Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Why Are We Doing This?, Richard Alweis, Hemant Kalia

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

The editors of the journal explain the rationale for founding a new journal and the goals of the journal.

Providing High Reliability Care For Picu Patients With Pulmonary Hypertension: A Quality Improvement Project, Anjali Subbaswamy, Nicholas Tan, Iric Guthrie, Kelsey Fath, Cole Linzmeyer, Elizabeth Yakes Jimenez

Quality Improvement/Patient Safety Symposium

Providing High Reliability Care for PICU Patients with Pulmonary Hypertension: A Quality Improvement Project

Anjali Subbaswamy, MD; Nicholas Tan, DO; Iric Guthrie, MD; Kelsey Fath, MD; Cole Linzmeyer, DO; Elizabeth Yakes Jimenez, PhD, RDN, LD

Purpose: Pediatric patients with pulmonary hypertension (PHTN) are a high acuity, low frequency population, and are often admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). To mitigate the risk of precipitating a potentially life-threatening pulmonary hypertensive crisis, health care staff need to take specific precautions. This quality improvement (QI) project aims to increase the number of inpatient PHTN patients for whom PHTN precautions are applied …

Pediatric Residency Academic Rotation Improves Self-Rated Proficiency In Quality Improvement Skills, Maria Heubeck, Rebecca Craig, Taylor Ford, Lanier Lopez, Grace Mccauley, Elizabeth Yakes Jimenez

Quality Improvement/Patient Safety Symposium

Category: In-progress research

Title: Pediatric Residency Academic Rotation Improves Self-Rated Proficiency in Quality Improvement Skills

Maria Heubeck, MD; Rebecca Craig, MD; Taylor, Ford, MD; Lanier Lopez, MD; Grace McCauley, MPH; Elizabeth Yakes Jimenez, PhD, RDN, LD

Introduction: As of July 2020, all second-year pediatric residents participate in a one-month academic rotation. The rotation focuses on quality improvement (QI), research, education and leadership skills and experience. This project aims to assess the impact of the rotation on residents’ self-reported QI proficiency, self-rated motivation to pursue scholarly activities, and competency based on ACGME milestones.

Methods: Pediatric residents participating in the academic rotation …

Improving Vaccination Uptake In The Latinx Community Through Standardized Outreach, Vanessa M. Arteaga

Master's Projects and Capstones

Vaccine hesitancy during the COVID-19 pandemic has been an issue in the Latinx and Black community since the initial discussions of the emergency use of the experimental Moderna and Pfizer vaccines. The aim of this project is to standardize the patient outreach process to increase COVID-19 vaccine uptake. Patients at a community clinic in Oakland have expressed hesitance of the COVID-19 vaccine. They also exhibited increased frustration with the staff who are contacting them to schedule vaccine appointments and provide information. This resulted in refusal of the vaccine and less than desirable number of vaccine appointments. The objective of this …

Understanding The Impact Of Racism In Healthcare And How It Is Affecting African American Women (Part 2), Magdalene Boadu

Symposium of Student Scholars

Healthcare is the most sacred part of every person’s life and should be accessible. However, the experience for many is that “you either got it or you don’t”. A way to help “get it”[Healthcare] is through workplace insurance, however, this is not accessible to many. This is especially the case for minority communities who cannot afford insurance plans, if and when offered by their employers, or other alternatives for accessing affordable health care. The terms “affordable and health care” are a paradox, for African American women. This is because of a system that was built to benefit one race but …

Development Of A Multilevel Intervention To Increase Colorectal Cancer Screening In Appalachia, Aaron J Kruse-Diehr, Jill M Oliveri, Robin C Vanderpool, Mira L Katz, Paul L Reiter, Darrell M Gray, Michael L Pennell, Gregory S Young, Bin Huang, Darla Fickle, Mark Cromo, Melinda Rogers, David Gross, Ashley Gibson, Jeanne Jellison, Michael D Sarap, Tonia A Bivens, Tracy D Mcguire, Ann Scheck Mcalearney, Timothy R Huerta, Saurabh Rahurkar, Electra D Paskett, Mark Dignan

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates are lower in Appalachian regions of the United States than in non-Appalachian regions. Given the availability of various screening modalities, there is critical need for culturally relevant interventions addressing multiple socioecological levels to reduce the regional CRC burden. In this report, we describe the development and baseline findings from year 1 of "Accelerating Colorectal Cancer Screening through Implementation Science (ACCSIS) in Appalachia," a 5-year, National Cancer Institute Cancer Moonshot

METHODS: Project development was theory-driven and included the establishment of both an external Scientific Advisory Board and a Community Advisory Board to provide guidance in …

2021 May 18 - Medical Student Education Committee Minutes, Medical Student Education Committee, East Tennessee State University

Medical Student Education Committee Minutes

No abstract provided.

