Digital Commons Network^™

Characterization Of Peg-Modified Composite Membranes For Microfluidic Oxygenator Applications, Nicholas C. Higgins, David G. Blauvelt, Shuvo Roy

Department of Pediatrics Faculty Papers

Microfluidic oxygenators promise to advance extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) devices with enhanced hemodynamics and low prime volume. We are developing a silicon-based membrane oxygenator that will offer improved gas transfer and fluid flow control. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) has been used to improve hemocompatibility by providing excellent resistance to protein adsorption. Here, we characterized a polyethylene glycol surface modification of composite silicon–PDMS membranes to evaluate their effects on microfluidic oxygenator properties. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and water contact angle goniometry confirmed successful PEG attachment, evidenced by the presence of characteristic C-O bonds and increased hydrophilicity, which was stable for 2 weeks. …

Model For Calculating Impact Force For Individualized Hip Fracture Prediction During A Fall, Alisha Agarwal, Daniel Kargilis, Nishtha Gupta, Michael Chang, Rui Feng, Gregory Chang, Chamith S. Rajapakse

Student Papers, Posters & Projects

Osteoporotic-related weakening of bone is a common cause of hip fractures. The standard of care for the diagnosis and management of osteoporosis is the dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry bone mineral density T-scores. Many individuals considered nonosteoporotic, however, still sustain fractures since these tools do not incorporate vital bone parameters and subject-specific characteristics. The purpose of this work was to (1) develop a simple analytical model for estimating the force exerted on the femur during a fall (i.e., impact force) based on measurable patient metrics and (2) define a quantifiable fracture risk index by comparing finite-element-derived bone strength and impact force, which …

Reimagining Pediatric Care: The Future Of Telehealth, Mike Smith, Morgan Waller

Pediatrics in Practice: A CME Podcast

Telehealth has transformed the way families access pediatric care, offering convenience without compromising quality. In this episode, we sit down with Morgan Waller, Director of Telemedicine at Children’s Mercy, to explore the latest advancements in pediatric telehealth. From innovative technologies to strategies for improving access in rural communities, we discuss how virtual care is shaping the future of pediatrics and what it means for families and providers alike.

Click here to stream the podcast episode.

Outcomes After Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction And Repair In Nonthrowing Athletes, William L. Johns, Neel K. Patel, Benjamin Miltenberg, Ryan W. Paul, Adeeb J. Hanna, Michael C. Ciccotti, Steven B. Cohen, Michael G. Ciccotti, Christopher C. Dodson

Rothman Institute Papers

BACKGROUND: Surgical management of ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) tears in nonthrowing athletes is less commonly performed, and the outcomes of that management have not been thoroughly described.

PURPOSE: To describe the clinical outcomes of surgical management of UCL injury in nonthrowing athletes.

STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted on all patients who underwent UCL reconstruction or repair across a 10-year period (2010-2020), with nonthrowing athletes who had >2-year follow-up being specifically identified. Demographic variables such as age, sport participation, concomitant procedures, and graft type, as well as postoperative outcomes such as complications, …

Fgf13 Regulates Vgsc-Independent Cardiomyocyte Impulse Propagation Via Cx43 Trafficking, Lala Tanmoy Das, Mattia Malvezzi, Aravind R Gade, Maiko Matsui, Margaret Mckay, Eric Q Wei, Matea J Zelich, Keon Mazdisnian, Jared Kushner, Bi-Xing Chen, Isabella Distefano, Daniel Roybal, Lin Yang, Lisa Stoll, James C Lo, Marian Kalocsay, Fadi G Akar, Steven O Marx, Geoffrey S Pitt

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: FHF (fibroblast growth factor homologous factor) variants associate with arrhythmias. Although FHFs are best characterized as regulators of voltage-gated sodium channel (VGSC) gating, recent studies suggest broader, non-VGSC-related functions, including regulation of Cx43 (connexin 43) gap junctions and hemichannels, mechanisms that have generally been understudied or disregarded.

