Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

The Transmission Of Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Kunjal Patel, Aleesha Thomas

Mako: NSU Undergraduate Student Journal

The existence of Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OPSCC) has recently been found to have correlations with the Human Papillomavirus. HPV-associated OPSCC exhibits a unique method of infection and transmission and has made this branch an emerging disease in the recent decade. This systematic review of the literature was conducted to further explore research into Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Cancer (OPSCC). Commonly referred to as “throat cancer”, this growth originates in the oropharynx. Symptoms of this condition include sore throat, lumps in the neck, and difficulty with swallowing. OPSCC has many variants but has shown a strong association with Human Papillomavirus (HPV), …

Zika Virus Microcephaly: Predicting The Symptoms Of Microcephaly So Families Can Prepare, Eleanor J. Wind

Mako: NSU Undergraduate Student Journal

Microcephaly is a rare congenital defect where the circumference of an infants head is smaller than average. The cause is unknown and the risk factors and symptoms of microcephaly are wide ranging. One risk factor is exposure during pregnancy to viruses such as the Zika virus.. A recent study was conducted on infants who were born with Zika virus Microcephaly following the Zika outbreak in Brazil. The researchers conducted MRI scans and developmental testing. Then an algorithm to predict behavioral outcomes of Zika Virus Microcephaly was successfully created. This research will benefit caretakers of infants with Zika virus Microcephaly by …

History Of Clover Leaf Syndrome, Isabella Perez

Mako: NSU Undergraduate Student Journal

The purpose of this paper is to summarize the history of clover leaf syndrome and describe the newest advancements made to treat it. Clover leaf syndrome is more formally referred to as Kleeblattschadel syndrome. Information was gathered from several scholarly, peer-reviewed articles, and was condensed down into the key takeaways. This syndrome impacts the formation of the skull due to premature fusion of its sutures, creating a tri-lobar skull that resembles a clover leaf. This premature fusion is referred to as a type of craniosynostosis and has been linked to causing several other health complications ranging in severity. This is …

Recent Studies In The Surgical Treatment Of Tetralogy Of Fallot, Emma C. Gardner

Mako: NSU Undergraduate Student Journal

No abstract provided.

Revolutionizing Esophageal Atresia Treatment: Newly Approved Technique To Bypass Surgery, Gabriella Llorente

Mako: NSU Undergraduate Student Journal

Esophageal atresia (EA) is a rare congenital defect where the esophagus, during the early stages of development, does not fully form. This causes there to be no connection between the oral cavity and the stomach. Complications with EA treatment come into play when there is a long gap between the two segments of the esophagus, meaning they cannot simply be sewed together using anastomosis. A new device called Flourish has recently been approved by the FDA and may be a new and more humanitarian approach to solving long gap esophageal atresia in infants.

Encephaloceles: A Comprehensive Exploration Of Research, Causes, Prevention, And Innovative Approaches To Diagnosis And Treatment, Amanda N. Bautista

Mako: NSU Undergraduate Student Journal

Encephaloceles, a rare medical condition derived from Greek words meaning "brain hernia," involve the protrusion of brain tissue, cerebrospinal fluid, or membranes through a defect in the skull. These anomalies often present at birth and can occur in various locations on the skull. Recent research has shed light on the possible causes of encephaloceles, including genetic factors such as the Sonic Hedgehog pathway and inadequate folic acid intake during pregnancy. Folic acid is essential for proper neural tube closure during fetal development, making it a key preventive measure.

Emerging treatments for encephaloceles show promise, with a focus on mesenchymal stem …

The Effects Of Herbal Products In Cartilage Healing And Reducing The Progression Of Osteoarthritis, Mariya Baig, Mir Saleem

Mako: NSU Undergraduate Student Journal

Treatment for osteoarthritis (OA) includes symptom management with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), opioids, and acetaminophen. However, these drugs pose health risks for long-term use, such as contraindications and gastrointestinal/cardiovascular issues. This systematic review of the literature was conducted to evaluate the impact of the herbal products, turmeric and ginger, in cartilage healing and reducing the progression of OA. It was found that turmeric and ginger can aid in symptom management for OA and promote cartilage regeneration, with turmeric extract yielding greater evidence-based results. Turmeric reduces the amount of pain and stiffness experienced from OA and can restore cartilage by subduing …

