Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

A Critical Interpretive Synthesis Of Research Linking Hip Hop And Wellbeing In Schools, Alexander Crooke, Cristina Almeida, Rachael Comte

Journal of Hip Hop Studies

Hip Hop is recognized as an agent for youth development in both educational and well-being spaces, yet literature exploring the intersection of the two areas is comparatively underdeveloped. This article presents a critical interpretive synthesis of twenty-two articles investigating school-based well-being interventions which used Hip Hop. The critical stance taken aimed to identify or expose assumptions underpinning this area of scholarship and practice. Our analysis suggested several assumptions operate in this space, including the idea rap represents a default for Hip Hop culture, and the default beneficiaries of Hip Hop-informed interventions are students of color living in underprivileged, inner-city US …

For The Dead Homie: Black Male Rappers, Homicide Survivorship Bereavement, And The Rap Tribute Of Nipsey Hussle, Melvin L. Williams, Justin K. Winley, Justin A. Causey

Journal of Hip Hop Studies

Ermias “Nipsey Hussle” Asghedom’s murder represented a cultural cataclysmic event that startled the Hip Hop community and triggered previous memories of Black men’s homicidal deaths in the world. Nipsey Hussle’s death inspired touching rap tribute songs by Black male rappers, who sought to commemorate his cultural legacy and express their bereavement as homicide survivors. Rap tribute songs occupy a significant history, as rappers historically employed them to honor Hip Hop’s fallen soldiers, communicate their homicide survivorship bereavement processes, and speak about social perils in the Black community. Framed by critical race (CRT) and gender role conflict theoretical frameworks, this study …

Intergenerational And Intragenerational Connections Within A University Art Museum Program For People With Dementia, Sujal Manohar, Jessica Kay Ruhle

International Journal of Lifelong Learning in Art Education

This visual essay highlights the impacts of the Nasher Museum of Art’s Reflections program, which engages people with dementia (PWD) and their care partners through interactive art museum tours. This program’s conversation-based tours with built-in time to socialize are designed to foster intergenerational and intragenerational connections between PWD and museum gallery guides, PWD and care partners, and between PWD. Discussions about artwork are visitor-driven and encourage lifelong learning among participants. Anecdotal feedback from Reflections participants and gallery guides confirms the value of relationship building, improving quality of life for PWD.

By fostering community and strong connections, Reflections programs help reduce …

Arts In Mind: A Multidisciplinary Approach To Museum Programs For Persons Living With Young-Onset And Early-Stage Alzheimer’S Disease, Rachel Thompson, Angel Duncan, Jessica Sack

International Journal of Lifelong Learning in Art Education

This paper reflects on Arts in Mind, an ongoing museum-based program for those with Young-onset Alzheimer’s or in the early stages of memory loss. Co- developed in 2019 by the authors, an art therapist with experience in Alzheimer’s clinical trials research and two museum educators. Arts in Mind is a monthly program that invites people living with Young-onset Alzheimer’s and their care partners to look at and make art together. Arts in Mind responds to a previously unmet need for programming specifically designed for the Young-onset Alzheimer’s population and individuals in early stages of the disease. Sessions are anchored in …

Acute Fish Oil Supplementation And Aspirin Treatment Modulates Lipid Profile In Platelet Rich Plasma: A Randomized Pilot Trial, Joshua M. Morriss, Lisa A. Turner, Danielle M. Mccormack, Daniel Contaifer, Naren Gajenthra Kumar, Saidheeraj Paravataneni, Monther Alsultan, Suad Alshammari, Silas Contaifer, Parthasarathy Madurantakam, Dayanjan Wijesinghe

Pharmacotherapy and Outcomes Science Publications

Aims: Platelet rich plasma (PRP) has been used in tissue repair to treat numerous inflammatory pathophysiologies. Recent studies have elucidated that the bioactive lipid fraction of PRP significantly contributes towards the resolution of inflammation. There has been great interest in how therapeutics could modulate the PRP lipidome to formulate a more pro-resolving matrix. Many of the pathways used to produce either pro-resolving or pro-inflammatory lipids are shared between ω-3 and ω-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Here, we explored the separate and interacting effects acute exogenous ω-3 PUFA supplementation and aspirin had on the lipidome of PRP within 6 hours.

