The Use of Microfluidic Devices for Biosensors and Bacterial Growth

Microfluidic devices allow for the manipulation of fluids, particles, cells, micro-sized organs or organisms in channels ranging from nano to submillimeter scales, with volumes spanning from microliters to picoliters. The use of these micro-sized networks of channels and chambers enables the use of distinctive phenomena characteristic of fluids in small dimensions. Our research group has developed hybrid polyethylene terephthalate laminate (PETL) microfluidic devices that are derived from polymer film and other low-cost materials to fabricate a biosensor. These membrane-based sensors can be used for the rapid detection of infectious agents contingent on their size and surface antigens in a small amount of bodily fluid. This technology is aimed to provide an affordable and accessible approach for effective pathogen detection in low-resource environments. The detection of red blood cell agglutination was used to test the functionality of the biosensors. The use of PETL devices was further explored through the development of a bioreactor that facilitates the controlled growth of bacteria within microfluidic architecture

Uproot The Phone and Plant The Seed

“Uproot The Phone and Plant The Seed” is a project that helps college students spend less time on their phones and more time in nature. The goal is to show how being outside can improve mental and physical health, like lowering stress, improving mood, and increasing overall well-being. We created a website that explains the effects of too much screen time and the benefits of spending time in nature. It also shares simple ways students can be more mindful and build healthier habits outdoors. We plan to work with groups on campus like the Health and Wellness Center, student clubs, and student government to share our message and organize events. One event we plan to run is a yoga and meditation session at a local lake. This will give students a chance to relax, be active, and connect with nature. Overall, our project encourages students to take breaks from technology and spend more time outside to improve their physical and mental health

Pharmacist-Led Management of Treatment-Resistant Hypertension

Background: Treatment-resistant hypertension (TRH) is defined as uncontrolled blood pressure (BP) on three or more medications or controlled BP on four or more medications. Patients with TRH are at higher risk of poor health outcomes compared to patients with non-resistant hypertension; this risk increases in patients with comorbidities such as diabetes, chronic kidney disease (CKD), or cardiovascular disease. Ambulatory care pharmacists are well positioned to address high-risk TRH. This study seeks to evaluate the impact of a pharmacist-led intervention on blood pressure control in high-risk TRH patients. Objectives: The primary objective is to evaluate the impact of a pharmacist-led intervention utilizing home blood pressure cuffs on blood pressure control in high-risk TRH patients. Secondary objectives include assessing the proportion of patients achieving target BP (\u3c 130/80 mmHg) and quantifying medication changes. Methods: This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board, and informed consent was obtained for all subjects. This is a prospective, single-arm quality improvement project conducted across three Jordan Health sites. Eligible participants are greater than 18 years old with a diagnosis of uncontrolled hypertension on at least three antihypertensive medications and one or more high-risk comorbidities (diabetes, chronic kidney disease stage 3-5, or cardiovascular disease). Patients who have consented will be voluntarily enrolled for three appointments with a clinical pharmacist and given a home blood pressure cuff. The three appointments will include medication reconciliation, education on home blood pressure monitoring, lifestyle counseling, and therapeutic optimization in collaboration with primary care providers. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring will be selectively employed in cases of diagnostic uncertainty or poor treatment response. Simple descriptive and comparative statistics will be used to describe outcomes

Clearing the Way; Simplifying Creatinine Clearance Calculations for Renal Dose Adjustments －A Retrospective Analysis

