Digital Commons Network^™

Efficacy Of Metronidazole In The Management Of Bacterial Vaginosis In Women Of Reproductive Age, Sydnee Jackson, Setareh Khani, Rekha Yesudas

Research Day

Introduction: Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common vaginal infection among women of reproductive-age, resulting from an imbalance of normal vaginal flora characterized by decrease in Lactobacillus species and overgrowth of anaerobic organisms such as Gardnerella vaginalis. Clinically, BV presents with thin, off-white vaginal discharge and a characteristic fishy odor. If left untreated, BV is associated with complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease, adverse pregnancy outcomes, and increased susceptibility to sexually transmitted infections. Metronidazole, a nitroimidazole antibiotic with strong anaerobic coverage, is recommended as first-line therapy in both oral and intravaginal formulations. Although effective for initial symptom resolution, recurrence remains …

Adhd And Food Insecurity: The Role Of Structural Determinants, Renee Jones, Thomas Last

Research Day

INTRODUCTION

Food insecurity is a key structural determinant of health associated with adverse physical and psychological outcomes. Individuals with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may be particularly vulnerable due to executive dysfunction, psychosocial stress, and socioeconomic instability. The association between ADHD status, medication use, and food insecurity, however, has not been well characterized in large national cohorts.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the association between ADHD status (with and without medication) and food insecurity in the All of Us Research Program cohort.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 142,725 eligible participants from the All of Us Research Program. ADHD status was categorized as …

Hydrops Fetalis In A 33-Week Preterm Neonate: A Case Report, Umer Khan, Allison Tresner, Christian Edwards, Anthony Adetomiwa

Research Day

Introduction

Hydrops fetalis is defined as pathologic fluid accumulation in at least two fetal compartments and is associated with high perinatal morbidity and mortality. Most cases are non-immune in origin and result from cardiovascular, infectious, hematologic, genetic, thoracic, or placental etiologies due to widespread Rh immunoprophylaxis. Third-trimester hydrops is commonly associated with cardiac dysfunction and impaired venous return. We present a case of severe hydrops fetalis in a 33-week preterm neonate with confirmed maternal parvovirus infection complicated by intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), pulmonary hypertension, placental insufficiency, and multiorgan dysfunction.

Methods

This case report describes a retrospective review of maternal prenatal …

A Rare Presentation Of Vaginal Leiomyoma Originating Within A Patient Without Uterine Fibroids: Morphology, Differential Diagnosis, And Clinical Significance, Anna Beth Boyette, Sarah Kate Boyette, Isaac Gutierrez, Cecil Cone, Randall L. Sisam

Research Day

Leiomyomas can occur where smooth muscle is found, however they are most commonly seen within the myometrium of the uterus . Extrauterine leiomyomas are even more rare than uterine leiomyomas and present with greater diagnostic challenges. For example, vaginal leiomyomas are among the most rare reproductive neoplasms, as such only 300 cases have been reported in literature . Furthermore, they are thought to derive from Mullerian smooth muscle cells in the subepithelium of the vagina. Another potential theory is that this tumor came from a seeding of an existing uterine fibroid. Ultrasound imaging or MRI are helpful in the diagnosis …

Economic And Demographic Associations In Hypertension-Related Complications Among Florida Participants In The All Of Us Research Program, Marisela Benitez, Daniel Chanelo, Thomas Last

Research Day

Introduction

Hypertension-related complications are a major contributor to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality worldwide. While many demographic and socioeconomic factors are associated with hypertension, determinants of progression to complications among individuals with established disease remain less clearly defined. We examined key predictors of hypertension-related complications in a Florida-restricted cohort from the All of Us (AoU) Research Program.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of Controlled Tier v8 data using Jupyter Notebook. Adults with hypertension were classified as having uncomplicated (cohort 0) or complicated disease (cohort 1). These adults were also compared to a control cohort (cohort 2). The AoU cohorts were …

Huntington’S Disease Diagnosed In An 82-Year-Old. What Lessons Can We Learn?, Jake Winchester, Kent Posey

