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Long Acting Beta2-Adrenergic Receptor Agonists Reverse Diabetic Nephropathy And Liver Steatosis In Murine Models Of Diabetes And Are Associated With Protection In Retrospective Human Studies, Brennan Winkler

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) affects 13.9% of men and 14.3% of women worldwide, a total of approximately 828 million people. Patients with diabetes are at risk of several complications including diabetic nephropathy (DN) and metabolic-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). These diseases eventually lead to end stage kidney disease (ESKD) and liver failure requiring dialysis and organ transplantation. In addition, diabetes exacerbates disease severity of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), the most common potentially lethal genetic disease to affect humans with a prevalence of 1 in 500-1000. Therefore, a therapeutic approach that can attenuate organ damage and restore function in patients with DM, …

A Case Of Primary Gastric Diffuse Large B-Cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma With Tumor Lysis Syndrome And The Warburg Effect, Sarah Barnhardt, Brooke Escoe, Mary Carter

South Atlantic Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Sleepiness In Pregnancy And Adverse Perinatal Outcomes, Rachel Friedlander, Xiaoning Huang, Phyllis Zee, Sadiya S. Khan, Philip Greenland, Francesca L. Facco, Judith Chung, William A. Grobman, Shalini Manchanda, Uma M. Reddy, George R. Saade, Robert M. Silver, Lynn M. Yee

Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology Faculty Publications

Background

Sleep disorders in pregnancy have been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes including hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, preterm birth, and gestational diabetes mellitus, yet these findings are largely from retrospective studies. Using data from a prospective study that used validated tools to assess sleepiness in pregnancy, we aimed to assess the association of sleepiness in pregnancy with adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Methods

In this secondary analysis of data from a large, diverse prospective cohort of nulliparous individuals conducted at eight United States medical centers, those with self-reported sleep data were included. Sleepiness was evaluated in early (6-13 weeks) and mid-pregnancy (22-29 …

Meta-Analysis: Diabetes Mellitus And The Risk Of Endometrial Cancer, Tricia Ho, Marika Ongpauco, Han Ha Ngoc Nguyen

Physician Assistant Studies | Graduate Research Papers

Background: Many studies have looked at the relationship between diabetes mellitus and development of endometrial cancer. This study provides an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of the estimated effect of diabetes and the risk of endometrial cancer.

Methods: Some studies were found on databases such as PubMed and Iceberg. The remaining studies were extracted from the initial studies found. Binary data was collected and the raw data was imputed into a Fixed Effects Model.

Results: A total of 25 studies were included in this meta-analysis, generating statistically significant results (p < 0.001, OR 2.05, 95% Cl 1.92-2.19).

Discussion: Diabetes is found to be …

Metabolic Syndrome Beyond Diagnostic Criteria: Population-Scale Integrative Metabolomics Characterization, Marwa Talal

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a complex cluster of interrelated metabolic abnormalities associated with elevated cardiometabolic risk. While diagnosis is based on well-established five clinical criteria, these may overlook early or atypical metabolic alterations. Large-scale metabolomic profiling offers an opportunity to identify biochemical signatures of MetS beyond diagnostic bias and to evaluate their relative importance across different presentations of the syndrome.

Methods: Data from 117,147 UK Biobank participants were analyzed in a cross-sectional design. High-throughput NMR quantified 75 circulating metabolites, for. Univariate analyses, MetS subtype stratification, and elastic net models with SHAP interpretation were applied to assess feature …

Decreased Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Capillary Recruitment In Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension, David Langleben, Stylianos E. Orfanos, Benjamin D. Fox, Michele Giovinazzo, Magali Kaddis, John D. Catravas

Bioelectrics Publications

The human lung normally accommodates exercise-induced cardiac output increases mainly via recruitment of non-concomitantly perfused pulmonary capillaries. Recruitment is detectable by measuring the first-pass transpulmonary metabolism of ³H-benzoyl-Phe-Ala-Pro, providing an estimate of functional capillary surface area (FCSA). Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) results from luminal narrowing of small precapillary arterioles, reducing downstream perfused FCSA. We hypothesized that exercising PAH patients would not be able to recruit FCSA normally. We studied two patients with severe PAH. Despite exercising to maximal dyspnea, neither could recruit FCSA. These limited data are the first direct measurements of FCSA in exercising PAH patients.