A Brief Overview Of Triple A Syndrome, Jamaal Khan

Mako: NSU Undergraduate Student Journal

Triple A Syndrome, also known as AAA Syndrome, is a rare autosomal recessive disorder caused by any mutation in the AAAS gene on chromosome 12q13, whose main function is to code for the WD-repeat family regulatory protein, ALADIN. It typically occurs as a group of diseases that are characterized by alacrima, Addison's disease, and achalasia. Alacrima can be defined by a decrease in the amount of tears produced while achalasia is nerve damage in the esophagus that can cause difficulty swallowing. Lastly, Addison's disease is the insufficient production of cortisol and aldosterone produced by the adrenal cortex. There is no …

Genetic Enhancement Of The Inevitable, Varun Kota

Mako: NSU Undergraduate Student Journal

The invention of CRISPR-CAS9 allows one to edit the genome easily. As a result, many are excited by the potential breakthroughs in medical applications. Others worry that the development of this technology will lead to genetic enhancement, the modification of a set of genes toward a non-therapeutic end goal. After reviewing the philosophical and ethical literature regarding genetic enhancement it became apparent that there was a lack of specificity. Often, the arguments portrayed genetic enhancement as an unbelievable process. In reality, the effects of genetic enhancement are far tamer. The folly in these discussions lies in the notion that traits …

Honors Thesis – Awareness Of Autism In Black And Brown Communities, Varun Kota

Mako: NSU Undergraduate Student Journal

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) affects a multitude of races and ethnicities as its impact varies from person to person. ASD is typically diagnosed around the age of two to three years old since signs and symptoms of Autism become clinically apparent at that time. Increased reporting of Autism in local communities has surged from diagnostic tools and criteria. However, even with these advancements, the African American community suffers a delayed diagnosis of ASD. This issue poses problems for both the parents and children with Autism and has broader implications for the South Florida community; opportunities are limited for developmental services …

Obesity As A Risk Factor For Covid-19, Gabriela Hermes, Mir Saleem

Mako: NSU Undergraduate Student Journal

The coronavirus pandemic has presented a wide range of challenges for healthcare systems in the world. COVID-19 has infected millions of people, with approximately 90% of the population showing mild or no symptoms. The disease has some risk factors that increase its severity, such as obesity, age, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, suppressed immune system, and pulmonary disorders. Obese individuals have higher chances of having symptomatic COVID-19 infection with excessive rates of hospitalization and ICU admission. Understanding the mechanisms defining the link between COVID-19 and obesity is necessary to develop preventive measures and therapeutic interventions for people with obesity. Patients with obesity …

Case Study: Degenerative Joint Disease In Canines, Zachary B. Lawrence, Rusty Rogers, Emily Schmitt Lavin

Mako: NSU Undergraduate Student Journal

Degenerative joint disease (DJD) is the gradual degeneration of cartilage in joints, resulting in pain for the affected areas. This study focused on Lacy (name changed for privacy), a 10-year-old spayed female chihuahua mix, that was clinically diagnosed for DJD and treated by Dr. Rogers over a period of 15 months. DJD is typically treated through a combination of pharmacological management, nonpharmacological treatment, and changes in lifestyle. Pharmacological treatment utilized pain medications, such as Gabapentin and Tramadol. Nonpharmacological treatment and changes in lifestyle involve methods, such as maintaining an ideal body weight, to decrease pain and increase mobility. However, during …

The Impact Of Delivery Mode On The Human Microbiome: A Global Perspective, Fizzah Qureshi, Fiza Edhi, Andrew T. Ozga

Mako: NSU Undergraduate Student Journal

The mode of childbirth in humans (vaginal or cesarean section) is considered to be one of the most influential factors in the development of gut microbiota of an infant. A microbiome is defined as a collection of microorganisms that are concentrated together in a single location or body site. The genetic material of all microbes, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi, comprises this complex ecosystem. The gut microbiota regulate digestion and strengthen the immune system in humans, helping to maintain homeostasis and are at the early stages of life, dictated by the method of delivery. Vaginal versus cesarean deliveries have increased …

Dermatology Technique: Mohs Micrographic Surgery, Michelle J. Volis

Mako: NSU Undergraduate Student Journal

This paper aims to educate the readers about a novel surgery approach that is becoming popular among dermatologists. This technique, Mohs surgery, is implemented in order to treat malignant skin cancer types. This paper incorporates the history of Mohs micrographic surgery, the advantages and disadvantages of the procedure, and alternatives to this approach. The main advantage is healthy tissue preservation while disadvantages include holes in fragmented tissue margins and tissue orientation complications.

