Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Analysis Of The Role Of Atpase Inhibitory Factor 1 (If1) In Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiotoxicity, Hinali Patel

Medical Student Research Poster Symposium

ATPase Inhibitory Factor 1 (IF1) is a nuclear-encoded ATP synthase-interacting mitochondrial protein. IF1 is known to be upregulated during periods of elevated stress, such as during myocardial infarctions or cardiac hypertrophy. Previously conducted lab research has demonstrated that mice with the absence of the protein IF1 were protected against pathological cardiac hypertrophy. To further investigate the extent of such findings, an experiment was designed to investigate the role of the IF1 protein in cardiotoxic conditions induced by Doxorubicin (DOX), a widely used anti-cancer drug. DOX is known to induce cardiotoxicity through the generation of reactive oxygen species, increased levels of …

Prehospital Needle Decompression Patient Outcomes, Gilbert V. Andry

Medical Student Research Poster Symposium

Background

Tension pneumothoraces (TPT) identified in the prehospital setting require prompt prehospital needle decompression (PHND) and can be done by trained emergency medical services (EMS) providers. TPT rely on clinical suspicion for diagnosis and PHND is not without risk. EMS guideline changes in 2016 no longer require physician approval, and patients with PHND are likely to undergo tube thoracostomy which carries additional risk. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of complications from PHND when it was performed in patients lacking at least one clinical criterion.

Methods

A retrospective, single-center chart review was performed of all adult …

Topical Timolol For Improving The Appearance Of Surgical Scars Following Mohs Surgery With Subsequent Primary Linear Closure: Results From A Split-Scar Clinical Trial, Maria Bao-Loc-Trung

Medical Student Research Poster Symposium

Background: Topical timolol has shown promise in improving the healing time and cosmesis of ulcerated or chronic non-healing wounds, but little research exists exploring its efficacy in the reconstruction of postoperative surgical defects following Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS).

Objective: To compare cosmetic outcomes of dermatologic surgical scars when 0.25% timolol solution is added to standard wound care following MMS with subsequent primary linear closure.

Methods: Nineteen adult patients undergoing MMS for non-melanoma skin cancer with subsequent primary linear closure measuring at least 4 centimeters in length were enrolled in a split-scar, double-blinded prospective trial in which one-half of the wound …

Hyperkalemia: A Clinical Review Of Medications Used To Treat, Tyler D. Hernandez

Medical Student Research Poster Symposium

Hyperkalemia, characterized by serum potassium concentrations exceeding 5.5 mmol/l, poses significant clinical challenges due to its potential to induce fatal dysrhythmias and muscle dysfunctions. Multiple pathologies, including chronic kidney disease (CKD) and diabetes mellitus, predispose individuals to this electrolyte imbalance. Its clinical manifestations often remain nonspecific, rendering a thorough history and physical pivotal for diagnosis. This review synthesizes the available literature, focusing on the diagnosis of hyperkalemia through comprehensive clinical assessments, and the pharmacological interventions available for its management.

The advent of drugs with escalating specificity for potassium offers promising avenues for treatment. Traditional agents like Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate have …

Assessing Staff Perspective In Providing End-Of-Life Care To Pediatric Patients, Tabitha A. Kearns

Medical Student Research Poster Symposium

When providing end-of-life (EOL) care to pediatric pediatrics, multidisciplinary staff collaborate to mitigate suffering and provide support for patients and families. The shared goal is to provide a “good death,” defined by the National Academy of Medicine as “free from avoidable distress and suffering, for patients, families, and caregivers; in general accord with the patients’ and families’ wishes; and reasonably consistent with clinical, cultural, and ethical standards.” A needs assessment was conducted to learn about staff experience and perspective while caring for pediatric patients at the EOL.

An online, cross-sectional survey was developed and distributed to eligible staff members within …

Promoting Cultural Humility In Mental Health: A Pediatric Case Study, Shivani Jain

Medical Student Research Poster Symposium

Background: Latinx children are at increased risk for poverty, trauma, and discrimination, which may lead to behavioral health problems. However, these children often experience greater disparities in health care than their White counterparts. Their guardians’ limited English proficiency and a shortage of bilingual and bicultural mental health providers increases barriers. As a result, these patients’ mental health disorders are often left underdiagnosed and insufficiently treated.

