Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Behind The Chest: Exploring The Link Between Cardiovascular Health And Breast Cancer - A Systematic Review, Reagan Coleman, Miriam Miles, Oluseun Akinyele, Timiya Nolan

Expo Student Presentations

2025 Spring Expo Poster Presentation

• Health Sciences & Health Professions

Examining A Potential Therapeutic Approach For Parkinson's Disease Using Over-Expression Of Atp6voa1, Audrey M. Dahlen, Kimberly Watson, Madelyne Jackson, Geir Sajdak, Katherine Niebuhr, Micah Simmons, Rita Cowell

Expo Student Presentations

2025 Spring Expo Online Poster Presentation

• Health Sciences & Health Professions

Effectiveness Of Asymptomatic Bacteriuria Treatment In Urinary Tract Infection Prevention Among Renal Transplant Recipients: A Literature Review, Sarah Winekoff, Sabrina Kopf

Expo Student Presentations

2025 Spring Expo Poster Presentation

• Health Sciences & Health Professions

Exploring The Lived Experiences Of Persons Living With Hiv Who Are Homebound Due To One Or More Comorbidities Within A Southern State Using Photovoice, Anthony Alyn "Deek" Cunningham

All ETDs from UAB

At the end of 2022, there were 1,109,418 adults and adolescents with HIV in the United States and the six dependent areas of American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, the Republic of Palau, and the US Virgin Islands (CDC, 2024). Due to ongoing advances in medications and treatments, people who have been diagnosed with HIV are living longer and healthier lives, making this a chronic health condition. Yet, there are gaps in the literature that focuses on this population growing older and aging in place. This dissertation investigated the lived experiences of individuals fifty years and older …

The Dopaminergic Cell-Intrinsic Clock And Bidirectional Relationships Of Circadian Disruption And Synucleinopathy, Ananya Swaroop

All ETDs from UAB

Circadian rhythms are crucial endogenous cycles with period of ~24 hours that evolved to adapt to light – dark driven changes in environmental conditions. At a molecular level, circadian rhythms are generated by the actions of clock genes that form a transcriptional- translational feedback loop and regulate the rhythmic expression of downstream clock-controlled genes. Cumulatively, the actions of these molecular clocks regulate rhythmicity of physiological and behavioral processes and are extensively characterized within the central circadian pacemaker, the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). Like SCN neurons, dopaminergic neurons of the SN are intrinsically pacemaking, though it is unknown if this intrinsic firing …

Insights Into Rett Syndrome: Social Behavior, Bdnf-Trkb Signaling, And Dendritic Spines, Destynie Medeiros

All ETDs from UAB

Rett syndrome (RTT) is a neurodevelopmental disorder primarily affecting females, caused by pathogenic variants in the X-linked MECP2 gene, which encodes the transcriptional modulator Methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2). RTT is characterized by motor deficits, loss of speech, autistic features, and intellectual disability. A key gene regulated by MeCP2 is BDNF, encoding the neurotrophin brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). BDNF levels are lower in multiple brain regions of Mecp2-deficient mice, and experimentally increasing BDNF levels improves several RTT phenotypes in mouse models. Due to BDNF's low blood-brain barrier permeability, we tested LM22A-4, a brain-penetrant small molecule ligand of TrkB receptors, on …

Neural Mechanisms Of Proactive And Reactive Cognitive Control In Humans, Anas Khan

All ETDs from UAB

Cognitive control enables flexible, goal-directed behavior by dynamically adjusting our actions in response to changing task demands. This dissertation investigates the neural mechanisms underlying proactive and reactive cognitive control, particularly focusing on the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) and the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) during tasks that require response inhibition and conflict processing. Using intracranial electroencephalography (iEEG) recordings from human participants, this research examines the distinct roles of oscillatory activity in these regions in both short-term reactive adjustments and long-term proactive control strategies. Chapter 2 explores the role of low-frequency oscillations in the mid-rostral dlPFC during motor inhibition, revealing that …

