Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Acute Fish Oil Supplementation And Aspirin Treatment Modulates Lipid Profile In Platelet Rich Plasma: A Randomized Pilot Trial, Joshua M. Morriss, Lisa A. Turner, Danielle M. Mccormack, Daniel Contaifer, Naren Gajenthra Kumar, Saidheeraj Paravataneni, Monther Alsultan, Suad Alshammari, Silas Contaifer, Parthasarathy Madurantakam, Dayanjan Wijesinghe

Pharmacotherapy and Outcomes Science Publications

Aims: Platelet rich plasma (PRP) has been used in tissue repair to treat numerous inflammatory pathophysiologies. Recent studies have elucidated that the bioactive lipid fraction of PRP significantly contributes towards the resolution of inflammation. There has been great interest in how therapeutics could modulate the PRP lipidome to formulate a more pro-resolving matrix. Many of the pathways used to produce either pro-resolving or pro-inflammatory lipids are shared between ω-3 and ω-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Here, we explored the separate and interacting effects acute exogenous ω-3 PUFA supplementation and aspirin had on the lipidome of PRP within 6 hours.

Methods: …

A Scoping Review Of The Roles, Training, And Impact Of Community Health Workers In Oral Health Supplemental Tables, Dina T. Garcia, Jaime Lawson, Erica R. Brody, Susan C. Mckernan, Sarah E. Raskin, Nixon Arauz, Maghboeba Mosavel, Tegwyn Brickhouse

Health Behavior and Policy Publications

Objective: To synthesize English or Spanish-language literature on community health workers’ (CHWs’) roles, training, and impact in oral health. Basic research design: A scoping review conducted in accordance with the Arksey and O’Malley (2005) methodological framework. Method: Electronic literature searches were conducted in Medline (Ovid), Embase (Ovid), DOSS, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Global Health CAB from inception of the databases to April 2020. Three reviewers independently conducted the title and abstract and full-text reviews. This was followed by data charting by three reviewers and data summarizing by two reviewers. Results: Out of the 36 articles that met the inclusion …

Post-Traumatic Hallux Valgus: A Modified Surgical Technique, Zylyftar Gorica, Kimberly Mcfarland, John S. Lewis Jr, Karl M. Schweitzer Jr, Alexander R. Vap

Orthopaedic Surgery Publications

Post-traumatic hallux valgus, a turf toe variant, is a rare, yet limiting injury. According to the literature, the deformity has been associated with acute medial collateral ligament tears, turf toe variant injuries, Lisfranc injury patterns, and first metatarsal fractures. There have been few documented cases of post-traumatic hallux valgus secondary to medial collateral ligament tears, and the treatment has been variable. Some authors have described direct end-to-end repair of the ligament to address the deformity, while others have described a modified McBride bunionectomy involving a Silver bunionectomy, lateral soft tissue release, and medial capsular and ligamentous repair. We propose a …

Disentangling Social-Genetic From Rearing-Environment Effects For Alcohol Use Disorder Using Swedish National Data, Aiman Hanif, Han Tran

VCU's Medical Journal Club: The Work of Future Health Professionals

The presentation introduces Dr. Jessica Salvatore and colleagues’ work, Disentangling Social-Genetic From Rearing-Environment Effects for Alcohol Use Disorder Using Swedish National Data, on the social-genetic effects of having a spouse whose parent(s) is/are affected by alcohol use disorder (AUD). After collecting personal data of over 300,000 Swedish opposite-sex couples, the study used actor-partner interdependence model and logistic regression model to examine the association between a spouse’s AUD predisposition and the proband’s risk of developing AUD. The results showed that the proband is at a high risk of developing AUD upon marrying an AUD-predisposed spouse. The authors concluded that this relationship …

Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy For Knee Osteoarthritis: 5 Years Follow- Up Of Three Patients, Shahad Musa