Purpose: Previous data demonstrate that a simplified creatinine clearance calculation using only age, sex, and serum creatinine provides similar creatinine clearance estimates relative to more complex calculations when compared to a standard 24 hour urine creatinine measurement. A simplified equation may improve the availability and timeliness of creatinine clearance estimates to guide medication dosing for acute patient care needs. The aim of this analysis was to determine how medication renal dose adjustments would be affected using the simplified creatinine clearance calculation as compared to our current standard, a modified Cockcroft-Gault equation. Methods: A retrospective chart review is being conducted at Upstate University Hospital, a tertiary, academic medical center. A patient list was created that includes patients from the general medicine, surgery, orthopedics, cardiothoracic, neurosurgery, intensive care units, and hematology/oncology floors. Records were then reviewed to include patients prescribed medications that may require renal dose adjustments. Only medications with clearly defined renal dose adjustments per hospital protocol are being included. Patients on continuous veno-venous hemofiltration are excluded. Data collection includes patient demographics, serum creatinine, and medication dosing.  Specific renal-dose adjustments of medications are being determined using hospital protocol. Dose adjustments will be determined using both the simplified calculation and our current standard, a modified Cockcroft-Gault equation. Differences in resulting dose adjustments between equations will be identified and compared. A retrospective chart review is being conducted at our tertiary academic medical center. A patient list was created that includes patients from the general medicine, surgery, orthopedics, cardiothoracic, neurosurgery, intensive care units, and hematology/oncology floors. Records were then reviewed to include patients prescribed medications that may require renal dose adjustments. Only medications with clearly defined renal dose adjustments per hospital protocol are being included. Patients on continuous veno-venous hemofiltration are excluded. Data collection includes patient demographics, serum creatinine, and medication dosing.  Specific renal-dose adjustments of medications are being determined using hospital protocol. Dose adjustments will be determined using both the simplified calculation and our current standard, a modified Cockcroft-Gault equation. Differences in resulting dose adjustments between equations will be identified and compared

Italo-Turkish Relations and the Montreux Convention of 1936

At the outset of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Turkey invoked the Montreux Convention of 1936, closing the Turkish Straits to passage of any belligerent warship not based in the Black Sea. This move effectively isolated Russia’s Mediterranean Sea Task Force from the main theater of operations while confining it to the eastern Mediterranean. Subsequently, the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024 further weakened the Russian navy by resulting in the closure of the Tartus naval base, forcing the squadron to operate from inferior bases in Libya. Beginning with the closure of the Straits, the strategic balance of power in the eastern Mediterranean shifted decisively in favor of NATO, particularly the Italian (Marina Militare) and the Turkish navies. Despite their long history of mistrust, competition, and occasional conflict, particularly in the interwar period, positive Italo-Turkish relations have proven a historic point of Italian maritime strategy. This paper analyzes how external pressures have transformed these two sometime rivals into strategic partners by examining Italy\u27s participation in the Montreux Contention, suggesting that the current Italo-Turkish alignment in the Mediterranean is likely to endure as long as the Russian threat persists

Pharmacy-Led Implementation of Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) in Transitions of Care: A Pilot Program

Abstract: Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) is recognized as an effective tool for improving glycemic control and reducing hypoglycemic events in patients with diabetes. Despite these benefits, patients admitted for glycemic-related events at our institution are rarely initiated on CGM technology at hospital discharge. This program seeks to evaluate the continuation of CGM use when started at discharge and to assess the role of pharmacy-led interventions in outpatient transitions of care. By identifying patient, health system, and social determinant barriers to continued CGM access, this program aims to inform strategies for improving transitions of care and optimizing glycemic management following hospitalization. Methods: This is an IRB approved single-centered, pharmacy-led, prospective pilot program. Adult patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes admitted to a small community hospital for a glycemic-related event who are prescribed insulin and initiated on a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) at discharge will be included. Exclusion criteria will be patients with cognitive impairment, pregnancy, discharge to hospice, rehabilitation, or long-term care facilities, or prior CGM therapy. Patients will be offered a free CGM device on discharge with follow up prescriptions for continued use. Pharmacy interns will provide CGM-related education prior to discharge and conduct follow up phone calls to aid in transition of care. The primary endpoint is continuation of CGM at 10 days post discharge. Secondary endpoints include describing social determinants of health related barriers for continuation, 30-day hospital readmission and CGM data assessing glycemic control. Data will be collected through electronic medical records and structured patient follow-up calls, and analyzed using descriptive statistics

Prenatal exposure to estrogenic compounds increases urinary disease susceptibility and heritability in mouse models

