Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

The Application And Innovation Of Casgevy On Sickle Cell Disease, Emily Tackett, Le Thien Truc Pham, Hannah Salamie, Arin Wade, Allison Provenzale, Alexander Defranco, Ashley Jacob, Brianna Lu, Joshua Honaker, Amy Stockert

Pharmacy and Wellness Review

Casgevy, sickle cell anemia, SCA, sickle cell disease, SCD, CRISPR/Cas9, hydroxyurea, hemoglobin, Hb, l-glutamine, voxelotor, Crizanlizumab, Lyfgenia, stem cells, genetics, pharmacogenetics, pharmacogenomics

Poor Birth Outcomes Related To Cannabis Use In Pregnancy, Reese Weissenfluh, Madison Hall, Branden Kadlubowski, Makayla Eversole, Elizabeth Clary, Layla Dials, Brenna Hissong, Brianna Lu, Joshua Honaker, Manoranjan D'Souza

Pharmacy and Wellness Review

Pregnancy, a period of dynamic physiological changes, necessitates careful consideration of external influences on maternal and fetal health. Despite increasing legalization and prevalence, the impact of cannabis use during gestation remains a topic of significant concern and investigation.

Recent studies have shed light on the consequences of in utero cannabis exposure, encompassing both fetal and maternal outcomes. Notably, several studies have identified associations between cannabis exposure during pregnancy and adverse fetal outcomes, including small-for-gestational-age birth, altered neurodevelopment, preterm birth, and increased risk of neonatal morbidity. Evidence to date underscores the urgent need for education, intervention, and regulatory oversight regarding cannabis …

Exploring The Incidence Of Synthetic Versus Non-Synthetic Cannabinoid-Induced Psychosis: A Scoping Review, Ruaa Al-Juboori, Zachariah Francois, Precious Patrick Edet, Marie Barnard

Faculty and Student Publications

Cannabinoids, including synthetic and non-synthetic variants, are associated with diverse mental health outcomes including the development of psychotic symptoms. While non-synthetic cannabinoids such as THC are well-studied, the stronger affinity of synthetic cannabinoids for cannabinoid receptors may lead to more severe and unpredictable health outcomes, including acute psychosis. Therefore, the objective of this scoping review is to investigate if the literature reported differences in the incidence of synthetic cannabinoid-induced psychosis versus non-synthetic cannabinoid-induced psychosis and quantify these differences if present. Following the JBI guidelines for scoping reviews, we will conduct a literature search across multiple databases including PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus, …

Evaluating Maternal Drug Use Disparities, Risk Factors And Outcomes In Northeast Arkansas: A Pre, During, And Post-Covid-19 Pandemic Analysis., Enrique Gomez Pomar, Johnna Berryhill, Sudeepa Bhattacharyya

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

INTRODUCTION: The use of addictive substances remains a major health problem in the U.S. An increase in drug overdose and mortality was observed during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in underserved populations. This surge also impacted pregnant women especially with the use of marijuana (THC) and opioids.

METHODS: Retrospective study analyzing mother-infant dyads with reported Meconium Drug Screen (MDS) results, from January 2018 through April 2023 at a reference hospital serving an urban and rural area of Arkansas. Due to the absence of universal screening, the prevalence of drug use was variable during the study period. An adjusted monthly positive rate …

Evaluating Maternal Drug Use Disparities, Risk Factors And Outcomes In Northeast Arkansas: A Pre, During, And Post-Covid-19 Pandemic Analysis., Enrique Gomez Pomar, Johnna Berryhill, Sudeepa Bhattacharyya

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

INTRODUCTION: The use of addictive substances remains a major health problem in the U.S. An increase in drug overdose and mortality was observed during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in underserved populations. This surge also impacted pregnant women especially with the use of marijuana (THC) and opioids.

METHODS: Retrospective study analyzing mother-infant dyads with reported Meconium Drug Screen (MDS) results, from January 2018 through April 2023 at a reference hospital serving an urban and rural area of Arkansas. Due to the absence of universal screening, the prevalence of drug use was variable during the study period. An adjusted monthly positive rate …

Medical School Watercooler Newsletter - February 7, 2025, Lindsay Hughes

Watercooler Newsletter

This is the February 7, 2025 edition of the Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine's newsletter -- Watercooler.

