Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

The Role Of Regulatory T Cells In Ischemic Heart Disease Patients, Duha Alaa Hassan, Hayfaa Mahmood Fahad, Saad Fadhel Nassar

Al-Nisour Journal for Medical Sciences

Background: Regulatory T cells (Tregs) represent 5–10% of the total T cell population and are known as potent suppressors of the immune system. They are crucial for managing immune activation, ensuring peripheral tolerance, and supporting tissue repair and overall homeostasis. These cells are characterized by the expression of specific biomarkers, including CD4+, FOXP3+, and CD25+. While CD4 and CD25 were initially used for their identification, the discovery of CD25 on other T cell types led to a more precise evaluation of Tregs through the assessment of the intracellular Foxp3 transcription factor.

Objective: The primary goal of this study was to …

Robotic Ureteral Reconstruction For Endometriosis-Induced Strictures: Insights From A Multi-Institutional Experience, Matthew Lee, Sonam Saxena, Kelley Zhao, Cameron Dodd, Randall Lee, Michael Stifelman, Lee Zhao, Daniel D. Eun

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

PURPOSE: To investigate outcomes of robotic ureteral reconstruction (RUR) in female patients with ureteral strictures caused by peri-ureteral endometriosis lesions.

METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed our multi-institutional Collaborative of Reconstructive Robotic Ureteral Surgery (CORRUS) database to identify all consecutive patients undergoing RUR for surgical management of endometriosis-induced ureteral strictures between 2017 and 2022. Indications for surgery included female patients with radiographic evidence of ureteral strictures and/or decreasing renal function on renal scan. We performed a descriptives analysis of perioperative outcomes in patients who met inclusion criteria. Surgical success was defined as freedom from additional interventions for recurrent ureteral stenosis.

RESULTS: Overall, …

Perioperative Repercussions Of Cannabis Use-Implications For Gi Endoscopy Sedation, Basavana Goudra, Michael Green

Department of Anesthesiology Faculty Papers

The legalization of cannabis in multiple U.S. states and several other countries, along with its increasing social acceptance across diverse demographic and socioeconomic groups, has led to a growing number of patients presenting for interventional procedures with a history of cannabis use. Although anesthetic and sedation-related implications may be less pronounced than in major surgery, they remain clinically relevant and warrant careful consideration. Key factors include acute intoxication, chronic use, and cannabis use disorder. Cannabis users often require higher-and sometimes unpredictable-doses of propofol and other sedatives. Inhalational use is associated with airway hyperreactivity, increasing the risk of bronchospasm and, in …

Radiological Insights Into Spina Bifida Occulta In Adults: Unveiling The Hidden Defect In The Lumbosacral Spine Of The Northern Indian Population At A Tertiary Care Centre, Binita Chaudhary, Ruchika Narayan, Prem Kumar, Bijaya N. Nayak, Padamjeet Panchal

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

Objectives: Spina bifida occulta (SBO) is a congenital spinal defect characterised by incomplete closure of the posterior neural arch. Despite its clinical relevance, discrepancies remain in the published literature. This study aimed to determine the distribution pattern and prevalence of SBO in the Northern Indian population using three-dimensional reconstructed specimens of the lumbosacral spine. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted between March 2023 and November 2024 at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences Patna, India. A total of 241 computed tomography (CT) scans of the spine from patients aged over 18 years were analysed. Three-dimensional images were reconstructed …

Advancing Modified Barium Swallow Pre-Sorting With Deep Learning: A New Paradigm For The First Step Analysis In X-Ray Swallowing Study, Shitong Mao, Mohamed A Naser, Sheila Buoy, Kristy K Brock, Katherine A Hutcheson

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Purpose: Modified barium swallow (MBS) exams are pivotal for assessing swallowing function and include diagnostic video segments imaged in various planes, such as anteroposterior (AP or coronal plane) and lateral (or mid-sagittal plane), alongside non-diagnostic 'scout' image segments used for anatomic reference and image set-up that do not include bolus swallows. These variations in imaging files necessitate manual sorting and labeling, complicating the pre-analysis workflow.