Methods: …

Feeling The Squeeze: The Association Between Multigeneration Caregiving And Informal Caregivers’ Health, Christine L. Patterson

Theses and Dissertations

While U.S. public policy and research has focused on the health needs of the aging population, less attention has been given to the consequences informal caregivers face caring for this generation. With the segment of the population aged 65 years or older growing rapidly, it is important to understand the factors that place informal caregivers at risk for poor health outcomes and health behaviors. Since multigeneration caregivers balance more personal, work, and caregiving demands than single-generation informal caregivers of older adults, they may be at higher risk for poor health outcomes. The aim of this study was to examine the …

Comparing The Sensitivity And Specificity Of Cbct And Mri In Detecting Osteoarthritis Of The Tmj: A Systematic Review, Gabriel R. Saavedra

Theses and Dissertations

The aim of this systematic review was to compare the sensitivity and specificity of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in detecting osteoarthritis (OA) of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). This was done by using computed tomography (CT) and the research diagnostic criteria for temporomandibular disorders (RDC/TMD) as reference methods and using CBCT and MRI as index methods. A specific search strategy was developed and applied to these electronic databases: PubMed, Embase, DOSS, and Cochrane. The search results returned 802 articles, which were then narrowed down using the inclusion/exclusion criteria, to four final articles that were included in …

Amixicile, A Novel Antimicrobial Agent, And Its Effect On The Salivary And Subgingival Microbiome In Rhesus Macaque Monkeys, Erin E. Block

Theses and Dissertations

Background/Purpose: Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease with a bacterial etiology in a susceptible host. A selective antibiotic with minimal systemic side effects could be a useful adjunct to traditional periodontal therapy. Amixicile is a novel antimicrobial agent that targets pyruvate: ferredoxin oxidoreductase (PFOR), an enzyme that is critical for anaerobic bacterial metabolism and has been found to have little-to-no side-effects in animal models. The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate the effect of amixicile on clinical periodontal parameters and the composition of the oral microbiome in rhesus macaque monkeys. It was hypothesized that the amixicile would reduce growth …

Antibiotic-Loaded Dendrimer Hydrogels In Periodontal Bone Regeneration: A Feasibility Study, Nicholas G. Yesbeck

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: Prescription of a complete course of oral antibiotics following bone grafting procedures is a common clinical practice in surgical periodontics. Prophylactic administration of antibiotics reduces the risk of surgical site infection and systemic administration is preferred over local delivery because of short duration of action in the latter circumstance. The goal of this study is to demonstrate the ability of dendrimer hydrogels (DH) to prolong the release kinetics of antibiotics in-vitro. A secondary goal will be to analyze the effect of different particulate bone allografts on the release kinetics of the antibiotic.

Methods: Dendrimer hydrogels (DH) were synthesized …

Stat5a Regulation By Serine Phosphorylation In Breast Cancer, Alicia E. Woock

Theses and Dissertations

The neuroendocrine hormone prolactin (PRL) and its cognate receptor (PRLr) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of breast cancer. PRL signaling relies on activating kinases such as the tyrosine kinase Jak2 and serine/threonine kinases ERK1/2, NEK3, PI3K, and AKT. In the canonical pathway of PRL signaling, JAK2 phosphorylates the transcription factor STAT5a at tyrosine residue 694 (pY694-STAT5a), preceding STAT5a nuclear translocation and transcriptional activity. However, STAT5a exists with functional duality as a transcription factor, having both pro-differentiative and pro-proliferative target genes. Other STAT family members (STATs 1, 3, and 6) have been shown to have transcriptional activity in the un-tyrosine-phosphorylated …

A Scoping Review Of The Roles, Training, And Impact Of Community Health Workers In Oral Health Supplemental Tables, Dina T. Garcia, Jaime Lawson, Erica R. Brody, Susan C. Mckernan, Sarah E. Raskin, Nixon Arauz, Maghboeba Mosavel, Tegwyn Brickhouse

Health Behavior and Policy Publications

Objective: To synthesize English or Spanish-language literature on community health workers’ (CHWs’) roles, training, and impact in oral health. Basic research design: A scoping review conducted in accordance with the Arksey and O’Malley (2005) methodological framework. Method: Electronic literature searches were conducted in Medline (Ovid), Embase (Ovid), DOSS, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Global Health CAB from inception of the databases to April 2020. Three reviewers independently conducted the title and abstract and full-text reviews. This was followed by data charting by three reviewers and data summarizing by two reviewers. Results: Out of the 36 articles that met the inclusion …

Xylitol In Preventing Dental Caries, Nicholas Fields, Tu Bui

Dental Hygiene Student Scholarship

Abstract

Problem: Dental caries is a common form of tooth infection among adults and children. The disease is easily transmissible, and therefore a great focus should be put on prevention to ensure healthy and proper oral hygiene for the population. Xylitol use has been proposed as one of the most effective preventive interventions against dental caries.

