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New Breast Cancer Drugs Mediate Epigenetic Silencing of ERBB2 via the RNA Exosome
No full textERBB2 gene-amplified breast cancer is an aggressive form of breast cancer that constitutes 20% of all newly diagnosed cases. Although there are specific treatments for patients with ERBB2-amplified breast cancers, patients often develop therapeutic resistance, underscoring the need for alternative anti-ERBB2 therapeutics. Recently, our lab has shown that inhibiting the histone acetyl transferase (HAT) domain and the bromodomain (Brd, “reader” of lysine acetylation) of the nuclear coactivator proteins EP300 and CBP with drugs A485 and NEO2734, respectively, induces rapid decay of ERBB2 transcripts and thereby impedes the growth of ERBB2-amplified breast cancer cells. In ERBB2-amplified human breast cancer cell line models (SKBr3, BT-474), the overexpressed ERBB2 nuclear mRNA first accumulates in discrete nuclear speckles, and speckle accumulation disappears within several hours of cell exposure to the small molecule inhibitors A485+NEO2734. Newly transcribed mRNA is generally routed either to nuclear speckles for stabilization and cytoplasmic export or to the nuclear RNA exosome system for immediate decay. We hypothesized that A485+NEO2734 blocks ERBB2 mRNA accumulation in nuclear speckles and promotes the accelerated decay of ERBB2 mRNA through the nuclear RNA exosome pathway. To test this hypothesis, we used confocal fluorescence imaging and RT-PCR assays to assess the consequences of siRNA knockdown of the key nuclear RNA exosome components MTREX, RBM7, and the 3\u27 to 5\u27 exonucleases Dis3 and Rrp6. The knockdown of RBM7, MTREX, and Dis3 significantly abrogated ERBB2 mRNA decay (30%-70%), achieving levels usually induced by EP300/CBP inhibition. Additionally, we determined that the ERBB2 transcripts are likely guided by their 3\u27 end through a barrel-like NEXT complex towards the exonuclease Dis3 and away from the Rrp6 exonuclease. A more detailed mechanistic understanding of EP300/CBP-regulated ERBB2 mRNA stability will not only generate additional rationale for further preclinical development of this new anti-ERBB2 treatment strategy but also stimulate a broader exploration of this epigenetic treatment approach designed to cause rapid decay of other oncogenic transcripts similarly regulated by EP300 and CBP
Assessing Disparities in Culturally Competent Care in Ethnic Burn Patients
Get PDFOne of the most debilitating injuries one can suffer is a burn. It is even worse when certain individuals can not access the high quality care such as immigrants. With immigration rates increasing over the last several decades, these populations often lack the proper medical care that they deserve. The overarching theme in this population is that they face challenges in attaining positive patient outcomes due to cultural differences. Lack of Culturally Competent Care in Burn Care Addressing Cultural Safety and Quality of Care in Burn Injury Management Analyzing Disparities in Access to Culturally Competent Burn carehttps://scholar.dominican.edu/nursing-student-research-posters/1075/thumbnail.jp
Male Caregiver Strain: The Mental Effects of Being an Informal Caregiver for a Family Member with Dementia and Alzheimer\u27s Disease
Get PDFBackground: Caregivers are vital in fulfilling patients\u27 primary care needs, and families prefer them over sending their loved ones to skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). Alzheimer\u27s Disease and Dementia are prevalent conditions necessitating continuous assistance due to memory and cognition impairments. As a result, support is essential for tasks like mobility, feeding, bathing, and perineal care, as well as emotional and physical challenges inherent in caregiving. Purpose: Upon diving into the mental health impacts of serving as an informal caregiver for individuals with Alzheimer\u27s Disease and Dementia, a notable research gap becomes evident, especially concerning male caregivers. This lack of information may stem from a potential reluctance among male caregivers to openly share their experiences and emotions due to fears of societal judgment. Additionally, they might avoid seeking support, feeling obligated by a sense of duty and loyalty to care for their loved ones unconditionally. This thesis proposal intends to shed light on the physical and mental well-being of male caregivers in their roles as informal caregivers for individuals with Dementia and Alzheimer\u27s Disease. The thesis will examine differences in caregiving responsibilities, the impact on health, experiences of burnout and strain, and the coping strategies used by male caregivers compared to their female counterparts. Method: The assessment will comprise 10 multiple-choice questions and three written response questions focusing on caregivers\u27 responsibilities and the perceived impact of these duties on their lives. Results: Data collection for this qualitative study is pending; however, the survey anticipates illuminating the experiences of the male caregivers interviewed.https://scholar.dominican.edu/nursing-student-research-posters/1083/thumbnail.jp
Breaking the Mold: Exploring the Influence of Gender Roles on Men\u27s Choice of Nursing Specialties and Its Implications for Patient Care
