Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Implementation & Evaluation Of A Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Transition To Early Intervention Program For High-Risk Infants: A Pilot Study, Erin Price, Otd, Otr/L, Cnt, Ntmtc, Amy Carroll Otd, Otr/L

Department of Occupational Therapy Posters and Presentations

Background

Advances in medicine have increased the survival rate of preterm infants. It is well documented that preterm infants have increased risk for developmental delays (Heiny et al., 2020; Pineda et al., 2020) . Additionally, after long stays in the NICU, families report anxiety and feeling unprepared to care for their fragile child at home (Cheong at al., 2020; Garfield et al., 2014; Aloysius et al., 2018; Lakshmanan et al., 2019) . Preterm infants have fewer developmental delays when enrolled in a program that fosters development of skills and provides caregiver education; however, there is often a 4-5 month gap …

Training To Move An Evidence-Based Dementia Caregiver Support Program Into Practice: A Pragmatic, Randomized, Non-Inferiority Trial Protocol, Nancy A. Hodgson, Miranda V. Mcphillips, Karen B. Hirschman, Emily Summerhayes, Catherine Verrier Piersol, Laura N. Gitlin

Department of Occupational Therapy Faculty Papers

Background

Objective

Workplace Isolation And Loneliness In School-Based Occupational Therapy Practitioners: A Cross-Sectional Study, Megan Ziff Otd, Otr/L, Amy Carroll Otd, Otr/L, Catherine V. Piersol Phd, Otr/L

Department of Occupational Therapy Posters and Presentations

Introduction

• Increasing “epidemic” of social isolation and loneliness in the United States
• The workplace is one locale that can provide social connection¹
• School-based occupational therapy practitioners (SBOTPs) report feeling isolated in the workplace²
• Lack of time can constrain development of collaborative relationships³
• Contractors in particular report feeling on the outskirts of school team communication⁴
• No prior study specific to SBOTP’s workplace isolation and loneliness

Purpose: Describe workplace isolation and workplace loneliness in SBOTPs; investigate their relationship to employment type, and indirect time.

Hypothesis 1: A weak-to-moderate positive relationship between workplace isolation and workplace loneliness in SBOTPs …

The Development Of Consensus Recommendation To Improve Practice Harmonization For Sickle Cell Disease Through The National Alliance Of Sickle Cell Centers, Julie Kanter, Melissa Frei-Jones, Deepa Manwani, Marsha Treadwell, Mohan Madisetti, Robin E. Miller, Seethal A. Jacob, Sana Saif-Ur-Rehman, Andrew O'Brien, Sophie Lanzkron

Cardeza Foundation for Hematologic Research

Introduction SCD remains the most common inherited blood disorder. Due to a lack of strong evidence, the management of sickle cell is often anecdotal, local to individual centers, states, and countries. Even in areas of practice with high-level data to improve practice, implementation has not been consistent. The historical lack of an agreed-upon national registry has compounded this problem and resulted in a lack of comparative effectiveness data to identify areas of deficiency and improve practice. These barriers have resulted in centers developing local policies and procedures, often with limited communication with other centers, resulting in disparate and inconsistent care. …

Findings From A Qualitative Analysis: Social Media Influencers Of Color As Trusted Messengers Of Hpv Vaccination Messages, Amelia Burke-Garcia, Erin Cutroneo, Dasha Afanaseva, Kayla Madden, Angela Sustaita-Ruiz, Preethi Selvan, Estefany Rivera Sanchez, Amy Leader

Department of Medical Oncology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Despite HPV vaccination reducing the prevalence of cervical cancer by 90%, vaccination rates remain lower among communities of color due to vaccine hesitancy and mistrust in traditional public health messengers. The emergence of social media influencers, a newer kind of messenger, presents a unique opportunity to share immunization messages in new ways with a variety of communities. This paper reviews the qualitative findings from a study aimed at assessing influencers' perceptions of and approaches to sharing messaging about the HPV vaccine.

