Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Slimmer’S Paralysis In The Era Of Glp-1 Therapy: A Review Of Recent Cases, Nidhin John, Amayrani Sanchez, Naomie Jean

School of Podiatric Medicine - Student Research

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) such as semaglutide and tirzepatide have transformed obesity management by producing substantial and sustained weight loss. However, rapid weight reduction has been increasingly associated with peroneal neuropathy, or “slimmer’s paralysis.” This review summarizes the pathophysiology, recent case reports, and clinical implications of this emerging complication. Slimmer’s paralysis arises indirectly through loss of protective adipose tissue around the fibular head and nutritional deficiencies, rather than direct neurotoxic effects of GLP-1 agents. Recognition is critical, as timely intervention with conservative or surgical management can restore function. Clinicians should maintain vigilance in patients undergoing rapid pharmacologic weight …

Reproducibility Of Fnirs Within Subject For Visual And Motor Tasks, Julie C. Wagner, Anthony Zinos, Scott A. Beardsley, Wei-Liang Chen, Lisa Conant, Marsha Malloy, Joseph Heffernan, Brendan Quirk, Robert W. Prost, Mohit Maheshwari, Jeffrey Sugar, Harry T. Whelan

Biomedical Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

Functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) is becoming a popular metric to noninvasively identify brain activity through assessing changes in oxygenated (HbO) and deoxygenated (HbR) hemoglobin concentration. Several aspects of fNIRS imaging are appealing for clinical applications but the reproducibility of fNIRS signals has yet to be determined over several sessions. To address this, four participants completed at least ten sessions on separate days where they performed Motor and Visual tasks while fNIRS signals were measured from 102 channels spanning the entire head. Reproducibility was quantified as the percentage of significant task related activity occurring across sessions at the channel and …

E-Counseling Platform For Seafarers’ Sound Mental Health : Prospects And Challenges To Implement Globally On-Board Ships, Farzana Yasmin

World Maritime University Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Link Between Mental Health And Physical Health : A Study On Seafarers In Southeast Asia, - Dewi Balqis Binti Azfar

World Maritime University Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Progression Of Deinstitutionalization And Its Effects On The American South: A Judicial Analysis Of 20th-Century United States Supreme Court Decisions, Eva-Marie V. Jones

Honors College Theses

This thesis explores the effects of four landmark Supreme Court cases on the deinstitutionalization movement in the American south. Previous literature frequently discusses the legislative implications of this era; however, no law is applicable without the interpretation and application of the judiciary, which so often contextualizes the greater public perspective. Rarely has an analysis of judicial decisions involving psychiatric care merged with regional focus, and certainly not in a format accessible to the average individual.

From unmarked graves to abandoned infrastructure, the legacy of historic psychiatric care in the United States has been largely obscured – yet its consequences continue …

November 2025, Swosu Rural Health Center

RURAL ROCKS

• FDA's actions to protect children from contaminated cough medicine

• Measles cases and outbreaks (CDC)

• CDC immunization schedule adopts individual-based decision-making for COVID-19 and standalone vaccination for chickenpox in toddlers

• Hypertension pharmacy toolkit--FIP non-communicable diseases

Small For Gestational Age Subgroups Have Differential Morbidity, Growth, And Neurodevelopment At Age 2: The Interbio-21st Newborn Study, Aris Papageorghiou, María Restrepo-Méndez, Rose Mcgready, Fernando Barros, Francois Nosten, Shama Munim, R. Ochieng, Rachel Craik, Hellen Barsosio, James Berkley

Paediatrics and Child Health, East Africa

BACKGROUND: Small for gestational age is a complex perinatal syndrome associated with increased neonatal morbidity, mortality, and impaired childhood growth and neurodevelopment. Current classifications rely primarily on birthweight, which does not capture the heterogeneity of the condition nor predict long-term health outcomes. Here we aim to identify and characterize distinct small for gestational age subgroups and assess their neonatal and early childhood health trajectories.

