Matching Items (24)
Filtering by

Clear all filters

152955-Thumbnail Image.png
Description
The objective of this small animal pre-clinical research project was to study quantitatively the long-term micro- and macro- structural brain changes employing multiparametric MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) techniques. Two separate projects make up the basis of this thesis. The first part focuses on obtaining prognostic information at early stages in

The objective of this small animal pre-clinical research project was to study quantitatively the long-term micro- and macro- structural brain changes employing multiparametric MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) techniques. Two separate projects make up the basis of this thesis. The first part focuses on obtaining prognostic information at early stages in the case of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) in rat animal model using imaging data acquired at 24-hours and 7-days post injury. The obtained parametric T2 and diffusion values from DTI (Diffusion Tensor Imaging) showed significant deviations in the signal intensities from the control and were potentially useful as an early indicator of the severity of post-traumatic injury damage. DTI was especially critical in distinguishing between the cytotoxic and vasogenic edema and in identification of injury regions resolving to normal control values by day-7. These results indicate the potential of quantitative MRI as a clinical marker in predicting prognosis following TBI. The second part of this thesis focuses on studying the effect of novel therapeutic strategies employing dendritic cell (DC) based vaccinations in mice glioma model. The treatment cohorts included comparing a single dose of Azacytidine drug vs. mice getting three doses of drug per week. Another cohort was used as an untreated control group. The MRI results did not show any significant changes in between the two treated cohorts with no reduction in tumor volumes compared to the control group. The future studies would be focused on issues regarding the optimal dose for the application of DC vaccine. Together, the quantitative MRI plays an important role in the prognosis and diagnosis of the above mentioned pathologies, providing essential information about the anatomical location, micro-structural tissue environment, lesion volume and treatment response.
ContributorsAnnaldas, Bharat (Author) / Kodibagkar, Vikram (Thesis advisor) / Stabenfeldt, Sarah (Committee member) / Bhardwaj, Ratan (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2014
156031-Thumbnail Image.png
Description
Approximately 2.8 million Americans seek medical care for traumatic brain injury (TBI) each year. Of this population, the majority are sufferers of diffuse TBI, or concussion. It is unknown how many more individuals decline to seek medical care following mild TBI. This likely sizeable population of un- or self-treated individuals

Approximately 2.8 million Americans seek medical care for traumatic brain injury (TBI) each year. Of this population, the majority are sufferers of diffuse TBI, or concussion. It is unknown how many more individuals decline to seek medical care following mild TBI. This likely sizeable population of un- or self-treated individuals combined with a lack of definitive biomarkers or objective post-injury diagnostics creates a unique need for practical therapies among diffuse TBI sufferers. Practical therapies stand to decrease the burden of TBI among those who would otherwise not seek treatment or do not meet clinical diagnostic criteria upon examination. For this unique treatment niche, practical therapies for TBI are defined as having one or more of the following qualities: common availability, easy administration, excellent safety profile, and cost-effectiveness. This dissertation identifies and critically examines the efficacy of four classes of practical treatments in improving rodent outcome from experimental diffuse traumatic brain injury.

Over-the-counter (OTC) analgesics, omega-3 fatty acids, specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs), and remote ischemic conditioning (RIC) were administered before or following midline fluid percussion injury. Behavioral, histological, and molecular analyses were used to assess treatment effects on functional outcome and secondary injury progression. Acute administration of common OTC analgesics had little effect on post-injury outcome in mice. Dietary supplementation with omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) prior to or following diffuse TBI significantly reduced injury-induced sensory sensitivity and markers of neuroinflammation with no effect on spatial learning. Intraperitoneal administration of omega-3 fatty acid-derived SPM resolvin E1 significantly increased post-injury sleep and suppressed microglial activation. Aspirin-triggered (AT) resolvin D1 administration improved both motor and cognitive outcome following diffuse TBI. RIC treatment in mice demonstrated little effect on functional outcome from diffuse TBI. Untargeted proteomic analysis of plasma samples from RIC-treated mice was used to identify candidate molecular correlates of RIC. Identification of these candidates represents a vital first step in elucidating the neuroprotective mechanisms underlying RIC. The overall findings suggest that omega-3 fatty acid supplementation, SPM administration, and RIC may serve as effective practical therapies to reduce the somatic, cognitive, and neurological burden of diffuse TBI felt by millions of Americans.
ContributorsHarrison, Jordan L (Author) / Lifshitz, Jonathan (Thesis advisor) / Neisewander, Janet (Thesis advisor) / Stabenfeldt, Sarah (Committee member) / Willyerd, Frederick A (Committee member) / Pirrotte, Patrick (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2017
162201-Thumbnail Image.png
Description

In this quantitative research paper, we explored the correlation between the six dimensions of motivation as part of the Self-Determination Theory spectrum and physical activity. In addition, our aim was to also see if Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) paired with exercise as an intervention would affect motivation to exercise

In this quantitative research paper, we explored the correlation between the six dimensions of motivation as part of the Self-Determination Theory spectrum and physical activity. In addition, our aim was to also see if Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) paired with exercise as an intervention would affect motivation to exercise over time.