VCU's Medical Journal Club: The Work of Future Health Professionals

This presentation is on the effects of mesenchymal stem cells on osteoarthritis in the knees. Osteoarthritis is the degeneration of cartilage and has very little long-term treatments. Most treatments are geared towards pain management and surgery is an option, but no cure exists to reverse or stop degeneration. Embryonic stem cell research is severely limited, meaning mesenchymal stem cells (adult-derived stem cells) are more accessible to research. In this study, stem cells from the patient’s bone marrow were derived and then injected into the severely damaged knees. Results were conducted six months and five years after. Six months after the …

Β-Amyloid Accumulation In The Human Brain After One Night Of Sleep Deprivation, Shahad Musa

VCU's Medical Journal Club: The Work of Future Health Professionals

This presentation is on the effects of sleep deprivation on β-amyloid accumulation in the brain. During sleep, the glymphatic system is involved in the clearance of metabolic including metabolic wastes. β-amyloid accumulation is directly correlated to impairment of brain function and Alzheimer's disease. Increased sleep or ways to decrease β-amyloid accumulation could be beneficial in the prevention of Alzheimer's. Data collected in the article published by Shokri-Kojori, E. et al. suggests that sleep deprivation negatively affected mood and was correlated with increases in amyloid- β burden in the right hippocampal cluster. Further research on how sleep impacts β-amyloid accumulation should …

Diacylglycerol Lipase-Β Knockout Mice Display A Sex-Dependent Attenuation Of Traumatic Brain Injury-Induced Mortality With No Impact On Memory Or Other Functional Consequences, Jefin Jose

VCU's Medical Journal Club: The Work of Future Health Professionals

Traumatic brain injury has been a concern in recent years with a greater understanding of its effects on the brain. The endocannabinoid system leads to inflammation when activated, leading to a poorer prognosis in vivo for traumatic brain injury patients. In the present study, the researchers wanted to identify the potentially neuroprotective effects of DAGL-β knockout when mice were exposed to traumatic brain injury. Using a variety of different techniques, the researchers were able to conclude that DAGL-β knockout did not lead to neuroprotective benefits but was associated with lower levels of mortality immediately following the injury. In addition, the …

Nsynergistic Antiviral Effect Of Hydroxychloroquine And Azithromycin In Combination Against Sars-Cov-2, Samiya Majid

VCU's Medical Journal Club: The Work of Future Health Professionals

This presentation gives a brief overview of the study conducted by Fantini, J., Chahinian, H., & Yahi, N. on nSynergistic antiviral effect of hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin in combination against SARS-CoV-2: what molecular dynamics studies of virus-host interactions reveal. The study considered two drugs, hydroxychloroquine (CLQ) and azithromyocin (ATM), as potential treatments for curing COVID. Hydroxychloriquine is a drug commonly used in the treatment of malaria but has been shown by recent studies to not be an effective cure against COVID on its own. Azithromyocin is a commonly used antiobiotic that was also considered in this study. Hydroxychloriquine interacts with the …

Outcomes Of Catheter Ablation Of Ventricular Tachycardia Based On Etiology In Nonischemic Heart Disease: An International Ventricular Tachycardia Ablation Center Collaborative Study, Akhila R. Kunuthuru

VCU's Medical Journal Club: The Work of Future Health Professionals

This presentation explores the study conducted by Marmar Vaseghi, Tiffany Y. Hu, Roderick Tung, et al.:

Outcomes of Catheter Ablation of Ventricular Tachycardia Based on Etiology in Nonischemic Heart Disease: An International Ventricular Tachycardia Ablation Center Collaborative Study

Researchers determined the effects of ventricular tachycardia ablation in nonischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM) patients. By studying the six most common etiologies of NICM, researchers came to the conclusion that the etiology of NICM is an important factor when predicting ventricular tachycardia recurrence, death, or cardiac transplantation. The paper also indicated that adjustments were performed to the data to account for confounding factors such …

The Covid-19 Vaccine Development Landscape, Areebah Ahmed

VCU's Medical Journal Club: The Work of Future Health Professionals

This presentation focused on the current ongoing developments for the COVID-19 vaccine as described in The Covid-19 Vaccine Development Landscape by Tung Thanh Le et. al. An overview of the competing companies and the specifics of their vaccine development is presented, along with the current phases. Moderna and Inovio Pharmaceuticals are just a few of the companies working towards the common goal of a proven effective vaccine. Additionally, the presentation contains visuals of the biological components of the virus, as well as discussions of how organizations such as the CEPI (Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations) have assisted the progress of …