OBJECTIVE: To refine the classification of small for gestational age by identifying subgroups based on maternal, fetal, and environmental factors and evaluating their associations with neonatal morbidity, growth, and neurodevelopment at age 2.

STUDY …

The Children's Hospitals In Africa Mapping Project (Champ) Survey: Facilities, Equipment, Supplies, Infrastructure, And Capacity To Respond To Emergencies, Vinayak Bhardwaj, Lawrence Stanberry, Philip Larussa, Wilmot James, Maitry Mahida, Aimable Kanyamuhunga, Atnafu Tekleab, Augustine Omoigberale, Crispen Ngwenya, Pauline Samia

Paediatrics and Child Health, East Africa

The Children’s Hospitals in Africa Mapping Project (CHAMP) survey was developed and implemented to assess the capabilities of some of the best resourced sub-Saharan African hospitals serving children. The aim was to evaluate hospital facilities, infrastructure, equipment, supplies, services, staffing, and readiness to care for children amid public health emergencies. This report analysed a subset of survey questions that characterised the hospitals and assessed facilities, equipment, supplies, infrastructure and capacity to respond to emergencies and outbreaks. Twenty-four sites were recruited. Twenty hospitals from 15 countries completed the survey from 2018 to 2019. This portion of the CHAMP study identified issues …

Refractory Benign Esophageal Strictures Complicated By Esophageal Perforation And Treated With Serial Dilations And Stent Placement In A Pediatric Patient, Kirby Lampe, Victoria Sarata, Nadia Ibrahimi

Posters

Patient is a 2-year-old male who was originally referred to GI for failure to thrive and recurrent vomiting following feeds. Upper GI showed long-segment stricture with mid-thoracic tapering and initial EGD revealed 2mmx5cm distal esophageal stricture that was balloon dilated with serial dilations and triamcinolone injections. He presented one week after his 3rd dilation with fever, vomiting and respiratory distress and was found to have cardiac tamponade, left pleural effusion, septic shock and esophageal perforation. He was transferred to the ICU and started on broad-spectrum antibiotics, IV fluids and chest tube placement. He required intubation and vasopressors. After stabilization, esophogram …

Local Injection Of Particles For Retinoic Acid Drug Delivery Improves Muscle Structure And Modulates Inflammation In Mice Recovering From Cast Immobilization, Candice V. Cheung, Regina A. Searcy, Kidochukwu J. Atube, Nicholas A. Colonna, Kelsey E. Krusen, Kate J. Cappage, Khufu M. Holly, R. Paul Ward Pratz, Jessie H. Fournier, Vitali Sikirzhytski Ph.D.

Faculty Publications

Disuse muscle atrophy secondary to acute illness or injury prolongs recovery and increases risk of permanent disability as a result of reduced muscle strength and myofiber damage upon reambulation. However, there are no pharmacotherapies to support muscle growth and repair following prolonged immobility. We propose that all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) may support recovery of atrophied muscle via modulation of satellite cells and macrophages. Clinical application of ATRA is hindered by solubility, stability, and the need for high systemic doses. Therefore, in the current study, we developed poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLG) particles for local injection and extended release of ATRA (ATRA-PLG) and investigated …

From Unfamiliar To Indispensable: Supporting Systematic Reviews With Free Tools, Ai, And Evidence-Based Thinking Across Disciplines, Kathryn Junco

Georgia Library Quarterly

As systematic reviews become increasingly common in graduate education—particularly in health sciences programs—librarians are often called upon to support students and faculty undertaking these complex research projects. This article outlines a practical, evolving approach to building librarian support for systematic reviews, developed in response to program needs and professional learning. It highlights strategies for designing low-barrier instruction, guiding students through foundational concepts like structured research questions and transparent search methods, and introducing free tools such as Rayyan and Mendeley to streamline the process. The article also explores the emerging role of artificial intelligence in evidence synthesis, offering a cautious but …

A Word From The Writing Team (November 2025), Pam Walter, Mfa, Laura Deloretta, Phd

A Word From the Writing Team (Newsletter)

No abstract provided.

