Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

End Point–Based Threshold For The Ambulatory Arterial Stiffness Index, Yi-Bang Cheng, De-Wei An, Dong-Yan Zhang, Yu-Ling Yu, Jesus D. Melgarejo, José Boggia, Dries S. Martens, Tine W. Hansen, Kei Asayama, Gladys E. Maestre

School of Medicine Publications

Background: The ambulatory arterial stiffness index (AASI) is increasingly used in clinical research and practice. This individual-participant meta-analysis aims to consolidate the prognostic accuracy of AASI in the general population and to derive an end point-based AASI risk threshold.

Methods: In 12 558 individuals enrolled in 14 population studies (48.8% women; mean age, 59.3 years), AASI was derived by regressing 24-hour diastolic on systolic blood pressure (mm Hg/mm Hg). Using Cox regression, the risk-carrying AASI threshold was established by examining stepwise increasing AASI levels and by determining the AASI level, yielding a 10-year risk similar to an office systolic pressure …

Multisystem Challenges In Reproductive Medicine: A Case Report Of Bicornuate Uterus, Fibroadenoma, And Postpartum Thyroiditis, Fatima Faisal, Aiman Javed, Faisal Muzaffar, Tirath Patel, Ahmed Ibrahim, Fathimathul Henna, Hafiza Tooba Siddiqui, Bhumi Patel, Nana Sardarova, Nikhilesh Anand

School of Medicine Publications

Rationale: A bicornuate uterus is an uncommon mullerian duct malformation strongly associated with recurrent early pregnancy loss and adverse obstetric outcomes. When combined with endocrine disturbances such as hyperprolactinemia and postpartum thyroid dysfunction, fertility becomes even more challenging. This case highlights how coordinated reproductive-endocrine management can overcome multiple intersecting barriers to conception and successful pregnancy.

Patient concerns: A 24-year-old woman presented with a history of 3 first-trimester miscarriages, difficulty conceiving, and prior breast fibroadenoma excision. Following the birth of her first child, she later developed symptoms of palpitations, weight loss, and anxiety suggestive of thyroid dysfunction.

Diagnoses: Pelvic ultrasonography identified …

Literature Review On The Effectiveness Of Surgical Vs Non-Surgical Management In Elderly Patients With Distal Radius Fractures, Robert A. Weinberg

MEDI 9331 Scholarly Activities Clinical Years

Distal radius fractures are common in patients aged sixty years and older. The best management strategy remains debated, particularly in elderly patients where complications risk, radiological outcomes and functional recovery need to be considered. Several studies have compared surgical interventions including open reduction and internal fixation with conservative management including closed reduction and immobilization. The aim of this literature review is to synthesize current evidence on these outcomes for elderly patients with a distal radius fracture who were treated with surgical treatment or non-surgical treatment.

Bone Healing During A Dysregulated Inflammatory Phase: Comparative Skeletal Features In 5-Lipoxygenase Knockout And Wild Type Mice, Marco Hernandez, Nidhin John, Bhuvana L. Chandrashekar, Mariza A. Matsumoto, Naohiro Shibuya, Claudia Biguetti

School of Podiatric Medicine - Student Research

Background: High-risk patients, such as those with diabetic neuropathy, often experience prolonged and dysregulated inflammation during bone healing. The 5-lipoxygenase (5LO) pathway is a key mediator of inflammation and bone resorption and may influence these outcomes. Therefore, understanding the skeletal features associated with 5LO genetic deletion may help identify therapeutic opportunities to improve healing in high-risk patients.

Objective: To determine how genetic deletion of 5LO affects skeletal structure and macrophage phenotypes, with the goal of identifying therapeutic targets to improve bone healing in high-risk patients.

