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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Covid-19 Vaccine Development Landscape, Areebah Ahmed

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

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

The Promises Of Neurodegenerative Disease Modeling, Jefin Jose

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Glia-Neuron Interactions In The Mammalian Retina, Jefin Jose

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

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

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

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

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

The Resulting Mental Health Pandemic From Covid-19: Research And Resources For Social Workers, Ami Lynch

Social Work Student Works

The COVID-19 pandemic will have long-lasting mental health impacts on hundreds of millions more worldwide than the contagion itself. Social workers are seeing increases in depression, anxiety, suicidality, and post-traumatic stress disorder and other negative mental health impacts. Because of this, social workers in all environments and modalities of practice need to be well-trained, agile, and energized while facing the pandemic themselves. This report compiles the impacts and concerns for a variety of social workers and their clients into a single, digestible source, supplemented by the “COVID-19 Resource Compendium for Social Workers and Their Clients”. Social workers must practice self-care, …

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

Director's Editorials from Age in Action

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

Leading From The Middle, Edward F. Ansello

Director's Editorials from Age in Action

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

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

Director's Editorials from Age in Action

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

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

Director's Editorials from Age in Action

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

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

Case Studies from Age in Action

Educational Objectives

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

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

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

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

Case Studies from Age in Action

Educational Objectives

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

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

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

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

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

Case Studies from Age in Action

Educational Objectives

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

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

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

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

Case Studies from Age in Action

Educational Objectives

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

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

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

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

An Equity-Focused Assessment Of The City Of Richmond’S Rvagreen 2050 Planning Process, Meghan Z. Gough, Eric Asplund, Rebekah Cazares, Gabriella Francese, Logan Ashby, David Sale, Rebecca Acland, Sara Barton, Nicholas Jancaitis, Ben Jordan, Desmond Smallwood, Jen Allen, Molly Mickens, Kerry Ramos, Sarah Mullarney, Michelle Murrills, Joseph Pickert

Urban and Regional Studies and Planning Reports

Local climate action and sustainability initiatives are often critiqued for their inattention to issues of equity and justice. In response, an increasing number of cities are now attempting to respond to this critique by making equity a more explicit goal of their climate action plans: Richmond Virginia is among those cities. The City of Richmond's Office of Sustainability committed to prioritizing equity in the RVAGreen 2050 plan by recognizing how Richmond’s history of racism and structural inequalities have exacerbated climate concerns for largely Black and Latinx communities and centering historically marginalized communities of color in the engagement process. Students in …

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Vcu Libraries Liaison Work Group Final Report, Bettina Peacemaker, Emily J. Hurst, Hillary Miller, Patricia D. Sobczak

VCU Libraries Task Force Reports

The Liaison Work Group convened in September 2019 to articulate the liaison model at VCU Libraries (VCUL) with a focus on strengthening collaboration and communication. This report reflects an environmental scan of liaison work at VCU Libraries.

Shared Governance Task Force Report, Hillary Miller, Bettina Peacemaker, Roy E. Brown, Isaak Hopson, Jeanne Scott, Anne Nguyen, Tammy Sugarman

VCU Libraries Task Force Reports

The VCU Libraries Shared Governance Task Force was convened in September 2019 and charged with reviewing and describing the current VCU Libraries’ governance structure, identifying gaps and areas for improvement, and recommending changes. The task force defined shared governance as a model where decision-making is collaborative, transparent, well-communicated, and informed by the perspectives of all those who are impacted by the decision. The report includes recommendations for specific decision-making groups such as the Administrative Council, Management Council, and Faculty Organization, as well as a recommendation to create an All Staff Organization that represents employees of all job categories within decision-making …

Vcu College Of Humanities And Sciences Racial Equity Assessment, The Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute At Virginia Commonwealth University, Nayef Chahin, Nicole Damico, Ross Losapio, Joycelyn Mahone, Virginia Mcghee, Meera Mehtahi, Ryan Patton

The Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute Publications

Racial equity is the process of ensuring that equal possible outcomes are available for every individual. At the College of Humanities and Sciences (CHS) an important goal is to ensure faculty and staff have access to the same opportunities, while accounting for those facing continued barriers. Following the establishment of the Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Committee, the current state of racial equity and the effectiveness of initiatives meant to correct for imbalance will be assessed.

Ensuring Language Access Equity In Virginia Government Services, Research Institute For Social Equity At Virginia Commonwealth University

Research Institute for Social Equity

This research report addresses the growing language needs of multilingual communities and people with LEP within the scope of the Appropriations Act, and the language equity and access for individuals with disabilities living in the Commonwealth of Virginia given the need for accessibility for people with disabilities (PWD) and the charge given within Executive Order 47. This report also assesses how the needs of people with LEP and PWD are currently being met and provides recommendations to implement a state government language access policy that ensures equitable access to state services for people with limited language proficiency, including multilingual speakers, …

N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor Antibodies In Herpes Simplex Encephalitis, Jefin Jose

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

Despite the relatively-low prevalence of Herpes Simplex Encephalitis (HSE), it is among the most fatal forms of brain inflammation. In the present study, Pruss et al. seeks to determine the presence of and quantify the specific immunity towards the N-Methyl-D-Aspartate receptor (NMDAR), a synaptic protein, in serum and CSF from patients diagnosed with HSE through PCR techniques. The results showed that up to 30% of patients with HSE also developed anti-NMDAR immunity, demonstrating the presence of a causal relationship. The underlying reason for this association remains unclear.

Neuropathology Of Parkinson Disease, Jefin Jose

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

Parkinson's disease until now has been characterized by a number of symptoms rather than an underlying cause. In Dr. Dickson's review of autopsy patients, he discovered the development of Lewy bodies (α-synuclein aggregates) in over 75% with Parkinson's disease postmortem. Several of these patients were misdiagnosed with other disorders such as multiple system atrophy or corticobasal degeneration. Dr. Dickson's survey of Parkinson's brains in the Mayo Clinic brain bank confirms the utility of postmortem investigation and the prevalence of Lewy body disease in Parkinson's patients.

Virginia Commonwealth University Courses [2021], Virginia Commonwealth University

VCU Bulletins

Listing of courses for the 2021-2022 year.

Radically Reimagining Our Systems, Danny Tk Avula

Richmond Racial Equity Essays: Individual Essays

The author recommends ways organizations can do the difficult and sustained work it requires to realize equity in the Richmond Region: recognize that our systems perpetuate disparity; develop cross-sector solutions; drive change with data; partner with the people.