A Focus on Face-to-Face Communication as a Source of Relational Life and Renewal of Community Within the Church

Increased digital engagement at the cost of in-person interactions has negatively impacted communal life in the Gateway City Church — St. Charles Ministry. Amid an increase in online connectivity, relational connections have suffered as church members add more and more to their already busy schedules. Research has noted multiple ways in which this significant drift from inperson engagement has brought harm to people’s overall health. The literature demonstrates a key root of this phenomenon to be widespread efforts to incorporate digital church engagement in an attempt to supply convenient access to spiritual resources. This tension between convenience and suffering relational connections has left many discouraged. This project sought to understand how Gateway City Church members would experience connectivity changes after a focused series of in-person meetings. Partnerships were formed, six face-to-face meetings were planned, and weekly agendas were given for the gathering. These meetings contained scripture reading, prayer, mutual sharing, listening, and reflection. The subsequent interaction feedback revealed a strengthening and deepening of horizontal connections between partners. Additionally, the results demonstrated a vertical strengthening of their relationship with God and increased awareness of his presence and activity. This research shows the irreplaceable value of purposeful face-to-face interactions as a source of communal life within the church

Exploring the Effects of Indoor Plants on Executive Function

The link between greenery in schools and cognitive performance is underexplored, even with evidence of its benefits in other settings. Research indicates that adding green plants to an office can improve mood and lower stress (Bergefurts et al., 2021). This study explored the factors behind the psychological benefits of indoor plants on executive function in college students. The study proposed two competing hypotheses based on Attention Restoration Theory (ART) and Enrichment Theory. Hypothesis I: Based on the Attention Restoration Theory, integrating plants into the classroom benefits students’ executive function by giving them a sense of relief from fatigue. Hypothesis II: Derived from the Enrichment Theory, integrating plants into the classroom benefits students’ executive function due to the perceived feeling of well-being and environment comfort. The study is a 2x2 between-subjects factorial design, in which participants were exposed to environments with or without plants and with or without organizational enrichment. Participants were undergraduate and graduate students 18 years or older. Executive function was measured using the Sustained Attention to Response Task (SART), while mood was measured using the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS). To measure Enrichment, the study used a modified Nieuwenhuis questionnaire (Nieuwenhuis et al., 2014). Separate Repeated Measures ANOVAs were used to analyze accuracy and reaction time (RT) differences from the SART across conditions and time. There was no significant main effect of time, condition, or time by condition interaction on response accuracy. The same results were found for reaction time. Results show no significant effect of plant presence or workspace organization on executive function as measured by SART task performance. Regarding enrichment, participants reported perceived levels of Fatigue, Concentration Problems, Decreased Motivation, and Physical Activity after tasks 1 and 2. A One-Way ANOVA revealed no differences at T1 for all four indicators. Similar results were found at T2, except that there was a significant effect of condition on motivation at T2. Post hoc tests showed that participants in the stationary office items condition had reduced motivation compared to those in the plant & movable office items condition. This could potentially be related to them having the option to move the items to their liking. These findings suggest that while indoor plants may not directly enhance executive function in short tasks, their presence, combined with an enriched environment, results in less motivation loss compared to traditional office items

Working Conditions of Perfusionists in North America: A Scoping Review

Perfusionists face significant challenges, including long hours, high workloads, burnout, and workplace risks like sleep deprivation and discrimination, which impact both their well-being and patient outcomes. Despite these concerns, no comprehensive review has mapped workforce trends, and the lack of widespread American Society of Extracorporeal Technology (AmSECT) guideline implementation worsens the situation. This scoping review highlights these issues, emphasizing the need for standardized assessments, better enforcement of guidelines, and proactive strategies to improve perfusionist well-being and patient safety. This scoping review aims to describe the working conditions of North American Certified Clinical Perfusionists (CCPs)

The Benefits of Leukocyte Depletion Filters for Blood Product Administration during Cardiopulmonary Bypass: A Scoping Review

