Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Identifying Novel Gene Dysregulation Associated With Opioid Overdose Death: A Meta-Analysis Of Differential Gene Expression In Human Prefrontal Cortex, Javan K Carter, Bryan C Quach, Caryn Willis, Melyssa S Minto, Dana B Hancock, Janitza Montalvo-Ortiz, Olivia Corradin, Ryan W Logan, Consuelo Walss-Bass, Brion S Maher, Eric Otto Johnson

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Only recently have human postmortem brain studies of differential gene expression (DGE) associated with opioid overdose death (OOD) been published; sample sizes from these studies have been modest (N = 40-153). To increase statistical power to identify OOD-associated genes, we leveraged human prefrontal cortex RNA-seq data from four independent OOD studies and conducted a transcriptome-wide DGE meta-analysis (N = 272). Using a unified gene expression data processing and analysis framework across studies, we meta-analyzed 20, 098 genes and found 335 significant differentially expressed genes (DEGs) by OOD status (false discovery rate <  0.05). Of these, 66 DEGs were among the list of 303 genes reported as OOD-associated in prior prefrontal cortex molecular studies (e.g., genes/gene families OPRK1, NPAS4, DUSP, EGR). The remaining 269 DEGs were not previously reported (e.g., NR4A2, SYT1, HCRTR2, BDNF). There was little evidence of genetic drivers for the observed differences in gene expression between opioid addiction cases and controls. Enrichment analyses for the DEGs across molecular pathway and biological process databases highlight an interconnected set of genes and pathways linked to orexin and tyrosine kinase receptors through MEK/ERK/MAPK signaling to affect neuronal plasticity.

The Effect Of A Superficial Biochar Layer On Soil Radon Exhalation: A Preliminary Investigation Into A Passive Residential Radon Mitigation Strategy, Nicholas Richmond Nelson

Honors Theses

Residential radon exposure is a leading cause of lung cancer worldwide, yet home testing and mitigation remain infrequent. Active mitigation systems can be costly, and existing passive radon-resistant construction techniques, while cost-effective, are not always sufficient to reduce indoor radon to below the recommended EPA threshold of 4.0 pCi/L (148 Bq/m3). This initial work examines the potential for a superficial biochar layer placed beneath a house foundation during construction to reduce soil radon exhalation and subsequent indoor radon concentration. Biochar is also being explored as an admixture to concrete, and this study investigates radon transmission through concrete with varying biochar …

Nivolumab Plus Ipilimumab For Chemotherapy-Refractory Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer: Results From The Randomized Portion Of The Phase 2 Checkmate 650 Trial, Padmanee Sharma, Russell K Pachynski, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

We report on the randomized portion of the phase 2, open-label CheckMate 650 trial (NCT02985957), in which docetaxel-experienced, biologically male patients with chemotherapy-refractory metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer were randomized 2:2:1:2 to nivolumab 3 mg /kg plus ipilimumab 1 mg /kg (n = 73), nivolumab 1 mg /kg plus ipilimumab 3 mg /kg (n = 74), ipilimumab 3 mg /kg (n = 38), or cabazitaxel (n = 74). Primary endpoints were objective response rate and radiographic progression-free survival; key secondary endpoints included overall survival, prostate-specific antigen response rate, and safety. This portion of CheckMate 650 was not designed to statistically compare …

Development Of Novel Plasma Proteomic Biomarkers For Cancer-Associated Thrombosis In An Advanced Cancer Cohort, Preeti, Mrinal Ranjan, Dang Pham, Juan L Bueno, Micheline M Resende, Michael E Scheurer, Christopher I Amos, Chao Cheng, Ang Li

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Existing risk models for cancer-associated thrombosis (CAT) show suboptimal performance in selective high-risk populations with cancer. Affinity-based plasma proteomics offers a novel approach for detecting CAT risk.

Objectives: To identify plasma biomarkers for CAT using proximity extension assays in an advanced cancer cohort.

