Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Key Attributes Of An Ideal Neurology Residency Candidate: Program Directors’ Perspectives, Bandar N. Aljafen, Ruwa A. Alneseyan, Rahmah M. Alsawad, Mohamed Bahr

Neurosciences

Objectives: To guide medical students and interns interested in neurology by identifying the key attributes of an ideal neurology candidate from the perspectives of neurology program directors (PDs).

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, former and current neurology PDs were contacted across Saudi Arabia to complete a self-administered survey sent via email or text. The survey included seven questions: six on PD demographics and a seventh with 51 items evaluating candidate attributes on a 7-point Likert scale from disadvantage to advantage.

Results: Thirty-two neurology PDs filled out the questionnaire. Among the key attributes PDs prioritized in a candidate is their letter …

Novel Enpp1 Gene Mutation Causing Generalized Arterial Calcification Of Infancy: A Case Report, Haifa M. Alturki, Haya S. Alfaris, Mohammed A. Al-Owain, Musaad F. Abukhalid

Neurosciences

Generalized Arterial Calcification of Infancy (GACI), a complex disorder affecting multiple systems, stems from an autosomal recessive mutation in the ENPP1 gene. This condition is marked by arterial stenosis and usually manifests prenatally or in the initial months following birth. High mortality rates characterize the first few months, a phase often termed the ``critical period.'' The report presents a case study of a four-year-old female with a new mutation in the ENPP1 gene, which broadens our understanding of this rare genetic disorder.

Theory, Experiments, And Image Recovery Algorithms For X-Ray Interferometry, Hunter C. Meyer

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Purpose: X-ray grating interferometry is a form of X-ray phase contrast imaging capable of simultaneously measuring attenuation, differential-phase, and dark-field images arising from X-ray absorption, refraction, and small-angle scattering, respectively. These additional contrast mechanisms have potential clinical and industrial applications, particularly for lung tissue characterization and disease identification. As grating interferometers approach clinical viability, key challenges include reducing X-ray dose, mitigating mechanical instability, and correcting spectral artifacts resulting from beam hardening.

Methods: The modulated phase grating interferometer (MPGI) is a potential solution for reducing X-ray dose by eliminating the analyzer grating used in alternative interferometer designs, including the Talbot-Lau interferometer …

Influence Of Depressive Symptoms On Disease Activity In Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis: The Mediating Effect Of Self-Efficacy, Wen-Wei Lin, Chieh-Tsung Yen, Hua-Lung Huang, Hanoch Livneh, Ming-Chi Lu, Wei-Jen Chen, Tzung-Yi Tsai

Leadership, Learning and Counseling Faculty Publications and Presentations

Background and Objectives:

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a lifelong autoimmune disease in which joint inflammation is caused by a dysfunctional immune system. Synchronous depressive symptoms have been identified as determinants of disease progression, especially disease activity as measured using the 28-joint Disease Activity Score (DAS28). Although growing evidence suggests the interplay between depression and DAS28 in RA, related findings remain inconsistent, implying that a pivotal underlying mechanism is overlooked. Hence, we aimed to examine whether self-efficacy, the belief in one’s ability to manage health, could mediate the association between depressive symptoms and DAS28.

Materials and Methods:

Between January and October …

High Prevalence Of Criminal Legal Involvement Among Non-Fatally Injured Ed Patients - An Exploratory Retrospective Observational Cohort Analysis, Vidya Eswaran, Raphael Cohen, Taylor Kaser, Alysse G Wurcel, Michael Mancini, Kateri Chapman-Kramer, Nicholas Szoko, Keyria Page, Melik Coffey, Kristen Mueller

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Individuals who have been incarcerated are at high risk of death by homicide after release from carceral settings. Our study aimed to assess the prevalence of criminal legal system involvement (CLSI) among non-fatal violently injured patients enrolled in a hospital-based violence intervention (HVIP) program and describe demographic and clinical characteristics specific to this population.