Molecular Mechanism Of Congenital Cataract Caused By G91 Deletion In Cryβa1, Akosua Konadu Boateng

All ETDs from UAB

The Deletion of Glycine 91 is a mutational hotspot in the CRYβA1 gene (mutant named βA3ΔG91), which causes autosomal dominant congenital nuclear cataracts in several ethnically diverse populations worldwide. Previous in-vitro studies of recombinant βA3ΔG91 protein revealed that this mutation results in defective protein folding, reduced solubility, and oligomerization with other crystallins. While βA3/A1-crystallin is primarily known as a structural protein in the lens, it also plays a role in autophagy regulation in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) by controlling endolysosomal acidification through the V-ATPase proton pump. This study employs a novel βA3ΔG91 knock-in mouse model to investigate the pathogenic …

Predictors Of Antidepressant Use In Stroke Survivors And Evaluating The Role Of Time-Varying Depressive Symptoms On The Association Between Antidepressant Use And Stroke, Hely Divyanshu Nanavati

All ETDs from UAB

Depression is a mental health crisis affecting 21 million Americans. Consequently, antidepressants are one of the most prescribed classes of medications in the American population. Depression is also a common adverse outcome after stroke with one in three patients having depressive symptoms within the first year of their stroke recovery phase. Antidepressants are effective in the treatment and prevention of depressive symptoms in stroke patients. However, the overall antidepressant use in the acute post-stroke phase and the patient characteristics influencing the prevalence of receiving antidepressant prescriptions during acute stroke hospitalization are not known. Depression is also associated with higher risk …

Shear Bond Strength Of A Composite Resin To 3d-Printed Resins With Various Designed Surface Texture: An In-Vitro Study, Venkata Sruthi Surabathula

All ETDs from UAB

Background: Three-dimensional (3D) printing has revolutionized dentistry by enabling the fabrication of interim restorations that protect prepared teeth and maintain aesthetics and function during prosthesis creation. These interim shells often require relining with composite resins for precise fitting and enhanced durability, relying on achieving a strong shear bond strength (SBS) between the 3D-printed shell and the composite resin. Surface roughness and texture are critical factors that create micro-mechanical retention sites, enhancing SBS by increasing surface area and improving adhesive properties through techniques like air-abrasion. Research into novel surface textures mimicking natural dentinal tubules aims to further boost bond strength, comparing …

Elucidating The Impact Of Ribosome Biogenesis On Breast Cancer, Amr Rafat Elhamamsy

All ETDs from UAB

Ribosome biogenesis, a complex and multi-step process that occurs predominantly in the nucleolus, plays a critical role in cellular function by mediating protein synthesis through the assembly of ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs) and ribosomal proteins into functional ribosomes. In cancer, dysregulation of this process is linked to the development of specialized ribosomes (onco-ribosomes) that support oncogenic translation programs, enhancing tumor progression and therapeutic resistance. This dissertation explores the interplay between ribosome biogenesis and cancer, focusing particularly on the role of RNA Polymerase I (RNA Pol I) activity under hypoxic conditions and rRNA modifications in breast cancer. My first study elucidates the …

Gateways, Barriers, And Facilitators To Opioid Use Treatment For Low-Income Pregnant And Postpartum Women In The State Of Alabama, Lindsey Allison Rice Bender

All ETDs from UAB

Low income, pregnant and postpartum women who misuse opioids in the state of Alabama face potentially life-threatening challenges when seeking substance misuse treatment and recovery support services. Our study used an explanatory sequential mixed-methods approach to explore gateways, barriers, and facilitators to opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment for pregnant and postpartum women in the state of Alabama. Surveys from 32 pregnant and postpartum individuals and in-depth interviews with 15 pregnant and postpartum individuals (four pregnant, four 0-6 months postpartum, four 7-12 months postpartum and three 13-18 months postpartum) were used to identify gateways, barriers, and facilitators to OUD treatment. Our …

The Relationship Between Molten Iron Chemistry Of A Cupola Furnace And Airborne Contaminants, Darkeya D. Rowe