Methods: We assessed cardiac conduction and cardiomyocyte action potentials in mice with constitutive cardiac-specific Fgf13 ablation (cFgf13KO) while targeting Cx43 gap junctions and hemichannels pharmacologically. We characterized FGF13 regulation of Cx43 abundance and subcellular distribution. With proximity labeling proteomics, we investigated novel candidate mechanisms underlying FGF13 regulation of Cx43. …

A Mouse Model Of Lipoatrophy Reveals Relationships Between Beige Fat Appearance And Female Fertility, Elizabeth S Anaya, William Dion, Pradip K Saha, Aaron R Cox, Evelyn De Groot, Avery A Ahmed, Jessica B Felix, Bokai Zhu, Stephanie A Pangas, Sean M Hartig

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

White adipose tissue (WAT) performs vital metabolic and endocrine functions, but roles in female reproduction remain understudied and poorly understood. Here, we report that female mice experiencing progressive lipoatrophy after knockout of Ubc9 in adipocytes (Ubc9fKO) displayed disrupted estrous cycles, reduced ovarian reserve, and subfertility. During aging, female Ubc9fKO mice lose subcutaneous WAT more quickly than their male counterparts and weigh less than littermate controls. Subcutaneous WAT excised from female Ubc9fKO mice strongly enriched for thermogenesis genes generally associated with metabolic benefits. Female Ubc9fKO mice exhibited hypermetabolism and accumulated thermogenic, Uncoupling Protein 1-expressing beige fat cells in residual subcutaneous WAT …

Functional Vs Anatomical Cortico-Striatal Connectivity In The Macaque Brain, Wei Tang, Megan E Monko, Zoe Liu, Ana M G Manea, Fernando A Ortega, Damyan Hart, Jason Zhou, Jan Zimmermann, Sarah R Heilbronner

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

The cerebral cortex provides the main input to the striatum, constituting the first step in cortico-basal ganglia loops. Decades of careful anatomical tract-tracing research have established the exquisite topography of each cortical region's projection to the striatum in nonhuman primates. In parallel, neuroimaging research has demonstrated the relationship between cortico-striatal resting-state functional connectivity and specific cognitive, behavioral, psychiatric, and neurological states in humans. However, still unclear is the extent to which functional connectivity recapitulates the specific topographies of cortico-striatal anatomical connectivity. Here, we combined datasets of cortico-striatal anatomical and functional connectivity in macaques to determine the degree of overlap between …

Inhibitory Control, Attentional Bias, And Palatable Food Consumption In Adolescents: A Laboratory Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial., Carolina M. Bejarano, Adrian Ortega, Christopher C. Cushing

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: Understanding relationships among inhibitory control, attentional bias to food cues, and food consumption in nonclinical adolescent samples can inform preventive efforts for disordered eating and associated health risks.

OBJECTIVE: This pilot study conducted preliminary testing of an inhibitory control training intervention on attentional bias toward food cues, hedonic appetite, and food consumption, as well as examined inhibitory control's relationship with hedonic appetite, food consumption, binge eating, and cognitive restraint.

METHODS: Participants (N=43; mean age 15.1, SD 1.7 years; 31/43, 72% female) were randomized to a food cue-specific go/no go inhibitory control training intervention or control group, took part in …

G6pd Deficiency, Annette C. Osias Arredondo

Honors Capstones

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is an X-linked recessive enzyme disorder affecting over 400 million people worldwide.G6PD is essential for producing NADPH, which maintains reduced glutathione (GSH)—the RBC’s primary defense against oxidative damage. When G6PD activity is low, RBCs cannot neutralize oxidants, leading to hemoglobin oxidation, Heinz body formation, and subsequent bite cells and hemolysis. Symptoms range from asymptomatic to acute hemolytic crises, especially after exposure to oxidative triggers such as infections, certain drugs, or fava beans.

Laboratory Monitoring In Patients With Moderate To Severe Plaque Psoriasis, Jonathan M. Fenkel, John A. Osborne, April W. Armstrong, Bruce Strober, Linda Stein Gold, Michael Cameron, Mark Lebwohl

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

OBJECTIVES: Plaque psoriasis is a common immune-mediated disease associated with various comorbidities, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, psoriatic arthritis, liver disease, and mood disorders. Biologic and small-molecule therapies are efficacious and well tolerated in adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. However, dermatologists may be uncertain about appropriate laboratory monitoring in patients treated with these therapies, especially those with comorbidities.