METHODS: This is an exploratory retrospective cohort study of all patients enrolled in the St. Louis, Missouri based HVIP, Life Outside of Violence (LOV), between 08/15/2018 and 12/31/2024. LOV enrolls patients aged 8-30 who receive violent injury care at a partner hospital. We collected data …

Mouse White Matter Matters: Cortical Origins And Spatial Organization Of Mouse White Matter Tracts, Sofia D Gordeev, Melissa Franch, Sarah R Heilbronner

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

White matter—the fundamental structure underlying network connectivity—lies at the heart of the brain’s computational power. White matter is organized into fiber tracts, or bundles, in both human and nonhuman primate brains. These bundles consist of long-range axonal projections with a set of shared origin and termination points and exhibit a predictable organization. However, the organization of white matter in the mouse brain remains relatively unknown. This knowledge gap is surprising given the central role of mice in neuroscience, with mouse brains serving as the dominant model for transgenics, in vivo calcium imaging, and circuit manipulation. To address this gap, we …

Associations Between Caregiver-Provider Communication Quality And Unmet Care Needs Among Older Adults, Jiaming Liang, Rafael Samper-Ternent, Brian Downer, Zhigang Xie

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: Unmet care needs (lack of assistance with daily activities) among older adults are common and linked to adverse health outcomes, greater healthcare utilization, and caregiver burden. While effective patient-provider communication is known to improve care quality, less is understood about the role of caregiver-provider communication, particularly across sociodemographic, health, and caregiving contexts. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional secondary analysis of pooled 2021–2023 National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) and National Study of Caregiving (NSOC) data, restricted to community-dwelling older adults (65 + years) who received assistance from caregivers due to difficulty with daily activities, and had at least …

Measurable Residual Disease Testing In Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Current State, Foundational Models, And Tools For Future Development, Joseph Van Galen, Stephen D. Willis, Ashish Bains, Sara H. Small

Department of Medical Oncology Faculty Papers

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a lethal and rapidly progressive hematologic malignancy with high rates of relapse and treatment refractoriness. Management of AML is complicated by biological heterogeneity in a disease that is broadly defined by the clonal expansion of myeloblasts that otherwise play an important role in healthy marrow tissues. While subtypes of AML are increasingly defined by druggable driver mutations including FLT3-ITD, IDH1, IDH2, and NPM1, conventional chemotherapy and reduced intensity induction regimens (e.g., azacitidine-venetoclax) remain therapeutic backbones. One area of active development for personalization of AML treatment is the assessment of measurable residual disease (MRD). MRD testing …

Artificial Accelerated Aging And Red Wine Staining On Color Stability In Dental Composites, Zeynep Hale Keleş, Marilia Mattos Sly, Rosa Llisel Ocampo Escobedo, Nuray Kösem, Yonca Korkmaz-Ceyhan

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background

The resistance of composite resins to discoloration, staining, and aging is essential for preserving both the aesthetic quality and long-term durability of dental restorations.

Objective

The study aims to evaluate the effects of artificial accelerated aging (AAA) and red wine staining on the color stability of resin composites.

Methods

A2 color disc-shaped specimens (10-mm in diameter, 2-mm thick, n = 5) of 3 resin composites: G-aenial Universal Injectable (GC Corp, Japan), G-aenial A’CHORD (GC Corp, Japan), G-aenial Anterior (GC Corp, Japan), were polymerized using a curing light through a Mylar strip and a 1-mm glass slide for 40 s. …

Prescription Tradeoff Decision Support For Pancreas Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy: From Templates To Artificial Intelligence Models, Yibo Xie, Manisha Palta, Ruilin Li, Wentao Wang, Qiuwen Wu, Yaorong Ge, Q. Jackie Wu, Yang Sheng