Methods: We performed a nested case-control study using the Olink Explore HT panel. The final cohort included 57 patients with CAT and 113 matched control patients from 5 selected cancer types who had samples collected between cancer diagnosis and chemotherapy initiation. Random survival forest model was used to assess nonlinear associations with CAT in 5416 normalized …

Progressive Cardiac Phenotypes And Reduced Reversibility From Long-Term Cugexp Rna Expression In A Dm1 Mouse Model, Rong-Chi Hu, Mohammadreza Tabary, Xander Ht Wehrens, Thomas A Cooper

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is caused by an expanded CTG repeat in the DMPK gene, resulting in mutant transcripts that form expanded CUG (CUGexp) RNA foci and sequester muscleblind-like (MBNL) RNA-binding proteins. DM1 is multisystemic, with progressive worsening of disease manifestations in affected tissues. Disease progression is attributed to somatic expansion of the CTG repeats with age, resulting in production of CUGexp RNA with enhanced intrinsic toxicity due to increased MBNL sequestration. To determine the degree to which cardiac disease progression can occur independently of repeat expansion, we used a transgenic DM1 mouse model with inducible heart-specific expression of …

Comparative Effectiveness Of Low Versus High Dose Upadacitinib As Maintenance Treatment In Patients With Ulcerative Colitis: A Real-World Cohort Study From The United States, Priya Sehgal, Gursimran S. Kochhar, Harpreet Kaur, Himsikhar Khataniar, Raina Shivashankar, James D. Lewis, Aakash Desai

Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: There is limited real-word data comparing efficacy of low dose upadacitinib (UPA) to high dose UPA as maintenance therapy for ulcerative colitis (UC).

METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study utilizing the U.S. Collaborative Network in adults ≥18 years old with UC who initiated UPA 15 mg compared to 30 mg for maintenance therapy between April 2022 and December 2023. The primary outcome was a composite of intravenous steroid use, oral steroid use, or colectomy from 12 to 60 weeks from the index UPA prescription. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed for demographics, co-morbid conditions, laboratory, and IBD medication …

Photophysical Properties Of Tunable Dox-Ir820 Chemo-Ptt Combination Nanomedicine, Eshaal Nadeem, Fatima Abbas, Noureen Siraj

Research and Creative Works Expo

Cancer remains the second leading cause of death in the United States, underscoring the urgent need for more effective treatment options. Nanotechnology offers innovative solutions through combination nanomedicines that can integrate multiple therapeutic mechanisms into a single platform. In this study, we developed aqueous nanoparticles (NPs) composed of a combined chemotherapeutic agent and photothermal therapy drug,[DOX][IR820], using a simple reprecipitation method. By adjusting different parameters, we tuned NP size and evaluated how this influenced their photophysical behavior, such as absorbance and fluorescence emission, and photothermal therapeutic activity such as light-to-heat conversion efficiency. These properties were analyzed to identify the optimal …

Visual And Refractive Outcomes Of Premium Intraocular Lens Implantation In Post-Refractive Eyes Undergoing Refractive Lens Exchange Or Cataract Surgery, Simon Zakhari, Abhilash Guduru

Cumberland Medica

Historically, premium intraocular lenses (IOLs) were used cautiously in post-refractive patients due to concerns that preexisting or surgically induced higher-order aberrations could degrade visual quality by increasing glare and halos, while also reducing contrast sensitivity. Patients with prior corneal refractive procedures (LASIK, PRK, SMILE, or RK) often have altered corneal curvature, making IOL power calculations and lens performance less predictable. With advances in biometry, corneal imaging, and modern IOL designs that compensate for spherical aberrations, these concerns have diminished. This retrospective cross-sectional study evaluated visual and patient satisfaction outcomes after premium IOL implantation in post-refractive eyes undergoing refractive lens exchange …

Challenges And Innovations In Tennis Coach Development: International Insights From Practitioners Across Continents, Miguel Crespo, Rafael Martinez-Gallego, Christine Nash