Characterization And Discovery Of A Selective Small Molecule Modulator Of Mitochondrial Complex I Targeting A Unique Binding Site, Jefin Jose

VCU's Medical Journal Club: The Work of Future Health Professionals

Zhang et al. developed a potential therapeutic drug that selectively binds to the IF site of Complex I, revealing the role of ZCM-I-1 as a potential regulator of ROS species within the mitochondria at moderate concentrations. More importantly, the development of this drug has been used to justify the mitochondria dysfunction hypothesis of Alzheimer's Disease. However, the key mechanism for Alzheimers remains unclear.

The Promises Of Neurodegenerative Disease Modeling, Jefin Jose

VCU's Medical Journal Club: The Work of Future Health Professionals

In Jean-Antoine Lepesant's review of The promises of neurodegenerative disease modeling, the author evaluates the present and past roles of molecular genetics in biomedical research and assesses the use of animal models in neurodegenerative disease modeling. Despite posing various ethical issues, particularly surrounding the clinical implications of CRISPR/Cas9, molecular genetics has allowed researchers to determine the pathogenic origin of various diseases as well as mimic the conditions of genetically altered patients. Molecular genetics has also facilitated a transgenic approach to create animal models for mammalian disorders. In particular, D. melanogaster serves as a preliminary research tool in the investigation of …

Impacts Of A National Lockdown On Smallholder Farmers’ Income And Food Security: Empirical Evidence From Two States In India, Samiya Majid

VCU's Medical Journal Club: The Work of Future Health Professionals

This presentation gives a brief overview of the study conducted by Francisco Ceballos, Samyuktha Kannan, & Berber Kramer on the Impacts of a national lockdown on smallholder farmers’ income and food security: Empirical evidence from two states in India. The study considered the disproportionate effect of COVID on economies worldwide, specifically the two states, Haryana and Odisha, in India. The COVID-19 pandemic posed many challenges for small farmers in these two states. National and local policies posed varying challenges for farmers. They were interviewed about these challenges by phone, right after the announcement of the lockdown and harvest season in …

Phase I Trial And Pharmacokinetics Of Fenretinide In Children With Neuroblastoma, Shahad Musa

VCU's Medical Journal Club: The Work of Future Health Professionals

This presentation is on the effect of different dosages of fenretinide on children with neuroblastoma. Neuroblastomas are the second most common malignant tumor growth in children with a high fatal relapse rate. Children diagnosed with this disease have less than a 50% chance of survival within five years of diagnosis. Fenretinid and other retinoids have been extensively studied in vitro, but this article highlights phase I where the safest and most effective dosages lie. Patients' eligibility was based on a list of guidelines, and patients were given the drug for 28 days followed by a seven-day interruption in a cycle. …

Local Administration Of Reveromycina Ointment Suppressed Alveolar Bone Loss In Mice, Samiya Majid

VCU's Medical Journal Club: The Work of Future Health Professionals

This presentation gives an overview of the study conducted by Ken Miyazawa, Yuichiro Asano, Masako Tabuchi, Shunsuke Kako, Makoto Kawatani, Hiroyuki Osada, Hatsuhiko Maeda, and Shigemi Goto on the local administration of ReveromycinA ointment. In the study, ReveromycinA (RMA) ointment was administered non-invasively in the oral cavity of mice. The effectiveness of this ointment was tested by observing whether it was able to inhibit alveolar bone resorption in a mouse with experimentally-induced periodontal disease. The alveolar bone loss in the wild type versus osteoprotegerin-knockout mice showed that localized administration of the RMA ointment resulted in suppressed alveolar bone resorption, reduced …

Glia-Neuron Interactions In The Mammalian Retina, Jefin Jose

VCU's Medical Journal Club: The Work of Future Health Professionals

The investigators reviewed the origin, morphology, and function of the three main classes of glia within the retina. Muller cells ensheath neurons and blood vessels within its functional unit. Astrocytes mediate the blood-retina barrier as well form a network of glial cells called the pangial syncytium, which diffuses excess potassium ions to potassium-deficient areas. Microglia play the role of immunosurveillance through long-fine processes which turn into short, thick processes upon activation. Although these glial cells play roles ancillary to light processing, these glial cells can also play more direct roles in processing. For example, Muller cells are believed to direct …