Research Day

Huntington’s Disease is a rare neurodegenerative disorder thought to have an incidence of 1.21 per 100,000 patient years and a prevalence of 8.87 per 100,000 patients in North America. It is a progressive neurological disease with common manifestations being motor involvement and behavioral changes caused by the death of neurons primarily in the striatal portion of the basal ganglia. Huntington’s is generally considered a disease of the mid-life though it is noted to occur early (juvenile onset) and later (late onset), however prevalence in the late onset has a wide range of 4.4% to 11.5% which has somewhat been attributed …

Lack Of Standardized Measurement Of Patent Foramen Ovale Size Limits Risk Stratification In Cryptogenic Stroke: A Review, Rachel Lippincott, Michael Elkomos, George Zakour, Austin Dobson, Reginald Dixon, Chloe Davis, Paul Catalano, Blessing Adeyemo, Shiv Dhiman

Research Day

Background: The foramen ovale is a physiologic interatrial communication essential to fetal circulation, permitting right-to-left shunting of oxygenated blood to bypass the nonfunctional fetal lungs. Following birth, increased pulmonary circulation and elevated left atrial pressure typically result in functional closure, followed by anatomical fusion of the septum primum and septum secundum within the first year of life. Persistence of this communication into adulthood, termed patent foramen ovale (PFO), occurs in approximately 20–30% of the general population. Although most PFOs are small and clinically silent, larger defects are less common and may carry clinical significance.

Objective: To describe the morphological characteristics …

Understanding The Genetic Basis Of Keloid Susceptibility Through Multi-Ancestry Genomic Studies, Nadine Belony, Sydney Williams, Thomas Last

Research Day

Introduction

Keloids are benign fibroproliferative skin tumors arising from dysregulated wound healing and characterized by excessive extracellular matrix deposition. Although nonmalignant, they are frequently associated with pain, pruritus, restricted mobility, and significant cosmetic disfigurement, resulting in substantial impairment in quality of life. The burden of keloid disease is not uniformly distributed across populations, with higher prevalence and severity observed among individuals of African ancestry, suggesting biologic contributors to disease susceptibility. Despite these disparities, mechanisms underlying pathologic scarring remain incompletely defined. Improved characterization of shared and ancestry-specific contributors may advance understanding of dermal fibrosis and support equitable dermatologic care.

Methods

We …

A Case Study Of Anencephaly: Diagnosis, Management And Maternal-Fetal Outcome, Emily Reagin, Allison Tresner, Daniel York

Research Day

Introduction: Anencephaly is a severe neural tube defect resulting from failure of anterior neuropore closure during the fourth week of embryonic development. It is characterized by the absence of the cranial vault and cerebral hemispheres and is associated with uniformly poor fetal prognosis. Folate deficiency is the most established risk factor, and periconceptional folic acid supplementation significantly reduces the incidence of neural tube defects.

Case Presentation: We present a case of a 32-year-old gravida 6 para 5 female who was found to have an abnormal cranium on routine second-trimester ultrasonography. She came in on her first obstetrics appointment at 12 …

Vulvar Angiomyofibroblastoma: A Rare Tumor Excised During Vaginal Delivery, Anjali Saji, Allison Tresner

Research Day

Introduction

Angiomyofibroblastoma (AMFB) is a rare benign mesenchymal tumor of the lower female genital tract that predominantly affects women of reproductive age. AMFB, which was initially identified by Fletcher et al. in 1992, often develops in the vulva, however it has also been documented in the vagina and perineum. Clinically, it usually manifests as a tiny (less than 5 cm), well-circumscribed, slow-growing, painless vulvar mass. It is commonly misinterpreted as a benign labial lesion, such as a cyst of the Bartholin gland. Histologically, AMFB shows a distinct growth of bland spindle to epithelioid stromal cells encircling numerous thin-walled blood vessels …

Severe Bladder Trabeculation With Large Diverticulum And Calculi In A Male Cadaver: Gross Findings And Etiological Considerations, Jaycee Thomas, Gladys Sama, Leilani Everett, Colin Ramsey, Joshua Rohme, Zenia Lakhani, Paramvir Lodia, Shiv Dhiman

Research Day

Background:

Chronic lower urinary tract dysfunction can lead to progressive structural remodeling of the urinary bladder, such as detrusor hypertrophy and mucosal trabeculation. Bladder diverticula, defined as mucosal outpouching through the detrusor muscle, may develop in response to sustained elevations in intravesical pressure or impaired bladder emptying. These diverticula facilitate urinary stasis and increase the risk of complications, including infection, calculi formation, urinary retention, and, less frequently, malignant transformation. Identification of gross anatomic changes offers important insights into the long-term sequelae of chronic bladder dysfunction.