Methods: Our study introduces a deep learning approach to automate the categorization of swallow videos in MBS exams, distinguishing between the different types of diagnostic videos and identifying non-diagnostic scout videos to streamline the MBS …

Benefits Of Intergenerational Programming In Occupational Therapy, Rachel Mitchell

Honors Theses

Occupational therapy helps clients work toward their meaningful occupational goals. Within this career, a person’s roles and habits are also addressed and taken into account when creating intervention plans. Many individuals live in a multi-generational home, living with others of different generations, or even interacting with them in their daily lives. Intergenerational programming is designed to bring people of different generations together. Whether the client lives with someone from a different generation, or sees them in their life, it is vital to have an understanding of each other. Areas that can be addressed include mental health, cultural identity, social isolation …

Male Hypogonadism: Recommendations From The Fifth International Consultation On Sexual Medicine (Icsm 2024), Mohit Khera, Luiz Otavio Torres, Ethan D Grober, Abraham Morgentaler, Martin Miner, Thomas Hugh Jones, Jesse N Mills, Andrea Salonia

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Introduction: Male hypogonadism is a clinical condition combining low circulating testosterone (T) and specific signs and symptoms associated with impaired hormone production.

Objectives: To provide the 5th International Consultation for Sexual Medicine consensus paper with recommendations concerning management strategies for hypogonadism.

Outcomes: A narrative review combined with expert opinions on major topics concerning diagnosis of male hypogonadism; treatment options; T impact toward cardiovascular, metabolic, sexual, and reproductive health; and prostate cancer (PCa).

Methods: A consensus panel was held with leading Sexual Medicine experts during the 5th ICSM. Relevant English-language peer-reviewed literature was reviewed with a focus on research from but …

Neuronal Mct2 Promotes Angiogenesis Via Lactate In The Developing Mouse Neocortex, Daehoon Lee, Anika Wu, Lingling Yao, Shreya Satish, Lin Mei, Wen Cheng Xiong

Faculty Scholarship

Neural activity drives blood vessel (BV) formation and energy substrate delivery in the developing brain to meet rising metabolic demands; however, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. In this study, we exposed neonatal mice to chronic whisker stimulation (WS), a paradigm known to enhance BV formation in the somatosensory (S1) cortex. Transcriptomic (RNA-seq) and spatial (RNA-scope) analyses revealed that WS upregulated monocarboxylate transporter 2 (MCT2) in cortical neurons and MCT1 in endothelial cells (ECs). These changes coincided with increased cortical lactate levels, elevated astrocytic vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFa), and enhanced angiogenesis. Functional experiments demonstrated that neuronal MCT2 is …

Expansion Of Hand Trauma Transfers At A Level 1 Trauma Center Following Integration With The Assh Hand Trauma Center Network, William Delahoussaye, Madeline Gautreaux, Patrick A. Palines, Ramin Shekouhi, Kelly L. Babineaux

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Purpose: This study sought to evaluate how joining the National Hand Trauma Center Network (NHTCN) affected the volume, demographics, and severity of hand trauma transfers to our institution. Methods: Data for this study were collected retrospectively over a 6-year period from 2016 to 2021 from our institutional trauma registry. Patients were selected based on the criterion of being transferred to our facility because of isolated hand trauma. Analyses of transfer rates, transfer distance, sending facilities, injury patterns, insurance type, path of care, and hospital charges prior to and after joining the NHTCN were performed. Results: There was a total of …

Noda News October 2025

New Orleans Dental Association News

New Orleans Dental Association (NODA) News includes regular columns with regional news impacting the New Orleans membership including: columns from the President and Executive Director, feature articles relating to the field of dentistry, association events and upcoming activities, component news, continuing education opportunities, and classifieds.

Markers Of Tissue Hypoperfusion And Response To Vasopressors In Patients With Septic Shock, Islam M. El-Desoky, Ahmed A. Abdelaziz, Hossam A. Galbt, Ahmed S. Abdelgawad, Ola S. Mohamed

Journal of Medicine in Scientific Research

Background Patients in the early stage of septic shock require individualized fluid resuscitation and early administration of vasopressors to ensure tissue perfusion. We aimed to assess the performance of tissue perfusion markers in patients with septic shock and assessing its role in predicting the response to vasopressors. Methods This observational study was included 90 patients with septic shock within the first 24 hours of admission to the intensive care. Arterial (a) and central venous (cv) blood samples were obtained before beginning vasopressors (T0), and then at 12 and 24 hours after the initial sampling (T12, 24) for analysis of oxygen …

Racially-Motivated Discrimination Distress And Tobacco Use Outcomes Among Adolescents In The United States, Raed A. Bahelah, Osayande Agbonlahor, Bernadette Grayson, Thomas Dobbs

Population Health Science Publications

Introduction

Racism and discrimination are a public health problem. This study aims to examine the association of racially-motivated discrimination distress using the Adolescent Discrimination Distress Index (ADDI) and its subscales – institutional, educational, and peer – with tobacco use outcomes.

Methods

Weighted logistic regression was used to model the effect of discrimination on past 30-day tobacco use, poly-tobacco use, use frequency, tobacco dependence, intention to quit, and history of quit attempt using data from the 2023 National Youth Tobacco Survey.