Materials and Methods: A total of 10, adult (3 months old), 129/SvEv male mice were …

Low Burden Of Clinically Relevant Anaemia And Thrombocytopenia Among Adolescents Living With Hiv Receiving Tenofovir/Lamivudine Plus Dolutegravir: The Cipher-Adola Study In Cameroon, Nadine Nguendjoung Fainguem, Yagai Bouba, Rachel Kamgaing, Jeremiah Efakika Gabisa, Aude Christelle Ka’E, Michel Carlos Tommo Tchouaket, Alex Durand Nka, Cynthia Ayafor, Lum Forgwei, Upal Roy

Health & Biomedical Sciences Faculty Publications

Background: Anaemia and thrombocytopenia adversely affect adolescent HIV outcomes, yet adolescent-specific data from the tenofovir/lamivudine/dolutegravir (TLD) era remain scarce, and access to full blood count (FBC) testing is limited in Cameroon. We evaluated the prevalence, severity, and factors associated with these cytopenias among adolescents living with HIV (ADLHIV) in the TLD era.

Methods: Multicentre cross-sectional study was conducted among ADLHIV (10-19 years) receiving TLD in the CIPHER-ADOLA cohort in Cameroon. Full blood count, viral load (VL) and CD4-count were performed. Factors associated with anaemia and thrombocytopenia were ascertained.

Results: A total of 252 ADLHIV was enrolled (50.8% male, 83.3% were …

Walking The Line How Social Forces Shape Diabetic Foot Outcomes In The Texas Rio Grande Valley, Amanda L. Killeen, Stephanie N. Campbell, Naomie Jean, Juan Lopez-Alvarenga, Xuan Wang, Cyaandi Dove, Caroline E. Fife

School of Podiatric Medicine Publications

• Diabetes in the Rio Grande Valley is widespread and severe. Nearly 1 in 3 adults is affected, with foot ulcers and amputations occurring at rates far above state and national averages.
• Social drivers of health (SDOH) strongly influence outcomes. Poverty, uninsurance, limited education, transportation barriers, and distance from specialty centers delay care and increase amputation risk.
• Living conditions amplify risk. Colonias, unincorporated settlements often lacking clean water, sewer systems, or reliable electricity, make diabetes management and preventive foot care especially challenging.
• Data-driven identification of high-risk populations is critical. Zip code–level SDOH data, integrated into electronic medical records, can serve as …

The Rna-Binding Protein Hur Modulates The Expression Of The Disease-Linked Ccl2 Rs1024611g-Rs13900t Haplotype, Feroz Akhtar, Joselin Hernandez-Ruiz, Ya-Guang Liu, Roy G. Resendez, Denis Feliers, Liza D. Morales, Alvaro Diaz-Badillo, Donna M. Lehman, Rector Arya, Juan Carlos Lopez-Alvarenga, John Blangero, Ravi Duggirala, Srinivas Mummidi

School of Medicine Publications

CC-chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) is involved in the pathogenesis of several diseases associated with monocyte/macrophage recruitment, such as HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND), tuberculosis, and atherosclerosis. The rs1024611 (alleles: A>G; G is the risk allele) polymorphism in the CCL2 cis-regulatory region is associated with increased CCL2 expression in vitro and ex vivo, leukocyte mobilization in vivo, and deleterious disease outcomes. However, the molecular basis for the rs1024611-associated differential CCL2 expression remains poorly characterized. It is conceivable that genetic variant(s) in linkage disequilibrium (LD) with rs1024611 could mediate such effects. Previously, we used rs13900 (alleles: C>T) in the CCL2 …

Early Detection In Oral Cancer: Are We Prepared For Artificial Intelligence-Driven Precision Medicine?, Nikil Kumar, Sinnha Kumari, Sadia Sultana, Muhammad Saad Khan, Tirath Patel, Nikhilesh Anand

School of Medicine Publications

Oral cancer, particularly oral squamous cell carcinoma, remains a serious health concern, with a poor prognosis and a late diagnosis. Leukoplakia, erythroplakia, lichen planus, and submucous fibrosis are examples of oral potentially malignant disorders that must be detected early but are not always so by traditional, laborious, and subjective diagnostic techniques. In oral cancer, artificial intelligence (AI) and precision medicine are becoming game-changing technologies that enhance individualized care, treatment planning, and diagnostic precision. Complex imaging and histopathology data may be analyzed using machine learning and deep learning algorithms, particularly convolutional neural networks, which can identify patterns that are invisible to …