Case Presentation: An 8-year-old bilingual Latinx male presented for psychiatric evaluation after exhibiting disruption and hyperactivity at home and school. He had engaged in cruelty towards animals and his siblings, property destruction, and self-harm. Interviewing …

The Safety Of Reboa Use When Comparing Obese And Non-Obese Trauma Patients, Iris E. Hunt

Medical Student Research Poster Symposium

Objectives: Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta (REBOA) is an adjunct tool to achieve hemostasis in trauma patients with non-compressible torso hemorrhage. Prior research has shown that obese trauma patients have increased mortality and morbidity compared to their non-obese counterparts. The primary aim of this study was to compare the rates of survival and REBOA complications in obese and non-obese patients.

Methods: A retrospective chart review of adult trauma patients who underwent REBOA placement between September 2017 to July 2023 was performed. Baseline demographics, Body Mass Index (BMI), information of REBOA placement, and post procedure complications including Acute Kidney …

Initial Approaches To Urethral Injury, Frederick C. Clark

Medical Student Research Poster Symposium

Introduction: The American Urological Society (AUA) has published guidelines for the management of traumatic urethral injuries. For blunt urethral injuries due to pelvic trauma, the guidelines state that most patients should receive urinary drainage with a suprapubic tube (SPT). For uncomplicated penetrating injuries, it is recommended to perform primary repair of the injury. The purpose of this ongoing study is to examine how the actual initial practices used to treat urethral injuries at a Level I trauma center aligned with current AUA guidelines.

Methods: Retrospective chart review of 763 patients presenting with lower urinary tract injuries to a Level I …

Survival Of Mismatch Repair Deficient Endometrial Cancer In A Black Population, Adairre E. Castille

Medical Student Research Poster Symposium

Introduction: Minority women, particularly Black women, are disproportionately affected by the effects of endometrial cancer (EC), with approximately one-third exhibiting defects in the DNA Mismatch Repair (MMR) pathway, characterized by deficiencies in MMR proteins (MSH2, MLH1, PMS1, and PMS2) detected via immunochemistry. MMR deficiency leads to the accumulation of DNA base pair mismatches and genomic alterations, ultimately resulting in carcinoma. Loss of MMR can be acquired from hereditary loss, such as that seen with Lynch syndrome, and/or acquired in a sporadic pathway, most commonly by epigenomic hypermethylation of MLH1. Despite this, the impact of mismatch repair deficiency (MMRd) and its …

The Incidence Of Gunshot Wounds Contributing To Pediatric Spinal Trauma At A Level 1 Trauma Center, Cameron J. Fontenot

Medical Student Research Poster Symposium

No abstract provided.

Trrap Associated Neurodevelopmental Disorder: A Case Report, Sloane M. Clay

Medical Student Research Poster Symposium

Introduction: TRRAP encodes the transformation and transcription domain associated protein, an essential component of many histone acetyltransferase complexes which modify chromatin. Pathogenic variants cause a rare neurodevelopmental disorder with a highly variable clinical presentation; however; almost all cases in the literature report global developmental delay and/or intellectual disabilities as symptoms. Cogné et. al. report a strong genotype/phenotype relationship in individuals whose variant falls within the 1031-1159 codon cluster. These individuals tend to have severe symptoms along with “syndromic” abnormalities such as renal, cardiac, and genital malformations. Individuals with variants outside this region tend to have neurological/behavioral abnormalities, notably autism spectrum …

Do Cortisol Levels Affect Performance On Sdmt In People With Ms, Sydney M. Lestage

Medical Student Research Poster Symposium

Background: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system. Subsequent demyelination and neural degeneration, caused by immune dysfunction, leads to cognitive impairments among other symptoms seen in people with MS. Cortisol is a steroid hormone that is released during the body’s stress response. Cortisol levels tend to be higher in those with chronic stress. Since MS is a chronic disease, people with MS tend to have elevated levels of cortisol. Cortisol may worsen the severity of MS symptoms and lead to more cognitive dysfunction. The Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) is given to people …

Basal Expression Of Ack1 Within Luminal Breast Cancer Subtypes Compared To Other Breast Cancer Subsets, Joachim Kavalakatt