METHODS: This review summarizes prescribing information and provides expert recommendations based on real-world experience in the monitoring of concerning laboratory values in patients with psoriasis.

RESULTS: Individualized monitoring is essential for maximizing the benefits and minimizing the risks associated with biologic …

Discovery Of A Small Molecule Tlr3 Agonist Adjuvant, Branden Lee, Danica Dong, Etsuro Nanishi, John Mark Awad, Kimia Abedi, Yoshine Saito, Francesco Borriello, Soumik Barman, Byron Brook, Aisling Kelly, Manisha Menon, Constance Marques-Mourlet, Maansi Gupta, Ida Lister, Chiwoo Oh, Kevin Lyskawa, Morgan Goetz, Kristina Walker, Wing Ki Cheng, Spencer Brightman, Pankaj Sharma, Timothy O'Meara, Katherine Chew, Daniel Vieira, Kevin Ryff, Cali Sweitzer, Sanya Thomas, Simon Van Haren, Matthew Pettengill, Hyuk-Soo Seo, Sirano Dhe-Paganon, Wei Zhang, Ofer Levy, David Dowling

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Faculty Papers

Pattern-recognition receptor (PRR) agonists are valuable agents across multiple medical applications, from vaccinology to immune-oncology. However, well-defined and potent small molecule agonists for many PRRs still await discovery and development. Screening of chemical libraries of ~200,000 small molecules for maturation of human monocytic cells by quantifying NF-κB activation and cell adherence was completed. From this screen, we selected a thiazole benzamide derivative, PVP-057, for its robust immunomodulatory properties, low toxicity profile, and concentration-dependent activity. In vitro investigation of pathway and receptor activation reveals that PVP-057 is a Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) agonist. As a single-component adjuvant, administered intramuscularly or intradermally …

Improving Palliative Care Knowledge And Intentions Among Great Plains American Indians: Efficacy Results From A Randomized Clinical Trial Testing A Culture-Centric Palliative Care Message, Mary J. Isaacson, Kah Meng (Charlie) Soh, Christopher S. Wichman, Gina Johnson, Kelly Le Beaux, Semhar Michael, Lisa Sparks, Karla M. Hunter

Communication Faculty Articles and Research

Background

Methods

Results

Travel Time To Treating Facility And Mortality In Men With Prostate Cancer, Stephan M. Korn, Filippo Dagnino, Danesha Daniels, Zhiyu Qian, Hanna Zurl, Klara K. Pohl, Mei Chin Hsieh, Brenda Y. Hernandez, Andrea Piccolini, Alexander P. Cole, Amanda J. Reich, Joel S. Weissman, Quoc Dien Trinh, Hari S. Iyer

School of Public Health Faculty Publications

IMPORTANCE Geographic access to prostate cancer care may influence outcomes but is often measured using straight-line distance, which may not accurately capture the travel burden experienced by patients. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the association between estimated travel time from patients’ residence to treatment facilities and all-cause and prostate cancer–specific mortality. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This retrospective cohort study used data from the Multilevel Epidemiologic Tumor Registry for Oncology, a nationally representative, investigatorinitiated, population-based cancer registry that integrates geomasked residential and treatment facility information from multiple US state cancer registries. The study included patients aged 40 to 99 years from Hawaii, Louisiana, …

The Perspectives And Experiences Of Prospective Parents Declining Diagnostic Prenatal Genome Sequencing In Continuing Pregnancies With Fetal Structural Anomalies, Lisa S Weingarten, Allison Rosenbaum, Jessica De Voest, Stephanie Galloway, Jessica L Giordano, Samantha Stover, Lauren E Westerfield, Grant Bonesteele, Kelly L Gilmore, Leandra Tolusso, Beatrix Wong, A Theresa Wittman, Daniel T Swarr, Nancy Leslie, Anthony Johnson, Ignatia B Van Den Veyver, Neeta L Vora, Rebecca G Clifton, Aaron B Caughey, Ronald J Wapner, Wendy K Chung

Duncan NRI Faculty and Staff Publications

Objective: This study evaluates an understudied perspective: the experiences of prospective parents who decline prenatal genome sequencing (pGS) for continuing pregnancies with fetal structural anomalies.