Use Of Artificial Intelligence To Identify Predictors Of Functional Outcomes In Patients With Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy, Natalie K. Katz

Research Days

Background: Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is one of the most common forms of muscular dystrophy characterized by slowly progressive muscle weakness. Symptoms initially involve the facial and shoulder girdle muscles, with later involvement of the distal lower extremities, pelvic girdle and proximal lower extremities. FSHD type 1 (FHSD1) is the most common form (~95% of individuals) and is caused by deletion of microsatellite repeats in the D4Z4 region on chromosome 4 (4q35). Normal individuals have >10 repeats whereas individuals with FSHD1 have 1-10 repeats. There is significant variability in regards to disease severity, rates of progression and functional outcomes, but …

Prevalence Of Adolescent Sexual Health Outcomes At Children’S Hospitals During Covid-19, Margarita Abella

Research Days

Background: The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic mitigation strategies, including social distancing, decreased structured environments, and decreased sexual and reproductive health (SRH) care access, could negatively impact adolescent SRH behaviors and related outcomes. To date, little is known regarding changes in adolescent SRH outcomes during COVID-19.

Objectives/Goal: Our goals were to assess changes in adolescent SRH outcomes, including sexually transmitted infections (STIs), pregnancy, and sexual assault in the hospital (emergency department [ED] and inpatient [IP]) during COVID-19 compared to pre-COVID-19.

Methods/Design: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of adolescent (11-18 years old) IP or ED hospital visits using the Pediatric …

Characterization Of Comorbidities In Patients With A Dual Diagnosis Of Down Syndrome And Autism Spectrum Disorder Using Cerner Health Facts, Michael Slogic

Research Days

Background: Up to 19% of patients with Down syndrome (DS) meet diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) (Channell, et al, 2019). While the medical and psychological comorbidities for patients with DS or ASD are well characterized, comorbidities and outcomes for patients with a dual diagnosis (DS-ASD) are poorly understood. A large cohort of patients with DS-ASD, as well as those with ASD and DS alone, are needed to better understand this. Methods for grouping and analyzing complex diagnostic phenotypes are also needed.

Objectives/Goal: Our objective is to utilize Cerner Health Facts, a multi-institutional healthcare database, to identify large populations …

Effectiveness And Safety Of Repeat Dexamethasone For Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia, Christian Oliveros

Research Days

Background: Although a short course of steroids maybe beneficial in infants at high risk for bronchopulmonary dysplasia, response to treatment is variable. In infants with persistent lung disease despite initial treatment, repeat courses of steroids have been described but not well-studied. This 10-year observational study from a single tertiary referral center evaluates the effectiveness and safety of repeat steroid treatment for bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

Objectives/Goal: To describe effectiveness of repeat dexamethasone treatment for bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and to evaluate potential detrimental effects on growth and neurodevelopment.

Methods/Design: This was a 10-year single-center observational study of infants <30 >weeks’ gestational age at birth …

A Study Examining The Safety And Efficacy Of Ferric Carboxymaltose In A Large Pediatric Cohort, Chandni Dargan Md, David Simon Do

Research Days

Background: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is common in the pediatric population with varying high-risk factors. Intravenous (IV) iron supplementation has become more desirable in patients with moderate to severe anemia and in patients who are either unresponsive to or have adverse side-effects secondary to oral iron. Iron sucrose and Iron dextran have been traditionally used in pediatrics while ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) has only been FDA approved in adults. One of the major advantages of FCM is the ease of dosing and efficacy. Though FCM was approved for adults in 2013 and there have been no safety concerns, it is not …

Attitudes Of Pediatric Residents In The Care Of Transgender Youth, Michelle Knoll