Methods: The literature review engaged different electronic databases such as PubMed, MEDLINE, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Library in evaluating the effectiveness of xylitol use in preventing dental caries in both children and adults. Articles used in the review were published between 2016 …

Can Botox Be The Cure For Tmj Associated Pain And Dysfunction?, Haley Headley, Bella Pollard

Dental Hygiene Student Scholarship

Problem: Over 10 million Americans suffer from pain, headaches, and jaw dysfunction associated with temporomandibular joint disorders. Traditionally, when diagnosed, patients are given conservative treatment option recommendations such as an occlusal bite guard, stabilization splint, and over-the-counter pain medication, such as Ibuprofen. These conservative treatment options are meant for short term use. What is the long term answer to temporomandibular joint pain and dysfunction? Surgical replacement of jaw joints with artificial implants has been considered; however, the effectiveness of this irreversible procedure is inconclusive and highly controversial. Botulinum toxin type A injections, or botox, offers an alternative treatment that …

The Effects Of Covid-19-Related Stressors On Bruxism And Temporomandibular Disorders, Hagir A. Saleh, Samantha Smith

Dental Hygiene Student Scholarship

Problem: COVID-19 has proven to be a major public health emergency, with an array of physical and emotional complications. While COVID-19 has its own effects on the human body, anxiety induced by the pandemic has shown to take a toll on the human oral cavity by means of causing individuals to grind and clench their teeth due to anxiety/stress, potentially leading to temporomandibular disorders and orofacial pain.

Methods: A thorough review of literature was conducted by consulting credible studies published on online databases such as PubMed, Dentistry & Oral Sciences Source, Google Scholar, and Academic Search Complete. The studies examined …

Post-Traumatic Hallux Valgus: A Modified Surgical Technique, Zylyftar Gorica, Kimberly Mcfarland, John S. Lewis Jr, Karl M. Schweitzer Jr, Alexander R. Vap

Orthopaedic Surgery Publications

Post-traumatic hallux valgus, a turf toe variant, is a rare, yet limiting injury. According to the literature, the deformity has been associated with acute medial collateral ligament tears, turf toe variant injuries, Lisfranc injury patterns, and first metatarsal fractures. There have been few documented cases of post-traumatic hallux valgus secondary to medial collateral ligament tears, and the treatment has been variable. Some authors have described direct end-to-end repair of the ligament to address the deformity, while others have described a modified McBride bunionectomy involving a Silver bunionectomy, lateral soft tissue release, and medial capsular and ligamentous repair. We propose a …

Disentangling Social-Genetic From Rearing-Environment Effects For Alcohol Use Disorder Using Swedish National Data, Aiman Hanif, Han Tran

VCU's Medical Journal Club: The Work of Future Health Professionals

The presentation introduces Dr. Jessica Salvatore and colleagues’ work, Disentangling Social-Genetic From Rearing-Environment Effects for Alcohol Use Disorder Using Swedish National Data, on the social-genetic effects of having a spouse whose parent(s) is/are affected by alcohol use disorder (AUD). After collecting personal data of over 300,000 Swedish opposite-sex couples, the study used actor-partner interdependence model and logistic regression model to examine the association between a spouse’s AUD predisposition and the proband’s risk of developing AUD. The results showed that the proband is at a high risk of developing AUD upon marrying an AUD-predisposed spouse. The authors concluded that this relationship …

Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy For Knee Osteoarthritis: 5 Years Follow- Up Of Three Patients, Shahad Musa

VCU's Medical Journal Club: The Work of Future Health Professionals

This presentation is on the effects of mesenchymal stem cells on osteoarthritis in the knees. Osteoarthritis is the degeneration of cartilage and has very little long-term treatments. Most treatments are geared towards pain management and surgery is an option, but no cure exists to reverse or stop degeneration. Embryonic stem cell research is severely limited, meaning mesenchymal stem cells (adult-derived stem cells) are more accessible to research. In this study, stem cells from the patient’s bone marrow were derived and then injected into the severely damaged knees. Results were conducted six months and five years after. Six months after the …

Β-Amyloid Accumulation In The Human Brain After One Night Of Sleep Deprivation, Shahad Musa

VCU's Medical Journal Club: The Work of Future Health Professionals

This presentation is on the effects of sleep deprivation on β-amyloid accumulation in the brain. During sleep, the glymphatic system is involved in the clearance of metabolic including metabolic wastes. β-amyloid accumulation is directly correlated to impairment of brain function and Alzheimer's disease. Increased sleep or ways to decrease β-amyloid accumulation could be beneficial in the prevention of Alzheimer's. Data collected in the article published by Shokri-Kojori, E. et al. suggests that sleep deprivation negatively affected mood and was correlated with increases in amyloid- β burden in the right hippocampal cluster. Further research on how sleep impacts β-amyloid accumulation should …