Method: We recruited a total cohort of 300 parents of 150 pregnancies who declined pGS, including 33 individuals who underwent an invasive procedure. These parents were invited to participate in a semi-structured interview between 1 and 15 months post-partum. We used Thematic Analysis to code and analyze interviews.

Results: We interviewed 22 parents of 16 pregnancies. Reasons for declining testing included risks of invasive procedures (n = 19, 86%), lack of prenatally actionable findings (n …

Investigating Dysfunctional Cognition Change As A Putative Mechanism Of Cbt For Youth Anxiety, Ocd And Ptsd: Protocol For An Individual Participant Data Meta-Analysis, Ivana Buric, Anke Klein, Ronald M Rapee, Brooke Levis, Philip C Kendall, Eric A Storch, Lynn Mobach

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Introduction: Anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are common in children and adolescents and can lead to significant impairment. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) with exposure is the first-line treatment, yet approximately half of treated youth do not achieve full remission. Dysfunctional cognitions-negative automatic thoughts, maladaptive beliefs and distorted interpretations-are considered key targets of CBT, but evidence in youth is mixed and underpowered. This study will examine whether change in dysfunctional cognitions mediates treatment outcome in anxiety, OCD and PTSD symptoms and whether this association varies across individual characteristics.

Methods and analysis: An individual participant data meta-analysis …

Factors Influencing Immediate Post-Angiographic Occlusion Outcomes In Intracranial Aneurysms Treated With The Woven Endobridge Device: A Multi-Center Analysis And Predictive Model From The Worldwideweb Consortium, Muhammed Amir Essibayi, Mohamed Sobhi Jabal, Hasan Jamil, Hamza Adel Salim, Basel Musmar, Nimer Adeeb, Mahmoud Dibas, Nicole M. Cancelliere, Jose Danilo Bengzon Diestro, Oktay Algin, Sherief Ghozy, Sovann V. Lay, Adrien Guenego, Leonardo Renieri, Joseph Carnevale, Guillaume Saliou, Panagiotis Mastorakos, Kareem El Naamani, Arbaz A. Momin, Eimad Shotar, Markus Möhlenbruch, Michael Kral, Charlotte Chung, Mohamed M. Salem, Ivan Lylyk, Paul M. Foreman, Hamza Shaikh, Vedran Župančić, Muhammad U. Hafeez, Joshua Catapano, Muhammad Waqas, Muhammed Said Besler, Yasin Celal Gunes, James D. Rabinov, Julian Maingard, Clemens M. Schirmer, Mariangela Piano, Anna L. Kühn, Caterina Michelozzi, Robert M. Starke, Ameer Hassan, Mark Ogilvie, Anh Nguyen, Jesse Jones, Waleed Brinjikji, Marie T. Nawka, Marios Psychogios, Christian Ulfert, Bryan Pukenas, Jan-Karl Burkhardt, Thien Huynh, Juan Carlos Martinez-Gutierrez, Sunil A. Sheth, Diana Slawski, Rabih Tawk, Benjamin Pulli, Boris Lubicz, Pietro Panni, Ajit S. Puri, Guglielmo Pero, Eytan Raz, Christoph J. Griessenauer, Hamed Asadi, Adnan Siddiqui, Elad I. Levy, Deepak Khatri, Neil Haranhalli, Andrew F. Ducruet, Felipe C. Albuquerque, Robert W. Regenhardt, Christopher J. Stapleton, Peter Kan, Vladimir Kalousek, Pedro Lylyk, Srikanth Boddu, Jared Knopman, Stavropoula I. Tjoumakaris, Hugo H. Cuellar-Saenz, Pascal M. Jabbour, Frédéric Clarençon, Nicola Limbucci, Vitor Mendes Pereira, Aman B. Patel, David J Altschul, Adam A. Dmytriw, Worldwideweb Consortium Collaborators

