Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Atypical Presentation Of Guillain-Barré Syndrome, Natalie Bachir, Linda Akbarshahi, Abhishek Singh

Research Day

Introduction

Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) is a rare, immune-mediated polyneuropathy that typically presents with ascending muscle weakness and areflexia. However, atypical features can obscure diagnosis, leading to delays in treatment. Primary care physicians (PCPs) often serve as the first point of contact for patients with evolving neurological symptoms. This case illustrates an unusual presentation of GBS with hyperreflexia and no preceding infection, highlighting key diagnostic challenges for PCPs in recognizing non-classical cases early.

Case Description

A 35-year-old female with asthma and depression presented with three weeks of progressive weakness, tremors, and blurred vision, beginning two days after a camping trip. Initial …

Measuring The Impact Of A Pharmacist-Led Order Entry Vs Standard Of Care For 9 Skilled Nursing Facilities Across Western And Central New York, Hannah Kruse, Melissa Baxter

Research Day

Introduction

Medication reconciliation is the process employed to reduce the frequency of adverse drug events for patients during the hospital discharge. It’s estimated that 35-45% of adverse drug events (ADE) arise from medication errors typically identified in the medication reconciliation process, leading to increased cost on the healthcare system and practitioners. This research aims to identify whether the practitioner, either pharmacist or nurse, completing medication reconciliation conveys a statistically significant reduction in the number of 30-hospital readmissions due to preventable medication error.

Methods

A comprehensive chart review was completed spanning dates 1/1/2022-1/1/2023 comprising the nursing-led cohort, and 7/1/2023-7/1/2024 comprising the …

Refining The Smoothness Index For Reaching In Ataxic Mice Using A Curved Model, Milo Jacob Z. Paman, Adam E. Davis, Samantha E. Young, Jesse Kao, Huo Lu

Research Day

Smooth, goal-directed reaching movements require precise motor coordination, a function often impaired in cerebellar ataxia. Distinguishing between normal and ataxic movement requires a measure of smoothness of movement. Previously a linear smoothness index was developed, which relied on deviations from linear trajectories and acceleration profiles of reaching movement in the mouse forelimb. This linear smoothness index approach may not accurately capture the natural movement patterns of this reaching motion in the mouse model due to the more natural curve the mouse exhibits in this movement. In this project, a new index was introduced by incorporating a curved path, developed from …

Development And Validation Of A Low-Cost Tandem-Lens Mesoscope For Wide Field Fluorescence Imaging Of Neural Activity, Jesse Kao, Huo Lu

Research Day

Advancements in mesoscopic imaging have enabled large field-of-view (FOV) fluorescence microscopy, facilitating the study of neural activity across cortical networks. Traditional two-photon and confocal microscopy techniques provide high spatial resolution but are limited in their ability to capture large-scale neuronal interactions due to their restricted FOV. Mesoscopic imaging bridges this gap by allowing simultaneous observation of widespread neural circuits, making it a powerful tool for studying distributed activity patterns, such as those involved in sensorimotor processing. This approach is particularly useful for investigating the cerebello-thalamo-cortical pathway, where coordinated activity across multiple brain regions is critical. Following the design outlined by …

Glp1 Receptor Agonist Increases Fracture Risk In Patients With Obesity, Alex T. Chelton, Ethan R. Lawson, Francis E. Jenney

Research Day

Introduction: GLP-1 receptor agonist medication usage has seen a rapid increase in usage not only for diabetic patients but now for obese and overweight patients who are searching for alternative weight loss methods. Although these medications are proving useful for helping patients lose weight, there are notable side effects that patients need to consider.

Methods: A retrospective case-control study was conducted using data from the NIH All of Us database. Patients were included based on the diagnosis of overweight and obesity. Patients were excluded based on diagnosis of type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus, A1c > 6.5 and diagnosis of …

The Impact Of Artificial Turf Versus Natural Grass On Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury Rates In Football And Soccer: A Scoping Review, Paul Mikhail, Daniel Malak, Joseph Mikhail, Mark Awad, Kirolos Youssef, George Eskander, Ravi Yarid

Research Day

Background: The widespread adoption of artificial turf in professional and collegiate football and soccer has raised concerns about its influence on anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury rates. While artificial surfaces may increase lower extremity injury risk due to greater surface friction and cleat-turf interaction, some studies report no significant difference compared to natural grass. This review assesses the correlation between playing surface types and ACL injury incidence in football and soccer athletes.

Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted in November 2024 across PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Google Scholar using terms such as “ACL injury,” “artificial turf,” “natural grass,” and …

Dual Arterial Supply To The Deltoid Muscle: An Aberrant Branch Of The Brachial Artery In A Cadaver, Ally M. Mcmillen, Irvin Tran, Tanvi Raj, Megan D. Buena, Diana Peterson

Research Day

Introduction:

An anatomical vascular anomaly was identified in the left brachium of a 75-year-old Caucasian male cadaver at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) Georgia gross anatomy laboratory. The left deltoid muscle had a dual blood supply from the posterior circumflex humeral artery and the deep artery of the arm. This report describes the anomalous vascular pattern and highlights its potential clinical relevance. Awareness of anatomical variations in the vascular system is critical for optimizing outcomes in diagnostic and surgical procedures involving the upper limb.

Methods:

The cadaver was dissected during a gross anatomy laboratory at PCOM. Permissions were …

Coral Beads And Ground Glass: A Case Of Multicentric Reticulohistiocytosis, Ciara Burgess, Felix Bu, Joseph Dyer

Research Day

Introduction: Multicentric reticulohistiocytosis (MRH) is a rare systemic autoimmune disorder characterized by skin and joint involvement. It classically presents with symmetric erosive polyarthritis and papulonodular skin lesions and is frequently associated with underlying malignancies. MRH has fewer than 300 cases reported in medical literature worldwide since its first report in 1937, but studies suggest that approximately 25-30% of patients diagnosed with MRH have underlying malignancy. Because of its paraneoplastic nature, it is recommended that patients diagnosed with MRH promptly undergo cancer screening.

Case Presentation: In this case report, a 58 year-old male presented to the dermatology clinic complaining of a …

Health Complications Of Antibacterial-Based Mouthwash On Oral Microbiota: Literature Review, Bhavik Singh, Zoë Rushetsky, Rehana Lakhani, Shifa Gandhi, Francis Jenney

Research Day

Introduction

The human microbiota, including bacteria, fungi, archaea, and viruses, is a diverse and dynamic community of microorganisms that maintains both systemic and oral health. This population regulates immune response, prevents pathogen colonization, and facilitates metabolic processes such as nitrate reduction. Oral microbiota are distinct from gut microbiota but are interconnected through microbial translocation and inflammatory signaling, disruption of this balance is linked to various diseases, including cardiovascular conditions. Emerging evidence suggests that antibacterial mouthwash use may reduce nitrate-reducing bacteria, impairing nitric oxide (NO) production, a key molecule in vasodilation and blood pressure regulation. Understanding this relationship is crucial in …

A 22-Year Journey Of Scalp Lupus: The Price Of Delayed Care In Chronic Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus, Rami B. S. Mansour, Joseph M. Dyer

Research Day

Background:

Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) is a relentless autoimmune disease that, when affecting the scalp, can lead to permanent, disfiguring scarring alopecia. Despite its potential for early intervention, many cases go undiagnosed or undertreated, leaving patients with irreversible damage. This case follows a 22-year trajectory of progressive scalp DLE, illustrating the consequences of delayed care and the challenge of managing chronic cutaneous lupus.

Case Presentation:

A 67-year-old woman presented with severe scalp itching, persistent hair loss, and scarring. She was first diagnosed with scalp DLE 22 years ago after months of unresponsive treatment. A biopsy at the time confirmed characteristic …

Predisposing Factors, Outcomes, And Treatment Approach To Fluid Gusher Complication During Cochlear Implant Surgery, Nolan P. Gillihan, William C. Jones, Matthew J. Alexander, Bhavik Singh, Ahmad B. Cader

Research Day

Our research focused on the fluid gusher complication from cochlear implant surgery. Fluid gusher is one of the most prevalent complications of cochlear implant surgery and occurs when cerebral spinal fluid leaks from the cochleostomy site. The complication occurs with opening the round window. We performed a systematic review of the literature, focusing on overviews of cochlear implant surgery complications. There are many factors contributing to the cause of fluid gushers including, biological sex, age, time of procedure, follow up time, temporal bone abnormalities, and abnormalities of the lateral wall of the internal auditory canal. Fluid gusher puts some patients …

Complete Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome In A 76 Year-Old Cadaver, Shervin Hovanloo, Abraham M. Venegas, Hayden Evans, Lyndsey Edelman, Kevin Wang, Diana Peterson

Research Day

Introduction:

This case study examines the anatomical and clinical features of a 76-year-old cadaver with Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (AIS), an X-linked recessive disorder causing androgen resistance, resulting in the feminization of 46, XY individuals. Our case study highlights AIS classification, clinical manifestations, and management strategies, including the risks of testicular cancer, gonadectomy, hormone replacement therapy, and psychological considerations, emphasizing a multidisciplinary approach for optimal patient care.

