Digital Commons Network^™

Early Identification Of Depression In Patients With Pediatric Epilepsy, Erin Fecske, Paul Glasier, Lines Vargas Collado, Elizabeth Rende

Posters

Describes the use of the Neurological Disorders Depression Inventory-Epilepsy-Youth (NDDI-E-Y) in adolescent patients in a comprehensive epilepsy center to identify patients who need referral for mental health care.

The Blue Baby, Lola Alao, Harsha Nalam '19, Dwanne Colobong '19, Trisha Sudhakar '19

Human Diseases Graphic Novels

No abstract provided.

Kidney Stones, Bopo Taiwo '20, Ishanpepe Jagusah '20

Human Diseases Graphic Novels

No abstract provided.

The Assassin Bug, Lola Alao '20, Harsha Nalam '19, Dwanne Colobong '19, Trisha Sudhakar '19

Human Diseases Graphic Novels

No abstract provided.

Diseases At Work, Alice Liu '19, Nicholas Opiola '19, Gunnar Bergmann '19, Femi Durodola '20, Suraj Sunkara '19

Human Diseases Graphic Novels

No abstract provided.

In The Office, Theo Heilman '19, Nathan Lee '19, Prachi Patil '19, Katie Si '19

Human Diseases Graphic Novels

No abstract provided.

Maternal Coxsackievirus B Induced Dysregulation Of Sumoylation Processes As A Potential Cause Of Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, Bailey Kemp, Sarah Severson

Undergraduate Research Symposium 2018

Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS) is a life-threatening congenital heart defect with unknown etiology. Here we hypothesize that HLHS has etiologic roots in maternal asymptomatic coxsackievirus B infection. Coxsackievirus has been demonstrated to disrupt normal distribution of small ubiquitin-like modifiers (SUMO) in the cell. The vital cardiac transcription factor, Nkx2-5, has been shown to be dependent on SUMOylation for proper function. Specifically, co-localization of SUMO and Nkx2.5 has been identified, as well as decreased SUMOylation associated with Nkx2-5 mutants. As Nxk2-5 is essential for fetal heart development and mutations in the gene for this vital transcription factor have been linked …

Neurotransmitter, Spring 2018, George Washington Institute For Neuroscience Neurological Institute, George Washington University Hospital

Neurotransmitter

No abstract provided.

Got Caries? Breast Milk And Early Childhood Caries?, Megan L. Dean, Rebecca Fields, Hannah Fritz

Dental Hygiene Student Scholarship

Objective: To provide an analysis of the association between the longevity of breastfeeding and development of ECC. Determine the optimal time frame in which mothers should cease breastfeeding to reduce ECC development. Methods: Dr. Brickhouse, PubMed, Google Scholar and other scholarly databases were utilized to find current scientific evidence on the effects of breast milk on ECC. Relevant articles were summarized to write a review of literature. 16 articles published from 2015 to the present date were reviewed and cited. Results: From the studies, there is strong evidence to support breastfeeding beyond 12 months of age increases the prevalence …

Better Bone Health: Health Community Clinic, Naijah Hughes, Dakota Turnage, Kintara Williams, Christopher Fangna

DC Health and Academic Prep Program (DC HAPP)

Osteoporosis affects the quality of life, the ability to work, and basic activities of daily living. Osteoporosis is a disease marked by reduced bone strength leading to an increase in fractures. Every day, our body breaks down old bone and puts new bone in its place. As we get older, our bones break down more bone than they put back. If you do not take the steps to keep your bones healthy, you may lose too much bone and osteoporosis may develop. Men and women are both affected by osteoporosis. In the United States, an estimated 5.3 million people aged …

Screening Techniques For Alzheimer's Disease, Christina Nicole Brooks

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disease that affects more than 55 million Americans. By the year 2050, experts project this disease will have increased three fold. Many screening techniques have been investigated to detect this disease early and begin treatment to slow its progression. The purpose of this study was to explore which medical modalities are the most effective for screening of Alzheimer’s disease. This literature review includes three databases, including PubMed, CINHAL, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Topics that were researched include: cognitive screening tests, neuroimaging, laboratory diagnostic testing, DNA, and combined studies. Research was conducted from October …

Pre-Participation Physical Exams: Are We Doing Enough?, Steven Jacob Pietrusza

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

•Inclusion of screening electrocardiograms (EKGs) during pre-participation physical examination has been a topic of debate for some time. There is unquestioned usefulness in the ability of a well-trained health care provider in using EKG to identify cardiac abnormalities.

•Further, there have been several contemporary EKG criteria published that increase specificity and sensitivity of detection of disease. However, these criteria do not account for athletes less than 14 years of age, and that demographic represents a large portion of patients seeking pre-participation screenings in the United States.

