Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Alternating Muscle Activation Patterns Across The Deltoid Muscles During Sustained Fatiguing Contractions, Ningzhen Zhao, Xin Yu, Lisa Griffin

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Alternating muscle activation (AMA) across synergists has been identified in lower-extremity muscles that may function to prolong force output during sustained contractions; however, this has not yet been identified in upper extremity muscles. AMA consists of two periods: co-activation (Co-A), in which a pair of synergists are simultaneously increasing or decreasing EMG amplitude, and trade-off (TO), in which the EMG amplitude of one muscle is increasing while the EMG amplitude of a synergist is decreasing. We hypothesized that TO duration would increase and Co-A duration would decrease during fatigue. PURPOSE: To investigate AMA patterns during sustained submaximal isometric fatiguing …

De Novo Microdeletion Spanning Ywhae And Crk In An Individual With Intellectual Disability And Stunted Growth, Eden E. Pope, John A. Kriak, Kyle B. Bills, David W. Sant

Annual Research Symposium

In this report, we present a case of a 20-year-old female with congenital intellectual disability, stunted growth, and hypothyroidism. Competitive genetic hybridization (CHG) revealed a loss of a portion of 17p13.3 at least 195 Kb in size, not present in either parent. This area of chromosome 17 is associated with Miller-Dieker Syndrome (MDS) and Isolated Lissencephaly Sequence (ILS), but these conditions are related predominantly to PAFAH1B1, which is not included in the patient’s deletion.

Investigating The Interplay Between Glucose Regulation, Neural Activity, And Motivation: A Novel Approach Utilizing Vibration Stimulation, Blake D. Harris, Patrick Tanner Brain, Alessandra Maisie Rivera, Tiffany Nguyen, James Barber, Amar Paul, John Dougherty Jr., Matthew Jennings, Bridger Gunter, David W. Sant, Christina A. Small, Scott Steffenson, Kyle B. Bills

Annual Research Symposium

This research explores the intricate relationship between glucose regulation, neural activity, and motivation in key brain regions, including the hypothalamus, basal ganglia, ventral tegmental area (VTA), and nucleus accumbens (NA). We aim to unravel the potential relationship of these factors on dopamine (DA) release and the broader implications for mental health, glucose regulation, well-being, and overall health. Our innovative approach involves using a chair that causes heterodyned whole-body vibration designed to stimulate DA release from the VTA and NA, areas associated with motivation and rewards.

Trichomonas Vaginalis Infection In Emergency Department Patients, Owen Christian Schubert

Annual Research Symposium

Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) that affects around 2.3 million women and 1.4 million men in the United States. TV infection in females can cause vaginal discharge, dysuria and abdominal pain and can be complicated by pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, cervical neoplasia and increased transmission rates of other STIs. In males, TV can cause urethral discharge and dysuria, but is often asymptomatic and therefore not often studied. We seek to determine the rates of TV infection among male and female patients presenting to EDs for STI evaluation in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, and compare …

Exploring The Interconnected Role Of The Oral Microbiome And Periodontal Disease In The Development And Progression Of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Malak Al-Regib, Claudia M. Tellez Freitas

Annual Research Symposium

This comprehensive review explores the complex linkage among the oral microbiome, periodontal disease, and the onset and progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

Establishing Optimal Tools For An Anatomy Laboratory On The Six-Point Mastery Learning Model, Alice Akunyili, Kanee Lerwill, Dietrich Lorke

Annual Research Symposium

Roseman University of Health Sciences (RU) is establishing a new College of Medicine in Southern Nevada with the goal of transforming Medical Education and Healthcare delivery. To this end, facilities and resources for an integrated anatomy education need to be established, considering best practices for anatomy education. At Roseman University the six-point learning mastery model is at the center of the process of delivering the study materials. This combination of anatomy lab design and educational resources, i.e., plastinated human organs, anatomical models, simulators and virtual anatomy tools, within our block curriculum, will allow for an innovative and inclusive competency-based anatomy …

Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Of The Oral Cavity - A Rare Entity, Anita J. Florence Dr, Karpagaselvi Sanjai Prof & Dr

Annual Research Symposium

Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) is a subtype of lymphoma with two-thirds of the cases presenting as lymph node enlargement. The remaining one third of NHL cases has been reported in the extra nodal sites, including the gastro-intestinal tract, Waldeyer’s ring, bone, skin and brain. Intraoral NHL is uncommon and may affect either the jaw bones or occur within the soft tissues of the oral cavity. Here we report an unusual case of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in a 54-year-old male patient who presented with a growth from the right lower molar extraction socket with pus discharge.

2024 February 20 - Medical Student Education Committee Retreat Minutes, Medical Student Education Committee, East Tennessee State University

Medical Student Education Committee Minutes

No abstract provided.

Success And Challenges Of Infrazygomatic Crest Implants In Orthodontics, Gauri Gill

Annual Research Symposium

Poster on success rates of mini implants used in the infrazygomatic region for orthodontic anchorage , as well as the factors that influence the success of the mini implant placed in IZC region.

Dna Extraction Method Development For Ocular Tissues, Conrad K. Ashby, Michael C. Trapnell, Walker C. Kay, Jonathon C. Reynolds, Noah R. Schultz, Brandon J. Burger, Christina A. Small, John A. Kriak, Kyle B. Bills, David W. Sant

Annual Research Symposium

Purpose: DNA extraction kits are traditionally developed to work with liquid tissues such as blood, saliva, and swabs, but some have been proposed to work with solid tissues. Somatic variation in cancers can be important for tumor subtyping and treatment guidance, including ocular tumors. Additionally, epigenetic marks such as 5-methylcytosine (5mC) and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) are tissue-specific and change in disease states, particularly evident in diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration. Commercial DNA extraction kits are available from several vendors, but the various kits have different strengths and weaknesses, and the removal of PCR inhibitors will vary with each kit. This …

Non-Traditional Presenting Grade Ii Brain Meningioma: A Case Study, Alessandra M. Rivera, Garret Phillips, Serin Baker, Michael Trapnell, Conrad Ashby, Jacob Hill, Prina Patel, Alexander Ruiz, Elden Jenkins, Johan A. Kriak, Kyle B. Bills, Voicu S. Ciobanu, Tipsuda Bahri, David W. Sant

Annual Research Symposium

Meningioma is a relatively common form of cancer, occurring in approximately 97 out of 100,000 individuals. Although it arises from the meninges surrounding the central nervous system (CNS) rather than from neurons, it is classified with CNS tumors due to overlapping symptoms caused by compression of nerves and vessels in the head. Extracranial metastasis is rare, at less than 1%, and correlates with reduced survival rates.

Neurocognitive Considerations And Impacts In Chronic Migraines, Kennedy Madrid, Jacob Warner, Jordyn Huecker, Cassidy Byers, Kyle Reaveley, Kailee Edwards, Luke Sanders, Christina A. Small, David W. Sant, John A. Kriak, Kyle B. Bills

Annual Research Symposium

Migraine, characterized by moderate-to-severe headache, may arise from neurological, psychological, orthopedic, metabolic, or endocrine origins. Pain associated with migraine, while commonly cited as the primary patient concern, only represents a small portion of short- and long-term effects caused by the condition. Many presenting cases include neuromuscular dysfunction, increased neuronal firing, inflammation, and cortical spreading depression. These effects can induce multiple symptoms such as pain, aura, brain fog, confusion, hangover, multiple hypersensitivities, and decreased memory capacity. These effects and symptoms can lead to neurocognitive and neuropsychological deficiencies in many patients. This study aims to investigate the relationship between migraines and neurocognitive …