Repurposing Of Fda-Approved Drugs Identifies Glipizide As A Potent Hmg-Coa Reductase Inhibitor: A High-Throughput Virtual Screening And Molecular Dynamics Approach For Targeting Hypercholesterolemia, Parvej Ahmad, Eswara N. Hanuma Kumar Ghali, Sahir S. Alvi

School of Medicine Publications

Purpose:

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide. Several inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMG-R), the key hepatic cholesterogenic enzyme, are prescribed to treat hypercholesterolemia and ASCVD. Statins, the established HMG-R inhibitors, exhibit promising cholesterol-lowering effects; however, their long-term use has prompted significant concerns, necessitating the search for additional therapeutic candidates with strong HMG-R inhibitory activity. Therefore, this study aims to find potential HMG-R inhibitor/s that may help reduce excess cholesterol levels via targeting HMG-R activity.

Methods: In this study, 1285 FDA-approved small molecules were assessed for their HMG-R inhibitory potential using …

Accuracy Of The Phenotypic 1g Test To Detect Mycobacterium Tuberculosis And Drug Resistance From Sputa In The Us-Mexico Border, Mia Aguirre, Doris Ayala, Juan Ignacio Garcia, Yoscelina Estrella Martinez-Lopez, Amberlee Hicks, Nadine M. Chacon, Ashley Gay-Cobb, Alyssa Schami, Selena Zavala-Perez, Blanca I. Restrepo

School of Medicine Publications

Background: With >10 million new tuberculosis (TB) cases/year, a limitation to TB control is the lack of simple and accurate tests for TB diagnosis and drug-susceptibility testing (DST) in endemic regions. We evaluated the accuracy of the first-generation, low-complexity phenotypic TB test (1G test), designed for simultaneous Mtb detection and resistance to isoniazid, rifampicin and moxifloxacin, suitable for resource-limited settings.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using sputa from 426 possible pulmonary TB subjects from two small Mexican cities bordering Texas. The 1G test was compared against phenotypic TB detection tests in the region [acid fast bacilli smear microscopy and …

Spinning-Induced Exertional Rhabdomyolysis Without Acute Kidney Injury, Yolanda V. Gutierrez, Ronald Shaju, Alyssa L. Sepulveda, Joaquin Rivera, Aamir Ahmad

School of Medicine Publications

Rhabdomyolysis is a condition with a myriad of causes, including both traumatic and non-traumatic. Traumatic conditions are observed in crush injuries, compartment syndrome, and fractures, while non-traumatic rhabdomyolysis is commonly seen due to exertional heat stroke, extreme physical exercise, and dehydration. This case report explores two cases of extreme non-traumatic rhabdomyolysis caused by indoor cycling, also known as spinning. A common complication of severe rhabdomyolysis is acute kidney injury (AKI), which increases the risk of renal failure. Rapid interventions such as aggressive intravenous fluids are necessary to prevent kidney function loss. In this case report, two sisters, on two separate …

Breaking The Resistance: A Narrative Review Of The Evolution From Traditional Drugs To Precision Therapies In Epilepsy, Tirath Patel, Fathimathul Henna, Ashfaq Ahmed, Ayesha Ahmad, Noor Ul Huda, Syed Aaraiz Ul Hassan, Aiman Muhammad, Amna Javed, Maryem Filal, Nikhilesh Anand

School of Medicine Publications

Background: Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures, affecting approximately 50 million individuals globally. While conventional antiseizure medications (ASMs) control seizures in 70-80% of patients, about 30% experience drug resistance or intolerable side effects, necessitating alternative approaches.

Objective: To critically compare the efficacy, safety, and accessibility of conventional and emerging therapies for epilepsy, particularly in the context of treatment-resistant cases and global disparities in care.

