Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

The Biggest Yet, Rob Marino

Virginia Dental Journal

The Third Annual Piedmont Smiles MOM event, held on November 2, 2024, at Liberty High School in Bealeton, provided essential dental care to 267 residents from rural communities. Supported by various foundations and local businesses, the event featured volunteer dentists and students from VCU and Howard University. The record turnout highlighted the growing need for affordable dental care in the region.

Dental Detective Series - Word Search, Zaneta Hamlin Dds

Virginia Dental Journal

No abstract provided.

Virginia Board Of Dentistry Meeting Notes December 13, 2024, Ursula Klostermyer Dds, Phd

Virginia Dental Journal

The Virginia Board of Dentistry (BOD) meeting on December 13, 2024, covered various topics, including the approval of previous meeting minutes, updates on regulatory matters, and discussions on the dental workforce shortage, particularly concerning dental hygienists. The BOD considered proposals to allow foreign-trained dentists to perform dental hygiene duties and to increase dental hygiene program class sizes to address the shortage. The meeting also included reports on recent conferences, the adoption and repeal of several guidance documents, and a review of disciplinary actions. The BOD plans to respond to a letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs regarding dental hygienist …

Revisiting Your Communications Strategies In 2025, Michaela Mishoe

Virginia Dental Journal

Refresh your dental practice's communication strategies in 2025 by updating your website, leveraging email marketing, using AI tools for content creation, and planning ahead with a social media editorial calendar.

From The Headlines, Adel Rizkalla Dds

Virginia Dental Journal

Experts warn that some dentists are unnecessarily extracting healthy teeth for profit through implants, raising ethical concerns about patient autonomy, nonmaleficence, and veracity in dental care.

Through The Looking Glass, Sarah Glass

Virginia Dental Journal

Through the Looking Glass with Dr. Sarah Glass" explores various oral pathology cases presented by Collin Johnson, a third-year dental student.

2025 Dental Days At The Capitol, Laura Givens

Virginia Dental Journal

The Virginia Dental Association (VDA) held its 2025 Dental Days at the Capitol event in Richmond, where dentists, dental students, and other dental professionals gathered to advocate for the profession. Governor Glenn Youngkin and Senator Todd Pillion, DDS, addressed the attendees, highlighting recent initiatives to expand dental coverage, access, workforce, and education. The event focused on addressing the dental workforce shortage and included meetings with legislators to discuss key issues. Participants were encouraged to contact their legislators, sign up for legislative alerts, and contribute to the VDA Political Action Committee.

Vda Pac Update, Laura Givens

Virginia Dental Journal

The VDA PAC Update calls for Virginia Dental Association (VDA) members to contribute to the VDA Political Action Committee (PAC) to ensure dentistry's interests are represented in the 2025 Virginia General Assembly session. Members can contribute through the VDA website or when paying their dues.

Commit To Supporting Your Team’S Mental Health With Safehaven, Shannon Jacobs

Virginia Dental Journal

The Virginia Dental Association (VDA) has partnered with the Medical Society of Virginia to offer the SafeHaven™ program to its members, their teams, and immediate family members. SafeHaven™ provides confidential support for mental health and well-being, including peer coaching, counseling services, leadership development, peer support groups, and a WorkLife Concierge. The program aims to help dental professionals manage stress, burnout, and other mental health challenges without fear of stigma or professional consequences.

Trust Is Not Given; It Is Earned, Ryan Dunn

Virginia Dental Journal

Ryan Dunn, CEO of the Virginia Dental Association, emphasizes the importance of trust in the dental profession and the association's efforts. He highlights the erosion of trust in institutions and media, noting that people increasingly rely on their own research and local sources. Dunn suggests strategies for maintaining trust, including engaging with patients respectfully, leveraging local components, using alternative media, and empowering members to share the benefits of the association.

Transforming Dentistry, James Mercer Dds

Virginia Dental Journal

Dr. James Mercer, the new ADA Trustee for the 16th District, discusses the ADA's innovative approach to membership revenue growth. He acknowledges his predecessor, Dr. Gary Oyster, and shares his background in oral maxillofacial surgery. Dr. Mercer emphasizes the need for uncoupling dues from financial sustainability and increasing non-dues revenue to allow for a low monthly subscription to membership. He highlights the ADA's transformational changes under the leadership of Dr. Ray Cohlmia, the new executive director, who aims to increase membership and non-dues revenue.

You’Ve Got Mail, Sarah Friend Dds

Virginia Dental Journal

The Virginia Dental Journal has transitioned to a digital-only publication as of 2025, following a decision by the Virginia Dental Association’s Board of Directors in September 2023. This change aligns with the broader shift towards digital communication. The Journal is now accessible through the ADA Commons platform, which offers secure, long-term storage and increased discoverability. The platform also allows authors to contribute and access readership metrics. The Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA) will also switch to digital in 2025. Readers are encouraged to ensure their email addresses are up to date to receive notifications about new editions.