Methods:

Gross anatomical dissection was conducted to assess the external and internal structures, with high-resolution images captured and enhanced for clarity. Precise measurements were taken and compared to typical female anatomy in order to …

Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy And Number Of Repetitive Impacts In American Football Players, Chase A. Forbes, Bhavik Singh, Malik I. Watson, Etop U. Udoh, Jonathan L. Mosley, Kévin Borgella, Erik Zarandy

Research Day

Background:

Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) is a degenerative brain disorder associated with repeated head injuries over the course of an individual's lifetime. A definitive diagnosis of CTE requires a post-mortem examination to thoroughly identify pathological markers such as hyperphosphorylated tau protein and astrocytic abnormalities. This review seeks to investigate the correlation between the amount of repetitive head impacts in American Football careers and the likelihood of developing CTE.

Methods:

Data was sourced from PubMed and compiled using the search “((CTE) and (Football))”, between the years of 2014 to 2025. The data included focused on the estimated number of head impacts …

Breaking The Stigma: Innovating Sti Testing Models For Black Adolescent Men, Xavier Langston, Peggy Goedken, Angella Appah, Megan Mccool-Myers, Melissa Kottke

Research Day

Introduction:

Of the 26 million new sexually transmitted infections (STI) in 2018, almost half were among adolescents 15 to 24 years old. Less than 3% of sexually active male adolescents have had an STI test in the past 12 months versus 26% of their female peers. Male adolescents are more likely to forego testing than female adolescents due to greater confidentiality concerns, cost/insurance barriers, and lower self-perceived risk.

Despite the high prevalence of STIs in this marginalized group, male adolescents face unique barriers to STI testing, including cost, stigma, and limited availability of youth and male-friendly services. This project aims …

Liposomal Formulation To Treat Skin Infections Caused By Staphylococcus Aureus, Tiffanie Hoang, Sameer Joshi

Research Day

Introduction: Skin is the largest organ of the human body and is a strong barrier against various infections, including bacterial infections. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), over 83 million (1-in-4) individuals visit a dermatologist annually in the United States alone. However, the infection gets established and spreads depending on the individual's immunity and skin conditions. Although several drug options are available for treating skin infections staphylococcus aureus, there are still several drugs that can potentially inhibit this bacterial infection but have yet to be used for several reasons, such as toxicity, solubility, etc. Liposomes can deliver …

Modulation Of Purkinje Cell Plasticity In The Cerebellum Using Direct Current Stimulation: Investigating The Effects On Long-Term Depression, Rehan Sheikh, Emily Graves, Baria Rafiq, Huo Lu

Research Day

INTRODUCTION: Damage to the cerebellum or its associated pathways can result in cerebellar ataxia, a disorder characterized by impaired coordination and balance. One potential treatment for ataxic patients is transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS).The mechanism by which tDCS exerts its effects is believed to involve long-term depression (LTD). It is hypothesized that direct current stimulation modulates Purkinje cell plasticity.

OBJECTIVE: Previously, preliminary data was collected to examine the effects of direct current stimulation (DCS) on the Purkinje cell plasticity. It is suggested that E-field application did enhance LTD based on a paired t-test (p-value = 0.018, 8 cells without …

Development And Characterization Of Hydrogel Microneedle Patch, Tatyanna S. Goodson, Yujin Kim

Research Day

Introduction: Levodopa, co-administered with the dopa decarboxylase inhibitor carbidopa, remains the gold standard for treating Parkinson's Disease; however, due to rapid degradation, only about 1% of orally administered levodopa crosses the blood-brain barrier. Previously, this study explored a transdermal microneedle delivery system to enhance levodopa bioavailability by bypassing gastrointestinal metabolism. Microneedles penetrate the stratum corneum, reaching the dermis—rich in blood vessels—enabling direct systemic absorption and sustained drug release.