Journal of Coach Development

Tennis is a global sport with effective coaches being essential to the continued appeal, therefore the work of the coach developers within the International Tennis Federation (ITF) is crucial. This research examined the work and aspirations of coach developers in tennis using in-depth interviews with 10 ITF coach developers. Subsequently, we developed detailed pen portraits of two ITF coach developers at different levels of experience and engagement in order to highlight any differences in work, objectives or ambition. Findings from coach developers revealed three themes: support from ITF; barriers to learning; making learning less traditional. The pen portraits added further …

Staff Education To Improve Fall Prevention In A Behavioral-Health Urgent Care Setting, May Nnenna Akalemeaku

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Colorectal Cancer Screening: Implementation And Evaluation Of A Screening Algorithm In A Rural Family Practice Clinic, Mollie M. Tate, Whitney Dubas

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects: College of Nursing

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality in the United States and disproportionately affects rural populations. Although more than 90% of cases occur in adults older than 50 years, increasing incidence among younger adults prompted an update to national guidelines recommending screening beginning at age 45. Rural residents face multiple barriers to colorectal cancer screening (CRCS), including limited access to care, transportation challenges, lack of insurance, and absence of standardized screening processes in primary care. These barriers contribute to lower screening rates, delayed diagnosis, and poorer outcomes. Evidence demonstrates that CRCS reduces CRC morbidity and …

Fall-Prevention Program For A Long-Term Care Organization, Roslyn Y. Heyward

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

An Educational Module On Safe Nighttime Medication Administration In A Correctional Setting, Linda Asongtia Foleke

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Transition To Noninvasive Testing From The Gold Standard Of Liver Biopsy, Heidi Bien, Sabina Choudhry, Christine Pocha, University Of South Dakota Sanford School Of Medicine & Avera Health System

Scholarship Pathways Program

Purpose: Metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), formerly known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, represents a rapidly growing public health concern, affecting roughly 30% of the global population. MASLD encompasses a spectrum from simple steatosis to its more progressive form, metabolic dysfunction–associated steatohepatitis (MASH). Early and accurate assessment of liver disease is critical for risk stratification and management, yet the current gold standard-liver biopsy remains invasive, costly, and limited by sampling variability and interpretive subjectivity. Noninvasive imaging modalities, particularly magnetic resonance elastography (MRE), have emerged as promising alternatives, but their concordance with biopsy in real-world clinical practice remains underexplored.

 Methods: …

Impact Of Dermatology Access On Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans Outcomes, Joseph H. Kelly, Marcus L. Frohm

Scholarship Pathways Program

Impact of Dermatology Access on Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans Outcomes

Joseph H. Kelly MD

Mentor: Marcus L. Frohm, MD

Introduction: Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans is a locally aggressive rare dermal sarcoma with a relatively high rate of local recurrence. Incidence in the United States has been reported around 4 occurrences per million people per year, and recurrence rates have been reported between 2 to 19%. Recurrence poses a higher risk for sarcomatous transformation, increasing the risk for metastasis. Early and accurate diagnosis, coupled with appropriate management, is essential to minimize these risks. This study extended previous research by evaluating whether access to dermatology care …

Measuring Effectiveness Of A Mobility Aide On A Medical-Surgical Unit, Jamie L. Granatowicz, Laura N. Rogers, Leeza A. Struwe

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects: College of Nursing

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of a mobility aide on a medical-surgical inpatient unit to improve patients’ surgical outcomes, decrease hospital length of stay, and decrease the number of falls.

Design: A retrospective review was conducted to determine the effects of a mobility aide implemented on a medical-surgical unit. The intent was to ensure the utilization of the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol for early mobilization before and after implementation. Two-month periods were analyzed before and after implementation.

Findings: The results demonstrated clinical significance for patients when implementing a mobility aide. The mean length of stay was 1.044 days …

The Cadaver As The First Patient: Early Integration Of Pathology In The Preclinical Anatomy Laboratory, Sruthi Shriram, Lauren Desantis, Tulika Singhal, Kevin Ta, Courtney Shields, Muhammad Jawwad Arshad, Varna Taranikanti, Madison Konja

Posters

No abstract provided.

