Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Effects Of Mitoquinone On Doxorubicin-Induced Cytotoxicity In H9c2 Cardiac Myoblasts And 22rv1 Prostate Cancer Cells, Tia Patrick

PCOM Biomedical Studies Student Scholarship

Introduction:

Although Doxorubicin (DOX) is a widely prescribed chemotherapeutic agent, its clinical use is limited by cardiotoxicity (DIC) caused by oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and cardiac apoptosis. Dexrazoxane (DEX) is the only FDA-approved cardioprotective agent to prevent DIC. However, DEX may induce secondary malignancy. Mitochondria-targeted antioxidants (MTAs), such as mitoquinone (MitoQ) and 10-(6′-plastoquinonyl) decyltriphenylphosphonium (SKQ1), selectively accumulate within mitochondria to scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS) at their primary site of production. Our previous findings demonstrated that MitoQ and SKQ1 prevented the reduction in cell viability caused by DOX treatment in H9c2 myoblasts. However, it remains unclear whether MitoQ can selectively …

Adverse Childhood Experiences Among Kenyan Adolescents: Psychometric Properties, Prevalence Rates And Correlates, Tom Osborn, Rosine Baseke, Faith Kamau, Winnan Munyasa, Christine Wasanga, Maureen Ngesa, Victoria Mutiso, Moses Nyongesa, Jasmit Shah, Zul Merali

Brain and Mind Institute

Background: Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) have been consistently linked to poor mental health outcomes, yet research on their impact in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) settings of Africa, remains relatively unexplored. In Kenya, where childhood adversity is widespread, there is a critical need to examine the validity of ACE measures and their associations with mental ill health. This study aimed to validate the Adverse Childhood Experiences questionnaire (ACE-10) in a Kenyan adolescent sample and assess its associations with symptoms of depression and anxiety, bullying, and sociodemographic factors.

Methods: Data was collected from N = 2,842 adolescents and young …

Adjunctive Psychosocial Interventions And Opioid Abstinence Among Patients Receiving Buprenorphine: A Randomized Clinical Trial., Michelle R. Lent, Emily E Hurstak, Kevin G Lynch, Emily Loscalzo, Kimberly Mazur, Helen L Lugo, Karen L Dugosh

PCOM Scholarly Works

IMPORTANCE: Adjunctive psychosocial treatments are recommended for many using medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), but it is unclear which approaches can best enhance treatment outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the comparative effectiveness of 2 psychosocial treatments, peer recovery support (PRS) and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), on opioid abstinence when used as adjunctive therapies to office-based buprenorphine treatment in adults with opioid use disorder (OUD).

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This randomized clinical trial included US adults diagnosed with OUD referred for care at 5 federally qualified health centers with office-based addiction treatment programs by their clinicians from 2020 to 2024. Participants were …

Assessing The Influence Of Disability Views On Perceptions Of Hearing Aids Among Older Korean Adults, Stasha Lee

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Background

Age-related hearing loss, also known as presbycusis, is highly prevalent among older adults, yet hearing aid adoption remains low, in part due to concerns about stigma and negative social perceptions. This study aimed to examine whether attitudes towards disabilities influence perceptions of individuals wearing hearing aids among older Korean adults. It also explored the potential effects of cultural identity and the age of the individual wearing the hearing aid on these perceptions.

Methods

Ten participants completed the Attitudes and Perspectives on Persons with Disabilities (APPD) questionnaire and rated 8 different images of individuals (one younger male and one older …

Radiotheranostics For Gynecological Pathologies, Joni Sebastiano

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Molecular imaging, specifically positron emission tomography (PET), is vital for detecting disease and understanding its biological makeup. The exploitation of radiolabeled antibodies for PET imaging has proven to be indispensable to the field of molecular imaging over the last several decades. The development of radioimmunoconjugates for use in immunoPET has not only allowed for the sensitive, specific, and high-resolution detection of disease, but has also enabled a deeper understanding of the disease biology, ultimately guiding more personalized therapeutic strategies. Most typically, this technology is harnessed for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, however more recently, the field has explored the …

Music Appreciation In Cochlear Implant Users: A Questionnaire, Hanna Davidson

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Cochlear implants provide significant benefits for speech perception in individuals with severe to profound hearing loss; however, music perception and appreciation remain challenging due to limited spectral and temporal resolution. This study examined music appreciation in post lingually deafened adult cochlear implant users, focusing on changes in enjoyment, listening behaviors, and subjective experiences following implantation. Sixteen adults completed a 36-item questionnaire assessing pre- and post-implant music engagement, perceived sound quality, and emotional responses to music. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics, and qualitative responses were analyzed thematically.