METHODS: Guided by several theories (Theory of Planned Behavior, Narrative Theory, and Opinion Leader Theory), the study team …

Case Report: Myeloid Neoplasms With The T(3;12)(Q26.2;P13.1)/ Mecom-Etv6 Translocation: Report Of Two New Cases And Review Of The Literature, Soumya Mikkilineni, Juan Pablo Pineda-Reyes, Lindsay Wilde, Andres Ferber, Zi-Xuan Wang, Stephen Peiper, Guldeep Uppal, Md, Jerald Gong, Jinglan Liu

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Faculty Papers

The MECOM (MDS1 and EVI1 complex locus) gene, located at 3q26.2, encodes an oncogenic transcription factor implicated in multiple signaling pathways. Rearrangements involving MECOM/3q26.2, including inversions, translocations, insertions and cryptic chromosomal changes, are observed in myeloid neoplasms and are associated with high-risk disease features and poor clinical outcomes. The translocation t(3;12)(q26.2;p13.1) is a rare genetic event, resulting in a fusion of the MECOM gene at 3q26.2 with the ETV6 gene at 12p13.1. To date, only 78 cases of hematologic neoplasms harboring t(3;12) have been reported in the English literature, primarily as case reports or case series. T(3;12) has …

Ergonomic Consulting As Fieldwork: A Pandemic Need & Beyond, Sarah Klunk, Mba, Otr/L, Sara Loesche, Ms, Otr/L, Cht, Ceas

Department of Occupational Therapy Posters and Presentations

Background

In March of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic impacted clinical and educational environments accessed by occupational therapy students. Educators had to reimagine learning in virtual spaces—including fieldwork education. At the same time, workers in many industries quickly pivoted from office spaces to a work from home (WFH) environment. Most workers had to navigate this transition without employer support—especially in larger companies (Voss et al., 2021).

This project was a collaboration between the academic fieldwork coordinator (AFWC) and a faculty member (fieldwork educator) who worked to identify a need for services as a result of the shift in work environments. Then, …

Backpacks & Beyond: Applying Ergonomic Principles To Promote Wellness For School Students And Staff, Sara Loesche, Ms, Otr/L, Cht, Ceas

Department of Occupational Therapy Posters and Presentations

Overview

Students in elementary and secondary educational settings encounter ergonomic risk factors due to sedentary activity, poor postural habits, backpacks, and lack of knowledge related to health and wellness. Additionally, students are still physically developing during childhood and adolescent years.

An Occupational Therapy Intervention To Enhance Social And Physical Well-Being In Young Adults With First Episode Psychosis, Sarah Zagorac, Caitlin Taylor, Nuriya Neumann, Ilyse Kramer, Tina Deangelis

Department of Occupational Therapy Posters and Presentations

Background

Can Occupational Therapy (OT) increase social participation, physical well-being, and functional recovery in young adults with psychosis?

• Early Intervention Services (EIS), including Coordinated Specialty Care programs (CSC), for young adults who experience a first episode of psychosis (FEP) have been shown to reduce hospitalizations, increase quality of life, and increase global functioning.^1,2,3
• Young adults who experience FEP report a need to further address physical well-being and social participation, areas of life linked with long-term functional recovery.^4,5,6
• Early evidence related to the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrates the disproportionate impact on underserved youth’s psychological well-being, including decreased social participation and …

The Role Of Non-Statin Lipid Lowering Therapies To Reduce Ascvd Events In Primary Prevention, Chukwuemezie Mamanu, Dean Karalis

Division of Cardiology Faculty Papers

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) remains a leading global health challenge, with low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol a pivotal risk factor. While statins are cornerstone therapy for lowering LDL cholesterol, many high-risk primary prevention patients are unable to tolerate statin therapy and do not achieve their guideline directed LDL cholesterol goal. For these patients, non-statin therapies offer complementary and alternative approaches to LDL cholesterol reduction.