Methods: This narrative review synthesized evidence from 120 peer-reviewed articles published between 2015 and 2025. Literature was retrieved from PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Scopus using predefined search terms related to epilepsy …

Comparative Analysis Of M1 And M2 Macrophage Distribution And Localization In Chronic Wounds Of Metabolically Healthy And Diabetic Hosts Using A C57bl/6 Mouse Model, Bryan Liu, Ramiro Cisneros, Nathaniel Primous, Estephania Garcia, Bhuvana Lakkasetter Chandrashekar, Claudia Biguetti

School of Podiatric Medicine - Student Research

Introduction/Purpose: Type 2 diabetes and obesity are major risk factors for delayed wound healing in chronic foot ulcers. This study investigated whether a high-fat diet induces diabetes-like metabolic dysfunction in mice and characterized associated morphological changes and macrophage polarization during wound healing. Macrophages exist as pro-inflammatory M1 and anti-inflammatory M2 phenotypes that regulate tissue repair.

Methods: Ten male C57BL/6J mice (8 weeks old) were divided into high-fat diet (HFD) and regular diet (RD) (IACUC Protocol 22-33) groups.  After 12 weeks, body weight and intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test were measured to confirm metabolic phenotypes, after which a 6mm dorsal excision wound …

Expression Of 5-Lo In Chronic Wounds In A Preclinical Murine Model Of Obesity And Type 2 Diabetes, Joshua Wu, Ramiro Cisneros, Nathaniel Primous, Estephania Garcia, Bhuvana Lakkasetter, Claudia Biguetti

School of Podiatric Medicine - Student Research

Introduction: Diabetes is associated with impaired wound healing and a high incidence of chronic, non-healing ulcers, largely driven by persistent low-grade inflammation. Leukotriene B4 (LTB4), a product of the 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) pathway, has emerged as a key mediator of this chronic inflammatory state. Hence, this study investigated the role of the 5-LO pathway in cutaneous wound healing under normoglycemic and diabetic conditions using a murine model.

Methods: Twelve 8-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were fed with high-fat diet (HFD; 60% kcal fat) or low-fat diet (LFD; 10% kcal fat) for 12 weeks (IACUC 22-33). Body weight (BW) and fasting blood glucose …

Reduced Threat-Related Neural Efficiency: A Possible Biomarker For Pediatric Anxiety Disorders, Julia O. Linke, Reut Naim, Simona P. Haller, Parmis Khosravi, Beck Scheinberg, Meghan E. Byrne, Anita Harrewijn, Ellen Leibenluft, Melissa A. Brotman, Anderson M. Winkler, Daniel Samuel Pine

School of Medicine Publications

Objective: Pediatric anxiety disorders are common and predict adult psychopathology, yet current treatments, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), produce lasting remission in less than 50% of affected youths. To support the search for improved, mechanistically grounded interventions, this study evaluated neural efficiency, defined as similarity in functional connectivity between a threat task and rest, as a potential biomarker. The study evaluated neural efficiency in relation to anxiety diagnosis and treatment response.

Methods: The authors compared 103 youths with an anxiety disorder diagnosis (mean age, 12.5 years [SD=2.91], 62% female) to 103 youths with no psychiatric diagnosis (mean age, 13.4 years …

Coffin–Lowry Syndrome: A Systematic Review Of Rps6ka3 Confirmed Cases And Implications For Diagnosis And Counseling, Sabyasachi Maity, Miranda Montion, Danielle Boothe, Mona Attarpour, Ivy Mageto, Simran Agarwal, Rujul Patel, Chloe Lark, Bharathi Gadad, Nikhilesh Anand

School of Medicine Publications

Background: Coffin–Lowry syndrome (CLS) is a rare X-linked disorder caused by pathogenic variants in RPS6KA3, presenting with intellectual disability, distinctive facial and skeletal features, and variable systemic involvement. Advances in genomic technologies have expanded the mutation spectrum, yet genotype phenotype correlations remain incompletely understood.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review of published cases (n = 72) following PRISMA guidelines. Demographic, phenotypic, and genotypic data were extracted, standardized, and summarized using descriptive statistics. Associations between mutation type and key clinical features were assessed with Chi-square or Fisher’s exact tests. Diagnostic approaches and global distribution were also analyzed.