Methods:

Routine pelvic dissection was conducted during anatomical laboratory instruction. Gross examination of the urinary …

Analysis Of Burn Patient Treatment At Verified Versus Non-Designated Centers Across U.S. Regions, Patrice Sarrazin, Mark Shearer, Sydnee Jackson, Setareh Khani, Rajiv Sood

Research Day

Background

In the United States, burn injuries represent a significant health issue that requires specialized care to treat the patient efficiently. The American Burn Association (ABA) provides burn center verification to ensure adherence to efficient standards of care and attention to the quality of care. However, there is an uncertainty whether or not verified burn centers receive a proportionally greater share of burn-related claims volume across U.S. regions. This study examines regional variation in burn claims distribution between verified burn centers and non-designated centers to assess potential disparities in utilization based on burn claims data.

Study Design

We analyzed national …

Anomalous Origin And Retrohepatic Course Of The Right Inferior Phrenic Artery Identified During Cadaveric Dissection, Tyrese Claridge-Rogers, Dev Desai, Andrew Jimenez, Maxwell Trettin, Yousra Abo-Elhamd, Camille Rios Anzola, Emranul Huq

Research Day

INTRODUCTION:

Arterial variation within the upper abdominal cavity is a common finding in anatomical studies. The inferior phrenic arteries are the principal vascular supply to the diaphragm and most frequently originate directly from the abdominal aorta. However, alternative origins from the celiac trunk or its branches have been described. Because of their proximity to major hepato-biliary surgical fields, unexpected variations in these vessels may complicate operative dissection. The present study documents an unusual origin and course of the right inferior phrenic artery identified during routine cadaveric dissection.

METHODS:

This study was conducted during systematic abdominal dissection in a gross anatomy …

A Rare Abdominal Vasculature Variation: Replaced Common Hepatic Artery From The Superior Mesenteric Artery, Dev Desai, Tyrese Claridge-Rogers, Andrew Jimenez, Maxwell Trettin, Yousra Abo-Elhamd, Camille Rios Anzola, Emranul Huq

Research Day

INTRODUCTION: Anatomical variations of the abdominal arterial system are of considerable importance in clinical anatomy due to their impact on hepatobiliary surgery, pancreatic resections and liver transplantation. The common hepatic artery classically arises from the celiac trunk (CT); however, documented variations may significantly alter surgical planning and procedural risk. The purpose of this project was to identify, document, and describe variants in the abdominal arterial system.

METHODS: This project was conducted during systematic abdominal dissection in a medical gross anatomy laboratory. Standard dissection techniques were utilized to expose the CT,  superior mesenteric artery (SMA), and associated branches. Anatomical relationships were …

When Red Isn’T Red: Skin Tone, Education Gaps, And Delayed Diagnosis, Evelyn O. Orusa, Blessed D. Jordan, David Adelstein

Research Day

Background: Early recognition of many dermatologic and systemic conditions including infectious exanthems and inflammatory disorders rely on identification of erythema. Traditional medical textbooks predominantly describe these findings using redness-based terminology derived from lighter skin presentations. In darker skin tones, however, inflammation may present as violaceous, gray, or hyperpigmented changes rather than visible redness. The extent to which textbook descriptions align with real-world clinical presentation across skin tones remains insufficiently examined. This study aims to evaluate how widely used medical textbooks describe erythema-dependent conditions and compare these descriptions with clinical images of confirmed diagnoses across lighter and darker skin tones.

Methods: …

Teaching In Monochrome: Skin Tone Bias In Medical Training Resources- A Scoping Review, Evelyn O. Orusa, Blessed D. Jordan, David Adelstein

Research Day

Background: Medical training resources demonstrate substantial under-representation of darker skin tones across textbooks, curricula, and educational materials globally. This representational gap may contribute to reduced diagnostic confidence among healthcare providers when assessing patients with diverse skin tones.