Research Days

Background: Transgender individuals have health disparities compared to the general population and face several barriers to medical care. Prior studies indicate physician knowledge on transgender topics is poor and that transphobia is associated with poor knowledge even after educational interventions. Objectives/Goal: We sought to examine pediatric residents’ attitudes about transgender individuals and assess concerns related to the treatment of transgender youth. Methods: A survey was sent to 89 US Pediatric and combined (e.g. Med-Peds) residency programs and advertised on social media. Approximately 32 programs forwarded the survey to an estimated 1325 residents; 138 residents completed it. The survey consisted of …

Portable Low Field Strength Mri: Preliminary Experience In Neonates And Children, Johnston Fite

Research Days

Background: High field strength MRI (HF-MRI) is a pediatric imaging staple. However, HF-MRI access is limited by strong (1.5 – 3.0 T) magnetic fields with associated safety concerns, space requirements, and cost. To address these limitations, Hyperfine (Guilford, CT) developed a low magnetic field (0.064 T) portable MRI device, named Swoop. Preliminary data in adults shows benefits despite decreased image quality. In this study, initial evaluation of Swoop’s image quality in pediatric patients was assessed.

Objectives/Goal: The objective in this study was the initial evaluation of Swoop’s image quality in pediatric patients to serve as a baseline.

Methods/Design: The study …

Variability In Blood Gas Levels During Non-Invasive Ventilatory Support Following Planned Extubation And Association To 36-Week Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia In Preterm Neonates, Michelle Klueppelberg

Research Days

Background: Despite shifts to non-invasive support, as of 2012, 87% of preterm infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) continued to receive some form of invasive mechanical ventilation1 . As a result, research around how prolonged respiratory support may impact the development of chronic lung disease, specifically bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) has flourished. To date, literature has established associations between the time on invasive mechanical ventilation and incidence BPD2,3. Resulting in the development of standardized extubation strategies and bringing with them objective measures of extubation readiness4,5. Yet, due to their volatile conditions, some neonates will inevitably need to be …

Biomedical Ethics In The Medical School Curriculum: Lessons Learned From The Holocaust, Emma Flanagan

College Honors Program

The Holocaust, the murder of 6 million Jews, is the only medically-santioned genocide. This thesis explores the roles of Nazi doctors in the planning, organizing, and implementation of the organized mass murder of European Jewry. Given the German medical community’s complicity, it is imperative that physicians today are well informed about their profession’s history of involvement in the Holocaust. In addition, and by way of contrast, a study of the moral challenges faced by doctors imprisoned in concentration camps or in the ghettos of Nazi-occupied Europe might serve to better prepare physicians for future ethical dilemmas. In a survey of …

A New Paradigm: Ecmo Therapy In Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Patients, Igor Areinamo

Research Days

Background: The use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for support of pediatric patients has significantly increased in the past years. Patients with known oncologic diseases, immunodeficiencies, or bone marrow transplants (BMT) have traditionally not been considered candidates for Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) due to perceived high risk for mortality. Ongoing advances have continued to push the boundaries of ECMO use and we report our recent experience with this patient population

Objectives/Goal: To evaluate survival to discharge of pediatric patients who require ECMO support and who also have an underlying hematologic or oncologic disease process. To determine specific patient characteristics that …

Low Dose Doxorubicin Inhibits Immune Checkpoint Upregulation In Acute Leukemias, Bradley C. Stockard

Research Days

Background: Evasion of drug and immune response in therapy-resistant leukemic stem cells (LSCs) is a major cause of relapse. A previous study has identified an alternative mechanism of action for low-dose doxorubicin (DXR) that inhibits upregulation of immune checkpoints (IC) in LSCs.

Objectives/Goal: The objective of this study is to establish the DXR dose range that will achieve the inhibition of immune checkpoint expression in leukemic cell lines.

Methods/Design: Cells were analyzed for expression of CTLA-4, LAG-3, PD-1, TIGIT, and TIM-3 via flow cytometry. Analysis was performed on days 3, 5, and 8 of treatment at concentrations identified as low, …

Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome After Dinutuximab, Kayeleigh Higgerson Do, Chandni Dargan Md

Research Days

Background: Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a reversible disorder associated with edema of subcortical white matter and cortical gray matter that usually involves the occipital and parietal lobes. Endothelial injury secondary to abrupt blood pressure changes breaks down the blood brain barrier leading to brain edema. Per the ANBL0032 Fall 2015 Study Progress Report, Dinutuximab was the probable cause of PRES in two patients. There have been published reports of PRES with other anti-GD2 antibody therapies but very few reports of Dinutuximab as the causative agent.