Results: The cohort …

Beyond Hemostasis: A Narrative Review On The Multifaceted Therapeutic Potential Of Ankaferd Blood Stopper, Salima E. Tibi, Muhammad Hashir Nazir, Saleha Nazir, Bhumi Daishik Patel, Gayatri Misra, Tirath Patel, Fatima Nasir, Muhammad Farhan, Nana Sardarova, Nikhilesh Anand

School of Medicine Publications

Background: Effective hemorrhage control is essential in managing trauma and surgical patients, with uncontrolled bleeding being a leading cause of mortality. Ankaferd Blood Stopper (ABS), a hemostatic agent historically used in Anatolia, has gained recognition for its ability to modulate red blood cell-fibrinogen interactions to form a stable protein network for rapid bleeding cessation.

Objective: This review explores the multifaceted applications of ABS, evaluating its efficacy, safety, and potential therapeutic roles across various medical fields, including hemostasis, wound healing, antimicrobial activity, and antineoplastic effects.

Methods: A comprehensive synthesis of clinical trials, case reports, and experimental studies was conducted to assess …

A Rare Culprit Or An Elusive Culprit In Disguise? Unraveling Wild-Type Attr Cardiac Amyloidosis In Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction, Jose J. Loayza Pintado, Taiwo Ajani, Daniela Hernandez, Everardo Cobos

School of Medicine Publications

Cardiac amyloidosis (CA) is a rare disorder caused by the deposition of abnormal proteins called amyloid in the myocardium, leading to dysfunction. The 2 most common forms of amyloidosis are AL (light chain) and ATTR (transthyretin). Diagnosing amyloidosis is challenging, especially in its early stages, due to its nonspecific symptoms and overlap with other conditions. Recent studies suggest that the incidence of wild-type transthyretin amyloidosis is rising, likely due to improved diagnostic techniques and an aging population. We present the case of a 72-year-old male with lower extremity edema, progressive shortness of breath, and worsening renal function. He had a …

Esat-6 And Cfp-10 Reactive Igg In Patients With Tuberculosis Inhibits Intracellular Bacteria, Joshua R. Miles, Pei Lu, Shuangyi Bai, Genesis P. Aguillón-Durán, Javier E. Rodríguez-Herrera, Bronwyn M. Gunn, Blanca I. Restrepo, Lenette L. Lu

School of Medicine Publications

Perspectives beyond the CD4 T cell interferon (IFN)-γ paradigm are needed to understand immunity in tuberculosis (TB). Growing data in patients across a spectrum of TB highlight that changes in antibody Fc domain glycosylation and Fc effector functions correlate with disease and impact Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection. How antigen-specific antibodies within polyclonal responses affect bacteria is less clear. This study examines antibodies targeting ESAT-6 and CFP-10, Mtb virulence proteins essential for pathogenesis. Data from patients with TB show that polyclonal immunoglobulin (Ig)G reactive to ESAT-6 and CFP-10 diverges from other Mtb and non-Mtb antigens with enhanced sialylation, …

Optimization Of Actuator Stiffness And Actuation Timing Of A Passive Ankle Exoskeleton: A Case Study Using A Musculoskeletal Modeling Approach, Jania Williams, Cody P. Anderson, Arash Mohammadzadeh Gonabad, Farahnaz Fallahtafti, Sara A. Myers, Hafizur Rahman

School of Podiatric Medicine Publications

Objective: A modeling and simulation tool, OpenSim, was used to determine the optimal relationship between actuator stiffness and actuation timing of a passive ankle exoskeleton for reducing metabolic costs during walking. We hypothesized that the absolute minimum in total metabolic cost would exist at an actuation timing of 15% of stance and at a spring stiffness of 7.5 kN/m. We also hypothesized that a local minimum in total metabolic cost would exist at an actuation timing of 50% of stance. Methods: Bilateral kinematics and kinetics data were collected on a healthy male walking overground wearing his regular tennis shoe. The …

Molecular Effects Of Glucose On Mir503hg-Regulated Genes In Triple-Negative Breast Cancer, Victoria Reid, Barbara Yang, Kyle Russo, Melina J. Sedano, Ramesh Choudhari, Enrique I. Ramos, Shrikanth S. Gadad

