Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

The Unusual Suspect - Herpes Zoster As The Culprit For Severe Abdominal Pain. A Case Report., Edward Lovering, Ahmad Asif, Sean Sheih, Samuel B Holzman, Yani Zhang

Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives

Reactivation of herpes zoster leading to disseminated and visceral organ involvement is an uncommon phenomenon and almost always associated with immunocompromised patients. Visceral herpes zoster is a challenging diagnosis to make as patients typically present with severe abdominal pain which precedes the typical rash of herpes zoster. We describe the case of a 68-year-old female who presented to the emergency department with abdominal pain and was subsequently diagnosed with disseminated herpes zoster and found to have underlying monoclonal gammopathy.

Subcutaneous Insulin Aspart Every 4 Hours In The Treatment Of Covid-19 Patients With Mild-To-Moderate Diabetic Ketoacidosis: A Case Series, Dararat Chiewchalermsri, Chayanin Wanittansirichok, Chutintorn Sriphrapradang

Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives

This case series evaluates the efficacy and safety of subcutaneous (SC) insulin Aspart administered every four hours for managing mild-to-moderate diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in COVID-19 patients, addressing a current evidence gap. We conducted a retrospective review of confirmed COVID-19 patients over 15 years old who developed mild to moderate DKA between July 2020 and October 2021. Insulin Aspart was administered at 0.4 units/kg SC every 4 hours, reduced to 0.2 units/kg when blood glucose (BG) decreased to/dL, and SC basal insulin was initiated at 0.15-0.2 units/kg at DKA diagnosis. A total of seven patients, with a mean age of 67.4±13.2 …

Risk Factors, Pathogenesis, Prevention And Clinical Features Of Cardiovascular Implantable Electronic Device (Cied) Infections, Mustafa Shehzad, Humna Younis, Rohail Azhar, Dawood Shehzad, Noor Zara Usman

Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives

Cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) are essential therapeutic tools for managing various cardiac conditions but are also associated with the risk of infections, leading to significant morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. Risk factors include patient comorbidities, procedural aspects, and device characteristics. Prompt intervention and early recognition of CIED infections, including pocket and systemic infections, are essential for preventing complications. Advanced imaging modalities aid in accurate diagnosis, while a multidisciplinary approach involving infectious disease specialists and cardiologists guides treatment strategies. Tailored antibiotic therapy, along with device removal and lead extraction, is crucial in managing CIED infections. This article emphasizes risk factors, …

New Onset Atrial Fibrillation In Hospitalized Patients, Arafat Ali Farooqui, Syed Mohammad Mazhar Uddin, Sanjay Kumar Maheshwari, Kevin Clements, Rabiah Ashraf, Jay Keith, Neha Sharma, Haris Bilal, Naira Saleem, Vijay S. Shetty

Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives

Objectives: To evaluate different factors precipitating new onset atrial fibrillation (AF) in hospitalized patients and their effect on in-patient mortality.

Design: Retrospective cross-sectional study

Setting: Urban tertiary care center in New York City

Measurements:

Primary outcomes:

• Determine different factors precipitating new onset atrial fibrillation in hospitalized patients and their effect on in-patient mortality

Secondary outcomes:

• Determine the duration of hospital stay after admission precipitating new onset atrial fibrillation and its effect on mortality
• Evaluate different factors in COVID-19 patients with new onset atrial fibrillation

Results: Out of 464 patients; 62.3% were males and 37.72% were females. Evaluation of patients before …

Navigating Thyroid Crises: A Nationwide Analysis Of The Weekend Effect And Mortality Trends In Myxedema Coma (2016-2020), Mariam Hashmi, Zubair Hassan Bodla, Fatima Niaz, Umer Farooq, Zahra Niaz, Christopher L. Bray, Peters Okonoboh

Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives

Our objective was to utilize the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database for analyzing the outcomes of myxedema coma based on the day of admission and explore five-year mortality trends. This retrospective cohort study examined in-patient mortality and secondary outcomes of patients with myxedema coma from 2016 to 2020 using the NIS database. Patients were selected using International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) codes and divided into weekday and weekend admission groups. From 174,776,205 discharges, 5,095 patients were included. Mean age of admitted patients was higher on weekdays (67.1 year) than weekends (66.5), with females constituting 69.4% and …

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Mortality Trends In Mississippi, 2012–2022, Elizabeth Jones