Contents include:

• Register now: EDGE for Success professional development series
• Medical students, physicians connect at career mixer
• GHHS announces Solidarity Week activities
• Medical students collecting clothes for Penelope's Closet
• Whiddon COM kicks off spring semester with staff retreat: 'Turning Disagreements into Dialogue'
• Lang promoted to senior manager of COM support services
• Register now for faculty development opportunities
• Al-Mehdi recognized by USMLE for service
• Rippey selected for international sports medicine fellowship

Evaluating Sexual Dimorphism In Foramen Magnum Dimensions: A Cbct Study, K Saidath

Annual Research Symposium

No abstract provided.

Inclusive Space For Everyone Door Sign (Printable 8.5 X 11 Inch), Joan H. Robinson

Open Educational Resources

This is a printable 8.5 x 11 inch door sign for faculty, staff, and administrators to let people know it is an inclusive space for everyone. For improved visibility, print with a color printer and cut along the dotted line.

See also: 11 x 17 inch door sign.

Developing The Evidence-Based Plan To Implement The Violence Assessment Tool, Yue Zhang

Doctoral Dissertations & Projects

Patient violence against healthcare workers is a prevalent issue in healthcare settings, manifesting through physical assaults, harassment, intimidation, or other disruptive behaviors occurring at the workplace. Workplace violence (WPV) can lead to healthcare worker burnout, decreased job satisfaction, and increased staff turnover. Various strategies exist to prevent WPV, with assessment tools being among the effective measures. This paper aims to develop an evidence-based plan for integrating the Violence Assessment Tool (VAT) into nurses’ daily practices to evaluate patients and reduce the risk of violent incidents.

Evaluating Maternal Drug Use Disparities, Risk Factors And Outcomes In Northeast Arkansas: A Pre, During, And Post-Covid-19 Pandemic Analysis., Enrique Gomez Pomar, Johnna Berryhill, Sudeepa Bhattacharyya

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

INTRODUCTION: The use of addictive substances remains a major health problem in the U.S. An increase in drug overdose and mortality was observed during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in underserved populations. This surge also impacted pregnant women especially with the use of marijuana (THC) and opioids.

METHODS: Retrospective study analyzing mother-infant dyads with reported Meconium Drug Screen (MDS) results, from January 2018 through April 2023 at a reference hospital serving an urban and rural area of Arkansas. Due to the absence of universal screening, the prevalence of drug use was variable during the study period. An adjusted monthly positive rate …

12-05-24 Hsc Committee Meeting Minutes, Patricia Serna

HSC Committee (A subcommittee of the UNM Board of Regents)

12-05-24 HSC Committee Meeting Minutes

Noise Reduction In The Operating Room, Riley Ebenroth, Anthony Barker

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Student Projects

Background and Review of Literature: Excessive noise levels in the operating room (OR) have serious detrimental effects on both patients and providers, such as acoustic trauma, increased heart rate and blood pressure, angina, surgical site infection, fatigue, mental stress, and anxiety. There is currently no set standard endorsed for OR noise levels in the United States. Purpose: The purpose of the project was to reduce noise in the OR which has been shown to impair concentration and communication as well as to determine whether an educational intervention will reduce the average OR noise levels within a surgical case.

Methods: This …

Implementation Of Endotracheal Tube Cuff Manometry In The Operating Room: A Quality Improvement Project, Brianna Baker, Elisha Ross, Madelyn Wilke

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Student Projects

Background & Review of Literature: An endotracheal tube (ETT) is a device utilized during general anesthesia to secure the airway, providing a means for mechanical ventilation. The ETT features an inflatable cuff that ensures a tracheal seal and prevents complications. Cuff inflation pressure is monitored by manual palpation or a manometer. The AG Cuffill syringe is a manometer device used to measure ETT cuff pressure. The recommended ETT cuff pressure is 20 to 30 cmH2O. Deviations from the recommended range can lead to complications, escalating hospital costs, and compromising patient outcomes. Washington University School of Medicine’s (WUSM) Department …

Increasing Awareness And Use Of The Emergency Manual In The Operating Room, Joshua Danback, Annie Depenaloza, Logan Johnston

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Student Projects

Background and Review of Literature: Operating room emergency manuals function as cognitive aids, facilitating evidence-based treatment, error reduction, and better patient outcomes in diverse patient care and equipment-related emergencies. A concerning amalgam of stress, infrequent occurrence, and lack of standardized response hinders anesthesia providers’ practical experience during unexpected crises, potentially leading to errors and safety concerns.