Neuropsychological Findings In Idiopathic Adult-Onset Epilepsy Case Study: Noorda Com Student Investigation, Jacob Warner, Michael Milius, Jordyn Huecker, Tiffany Nguyen, Luke Sanders, Joseph Harbold, Kennedy Madrid, Nicholas Curtis, Chase Taylor, James Barber, Jayne Stuter, Ethan Zaugg, Aaron Andrews, John A. Kriak, David W. Sant, Kyle B. Bills

Annual Research Symposium

We report the case of a 25-year-old male patient with idiopathic adult-onset epilepsy. The patient presented with a chief complaint of recurrent seizures and no identifiable cause. These seizures were associated with a lack of extremity control, muscle spasms, and loss of cognitive function. His condition began while living in Thailand, where he experienced multiple environmental stressors including hostile living conditions and tense situations, approximately five years before being seen in the clinic. Over the past several years, the seizures have not ceased, and the patient now notes a loss or decrease of several special senses.

Development Of A Protocol For Obtaining Biological Samples For Genetic Testing From Remote Individuals, Noah R. Schultz, Brandon J. Burger, Jacob Warner, Alfred Amendolara, Jameson Williams, Molly Henley, Layla Risdon, Alessandra Maisie Rivera, Amanda Page, Millicent Jiang, Denisse Castaneda, Garret Phillips, John A. Kriak, Kyle B. Bills, David W. Sant

Annual Research Symposium

Pharmacogenomic sequencing allows individuals to learn more about how they will respond to certain medications but requires shipping of a biological sample. One complication of sending biological samples to remote laboratories is stability. Blood generally yields sufficient quantities of high-quality DNA but requires a clinic visit. Saliva and buccal swabs are routinely used for DNA extractions, but the DNA quality is notoriously low due to the presence of bacteria in the mouth. Additionally, elderly individuals have difficulty producing enough saliva for testing, and the tubes contain several milliliters of liquid and shipping requires special considerations. Dried blood spot cards, which …

Dna Extraction Method Development For Solid Tissues, Ryan Powers, Noah R. Schultz, Brandon J. Burger, John Dougherty Jr., Ezenna Obilor, Alexander Ruiz, Corwin Frey, Nathaniel Hill, Lara Laughrey, Patrick Tanner Brain, Sara Mcmahon, Parker Feltner, Steven Tung, Daoud Sajady, Elden Jenkins, Julian Jarquin, Serin Baker, Aaron Andrews, John A. Kriak, Kyle B. Bills, David W. Sant

Annual Research Symposium

Although germline variation testing is traditionally performed using DNA obtained from blood or other liquid samples, determining somatic variation in cancer samples requires DNA extraction directly from tissues. Additionally, epigenetic markers, such as 5-methylcytosine (5mC) and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) are tissue-specific and change in selected disease states. However, several substances present in tissues are known to inhibit downstream reactions, including polymerase chain reaction PCR). For this project, we are assessing the quantity and quality of DNA obtained from extractions of various vital organs using 30 different commercially available DNA extraction kits to determine optimal kits for each tissue.

Investigating The Genetics Of Chronic Intractable Migraine With Reactive Hypoglycemia, C Yvonne Russell, Jacob Warner, Brandon J. Burger, Jordan Cutshall, Naeel Uddin, Patrick Tanner Brain, Alessandra Maisie Rivera, Braden Cunningham, Kailee Edwards, Katie Beechay, Luke Sanders, Zachary Ta, John A. Kriak, David W. Sant, Kyle B. Bills

Annual Research Symposium

Migraines affect roughly 1-in-6 males and 1-in-5 females in the United States. Of these, approximately 5-30% experience intractable migraines, or migraines resistant to abortive treatments. Despite this large population, relatively little is known about intractable migraines compared to other types of migraines. Our recent work indicates that reactive hypoglycemia is common among these individuals. Additionally, empirical evidence suggests that individuals in families with chronic intractable migraines are more likely to have the same condition than people of the general population, suggesting a possible genetic link between both migraines and metabolic abnormalities. Previous Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS) have found several …

Investigating The Role Of Chaos In Minimizing Tumor Growth, Maxwell Geiger

Annual Research Symposium

Chaos is a type of motion found in mathematical systems that is highly sensitive to initial conditions. While many biological systems described in literature have been analyzed for the presence of chaotic dynamics, there are still many that are yet to be discovered. The goal of this project is to reassess Itik and Banks’ discovery of chaotic behavior in their population dynamics model of cancer growth. Once chaotic behavior is confirmed, we want to investigate how chaos could possibly be controlled to minimize tumor growth and discover novel treatments for cancer patients.