Implementation Of The Multicountry Who Covid-19 Pregnancy Cohort Study: Challenges And Lessons Learned During The Pandemic, Maria Costa, Renato Souza, Jose Cecatti, Sami Gottlieb, Marie Delnord, Soe Soe Thwin, Ndema Habib, Marleen Temmerman, Ingrid Gichere, Beth Maina

Obstetrics and Gynaecology, East Africa

Introduction A generic research protocol was developed for a prospective cohort study to allow systematic, harmonized data collection of the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination during pregnancy on maternal, obstetric, and neonatal outcomes across different settings. This article describes the study conception, development, implementation, challenges, and key lessons learned within study sites across the world.

Methods The protocol was implemented in 43 facilities in 10 countries during the pandemic, involving consecutive recruitment of over 16,000 pregnant or postpartum women. We evaluated selection of study sites, ethical approvals, staff recruitment and training, recruitment and follow-up, and incorporation of new elements …

Age- And Step-Length-Dependent Alterations In Muscle Synergies And Joint Coordination During Unexpected Gait Termination, Woohyoung Jeon, Ashley Dalby, Xuanliang Neil Dong, Melinda Hermanns

Health & Kinesiology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Background: Falls in older adults often occur during unexpected gait termination, when rapid deceleration is required. Age-related declines in strength, proprioception, and coordination impair efficient distal-to-proximal braking, raising fall risk. Variable step lengths, ranging from “normal” steps to larger “big” steps used when hurrying, better reflect real-world walking demands and pose greater mechanical and neuromuscular challenges. This study investigated how age and step length affect muscle synergy complexity and joint coordination during unexpected gait stops.

Methods: Twelve healthy younger and twelve healthy older adults performed normal- and big-step stops in response to random visual cues during walking. Surface EMG from …

Neonatal Unit Human Resources: Coverage For Six Cadres And Trends For Staff-To-Baby Ratios In 65 Neonatal Units Implementing With Nest360 In Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, And Tanzania, Rebecca Penzias, Eric Ohuma, Opeyemi Odedere, Olabisi Dosunmu, George Okello, Hannah Mwaniki, Robert Tillya, Vincent Ochieng, Ekran Rashid, William Macharia

Paediatrics and Child Health, East Africa

Background Implementing small and sick newborn care (SSNC) requires skilled health workers; however, there is a shortage, adversely impacting patient outcomes and health worker well-being. There are limited data and no current World Health Organization (WHO) standards for staff-to-baby ratios in neonatal units in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to inform policy, planning, and investment.

Methods In 65 neonatal units (36 in Malawi, 13 in Kenya, 7 in Tanzania, and 9 in Nigeria), a health facility assessment (HFA) for SSNC and government-led quality improvement (QI) processes were implemented. Staffing data were collated from baseline HFA (Sept 2019–March 2021) and mid-2023 …

Intravenous Sotalol In Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Patients Compared To Other Antiarrhythmics: Insights From A Multicenter Database, Rohit S. Loomba, Emily R. Backes, Juan Farias Torres, Alejandro Borquez, Lindsey Malloy-Walton, Saul Flores

Posters

Background: Sotalol is an antiarrhythmic for which an intravenous (IV) form became available in 2015. Studies suggest it is safe and effective for treating pediatric arrhythmias, with fewer effects on physiologic parameters and cardiac output than amiodarone, and it does not appear to be associated with its long-term risks. However, data in pediatric patients remains limited. This study aimed to characterize the use of intravenous sotalol in pediatric intensive care admissions and compare its use and outcomes with intravenous amiodarone and procainamide. Methods: Data were drawn from the Pediatric Health Information System across six hospitals with the highest IV sotalol …