Department of Radiation Oncology Faculty Papers

Objective: To develop an artificial intelligence (AI) driven plan tradeoff decision making assistant for radiation oncologists. Methods: A user interface (UI) was developed to integrate the assistant with the treatment planning system to facilitate prescription decision process. The assistant is powered by a machine learning core which was trained to learn the balance between planning target volume (PTV) coverage and organs-at-risk (OAR) sparing. A group of 98 pancreatic stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) cases were retrospectively included for this study. The clinical plan's PTV coverage was compared against the model predicted value. A 10-fold cross validation was performed for all …

Deprescribing Following Access To Lifestyle Treatment: A Retrospective Chart Review Of Primary Care Outcomes In Patients With Type 2 Diabetes, Yoav Jacob, Kara L Staffier, Samveda Menon, Puja B Gandhi, Joeita F Macfield, Gia Merlo, Stefanie M Meyer, Shivani S Patel, Caroline Rhéaume, Madeline Watson, David Donohue, Wayne S Dysinger, Micaela C Karlsen

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Among individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D), lifestyle improvements can restore glycemic control, yet few studies have examined deprescribing in settings where it was necessitated by improvements in health. This study aimed to (1) identify instances of medication deprescribing among adults with T2D in a primary care setting where patients had access to lifestyle medicine (LM), (2) document lifestyle changes among deprescribed patients, (3) assess changes in body mass index (BMI), glucose, and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) following deprescribing, and (4) assess the safety of deprescribing in the context of LM-informed care by identifying adverse events.

Methods: A …

Functional And Structural Basis Of A Hypermorphic Trpc3 Variant, Briar Bell, Angela M Jaramillo-Granada, Luis O Romero, Irene A Gutierrez, Venkata K P S Mallampalli, Guizhen Fan, Sameer Varma, Matthew L Baker, Irina I Serysheva, Valeria Vásquez, Julio F Cordero-Morales

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Cerebellar ataxias are characterized by impaired motor coordination resulting from neuronal dysfunction within the cerebellum. The mechanisms underlying this pathology and its cerebellar-specific neurodegeneration remain unknown. We uncover how a gain-of-function canonical transient receptor potential member 3 (TRPC3) mutation, coupled with a cerebellum-specific isoform, stabilizes the channel’s open state, resists the leading inhibitor Pyr3, and drives calcium-dependent cell death. Restoring calcium homeostasis by expressing a Purkinje cell calcium pump improves cell viability. Transgenic expression of the TRPC3 hypermorphic variant in Caenorhabditis elegans induces neurodegeneration, confirming its pathogenicity across species. Cryo–electron microscopy and molecular simulations reveal the structural basis for the …

Social Isolation And Firearm Secure Storage In The Usa: Results From The 2022 Brfss, Alexander Testa, Daniel Semenza, Dylan B Jackson, Karyn Fu, Sandra Mckay, Kyle T Ganson, Jason M Nagata, Jack Tsai

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Firearm secure storage (ie, storing firearms unloaded and locked) is recommended to reduce unintentional injuries and suicides. However, the relationship between psychological states, such as social isolation, and firearm secure storage practices is under-researched.

Methods: Data are from 7136 individuals with firearms in their households from the 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Multinomial logistic regression was used to explore the relationship between social isolation and firearm storage.

Results: Among respondents, 71.6% reported storing firearms unloaded, 14.2% stored firearms loaded and locked and 14.2% stored firearms loaded and unlocked. Most respondents reported feeling 'never' (40.7%) or 'rarely' (33.3%) socially …

The Importance Of Sports Physical Leading To The Diagnosis Of Loeys–Dietz Syndrome, Fnu Varnika, Anastasia Dihel, Michael Bereisha, Nergess Taheri

Cooper Rowan Medical Journal

Abstract

The pre-participation school or sports physical, introduced in the mid-20th century, remains a cornerstone of adolescent health screening, primarily aimed at ensuring athletic safety. While most evaluations reveal benign conditions, these encounters occasionally uncover critical yet asymptomatic disorders. This report highlights the incidental discovery of Loeys–Dietz syndrome (LDS) type 4 in a 17-year-old male during a routine sports physical, underscoring the clinical value of thorough cardiovascular assessment and recognition of subtle phenotypic cues in preventive settings.