Objective: To evaluate the adequacy of skin diversity representation in medical training resources and assess its relationship to healthcare provider diagnostic confidence across different skin tones.

Methods: A review of studies examining skin diversity representation in medical education and provider confidence in diagnosing conditions across varied skin tones. Studies will be identified through comprehensive database searches, including PubMed and Cochrane, and screened for …

Routine Or Reassurance: Cardiovascular Monitoring In Children Receiving Adhd Medications, Dina Badawy, Wilson Baumgartner, Alexandra Ortiz, Alexandria Neal, Anthony Pelache, Robert Maydell

Research Day

Introduction: Stimulant medications are first-line therapy for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents. Because these agents increase sympathetic activity, concerns persist regarding their cardiovascular safety, including arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death (SCD). Debate continues regarding whether routine electrocardiogram (ECG) screening prior to stimulant initiation reduces the risk of serious cardiac events. Divergent recommendations from professional organizations have generated ongoing uncertainty about the balance between precaution and evidence-based practice. Our objective is to critically evaluate the literature of cardiovascular effects of stimulant therapy in children and adolescents and to assess whether routine cardiovascular monitoring, including universal ECG screening, improves clinical …

Morphogen Upregulation Following Seizure-Induced Oxidative Stress: Implications For Hippocampal Remodeling And Neuronal Survival, Melea Neely, Blessed Jordan, Evelyn Orusa, Joshua Owolabi

Research Day

Introduction: Epileptic seizures arise from abnormal neuronal activity characterized by excessive excitatory signaling and reduced inhibitory control within neural circuits. During seizures, neurons exhibit paroxysmal depolarization shifts, leading to synchronous hyperexcitability and increased glutamate release. Although many seizures do not produce permanent injury, prolonged neuronal hyperactivity, such as status epilepticus or temporal lobe epilepsy, can lead to neuronal death and structural remodeling within the hippocampus. Experimental models demonstrate that seizure activity generates significant oxidative stress and morphological changes within the dentate gyrus, including mossy fiber sprouting, granule cell dispersion, and aberrant neurogenesis. Increasing evidence suggests these changes are mediated by …

Two Decades With Chronic Actinic Granuloma: A Case Report, Neena Edupuganti, Nathan Sagasser, Melinda Greenfield

Research Day

Actinic granuloma (AG), also known as O’Brien’s granuloma, is a rare idiopathic granulomatous dermatosis affecting sun-exposed areas, predominantly in older individuals. It presents as erythematous papules that expand into annular plaques with central atrophy and serpiginous borders. The pathogenesis of AG remains unclear, but it is hypothesized to involve an autoimmune response to actinically damaged elastic fibers. Diagnosis is confirmed through histopathological examination, and treatment options vary widely with inconsistent outcomes. Here, we present a case of an individual with a 20-year history of AG that was refractory to treatment with topical steroids and topical antifungals. This case highlights the …

Sequence Of Target Vessel Revascularization Does Not Affect Outcomes During Endovascular In-Situ Laser Fenestrated Repair Of Complex Aortic Aneurysms, Saad Rahman, Harshita Yepuri, Daniel J. Badia

Research Day

Introduction: Endovascular laser fenestration (LFEN) has emerged as a popular method for thoracoabdominal aneurysm (TAA) repair, but prolonged branch vessel ischemia during graft deployment remains a concern. We compared a conventional proximal-to-distal “top-down” fenestration strategy with a "superior mesenteric artery first” (SMA) approach designed to prioritize visceral perfusion and minimize bowel ischemia.

Methods: We performed a single-center, single-operator retrospective review of two patients undergoing LFEN repair for complex aortic aneurysms using either a “top-down” or “SMA-first” approach. Outcomes included ischemia time, postoperative clinical and laboratory evidence of visceral/renal malperfusion, and procedural metrics such as time to fabric penetration and stent …

Cardiomegaly As A Risk Factor For Hemorrhagic Stroke: A Cadaveric Case Study, Erica L. Parker, Brayton C. Myers, Alexander F. Capello, Grace E. Bang, Anuksha A. Gotmare, Diana Petrucello

Research Day

INTRODUCTION:

This case study examines the gross cardiac morphology of a 66-year-old male with a history of heart disease whose cause of death was hemorrhagic stroke, with emphasis on correlating cardiac structural changes with systemic vascular disease and cerebrovascular outcome.