Journal of Public Health in the Deep South

Due to the lack of studies examining SIDS mortality trends and its implications on pediatric populations, this study aimed to address the gap in research and to identify the magnitude and the impact of SIDS by exploring trends in SIDS among infants from 2012 to 2022. The study uses data from the Mississippi Statistically Automated Health Resource System, which is an online database with data collected from vital statistics. Joinpoint regression models were used to calculate Annual Percentage Change (APC) and Average Annual Percentage Change (AAPC) as an indicator of trends. The overall SIDS mortality rate remained 0.5 deaths per …

Exploring Options To Maximize Hpv Vaccination Rates In Mississippi: A Commentary, Mcking I. Amedari

Journal of Public Health in the Deep South

Human Papillomavirus (HPV)-related cancers remain a significant cause of mortality. Nevertheless, disparities in vaccination coverage persist across the U.S., with Mississippi reporting the lowest HPV dose completion rates despite achieving high overall vaccination rates for other vaccines. Dental professionals can play a vital role in improving HPV vaccination rates by promoting and administrating the vaccine. Notably, Mississippi remains one of the few states where the dental board permits dentists to administer the HPV vaccine. This presents a valuable opportunity to expand access points as a preventive strategy against HPV-related cancers. Additionally, there is a need to explore legislative measures to …

Advancing Telemedicine Adoption: Insights From Health Behavior Models With A Focus On The Multi-Theory Model, Rahib K. Islam, Abigail E. Watson, Alec Robitaille, Manoj Sharma, Robert E. Davis, Joshua T. Clark, Vinayak K. Nahar

Journal of Public Health in the Deep South

Telemedicine, the use of digital communication technologies to deliver clinical healthcare remotely, has emerged as a pivotal advancement in modern medicine. By providing virtual consultations, asynchronous data transmission, and remote patient monitoring (RPM), telemedicine enhances accessibility, particularly for underserved populations, while promoting efficiency and continuity of care. As telemedicine transforms healthcare delivery, its adoption hinges on understanding health behaviors—actions influenced by psychological, sociocultural, and environmental factors. These behaviors can be categorized into preventative, illness, and risk-related actions, with established models like the Health Belief Model (HBM), Social Cognitive Theory (SCT), and Transtheoretical Model (TTM) offering insights into behavior change mechanisms. …

Interview With A Rocket Scientist, Alex Robertson

Osmosis Magazine

There are three examples of professions that people refer to as highly intelligent: a brain surgeon, nuclear physicist, and rocket scientist. I’ll be representing the rocket scientists with this interview with aerospace engineer Andrei Doran!

Ask Osmosis, Ryan Shah

Osmosis Magazine

Welcome to the first installment of Ask Osmosis, our new Q&A section where we answer questions about science and healthcare sent in by our wonderful and curious readers.

Thank you to everyone who sent in questions!

Computational Biology: Revealing The Secrets Of Dna, Yağmur BingüL

Osmosis Magazine

Science is exponentially growing. It gets millions of times better than its previous self each year. In 2000, when we published the first draft of the complete human genome to develop new ways to treat, cure, or even prevent the thousands of diseases that afflict humankind, it cost 3 billion dollars. Six years later, in 2006, it cost only $14 million to generate a “complete” human genome, to find out every single gene in the human DNA. And now, we can develop a complete human genome for only $1,500 - $4000.

The Hidden Faces Behind The Covid-19 Vaccine, Julia Brittain

Osmosis Magazine

When you think about the COVID-19 vaccine, the names Pfizer or Moderna probably come to mind. It’s no surprise that these companies are often mentioned in discussions of the COVID- 19 vaccine. After all, in December 2020, Pfizer-BioNTech became the first biopharmaceutical company to receive emergency use authorization for their COVID-19 vaccine from the FDA, and Moderna followed shortly after.

Letter From The Editor, Ryan Shah

Osmosis Magazine

Dear Reader,

Thank you for opening this unique issue of Osmosis Magazine! The 10th issue of UR’s premier science and healthcare magazine looks quite different from previous issues, as the Osmosis Team has disaffiliated from UR in support of the Black Student Coalition and the Protect Our Web movement. Nevertheless, Osmosis Magazine remains dedicated to our mission of sharing interesting and educational science and healthcare stories. This “mini issue”

stays true to that goal, while giving the incredible Osmosis Team something to show for their hard work this semester. If you like what you read, please feel free to share …

Osmosis Magazine - Spring 2021

Osmosis Magazine

Osmosis is a student read, led, and written publication from the University of Richmond, focusing on all aspects of healthcare and science.