Get PDFGender roles and stereotypes continue to shape societal perceptions and expectations within the nursing profession. While strides have been made towards gender equality, male nurses remain underrepresented in certain nursing specialties. Understanding the influence of gender roles and stereotypes on male nurses\u27 specialty selection is essential for promoting diversity and enhancing patient care outcomes. This study aims to explore how perceptions of gender roles and stereotypes impact the career decisions of male nurses and the subsequent implications for future patient care. By examining this complex interplay, we seek to uncover insights that can inform strategies for fostering inclusivity and improving healthcare delivery within the nursing profession.https://scholar.dominican.edu/nursing-student-research-posters/1084/thumbnail.jp
Unleashing Wellness: Exploring the Impact of Pet Therapy on Anxiety Reduction, Quality of Life, and Treatment Adherence in Pediatric Oncology Patients
Get PDFPet therapy is a complementary type of therapeutics in which a person and animal have a guided interaction with the purpose of helping someone cope with physical and/or mental illness. Animal-assisted therapy is used in numerous settings and has been shown to reduce stress, lower blood pressure and heart rate, and decrease anxiety and depression (Husson University, 2022). In particular, pediatric oncology patients have enormous amounts of stress in their lives, which leads to increased anxiety and decreased quality of life (Children\u27s Cancer Cause, 2023). While evidence shows that integrating pet therapy in pediatric oncology patients produces significant benefits on anxiety levels and perception of quality of life, there is a lack of substantial research regarding how these benefits lead to increased treatment adherence. It is pivotal for nurses and other healthcare professionals to understand the impact of pet therapy on pediatric oncology patients in order to implement a holistic approach to treatment that aims to address both the physical and psychological needs of the patient.https://scholar.dominican.edu/nursing-student-research-posters/1086/thumbnail.jp
How The Lockdown of COVID-19 Influenced The Neurocognitive and Psychosocial Development of Preschoolers
Get PDFCOVID-19 caused schools to turn to online learning through platforms such as Zoom or Google Meet. The influence and effects caused by the transition to online lessons and quarantine were seen across all patient populations and demographics, but none more so than preschool children, who are regarded as one of the more vulnerable populations due to their susceptibility to change. This research aims to fill gaps in the existing literature by evaluating the similarities and differences of the neurocognitive and psychosocial development of preschoolers exposed to the pandemic and those who were not. This study involves a comparative cohort approach which includes both quantitative and qualitative surveys, in-person interviews, and observations, which will gather data from two cohorts: 100 pandemic children aged three to five and 100 pre-pandemic children aged five to seven years using measurements such as the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ-3), The Childhood Executive Functioning Inventory (CHEXI), and the Head-Toes-Knees-Shoulders (HTKS). Content analysis and descriptive statistics will also be utilized to evaluate interviews and survey questions. Participants for this study were chosen from preschools in Santa Clara county and provided parental consent for their involvement. Results indicate that both pre-pandemic and post-pandemic cohorts show differential delays in neurocognitive and psychosocial development. This research proposal contains a thorough review of literature that aids in the exploration of further research upon the research question: In preschoolers, how did social isolation compared to social interaction influence their neurocognitive and psychosocial development during the lockdown of COVID-19
Life After Pediatric Hemorrhagic Stroke: Family Perspectives
No full textBackground: Pediatric hemorrhagic stroke (PHS) impacts occupational functioning for children and families. PHS research has traditionally focused on medical/rehabilitation models specifically, the patient’s impairments. Little work has focused on occupational performance or child and family issues.
Purpose: This research examined lived experiences and occupational impact to family life post PHS. Research questions: (1) What are the lived experiences (including opportunities, barriers, and challenges) of families with children who have experienced PHS faced after the transition from acute care to life at home, school, and in the community? (2) How can an in-depth examination of these phenomena inform child/family-centered care in OT and further collaboration with interprofessional teams of professionals in partnership with families?
Design / Methods: Qualitative research with 30-60 minute semi-structured interviews. Participants were guardians of a child post PHS. Recruitment from UCSF Bugher Center of Excellence Hemorrhagic Stroke. Interviews recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using Dedoose. Interviews focused on PHS occupational impacts in the contexts of home, school, and community. Current sample is 8 families.