Functional Influence Of 14-3-3 (Ywha) Proteins In Mammals, Elizabeth Barley, Santanu De

Mako: NSU Undergraduate Student Journal

The 14-3-3 (YWHA) proteins are homologous, ubiquitous, and conserved in most organisms ranging from plants to animals and play important roles in regulating key cellular events such as cell signaling, development, apoptosis, etc. These proteins consist of seven isoforms in mammals, termed under Greek alphabetization: beta (β), gamma (γ), epsilon (ε), eta (η), tau/theta (τ), sigma (σ), and zeta (ζ). Each of these isoforms can interact with a plethora of binding partners and has been shown to serve a distinct role in molecular crosstalk, biological processes, and disease susceptibility. Protein 14-3-3 isoforms are scaffolding proteins capable of forming homodimers and …

Personalized Medicine: The Use Of Biomarkers And Molecularly Targeted Therapies For Patient Care And Cancer Intervention, Wafa Asad, Emily Schmitt Lavin

Mako: NSU Undergraduate Student Journal

Personalized medicine and targeted therapy have been emerging fields of study for the remediation and inhibition of cancer. Personalized medicine in the treatment of cancer involves using genetic, immune, and proteomic profiling to provide therapeutic options as well as prognostic background for every patient and their tumor’s genetic mutations. Targeted therapies allow researchers and medical personnel alike to determine the appropriate treatment for a patient based on the molecular basis and mechanistic actions of a cancerous tumor. The overall significance of this study was to express how these treatments use biomarkers to pinpoint the location, and severity of the cancer, …

The Interplay Of The Oral-Gut Microbiome With Chronic Inflammation In Rheumatoid Arthritis And Crohn's Disease, Anuradha Rampersaud

Mako: NSU Undergraduate Student Journal

Abstract

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and Crohn’s Disease (CD) are both chronic inflammatory diseases that share developmental and treatment similarities. RA’s symptoms include swelling, stiffness, and pain in synovial joints, corresponding with bone and cartilage destruction. CD’s symptoms include abdominal pain, bowel obstruction, bloating, diarrhea, and fever. The purpose of this literature review was to investigate the links between these two diseases and propose future treatment and prevention targets. Current treatment for RA and CD aims to suppress inflammation by targeting its mediators. However, this review noted that there should be greater focus on resolving inflammation. Both diseases are characterized by …

Ace2/Ang1-7 Mas Axis: The Counter-Regulator Of The Classical Renin Angiotensin System, Widelyne Dorsainval

Mako: NSU Undergraduate Student Journal

To maintain homeostasis, the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) works to regulate the cardiovascular, renal, respiratory, and neurological systems of the body. However, there is evidence that abundant amounts of certain components of the RAS have detrimental effects and enhance disease. Recent studies have proved that there is a lesser known RAS which acts to counterbalance the classical RAS. To better understand their interaction, the effects of the alternate RAS against the classical RAS in the homeostatic systems of the body are researched and analyzed. The classical pathway employs these components: angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), angiotensin II (AngII), and angiotensin II type …

Arranged Marriages: An Inappropriate Fabrication, Karika Sethi, Michael D. Reiter

Mako: NSU Undergraduate Student Journal

This paper explores what an inappropriate relationship is and the taxonomy scale used to evaluate different relationships, specifically, arranged marriages. Arranged marriage is a topic that is considered taboo depending on global location. It is more prevalent in Eastern nations such as India, China, Oriental countries, and the Middle East. However, Western influence plays a significant role on what is and is not acceptable, as societal norms differ from place to place. What is defined as normal by culture is what helps to define if a relationship is or is not viewed as inappropriate. This paper is designed to explore …

The Effect Of Social Support On Self-Care For Patients With Diabetes, Avidor Gerstenfeld

Mako: NSU Undergraduate Student Journal

No abstract provided.