Objectives/Goal: To report a case of PRES after Dinutuximab

Methods/Design: Case Report

Results: …

Levofloxacin Versus Ciprofloxacin Prophylaxis In Pediatric Cancer Patients At High Risk Of Infection, Chandni Dargan Md, Amy Johnson Md, Mba

Research Days

Background: Patients with cancer and those undergoing chemotherapy are at risk of developing bacterial infections due to myelosuppression. Patients undergoing the most intensive chemotherapy regimens are at a higher risk for morbidity and mortality due to profound neutropenia. Antibacterial prophylaxis is given to reduce the incidence of infection in those at highest risk. Starting March 1, 2016 our institution used ciprofloxacin for antibacterial prophylaxis however recent literature, including the COG trial ACCL0934, supports using levofloxacin in certain high risk (HR) populations due to greater efficacy in reducing neutropenic fever (NF) and bacteremia. Therefore, we switched to this April 1, 2019. …

A Pediatric Case Of Treatment-Related Myelodysplastic Syndrome While On Therapy For Pre-B All, Sara Mcelroy

Research Days

Background: Treatment-related myelodysplastic syndrome (t-MDS) is a known, but rare, late effect of cancer therapy, specifically radiation, alkylating agents or topoisomerase II inhibitors. When secondary to treatment with alkylating agents, t-MDS typically occurs 4 to 7 years after therapy, and common cytogenetics include chromosomes 5 and 7 abnormalities. Treatment in children with t-MDS is typically allogeneic stem cell transplant, but the prognosis remains poor.

Objectives/Goal: To describe a rare case of a pediatric patient who developed t-MDS while receiving treatment for Pre-B Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (pre-B ALL) and to outline the treatment regimen that he received.

Methods/Design: Case Report …

Therapeutic Plasma Exchange In Critically Ill Pediatric Patients With Leukemia, Sarah E. Mc Dermott, Chandni Dargan

Research Days

Background: Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) has well-documented applications in the adult population, outlined by the American Society of Apheresis (ASFA) 2019 guidelines. Limited data exists regarding the use of TPE in critically ill pediatric patients, however these reports rarely include patients with oncological diseases. Care for these patients poses certain clinical considerations including the safety of continuing chemotherapy, delayed clearance of chemotherapy secondary to end organ damage and mechanical clearance (i.e., continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) circuitry), and ability to tolerate chemotherapy once recovered. We aim to highlight the potential benefits of TPE in their acute management, so that it …

Outcomes Of Infants With Severe Rop At Risk Of Treatment With Avastin Compared To Laser Surgery, Stephen Doxey

Research Days

Background: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a well-known complication occurring in the most premature infants leading to visual impairment and in the most severe cases associated with retinal detachment and childhood blindness. Factors contributing the development of ROP include chronic hypoxia and disordered vascular genesis primarily through the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling pathway. Infants at risk of developing ROP are screened with serial eye exam and treated with either laser surgery or intraocular injects of bevacizumab (Avastin) to prevent progression of ROP and preserve vision. Bevacizumab, an inhibitor of VEGF signaling, may have positive effects on preventing ROP …

Knowledge, Protective Behaviors And Risk Perception Of Covid-19 Among Dental Students In India: A Cross-Sectional Analysis, Kavita Batra, Yashashri Urankar, Ravi Batra, Aaron F. Gomez, Meru S., Pragati Kaurani

School of Medicine Faculty Research

Objective: This study’s objective was to examine the knowledge, performance in practicing protective behaviors, and risk perception of Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) among dental students of India. Methods: A web-based cross-sectional survey was conducted from 10–30 August 2020, involving 381 dental students that were enrolled at the Uttaranchal Dental and Medical Research Institute in India. A web-based structured questionnaire assessed the COVID-19 related knowledge, protective behaviors, and risk perception performance. The independent-samples-t and analysis of variance tests were used to analyze the differences in knowledge, protective behaviors, and perception across the groups. Results: Of the dental students surveyed, 83% had adequate …

Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center - 2021- 147th Commencement, Office Of The Registrar, Lsu Health Sciences Center-No

Graduation & Commencement Programs

The program for the 147th Commencement of LSU Health Sciences Center - New Orleans held May 13, 2021.