Medical Student Research Poster Symposium

Background: Breast cancer remains as one of the most common cancers in women globally, as well as one of the most significant contributors to total global cancer-related morbidity. Breast cancers present with a high rate of incidence of acquired resistance to first-line treatments such as CDK4/6 inhibitors and hormonal therapy, highlighting the need for novel therapeutic treatments and molecular targets. The non-receptor tyrosine kinase ACK1 has been found to be significantly overexpressed in both prostate and breast cancer, and has been significantly implicated in key molecular pathways present in breast cancer pathology. However, the relative expression levels in different subtypes …

A Psychodynamic Approach To Functional Movement Disorder, Alison K. Schafer

Medical Student Research Poster Symposium

Functional movement disorders (FMD) involve motor disturbances without a known underlying neurological disease. Psychodynamic psychotherapy explores early experiences and relationships that impact an individual's behaviors and emotions. A key premise of psychodynamic theory is that tension between unconscious wishes, fantasies, and fears generates intrapsychic conflict that individuals express via defense mechanisms. Early in the history of psychiatry, psychodynamic therapy was considered a primary treatment for unexplained neurological symptoms. Currently, however, few psychiatrists are trained in the psychodynamic approach, and there is debate among clinicians about how FMD should be treated. Furthermore, patients experiencing FMD may see many different providers before …

Contribution Of Cart To The Modulation Of Ikaros Expression In Plwh, Samuel O. Newcomb

Medical Student Research Poster Symposium

Background: People living with HIV (PLWH) can live long, healthy lives on combined antiretroviral therapy (cART). Though these drugs can lower viral load to undetectable amounts, PLWH receiving treatment still face greater risk of secondary illnesses, chronic inflammation, cancer, and other diseases. Previous work from the Peruzzi lab detailed a role by which an attenuation in the expression of the transcription factor IKAROS leads to immune and metabolic dysregulation of monocyte derived macrophages (MDMs) from PLWH. These MDMs did not establish endotoxin tolerance in response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge. Rather, they showed hyperresponsiveness with increased pro inflammatory cytokines and increased …

Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion Of The Aorta Impact On Adult Trauma Patients With Pelvic Fractures Requiring Embolization, Adam J. Langlois

Medical Student Research Poster Symposium

Introduction: Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta (REBOA) is an emergent procedure for the treatment of non-compressible torso hemorrhages (NCTH). The REBOA device is intended to be used as an adjunct to achieve hemostasis, only temporarily controlling blood flow. An embolization procedure, typically using Gel-Foam or coils, provides more definitive cessation of blood loss in hemorrhagic patients. The primary objective of this study was to compare the outcomes of adult trauma patients presenting with pelvic fractures requiring embolization who were treated with (PER) or without REBOA (PE).

Methods: A retrospective chart review of adult patients presenting to a Level …

Burnout And Wellbeing Among The Louisiana Department Of Children & Family Services: Dcfs Survey Results., Viet S. Le

Medical Student Research Poster Symposium

In recent times, the Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS) has been reportedly grappling with an alarming surge in attrition rates. Historically, ensuring the retention of a dedicated and skilled workforce in child and family services has been a daunting task, a challenge that has been accentuated by the impacts of the global pandemic (Peinado, M., & Anderson, K. N., 2020). Particularly vulnerable to burnout are social workers, who stand at the forefront of child protection and welfare initiatives. The literature indicates many factors that lead to increased rates of burnout: low wages, heavy caseloads, time constraints, work climate, …

Mrse Bacteremia Via Picc Line With Aicd Lead Vegetation In Heart Failure Patient On Ambulatory Milrinone, Elizabeth L. Long

Medical Student Research Poster Symposium

Introduction: In patients with PICC lines, bacteremia occurred in 5.2% of hospitalized patients and 0.5% of outpatients.i Electrode lead endocarditis was reported in less than 1% of over 4000 implanted pacemakers and implantable cardio-defibrillators (AICD). ii

Case: A 37-year-old female was transferred from an outside hospital after being treated for 3 to 4 days of fever, chills, nausea with non-bloody emesis and persistent tachycardia. Her past medical history included four-vessel CAD, requiring a DES of circumflex artery, and postnatal cardiomyopathy. Her LVEF was 15%. She had an AICD and had been on milrinone for four months. Her working diagnosis was …

Evaluation Of Preoperative Coagulation Screening In Pediatric Tonsillectomy Patients, Andrew J. Malek