Purpose: The purpose is to increase anesthesia providers’ utilization of the digital Stanford Emergency Manual (SEM).

Methods: All anesthesia providers at the project sites were invited to complete pre-intervention and post-intervention surveys throughout the project timeline. Surveys assessed participants’ awareness of the digital …

A Rare Case Of Adolescent Epiglottitis Secondary To Streptococcus Dysgalactiae Septicemia., Kedar Tilak, Mohamed Aashiq Abdul Ghayum, Douglas Swanson, Rana El Feghaly

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Streptococcus dysgalactiae (S. dysgalactiae)is a relatively uncommon pathogen in the pediatric populations, often overshadowed by Streptococcus pyogenes (S. pyogenes)in causing diseases such as cellulitis, severe seep tissue necrotizing infections, and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. This case report presents the case of a 15-year-old recent immigrant male patient from Egypt who developed an extensive neck infection with complications from S. dysgalactiae septicemia. Initially misdiagnosed as viral pharyngitis, the patient was later admitted with high fevers, dysphagia, and progressive respiratory distress. Imaging revealed widespread inflammatory changes, including cellulitis, epiglottitis, and lymphadenopathy. Despite prompt antibiotic therapy, the patient required …

Automated Blood Glucose Reminders In The Intraoperative Setting, Christopher Posey, Zeinab Halo, Emily Mueth

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Student Projects

Background and Review of Literature: Maintaining optimal blood glucose (BG) levels in patients with diabetes (PWD) undergoing surgery is crucial to prevent perioperative complications. Anesthesia providers are expected to adhere to established guidelines for monitoring BG levels in PWD during surgery. However, ensuring consistent adherence to these guidelines remains a challenge.

Purpose: This quality improvement (QI) project aimed to investigate the effect of automated BG reminders on anesthesia provider adherence to an intraoperative BG monitoring guideline for surgical PWD.

Methods: A QI project was conducted at Barnes-Jewish Hospital (BJH) over three months. The population of interest was surgical patients with …

Tdp43 Negtively Regulates Tbk1-Medicated Ifn1 Production Through Irf7 Pathway In Neurodegenerative Diseases, Wenjuan Zhang, Zhen Yi, Daihe Yang, Yifan Hao, Feng Zhou, Guohua Song, Cao Huang, Yun Zhou, Bo Huang

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Faculty Papers

Mutations in the genes encoding TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP43) or TANK- binding kinase 1 (TBK1) have been strongly associated with neurological disorders, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia. TDP43 is a key component of pathological protein aggregates found in more than 90% of ALS cases, while TBK1 plays a critical role in innate immune signaling and autophagy. Despite these associations, the precise molecular mechanisms linking TDP43 or TBK1 dysfunction to neurodegeneration remain poorly understood. The present study examined the impact of TDP43 on TBK1-mediated type I interferon (IFN1) production in HEK-293T cells. The findings demonstrated that co-expression …

Awareness Of Sleep Health In A Military Treatment Facility, Cristina Brock De Jesus

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Sleep disturbances are reported in almost one-third of military personnel deployed in support of Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO), resulting in approximately 600,000 military personnel and veterans with clinically relevant sleep conditions (Mysliwiec et al., 2013). This study assesses how implementing staff education will increase awareness and impact patients' sleep health in an overseas treatment facility. The project demonstrated after implementing several staff education courses for the nursing personnel (n=22), knowledge and confidence improved by 33%. The initiative shows an enhanced staff understanding of sleep health, which impacts the recognition of sleep members with sleep-related concerns.