Dean's Research Newsletter, November 2025, Neil W. Schluger

SOM Dean's Research Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Food Insecurity Is Associated With Depressive And Anxiety Symptoms Among Caregivers Of Young Children In Arid And Semi-Arid Regions Of Kenya: A Cross-Sectional Study, Esther Chongwo, Daisy Chelangat, Eunice Njoroge, Barack Aoko, Martha Kaniala, Moses Wesala, Phillis Magoma, Joyce Marangu, Margaret Kabue, Daniel Rabok

Institute for Human Development, East Africa

Introduction: This study fills a critical gap by assessing the prevalence and association between food insecurity and depressive and anxiety symptoms among caregivers of young children in Kenya's arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs).

Methods: A cross-sectional design was used to collect data from caregivers of children aged 0–3 years from Lamu, Isiolo and Turkana Counties (N = 446). Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 scales were used to assess depressive and anxiety symptoms, respectively. We also administered the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale, alongside sociodemographic and health-related questionnaires.

Results: The mean caregiver age was 29.37 years …

Safety Of Spinal Anaesthesia In The East African Population: Assessment Of Spinal Cord Termination Level At And Above L2 Vertebra In Adults, David Nekyon, Sheila Waa, Samuel Gitau, David Odaba

Anaesthesiology, East Africa

Background While spinal anaesthesia is a widely used technique, failure to accurately identify the L3-L4 intervertebral space (IVS) during the procedure may expose a patient to a needlestick injury to the spinal cord.

Objectives This study aimed to determine the proportion of Conus Medullaris Terminations (CMT) at or above the L2 vertebra in a black East African population and identify any age or gender-based variations.

Methodology A prospective observational study of lumbar spine MRI was conducted on 331 patients who had no vertebral deformities or prior spine surgeries. Two radiologists assessed the CMT level by consensus, referencing the nearest vertebral …

Identifying Sex- And Gender-Specific Endocrinological, Lifestyle, Psychosocial, And Socio-Cultural Targets For Alzheimer's Disease Prevention In Africans: The Female Brain Health And Endocrine Research In Africa (Fember-Africa) Project, Chinedu Momoh, Benard Aliwa, Lukoye Atwoli, Karen Blackmon, Edna Bosire, Samuel Gitau, Harrison Kaleli, Ciru Kamanda, Linda Khakali, Rachel Maina, Peter Mativo, Sylvia Mbugua, Zul Merali, Kendi Muchungi, Anne Njogu, Douglas Nyankira, Alice Ondieki, Catherine Onyancha, Stanely Onyango, Jasmit Shah, Sheena Shah, Cynthia Smith, Dilraj Sokhi, Sheila Waa, Thomas Thesen

Brain and Mind Institute

Dementia rates are rising globally, with the burden increasing most rapidly in low- tomiddle-income countries. Despite this, research into Alzheimer’s disease and relateddementias (ADRD) among African populations remains limited, with existing modelsbased on Western cohorts that overlook sex-, gender-, and ancestry-specific factors.The Female Brain Health and Endocrine Research in Africa (FemBER-Africa) project,hosted at the Brain and Mind Institute, Aga Khan University, Kenya, will establish adeeply phenotyped cohort of 250 African individuals across the ADRD spectrum. Itwill assess sex-specific risk factors linked to ethnicity, lifestyle, and endocrinologicalvariables using fluid-based biomarkers (blood and saliva), neuroimaging (magneticresonance imaging and positron emission tomography), and …

Prevalence And Determinants Of Nomophobia Among Healthcare Workers In Nepal: A Cross-Sectional Study, Prakash Banjade, Asmita Itani, Munish Sharma, Reena Shah, Jasmit Shah, Aakansha Singh, Rahul Kashyap, Salim Surani

Brain and Mind Institute

Introduction: Nomophobia, the fear of being without a mobile phone, has become a significant concern in the current digital age. Healthcare professionals rely heavily on mobile devices for communication and information access. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the prevalence and determinants of nomophobia among healthcare workers in Nepal.