Kern National Network At Ouwb: Helping Medical Student Ideas Come To Life While Promoting Student Wellness And Academic Success, Shivapriya Chandu, Ahmad Abu-Mahfouz, Rohit Ray, Riya Chhabra, Berkley Browne-Holtz

Posters

Poster Winner - Medical students experience evolving stressors and wellness needs throughout training. From preclinical coursework to board preparation and clinical rotations, priorities may shift over time. This project addresses the following research question: How can we effectively improve student wellness initiatives through student engagement during the M1- M3 medical school years?

Implementation Of Self-Directed Learning In Preclinical Respiratory Course, Tai Metzger, Kaycee L. Fillmore, Inaya Hajj-Hussein, Dwayne Baxa, Kyeorda Kemp, Virginia Uhley, Claudio Cortes

Posters

Self-directed learning (SDL) is essential to incorporate into the medical curriculum to develop lifelong learning skills. The Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) defines four specific components of SDL that must be incorporated into medical education. We created an team-based SDL activity and evaluated whether this format aligned with the SDL components defined by the LCME, using students’ evaluations and reflections.

Optimizing Patient-Facing Ai Chatbot Questions To Improve Readability And Actionability In Anesthesia Education, Sarah Kadado, Bianca Elias, Roy Soto

Posters

In anesthesia, high patient anxiety and limited counseling time increase the need for clear, usable information. Artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots (e.g., ChatGPT) are increasingly used for patient anesthesia education. Many AI-generated responses exceed the recommended 6th-8th grade reading level for patient education information. Responses also often lack actionable guidance for patients. This study quantifies how optimizing patient-facing prompts improves readability, understandability, and actionability.

Anatomy Of Teamwork: Leveraging Peer Feedback To Build A Bespoke Team Charter Assignment, Emily Tenniswood, Stefanie Attardi

Posters

Post-COVID-19, students in our M1 Anatomical Foundations of Clinical Practice (AFCP) courses increasingly request faculty guidance or intervention in managing intra-dissection team conflict.

Equitable Exposure, Unequal Outcomes Summative Performance Following Clinical Integration Anatomy Laboratories, Christopher Ramus, Stefanie Attardi

Posters

Cadaver-based anatomy education remains essential but faces high content demands, limited physical and personnel resources, and a continually condensed timeline. These challenges necessitate efficient instructional efficient instructional strategies. Pedagogical research supports active learning strategies for better retention, engagement, and application.

Perceptions Of Radiology Residency Staffing Models Across Years Of Training, Alex Zhang, Alexander Swantek, Adela Pouzar, Sayf Al-Katib

Posters

Case staffing is the primary method by which radiology residencies teach at the workstation. Despite this, the styles and methods for how staffing is performed have not yet been comprehensively described. Understanding these models and evaluating resident perspectives can inform best practices and enhance radiology education.

Do Preclinical Assessment Strategies Matter? Nbme Usage And Student Outcomes Across U.S. Medical Schools, Reem Fawaz, Aaryan Patel, David Thomas

Posters

Preclinical assessment strategies vary widely across U.S. medical schools. Limited data exist on how these strategies relate to student success outcomes. Our study examines whether exam usage patterns are associated with Step 1 performance, Step 2 performance, and overall match rate.

Head Impacts In Collegiate Rodeo Athletes: An Observational Study, Colton D. Carlson, Jacob Miller, Jason C. Dorman, Verle D. Valentine, Thayne A. Munce

Scholarship Pathways Program

Head Acceleration Events in Collegiate Rodeo Athletes

Colton Carlson, MS4

Mentor: Thayne Munce, PhD

Introduction: Brain health has been a growing concern across a wide range of contact sports in the last three decades. While most of the early brain health research was focused on identifying and preventing concussions, newer research has found that an accumulation of repetitive head impacts (RHI) is more predictive of long-term brain health than the number of concussions sustained. Consequently, being able to assess RHI in sports despite the lack of outward symptoms has become paramount in promoting the long-term health of athletes. While the …

