than they are to the bam-depleted cells. Knock-down of BMP signaling in the EcR.B1 over-expression or knock-down of ecdysone signaling in TkvACT over-expression did not rescue differentiation. This data suggests that a direct interaction between ecdysone signaling and BMP signaling is unlikely, and that the two pathways likely function indirectly by converging on common transcriptional targets to regulate GSC maintenance and differentiation. We identified a subset of putative common targets, including ecdysone inducible protein 63E (Eip63E or E63E), because their expression is upregulated in response to EcR.B1 or TkvACT over-expression. We performed other bioinformatic analyses, such as Single Cell rEgulatory Network Inference and Cluster (SCENIC), pseudotime analysis, and single cell velocity (scVelo) to help identify other potential common targets of ecdysone signaling and BMP signaling. Our results suggest that ecdysone signaling and BMP signaling converge on a common point of regulation to coordinate GSC fate
Occupational Hazards Among Mosquito Control Operators And Other Pesticide Handlers
No full textThe rise of mosquito-borne diseases is a serious public health concern. Mosquito control employees work within municipal/county health departments, public works, private companies, and other agencies. These outdoor workers encounter various occupational health and safety hazards, including exposure to arthropods (e.g., stinging or biting insects, pathogen vectors), pesticides, physical demands of carrying/lifting heavy equipment, heat stress, and solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Mosquito control employees may take part in employer-provided training sessions and workshops focused on pesticide safety, appropriate application, and exposure reduction. Nevertheless, additional training may be required to reduce workplace health and safety risks. We conducted a survey of members of the North Carolina Mosquito and Vector Control Association (NCMVCA) and the Virginia Mosquito Control Association (VMCA) (N=60 respondents, 28.2% response rate). The survey showed that mosquito control involves professionals from various agencies, including but not limited to environmental health and vector control. Backpack sprayers (average weight=18.6 kg) were utilized by 41.7% of respondents. Individuals who reported using a backpack sprayer were significantly (p=0.015) related to those experiencing a slip, trip, or fall at work. Most respondents (76.7%) participated in health and safety training organized by their employer. Training and personal protective equipment (PPE) can mitigate the risks from occupational safety hazards. Mosquito control employees protect public health from mosquito-borne diseases by reducing mosquito populations. Here, results indicate that these outdoor workers encounter various potential hazards, such as heavy/loud equipment, pesticide exposure, heat stress, and irregular terrain. Personnel utilize several forms of PPE, yet safety issues may still occur. Routine and effective training can help prevent occupational exposures and reduce worker risks. This work also explores pesticide-related occupational injuries and fatalities among outdoor workers in the United States from 2009 to 2023, derived from 36 incidents documented by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Among these incidents, 14 were fatal, 17 necessitated hospitalizations, and 5 resulted in non-hospitalized injuries, with pest control workers comprising one-third of the cases, and others included other pesticide handlers (e.g. farm/agriculture workers), and those exposed to drifted pesticides. The majority of victims were male (80.6%), with prevalent causes of incidents comprised of chemical exposure, heat stress, and equipment-related incidents. These findings underscore the ongoing hazards in pesticide-related professions and the pressing necessity for enhanced worker safety protocols and laws
Executive Summary–Intern to Impact: Cultivating a Clinical Nurse Specialist Team
No full textThe practice of the clinical nurse specialist (CNS) spans direct patient care, nursing practice, and healthcare systems improvement; however, the role remains largely misunderstood and underutilized in clinical practice settings. The following manuscript details a quality improvement project in which a proposal for a CNS Intern role was developed to mitigate both issues simultaneously. Surveys were conducted to determine stakeholders’ understanding of CNS practice. This information was utilized to outline a CNS Intern role to be presented to nurse executives at the project site. Finally, a post-survey was conducted to collect feedback on the resulting clarity surrounding the understanding of CNS practice and the viability of the CNS Intern role. Survey results indicated that the proposal improved stakeholders’ understanding of the CNS scope of practice. Respondents also agreed that the CNS Intern role is a viable method for facilitating the timely growth of an effective CNS team, which will be instrumental in achieving strategic initiatives to realize the organization’s mission and vision.Dr. Wendy Leutgens
Dr. Chelsea PasswaterD.N.P
Wearable Device Use and Mental Health Outcomes in Female College Students
No full textWearable devices such as Apple Watches, Garmin, and Fitbits have taken over the fitness industry and have expanded to people outside of fitness. These devices are popular among many generations, but college students specifically are building habits based on the devices’ constant notifications and fitness monitoring. Studies show that Apple Watches overestimate energy expenditure while the wearable device, Polar A370, underestimates energy expenditure. Users of wearable devices often heavily consider energy expenditure and change their daily habits to meet their goals. As the world becomes more connected through technology, the question arises as to how too much connection can be harmful. This is especially concerning in younger generations. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to analyze the correlation between time on a wearable device and exercise addiction, sleep quality, and mental health in female college students. Methods: Female college students ages 18-25 were assessed through self-report questionnaires, which focused on students’ demographics, wearable device use, and sleep quality, mental health, and exercise habits. Results: One hundred and eighty-nine participants completed the Qualtrics survey. Eighty five percent of respondents report wearing an Apple Watch. Eighty-four percent report wearing their device on the weekends, and seventy-four report they do not exercise without wearing their device. Twenty-seven percent report feeling pressure to exercise by their device even when they are ill. Ninety-nine percent of respondents reported having their text message notifications enabled, and eighty-eight percent feel pressured to look at their device when it vibrates. Despite these high wearable device time responses, there was not a significant correlation between wearable device time and mental health(p=.999), sleep quality(p=.984), or exercise addiction(p=.635). Conclusion: Wearable devices were intended to support regular physical activity and lead users to a healthy lifestyle. This study supports that wearable devices are not harmful to mental health, sleep quality, or exercise habits. Therefore, further research is needed to determine the validity of wearable devices to support physical activity without harmful side effects
Executive Summary: Increasing Access to Stress Management Team Services Through a Nurse-Driven Toolkit
No full textAim: To increase stress management resources available to hospitalized patients by implementing a nurse-led stress management toolkit.