Results indicated a moderate decline in music enjoyment following …

Implicit Attitudes Toward Hearing Aid Visibility: Conspicuous Versus Inconspicuous Hearing Aid Colors, Orly R. Ames

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Hearing aid stigma remains a significant barrier to treatment uptake, with device visibility frequently identified as a contributing factor. Although prior research has examined visibility in relation to hearing aid size and style, the role of color as a distinct aesthetic dimension has not been systematically investigated. The present study assessed whether hearing aid color affects implicit and explicit attitudes toward hearing aids and whether such evaluations differ across contexts. Twenty-six adults who were not current hearing aid users participated in an online quantitative multi-method study consisting of an Implicit Association Test (IAT) and self-report questionnaires. The IAT measured implicit …

A Comparison Of Manufacturers’ Claims Of Attenuation Rates In Non-Custom Earplugs, Skyler M. Shipley

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Recreational and social environments frequently expose individuals to high intensity noise environments; however, the use of hearing protection devices (HPDs) remains limited. This study evaluated whether non-custom, over-the-counter musicians’ earplugs provide attenuation consistent with manufacturers’ claims and whether cost is associated with performance. Six commercially available earplug models were tested using both human participants and a KEMAR manikin system. Attenuation was measured across frequencies from 250–8000 Hz (octave and inter-octave frequencies) and were tested using different ear tip sizes. Results indicated that several earplugs achieved attenuation levels comparable to or exceeding their advertised noise reduction ratings (NRR), though consistency varied …

Kanak-Ish Misfits: Queer Imaginaries, Racialized Borders, And The Politics Of Care In Berlin, Germany, Faruk Seref

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

This dissertation examines queer Muslim experiences of border politics, racialization, and care in Berlin, Germany. By formulating bordering as a domineering and oppressive practice of boundary-making, I study how global bordering mechanisms shape and disrupt structures of care, caring, and being cared for. With an intersectional focus on race, gender, sexuality, and sex, I argue that borders are simultaneously materialized and challenged in varying localities, including the nightclub, the queer scene, the diasporic neighborhoods, and households. Ultimately, viewing collective care as fundamental to survival, healing, resistance, and building non-punitive lifeworlds, I theorize the counter-hegemonic practices of queers of color through …

Wayfindr: Investigating Feedback In Biological Pathways, Polina Bombina, Reginald L Mcgee Ii, Jake Reed, Zachary B Abrams, Lynne V Abruzzo, Kevin R Coombes

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Understanding biological pathways requires more than static diagrams. We present WayFindR, an R package that converts pathway data from WikiPathways and KEGG into graph structures using igraph, enabling computational analysis of regulatory features such as negative feedback loops. Rooted in control theory, negative feedback is essential for system stability, yet it is often underrepresented in curated pathway data. In this study, we systematically analyzed pathway information from both databases across multiple species and found that feedback loops-particularly negative ones-are rarely captured. This gap likely reflects both biological and technical challenges. Biologically, feedback mechanisms are inherently complex and often remain uncharted …

Artelon Graft Augmentation In Revision Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: Surgical Technique Guide., Taylor Manes, Morgan Turnow, Trent Davis, Anthony Perugini, Michael Anderson, Benjamin Taylor

Surgery Articles

INTRODUCTION: Revision anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) procedures are becoming more prevalent. Variable grafts for ACL reconstruction are available, including autograft, allograft, and synthetic graft options. Various augmentation techniques are also available and typically consist of synthetic material such as Artelon graft. This type of synthetic material has been used and shown to produce safe and reliable augmentation in ligament injuries. The purpose of this study was to describe our unique revision ACL reconstruction technique utilizing Artelon graft augmentation and report our short-term results.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed patients undergoing revision ACL reconstruction with Artelon graft augmentation, a Flexband …

