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"Cruel Memories," Song Lyrics, Undated, Bill Gessner

Bill Gessner Song Lyrics and Poems

Song lyrics for "Cruel Memories" by Bill Gessner. Seven pages total, including one double-sided page. The typewritten pages include multiple versions of the lyrics, with some pages including handwritten marks and notes; some notes and suggested revisions appear on yellow post-it notes affixed to the sheets of paper. The song is at least partly concerned with changes and restrictions to diet.

Implementing A Specific And Standardized Grading Scale For Therapeutic Injection Site Reactions To Improve Adverse Event Reporting, Priya Kale, Kavita Sarin

Research Colloquium

Up to 15.5% of patients taking biologic medication experience injection site reactions (ISRs) leading to morbidity, early discontinuation, and reduced treatment compliance. As biologic medications are increasingly used to treat chronic inflammatory conditions, including psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, there needs to be an improved understanding of ISRs. However, current methods of grading ISRs are nonspecific and unstandardized leading to a lack of understanding of medication-specific ISRs and ambiguity in perceptions of treatment tolerability. Here we aim to develop a standardized ISR grading scale for use in clinical trials. A scoping review was performed to evaluate current ISR grading scales and …

The Sodium Chronicles: Unraveling The Enigma Of Hypothyroidism-Induced Hyponatremia, Raquel Z. Lara, Tejaswini Swamy, Jennifer Rojas Huen, Ricardo Serna

Research Colloquium

Background: Hyponatremia is an electrolyte disturbance with various etiologies, but hypothyroidism is rarely the primary cause. Literature suggests that hypothyroidism-related hyponatremia occurs primarily in severe cases, with some studies suggesting that hypothyroidism should not be considered a sole contributor if TSH levels are below 50 mIU/L. Patients with hyponatremia have a high risk of prolonged hospital stays and readmission, underscoring the clinical importance of identifying uncommon causes such as severe hypothyroidism. This case highlights this rare association, contributing to the existing limited literature.

Case Presentation: A 74-year-old woman with Type 2 Diabetes, complicated nephrotic syndrome and nephropathy, congestive heart failure, …

Comparison Of Cytology And Histology Diagnosis Methods In Metastatic Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer, Phyllis Yang, John Nicholas Cauba, Shizue Mito

Research Colloquium

Background: Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is a rare and extremely aggressive form of thyroid cancer that presents as a rapidly enlarging neck mass with compressive symptoms. Its malignancy and mortality rates approach nearly 90% and is a feared transformation of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). A contributor to its increased mortality is its predilection for metastasis, which by nature, is less documented in medical literature. The study of ATC’s diagnostic algorithm, which classically utilizes cytological and histological confirmation, is crucial in enhancing early recognition and atypical presentations.

Methods: This systematic review catalogs the diagnosis, clinical properties, and metastasis sites of anaplastic …

Alleviating Social And Psychological Ill-Being Research & Evaluation (Aspire) Study: Implementing An Act-Based Pathway For Patients In Primary Care, Monica C. Perez, Deepu George, Maria Hernandez, J. Garza, S. Solis

Research Colloquium

The Alleviating Social and Psychological Ill-being Research and Evaluation (ASPIRE) Study addresses a critical care gap for patients in the Rio Grande Valley by increasing access to behavioral health services within primary care. Psychosocial distress - including anxiety, depression, and lack of social support - negatively affects health outcomes and contributes to health disparities. The ASPIRE Study evaluates the impact of an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)-based Psychological Flexibility (PF) Pathway on emotional well-being, systemic inflammation, and care engagement among patients in primary care settings.