Physical Health Care Use, Mental Health Care Use, And Resilience Among Formerly Incarcerated Adults In Southern California, Tamara Parker

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Adults who have experienced incarceration face many challenges reentering society. The lack of physical and mental healthcare use has been shown to contribute to recidivism. This cross-sectional study using a multivariate linear regression examined the relationship between physical healthcare use, mental healthcare use, and resilience among formerly incarcerated adults in Southern California while controlling for age, gender and race. Physical healthcare use was defined as the frequency of appointments, having health insurance coverage, and having a usual place of care. Mental healthcare use was defined as needing and receiving mental health treatment. The study used the Resilience Theory to determine …

Probing For Intentions: The Early Readiness Potential Does Not Reflect Awareness Of Motor Preparation, Jake Gavenas, Aaron Schurger, Uri Maoz

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

Voluntary actions are typically preceded by the readiness potential (RP), a negative midfrontal electroencephalography (EEG) deflection that begins ~2 s before movement. What cognitive and neural process the RP reflects and how it relates to conscious intention remain unclear due to conflicting findings. We investigated the neural basis and cognitive significance of the RP in a novel probe-based paradigm. Contrary to prior reports, we found that pre-probe RP buildups were not related to reported awareness of motor preparation. Computational modeling suggested that the best explanation for these results is via metacognitive access to stochastic accumulation. Reported preparation was also related …

Lifestyle Attitudes And Habits In A Case Series Of Patients With Cancer And Metabolic Syndrome, Kimberly Siu, Isabel Martinez Leal, Natalia I Heredia, Jessica T Foreman, Jessica P Hwang

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with increased cancer risk and poor cancer prognosis. The current study applied a mixed methods approach to better understand attitudes about making lifestyle changes and current dietary and physical activity behaviors among cancer patients with MetS at a cancer center and to explore the suitability of brief lifestyle questionnaires to help providers understand their patients' lifestyle attitudes and habits. Qualitative interviews were used to obtain patients' perspectives about lifestyle changes, and 3 quantitative questionnaires-the Readiness Ruler, Rate Your Plate, and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF)-were used to measure patients' readiness for lifestyle change, …

Therapeutic Targeting Of The Janus Kinase/Signal Transducer And Activator Of Transcription Pathway In Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma, Alisha Kashyap, Julia Dai, Xiao Ni

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background/Objectives: Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) is a rare group of non-Hodgkin lymphomas characterized by the clonal expansion of malignant T cells. While current treatments can alleviate symptoms and significant progress has been made in treating leukemic CTCL, a definitive cure remains elusive. Dysregulation of the Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) signaling pathway is a key driver of CTCL pathogenesis. As a result, therapeutic strategies targeting JAK/STAT signaling have gained momentum, with the increasing use of JAK inhibitors and other agents that effectively suppress this pathway. These immune-modulating therapies have broad effects on physiological processes, inflammation, and …

The Development Of A Chest X-Ray Module For Student Registered Nurse Anesthetist, Adam Bergen, Brett Beutenmiller, Keishauna Hayes

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Student Projects

Background: Chest X-ray (CXR) interpretation is essential for Student Registered Nurse Anesthetists (SRNAs) in diagnosing and managing patient conditions. However, literature indicates deficiencies in SRNA education and proficiency, which could pose a risk to patient safety and outcomes. Moreover, the Council on Accreditation (COA) has introduced new clinical experience requirements, mandating SRNAs’ interpret a minimum of five CXRs during training.

Methods: Guided by Cognitive Load Theory, the project team developed an e-learning module that emphasizes the ABCDE systematic approach to CXR interpretation, covering normal anatomy, anatomical abnormalities, commonly placed devices, and differentiation between benign and pathological findings.

Results: The implementation …

Adding Video Teaching To The Standard Of: Oral And Written Discharge Instructions, Pamela Austill Harris

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Adding video education to a patient’s discharge instructions on a rehabilitation unit of a skilled nursing facility (SNF) is researched for its use in decreasing the 31-day readmission rate from the community back to the hospital or SNF. A quasi-experimental method was used. There was a mean of 6 readmissions per month before the video intervention and during it was 0.6. Adding video education may be useful in an SNF to decrease the readmission rate from the community back to the hospital after discharge.