Clinical Presentations Of Pemphigus Vulgaris In Patients With Skin Of Color: A Systematic Literature Review, Haya Alkiswani, Simona Alomary, Jared Boetes, Nicole J. Baker, Susan C. Taylor

SKMC Student Presentations and Publications

Background: Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is a rare, often severe autoimmune disease affecting skin and mucous membranes. Despite the scarce literature on PV in skin of color (SOC) populations (Fitzpatrick III-VI), existing studies suggest that there are misdiagnosis, delayed treatment, and recurrence of symptoms in SOC patients with PV. Objective: This review explores the clinical presentations of PV reported in patients with SOC, diagnostic challenges and delays, treatments, and patient outcomes to allow for an improved understanding of how PV manifests clinically in darker skin. Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted using articles found in PubMed and Embase. Two independent …

Neuroinflammation And Neuropathology In A Novel Tau, Amyloid-Beta And Alpha-Synuclein Co-Pathology Model, Jhodi Mickayla Webster

ETDs from 2020-2029

Neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson disease (PD) often present with overlapping proteinopathies rather than aggregated proteins in isolation. Amyloid-β (Aβ) and phosphorylated tau are found in a substantial proportion of idiopathic PD cases, while α-synuclein (α-syn) pathology is present in over half of AD cases. The presence of these co-pathologies is associated with accelerated cognitive decline and increase mortality in these patients. In parallel, neurodegenerative diseases are increasingly recognized as being shaped by interactions between central nervous system (CNS) pathology and the immune system. Despite this, most experimental animal models of neurodegenerative disease examine single pathologies in …

The Healthcare Transition Experiences Of Emerging Adults With Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia, Leslie Noojin Pitts

ETDs from 2020-2029

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is a group of disorders characterized by enzyme deficiencies impairing adrenal hormone production and requiring lifelong management. Individuals with CAH experience increased morbidity and mortality due to the underlying condition, steroid exposure, and inadequate preventative care. Despite clinical guidelines recommending a structured healthcare transition (HCT), little is known about the HCT experiences of emerging adults with CAH. Understanding these experiences is critical for identifying practice gaps and developing interventions to improve health outcomes. This qualitative descriptive study explored the HCT experiences, challenges, and outcomes of emerging adults with CAH, as guided by the refined Social Ecological …

Practice With Purpose: The Pediatric Ng/Og Tube Safety Hierarchy, Caitlin Roush, Christine Hajovsky, Delaney Dewolf, Elizabeth Hernandez, Giselle Daclan, Jay Barber, Kris Noel, Kristen Dickey, Lynde Craig, Madeline Herrera, Margaret Willenburg, Mckenzie Pedigo, Melynda Olguin, Myesha Vines, Rhianna Brard, Teresa Wynee

Practice With Purpose

No abstract provided.

06-16-26 Bor Hsc Committee Notice Of Meeting, Patricia Serna

HSC Committee (A subcommittee of the UNM Board of Regents)

06-16-26 BOR HSC Committee Notice of Meeting

Investigation Of Warfarin–Human Serum Albumin Binding By Ultrafast Affinity Extraction Using Single- And Dual-Column Affinity Microcolumn Systems, Samiul Alim

Department of Chemistry: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

This dissertation examined the interaction of warfarin with human serum albumin (HSA) by using affinity chromatography, with particular emphasis on ultrafast affinity extraction (UAE) and affinity microcolumns. HSA affinity supports were prepared by immobilizing HSA onto diol-bonded silica via Schiff base chemistry and used to prepare affinity microcolumns for chromatographic studies under physiological-like conditions at pH 7.4 and 37.0 °C. UAE studies were performed to investigate the effects of residence time, flow rate, and column configuration on the measured apparent free fraction of warfarin and on the calculated apparent binding parameters. The results showed that the measured apparent free fraction …

Robotic-Assisted Pedicle Screw Placement Achieves High Accuracy And Narrows The Experience Gap: A Preclinical Evaluation, Anna T. Reza, Matthias Walper, Mitchell K. Ng, Paul G. Mastrokostas, Andrew S. Lee, Rafael G. Rafael, Kornelis A. Poelstra, Ratliff K. John, Rajiv K. Sethi, Michael A. Mont