A Pharmacist’S Central Role In Improving Hormonal Contraceptive Access, Aleese Smith, Urvi Patel, Alexandra Arledge, Josie Young, Erin Johanson

Annual Research Symposium

In 2019, the roles of Utah pharmacists grew with the implementation of a statewide standing order allowing prescribing abilities for hormonal contraceptives. With the rates of unplanned pregnancies in Utah up to 1 in every 5; pharmacists have a new role in birth control distribution. Pharmacists and pharmacy interns across the state of Utah are able to prescribe self-administered hormonal contraceptive medications including: oral pills, vaginal insertion medications, and birth control patches. Pharmacists are entrusted with the responsibility to evaluate the patient and their needs to ensure all women receiving birth control are educated about the risks and side effects …

The National Status Of Pharmacists’ Ability To Prescribe Hormonal Contraceptives, Aleese Smith, Urvi Patel, Alexandra Arledge, Josie Young, Erin Johanson

Annual Research Symposium

The scope of practice for pharmacists first expanded in California and Oregon with the ability to prescribe hormonal contraceptives to patients in their communities. Since 2016, over 33 states now allow for pharmacist prescribing of birth control in their pharmacy practice laws.

90% of Americans live within 5 miles of a retail pharmacy, making community pharmacies an accessible resource who may otherwise be unable to access contraceptives. The gap in care experienced by certain patient populations is now being filled by pharmacists with their ability to prescribe birth control.

Intouch Week Of February 19, 2024, New York Medical College

InTouch

• NYMC Goes Red for National Heart Month
• Demolition of Section of Building 800 Scheduled for March
• LCME Element of the Week
• Faculty Spotlight: NYMC Research | Stephan Mayer, M.D.

Tobacco And Covid-19, Palak Srivastava, Palak Srivastava

Annual Research Symposium

The relationship between tobacco use and COVID-19 has been a subject of ongoing research. Evidence suggests that tobacco may contribute to an increased susceptibility to respiratory infections, potentially exacerbating the severity of COVID-19 symptoms.

A Novel For-Credit Dei Humanities Co-Curriculum, Megan Voeller, Charles A. Pohl

Jefferson Humanities & Health Papers

No abstract provided.

Development Of A Curriculum For Osteoporosis Education In Rural Populations, Serin Baker, Hannah Berhow, Rebekah Hans, Emily Schwartz, Hunter Stutz, Mehruba Alam, Alizon Pachas, Darell Schmick, David Sant Phd, Erika Noonan Md

Annual Research Symposium

Osteoporosis contributes to annual costs exceeding $10 billion in the U.S. due to hip fractures and is the primary cause of hospitalization among older women. Historically, geriatric populations have received inadequate education in navigating the U.S. medical system, emphasizing the importance of targeted education among the elderly. The study’s objective is to improve health literacy among the geriatric population in rural Utah by expanding their understanding of osteoporosis.

Ligaplant: Recreating Natural From Artificial, Disha Kamavisdar

Annual Research Symposium

Missing teeth can be substituted by the use of the dental implants. The most widely used implants in the current scenario are the osseointegrated implants with various shortcomings and the most prominent one is the lack of the periodontal ligament. To overcome this, implants with periodontal ligaments can be procured and this can be possible by the application of the tissue engineering concept along with suitable implant material.