Objective: The focus of the experiment was to first develop a levodopa-containing transdermal cream combined with microneedles to enhance skin penetration and drug absorption. Transdermal delivery systems are expected to improve patient …

The Fraught Path To Residency For International Medical Graduates, Fatima Mossolem, Nidhi Chaudhary, Kate Whelihan, Venkat Venkataraman

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background:

International medical school graduates (IMGs) are a vital part of the physician workforce in the United States helping to combat the ongoing physician shortage. The Association of American Medical Colleges reported that 42.3% of hospitalists were IMGs, physicians that also comprise a significant part of primary care physicians in rural underserved areas. Students in a gray area of immigration statuses such as those in DACA or those that have lived in the US for years waiting to attain citizenship are automatically considered “international students” and have typically received less residency interviews, and have had a harder time matching into …

Comparison Of Graft Patency Between Sta, Ra, And Sv Grafts Of Intracranial Aneurysms Of The Internal Carotid Artery, Nassos Tziviskos, Hallie Tiburzi, Susrut Dube

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Abstract

Background: Patients with intracranial internal carotid artery (ICA) aneurysms that are not amenable to treatments like coiling, stenting, or clipping have limited treatment options. One option is vascular bypass of the aneurysm to introduce a stable route for cerebral perfusion, which can be performed using the superficial temporal artery (STA) or alternatively radial artery (RA) or saphenous vein (SV) grafts, among other vessels.

Methods: The major databases were searched to identify studies that explored graft patency and functional outcome for patients who underwent bypass for intracranial ICA aneurysms with STA, RA, or SV grafts and proportion meta-analysis was performed. …

Establishing The Dose-Response Effect Of Myofascial Release On Muscle Physiology, Sanjana Davuluri, Seth Spicer, Tyler Pigott

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Context: Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) is often indicated for back pain due to its high tolerability and post-treatment improvement in patients’ self-reported pain and functionality. Specifically, myofascial release (MFR) has been found to yield a significant improvement in both symptoms and quality of life. Until recently, there has not been much data published about the quantifiable effect of MFR and other OMT modalities on muscle physiology, especially taking treatment dose and force into consideration. Therefore, quantifying the changes in muscle characteristics through myotonometry would greatly benefit the field of osteopathic medicine in order to create more personalized treatment plans …

Efficacy Of Platelet Rich Plasma On Thumb Basal Joint Osteoarthritis: A Narrative Review, Vrushank Shah, Alexander King

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has emerged as a potential treatment for carpometacarpal (CMC) joint osteoarthritis, with studies suggesting it may offer more durable symptom relief compared to corticosteroids. A comprehensive review of four studies, including two randomized controlled trials (RCTs), a retrospective study, and a pilot study, revealed that both PRP and corticosteroid injections led to short-term improvements in pain and function. However, PRP demonstrated significantly better long-term outcomes, with VAS scores decreasing from 75 to 20 in the PRP group at 12 months, compared to a modest reduction from 70 to 65 in the corticosteroid group. Additionally, PRP showed a …

Personalizing Intermittent Fasting: The Role Of Microbiome Diversity And Fiber Intake In Shaping Health Outcomes, Jana Gjini, Robin Moore, Venkateswar Venkataraman

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

BACKGROUND: Intermittent fasting (IF) has been linked to improved metabolic health, reduced inflammation, and increased longevity in animal models. These effects are thought to be mediated through changes in the gut microbiome. Murine studies consistently show that IF enhances microbial diversity and promotes beneficial species like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, improving metabolic profiles and gut barrier function. However, human studies reveal inconsistent results, suggesting that individual-level factors such as baseline microbiome composition and fiber intake may influence response to IF.

HYPOTHESIS: Baseline gut microbiome diversity and habitual dietary fiber intake modulate the metabolic and inflammatory benefits of intermittent fasting in humans. …

Effects Of Novel Dopamine D4 Receptor-Targeted Compounds On Locomotor Activity And Anxiety-Like Behavior In Male And Female Sprague Dawley Rats, Samantha Alyse Walkow, Noah A. Ivak, Daniel Chandler, John Tkaczynski, Thomas M. Keck, Comfort A. Boateng, Eleni Papadopoulos, Barry D. Waterhouse, Rachel L. Navarra

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

The consequences of modulating subtypes of G protein coupled dopamine receptors are broadly studied for their role in decision making behavior, specifically in situations involving uncertain risk and reward. The actions of dopamine D4 receptors (D4Rs) on these complex processes are the least understood, particularly due to a lack of available compounds with suitable selectivity for D4Rs. Further, current research often fails to evaluate how modulating specific dopamine receptor subtypes may affect locomotor activity and anxiety-like behavior as confounding factors prior to assessing their function in behavioral assays of higher order decision making. The goal of the current study was …

Early Celiac Plexus Block In Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer, Brian Fardman, Christina Sheedy, Joshua Raymond

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Both Early and Delayed Celiac Plexus Blocks (CPBs) have been used in pancreatic cancer. Early CPB is completed when criteria for CPB is initially met, whereas Delayed CPB is implemented only after recalcitrant pain persists. We describe the benefit of early CPB in pancreatic cancer management.