Background: Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is a critical component in cardiac surgery, enabling surgeons to perform complex procedures while maintaining systemic perfusion, oxygenation, and a bloodless field. Despite advancements in the CPB circuit design, prime solutions, and management strategies, complications such as inflammatory responses, coagulopathy, and organ dysfunction remain common. Therefore, identifying best practices that optimize perfusion parameters and improve patient outcomes is paramount. Despite the best efforts, every patient has an inflammatory response to CPB, and it is not unusual to receive a blood product transfusion during CPB. A leukocyte depletion filter (LDF) is a device used in blood transfusions to minimize the reinfusion of white blood cells (leukocytes). Activated leukocytes and inflammatory mediators create an unwanted inflammatory response, however, these filters are not widely used during CPB. The rationale of some perfusionists may be due to the integrated filters in the cardiotomy and reservoir of the CPB circuit, but should a LDF be added when transfusing blood products on CPB? Objectives: The study aim was to perform a scoping review on using a LDF for blood product administration during CPB and the benefits it may provide. Design: This scoping review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines. Three online databases were used to identify articles published between 2000-2025, from which 43 published articles were selected for review. These articles were from the United States, Netherlands, Germany, Greece, China, United Kingdom, Italy, and Finland. Results: The use of a LDF is a subject that remains unclear with a variety of data. None of the articles reviewed during this scoping review discussed the use and benefits of LDF for blood product administration during CPB. Conclusions: While various data are available on LDF, CPB, and/or blood transfusions, the scholarly community lacks research and evidence on the benefits of using LDF for blood transfusions during CPB. Practices are inconsistent due to the lack of evidence necessary to support this topic. This scoping review indicates the need for future studies to standardize best practices in cardiopulmonary perfusion

The Impact of p53 in Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer is the abnormal growth of cells in the cervix, causing a tumor to form, Cervical cancer is most commonly diagnosed in middle aged women with thousands of new cases reported each year. The highest risk factor for cervical cancer is human papillomavirus, more commonly known as HPV. HPV is a sexually transmitted virus spread through skin-to-skin contact. Treatment options may vary, but today there is an effective vaccine to HPV, Gardasil 9. Despite this vaccination, HPV related cancer contributes to 5% of all cancer as well as the fourth most common cancer in women, cervical cancer. Over 90% of cervical cancer is directly caused by human papillomavirus. In cervical cancer, the tumor suppressor p53 is either mutated or inactivated, but when functioning normally will cause DNA repair, cell cycle arrest, apoptosis or senescence to prevent tumor growth. In cervical cancer HPV’s viral E6 proteins target p53 for ubiquitination leading to its destruction. Because of this, p53 will no longer act as a tumor suppressor which will contribute to tumor growth. Furthermore, this can cause an increased resistance to treatment options such as radiation and chemotherapy. Therefore, increased vaccination rates and a greater understanding of p53 is critical to better treatment options in cervical cancer

Potential Benefits and Drawbacks of Washing Stored Red Blood Cells Prior to Transfusion: A Scoping Review

Background: There is growing interest in washing banked blood with an intraoperative autotransfusion device (IAT) prior to transfusing to patients. The main purpose of this practice is to reduce the effects caused by storage lesion, both to the blood and the patient, and diminish the cost and of washing by using an IAT as opposed to washing in the blood bank. Objective: The objective of this scoping review is to summarize the existing data on the use of IATs for washing stored banked blood and evaluate the potential advantages and disadvantages associated with transfusing the washed blood. Method: This scoping review utilized the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines with a comprehensive literature search across three databases from the invention of the cell salvage device in 1943 to January 2025. Ten studies were found and results from them were summarized, compared, and analyzed to determine potential benefits and drawbacks of washing banked blood with an IAT. Results: Analysis of the ten studies postulates the advantage of washing banked blood to reduce potassium, lactate, lactate dehydrogenase, and microparticles while disadvantages include decreasing 2,3-diphosphoglycerate and adenosine triphosphate levels as well as a potential increase in plasma-free hemoglobin. However, data is sparse and not standardized, making it difficult to compare and give true support to clinical usage. Conclusions: This scoping review provides an overview and analysis of the current data available concerning the potential advantages and disadvantages of washing banked blood using an IAT. The current data is varied but offers a framework for further studies that may look into more specific details about physiological blood components or specific cell salvage devices

