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Drd2 Rs6276 Polymorphism And Trait Impulsivity In Individuals With Mixed Behavioral And Substance Addictions, Gabriela Zdunek, Remigiusz Recław, Aleksandra Suchanecka, Krzysztof Chmielowiec, Dariusz Larysz, Patryk Ilków, Kinga Łosińska, Jolanta Chmielowiec, Łukasz Jaworski, Anna Grzywacz

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background/Objectives: Impulsivity is a key transdiagnostic trait linked to dysregulated reward processing in both behavioral and substance-related addictions, as recognized in DSM-5. Dopaminergic genes, including DRD2, may modulate individual differences in impulsivity, particularly under conditions of increased addiction vulnerability. This study examined whether the DRD2 Exon 8 rs6276 polymorphism predicts impulsivity levels in men with mixed addictive behaviors compared with healthy controls. Methods: A total of 328 males (128 with mixed behavioral and substance addictions and 200 controls) were assessed. Diagnoses were confirmed using the MINI interview, and impulsivity was measured with the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11). Genotyping of …

Icdpicr2 Calculates Abbreviated Injury Scale Scores From Diagnostic Codes: Limitations For Traumatic Brain Injury Epidemiology, Joseph Piatt

Department of Pediatrics Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Many large data sets are limited in their usefulness for trauma epidemiology by a paucity of clinical data reflecting injury severity. Software packages have been developed for extrapolation of diagnostic codes to Injury Severity Scores commonly used in trauma research. The aim of this project was to evaluate one recently upgraded package, ICDPICR2.

METHODS: Data were taken from the Trauma Quality Improvement Program (TQIP) for 2022. The inclusion criterion was an Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) head score of 1 or greater. The ICDPICR2 package in R was used to calculate AIS body region scores and Injury Severity Scores (ISS) …

Unpacking Developmental Programming: A Conceptual And Historical Analysis In The Context Of Dohad, Andrea Gretchev, Heide S. Temples, Gillian England-Mason, Deborah Dewey, Sara M. Sarasua, Christopher Farrell, Vivian Haley-Zitlin

Publications

The Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) paradigm posits that early environmental factors may influence a child’s development and long-term health outcomes. Developmental programming (DP) is central to this paradigm, whereby specific early life exposures during critical periods of development are associated with changes to physiological and metabolic pathways, potentially predisposing individuals to disease. However, no standard definition of DP exists, and various terms have been used to describe similar processes. This analysis aimed to develop a conceptual definition for DP to inform interdisciplinary research, education, and practice. Walker and Avant’s eight-step method was employed to analyze the literature, …

Transcultural Headache Medicine: A Framework For Integrating Cultural Contexts Into Headache Science And Care - A Call To Action From The International Headache Society., Mario F. P. Peres, Giancarlo Lucchetti, Homero Vallada, Ivy L. Riso, Georgia K. Westenhofen, Marcelo Moraes Valença, Juliana Ramos De Andrade, K. C. Brennan, Morris Levin, Tsubasa Takizawa, Zhao Dong, Yonggang Wang, Wanakorn Rattanawong, Henry Riyanto Sofyan, Massimo Leone, Freda Dodd-Glover, Hsiangkuo Yuan, Abdulrazaq Albilali, Taoufik Alsaadi, Leonardo Caixeta, Anna P. Andreou, Peter J. Goadsby, Antoinette Maassenvandenbrink, Sait Ashina, Rami Burstein, Patricia Pozo-Rosich, Fayyaz Ahmed, Shuu-Jiun Wang

Department of Jefferson Headache Center Papers and Presentations

Headache disorders are among the most disabling neurological conditions, affecting over 1.5 billion people globally. Despite advances in pharmacological therapies, major inequities persist due to underdiagnosis, undertreatment and limited access to effective care, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Social determinants of health, including cultural meanings, language and health beliefs, are increasingly recognized as key drivers of disparities in burden, diagnosis and treatment outcomes. Traditional medicine, used by more than 80% of the global population, remains first-line care in many regions and continues to influence therapeutic choices in high-income settings. Major systems such as Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Unani and …

Early Mental Health Screening In The Gi Patient Population: A Quality Improvement Project, Jacqueline Sagala

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Aims

This quality improvement project aimed to increase awareness and better integrate mental health screening in a GI clinic by educating staff and providers. The project evaluated changes in depression literacy, attitudes toward mental illness assessment, perceived training effectiveness, use of the training in clinical practice, and referrals to the Resiliency Clinic.