Nutrient-Driven Transcription Factor-Dna Interactions And Their Signaling Mechanisms In Metabolic Disease, Evelyn A. Bates

Theses and Dissertations--Nutritional Sciences

Metabolic homeostasis is maintained through tightly coordinated signaling networks that integrate diverse physiological inputs. Central to this regulation are transcription factors, which sense nutrient, hormonal, and vitamin-derived signals and translate them into coordinated gene expression programs. Transcription factor activity is governed by DNA binding, recruitment of coregulatory proteins, and interactions with specific response elements in gene promoters, which allows them to selectively modulate diverse metabolic pathways. Owing to their multifactorial and tunable nature, transcription factors have emerged as promising targets for the treatment and diagnosis of metabolic diseases, including metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). This dissertation explores the molecular …

An Analysis Of Eating Disorders As A Comorbidity Of Autoimmune Diseases, Madeleine Shore

Scripps Senior Theses

For many autoimmune disease patients, psychiatric conditions are a common comorbidity. Although there are many shared mechanisms between autoimmune disease and psychiatric conditions, current research surrounding mental health among autoimmune disease patients often focuses on mood disorders rather than eating disorders. Despite the high risk for developing psychiatric conditions, most autoimmune disease patients are not screened for eating disorders. This lack of screening is significant, because if an eating disorder is missed by a healthcare provider, the autoimmune or eating disorder condition could be exacerbated, resulting in severe illness or even fatality. Given an existing link between comorbid psychiatric disorders, …

Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis In A Young Woman With Mast Cell Activation Syndrome: An Atypical Presentation Associated With An Ultra-Rare Cacna1s Variant, Yasmin Aboutaleb, Ali Moradi, Saba Noreen, Abdullah Sahyouni, Hasin Sharma, Olu Oyesanmi, Ian M. Kahane, Yizhi Lin, Hakan R. Toka

West Florida Division GME Research Day 2026

No abstract provided.

When Ckd Isn't What It Seems: A Case Of Lect2 Amyloidosis, Ankita Ojha, Banshi M. Rathi

Gulf Coast Division GME Research Day 2026

No abstract provided.

More Than A Scratch: Capnocytophaga Bacteremia Induced Severe Sepsis With Multi-Organ Failure With Occupational Dog Exposure, Cristina Lee, Alex Craig, Dmitriy Scherbak

Continental and Mountain Divisions GME Resarch Day 2026

No abstract provided.

Concurrent Euglycemic Diabetic Ketoacidosis And Metformin-Associated Lactic Acidosis In A Patient Without Sglt2 Inhibitor Exposure, Brandon Stevens, Alaa Baqer, Howard Tan, Vikram Shah

West Florida Division GME Research Day 2026

No abstract provided.

Clostridium Tertium Peritonitis Complicated By Bacteremia Case Report, Ryan Fernandez Q, Ebiuwa Osula, Arbab Kasi, Fernando Lugo-Hernandez, Joshua Gruber

West Florida Division GME Research Day 2026

No abstract provided.

Profound Myxedema Coma Without Vital Sign Derangements: A Case Report Of Extreme Hypothyroidism And Pituitary Macroadenoma, Christina Mie Minami, Than Sein, Lucas Choy, Dmitriy Scherbak

Continental and Mountain Divisions GME Resarch Day 2026

No abstract provided.

A Greasy Imposter: A Case Of Profound Hypertriglyceridemia Mimicking Diabetic Ketoacidosis And Severe Hyponatremia, Shania Chishti, Elaheh Boroujeni, Mohammad Hussan Shafiq, Jonathan Xian

Gulf Coast Division GME Research Day 2026

No abstract provided.