All ETDs from UAB

The purpose of this research was to understand the potential relationship between the molten iron chemistry of a cupola furnace and airborne contaminants. Three-day air sampling was performed for the emissions of a cupola furnace using 37 mm mixed cellulose ester (MCE) filter cassettes at an iron foundry. The samples were analyzed for 21 elements and compounds by a commercial laboratory using the modified National Institude for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Method 7303, most of which were metals. The concentrations of 13 out of 21 elements and compounds were compared to the corresponding elements in molten metal/iron stream analyzed …

Parental Monitoring, Peer Connectedness, And Potential Exposure To Stis In Adolescents Using The Youth And Risk Behavior Survey (Yrbs) Of 2021, Allyson L. Pullen

All ETDs from UAB

Background: Adolescents are significantly affected by sexually transmitted infections (STIs), a public health challenge linked to high-risk sexual behaviors, including early sexual initiation, unprotected intercourse, multiple partners, and substance use. Protective factors such as parental monitoring and peer connectedness have demonstrated the potential to reduce adolescent risky behaviors. This study aims to examine the relationship between parental monitoring, peer connectedness, and potential exposure to STIs in high school students. Methods: This study analyzed data from the 2021 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), focusing on potential STI exposure, parental monitoring, and peer connectedness among U.S. high school students. Potential STI exposure …

Social Dominance And Cortical Neuronal Synchrony In Male Mecp2 Knockout Mice, Cesar Andres Acevedo Triana

All ETDs from UAB

Social behaviors are critical for the survival of individuals, and their dysfunction is common in several neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders including autism, where impaired sociability is one of the core diagnostic symptoms and compromises the interpretation of social cues, with an apparent lack of interest in others. Among the neurodevel opmental disorders associated with autism, Rett syndrome (RTT) is a disorder predominantly affecting females and caused by spontaneous loss-of-function mutations in the X-linked MECP2 gene, which encodes the transcriptional regulator MeCP2 that regulates many critical genes. RTT individuals have impaired motor, cognitive, and social abilities most of which are recapitulated …

Association Of Hospitals’ Organizational Characteristics And Market Factors Offering Integrative Medicine Services To Adult Cancer Patients, Sanober Ajani

All ETDs from UAB

Integrative medicine (IM) plays an important role in cancer symptom management by providing patients with a range of non-pharmacological options to help manage the physical and emotional symptoms associated with cancer and its treatment. More patients are seeking IM services due in part to a more holistic or patient-centered approach to cancer care, alleviating side effects from cancer treatments, improving quality of life, and enhancing cancer treatment effectiveness. Although the demand for IM services is increasing, there is a gap in our knowledge regarding which cancer hospitals are providing IM programs and what services are offered within these programs. Therefore, …

Parsing Clinical And Neurobiological Heterogeneity In First-Episode Psychosis Patients With And Without Features Of The Deficit Syndrome Of Schizophrenia, Matheus Teles Gomes De Araujo

All ETDs from UAB

Schizophrenia is highly heterogeneous in its neurobiological and clinical presentations, which hinders attempts to understand its pathophysiology, limits efforts to identify biomarkers, and deters optimal patient care. A way to parse clinical heterogeneity is to subtype patients based on clinical presentations. The deficit syndrome (DS) is a possible subtype, characterized by primary and enduring negative symptoms. Evidence for neurobiological abnormalities dissociating DS from other forms of schizophrenia is inconsistent as most studies do not account for heterogeneity within patient groups due to limitations of group-level comparisons. The question remains whether DS presents a unique and less heterogeneous neurobiological phenotype. The …

Wear Resistance Of 3d Printed Occlusal Splint Materials, Pierpont Flanders Brown

All ETDs from UAB

Statement of problem: Three-dimensional (3D) printing offers an efficient method to produce occlusal devices (splints). However, their wear resistance is poorly understood. Purpose: The purpose of this in vitro study was to compare the wear resistance of flexible and rigid 3D printed occlusal splint materials to milled and conventionally processed occlusal splint materials. By establishing such a comparison, this study will help provide clinicians with greater knowledge of which materials and methods will provide their patients with the most wear resistant and durable occlusal splint possible. Material and methods: Identical sized blocks (n=8) of 3 flexible 3D printed materials (KeySplint …