Jefferson Hospital Staff Papers and Presentations

The Woven EndoBridge (WEB) device treats wide-necked bifurcation aneurysms, but occlusion rates vary. This study aims to identify factors associated with immediate WEB device occlusion. Data from patients treated with WEB devices across 36 sites were analyzed. Machine learning algorithms and ordinal regression models were developed to predict immediate incomplete occlusion for ruptured and unruptured aneurysms. The study included 1565 patients, with 436 ruptured and 1129 unruptured aneurysms. Immediate complete occlusion was achieved in 38.3% of ruptured and 32.8% of unruptured aneurysms. For ruptured aneurysms, the CatBoost classifier achieved an AUROC of 0.69. Key predictors of incomplete occlusion included pretreatment …

Hif-2-Dependent Regulation Of Pthrp And Paraneoplastic Hypercalcemia In Aggressive Clear-Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma, Arijit Mal, Bingqing Xie, Zane Gray, Charlotte Small, Susmita G Ramanand, Yunpeng Gao, Vanina Toffessi Tcheuyap, Sashi Debnath, Alana Christie, Jeffrey Miyata, Brooklyn Jackson, Hua Zhong, Boning Gao, Jay Lohrey, Naim M Maalouf, Sangeetha M Reddy, John D Minna, Ivan Pedrosa, Xiankai Sun, Ram S Mani, Payal Kapur, James Brugarolas

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients with hypercalcemia (HC) have worse outcomes. HC often involves PTHrP, and the role of HIF-2 is incompletely understood. Leveraging RCC tumorgraft (TG) models of HC, which were characterized by tumor cell autonomous inflamatory/immune signatures, we show that HIF-2 inhibition with PT2399 frequently normalized calcium, downregulated circulating PTHrP and reduced HIF-2 binding to the PTHLH (PTHrP) promoter. Likely contributing to the selective induction of PTHrP in a subset of HIF-2-dependent tumors, the PTHLH locus was generally more accessible in TG(HC). However, PTHLH chromatin accessibility was grossly unaffected by PT2399, unlike elsewhere (including EPO locus in a …

Upper-Body Post-Activation Performance Enhancement In Mma Athletes: Load-Dependent Effects Across Multiple Explosive Tasks, Jan Strawiński, Dariusz T. Skalski, Magdalena Prończuk, Kinga Łosińska, Ewelina Lulińska, Miłosz Drozd, Maciej Kostrzewa, Adam Maszczyk, Robert K. Roczniok

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: Post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE) has become a recognized method for acutely improving explosive output, particularly relevant to upper-body performance in combat sports. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of bench press conditioning activities (CAs) at different intensities (50 %, 65 %, and 80 % 1RM) on upper-body explosive performance in mixed martial arts (MMA) athletes, with emphasis on training status. Methods: Twenty-nine male MMA athletes were divided into intermediate (n = 14) and advanced (n = 15) groups. Each participant completed three CA sessions followed by a 4-minute recovery and then performed a plyometric push-up …

Point-Of-Care Gastric Ultrasound For Preoperative Assessment Of Gastric Contents: An Objective Structured Clinical Examination, Joshua Mann, Michael Sykes

Doctoral Projects

Pulmonary aspiration remains a leading cause of anesthesia-related mortality. The current nil per os (NPO) guidelines are proving unreliable in the presence of delayed gastric emptying due to comorbidities and the increasing use of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists. Gastric point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) use provides a non-invasive, evidence-based, and cost-effective approach to assess gastric content and volume directly. However, limited formal training exists for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), and this lack of training contributes to the lack of its utilization. This doctoral project evaluated the effectiveness of an educational intervention that incorporated a didactic lecture as well as a hands-on …

Electrophysiological Localization And Prognostic Indicators In Radial Neuropathy Presenting As Wrist Drop: A Three-Year Retrospective Observational Study, Assad Ullah Khan, Muhammad Farooq, Saad Ali, Sadiq Ali Shah

Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS)

Background and Objective:

Radial neuropathy is a common cause of wrist drop, and accurate lesion localization is essential for appropriate

management and prognostication. The objective of this study was to analyze electrophysiological localization patterns

of radial nerve lesions presenting as wrist drop and to assess whether earlier referral for electrophysiological evaluation

was associated with recovery outcomes.