Rothman Institute Papers

To assess a robotic-assisted system versus open manual techniques to: (1) compare pedicle screw accuracy between fellows and attendings with and without robotic assistance, and (2) evaluate executed versus planned trajectory fidelity relative to prior reports. Robotic-assisted spine systems aim to improve the accuracy, reproducibility, and safety of pedicle screw placement. Limited evidence compares outcomes across differing surgeon experience levels. A total of 255 thoracolumbar pedicle screws were placed in synthetic torsos simulating adult degenerative anatomy. Four surgeons (two fellows, two attendings) each placed half their screws using open fluoroscopy-guided techniques and half using a minimally invasive percutaneous approach with …

A Word From The Writing Team (June 2026), Pam Walter, Mfa, Laura Deloretta, Phd

A Word From the Writing Team (Newsletter)

No abstract provided.

The Effects Of Bone Health And Variation On Saw Mark Signatures, Lily Ambrose

PCOM Biomedical Studies Student Scholarship

Bone health and structural variation are multifactorial. Population, environment, age, diet, and health influence the overall functional morphology of bone and its response to stressors. Reduced cortical porosity, trabecular thinning, and low bone mass are common indicators of age-related and pathological changes, affecting a significant portion of the population. Because of this, bones encountered in medicolegal investigations often differ from what is considered “normal.” The structural integrity of bone needs to be considered because density influences mechanical strength and response to external forces. In criminal dismemberment cases, forensic scientists analyze saw marks to identify tool class and reconstruct events. While …

The Effect Of Bai1 Deficiency On Cell Survival During The Critical Period Of Retinal Development, Nicholas Mirmanesh

PCOM Biomedical Studies Student Scholarship

The postnatal retina undergoes further development during the critical period, during which excess neurons are culled, and synapses are refined to shape the mature retinal circuitry. Brain-specific angiogenesis inhibitor-1 (BAI1) has been implicated in synaptic development, phagocytosis, the regulation of angiogenesis, and inflammatory signaling, suggesting it may play an important role in retinal maturation. The goal of this project was to determine how BAI1 deficiency affects retinal cell survival and layer morphology during the critical period. Mice were divided into three genotype groups: BAI1 +/+ Wild Type (WT), +/- (Het), and -/- (KO). Apoptotic cells were quantified using TUNEL staining …

2026 Cyber-Resilient Health Care Workshop Report, Malcolm Schongalla, Sergey Bratus

Computer Science Technical Reports

The ISTS and the Dartmouth College Cybersecurity Cluster hosted the successful, inaugural Cyber-Resilient Health Care (CRHC) Workshop, March 5th & 6th, 2026. The event theme was "Innovation and Implementation," in response to the need to shift from reactive to proactive resiliency measures in the healthcare sector. Approximately 30 experts in clinical health care, cybersecurity, medical technology, policy, and innovation met to discuss solution-focused innovations addressing hard, cyber-related problems in health care. The agenda featured keynotes, an expert panel, innovation pitches, small group discussions, and a tabletop infrastructure disaster exercise. Participants gained insights into the obstacles and solutions involved in supporting …

Predicting Clinical Outcomes Of Non-Specific Low Back Pain By Studying The Interaction Of Clinical And Demographic Factors Of A Retrospective Data Set, Erica Michelle Fernandes

Dissertations

The purpose of this research is to investigate demographic factors, including age, gender, body mass index (BMI), race, marital status, insurance type, severity of disease (initial pain level), and clinical factors such as number of visits (no. of visits) at physical therapy (PT), length of time at PT and the type of clinician either physical therapist versus physical therapy assistant (PTA), that most predict PT clinical outcomes in patients with nonspecific low back pain (NSLBP) and see if there is an interaction between demographic and clinical variables.

Methods

The current study is a retrospective, cross-sectional, observational study using secondary electronic …

Exploring Occupational Exposures And Health Risks Among Long-Haul Truck Drivers: Tobacco Smoke, Cara Harris

ETDs from 2020-2029

Long-haul truck drivers (LHTDs) are exposed to a range of occupational hazards and stressors that threaten their health and well-being. These include, but are not limited to, irregular sleep patterns, fatigue, and chronic exposure to diesel engine exhaust (DEE) and tobacco smoke in the confined spaces of truck cabins. Smoking tobacco cigarettes is often used as a coping mechanism for occupational stressors and nicotine dependence, contributing to a high smoking rate among LHTDs (51%) compared to the general population (19%). Collectively, exposure to DEE and tobacco smoke may have a synergistic effect, increasing LHTD’s risk for lung cancer and other …