Significance: Loeys–Dietz syndrome is a rare, autosomal dominant connective tissue disorder affecting fewer than 1 in 100,000 individuals, often misdiagnosed as Marfan syndrome …

Bioinformatics Analysis Of Trpv1 Expression And Its Role In Hepatocellular Carcinoma Prognosis, Vivek K. Kashyap, Bhuvnesh P. Sharma, Himanshu N. Singh, Sanjay Kumar, Deepak Verma, Deepak Parashar, Murali M. Yallapu, Everardo Cobos, Subhash Chauhan

School of Medicine Publications

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is among the most lethal malignancies globally, with a persistently poor prognosis due to late diagnosis and limited therapeutic options available. The transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1), a calcium-permeable cation channel, plays critical roles in cancer pathogenesis across several cancer types, but its role in HCC remains poorly defined.

Methods: We performed an integrative bioinformatics analysis of TRPV1 utilizing multiple public databases, including TCGA, GEO, TIMER, UALCAN, cBioPortal, LinkedOmics, and COSMIC in HCC. We examined the TRPV1 expression profile, prognostic significance, genetic alterations, DNA methylation status, co-expression networks, and correlations with immune infiltration. Single-cell RNA …

3'Utr Mapping Reveals Alternative Polyadenylation In Right Ventricular Failure, Rahul Neupane, Kartiga Natarajan, Erik E Suarez, Henry J Pownall, Kai-Lieh Huang, Eric J Wagner, Ajay Kumar Verma, Rambabu Majji, Hari Krishna Yalamanchili, Ashrith Guha, Rajarajan A Thandavarayan

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

No abstract provided.

Impact Of Who Aware Antibiotic Handbook Training On Antibiotics Prescribing Knowledge Among Private Primary Care Providers: A Vignette-Based, Prep-Post Pilot Study In Patna, India, Poshan Thapa, Prachi Shukla, Chandrashekhar Joshi, Sena Sayood, Pradeep Kumar Sinha, Diwash Timilsina, Mili Dutta, Madhukar Pai, Samira Abbasgholizadeh Rahimi, Sumanth Gandra

2020-Current year OA Pubs

INTRODUCTION: Inappropriate antibiotic prescribing is a major concern in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), particularly at the primary care level. The WHO AWaRe Antibiotic Handbook was introduced to promote rational antibiotic use, yet its real-world feasibility and potential impact remain underexplored. Our study evaluated the impact and usefulness of the WHO AWaRe Handbook training among private primary care providers (PCPs) in Patna, India.

METHODS: We conducted a pre-post pilot study among 145 private PCPs (40 formal PCPs (FPs) and 105 informal PCPs (IPs) in Patna, India. Participants received training from an infectious disease physician on the WHO AWaRe Antibiotic Handbook. …

Using Diffusion Mri To Relate Hippocampal Subfield Microstructure To Delayed Verbal Memory In Cognitively Intact Individuals At Genetic Risk For Developing Alzheimer's Disease, Jennapher Lingo Vangilder, Andrew Hooyman, Sasha Hakhu, Kurt G. Schilling, Leland S. Hu, Yuxiang Zhou, Richard J. Caselli, Leslie C. Baxter, Scott C. Beeman

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

Intervention to delay the onset of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an important treatment strategy but detecting at-risk individuals before significant disease progression remains challenging. This study evaluates the relationship between hippocampal microstructure and verbal cognition in cognitively intact older adults, focusing on the differences between APOΕ ε4 allele carriers and noncarriers. Participants (n = 41 noncarriers, 33 carriers) over 60 years old (mean ± SD: carriers 71 ± 6.6; noncarriers 71 ± 6.4 years) underwent diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) and volumetric assessments. We assessed hippocampal structure, including microstructure, using Neurite Orientation Dispersion and Density Imaging (NODDI), diffusion tensor …