Thermal Carbonization Of Biomass Wood Dust And Algae Wastes Via Microwave-Assisted H3Po4: Desirability Function And Statistical Optimization For Methylene Blue Dye Removal, Raja Razuan Raja Derisa, Hazierul F. Awang, Muhammad Hakim Azman, Intan Nur Hidayah Abdul Rashid, Ahmad Hapiz, Ruihong Wu, Abdallah Reghioua, Zaher Mundher Yaseen, Lee D. Wilson

AUIQ Complementary Biological System

This research utilized a carbonization procedure via microwave irradiation assisted by H₃PO₄ to generate a cost-effective adsorbent (CWDAG) from wood dust (WD) and algal (AG) biomass. The resulting CWDAG adsorbent was characterized for its methylene blue (MB) dye adsorption properties. The activation process employs 800 W microwave radiation for 15 min under a nitrogen gas (99.99%) atmosphere. Multiple techniques were employed to study the physicochemical properties of CWDAG, such as FTIR, XRD, FSEM-EDX, pH_pzc, and BET. Box-Behnken design (BBD) was employed to optimize the three important parameters of adsorption, as follows: A: CWDAG dosage …

Targets To Increase Hiv Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (Prep) Uptake Among Communities In Northeast Georgia, Kaley E. Parchinski, Molly Hirsh, Andrew Cheng, Nia Kalifa, Manvi Manyam

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: This study seeks to identify targets to increase HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) uptake in Athens-Clarke County, GA, a non-urban area with high HIV burden and poor PrEP utilization.

Methods: A cross sectional survey of adults attending HIV outreach screenings in Athens, GA between November 2022 and March 2023 describes participant demographics and validated scales measuring PrEP knowledge, attitudes, stigma, descriptive norms, and intentions.

Results: Of 136 total participants, key demographic groups included Black (N=84, 61.8%), Latinx (N=10, 8.1%), LGBTQ+ (N=25, 18.4%), and persons who use injection drugs (N=19, 15%); overall, less than half of the PrEP knowledge items were …

Biological Infections Associated With Wearing Cosmetic Contact Lenses: Risks, Pathogens, And Preventative Measures: Mini Review, Lina M. Shaker, Wan Nor Roslam Wan Isahak

AUIQ Complementary Biological System

Cosmetic contact lenses are increasingly favored worldwide for their ability to enhance or alter aesthetic appearance. However, their use carries a higher risk of ocular infections, particularly when proper hygiene practices are neglected. This narrative review explores the biological and clinical aspects of infections associated with cosmetic lens usage, with a focus on pathogens such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), and Acanthamoeba. Key factors influencing infection susceptibility include microbial adhesion, biofilm formation, reduced oxygen permeability, and the effects of cosmetic pigments. The review further evaluates the role of lens material properties, including advancements in antimicrobial materials, …

Methylene Blue Dye Removal From Aqueous Solution Using Activated Carbon Prepared From Corn Cob Stem: Kinetics, Isotherms And Mechanism Studies, Gopi Narasimha Murthy, Uttam Kumar Sahu

AUIQ Complementary Biological System

In this study, a waste-to-wealth work has been proposed where activated carbon was synthesized from waste corn cob stems and used for methylene blue (MB) dye removal. Corn cob stems activated carbon (CCSAC) had been prepared in microwave technique using H₃PO₄ as an activating agent where the impregnation ratio of corn cob stems to H₃PO₄ was 1:4. Then CCSAC characterized by FTIR, BET, XRD, SEM, EDS, and Raman spectroscopy. The CCSAC showed the mesoporous with a good surface area of 54.61 m²/g. Around 150 mg adsorbent dose, 120 min contact time, pH …

Assessing The Biological Impacts And Health Risks Of Uv Radiation In The Context Of Sustainable Development Goals: Review, Ruaa H. Abbas, Lina M. Shaker

AUIQ Complementary Biological System

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation, while essential for certain biological processes, presents significant risks to human health and ecosystems. Increased UV exposure, driven by ozone depletion and climate change, heightens threats such as DNA damage, skin cancer, immune suppression, and eye disorders, directly aligning with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3: Good Health and Well-being. Additionally, UV radiation disrupts marine and terrestrial ecosystems, impacting biodiversity and productivity, relevant to SDGs 14 and 15. This review evaluates the health and environmental impacts of UV radiation and highlights recent advancements in UV monitoring technology. Key findings reveal substantial evidence linking UV exposure to accelerated skin …

A Look In The Fast Lane, Joseph Mceachon

Osmosis Magazine

An Interview with Dr. Jeffrey Leary, M.D., Emergency Medicine, Richmond Emergency Physicians Inc.