Background

Patients with chronic GI disorders commonly experience anxiety and depression, yet mental health concerns are often overlooked in specialty care. Although annual depression screening was already a part of the standard care at the Digestive Disease Center at Loma Linda University Faculty Medical Clinics, staff education and …

Assessing The Association Between Musculoskeletal Injury And Mental Health In Rugby Players-A Cross-Sectional Study, Mordicai Atinga, Jasmit Shah, Sarah Karanja, Mark Lumbasi, Miriam Ndungu, Sarah Kiburi, James Ondiege, Njalalle Baraza

Internal Medicine, East Africa

Background: Musculoskeletal injuries are common among athletes and can negatively affect both physical and psychological wellbeing. Beyond physical disability, injuries have been linked to poor mental health, loss of athletic identity, and increased substance use. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where awareness and management of mental health remain limited, the psychological burden of sports injuries may be underrecognized. Rugby, a physically demanding contact sport, has one of the highest rates of injury, but little is known about how such injuries influence mental health and related outcomes in African contexts. This study explored the relationship between musculoskeletal injuries and health …

Resilience Factors For Physical Activity After Completion Of Intensive Interdisciplinary Pain Treatment: A Qualitative Analysis., William R. Black, Lora L. Black, Jennifer Christofferson, Liesbet Goubert, Cara M. Hoffart, Dustin Wallace

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

OBJECTIVES: This study explored potential resilience factors that facilitate engagement in physical activity (PA) among adolescents with chronic musculoskeletal pain after completing intensive interdisciplinary pain treatment.

METHODS: Ten adolescents aged 13 to 17 years with a history of chronic musculoskeletal pain from a mid-western pediatric hospital in the United States participated in this qualitative study. Participants provided demographic information and completed semistructured virtual interviews. The interviews focused on their pain experiences, resilience, and engagement in PA. Transcripts were analyzed using primarily directed content analysis based on a pain resilience framework.

RESULTS: Participants highlighted several key resilience factors that influenced their …

Proximal And Distal Factors Associated With Obesity In Childhood: An Exploratory Structural Equation Model., Joseph A. Skelton, Erinn T. Rhodes, Sarah Hampl, Ihuoma Eneli, Edward H. Ip, Sit Study Research Group

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: Obesity in childhood is complex; structural equation modeling (SEM) offers an approach to ascertain complicated relationships between weight and proximal (health behaviors, child health) and distal (family/household, community) variables. The objective of the study was to use SEM to map the influence of different etiological clusters on obesity in childhood.

METHODS: Secondary analysis of baseline data from patients and parents enrolled in a multi-site study of pediatric weight management was conducted. The primary outcome was weight status (utilizing percentage above the 95th percentile BMI, %95BMI). SEM was used to evaluate the influences of variables proximal and distal to child …

A Comparative Analysis Of Group Care: Trust, Professional Identity, And Health System Structure In The United Kingdom And The Netherlands, Samantha J. Kohlmann

Senior Theses

Group prenatal care (Group Care) has been associated with improved maternal experiences and select clinical outcomes, yet less is understood about how it functions within high-resource health systems and what mechanisms underlie its impact. This study examines how Group Care is implemented in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, with particular attention to professional roles, relational dynamics, and health system context.

I employed a qualitative, comparative design and conducted four semi-structured interviews with midwife researchers involved in Group Care implementation in both countries. Data were analyzed thematically, with attention to cross-context similarities and differences.