Addressing Vaccine Hesitancy With Patient Education, Belle Grady, Victor Huber

Scholarship Pathways Program

Addressing Vaccine Hesitancy with Patient Education

Belle Grady, MD | Mentor: Victor Huber, PhD

Background: Vaccine hesitancy is a complex global issue, exacerbated by pandemics and social media. In addition to hesitancy, state policies loosening childhood vaccine requirements and alternative vaccination schedules may contribute to recent vaccine-preventable illness outbreaks in the United States. In South Dakota alone, kindergarten vaccination rates have gradually declined over the past decade. Such vaccine hesitancy and decreasing vaccination rates is a public health concern and must be addressed. Accessible patient education resources on the topic are necessary to increase vaccination rates.

Project Description: This project …

Examining The Relationships Between Work Environment And Stress Coping Mechanisms With Burnout In Medical Students, Oluwafunke O. Ogunremi, Valeriy Kozmenko, Ethan Noble

Scholarship Pathways Program

Examining the relationships between work environment and stress coping mechanisms with burnout in medical students

 Oluwafunke Ogunremi, MS4

Mentor: Valeriy Kozmenko, MD

Introduction: Throughout the duration of medical training, learners are oftentimes overworked and faced with high levels of stress and pressure; this can decrease quality of life for many individuals.The goal of this study was to gain an understanding of how work environments and stress coping mechanisms play a role in the amount of burnout experienced by medical students. Burnout as defined by the Maslach’s Model, focuses on 3 key aspects: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishments. Here, …

Clinical Outcomes Of A Non-Diffractive Extended Depth Of Focus Intraocular Lens In Post-Refractive Eyes, Collin Olevson, John P. Berdahl, Tanner J. Ferguson

Scholarship Pathways Program

Clinical outcomes of a non-diffractive extended depth of focus intraocular lens in post-refractive eyes

 Collin Olevson, MD¹ | John Berdahl, MD^1,2 and Tanner Ferguson, MD^1,2

¹University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine, Vermillion, SD

²Vance Thompson Vision, Sioux Falls, SD

Introduction: Eyes with prior corneal refractive surgery (i.e laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and photorefractive keratectomy (PRK)) pose challenges during cataract surgery due to altered corneal curvature. The AcrySof IQ Vivity intraocular lens (IOL) is a non-diffractive extended depth-of-focus (EDOF) IOL designed to provide a broader range of vision. Limited data exists on its …

Menstrual Hygiene Screening Needs Assessment In South Dakota, Mariah Shafer, Denyelle Kenyon

Scholarship Pathways Program

Menstrual Hygiene Screening Needs Assessment In South Dakota

Mariah M. Shafer, MD | DenYelle Kenyon Ph.D. Assoc Dean, Community Health and Engagement, MPH Program Director.

 Introduction: Menstrual hygiene management (MHM) is essential to women’s reproductive health; literature demonstrates there are mental, social, and economic consequences to inadequate MHM in rural and developing countries. Emerging studies show that US women who are impoverished, experiencing homelessness, or incarcerated also face poor MHM. To understand implications of poor MHM in South Dakota, a largely rural state, a thorough gynecologic health history is essential; this needs assessment explores the scope of MHM questions asked …

Licensed Massage Therapists On The Frontline Of Skin Cancer: Enhancing Early Detection And Prevention In Rural South Dakota, Kianna Thelen, Leah Naasz, Meagan Kray, Marc Dvorack

Scholarship Pathways Program

Title: Licensed Massage Therapists on the frontlines of skin cancer detection: A pilot educational intervention in rural South Dakota

Authors:

Kianna Thelen, MD | Mentor: Marc Dvoracek, MD

Introduction: Skin cancer is the most common malignancy in the United States. Early detection improves outcomes, yet rural communities face barriers to dermatologic care. Licensed massage therapists (LMTs) are uniquely positioned to observe skin changes during client encounters. This intervention aims to assess the impact of a tailored educational intervention on rural LMTs’ knowledge, confidence, and practices for identifying suspicious skin lesions.

Methods: Between July 2023 and January 2024, 46 LMTs and …