Results, Conclusion & Implications for Occupational Therapy: Through the constant comparison method, five overarching family themes were revealed: (1) Family Dynamics, (2) Change in Child, (3) Community, (4) Unmet Needs and (5) Balance/Complexity. In addition to the five family themes there was a second set of Service themes: (1) Services - Supports, (2) Services - Barriers, (3) Social Determinants of Health, and (4) Health Literacy. Our research revealed that it is often societal stigma and lack of supportive services that negatively impact the child’s transition to their previous environments. Our research suggests that occupational therapists and interprofessional teams must be more active in addressing this stigma and the resulting community-based challenges of pediatric stroke survivors and their family and consider community based models beyond traditional medical and rehabilitation service delivery models
The Barriers to Adult Play in Graduate Students
Get PDFThe purpose of this study is to expand the knowledge of barriers to play for graduate students. The research question asked, what are the barriers to play experienced by graduate students? Play is a complex term that is unique to the individual. Although subjective, existing literature gives suggestions as to what play can mean or feel like to the individual participating. Brown (2009), notes that the definition of play should be experienced rather than defined as it is distinctive to each individual. Van Vleet and Feeney (2015) describe play as being the purpose of amusement, fun or to have energetic, spontaneous, and highly interactive qualities. The methodology used to answer the research question was a qualitative descriptive approach. This methodology generated a focused summary and understanding of the experiences that shaped participants\u27 views (Stanley & Nayer, 2014). This study was open to any full-time graduate students of all genders, ages, and ethnicities. The researchers recruited 9 participants from Dominican University of California Occupational Therapy Program. The sampling method we used was purposive sampling as participants were chosen to have characteristics that met our inclusion criteria. Data was collected through an initial survey, focus groups, self-reported play reflection, and one-on-one semi-structured interviews. Two major themes were found, the first being Experienced Play with sub-themes of play is a spectrum, play context, spontaneity, and feeling of play. The second major theme is Barriers to Play with the sub-themes of money, time, responsibilities, energy/mental capacity, and societal norms/expectations. This research contributes to the growing body of knowledge on adult play, addresses a gap in literature from the research surrounding play for graduate students, and emphasizes the significance of play in the context of higher education and the broader spectrum of adult life
Participating in Formal Occupational Therapy Mentorship Programs: Mentees Experiences
No full textBackground. Formal mentorship is a well researched phenomenon, commonly used in healthcare professions, that offer a range of benefits for both mentors and mentees. Those who engage in formal mentoring programs often find that their evidence-based practice skills and quality of patient care improves. Within early-career stages of the occupational therapy profession, mentoring programs promote professional development and allow for a supported clinical experience. There is limited research on how engaging in formal mentoring programs impacts early-career occupational therapists (OTs) and their transition to practice. Purpose. The purpose of this study was to understand early-career OTs\u27 unique lived experiences in formal mentoring programs and how their experience influenced their transition to practice. Methods. In this phenomenological study, mentees were interviewed about their experiences in formal mentorship programs. The interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis as described by Braun and Clarke (Braun & Clarke, 2018). Results. Four themes emerged from the data analysis: Expectations and Critiques, Pivotal for Early-Career Transition, Practice Expertise, and Emotional Support and Confidence Building. Mentees reported benefits from participating in format mentorship programs which included the development of personal and professional skills, confidence building, and emotional support. Mentees also reported a desire for more structure and consistency within their programs. Conclusion. This study supports current evidence regarding the benefits of formal mentorship programs and the effects on early-career OTs’ transition to practice
Participating in Formal Occupational Therapy Mentorship Programs: Mentees’ Experiences
No full textBackground. Formal mentorship is a well researched phenomenon, commonly used in healthcare professions, that offer a range of benefits for both mentors and mentees. Those who engage in formal mentoring programs often find that their evidence-based practice skills and quality of patient care improves. Within early-career stages of the occupational therapy profession, mentoring programs promote professional development and allow for a supported clinical experience. There is limited research on how engaging in formal mentoring programs impacts early-career occupational therapists (OTs) and their transition to practice. Purpose. The purpose of this study was to understand early-career OTs\u27 unique lived experiences in formal mentoring programs and how their experience influenced their transition to practice. Methods. In this phenomenological study, mentees were interviewed about their experiences in formal mentorship programs. The interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis as described by Braun and Clarke (Braun & Clarke, 2018). Results. Four themes emerged from the data analysis: Expectations and Critiques, Pivotal for Early-Career Transition, Practice Expertise, and Emotional Support and Confidence Building. Mentees reported benefits from participating in format mentorship programs which included the development of personal and professional skills, confidence building, and emotional support. Mentees also reported a desire for more structure and consistency within their programs. Conclusion. This study supports current evidence regarding the benefits of formal mentorship programs and the effects on early-career OTs’ transition to practicehttps://scholar.dominican.edu/occupational-therapy-student-research-posters/1010/thumbnail.jp