Long-Term Outcomes And Satisfaction Rates After Costal Cartilage Resection For Slipping Rib Syndrome, James Fraser

Research Days

Background/Objectives/Goal: Slipping rib syndrome (SRS) is a challenging and underdiagnosed condition that has proven to be an elusive diagnosis due to an extensive differential with presenting symptoms that mimic a myriad of alternative diagnoses of both thoracic and abdominal pathology. The diagnosis of SRS is recognized in a patient with consistent, progressive, often debilitating unilateral or bilateral chest wall and/or upper abdominal pain with intermittent clicking or rib slipping. SRS frequently does not resolve with conservative management, including physical therapy, rest, and NSAIDs, as well as intercostal injections, and even opioid medications. Workup can be extensive including multiple subspecialty referrals …

Multimodal Pain Control In Common Neonatal Surgeries: Post-Operative Pain Protocol Reduces Opiate Exposure And Side Effects, Jamesia Donato

Research Days

Background: Opioids are the primary post-operative (post-op) analgesic in neonates. Side effects include hypotension, apnea and ileus. Previous studies show IV acetaminophen decreases opiate need in specific populations including cleft palate repair, cardiac surgery. The effect of IV acetaminophen as part of a post-op pain algorithm is not known in common neonatal surgical procedures.

Objectives/Goal: To determine if (a) a post-op pain algorithm including IV acetaminophen and (b) IV acetaminophen exposure reduces cumulative opioid requirements in neonates undergoing common surgeries in the NICU.

Methods/Design: This is a retrospective cohort study comparing cumulative post-operative opiate exposure between infants with common surgeries …

Improving Thromboprophylaxis In Hospitalized Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients- A Quality Improvement Project, Amy Issa, Panam Kaur

Research Days

Background/Project Intent (Aim Statement): Pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients in acute flare have 1.5 to 3-fold higher risk of thromboembolism compared to the general population. Anticoagulation therapy is recommended for pediatric IBD patients who have ≥ 1 risk factors for venous thromboembolic events. At Children’s Mercy Hospital (CMH), approximately 80 patients/year are admitted for acute flare, of which, roughly 30% receive appropriate thromboprophylaxis. Lack of standardization of thromboprophylaxis and an educational gap amongst providers are significant barriers. Our goal is to standardize and improve the rates of thromboprophylaxis in IBD patients admitted at CMH from 30% to 60% by …

Umbilical Access In Laparoscopic Surgery In Infants Less Than 3 Months: Single Institution Retrospective Review, James Fraser

Research Days

Background/Objectives/Goal: Umbilical access in laparoscopic surgery has been cited as a potential factor for increased complications in low-birth-weight infants and those less than three months old. Previous series noted a self-reported complication rate of 10.6% among 329 pediatric surgeons via anonymous survey, citing carbon dioxide (CO2) embolism as the most common complication. We report four-year outcomes with blunt transumbilical laparoscopic access to examine the safety of this technique.

Methods/Design: Following IRB approval, a retrospective database of patients less than three months of age who underwent laparoscopic pyloromyotomy or inguinal hernia repair from 2016-2019 at a tertiary care academic center was …

Pediatric Pulmonary Artery Aneurysms Causing Pulmonary Hemorrhage: A Case Of Transcatheter Intervention While On Va Ecmo Support, Igor Areinamo

Research Days

Background: The incidence of pulmonary artery aneurysm (PAA) in children remains unknown. There are few reports of a transcutaneous interventional approach to address this type of pathology. Management of PAAs while on VA ECMO has not been described in pediatrics.

Objectives/Goal:

Methods/Design:

Case: 9-year-old previously healthy male presented with MRSA associated ARDS and sepsis requiring urgent VA ECMO cannulation. Chest CT done on ECMO day 22 showed development of right sided PAAs. Patient had an episode of significant pulmonary hemorrhage. Angiogram demonstrated two fusiform right PAAs, one of which had ruptured and was bleeding into the lung parenchyma. Patient had …