RECENT FINDINGS: Recent advancements in non-statin therapies have expanded the options available to clinicians to lower LDL cholesterol in high-risk primary prevention patients. Yet these medications are often under-utilized in clinical practice. Observational studies, …

Opening Up Access: Using Transformative Agreements To Diversify Health Sciences Publishing, Irma Qavolli, Mslis, Gary Kaplan, Mlis, Ahip, Beth Ten Have, Mlis

Academic Commons and Scott Memorial Library Staff Papers and Presentations

Background

Students and early-career researchers face systemic obstacles to becoming authors in health sciences journals, such as mentorship, time, and funding.^1,2 As librarians, we believe that open access publishing provides these new voices with greater visibility and accessibility to their research. However, “[early-career researchers] cited high article processing charges (APCs) and perceived lack of journal quality or prestige as barriers to OA publishing.”³ Since 2023, Thomas Jefferson University has offered multiple Transformative Agreements (TAs) to waive article processing charges (APCs) for open access publishing in high quality journals for our patrons. We wondered, can TAs bolster publishing in …

Qtc Comparison Between Neonates At Risk For Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome And Healthy Non-Opioid Exposed Neonates, Kevin Lam, Susan C.A. Adeniyi-Jones, Md, Gary Peltz, Walter K. Kraft

Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Cancer Biology Posters

Introduction

• While neonatal electrocardiograms (ECGs) are typically read, QTc can be difficult to assess due to immense variability within the first week of life
• In neonates with in utero opioid exposure, there was no difference in mean QTc between those receiving placebo or ondansetron for five days post-delivery in a clinical trial (NCT01965704)

Streamlining The Journey Of Research Into Clinical Practice: Making Your Patients And Practice Flourish Evaluation And Treatment Of Pyogenic Spondylodiscitis Of The Spine: Ao Spine Knowledge Forum Trauma And Infection, Sebastian F. Bigdon, Emiliano Vialle, Charlotte Dandurand, Julian Scherer, Gaston Camino-Willhuber, Andrei F. Joaquim, Harvinder S. Chhabra, Mohammad El-Sharkawi, Richard Bransford, Charles G. Fisher, Klaus J. Schnake, Gregory D. Schroeder

Rothman Institute Papers

Study DesignLiterature Review with clinical recommendations.ObjectiveTo highlight impactful studies on pyogenic spondylodiscitis (PS), identified by the AO Spine Knowledge Forum Trauma and Infection, with recommendations for their integration into clinical practice.MethodsFive influential studies on PS that have the potential to shape current practice in spinal infections were selected and reviewed. Each study was chosen for its contribution to a critical phase in PS management: diagnosis, imaging, surgical vs conservative treatment, and antibiotic duration. Recommendations were graded as strong or conditional following the GRADE methodology.ResultsFive studies were highlighted. Article 1: Pluemer et al introduced the Spinal Infection Treatment Evaluation (SITE) Score, …

Academic Productivity At Orthopaedic Surgery Sports Medicine Fellowship Programs In The United States Has A Weak Positive Correlation With Nonresearch Lifetime Industry Earnings, Benjamin Miltenberg, William Johns, Anthony Baumann, Faheem Pottayil, Bradley Richey, Albert Anastasio, Kempland Walley, Christopher Dodson, Sommer Hammoud

Rothman Institute Papers

PURPOSE: To characterize the relationship between academic productivity, as defined by the h-index, and industry payments for fellowship-trained sports medicine surgeons in faculty positions at sports medicine fellowships.

METHODS: The American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine fellowship directory was used to create a comprehensive list of all fellowship programs nationwide. Fellowship websites were then reviewed to generate a list of the teaching faculty associated with each program. Total nonresearch lifetime earnings were obtained from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services website. Academic productivity of each fellowship faculty was assessed via the h-index. Frequency counts and other descriptive statistic measures …

Larotrectinib Compared With Real-World Non-Tropomyosin Receptor Kinase Inhibitor Therapies In Patients With Tropomyosin Receptor Kinase Fusion Cancer, Marcia S. Brose, C. Benedikt Westphalen, Xiaoyun Pan, Vadim Bernard-Gauthier, Milena Kurtinecz, Helen Guo, Virginie Aris, Neil R. Brett, Abdelali Majdi, Vivek Subbiah, Nathan A. Pennell, Kenneth L. Kehl, Alexander Drilon

Kimmel Cancer Center Faculty Papers

PURPOSE: Neurotrophic tyrosine receptor kinase gene fusions are oncogenic drivers of various solid tumors. Larotrectinib is a highly selective tropomyosin receptor kinase (TRK) inhibitor approved for patients with TRK fusion cancer on the basis of single-arm trials. This study was a matched comparative effectiveness study of larotrectinib in clinical trials versus standard of care (SOC) in the real-world (RW) setting.