Design: A pre-post intervention study.
Keywords: patient stress, hospital, anxiety, stress management, breathing, relaxation, education, nursing intervention, toolkit, resources
Methods: Descriptive statistics were used to calculate the number of toolkits administered, the difference between pre- and post-intervention staff surveys, and the difference in formal stress management consults.
Results: A total of seventeen patients received a nurse-driven stress management toolkit during the twelve-week implementation period. Although, there was not a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) between pre- and post-intervention staff survey responses, there was a favorable change in five out of the six questions, which favored increased knowledge and confidence. There was not a change in the number of formal stress management consults during the project implementation period.
Conclusion: Patient care nurses can increase access to stress management team services by distributing educational materials through a nurse-driven toolkit. Leadership support and nurse participation are essential in producing change and a lasting impact.
Implications for Practice: Utilization of nurse-led interventions and toolkits can be used to distribute and provide patient education, which can result in increased availability and decreased wait time.D.N.P
Technology's Impact on Entrepreneurship
No full textIn the digital age, technology plays an important role in developing entrepreneurial practices and driving corporate success. This study investigates how entrepreneurs see the impact of technology on important components of growth, with an emphasis on scalability, social media involvement, access to capital, and opportunity generation. A structured online survey was used to collect data from 332 entrepreneurs working in technology-enabled service industries, following a quantitative research approach. The study used descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation analysis, and multiple linear regression to investigate the links between five fundamental constructs: perceived relevance of technology, influence of social media, funding ease, opportunity increase, and scalability
Investigating the role of microRNAs on the transgenerational effects of nicotine using Caenorhabditis elegans
No full textThis project aims to investigate the effects of nicotine, the highly addictive and toxic substance in tobacco-based products, has on offspring (1st and 2nd generations, F1 and F2) using the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans). C. elegans are microscopic nematode worms that are used as a model organism to study epigenetic effects passed down through generations. Due to their transparency, small size, and cellular simplicity, researchers can easily observe the internal structures and processes of C. elegans. To characterize nicotine-dependence, our lab looks at three behaviors: stimulation, adaption, and withdrawal. We hypothesize that maternal nicotine exposure (F0 generation) increases susceptibility to nicotine dependence in F1 and F2 generations. To test this, F0 worms were exposed to a 61.7 µM nicotine solution or a vehicle control (K medium) at the L3 larval stage for 24 hours, then the behaviors were observed in F0, F1, and F2 generations, where the F1 and F2 generations were not exposed to nicotine. Locomotion behaviors were analyzed using WormLab. For nicotine-exposed worms, an increased speed in a nicotine-free environment indicates withdrawal, while a lower locomotion speed in nicotine-containing environment indicates nicotine adaption. To explore miRNA-mediated molecular mechanisms, RNA interference with the miRNA inhibitor anti-cel-miR-1 will knock down miR-1, which regulates nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) expression. Behavioral changes in miRNA inhibitor and nicotine co-treated worms will be compared to nicotine-only treated worms and vehicle controls. Statistical analyses of locomotion behaviors revealed transgenerational inheritance of nicotine-dependent behaviors and the important role of miRNA-1 in nicotine-dependent behaviors. With miR-1 inhibition in F0 generation, the nicotine-dependent behavior was cured in F0 and the following F1 and F2 generations. This represents an important finding in the mechanism of nicotine-dependent behaviors and potentially applies to the development of future miRNA-mediated therapeutic strategies