Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Development And Application Of A Multiplex Bead-Based Platform For Quantifying Host-Pathogen Protein-Protein Interactions, Larah Gorayeb

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

Host-pathogen protein-protein interactions are the key drivers of infectious diseases, where events such as pathogen adhesion and signaling are directly associated with disease severity. One example of this is Malaria, in which the Plasmodium falciparum infected erythrocytes adhere to endothelial receptors to avoid splenic clearance. This study investigated interactions between PfEMP1 CIDR1 field domains and host receptor CD36 using a multiplex platform to quantitatively determine binding affinities. Variants RP18 and RP27 exhibited strong affinity, suggesting a role in cytoadherence and disease severity. To evaluate broader applicability, the platform was expanded to the interaction between host protein SIVA1 and Helicobacter pylori …

Co-Occurrence Of Transcriptionally Distinct Persister Cell States Underpins Neoadjuvant Therapy Resistance In Triple-Negative Breast Cancer, Yu Zhang, Fatemeh Ahmadi Moughari, Ioanna Mavrommati, Nora J Doleschall, Kate Moore, Gareth Muirhead, Ram Rajaram Srinivasan, Ping Gong, Jonathan T Lei, Amy Fleming, Hwei Minn Khoo, Naomi Guppy, Gabrielle Elshtein, Mohammed Inayatullah, Vijay K Tiwari, Lacey E Dobrolecki, Michael T Lewis, Syed Haider, Rachael Natrajan

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background

Although the addition of neoadjuvant immune checkpoint blockade to chemotherapy has improved patient outcome in early triple‑negative breast cancer (TNBC), some patients continue to have poor disease outcomes.

Methods

To characterise neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) resistant cell populations that persist post-NAC, we created a high-resolution single-cell atlas of 129,433 cells from fourteen TNBC patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models with residual disease post-NAC. We identified transcriptionally distinct cancer subpopulations or cell states using unsupervised clustering and characterised‑ their regulatory network as well as clinical associations with treatment response, metastatic progression and survival. Findings were validated using multiple independent TNBC cohorts.

Results

Four …

Tracking Hiv Through Wastewater: Ethical Considerations In Public Health Surveillance, Faith E Fletcher, Olive R Pertuit, Catherine Troisi, Jelani Kerr, Dakotah Kinsella, Grace Elizabeth White, Steven Vargas, Anthony Maresso, Thomas P Giordano

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Ending the HIV epidemic requires timely identification of new HIV infections and promptly linking patients to high-quality care. Innovative methods are needed to capture real-time HIV incidence data to more effectively identify persons in need of HIV care access. Emerging advancements in wastewater surveillance (WWS) offer the potential to identify geographic areas with elevated prevalence of detectable viral loads among people who are undiagnosed or no longer receiving care, enabling more targeted interventions to reduce HIV transmission. The introduction of new public health technologies requires balancing potential risks with the significant clinical and population-level benefits of decreasing the number of …