Findings indicate that Group Care operates …

Neurophenomenology: A Research Method Combining Neuroscience And Philosophy, Jonas Lokensgard

Posters - 2026

Neurophenomenology – Cognitive Sciences + Phenomenology Phenomenology – the study of consciousness (basically just how you experience things) Cognitive Sciences – The study of the functional processes of the mind, and the operations of the brain that enable these processes to be performed. (“Cognitive Science” 2004)

Comparison Of Levels Of Bmi, Stress, And Depression Of Women During The Prenatal Period Relative To Their Activity Levels, Kalayna King

Honors Theses

This study aimed to analyze the relationships between activity levels, Body Mass Index (BMI), stress levels, and depression symptoms in obese pregnant women in Arkansas. Two separate exercise intervention studies were combined in this analysis to ultimately give a sample size of 293 pregnant women who were randomized into standard of care group (control) and an exercise group (treatment/experimental) (n = 115 and n = 178, respectively). Women in the control groups were instructed to independently continue to follow the physical activity guidelines recommended by their gynecologist, whereas the experimental groups participated in a combination of aerobic and resistance exercise …

2026 Research Day Program, Lincoln Memorial University

Research Day

This program contains abstracts and presentation summaries from LMU's 2026 Annual Research Day conference.

Exploring How Parental Involvement Impacts Police Encounters And Delinquent Behaviors Among Black Adolescent Girls, Danielle Porter, Elizabeth A. Otto, Dyamon Brown, Jasmine Alli, Robyn Douglas, Noni Gaylord-Harden

Presentations

Adolescents’ contact with police is a complex outcome that is influenced by both individual behavior and the broader social context. Specifically, while delinquent behavior can lead to more police contact (Crutchfield et al., 2012), hyper-surveillance often occurs in marginalized communities, increasing unjustified police contact for youth of color (Campos-Manzo et al., 2020; Geller, 2021). Indeed, racial disparities in police contact during adolescence persist even after accounting for delinquent behavior (Campos-Manzo et al., 2020; Crutchfield et al., 2012). Thus, it is important to identify factors that may protect Black youth from contact with police. Parental involvement refers to parents’ active and …

Fronto-Cerebellar Features Associate With Cognitive Dysfunction In Childhood-Onset Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Hanne Van Der Heijden, Gabrielle Alonzi, Amanda Cao, Raquel Van Gool, Merve Koç Yekedüz, Lise Vrolix, Itamar Ronen, Vanessa Rameh, Kyle Mcbrearty, Aditi Deokar, Robert P Sundel, Eyal Muscal, Joseph Gonzalez-Heydrich, Andrea Knight, Joyce C Chang, Jaymin Upadhyay

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Objective: Cognitive dysfunction (CD) is a prevalent symptom in childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE). This study aimed to investigate the neurobehavioral basis of CD in cSLE.

Methods: Patients with cSLE (N=20) and age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs, N=20) completed questionnaires and multiple neurocognitive tests. The Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000 and laboratory markers were used to monitor patients' clinical status. Neuroimaging assessments included functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and structural MRI.

Results: cSLE patients demonstrated moderate disease activity with high inflammation and immune dysregulation, alongside low medication adherence. Relative to HCs, cSLE patients …

Beyond Parallel Programmes: A Roadmap For Operational Integration Of Family Planning And Nutrition In Low- And Middle-Income Countries, Marleen Temmerman, Samuel Ojong

Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health

No abstract provided.

Beyond Parallel Programmes: A Roadmap For Operational Integration Of Family Planning And Nutrition In Low- And Middle-Income Countries, Marleen Temmerman, Samuel Ojong

Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health

No abstract provided.