METHODS:

Gross anatomical dissection of the thoracic cavity was performed. Cardiac measurements included transverse width and thickness ventricular walls. The width of the thoracic cavity was also measured to assess proportional cardiac size. Measurements and photographs were taken to document.

RESULTS:

Gross examination revealed increased ventricular wall thickness relative to expected adult reference ranges, and the myocardium appeared diffusely thickened …

Calvarial Lesions In A Cadaver With Metastatic Osteosarcoma: A Case Study And Differential Diagnoses, Madelyn N. France, Louis G. Deavers, Shelley Dicecco

Research Day

Introduction

This case study aims to investigate suspicious bony lesions on the calvarium of a 22-year-old cadaver whose cause of death was reported to be respiratory failure/metastatic osteosarcoma. Respiratory failure, left total femur replacement, and evidence of metastasis to the lungs raise suspicion for widespread metastatic disease. This case study aims to investigate the observed lesions and review potential differential diagnoses for the bony skull-based lesions observed in this cadaver.

Methods

A right-sided frontotemporal protrusion was identified on examination of the cadaver’s face and head during gross anatomy lab. Further dissection revealed erythematous, thickened bony lesions localized to the right …

Exblifep, A New Antibacterial For The Treatment Of Urinary Tract Infections And Pyelonephritis, Olivia Wilcock, Leonard Clark, Shashidharamurthy Taval, Vicky Mody

Research Day

Antibiotic resistance is an ever-present threat that demands constant innovations in order to treat urinary tract infections and pyelonephritis. Bacteria are known to develop various adaptations in order to evade eradication by antibiotic agents. In this project we have reviewed, Exblifep, one of the newer drugs that have been developed to target resistant bacteria. Exblifep, a combination of cefepime with enmetazobactam. Cefepime is a fourth-generation cephalosporin that contains a cephem nucleus and a side chain with a quaternary amine. It is considered a broad-spectrum antibiotic whose coverage includes most gram-negative bacteria and some gram positives, including MSSA and streptococcus spp. …

Denervation Injuries In The Lower Limbs: A Cadaver-Based Case Study, Gavin G. Scott, Kedarnath Malapati, Rohan S. Patel, Ethan M. Cook, Atharva M. Athalye, Jordan E. Pullins, Mackwan Sringam, Rishab Prakash, Shelley Dicecco

Research Day

INTRODUCTION: Denervation injuries result from an interruption of the neural input necessary for the normal contraction and maintenance of skeletal muscle. Without proper innervation, skeletal muscles atrophy and are replaced by adipose and fibrous tissue. Prolonged denervation can result in gross anatomical changes, such as reduced muscle mass, muscle pallor, and fatty tissue replacement, which are easily observed during dissection of the cadaveric body. This case presents bilateral muscular degeneration of the lower extremities observed in a 98-year-old cadaveric donor.

OBJECTIVES: The primary objectives of this case study are to document the gross anatomical findings associated with chronic denervation in …

Social Power, Moral Inhibition, And Risk-Taking: A Theory-Driven Review Of The Approach–Inhibition Framework, Samantha Loitsch, Ishaa Dubey, Shari N. Allen

Research Day

INTRODUCTION: The approach–inhibition theory of power proposes that perceived social power changes how people tend to process information by increasing approach tendencies (such as reward pursuit and automatic cognition) while decreasing inhibition tendencies (such as threat monitoring and controlled processing). These changes can thereby influence a person’s emotions, thinking, and behavior (Keltner, Gruenfeld, & Anderson, 2003). Extensive meta-analytic work in moral psychology shows that moral disengagement – where individuals justify or minimize harmful actions – is strongly linked to transgressive and antisocial behavior, and that both personal and environmental factors influence this relationship (Luo & Bussey, 2023). This suggests that …