•The lack of research into pediatric cardiac remodeling secondary to activity, coupled with the …

The Evaluation Of Mefloquine Drug Repurposing On Acute Myeloid Leukemia, Jessica L. Phan, Bhavuk Garg, Hrishikesh Mehta, Seth Corey

Undergraduate Research Posters

The aim of this study is to observe cell proliferation, cell viability, apoptosis, and autophagy on acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cell lines, NB4 and U937, with the drug repurposing of mefloquine (MQ). Methods such as the 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-Yl)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide (MTT) assay and trypan blue staining have shown a decrease in live cells with high concentrations of mefloquine. Using their average perspective IC50 values of MQ concentration, Western blotting was applied by means of apoptosis and autophagy markers to determine if the induction of apoptosis and inhibition of autophagy was present in MQ-treated AML cells. The experiment will be continued with more …

Promoting Bone Health Through Weight-Bearing, Resistance Training, And Balance Exercises, Kinjal Thakor

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Osteoporosis and low bone density affect 54 million Americans. Advanced age, female gender, an underweight BMI, lack of estrogen, smoking, and sedentary lifestyle all increase one’s risk of developing osteoporosis or experiencing bone fractures from minor trauma. In addition, residents of northern states, like Vermont, experience an increased risk of bone loss over time due to limited exposure to sunlight and decreased physical activity over winter months. Although screening, calcium and vitamin D supplementation, general exercise, and treatment are largely discussed, patients are unaware of the specific exercise routines that can be done to strengthen their bones. In response, I …

A Patient Centered Intervention To Promote Primary Care Based Screening For Diabetic Retinopathy, William B. Earle

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Diabetic Retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in patient's age 25-74 in the world. Onset of disease is insidious and early intervention is the only way to reduce morbidity. On average only 60% of diabetic's get an annual eye exam, but in the Western Connecticut Health Network (WCHN) that number is closer to 32%. This project sought to educate and encourage patients to take advantage of a new tele-medicine, primary care based diabetic retinopathy screening program starting at Brookfield Family Medicine (part of the WCHN).

Limb Salvage For Diabetic Patients With Peripheral Arterial Disease, Jamie Jesse Johnson

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

•According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) (2017), the total number of patients diagnosed with diabetes is exceeding 30.2 million and rapidly increasing.

•According to the CDC (2016), approximately 8.5 million people in the United States have peripheral artery disease (PAD), which includes 12-20% of individuals who are older than age 60.

•According to a study performed by Swaminathan et al. (2014), 186,000 patients underwent lower extremity amputation (LEA). Data also shows that patients undergoing LEA have a mortality rate of 20% noted within one year, and a 40% to 50% mortality rate indicated within 18 months.

•The review …

The Impact Of Circadian Misalignment On Cardiometabolic Health, Cynthia Marie Mills

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

The circadian system is important in all living organisms because it generates a 24-hour rhythm for physiological and behavioral processes enabling anticipation and adaptation to daily changes in the environment. The prevalence of cardiometabolic diseases, which are linked to lifestyle choices, has been rising at an alarming rate. Modernization and globalization are two of many factors to blame for lifestyle changes resulting in circadian disruption. The purpose of this literature review is to explore circadian misalignment with regards to its mechanism and impact on cardiometabolic health and to determine possible interventional measures. The primary focus is on lifestyle change, particularly …

Knowledge Base Of Adolescents With Congenital Heart Disease, Pamela Finn, Mark Gelatt, Jennifer A. Marshall, Jennifer Panuco, Jenea Schmidt

Posters

Introduction:

Most congenital heart disease [CHD] is diagnosed and treated in early childhood in designated children’s hospitals with parents responsible for decision-making and receipt of information. The adolescent assumes this role in preparation for transition to an adult congenital heart program. We studied the knowledge base of our adolescent CHD patients and their parents.

Methods:

Established patients with CHD, >11 y.o. and their parents, were independently surveyed in the outpatient clinic prior to being seen over a one-year period. Participation was voluntary. Cardiomyopathy, transplant and electrophysiology patients were excluded. Scores were assessed as full, partial or incomplete.

Results:

Most (98% …

The Efficacy And Safety Of Statins In The Primary Prevention Of Cardiovascular Disease, Kayla M. Ashton

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

Atherosclerotic plaques can form in the blood vessels from particles of cholesterol. These plaques are a major cause of cardiovascular disease and have the ability to result in fatal cardiovascular events. In researching this topic, PubMed, the Cochrane Library, DynaMed, and ClinicalKey were all utilized in finding articles published from 2002 to 2018. There are several organizations with conflicting guidelines recommending the use of statin medications in the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease. The research evaluated discovers data is inconclusive on the benefit of statin medications in this primary prevention as well as the safety of long-term statin use. Some …

Shortening The Duration Of Antimicrobial Therapy In Uncomplicated Skin And Soft Tissue Infections, Alicia Daggett, Brandi Missel

Posters

No abstract provided.

Diet Management For Adult Onset Diabetes Mellitus Type 2, Michael A. Persaud

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

In Southbury, Connecticut, diabetic diet management is an issue that perturbs both primary care providers and their patients. This project seeks to ameliorate the lack of readily available resources for diabetic dietary considerations. A brochure was made including helpful dietary information for patients that are unable or unwilling to see a Certified Diabetic Educator. As the incidence of diabetes continues to rise, patient education will be a powerful tool to help patients manage their diabetic care.