Objective: To evaluate the durability and susceptibility of prenatal estrogen exposure mediated urinary disease in mouse models across three generations. Methods: Pregnant female CD1 mice were implanted with either an endogenous (17β-estradiol; E2) or endocrine disrupting (bisphenol S; BPS) estrogen at gestational day nine. Male offspring were then randomized into control (n=10-15) and experimental (n=15-20) groups or saved for breeding for the next generation. Three generations of male mice were collected, with only the first generation having been directly exposed to prenatal estrogens. Adult male mice were surgically implanted with steroid hormones to examine the susceptibility to increased urinary frequency by void spot assays. Anterior prostate tissues were collected from animals following euthanasia, and steroid hormone receptor expression assessed by immunohistochemistry. Results: Prenatal exposure to high levels of endogenous E2 showed an increased urinary frequency, particularly in animals from generations two (p\u3c .05) and three (p\u3c .001). In these same animals, there is a decrease in expression of estrogen receptor beta (p\u3c .01). For the animals exposed to BPS, they exhibited an increase in expression of estrogen receptor alpha (p\u3c .001) and androgen receptor (p\u3c .01) even though there is no change in urinary frequency in these animals. Conclusions: Prenatal exposure to estrogenic compounds does in fact increase susceptibility to urinary frequency with expression changes in steroid hormone receptors, and this susceptibility is heritable over at least three generations in male mice

Crushability Assessment of Immediate-Release Oral Tablets and Capsules Approved by the FDA in 2024

Purpose: Crushing oral solid dosage forms is often necessary for patients with dysphagia. However, many newly approved immediate-release (IR) tablets and capsules carry broad “do not crush” warnings, without supporting rationale. This lack of clarity complicates care and delays safe, effective medication administration, particularly when no alternative formulations are available. Building upon previous student-led research evaluating crushability of medications approved between 2020 and 2023, this study expands the analysis to novel drugs approved by the FDA in 2024. The goal is to provide an additional resource to support evidence-based decision-making in clinical settings and advocate for greater transparency in labeling practices. Methods: The list of 2024 FDA novel drug approvals was screened to identify those formulated as IR oral tablets or capsules. Of the 50 approvals, 20 met inclusion criteria. Each drug was then evaluated using a standardized checklist considering several factors, such as availability of alternative dosage forms, presence of special formulation characteristics, suspected chemical/physical stability concerns, pharmacokinetic implications, and potential hazardous drug exposure concerns. Primary sources of information included FDA labeling, Orange Book patents, and the NIOSH list of hazardous drugs. Manufacturers were also contacted for additional safety and stability data. Drugs that included explicit crush instructions in their labeling were excluded from formal analysis, but noted in the results. Results: Of the 20 identified oral IR products, 2 were available in alternative formulations. Among the remaining 18, 2 included clear instructions for preparing a liquid dosage form, 10 carried non-specific “do not crush” warnings, and 6 were silent on this topic. Thus, crushability analysis was performed on the remaining 16 medications, of which 5 were identified as high risk for crushing. Of these 5 drugs, 3 presented a chemical stability concern and 2 posed a physical and pharmacokinetic stability concern. The remaining 11 medications were deemed lower risk for crushing based on currently available data. A structured summary table was created to document the rationale behind each classification and provide final recommendations regarding crushing, including any occupational exposures that may arise in practice, while doing so. Conclusion: This study extends prior institutional research by evaluating 2024 FDA approved IR oral dosage forms for safe manipulation. While our findings suggest that many medications exhibit low risk for crushing, several present significant risk if manipulated. The results reinforce the need for manufacturers to provide clear, evidence-based recommendations when including “do not crush” warnings. By providing updated evaluations for novel drugs, this work supports pharmacists and clinicians in making informed decisions, when treating patients with swallowing difficulties

Player Experience vs. Performance: How NFLPA Grades Align With Wins & Injuries

This Tableau dashboard examines how the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) Report Card grades from 2023–2025 relate to on‑field outcomes; focusing on wins, injury statistics, and core performance metrics such as passing, rushing, and point differential. By integrating player‑evaluated organizational quality that covers areas like training, nutrition, and overall support—with traditional football statistics, the analysis explores whether teams that invest more effectively in player experience also demonstrate stronger competitive results. Visual comparisons highlight patterns in how high‑graded teams differ from low‑graded teams in both performance and injury trends, offering insight into whether organizational culture and infrastructure translate into measurable advantages on the field. The dashboard provides an interactive framework for assessing how player treatment, team success, and health outcomes intersect across three NFL seasons