Involved Or Committed, Justin Norbo Dds

Virginia Dental Journal

Dr. Justin Norbo, in his message, emphasizes the importance of being fully present and committed in various roles, whether in professional or personal life. He reflects on a speech by ADA President Dr. Brett Kessler, who highlighted the need for leaders to focus on their current responsibilities without distractions. Dr. Norbo extends this idea, urging members of the Virginia Dental Association (VDA) to not just be involved but to be committed to making a difference. He encourages members to actively participate in VDA activities, recruit new members, support the VDA PAC, and volunteer for community services. The overarching message is …

Va Dent J January, February And March 2025

Virginia Dental Journal

The January-March 2025 issue of the Virginia Dental Journal (Volume 102, Number 1) highlights various topics relevant to the dental community, including articles on supporting mental health through the SafeHaven™ program, innovative membership strategies from the ADA, and updates on legislative advocacy efforts. It also features academic content, such as pediatric dentistry abstracts and case studies, and showcases the journal's transition to a digital-only format for improved accessibility and archival capabilities. Additionally, the issue provides organizational news, awards, and practical tools for dental professionals.

Provisional Stenting Of Distal Bifurcation Of Left Main Stem With Angle Equal Or More Than 90° With And Without Final Kissing Balloon: One-Year Outcomes, Ali Mahdi Mohammed Abuajmaa, Khalid Ibrahim Amber

Journal of the Saudi Heart Association

Objective: To identify the outcomes of provisional single stent (PS) strategy without final kissing balloon (FKB) in wide angle (≥90°) distal bifurcation of the left main stem (LMS).

Methods: A pilot study of prospective interventional cohort study was conducted from January 2021 to February 2024. Patients with unprotected LMS - left anterior descending artery with LMS distal bifurcation angle ≥90° were divided into: Group I (Medina class 1,1,0 treated with PS without FKB), Group II (Medina class 1,1,1 treated with PS) which subcategorized into two subgroups; Group IIa (PS with FKB) and Group IIb (PS without FKB). One-year follow-up outcomes …

In Silico Analysis Of Cd40 Mutations And Their Implications For Quinoline-Benzoic Acid Derivatives Based Therapy In Graves' Disease, Luluk Yunaini, Diyah Kristanty, Puji Sari, Surya Dwira, Dwi Anita Suryandari, Arleni Bustami

Indonesian Journal of Medical Chemistry and Bioinformatics

Graves' disease is an autoimmune disorder in which the CD40-CD154 interaction plays a critical role in T-cell activation. In this study, in silico methods were employed to analyze the binding interactions of quinoline-benzoic acid derivatives (NSB, FSB, and NQB) with the CD40 receptor and to investigate the implications of specific CD40 mutations for drug efficacy. In this reseach conducted by molecular simulation approach with molecular docking Results Mutation analysis of CD40 identified alterations in key residues, such as R203C, which may impact ligand-independent activation and downstream TRAF binding, crucial for signal transduction. These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of quinoline-benzoic …

Development And Preclinical Testing Of A Naloxone Prodrug Depot For Extended Protection Against Opioid Overdose, Hala Aldawod, Arjun D. Patel, Rasha Emara, Dengpan Liang, Joshua S. Ho, Toufiq Ul Amin, Md Tariqul Haque Tuhin, Abdulmalek Balgoname, Avishan Kiani, Jumana M. Ajlouny, Melanie A. Felmlee, Miki S. Park, Bhaskara R. Jasti, William K. Chan, James A, Uchizono, Mamoun M. Alhamadsheh

Pacific Faculty Work

The opioid crisis, driven by synthetic opioids like fentanyl, demands innovative solutions. The opioid antidote naloxone has a short action (~ 1 hour), requiring repeated doses. To address this, we present a new and simple naloxone prodrug delivery system repurposing a hydrophilic derivative of acoramidis, a potent transthyretin ligand. When the fully soluble prodrug solution is administered subcutaneously, the prodrug forms a zwitterionic depot at physiological pH, enabling extended naloxone release. This non-polymeric depot-forming approach is rare and employs carboxylesterase 2 for selective bioactivation, ensuring controlled drug release. In male rats and cynomolgus monkeys, a single subcutaneous dose provides steady …

Synergistic Effects Of Extra X Chromosome On Development Of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus And Sjögren Disease In Klinefelter And Triple X Syndrome: A Retrospective Cohort Study, Anna-Kay Palmer, Irene J. Tan

Einstein Health Papers

OBJECTIVE: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and Sjögren disease (SjD) are autoimmune diseases with significant female predominance. The prevalence of SLE is increased in Klinefelter syndrome (KS) compared with the general male population. Our study investigates the dose effects of extra X chromosomes on the development of SLE and SjD in KS and triple X syndrome compared with the general population.