Results

Approximately 53.9% (> 12 million) of adolescents reported discrimination. Higher ADDI scores were associated with higher odds of tobacco …

October 3, 2025 — Letter To Cms On Recent Guidance For The Rural Health Transformation Program, American Dental Association

Advocacy in Action letters

No abstract provided.

Lived Experiences Of Obese Women In Mississippi Concerning The Role Of Psychosocial Factors In The Development Of Obesity, Temitope Olabode

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

One of the highest rates of obesity in the United States is in Mississippi, where middle- aged obese women deal with a variety of social, cultural, and personal issues, including shame, discrimination, and stigma based on weight, mental anguish, cultural norms, financial limitations, and restricted access to healthcare. This study investigated the psychosocial factors that contribute to obesity in women aged 40- 60 years, and the effects of obesity on body image, self-esteem, health behaviors, and quality of life. A qualitative phenomenological study using the social ecological model (SEM) framework looked at the individual, interpersonal, and policy levels of the …

Comparing Fall Champions Versus Standard Protocol To Enhance Fall Prevention In An Adult Medical-Surgical Unit, Lily Denney

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

I conducted this quality improvement (QI) initiative with the aim of reducing inpatient falls within an adult medical-surgical unit through the implementation of a Fall Champions model supported by structured education and decentralized nursing leadership. Inpatient falls pose a persistent threat to patient safety, often leading to injury, prolonged hospitalization, and increased healthcare costs. Internal audits conducted through VigiLanz reporting revealed inconsistent protocol compliance and minimal accountability, signaling the need for targeted practice reform. Framed by the guiding question of whether Fall Champions could reduce inpatient falls compared to standard protocols, I evaluated the role of frontline leadership in reinforcing …

Motivation And Experiences Of Individuals With Opioid Use Disorder And Chronic Pain Using Medical Cannabis For 12 Months., Michelle R. Lent, Karen L Dugosh, Kartik Varsani, Andrea Jonsson, Tyler Kung, Katherine E. Galluzzi

PCOM Scholarly Works

BACKGROUND: The objective of this qualitative study was to better understand the experiences of individuals living with opioid use disorder (OUD) and chronic pain using medical cannabis (MC) for 12 months.

METHODS: Perspectives were captured via 10 key informant interviews conducted after 12 months of treatment with MC RESULTS: Key themes identified regarding the reasons for initially pursuing MC included: (1) cannabis supply safety; (2) a desire to reduce or eliminate prescription medication usage for pain, OUD and mood; (3) to induce feelings of calm or relaxation; and (4) to improve levels of chronic pain. At 12 months, key themes …

Alternative And Traditional Schooling On Sexual Risk Behaviors Among Alaska Native Youth In The Lower Kuskokwim, Nathaniel Hebert

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Alaska Native youth experience disproportionately high rates of sexual risk, yet disaggregated data and school-contextual analyses remain limited. Understanding how school type (alternative vs. traditional) and individual factors influence sexual risk among Alaska Native youth is essential for informing targeted, culturally responsive health interventions and addressing ongoing health disparities. This quantitative study aimed to examine the association between three behaviors (condom use, multiple sexual partners, and substance use) by school type, controlling for gender, grade level, body mass index, and afterschool activity. Guided by the social-ecological model, this cross-sectional study provided new insights into the relationship between school type and …

Does Staff Education About Diabetic Self-Management Improve Knowledge And Intent To Educate Their Patients?, Bambi Lee Lane

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This doctoral project was an education program for staff aimed at increasing their knowledge about diabetic self-management compliance. With improved knowledge, they will be better prepared to educate their patients. Diabetes is a highly complex disease that requires self-management care, including monitoring of blood glucose levels, control of diet, and medication adherence. Despite extensive pharmacology and diet counseling, irregularities between staff training and education program implementation have led to variable results in patients' compliance and control of glycemia at the project site. The significance of such an issue lies in its direct impact on patient morbidity, avoidable complications, and increased …

Addressing The Impact Of Workplace Violence On Staff Injury And Turnover Rates, Kia Denae Walker

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This is an evaluation of a quality initiative (QI) project to determine the effectiveness of the 2023 workplace violence prevention training program in reducing workplace violence-related injures increasing the staff’s self-reported confidence in managing violence-related injuries and increasing the staff’s self-reported confidence in managing violent incidents during the six-month evaluation period. The objective of this QI evaluation project was to analyze the effectiveness of staff education intervention in reducing workplace violence and its costs. The level of increase in staff’s knowledge, level of compliance with safety measures, and number of violence-related cases and claims was the focus of the post-implementation …