Medical Student Research Poster Symposium

Tonsillectomy is a commonly performed procedure in the pediatric population to reduce the risk of recurrent tonsillitis and improve breathing-related sleep disorders. Post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage (PTH) is a well-recognized, though uncommon, complication of this procedure, with risk increasing with age and history of chronic tonsillitis. The decision to routinely undergo preoperative coagulation studies varies by surgeon, however previous studies have not supported this practice due to a general lack of sensitivity. Thus, we aimed to assess the proportion of occult bleeding disorders diagnosed preoperatively through routine coagulation studies, as well as determine the rate of PTH at Children’s Hospital New Orleans …

Necrotizing Arteritis And Crescentic Glomerulonephritis In An Anca-Negative Lupus Nephritis Patient, Elizabeth L. Long

Medical Student Research Poster Symposium

Introduction: Small vessel vasculitis is divided into two groups based on whether or not immune complex (IC) deposition is present. Small vessel vasculitis without IC deposition is generally accompanied by the presence of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) accumulation in the vessel wall. Small vessel vasculitis with ICs can occur in diseases such as systemic lupus erythematous (SLE).i Lupus vasculitis is a secondary vasculitis that can occur in over half of SLE patients and is a severe example of renal disease in SLE. ii,iii It is most often characterized by IC deposition in the microvasculature, causing a diffuse, proliferative glomerulonephritis; crescent …

Motor Function, Coordination, And Balance Are Significantly Improved In Usher Syndrome Type 1c Mice Treated With Antisense Oligonucleotides, Aaron Hayes Mccullough

Medical Student Research Poster Symposium

Background: Usher syndrome (Usher) is an autosomal recessive genetic disease that is characterized by concurrent hearing and vision loss. Some patients also have imbalance. Usher has 3 clinical presentations, USH1-3, each differing in the severity and onset of symptoms. A 216G>A mutation (216A) in the USH1C gene accounts for nearly all the USH1 cases in the Acadian populations of Louisiana and Canada. The 216A splicing mutation leads to a dysfunctional harmonin protein that is required for the proper development and function of retinal photoreceptors and inner ear hair cells. We created a mouse model of USH1C by knocking in …

A Translation Of First-Year Medical Education Into Service Learning, Coby D. Menard

Medical Student Research Poster Symposium

Objective: To assess the integration of first-year medical education into Camp tiger, a week long service-learning summer camp for children with a variety of disabilities.

BACKGROUND: Camp Tiger is a service-learning project established at LSU New Orleans School of Medicine in 1985. It is organized and fundraised by our rising second-year medical students and staffed by them along with incoming first-year medical students. This 1-week summer day camp is of no charge to campers or those serving as counselors and there is a minimum 2:1 camper to counselor ratio. Camp Tiger is hosted around the City of New Orleans for …

Stacked Superior Gluteal Artery Perforator (Sgap) Flaps For Unilateral Breast Reconstruction, Samantha Morin, Devin Melancon

Medical Student Research Poster Symposium

Background: With an increasing demand for autologous breast reconstruction, improved microsurgical techniques and new reconstructive options have been developed; however, there are still obstacles in performing these procedures with patients with suboptimal fat distribution or when typical donor sites are not available. Such populations include patients with low BMIs or prior history of abdominal surgery in which the gold standard of the deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap is not a viable option. Stacking the superior gluteal artery perforator (SGAP) flap may be a feasible alternative that provides adequate breast projection in unilateral breast reconstruction.

Methods: A case series of …

Proud: Promoting Resilience In Medicaid Members With Opioid Use Disorder, Karlee R. Mott

Medical Student Research Poster Symposium

Background: During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020-2021, the rate of opioidrelated overdose fatalities rose disproportionality in Louisiana (56.2%) compared to the national average (29.6%).1,2 Fewer than 10% of patients with opioid use disorder (OUD) receive therapy despite the existence of successful evidence-based therapy with medication assisted treatment (MAT). 3,4 Access to healthcare and ensuring patient retention is further complicated by environmental stressors and natural disasters.5,6 Understanding the experiences of patients, their caregivers, clinicians, agency officials, and clinical administrators is critical to make informed changes. The PROUD study aims to translate the effects of environmental stressors on Louisiana …

Gut Microbiome Association With Disease Severity And Treatment Responsiveness In Nsip, Rakin T. Nasar