Empathy, Compassion Fatigue, And Resilience In Central Florida Firefighters And Ems Personnel, Lisa M. Correll

PhD in Education

The purpose of this nonexperimental quantitative study was to determine the relationship between empathy, compassion fatigue (CF), and resilience in firefighters and EMS personnel. Career firefighters and EMS personnel (N = 76) in Central Florida participated in an online survey that included demographic information, the Empathy Assessment Index, Professional Quality of Life Scale, and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale-10. Participants reported high perceptions of empathy (M = 4.11), resilience (M = 3.98), and quality of life (M = 3.28), but CF was perceived at low levels (M = 2.97). Empathy was not predictive of CF, indicating that overall empathy alone does …

Aht Diagnoses: The Influences Of Clinical Presentation And Evidence Of Impact, Ruairi Smith-Dewey, Angela Bachim, Colleen Bressler, Kristine Campbell, Lori Frasier, Christopher Greeley, Danielle Horton, Nicole Johnson, Jan Leonard, Megan M Letson, Caitlin Mcnamara, Ashley Sherman, Shalon Nienow, Stuart Sommers, Joanne N Wood, James Anderst

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: The frequency of abusive head trauma (AHT) diagnoses by child abuse pediatricians (CAPs), especially regarding external evidence of head impact, has been questioned.

Objectives: To compare CAP diagnoses in subjects with subdural hemorrhage (SDH) across clinical presentations, including subgroups with and without external evidence of head impact. Additionally, we aimed to describe subjects with SDH and concomitant suspicious injuries (CSI) without evidence of head impact.

Participants and setting: Multicenter retrospective study including subjects < 24 months old with SDH.

Methods: Subjects were divided into groups based on clinical presentations: Ill SDH only, Non-ill SDH only, and SDH + CSI. Groups were subcategorized based on presence/absence …

Yield Of Injury Testing For Contacts Of Children Evaluated For Physical Abuse, Lígia Batista, Joanne N Wood, Tagrid M Ruiz-Maldonado, M Katherine Henry, Jan Leonard, Angela Bachim, James D Anderst, Farah W Brink, Hannah B Sahud, Lori D Frasier, Nancy S Harper, Natalie Laub, Colleen J Bressler, Daniel M Lindberg

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Siblings and household contacts of physically abused children are at increased risk for physical abuse and may have injuries that are not clinically apparent. However, injury testing recommendations for contact children remain debated.

Objective: Our objective was to describe testing practices and yield for contacts of physically abused children.

Participants and settings: This is a cross-sectional study of children < 10 years old evaluated for physical abuse at 10 US pediatric referral centers in the CAPNET research network.

Methods: We report the proportion of contact children who had a skeletal survey (SS) or neuroimaging and describe the proportion of tests that identified injuries.

Results: Among 6256 index evaluations, 4863 contacts were identified. Among 794 contacts with physical examinations, …

Black Equality In Ocd Neurogenomics (Belong): Study Protocol, Iasha J Williams, Dalia Y Marquez, Kara E Lopez-Lengowski, Malini Bommiasamy, Ogechi Cynthia Onyeka, Slayton J Underwood, Juliana E Avery, Jacob Gluckman, Thariana Pichardo, Rhea Chandler, Yulu Brown, Katie Mangen, Emma Grace Choplin, Black Equality In Ocd Neurogenomics (Belong) Study Team, Sonyia C Richardson, Joseph D Buxbaum, Eric A Storch, James J Crowley, Sidney H Hankerson, Dorothy E Grice

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic, serious psychiatric disorder that affects 2%-3% of the population and is associated with high personal and societal costs. Genetic factors are estimated to explain roughly half the risk of developing OCD, and genomic studies are just beginning to identify common and rare genetic variants mediating this risk. A major goal of genomic studies is to yield insights into the etiology of OCD and identify molecular targets for the development of novel therapeutics. However, the overwhelming majority of subjects in existing genetic studies are of European ancestry, limiting the generalizability of these findings. To address …

Physical And Physiological Profiles Of Competitive Fencers: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis Of Strength, Power, Endurance, Agility And Asymmetry, Joanna Motowidło, Miłosz Drozd, Petr Stastny, Dariusz T. Skalski, Izabella Socha, Adam Maszczyk