Differences In Emergency Department Imaging Modalities For Femur Fractures Based On Insurance And Demographics, Patrick De La Torre Schutz, Bryce M. Bellon, Daniel Salinas, Kelsey Baker, Hamaad Gohar

Research Colloquium

Insurance status and race have been significant predictors of delayed care and reduced imaging utilization in emergency settings, particularly among minority and Medicaid-insured populations (Moser, Shan). The reasoning for the disparities in treatment for these underserved populations is still not well understood. To further analyze these claims, this study examined whether demographic factors such as ethnicity, sex, age, insurance type, and fracture classification were associated with differences in imaging modality among patients with femur fractures. Data from the Texas Department of State Health Services Trauma Registry (2018–2022) was analyzed using logistic regression to determine the odds ratios of receiving CT, …

Tc-Ptp Enhances Cordycepin-Induced Apoptosis In Human Pancreatic Cancer Cells, Olivia Samaie, Rodrigo Vidales, Lindsey Shim, Murali M. Yallapu, Subhash C. Chauhan, Mushfiq Hassan Shaikh, Dae Joon Kim

Research Colloquium

Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly aggressive malignancy marked by early metastasis, dense desmoplastic stroma, and profound resistance to conventional therapies. Despite the development of combination regimens such as gemcitabine and FOLFIRINOX, outcomes remain dismal, with median survival under one year for metastatic cases. This underscores the urgent need for novel therapeutic approaches that target multiple pathways simultaneously. T-cell protein tyrosine phosphatase (TC-PTP) is one of nonreceptor PTPs that negatively regulates oncogenic signaling pathways, particularly STAT3 and AKT, both of which are constitutively active in many solid tumors. Cordycepin, a nucleoside analogue derived from Cordyceps militaris, has …

Vitamin D3 Improves Non-Surgical Periodontal Treatment Outcomes, With Reduced Benefit In Type 2 Diabetes: Evidence From Two Randomized Controlled Trials (Rct), Noah Al-Hassan, John Nicholas Cauba, Taha Al-Hassan, Krishi Korrapati, Seratna Guadarrama-Beltran, Maria Quinones, Juan Carlos Lopez-Alvarenga

Research Colloquium

Background: Non‐surgical periodontal therapy reduces bacterial biofilm and inflammation in chronic periodontitis but often leaves residual pockets. Vitamin D₃ has immunomodulatory and anti‐inflammatory effects that may improve healing when added. Randomized evidence in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is scarce.

Methods: We meta‐analyzed two RCTs from 2023–2024. Lei et al. randomized 60 non‐diabetic adults to high‐dose (100 000 IU/month), low‐dose (25 000 IU/month), or no vitamin D₃ with standard therapy. Ramaprabha et al. enrolled 92 males (46 with T2DM, 46 without) randomized to 60 000 IU/week vitamin D₃ or therapy alone. Outcomes were changes in probing pocket depth …

Mthfr’S Role In Neuropsychiatric Disorders: Insights Into Precision Psychiatric Treatment, Anjana Ganesh, Nina Mourão, Elena Dike, Bharathi Gadad

Research Colloquium

Background: More than one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness (1). Symptoms can range from mild to severe, with neuropsychiatric patients experiencing major difficulty in their daily activities. In 2021, an estimated 14.5 million adults in the United States had at least one major depressive episode with severe impairment in the past year (2). Treatment options currently include therapeutic and pharmacologic interventions based on large group data, but medications often take months to years to tailor to each patient. Genetic analysis provides an opportunity for personalized medicine for this vulnerable patient population through insight into the basis …

Murine Typhus Masquerading As A Urinary Tract Infection: A Case From Endemic South Texas, Nida Asif, Yareli Durazo, Corey Haines, Cesar Gutierrez

Research Colloquium

Background: Murine Typhus is a rare flea borne illness caused by Rickettsia typhi, with approximately 100-200 cases reported annually in the United States, primarily in Southern Texas, California and Hawaii, transmitted by fleas from rodents or other animals. It often presents with nonspecific symptoms, making diagnosis challenging. Given its vague clinical presentation and regional endemicity, murine typhus is frequently underrecognized delaying appropriate treatment.