Beyond Clinical Outcomes: The Operational And Financial Benefits Of Insulin Lispro In Hyperkalemia Protocols, Cassandra Van Horn, Kevin Welch, Justin Solomon

MidAmerica Division GME Healthcare Symposium 2026

No abstract provided.

Health Disparities In Cardiovascular Care: The Impact Of Diabetes Education And Post-Discharge Interventions For African American Adults At Risk For And After Myocardial Infarction, Trinity L. Billingsley

Nursing | Senior Theses

Background: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, affecting African American adults at higher rates compared to other racial and ethnic groups. Diabetes as a comorbidity is one of the risk factors of experiencing a myocardial infarction, remaining one of the leading causes of death among individuals with diabetes. Objective: To examine the effectiveness of structured diabetes education tailored to African American adults who are at risk for and after a myocardial infarction. Additionally assessing the complications of a myocardial infarction, the outcomes associated with structured education will be compared to the outcomes of …

Human Milk Feeding And Its Impact On The Incidence Of Necrotizing Enterocolitis, Maya C. Kern

Nursing | Senior Theses

One of the leading causes of morbidity and death for preterm and very low birth weight (VLBW) newborns is still necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Existing literature consistently shows that the bioactive, anti-inflammatory, and microbiome-supporting components of human breast milk, including donor human milk, significantly lower the incidence of NEC. However, a lot of infants are forced to rely on formula and nutrient fortifiers because they cannot obtain maternal or donor milk. A critical gap persists regarding whether human milk derived fortifiers offer greater NEC protection than bovine derived fortifiers in infants who must receive formula. This thesis examines three interconnected themes; …

The Association Between The Degree Of Social Vulnerability And Maternal Anemia And Other Adverse Perinatal Outcomes, Rubymel J. Knupp, Christina T. Blanchard, Ariann Nassel, Ashley Shea, Lindsay S. Robbins, Jeff M. Szychowski, Ashley N. Battarbee, Akila Subramaniam

Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology Faculty Publications

Objective

Maternal anemia in pregnancy is associated with many adverse maternal, fetal, and neonatal outcomes. The role of social determinants of health (SDOH) in the development of maternal anemia and other adverse outcomes is continually evolving. One such newer tool, the Social Vulnerability Index (SVI), measures an individual's community-level SDOH, with higher SVI denoting higher vulnerability. Our objective was to evaluate the association between SVI, maternal anemia, and other adverse perinatal outcomes.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study of pregnant individuals delivering singletons at a gestational age ≥23 weeks at a single center from 2014 to 2018. Patients with sickle cell disease, …

Evaluating The Mediating Role Of Gestational Phthalate And Replacement Biomarkers In The Associations Between Race/Ethnicity And Birthweight, Amir J. Lueth, Danielle R. Stevens, Sarahna A. Moyd, Elena Sinkovskaya, Ann Przybylska, Antonia M. Calafat, Julianne C. Botelho, George Saade, Alfred Abuhamad, Kelly K. Ferguson

Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology Faculty Publications

Background

Gestational exposure to phthalates is higher among non-Hispanic black (NHB) women than non-Hispanic white (NHW) women and may contribute to racial/ethnic differences in birthweight z-scores.

Objective

We aimed to investigate whether gestational phthalate and replacement biomarkers mediate the association between race/ethnicity and birthweight z-scores.

Methods

We analyzed data from 271 pregnancies in the Human Placenta and Phthalates study, a prospective cohort recruited from 2017 to 2020. Urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations were measured at up to eight time points during pregnancy and averaged to represent gestational exposure. Metabolites were grouped by parent compound. Linear regression models estimated associations in phthalate …

Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy Findings In Obese Adolescents With Sleep Apnea, Timothy Kearney, Turaj Vazifedan, Cristina M. Baldassari

Department of Otolaryngology (ENT) Faculty Publications

Objective

Data regarding drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) findings in obese adolescents with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are lacking; such information could be used to direct and improve management as there is controversy whether adenotonsillectomy (AT) or positive airway pressure is standard therapy for this population. Our primary objective is to describe DISE findings in obese adolescents.