Energetic Diversity In Retinal Ganglion Cells Is Modulated By Neuronal Activity And Correlates With Resilience To Degeneration, Zelun Wang, Christopher Zhao, Shelly Xu, Minglei Zhao, Sean Mccracken, Rajendra S Apte, Philip R Williams

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Neuronal function requires high energy expenditure that is likely customized to meet specific signaling demands. However, little is known about diversity of metabolic homeostasis among divergently-functioning types of neurons. To this end, we examined retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), a population of closely related, yet electrophysiologically distinct excitatory projection neurons. Using in vivo 2-photon imaging to measure ATP with single cell resolution, we identified differential homeostatic energy maintenance in the RGC population that correspond to distinct RGC types. In the presence of circuit activity, the most active RGC type (Alpha RGCs), had lower homeostatic ATP levels than other types and exhibited …

Effective Spectrum-Based Antibiotic Resistance Index For Monitoring Resistance In Gram-Negative Bacilli, M Cristina Vazquez Guillamet, Alice Bewley, Nicole J Tarlton, Reid Goodman, Michael J Durkin, Michael Bernauer, Meghan Brett, Kevin Hsueh, Cristian Bologa, George Turabelidze, Andrew Atkinson, Victoria J Fraser

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing public health threat, and we currently lack accurate measures to track and trend this resistance. We developed the antibiotic resistance index (ARI) that aggregates resistance of Gram-negative bacilli (GNB) into a single metric which can be tracked across healthcare settings and over time.

METHODS: Culture data were collected from adult patients who met the CDC adult sepsis event criteria across 10 Barnes-Jewish HealthCare (BJC) hospitals between January 2018 and December 2023. An antibiotic's effective spectrum (AES) was calculated as the ratio of susceptible GNB to all identified GNB. The ARI was calculated as …

Collaborative Care For Depression In Chronic Illness: A Narrative Review, Chun Wong, German E. Corso

School of Medicine Publications

Background: Depression commonly coexists with chronic medical illness and is associated with impaired self-management, poor adherence, increased healthcare utilization, and higher mortality.

Objective: To synthesize evidence published between 2000 and late 2025 on the effectiveness of the Collaborative Care Model (CoCM) for depression in adults with chronic medical illness, with particular attention to contemporary U.S. implementation, policy, and equity considerations.

Methods: A narrative review of randomized controlled trials, pragmatic and implementation studies, systematic reviews, and policy analyses was conducted using PubMed, PsycINFO, and Scopus. Evidence addressing collaborative care for depression in adults with chronic medical illness was identified and synthesized …

Increasing Implementation Of Intimate Partner Violence Screenings In Patient Care To Improve Patient Outcomes, Emma Webb, Eliza Heinrich, Emma Foran

Scholars Week

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is an issue that affects every patient population, age group, and gender. In order to detect intimate partner violence among patients in a healthcare setting, it is proposed that a standardized screening tool be implemented. A policy was created to implement universal IPV screenings in a healthcare facility.

Improving Collaboration Between Rns And Crnas For Informed Consents, Bella Warren, Aliyah Frutiger

Scholars Week

This presentation focuses on improving collaboration and communication between Registered Nurses (RNs) and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) to help with the informed consent process for epidurals during labor. It emphasizes that obtaining informed consent during active labor can impair the patient’s cognitive function from pain and stress. The research shows that earlier education, prior to severe pain, improves the quality of comprehension the patient has during the process. Therefore they will be able to fully understand the risks, benefits and alternatives to epidural anesthesia.

Shared Decision-Making For Patient Compliance, Lydia Vernon, Breanna Day

Scholars Week

This evidence-based project focuses on shared decision-making between the healthcare team and the patient. As well as how this implementation affects patient compliance. An issue of patient noncompliance was brought to attention, and this project will address how shared decision-making interventions can decrease patients’ feelings of overwhelmingness and underpreparedness, ultimately leading to better compliance after discharge. By focusing on these interventions, patient compliance increases, and as a result, patient outcomes benefit, and readmission rates decline.