Diacylglycerol Lipase-Β Knockout Mice Display A Sex-Dependent Attenuation Of Traumatic Brain Injury-Induced Mortality With No Impact On Memory Or Other Functional Consequences, Jefin Jose

VCU's Medical Journal Club: The Work of Future Health Professionals

Traumatic brain injury has been a concern in recent years with a greater understanding of its effects on the brain. The endocannabinoid system leads to inflammation when activated, leading to a poorer prognosis in vivo for traumatic brain injury patients. In the present study, the researchers wanted to identify the potentially neuroprotective effects of DAGL-β knockout when mice were exposed to traumatic brain injury. Using a variety of different techniques, the researchers were able to conclude that DAGL-β knockout did not lead to neuroprotective benefits but was associated with lower levels of mortality immediately following the injury. In addition, the …

Nsynergistic Antiviral Effect Of Hydroxychloroquine And Azithromycin In Combination Against Sars-Cov-2, Samiya Majid

VCU's Medical Journal Club: The Work of Future Health Professionals

This presentation gives a brief overview of the study conducted by Fantini, J., Chahinian, H., & Yahi, N. on nSynergistic antiviral effect of hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin in combination against SARS-CoV-2: what molecular dynamics studies of virus-host interactions reveal. The study considered two drugs, hydroxychloroquine (CLQ) and azithromyocin (ATM), as potential treatments for curing COVID. Hydroxychloriquine is a drug commonly used in the treatment of malaria but has been shown by recent studies to not be an effective cure against COVID on its own. Azithromyocin is a commonly used antiobiotic that was also considered in this study. Hydroxychloriquine interacts with the …

Outcomes Of Catheter Ablation Of Ventricular Tachycardia Based On Etiology In Nonischemic Heart Disease: An International Ventricular Tachycardia Ablation Center Collaborative Study, Akhila R. Kunuthuru

VCU's Medical Journal Club: The Work of Future Health Professionals

This presentation explores the study conducted by Marmar Vaseghi, Tiffany Y. Hu, Roderick Tung, et al.:

Outcomes of Catheter Ablation of Ventricular Tachycardia Based on Etiology in Nonischemic Heart Disease: An International Ventricular Tachycardia Ablation Center Collaborative Study

Researchers determined the effects of ventricular tachycardia ablation in nonischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM) patients. By studying the six most common etiologies of NICM, researchers came to the conclusion that the etiology of NICM is an important factor when predicting ventricular tachycardia recurrence, death, or cardiac transplantation. The paper also indicated that adjustments were performed to the data to account for confounding factors such …

The Covid-19 Vaccine Development Landscape, Areebah Ahmed

VCU's Medical Journal Club: The Work of Future Health Professionals

This presentation focused on the current ongoing developments for the COVID-19 vaccine as described in The Covid-19 Vaccine Development Landscape by Tung Thanh Le et. al. An overview of the competing companies and the specifics of their vaccine development is presented, along with the current phases. Moderna and Inovio Pharmaceuticals are just a few of the companies working towards the common goal of a proven effective vaccine. Additionally, the presentation contains visuals of the biological components of the virus, as well as discussions of how organizations such as the CEPI (Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations) have assisted the progress of …

Characterization And Discovery Of A Selective Small Molecule Modulator Of Mitochondrial Complex I Targeting A Unique Binding Site, Jefin Jose

VCU's Medical Journal Club: The Work of Future Health Professionals

Zhang et al. developed a potential therapeutic drug that selectively binds to the IF site of Complex I, revealing the role of ZCM-I-1 as a potential regulator of ROS species within the mitochondria at moderate concentrations. More importantly, the development of this drug has been used to justify the mitochondria dysfunction hypothesis of Alzheimer's Disease. However, the key mechanism for Alzheimers remains unclear.