The Back Page: A Dental Road Trip To The Birthplace Of Fluoridation, Chris Smiley Dds

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This historical feature details a visit by ADA and MDA leadership to the Monroe Avenue Water Filtration Plant in Grand Rapids. The plant achieved international significance on January 25, 1945, when Grand Rapids became the first city in the world to implement community water fluoridation. A subsequent 10-year study showed a 65% reduction in childhood tooth decay, establishing fluoridation as a primary public health measure of the 20th century. The article highlights the facility's legacy as the birthplace of a global health initiative.

Outgoing President Newman: “The Future Of The Mda Is Defined By All Of Us”, David Foe

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

In her final address to the MDA House of Delegates, outgoing President Dr. Cheri Newman reviews the association's progress over the past administrative year. She highlights achievements in strengthening financial stability, advocating for solutions to dental workforce shortages, and expanding community access to care. Newman also discusses the ongoing strategic review of member values and a comprehensive governance review intended to position the association for the future of dentistry. She emphasizes that the organization's strength lies in the collective engagement of its membership.

Lingo4 Coordinates Ilc3-Intrinsic Il-22 Production And Microbiota-Mediated Ilc3 Homeostasis, José L Fachi, Tihana Trsan, Cristiane Sécca, Sarah De Oliveira, Vinícius R Rodovalho, Patrick Fernandes Rodrigues, Wandy L Beatty, Raki Sudan, Shitong Wu, Bishan Bhattarai, Santosh K Panda, Marina Cella, Susan Gilfillan, Marco Colonna

2020-Current year OA Pubs

LINGO4 is a leucine-rich repeat and immunoglobulin-like domain-containing transmembrane protein encoded immediately adjacent to Rorc, the gene for RORγt, raising the possibility that it contributes to the biology of RORγt+ lymphocytes. However, its impact on these cells and resistance to enteric infections has remained unknown. Here, we identify LINGO4 as a critical regulator of group 3 innate lymphoid cells (ILC3s). Lingo4-/- ILC3s exhibit a profound, cell-intrinsic defect in IL-22 production linked to impaired STAT3 activation, mitochondrial dysfunction, elevated ROS, and increased apoptosis. In vivo, Lingo4 deficiency also drives a dysbiotic gut microbiota, resulting in an additional, microbiota-dependent loss of ILC3s. …

Activation Of The Human Β3 Gabaa Receptor By Combinations Of Receptor Protonation With Chemical Agonists And Gain-Of-Function Mutations, Allison L Germann, Spencer R Pierce, Joe Henry Steinbach, Gustav Akk

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Native GABA

Human Stem Cell-Based Embryo Models: Innovation, Ethics, And Policy, Alfonso Martinez Arias, Thorold Theunissen, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

The aim of this White Paper is to establish a foundational framework for research, technological development, and regulation in the emerging field of stem cell-based embryo models (SCBEMs). These models, generated from Pluripotent Stem Cells, are designed to recapitulate essential events in early stages of human development. They have the potential to illuminate the early stages of embryo development and implantation and hold promise as an avenue to address global health challenges, including infertility and pregnancy loss, congenital, neonatal and adult conditions, and the need for organ transplants. While SCBEMs are not a substitute for human embryos, their tractability for …

Noninvasive Enrichment Of Circulating Tumor Biomarkers In A Mouse Model Of Diffuse Midline Glioma Using Focused Ultrasound, Dingyue Zhang, Yimei Yue, Yan Gong, Leqi Yang, Kevin Xu, Jinyun Yuan, Hong Chen

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Diagnosing diffuse midline glioma (DMG) through invasive tissue biopsies is challenging due to the tumor's eloquent location at the pons. Liquid biopsies offer a promising noninvasive alternative; however, their limited detection sensitivity and lack of information on the source of biomarkers pose great challenges. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and safety of using focused ultrasound (FUS) with microbubbles to enrich circulating DMG tumor biomarkers in blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) using a mouse model.

METHODS: Murine DMG cells, transfected with enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) and firefly luciferase (Fluc) genes, were orthotopically injected into the mouse brain. …