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: Evidence on lower-limb strength, explosive power and bilateral asymmetry in competitive fencing is fragmented, and the relative impact of general neuromuscular capacity versus targeted training interventions remains unclear. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to provide a multidimensional, evidence-based synthesis of data on strength, power, and bilateral asymmetry of the lower limbs in professional fencers. Materials and methods: Following PRISMA 2020 (PROSPERO CRD420251041007), six databases were searched by 31 January 2025. Forty studies of fencers aged ≥ 12 years met the inclusion criteria. Three domain-specific random-effects meta-analyses (DerSimonian–Laird) were conducted: (1) integrated strength and power across …

Antipsychotics As Adjunct Therapy In Risk Reduction Of Crisis Admission: An Analysis Of Historical Patient Data, Slawomir Piela, Eduardo Espiridion

Transformative Medicine

Introduction: Antipsychotics are a broad class of medication used in the management of psychotic symptoms in various disorders. In recent years, they have been approved for use as adjunct therapy in patients with treatment resistant depression and bipolar disorder. An outcome of this therapy that has not been extensively investigated is the associated likelihood of crisis events that necessitate admission to an emergency department or crisis center. Methods: In this study, we reviewed historic patient data to determine the association of risk of crisis admission in patients prescribed antipsychotics as adjunct therapy in the context of treatment resistant depression or …

Atrial Fibrillation In Athletes: Mechanisms, Management, And Future Directions, Ibrahim Alameh, Ghina Al Fout, Michael D. Ezekowitz, Mohammed Kamareddine

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: High-volume endurance training may shift exercise from cardioprotective to arrhythmogenic, increasing the risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) in healthy athletes.

CASE SUMMARY: A 38-year-old marathon runner with a 15-year history of high-intensity endurance training presented with episodic palpitations and reduced athletic performance. Electrocardiogram showed paroxysmal AF; echocardiography revealed mild left atrial enlargement without structural heart disease. Symptoms worsened during the recovery phase after runs, suggesting vagally mediated AF. After unsuccessful flecainide therapy, he underwent pulmonary vein isolation. Twelve months later, he remained free of recurrent AF on Holter monitoring and successfully resumed endurance training following an 8-week recovery period. …

Evaluating Sensory Sensitivities Among Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder In An Adaptive Gymnastics Program, Aicha Kaouss, Bradley Eppinger, Austin Ebbrecht, Kailash Ram, Kaitlin P. Hardy Md

Knowledge and Creativity Expo

Introduction: Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) participate in physical activity at lower rates than their neurotypical peers1. Sensory sensitivities, reported in approximately 75–95% of children with ASD, may contribute to this disparity2. Gymnastics environments involve bright lighting and loud noise, which can precipitate sensory overload. The impact of specific sensory features on participation in adaptive gymnastics remains underexplored.

Methods: A cross-sectional study recruited caregivers of children aged 3–12 years with an ASD diagnosis enrolled in the EVMS Adaptive Gymnastics Program. Caregivers completed the Sensory Experiences Questionnaire–Third Edition (SEQ-3)3 and supplemental survey items on Redcap which assessed environmental triggers and …

The Epigenetic Effects Of Prenatal Diabetes On The Developing Vascular System- A Gsea Analysis, Daniel I. Telles Orellana

SPARK Symposium Presentations

Prenatal diabetes is a critical medical condition that extensively affects neonatal patients and their families. Numerous previous studies have suggested impairments in vascular development, size, and diversification; however, the molecular and gene regulatory mechanisms underlying these effects remain poorly understood. Understanding these mechanisms is essential for identifying potential therapeutic targets and improving treatment strategies. This study combined experimental zebrafish phenotypic analysis with re-analysis of publicly available RNA-seq data to investigate the effects of elevated glucose on embryonic vascular development. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos were exposed to increasing glucose concentrations (1–3%) during early developmental stages. High glucose exposure showed …

Limited English Proficiency, Acculturative Stress, And Quality Of Life Among Korean American Patients With Chronic Hepatitis B, Hee-Soon Juon, Gilbert C. Gee, Julia G. Katcher, Daniel Yang, Katherine Smith, Ann C. Klassen

Department of Medical Oncology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is one of the most widespread liver diseases in the world and disproportionately affects Asian Americans, who are further impacted by the lower quality of life imposed by the infection. Limited English proficiency (LEP) and acculturative stress play an important role in the study of patients with CHB, but the interrelationships of LEP, acculturative stress, and health outcomes are not well studied in this population. This study aims to explore how acculturative stress mediates the relationship between LEP and health outcomes among Korean American patients with CHB.