Case presentation:A 77-year-old lady with a known history of HFrEF of 25-30% was presented to the ED due to mild left lower quadrant abdominal pain associated with two episodes of loose bowel movements and decreased appetite …

Chronic Diarrhea And Severe Hypokalemia In An Aids Patient: Unmasking Cryptosporidium Infection, Nida Asif, Elizabeth Mills, Sikandar Zia

Research Colloquium

Background: Cryptosporidiosis is a common cause of chronic diarrhea in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome particularly those with CD4 counts below 100 cells/mm3. In such cases, persistent gastrointestinal losses can result in severe electrolyte abnormalities, including life threatening hypokalemia. Recognizing this association is critical as delayed correction may result in serious morbidity. Reporting cases with this complication enhances clinical awareness and may guide more vigilant electrolyte monitoring in similar patients.

Case presentation: A 41-year-old male with a history of HIV diagnosed in 2005 and progression to AIDS (acquired human immunodeficiency) presented to the emergency department with a one-month history of …

“Trapped In Silence”: Chronic Phenytoin Toxicity In A Nonverbal Elderly With Cerebral Palsy, Nida Asif, Sikandar Zia, Yareli Durazo, Oyinlola Fasehun, Andres Suarez Parraga

Research Colloquium

Background: Phenytoin is the one of the oldest and widely prescribed anticonvulsant drugs with a narrow therapeutic index, exhibiting saturable metabolism at higher concentrations, hence small dose changes can disproportionately raise serum levels and precipitate toxicity. Chronic use can result in neurological toxicity (e.g., ataxia, nystagmus). Because these manifestations are often nonspecific, chronic phenytoin toxicity is frequently under-recognized or misattributed to other conditions especially in patients unable to report symptoms.

Case presentation: A 73-year-old female with past medical history of cerebral palsy with associated neurological complications including cognitive impairment, nonverbal status and childhood epilepsy maintained on long term phenytoin therapy …

Genetic Analysis Of Strabismus, Nystagmus, And Associated Disorders, Nafiza Meher, Mayra Martinez Sanchez, Pablo Altschwager Kreft, Anne Fulton, Mary C. Whitman

Research Colloquium

Strabismus and nystagmus are prevalent eye movement disorders that impair visual function and overall quality of life. Strabismus refers to the misalignment of the eyes, while nystagmus is involuntary oscillatory eye movements. Both may be isolated conditions or indicators of underlying ocular, neurological, or genetic causes. Although numerous genes have been associated with nystagmus related disorders, there is still much to be known regarding causes of idiopathic nystagmus. Strabismus, especially when occurring isolated, has no known genetic causes, hindering progress in early diagnosis and targeted management. This study utilizes next-generation whole-genome sequencing (WGS) to improve diagnostic outcomes, explore potential candidate …

Fortify Resilience A Multi-Level Approach To Mitigating Burnout And Promoting Well-Being In Physician Residents, Monica C. Perez, Yvette K. Cantu Cazares, M. Hernandez, Deepu George

Research Colloquium

The Fortify Resilience initiative is a multi-level program designed to cultivate and sustain a culture of well-being for Residents and Fellows (R/Fs) at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) School of Medicine’s (SOM) Graduate Medical Education (GME) residency and fellowship programs. This initiative addresses burnout and invests in well-being at individual, group, and institutional levels through three core drivers: Access Strategy, Empowerment Initiatives, and System Redesign.