Study Design

Case-control.

Setting

Tertiary care children's hospital.

Methods

A 10-year retrospective review was conducted of obese adolescents 12 to 21 years old with OSA (apnea-hypopnea index [AHI] ≥ 1) that underwent DISE prior to AT. All DISE procedures were scored utilizing a modified …

What Does The Quality Of Life For Congenital Heart Defect Patients Look Like Across The Lifespan?, Kaylee F. Maynor

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Throughout history, birth defects have left a mark on patients and families across the world. From an infant's first few breaths to an elderly person's last breath, congenital heart birth defects play a major role in that person's life. There are many different types of birth defects that effect the heart. Each defect is unique and has different outcomes on the body. Some congenital heart diseases have multiple defects causing more than one complication. The treatment options for many of the common congenital heart birth defects have come a long way throughout decades of research. By diving into what heart …

Metabolism As A Regulator Of Sleep And Cortical Activity In Health And Alzheimer’S Disease, Nicholas J. Constantino

Theses and Dissertations--Neuroscience

Metabolic flexibility is essential for maintaining normal physiological function, enabling an organism to sense, flux, utilize, and switch fuel sources in response to changing energetic availability, demand, and cellular needs. Energetic demands are state-dependent, with wake and sleep exhibiting distinct metabolic profiles. Sleep is highly sensitive to changes in metabolism and requires metabolic flexibility to both transition into and maintain sleep stability. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is increasingly recognized as a disease of altered metabolism yet is often framed as a disease of energetic failure. We instead define AD as a disease of metabolic inflexibility, characterized not by insufficient energy availability, …

A Tale Of Two Serpins: Pathologic And Protective Roles Of Agt And Pai-1 In Metabolic And Cardiovascular Disease, Alex C. Pettey

Theses and Dissertations--Physiology

Metabolic and cardiovascular diseases are leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Conditions such as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), aortic aneurysm, and cardiac fibrosis have limited pharmacological therapies, underscoring the need for deeper mechanistic investigations. Serine protease inhibitors (serpins) have been implicated in these pathologies and represent potential therapeutic targets. Despite structural homology, serpins regulate diverse physiological processes through both protease inhibition and non-inhibitory mechanisms. This dissertation examines the roles of two serpins, angiotensinogen (AGT) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), in preclinical models of metabolic and cardiovascular disease to identify novel mechanisms that may inform future therapeutic strategies. …

Politics Of A Silent Pandemic: Antimicrobial Resistance And State Capacity In India And Nigeria, Mia Kelly

CMC Senior Theses

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) has emerged as one of the most pressing yet widely underestimated health threats of the 21st century; this thesis explores the potentially devastating global impact of this “silent pandemic”, exposing how deeply health outcomes depend on political choices, regulatory capacity, and economic constraints. Although the danger of spreading drug-resistant pathogens is now widely acknowledged in both the scientific and political communities, states differ in their abilities to contain the issue, with low- and middle-income countries facing the greatest obstacles to national action plan implementation. This thesis investigates these disparities through a comparison of India and Nigeria, two …

Roles Of Cytokines In Modulating Trypanosoma Brucei Rhodesiense Infection Outcomes In Vervet Monkeys, Clarah Jebet, John Kibuthu Thuita, Daniel Masiga, Benedict Owino Orindi, John Oidho, Mark C. Field, Enock Matovu, Vincent Owino Adung’A

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Introduction:

Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), caused by Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, is categorized as acute due to rapid disease progression but presents varying clinical outcomes. Although the mechanisms underpinning differential clinical progression are poorly understood, both host and parasite factors are implicated. Therefore, we sought to elucidate roles of primate host factors in mediating varying T. b. rhodesiense infection outcomes.