Methods:

This retrospective observational study was conducted at Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar, a tertiary care setting, over

a three-year period (January 2022–December 2024). Adult patients with wrist drop and electrophysiological confirmed

radial neuropathy were included. Nerve conduction studies and needle electromyography were used to …

Corrigendum: Correction Of Second Author’S Name And Affiliation In “Chorea As A Rare Manifestation Of Neuropsychiatric Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Case Report”, Editor Pjns

Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS)

No abstract provided.

Implementing A Cardiac Catheterization Pre-Procedure Protocol To Decrease Avoidable Same-Day Cancellations, Christina C. Perry

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Background and significance of the problem: Pediatric congenital heart defect patients are amongst the sickest hospital population. These patients require planned palliation in the cardiac catheterization lab (cath lab), which has a limited number of providers and appointments available. In the cath lab, the percentage of avoidable same-day cancellations for interventional procedures was found to be greater than 30%, representing significant resource utilization opportunities.

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to develop and implement a standardized, evidence-based pre-procedure protocol to decrease avoidable same-day cath lab cancellations.

Goals and objectives: The goals of this project were a 10% decrease in …

Monte Carlo Simulations Of Geometric Deformation Of Harrison-Anderson-Mick Applicators Used In Intraoperative Radiation Therapy, Benjamin Insley, Brett Bocian, Sam Beddar, Reza Reiazi, Patrick James Jensen, Rachael M Martin-Paulpeter, Joshua Scott Niedzielski, David Flint, Gabriel Oliveira Sawakuchi, Luis Augusto Perles

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: The Harrison-Anderson-Mick (HAM) applicator is a high-dose-rate intraoperative radiotherapy (HDR-IORT) applicator used to position Ir-192 brachytherapy sources over surgically-accessed tumor volumes or post-resection tumor beds. Because of the lack of a 3D imaging system, dwell times are optimized pre-surgery by a TG-43-based treatment planning system (TPS) that assumes a perfectly flat applicator surface surrounded by an infinite water phantom. These assumed conditions are disparate from typical treatment conditions, especially in the pelvic regions, which often involve uneven patient surfaces and superficial irradiations with little to no backscatter material.

Purpose: Develop and validate a Monte Carlo (MC) model of HDR-IORT …

Identifying Barriers For Community Pharmacies As Vaccines For Children (Vfc) Providers In Rural Alabama: Opportunities For Solutions, Myra Bajwa

Honors Theses

Significant Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination disparities exist between rural and urban areas in the US. A primary contributor is low access to preventive care in rural areas. Among the most promising strategies to overcome this is increasing access through offering HPV vaccination in non-traditional, convenient health settings such as pharmacies. In rural areas, community pharmacies are trusted, convenient pillars of the community. In Alabama, community pharmacies are eligible for enrollment in the Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program, a federally-funded program that provides free vaccines to children and adolescents under 18 years old who are uninsured, underinsured, American Indian, or Alaska …

Best Practice Recommendations For Anesthesia Providers In Preventing Postoperative Delirium In The Geriatric Population Undergoing Non-Cardiac Surgery, Ana Primeaux, Ashanti Reed

Doctoral Projects

Postoperative delirium (POD) is a significant and preventable complication in geriatric patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery. Such complication is associated with foreseeable consequences, such as prolonged hospitalization, long-term cognitive decline, increased morbidity and mortality, and increased costs. Despite the emerging awareness of evidence-based nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic interventional strategies, POD still represents a clinical challenge for anesthesia providers.

Currently, there is a lack of clinical guidelines to guide formalized education and evidence-based interventions on POD prevention across anesthesia practice settings. Consequently, there is a critical need to raise awareness that the lack of clinical guidelines and the high incidence of POD may …

Advancing Anesthesia Provider Proficiency In Airway Assessment Using Point-Of-Care Ultrasound: An Osce-Based Educational Initiative, Austin Fike, Trevor Jordan, Sam Sherrill Iii