Staff Education Program To Increase Staff Knowledge On Evidence-Based Practices To Reduce Falls, Ariella Carrenan

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Falls among older adults in long-term care facilities constitute a pressing concern, affecting 30% to 40% of residents each year due to physiological changes associated with aging. Such incidents precipitated injuries, extended hospitalizations, elevated healthcare costs, and increased the potential for legal liabilities. This project investigated the effect of a structured educational intervention on nursing staff knowledge of fall prevention strategies in a long-term care facility where the fall rate of 3.4% exceeded the state average of 2.5% and the national average of 3.3%. The project explored the question: In a long-term care facility, does staff education increase staff knowledge …

A Network Meta-Analysis: Efficacy And Safety Of Rotational Atherectomy, Orbital Atherectomy, And Intravascular Lithotripsy Comparisons For Nodular Coronary Lesions In Percutaneous Coronary Intervention, Riana Handayani, Yudi Her Oktaviono, I Gde Rurus Suryawan, Hendri Susilo, Karimah Khitami Aziz, Nabila Erina Erwan

Folia Medica Indonesiana

Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) has continued to evolve since its introduction in 1977. Currently, 12% of all PCI procedures for coronary artery stenosis involve Calcified Nodules (CN). CN is defined as nodular calcification that protrudes into the lumen of the coronary artery. In this era, improving the feasibility and success of PCI is essential through the use of advanced techniques, innovative approaches, and specialized devices in coronary interventions. These techniques include Rotational Atherectomy (RA), Orbital Atherectomy (OA), and Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL). Comparisons of RA, OA, and IVL are still being extensively studied in terms of their effectiveness and safety in …

Assessment And Identification Of Bacteria In Sagu Lempeng Sold In Ambon City, Indonesia, Dilya Maghfirah Taher, Melda Yunita, Yuniasih Mulyani Jubeliene Taihuttu, Siti Nur Azizah

Folia Medica Indonesiana

Maluku Province in Indonesia is known for its diverse traditional foods, including sagu lempeng, which is widely consumed across different social groups. However, poor hygiene during its preparation, packaging, and sale in traditional markets can serve as a medium for microbial contamination, posing potential health risks. In Ambon City, the capital of Maluku, no research had been conducted concerning the total plate count (TPC) analysis and identification of food-contaminating bacteria in sagu lempeng, which are crucial for ensuring its microbiological safety. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the microbiological quality of sagu lempeng according to Indonesian National Standards …

Household Dysfunction And Dating Violence Perpetration: The Moderating Effects Of Parental Monitoring And Closeness Among Middle School Adolescents In Southeast Texas, Sumaita Choudhury, Emily T Hébert, Timothy J Walker, Christine M Markham, Ross Shegog, Robert C Addy, Melissa F Peskin

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Adolescent dating violence (DV) perpetration is a significant public health issue affecting millions of adolescents in the United States. Adverse childhood experiences such as household dysfunction (HD) have been exhibited to be risk factors for DV perpetration during adolescence and adulthood. Furthermore, the literature is scant regarding how positive parent-child relationships can mitigate these risk factors and decrease HD-related consequences among sixth-grade adolescents. Thus, our study examined the moderating effects of parental monitoring and closeness regarding the association between HD and DV perpetration among middle schoolers in Southeast Texas.

Methods: In our cross-sectional study, we used the baseline data …

The Great Escape: A Case Series On Ddx3x Craniofacial Phenotypes In Females, Ellen Wang, Kylie Swiekatowski, Danielle Sobol, Matthew Greives, Emily Hansen-Kiss

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Introduction

Case Description

Post-Rt Head And Neck Dce-Mri: Association Between Mandibular Dose And Ve, Brandon Reber, Renjie He, Moamen R Abdelaal, Abdallah S R Mohamed, Samuel L Mulder, Laia Humbert Vidan, Clifton D Fuller, Stephen Y Lai, Kristy K Brock

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) is a functional imaging modality that can quantify tissue permeability and blood flow. Due to vasculature changes resulting from radiation therapy (RT), DCE-MRI quantitative parameters should be significantly different in regions receiving a high radiation dose compared to regions receiving a low radiation dose. This study sought to determine whether a significant difference exists in post-head-and-neck-cancer (HNC)-RT DCE-MRI quantitative parameters (Ktrans and ve) between regions of the mandible receiving a high radiation dose and regions of the mandible receiving a low radiation dose.