METHODS: Adult patients with advanced/metastatic TRK fusion non-small cell lung cancer, colorectal cancer, soft tissue sarcoma, thyroid cancer, or salivary gland carcinoma were included. Deduplicated data from RW patients were from US and ex-US data sources. Patients in the larotrectinib …

Vpac Receptor Positivity In Comparison With Mp-Mri In The Diagnosis Of Prostate Cancer: A Preliminary Study, Nishant Setya, Shridhar Ghagane, Rajendra Nerli, Ashwin Bokare, Mathew Thakur, Leonard Gomella

Kimmel Cancer Center Faculty Papers

Objective: The study aimed to prospectively evaluate the feasibility of diagnosing PCa using voided urine samples and by targeting the genomic VPAC (vasoactive intestinal peptide and pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide) receptors in comparison with multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mp-MRI) in male patients (≥40 years of age) with lower urinary tract symptoms and having a serum PSA of >4 but < 15 ng/ml.

Patients and methods: Male patients attending urological services ≥40 years old, with lower urinary tract symptoms and serum PSA levels of >4 but < 15 ng/ml formed the study group. Voided urine samples were collected to target VPAC receptors on malignant cells. All patients underwent mp-MRI. A 12-core transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy was performed in all, and the results were compared for the diagnosis of PCa.

Results: A total of 61 patients with a median age of 65.33 ± 8.11 years and with a …

Short-Course Subcutaneous Alemtuzumab Induces Clinical Responses In Relapsed T-Cell Large Granular Leukemia, Miguel Ruiz, Zachary Braunstein, Eric Mclaughlin, Anjali Mishra, Pierluigi Porcu, Jonathan E. Brammer

Department of Medical Oncology Faculty Papers

No abstract provided.

What's Missing From Value-Based Care-Accounting For The Costs And Benefits Of Quality Improvement, Donald E. Casey

College of Population Health Faculty Papers

No abstract provided.

Increased Rates Of Dysphagia, Longer Length Of Stay, Nonroutine Discharge, And Higher Hospital Costs In Patients Over 65 Undergoing Single-Level Cervical Disc Arthroplasty: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis, Paul G. Mastrokostas, Leonidas E. Mastrokostas, Ahmed K. Emara, Ian J. Wellington, Elizabeth Ginalis, Jonathan Dalton, Amrit S. Khalsa, Jad Bou Monsef, Afshin E. Razi, Mitchell K. Ng

Rothman Institute Papers

CONTEXT: Cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA) is a safe and effective treatment for cervical spine conditions, with increasing utilization. As the population over 65 grows, understanding the suitability of CDA in older patients is critical.

AIMS: This study evaluates differences in postoperative complications, hospital course, and costs between patients aged 18 and 65 and those over 65 undergoing CDA.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This was a retrospective cohort study using the National Inpatient Sample, a nationally representative database of U.S. hospital discharges.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Patients undergoing single-level CDA from 2016 to 2020 were identified. The cohort was divided into two groups: …

A Word From The Writing Team (April 2025), Pam Walter, Mfa, Hemma Murali, Ms

A Word From the Writing Team (Newsletter)

This issue includes:

• Publication Spotlight
• Sign up for the April 4th Writing Retreat (Online)
• Check out the Health Humanities Consortium (HHC) Conference
• Come to the 3rd Annual Jefferson Science Slam
• Visit the Write that Baby in 9 Weeks Workshop Canvas Page