Window Of Opportunity For Opiate Dependence, Scott C. Mitchell Ii

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Opiate dependence is a prevalent problem and there is a need for current regional information for those seeking to break opiate dependence. There is a small window of opportunity for these patients to seek and find help before they give up and return to using. This project provides a pamphlet with current resources for opiate dependent individuals to get help in a rapid period of time for the Bangor, Maine area.

Comparing Prevalence Of Medication-Related Osteonecrosis Of The Jaw (Mronj) Due To Denosumab And Bisphosphonates As A Side Effect Of Osteoporosis Treatment, Kendra Apland

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

As the baby boomer generation continues to age, the diagnosis of osteoporosis and its side effects will continue to increase. Denosumab and bisphosphonates (BPs) are some of the most common medication classes used to treat osteopenia and osteoporosis, but it is believed that both medications have the possible side effect of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ). The purpose of this paper is to uncover if MRONJ is a side effect of osteoporosis treatment and which medication carries the highest incidence rate. Through a review of several electronic databases and several peer reviewed research articles, a wide range of reported …

The Neuroprotective Effects Of Targeted Temperature Management On Post-Cardiac Arrest Patients, Timothy Hovde

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

Novel methods of ensuring survival following cardiac arrest and resuscitation are of supreme importance to the medical community. Targeted temperature management (TTM) has become increasingly utilized pre-hospital, in emergency departments, and within intensive care units to increase the likelihood of survival to hospital discharge. TTM has further been used to attempt to improve neurological functioning. The efficacy and mechanism behind TTM remains poorly understood. In several patient populations it also remains unproven. The purpose of this study is to assess the physiological mechanism, survival, neurological recovery and methodology of TTM use and implementation.

Literature review was utilized to assess the …

Comparing The Effectiveness Of A Low Carbohydrate Diet And Metformin On Glycosylated Hemoglobin Reduction In Type Two Diabetes Mellitus, Ashley Schultz

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

In this study, a low carbohydrate diet and metformin pharmacotherapy were compared to determine their effect on HbA1c in the type two diabetic patient. Several high quality studies were examined along with each treatment's effect on mainly HbA1c, but also other parameters such as body weight, cholesterol, and fasting and post prandial blood glucose levels. The study showed that both the low carbohydrate diet and metformin pharmacotherapy were effective at lowering HbA1c in the type two diabetic patient. The low carbohydrate diet showed a 0.2% increase in HbA1c all the way to a 2.2% decrease in baseline HbA1c in the …

Recommendation For Routine Prenatal Screening For Hepatitis C, Althea L. Morrison

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Hepatitis C prevalence and incidence are on the rise, both nationally and in Vermont. This project aims to assess the feasibility and potential benefit of implementing routine prenatal Hepatitis C screening, as opposed to screening only patients who fall within the high exposure risk category. Routine prenatal screening is a simple and cost effective means of increasing the early detection and treatment of Hepatitis C.

Halting Progression Of Stasis Dermatitis: Community Perspectives And Strategies For Prevention, Allison B. Robbins

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Complications of stasis dermatitis including venous ulcers, osteomyelitis, and cellulitis all significantly increase morbidity and mortality of disease. Progression beyond stasis dermatitis and avoidance of the aforementioned complications are preventable with patient education and adherence to basic therapies including compression stockings and lifestyle modification. Therefore the goals of this project were to: assess the community’s understanding of stasis dermatitis and their awareness of its complications; use this information to help healthcare providers tailor their preventative health counseling accordingly; and provide education for patients on stasis dermatitis, its complications, and therapies/behavioral changes to prevent disease progression.

Patient Education: Importance Of Diabetic Foot Care, John Paul Nsubuga

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Diabetes is about the leading causes of mortality in united states, estimated to cause greater than 80,000 deaths annually. With the ongoing obesity epidemic, the prevalence and incidence of this debilitating disease is on the rise. Diabetes the leading cause of non-traumatic lower extremity amputation in United states. These amputations are often preceded by infected non-healing foot ulcers. It is therefore of at most importance to continue educating diabetic patients on proper foot care management to prevent ulcer formation. This project aims to create a patient educational brochure about the importance of proper diabetic foot care, while providing easy to …

Prostate Cancer Screening Guidelines: Providing Patient Education, Michael Burton

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

The United States Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) is planning to update their prostate cancer PSA screening guidelines to a category C from category D grade. This could potentially lead to confusion among both providers and patients as they have become accustomed to the previous guidelines and there has always been much discussion among providers about whether to offer the test. This project seeks to provide information to patients about the upcoming change so that they are more informed and able to better participate in discussion with their doctor about the pros and cons of PSA testing.

Implementing Lean Daily Management System To Improve Cvor First Case On-Time Starts, Haley Borchers, Kelly Fehlhafer, Barbara Mueller, Jessica Nichols, Sarah Talken, Mary Hunter, Kenneth Sam

Posters

No abstract provided.