Methods: DCE-MRI was acquired from HNC subjects post-RT. The DCE-MRI …

Assessing Spatial Variability In Observed Infectious Disease Spread In A Prospective Time-Space Series, Chih-Chieh Wu, Chien-Hsiun Chen, Shann-Rong Wang, Sanjay Shete

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Most of the growing prospective analytic methods in space-time disease surveillance and intended functions of disease surveillance systems focus on earlier detection of disease outbreaks, disease clusters, or increased incidence. The spread of the virus such as SARS-CoV-2 has not been spatially and temporally uniform in an outbreak. With the identification of an infectious disease outbreak, recognizing and evaluating anomalies (excess and decline) of disease incidence spread at the time of occurrence during the course of an outbreak is a logical next step. We propose and formulate a hypergeometric probability model that investigates anomalies of infectious disease incidence spread at …

Analysis Of Transcripts And Cardiac Myosin-Binding Protein With Variants Of Uncertain Significance In Cardiomyocytes, Egas Manuel Guterres, Luis Manuel Guterres

Folia Medica Indonesiana

Mutations in the myosin-binding protein C (MYBPC3) gene, particularly variants of uncertain significance (VUS), are associated with cardiomyopathies. This systematic review aims to analyze the impact of VUS mutations in MYBPC3 on transcripts and proteins in cardiomyocytes. A comprehensive literature search across multiple databases (i.e., PubMed, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect) identified relevant studies focusing on the effects of these mutations on transcript and protein levels. Additionally, exclusion criteria were applied, and studies were excluded if they did not focus on cases analyzing transcript levels and MYBPC3 protein behavior in cardiomyocytes harboring VUS mutations. A total of fifteen studies published between …

Detection Of Serotypes And Knockdown-Resistance Mutations In Dengue And Other Flavivirus Samples Collected From Mengare Island, Indonesia, Tasya Amalia Dwiyanti, Teguh Hari Sucipto, Khoirunnisa Suhandarini, Azizia Kanya Fathiarachman, Helena Putri Nastiti, Anika Rahma Putri, Shifa Fauziyah, Prihartini Widiyanti, Hariyono Hariyono, Saifur Rehman

Folia Medica Indonesiana

Dengue fever, caused by the dengue virus (DENV), poses a significant public health challenge, particularly in tropical regions. This study aimed to detect flavivirus presence, DENV serotypes, and knockdown-resistance (kdr) mutations in mosquito samples collected from Mengare Island, Gresik, Indonesia. A cross-sectional experimental design was employed, utilizing reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for flavivirus detection and serotyping, as well as for identifying kdr mutations. Ribonucleic acid (RNA) extraction was performed using the Quick-RNA\texttrademark Miniprep Plus Kit (Zymo Research, Irvine, CA, USA), followed by RT-PCR with specific primers for DENV serotypes 1–4 and kdr mutations (V1016G and F1534C). …

Impact Of Microplastics Contaminated Food And Beverages On Reproductive And Mental Health, Lala Opeyemi Titilayo, Adisa Ayomide Funmilayo, Adelowo Joy Motunrayo, Oladapo Jesutomi Eniola, Oyekanmi Bolape Adeola, Lala Olusegun Gbenga, Afolabi Opeyemi Olanike, Ajayeoba Titilayo Adenike, Morakinyo Adetoun Elizabeth, Oladipo Elijah Kolawole, Oyowvi Mega Obukohwo, Oyedepo Temitope Adenike

Folia Medica Indonesiana

Microplastics, defined as plastic particles smaller than 5 mm, have emerged as a global environmental pollutant resulting from widespread plastic waste. Increasing concerns have been raised regarding their potential contamination of food and beverages, which may pose health risks to humans. This review aimed to evaluate current literature focusing on potential reproductive and mental health risks associated with the consumption of microplastic-contaminated food and beverages. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using multiple databases and Boolean operators to identify peer-reviewed English-language articles published within the past thirteen years. The review included studies that addressed microplastics in food and beverages, their …

The Effect Of Astaxanthin On Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha (Tnf-Α) And Interleukin 10 (Il-10) Expression In Uv-B-Induced Rats Model, Akhmad Setyo Rahman, Theresia Indah Budhy, Jusak Nugraha, Nur Lailatul Fadhilah

Folia Medica Indonesiana

The skin, the largest organ in the human body, serves as a protective barrier against external factors. Exposure to UV-B radiation accounts for approximately 90% of skin damage, leading to aging characterized by dryness and wrinkles. Proper nutrition has been associated with skin repair and delayed aging. Astaxanthin, known for its pharmacological properties including anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities has garnered attention for its ability to improve damaged skin when administered as a daily supplement. This study investigated the roles of TNF-α and IL-10 as inflammatory markers in skin damage and repair, which remain underexplored. A true experimental randomized …