I’M Going To Disney World: Regenerative Injection Therapy(Regenexx) Enabling Functional Recovery In Chronic Ankle Dorsiflexion, Marzena Buzanowska, Kévin Borgella

Research Day

Chronic foot drop, weakness or inability to dorsiflex the ankle and toes. Gait deficits such as this can originate from issues in the motor pathway of the cerebral cortex or from injury to peripheral nerves that innervate the foot musculature. The most common cause is L5 radiculopathy and peroneal nerve injury, but can also include lumbar herniation, spinal stenosis, and degenerative nerve diseases. Physical therapy has been the fundamental means of treating this issue with a focus on muscle strengthening, adjusting gait patterns and engaging the mechanisms of neural plasticity to improve muscle activation. In lieu of these methods, Ankle-foot …

Hepatomegaly In Cadaver Dissection: Clinical Correlations And Preventative Implications, Teralan Hobson-Matthews, Selena Berry, Toby Cisco, Thomas Nguyen, Chloe Phillips, Diana Petrucello

Research Day

Introduction: Hepatomegaly is an objective finding associated with various pathophysiologies. Some of the most common sources of hepatomegaly in the United States include fatty liver and cirrhosis. We performed a routine cadaveric dissection on a 71-year-old truck driver that passed from respiratory failure with a history of tobacco abuse and lung malignancies. During the dissection, the patient was found to have an enlarged liver. This case study explored possible etiologies of the patient's hepatomegaly. This research provided insight into comorbidities and prevention for complex patients like this case.

Methods: Measurements of the liver were obtained in the horizontal, vertical, and …

Comparison Of Axillary Lymph Node Size In Cadavers With And Without A History Of Breast Cancer, Adam E. Davis, Harshita Yepuri, Julia Girgis, Sara Kurtovic, Celeste Pak, Erek Arsiniega, Jasdeep Singh, Michael B. Roberts, Shelley Dicecco

Research Day

Axillary lymph nodes play a critical role in breast cancer metastasis and staging. While imaging and surgical studies provide indirect assessments of nodal involvement, few investigations have directly compared lymph node size in breast cancer and non-cancer populations using cadaveric dissection. In this study, twenty-nine female cadavers, including eight with a history of breast cancer and twenty-one controls, were dissected to collect axillary lymph nodes from six anatomical chains: central, humeral, infraclavicular, parasternal, pectoral, and subscapular. Lymph node area (mm²) was measured, and statistical outliers (z ≥ 3) were excluded from analysis. Welch’s t-test was performed to compare overall lymph …

Glp-1 Receptor Agonists And Fertility. Metabolic And Direct Reproductive Mechanisms In Obesity-Related Infertility, Noor Alnourachi, Julie Al Mir, Audrey Arona

Research Day

Introduction

Obesity is a major modifiable risk factor for reproductive dysfunction and is associated with anovulation and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in women, as well as hypogonadism and impaired semen quality in men. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), originally developed for the management of diabetes and obesity, have demonstrated potential reproductive benefits that extend beyond weight reduction. GLP-1 receptors are distributed throughout key components of the reproductive axis, including the hypothalamus, pituitary, gonads, and endometrium, suggesting possible direct effects on reproductive tissues. This review synthesizes current evidence regarding the mechanisms and clinical outcomes through which GLP-1 RAs may enhance …

Genetic Architecture Of Coronary Atherosclerosis Across European, African, And Admixed American Populations Using All Of Us Research Program Data, Kensley Philemond, Jodeci L. Mitchell, Thomas J. Last

Research Day

Introduction:

Coronary atherosclerosis, the underlying pathology of most coronary artery disease, is characterized by the accumulation of lipid-rich plaques within the coronary arteries, leading to increased cardiovascular risk. Established genes such as LDLR highlight the importance of lipid metabolism in disease pathogenesis, yet population-specific genetic contributors in African and Admixed American populations remain poorly understood. Identifying additional genetic contributors may improve our understanding of disease mechanisms and support more equitable cardiovascular risk prediction tools.

Methods:

We analyzed Genome Wide Association Study (GWAS) summary statistics from the All of Us Research Program using the All-by-All Research Browser to identify genetic variants …