ContributorsPankoff, Mia (Author) / Quezada, Gabrielle (Co-author) / Katsanos, Christos (Thesis director) / Shaffer, Zachary (Committee member) / Ruiz Tejada, Anaissa (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation (Contributor)
Created2021-12
162202-Thumbnail Image.png
Description

In this quantitative research paper, we explored the correlation between the six dimensions of motivation as part of the Self-Determination Theory spectrum and physical activity. In addition, our aim was to also see if Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) paired with exercise as an intervention would affect motivation to exercise

In this quantitative research paper, we explored the correlation between the six dimensions of motivation as part of the Self-Determination Theory spectrum and physical activity. In addition, our aim was to also see if Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) paired with exercise as an intervention would affect motivation to exercise over time.

ContributorsQuezada, Gabrielle (Author) / Pankoff, Mia (Co-author) / Katsanos, Christos (Thesis director) / Shaffer, Zachary (Committee member) / Ruiz Tejada, Anaissa (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation (Contributor) / College of Integrative Sciences and Arts (Contributor)
Created2021-12
Description
This project was a teaching project for nursing students to educate them on how to cope with a patient death and what to expect when that situation comes in their career. The format for the education is a poster which will be displayed in the grace center. The idea came

This project was a teaching project for nursing students to educate them on how to cope with a patient death and what to expect when that situation comes in their career. The format for the education is a poster which will be displayed in the grace center. The idea came from the fact that student nurses are not exposed to a patient death and are also not prepared to cope with emotionally difficult situations like that. This poster stressed the importance of utilizing therapeutic coping mechanisms and mitigating negative ones. Also addressed were the responsibilities of postmortem care and cultural considerations regarding death. The main point of this project was to get student nurses to focus on developing positive coping skills prior to encountering a difficult situation in their career.
ContributorsRogers, Ashley (Author) / Morris, Brenda (Thesis director) / Bowman, Christine (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation (Contributor)
Created2022-05
ContributorsRogers, Ashley (Author) / Morris, Brenda (Thesis director) / Bowman, Christine (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation (Contributor)
Created2022-05
ContributorsRogers, Ashley (Author) / Morris, Brenda (Thesis director) / Bowman, Christine (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation (Contributor)
Created2022-05
Description

This study utilized a Convergent Mixed Methods design to identify different expressions of resilience in response to a health/familial problem. The research aimed to determine which specific expressions of resilience were significantly associated with higher levels of resilience. The findings revealed two significant effects related to social support and persistence

This study utilized a Convergent Mixed Methods design to identify different expressions of resilience in response to a health/familial problem. The research aimed to determine which specific expressions of resilience were significantly associated with higher levels of resilience. The findings revealed two significant effects related to social support and persistence as expressions of resilience. The High Resilience group exhibited a higher proportion of individuals mentioning persistence and social support in their coping strategies. The study concluded that social support seeking is a major coping strategy among individuals with high resilience and suggested that healthcare providers, particularly nurses, should recommend and provide resources for clients to seek social support. Furthermore, the role of persistence highlights the importance of encouraging clients to set achievable goals, develop a plan, and monitor their progress to remain motivated in resolving their difficult health-related problem.

ContributorsJohn, Avery (Author) / Castro, Felipe (Thesis director) / Lober, Angela (Committee member) / Juarigue, Lisa (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation (Contributor)
Created2023-05
Description

The aim of this thesis is to provide prelicensure nursing faculty at Arizona State University with a supplemental resource and presentation on inclusivity, with specific respect to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transexual, Queer (LGBTQ+) demographic. Background research posits that prelicensure nursing faculty possess limited information about how to teach students

The aim of this thesis is to provide prelicensure nursing faculty at Arizona State University with a supplemental resource and presentation on inclusivity, with specific respect to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transexual, Queer (LGBTQ+) demographic. Background research posits that prelicensure nursing faculty possess limited information about how to teach students to provide inclusive care and communicate respectfully with patients in the LGBTQ+ population group. This project synthesizes current research pertaining to health inequities within this demographic, and summarizes reported patient care experiences to illustrate a need for prelicensure faculty education in this area. Information from this research was extrapolated, and a supplemental resource regarding inclusivity created, which was presented to prelicensure nursing faculty at a staff meeting using an in-person modality. A survey was conducted at the conclusion of this educational presentation, gathering anonymous demographic data, as well as opinions as to the usefulness of the presentation in the setting of prelicensure nursing education. Results were then analyzed thematically, with 70% of those surveyed currently incorporating some form of LGBTQ+ education within their curriculum. These results suggest the majority of surveyed prelicensure faculty found the educational presentation and accompanying resource both useful and informative, and intend to apply information learned to their future practice as a nursing educator. These findings provide justification for continuing education and additional learning experiences in this area.

ContributorsArmendariz, Ethan (Author) / Cruz, Elizabeth (Co-author) / Hagler, Debra (Thesis director) / Shepherd, Allegra (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation (Contributor)
Created2023-05
Description

This study focused on measuring levels of empathy within Arizona Nurses, and conducting statistical tests to determine whether age, education, and area of employment, affected a nurse's levels of empathy.

ContributorsGoeringer, Ellie (Author) / Pohl, Janet (Thesis director) / Weber, Wanda (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation (Contributor)
Created2023-05