Occupational Exposure To Cooking Emissions And Evaluation Of Ventilation System In Restaurant Kitchens, Matthew Kaleb Hanvey

All ETDs from UAB

Background: In the restaurant environment, there are many harmful contaminants generated during the cooking process that kitchen workers are potentially exposed to. The purposes of this study were to evaluate the potential exposure to aldehydes and respirable particles among restaurant kitchen workers and to examine the ventilation performance of the kitchen exhaust hoods. Methods: There were three restaurants recruited for this study and they cooked seafood/poultry (Restaurant 1), farm style foods (Restaurant 2), and finger foods (Restaurant 3). The three restaurants had wall-mounted canopy hoods. Restaurant 1 had two hoods, Restaurant 2 had two hoods, and Restaurant 3 had one …

Long Term Outcomes In Pediatric Patients With Moyamoya Syndrome And Moyamoya Disease Treated With Encephaloduroarteriosynangiosis (Edas) + Pial Synangiosis: A Single Institution Experience, Matthew Jarrell, Sage Rahm, Nadine Bradley, Anastasia Smith, Jesse Jones, James M. Johnston

UAB Huntsville Research Day - All Presentations

2025 oral presentation

The Role Of Cortisol And Cortisone Levels In Atrial Fibrillation, Jacob Greer, Peng Li, Tanja Dudenbostel

UAB Huntsville Research Day - All Presentations

2025 research poster

Racial Differences In Urinary Cortisol Levels And Left Ventricular Hypertrophy In Patients With Resistant Hypertension, Soumyadeep Bag, Peng Li, Jacob Greer, Tanja Dudenbostel

UAB Huntsville Research Day - All Presentations

2025 research poster

Breaking Barriers: Improving Access To Community Resources In Primary Care, Dejah Patton, Victoria Deal, Azeline Arcenal, Meredith Lewis

UAB Huntsville Research Day - All Presentations

2025 research poster

Case Report: Moyamoya Disease In An African American Woman, Mabel Berg, Ahmed Ali, Farrah Ibrahim

UAB Huntsville Research Day - All Presentations

No abstract provided.

Testosterone Therapy For Depression In Men: High Potential, Limited Evidence, Tina Huang, Mina Takahashi, Luis Benitez, Anupama Yedla, Janaki Nimmagadda, Clinton Martin

UAB Huntsville Research Day - All Presentations

No abstract provided.

Treatment Of Histoplasmosis With Posaconazole In The Setting Of A Severe Itraconazole Hypersensitivity Reaction: A Case Report, Kinsey M. Johannemann, Megan Z. Roberts, Samir Allos, Madeline Belk, Spencer H. Durham, Jonathan Edwards

UAB Huntsville Research Day - All Presentations

No abstract provided.

Neurosarcoidosis Presenting As Isolated Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism, Ahmed Qaedi, Hope Lackey, Kaehler Roth, Farrah Ibrahim

UAB Huntsville Research Day - All Presentations

No abstract provided.

Gone Glomeruli : A Case Of Severe Crescentic Iga Nephropathy, Aesha Patel, Hinal Rathi, Hope Lackey, Emily Custer, Alan Baggett

UAB Huntsville Research Day - All Presentations

No abstract provided.

The Therapeutic Promise Of Ketamine In Depression: A Case Report, Renee Abernathy, Clinton Martin, Janaki Nimmagadda, Anupama Yedla

UAB Huntsville Research Day - All Presentations

2025 oral presentation

Missed Hiv Screening Chances In Adolescents At Emergency Departments, Ethan Barnes, Claudette Poole

UAB Huntsville Research Day - All Presentations

2025 oral presentation