Methods: A modified Nomophobia Questionnaire (NMP-Q) was used to determine nomophobia scores. Demographic characteristics such as age, gender, race, type of smartphone, hours spent on a smartphone, and type of medical specialty were considered to evaluate nomophobia in diverse groups of healthcare workers. Summary statistics were presented as frequencies …

Evaluating The Impact Of Alcohol On Dementia: Evidence From 13 Developing Countries, Cyprian Mostert

Brain and Mind Institute

Background: The 2024 Lancet Commission on Dementia Prevention identified alcoholconsumption as a risk factor contributing to a global increase in dementia cases by onepercent.

Method: We used a panel VAR model to analyze the impact of alcohol consumption ondementia prevalence in 13 developing countries with different alcohol tax systems.

Result: In countries with progressive alcohol tax systems, an increase in taxes onbeer and spirits leads to a 10 percent reduction in per capita alcohol consumption.This decline corresponds to a 4 percent reduction in dementia prevalence within fouryears. In countries with hybrid alcohol tax systems, a combination of alcohol bansand tax …

Degenerating Intervertebral Discs In The Streptozotocin-High-Fat Diet Model Of Type 2 Diabetes Show Extensive Inflammation, Christian E Gonzalez, Rachana S Vaidya, Sade W Clayton, Simon Y Tang

2020-Current year OA Pubs

The chronic inflammation observed during type 2 diabetes (T2D) is associated with spinal pathologies, including intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration and chronic spine pain. Despite confounding factors, such as obesity, studies show that, after adjusting for age, body mass index and genetics (e.g. twins), patients with T2D experience disproportionate severity of IVD degeneration and/or back pain than individuals without T2D. We hypothesized that chronic T2D fosters a proinflammatory microenvironment within the IVD that promotes degeneration and disrupts homeostasis. To test this, we evaluated two common mouse models of T2D - leptin-receptor deficient (db/db) mice and mice with a chronic high-fat diet …

Assessing The Tumor Suppressive Impact And Regulatory Mechanisms Of Spdef Expression In Breast Cancer, Maansi Solanky, Maninder Khosla, Suresh K. Alahari

School of Graduate Studies Faculty Publications

Background/Objectives: Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease, and the role of the transcription factor SPDEF remains controversial. We aimed to clarify the prognostic value of SPDEF, explore demographic and molecular correlates of its expression, and investigate potential regulatory mechanisms underlying its dysregulation. Methods: Genomic and clinical data for 1218 breast cancer tumors were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). SPDEF mRNA expression was compared across intrinsic subtypes, age, and race, and prognostic significance was evaluated by Kaplan–Meier analysis. Promoter methylation patterns and DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) expression were examined as potential regulatory drivers. Co-expression analysis was performed using gene panels …

Comparison Of Rule- And Large Language Model-Based Phenotype Extraction From Clinical Notes For Neurofibromatosis Type 1, Levi Kaster, Ethan Hillis, Inez Y Oh, Elizabeth C Cordell, Randi E Foraker, Albert M Lai, Stephanie M Morris, David H Gutmann, Philip R O Payne, Aditi Gupta

2020-Current year OA Pubs

INTRODUCTION: Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a rare genetic disorder affecting multiple organ systems with significant clinical heterogeneity. Managing individuals with NF1 is challenging due to variability in disease progression and outcomes and limited early risk assessment tools.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to develop an effective, generalizable, user-friendly clinical entity extraction pipeline for identifying NF1-related phenotypes from unstructured clinical notes to enhance research and risk-modeling efforts. We compare the benefits of rule-based natural language processing (NLP) vs large language models (LLMs) for this purpose.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four phenotype extraction pipelines (3 LLM-based vs 1 rule-based) were developed to automatically …