Evapecognition: An 18-Year Dataset Of Great Ape Cognition, Alejandro Sánchez-Amaro, Sonja J Ebel Van Wijk, Carin Molenaar, Akzira Abuova, Lizbeth Mujica-Manrique, Sarah M Leisterer-Peoples, Bret Beheim, Luke Maurits, Anna Albiach-Serrano, Matthias Allritz, Nazli Altınok, Federica Amici, Alice Mi Auersperg, Filippo Aureli, Elisa Bandini, Jochen Barth, Leïla Benziad, Bettina E Bläsing, Manuel Bohn, Marie Bourjade, Juliane Bräuer, Marie-Hélène Broihanne, Sarah F Brosnan, Nereida Bueno-Guerra, Thomas Bugnyar, David Buttelmann, Frances Buttelmann, Trix Cacchione, Malinda Carpenter, Fernando Colmenares, Catherine Crockford, Katherine A Cronin, África De Las Heras, Arianna De Marco, Sarah E Detroy, Valérie Dufour, Shona Duguid, Robin I M Dunbar, Johanna Eckert, Jan M Engelmann, Joel Fagot, Julia Fischer, Sofia Ingrid Fredrika Forss, Martina Funk, György Gergely, Julia R Greenberg, Johannes Großmann, Sebastian Grüneisen, Marta Halina, Daniel Hanus, Sarah R Heilbronner, Christophe Heintz, Robert Hepach, Esther Herrmann, Satoshi Hirata, Alenka Hribar, Gabriele Janzen, Juliane Kaminski, Patricia Kanngiesser, Fumihiro Kano, Katharina C Kirchhofer, Hagen Knofe, Kathrin S Kopp, Christopher Krupenye, Isabelle Barbara Laumer, Stephen C Levinson, Ulf Liszkowski, Héctor M Manrique, Gema Martin-Ordas, Emma Suvi Mcewen, Richard T Moore, Enric Munar, Marcos Nadal, Christian Nawroth, Suska Nolte, Marie Pelé, Patrizia Potì, Hannes Rakoczy, Julia Riedel, Amélie Romain, Federico Rossano, Yvan I Russell, Gloria Sabbatini, Marie Schäfer, Marina Scheumann, Martin Schmelz, Benjamin Schmid, Vanesa Schmitt, Carla Sebastián-Enesco, Amanda Madeleine Seed, Chikako Suda-King, Tibor Tauzin, Sebastian Tempelmann, Claudio Tennie, Valentina Truppa, Jana Uher, Amrisha Vaish, Edwin J C Van Leeuwen, Elisabetta M Visalberghi, Christoph J Völter, Victoria Vonau, Claudia A F Wascher, Roman M Wittig, Wouter Wolf, Michael Tomasello, Katja Liebal, Josep Call, Daniel B M Haun

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

The study of great ape cognition offers insights into the evolutionary origins of human intelligence, but is hindered by small sample sizes and restricted access to data. To address this, we present the EVApeCognition Dataset, a publicly available resource comprising 262 experimental datasets from 150 scientific publications from the Wolfgang Köhler Primate Research Center (2004-2021) in Leipzig, Germany. Eighty-one apes participated in 150 studies, with a majority (N = 78) participating in more than one study. Publication of the dataset aims to make these unique datasets accessible for future meta-analyses and correlational analyses, helping us better understand how our great …

Cerebellar Oligodendrocytic Α-Synuclein Pathology And Dentate Nucleus Neuronal Hypertrophy In Parkinson’S Disease, Diego Iacono, Hui Peng, John Paul Bouffard, Roger Kurlan

Department of Neurology Faculty Papers

Idiopathic Parkinson's disease (iPD) research has historically prioritized basal ganglia dysfunction and neuronal Lewy body pathology, often overlooking cerebellar and non-neuronal cells contributions. This study investigates cerebellar neuropathology in iPD, specifically focusing on neuronal and non-neuronal cells of the dentate nucleus (DN) and its adjacent white matter (DN-WM). We systematically assessed autopsy-confirmed iPD brains vs. age-matched controls using immunohistochemistry and stereology-based morphometry methods. The study evaluated α-synuclein pathology, other common age-related co-occurring pathologies (β-amyloid, Tau, neuroinflammation), myelin integrity (Luxol-Fast-Blue), and neuronal volumetric changes in the DN of the cerebellum. In iPD brains, we identified intracytoplasmic α-synuclein inclusions within oligodendrocytes across …

Evaluating The Utility Of Rnaseq In Prenatal Diagnostics: Expression Profiles Of Cultured Chorionic Villus And Amniotic Fluid Samples, Maria C Vladoiu, Sen Zhao, Roni Zemet, Christian M Parobek, Jefferson Cruz Sinson, Stacy Tankersley, Ignatia B Van Den Veyver, Pengfei Liu

Duncan NRI Faculty and Staff Publications

Objective: While RNAseq has enhanced variant interpretation in postnatal cases, its potential in the prenatal setting remains underexplored. This study investigates the utility of RNAseq in prenatal diagnostics by analyzing the expression profiles of cultured chorionic villus samples (cCVS) and amniotic fluid (cAF) samples.