Hbv Transmission Knowledge Among Korean-American Chronic Hepatitis B Patients In The United States, Giyoung Lee, Hee-Soon Juon, Eunji Kim, Katherine C Smith, Hie-Won Hann, Mimi Chang, Ann C. Klassen

Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Faculty Papers

Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is a condition that disproportionately affects Asian Americans in the United States. Knowledge of transmission is crucial for CHB patients to practice prevention methods to limit the spread of the hepatitis B virus (HBV), but also live their lives free from unwarranted fears or restrictions. Among Asian CHB patients, several misperceptions about HBV transmission have been identified. This analysis aims to assess the current state of HBV knowledge among a cohort of Korean-American CHB patients. This mixed-methods study includes 363 respondents who completed a survey in either Korean (N = 298) or English (N = 65) …

Differential Impacts On Proteoglycan Expression In The Response To Lens Wounding In Reparative And Pro-Fibrotic Microenvironments, Janice L Walker, A. Sue Menko

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Faculty Papers

Ex vivo lens epithelial explant cultures created through a technique that mimics cataract surgery provided an ideal model with which to compare the impacts on proteoglycan expression in the response to wounding in both reparative promoting and pro-fibrotic microenvironments. On their native basement membrane capsule the injured lens epithelium undergoes regenerative repair, with the wound closing within a few days. Their migration across the wound area is led by a population of activated lens resident immune cells. The same leader cell population also directs the wounded epithelium to migrate off the outside edges of the lens explant across the surrounding …

Statins And Middle Meningeal Artery Embolization: A Literature Review In The Treatment Of Chronic Subdural Hematoma, Basel Musmar, Joanna M. Roy, Samantha Spellicy, Stavropoula I. Tjoumakaris, Michael R. Gooch, Robert H. Rosenwasswer, David Hasan, Pascal Jabbour

Department of Neurosurgery Faculty Papers

Chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH) presents a multifaceted challenge in contemporary neurological practice, necessitating innovative therapeutic strategies. This comprehensive review explores the convergence of two promising interventions: statins and middle meningeal artery (MMA) Embolization. With cSDH incidence on the rise, particularly among the aging population and those with long-term anticoagulant usage, the traditional surgical avenues face limitations in recurrence rates and associated risk factors. Statins, heralded for their anti-inflammatory, vasculogenic, and angiogenic properties, are emerging as potential allies in cSDH management. Concurrently, MMA embolization offers a nuanced approach to target the neomembrane's blood supply, with evidence supporting its efficacy and safety. …

The Bulletin: Sidney Kimmel Medical College At Thomas Jefferson University, Volume 103, Issue 1, Spring 2025

The Bulletin (formerly the Jefferson Medical College Alumni Bulletin)

No abstract provided.

Analyzing Social Media Trends In Cosmeceuticals: Insights From Google Trends And Tiktok Analytics, E. Correia, Jenna Mandel, Stephanie R. Jackson Cullison

Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology Faculty Papers

OBJECTIVE: Social media usage has surged, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic. Dermatology invokes intense interest on social media, and cosmeceuticals are among the most trending topics, offering a unique space for dermatologists to share their expertise. By using tools like Google Trends and TikTok viewership, we aim to capture cosmeceutical trends to guide dermatologists' educational efforts.

METHODS: A Google Trends search from January 2004 to December 2023 was performed on retinol, bakuchiol, salicylic acid, glycolic acid, azelaic acid, hydroquinone, niacinamide, vitamin C serum, and hyaluronic acid. Trend lines were created for each term, and yearly percent differences in relative search …

From Relapse To Restoration: Insights Into The Immunopathology Of Bacterial Vaginosis (Bv) In Women Of Reproductive Age, Nhi To, Ms

Student Papers, Posters & Projects

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) has been a subject of study for decades, yet its complex pathogenesis remains poorly understood. BV affects most women of reproductive age, with significant associations to gynecological and obstetric complications. A deeper understanding of the complicated host-microbiota dynamic is crucial for advancing treatment options, as BV continues to pose challenges in effective management. This review aims to explore the current research on vaginal microbiota as well as potential mechanisms of BV-associated bacteria (BVAB) and their interaction with the host immune system, altogether sheds light on the complex interplay within the human reproductive tract. While Lactobacillus-dominant communities support …