Assessing Health Behaviors As Predictors Of Psychological Resilience And Bmi In A National And Small Military College Sample, Kylie Blodgett, Rachele Pojednic

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Highlights: What are the main findings? First-year students at a military college engage in more vigorous physical activity and strength training compared to a representative national sample. In the national sample, higher levels of physical activity, strength training, and better sleep are associated with greater psychological resilience and healthier BMI values and these associations were not observed in the military college students. What are the implication of the main findings? Promoting physical activity and adequate sleep may enhance resilience and support healthy body weight in civilian college populations. Military training may overshadow the influence of individual health behaviors on resilience …

Women’S Experiences Of Declining Recommended Or Routine Maternity Care: A Systematic Review, Ilyana Mohamed Hussain, Kate Buchanan, Linda Sweet, Sara Bayes

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background Women have the right to decline recommended or routine maternity care. While informed choice is increasingly emphasised in maternity care, the experiences of women who decline recommended or routine care remain underexplored. Aims To synthesise evidence on women’s experiences of declining recommended or routine aspects of maternity care. Methods A systematic review was conducted using a structured approach informed by Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) principles for qualitative synthesis. Eight studies were appraised using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) checklist. Data were analysed through a narrative synthesis process, developing categories and dimensions that were synthesised into overarching themes. Results …

Clinician-Led Development And Feasibility Of A Neural Network For Assessing 3d Dental Cavity Preparations Assisted By Conversational Ai, Mohammed El-Hakim, Haitham Khaled, Amr Fawzy, Robert Anthonappa

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction: Artificial intelligence is emerging in dental education, but its use in preclinical assessment remains limited. Large language models like ChatGPT^® V4.5 enable non-programmers to build AI models through real-time guidance, addressing the coding barrier. Aim: This study aims to empower clinician-led, low-cost, AI-driven assessment models in preclinical restorative dentistry and to evaluate the technical feasibility of using a neural network to score 3D cavity preparations. Methods: Twenty mandibular molars (tooth 46), each with two carious lesions, were prepared and scored by two expert examiners using a 20-point rubric. The teeth were scanned with a Medit i700^® and …

Six Drivers Of Aging Identified Among Genes Differentially Expressed With Age, Ariella Coler-Reilly, Zachary Pincus, Erica L Scheller, Roberto Civitelli

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Many studies have compared gene expression in young and old samples to gain insights on aging, the primary risk factor for most chronic diseases. However, these studies only identify associations without distinguishing drivers of aging from compensatory geroprotective responses or incidental downstream effects. Here, we introduce a workflow to characterize causal effects of differentially expressed genes on lifespan. First, we performed a meta-analysis of 25 gene expression datasets comprising samples of various tissues from healthy, untreated adult mammals (humans, dogs, and rodents) at two distinct ages. Genes were ranked by the number of datasets in which they exhibited consistent differential …

Small For Gestational Age Subgroups Have Differential Morbidity, Growth, And Neurodevelopment At Age 2: The Interbio-21st Newborn Study, Aris T. Papageorghiou, María C. Restrepo-Ménde, Rose Mcgready, Fernando C. Barros, Francois Nosten, Shama Munim, Roseline Ochieng, Rachel Craik, Hellen C. Barsosio, Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhutta

Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Background: Small for gestational age is a complex perinatal syndrome associated with increased neonatal morbidity, mortality, and impaired childhood growth and neurodevelopment. Current classifications rely primarily on birthweight, which does not capture the heterogeneity of the condition nor predict long-term health outcomes. Here we aim to identify and characterize distinct small for gestational age subgroups and assess their neonatal and early childhood health trajectories.
Objective: To refine the classification of small for gestational age by identifying subgroups based on maternal, fetal, and environmental factors and evaluating their associations with neonatal morbidity, growth, and neurodevelopment at age 2.
Study design: Prospective …