Methods:

Here, we assessed the roles of selected host cytokines in disease progression using a tsetse-mediated infection in a non-human primate (NHP) vervet monkey model that closely mimics HAT and natural infection. We quantified eight cytokines, including TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-10, IL-6, …

Decreasing Hospital Acquired Pressure Injuries Through A Multi-Intervention Approach: A Quality Improvement Project, Kendra D. Crawford

DNP Scholarly Projects

BACKGROUND: Hospital acquired pressure injuries (HAPIs) continue to plague hospitals across the country. HAPIs are an indication of the quality of care delivered by the hospital’s nursing workforce. These injuries are costly to organizations and can lead to increased length of stay (LOS). The development of a HAPI, depending on severity, is a reportable injury and is classified as patient harm. Patients who suffer from HAPIs can experience significant pain and at times, permanent disfigurement. This project’s focus is a community hospital that has seen a steady increase in HAPIs over the last 2 years. During 2025, 28% of the …

Calcinosis Cutis In A Young Patient With End-Stage Renal Disease: A Severe And Morbid Complication, Gopi Mulaka, Babu Shaik, Jaya Surya Manimekalai, Durga Dandu, Rupali Prabhukhot

North Texas GME Research Forum 2026

BACKGROUND/ INTRODUCTION: Calcinosis cutis is a rare but serious complication of end-stage renal disease (ESRD), often related to disordered calcium–phosphate metabolism. It can lead to significant morbidity, recurrent infections, and challenging management decisions.

CASE PRESENTATION: We present a 23-year-old male with ESRD on hemodialysis, hypertension, anemia of chronic disease, and a left upper extremity arteriovenous fistula who developed progressive pain, swelling, and purulent drainage involving the left third and fourth digits. Imaging revealed extensive soft tissue calcifications consistent with calcinosis cutis. His hospital course was complicated by recurrent infections, osteomyelitis, and gangrene despite antibiotic therapy and wound care, ultimately requiring …

Cost Effectiveness Of Lifestyle Program For Diabetes Remission In The Era Of Glp-1, Prasanthi Tondapu, Haasini Sunkavalli, Micaela C. Karlsen, Kara L. Staffier, Kathryn J. Pollard, Surabhi Naik

North Texas GME Research Forum 2026

BACKGROUND: GLP-1 receptor agonists are popular for managing type 2 diabetes (T2D) and obesity but are costly and can result in side effects including weight rebound. Intensive therapeutic lifestyle change (ITLC) programs present an effective alternative, facilitating an HbA1C (A1C) less than 6.5% for 3 months without medication and long-term weight control.

CASE PRESENTATION: We present a 69-year-old Black man with T2D, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, obesity, and sleep apnea. In 2023, he was hospitalized with a blood glucose of 800 mg/dL and A1C 10.8% and discharged on insulin. And, with a BMI of 32 kg/m2 and weight of 238.6 …

Differences In Biologic Clinical Trials For Chronic Rhinosinusitis With Nasal Polyps—Are We Comparing Apples With Oranges?, Marjolein Cornet, Peter W. Hellings, Martin Desrosiers, Martin Wagenmann, Richard Follows, Laura Walrave, Luz Adriana Jimenez, Lee Tombs, Dawn Edwards, Peter Howarth, Joseph K. Han

Department of Otolaryngology (ENT) Faculty Publications

In recent years, several biologics targeting Type 2 inflammation have been developed for treating chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). These have been studied in registrational randomized controlled trials (RCTs), which vary in their patient populations, trial design, endpoints, geography, timing, or data-handling processes. While (in)direct treatment comparisons and meta-analyses have been carried out to compare efficacy results from RCTs, often these fail to properly account for these between-study differences. Here, we summarize the key between-study differences that can influence trial outcomes and highlight the resulting challenges faced when comparing outcomes from different Phase III RCTs of biologics in CRSwNP.