Application Of In-Silico Computational Biology Strategies To Demonstrate Mechanism Of Oral Cancer Cell Death By Natural Peptide, Dr Dominic Augustine

Annual Research Symposium

This research work is designed to identify biomolecules from Earthworm Coelomic Fluid (ECF) of Eudrilus Eugeniae (EE) that can inhibit oral cancer cells from proliferating. The study aims to construct a homology model of the 18 kDa protein from ECF of EE (18-ECFP) with molecular dynamics simulation (MDS) to enable its molecular docking with pro-apoptotic caspase receptors with determination of binding energy scores. The study also evaluates the anti-cancer potential of 18-ECFP on SCC-9 cells in vitro by wet lab techniques.

Factors Leading To White Blood Cell Misidentification, Kirsten A. Van Dam, Ryan Cordner

Annual Research Symposium

A study done to understand what factors lead to the correct identification of white blood cells (WBCs), and what factors are misleading. Research was conducted through an online survey where respondents who are trained to read peripheral blood smears were shown pictures of white blood cells, asked to identify them, and provide their reasoning.

Pathogenic Implications Of Candidal Species In Both Oral Cancer And Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders - A Review, Dr Dominic Augustine, Sowmya Sv, Kuntala Mondal

Annual Research Symposium

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the 6th most common cancer in worldwide. Cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, and betel quid chewing are its major risk factors other factors that can lead to OSCC include excessive sun exposure, viral or fungal infection, poor nutrition, and poor oral hygiene. The carcinogenesis of OSCC occurs gradually and oral epithelial dysplasia is considered a potential histologic precursor of OSCC. Most OSCC cases are preceded by clinically evident oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs). The aim of this review is to correlate the association between Candida species and oral potentially malignant disorders and its possible mechanisms …

Immunohistochemical Expression Of Cyclin D1 In Dentigerous Cyst, Odontogenic Keratocyst And Unicystic Ameloblastoma- An In-Vitro Study, Kuntala Mondal, Sv Sowmya, Dominic Augustine

Annual Research Symposium

Cyclin D1, a G1 cyclin member, regulates the transition of the cell cycle from the G1 phase to the S phase. The uncontrolled and elevated expression of cyclin D1 has been associated with rapid growth, heightened proliferative activity and increased histologic aggressiveness. Unicystic ameloblastoma pertains to cystic lesions that present clinical, radiographic, or gross features akin to jaw cysts. Nevertheless, upon histological scrutiny, these lesions display a distinctive ameloblastomatous epithelium lining the cystic cavity, with or without luminal or mural proliferation. This cystic variant of tumor bears substantial resemblances to dentigerous cysts, and occasionally, both entities can become indistinguishable upon …

An Immunohistochemical Panel For The Accurate Differentiation Between Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma And Pleomorphic Adenoma, Kuntala Mondal, Sv Sowmya, Dominic Augustine

Annual Research Symposium

Salivary Gland Tumors (SGTs) are a diverse group of neoplasms, with a wide range of histological subtypes, some of which can exhibit overlapping features. Amongst this group of tumors, Pleomorphic Adenoma (PA) and Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma (MEC) stand out as prevalent entities originating from the salivary glands. The accurate differentiation between these two entities is crucial for treatment planning, as it influences decisions regarding the extent of surgical resection. Because of the overlapping histopathological features, it is difficult to differentiate these two lesions with the help of conventional Hematoxylin & Eosin (H& E). The evaluation of Immunohistochemical (IHC) markers holds pivotal …

Cheiloscopic Characteristics Detection And Pattern Classification By Machine Learning Technique, Dr Dominic Augustine, Sowmya Sv

Annual Research Symposium

Machine Learning (ML) is a field enhancing the rapid growth of technology. Though use of digital softwares for cheiloscopic investigations have been attempted with limited success, the use of ML based techniques are scarce and seldom have been employed in forensic odontology. The present study aimed to identify cheiloscopic patterns through machine learning based methods and to correlate the segmented patterns with age and gender of individuals.