The Standardization Of Protocols For Lines And Drips In Complex Cases, Allee A. Rudolph

Scholars Week

Medication errors occur far too often, yet many can be prevented through simple measures such as intravenous line labeling. Clear, highly visible labels enable quick identification reducing the response time in critical situations. The incorporation of color-coding and icons can only enhance the ability to distinguish between the lines with confidence.

Reducing Falls Through Innovative Assessment Scales, Emily Oliver, Alisa Helt

Scholars Week

Fall occurrences remain an important issue in hospital settings that contribute to longer hospital stays, higher healthcare costs, and increased health risks for patients. This evidence based practice project evaluates current research that addresses how to reduce the amount of falls that occur in hospitals, specifically through innovative fall risk assessments. Key findings from the studies include the use of the Activity Measure for Post-Acute Care (AM-PAC) and the Modified Dionne’s Egress Test as a means to evaluate patients mobility function, and therefore gain a better understanding of how at risk a patient is for falls.

Implementation Of A Dual-Registered Nurse Skin Assessment Protocol To Reduce Hospital Acquired Pressure Injuries, Kaylie V. Newbold, Nishita Trivedi, Mckenzie Clendenen, Jariah Mcdaniel

Scholars Week

Hospital-acquired pressure injuries(HAPIs) remain a significant patient safety concern due to gaps in early detection, lack of structured skin assessments, and thorough documentation. This evidence based practice project proposes a dual-Registered Nurse skin assessment protocol, requiring two Registered Nurses to perform a full risk assessment and co-sign documentation, within two hours of hospital admission, and every 12 hours thereafter. Implementing these practices will improve accuracy, reduce missed injuries, further improve the use of other skin assessment tools such as the Braden Scale. This set of interventions promotes early detection, prevention, accountability, and improved patient outcomes, guided by the Health Promotion …

Reducing Nurse Burnout, Kaylee R. Mofield

Scholars Week

I presented an evidence-based project to a healthcare facility with interventions and a suggested policy change to help reduce nurse burnout. One suggested policy change I made was changing the staffing policy. Within this new policy I suggest that if the patient census was 25 patients it calls for 5 nurses, 17-20 patient calls for 4 nurses, 16 or less patients calls for 3 nurses; along with no calling off staff due to census but rather utilizing this staff as a float or resource nurse. Another suggestion I made was nursing leadership holding monthly “check-in” meetings separate from the monthly …

Fast Track In The Emergency Department, Raegan Luechtefeld, Ella Kjellberg

Scholars Week

Emergency departments nationwide all consistently work to improve efficiency and patient care, reduce wait times to be seen and length of stay, decrease overcrowding, and increase both staff and patient satisfaction. One way to utilize evidence-based practice and provide better patient outcomes is to implement “fast tracks” into emergency departments. This is used as a triage tool in order to separate critical patients from ones with minor illnesses and injuries. Fast tracks help to accomplish all of the stated goals by helping the providers and nurses to give more specialized and efficient care. The purpose of this evidence-based practice project …

Decreasing Wound Healing Times By Decreasing Stress Levels, Bayleigh S. Kraus, Colson Burnett, Kelsey Spann

Scholars Week

The relationship between stress levels and delayed wound healing needs to be further investigated, particularly in hospitalized and chronically ill patients. Research shows that psychological stress can impair immune function, reduce tissue regeneration, and prolong inflammation, all of which slow the healing process. It is important to explore how both acute and chronic stress affect different types of wounds, such as surgical incisions, pressure injuries, and diabetic ulcers. Additionally, identifying which stress-reduction interventions are most effective in improving healing outcomes is essential. Understanding these factors can help nurses implement targeted, evidence-based interventions to promote faster recovery.