METHODS: This multicenter, retrospective cohort study used TriNetX, a global federated research database. Using International Statistical Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification codes, patients with a diagnosis of SLE or SjD in the general population, as well as those …

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) Real World Data Infrastructure: A Big-Data Resource For Study Of The Impact Of Covid-19 In Patient Populations With Immunocompromising Conditions, James M. Crawford, Lynne Penberthy, Ligia A. Pinto, Keri N. Althoff, Magdalene M. Assimon, Oren Cohen, Laura Gillim, Tracy L. Hammonds, Shilpa Kapur, Harvey W. Kaufman, David Kwasny, Jean W. Liew, William A. Meyer 3rd, Shannon L. Reynolds, Cheryl B. Schleicher, Suki Subbiah, Catherine Theruviparampil, Zachary S. Wallace, Jeremy L. Warner, Suhyeon Yoon, Yonah C. Ziemba

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Background. We developed a United States–based real-world data resource to better understand the continued impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on immunocompromised patients, who are typically underrepresented in prospective studies and clinical trials. Methods. The COVID-19 Real World Data infrastructure (CRWDi) was created by linking and harmonizing de-identified HealthVerity medical and pharmacy claims data from 1 December 2018 to 31 December 2023, with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 virologic and serologic laboratory data from major commercial laboratories and Northwell Health; COVID-19 vaccination data; and, for patients with cancer, 2010 to 2021 National Cancer Institute Surveillance, Epidemiology, and …

Social Determinants Of Occupational Injuries Among Us-Based Commercial Fishermen: A Systematic Review, Shannon Guillot-Wright, Leonard Kuan-Pei Wang, Bibiana Toro Figueira, Mary Overcash Jones, Ruhi Maredia, Nikhita Kichili

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: Commercial fishing is a multibillion-dollar industry that supports job growth, small- to large- businesses, and port and city revenue. The commercial fishing industry continues to be one of the most dangerous in the US, with a fatality rate nearly 40 times higher than the national average. Dangers of the fishing industry are multi-faceted and include hazardous working conditions, strenuous labor, long work hours, and harsh weather. Moreover, a vast majority of fishermen suffer from economic insecurity, including safe and affordable housing and food insecurity.

METHODS: We followed the recommendations and standards set by the Campbell and Cochrane Equity Methods …

Addressing Barriers To Equitable Telehealth For Older Adults, Bruce Leff, Christine S. Ritchie, Kristin L. Rising, Kendell Cannon, Liane Wardlow

Jefferson Center for Connected Care Faculty Papers

No abstract provided.

Inhibition Of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Perk/Atf4 Er Stress Signaling Protects Against Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms, Brennan Callow, Xiaobing He, Nicholas Juriga, Kevin D Mangum, Amrita Joshi, Xianying Xing, Andrea Obi, Abhijnan Chattopadhyay, Dianna M Milewicz, Mary X O'Riordan, Johann Gudjonsson, Katherine Gallagher, Frank M Davis

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) are a life-threatening cardiovascular disease for which there is a lack of effective therapy preventing aortic rupture. During AAA formation, pathological vascular remodeling is driven by vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) dysfunction and apoptosis, for which the mechanisms regulating loss of VSMCs within the aortic wall remain poorly defined. Using single-cell RNA-Seq of human AAA tissues, we identified increased activation of the endoplasmic reticulum stress response pathway, PERK/eIF2α/ATF4, in aortic VSMCs resulting in upregulation of an apoptotic cellular response. Mechanistically, we reported that aberrant TNF-α activity within the aortic wall induces VSMC ATF4 activation through the …

Cd5-Positive High-Grade B-Cell Lymphoma With Myc, Bcl2, And Bcl6 Rearrangements, Wei J Wang, Zhihong Hu

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

No abstract provided.