Methods: We performed RNAseq on 25 prenatal samples (10 cCVS and 15 cAF) and compared their expression profiles with those of postnatal tissues-blood and skin fibroblasts.

Results: To evaluate the clinical relevance of gene expression in these samples, we curated a list of genes associated with fetal-onset genetic disorders (n = 375). Using this curated list …

Bi-Allelic Variants In Ap5z1 And Ap5b1 Lead To Retinal Degeneration, Hafiz Muhammad Jafar Hussain, Meng Wang, Paul Yang, Behnoosh Tasharrofi, Yumei Li, Rebecca Lynn Clark, Emma Fale-Olsen, Grace Waldow, Mohammad Keramatipour, Mostafa Asadollahi, Mark E Pennesi, Rui Chen

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) comprise a diverse group of disorders that frequently lead to progressive vision impairment and blindness. Despite advances in genetic testing, a significant number of IRD cases remain genetically unsolved, often due to unidentified disease-associated genes or variants. This study reports additional cases for the newly discovered IRD genes of the AP-5 complex. A comprehensive ophthalmological evaluation was performed for all patients, including retinal imaging (multimodal imaging), visual field testing, and electroretinogram (ERG) testing. Whole-genome and -exome sequencing (WGS and WES) were performed for clinically unsolved IRD patients, and data were analyzed to identify underlying causal variants. …

Trajectories Of Plasma And Csf Mtbr-Tau243 And Phosphorylated-Tau Species Across The Alzheimer's Disease Continuum, Lyduine E Collij, Gemma Salvadó, Kanta Horie, Nicolas R Barthélemy, Tobey J Betthauser, Olof Strandberg, Ruben Smith, Sebastian Palmqvist, Suzanne E Schindler, Rik Ossenkoppele, Shorena Janelidze, Niklas Mattsson-Carlgren, Randall J Bateman, Oskar Hansson

2020-Current year OA Pubs

To efficiently implement plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers for staging and prognosis of Alzheimer disease (AD), we must understand their dynamics across disease progression. We analyzed participants from the Swedish BioFINDER-2 study with mass spectrometry measurements of plasma and CSF tau species, including eMTBR-tau243/MTBR-tau243 and phosphorylation occupancies (%p-tau). Disease duration was estimated using Aβ-PET and tau-PET with the SILA algorithm. Bootstrapped LOESS models showed that %p-tau217 changes earliest, increasing just before Aβ-PET positivity. Other p-tau species changed later, with smaller dynamic ranges and earlier ceiling effects. %p-tau205 and MTBR-tau243 changes aligned with tau-PET positivity onset, while MTBR-tau243-especially plasma eMTBR-tau243-tracked …

Harnessing The Gut-Diet Axis To Enhance Chemotherapy And Immunotherapy, Jill Carline

Bryant REDay (Research and Engagement Day)

The human microbiome, a complex ecosystem of trillions of microorganisms including bacteria, fungi, and viruses, represents a critical "gut-diet axis" that significantly influences cancer progression and therapeutic efficacy. While a state of homeostasis supports systemic immunity, dysbiosis is linked to chronic inflammation and can actively promote resistance to standard cytotoxic chemotherapies and modern immune checkpoint inhibitors. Specifically, research indicates that Bacteroides fragilis (ETBF) promotes resistance to 5-Fluorouracil and Oxaliplatin in colorectal cancer by activating Notch1 receptors to inhibit apoptosis and push cancer cells into a resilient, stem-cell-like state. Conversely, the introduction of fiber-rich and fermented foods can cultivate beneficial bacteria …

Reday Program 2026, Bryant University

Bryant REDay (Research and Engagement Day)

Program for the 2026 Bryant REDay (Research and Engagement Day). Program includes schedule at a glance, descriptions for panels, workshops, and presentations, along with sign-up links for specific sessions in the electronic version of the program. Printed program was in color with double-sided printing on 8 1/2" x 11" paper stapled together in the upper left corner.