Frozen Section Mohs: A Hybrid Technique And One Plastic Surgeon's Experience With 1714 Consecutive Skin Cancer Removals, Michael L. Chang, Steven L. Chang, Fady Gerges, Matthew M. Delancy, Amanda C. Yang, Lawrence D. Chang

Student Papers, Posters & Projects

While US nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) mortality rate has decreased in the past decade, its incidence is rising. Traditional surgical treatments include wide local excision, intraoperative frozen section analysis (IFSA), and Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS). IFSA and MMS are techniques that provide intraoperative analysis allowing the surgeon to confirm margins clear of malignancy and minimize tissue damage, especially in cosmetically sensitive subunits. MMS, with cure rates up to 99%-100%, is considered the gold standard but is limited geographically and financially because of specialized training. We report a hybrid surgical technique that effectively excises cutaneous malignancy but can be utilized by …

Barriers To Telehealth Uptake And Use: A Scoping Review, Mackenzie Kemp, Kristin L. Rising, Gregory Laynor, Jessica Miao, Brooke Worster, Anna Marie Chang, Andrew J. Monick, Amanda Guth, Tracy Esteves Camacho, Kiana Mcintosh, Grace Amadio, Lindsey Shughart, Tingann Hsiao, Amy E. Leader

Jefferson Center for Connected Care Faculty Papers

OBJECTIVES: We conducted a scoping review to identify barriers to telehealth use and uptake from the perspective of patient, provider, and system that were documented in the literature. In addition to identifying and categorizing the barriers, we aimed to assess how barriers differed for studies conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as how barriers differed between the United States vs internationally based studies.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Comprehensive searches of the PubMed/MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Scopus databases conducted on December 29, 2021 yielded 17 887 results, with 11 221 potentially eligible documents after duplicates were removed. The team conducted an initial …

Evaluating Artifact-Free Four-Dimensional Computer Tomography With 16 Cm Detector Array, Inhwan Yeo, Wei Nie, Jiajin Fan, Mindy Joo, Michael Correa, Qianyi Xu

Department of Radiation Oncology Faculty Papers

PURPOSE: To evaluate a 16 cm-array axial four-dimensional computer tomography (4DCT) in comparison with a 4 cm-array 4DCT in the presence of respiration irregularity.

METHOD: Ten traces of lung tumor motion from CyberKnife treatments were imported to move the lung cylinder, containing a spherical target, of a phantom. Images were acquired for the lung that moved to each of the 10-positions/phases (1) step-wisely by nominal helical scan at each movement (ground truth), (2) continuously by 4D scan with the 16 cm array, and (3) the same with the 4 cm array, involving table shift. Irregularities, consisting of baseline shift and/or …

Ibuprofen, Flurbiprofen Or Naproxen Sodium Minimally Influences Musculoskeletal Adaptations To Treadmill Exercise In Rats, Brandon Roberts, Alyssa Geddis, Alexandra Ciuciu, Marinaliz Reynoso, Nikhil Mehta, Alyssa Varanoske, Alyssa Kelley, Maximus Leiss, Alexander Kolb, Julie Hughes, Marshall Naimo, Ryan Tomlinson, Jeffery Staab

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may influence musculoskeletal health. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of three different NSAIDS: naproxen sodium, ibuprofen, flurbiprofen or a placebo on musculoskeletal adaptations in rodents with or without 6 weeks of aerobic exercise.

METHODS: Nine-week-old male Wistar rats (n = 80) were randomized to either exercise (EX) or no-exercise control (CON) conditions and treated with naproxen, ibuprofen (IBU), flurbiprofen (FLU) or placebo (PLA). For exercise, rats ran 5 days per week for 6 weeks at a 5% incline on a motorized treadmill for 30 min. Three-point bending (3 PB) and …