Doctoral Projects

Airway management is one of the fundamental pillars of anesthesia. Traditionally, tools such as the Mallampati classification and the thyromental distance are used for airway assessment in the perioperative area. However, often, these methods fail to reliably predict difficult intubations. The use of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has emerged as a valuable adjunct in airway assessment. However, a knowledge deficit exists among anesthesia providers regarding its application in airway assessments for perioperative adult patients. This doctoral project addressed the knowledge deficit in POCUS airway assessment among Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) and Student Registered Nurse Anesthetists (SRNAs) through the development and …

Enhancing Crna's Knowledge Of Radiation Safety Through Online Education, Angela Iledan, Madeline Pousson

Doctoral Projects

Although ionizing radiation is frequently used in anesthesia-related procedures, many CRNAs receive minimal training in radiation safety principles and protective measures. This knowledge gap increases the risk of cumulative radiation exposure for providers and patients. To address the issue, this doctoral project developed and implemented an online educational intervention designed to enhance CRNAs’ understanding of radiation safety, ultimately promoting safer practices in radiation-prone environments.

The doctoral project follows a QI and EBP approach that incorporated diverse adult learning styles to enhance engagement and knowledge retention of CRNAs. The online educational module was designed and delivered to CRNAs that currently practice …

Disruption Of The Placenta–Brain Axis In Transgenic Mice Lacking Serotonin Transporter (Sert) In Trophoblast Cells, David T. Ellenberger, Zhen Lyu, Rosalind T. B. Herrington, Jessica A. Kinkade, Gustavo W. Leone, Ji Ying Sze, Nathan J. Bivens, R. Frank Baker, R. Michael Roberts, Trupti Joshi, Cheryl S. Rosenfeld

Biomedical Sciences

Serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are commonly prescribed to pregnant women experiencing depression. Such drugs, however, might adversely affect placenta and fetal brain development. Parietal trophoblast giant cells (pTGCs) in the mouse placenta are postulated to internalize maternal serotonin (5-HT) via transport through SERT, encoded by Slc6a4, and to provide the initial source of 5-HT to the emerging brain via the placental–brain axis. Genetic deletion of Slc6a4 in pTGCs has been hypothesized to impact placental and fetal brain development. A transgenic mouse line with high-affinity SERT, encoded by Slc6a4, was selectively deleted by pairing mice with Cre recombinase linked …

Objective Structured Clinical Examination (Osce) For Interscalene Brachial Plexus Block Utilizing Ultrasound Guidance And Landmark Technique, Madison Mize, Mckayla Moore, Peyton Shell

Doctoral Projects

The purpose of this doctoral project was to create learning and evaluation tools for interscalene brachial plexus blocks (ISBPB) to be used by certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) and students in the Nurse Anesthesia Program (NAP) at The University of Southern Mississippi (USM). ISBPB is a regional anesthesia technique used to provide anesthesia for procedures of the shoulder and upper arm. CRNAs and students can use these tools to refresh their current knowledge and enhance their regional anesthesia skills.

The objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) and cognitive aid for ISBPB utilizing landmark and ultrasound-guided techniques were evaluated by the USM …

Gene Therapy Cm-Yapon Protects The Mouse Heart From Myocardial Infarction, Fansen Meng, Jeffrey D Steimle, Elizabeth Straight, Rich G Li, Yuka Morikawa, Zohaib Iqbal, Bing Xie, Jun Wang, Wyatt G Paltzer, Yi Zhao, Chang-Ru Tsai, Lin Liu, Maggie Lim, Rita A Schack, Daniel Ramirez, Katherine Carlson, Vaibhav Deshmukh, Jason M Karch, Robia G Pautler, Xiao Li, James F Martin

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Myocardial infarction (MI) affects millions of people worldwide, causing irreversible injury to the heart and impairing cardiac function1. In both mouse and pig MI models, activating YAP in cardiomyocytes (CMs) stimulates regenerative repair2,3. Here we developed an adeno-associated virus 9 (AAV9)-based therapy, termed CM-YAPon, which enables transient expression of an active YAP variant (YAP5SA) in CMs following exposure to the small molecule LMI070. A single LMI070 dose in mice triggers YAP5SA expression, CM cell cycle re-entry, and reprogramming of the cardiac microenvironment. YAP5SA induction after MI rapidly improves cardiac function while pre-MI induction confers …