The Impact of Perfusion Techniques on Inflammatory Response During Cardiopulmonary Bypass; A Scoping Review

Background: Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is an essential part of cardiac surgery, but it leads to SIRS (systemic inflammatory response syndrome) which in turn increases postoperative complications. There are many proposed approaches to reduce inflammation, but there is no clear best practice on the approach to use. This scoping review aims to explore the literature and classify the studies that investigate the effects of various CPB perfusion techniques on inflammatory responses to determine the possible best practices and the gaps that exist in the literature. Methods: The present scoping review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis with Scoping Review Extension (PRISMA-ScR) framework. The databases searched include PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and Web of Science for articles published from 2016 to 2025. Out of 1,010 articles that were initially retrieved, only 22 articles were selected after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria. The selected process was part of a scoping review, focusing on mapping the literature. Surgical study designs comprised of retrospective (41%) and prospective (27%) cohort studies, case-control studies (9%), and clinical trials (23%). The most common interventions concerned the use of antifibrinolytics (32%), blood products (23%), pointof-care testing (18%), and changes to bypass circuits and priming solutions (14%). Results: Miniaturized CPB circuits decreased the level of inflammation and the length of ICU admission. Heparin coated circuits reduced the level of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8 and offered better recovery. Although there were some renal and pulmonary improvements in pulsatile perfusion, there was not enough evidence to support them. Corticosteroids and nitric oxide showed moderate effectiveness in this aspect. Conclusion: Despite these studies presenting promising results, the variations in the study methodology, sample size, and measurement indicators prevent the drawing of concrete conclusions. There is a need for additional high-quality randomized controlled trials for better CPB strategies and fewer inflammation-related complications

Normothermic Regional Perfusion in Donation after Circulatory Death: The Essential Role of the Certified Clinical Perfusionist. A Scoping Review.

Background: Donation after Circulatory Death (DCD) was the original mode of transplantation (e.g., first lung transplant in 1963 and first heart transplant in 1967) (1,2) but was largely abandoned post-1968 following the Harvard brain-death criteria (3). Recently, Normothermic Regional Perfusion (NRP) has renewed interest in DCD by mitigating warm ischemic injury. However, Certified Clinical Perfusionists (CCPs), who manage the extracorporeal circuits essential for NRP, remain largely overlooked or underrepresented in protocols and literature, even though they are, according to the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion (ABCP), the only professionals “formally educated and trained in adult and pediatric extracorporeal technology” (4). Methods: This scoping review was conducted following PRISMA-ScR guidelines. PubMed and CINAHL were searched (1990–2025) for peer-reviewed articles referencing NRP in DCD donors and mentioning the term “perfusionist” or “Certified Clinical Perfusionist.” Articles that met eligibility criteria (English language, full text, explicit mention of perfusion staff) were included. Data was extracted to identify themes regarding the perfusionist’s role and standardized protocols. Results: A total of 75 articles were identified. After screening and eligibility assessment, 10 articles were included for full review. Results indicated that perfusionists are integral to circuit setup, oxygenation monitoring, and warm ischemia reduction through precise flow management and anticoagulation oversight. However, few studies provided formal guidelines clarifying the CCP’s standardized responsibilities in NRP. Conclusions: Despite the crucial function CCPs fulfill in preventing ischemic damage during DCD-NRP, they are not consistently highlighted in guidelines or institutional policies. Greater inclusion of perfusionists as key stakeholders is called for, along with standardized credentialing requirements and explicit role definitions to improve outcomes in NRP

High Rise mid 1960s.

Lipscomb University\u27s High Rise dormitory in the mid 1960s.https://digitalcollections.lipscomb.edu/historical_photos2/1018/thumbnail.jp