The Promises Of Neurodegenerative Disease Modeling, Jefin Jose

VCU's Medical Journal Club: The Work of Future Health Professionals

In Jean-Antoine Lepesant's review of The promises of neurodegenerative disease modeling, the author evaluates the present and past roles of molecular genetics in biomedical research and assesses the use of animal models in neurodegenerative disease modeling. Despite posing various ethical issues, particularly surrounding the clinical implications of CRISPR/Cas9, molecular genetics has allowed researchers to determine the pathogenic origin of various diseases as well as mimic the conditions of genetically altered patients. Molecular genetics has also facilitated a transgenic approach to create animal models for mammalian disorders. In particular, D. melanogaster serves as a preliminary research tool in the investigation of …

Impacts Of A National Lockdown On Smallholder Farmers’ Income And Food Security: Empirical Evidence From Two States In India, Samiya Majid

VCU's Medical Journal Club: The Work of Future Health Professionals

This presentation gives a brief overview of the study conducted by Francisco Ceballos, Samyuktha Kannan, & Berber Kramer on the Impacts of a national lockdown on smallholder farmers’ income and food security: Empirical evidence from two states in India. The study considered the disproportionate effect of COVID on economies worldwide, specifically the two states, Haryana and Odisha, in India. The COVID-19 pandemic posed many challenges for small farmers in these two states. National and local policies posed varying challenges for farmers. They were interviewed about these challenges by phone, right after the announcement of the lockdown and harvest season in …

Phase I Trial And Pharmacokinetics Of Fenretinide In Children With Neuroblastoma, Shahad Musa

VCU's Medical Journal Club: The Work of Future Health Professionals

This presentation is on the effect of different dosages of fenretinide on children with neuroblastoma. Neuroblastomas are the second most common malignant tumor growth in children with a high fatal relapse rate. Children diagnosed with this disease have less than a 50% chance of survival within five years of diagnosis. Fenretinid and other retinoids have been extensively studied in vitro, but this article highlights phase I where the safest and most effective dosages lie. Patients' eligibility was based on a list of guidelines, and patients were given the drug for 28 days followed by a seven-day interruption in a cycle. …

Local Administration Of Reveromycina Ointment Suppressed Alveolar Bone Loss In Mice, Samiya Majid

VCU's Medical Journal Club: The Work of Future Health Professionals

This presentation gives an overview of the study conducted by Ken Miyazawa, Yuichiro Asano, Masako Tabuchi, Shunsuke Kako, Makoto Kawatani, Hiroyuki Osada, Hatsuhiko Maeda, and Shigemi Goto on the local administration of ReveromycinA ointment. In the study, ReveromycinA (RMA) ointment was administered non-invasively in the oral cavity of mice. The effectiveness of this ointment was tested by observing whether it was able to inhibit alveolar bone resorption in a mouse with experimentally-induced periodontal disease. The alveolar bone loss in the wild type versus osteoprotegerin-knockout mice showed that localized administration of the RMA ointment resulted in suppressed alveolar bone resorption, reduced …

Glia-Neuron Interactions In The Mammalian Retina, Jefin Jose

VCU's Medical Journal Club: The Work of Future Health Professionals

The investigators reviewed the origin, morphology, and function of the three main classes of glia within the retina. Muller cells ensheath neurons and blood vessels within its functional unit. Astrocytes mediate the blood-retina barrier as well form a network of glial cells called the pangial syncytium, which diffuses excess potassium ions to potassium-deficient areas. Microglia play the role of immunosurveillance through long-fine processes which turn into short, thick processes upon activation. Although these glial cells play roles ancillary to light processing, these glial cells can also play more direct roles in processing. For example, Muller cells are believed to direct …

Immune Checkpoint Molecules In Natural Killer Cells As Potential Targets For Cancer Immunotherapy, Jefin Jose

VCU's Medical Journal Club: The Work of Future Health Professionals

Xu et al summarizes some of the different functions of NK cells, focusing on their ability to secrete cytokines and trigger cancer cell cytotoxicity. NK cells have activating and inhibiting receptors on its cell surface, contributing to the balance of stimulating and suppressing signals for NK cells. In the tumor microenvironment, the receptors on the NK cell surface are altered, contributing to NK dysfunction. Immunotherapies have been developed to target increased NK surface inhibitory receptors and have shown promise. However, there is also evidence that regulatory T cell targeting and ADO mediation may also contribute to NK cell cytotoxicity. Further …

Cervical Collar Clearance: Using Ebp To Decrease Pressure Injuries, Christoph Lecznar

VCU Health Nursing

Purpose: The purpose of this evidence-based practice (EBP) project was to decrease medical device pressure injury (MDPI) related to Cervical Collar (C-collar) clearance in adult blunt trauma patients. PICO: In the adult obtunded blunt trauma patient, should a c-collar be cleared with a negative CT, compared to a negative CT with adjunct imaging to reduce adverse events such as MDRPI?

Background: Our unit observed an incidence in C-collar MDRPI of 3 in 2019 and 3 in 2020 based on the date of the survey. C-collar clearance in the blunt trauma patient is a crucial step to avoid MDRPI. There are …