Medical Student Research Poster Symposium

The role of the gut microbiome in the modulation of the immune system and inflammation is an increasingly popular area of research, but little is known about its association with interstitial lung diseases (ILD), especially in the case of Non-Specific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP). There are many genetic, environmental, and molecular drivers for ILDs, and NSIP is a subset from ILDs which is characterized through clinical, histological, and radiological features. NSIP is often associated with specific conditions, such as connective tissue diseases and autoimmune diseases, or may be categorized as idiopathic (Kligerman et al., 2009). The unique cytokine profile of NSIP …

Chronic Binge Alcohol Administration Increases Cd8+ T Cell Immunosenescence In Female Rhesus Macaques, Charlotte Swarna Pearson

Medical Student Research Poster Symposium

Background: Aging is accelerated by HIV and by alcohol use. Aging is associated with cellular senescence, which is permanent proliferative arrest, and occurs in response to endogenous and exogenous stresses. In the immune system, aging is associated with immunosenescence, during which both innate and adaptive immune systems lose the ability to respond to antigen but produces large quantities of pro-inflammatory mediators. The immunopathy associated with HIV infection has been suggested to accelerate immunosenescence through chronic persistent inflammation. At-risk alcohol use is twice as likely in persons with HIV (PWH) compared to the general population, and the percentage of women with …

Comorbid Modifiable Risk Factors Associated With Recurrent Chronic Osteomyelitis, Charlotte Swarna Pearson

Medical Student Research Poster Symposium

Background: The diagnosis of chronic osteomyelitis indicates persistent or recurrent bone infection after injury. The incidence of osteomyelitis is unknown, but in the United States it may be as high as 50,000 cases annually, and infection has been found to recur in 33% of treated cases. Risk factors associated with recurrent osteomyelitis include intraoperative blood transfusions, infection by P. aeruginosa, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and co-morbid conditions such as coronary artery disease and chronic kidney disease. However, there is little research on comorbid risk factors associated with recurrent chronic osteomyelitis. Substance abuse problems are reported in approximately 15% of osteomyelitis …

Physician Trust Among Disadvantaged Birthing Persons, Sai Sravya Pochana

Medical Student Research Poster Symposium

Background: In perinatal healthcare settings, adequate physician trust is critical for patients’ willingness to share sensitive information and to adhere to medical treatment. Understanding factors that influence physician trust levels among pregnant individuals can help healthcare teams improve efforts to strengthen patient-provider relationships and improve overall maternal health outcomes. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to characterize physician trust levels of pregnant individuals in a high volume, high acuity, low resource academic practice serving majority disadvantaged individuals. Our study aimed to examine longitudinal changes in trust between the third trimester to postpartum period and to evaluate the association of …

Formation Of A Gas6 Knockdown Panc-1 Cell Line, Protein S Overexpressing Panc-1 Cell Line, And The Impact Of Exogenous Protein S On Panc-1 Spheroid Formation, Teagan M. Prouse

Medical Student Research Poster Symposium

Objective: Pancreatic cancer is a relatively rare cancer but is the third leading cause of cancer related deaths in the United States. Pancreatic cancer is characterized by an increased risk of venous thromboembolism. Previous data from Dr. Majumder’s laboratory has shown that a natural anticoagulant, Protein S (PS) inhibits the growth of PANC-1 cells, a human pancreatic cancer cell line. Interestingly, the gene that encodes growth arrest specific protein 6 (GAS6) acts as an inducer to spur PANC-1 growth. Protein S and Gas6 both act as ligands to TAM receptors (Tyro3, Axl, and Mer), a group of tyrosine kinase receptors. …

Trying Your Hand: A Review Of Management Of Traumatic Hand Injuries (Thi) At A Level 1 Trauma Center, Mohammed S. Rais

Medical Student Research Poster Symposium

Background: Traumatic hand injuries (THI) can reduce a patient’s ability to perform daily activities and significantly alter their quality of life. Although hand injuries are common presentations to Emergency Departments (ED) across the United States, research on hand injuries and best practices remains limited. The objective of this study was to examine current practice patients with THI in order to develop evidence-based guidelines to further improve clinical outcomes.

Methods: A retrospective chart review of patients who presented to a Level 1 trauma center with THI was performed from April 2022 to April 2023. Variables collected included: age, gender, race, height, …