Reduced Autoimmunity Associated With Deletion Of Host Cd73, Beanna Okeugo, Shabba A Armbrister, Rhea C Daniel, Zeina M Saleh, Jessica Wang, Salomea Giorgberidze, J Marc Rhoads, Yuying Liu

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

CD73 is ubiquitously expressed and regulates critical functions across multiple organ systems. The sequential actions of CD39 and CD73 accomplish the conversion of adenosine triphosphate to adenosine and shift the adenosine triphosphate-driven proinflammatory immune cell milieu toward an anti-inflammatory state. This immunological switch is a major mechanism by which regulatory T (Treg) cells control inflammation. Foxp3 engages in Treg development and function. Foxp3 mutations result in the scurfy (SF) mouse phenotype and a rapidly lethal lymphoproliferative syndrome. We generated double knockout (KO) mouse (CD73KOSF) by breeding heterozygous Foxp3sf/J females to CD73KO male mice to remove host CD73. We initially aimed …

The Biological Intersection Between Chemotherapy-Related Cognitive Impairment And Alzheimer Disease, Matthew Torre, Camila A Zanella, Mel B Feany

Duncan NRI Faculty and Staff Publications

Alzheimer disease (AD) is the most common type of dementia and one of the leading causes of death in elderly patients. The number of patients with AD in the United States is projected to double by 2060. Thus, understanding modifiable risk factors for AD is an urgent public health priority. In parallel with the number of patients with AD, the number of cancer survivors is estimated to increase significantly, and up to 80% of cancer patients treated with chemotherapy will develop cognitive deficits, termed chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment. This review discusses biologically plausible pathways underlying both disorders, with the goal of …

Fairs - A Framework For Evaluating The Inclusion Of Sex In Clinical Algorithms, Katherine E Goodman, Jennifer Blumenthal-Barby, Rita F Redberg, Diane E Hoffmann

Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy Staff Publications

No abstract provided.

Mental Health In Preprofessional And Professional Circus Artists: A Narrative Review, Melanie I. Stuckey, Stephanie Greenspan, Joanna Nicholas, Veronique Richard, Janine H. Stubbe, Fleur E.C.A. Van Rens

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Mental health has received little attention in preprofessional and professional circus despite the performance demands, cognitive skill, and emotional labor required. This review aimed to consolidate the literature, identify research gaps, and guide practice priorities for mental health in preprofessional and professional circus artists. A narrative review of the literature was conducted based on the International Olympic Committee’s 2019 consensus statement for mental health in elite athletes. Articles reported on mental health symptoms and disorders (n = 13) and interventions (n = 3) in preprofessional and professional circus contexts. Circus artists may experience more symptoms of depression, anxiety, fatigue, and …

Technical Note: What Exercises Are Appropriate For Managing Back Pain In Persons With Lower Limb Amputation?, M. Jason Highsmith, Shawn Farrokhi, John M. Mayer

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

Individuals with lower extremity amputation (LLA) have high rates of low back pain (LBP) and related disability. The purpose of this technical note is to discuss considerations and provide initial recommendations about what exercises may be appropriate for management of LBP in persons with LLA. Five commonly prescribed motor control and strengthening exercises (cat-camel, curl-up, bird dog, side bridge, and Roman chair extensor exercise) were examined for use in the LLA population. Each exercise seemed to be safe and appropriate for use in persons with LLA yet required additional considerations for use in this population. For example, some of the …

Pull Or Play? The Interpretation Of A Novel, Ai-Powered On-Field Decision Support Tool., Lynne Becker, Dafne Badilla, Osho Yonzon, Xiaoyu Wu, Roland Rocafort, Erik Viogan Phd, Devansh Manocha

Journal for Sports Neuroscience

The document titled "Pull or Play? The interpretation of a novel, AI-powered on-field decision support tool" explores the development and application of the Injury Impact Severity Score (IISS)™ for assessing traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), particularly in sports settings. It addresses the limitations of current assessment tools like the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and proposes a more objective approach using patient-reported data and machine learning algorithms.

Key points include:

• Background: TBIs are a significant health concern with under-reported cases and a lack of effective research. Current assessment tools like the GCS have limitations in accuracy and speed, especially in dynamic …

Fos Expression In The Periaqueductal Gray, But Not The Ventromedial Hypothalamus, Is Correlated With Psychosocial Stress-Induced Cocaine-Seeking Behavior In Rats, Nicole M Hinds, Ireneusz D Wojtas, Desta M Pulley, Stephany J Mcdonald, Colton D Spencer, Milena Sudarikov, Nicole E Hubbard, Colin M Kulick-Soper, Samantha De Guzman, Sara Hayden, Jessica J Debski, Bianca Patel, Douglas P Fox, Daniel F Manvich

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Departmental Research

Psychosocial stressors are known to promote cocaine craving and relapse in humans but are infrequently employed in preclinical relapse models. Consequently, the underlying neural circuitry by which these stressors drive cocaine seeking has not been thoroughly explored. Using Fos expression analyses, we sought to examine whether the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) or periaqueductal gray (PAG), two critical components of the brain's hypothalamic defense system, are activated during psychosocial stress-induced cocaine seeking. Adult male and female rats self-administered cocaine (0.5 mg/kg/inf IV, fixed-ratio 1 schedule, 2 h/session) over 20 sessions. On sessions 11, 14, 17, and 20, a tactile cue was present …