Late Presentation Of Shone’S Complex With Severe Left Ventricular Dysfunction, Refal Mahrouqi, Asayil Almarjan, Ahmed Sultan, Sheeren Khaled, Elnazeer O Ahmed

Journal of the Saudi Heart Association

Background:

Shone’s complex is a rare CHD, often including supravalvular mitral ring, parachute MV, subaortic stenosis, and coarctation of the aorta. Variants of this complex have been reported with considerable anatomical and clinical heterogeneity.

Case Presentation:

a 14-year-old girl with severe cachexia (BMI 12.37) and cardiac failure, referred for CHD evaluation. Echocardiography and CT revealed a bicuspid AV, severe valvular and subvalvular aortic stenosis, subaortic membrane, muscle ridge causing LVOT obstruction, dilated LV with EF 25–30%, and VSD.

Intervention:

MV replacement, Konno procedure with LVOT and annular enlargement, AV replacement, and TV repair. She had an uneventful ICU course

Perceived Stress Levels Of Prelicensure Nursing Students Over A 10 Week Period, Sara K. Myers

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

Abstract

Introduction: Nursing students are held to extremely rigorous academic standards, which often result in severe and chronic stress. This phenomenon creates an array of negative consequences, including mental and physical health issues, reduced academic success, and, in extreme cases, attrition from nursing school or subsequent exit from the nursing profession.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify peak stress levels in a four-semester prelicensure nursing program over a 10 week study period to provide a template for implementation of focused mitigation strategies by nurse educators.

Methods: A longitudinal study design in which the Perceived Stress Scores 10-item …

Bridging The Gap In Patient Attendance: A Dnp-Led Quality Improvement Project To Reduce No-Show Rate By Implementing Text Message Reminders, Charles D. Rogers

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

Missed medical appointments contribute to revenue loss, workflow inefficiencies, increased staff burden, and reduced patient access to care in primary care settings. This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) quality improvement project evaluated the impact of an automated text message (SMS) reminder system on no-show rates in a privately owned, medium-sized family practice in a rural setting, aiming to reduce the baseline no-show rate of 11.4% to 10% or less. Guided by the Model for Improvement and the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) framework, automated SMS reminders were sent 48 hours prior to scheduled appointments. Existing 24-hour phone call reminders were maintained. Formative assessments …

Stress, Anxiety, Personality Factors, And Coping Strategies Of Collegiate Students And Student-Athletes, Jordan A. Wise, Nicholas Erdman

ASPIRE 2026

No abstract provided.

Muscle Activation & Testosterone Production ​ Through Use Of Rest-Pause Sets Compared​ To Traditional Weightlifting ​, Alec Carpenter, Robert Shute

ASPIRE 2026

Weightlifting is a popular activity that can help individuals maintain muscle mass or improve sports and exercise performance. However, limited research compares rest-pause (RPS) training and traditional weightlifting (TWL) sets with respect to hormonal response and neuromuscular activation. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess two training protocols of weightlifting and effects on salivary testosterone response and muscle activity. Methods: Four college-age participants completed the study, three male and one female. Participants completed three trials consisting of one descriptive and two experimental trials comparing traditional weightlifting and rest-pause sets. The descriptive trial was performed to establish the …

The Role Of Intravascular Ultrasound Imaging In 30-Day Readmissions Among Acute St-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Patients, Britta Watson

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains one of the leading causes of death in the United States. Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the largest contributor to deaths that result from cardiovascular disease. When CAD is left untreated, it can result in an acute ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). To treat coronary blockages caused by CAD, a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is performed. A PCI is a non-invasive procedure that uses coronary balloons and stents to open a narrowed or blocked coronary artery and restore blood flow.