Immune Checkpoint Molecules In Natural Killer Cells As Potential Targets For Cancer Immunotherapy, Jefin Jose

VCU's Medical Journal Club: The Work of Future Health Professionals

Xu et al summarizes some of the different functions of NK cells, focusing on their ability to secrete cytokines and trigger cancer cell cytotoxicity. NK cells have activating and inhibiting receptors on its cell surface, contributing to the balance of stimulating and suppressing signals for NK cells. In the tumor microenvironment, the receptors on the NK cell surface are altered, contributing to NK dysfunction. Immunotherapies have been developed to target increased NK surface inhibitory receptors and have shown promise. However, there is also evidence that regulatory T cell targeting and ADO mediation may also contribute to NK cell cytotoxicity. Further …

Cervical Collar Clearance: Using Ebp To Decrease Pressure Injuries, Christoph Lecznar

VCU Health Nursing

Purpose: The purpose of this evidence-based practice (EBP) project was to decrease medical device pressure injury (MDPI) related to Cervical Collar (C-collar) clearance in adult blunt trauma patients. PICO: In the adult obtunded blunt trauma patient, should a c-collar be cleared with a negative CT, compared to a negative CT with adjunct imaging to reduce adverse events such as MDRPI?

Background: Our unit observed an incidence in C-collar MDRPI of 3 in 2019 and 3 in 2020 based on the date of the survey. C-collar clearance in the blunt trauma patient is a crucial step to avoid MDRPI. There are …

Cauti: What Are We Testing?, Christoph Lecznar

VCU Health Nursing

Purpose: The purpose of this evidence-based practice (EBP) project was to identify and implement evidence-based practice to reduce Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections (CAUTI).

Background: CAUTIs are deemed never events by Centers for Medicaid and Medicare and are tied to financial reimbursements. CDC states 17-69% of CAUTIs are preventable with recommended infection control measures. UTIs are the most common type of Hospital-acquired infection, with an estimated of occurrence of 9.5% reported by acute care hospitals. Every day a catheter is in place, the risk of CAUTI increases by 3-7%. Current recommendations for reduction in CAUTI rates include educational strategies, catheter avoidance, …

Literature Review: Covid-19'S Impact On Violence, Jean Cheek, Laura Ashworth

VCU Health Nursing

Violence has been exacerbated by the pandemic, resulting in a plethora of research that can be complementary and contradictory. A preliminary thematic literature search was performed using keywords such as human trafficking, IPV, sexual assault, pandemic, covid, and child abuse. This resulted in over 100 articles between 2019 and 2021. The literature review revealed common themes such as pandemics and natural disasters increase the risk for violence in women, children, and marginalized populations. Stay-at-home orders put vulnerable populations in closer proximity to the abuser. A low socioeconomic standing increases the propensity to abuse and be abused. Calls to human trafficking …

On Wisdom, Gerontology, And Personal Aging: Through A Looking Glass, Edward F. Ansello

Director's Editorials from Age in Action

Personal discussion on the perspective of aging and teaching more interiority and self-reflection in the field of gerontology.

Leading From The Middle, Edward F. Ansello

Director's Editorials from Age in Action

A reminiscent farewell to colleagues and the Virginia Center on Aging (VCoA) as Edward F. Ansello, Ph.D., retires as Director of VCoA.

Actively Engaging With Virginia Center On Aging’S Retired Community, Leland "Bert" Waters

Director's Editorials from Age in Action

VCU is the receiver of an Age-Friendly University (AFU) Global Network designation in June 2021. The Virginia Geriatric Education Center (VGEC) maintains a diverse team, including those who make "mid/late-career" changes into the Gerontology field. Bert Waters gives examples and history on some who make up this diverse team.