School of Medicine Publications

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive breast cancer subtype, characterized by a lack of key hormone receptors in tumor cells. As there are limited treatment options for these patients, it is crucial to understand the underlying mechanisms by which TNBC constantly evolves and evades treatments. In this regard, the pervasive nature of transcription provides a potential reservoir of transcripts, including both coding and noncoding, that TNBC leverages to sustain a proliferative advantage and support tumor growth. TNBC is affected by energy sources such as glucose, which can have a profound impact on gene expression regulation mediated by various …

Neuropathic Pain And Related Depression In Mice: The Effect Of A Terpene And A Minor Cannabinoid In Combination, Jose Rios, Mohammed Alnoud, Mohammad Hussain, Zayd Ayas, Emmanuel Franco, Justin D. Mills, Joshua Nwose, Maria Sophia Malbas, Hiram L. Garcia, Manish Kumar Tripathi, Khalid Benamar

School of Medicine Publications

Background/Objectives: Neuropathic pain is one of the most severe types of chronic pain. Although it is difficult to manage, it often co-occurs with depression. Yet, no medication addresses the neuropathic pain and depression comorbidity. Therefore, developing integrated treatment strategies that address both pain and depression is a major public health priority and an unmet need affecting millions. Methods: In this study, we investigated the effect of combining a terpene, Beta-Caryophyllene (BCP), and cannabidiol (CBD) on neuropathic pain and associated depression. We employed a chronic constriction injury (CCI) neuropathic pain model and a series of behavioral tests to evaluate …

Acute Limb Ischemia Secondary To Left Brachial Artery Occlusion In A 45-Year-Old Woman: A Case Report, Osman Zada, Tirath Patel, Suliman Syed, Muhammad Hanif, Ayesha Haq, Nikhilesh Anand

School of Medicine Publications

Rationale: Acute limb ischemia is a vascular emergency that occurs when blood flow to a limb suddenly decreases, putting the limb at risk if not treated promptly. Acute limb ischemia accounts for 11% of all vascular emergencies, among which arm ischemia is relatively rare. It is caused by occlusion of the brachial artery, most commonly by vascular thromboembolism. We report a female patient with left upper limb ischemia induced by occlusion of the brachial artery.

Patient concerns: We report a 45-year-old female who presents with an acute onset of severe pain, numbness, and pallor in her left arm. Pulse was …

Strength In Numbers: Leveraging Mentorship Teams To Support Medical Student Research In Turbulent Research Environments, Stephanie N. Moore-Lotridge, Gloria M. Conover, Luke R. Finck, Jonathan G. Schoenecker, Patrick J. Hu, Diann S. Eley

School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences Faculty Publications

Amid the ongoing changes across the healthcare and research environment—marked by funding constraints, shifting institutional priorities, and increasing clinical demands—faculty are facing mounting challenges to sustaining meaningful research mentorship. At the same time, medical student interest in research continues to rise, driven by both personal curiosity and career-oriented goals. This monograph explores how team-based mentorship models can help bridge this growing divide, offering a flexible and collaborative approach that distributes the responsibilities of guiding student research across mentors with complementary expertise. Drawing from the experience of seasoned faculty mentors across diverse settings, this monograph provides practical strategies to maintain high-quality …

Epidemiology, Presentation, And Diagnosis Of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus In Children And Adolescents, Bisher Alsabbagh, Whard Alsabbagh

School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences (Formerly Dept. of Biology)

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in children and adolescents has increased substantially over recent decades, paralleling rising rates of pediatric obesity and metabolic risk. Youth-onset T2DM is characterized by significant insulin resistance accompanied by an inadequate compensatory insulin response, resulting in progressive hyperglycemia and early beta-cell dysfunction. Incidence varies widely among racial and ethnic groups, with the highest rates observed in non-Hispanic Black, Hispanic, Native American, Asian American, and Pacific Islander youth. Risk factors include obesity, family history, high-risk ethnicity, pubertal insulin resistance, prenatal metabolic exposures, and comorbid conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome. Clinical presentation ranges …

A Review Of Recent And Developing Studies Regarding Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (Pci): A Narrative Review, Bisher Alsabbagh, Azeez Shala, Joshua Rupert, Abdallah Elsayed

School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences (Formerly Dept. of Biology)