Experiences Of Health And Mental Health Services For Immigrant Mothers From The Northern Triangle Of Central America, Lisa Dianne Vega

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of immigrant mothers from the Northern Triangle of Central America with access to health and mental health services in the Southern United States. The theory guiding this study is social constructivism developed by Lev Vygotsky in 1968, as it will seek to understand the greater contexts of the experiences of the participants, both currently, as well as the stories and experiences of their immigration journey. Central American immigrant mothers from the Northern Triangle face many types of traumatic events in their lives. These events began in their home …

The Effects Of The Repetitive Use Of A Position-Specific Loading Pattern On Lower Limb Asymmetry In Nfl Offensive Tackles, Kavan B. Latham

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

American Football is a fast-paced, high-impact, collision sport associated with high frequency of injuries occurring through contact or non-contact, acute impact, or repeated stresses. This purpose of this short-term longitudinal study was to examine development of musculoskeletal asymmetries through a specific loading pattern used by the offensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). Using both cross-sectional and longitudinal designs, strength and asymmetry changes in five NFL offensive tackles were analyzed pre- and post-training camp, with a focus on three key isometric strength tests: the Isometric Mid-Thigh Pull Test (IMTP), the Isometric Staggered Stance Pull Test (IMSSP), a Force Frame …

Understanding The Relationship Between Nutrition Knowledge And Factors Influencing Food Choices: A Cross-Sectional Study, Kirsten Ann Blatchford

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Nutrition knowledge plays an important role in addressing the prevalence of nutrition-related diseases among college students. Along with nutrition knowledge levels, there are a variety of factors that shape how college students make their food choices each day. The purpose of this quantitative, cross-sectional study was to explore the relationship between nutrition knowledge and factors influencing food choices among 267 college students at Liberty University. College students are a vital target population as their newfound autonomy can shape dietary habits long-term. Nutrition knowledge levels and food choice factors of Liberty University undergraduate students were evaluated using an electronic questionnaire. The …

Meditation Or Medication: Comparing Meditation To Phosphatidylserine In The Reduction Of Salivary Cortisol In Collegiate Tennis Players Post Exercise, Elizabeth Ann Novian Hughes

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Phosphatidylserine (PS) is a glycerophospholipid made in the body that is a part of the cell membrane (Carter & Greenwood, 2015; McArdle et al., 2019). PS reduces cortisol levels in the body (McArdle et al., 2019). Meditation is a “consistent self-care practice…that allows for developing loving awareness of current thoughts and feelings” (Valluri et al., 2024. Definition section, para. 1). Sadimi et al. (2021) used mindfulness meditation and found cortisol reductions were high. Meditation (MED) has not been compared to PS in reducing cortisol. Cortisol is increased in the body in response to the reception of stress input, such as …

A Statistical Framework For Multi-Trait Rare Variant Analysis In Large-Scale Whole-Genome Sequencing Studies, Xihao Li, Han Chen, Margaret Sunitha Selvaraj, Eric Van Buren, John Blangero, Joanne E. Curran, Michael C. Mahaney, Ravi Duggirala, Juan M. Peralta, Harald Hh Goring

School of Medicine Publications

Large-scale whole-genome sequencing (WGS) studies have improved our understanding of the contributions of coding and noncoding rare variants to complex human traits. Leveraging association effect sizes across multiple traits in WGS rare variant association analysis can improve statistical power over single-trait analysis, and also detect pleiotropic genes and regions. Existing multi-trait methods have limited ability to perform rare variant analysis of large-scale WGS data. We propose MultiSTAAR, a statistical framework and computationally scalable analytical pipeline for functionally informed multi-trait rare variant analysis in large-scale WGS studies. MultiSTAAR accounts for relatedness, population structure and correlation among phenotypes by jointly analyzing multiple …

Bacterial Community Assembly Of Specific Pathogen-Free Neonatal Mice, Elizabeth A Kennedy, James S Weagley, Andrew H Kim, Avan Antia, Anna L Deveaux, Megan T Baldridge

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Neonatal mice are frequently used to model diseases that affect human infants. Microbial community composition has been shown to impact disease progression in these models. Despite this, the maturation of the early-life murine microbiome has not been well-characterized. We address this gap by characterizing the assembly of the bacterial microbiota of C57BL/6 and BALB/c litters from birth to adulthood across multiple independent litters.

RESULTS: The fecal microbiome of young pups is dominated by only a few pioneering bacterial taxa. These taxa are present at low levels in the microbiota of multiple maternal body sites, precluding a clear identification of …