Ks151 Synergizes With Venetoclax And Abt-737 In Aml: Efficacy In Both Flt3-Wildtype And Flt3-Mutant Models, Sahil Jethi, Arnold Rojas, Omar S. Al-Odat, Krishne Gowda, Subash C. Jonnalagadda, Manoj Pandey

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most common leukemia in adult patients, with a 5-year survival rate of less than 30 percent. Therefore, more effective therapeutic strategies are required to prolong the survival of AML patients. Importantly, anti-apoptotic proteins, especially B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), overexpression in AML is associated with uncontrolled growth as well as chemoresistance. Unsurprisingly, Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) overexpresses in AML and associated with poor prognosis and chemoresistance. The FDA-approved BTK inhibitor, ibrutinib, has been successful in treating other hematologic malignancies, but a proportion of patients relapse mainly because of acquired mutations at Cys481Ser (C481S) in the …

Rare Jugular Bulb Tumor Presenting As Bilateral Papilledema, Yoona Choe, Matthew Boyle, Peter Maduka

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Optic disc edema, which may arise from a range of inflammatory, ischemic, compressive, infiltrative, or hereditary causes, can also indicate elevated intracranial pressure in the form of papilledema. Given its potential association with life-threatening conditions such as mass lesions or venous sinus thrombosis, timely identification and thorough evaluation are critical. In this case, a 61-year-old female presented with a complaint of a new-onset floater in her left eye. Despite minimal symptoms and an unremarkable systemic review, dilated fundus examination revealed bilateral optic disc edema with hyperemia and hemorrhages, prompting urgent neuroimaging. MRI and MRV identified venous thrombi in the right …

The Effective Utilization Of Artificial Intelligence (Ai) In Early Melanoma Detection, Svetlana Filiche

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background:

Melanoma, while comprising only 1% of skin cancer cases, accounts for a high mortality rate due to its ability to metastasize if not detected early. Traditional face-to-face dermatologic evaluations provide limited access to care, resulting in delayed diagnoses.

Significance:

Artificial Intelligence (AI) offers a novel approach to improve diagnostic accuracy and accessibility by alleviating strain on healthcare resources in medically underserved areas.

Methods:

A literature review was conducted using studies published in the last ten years. Eligible resources included case reports, clinical studies, clinical trials, meta-analyses, reviews, and systematic reviews in English. Studies that were repetitive or inapplicable were …

Broadening And Broadcasting The Impact Of Cardiovascular Risk Factors Among Muslim Residents Of Southern New Jersey With Special Emphasis On Opportunities Of Future Interventions And Prevention Tactics, Maikel Mansour, Ocean Alam, Samiha Hossain, Kirsten M. Carlberg, Katarina Rusinak

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

According to AHA and NIH, CVD includes stroke, congenital heart disease, rhythm disorders, subclinical atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, heart failure, valvular disease, venous disease, and peripheral artery disease. Between 2017 and 2020, 127.9 million US adults (48.6%) had some form of CVD.

Among the target population, it was found that observing Ramadan fasting leads to an increase in total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides levels post-fasting. Yet, Islam emphasizes the importance of physical health as a privilege from God (Allah (swt)) and is seen as a religious duty.

The objective of the HCOP service project was to investigate the …

The Relationship Between Running Cadence And Stress Fractures In Competitive Distance Runners, Jason A. Richwall

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Running is one of the most popular sports and forms of exercise worldwide. Stress fractures are a common and potentially season-ending injury among competitive distance runners, with recurrence rates as high as 22%. Biomechanical factors, including running cadence, have been implicated in injury risk, but their precise role remains an area of active investigation. This literature review examines the relationship between cadence and stress fractures, drawing data from both observational and experimental studies. Observational studies suggest that low cadence and rearfoot striking are associated with increased risk of bone stress injuries. Experimental studies reinforce these findings, demonstrating that increased cadence …

Case Report: A Severe Case Of Post-Operative Ogilvie Syndrome Requiring Surgical Intervention, Aashna A. Chaudhry

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Ogilvie Syndrome is an acute colonic pseudo-obstruction described as a paralysis of the colon with no real mechanical obstruction. This condition is oftentimes a benign post-surgical complication but can progress in severity if not treated appropriately. This case report presents a unique clinical case in which an adult female patient developed a severe case of Ogilvie syndrome postoperatively requiring surgical intervention.