Metabolic Syndrome And How To Fight It, Edward F. Ansello

Director's Editorials from Age in Action

The health condition Metabolic Syndrome is becoming increasingly prevalent. To combat this, dietary improvements and incorporating movement into our daily routines are the basics suggested.

Strengthening Capacities To Respond To Dementia With Lifelong Disabilities: Using The Project Echo Model, Edward F. Ansello

Case Studies from Age in Action

Educational Objectives

1. To discuss the need for interprofessional training about aging with lifelong disabilities and dementia.

2. To demonstrate the continuing heterogeneity among adults growing older with these conditions.

3. To report the relevance of the Project ECHO model as a means of collaborative training and practice improvement.

Lucy Corr Dental Clinic: Addressing Dental Needs Of Uninsured Older Adults, Patricia B. Bonwell

Case Studies from Age in Action

Educational Objectives

1. Discuss the critical importance of oral health and the oral-systemic relationship in older adults.

2. Describe how dental insurance determines receipt of dental treatment in older adults.

3. Share how the Lucy Corr Dental Clinic (LCDC) increases access to dental care for uninsured older adults.

4. Describe valuable collaborations with community foundations, the Virginia Dental Association, and Virginia Commonwealth University that enable the success of the LCDC.

The Vcu Nursing Home Echo, A Member Of The National Covid-19 Action Network, Bert Water, Kimberly Ivey, Annie Rhodes, Christian Bergman, Daniel Bluestein, Jenni Mathews, Laura Finch, Shannon Arnette, Joanne Coleman, Maddie Mcintyre, Tara Rouse

Case Studies from Age in Action

Educational Objectives

1. To demonstrate the tremendous impact of COVID-19 on long-term care facilities.

2. To discuss the need for continuous, current, interprofessional education of both administrative and clinical staff within long-term care facilities.

3. To discuss the value of building interconnective and interprofessional relationships between both academic health science centers and nursing homes.

Improving Guardianship Practices Through Collaborative Stakeholder Action, Erica Wood, Shasta Douglass

Case Studies from Age in Action

Educational Objectives

1. Describe the purpose of adult guardianship and its effect on fundamental rights.

2. Explain the need for guardianship reform, the obstacles to reform, and what issues need attention in Virginia.

3. Discuss the purpose of state Working Interdisciplinary Networks of Guardianship Stakeholders (WINGS) and the creation and accomplishments of Virginia WINGS.

4. Review cases in which a WINGS pilot project supported the needs and rights of adults with guardians.

Cryptogenic New Onset Refractory Status Epilepticus (Norse) Responsive To Rituximab, Matthew David Anderson, Teryn Nogles, Soundarya Gowda

Graduate Medical Education (GME) Resident and Fellow Research Day Posters

Objective: Discuss a case of new onset refractory status epilepticus (NORSE) in an otherwise healthy adult that had a positive outcome and suggests considering immunomodulators as first line treatment.

Background: NORSE is diagnosed when refractory status patients have no known history of seizures and an unremarkable workup. Other than antiepileptics and anesthetic coma, there are currently no established guidelines for management. Typically, IV steroids, plasma exchange, and IVIG are first line treatments. When these fail, second line immunomodulators are considered. Deciding between these agents is often arbitrary, and no particular agent has demonstrated consistently positive results. Prognosis is poor with …

Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Phase Iii Clinical Trial To Evaluate The Efficacy And Safety Of Treating Healthcare Professionals With The Adsorbed Covid-19 (Inactivated) Vaccine Manufactured By Sinovac: A Structured Summary Of A Study Protocol For A Randomised Controlled Trial, Valerie Lau

VCU's Medical Journal Club: The Work of Future Health Professionals

The article presentation summarized the design of the Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Phase III Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of treating Healthcare Professionals with the Adsorbed COVID-19 (Inactivated) Vaccine Manufactured by Sinovac - PROFISCOV: A structured summary of a study protocol for a randomised controlled trial by Ricardo Palacios et. al. The Sinnovac vaccine is manufactured by Sinovac Life Sciences in Beijing, China. It uses the inactivated vaccine where the genetic material of the pathogen is eliminated by heat, radiation, or other chemicals. This was a Phase III trial, and it included a large sample size of 13,060 …