An acute ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is a major cause of early hospital readmissions. Technological …

Cognition And Mental Health: Addressing The Impact Of Traumatic Brain Injuries (Tbi) On Adults, Hannah E. Smith, Lesley Khan-Farooqi, Anne Mcdonnell, Mpa, Otr/L, Cbist

Spring 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

This project addresses cognitive and mental health challenges in adults with traumatic brain injuries (TBI). It developed evidence-based resources, including a clinician handbook and user-friendly survivor guidebook - using research, interviews, and observations. The materials were refined with expert feedback and support improved interventions, education, and quality of life for individuals with TBIs, and their caregivers.

Staff Education To Improve Nursing Knowledge Of Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection Prevention Practices, Maylin Fernandez

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In this Doctor of Nursing Practice quality improvement project, I used a staff education intervention to address nursing knowledge gaps related to catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) prevention in a large outpatient urology clinic in the southeastern United States. Registered nurses (N = 28) participated in a single, 45-minute, in-person education session comprising PowerPoint slides, facilitated discussion, and printed job aids based on national guidelines. I used a single-group pre-/posttest design to evaluate the effect of the intervention. The primary outcome was staff knowledge measured using a paper-based, 17-item knowledge test administered immediately before and after the session. The secondary …

Implementing Positive Mental Health Promotion In An Under-Resourced School, Cameron M. Friedel, Angela Blackwell, Cat Daniel

Spring 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

The realities of under-resourced schools, while often described in terms of constraint, also present a meaningful opportunity for schools to intentionally promote positive mental health. By recognizing and building upon students’ existing strengths and adaptive capacities, school-based initiatives can transform everyday environments and routines into contexts that foster regulation, inclusion, and well-being for all students now and in the future. The integration of positive mental health within a school system impacts the behavior, social-emotional learning (SEL) skills, and academic development of all students. Given this information a digital toolkit was created as a targeted, occupational therapy (OT) informed solution for …

Interprofessional Collaboration: A Functional Vestibular Screening Framework For Children With Hearing Loss, Corinne Marascio

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

Introduction: The vestibular system is comprised of five organs located in the inner ear that support balance, coordination, and spatial awareness (Cleveland Clinic, 2024). Due to the proximity of the hearing and vestibular organs, children with hearing loss are at an increased risk for vestibular dysfunction (Cushing & Papsin, 2018; Kelly et al., 2021). Early recognition and treatment of vestibular disorders via vestibular rehabilitation therapy can support healthy development throughout childhood (Monshizadeh et al., 2022; Wrobel et al., 2020). While vestibular assessment falls within the audiological scope of practice, barriers preclude routine screening of vestibular deficits in pediatric patients with …

Costs, Demographics, And Causative Agents In Patients Hospitalized For Drug Induced Liver Injury: Trends In A Large Academic Healthcare System, Megan Kozar, Yunisse Gonzalez, Dina Halegoua-De Marzio

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

PURPOSE: Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is an uncommon but potentially life-threatening condition. To date, the burden of DILI on a single, large healthcare system has not been investigated, preventing adequate resource allocation. This study aims to quantify DILI-related healthcare utilization within the Jefferson Health System (JHS) and identify case-related factors associated with high resource requirements; such information is crucial to focus efforts toward resource reduction.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study characterizes trends of 48 DILI cases within JHS, including demographics, payer status, causative agent, and DILI pattern. These variables were correlated with length of stay (LOS) and cost relating to …

Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate And Xenograft Versus Autograft And Xenograft In The 3d Reconstruction Of Atrophic Maxillary Ridges: A Split-Mouth Randomized Controlled Trial, Moataz Bahaa, Ahmed Abdelmaksoud Dr., Mohamed Mounir Prof, Yasmin Nassar Prof, Mohamed Shawky Dr., Sara Elmoshy Dr.