Muc13 Confers Radio-Resistance In Colorectal Cancer Cells, Shabnam Malik, Mohammed Sikander, Daniel Zubieta, Kyle Doxtater, Manish Tripathi, Murali Yallapu, Subhash Chauhan

Research Colloquium

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most frequently diagnosed cancer globally and presents a substantial public health concern due to its elevated incidence and mortality rates. A significant challenge in CRC management is the emergence of radio-resistance, which reduces the efficacy of radiotherapy. Thus, it is essential to identify novel molecular mechanisms that contribute to radio-resistance in CRC. Recent studies, including our own, have identified MUC13 as a critical factor in the progression and metastasis of CRC; however, its role in radio-resistance remains inadequately understood. In this study, we investigated the impact of MUC13 expression on radio-resistance in CRC …

Generation Z And Entrepreneurship: Community Banking’S Next Challenge, Arturo Rodriguez

Journal of Business & Entrepreneurship

Generation Z (Gen Z), is currently graduating from college and joining the workforce in the United States. Gen Z is distinctly unique from other generations and has been identified as highly entrepreneurial. Gen Z has also been recognized as being highly reliant on technology, which is something that the banking industry, but specifically, smaller community banks have not yet fully embraced. This paper explores strategies that community banks’ executives and board of directors can utilize to attract Gen Z entrepreneurs who, in general, despise or do not have knowledge of the way in which banks conduct business lending.

Hnrnpk, A Potential Patient Biomarker Correlated With Lncrna Malat1 In Hepatocellular Carcinom, Mohammad Shabir Hussain, Salique H. Shaham, Veerababu Nagati, Yamile A. Anaya, Subhash C. Chauhan, Manish Kumar Tripathi

Research Colloquium

Background and Aims: The liver is a vital organ involved in metabolism, and liver cancer represents a significant global health challenge, with an expected annual incidence to surpass one million cases worldwide by 2025. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of primary liver cancer, making up about 90% of cases, and remains the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. According to the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Facts & Figures 2025, an estimated 42,240 new cases of liver and intrahepatic bile duct cancer and 30,090 deaths are anticipated in the United States in 2025. In Texas, projections …

Developing A Tnbc Resistance Model And Identifying Unique Molecular Pathways Related To Drug Resistance, Melina J. Sedano, Subramanian Dhandayuthapani, Murali Yallapu, Subhash Chauhan, Shrikanth Gadad

Research Colloquium

Background: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is projected to make up about 10–15% of all new breast cancer cases in 2025, with poorer outcomes than other subtypes. An estimated 42,170 women will die from breast cancer this year. TNBC often involves larger, higher-grade tumors, leading to lower survival and recurrence-free rates. Chemotherapy, especially anthracyclines like doxorubicin, is commonly used, but its efficacy is limited by drug resistance. The mechanisms behind this resistance are unclear, possibly involving changes in cellular pathways, interactions with the extracellular matrix, or epigenetic modifications.

Methods: To study resistance, two TNBC cell lines were gradually exposed to increasing …

Studying Molecular Mechanism In The Progression Of Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Mohammed Sikander, Shabnam Malik, Swatantra K. Jain, Deepshikha Pande Katare, Murali Yallapu, Subhash Chauhan

Research Colloquium

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents a prominent contributor to cancer-related mortality globally, with its etiology closely associated with environmental factors, inclusive of chemical carcinogens and viral pathogens. Contemporary investigations have underscored the association between obesity, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and the Western dietary patterns characterized by elevated fats and processed meat intake. Notwithstanding these observations, the precise molecular mechanisms underpinning dietary influences on hepatocarcinogenesis remain insufficiently explored. Our study reveals that diethylnitrosamine (DEN), a N-nitroso compound commonly present in food additives and tobacco smoke, significantly upregulates MUC13 and N-Myc expression. N-Myc, a member of the Myc family of proto-oncogenes, plays …

Regional Disparities In The Diagnostic Age Of Skin Carcinomas: An Analysis Of The Rio Grande Valley, Miguel A. Lopez, Natasha Quailes, Elias Arellano Villanueva, Maria Villegas

Research Colloquium

The Rio Grande Valley (RGV) is a region of South Texas with limited dermatologic diagnostic data, particularly among non-melanoma skin carcinomas. The rising rates of chronic conditions and mortality can be attributed to the limited access to healthcare in the region, with skin conditions taking less priority in patients with numerous comorbidities. Data on the age of diagnosis for skin carcinomas between 1995-2019 for Hispanic and non-Hispanic individuals was obtained from the Texas Cancer Registry. It is important to note that the TCR considers primary skin cancers, such as basal and squamous cell carcinoma coded as C44.0-C44.9, as non-reportable cases. …