Challenges Associated With Organ Transplants, George Qiao

Osmosis Magazine

In 1954, the first successful kidney transplant was performed by Dr. Joseph E. Murray. Since then, organ transplantation has served as a life-saving operation, as it replaces a failed organ with a healthy and functioning organ. Recent decades have experienced great success for organ transplants due to advancement in the surgical industry as well as the availability of immunosuppressive drugs that fight against organ rejection.

Conservation In A Developing Country, Melanie Lippert

Osmosis Magazine

Amour Mohammad started farming in Pemba Island, Tanzania in 1994 and soon became an icon for sustainable land management on the island. Climate change has caused droughts, salt water intrusion into farms, and nutrient runoff from the land in Pemba. Despite this, Mohammad viewed climate change not as an obstacle, but as an opportunity to be innovative.

Phage Therapy: A Fresh Look At Last Century's Candidate For Fighting Bacteria, Savannah Del Cid

Osmosis Magazine

Humanity has fought infectious bacteria for ages, but it wasn't until recently that humans began to distil chemicals from nature to fight bacteria, which we know as antibiotics. At first, bacteria were easily treated with antibiotics, such as the well-known penicillin. However, the improper and overuse of antibiotics over the decades has created the perfect environment for mutated bacteria to thrive despite antibiotic treatments. This has become a major concern for doctors and patients because the need to utilize methods beyond the pharmaceutical has not become widely apparent until now.

A Biologically Modified World, Maxim Ermoshkin

Osmosis Magazine

The field of synthetic biology has received more attention in the last decade to become a leading emerging technology. The field merges engineering concepts with the study and manipulation of biology. Synthetic biology fosters new solutions to biological problems by reconstructing biological phenomena as well as creating entirely new organisms. Venture capitalists and governments have dramatically increased investment and funding in this field because of its potential in reimagining how medicine, energy, and food are developed.

Origins And Ethics Of Biohacking, Lindsey Paul

Osmosis Magazine

Since its first mention in a 1988 Washington Post article, the biohacking movement has taken on many definitions, with the overarching goal of disseminating information and techniques to allow people outside of the traditional scientific community to modify biological systems. Biohackers, then, are the members of this movement, viewing themselves as boundary-pushers and explorers.

Youth Football: Risk Of Brain Injury, Justin Airas

Osmosis Magazine

Recent studies have increased concerns of the impact of youth tackle football on later neurological health.

Vaping: Is It Better Or Worse For You Thank Smoking?, Madeline Ustanik

Osmosis Magazine

Electronic cigarettes, otherwise referred to as "vapes", "juuls", or "e-cigs", have rapidly risen in popularity since their initial introduction in 2003. The explosion of vape shops, the sight of vape pens in public spaces, and the prevalence of vaping within popular culture is now commonplace. Also available in a variety of flavorings, such as strawberry, mango, and mint, e-cig pods have risen in popularity, particularly among high schoolers and young adults.

Disorder Of Sex Development (Dsd), Dana Oriana Morcillo

Osmosis Magazine

A parent's greatest joy is the moment their child is born. However, this moment can become confusing and even, stressful when their newborn child has different or additional genitalia than the one expected. In moments like this, an important decision lies ahead for both the parents and the physicians in treating the child with caution and more importantly, the appropriate care. Children born with disorder of sex development (DSD) introduce a new medical dilemma that extends beyond the physical, but to psychological, social and ethical concerns as well.

The Effect Of Sleep On Performance In School, Sam Bottum

Osmosis Magazine

As college students, we have all heard that sleep is key to performing well in the classroom. Just how true is this? This article will delve into several studies to get to the bottom of the age-old question.

The Genes To Success: Are You Naturally Gifted?, Adriana Grimes

Osmosis Magazine

Have you ever wondered why it seems that some people struggle in school despite working just as hard as everyone else, yet others can get away with barely studying and still have a 4.0 GPA? Well it turns out there may be some hints in your genome.