This comprehensive literature review synthesizes the most recent evidence and evolving clinical guidelines concerning percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) from 2015 to 2025. The study integrates findings from 42 peer-reviewed trials, meta-analyses, registries, and international guideline statements issued by the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA), European Society of Cardiology (ESC), and related societies. Results reveal a decade-long evolution in PCI practice marked by a shift from anatomy-driven to physiology and imaging-guided decision-making, supported by tools such as fractional flow reserve (FFR), instantaneous wave-free ratio (iFR), intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), and optical coherence tomography (OCT). Modern guidelines emphasize individualized, team-based revascularization …

Medial Artery Calcification As A Hidden Driver Of Osteomyelitis: The Impact Of Sad-Mac On Microvascular Perfusion And Antibiotic Delivery In The Diabetic Foot, Yasim Zafar, Paul Tran, Ofsman Quintana, Dustin Prins, Hooman Mir

School of Podiatric Medicine - Student Research

Purpose: To evaluate the association between small arterial disease with medial artery calcification (SAD-MAC) and increased risk of osteomyelitis in diabetic foot patients. This study explores how impaired microvascular perfusion contributes to ischemic ulcers, infection progression, and reduced antibiotic efficacy, leading to poor healing and higher amputation rates.

Methods: A retrospective review was conducted on nine diabetic patients with chronic kidney disease, hypertension, and peripheral vascular disease who presented with ischemic or gangrenous toes. Patients lacking radiographs or with non-diabetic ischemic etiologies were excluded. Radiographs were evaluated for small arterial disease with medial artery calcification (SAD-MAC) and graded using the …

The Impact Of Minor Amputation On Occurrence Of Major Amputation In Patients With Diabetic Foot Ulcers, Nivan Wadhawan, Naohiro Shibuya, Daniel C. Jupiter

School of Podiatric Medicine Publications

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) may lead to lower extremity amputation (LEA). Although minor LEAs (at or distal to the ankle) can carry a higher risk of perioperative complications compared to major LEAs (proximal to the ankle), they can increase patient independence and quality of life. This study aims to elucidate the impact of minor LEA on the time between DFU occurrence and major LEA to help determine the safer and more efficacious LEA choice for a given clinical situation. Data from 4,199 DFU patients from the TriNetX research platform were utilized. Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression were conducted to evaluate …

Synthesis Of Antibody Functionalized Polyaniline/Polystyrene/N-Gqds Composite Fibermats For Sweat Based Cortisol Biosensing Applications, Ashwin James

Honors Theses

Noninvasive, wearable biosensors capable of detecting stress biomarkers in sweat require electrodes that are flexible, conductive, insoluble in water, and highly sensitive at low concentrations of analyte. In this work, bovine serum albumin blocked and anti-cmab immobilized nitrogen doped graphene quantum dots integrated polyaniline/polystyrene composite fibermat electrodes (BSA/Anti-Cmab/N-GQDs/PANI/PS electrodes) were synthesized and evaluated as a potential platform for an electrochemical cortisol biosensor in sweat based systems. Polyaniline was utilized in order to provide electrical conductivity, while polystyrene served as a carrying polymer for mechanical support and its hydrophobicity. Composite fibermats were manufactured through Forcespinning™, followed by a secondary polyaniline graft …

Cannabidiol And Beta-Caryophyllene: Chronic Inflammatory Pain, Mohammed Alnoud, Mohammad Hussain, Jose Rios, Emmanuel Franco, Justin D. Mills, Joshua Nwose, Maria Sophia Malbas, Hiram L. Garcia, Sophia Leslie, Manish Tripathi, Khalid Benamar

School of Medicine Publications

While chronic pain is challenging to manage, it always co-exists with depression. Currently, chronic pain and depression are usually treated separately with distinct approaches, yet effectiveness remains elusive. Consequently, the development of integrated therapeutic strategies for pain while addressing depression is a high public health priority and unmet need that affects millions of people. This study aims to determine if the combination of the two phytocannabinoids Beta-Caryophyllene (BCP) and cannabidiol (CBD) is effective for chronic pain while simultaneously showing antidepressant effects. We used a chronic inflammatory pain model (Complete Freund's Adjuvant, CFA) and a battery of pain and depression-like behavior …