An Analysis Of The Diagnostic Age Of Skin Carcinomas Across Central Texas, Miguel A. Lopez, Natasha Quailes, Elias Arellano Villanueva, Hamaad Gohar, Maria Villegas

Research Colloquium

Patients seeking healthcare in medically underserved regions often require travel to larger metropolitan hubs across the state of Texas. The Rio Grande Valley (RGV) is home to many such patients who often travel to central Texas for care, which compounds expense and inconvenience. Pockets of central Texas have been reported to have an increased number of dermatologists per 100,000 people. Bexar county ranks among the five most populous counties in the state, with increased access to dermatologic care compared to nearby regions. Using data from the Texas Cancer Registry, this project aims to identify the mean (M) age of diagnosis …

Cerebral Malaria In Chad- A Case Report Series, Megan W. Szobody, Blaise Djomg Yang, Noel Johnson, Kelsey Potter-Baker

Research Colloquium

Malaria is a serious disease caused by various species of the Plasmodium genus. Among these, Plasmodium falciparum is widely considered the most dangerous, due to its ability to infect both young and mature red blood cells (RBCs). Malarial disease, caused primarily by P. falciparum, is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa, and notably in Chad, accounting for over 10,000 deaths each year and with an incidence rate of over 3 million. Anyone can acquire falciparum malaria after being bitten by infected anopheles mosquitoes, but in pregnant women and young children, this disease is often deadly. A …

Determining The Effects Of An Hiv Infective Model On The Development Of Neuropathic Pain In Alzheimer’S Disease Model Mice., Ayesha Usman, Megan W. Szobody, Jose Rios, Mohammed Alnoud, Khalid Benamar

Research Colloquium

The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of the Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in producing neuropathic pain in an Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) mouse model. HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein gp120 is correlated with increased release of thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia mediators from astrocytes and glial cells in rodents, producing the identifiable symptoms of neuropathic pain. Similarly, studies show that 45.8% of AD patients experience chronic pain. The production of an HIV/AD comorbid mouse model will be useful in determining important pathological pathways for neuropathic pain and is vital to future studies in therapeutic approaches to these conditions. Two …

Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma Presenting As Painless Parotitis In A 65-Year-Old Male: A Case Report, Mary Arden G. Guillory, Ashlyn Holubar

Research Colloquium

Background: Lymphoma is a malignancy of lymphocytes, which are progenitors to B-cell lymphocytes and T-cell lymphocytes (Padala and Kallam 2025). Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (31% of adult cases), typically presenting in males in their 60s (Thandra, Barsouk et al. 2021). Typical B symptoms include fever, night sweats, and weight loss; however, atypical presentations can delay diagnosis and treatment. Prompt treatment of DLBCL is crucial to maximize the chances of remission and potential cure. Treatment depends on staging and disease type but with appropriate chemotherapy, survival can be long and possibly curative. …

Influence Of Epidemiological Factors On Facial Trauma Incidence In Texas: A Five-Year Retrospective Analysis, Mary Arden G. Guillory, Ashlyn Holubar, Isabella Ortigoza, Jocelyn Torres, Saloni Saldhi, Shaika Padhi, Kelsey Potter-Baker

Research Colloquium

Background: Most facial fractures are diagnosed and triaged in the emergency room after traumatic accidents. Previous studies indicate that mandible fractures are the most common facial fractures requiring surgery. Current literature suggests that facial fractures incidence and severity are influenced by demographics, however, evidence remains limited. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the correlation between the location of facial fractures and patient demographics in Texas, aiding healthcare workers in assessing risk factors for facial trauma.