METHODS: A total of 365 CHB patients completed …

Depression And Psychotic Disorders Worsen Perioperative Outcomes And Increase Resource Utilization After Multilevel Lumbar Fusion: Implications For Screening And Perioperative Care, Leonidas E. Mastrokostas, Paul G. Mastrokostas, Luke B. Schwartz, Abigail Razi, Sean Inzerillo, John K. Houten, Arya Varthi, Alex R. Vaccaro, Jad Bou Monsef, Afshin E. Razi, Mitchell K. Ng

Rothman Institute Papers

CONTEXT: Multilevel lumbar fusion use has increased with an aging U.S. population. Depression and psychotic disorders are linked to poorer surgical outcomes, but their effects in this setting are unclear.

AIMS: The aims of this study were to quantify the prevalence of these disorders and evaluate associations with perioperative outcomes and resource use.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This was a retrospective cohort study using the National Inpatient Sample from 2016 to 2022.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Depression and psychotic disorders were defined using Elixhauser-derived indicators. Outcomes included medical and mechanical complications, discharge disposition, length of stay (LOS), and costs.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: …

The Level Of Physical Activity And The Feeling Of Stress In Difficult Life Situations Among Refugees From Ukraine, Bartosz Gondek, Iwona Bonisławska, Milena Lachowicz

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: Russia's attack on Ukraine in February 2022 started the largest armed conflict in Europe since World War II. In the face of danger, crowds of civilians decided to leave their homes and escape, among others, to Poland in search of shelter. Materials and methods: The research was conducted on groups of refugees from Ukraine who registered in the first days of the war in Sopot and Pruszcz Gdanski. The refugees came from Kharkov, Mariupol, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, and western Ukraine (not involved in hostilities). People from the war zone areas mostly came with only hand luggage. The respondents were divided …

Impact Of Depression And Anxiety On Outcomes Following Muscle-Preserving Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody And Fusion., Sahil Garg, Sean M Muir, Kyle Jamar, Alexa Dietrich, Patrick Young, Sonny Gill

Surgery Articles

Background: The impact of concurrent diagnoses of anxiety and depression has not been extensively studied in spine surgery. We hypothesize that a muscle-sparing technique may be associated with decreased postoperative pain and improved strength postoperatively compared to open techniques, decreasing the stress of the postoperative recovery process. Therefore, this study aims to assess the benefits that a modified muscle-preserving lumbar fusion technique (Wiltse transforaminal lumbar interbody and fusion (W-TLIF)) would have on this subset of patients.

Methods: One hundred twenty subjects who underwent a single-level W-TLIF were identified with a recorded diagnosis status associated with mental health. The subjects underwent …

The Prospects Of Car T-Cell Therapies In Changing The Therapeutic Algorithm Of Neurologic Autoimmunities, Marinos C. Dalakas

Department of Neurosurgery Faculty Papers

T cells, genetically modified to express chimeric antigen receptors (CAR T), successfully used in hemato-oncologic malignancies, are showing promising and sustained benefits in refractory autoimmune neurological diseases, including Myasthenia Gravis, stiff-person syndrome, neuromyelitis optica, myositis, autoimmune neuropathies, and multiple sclerosis. Several reported patients with a steadily progressive disease and evolving disability unresponsive to available therapies, including rituximab and new biologics, after 2-3 months of treatment with CARs targeting CD19-positive, antibody-secreting, long-lived plasma cells, and plasmablasts exhibit impressive, long-lasting, and drug-free clinical improvements with the potential for immune reset shifting immunity to a healthy state without the need for continuing more …