Dentistry

To evaluate bone quality and quantity after 3D augmentation of vertically and horizontally atrophied maxillary ridges and compare the use of bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) and xenograft versus autograft and xenograft, both using prebent titanium (Ti) mesh over a virtually augmented model. Materials and Methods: Ten fully edentulous patients with severe maxillary vertical and horizontal bone loss were recruited. Virtual horizontal and vertical bone augmentation was performed for the deficient ridge to produce virtually augmented models for prebent Ti meshes preoperatively. Each patient was rehabilitated with BMAC and xenograft on one side of their mouth (test side) and with …

Cognitive And Mental Health Challenges: Addressing The Impact Of Traumatic Brain Injuries In Adults, Hannah E. Smith, Lesley Khan-Farooqi, Phd, Otd, Otr, Anne Mcdonnell, Mpa, Otr/L, Cbist

Student Capstone Papers

This capstone examined the challenges adults face following traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and explored interventions aimed at enhancing cognitive functioning and mental health. This capstone also aimed to reduce caregiver stress and burnout by expanding knowledge and resources focused on cognitive and mental health within the population. TBIs can result from a variety of causes, affecting cognitive abilities, mental health, and functional outcomes. This capstone shows evidence-based interventions designed to improve cognitive functioning, facilitate engagement in meaningful activities to improve mental health, and enhance overall quality of life for adults recovering from TBI. This also will demonstrate potential for occupational …

Contraception In The Ed: Understanding Education And Opportunities For Clinicians To Advise Patients, Hannah B. Lewis, Teagan R. Mccarthy, Dara Kass, Jennifer L. Kahoud

Department of Emergency Medicine Faculty Papers

Introduction: The United States faces a high rate of unwanted pregnancies. Despite this, many people continue to face barriers to accessing contraception. The emergency department (ED) can help bridge these gaps, but emergency clinicians must first feel comfortable offering contraceptive services. In this study, we sought to determine emergency clinician comfort in prescribing contraceptives and educating patients on their use. We also gauged clinician interest in receiving education specifically geared toward contraceptive care.

Methods: We conducted an online survey of ED residents, attendings, and advanced practice clinicians at Thomas Jefferson Univerity Hospital and affiliates in both the urban and suburban …

Nursing Migration And The Global Workforce: How The U.S. Nurse Shortage Impacts Developing Countries, Mololuwa Faithful Lasekan

Honors Thesis

As United States (U.S.) healthcare organizations face persistent staffing gaps driven by an aging population, burnout, and limited educational capacity, many institutions increasingly rely on internationally educated nurses (IENs) to stabilize their workforce. This reliance intersects with longstanding structural challenges in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where inadequate compensation and limited professional opportunities contribute to high migration intentions among nurses. Using a systematic literature review guided by PRISMA principles, this study synthesized evidence and five major themes emerged: (1) push factors driving nurse emigration from LMICs, (2) pull factors attracting nurses to the U.S., (3) digital globalization and post-COVID recruitment …

The Necessity Of Adaptive Sports: Addressing Financial Barriers To Participation In Children With Spinal Cord Injuries, Megan G. Wells, Lesley Khan-Farooqi

Spring 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

Children with spinal cord injuries (SCI) face significant financial barriers that limit access to adaptive sports, despite the physical and psychosocial benefits of participation. This capstone project aimed to address this gap by developing a comprehensive financial resource guide for families. Guided by the Person-Environment-Occupation-Performance (PEOP) model, a needs assessment was conducted through semi-structured interviews, clinical observations, and stakeholder input, revealing a lack of accessible and centralized funding information. In response, a guidebook was created that includes educational content, local and national funding opportunities, and practical tools for navigating financial aid and grant applications. The guide was piloted and refined …

Beyond Pico: Building Your Ppco Question For Pediatric Falls, Mayra Garcia

PPCO Resources & Education

No abstract provided.

Mastering The Ppco Framework: A Guide For Nursing Evidence, Mayra Garcia

PPCO Resources & Education

No abstract provided.

A Nurse's Guide To The Ppco Framework: Asking The Right Questions For Better Practice, Mayra Garcia

PPCO Resources & Education

No abstract provided.

Mastering The Ppco Framework: A Pediatric Hospital Falls Case Study, Mayra Garcia

PPCO Resources & Education

No abstract provided.