Methods: We analyzed publicly available data from the Department of State Health Services trauma database for 2018 – 2022. We evaluated ICD-10 codes for facial …

Triple Or Double? Safety Holds Steady In Acute Stenting, Marlon C. Monayao, Kevin Garcia Valdez, Samantha Miller, Ameer E. Hassan

Research Colloquium

Background: Acute stenting is typically performed for patients presenting with focal neurological deficits due to intracranial or extracranial atherosclerotic stenosis. Following the procedure, dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) regimen is commonly prescribed to reduce the risk of in-stent thrombosis. However, very few studies have examined safety outcomes in patients already on direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) who undergo acute carotid or intracranial stenting with subsequent dual anti-platelet regimen (DAPT). The combination of DOAC and DAPT, referred here as triple therapy, is controversial given the increased risk of hemorrhagic transformation. This retrospective cohort study aims to analyze the safety of triple therapy …

No Safety Trade-Off: Triple Therapy Matches Dapt In Acute Stenting With Thrombectomy, Marlon C. Monayao, Kevin Garcia Valdez, Samantha Miller, Ameer E. Hassan

Research Colloquium

Background: Patients who acutely undergo intra- or extracranial stenting are typically placed on a dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) regimen to decrease the risk of in-stent thrombosis. However, initiating these medicines in patients who are already on direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) is controversial due to the increased risk of hemorrhagic transformation. Studies have been done on patients with atrial fibrillation on DOACs who undergo coronary stenting and subsequently begun on DAPT, but there are no corollaries for patients undergoing acute carotid or intra-cranial stenting and associated safety outcomes. This retrospective cohort study aims to bridge that understanding and checked whether …

Expanding The Integrated Behavioral Health Workforce: The Interdisciplinary Integrated Primary And Behavioral Healthcare (I2pbh) Initiative, Maria Hernandez, J. Garza, Monica C. Perez, Deepu George

Research Colloquium

The I2PBH initiative offers a multi-faceted training model that integrates graduate coursework, technology-based education, and hands-on clinical experience. Students receive foundational and advanced instruction in the PCBH model, including brief evidence-based interventions, team-based care principles, population-based approaches, and culturally responsive practices. Trainees participate in interprofessional training within primary care settings under supervision, gaining exposure to the real-time pace and complexity of integrated behavioral health care.

Expanding Access To Behavioral Healthcare Through Workforce Development: Primary Care Behavioral Health Partnerships Advancing & Transforming Health Sciences (Pcbh Paths), Maria Hernandez, J. Garza, Monica C. Perez, Deepu George

Research Colloquium

PCBH PATHS is a multi-disciplinary training initiative that aims to impact 2,004 clinician learners, including 1,106 primary care provider (PCP) trainees, 818 mental health provider (MHP) trainees, and 80 PCP/MHP practitioners. Since 2019, PCBH has been implemented clinically and educationally in Family Medicine and Ob/Gyn residency programs to improve access to whole-health services and enhance provider competencies in delivering integrated care. Through a population health lens, PCBH PATHS equips care teams to manage conditions such as depression, chronic pain, diabetes, and substance use disorders. Its approach includes clinic readiness assessments, leadership engagement, workflow mapping, adapted training modules, and wellness programs …

Hands-On Stem In Ghana: Inspiration For Culturally Relevant Pedagogy Globally, Alhassan Issifu, Mawuena A. Hanson, Heather R. Beem

Journal of Pre-College Engineering Education Research (J-PEER)

Many educators are increasingly seeking culturally relevant pedagogies they can employ to effectively engage their students. In Ghana a substantive set of hands-on STEM content has been created, incorporating locally available materials and cultural approaches while maintaining alignment to the national curricula. Against a backdrop of almost no public primary or junior high schools in the country containing any lab equipment, this approach leverages and celebrates the abundance of what is available within the locality. This challenges narratives of what is considered “good” and recenters power back with those in the classroom. Three sample activities and three firsthand stories are …